Researchers face challenges in porting applications across different mobile devices and platforms due to screen size and input/output differences. A new device-independent mobile application model aims to reduce software development costs and maximize profits.
Mani Golparvar-Fard's D4AR system analyzes physical progress on large-scale construction projects, providing cost savings and reduced delivery time. The system uses digital photos and Building Information Models (BIM) to automate project monitoring and evaluation.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year grant to Virginia Tech to optimize DNA molecule fabrication using industrial engineering methods. The project aims to increase productivity in life science research and create manufacturing jobs for undereducated individuals.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered that abscisic acid has anti-inflammatory effects in both the lungs and gut, which could lead to a novel way to combat inflammatory disease. This compound may offer a safer alternative to existing treatments for influenza by targeting the immune response rather than the virus itself.
Researchers discovered a strong correlation between the amygdala and baseline distrust, which may be based on a person's beliefs about trustworthiness. The parahippocampal gyrus lit up when others' behavior aroused suspicion, acting like an inborn lie detector.
A global team of scientists led by Virginia Tech and the University of Tuscia has successfully traced the origin of the devastating kiwifruit pathogen Psa back to its likely source in China. The research used DNA sequencing technology to compare bacteria samples from around the world, revealing that they were nearly identical except fo...
The Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings program has released its 2012 ratings for adult football helmets, with three models earning a 5-star mark. The top-rated helmets are the Riddell Revolution Speed, Rawlings Quantum Plus and Riddell 360, which demonstrate improved safety features.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have assembled the draft genome of marine algae Nannochloropis gaditana to discover optimal species for producing biodiesel fuel. Genetic modification reveals the algae's potential for industrial-scale biofuel production, a game-changer in fuel research and production.
A study published in Clinical Nutrition found that patients with mild to moderate Crohn's disease showed significant improvement when taking supplementary CLA. The natural fatty acid has anti-inflammatory properties and may offer a safer alternative to synthetic drugs.
A study by Virginia Tech wildlife researcher Kathleen Alexander found that Botswana buffalo carry the brucellosis pathogen, which can be transmitted to humans through bush meat consumption. The disease can cause chronic fevers and joint pain in humans, and domestic livestock may need to be destroyed.
A new study found that Sumatran tigers are nearing extinction due to human activities such as forestry and agriculture. The study highlights the importance of preserving large contiguous forest blocks for tiger conservation.
The Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences has published the first-ever data on head impacts from youth football players. The new study, called Kinematics of Impact Data Set (KIDS), aims to map the head impact exposure of youth football players across all age groups from 6 to 18 years.
Pablo Sobrado's research focuses on developing enzyme inhibitors to combat tropical diseases. He aims to identify specific inhibitors against enzymes crucial for pathogenesis in several human diseases.
A three-year project called Studio STEM provides middle school students with inquiry-based after-school programs that integrate engineering design activities. The program aims to equip youth with essential skills for the 21st-century workplace, including digital modeling, social media, and game development tools.
A new community resource, DGRP, provides the highest-resolution view to date of genome structure and variation in a population of fruit flies with diverse traits. The study has far-reaching effects on animal breeding, pesticide development, and personalized medicine.
Biologists Fran Bonier and Ignacio Moore investigate how stressed bird parents care for their young and respond to environmental challenges. The study aims to determine whether glucocorticoid levels affect bird parenting behaviors, with potential implications for understanding the effects of stress on organisms and evolution.
Researchers have developed a novel technology platform that enables viewing of biological processes in dynamic, life-sustaining liquid environments. This innovation allows for high-resolution imaging of cancer cells and other macromolecules, providing new targets for drug therapy.
Shane Ross' CAREER Award project aims to develop better engineering tools to understand fluid motions, with potential applications in drug delivery, cardiovascular health and pollution dispersion. The researcher plans to integrate research and education through team-based projects.
Despite efforts to identify and retract plagiarized papers, a significant percentage remain untagged, raising concerns about the prevalence of scientific plagiarism. Researchers like Harold Garner have called for improved detection systems to address this growing issue.
Research led by scientists at Virginia Tech found that small-group dynamics can alter IQ expression in susceptible people. Women were more likely to be affected, with fewer performing well and more struggling.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have discovered a novel antiviral immune pathway in culicine mosquitoes, which produces virus-derived small RNAs similar to piwi-interacting RNAs. This finding suggests a robust immune system, but understanding how viruses overcome it remains an open challenge.
HokieSpeed boasts a single-precision peak of 455 teraflops and a double-precision peak of 240 teraflops, ranking it No. 96 on the Top500 List. The supercomputer's energy efficiency places it at No. 11 on the Green500 List, making it the highest-ranked commodity supercomputer in the US.
Research by Virginia Tech's Karen A. Roberto found that elderly women are nearly twice as likely to fall victim to financial abuse, while younger males between 30-59 commit most cases. Seniors can prevent financial abuse with awareness and precautions.
A new study finds that gift givers who bundle an expensive gift with a smaller item tend for recipients to perceive the overall package as less valuable. This phenomenon, known as the Presenter's Paradox, can be seen in various contexts beyond gift giving, including presentations of information and decision-making processes.
A new fracture control plan for steel bridges aims to reduce the risk of failure through improved material selection, design, and inspection. The plan has the potential to save costs on maintenance budgets by identifying critical members that need protection from brittle fracture.
A Virginia Tech-led study found that family perspectives are crucial in evacuation planning, with immigrant mothers being particularly vulnerable. The research integrated social science and transportation engineering approaches to model household decision-making and interactions during evacuations.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how the EDS1 protein, a central component of plant defense, interacts with other proteins to activate an immune response. The study reveals that EDS1 is attacked by virulence proteins from pathogens and triggers the activation of distinct immune responses to isolate the infection.
The Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences has received two new research projects from Toyota's Collaborative Safety Research Center. The projects aim to improve the understanding of traumatic brain injuries and abdominal injuries, with a focus on reducing risk in automobile impacts and foo...
Researchers are using data from a Utah mountainous region to better understand the effects of topography on earthquake ground motions and seismic risk. The project aims to develop design-ready tools to account for these effects, potentially leading to modified building codes.
Marissa Rylander, a Virginia Tech associate professor, has received the Y.C. Fung Young Investigator Award for her novel research combining nanotechnology, laser therapy, and dynamic imaging to study tumor progression and develop cancer treatments. Her patented 'holey scaffold' device allows for minimally invasive sensing of biological...
Research reveals that caregivers' daily lives are disrupted by their loved one's behaviors, leading to elevated stress levels and physical health risks. The study also found that caregiving can tax the caregiver's HPA system, contributing to cardiovascular and metabolic problems.
Researchers found that experienced physicians who focused on failure learning more effectively than those who relied solely on success. The study used fMRI to analyze brain activity of 35 physicians as they made decisions, revealing a clear difference in mental processes between high and low performers.
Researchers at Virginia Tech discovered that certain bats can deform their ears in just one-tenth of a second, changing their ultrasonic hearing patterns. This allows them to adapt to different acoustic sensing tasks, outperforming humans in spatial hearing sensitivity.
A research team led by Virginia Tech's Lisa Belden is studying the role of microbial communities on the skin of frogs in defending against a devastating fungal disease. The goal is to develop probiotics that can help amphibians resist the disease and potentially even release endangered species back into nature.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are using genomics to improve poplar tree quality as a biofuels feedstock. The goal is to increase bioenergy crop production and reduce dependence on food crops, offering new options for American farmers.
A Virginia Tech research team has created a microelectromechanical system to detect trace amounts of toxins in breath on the parts per billion scale. The study aims to monitor patient exhaled breath to identify and quantify environmental exposure risks, providing valuable data for limiting harmful contaminant exposure.
A research team has sequenced the genome of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato to understand how it evades plant defenses and develop methods to prevent further spread. The study found that the pathogen likely evolved on a recent time scale and continues to adapt by minimizing its recognition, posing a threat to biosecurity.
Scientists at Virginia Tech and Purdue University have identified a distinct transporter, NUP1, used by tobacco plant cells for nicotine metabolism. This discovery provides new insight into the production of medicinal alkaloid compounds and could enable bioengineering of medicinal plants to produce optimal amounts.
Researchers have successfully measured dopamine release in a human brain, tracking its movement between brain cells while a subject makes decisions. The study provides preliminary evidence that dopamine can predict future market changes.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified four US strains of the hepatitis E virus in farmed rabbits, closely related to genotype 3, which can spread from animals to humans. The discovery raises concerns about the potential for zoonotic transmission and food safety risks.
A research team at Virginia Tech has discovered genetic mechanisms behind bed bug resistance to deltamethrin and beta-cyfluthrin. The study found multiple genes that enable the insects to detoxify these insecticides, making them less effective.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have conducted the first study to investigate head impact characteristics in youth football. The study has collected data on over 400 head impacts experienced by a local youth team, revealing that most impacts are less severe and less frequent than in adult football.
The US Army has awarded a $1.5 million cooperative research agreement to Virginia Tech's Arlington Innovation Center for neuroimaging studies of human performance and sleep regulation. The project aims to use advanced imaging techniques to better understand the brain's role in sleep, stress, and mood.
Virginia Tech's Virginia Tech Knowledge Networks (VTKN) accelerates science, technology education & research by leveraging data mining & authorship network visualizations. The platform provides community memory for faculty members to build on prior work, revealing potential collaborations and novel outcomes.
Scientists at Virginia Tech and Penn have identified two enzymes, peptidases, as potential targets for new anti-malarial drugs. The researchers developed chemical genetic tools to specifically inhibit these enzymes, blocking hemoglobin degradation and starving the malaria parasite to death.
Researchers predict numerous human proteins required by HIV to replicate, discovering potential new targets for controlling the spread of HIV. The study also identifies prognostic markers to determine pathological outcome and AIDS development.
A Virginia Tech researcher has developed an app called Small Craft Motion Program (SCraMP) that provides boat operators with motion analysis data, including acceleration, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw. The app aims to help captains make informed decisions about their vessel's stability and safety.
A new method for modifying mycotoxins in contaminated grains has been developed using transgenic yeast. The research, published in Biotechnology for Biofuels, shows that the yeast can convert toxic trichothecene mycotoxins to less toxic forms during fermentation.
Using autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), researchers are creating an early warning system for high-risk plant pathogens by predicting atmospheric transport barriers. This technique aims to improve crop security, disease spread, and climate change management.
Researchers have produced a comprehensive guide for using low-intensity, pulsed ultrasound to non-invasively stimulate brain circuits. The approach holds promise for treating life-threatening epileptic seizures and has been shown to be effective in animal studies.