Expert Pitches

While fireworks on the Fourth of July are as American as apple pie, a West Virginia University expert in occupational therapy is providing tips to keep celebrations safe.

A West Virginia University expert said the findings of a new study that followed colorectal cancer patients and their treatment outcomes, which included guided exercise and physical activity, are particularly meaningful for West Virginians.

As rare “synchronous fireflies” — which coordinate their pulses of light in time with each other — emerge in Appalachia, a West Virginia University researcher said firefly enthusiasts should take care not to disturb the insects’ mating behavior with flashlights or headlights.

As families head outdoors for summer fun and spend more time at pools and beaches, a West Virginia University expert in occupational therapy says precautions — like teaching children age-appropriate water safety measures and dressing them in brightly colored, form-fitting swimwear — can save lives.

A West Virginia University expert said the custom gene-editing treatment that saved the life of a Pennsylvania baby with a rare genetic disorder — the first successful treatment of its kind in the world — could become common practice within the next decade.

As noise from mowers, blowers, chippers and whackers fills neighborhoods and events like outdoor concerts and fireworks displays draw crowds, a West Virginia University audiologist is warning temperatures aren’t the only thing shooting sky high in the summer months.

Heading into peak wedding season — with many people popping the question of “what to wear?” — two West Virginia University fashion researchers say, while wedding costumes vary widely across cultures and places, the choice of a wedding dress almost always carries meaning.

Two West Virginia University Extension specialists cite decline in yellow poplar trees in central West Virginia and eastern Ohio as examples of the potentially lasting effects of the 2024 drought.

Two West Virginia University experts say summer hikers who hit the trails with the right gear, plenty of supplies and awareness of predators will make the most of their time in nature.

A West Virginia University wildlife and fisheries resources faculty member says the summer months offer birdwatchers great opportunities to see and hear a diverse range of birds, including migratory species like cerulean and golden-winged warblers, especially in the Mountain State.