Researchers at Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University Center for Injury Biomechanics will investigate blast-induced brain trauma using experimental and computational models. The project aims to develop safety mechanisms for soldiers and transport vehicles to reduce injuries.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new method to detect the ability of breast cancer cells to metastasize, using specific silicon microdevices. The technology has the potential to provide important diagnostic and prognostic markers unique to the tumor.
Hassan Aref, a Virginia Tech professor, has been awarded the G.I. Taylor Medal for his outstanding contributions to fluid mechanics research. His work includes shedding new light on chaotic motion and its applications.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have identified a critical step in juvenile hormone signaling, which could lead to more targeted mosquito controls. The discovery of a protein partner for the juvenile hormone receptor has significant implications for understanding insect development and reproductive maturation.
Researchers create four new systems: hybrid yielding, standard augmented, advanced augmented, and collapse prevention, to control damage and provide life-safety for any size of earthquake. These systems use visco-elastic dampers and metallic yielding devices to minimize residual deformations.
A new genetic biomarker indicates an increased risk for developing breast cancer is present in an individual's non-coding DNA, particularly in a repetitive microsatellite sequence. The study found that patients with more than 13 copies of this repeat have a cancer susceptibility rate three times higher than those without.
Researchers, like Virginia Tech's Russell A. Green, focus on paleoseismology and soil liquefaction to calculate annual probability of specific losses due to seismic events. This work aims to implement performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) concepts to reduce seismic risk.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have discovered key molecular events in the immune system that contribute to inflammatory bowel disease. The study identifies peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma as a crucial regulator of inflammation and offers potential targets for repurposed drugs and naturally occurring compounds.
A recent study has shed light on the genetic code of a plant pathogen that causes downy mildew disease. The analysis revealed massive gene loss in the pathogen, which is essential for its stealthy lifestyle, and could lead to new ways to investigate how these pathogens wreak havoc and prevent billions of dollars of losses for farmers.
Scientists at Virginia Tech uncover how abscisic acid, a natural plant hormone, fights inflammation by interacting with the lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 protein. This alternative mechanism avoids known adverse side effects of existing drugs, paving the way for new treatments.
A research team led by Bingyu Zhao from Virginia Tech has developed a strategy to introduce rust fungus resistance in switchgrass. The team plans to use genetic engineering and molecular biologists to transfer disease-resistant genes into the grass.
A new study reveals that antibiotics in agricultural areas can contaminate water sources, potentially contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified patterns of antibiotic resistance gene occurrence in a Colorado watershed, suggesting that specific manmade sources can be traced.
A digital version of the Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape has been created to improve resuscitation team communications and patient safety in emergency rooms. The eBroselow software program provides access to medical instructions, medicine administration tracking, and automated calculations for fluid resuscitation.
The southeastern United States is home to a diverse array of fish species, but poor stream health poses a significant threat to their survival. The region's growing population and increasing demands on water resources have led to widespread degradation of aquatic habitats.
Engineers Sunghwan Jung and Navish Wadhwa found that silicone oil jets do not coalesce when impacted at a specific angle, due to the lubrication effect of air between them. This study sheds light on non-coalescence behaviors in various engineering systems.
Researchers have developed a new method to target and destroy cancerous cells using hyperthermia, which elevates the temperature of tumor cells while keeping surrounding healthy tissue at a lower degree of body heat. The technique uses ferrofluids to induce hyperthermia and has been shown to be biocompatible with iron oxide nanoparticles.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a single P450 enzyme responsible for producing two common plant volatiles that defend against insect attacks. The discovery provides new insights into the biosynthesis of these compounds and offers potential applications in improving crop pest controls.
A Virginia Tech expert will assess all aspects of visitor experiences in state parks to provide actionable recommendations. The study aims to improve park operations and services through data-driven decision making.
Virginia Tech receives a $2.7 million grant to study integrated management of zoosporic pathogens and irrigation water quality for a more sustainable green industry. The project aims to develop biologically based control methods and best management practices to recycle irrigation water safely.
Virginia Tech computer scientist Daphne Yao and her student Deian Stefan have designed a software framework called Telling Human and Bot Apart (TUBA) to combat 'spoofing attacks' that hack into user identities. Their system uses keystroke-dynamics information to authenticate users and detect anomalous activities on personal computers.
The USDA has awarded $3.8 million to Virginia Tech to improve grape and wine quality in the eastern US through research-based practices. The project aims to create a robust and sustainable industry by integrating research with market drivers, focusing on challenges such as unpredictable weather and high production costs.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that full-text analysis is needed to uncover duplicate citations in the scientific literature. The researchers found that most papers are novel, but certain sections like the introduction and methods section frequently have reused content. The study offers hope for developing guidelines on acce...
The Virginia Tech team is studying the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on piping plover populations, collecting data on survival and migration patterns in oiled and unoiled areas of the Gulf. The research aims to inform restoration efforts and provide valuable insights for litigators seeking settlements for damage lawsuits.
Virginia Tech engineers have received funding to investigate ways to reduce emissions from vehicles and improve fuel economy. They aim to develop thermoelectric materials that can convert waste heat into electricity, increasing gas mileage and reducing pollution.
Assistant professor Lisa McNair is developing e-portfolios to support engineering graduate students as reflective practitioners and improve their career prospects. Graduate students will create and maintain online portfolios to showcase their professional experiences, and track progress through annual surveys and case studies.
The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute is developing mathematical models to understand immune responses to gut pathogens, aiming to accelerate disease prevention and treatment. The Center for Modeling Immunity to Enteric Pathogens will generate new hypotheses through computer simulations and experimental research.
Kathleen Alexander has discovered a novel tuberculosis species, M. mungi, in banded mongooses, which behaves differently from other TB infections, killing infected animals within two to three months. The pathogen's source and host range are areas of ongoing research.
A Virginia Tech researcher is developing a massive data collection system that relies on information captured by 'citizen scientists' to aid in disaster response. The system uses smartphones to collect photographic and sensor data from affected areas, which can be quickly sifted through by responders.
A new hyperbaric centrifuge technology has been successfully tested for recovering ultrafine coal from slurry, promising to reduce coal slurry impoundment problems. The technology developed by Virginia Tech's Center for Advanced Separation Technologies can be used to recover all mined coal and clean up existing impoundments.
The international consortium has completed the majority of the genome sequence of the domesticated turkey, with over 90% of the genome sequenced and assembled. The research will provide knowledge of specific genes important in meat yield and quality, health, disease resistance, fertility, and reproduction.
The study aims to understand how enzymes activate molecular oxygen and attach it to substrate molecules to synthesize siderophores, essential for the microbes' metabolic needs. The researchers will use protein crystallography training to train global scientists and students.
Virginia Tech researchers investigate how the shape of crude oil remnants affects their biodegradation rate. They also explore the impact of oxygen levels and carbon leaching on microbe growth, which can accelerate or hinder the process.
The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute's COPASI software package has been made open source, allowing global access and use. The new license agreement enables commercial users to freely use the software, while also enhancing its compatibility with other academic programs.
HokieSpeed is expected to deliver 35 times better peak performance and 70 times better power efficiency than System X, Virginia Tech's previous supercomputer. The instrument will enable researchers to perform in-situ visualization for rapid data analysis, making complex problems tractable.
The MultiSTEPS project at Virginia Tech aims to educate graduate students on the intersection of engineering and biological sciences, addressing issues like fluid motion, transport processes, and environmental problems.
A research team at Virginia Tech has discovered a fundamental entry mechanism for fungal microbes to infect plants and cause disease. Special disease-related proteins, known as effectors, bind to a specific lipid molecule found on the cell surface before entering the cell.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have created a mathematical model of colon inflammation that identifies pro-inflammatory macrophages as key culprits for unregulated inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. The model allows scientists to explore cellular and molecular changes underlying chronic inflammation, identify intervention points...
Research team discovers unique gut sliding movement in caterpillars, which inspires design of soft material robots. These 'softbots' can move without visible leg translations and are suitable for search-and-rescue operations and space applications.
A bioinformatics team from Virginia Tech and ENSIMAG is using federal guidance to detect the misuse of synthetic biology. The team's work will help gene synthesis companies identify potential threats, improving national security.
A new DNA delivery method has been discovered by Virginia Tech chemical engineers, which enhances the delivery of genetic material into cells. The method uses hydrodynamic effects to uniformly deliver DNA over the entire cell surface, resulting in a greatly enhanced transfer of genetic material.
A Ph.D. student has received a fellowship to study the enzyme UDP-galactopyranose mutase, which produces a sugar absent in humans, offering a potential target for drug treatment. The research aims to understand the chemical mechanism and develop new treatments for Chagas' disease.
A new data mining algorithm called GOALIE reveals how biological processes are coordinated in time. The algorithm uses gene expression data to reconstruct temporal models of cellular processes, improving our understanding of cell division and metabolism.
Four unmanned autonomous vehicles designed by Virginia Tech engineering students using TORC Robotic Building Blocks product line will be used by the Marine Corps in Hawaii during the RIMPAC war games. The vehicles are equipped with advanced sensors, perception, planning, and control algorithms to navigate complex environments.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of an Amerindian strain of Helicobacter pylori, revealing insights into its evolution and migration to the New World. The study highlights the importance of specific genes in inducing inflammation and disease, with a key role for a cytotoxin-associated gene known as cagA.
A new database will gather information on technologies to assess and repair the condition of buried pipes, helping utility managers make informed decisions. The database aims to provide a single point of information for utilities to select effective and cost-effective rehabilitation technologies.
Researcher Gary Seidel aims to develop tiny sensor patches with carbon nanotubes for structural health monitoring of huge wind turbine blades. The patches can detect deformation and send signals to the control center to prevent damage.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have constructed a powerful phylogenetic tree for the gamma-proteobacteria using hundreds of genes and integrating more information than traditional single-gene approaches. The consensus tree provides a tool for predicting shared biology and analyzing bacterial adaptations to their environments.
Researchers are developing methods to protect cacao crops from devastating plant pathogens, targeting two mechanisms critical for pathogen attack. The project aims to improve crop resilience and provide nutrition and income options for smallholder farmers in developing countries.
Matthew Lux, a Virginia Tech Ph.D. student, has been awarded a US Department of Defense SMART scholarship to explore opportunities in synthetic biology for defense applications. His research involves developing intelligent sensors and countermeasures using calibrated genetic parts.
John A. Burns has been awarded the W. T. and Idelia Reid Prize in Mathematics for his fundamental contributions to computational methods and applications in control, design, and optimization of infinite dimensional dynamical systems. He is currently working on reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through modeling, s...