Carla Finkielstein, a Virginia Tech Assistant Professor, has received the Minority Scholar Award in Cancer Research from the American Association for Cancer Research. The award recognizes her contributions to advancing cancer research and increasing diversity in the field.
Engineered proteins mimic titin, a key muscle protein, to create a tough yet extensible scaffold for muscle regeneration. The biodegradable biomaterial could aid in the healing process by allowing new tissue to grow across injuries.
African wild dog populations decline due to domestic dogs' presence, illustrating the impact of human behavior on disease transmission. Human behavior, such as range differences and animal husbandry practices, shapes disease risk and is a key driver of emerging infectious diseases.
The study provides genomic information that suggests possible intervention targets for further experimental investigation. The genome sequences of the two new bacterial strains will help researchers zero in on the molecular basis of citrus canker, shedding light on why one strain is more virulent than its counterparts.
A physics strategy called resonant activation is being tested as a solution for antibiotic resistance, targeting dormant persister cells. The approach involves repetitive antibiotic treatment to accelerate sterilization of bacterial colonies.
A team of Virginia Tech students sequenced the genome of a previously unknown bacterium isolated from the university's garden. The nonpathogenic strain belongs to Pseudomonas syringae and has similarities to closely related pathogens, offering insights into disease mechanisms and potential for controlling devastating diseases like snap...
Researchers have identified a gene regulating appetite and explored thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor protein to understand domestication's impact on chickens. The study provides a model for exploring the molecular basis of animal domestication.
Shuhai Xiao, a professor of geobiology at Virginia Tech, has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to support his research on ancient life and climate. He will use geochemical and paleobiological data to understand the co-evolution of environments and early animals 600 million years ago.
Researchers from Virginia Tech and GE Global Research Center are developing novel cardiac computed tomography (CT) architectures and methods to improve image quality with low radiation. Their patented approach, interior tomography, can produce accurate images of a region of interest, reducing radiation exposure and accommodating larger...
Researchers used high-performance computing to locate small genes missed by scientists, uncovering 380 families of undetected gene families. The study used an ephemeral supercomputer to perform an all-to-all sequence search, reducing the search time from nearly 90 years to just 12 hours.
Research at Virginia Tech confirms mindfulness meditation's effectiveness in enhancing therapists' presence, empathy, and compassion. Students who practiced mindfulness reported improved ability to attend to clients' inner experiences, leading to more effective therapy sessions.
Dr. Walter O'Brien, director of Virginia Tech's CTRP, has developed a novel ignitor for combustion and supersonic flows, which may be useful in Mach 5 or hypersonic speed vehicles. Aerojet has donated $50,000 to support students in designing a scramjet combustion simulator that will be tested at Mach 2.4.
Rylander aims to create a multi-component treatment planning computational model for nanoparticle-medicated laser therapy to achieve selective and effective cancer treatment. She will also develop a course on nanotherapeutics and establish an education and outreach plan for underprivileged schools.
Researchers are using conservation agriculture techniques to increase food production, improve soil quality, and reduce climate change risks. The projects focus on implementing technologies such as cover crops, no-till production, and residue management to improve food security and sustainability in Haiti and other countries.
A research team at Virginia Tech is perfecting an autonomous helicopter designed to assist in investigating nuclear disasters. The helicopter will carry various payloads to detect radiation levels and map damage, while also having a miniature robot to collect evidence. Plans call for the helicopters to be mission-ready in three years.
A Virginia Tech study found that women are more affected by air pollution during marathons due to their smaller tracheas, which can cause irritation. Higher levels of particulate matter in the air were associated with slower running times for women compared to men, who showed no significant impact.
David A. Dillard has received the 2010 Award for Excellence in Adhesion Science from the Adhesion Society, credited with exceptional insight and research on bonded systems. His work focuses on developing test methods, analysis procedures, and durability studies for adhesive joints under various environmental conditions.
The Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) has been widely adopted by the scientific community for sharing and evaluating models of biological processes. SBML's popularity is a validation of its usefulness, with over 500 citations in an online academic database.
The Appalachian Information Technology Extension Service (AITES) has impacted 365 people, including young girls, by encouraging community involvement and job opportunities. The project aims to increase economic development and workforce diversity in the Appalachian region.
Researchers are creating computer models to study how cells process information and make decisions, with potential implications for understanding cancer. By analyzing molecular mechanisms and interactions, scientists aim to develop more effective cancer treatments.
Cornel Sultan's research aims to develop new controllable structures with 'tensional integrity' using insights from cell biology. This could lead to improvements in tissue and organ reconstruction, energy harvesting and robotics applications.
A researcher at Virginia Tech is developing a unified mathematical framework to study the spread of pandemics, malware, and power grid failures. The framework aims to improve robustness in healthcare, computer networking, and power grid controls, addressing concerns for workers and policy planners.
Physicist Patrick Huber has been awarded $750,000 by the U.S. Department of Energy to research neutrinos. His work aims to better understand the role of neutrinos in cosmology, astrophysics, and elementary particle physics, with potential breakthroughs in these fields.
Researchers are exploring the environmental implications of nanotechnology, focusing on the fate and transport of natural and manufactured nanomaterials in ecosystems. Studies have shown that nanoparticles can be toxic if inhaled, and may undergo chemical transformations in the atmosphere, increasing their solubility and potential for ...
Researchers developed a microfluidic device that selectively isolates targeted cells, including cancer cells, based on their electrical properties. This breakthrough enables the screening of entire blood samples for cancer detection.
Researchers developed SCGPSim, a simulation infrastructure that uses parallel processing and CUDA programming model to speed up SystemC-based hardware models. This could significantly reduce the time it takes to bring products to market, improving the efficiency of semiconductor electronics industry.
Romesh C. Batra, a Virginia Tech professor of engineering science and mechanics, has been awarded the Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award for his exceptional teaching and research efforts. He is renowned for his work on material failure and has received numerous awards, including the Alexander von Humboldt Award.
Maura Borrego, a Virginia Tech assistant professor of engineering education, has received the Rising Star Award from SCHEV and Dominion. Her research focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex technological challenges, while her teaching methods emphasize active learning techniques and student-centered discussion.
A Virginia Tech researcher is developing a new malicious software detection system that uses unique properties of human computer usage to differentiate between legitimate and malicious activities. The system will be able to identify characteristic human-user behaviors and prevent forgeries and attacks by malware.
Yang Cao will use the five-year grant to develop computational methods and mathematical theories to integrate various models of the cell cycle. The project aims to improve understanding of the complex process, which is linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that 14.9% of children in hurricane-affected areas suffered from serious emotional disturbances, including depression, hyperactivity, and learning difficulties.
GenoCAD, a web-based Computer Assisted Design environment for synthetic biology, is being developed as an open-source software project. The system will facilitate collaboration among developers from different institutions without intellectual property issues.
Researchers from four universities and the U.S. Forest Service found that glaciers along the Gulf of Alaska are a significant source of organic carbon, with up to 4,000-year-old material being flushed out with glacier melt. This ancient carbon is enriching stream and near-shore marine ecosystems.
A new study at Virginia Tech suggests that parents with weaker working memory skills are less able to control their emotions in response to children's misbehavior. This can lead to chronic parental negativity, which may reinforce negative behavior in children.
A study simulated car crashes involving pregnant women, aiming to improve safety in the automotive industry. The research aims to better understand how crash forces specifically affect pregnant women and their developing babies.
Researchers aim to establish a standard for 'sufficiency' of information in friction ridge patterns, addressing the lack of quantifiable standards in the field. The goal is to improve accuracy and contribute to advancing science in forensic pattern recognition and comparison.
The USDA has awarded a two-year grant of $908,280 to Virginia Tech and the University of Minnesota to complete sequencing the genome of the domesticated turkey. The project aims to identify genes and functions in the final genome sequence, providing invaluable information for disease prevention.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered novel molecular interactions at the surface of platelets that regulate blood clotting. The study found that sulfatides bind to Disabled-2 protein, preventing it from inhibiting clotting, while also recycling the protein for future use.
A five-year NIOSH grant will fund a study on the effects of roof falls, bumps, or explosions on underground mine ventilation systems. The project aims to develop a method for remote characterization of ventilation controls using multiple tracer gases.
The project aims to address barriers to adopting dust control technologies in the construction industry. Researchers will target three components: workers, small firms, and large firms with tailored interventions. The goal is to reduce respiratory disease risks and improve worker health.
Researchers discovered fungal protein TmpL critical for pathogen development, shielding it from oxidative stress while aiding in infection. TmpL-deficient mutants were more sensitive to external oxidative stress, suggesting its role in protecting pathogens from host defense mechanisms.
A widely used virus assay has been shown to be inaccurate in detecting and measuring replicating viral RNA. Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a novel assay that detects anti-genomic copies of the viral genome, which is more accurate than existing methods.
The project aims to establish academic pathways in geospatial technologies at three community colleges, providing employers with a skilled workforce. The web portal will serve as a repository for pathway models, curriculum, and resources, facilitating coordination and collaboration among faculty.
The researcher aims to understand the nesting ecology of bog turtles in southwestern Virginia and evaluate factors limiting nesting success. Diagnostic ultrasound is used to examine ovarian cycle and clutch characteristics.
Sarah DuRant, a Virginia Tech doctoral student, has received two national awards for her research with wood ducks. Her work explores the effects of slight changes in incubation temperature on early growth and stress endocrinology in wood ducklings. This novel approach reveals profound impacts on the health of baby birds after hatching.
Christine Bergeron, a Virginia Tech doctoral student, receives an EPA fellowship to study the impact of mercury on American toads' reproductive success. The research reveals that female toads transfer mercury to their eggs, affecting offspring viability and potentially long-term population health.
A Virginia Tech chemist has received an NIH New Innovator grant to develop new heart disease and cancer medicines with improved efficacy and reduced side effects. Her team is creating carbohydrate-based polymers that can deliver genetic drugs directly to cells.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center are studying the best ways to treat lameness in horses through tendon and ligament repair. Dr. Jennifer Barrett is investigating regenerative medicine techniques, including stem cell therapy, to regenerate damaged tendons and cartilage.
A new polymer has been developed that can deliver genetic cargo into cells and track its movement using luminescence and magnetic resonance imaging. This breakthrough could lead to more specific and targeted treatments for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Virginia Tech's CyberInfrastructure Group receives funding to integrate pathogen data, provide key resources and tools, and analyze genomic and proteomic data. The Pathogen Portal will serve as a centralized gateway for biomedical researchers.