Researchers are facing the challenge of balancing computing power and storage technology in high-performance computing (HPC) environments, as noted by Virginia Tech's Ali R. Butt. Modern scientific computations require powerful computing resources and manage large amounts of data, with terabyte speeds becoming increasingly common.
Researchers have reproduced Mars fan formations in a laboratory setting, suggesting brief releases of water from the planet's interior. The findings indicate that stepped fans on Mars were formed by rapid water release, rather than long-term erosion, and would require significant amounts of water.
A credit-card-sized gas chromatography platform is being developed to analyze volatile compounds in seconds, enabling faster diagnosis and monitoring of diseases like diabetes and breast cancer. The new architecture, named GC Matrix, will separate complex compounds using MEMS technology, improving speed, portability, and power efficiency.
The study provides a global analysis of human proteins interacting with viral and bacterial proteins, revealing possible intervention points for future therapeutics. Pathogens preferentially target high-impact human proteins called hubs and bottlenecks, which are involved in cancer pathways.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing a treatment for prostate cancer using the Newcastle Disease virus. The virus targets specific proteases secreted by cancer cells, generating apoptosis and killing diseased cells. This is a promising new approach to fighting cancer.
Scientists have determined the three-dimensional structure of human kynurenine aminotransferase II, an enzyme regulating glutamate activity. The discovery provides insight into biochemical regulation and may lead to treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers are cataloging genes essential to parasitism in three types of parasitic plants, including broomrape, witchweed, and owl's clovers. The study aims to increase knowledge on the genomics of parasitism in plants and develop strategies to control devastating weeds.
Researchers developed a computational model to study mitochondrial disease inheritance in mice, revealing how mtDNA is divided and separated during embryo formation. The model accounts for the 'mitochondrial genetic bottleneck' and could help predict a child's risk of developing maternally inherited mitochondrial diseases.
Researchers created a mathematical model of bacterial cell division in Caulobacter crescentus, confirming existing hypotheses and identifying gaps in understanding. The model demonstrates the role of computation in biology and provides a framework for testing predictions and simulating mutant bacteria.
Researchers are using UAVs to detect and monitor the spread of Phytophthora infestans, a fungus-like organism responsible for the Irish Potato Famine. The study aims to track the movement of the pathogen in the atmosphere to inform management decisions.
Researchers discovered an 'Avalon Explosion' 33 million years ago, where complex life forms diversified rapidly, and major body plans were established. The event occurred before the Cambrian Explosion and shares similarities with it.
A Virginia Tech chemist has developed a computational method to determine the handedness of chiral molecules, which could speed up drug development. This technique eliminates the need for synthesizing the two hands of chiral molecules, reducing time consumption by weeks or years.
Scientists are discovering that aquatic nanoparticles influence natural and engineered water chemistry differently than similar materials of a larger size. The review considers nanoparticles formed by natural processes in water and as unintended consequences of human activity, such as mining or water treatment.
A university-industry team led by Virginia Tech is developing a low-cost dry beneficiation technology for India to increase energy production and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The project aims to test advanced technologies for cleaning coal, increasing thermal efficiencies and reducing CO2 emissions by up to 45%.
Computer science researchers at Virginia Tech have received a $300,000 NSF grant to develop virtualization technologies for application-specific operating systems. The project aims to improve performance and utilization on emerging supercomputers built from multi-core processors.
Scientists have developed a new type of rice that grows better and uses water more efficiently than other rice crops. The HARDY gene improves key features of the grain crop, leading to increased biomass under both drought and non-drought conditions.
Researchers at Virginia Tech study a Japanese beetle that may curb the spread of HWA without damaging forest ecosystems. The beetle has shown encouraging results in previous releases, and scientists hope it will be an effective natural enemy against the invasive insect.
Researchers found a correlation between predation intensity and global marine biodiversity, with increased predation rates preceding changes in armor morphology. The study suggests that ecological interactions may drive evolution, with predators driving diversity through drilling and repair scars.
The new software application uses Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to select the most efficient BMPs for a particular location based on site-specific criteria. This approach is expected to drastically reduce the BMP selection time and eliminate human error.
Faculty members Kirk Cameron, Wu-Chun Feng, and Dimitrios Nikolopoulos have received IBM Faculty Awards for their exceptional work in plant phylogeny, software productivity, and computing environments. The awards aim to promote collaboration between researchers and foster growth in strategic disciplines.
The Virginia Tech research team has observed tell-tale signals of low-energy solar neutrinos for the first time, providing evidence for the validity of a model of solar energy generation. The detection was made possible by a new technology that eliminated background contaminants and achieved unprecedented purities in the detector.
Food scientists and material scientists agree that communication is key to preserving the sensory quality of food. Researchers are working to bridge the gap between food scientists and material scientists to improve packaging materials.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found that visible wavelengths of light cause taste and odor changes in food. The team is developing new packaging materials that can protect food from UV light damage, which can degrade nutrients and alter flavor profiles.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a transportable pyrolysis unit to convert poultry litter into three value-added byproducts: bio-oil, producer gas, and fertilizer. The process reduces waste disposal concerns and biosecurity risks, while producing high-quality bio-oils with potential economic benefits.
VictorTango, a Virginia Tech engineering and geography student team, is among semi-finalists competing in DARPA's Urban Challenge for $2 million. Their custom-designed drive-by-wire control system and navigation software enable the vehicle to make driving decisions almost human-like.
A Virginia Tech mathematician is working on reducing the computational challenges associated with simulating large-scale dynamical systems by employing rational Krylov methods. This approach enables the creation of reduced-order models, which significantly shorten computation times while maintaining accuracy.
Shukla's work on designing, analyzing, and predicting electronic system performance has drawn national attention from the National Academy of Sciences and the White House. He is currently researching embedded software code generation for space and aviation mission applications.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have successfully expressed a foreign gene exclusively in the female mosquito germline, paving the way for genetic control strategies. The discovery enables all progeny of lab and wild mosquitoes to have the gene that blocks virus replication.
A study conducted by Virginia Tech researchers found that 51% of evaluated horses were overweight or obese, posing serious health problems like laminitis and hyperinsulinemia. The study suggests changes in horse care practices can help mitigate these risks.
Researchers at Virginia Tech and UC Berkeley developed irreversible electroporation (IRE) to target cancer cells, successfully abling tissue in rat livers. IRE preserves vessel architecture and kills cells with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
The project aims to identify protein-protein interactions associated with biomass production in poplar wood, which could make large-scale production more economically feasible. Researchers will use genomics and computational biology techniques to study the molecular biology of poplar cell wall-related biomass production.
Researchers develop a synthetic enzymatic pathway to convert polysaccharides into hydrogen, achieving high storage capacity and efficiency. The new process has the potential to release hydrogen from water and carbohydrates at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure.
The completed Aedes aegypti genome sequence reveals over 1,000 transposable elements occupying approximately 50% of the genome. These elements may be developed as tools to study mosquito-virus interactions and potentially lead to controls on disease transmission.
Researchers will investigate the mechanisms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a debilitating airway disease affecting millions worldwide. They aim to identify specific fungal antigens contributing to the pathology and develop novel treatments.
Researchers from Virginia Tech, University of Pennsylvania, and Drexel University aim to create high-performance membranes and electroactive devices using ionic liquids. The project seeks to integrate ILs into various applications, such as fuel cell membranes, micro sensors, and smart clothes.
Researchers can access library resources seamlessly via LibX, a Firefox browser extension developed by Annette Bailey and Godmar Back. The tool has been adopted by 46 academic libraries and 83 testing libraries, enhancing user experience.
The MiniBooNE experiment resolves a long-standing question about neutrino behavior, contradicting earlier DOE findings. Researchers now push the search for sterile neutrinos with LENS project, potentially altering our understanding of particle physics.
Researchers are investigating a genetically modified variant of Avian Newcastle disease virus to treat human prostate cancer. The virus is designed to replicate only in the presence of prostate-specific antigen, found exclusively in cancerous cells.
Virginia Tech researcher Patrick Schaumont is developing a methodology to create secure embedded system designs. His goal is to protect sensitive information stored on portable computers, including access codes and high-resolution photographs.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing an instrument to study the chemistry of gases that decompose chemical and biological warfare agents on surfaces. The goal is to predict the fate of these gases on various surfaces, including metal, metal-oxide, and polymeric materials.
Justin Barone's research focuses on creating biodegradable plastics from agricultural byproducts like poultry feathers. He has developed polymers with improved strength, water resistance, and longevity by modifying keratin amino acid structures and using natural additives.
The Virginia Tech chemistry research group has developed a new molecular complex that harnesses solar energy to produce hydrogen from water. The supramolecule combines three parts: a light absorber, an electron reservoir, and a catalyst to split water into hydrogen.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have created nanostructured membranes that can recognize and bind to diverse organic and inorganic molecules. These membranes adopt the properties of the guest molecules, enabling applications such as controlling ion flow through films.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have created soy-based macromolecules with comparable reactivity to isocyanates, a toxic intermediate used in many polymer products. The soy-based polymers demonstrate improved mechanical properties and are considered a safer alternative.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new family of gene vectors, novel polymers that can ferry genetic material into cells. These polymers show promise for gene delivery and tissue scaffolds in biomedical applications, offering reduced toxicity to viral vectors.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have introduced a DNA targeting component in light-activated molecular systems, allowing for more selectivity in attacking cancer cells. The new system uses visible light to signal the synthesized bioactive molecules to cleave DNA, reducing damage to healthy tissue.
Researchers develop a bacterial biosensor prototype to detect oxidative stress, which can cause brain tissue damage. The sensor uses potassium release in response to toxins, correlating with cell damage, offering a potential early warning system for public health threats.
Researchers have developed cellulose nanocrystals that can block cell receptors, potentially leading to new vaccine formulations. The crystals can also be used for targeted drug delivery and precise inkjet printing, overcoming safety concerns associated with traditional methods.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have created an LED system that rapidly screens therapeutic molecule designs for binding to diseased tissues' DNA. The innovative technology enables 100 tests per day, accelerating the discovery of promising new drugs.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have developed a new family of charged, rod-like block copolymers that can self-assemble and form stable structures similar to DNA. These unique polymers could have potential applications in drug delivery and gene delivery systems.