A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology found that pesticides applied to hives to control Varroa mites can damage the gut microbiome of honeybees, impacting their ability to metabolize sugars and peptides. The research suggests that these chemicals can specifically harm the microbes crucial for honey bee nutrition and health.
The National Science Foundation has awarded over $2.5 million in research funding to Virginia Tech's Wireless@Virginia Tech for projects supporting the White House's Advanced Wireless Research Initiative. The funding will address critical issues in emerging wireless communication networks and technology.
A transdisciplinary team at Virginia Tech is developing a new curriculum model that prepares engineering undergraduates with disciplinary depth and flexible learning experiences. The project aims to broaden the diversity of students entering the program and provide them with adaptive skills to address real-world problems.
Researchers found that black mothers were nine times more likely to be given formula in the hospital than white mothers, while Hispanic mothers had higher breastfeeding rates due to family history. The study suggests that hospitals and policy makers consider these factors to reduce racial and ethnic disparities
Scientists have developed a way to upsize nanostructures into light, flexible 3-D printed materials with unprecedented scalability. The new process creates lightweight, strong and super elastic materials with a 400 percent increase in tensile elasticity over conventional metals and ceramic foams.
Researchers found city birds exhibit higher levels of territorial aggression than rural counterparts, possibly due to limited space but better resources to defend. The study, published in Biology Letters, measured bird responses to simulated intrusions at urban and rural sites.
A Virginia Tech researcher found that policymakers have failed to implement comprehensive measures to restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children and teens. The lack of progress has left 42 million children under 5 years old and 155-200 million school-aged children overweight or obese worldwide.
Researchers have uncovered a well-preserved fossil of a previously unknown bird species, Calciavis grandei, dating back to the Eocene epoch. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of large flightless birds and provides new anatomical data for resolving contentious debates among paleontologists.
A review paper published in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery suggests targeting non-muscle cells in the heart responsible for cardiac scarring could lead to new treatments for heart disease. Scientists aim to utilize natural reparative processes of fibroblasts to modify scar tissue properties.
A team of researchers has pinpointed the genetics behind a select group of garter snakes' ability to eat poisonous newts, revealing an evolutionary 'building blocks' pattern. The study found that resistant muscle evolved after resistant nerves, with the ancestors of garter snakes gaining toxin-resistant nerves almost 40 million years ago.
A study using chemical analysis of ear-stones reveals details of Amazonian fish migrations, environments, and populations, providing insights into conservation efforts. The research identifies chemical markers tracing fish back to the Amazon estuary and black water vs. white water rivers.
A team of scientists analyzed multiple studies on three well-known viral families to understand how viruses evolve and increase their genetic diversity. They found that segmented RNA viruses can replicate with a single parental line, but reassortment between viruses is limited by physical and molecular constraints.
Research finds TB transmission in mongooses occurs through social behavior, with scent marks and urine allowing pathogen spread. Smaller social groups are most threatened by the disease.
Researchers found that animal sign-based methods are more reliable than direct encounters in estimating wildlife populations. This study highlights the importance of using alternative assessment methods to ensure accurate conservation status assessments and protect local communities.
New research on Asilisaurus fossils reveals that early dinosaurs grew at a faster rate than previously thought and didn't follow the expected pattern of size being a predictor of maturity. The study found that muscle scars on fossil bones were more related to growth patterns than sex differences.
Virginia Tech researchers have sequenced the Y chromosome of malaria-spreading mosquitoes, a key genetic driver of sex-determination and male fertility. The findings will help develop more effective mosquito control strategies by creating sterile males or reducing female populations.
Researchers have found that truckers with obstructive sleep apnea who do not adhere to treatment have a significantly higher crash risk. The study, which analyzed over 1,600 drivers, found that these drivers were more than five times as likely to be involved in a severe crash compared to those who followed the treatment program.
A $1 million pilot project recovers rare earth elements from coal waste using patented HHS technology. Supplies of essential materials needed to make products like smart phones and windmills are growing scarce.
Researchers recommend reducing water usage for agriculture, using less road salt, and routing urban salt discharges to minimize freshwater damage. High salt levels can be toxic to aquatic organisms and kill fish and other food sources.
Researchers have discovered a way to maximize electricity generation from wastewater using a novel combination of substrates, allowing for more efficient energy production. This breakthrough could enable the development of microbial fuel cells and make wastewater treatment centers self-sustaining.
Researchers found that drivers are more than double their crash risk when engaging in distracting activities such as using a handheld cell phone or reading. The study analyzed over 1,600 verified crash events and found that being in an emotional state, traveling above the speed limit, and performance errors increase driver risk. In con...
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found a way to potentially track and stop viral outbreaks, including Hepatitis C in humans and plant viruses. By understanding how viruses replicate, they can develop new ways to control infection without causing host toxicity.
Researchers suggest using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to introduce a male sex determining gene into female mosquito embryos, potentially reducing disease transmission. The goal is to create sterile or fertile males that outcompete females in the wild.
Men who experienced a family member's incarceration during childhood are approximately twice as likely to have a heart attack in later adulthood compared to those without such exposure. The study also found no association between childhood family member incarceration and heart attacks in women.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute found that brain cells change through experiences like learning and emotions, forming functional networks.
A massive research project has sequenced the bedbug genome, providing insight into its ability to resist insecticides. The study found that bedbug skin genetics play a crucial role in this resistance, and may also shed light on whether bedbugs originated from one or multiple sources.
Millions of dollars have been spent on insecticides to kill bedbugs, but a new study shows that overuse has led to increased resistance. Researchers found that bedbugs in Michigan and Cincinnati were up to 33,333 times more resistant to certain chemicals than susceptible strains.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a beetle-inspired method to control frost growth on surfaces using chemical micropatterns. By attracting water to specific areas and repelling it from others, they created dry zones around frozen dew drops, preventing frost from spreading.
Scientists at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have found a way to influence long-term memory formation in the immune system. The researchers discovered that proteins responding to the cells' environment can push effector cells towards memory, leading to the creation of specialized cells to combat specific invading pathogens.
Researchers warn that dam projects on Amazon, Congo, and Mekong rivers put many unique fish species at risk due to habitat disruption and human displacement. An improved approach to dam evaluation and siting is needed to balance costs and benefits of hydropower.
Dogs drink by accelerating their tongues to create a water column, whereas cats use steady inertia. Researchers used photography and laboratory simulations to study dog lapping, finding that dogs' sloppy-looking actions are high-speed movements optimizing fluid acquisition.
A team of researchers has discovered fossils of kinorhynch worms, also known as mud dragons, dating back over 530 million years. The historic find provides crucial insights into the evolution of body segmentation among animals.
Virginia Tech researchers have discovered that plasmacytoid dendritic cells do not contribute to late-stage lupus in mice, contradicting years of previous research. The study's findings suggest that pDCs are only involved in the initiation of lupus, rather than its progression.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing computational models to teach chemistry in an interactive environment that encourages scientific discussion and argumentation. The project aims to integrate science, engineering, art, and design to transform K-12 education.
Researchers describe a new treatment option for glioblastoma multiforme, targeting malignant cells while leaving healthy cells alive with high-frequency pulsed electric fields. The therapy has shown promise in killing tumor cells by disrupting cell membranes and causing nuclear collapse.
Scientists measured dopamine signals in Parkinson's patients during brain surgery, revealing rapid dopamine release encodes information crucial for human choice. The findings have widespread implications for neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression and addiction.
A study published in the journal Brain found that amyloid plaques around blood vessels in the brain can disrupt astrocyte function, leading to reduced cerebral blood flow. This could account for symptoms such as memory lapses, impaired decision-making, and personality changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers from Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute and clinicians have discovered a way to sensitize human glioblastoma cells to chemotherapy, offering new hope for patients with aggressive brain cancer. The breakthrough involves inhibiting connexin 43, a protein that facilitates cell signaling in damaged cells.
A new project aims to incorporate ecological processes into Earth system models to predict the effectiveness of land management practices in mitigating climate change. The project, led by Quinn Thomas, will use field data and a state-of-the-art model to better understand key ecological processes and their impact on climate.
A Virginia Tech researcher has won a $7.2 million grant to develop a program promoting healthy relationships and economic stability for low-income couples. The 'Together' project aims to improve couples' well-being, parenting, financial management, and employment through integrated solutions.
Virginia Tech researchers will investigate how people on the brink of developing Type 2 diabetes value the future, aiming to improve self-regulation and prevent medical complications. The study, funded by $2.4 million grant, applies approaches developed in addiction research to develop a behavioral treatment.
Researchers have developed methods to overcome technical limitations in studying the immune system, allowing for investigation of interdependent components and their impact on functions at the systems level. The new book provides valuable insights into team science and the application of computational tools to model immunity.
A study published in Molecular Cell reveals that cells have adaptive mechanisms to maintain perfect timing despite varying starting conditions. This finding has significant implications for understanding how cells avoid errors that promote cancer development and can inform the creation of robust mechanisms for synthetic life.
Researchers analyzed blood samples of chickens from the same generation to reconstruct how mitochondrial DNA passed from mothers to daughters. The study found that evolution occurs much faster than previously believed, with a rate of change in mitochondrial genomes estimated at around 2 percent per million years.
Scientists at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have discovered that a small shift in environmental factors can change how a cell in the immune system matures. They examined how interleukin-15 influences gene expression patterns in T helper cells, finding that it promotes a different kind of immune response similar to decreased...
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new adhesive material inspired by spider glue, with potential applications in creating environmentally non-toxic and energy-conserving products. The study revealed that ultraviolet rays play an important role in the performance of spider glue.
Researchers at Virginia Tech will investigate the effects of circadian rhythms on fundamental cellular processes using a $750,000 NSF award. The study aims to understand how disruptions in circadian rhythms contribute to disease development and progression.
A new research method has been developed by Virginia Tech computer scientists to identify and prevent stealthy attacks on complex computer systems. The approach uses matrix-based pattern recognition to analyze execution paths and detect anomalies with low false positive rates.
A new study on plankton's jumping behavior shows that velocity is the primary factor determining whether an animal can break the water's surface. Only certain species of copepods with high impact speeds of around one meter per second can jump out of the water, suggesting they may be the smallest animals capable of this feat.
Research published in PLOS ONE suggests that restricting wildlife access to rivers and floodplains in dryland regions can impact water quality and human health. The study found significant relationships between increased concentrations of E. coli and animal densities, fecal counts, and land characteristics.