A team of researchers at Penn State College of Medicine has developed a high-resolution 3D atlas of the developing mouse brain, providing a comprehensive view of brain development and structure. The atlas, published in Nature Communications, will help researchers understand neurodevelopmental disorders and analyze large-scale data sets.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a soft and stretchable tissue-like electronic device that delivers pulsed electricity to the body, showing promise in treating drug-resistant hypertension. The device's design minimizes tissue damage and inflammation by adapting to the carotid artery's expansion and contraction.
Scientists at Penn State and SETI Institute used the Allen Telescope Array to scan the TRAPPIST-1 star system for radio signals similar to those used by rovers on Mars. Although no extraterrestrial technology was found, the project introduced a new method for future searches.
Researchers used DNA sequencing and artificial intelligence to detect anomalies in milk production, such as contamination or unauthorized additives. The new approach could improve dairy safety by identifying microbial signatures associated with anomalies.
A new study found that toxic SOD1 protein trimers interact with various proteins in different tissues, contributing to cellular dysfunction and degeneration in ALS. Septin-7 is identified as a potential therapeutic target, potentially slowing or disrupting ALS progression.
A new study by Penn State researchers reveals that individuals with co-occurring depression and concussion experience more severe symptoms than those with single conditions. The study also found disrupted brain connectivity among participants with both conditions, suggesting a potential need for personalized treatment approaches.
Research led by Penn State scientists found that indigenous hunter-gatherer practices played a key role in seed dispersal and genetic diversity of native plants. The study challenged the conventional notion of agriculture and suggested humans impacted plant populations long before farming began.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that students who feel a sense of belonging at their university are more likely to binge drink than those who do not. The study, which analyzed data from over 4,000 university students, suggests that feeling connected to the university is associated with higher rates of substance use.
Researchers developed an electronic tongue that can identify differences in liquids and detect food safety concerns. The AI-powered system achieved high accuracy when using its own assessment parameters, providing insights into the neural network's decision-making process.
A new study found that babesiosis rates rose 9% annually between 2015 and 2022, with 42% of cases linked to other tick-borne illnesses. Co-infection with Lyme disease did not increase mortality risk, but patients received doxycycline treatment more frequently.
The study found that adding fall blooming plants can alleviate stressors on wild bees caused by developed land and urban beekeeping. Planting late-season forage and leaving bare ground as nesting resources can help.
The team aims to focus on 6G technology, the ultra-high frequency, high-speed successor to 5G networks. They will work to integrate three technologies into a single device to create compact electronic devices that overcome limitations to performance, functionality, size and thermal management.
A new study found that completing a six-month substance use disorder treatment program instead of arrest and prosecution reduces the risk of arrest, incarceration, or fatal overdose. Participants who completed the program had a more favorable crime and overdose profile compared to those who did not engage or complete the program.
SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment·TypeObservational study·DateOct 3, 2024
African wormwood, a plant used for centuries to treat various illnesses, contains a compound that can kill the bacteria causing tuberculosis. Researchers have identified this compound, an O-methylflavone, as effective against both active and inactive states of the mycobacterium.
Two Penn State researchers propose an alternative theory: the moon was captured in a binary-exchange capture, where Earth's gravity snagged one of two objects, resulting in its current orbit. This new possibility opens up new questions and opportunities for further study.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new nanoparticle that can prevent scaling and stabilize water-in-oil emulsions, potentially making oil extraction processes more efficient and less harmful to the environment. The material is bio-based, environmentally safe and cost-effective.
Researchers found that injecting dairy farm manure into a live cover crop in early spring reduces ammonia escape and nitrous oxide emissions, while maintaining soil nitrogen loss. This approach achieves multiple conservation goals, including reduced pollution and improved soil fertility.
Researchers at Penn State created more efficient thermoelectric materials than previously possible, reaching 15% conversion efficiency. This advancement could lead to smaller devices and increased energy production, making long-distance space exploration more feasible.
Research found a significant increase in sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and SIDS rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in 2021. The study suggests a link between infection, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SUID, highlighting the importance of safe sleep practices despite infections.
Research shows that poverty and inadequate food supply drive poaching in East African national parks. The study found that alleviating food insecurity and poverty are key to building cooperation between parks and local villages. By addressing these needs, conservation efforts can be more effective.
Researchers found Salmonella enterica in wastewater treatment plant samples, indicating a foodborne pathogen. The study suggests domestic sewage monitoring can detect infectious diseases circulating in a community, enabling health officials to swiftly trace the source of contaminated food.
A new computational tool, FRNSIC, developed by Penn State scientists can help decision-makers explore possible futures of the Colorado River and identify consequential scenario storylines. The tool uses exploratory modeling to investigate a large number of plausible future conditions and classify relevant storylines for stakeholders.
Laura Cabrera's research aims to develop a patient-centered decision aid to help guide patients, providers, and caregivers navigate neurotechnology treatments like deep brain stimulation. The project seeks to enhance shared decision-making processes, ensuring that treatments align with individual values and preferences.
A new study led by Penn State researchers found that high-level collegiate sports stress can lead to unhealthy attitudes about eating and inadequate caloric intake. Athletes, especially female ones, are at risk for energy deficiency, eating disorders, and bone loss if they don't consume enough calories.
Households with teenage children where one or more members smoked or vaped were more likely to relax their vaping ban. Parents who talked about e-cigarettes and vaping with their teens were less likely to drop the ban.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that middle-aged and older women are more susceptible to extreme heat due to physiological changes. The study identified specific temperature/humidity levels safe for women as they age, providing valuable information for setting policies during heat waves.
Researchers developed an ultrathin optical element that attaches to conventional cameras, encoding spectral and polarization data. The metasurface enables the capture of both types of imaging data simultaneously, transmitting it immediately to a computer for real-time decoding by machine learning frameworks.
Researchers aim to develop a voice assistant delivering customized cognitive stimulation therapy to improve the quality of life for persons living with dementia and their care partners. The project has the potential to positively impact a large population, including those in remote areas.
Researchers found that women with opioid use disorder face structural barriers and stigma that may keep them from engaging with traditional harm reduction practices. Increasing accessibility of harm reduction tools and expanding education are key recommendations to reduce overdose risk for women.
A recent study found that 26 highly trained community scientists in Pennsylvania were more effective at documenting bee diversity than thousands of users of the photo-based app iNaturalist. The volunteers collected over twice as much biodiversity data, including new species and county records, through a collections-based program.
SourcePenn State·JournalAnnals of the Entomological Society of America·TypeObservational study·DateAug 26, 2024
Researchers at Penn State and Stanford University discovered that blocking IDO1 enzyme can rescue memory and brain function in models of Alzheimer's disease. This breakthrough suggests that IDO1 inhibitors, already developed for cancer treatment, could be used to treat early stages of neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that honey bees consistently had higher levels of viruses than bumble bees, suggesting they may be reinfecting native bee communities each spring. Good honey bee colony management is crucial for healthy pollinator communities.
Researchers discovered large fossil beans in Indonesian Borneo, indicating the ancestors of black bean trees migrated from Asia to Australia during tectonic plate collision. The findings provide first macrofossil evidence of a plant lineage moving from Asia into Australia.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that US firms using cloud computing services are more likely to export goods and services, especially those located outside large cities. The study suggests that accessing cloud services may help level the playing field for non-urban firms and promote their expansion into international markets.
A study in mice found that early life exposure to persistent organic pollutants, such as TCDF, disrupts the gut microbiome and leads to metabolic disorders. The altered microbiome is associated with changes in bacterial species, including Akkermansia muciniphila, which plays a crucial role in overall gut health.
A study found that children who went to bed later and slept fewer hours during childhood and adolescence were more likely to try alcohol or marijuana by age 15. The researchers suggest that improving sleep in the school-age population could lead to improvements in other aspects of health, such as decision making.
A new study found that potassium ion channels in the Shaker family were present in single-cell organisms before the origin of the nervous system. This discovery challenges the conventional understanding of how these ion channels evolved alongside the nervous system.
SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 13, 2024
A study published in BMJ Open suggests that Australia's high life expectancy can serve as a model for the US to improve its own life expectancy. The research found that Australians have a lower mortality rate from drug overdose, car accidents, and homicide compared to Americans. By adopting similar policies such as investing in public ...
A new study published in PLOS One found that most people view humor as an effective parenting tool, leading to improved relationships between parents and children. The research team surveyed 312 people aged 18-45 and discovered a correlation between a parent's use of humor and the quality of their relationship with their children.
A team of researchers from Penn State has identified HDAC3 as a key contributor to age-related impairments in memory updating. When blocked, older mice performed similarly to their younger counterparts, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for improving cognitive flexibility in old age.
Researchers found that serving a dip with a salty snack significantly increased overall energy intake, with participants consuming more calories from the combination. The study suggests that adding dip to snacks can substantially increase energy intake without people realizing it.
A new model developed by Penn State researchers more accurately predicts the causal relationship between genetic and environmental factors in disease development. The study found that lifestyle and environmental factors play a larger role than previously believed, offering new opportunities to mitigate disease risk.
A new study by Penn State researcher Florence Becot found that 78% of farm families with children made changes to balance childcare needs with farm business responsibilities, reducing hours worked and shifting work schedules. This impacted the structure of labor on- and off-the-farm, influencing production systems, marketing channels, ...
Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to create detailed maps of mouse brains, identifying areas vulnerable to blood vessel degeneration. These changes can lead to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists at Penn State created a robust quantum highway with a switch to control electron movement, enabling the fabrication of advanced quantum devices. The innovation allows for precise control over electron flow, reducing backscattering and increasing the potential for quantum computing applications.
A team of researchers from Penn State College of Medicine identified KDR, a tyrosine kinase, as a potential drug target for treating diseases caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). By blocking KDR, the viral protein Tax is degraded, leading to cell death and disruption of cancer-causing signaling pathways.
Researchers found that well-draining soils and vegetation can manage runoff on solar farms, while engineered stormwater controls can mitigate unmitigated runoff. The study provides new insights into hydrological phenomena on solar farms, particularly on steep and complex landscapes.
Researchers discovered a hybrid lineage of black cottonwood and balsam poplar trees, showing that natural hybridization informs the evolution of plant species and enables adaptation to environmental change. The study suggests that genetic exchange between species is critical for survival in arid climates.
Researchers discovered a highly eccentric exoplanet named TIC 241249530 with an orbital eccentricity of 0.94, causing extreme temperature variations. The planet's unusual backward-orbiting motion provides insight into the formation history and future trajectories of hot Jupiters.
A new study led by Penn State researchers found that American diets improved in quality and diversity after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Diets became up to 8.5% healthier and 2.6% more diverse as people shifted from eating out to cooking at home.