Expert: El Niño patterns could mean a stronger, later wildfire season
Virginia Tech
The large, brightly colored Joro spider has been sighted recently on social media in many more places than it has ever been seen in the United States, as exaggerated, misleading stories about the arachnid have gone viral. Yet they pose no threat, except perhaps to insects and to other spiders, says Virginia Tech entomologist Theresa Dellinger.
Virginia Tech entomologist Eric Day discusses the hazards ticks pose and how to reduce one's chance of tick bites.
Shopping at a neighborhood farmer’s market boosts the local economy, helps protect the environment, and provides healthy, fresh foods to consumers, says Virginia Tech experts.
Virginia Tech entomologist Thomas Kuhar answers questions about Japanese beetles, including sharing advice on how to control them, and an explanation of the back story of these deceptively lovely pests. These insects have no natural predators in the United States, while their voracious appetites can devastate more than 300 species of North American plants, from turfgrass to roses, grapes and hops.
You’re settling down in your patio chair, ready to enjoy a book, a pitcher of lemonade, and the sun-warmed breeze, when a mosquito settles down on your arm. And another lands on your leg, while another buzzes right by your ear. Virginia Tech entomologist Eric Day says that when it comes to controlling mosquitoes, there aren’t easy short cuts.
It’s visually striking. When fully grown, open wings display showy hind wings with bright red near the abdomen, black spots, and black-and-white bars. But the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect that came to the United States from its native habitat of Southeast Asia in 2014, is destructive. Despite its name, though, the spotted lanternfly is not a fly.
As the summer season approaches, lots of people will be planning to host or attend backyard cookouts and potlucks. But before you fire up the grill, Virginia Tech food safety expert Melissa Wright shares tips to protect yourself, your family, and your friends from foodborne illnesses during the warm-weather months. “Safe food handling when eating outdoors is critical,” says Wright.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, intended to call attention to the most common, but also most preventable, form of cancer. With summer just around the corner, Dr. Stephanie Lareau with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine outlined many ways to protect yourself from too much ultraviolet radiation and avoid the dangers of too much sun exposure.
Mother’s Day celebrations in the United States bring family together — and bring a lot of business to the floral industry, with flowers one of the most popular gifts. Floral design instructor Barbara Leshyn talks about what the holiday means for the floral industry, what kinds of flowers make the most popular gifts, and how to make those lovely bouquets last.
Most equipment used in lawn care and landscaping is simple and straightforward to use. However, if it is not operated carefully, it has the potential for accidents and injuries. “Proper lawn equipment safety is not just about protecting yourself, but also those around you,” said Mike Goatley, a professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and a Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist.
For many people, fireflies lighting up backyards is a sign of summertime. The thrill of catching them in a jar and releasing them back into the wild is a childhood pastime. But if you have noticed a decline in fireflies over the years, you’re not alone. Virginia Tech entomologist Eric Day explains why climate and urban development are playing a big role in the decreasing numbers.
The Virginia Tech media relations office has the following experts available for interviews surrounding a variety of topics and research ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. To schedule an interview, please contact [email protected]. Can Paris be the model for a more viable, sustainable Olympic host city? The 2024 Paris Summer Games are the first real test for the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Agenda 2020, a set of 40 recommendations intended to restore the Olympic values.
The new action movie “The Fall Guy” intends to bring more recognition to the often-anonymous profession of stunt performer. Virginia Tech theater professor Cara Rawlings specializes in choreographing fights and falls for stage productions, and students of hers have gone on to successful stunt work careers in film and television.
Mention the name “Fallout” to a dedicated gamer, and you might well see their eyes light up with nostalgia. Amazon Prime’s new “Fallout” TV show racked up high scores with critics and audiences alike. Virginia Tech media expert James Ivory answered questions about the appeal of “Fallout” and what its success could mean for the future of entertainment media.
As Lyme disease cases rise in the U.S., humans are not the only ones at risk. Veterinarians with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine say dogs are increasingly vulnerable to this tick-borne illness. “Black-legged ticks, also called deer ticks, are most common carriers of Borrelia burgdorfer and can be found in the northeastern and north-central parts of the U.
Former President Donald Trump’s legal entanglements as he campaigns for reelection have reached the highest level of stakes yet with jury selection completed in his New York state criminal trial.
For the first time in more than 200 years, billions of cicadas - two different broods - will emerge from the ground at the same time. These two different broods have not been seen together since the 1800s. But, as Virginia Tech entomologist Doug Pfeiffer explained not everyone will see this once in a lifetime spectacle.
Adapted from the novels by Cixin Liu, the science fiction television series 3 Body Problem, the latest from the creators of HBO’s Game of Thrones, has become the most watched show on Netflix since its debut last month.
Many who suffer from seasonal allergies might be experiencing more severe symptoms this year due to the early start of spring. Rebecca Schapira, D.O., an assistant professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and an allergist with Carilion Clinic, provides insight on how to detect early allergy symptoms and prepare for their impact on your overall health.
April is here which means tax filing is upon us. While taxes can be stressful, there is also a concern about the information you share and the impact on your privacy.
On Monday, April 8, much of the United States will have the opportunity to witness a partial or total eclipse.
Rapid moving advances in artificial intelligence have stirred controversy and debate, but they have all raised enticing prospects for supercharged technological innovation. Researchers at Virginia Tech who are exploring these frontiers can offer previews of the potential positive developments that could derive from AI.
As March Madness tips off this week, the men’s NCAA Tournament is not the only game in town drawing big interest, ratings, and betting. Jadrian Wooten, a Virginia Tech collegiate associate professor in the Department of Economics, explains how investment and interest in women’s basketball has created a “virtuous cycle” spurring growth in one another to help close the gender equity gap.
The vote this week by the U.S. House of Representatives, by an overwhelming 352-65 margin, could lead to a nationwide ban of the popular social media app TikTok.
Women make up only 35% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) - the greatest disparities occurring in engineering and computer sciences. Christina DiMarino, an engineering professor at Virginia Tech, said now is the time to flip the script and explained why it is so important that education for women and underrepresented groups about STEM fields starts early in life.
Women’s History Month recognizes the achievements of women throughout the world. Virginia Tech political science expert Farida Jalalzai reflects on world leaders who are women, and how in recent years they’ve broken down barriers and expanded understandings of the roles of women in governance.
As California and the west coast stare down yet another major winter storm, the threat of devastating flooding and mudslides is even more urgent. Drew Ellis, a climate science and meteorology expert at Virginia Tech, explains what causes these conditions.
The Republican race for a candidate to take on President Joe Biden in November’s election continues to be a two-person show, with Saturday’s South Carolina primary the latest stage. Virginia Tech political expert Caitlin Jewitt answers questions about the shape of the race through the South Carolina primary, the Super Tuesday contest on March 5, and beyond.
With national elections looming in the United States, concerns about misinformation are sharper than ever, and advances in artificial intelligence have made distinguishing genuine news sites from fake ones even more challenging. Virginia Tech experts explore three different facets of the AI-fueled spread of fake news sites and the efforts to combat them.
Navigating tax season can be a source of stress for many individuals. Virginia Tech finance expert Jesse Lineberry shares ways to stay ahead on tax season to avoid being overwhelmed as the April 15 deadline approaches. Get organized early. “With so many details to account for it's essential to retrieve all information from previous employers and bankers,” said Lineberry.
Testing wastewater to assess the spread of the COVID-19 virus became common and well-publicized during the pandemic, but it has been focused mostly on urban areas.
On Valentine’s Day, people celebrate their relationships with friends, family, or a significant other. Often, the expression of affection involves monetary expenditures. Jadrian Wooten, a Virginia Tech professor in the Department of Economics, provides valuable insight on effectively managing a budget around the holiday. “People should start by determining a realistic amount they can afford to spend on gifts, activities, or experiences for their loved ones,” said Wooten.
As Valentine's Day approaches, you may be planning to enjoy some chocolates and candies. While these sweet treats delight us, they can pose significant risks to our pets. Understanding what's enjoyable for us but might be harmful for our furry friends is important during this sweet holiday. “As pet owners, we understand how tempting it can be to share treats with your pets.
The ‘5 Love Languages’ popularized by Gary Chapman often get brought up when discussing relationships, but this Valentine’s Day one Virginia Tech psychologist suggests taking a different approach to fostering and nurturing high-quality, loving relationships. To understand Louis Hickman’s perspective, it’s important to also understand the love languages.
According to recent data, bird populations in North America have declined by approximately 2.9 billion birds, a loss of more than one in four birds since 1970. Experts say this bird loss will continue to grow unless changes are made in our daily lives.
As 2024 gets underway, many people are focused on new year’s resolutions – eat healthier, quit smoking, catch up with family. But what about your online privacy and safety? Virginia Tech information privacy and cybersecurity experts and co-founders of Voices of Privacy, France Bélanger and Donna Wertalik say now is also a good time to make resolutions about protecting your and your loved ones’ information in the digital world.
Coping with the challenges of parenting can be particularly stressful for those concerned about the flu, COVID-19, or RSV.
Virginia Tech political experts Karen Hult and Caitlin Jewitt provided perspectives on what the results of the 2024 Iowa Republican caucuses could spell for the Jan. 23 Republican primary in New Hampshire and the race overall.
Federal officials are describing a ‘tripledemic’ of respiratory infections on the rise. Flu, COVID-19, and RSV are spiking, as expected, as we are in the mid-winter months. Lisa M. Lee, a professor of public health at Virginia Tech, answered questions about factors for concern and the importance of vaccination. Lee is an epidemiologist and bioethicist who has worked in public health and ethics for 25 years, including 14 years with CDC.
As 2023 comes to a close and 2024 approaches, many people will be thinking about how to reset goals and make lifestyle changes. Individuals often set challenging resolutions and tend to lose motivation as time progresses.
The Virginia Tech media relations office has the following experts available for interviews on holiday related topics.