Skip to main content

All Stories

Finding positivity, resiliency in times of crises

Being resilient and positive is difficult during a crisis. We may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control how we respond to them. Cheryl Kaczor, West Virginia University Extension Service Family and Community Development Agent in Marshall County, offers sound advice on coping with adversity and finding silver linings to help you navigate challenging times.

WVU School of Medicine faculty suggests artificial intelligence could be significant tool in treating COVID-19 patients

Doctors and other health care providers could get some help from artificial intelligence, which could expedite decisions regarding patient care and minimize exposure, saving personal protective equipment, according to Dr. Partho Sengupta, Abnash C. Jain chair and chief of the Division of Cardiology and director of Cardiovascular Imaging at the West Virginia University School of Medicine.

Add movement to your stay-at-home plans, advises WVU physical activity expert

With a stay-at-home order in place across West Virginia and a majority of the United States, one West Virginia University physical activity expert suggests it’s a critical time to add exercise to your daily routine to strengthen your immune system and manage stress during the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic, said Eloise Elliott, Ware Distinguished Professor at the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.

WVU Extension Service 4-H robotics team makes shields for health care workers

The nationally recognized West Virginia University Extension Service Monroe County MCubed (M3) 4-H Robotics Team is used to solving problems, thinking innovatively and rising to the challenge. So, when the mayor of the Union called upon members to assist in making protective gear for West Virginia medical professionals and health care providers, the group didn’t hesitate.

‘Part of the American soundtrack,’ W. Va. native Bill Withers dies

The entire country learned to lean on songwriter Bill Withers, a West Virginia native whose music became “part of the American soundtrack.” West Virginia University assistant professor of musicology Travis Stimeling says Withers’ music was intensely personal. Withers, who was given an honorary doctorate at West Virginia University in 2017, died this week.

West Virginia’s economy is vulnerable to a heavy hit from COVID-19

Heather Stephens, assistant professor of resource economics and management in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, notes an industry-structure reliant on tourism and oil and natural gas, and West Virginia’s lack of broadband access are key areas to watch.

COVID-19 projections look bad, but following the rules can improve numbers

West Virginia University Vice President and Executive Dean for Health Sciences Dr. Clay Marsh, now West Virginia’s COVID-19 czar, says in his blog that projections for deaths due to the virus are staggering, but West Virginians can “flatten the curve” and change outcomes by following the rules. Marsh warns that low numbers of COVID-19 spread should not cause complacency.

Zoonotic diseases, bats and the connection to COVID-19

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic brings with it a lot of misinformation, myths and other unknowns to tackle, including the origin of the disease. WVU Extension Service Wildlife Specialist Sheldon Owen notes that to understand how bats are related to the COVID-19 outbreak, you must first understand a little bit about zoonotic diseases.

WVU medical, education experts create project to help parents ‘look for the helpers’ during COVID-19 pandemic

A group of medical and education experts at West Virginia University is asking parents to take the advice of Mr. (Fred) Rogers and “look for the helpers” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging Education To Show Gratitude of Occupations (LETS GO), aims to educate youth about a number of careers essential to combatting the virus, from epidemiologists and health officers to food service workers and custodians.