On April 28, Spain experienced a widespread power outage that left millions without electricity for nearly a full 24 hours. While power has largely been restored, the cause of the failure is still under investigation. Early reports suggest that the high percentage of renewable energy on the grid at the time may have played a role 鈥� but it鈥檚 more complicated than that.
Scams enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to reach a new level of deception with the introduction of features such as ChatGPT 4o, that allow users to create convincing, photorealistic images, including fake documents, and realistic deepfake voices.聽 聽 A panel of Virginia Tech experts, including computer ethics educator Dan Dunlap, digital literacy educator Julia Feerrar, cybersecurity researcher Murat聽Kantarcioglu, and criminologist Katalin Parti, discussed the implications of this ever-advancing technology.
A high-stakes showdown is underway in Washington and it could change the future of big tech. The U.S. Department of Justice is taking on Google in a three-week hearing that could force the company to spin off its Chrome web browser. According to Virginia Tech new media and communications technology expert James Ivory, the goal here is to rein in what the government believes, and what was ruled last summer to be, a monopoly over online search.
The first 100 days of President Donald Trump鈥檚 second term were highlight by fast-paced executive actions, deepening political polarization, and mixed public reaction, says Virginia Tech political scientist Karen Hult.
The setting for the TV series "Paradise" is an idyllic small town, but it turns out this pleasant community exists entirely underground. Virginia Tech mining engineer Nino Ripepi and electrical engineer Ali Mehrizi-Sani look at just how realistic "Paradise" actually is.
Falling off a horse at high-speed changes the impact to the rider鈥檚 head and the parameters for a quality helmet, according to new research from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab.聽聽
Virginia Tech researchers at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC created the Experimental Beverage Marketplace to test the potential effects of these tax proposals on purchasing and consumption. Its purpose is to ensure that policy is guided by evidence.
Virginia Tech researchers at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute developed a saliva-based AI screening method that could flag patients at risk for dangerous side effects from a widely used chemotherapy drug. The drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), has been in use since the 1950s 鈥� making it one of the oldest chemotherapy agents still used today.
Easter wouldn鈥檛 be Easter without a bunny, egg hunts, and festive baskets. Alongside the religious significance of Easter, the story behind the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs involves a mix of pagan rituals, Christian traditions, and 19th century European folklore. Candace Buckner, assistant professor of religion and culture at Virginia Tech, shares more about the history behind these modern symbols of Easter.
The concept of quantum is popping up everywhere these days, from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to "Everything Everywhere All at Once." But what exactly does quantum mean? And what impact will it have in our multiverse?聽 For World Quantum Day on April 14, and in celebration of the United Nations designating 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, Virginia Tech quantum experts Sophia Economou, Charles Cao, and Wayne Scales share what quantum computers can do now, what they鈥檙e poised to do in the future, and why this cutting-edge research matters.
Fans of the genre known as 鈥渢rue crime鈥� have no shortage of books, television shows, and movies to choose from. Virginia Tech English Department instructor Ingrid Johnson, who is teaching a course on the subject this semester with 500 students enrolled, answered questions about the public鈥檚 fascination with this genre and the broader societal implications.
Global stock markets are volatile as a result of President Donald Trump鈥檚 widespread tariff announcements. The big question now: Is the United States headed for a recession?聽 The short answer from Virginia Tech economists and policy experts Jadrian Wooten, David Bieri, and Dimitris Tsarouhas is no, not yet, but we鈥檙e getting close.
For decades, PFAS, which stands for polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been a staple in firefighting foams because of their ability to smother liquid fuel fires. But as concerns over their environmental and health impacts grow, researchers are racing to find safer alternatives.聽 Brian Lattimer, head of the Virginia Tech Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been at the forefront of this challenge.
Lilies might be beautiful, but for cats, they pose a significant threat that can be deadly. A veterinarian with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine is urging cat owners to be extra cautious and understand the risks associated with these common household and garden plants, especially with Easter and the spring planting season.
Severe weather events have left millions of people without power for days, sometimes weeks or months, raising questions about whether the United States power infrastructure needs an overhaul. Joseph Vantassel, an assistant professor in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, believes moving power lines underground could be a solution.
America鈥檚 infrastructure is cracking, according to the latest report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers. In multiple categories, from aviation to roads to energy, the country鈥檚 infrastructure is earning Ds, almost-failing grades. Virginia Tech engineering experts can break down what these failing grades mean 鈥� and what needs to happen to rebuild to make our communities safer and better prepared for the future.
If you鈥檝e noticed fewer butterflies fluttering around your garden lately, you鈥檙e not alone. Many insect populations are in decline, and butterflies are no exception. According to Virginia Tech entomologists, they face a variety of challenges, such as habitat destruction, improper use or overuse of pesticides, and climate change.
President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on imported passenger vehicles, light trucks, and parts such and engines and transmissions. Virginia Tech global finance expert David Bieri answered questions about potential positive and negative effects of the tariffs for the auto industry, auto workers, and consumers.
Even though Elon Musk's financial resources failed to sway the results of the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race, he remains a powerful figure on the Republican side that Democrats should not take lightly. Virginia Tech political communications expert Cayce Myers explains.
Virginia farms could face economic consequences because of tariffs imposed by the United States on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, and because of tariffs imposed on U.S. goods by those countries in return. Virginia Tech agricultural trade policy analyst Xi He shared an overview of the challenges that the commonwealth鈥檚 agricultural industry might have to anticipate and navigate.
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