Building the future quantum information and cybersecurity workforce

To interest U.S. high school students in specialized and emerging fields within computer science, Worcester Polytechnic Institute researchers will start by training teachers

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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Xiaoyan “Sherry” Sun 

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Worcester, Mass.—JULY 22, 2026—Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researchers Jun Dai and Xiaoyan “Sherry” Sun are launching a three-year project, funded with a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), that will train high school teachers across the country to teach quantum information science and cybersecurity to their students.

The goal of the project is to inspire and prepare young people to pursue education and careers in emerging science and technology fields.

“We want to expose high school students to these important, but sometimes challenging, topics as soon as possible,” said Dai, an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and principal investigator on the grant. “The most effective way to do that is to provide teachers with instruction and research experiences that will prepare them to take their knowledge back to classrooms.”

Dai and Sun, also an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, will create a program that will operate entirely online and enroll 10 high school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers per year. Over three years, Dai and Sun expect to train 30 teachers from across the United States.

Each year, participants will study independently before beginning a six-week summer session that will include instruction, an introduction to research concepts, project planning, and development of curriculum that can be implemented in schools. The teachers will participate in research exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) tools and gamification, a way of using game concepts to create learning experiences, can effectively teach students about quantum computing and cybersecurity. Dai and Sun will invite teachers who complete the program to remain connected to subsequent classes of teachers to build a community of instructors.

“We have found that training teachers is an efficient and effective way to bring knowledge, inspiration, and information to high school students,” said Sun. “When we train teachers, they convert their knowledge about highly technical topics into curriculum and lesson plans that high school students can understand and absorb. Teachers have also shown that they can do research with us, publish findings, and spread their knowledge about cybersecurity instruction to other teachers.”

The project builds on Dai and Sun’s previous work promoting cybersecurity education, workforce development, and collaboration with government, industry, and academia. They have hosted GenCyber camps, a federally funded cybersecurity teacher-training initiative, and co-implemented the National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy, which offers graduate-certificate education to high school teachers.

Dai and Sun have also collaborated on national initiatives known as DRIFT, which aims to prepare cybersecurity workers for U.S. automotive innovation on integrating cybersecurity and AI, and SWEEPS, a collaboration among institutions training software developers about secure programming issues.

Dai and Sun received their PhDs at Pennsylvania State University and joined the WPI faculty in 2023.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute  
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a top-tier, STEM-focused university with an R1 research classification and global leadership in project-based learning. Founded in 1865, WPI’s distinctive approach integrates classroom theory with real-world practice, preparing students to tackle critical challenges through inclusive education, impactful projects, and interdisciplinary research. With more than 70 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across 18 academic departments and over 50 global project centers, WPI advances knowledge and innovation in fields such as life sciences, smart technologies, advanced materials and manufacturing, and global innovation. Learn more at www.wpi.edu.  

 

Peptide isolated from a Cerrado frog increases strawberry shelf life

Study shows that the molecule preserves the fruit’s firmness without affecting its flavor and has potential as a postharvest treatment

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

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Five minutes. That was the amount of time that Oso Grande strawberries remained in contact with the Ctx(Ile21)-Ha peptide – a molecule isolated from a frog native to the Brazilian Cerrado – in experiments conducted in Brazil by scientists at the Tupã campus of São Paulo State University (UNESP). It was enough to demonstrate the molecule’s potential to extend the shelf life of the fruit, which is highly perishable.

“The peptide alone, without any other components, maintained the characteristics of ripe fruit after five days – which, for a strawberry, is a long storage period. We didn’t expect that much,” describes Eduardo Festozo Vicente, who coordinates the Multi-User Equipment Laboratory at the UNESP School of Engineering and Sciences (LEMU-FCE), where the study was conducted with funding from FAPESP.

Peptides are molecules resembling proteins (albeit simpler and smaller) that execute various functions inside the organism. Vicente has been studying the peptide since his master’s degree nearly twenty years ago. He notes that the team has not yet conducted microbiological studies to understand the mechanism of action of the molecule, which is antimicrobial.

In an article published in the journal Applied Food Research, the team focused solely on the physicochemical parameters of the fruit treated with the molecule. They found that the peptide treatments did not interfere with the fruit’s flavor and did not significantly affect the phenolic compounds or total soluble solids. This indicates that the molecule preserved the fruit’s chemical composition.

“When strawberries are stored in the refrigerator for a while, they degrade naturally. The study shows that the peptide slows that degradation, relatively extending the shelf life and maintaining the strawberries’ physicochemical characteristics. Analysis of the experiment showed that the soluble solids, which are sugars highly degradable by microorganisms, were preserved in the fruits that came into contact with the peptide. The texture was also preserved,” said Vicente to Agência FAPESP. “We can’t yet speak in microbiological terms, because we didn’t conduct those tests. But one hypothesis the group is exploring for future work is that there may have been a reduction in microorganisms [based on the peptide’s antimicrobial properties].”

For the experiment, the team dissolved the peptide in water at three different concentrations. Then, they immersed 300 grams of strawberries in the solutions for five minutes. They established a control group in which the strawberries were immersed in water alone. “Then, we let the strawberries dry and stored them in sanitized PET trays covered with plastic wrap at 5 °C in an incubator with precise temperature control. We simulated what a strawberry vendor would do when storing them in a refrigerator.”

The samples were kept in the incubator for six days. Physicochemical parameters (pH, soluble solids, texture, and respiratory rate) and biochemical parameters (ascorbic acid, total phenols, sugars, and enzymatic activity) were evaluated on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The experiments were conducted in triplicate, which reduces variability and the margin of error, in collaboration with Professor Angela Vacaro de Souza, also from FCE-UNESP.

Professors Luís Roberto Almeida Gabriel Filho and Camila Pires Cremasco, from the statistics and predictive modeling area at FCE, also collaborated on the study.

Defense

Vicente explains that the Ctx(Ile21)-Ha peptide was isolated and extracted in 2006 from a frog native to the Brazilian Cerrado (Boana albopunctata) by the group led by Professor Mariana de Souza Castro at the University of Brasília (UnB). “This substance is part of the amphibian’s range of defenses. Since it breathes through its skin, it possesses an arsenal of molecules that form an efficient defense system because it’s in direct contact with pathogens in the environment. Ctx(Ile21)-Ha is just one of the molecules isolated for study. And it’s highly active from an antimicrobial standpoint.”

According to him, the group initially planned to use the peptide as a zootechnical additive in animal feed to replace conventional antibiotics, the overuse of which has led to widespread antimicrobial resistance. “The initial project had three main strands: first, to study the peptide biophysically, producing analogs more potent than the original molecule itself; second, to attempt to apply it – or its analogs – in animal nutrition, including ruminants, dairy cattle [for treating mastitis], laying hens, broiler chickens, and pigs. The final component was to apply it to food, with the goal of extending its shelf life.”

Vicente highlights the support provided by FAPESP, including assistance in obtaining the peptide. “We’re one of the few laboratories in Brazil capable of synthesizing, purifying, and characterizing this peptide and any other of biological interest.” The Foundation supported the work through projects 21/06706-9, 22/05319-4, 19/07438-8, and 16/00446-7. 

“We achieved a purity level exceeding 95% in the synthesis of the molecule, which is composed of amino acids. It can be ingested, as it’ll be broken down normally by the stomach, since it is a protein derivative. Of course, we’re still in the proof-of-concept phase, including for use as an animal feed additive. But we now know that the peptide has great potential for use as a postharvest treatment for highly perishable fruits, such as strawberries.”

Next steps

Ctx(Ile21)-Ha is not yet regulated for use in Brazil. However, Vicente believes that the regulatory process would not be problematic, as other commercial peptides are already approved and in use in the country. The group has already filed a patent application for its use in laying hens and has another pending for use in ruminants.

“We still need to work on the microbiological aspects and conduct the necessary tests, and that’ll certainly be the next step,” Vicente explains. “In addition, we aim to produce the peptide on a large scale using models well-established in the literature, such as yeast. Another avenue would be the creation of a film or coating to wrap fruits with skins, since current regulations prohibit fruits that are consumed without their skins from being wrapped in edible films.”

The researcher is referring to Normative Instruction No. 211/2023 issued by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA), which establishes the maximum limits and conditions of use for food additives and processing aids authorized for use in food.

About São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. You can learn more about FAPESP at www.fapesp.br/en and visit FAPESP news agency at www.agencia.fapesp.br/en to keep updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs FAPESP helps achieve through its many programs, awards and research centers. You may also subscribe to FAPESP news agency at http://agencia.fapesp.br/subscribe

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Journal

Applied Food Research

DOI

10.1016/j.afres.2026.102073 

Article Title

Effects of the antimicrobial peptide Ctx(Ile21)-Ha on the physicochemical and biochemical quality of organic strawberries during post-harvest storage

 

New study finds mental health treatment for serious offenders could reduce harm to society and save money

King's College London

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Prisoners convicted of serious violent offences were found to be less aggressive and less likely to reoffend following a mental health intervention which could save money and reduce harm to society, according to new research led by King’s College London. 

The research, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and published in (PLOS One) provides the first unique high-quality evidence of the cost-effectiveness of Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) and probation in men convicted of violent crimes, who have antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).  The randomised controlled trial ran across UK prisons and probation services and involved more than 300 prisoners. They were split at random into two groups, one getting the mental health intervention alongside probation support, the other getting probation support on its own. 

The researchers assessed the outcomes of the trial 24 months after the participants had been allocated to each group. They assessed the economic costs to society, incorporating costs to healthcare and the criminal justice system and the wider impact of offending.  They found that the group who had received the mental health intervention and probation were associated with reduced costs and lower aggression which would give potential cost savings of approximately £93 per person compared to the current probation service provision.   

Antisocial personality disorder is characterised by a persistent pattern of behaviours including chronic aggression, recklessness, irritability, deceitfulness, irresponsibility, and a marked lack of remorse.  Although its prevalence in the general population is relatively low, rates can reach up to 50% among men convicted of violent offences where it is associated with more serious and persistent offending. 

ASPD imposes a substantial economic burden on both health and criminal justice services and most importantly contributes to serious harm and enduring consequences for victims, while complicating the management of offenders in both prison and in communities. Despite this, evidence on the cost-effectiveness of pharmacological or psychological interventions remains extremely limited, constraining efforts to provide effective solutions and resources.  

Professor Barbara Barrett, Professor of Health Economics at King’s College London and lead author says: “The importance of evidence-based solutions is especially important given the high rates of reoffending among individuals with ASPD. This intervention provides significant potential for long-term cost savings across health and criminal justice systems.” 

The research team carried out the study through structured interviews and a self-reported questionnaire recording use of services providing accommodation, education, employment and training.  Clinicians and people with lived experience of prison and probation services helped to develop research questions to ensure they were appropriate and robust.  

The average cost of delivering MBT (£826.30 per participant) is comparable to other community-based psychological interventions, and this expenditure was offset by savings elsewhere, particularly in reduced custodial time and lower offence-related costs.   

However, due to the complex challenges inherent in following up with this population over two years there was a drop in the rates of data completed for the study at 12 or 24 months. Despite the gaps in data the researchers found that consistent findings across their analysis and concluded that the mental health intervention plus probation service support is a promising cost-effective intervention for this population. 

Dr Elizabeth Simes, UCL, second author of the study says: "This study is the first multi-site randomised controlled trial conducted within the National Probation Service in England and Wales and is strengthened by the involvement of a hybrid research team comprising researchers both with and without lived experience. The study demonstrates that a psychological intervention can improve outcomes and is cost-effective for a population that has traditionally been considered difficult to treat.” 

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Journal

PLOS One

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0352865 

Method of Research

Systematic review

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Cost-effectiveness of a mentalisation-based treatment for antisocial personality disorder in males convicted of an offence on community probation in England and Wales

Article Publication Date

22-Jul-2026

 

Novel neurointerventional procedure shows early promise for severe back pain

Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery

 

SEATTLE — Researchers at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) 23rd Annual Meeting presented an experimental neurointerventional technique designed to treat severe back pain, a leading cause of disability and opioid use, by delivering medication directly through the arteries supplying the painful area. The approach uses catheter-based procedures commonly used for stroke treatment to target the source of pain in the spine.

In the study “Bilateral Targeted Segmental Artery Lidocaine-dexamethasone Infusion for Refractory Thoracolumbar Pain: Preliminary Experience,” researchers treated six patients by guiding a catheter through the femoral artery to blood vessels supplying the suspected source of pain and infusing lidocaine and dexamethasone directly into the affected area.

Patients reported an average pain score of 9.5 out of 10 before treatment and zero immediately afterward. The procedure also reduced patients’ need for opioid pain medication, with two patients eliminating opioid use entirely during their hospital stay. The pain scores remained low three months after the procedure. Four patients even participated in physical therapy after the procedure, which they had been unable to tolerate pre-procedure due to pain.

“Neurointervention has transformed how we treat stroke, aneurysms and other diseases of the brain and spine. Now we’re beginning to ask whether those same minimally invasive techniques can help patients living with severe pain,” said Matias Costa, MD, lead author from the Neurosurgery Department at the University of Texas Medical Branch. “While we’re still in the early stages, these findings suggest endovascular therapy could one day play a role in reducing pain, improving function and decreasing reliance on opioids.”

The findings represent an early milestone in the line of research in endovascular neurosurgery for pain. Further studies are needed to determine efficacy.

To receive a copy of the abstract or to speak with the study authors, please contact Camille Jewell at cjewell@vancomm.com or 202-248-5460. 

 

 

About the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery 

The Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) is a scientific and educational association dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurointerventional surgery through research, standard-setting, and education and advocacy to provide the highest quality of patient care in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, spine, head and neck. Visit www.snisonline.org and follow us on X (@SNISinfo) Facebook (@SNISOnline), LinkedIn (@Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery), Instagram (@SNIS_info) and Bluesky (@snisinfo.bsky.social). 

 

The human side of animal health: global research review reveals new insights to achieving better biosecurity

New UVM study finds better biosecurity isn't just about teaching farmers. It's about understanding human behavior

University of Vermont

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Professor Julie Smith (right) teaches students about Biosecurity through a "Clean Escape" Game at the UVM Miller Dairy Farm.

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Credit: Photograph by Elodie Reed

When it comes to protecting livestock from devastating diseases, simply telling people what to do may not be enough.

A new review led by a researcher from the University of Vermont and collaborators from two institutions in Australia suggests that improving farm biosecurity requires something often overlooked in animal health: understanding how humans make decisions. The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, examined nearly two decades of global research on efforts to encourage farmers and livestock caretakers to adopt disease prevention practices.

The findings reveal a surprising gap. While scientists and agricultural leaders have spent years identifying biosecurity practices that can help prevent disease outbreaks, relatively few studies have tested how to motivate people to inspire them to actually adopt the measures.

"Biosecurity isn't just a technical challenge. It's a behavior change challenge," said lead author Dr. Julia M. Smith of the University of Vermont's Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Social Ecological Gaming and Simulation Lab. "If we want people to consistently use biosecurity measures, we need to understand what motivates action, what creates barriers, and what types of interventions truly work."

The international research team analyzed studies conducted between 2008 and 2024 across livestock industries including poultry, swine, cattle, and sheep production. Out of 699 records initially identified, only 33 publications met the criteria for evaluating interventions specifically designed to improve biosecurity behavior. Those 33 publications represented 41 separate studies.

The review uncovered a pattern: educational programs dominate the biosecurity landscape. Training sessions, workshops, information campaigns, surveys, audits, and action plans were the most common approaches used to encourage adoption of disease prevention practices.

But researchers found that education alone often falls short.

"Knowledge matters, but it's only one piece of the puzzle," Smith said. "People may know the right thing to do and still face obstacles such as cost, time constraints, social pressures, infrastructure limitations, or uncertainty about whether a practice will actually make a difference."

The team examined biosecurity interventions through the lens of the well-known COM-B behavior change framework.

Their analysis found that most programs focused on increasing knowledge and awareness, while relatively few addressed other powerful drivers of behavior, such as incentives, social norms, habits, environmental conditions, and practical barriers.

One of the study's more intriguing observations is that even asking people questions about their practices may influence behavior. Researchers proposed a new category within existing behavior-change frameworks called "questioning/observing," recognizing that surveys, assessments, audits, and observations may themselves encourage individuals to think differently about their actions.

The study also highlights innovative research emerging from UVM's Social Ecological Gaming and Simulation Lab, where experimental simulations allow researchers to explore how people respond to disease risks, social pressures, and biosecurity messaging in realistic but controlled environments. These simulations offer a way to study decision-making that would be difficult, expensive, or even impossible to test during real-world disease outbreaks.

The stakes for the world are high. Effective biosecurity helps protect animals and people from diseases such as avian influenza, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and salmonella while supporting food security, farm profitability, and agricultural resilience.

The authors argue that future biosecurity programs should borrow more heavily from behavioral science, social science, communication, education, and systems thinking. They also recommend that researchers more clearly document exactly what interventions they use, why they chose them, and how they expect them to change behavior.

Why this matters: If the goal is healthier animals, stronger farms, and ultimately a safer planet for people, the solution should probably begin with understanding human behavior.

"Biosecurity recommendations only matter if they are put into practice," Smith said. "By combining animal health expertise with insights from behavioral psychology, we can design interventions that are more effective, more practical, and ultimately more successful at preventing disease, which should be a priority for both science and society.”

 

Professor Julie Smith (center) teaches students about Biosecurity through a "Clean Escape" Game at the UVM Miller Dairy Farm.

 

Students learn about Biosecurity through a "Clean Escape" Game at the UVM Miller Dairy Farm.

Credit

Photograph by Elodie Reed

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Journal

Frontiers in Veterinary Science

DOI

10.3389/fvets.2026.1851630 

Method of Research

Literature review

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

How can we change behavior to bolster biosecurity? A scoping review and recommendations

Article Publication Date

22-Jul-2026

COI Statement

The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The authors VB and MH-J declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

 

Research reveals persistent racial disparities in stroke treatment and outcomes

Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery

SEATTLE — Three studies presented today at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery’s (SNIS) 23rd Annual Meeting found that racial, geographic and socioeconomic disparities continue to influence stroke treatment and outcomes across the United States. Together, the findings suggest that while advances in stroke care have improved survival and expanded treatment options, not all patients are benefiting equally.

In the first study, “Racial Disparities in Endovascular Thrombectomy Widen with Stroke Severity: A National Inpatient Sample Analysis,” co-first authors Muhammed Amir Essibayi, MD, MSc, FRCP, and Hasan Jamil, MD, MPH, evaluated more than 325,000 acute ischemic stroke patients treated at U.S. teaching hospitals between 2018 and 2022. They found that Black patients were less likely than white patients to receive endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), a minimally invasive procedure used to remove blood clots from blocked arteries in the brain.

 

The disparity existed across all levels of stroke severity and increased as stroke severity worsened, with Black women consistently the least likely to receive treatment; at a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 20, the predicted probability of receiving EVT was 33% for white men, 32% for white women, 28% for Black men and 26% for Black women.

 

“As stroke severity increases, timely access to thrombectomy becomes increasingly important, yet our findings suggest treatment disparities also become more pronounced,” said Dr. Essibayi, fellow at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “Understanding how race, sex, and stroke severity intersect may help health systems identify opportunities to ensure patients have equitable access to life-saving treatment.”

 

A second study, “Reducing Inequalities in Stroke Events-Hemorrhagic Disparities (RISE-HD): A 10-year Statewide Analysis of Social Determinants of Mortality in Hemorrhagic Stroke,” examined more than 120,000 patients hospitalized with hemorrhagic stroke in Florida between 2013 and 2024. While researchers found that mortality rates declined significantly during the study period, substantial disparities persisted among patients from different racial, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

 

After adjusting for age, sex and comorbidities, Black patients experienced higher odds of in-hospital mortality than white patients. Patients living in rural areas and those insured through Medicaid or other non-commercial insurance plans also faced significantly higher mortality rates. Researchers additionally identified regional differences in outcomes across the state, highlighting potential gaps in access to specialized stroke care.

 

“The encouraging decline in mortality over the past decade demonstrates meaningful progress in stroke care, but our findings show that significant barriers remain,” said Natália Vasconcellos, MD, MSc, neurology resident at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and primary author on the second study. “Addressing disparities in access to specialized stroke systems, particularly for underserved communities, will be critical to improving outcomes for all patients.”

 

In the third study, “Dual Pathways to Hemorrhagic Stroke Mortality Across the U.S. Stroke Belt: Rural Neurointerventional Isolation and Urban Structural Vulnerability,” researchers analyzed hemorrhagic stroke mortality across 433 counties in the “Stroke Belt” to examine factors associated with differences in outcomes between rural and urban communities. The study evaluated distance to the nearest Comprehensive Stroke Center, community-level socioeconomic disadvantage, racial and economic segregation, and HIV burden.

 

The rural and urban findings were markedly different. In rural counties, longer travel times to Comprehensive Stroke Centers were more strongly associated with mortality, while in urban counties, racialized economic segregation and HIV burden were more strongly associated with poorer outcomes despite closer geographic access to specialized care.

 

“The neurointerventional access problem in the Stroke Belt is not one problem, it is two,” said Dylan Yates, medical student at Tulane University School of Medicine. “In rural communities, improving access means expanding stroke transfer networks and strengthening connections to Comprehensive Stroke Centers. In urban communities, addressing structural disadvantage and investing in underserved neighborhoods is critical. These findings show that the neurointerventional access gap differs between rural and urban communities and suggest that improving outcomes will require different strategies in each.”

 

Together, the studies underscore the need for continued efforts to address inequities in stroke prevention, treatment and access to specialized care. Researchers say targeted interventions — including improved stroke transfer networks, expanded access to specialty care and more equitable treatment pathways — may help reduce disparities and improve outcomes for patients nationwide.

 

To receive a copy of these abstracts or to speak with the study authors, please contact Camille Jewell at cjewell@vancomm.com or 202-248-5460.

 

About the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery

The Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) is a scientific and educational association dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurointerventional surgery through research, standard-setting, and education and advocacy to provide the highest quality of patient care in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, spine, head and neck. Visit www.snisonline.org and follow us on X (@SNISinfo) Facebook (@SNISOnline), LinkedIn (@Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery), Instagram (@SNIS_info) and Bluesky (@snisinfo.bsky.social).

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Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Research Reveals Persistent Racial Disparities in Stroke Treatment and Outcomes