Scientists suggest that managing pond conditions can tip the balance in favor of native species. Research found that longer hydroperiods, typically over 110 days, lead to larger and more stable populations.
A new study from Virginia Tech found that weightlifting outmuscles running for blood sugar control in diabetes models. The research compared the effects of endurance and resistance exercise in mice fed a high-fat diet and found that weightlifting was more effective in reducing subcutaneous and visceral fat, improving glucose tolerance,...
Researchers warn of structural weakening in urban areas as a result of groundwater overexploitation, posing risks to millions of people. Satellite radar data reveals nearly 1.9 million people exposed to subsidence rates greater than 4 millimeters per year.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that adjusting molecular processes can improve memory in older subjects. They used CRISPR-dCas13 and CRISPR-dCas9 to target age-related changes in K63 polyubiquitination and IGF2, two genes linked to memory formation.
A new study published in PNAS found that physical activity increases total daily energy expenditure without reducing it elsewhere. The research showed a clear link between being more active and spending less time sitting still.
A study found that participants taking GLP-1 agonists experienced delayed effects after drinking alcohol, leading to reduced intoxication. The research provides early data for larger studies testing whether these drugs can help reduce alcohol use.
A new project aims to enhance workforce readiness in molecular bioscience by creating open-access resources and modules tailored to student needs. The Molecular Data Education Hub will host instructional materials and case studies for instructors to implement into their courses.
Salterella, a tiny Cambrian creature, has been reclassified with cnidarians due to its unique shell structure and mineral composition. The research team suggests that Salterella's shell served a distinct purpose, possibly related to feeding or stability.
Researchers suggest chemotherapy drugs may be responsible for 'chemo brain' symptoms, citing reduced lymphatic vessel growth and impaired cognitive function. The study highlights the need to consider long-term neurological side effects of cancer treatment on quality of life.
Scientists at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are developing nanotechnology-based approaches to reprogram the immune system and overcome tumor defenses. Integrating nanomedicine with immunology promises more precise and effective therapies.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed an AI-powered system to detect flaws in wire-arc additive manufacturing, a faster approach to producing complex components. The technology enables real-time defect detection and correction, reducing waste and improving quality.
Researchers exploring how exercise stress affects cellular adaptations and disease risk, focusing on mitochondrial energy sensing and AMPK activation. The study aims to determine if increasing mitoAMPK activity can mitigate diabetes in skeletal muscle.
A Virginia Tech oncologist is championing a precise approach to treating acute myeloid leukemia by tracking subtle molecular changes in patients. His work aims to identify signs of potential relapse and tailor treatment for each individual with this rare blood cancer.
Grade school children learn robotics through performance-based learning, exploring science, tech, engineering, arts, and math. The expanded curriculum will introduce ethical considerations, such as fairness, privacy, and bias in technology.
A new open-source AI tool, ProRNA3D-single, has significantly increased accuracy in predicting and visualizing protein-RNA complex structures. This method can generate finely detailed images of molecules in 3D, enabling drug developers to design treatments by analyzing where viruses attach to human proteins.
A new Virginia Tech study establishes a baseline for understanding dog behavior on a large scale, tracking trends in fear, attention, aggression, and trainability over four years. The research found that dogs are adaptable and not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with some notable exceptions related to trainability.
A new Virginia Tech study analyzes four years of owner-reported data from over 47,000 dogs to establish a baseline for understanding dog behavior on a large scale. The research reveals that dogs are adaptable and shows no substantial changes in behavioral profiles despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virginia Tech researchers create method combining MRI, fluid dynamics, and algorithm to identify hidden glioblastoma cells. The technique uses fluid flow patterns to predict tumor re-growth, allowing for more aggressive surgical approaches. This technology has potential to improve cancer treatment outcomes
A team of Virginia Tech researchers has discovered new insights into blood thinners and bone builders, heparin. The findings may lead to designing safer and more reliable heparin therapies. Heparin's molecular composition affects its ability to bind calcium, influencing its effectiveness in biomineralization and blood clotting.
Scientists Sharon Swanger and Shannon Farris study how mitochondria in vulnerable memory circuits become overloaded with calcium, contributing to early memory breakdowns. Their research aims to find early signs of stress or failure in the entorhinal cortex-hippocampus circuit.
Scientists have discovered a distinct neurochemical signature that sets Parkinson's disease apart from essential tremor, two common movement disorders. In a new study published in Nature Communications, researchers identified unique chemical signaling patterns of dopamine and serotonin that distinguish these conditions.
Researchers found that measures of glycemic control were more closely linked to changes in food preferences than body weight status. Participants who had fasting glucose and HbA1C at the high end of normal were less likely to prefer flavors paired with nutrients, even if they had a healthy BMI.
Scientists at Virginia Tech mimic the natural movement of boulders on Racetrack Playa by creating a metal surface with asymmetric grooves that propel melting ice. The discovery has potential applications in rapid defrosting and energy harvesting.
A new Virginia Tech study reveals that toxic well water primarily affects household pets, with 64% of dog drinking water samples containing high levels of potentially toxic heavy metals. Researchers found a correlation between untreated well water and poor health in dogs, highlighting the need for households to test and treat their water.
Researchers identify packing density as key factor affecting membrane elasticity, offering new insights into homeostasis and cellular behavior. This discovery has significant implications for drug delivery applications and the development of lifelike artificial cells.
A Safe Systems Approach emphasizes that road users, designers, operators, policymakers, administrators, and healthcare professionals all have a role to play in reducing fatalities. By adopting this approach, countries can realize significant success in eliminating roadway deaths, but full commitment from stakeholders is necessary.
A new study found that immunotherapy may change the bone marrow environment where cancer cells live, potentially helping the immune system respond more effectively. Researchers tracked how the immune system interacts with cancer cells after treatment and noticed changes in cellular neighborhoods and cell communication.
Researchers discovered complex structures in millipede secretions that can modulate specific neuroreceptors in ant brains, shedding light on potential new medications. The newly found alkaloids, named andrognathanols and andrognathines, have shown potent interactions with the Sigma-1 neuroreceptor.
Researchers at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute have identified a potential target for experimental drugs that block PRMT5, a naturally occurring enzyme some tumors rely on for survival. The study found a new drug combination that works against certain hard-to-treat cancers.
Neuroscientist Sora Shin is studying how early-life trauma shapes brain circuit function and contributes to uncontrolled rage, a public health issue linked to psychiatric disorders and societal challenges. Her research could lead to novel treatment strategies for trauma-related aggression.
A study by Florian Zach found that Colorado hotels increased average monthly revenue by 25% between 2014 and 2019, primarily due to higher room bookings and daily rates. Hotels closer to dispensaries, newer and more upscale, and in high-demand areas saw the greatest benefits from dispensary legalization.
A study led by Virginia Tech found that volunteer dog-handler teams can effectively detect the elusive egg masses of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect damaging farms and forests across the eastern and central United States. With proper training, dog owners can turn their pets into powerful partners for conservation.
Researchers found that low sodium levels can disrupt the heartbeat in patients taking widely used rhythm-control medications like flecainide, increasing conduction risk. Interfering with ephaptic coupling or potassium ion flow reduces heart sensitivity to low sodium when sodium channels are blocked.
A research team led by Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute is working on a technique that uses focused ultrasound to deliver creatine directly to the brain. This method aims to restore normal brain mass in models of creatine deficiency, which can impair brain development and lead to severe cognitive challenges.
Researchers identify tumor-associated macrophages that shield tumors from attack and promote metastasis in advanced prostate cancer. Blocking these cells with anti-SPP1 treatment boosts the immune response, slowing cancer progression.
Tina Rost will use a $800,000 NSF CAREER award to control the disorder in high-entropy ceramics, making them stronger and more heat-resistant. Her team aims to develop new materials with tailored electrical, magnetic, and mechanical properties using machine learning-enhanced analysis.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found ants can be used to detect the presence of spotted lanternflies, a serious threat to crops and ecosystems. The method, called antDNA, uses environmental DNA testing to identify tiny traces of DNA in honeydew produced by the insect.
Researchers are exploring potassium channel blockers to reduce seizures caused by genetic mutations in the KCNT1 gene. The treatment holds promise for reducing life expectancy and improving symptoms, with potential clinical trials starting as early as 2026.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers found that large-scale solar farms have a complex impact on nearby property values. Agricultural land within two miles of the site saw a 19.4% increase in value, while residential homes lost an average of 4.8%. The negative impact was more pronounced in counties with conservative leanings.
A global research team tracked over 100 species of marine animals, revealing key migration patterns and hotspots critical for conservation. The study, MegaMove, uses satellite data to inform a new blueprint for ocean conservation, highlighting the need for targeted mitigation efforts.
Obesity can lead to coronary microvascular dysfunction, causing impaired blood flow to the heart and increased risk of heart problems. Studying pannexin-1 protein, a key player in this process, could help develop treatments to prevent heart issues before they start.
A new material has been developed by Virginia Tech researchers that can be recycled, reconfigured, and self-healed after damage. The material, called vitrimer circuit boards, offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional electronic composites.
Researchers developed a new deep learning framework to predict extreme water levels during hurricanes, enabling smarter decisions and potentially saving lives. The framework, LSTM-SAM, analyzes patterns from past storms to make accurate predictions in areas with limited data, using transfer learning techniques.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are developing more precise treatments for pediatric brain cancer, specifically glioblastoma, by targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. The new therapies aim to deliver compounds more effectively to tumor sites using low-intensity focused ultrasound.
A Virginia Tech professor has received a proof-of-concept grant to further develop a chemical compound that could help promote weight loss by increasing mitochondrial activity. The compound, named BAM15, shows promise in preclinical studies without affecting food intake or muscle mass.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute developed a peptide therapy called JM2 that targets cancer cells' ability to renew and regrow. The treatment significantly slows tumor growth in animal models and disrupts the maintenance of treatment-resistant cancer cells.
A new study compares the genome sequence of bed bugs that live with humans and those that don't, finding that human-associated bed bugs recovered and increased in population size over time. The research suggests that humans may have inadvertently led to the emergence of modern bed bug pests.
A new study by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that teen drivers who practiced more had 30% fewer crash or near-crash incidents. Researchers analyzed data from 82 teen drivers monitored for 22 months, revealing that supervised driving experiences and safety education are crucial for reducing novice driver risks.
Researchers found that microscopic structural changes in heart cells naturally narrow with age, stabilizing heart rhythm and reducing the risk of irregular heartbeats. This discovery challenges the idea that all age-related changes in the heart are harmful.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have designed a new metallic material alloy with superior mechanical properties, leveraging data-driven frameworks and explainable AI. This breakthrough accelerates the discovery of advanced metallic alloys, offering insights into materials' structure-property relationships.