Virginia Tech researchers have made a breakthrough in using supercritical fluid chromatography to separate polar and ionic compounds, paving the way for green-chemistry techniques in drug development. The discovery uses carbon dioxide-based fluids with added polar solvents containing ionic components.
A comprehensive plan has been developed by Virginia Tech to minimize losses from Soybean Rust, a disease that severely affected Brazilian soybeans. The plan includes educational programs and a monitoring system to identify the disease, as well as guidelines for scouting and treating infected fields.
Research by Virginia Tech finds pasture-fed beef has less fat and higher conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid beneficial for human health. The study's goal is to develop efficient, profitable, and sustainable grassland-based production systems in the Appalachian Region.
The PLMS system provides instant feedback on alternative grazing systems' impact on farm profit, milk production, and greenhouse gas emissions. A multidisciplinary team is developing the system to balance forage needs with livestock requirements.
Virginia Tech researchers have designed supramolecular complexes that can generate pharmaceutical compounds to cleave DNA in tumor cells. These complexes use visible light-induced reactions, which can penetrate tissue and deliver targeted therapy.
Belanger will teach a master's level class on strategic information systems and conduct doctoral seminars at the Technical University of Lisbon's School of Business and Economics. She focuses on telecommunication technologies in organizations, particularly distributed work and electronic commerce.
Hochella's research focuses on the behavior of Earth materials at the atomic scale, revealing interactions with living things, water and air control many Earth processes. He has brought $7 million in research to Virginia and introduced nanoscience into high schools.
Nayfeh has made significant contributions to the field of nonlinear dynamics, including developing a new methodology for controlling ship motions and analyzing acoustic waves in aircraft engine-duct systems. His work has improved the understanding of complex phenomena such as subharmonic and superharmonic resonances in ships and boats.
The genome sequence of V. fischeri reveals surprising parallels with Vibrio cholerae and other pathogens, indicating toxin activity genes. The research sheds light on the connection between quorum sensing and global regulatory networks in bacterial cell communication.
Researchers have developed coating technologies to improve the environmental persistence of biopesticides, increasing their resistance to UV radiation. This technology could make other biopesticides more effective as well.
Virginia Tech professors Fred Piercy and Margaret Keeling will provide mental health training in Indonesia to help therapists work with families and children. The training aims to promote culturally sensitive interventions and community support, taking into account the importance of cultural and religious rituals in Indonesian society.
A partnership between The Beard Company and Pinnacle Mining Company will utilize patented Microcel TM technology to recover clean coal from fine coal impoundments, providing a new energy resource. The project is expected to produce 240,000 tons of clean coal per year.
Ali Nayfeh, a renowned Virginia Tech engineer, has been honored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for his lifetime contributions to nonlinear dynamics. He joins the Office of Naval Research's HiCASS team to develop ship-to-ship transfer capabilities, a crucial technology for naval operations.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed a chemical process to extract ethanol and xylitol from cotton gin residue. This technology has the potential to create a new industry in the state's cotton-growing region, providing a solution to the problem of residue disposal.
The Center for Power Electronics, a leading research center in power electronics technology, has received a $12.5 million funding renewal from the NSF. This investment aims to develop more efficient and integrated power electronics devices, resulting in significant energy savings and increased U.S. competitiveness.
Scientists have discovered a defense mechanism in certain plant species that were believed to be bred out of existence due to human selection. The study found that a specific enzyme and protein complex work together to defend against insect attacks, but their activity is suppressed in plants bred for desirable traits.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified key genes that regulate wood development using the small plant Arabidopsis. By analyzing the expression of over 25,000 genes, they were able to narrow down the number of potential wood formation genes to less than 500, with a focus on transcription factors.
Researchers found that tropical birds are more susceptible to global warming due to their sensitivity to environmental cues, which can disrupt the timing of breeding. The study suggests that changes in rainfall, temperature, or food availability may drive breeding behavior in these birds.
A team of scientists from various universities is investigating the early mechanisms responsible for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. They aim to understand how changes in the muscle cell membrane affect signaling and lead to muscle contraction weakness.
The College of Engineering at Virginia Tech is launching three new programs to improve retention and graduation rates for under-represented engineering students. The programs, funded by a $2 million NSF grant, will offer mentoring, academic development, and residential learning environments to support freshman and transfer students.
Dr. Paul Ribbe will be honored with a symposium for his significant advances in the crystallography of feldspars, which led to the creation of definitive work on mineralogy. The symposium features keynote addresses from internationally recognized scientists and explores the 'micro to macro' approach pioneered by Ribbe.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are investigating the transport of arsenic in a headwater stream adjacent to an old mine site. The team has discovered that groundwater is releasing arsenic into the stream, but some of it is being retained in the streambed.
Researchers found thousands of 600 million year old embryo microfossils in China's Doushantuo Formation. The discoveries suggest that these ancient embryos may have hatched into adult forms with tubular structures, linking them to a coral-like animal.
Researchers compared bulk samples from five geological formations with a museum collection, finding that the diversity of mollusks is similar. The study also revealed that shells in museum collections are better preserved due to time, making them an important resource for researchers.
Researchers studied Tanytrachelos ahynis fossils from the late Triassic Cow Branch Formation, finding no significant differences in size or morphology between populations of the same species. The team analyzed over 90 specimens and discovered that environmental factors rather than intrinsic differences may be responsible for preservati...
A five-year study by Virginia Tech researchers found that lead bullets do not leach into water tables or streams after landing on controlled shooting ranges. The study's findings suggest that lead is mostly absorbed in the top few inches of soil and does not pose a significant risk to wildlife.
Scientists discover new mineral that absorbs toxic metals like a sponge, revealing hidden reservoirs of lead, arsenic, and copper. The findings shed light on the migration patterns of these pollutants and could inform efforts to clean up contaminated sites.
A Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech is using electrical resistivity to measure changes in underground water movement in sinkholes. He measured a rapid change in water movement under a sinkhole during Hurricane Ivan's downpour, finding preferential flow paths and potential contaminants.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed new fiber optic sensors using UV-induced intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometers, increasing the range and enabling real-time monitoring of large areas. The technology has the potential to create a nationwide network of sensors for infrastructure monitoring with improved multiplexing capability.
The center, established at Virginia Tech, aims to study and propagate endangered mussels. Researchers produce nearly 50,000 juvenile mussels annually and work on projects like surveying bivalves for stress indicators and studying pearl production.
A $3 million NSF grant is enabling researchers to combine expertise and solve classification problems for flowering plants. The new system has broken up traditional groups and shuffled others, with Amborella forming the base of the tree.
Scientists found evidence of jarosite and gypsum on Mars' surface, indicating that liquid water likely existed in the past. The discovery suggests a brief geological window where conditions may have been hospitable for life.
PathPort is a life sciences interoperability framework providing access to biological characterizations of known pathogens and their near relatives. The project aims to aid in detection, identification, and analysis of high-priority pathogens using its analytical tools and data models.
Virginia Tech has been selected by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to host a new research lab focused on improving railroad safety, productivity, and efficiency. The lab will be established with an annual grant of $200,000 and is expected to foster closer ties between the university and the railroad industry.
Virginia Tech will lead two research projects worth $17 million each, focusing on integrated pest management and sustainable agriculture in developing nations. The projects aim to reduce pesticide use, increase farm income, and promote ecologically sound practices for improved food security.
The Center for Food and Nutrition Policy challenges the 'nutrient displacement hypothesis' suggesting added sugars replace essential vitamins and minerals. The study's findings indicate energy from other sources has a stronger association with micronutrient intake.
The project aims to preserve vital at-risk digital content of Southern culture and history. Virginia Tech will identify digital collections in need of preservation and develop software to meet digital preservation needs.
A new Virginia Tech-led initiative will develop research-based changes to the construction industry, focusing on work system designs and technology compatibility with human capabilities. The goal is to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities in the sector.
Researchers investigate protein structures of plants to understand their role in generating shape changes in natural materials. Successful development aims to create synthetic materials that utilize internal pressure changes for controllable shapes.
Srinidhi Varadarajan designed a record-breaking, low-cost supercomputer that transformed the industry with its innovative use of off-the-shelf products. His work has opened doors to affordable high-performance computing for major research universities and enterprises.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing a computational platform to calculate wind loads and structural capacities of low-rise buildings. The goal is to appreciably reduce damage and increase safety for residential, institutional, and commercial structures vulnerable to extreme winds.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have invented a new fuel cell material called Battellion TM that can reduce the cost of production, making it more economically viable. The material has improved stability, conductivity, and manufacturing processes, allowing for longer service life and reduced weight compared to existing materials.
Nebel was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the dairy industry through his research on electronic heat detection, leading to the development of the Heatwatch system. He is a renowned expert in reproductive efficiency and Extension specialist with over 400 published articles.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a system that converts light energy from the sun into chemical energy, producing hydrogen gas. The team's molecular machines use light signals to collect and deliver electrons, enabling the production of hydrogen through artificial photosynthesis.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed light-activated therapy agents that are oxygen independent, overcoming a limitation in photodynamic therapy. The new agents are activated by visible light and have been studied in cell cultures, showing promising results.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have developed a new class of inhibitors that target the Pin1 enzyme, which regulates cell division in cancer cells. The researchers found that one of the inhibitors was 23 times more effective than a similar compound, offering promise for treating various types of cancer including breast and prostate cancer.
The Virginia Tech Geospatial Center provides a statewide ESRI site license, resulting in cost savings and increased availability of GIS software. This collaboration also enhances economic development, environmental projects, and good governance across state agencies and localities.
Transgenic tobacco plants produce recombinant proteins economically, benefiting from plant-made vaccines with reduced viral screening costs. The process of recovering and purifying these proteins is expensive, requiring development of more economical techniques to lower production costs.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Virginia Tech a $600,000 grant to support the development of efficient inexpensive fuel cell materials. The university will work with Battelle, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and several companies to bridge gaps in materials, processes, and test methodologies.
The Virginia Tech/Loughborough University team designed Centuria, a plane that can replace single-engine general aviation vehicles. The team successfully created a new jet engine optimized for low flight speeds at low altitudes, meeting the needs of thousands of pilots who fly below 10,000 feet and 250 knots.