Latest news from Virginia Tech on Newswise en-us Copyright 2024 Newswise 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/scientist-awarded-national-institutes-of-health-grant-to-examine-cancer-dependent-enzyme/?sc=rsin /articles/scientist-awarded-national-institutes-of-health-grant-to-examine-cancer-dependent-enzyme/?sc=rsin Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:05:50 EST During every moment of any living organism's life, enzymes are at work. These crucial proteins support life through most biological processes, including metabolism, movement, respiration, and digestion. "Enzymes' effects in cells are part of normal physiology," said Kathleen Mulvaney, assistant professor at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. Virginia Tech /articles/presidential-debate-aftermath-for-harris-and-trump-experts-discuss/?sc=rsin /articles/presidential-debate-aftermath-for-harris-and-trump-experts-discuss/?sc=rsin Thu, 12 Sep 2024 10:05:59 EST The second presidential debate of the 2024 U.S. presidential debate contrasted a polished, occasionally evasive performance by Vice President Kamala Harris against an aggressive, defensive performance by former President Donald Trump. Virginia Tech political scientist Karen Hult and media communications expert Cayce Myers discussed the results of the debate. Virginia Tech /articles/new-iphone-integrates-ai-expert-explains-what-that-really-means-for-users/?sc=rsin /articles/new-iphone-integrates-ai-expert-explains-what-that-really-means-for-users/?sc=rsin Wed, 11 Sep 2024 11:05:21 EST Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 on Monday, a device designed around Apple Intelligence, the company's generative artificial intelligence (AI) offering. This new feature promises a highly personalized experience that goes beyond AI, but what does that mean for avid iPhone users? As AI continues to appear in our everyday lives, what do consumers need to be aware of Walid Saad, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and artificial intelligence expert at Virginia Tech, says AI today is equivalent to the Internet in the 1990s, early 2000s: "Its adoption will be inevitable, and we should be well-informed in order to understand how it will change our world in the next few years. Virginia Tech /articles/celebrity-endorsements-help-candidates-but-could-taylor-swift-s-move-the-needle-for-kamala-harris/?sc=rsin /articles/celebrity-endorsements-help-candidates-but-could-taylor-swift-s-move-the-needle-for-kamala-harris/?sc=rsin Wed, 11 Sep 2024 10:05:52 EST Celebrities have a long history of entering the political space to endorse candidates, specifically in high-interest races, and this presidential election is no different. Last night, following the presidential debate, Taylor Swift - arguably the biggest celebrity in the world - came out in support of Kamala Harris. Virginia Tech /articles/the-trump-harris-debate-experts-lay-out-the-stakes-for-both-candidates/?sc=rsin /articles/the-trump-harris-debate-experts-lay-out-the-stakes-for-both-candidates/?sc=rsin Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:05:09 EST On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will share a stage in what likely will be the only presidential debate prior to the November election. Political scientist Karen Hult and media and public relations expert Cayce Myers provide their thoughts on what both candidates will set out to accomplish and what weaknesses they must overcome. Virginia Tech /articles/experts-available-trump-harris-square-off-for-first-and-perhaps-only-debate-what-s-at-stake/?sc=rsin /articles/experts-available-trump-harris-square-off-for-first-and-perhaps-only-debate-what-s-at-stake/?sc=rsin Mon, 09 Sep 2024 12:05:55 EST Virginia Tech /articles/false-election-information-from-ai-chatbots-expert-explains-what-to-guard-against-and-avoid/?sc=rsin /articles/false-election-information-from-ai-chatbots-expert-explains-what-to-guard-against-and-avoid/?sc=rsin Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:05:14 EST Anyone who uses artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chatbots or voice assistants for election information should know these tools might provide misleading or false information. Virginia Tech digital literacy expert Julia Feerrar makes recommendations for sorting AI-generated fiction from fact. Virginia Tech /articles/expert-focus-on-stressed-out-parents-warranted-important/?sc=rsin /articles/expert-focus-on-stressed-out-parents-warranted-important/?sc=rsin Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:05:38 EST A recent surgeon general's advisory outlining an urgent need to support increasingly stressed-out parents highlights an important and growing issue, says a Virginia Tech expert. Rosanna Breaux, a psychologist at Virginia Tech who directs the Child Study Center, said how well parents manage their emotions is crucial for their own parenting experience and for the health of both themselves and their children. Virginia Tech /articles/risks-posed-to-humans-by-rare-but-deadly-mosquito-borne-disease-explained-by-veterinary-expert/?sc=rsin /articles/risks-posed-to-humans-by-rare-but-deadly-mosquito-borne-disease-explained-by-veterinary-expert/?sc=rsin Fri, 30 Aug 2024 13:05:19 EST Sierra Guynn, a clinical assistant professor with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses the history and public health risks of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare but potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease that can spread between people and animals. Virginia Tech /articles/don-t-let-foodborne-illness-spoil-your-tailgate/?sc=rsin /articles/don-t-let-foodborne-illness-spoil-your-tailgate/?sc=rsin Wed, 28 Aug 2024 16:05:33 EST Another school year has begun, and for Hokie sports fans that means the start of a new football season and a lot of tailgating. But tailgating brings unique food safety challenges that you don't necessarily have to worry about when eating at home.  Virginia Tech /articles/the-best-times-to-water-your-vegetable-garden-explained-by-an-agriculture-expert/?sc=rsin /articles/the-best-times-to-water-your-vegetable-garden-explained-by-an-agriculture-expert/?sc=rsin Wed, 21 Aug 2024 15:05:52 EST August has seen record heat, but that won't stop knowledgeable home gardeners who know that now is the best time to plant fall crops: beets, carrots, kale, cauliflower, peas, lettuce, spinach, cilantro, and more. Virginia Tech /articles/celebrity-endorsements-expand-candidates-reach-expert-explains-how/?sc=rsin /articles/celebrity-endorsements-expand-candidates-reach-expert-explains-how/?sc=rsin Wed, 21 Aug 2024 14:05:36 EST Actresses Kerry Washington and Mindy Kaling, hosts of the Democratic National Convention, have made their support for Vice President Kamala Harris clear. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion performed at the rally that launched Harris' campaign for president, and Lil Jon made a surprise DNC appearance Tuesday. On the Republican side, singers Kid Rock and Jason Aldean and wrestler Hulk Hogan have endorsed former President Donald Trump. Virginia Tech /articles/virginia-tech-food-scientist-dispels-the-myths-behind-cast-iron-pan-use/?sc=rsin /articles/virginia-tech-food-scientist-dispels-the-myths-behind-cast-iron-pan-use/?sc=rsin Mon, 12 Aug 2024 13:05:50 EST There's no quicker way to anger a cast iron pan fan than to suggest scrubbing one with soap. Anyone who has ever been in a conversation with die-hard users of the cookware has undoubtedly heard the neverending list of rules surrounding their care. Season your pan. Don't cook acidic foods in it. Don't put it in the dishwasher. Virginia Tech /articles/back-to-school-story-ideas-transitioning-back-to-a-routine-cell-phone-free-schools-importance-of-stem-and-more/?sc=rsin /articles/back-to-school-story-ideas-transitioning-back-to-a-routine-cell-phone-free-schools-importance-of-stem-and-more/?sc=rsin Mon, 12 Aug 2024 13:05:17 EST Virginia Tech has experts available to speak on back-to-school topics ranging from cell phones in school, nutrition standards, the importance of STEM education, and more. To schedule an interview, please contact mediarelations@vt.edu. Virginia Tech /articles/weather-39-whiplash39-in-antarctica-may-help-predict-effects-of-future-climate-change/?sc=rsin /articles/weather-39-whiplash39-in-antarctica-may-help-predict-effects-of-future-climate-change/?sc=rsin Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:05:06 EST The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica live up to their name. The region is one of the driest places on Earth -- mountains form a wall around the valleys and prevent melting glacier water from intruding, humidity is extremely low, and no rain was documented in the valleys between the 1960s and the early 2020s. So when Virginia Tech biological sciences Professor J. Virginia Tech /articles/as-election-season-heats-up-so-do-scammers/?sc=rsin /articles/as-election-season-heats-up-so-do-scammers/?sc=rsin Tue, 06 Aug 2024 12:05:46 EST Money is key to any political campaign - in fact, it often makes or breaks candidates and defines their success. To get this money into the bank, voters are inundated with emails, texts, mailers, and phone calls asking for donations during campaign seasons. Virginia Tech /articles/expert-shares-what-prisoner-exchange-means-for-u-s-russia-ukraine-war/?sc=rsin /articles/expert-shares-what-prisoner-exchange-means-for-u-s-russia-ukraine-war/?sc=rsin Thu, 01 Aug 2024 14:05:42 EST The surprising news that Russia has released two well-known American detainees, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and ex-United States Marine Paul Whelan, has proved to be part of a larger exchange involving at least 24 prisoners and seven countries, the largest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War. Virginia Tech political scientist and foreign policy expert Paul Avey answered questions about the importance of the prisoner exchange. Virginia Tech /articles/artificial-intelligence-at-core-of-video-game-actors-strike-expert-explains/?sc=rsin /articles/artificial-intelligence-at-core-of-video-game-actors-strike-expert-explains/?sc=rsin Thu, 01 Aug 2024 11:05:04 EST The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has gone on strike against 10 major companies that make video games. Video games and communications expert James Ivory answers questions about the reasons for and potential consequences of the strike, including artificial intelligence (AI). Virginia Tech /articles/the-quest-for-clean-water-national-water-quality-month-buoys-virginia-tech-research/?sc=rsin /articles/the-quest-for-clean-water-national-water-quality-month-buoys-virginia-tech-research/?sc=rsin Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:05:46 EST August is National Water Quality Month, a time to contemplate conserving natural water sources and consider what households and communities can do to ensure and preserve access to clean, safe water. Many researchers at Virginia Tech pursue this goal in myriad ways. Read on to learn how Virginia Tech works to study and preserve water quality. Virginia Tech /articles/southwest-flight-425-was-about-1-000-feet-closer-to-the-ground-than-it-should-ve-been-we-ll-know-why-soon-expert-says/?sc=rsin /articles/southwest-flight-425-was-about-1-000-feet-closer-to-the-ground-than-it-should-ve-been-we-ll-know-why-soon-expert-says/?sc=rsin Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:05:59 EST A Southwest Airlines flight crew is under investigation after flying dangerously close to the ocean when attempting to land at Tampa International Airport on July 14th. The plane dropped to 150 feet above the water - the height of an average water tower - before accelerating to regain altitude. This is the third time Southwest has had a low-altitude incident this year. Virginia Tech