Throughout National Nutrition Month in March, West Virginia University experts emphasize making deliberate choices to avoid foods that cause inflammation and to choose foods that support the function of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which promote feelings of calmness and happiness.
Ahead of World Wildlife Day Tuesday (March 3) and with spring fast approaching, a West Virginia University expert says the medicinal and aromatic plants of the Appalachian Mountains support biodiversity and rural economies and carry centuries of traditional knowledge. But, she adds, overharvesting puts many at risk.
The Pokémon universe celebrates its 30th birthday on Friday (Feb. 27). According to a West Virginia University expert on game design and interactive media, over those three decades, the Nintendo franchise has forever changed collectibles, augmented reality gaming and video game character development.
As the world prepares to celebrate Mardi Gras (Feb. 17), a West Virginia University religious studies expert explains that while most Americans are familiar with the famous Mardi Gras floats and beads of New Orleans, global festivities take many forms, including a public food fight in Italy.
As part of National Cancer Prevention Month, West Virginia University experts emphasize two types of cancer prevention — primary prevention, which focuses on keeping the disease from happening, and secondary prevention, which focuses on detection at the disease’s earliest stage.
Sheldon Owen, a West Virginia University Extension wildlife specialist, says Groundhog Day on Feb. 2 marks an opportunity to celebrate not only the changing of the seasons, but the iconic rodent who decides whether or not to spring Americans from the long months of winter.
A West Virginia University faculty member and Grammy-nominated pianist says the biggest surprise about music’s biggest night, set for Sunday (Feb. 1), is how much of the celebration happens off-camera. Lucy Mauro, an associate professor of piano in the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media School of Music, says the Grammy Awards most viewers associate with the televised show are only part of the story.
Olympians train for years to strengthen muscle and sharpen technique, but a West Virginia University graduate student and certified mental performance consultant says the difference between reaching the podium and disappointment may come down to mastering their minds.
A West Virginia University electrical engineer and geologist say the solutions for homes and businesses now struggling with utility bills and facing the prospect of losing heat if ice storms or increased demand for power bring down the electric grid already exist, ranging from AI-assisted grid management to geothermal heat pumps.
West Virginia University physicians Dr. Matt Lokant and Dr. Lisa Costello are encouraging people to recognize the early symptoms of pertussis, or whooping cough, so they can take precautions and seek treatment, when necessary, to avoid further spread of the infection.