Experts available: Iran War enters second month, Artemis II, spring & brain health, and more
Virginia Tech experts are available this week to talk about issues in the news and offer seasonal advice on boosting brain health and restoring winter-damaged lawns. To schedule an interview with any of them or if you need analysis on other topics, please contact mediarelations@vt.edu.
Virginia Tech experts available to discuss headlines in the news
Iran War begins second month
With the war in Iran now more than a month old, the rhetoric has grown more heated, with President Donald Trump promising strikes on power plants and bridges if Iran continues to block traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran vowing retaliatory strikes should that occur. Foreign policy expert Yannis Stivachtis (available starting Tuesday) and political communications expert Cayce Myers can discuss the new developments.
Artemis II crew to set new distance record for space travel
The astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft are on their way to setting a record for further distance humans have traveled from Earth as they begin their flyby of the dark side of the moon, where they will make scientific observations and experience a solar eclipse. Virginia Tech aerospace engineer Samantha Parry Kenyon (available starting Tuesday), who has worked on instrument development for NASA missions, can discuss the mission’s progress and significance. Read more here.
Why spring is good for your brain
As flowers begin to bloom, springtime has more to offer than just fresh air. According to a Virginia Tech expert, it’s the perfect time to recharge your brain. Benjamin Katz, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science, said activities like birdwatching, gardening, hiking, and many others, can sharpen attention spans, improve memory, and support overall cognition. Katz explains how different elements of spending time in nature affect brain health, and which activities may offer the greatest benefits. Read more here.
Patience required to bring green back to winter-damaged lawns
After a harsh winter of snow, ice, and cold spikes, Virginia homeowners are discovering lawns that look unusually brown or damaged. Virginia Tech turfgrass specialist Mike Goatley says the biggest mistake people can make is rushing to “fix” a lawn that isn’t ready to grow. “Patience will be important now because until we have sufficiently warmer soils and longer days, we won’t have significant growth with most of our lawn and landscape plants.” Read more here.
Research highlight
Common herbicide affects honeybee brains and behavior
Exposure to a common weed killer disrupts honeybee foraging and threatens the long-term stability of hives, according to research from Virginia Tech. The study found that short-term exposure to glyphosate reduced bees’ foraging activity and altered brain chemistry linked to behavior. These sublethal effects could weaken entire colonies over time by limiting pollination efficiency, honey production, and overall hive health. Learn more here.
