Latest news from Virginia Tech on Newswise en-us Copyright 2024 Newswise 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/appealing-to-voters-through-podcasts-expert-explains-advantages/?sc=rsin /articles/appealing-to-voters-through-podcasts-expert-explains-advantages/?sc=rsin Thu, 07 Nov 2024 09:00:11 EST Virginia Tech communication professor Megan Duncan discusses why United States presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris focused on podcasts in their voter outreach, and what benefits such media bring. Virginia Tech /articles/experts-react-to-2024-election-results/?sc=rsin /articles/experts-react-to-2024-election-results/?sc=rsin Wed, 06 Nov 2024 15:15:50 EST Despite the expectation that the results of the 2024 presidential election might not be known for a while, former president Donald Trump won enough swing states to reclaim the presidency by Wednesday morning. Republicans also won the Senate, though close races that will decide the House of Representatives may well not be called for days. Virginia Tech /articles/daylight-saving-time-economic-expert-explains-risks-and-benefits/?sc=rsin /articles/daylight-saving-time-economic-expert-explains-risks-and-benefits/?sc=rsin Fri, 01 Nov 2024 16:35:20 EST The necessity of daylight saving time has often been questioned and criticized. Virginia Tech economic expert Jadrian Wooten discusses why the retail industries want to keep daylight saving time, the problems associated with it, and at least one justification for leaving it be. Virginia Tech /articles/expert-shares-advice-on-how-to-ease-anxiety-this-election-season/?sc=rsin /articles/expert-shares-advice-on-how-to-ease-anxiety-this-election-season/?sc=rsin Wed, 30 Oct 2024 18:40:41 EST Voter anxiety over the presidential election is real. Kristen Benson, director of the marriage and family therapy program at Virginia Tech, offers advice for easing tension. Virginia Tech /articles/researcher-suggests-eggs-as-additional-vitamin-d-source-as-autumn-days-grow-shorter-colder/?sc=rsin /articles/researcher-suggests-eggs-as-additional-vitamin-d-source-as-autumn-days-grow-shorter-colder/?sc=rsin Wed, 30 Oct 2024 18:00:34 EST A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to problems with bone development and maintenance, and additional symptoms including muscle weakness, fatigue, and depression. To supplement the body's necessary daily dose of vitamin D, Virginia Tech poultry expert Mike Persia has a recommendation for an additional source: Eggs. Virginia Tech /articles/sweet-temptations-expert-advice-for-mindful-holiday-eating/?sc=rsin /articles/sweet-temptations-expert-advice-for-mindful-holiday-eating/?sc=rsin Fri, 25 Oct 2024 11:50:07 EST Halloween candy is everywhere. If you have kids in your home, the amount of candy around you may double or triple by Halloween night, and that's not counting the bowl that made its way into your office -- for guests, of course. This is only the beginning of candy season: we see you, Christmas and Valentine's Day. How do you make sure you're not mindlessly filling up on all the extra sweet treats? Samantha Harden, associate professor and exercise specialist in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech, encourages us to enjoy the flavors of the season while remaining mindful and prioritizing movement. Virginia Tech /articles/expert-offers-insights-on-hurricane-helene-s-lingering-impacts-on-appalachia/?sc=rsin /articles/expert-offers-insights-on-hurricane-helene-s-lingering-impacts-on-appalachia/?sc=rsin Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:50:09 EST Emily Satterwhite, professor and the director of the Appalachian Studies program in the Department of Religion and Culture, is familiar with the phases of flood recovery efforts. She shares insights on Hurricane Helene's lasting impacts in Appalachia as well as the best ways to help during the current stage of recovery. Virginia Tech /articles/new-research-on-octopus-inspired-technology-successfully-maneuvers-underwater-objects/?sc=rsin /articles/new-research-on-octopus-inspired-technology-successfully-maneuvers-underwater-objects/?sc=rsin Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:00:00 EST Using mechanisms inspired by nature to create new technological innovations is a signature of one Virginia Tech research team. The group led by Associate Professor Michael Bartlett has created an octopus-inspired adhesive, inspired by the shape of octopus suckers, that can quickly grab and controllably release challenging underwater objects. Virginia Tech /articles/diplomacy-needed-to-deescalate-war-between-israel-and-iran-s-proxies-expert-explains/?sc=rsin /articles/diplomacy-needed-to-deescalate-war-between-israel-and-iran-s-proxies-expert-explains/?sc=rsin Tue, 08 Oct 2024 16:05:52 EST The one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks in Israel arrived with no sign of a cease-fire agreement, and multiple signs that the fighting could expand to multiple fronts and go on for years.  Virginia Tech global affairs expert Ariel Ahram answered more questions about the expanding conflict and what a solution will require.  Virginia Tech /articles/how-ghost-stories-came-to-haunt-halloween-expert-explains/?sc=rsin /articles/how-ghost-stories-came-to-haunt-halloween-expert-explains/?sc=rsin Tue, 08 Oct 2024 16:05:46 EST Virginia Tech English department instructor Ingrid Johnson, who teaches a course on "Monsters, Madness, and the Macabre," provides insights into how Halloween and ghost stories became so intertwined, and the influence ghost stories have in pop culture. Virginia Tech /articles/fake-hurricane-helene-images-go-viral-experts-discuss-the-problem-and-how-to-counteract/?sc=rsin /articles/fake-hurricane-helene-images-go-viral-experts-discuss-the-problem-and-how-to-counteract/?sc=rsin Tue, 08 Oct 2024 16:05:07 EST Thousands of well-meaning social media users have been sharing photos supposedly depicting the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's destruction that have turned out to be fake images generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Communication media expert Cayce Myers and digital literacy expert Julia Feerrar discuss the problems these images cause and how to detect them. Virginia Tech /articles/recovery-efforts-post-hurricane-helene/?sc=rsin /articles/recovery-efforts-post-hurricane-helene/?sc=rsin Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:05:08 EST A Virginia Tech disaster response expert has actionable recommendations to improve preparedness and community resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's disaster Virginia Tech /articles/experts-offer-advice-for-supporting-children-s-mental-health/?sc=rsin /articles/experts-offer-advice-for-supporting-children-s-mental-health/?sc=rsin Mon, 07 Oct 2024 15:05:31 EST Prioritizing mental health is not only important for adults, but for children as well. "Stress and anxiety are normal parts of life that we all experience in order to keep us safe," said Samantha Kempker-Margherio, assistant professor of psychology in Virginia Tech's College of Science. Virginia Tech /articles/experts-highlight-health-risks-tied-to-flooding/?sc=rsin /articles/experts-highlight-health-risks-tied-to-flooding/?sc=rsin Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:05:53 EST Hurricane Helene has brought widespread devastation along the East Coast, particularly in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Three Virginia Tech public health and water quality experts - Stephanie Lareau, Julia Gohlke, and Alasdair Cohen - share insights on the pressing health risks associated with flooding in the wake of the hurricane. Virginia Tech /articles/expert-climate-change-aging-infrastructure-human-decisions-feed-into-disasters-like-hurricane-helene/?sc=rsin /articles/expert-climate-change-aging-infrastructure-human-decisions-feed-into-disasters-like-hurricane-helene/?sc=rsin Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:05:44 EST A Virginia Tech environmental security expert says there are lessons to learn in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's disaster that can improve preparedness and community resilience.  "The tragic flood event in the southeast U.S. is a poignant example of the confluence of multiple factors, including development in floodplains, inadequate infrastructure maintenance and management, and the specter of climate change, whose compounding effect can amplify the disaster," says Manoochehr Shirzaei, an associate professor of geophysics. Virginia Tech /articles/experts-offer-insight-on-vice-presidential-debate/?sc=rsin /articles/experts-offer-insight-on-vice-presidential-debate/?sc=rsin Fri, 27 Sep 2024 12:05:30 EST Next week, Sen J.D. Vance and Gov. Tim Walz will take the stage in their first vice presidential debate. Several Virginia Tech experts are available to discuss what this debate means and whether it will make a difference for voters. Virginia Tech /articles/world-rabies-day-2024-experts-encourage-education-vaccination-and-collaboration-to-combat-rabies/?sc=rsin /articles/world-rabies-day-2024-experts-encourage-education-vaccination-and-collaboration-to-combat-rabies/?sc=rsin Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:05:49 EST Rabies is a virus that affects the central nervous system in mammals, leading to brain inflammation. Rabies is almost always fatal once there are symptoms, but it is also 100 percent preventable with proper precautions and vaccination. Understanding the risks and taking preventative measures is essential in protecting animals, families, and communities. Virginia Tech /articles/do-laws-to-prevent-ai-generated-deepfake-political-content-violate-free-speech-rights-communication-expert-explains/?sc=rsin /articles/do-laws-to-prevent-ai-generated-deepfake-political-content-violate-free-speech-rights-communication-expert-explains/?sc=rsin Wed, 25 Sep 2024 10:05:13 EST As the 2024 election looms closer, political candidates are ramping up advertising efforts. Streaming and cord-cutting -- canceling traditional cable or satellite service -- has diminished the role of traditional television ads in favor of digital ads seen on platforms such as YouTube. But candidates aren't the only ones hard at work creating digital content. Virginia Tech /articles/ukrainian-public-opinion-on-compromise-with-russia-changing-researcher-explains/?sc=rsin /articles/ukrainian-public-opinion-on-compromise-with-russia-changing-researcher-explains/?sc=rsin Tue, 24 Sep 2024 11:05:01 EST Two years and seven months into the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the attitudes of the Ukrainian people toward ending the war are reluctantly shifting. Virginia Tech international affairs expert Gerard Toal has researched Ukrainian public opinion for a decade. His most recent findings indicate that more Ukrainians have become open to entering into negotiations with Russia. Virginia Tech /articles/experts-why-we-tip-and-why-impact-of-eliminating-taxes-on-tips-would-be-minimal/?sc=rsin /articles/experts-why-we-tip-and-why-impact-of-eliminating-taxes-on-tips-would-be-minimal/?sc=rsin Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:05:58 EST Eliminating taxes on tips -- an idea supported by both major party 2024 presidential candidates -- could benefit some service workers but the overall impact may not be that dramatic, says a Virginia Tech expert. There are roughly 4 million workers for whom tips make up a significant portion of their income. Virginia Tech