Posts Tagged Science & Technology

Southwest Virginia lab switches focus from COVID testing to genomic sequencing

Since April 2020, the Virginia Tech COVID-19 lab has processed more than 220,000 samples. The lab’s director is Carla Finkielstein, a professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. (Credit: Clayton Metz / Virginia Tech)

As more people have become vaccinated against COVID-19, testing for the virus isn’t as frequent. But, at the height of the pandemic it was vital. Mallory Noe-Payne visited a lab in southwest Virginia that played a crucial role in making testing accessible. 

As COVID vaccines and at-home tests have become more accessible, labs across the country have shifted focus from COVID testing to genomic sequencing. Mallory Noe-Payne visited one lab in Roanoke and has more on how scientists are now working to stay ahead of the curve. 

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Could Virginia play a role in the national semiconductor push?

Virginia already has one manufacturing facility for semiconductors.  It’s in Prince William County in northern Virginia.

But, as Michael Pope reports, new federal money to encourage fabrication plants could be coming to Virginia.

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Stink Bug Redux; New Strategies for Controlling Them

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Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The sound of stink bugs flying around indoors has become a harbinger of autumn. One has been circling above me the whole time I’ve been writing this story. She looks like she’s trying to get into the ceiling but each time she hits it, she bounces off. Robbie Harris has this update on what scientists are learning about controlling the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.

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VCU “Medicines for All” Project Receives $25 Million from Gates Foundation

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Frank Gupton, an engineering professor at VCU, is leading a team trying to make drugs cheaper for those who need them in developing countries. (Credit: VCU School of Engineering)

Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond has received the largest private grant in history: 25 million dollars from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The money will support the school’s “Medicines for All” research. Virginia’s Governor was on hand at the announcement. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Governor Kicks Off ‘Virginia is for Computer Science Lovers’ Campaign

14c68d2b-8449-4045-85db-51cb5a857023-originalVirginia launched a new PR campaign Monday to draw attention to the state’s quickly growing computer science industry. The campaign ties in neatly with Richmond Tech Week, which also kicked off Monday. Mallory Noe-Payne has more details.

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With New Funding, VCU Professor Continues Research to Lower the Cost of Drugs

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Frank Gupton, an engineering professor at VCU, is leading a team trying to make drugs cheaper for those who need them in developing countries. (Credit: VCU)

A professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Engineering in Richmond has partnered with the Gates Foundation and Clinton Health Access Initiative in research that is drastically lowering the cost of HIV drugs. But as Mallory Noe-Payne reports, his research could help bring down the cost of all drugs.

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Eastern Shore Competes with Florida for Navy Drone Contract, 400 New Personnel

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A MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (Credit: U.S. Navy)

NASA Wallops is competing with two other sites in Florida to become the East Coast home base for a naval drone surveillance program that would require 400 new personnel. As part of the process the Navy is asking for public comment on its draft assessment of potential effects the facility might have on the environment. Pamela D’Angelo reports.

Copies of the draft assessment are available at:

  • Wallops Flight Facility Visitor’s Center, Building J20, VA-175, Wallops Island, VA 23337
  • Eastern Shore Public Library, 23610 Front Street, Accomac, VA 23301
  • Chincoteague Island Library, 4077 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
  • Pocomoke Public Library, 301 Market Street, Pocomoke City, MD 21851

You can download a copy of the draft assessment here, and if you would like to make a comment you can visit the Fleet Forces Command website.

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Virginia Hosts Hackathon Using State Data

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Credit: Mallory Noe-Payne / WVTF

Hackathon is a bit of a buzzword these days. It’s an event where software developers come together and are given a short period of time to collaborate on new projects. Think lots of computers, lots of creativity, and lots of energy drinks. You might associate a hackathon with universities or tech companies, but probably not state government. Virginia, though, is looking to change that. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

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Limiting Some Football Practice Drills to Cut Head Impact Risk for Young Players

Football Helmet

Credit: John McStravick / Creative Commons

Researchers at Virginia Tech are out with the first findings of a five year study tracking head impacts to children who play tackle football.  Robbie Harris reports.

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CubeFest to Crank the Sound Way Beyond ’11’

Virginia Tech, Center for the Arts

Virginia Tech, Center for the Arts, Location: Blacksburg VA, Architect: Snohetta

“Spatial Music” is an immersive roomful of sound that is so new it can be heard in only a few places on the planet. One of them is Blacksburg, Virginia, where you’ll find a venue called “The Cube” at the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech.  This week, a three-day “spatial music festival” will explore the new medium with a concert series and workshops. Robbie Harris has more on what this new venue, and its 2 tons of audio equipment, can do.

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How Climate is Changing Chesapeake Bay Shorelines for Archeologists, Paleontologists

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Credit: Pamela D’Angelo

Shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay are disappearing as sea level rises and higher tides eat away at beaches and cliffs. That means hand-wringing among some waterfront property owners. But for archeologists and paleontologists, the story is more complicated. Pamela D’Angelo explains.

 

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NOAA’s Newest Smart Buoy Deployed in the York River

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Credit: Pamela D’Angelo

Scientists, anglers, weather watchers and boaters just got a boost yesterday when a NOAA Chesapeake Bay smart buoy was deployed at the mouth of the York River. Pamela D’Angelo has the story.

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