Shashank Priya has received a three-year grant to develop high-sensitivity resonant magnetic field sensors using magnetoelectric thin films. The technology has the potential to enhance performance of communication devices such as GPS systems.
The Virginia Tech Center for Injury Biomechanics received the Army Modeling and Simulation Award for developing the Facial and Ocular Countermeasures Safety (FOCUS) headform, a state-of-the-art test dummy capable of measuring impact loads to the face and eyes.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered how mosquitoes control the pathogenicity of viruses, using short-interfering RNAs to modulate disease. By altering the virus genome, the team found a way to upset the balance, potentially targeting mosquito-borne diseases.
The turkey genome will be assembled using shotgun fragments and paired-end reads, providing benefits for researchers studying commercially important sources of food. The project aims to sequence over 95% of the turkey genome, offering tools for improving commercial breeds and understanding disease development.
Research reveals how intense glacial erosion changes the St. Elias mountain range's internal structure, responding to plate tectonics and climate change. The study provides new insights into the impact of glaciers on mountain formation and evolution.
A Virginia Tech chemist will share a portion of pharmaceutical royalties with Madagascar, supporting biodiversity conservation and cancer research in the country. The research, led by David G.I. Kingston, aims to find new anticancer agents from Madagascar's unique plant and animal species.
Researchers aim to identify factors contributing to female engineering students' retention through graduation by examining co-op experiences, mentorship, and self-efficacy. The study will analyze survey data from Virginia Tech students and compare it to schools requiring co-op experiences for graduation.
The US Agency for International Development has awarded a $1 million grant to Virginia Tech to enhance agricultural productivity and trade barriers in Africa. The project aims to increase yields, reduce crop risks, and promote long-term productivity growth through science-based methods.
Biomolecules significantly enhance magnesium content in calcite, offering clues to ancient environments. The findings raise questions about the interplay of factors on metal contents in biominerals.
Researchers have identified sustained spikes in turbulence as the primary condition initiating soil erosion on land and in water. The team developed a method to quantify the impact of turbulence on soil erosion, which can be applied to predict particle movement and pollution spread.
Researchers will build bridges between complex systems and engineering fields to design and control large-scale nonlinear networked systems. The project will also develop an agent-based intelligent distributed control scheme for microgrids operated by retail markets.
Researchers at Virginia Tech will develop high-performance computer modeling tools to design efficient wireless spectrum markets. The goal is to create a robust, economically viable and efficient Dynamic Spectrum Access architecture for cellular networks.
Researchers from four universities and five schools will study nanotechnology's impact on ecosystems, organisms, and the environment. The center aims to develop a risk assessment model and transfer results to policymakers and society.
Research reveals a common connection between cellular innate immunity and human chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis, Type 2 Diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. A critical signaling network involving IRAK-1 has been identified as a potential target for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers Theresa Jefferson and John Harrald will study social vulnerability in response to an earthquake involving the New Madrid fault. The grant from FEMA enables them to focus on displaced persons, shelter needs, commodity requirements, and special needs in Phase III of the Mid America Earthquake Center research agenda.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have created a new class of stable molecules that could revolutionize the field of molecular semiconductors. The discovery involves replacing one atom in a carbon fullerene with nitrogen, creating a unique electronic bond that could improve the sensitivity of MRI and NMR technologies.
Nakhiah Goulbourne's NSF CAREER award aims to develop specific models and experiments for heart stent sensors. The goal is to create diagnostic tools that can dynamically monitor the mechanical state of the stented artery, reducing implant failures and improving cardiovascular flow.
Virginia Tech's satellite communications research led to the development of wireless technologies used by companies like Direct TV and Globalstar. The university's work also contributed to advancements in cellular communications, smart antenna technologies, and cognitive radios.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic and Virginia Bioinformatics Institute discover that eosinophils exert a strong immune response against the environmental fungus Alternaria alternata. The innate immune system of humans is capable of killing the fungus, which is linked to airway inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis, and bronchial asthma.
A Virginia Tech researcher has developed a novel fermentation process using microalgae to produce omega-3 fatty acids from crude glycerol, a byproduct of the emerging biodiesel industry. The resulting algae biomass can be used as animal feed, mimicking a natural process where fish retain healthful compounds.
Researchers have developed irreversible electroporation (IRE), a minimally invasive technique that uses electric pulses to destroy cancer tissue without heat. The technology has shown promising results in laboratory testing and preclinical mouse models, with complete regression achieved in 92% of treated tumors.
Aerospace engineer Michael Philen has received the Oak Ridge Associated Universities Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Award to develop fluidic flexible matrix composites, which can change modulus on demand. These innovative materials have potential for both government and commercial applications.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals a significant presence of mitochondrial DNA mutations in the general population. Researchers found that at least 1 in 200 individuals harbor pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutations, which may lead to diseases such as muscle weakness and diabetes.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have identified a region of virulence proteins that enables them to enter the cells of their hosts, suppressing the immune system and allowing infection to progress. The discovery may lead to new approaches for blocking infections by both oomycete and malaria parasites.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed guidelines for designing and managing next-generation databases of biological parts. The study identified key needs for improvement, including standardization of DNA clones and quality control measures.
A recent review article provides a detailed overview of the available genomics tools and resources for the Rosaceae scientific community. The article highlights recent developments in Rosaceae genomics, including emerging technologies such as high-throughput sequencing and novel phenotyping platforms.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have found a novel mechanism for demineralization of noncrystalline silicas, which can dissolve up to 100 times faster than expected. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of biomedical implants and synthetic materials with bone-like properties.
An interdisciplinary team used computational methods to study myoglobin's structure and function, revealing that oxygen follows two pathways with branches, mainly through alpha helices. The simulations showed ligand migration is local and short-lived, and occurs between protein scaffolds.
A supercomputer was used to explore the biochemical landscape and find memory switches. Researchers found nearly 4,500 reaction topologies that demonstrate switching behavior, revealing a comprehensive map of biochemical switches.
A Virginia Tech research group has isolated proteins responsible for iron-sulfur cluster assembly and witnessed their interactions within a cell. This breakthrough provides insight into the sequential steps of the process, helping to explain how molecules are synthesized and distributed in cells.
Researchers have discovered a group of 24 linked to virulence in Brucella abortus strain S19, which has been used as a vaccine for cattle. The study's findings may explain why other strains cause disease and trigger abortion in livestock. This understanding could aid in combating brucellosis and its potential applications in bioterrorism.
Researchers have found a human virus in chimpanzees in Tanzania's Mahale Mountains National Park, which may be transmitted from visiting scientists and tourists. The discovery highlights the need for more research to establish a comfortable level of proof and protect the region through science-based changes.
Researchers analyzed genomic data to reveal the evolution of rickettsial genomes and their diversity. The study provides an ideal resource for developing vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for Rickettsia diseases.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified Heme Detoxification Protein (HDP), which rapidly converts heme into its non-toxic counterpart hemozoin, protecting the malaria parasite from toxic damage. This finding presents a promising target for developing new malaria drugs.
A study by VBI Professor Brett Tyler and colleagues reveals that the Avr1b virulence protein in Phytophthora sojae suppresses programmed cell death in plants, disabling their immune systems. This finding has significant implications for understanding plant-pathogen interactions and developing effective disease management strategies.
Cognitive radio technology aims to provide efficient wireless access networks, but new security threats may compromise its effectiveness. Researchers will investigate cooperative spectrum sensing and on-demand spectrum contention to develop more secure technology.
A Virginia Tech researcher is investigating the evolution of bacterial speck disease in tomatoes, which may hold clues about how plant pathogens adapted to monoculture farming. The study aims to identify molecular mechanisms allowing pathogens to specialize to specific plant species and become more aggressive.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found that citric acid can control the clumping of buckyballs, forming sphere-shaped aggregates. However, the long-term implications of this finding are uncertain, with concerns about potential toxicity and environmental impact.
Researchers study the function of biofilm in Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC), a major economic problem affecting feedlot cattle. The goal is to understand how biofilms contribute to disease and develop effective vaccines.
A research team has identified a massive superfamily of genes in plant pathogens that manipulate plant cells to facilitate infection. This discovery could lead to new strategies for protecting crops from devastating diseases.
Researcher Mark Paul aims to analyze complex systems like weather and climate using high-performance computing. His goal is to improve understanding of spatiotemporal chaos and its impact on energy production and consumption.
A veterinary neurologist is studying gliomas in dogs and people to develop more precisely targeted treatments. Researchers are using canine models to identify molecular similarities between human and animal gliomas.
The review article reveals that nanominerals exhibit a range of physical and chemical properties depending on size and shape, influencing earth systems in complex ways. This shift in understanding has significant implications for fields like environmental science and geology.
Researchers propose that mantle convection played a role in forming Mercury's lobate scarps, contrary to earlier theories. The simulations suggest that upwellings from mantle convection take on a linear roll shape, distinct from other planets' features.
Researchers found that streams can remove up to 90% of nitrate pollution through denitrification and algal uptake, with effectiveness greatest in healthy streams not overloaded by human activities. Streams play a crucial role in reducing eutrophication problems in lakes and coastal waters.
Researchers used computer simulation models to examine the impact of various intervention strategies on a pandemic influenza outbreak in a population similar to Chicago. The study found that providing preemptive household antiviral treatments and minimizing contact could play a major role in reducing the spread of illness.
The Virginia Tech group is exploring the possibility of an extra dimension, curled up like the universe at the Big Bang. They plan to detect small primordial black holes that produce radio pulses using a new Transient Array radio telescope.
Researchers, led by Dr. X.J. Meng, are developing a vaccine against Hepatitis E, a major public health problem in developing countries. The team has discovered two animal viruses related to HEV, which can be used as models for studying the disease.
Scientists at Mayo Clinic and VBI aim to understand how environmental fungus Alternaria triggers airway inflammation and bronchial asthma. They plan to develop specific therapies and prevention strategies by studying the role of fungal enzymes in innate immune responses.
Two oxygenation events in ancient oceans between 635 and 551 million years ago led to the increase and spread of complex life, including animals. This finding supports the growing view that life and environment co-evolved during this tumultuous period of Earth history.