Eberly News

Articles for the month of September 2019

When concerns are expressed about distrust in science, they often focus on whether the public trusts research findings. A new study from West Virginia University, however, explores a different dimension of trust. Two researchers in WVU’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences examined whether and how frequently researchers misrepresent their research accomplishments when applying for faculty jobs. The research team, led by Associate Professor of Political Science Trisha Phillips and Department of Sociology and Anthropology chair Lynne Cossman, collected all vitae submitted for faculty positions at a large research university for one year. The institution was intentionally unidentified to maintain confidentiality. After reviewing a 10% sample for accuracy, they discovered that of the 180 applicants whose vitae were analyzed, 141, or 78%, claimed to have at least one publication. Of these applicants with publications, 79, or 56%, listed at least one publication that was unverifiable or inaccurate in a self-promoting way.

WVU study reveals falsification issues in higher education hiring processes

Eberly News /

When concerns are expressed about distrust in science, they often focus on whether the public trusts research findings. 

West Virginia University researchers have helped discover the most massive neutron star to date, a breakthrough uncovered through the Green Bank Telescope in Pocahontas County. The neutron star, called J0740+6620, is a rapidly spinning pulsar that packs 2.17 times the mass of the sun (which is 333,000 times the mass of the Earth) into a sphere only 20-30 kilometers, or about 15 miles, across. This measurement approaches the limits of how massive and compact a single object can become without crushing itself down into a black hole.

WVU astronomers help detect the most massive neutron star ever measured

Eberly News /

West Virginia University researchers have helped discover the most massive neutron star to date, a breakthrough uncovered through the Green Bank Telescope in Pocahontas County.

Dan McNeil

Looking beyond the tooth

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WVU studies impact of social support on kids’ oral health

To the casual observer, Japanese stiltgrass appears as a harmless, leafy green plant that blends into the majestic scenery of your weekend hike through the woods. Plant biologists like Craig Barrett know better.

Invasion of the Japanese stiltgrass

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WVU biologist targets plant that wreaks havoc on forest ecosystems

A rocky start in college hasn’t stopped West Virginia University alumnus Zachary Heck (BS Geology, ’16) from pursuing his prehistoric passions. As a geology student, Heck traveled to Virginia’s Shenandoah National Forest; Yellowstone National Park; Spearfish, South Dakota; and Dillon, Montana, where he gained experience in geologic mapping of rock units, hot springs and geysers. Heck’s passion for preserving prehistoric artifacts led him to a career in paleontology before he even graduated. He landed an internship with a paleontologist based in Barrackville who owns Prehistoric Planet, a web-based replica store. He spent five years with the company creating and delivering fossil replicas around the U.S.

Unearthing the art of fossils

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A rocky start in college hasn’t stopped West Virginia University alumnus Zachary Heck (BS Geology, ’16) from pursuing his prehistoric passions. 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—When Alec Neu arrived at West Virginia University as a journalism major in 2013, he never expected to end up at NASA. Now, with a degree in journalism and work experience in Greece under his belt, Neu has his sights set on the sky as he returns to WVU for a second degree. Neu, a physics major, spent the summer at NASA conducting heliophysics research, which is all about how the sun affects the solar system. He was part of a team developing a new method for predicting coronal mass ejections’ effects on Earth, or large blasting events on the sun that release light and energy.

An unexpected path to discovery

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When Alec Neu arrived at West Virginia University as a journalism major in 2013, he never expected to end up at NASA.