Virginia Tech's Giti Khodaparast has received a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the US Air Force to study electro-optic and magneto-electric materials, which could lead to faster optical computing devices. The research aims to develop multifunctional devices with giant optical nonlinear conversion capabilities.
Researchers propose that a hot layer above the Earth's mantle, known as the asthenosphere, is responsible for volcanic eruptions in mid-plate regions. This challenge traditional theory, which posits that volcanoes are caused by plate movement and heat from deep within the Earth.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a link between the body's sleep cycle and cancer incidence. The human period 2 protein, which regulates the sleep cycle, was found to protect against sporadic forms of cancers. This breakthrough may lead to new prevention strategies for populations at risk due to circadian disruption.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of 16 mosquito species found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America to understand how they transmit malaria. The study found that some species have varying capabilities for transmitting the disease and adapting to new environments.
A recent study by an international team of researchers highlights the need for stricter regulations on invasive weed species in pastures. The findings suggest that these species can cause significant environmental harm and economic losses, with the US spending over $34 billion annually on management.
A Virginia Tech graduate student has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fellowship to study the effects of mercury contamination on red-winged blackbird populations. Her research aims to investigate how stress hormones and disease are connected in birds, with potential implications for understanding avian malaria infections.
Researchers found that isolated patches of soggy soil act as hot spots for microbial activity, removing nitrogen from groundwater and returning it to the atmosphere. This process can improve water quality but also reduces forest productivity.
Researchers are using ant behavior to develop a new method for verifying complex electronic designs. By applying swarm intelligence, these methods can efficiently search large spaces and reduce the computational cost of traditional approaches.
A study published in Current Biology found that people's reactions to repulsive images can forecast their political orientation. The strength of a person's reaction was enough to predict an individual's political ideology with high accuracy. This research suggests that neural responses associated with disgust may be inherited and linke...
Researchers at Virginia Tech describe a new tool called VEIN pulse that uses bipolar pulses to enhance drug delivery to the brain. The technology has shown success in treating brain cancer and other neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed mathematical models to predict cell transitions, gaining new understanding of transforming growth factor's role in EMT. The study confirms a sequential bistable switch mechanism for EMT, providing conclusive experimental proof for theoretical models.
A new vaccine is being developed to help smokers quit by blocking the physiological pleasure that nicotine elicits in the brain. The vaccine uses biodegradable nanoparticles to prevent nicotine molecules from entering the brain, reducing cravings and addiction.
A team of scientists is studying the social and ecological factors driving woodland invasion on the Great Plains, with a focus on understanding landowner perceptions and decision-making processes. The project aims to enhance the scientific basis for maintaining economically valuable grasslands.
Researchers will create a website to track participants' progress, analyzing how social interactions influence behaviors and recovery outcomes. The goal is to develop a low-cost, accessible approach to supplement traditional treatment.
Paleontologists discover a tooth embedded in a rauisuchid's bone, showing phytosaurs targeted both aquatic and terrestrial prey. The find provides evidence for the interaction between these two top predators on land and sea, forcing a reevaluation of ancient ecosystems.
Virginia Tech researcher Devi Parikh aims to build intelligent machines that can understand the visual world from images and videos. She proposes teaching computers through visual abstractions, such as cartoons, which she believes are easier to illustrate than complex concepts.
The university will focus on athletes participating in various sports, including football, soccer, and lacrosse, and receive comprehensive preseason evaluations for concussion. The study aims to inform a comprehensive understanding of sport-related concussion and traumatic brain injury.
Daphne Yao aims to provide trustworthy data and infrastructure for military networks, detecting abnormal action sequences and workflows. Her research has shown promising results, enabling a leap forward in Army command and control of cyberspace capabilities.
A team of researchers has found fossils indicating complex multicellularity in ancient organisms around 600 million years ago, contradicting previous interpretations. This discovery sheds new light on the evolution of multicellular life and could have significant implications for our understanding of the Cambrian Explosion.
Sonja Schmid, an assistant professor at Virginia Tech, has won a CAREER Award to develop a global nuclear emergency response plan. Her research will address how to create international cooperation and mobilize effective responses to future nuclear disasters.
Researchers found that memory cells arise directly from effector cells through a signaling molecule called Bcl-6. This discovery could lead to more effective vaccine development by strengthening the immune system's ability to respond to recurring pathogens.
Researchers at Virginia Tech find that 50% of the population can't detect high levels of manganese in water, leading to potential health risks. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering water safety not only in tap water but also in humidified air.
Researchers found that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex plays a causal role in enabling honest behavior, suggesting a tradeoff between self-interest and integrity. Participants with damaged areas showed less aversion to lying, but still preferred honesty in certain situations.
Researchers are leveraging parallel computing in the cloud to accelerate discovery and innovation in personalized medicine. By harnessing supercomputer powers, scientists can tackle previously infeasible problems and make groundbreaking discoveries.
Researchers have found that plants can exchange thousands of mRNA molecules, allowing them to freely communicate and potentially dictate what the host plant should do. This discovery could lead to new strategies for controlling parasitic weeds that affect food crops in poor regions.
A Virginia Tech study reveals that common household chemicals can decrease reproduction in mice, raising concerns about potential effects on human fertility. The research found that female mice exposed to certain disinfectant ingredients took longer to get pregnant and had fewer offspring.
The Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership's Unmanned Aircraft Systems test site program is fully operational and ready to conduct research on integrating unmanned aircraft into the nation's airspace. The partnership has been granted seven Certificates of Waiver or Authorization by the FAA, paving the way for the development of commercial u...
A team of scientists from Virginia Tech has proposed using neutrino detectors to monitor plutonium production in Iran's Arak reactor. The technology can detect antineutrinos produced by fission of uranium-235 and plutonium-239, providing high-level monitoring not currently offered by any other technique.
Researchers will map out BRCA1 protein structures in healthy and mutated forms to identify molecular targets for new treatments. The goal is to improve treatment options for women with hereditary breast cancer.
A $600,000 grant will study the effects of climate change on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. The research team aims to clarify the implications of continued threats from agricultural lands, urban sprawl, and climate change.
Researchers discovered a significant difference in the contents and distribution of mobile DNA elements between fruit fly populations on opposite sides of Evolution Canyon. The study found that these repetitive sequences are increasingly recognized as agents of adaptive change, influencing stress resistance and mating.
Researchers discovered a correlation between specific brain activity patterns and sensitivity to market bubbles in high earners. The study found that these individuals ignored nucleus accumbens activity, which is associated with pleasant emotional states, instead focusing on the anterior insular cortex, which is active during bodily di...
A study reviews policy interventions and commodity market effects to slow Amazon deforestation, finding positive incentives as effective as penalties. The review suggests establishing simple incentives for responsible farmers to preserve forests.
A team of researchers at Virginia Tech used infection-modeling techniques to analyze the mass incarceration problem, discovering that small but significant differences in prison sentences can lead to large disparities in incarceration rates. The model reproduces many facets of incarceration in the US, including racial disparities.
An international team discovered that black hole outflows obscure observations and x-rays, shedding light on their impact on structure formation. The research provides a better understanding of these outflows and their role in regulating growth, using data from multiple space observatories.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers maps cultural ecosystem services to guide landscape-level natural resource management. Key findings include environmental quality, accessibility, and fish abundance as primary factors influencing angler enjoyment, with social capacity low in coastal plain areas.
A team of scientists has developed a chromosome map for about half of the genome of Aedes agypti mosquito, which transmits dengue fever and yellow fever. The study reveals striking contrasts between this mosquito and Anopheles gambiae, the malaria vector, that may help prevent diseases by manipulating sex ratios.
Researchers found that Indiana bats make social contacts during foraging and that these connections can influence their roosting behavior. The study suggests that social dynamics play a crucial role in the survival of this endangered species.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a natural fungus that can kill poison ivy, offering an alternative to chemical treatments. The fungus, Colletotrichum fioriniae, is being explored as a potential biological control method for invasive plants.
Research by Virginia Tech architects found that green roofs can retain up to 50% of stormwater runoff, compared to 6% for traditional roofs. This reduces the risk of sewer overflows and stream erosion, making them a crucial tool in building resilient cities.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have developed a new security approach that detects stealthy malware in advance. By analyzing causal relations among computer network events, the system can effectively isolate infected hosts and prevent attacks.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Institute create EvoCor, a search engine that quickly identifies genes functionally linked to specific biological processes. This breakthrough tool aids in discovering complex molecular mechanisms and may lead to new therapeutic targets for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.
Researchers from Virginia Tech developed an efficient placement method for acoustic bat detectors to improve species detection and monitoring of endangered bat species impacted by white-nose syndrome. The technique allowed for non-invasive tracking without transferring fungal spores, enabling conservation efforts.
Five new adult football helmets have earned the top rating from Virginia Tech's helmet ratings system, reducing concussion risk by as much as 54%. The update brings nine helmets to the highest rating, marking significant progress in helmet safety.
Researchers at Virginia Tech created a cheap and effective stink bug trap using a foil roasting pan, dish soap, and light. The homemade trap eliminated 14 times more stink bugs than store-bought models, providing a pesticide-free solution for homeowners.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a novel method to detect the subcellular location of proteins, which will enable improved patient monitoring and drug development. The technique allows for rapid screening of large cell populations with high resolution, revealing heterogeneity among cells.
Researchers applied a geostatistical approach to assess headwater stream chemistry at high resolution, finding patterns that vary over short and long distances. The analysis reveals the influence of landscape processes on stream network chemistry, challenging traditional assumptions about water quality.
Researchers have developed a low-cost material coating technique that mimics the Lotus effect, providing superhydrophobic properties. The technology can minimize fouling in heat exchangers and improve corrosion resistance.
Using the subway analogy, a physicist is applying queuing theory to study protein traffic jams in cells. By understanding these bottlenecks, he aims to discover mechanisms for alleviating them and develop new tools for synthetic biology. This research has the potential to impact areas such as development, inflammation and cancer.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed a microfluidic device that enables the analysis of small quantities of cells, allowing for better understanding of diseases. The device uses chromatin immunoprecipitation and produces reliable results with as few as 10-100 cells, compared to millions of cells previously required.