Researchers at Virginia Tech found that naturally occurring bacteria on a frog's skin can respond to infection and adjust their structure and function to compensate for it. The study suggests that the whole community of bacteria is important, not just a single protective bacterium. This discovery offers hope in limiting the impact of c...
A $3.3 million multicenter study will track head impact exposure in over 3 million youth football players across the US. The research aims to improve helmet design and detect injuries earlier with advanced instrumentation, including sensors in helmets and mouthguards.
A global team of experts aims to mitigate the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms through contaminated water. The researchers focus on understanding how wastewater treatment processes affect resistance dissemination and develop novel approaches to stop it.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have refined a mathematical model that simulates genetic mutations and their impact on cell division. The model's accuracy has been improved through laboratory experiments and is expected to be useful in understanding how certain mutations thrive and reproduce, particularly in the context of cancer.
Researchers have developed a model to predict the risk of waterborne diseases in flooding rivers, which can affect millions of people worldwide. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding the complex interactions between environmental and human factors in shaping disease dynamics.
Scientists have developed a new toolkit to examine the BRCA1 protein and its associated parts in near-native environments. This allows for direct visualization of macromolecular regulatory complexes in human patient-derived cancer cells, providing valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer.
Researchers detect melanin in fossilized tissues of fish, frogs, and other ancient animals, revealing their original color patterns. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of color recognition in ancient life forms.
A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers found that nearly half of endangered social carnivores were threatened by disease, compared to 3% of solitary carnivores. The team will investigate the interaction between sociality and infectious disease in highly social species, such as the banded mongoose.
The South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, threatens US tomato crops with potential crop loss of up to 100%, prompting Virginia Tech-led recommendations for quarantine measures and monitoring programs. World production of tomatoes is approximately 163 million tons annually.
Researchers found that birds' feeding preferences, rather than social position, are key factors in contracting and spreading a common eye disease. The study suggests targeting high-risk individuals to reduce disease transmission.
Virginia Tech has won a $2.5 million grant to establish its own center for earth and environmental nanotechnology infrastructure, part of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure network. The center will focus on characterization, fabrication, and analysis of nanomaterials in soil, water, air, and biological systems.
A novel model enables fast prediction of novel alloy materials, significantly accelerating materials discovery in the field of catalysis. The approach uses machine learning to capture complex interactions of molecules on metal surfaces.
Marc Edwards, a renowned expert on municipal water quality, is studying severe iron and lead corrosion in Flint's water system. The investigation aims to understand the 'perfect storm' of problems affecting residents, including high levels of lead in tap water.
An international team of researchers identified key opportunities in nutrition science to close a major gap between available and projected food by 2050. The researchers proposed eight axes of research, including sustainability, food safety, and big data analysis, to improve nutrition as a science.
The discovery reveals protein structural changes that could inform treatments for inflammatory conditions such as heart disease and colon cancer. The researchers found that two proteins, Tollip and Tom1, work together to regulate the turnover of cell-surface receptor proteins that trigger inflammation.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute used 'brainbow' technique to tag retinal ganglion cell terminals, revealing individual terminals from multiple cells in mature mouse brains. The study challenges traditional understanding of neural development and connections between the retina and brain.
Researchers found altered mitochondrial DNA in pre-diabetic individuals with insulin resistance, who had lower amounts of mitochondrial DNA and higher methylation levels. This discovery may help prevent Type II diabetes by identifying a biomarker for early intervention.
Researchers discovered single-cell organisms can somersault and bend their bodies to navigate confined spaces, exhibiting unique behaviors such as meandering wanderings and ballistic swimming traits. This finding has significant implications for the study of microfluidics and its applications in various engineering and scientific fields.
Scientists have found possible cancer markers in neural crest cells, a discovery that may lead to better diagnosis and treatment of brain and skin cancers. The research uses repetitive DNA sequences to identify potential genomic changes associated with cancer development.
Researchers have found that crystals can form in complex shapes using multiple pathways, challenging traditional theories. This new understanding has implications for materials science, health research, and basic science studies, including the formation of shells, teeth, and bones in animals.
Researchers found that multidrug-resistant bacteria were widespread among African wildlife, including species with high exposure to antibiotics through diet. These findings suggest that wildlife may serve as sentinels for antimicrobial resistance in ecosystems, providing clues to the spread of resistant microbes.
A new microfluidic technique allows for efficient epigenomic analysis using minimal cells, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies. The technology reduces testing requirements from 10 million cells to just 100 cells, enabling studies of diseases such as stem cell differentiation, inflammation, and cancer.
A multi-institutional research team discovered that early animals took their first breaths with only a slight increase in oxygen levels, contradicting the long-held theory of dramatic oxygen changes. This finding provides new insights into the evolution of complex life forms like whales and sharks.
A Virginia Tech scientist has developed a mathematical model that demonstrates bacteria can control the behavior of robots, opening up new possibilities in ecology, biology, and robotics. The model uses engineered gene circuits in E. coli to create a bacteria-robot system that exhibits unique decision-making behavior.
Researchers created a scoring system, called the Healthy Beverage Index, to evaluate beverage intake patterns and their impact on health conditions like obesity and diabetes. The index scores are correlated with better cholesterol levels, lowered risk of hypertension, and lower blood pressure in men.
Researchers discovered that cavitation bubbles can pull in nearby particles like black holes, potentially leading to new cleaning methods. The effect depends on particle size and distance from the bubble, with smaller particles moving faster towards the collapsing bubble.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Life Science Institute have discovered a genetic switch called Nix that underlies the difference between male and female mosquitoes. By harnessing this trait, they hope to develop mosquito control strategies by converting females into harmless males or eliminating deadly females.
Researchers have developed a prototype of a dynamic sonar system inspired by horseshoe bats, which could lead to more effective man-made sonar systems. The system uses principles similar to those used by bats to navigate and hunt in the dark.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute found that brain signals predict the likelihood of conforming to others' choices, with individuals more likely to follow risks if they like taking risks and safer options if cautious. The study sheds light on how social support systems can encourage healthy choices.
A Virginia Tech team, led by Amy Pruden and Monica Ponder, is examining the impact of antibiotic use in agriculture on human health. They aim to identify ways to control the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes in the food chain.
A Virginia Tech researcher has made a groundbreaking discovery about the origins of bioluminescence in millipedes. By studying a rare species that glows in the dark, he found that its early evolutionary role may have been related to antioxidant properties, not warning predators.
A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers found that the body's muscle begins to process nutrients differently after just five days of a high-fat diet. This change can have dire consequences on the rest of the body and may lead to the development of diabetes and other diseases.
Benjamin C. Jantzen wins NSF CAREER Award to study enabling machines to carry out scientific research on their own. His approach, Dynamical Kinds Theory, aims to create a robot scientist by developing computer algorithms that can automatically choose relevant variables for investigation.
Researchers have developed a credit-card-sized gas chromatography platform that can analyze volatile compounds within seconds. The hybrid integrated approach allows for individual components to be miniaturized on separately fabricated chips, increasing the system's portability and throughput.
A team of Virginia Tech researchers has discovered a way to produce hydrogen fuel using a biological method that reduces the time and money required for its production. The new method uses abundant corn stover to create hydrogen with extremely low carbon emissions.
Researchers re-discovered the Pinocchio lizard in Ecuador's cloud forests and studied its long nose, finding it plays a key role in social interactions among males and between males and females. The team hopes to learn more about the appendage's evolution and its impact on conservation efforts.
Researchers reveal 'juvenile' continental crust has been produced throughout Earth's history, contradicting the long-held theory that all continental crust was generated during the Archaean Eon. The study provides new understanding of the formation of the Earth's continental crust and its impact on the planet's life and climate.
Virginia Tech has released its five-star ratings of hockey helmets, with only one model earning a three-star rating. The study found that hockey helmets share the same basic design as football helmets but are smaller and more prone to injury.
A Virginia Tech researcher is studying how race, ethnicity, gender, and family income affect STEM career success. The five-year NSF CAREER Award project will examine the influence of these factors on students' college achievement and subsequent careers.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a more efficient method to edit the mosquito genome using CRISPR-Cas9, enabling faster studies of disease-causing genes. This breakthrough may aid in developing novel strategies to control mosquito-borne diseases and reduce their impact on human health.
A review by Virginia Tech scientist Maren Roman highlights discrepancies in studies about cellulose nanocrystals' impact on the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and cells. More research is needed to determine their potential adverse health effects.
Researchers found that beliefs about nicotine can modulate brain activity and influence behavior, potentially leading to new addiction treatments. The study suggests that belief systems can induce physiological changes, allowing for the reverse-engineering of addiction.
Researchers found that having too many food choices increases the obesity problem, as offspring tend to eat more when given a choice between high-fat and low-fat diets. In contrast, those on a low-fat diet showed no negative impacts, but had higher energy expenditure.
Virginia Tech biochemists identify PCNA as a key protein in the sleeping sickness parasite's life cycle, suggesting multiple ways to disrupt its function. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to curb the disease, which affects millions worldwide.
Researchers are developing an irreversible electroporation technique to target and destroy therapy-resistant cells in glioblastoma. The treatment has shown success in animal trials and is now being tested on human cells.
Researchers have developed a new technique called iontophoresis that delivers high concentrations of chemotherapy directly to tumors, reducing the risk of damaging healthy tissue. This technology has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients by allowing for more potent anti-cancer drugs to be used.
Pablo Tarazaga, a Virginia Tech engineer, has developed a novel approach to manipulate wave propagation in solid materials, enabling the creation of smart structures with diverse capabilities. His work holds promise for improving aircraft aerodynamics performance and creating controlled fluid-structure interactions.
A new species of large reptile, Nundasuchus songeaensis, has been discovered with steak-like teeth and bony plates on its back. This carnivorous predator lived before dinosaurs took over the world, helping to fill gaps in the reptile family tree.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have developed a brain-imaging technique that can detect autism spectrum disorder in children. The test, which involves measuring perspective-tracking responses, has shown promising diagnostic potential and may revolutionize the way autism is diagnosed.
Researchers aim to eradicate glioblastomas by delivering the wound-healing peptide ACT1 to cancer cells via a virus. This approach has shown promising results in reducing tumor growth and increasing sensitivity to TMZ. The goal is to develop a novel therapy that can improve treatment outcomes for brain cancer patients.