A study by Virginia Tech found that all 28 major US cities are sinking, with 20-65% of urban areas affected, impacting structural integrity and flood risks. The research highlights the importance of integrating land subsidence monitoring into urban planning policies to mitigate infrastructure risks.
Scientists have discovered a Triassic-era fossil with an elongated jaw structure, similar to modern-day pike and needlefish. The findings suggest that different species independently evolved similar jaws hundreds of millions of years apart, highlighting the universal problem-solving strategies in nature.
A new study reveals that China's sell-by-plan mandate, aimed at preventing insider trading, has failed to stop executives from profiting from private information. Executives have found a way to plan their sales far in advance, allowing them to cash out before bad news breaks, undermining market fairness and eroding investor trust.
A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers found that a major earthquake could expand the coastal floodplain by 35-116 square miles, affecting thousands of residents and properties. The impact would be most severe in southern Washington, northern Oregon, and northern California.
The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has released an updated set of equestrian ratings that considers impact scenarios with horizontal velocity, typically occurring in racing and cross-country events. The new ratings aim to inform consumer decisions about helmet purchasing by reflecting concussion risk associated with each model.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers suggests that bacteriophages, or virus-like particles, may increase the sensitivity of gut bacteria to antibiotics. The team created a mouse model that allows them to control phage populations and found evidence that phages can exacerbate antibiotic damage.
Researchers created an Experimental Beverage Marketplace to analyze the impact of taxes on sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. The study found that participants purchased significantly less of these drinks when a tax was applied, replicating standard economic principles.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers Jin Xu and Pengfei Ye finds that value-based stock grants can weaken executive motivation and limit corporate growth. The study analyzed thousands of U.S. firms from 2006-22, revealing that companies tying CEO compensation to a fixed dollar amount can unintentionally discourage executives from m...
A study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found a gene mutation in bed bugs that may contribute to their resistance to insecticides. The researchers, led by Warren Booth, discovered the mutation in 134 unique populations of bed bugs collected from North America between 2008-22.
Researchers developed a saliva test that uses AI to identify genetic mutations in the DPYD gene, which can affect how well cancer patients respond to chemotherapy. The study found several new mutations that could lead to severe side effects from 5-fluorouracil, a widely used chemotherapy drug.
The research aims to bridge the translational gap between animal and human studies, exploring how obesity impacts decision-making around food. The team will measure brain chemical activity while participants consume sugary drinks and complete emotion-related tasks.
Researchers identified three hotspots of hantavirus circulation in wildlife, including Virginia, Colorado, and Texas. The study found 15 rodent species as carriers, including six new hosts, and explored the impact of climate change on transmission.
Lower-intensity electrical pulses reshape the tumor environment, increasing blood vessel density and boosting lymphatic vessel growth. This may guide immune cells to the tumor, improving the body's natural ability to fight cancer.
Researchers found a novel virus in the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which is the largest temperate virus discovered to date with a latent infection cycle. The discovery sheds light on potential biotechnological applications, including gene editing.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have developed a method to produce, store, and deliver exosomes containing wound-healing compounds for targeted drug delivery and diagnostics. The breakthrough process improves stability for up to a year at room temperature, enabling mass production and commercial implementation.
A new study found that coordination during fear looks different in males and females, with opposite-sex pairs showing resilience under stress. Female mice were more responsive to their partners, while males tended to copy each other's actions, forming a strong social unit against stress.
Virginia Tech aims to establish a hydrogen innovation hub using natural gas conversion technology, producing cleaner and more economically viable products. The project's goal is to reduce methane and carbon dioxide emissions by transforming potent greenhouse gases into less harmful high-value products.
A team of chemists from Virginia Tech found a way to visualize the intricate structure and chemical reactions of battery interfaces using an X-ray beam line. This breakthrough enables researchers to gain better control over these critical surfaces, potentially leading to cheaper, higher performance batteries.
A professor is conducting a study to increase forest farming in Appalachia, with the goal of creating a sustainable economy for the region. The project aims to develop the workforce and formalize businesses to ensure efficient supply chains.
Researchers have identified distinct protein degradation patterns in key brain regions for individuals who witnessed trauma, differing from those who experienced it firsthand. Sex-specific differences also emerge, with implications for targeted treatments and a better understanding of PTSD development.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have published a visionary paper on fusing wireless technologies and AI to create human-like common sense. The team aims to develop a network that can think, plan, and imagine like humans, enabling seamless merging of physical, virtual, and digital dimensions.
Virginia Tech researchers Pamela VandeVord and Gunnar Brolinson received a $2.17 million grant to investigate cranial osteopathic manual manipulation as a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury symptoms, particularly headaches. The noninvasive technique aims to enhance brain fluid motion and balance the autonomic nervous system.
A Virginia Tech study reveals that machine learning models are inadequate in detecting critical patient conditions, missing 66% of injuries. The research emphasizes the need for more responsive models incorporating medical knowledge to improve healthcare outcomes.
The Whole Health Consortium at Virginia Tech has funded several research projects, including one that uses geospatial analysis to improve healthcare access for veterans. Another project aims to develop a 'just-in-time' intervention for chronic pain and opioid use disorder in Appalachia.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute found that practicing episodic future thinking reduced impulsivity and enhanced brain connectivity in key regions. The study suggests that this approach may be a valuable early intervention therapy for substance use disorders.
The Expand Appalachia project aims to accelerate the identification and characterization of unconventional critical mineral resources throughout the region. The team will assess regional infrastructure, identify industries that could benefit from production, and develop strategies to boost economic growth and attract investment.
Scientists are studying how microplastics affect microbial communities in ponds, with potential implications for carbon cycling and the global biosphere. Microbes have adapted to plastic surfaces, which could impact aquatic environments.
Researchers found that individual honeybee dance styles, rather than consistency, contribute to successful food foraging. Bees with diverse communication methods were more likely to recruit others who successfully found food.
Researchers found that negative early life experiences can lead to delayed brain development in adolescents, increasing vulnerability to mental health disorders. The study suggests brain connectivity rather than cognitive control behavior is a stronger predictor of future substance use.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a method to convert gut bacteria into mini protein factories that produce and release sustained flows of targeted proteins within the lower intestine. This approach eliminates a major roadblock in delivering drugs to this part of the body, offering potential treatment for chronic diseases.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a way to convert gut bacteria into miniature protein factories that produce and release targeted proteins inside the lower intestine. This breakthrough could potentially treat chronic diseases.
A recent study found that cold temperatures allow the bird pink eye pathogen to survive on bird feeders for up to seven days, causing more severe disease in birds compared to warmer temperatures. Regular cleaning of feeder surfaces with bleach can help mitigate the spread of the disease.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that electric vehicles generally produce less non-exhaust emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles when driving in city conditions. The research also highlights the environmental benefits of regenerative braking, which reduces brake abrasion emissions.
Researchers have uncovered a mitochondrial process that supports brain cells critical for learning, memory, and social recognition. The study reveals the critical role of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter in enabling neurons to strengthen connections through synaptic plasticity.
A Virginia Tech research team has made significant progress in understanding the role of physical properties in tuning the body's immune responses. By modifying biomaterials' size, shape, and stiffness, they aim to enhance immune cell behavior and stimulate antitumor immune responses.
The partnership aims to accelerate discoveries and develop life-changing therapies for children with cancer and rare diseases. By combining expertise in pediatric care and cutting-edge technology, the organizations hope to make significant strides in understanding and treating devastating childhood diagnoses.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a new solid lubricating mechanism that can reduce friction in machinery at extremely high temperatures. The novel coating has the potential to make components from rockets to semiconductors more safe, durable, and cost-effective.
A recent study found that people trying to quit opioids and pain medication experience more relapses compared to others. The research highlights the need for tailored treatment approaches, as some substances require more quit attempts than others.
Researchers identify key brain signals prediction error and expected value to predict recovery potential in depression. They found unique brain activity patterns that could inform tailored therapy strategies, targeting specific symptoms of depression.
A study published in Science of the Total Environment found that stormwater detention basins in Northern Virginia face significant salt stress due to road salts. Native plant species, such as cattails, showed promise in tolerating high salt concentrations, but their impact on overall salt removal was limited.
Researchers will examine archival research, media content, and conduct interviews with series creators and experts to understand the show's influence on science education. The project aims to explore how 'The Magic School Bus' worked creatively, educationally, and financially.
Marie Bo&r's $875,000 grant will fund her project to learn more about partons from an experimental and phenomenological point of view. Her goal is to understand the static and dynamic properties of quarks when confined in a nucleon, with potential implications for the study of radioactivity.
Cricket frogs use a combination of underwater push and leg movement to propel themselves out of the water, resulting in a 'belly flop' motion. This discovery could lead to advancements in bio-inspired robotics and water testing systems.
Researchers found neurotransmitters in the human brain are released during emotional language processing, providing insights into how words shape our choices and mental health. The study bridges biology and symbolism, linking neural processes to human communication and emotion.
The Virginia Tech analysis extends the chart of life by nearly 1.5 billion years, mapping the rise and fall of ancient life from the Proterozoic Eon. The study reveals that global ice ages accelerated the pace of evolution in species counts.
A six-year study examining 38 clinical isolates of Cryptococcus found genes and gene alleles associated with disease severity. The research aims to develop new treatments targeting these genetic variations, predicting disease outcomes and improving patient care.
A Virginia Tech student is exploring a potential new treatment avenue for Lupus using DNA-like molecules, with the goal of alleviating symptoms and reducing organ damage. The researcher's approach has shown promise in cell cultures and may lead to less invasive treatments that harness the body's natural immune responses.
Researchers found that soil contains antibiotic resistance genes that can be transmitted to humans, making it a pressing public health threat. The study reveals how these genes spread through the environment and highlights the importance of understanding soil ecosystems to control antibiotic resistance.
Virginia Tech researchers successfully tagged a young Mediterranean shortfin mako shark, gathering valuable data on its movements and habitat usage. The shark traveled over 750 miles in 54 days, suggesting that protecting nursery areas may not be enough to prevent its decline.
A Virginia Tech researcher has received a collaborative grant to improve cancer therapies by developing 3D liver organoids and employing cutting-edge microscopy technology. The project aims to identify the most effective treatments for cancer, enabling better-targeted treatments.