The WVU research team aims to develop problem-solving skills that complement traditional math and science skills, such as management, economics, communication, and public policy. The project includes co-investigators from various colleges and focuses on transportation and autonomous vehicles.
A WVU study found that only folic acid and omega-3 supplements showed promise in reducing cardiovascular risk. Eating less salt was also beneficial for overall survival and cardiovascular mortality rates. However, the quality of evidence supporting other supplements and diets was considered low due to methodological issues.
Researchers at WVU have mapped the crystal structure of a protein called mitoNEET, which inhabits the outer membrane of mitochondria. This discovery could lead to disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and diabetes. The study uses advanced X-ray techniques to understand how molecules interact with the protein.
About 30% of nursing home residents are obese, requiring special care and accommodations such as wheelchairs and lifts. A five-year study will identify best practices in caring for obese residents and develop a toolkit to help nursing homes meet their needs.
Researchers at West Virginia University have discovered a fungus that infects cicadas, causing them to lose their limbs and engage in abnormal behavior. The fungus contains psychoactive compounds similar to those found in hallucinogenic mushrooms, but further research is needed to determine its potential benefits.
Researchers found that FOLFIRINOX prolonged patients' lives by an average of 22.2 months, increasing the chances of complete tumor removal through surgery. More than two-thirds of cancers responded well to treatment, allowing for surgical removal.
A NIOSH-funded study is assessing how dental professionals come into contact with vapors, gases, and airborne dusts in clinics. The researchers will measure the size and concentration of particulates in real-time during common dental procedures.
Researchers at West Virginia University have developed a unique solution to reduce the water used by thermoelectric power plants. By combining blowdown water with produced water from Marcellus gas wells, they can create clean enough water for reuse. This process also produces two valuable products: chlorine and 10-pound brine.
Researchers at WVU discovered that higher exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances was associated with lower rates of coronary heart disease in adults with diabetes. The study, led by Kim Innes, used data from the C8 Health Project and found an inverse association between PFAS levels and heart disease risk.
A recent study by WVU biostatistician Snehalata Huzurbazar found a correlation between the vaginal microbiome and preterm birth rates, particularly in African American women. The researchers identified specific bacteria species that proliferated in women who gave birth prematurely, which may help predict and prevent preterm births.
Researchers discovered that stem cells with Fanconi anemia tend to use aerobic energy production, leading to diverse symptoms. A specific signaling pathway may be crucial to treating the disease, and a drug inhibiting this pathway is being explored as a potential treatment option.
A study by West Virginia University researchers found that fear of arrest is a major barrier to obtaining clean needles and safely disposing of used ones. Nearly three-fourths of respondents cited this concern, highlighting the need for clearer laws on syringe possession and exchange programs.
A recent study found that fentanyl-related deaths in West Virginia increased by 122% between 2015 and 2017, despite a decline in prescription opioid deaths. The surge in fentanyl deaths is attributed to illegal imports from China and the potency of the drug itself.
A study by WVU researchers found that exposure to white light at night causes multiple poor outcomes in cardiac arrest models, including greater cell death, more aggressive inflammation, and higher mortality rates. In contrast, dim red light had no detrimental effects.
A recent study by WVU researchers found that rural Americans with migraines often face long travel distances and financial barriers to accessing specialized care. The study highlights a nationwide shortage of headache specialists, which can exacerbate the economic impact of migraine in low-income areas.
Fanny Ye aims to design methods and algorithms for automating the analysis of online underground markets. She will also develop a novel framework for cross-market user identification and profiling to gain insights into cybercriminal social networks and secure cyberspace.
A study by WVU researchers found that suicide rates among Medicaid-insured youth, including girls and young women, are significantly higher than those with private insurance. The researchers also discovered a higher proportion of Medicaid recipients died by hanging compared to non-Medicaid peers.
Erik Herron, a WVU political scientist, has received a $1.1 million Minerva Research Initiative award to investigate how hostile powers like Russia interfere with their neighbors' basic services. He is studying Estonia, Georgia, and Ukraine to better understand potential warning signs of interference.
A study by WVU researchers finds that 70% of West Virginia teachers report an increase in students impacted by substance use at home, but only 10% feel confident in supporting these students. The study highlights the need for additional training and support for teachers to address the downstream effects of the opioid crisis on children.
A recent study by WVU researchers found that stroke patients' microbiomes may still be out of balance a month after the stroke has passed. The team discovered changes in the structure of their guts, including less prominent beneficial bacteria and increased inflammation.
Researcher Jianhai Du finds that tumor cells hijack glucose metabolism to fuel cancer growth, while retina cells use it to renew photoreceptor membranes. MPC1 protein plays a critical role in regulating glucose uptake in both cell types.
A WVU geographer and her team will study the movement of a westerly wind belt circling Antarctica that influences Southern Hemisphere climate, carbon, and heat uptake. The project utilizes data from tree rings in Tasmania and ice cores from Antarctica to reconstruct the history of this wind belt over the last 2,000 years.
Researchers Graham Andrews and Sarah Brown from West Virginia University discovered drumlins, a type of hill formed by glaciers, in the Namibian desert. The study provides evidence of an ice stream in southern Africa during the late Paleozoic Age, about 300 million years ago.
A study led by Albeir Mousa found that patients using a telemedicine app scored better on measures of physical function, mental health, and quality-of-life assessments. The vast majority of patients found the app intuitive to use, with high scores on ease of use and enrichment of care.
A West Virginia University researcher suggests that forests are experiencing declining health due to climate change, leading to unbalanced growth and increased risk of disease. To restore a balanced diet, researchers recommend severely cutting back or ending fossil fuel use.