A Virginia Tech student's discovery of a rare, ancient meat-eating dinosaur sheds light on the evolution and spread of dinosaurs during the Jurassic period. The species, Ptychotherates bucculentus, had massive cheekbones and a short snout, indicating constant evolution in early dinosaurs.
A new study reveals that subsidence is a major driver of coastal flooding along Java Island, with rates of up to 15 centimeters per year. Groundwater withdrawal and agricultural water use are identified as key culprits, highlighting the need for active monitoring and mitigation.
Researchers at Virginia Tech used modern data science to guide restoration strategies for the endangered butternut tree. The study mapped climate and soil conditions linked to natural disease resistance, identifying prime regions for resistant butternut trees and hybrids across the eastern United States.
The Re-Analysis of Water for Society (RAWS) project seeks to create a detailed daily record of the world's freshwater systems spanning 60 years. By combining advanced water modeling with artificial intelligence and integrated global datasets, RAWS aims to provide a clearer picture of how water systems have changed over time.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a method to reduce noise in quantum computers by using a geometric approach. By adjusting the shape of a 3D space curve, they can design pulses that suppress noise errors and improve performance. This breakthrough brings us closer to large-scale quantum computing.
Researchers have identified fungal proteins that can catalyze ice formation at high subzero temperatures, making them a potential alternative to toxic silver iodide in cloud seeding. The discovery could lead to safer weather modification and improved food preservation techniques.
A new trial found that infants and toddlers with unilateral cerebral palsy show significant improvements in hand and arm function when receiving early, high-dose therapy. The study suggests that multiple approaches can help children build critical motor skills, providing families and clinicians with evidence-based options.
Researchers propose a new measure for recovery from substance use, recognizing incremental progress, to reduce stigma and improve quality of life. The study found strong associations between proportion of remission and quality-of-life measures, suggesting a paradigm shift in how recovery is measured.
A recent study led by Virginia Tech researchers found that certain medium-chain fats in infant formulas can strain the developing liver and lead to early signs of steatotic liver disease. Newborn pigs fed with these formulas accumulated liver fat faster than those fed long-chain fats, despite receiving the same calories and protein.
A team of scientists, led by Associate Professor Jiangtao Cheng, has discovered a previously unreported method to get a puddle of water up to 1 cm wide to jump into the air. The bursting energy of bubbles trapped inside the droplets is key to this phenomenon.
A new study published in Science Advances has shed light on how the body responds to energy demands from exercise, identifying a crucial cell signaling mechanism that could lead to a new treatment for diabetes. The research focuses on Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), a regulator of energy production, and reveals...
A ketogenic diet reduced high blood sugar and improved aerobic capacity in mice with hyperglycemia. The diet caused remodeling of their muscles, making them more oxidative and reactive to aerobic exercise. Researchers believe that combining the keto diet with exercise may be key to achieving optimal health benefits.
A multi-institutional effort aims to refine relapse prediction by identifying genetic markers in blood samples from patients with rare blood cancer. Analyzing blood samples from 190 patients, researchers found that tiny traces of persistent NPM1 mutation were linked to worse outcomes and lower survival rates.
Researchers used genome sequencing to identify blight-resistant trees with high American chestnut ancestry, preserving the species' ecological and cultural importance. The approach, known as genomic selection, allows breeders to predict resistance and make better decisions earlier in the breeding process.
Scientists have identified specific patterns of brain chemical activity in honey bees that predict how quickly individual bees learn new associations. The findings may help explain why humans learn at different speeds and provide implications for understanding brain disorders.
A Virginia Tech scientist emphasizes the importance of preserving the nation's ability to turn discovery into life-saving therapies. He argues that strong transparency and careful oversight are key to making the technology-transfer ecosystem work, and that abandoning it could have unintended consequences.
Virginia Tech researchers identified a malformed area in the corpus callosum and pattern of bad connections that may help doctors diagnose Leigh syndrome earlier. The study found that developmental defects can be seen before symptoms appear, suggesting potential for earlier intervention.
Researchers have found that nanoplastics interact with environmental microbes, strengthening bacteria and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. This can lead to challenges for water treatment and distribution systems. More research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions.
Researchers are utilizing the SWOT satellite to study how rivers and streams shape the Earth's surface, transforming scale in river studies. By covering all rivers worldwide, SWOT enables tracking of dam failures and understanding their long-term effects on ecosystems.
A recent study found that nearly every major river delta is experiencing subsidence, with at least some portion sinking faster than the sea level in 18 of the 40 deltas examined. This phenomenon poses a significant threat to the lives of over 236 million people, particularly in regions such as the Mekong and Nile river systems.
A study funded by the National Cancer Institute aims to test a low-cost intervention using future-focused thoughts to help people quit smoking. The project will examine the effectiveness of episodic future thinking in reducing impulsivity and promoting healthier choices.
Researchers have developed a strong, defect-free composite material that can phase-shift under stress to dissipate energy. The material, created using additive friction stir deposition, has potential applications in defense, infrastructure, aerospace, and sporting equipment.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new method for attaching fluorine-18 to trifluoromethyl groups, enabling the tagging of previously inaccessible targets in PET scans. This breakthrough expands the range of molecules that can be imaged, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses and more targeted treatments for diseases.
Researchers found that abundant mRNA molecules tend to cluster together in brain neurons, driven by chance overlap rather than coordinated movement. This discovery provides insights into how neurons manage genetic instructions and supports learning and memory, with potential implications for conditions like Fragile X syndrome.
Researchers have developed a new acoustic wave-producing technology on an electronic chip, enabling customizable curved waves for trapping objects, routing wave information, and transporting fluids. This innovation has significant potential in medical applications, such as noninvasive surgery and biosensors.
Researchers used CT scans to study brain cavities in ancient reptiles and found that pterosaurs had relatively small brains compared to birds. The study suggests that flight evolved independently in these groups without requiring significant brain changes.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are developing tools to gather high-quality brain function data during infancy, enabling studies on brain development and potential risk factors for disorders. The study aims to capture real-time brain activity during natural social interactions.
The study found that more than half of the water consumed in the basin is used unsustainably, with only 48% naturally replenished each year. The researchers suggest adopting deficit irrigation practices and repurposing farmland for habitat restoration or solar farms to address the crisis.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are studying how fluid flow contributes to the spread of glioblastoma tumors. They will use focused ultrasound and advanced MRI techniques to build a map of fluid flow in the whole brain and test the effectiveness of drug delivery.
A study published in Obesity found that young adults exposed to a diet high in ultra-processed foods ate more calories at an all-you-can-eat meal. The researchers, led by Brenda Davy and Alex DiFeliceantonio, used a controlled feeding study to investigate the effects of ultra-processed food on eating habits.
Researchers have identified connexin 43 as a vital protein for endothelial repair in mice, which could lead to new therapies to improve recovery and reduce complications after vascular surgery. The study found that the protein helps blood vessels recover after damage, suggesting it could be a target for treatments.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new method for removing frost from surfaces using electrostatic defrosting (EDF), which can remove up to 75% of the frost without the need for heat or chemicals. The approach uses high voltage to polarize the frost, creating an electric field that detaches microscopic ice crystals.
Researchers have created a model that can handle complex mosquito behavior and its impact on human diseases. The study reveals surprising findings, such as it may be better to let a mosquito bite you in terms of overall transmission.
A recent study by Sora Shin has identified a shared brain circuit that contributes to both aggression and self-harm in individuals with a history of early-life trauma. The research found that pain, including emotional pain, can serve as a gateway for these behaviors to emerge.
Scientists suggest that managing pond conditions can tip the balance in favor of native species. Research found that longer hydroperiods, typically over 110 days, lead to larger and more stable populations.
A new study from Virginia Tech found that weightlifting outmuscles running for blood sugar control in diabetes models. The research compared the effects of endurance and resistance exercise in mice fed a high-fat diet and found that weightlifting was more effective in reducing subcutaneous and visceral fat, improving glucose tolerance,...
Researchers warn of structural weakening in urban areas as a result of groundwater overexploitation, posing risks to millions of people. Satellite radar data reveals nearly 1.9 million people exposed to subsidence rates greater than 4 millimeters per year.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that adjusting molecular processes can improve memory in older subjects. They used CRISPR-dCas13 and CRISPR-dCas9 to target age-related changes in K63 polyubiquitination and IGF2, two genes linked to memory formation.
A new study published in PNAS found that physical activity increases total daily energy expenditure without reducing it elsewhere. The research showed a clear link between being more active and spending less time sitting still.
A study found that participants taking GLP-1 agonists experienced delayed effects after drinking alcohol, leading to reduced intoxication. The research provides early data for larger studies testing whether these drugs can help reduce alcohol use.
A new project aims to enhance workforce readiness in molecular bioscience by creating open-access resources and modules tailored to student needs. The Molecular Data Education Hub will host instructional materials and case studies for instructors to implement into their courses.
Salterella, a tiny Cambrian creature, has been reclassified with cnidarians due to its unique shell structure and mineral composition. The research team suggests that Salterella's shell served a distinct purpose, possibly related to feeding or stability.
Researchers suggest chemotherapy drugs may be responsible for 'chemo brain' symptoms, citing reduced lymphatic vessel growth and impaired cognitive function. The study highlights the need to consider long-term neurological side effects of cancer treatment on quality of life.
Scientists at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are developing nanotechnology-based approaches to reprogram the immune system and overcome tumor defenses. Integrating nanomedicine with immunology promises more precise and effective therapies.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed an AI-powered system to detect flaws in wire-arc additive manufacturing, a faster approach to producing complex components. The technology enables real-time defect detection and correction, reducing waste and improving quality.
Researchers exploring how exercise stress affects cellular adaptations and disease risk, focusing on mitochondrial energy sensing and AMPK activation. The study aims to determine if increasing mitoAMPK activity can mitigate diabetes in skeletal muscle.
A Virginia Tech oncologist is championing a precise approach to treating acute myeloid leukemia by tracking subtle molecular changes in patients. His work aims to identify signs of potential relapse and tailor treatment for each individual with this rare blood cancer.
Grade school children learn robotics through performance-based learning, exploring science, tech, engineering, arts, and math. The expanded curriculum will introduce ethical considerations, such as fairness, privacy, and bias in technology.
A new open-source AI tool, ProRNA3D-single, has significantly increased accuracy in predicting and visualizing protein-RNA complex structures. This method can generate finely detailed images of molecules in 3D, enabling drug developers to design treatments by analyzing where viruses attach to human proteins.
A new Virginia Tech study establishes a baseline for understanding dog behavior on a large scale, tracking trends in fear, attention, aggression, and trainability over four years. The research found that dogs are adaptable and not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with some notable exceptions related to trainability.