Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

This study looked at whether a prebiotic supplement called inulin can improve how the body uses insulin and handles sugar in adults with prediabetes. Twenty-two participants took either inulin or a placebo for 6 weeks while eating a controlled diet. The goal was to see if the sup…

This study looked at whether eating fewer ultra-processed foods (like packaged snacks and sugary drinks) can improve blood vessel health in middle-aged adults. Seventeen people took part and ate specially prepared meals for 8 weeks. The goal was to see if this diet change could l…

This study tested a new intensive rehabilitation program called I-ACQUIRE in 216 infants aged 8-36 months who had a stroke around birth and have weakness on one side. The program was compared to standard therapy to see if it helps babies learn to use their weaker arm more. The go…

This study tested whether a steroid eye drop called loteprednol can reduce pain after eye injections for age-related macular degeneration. 64 patients received either loteprednol or artificial tears after their injection and reported pain levels over one week. The goal is to find…

This study tested whether drinking a ketone supplement for two weeks could improve blood vessel health and thinking skills in adults aged 50-75. Eleven participants each took the ketone drink and a placebo for two weeks, with a break in between. Researchers measured artery stiffn…

This study looked at whether playing a dance-based video game (like Just Dance) could help young adults with ADHD improve their attention, mood, and self-control. Sixty-nine people aged 18 to 24 with ADHD took part. They were randomly assigned to either dance gaming, stationary b…

This study tested whether real-time brain scans (fMRI) could help people with alcohol use disorder learn to control their cravings. 21 adults who wanted to cut back on drinking tried to move a dial on a screen by thinking about alcohol or their future goals. The goal was to see i…

This study looked at how a single dose of choline, a nutrient found in foods like eggs and meat, affects blood vessel function in 29 healthy adults. Researchers measured artery flexibility and blood flow after participants took choline or a placebo. The goal was to understand if …

This study looked at how eating ultra-processed foods (like packaged snacks and sugary drinks) affects gut bacteria and blood sugar control in adults aged 45 to 65. Twenty healthy but sedentary participants ate either a high or low ultra-processed diet for six weeks. Researchers …

This study looked at whether two common artificial sweeteners (saccharin and acesulfame potassium) affect blood sugar control in adults aged 40 and older with prediabetes. Thirty participants ate specially prepared foods for 8 weeks while their glucose levels were tracked. The go…

This study looked at how 285 adult cigarette smokers would change their tobacco purchases under four different tax plans. Researchers wanted to see if taxes based on nicotine content or product harm could encourage people to buy less harmful options. The goal was to understand bu…

This study tested a new nasal cannula (FRNDS) to see if it can measure breathing as well as standard chest belts. 57 healthy adults had their breathing measured by both devices at rest. The goal was to see if the cannula could be a reliable tool for monitoring patients who need o…

This small pilot study looked at how table sugar and its parts (glucose and fructose) affect brain activity and food preferences in 7 healthy adults. Participants drank flavored sugar beverages and had their metabolism and brain scans measured. The goal was to see if these method…

This study gave low-income households in rural Virginia and Tennessee water filters to see if they could reduce harmful germs and chemicals in their drinking water. Researchers checked water quality and tracked stomach illnesses and infections. The goal was to understand how well…

This study looked at how thinking about money problems changes the way heavy drinkers value alcohol and make decisions. 124 adults who wanted to cut back on drinking completed tasks measuring impulsivity and alcohol cravings after reading either a story about financial scarcity o…

This study looked at how ultra-processed foods (like packaged snacks) affect your body and brain compared to minimally processed foods (like whole fruits and vegetables). 57 healthy adults ate both types of meals while researchers measured blood sugar, insulin, and energy use. Th…

This study looked at whether taking choline supplements for a short time changes how well blood vessels work in healthy adults. Twenty participants took choline or a placebo for five days each, with a break in between. Researchers measured blood flow in the arm and artery stiffne…

This study looked at how the body processes nutrients and whether that affects food preferences in people with different body weights. Twenty adults with a BMI between 18.5 and 40 took part. Researchers measured how much participants liked and wanted certain flavors after learnin…

This study tested a technique called Episodic Future Thinking in 141 people with cocaine use disorder who wanted to cut down. Participants practiced imagining positive future events to see if it would help them make less impulsive choices and reduce their desire for cocaine. The …

This study looked at how banning flavors in cigarettes and e-cigarettes affects what people choose to buy. Over 300 smokers took part in a one-time online shopping simulation where prices changed. Researchers wanted to see if flavor restrictions would make people switch to differ…

This study looked at whether artificial sweeteners like Equal and Splenda raise blood sugar in adults with prediabetes. Fourteen participants ate controlled breakfasts with or without sweeteners, and their glucose levels were tracked for two hours. The goal was to understand if t…

This study looked at whether measuring how smokers buy cigarettes and other tobacco products works the same in a lab or remotely. 87 adult smokers who smoke at least 5 cigarettes daily took part. No treatment was given; the goal was to improve research methods.

This study looked at what would happen if cigarettes with ventilation holes were banned. 142 smokers used a virtual store to choose between different tobacco products as prices changed. The goal was to see if people would switch to other products like e-cigarettes or nicotine gum…

This study looked at whether artificial sweeteners like saccharin and acesulfame-potassium affect blood sugar levels in middle-aged and older adults with prediabetes. Fourteen participants ate controlled breakfasts with or without these sweeteners, and their blood glucose was mon…

This study looked at how eating a lot of ultra-processed foods (like chips and sugary snacks) changes brain activity and food intake in young adults aged 18-25. Participants ate either a diet high in processed foods or one with mostly unprocessed foods for two weeks. Researchers …

This study looked at how flavors in cigarettes and e-cigarettes influence what smokers buy. Researchers used a virtual store to see if banning flavors would make people switch products or quit. The goal is to help shape future tobacco policies.

This study tested a technique called Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) in 154 adults with alcohol use disorder who wanted to cut down. Participants imagined positive future events and then had their brain activity, alcohol cravings, and drinking measured. The goal was to see if EFT …

This study involved 440 daily smokers and dual users (smokers who also vape) from the US, Canada, and England. Researchers used a simulated online marketplace to see how changing the price of cigarettes and offering discounts on e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, or heated tobacco p…

This study tested a simple step training program to help older adults (ages 65-80) recover their balance after tripping. Thirty participants either did step training, treadmill training, or no training for three weeks. Three weeks later, they were tripped in a lab to see if train…

This study looked at what encourages or discourages people from buying illegal tobacco. 65 adult smokers and vapers took part in a simulated shopping experiment with different rules and penalties. The goal was to see how policies like very low nicotine cigarettes and fines change…