Health

Lullabies may do more than help babies get to sleep when they’re cozy in their cribs at home. A new study led by Hannah Bush—a WVU School of Medicine researcher—found that lullabies performed live by a licensed music therapist may alleviate the pain and anxiety of pediatric patients in critical care. Her study is the first to focus on live music intervention for children—rather than adults—on life support.

Celebrating the impact of collaboration and teamwork, West Virginia University Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Meshea L. Poore encouraged all Mountaineers to be intentional about continuing the important work of making WVU a safe, diverse and welcoming community for all during her annual State of Diversity address on Oct. 12.

A West Virginia University engineer is combining the study of neuroscience and robotics to better understand the nervous system and motor output of insects to create animal-like robots for potential use in agriculture, mining and space exploration.

West Virginia University and the West Virginia Vaccine Administration, Collaboration, and Support Team are recipients of the 2021 George E. Thibault Nexus Award for the “Giving It Our Best Shot!” COVID-19 vaccination effort.

Aging in Appalachia doesn’t need to be what it’s perceived to be: Long commute times for quality healthcare and high rates of diabetes, depression and every other disease under the sun.

The announcement is a continuation of requirements put in place in September which were set to be reevaluated in early October and apply to all people, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

A weekend of Homecoming activities at West Virginia University culminated Saturday (Oct. 2) with the naming of Raimah Hossain and Kylie A. Parker as the 2021 Homecoming Royalty, marking the start of a new tradition at the University. The 2021 WVU Alumni Association Homecoming and Alumni Service Awards were also presented. The announcements were made during the half-time ceremony at Saturday’s Homecoming football game against Texas Tech.

Characterizing an autism patient’s behavior can be challenging, but these West Virginia University researchers aim to make identification easier by conducting the first systematic study toward autism spectrum disorder phenotyping using behavior-tracking technology.

Undergraduate researchers at West Virginia University will spend the next year pursuing projects in enzymes and fungi— research that could ultimately help people with chronic diseases and develop new pharmaceuticals.

West Virginia University is updating its mask guidelines. Beginning Monday, Sept. 13, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear a mask indoors in all WVU System buildings and facilities through Oct. 6, when public health conditions will be reevaluated.