A team of researchers led by Saptarshi Das is working on developing an all-in-one semiconductor device that can both store data and perform computations. The device uses ferroelectric materials, which can be both stored in and used for computing, offering a potential solution to the limitations of current technology.
Researchers found that Rh sensitization, a condition where the body mounts an immune response to fetal red blood cells, rarely occurs during the first trimester. The study's results could change pregnancy care guidelines and reduce unnecessary treatments, conserving valuable human blood products.
Researchers have developed a novel wearable patch that can continuously analyze sweat for three weeks, detecting specific glucose levels while monitoring body temperature and pH. The device uses a laser-modified graphene nanocomposite material and has shown greater stability over time compared to previous sensors.
A new framework aims to ensure Indigenous communities reap benefits from their microbiome samples, promoting equitable and beneficial research. Researchers highlight the need for community ownership of microbiomes, collaboration, and respect for Indigenous sovereignty.
A phase 3 trial found that an internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy program significantly reduced depressive symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis. The online program, modified for MS, led to a large drop in depressive symptoms compared to a control group.
A Penn State-led study found that Hispanic bisexual women living in rural areas have the highest prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The researchers analyzed data from over 189,000 individuals and found a unique suicide risk profile associated with this intersectional group.
A new blood test, IntelliSep, characterizes changes in white blood cells to rapidly evaluate sepsis risk. Using this test could result in a higher survival rate and lower cost compared to procalcitonin testing, with over 95% of patients surviving treatment costing less than $4,000 per person.
Penn State researchers develop a bubble-based technique to visualize macrophages in mammal tissue, offering insights into immune system regulation and potential therapies. The approach enables real-time monitoring of immune cells, which could lead to more effective cell-based treatments for conditions like cancer and autoimmune disorders.
A Penn State-led research team found that the Earth's crust has continued to rework over billions of years, rather than rapidly slowing its growth. The study used the rock record database to chart the crustal growth curve and suggests a correlation between the Earth's crust and mantle.
A new approach by Penn State scientists may help extract more heat from geothermal reservoirs. The technique involves adding materials or chemicals that autonomously control flow within the rock itself, spreading it uniformly across the reservoir to sweep more heat and prevent shortcuts.
Researchers found that next-generation interventions like triple ACTs resulted in treatment failure counts at least 81% lower than traditional therapies. The study suggests extending treatment courses and using multiple drugs simultaneously may hold treatment failure rates near 10%.
The team plans to sequence the mitochondrial genomes of 10,000 Pennsylvanians, more than tripling the existing database and providing a crucial reference point for human identification cases. The new database will help forensic experts match DNA profiles to found evidence, improving the likelihood of successful identifications.
Researchers developed an artificial, multisensory integrated neuron that combines visual and tactile input for improved navigation and decision-making. The system mimics the human brain's ability to integrate multiple senses, enhancing sensor technology's efficiency and paving the way for eco-friendly AI uses.
A Penn State-led study finds that nearly 800 rivers are warming and losing oxygen faster than oceans. This could lead to 'acute death' for certain fish species and threaten aquatic diversity globally.
A team of researchers led by Penn State aims to test 58 wildlife species for SARS-CoV-2 using a $4.5M USDA grant. The goal is to monitor potential spillback to humans and understand cross-species transmission, which poses a risk to human health and agricultural systems.
A new research project aims to inform diners about the health and environmental impacts of restaurant menu items. The team is investigating how restaurants can share information about sustainable options with customers, and whether this encourages consumers to make environmentally-friendly choices.
A new study suggests that dairy cows fed diets with reduced protein concentrations require an amino acid supplement, such as histidine, to maintain and increase milk production. Histidine supplementation has been shown to increase feed dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk protein concentration in dairy cows.
A Penn State research team proposes a new information-filtering approach to predict future health information needs of online community participants. The approach incorporates user profiles, past posts and replies to categorize online content and provide more personalized healthcare resources.
Researchers aim to prevent Alzheimer's development by encouraging regular light-intensity physical activity, using wearable devices and personalized goal-setting. The study will explore the effectiveness of short-term goal prompts in promoting long-term adherence to physical activity.
New research by Penn State suggests that hardwood trees such as maple, willow and birch are unlikely to see significant impacts from the sap-feeding spotted lanternfly. The study found that increased feeding pressure resulted in reduced growth during the first two years, but native trees recovered when feeding was less intense.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a molecular mechanism that enables efficient hydrogen spillover, which could lead to the development of new clean energy technologies. The breakthrough provides insight into how hydrogen activation and storage can be achieved without significant energy losses.
A new field campaign, CoURAGE, will investigate the influence of surface-atmosphere interactions around Baltimore, Maryland, on its climate. The campaign aims to provide sound evidence for climate change mitigation options, such as urban greening, and partner with neighborhoods that have been historically neglected.
A new study found that kindergarten conduct problems are associated with increased costs in crime, medical expenses and lost productivity as children reach adolescence and adulthood. The research used data from over 1,300 students to estimate the economic impact of these behavioral problems.
A team of Penn State researchers found that adding healthy herbs and spices to recipes can lower overconsumed nutrients like saturated fat, sugar, and salt without affecting taste. Participants preferred some of the recipes with healthier alternatives, particularly brownies and chicken in cream sauce.
A Penn State-led research team discovered that somatostatin signaling acts to dampen communication among cell types in the prefrontal cortex, promoting exploratory and risk-taking-like behavior. The findings suggest that somatostatin fine-tunes circuits to promote certain behaviors, including decision making.
A global research team found that extreme heat exposure and prior infection from a protozoan pathogen can severely negatively impact solitary bees' thermal physiology and behavior. The study showed that healthy bees can tolerate high temperatures, but infected ones are less tolerant, affecting their ability to forage and pollinate crops.
Researchers used AI and mobility data to enhance air pollution models, improving accuracy by an average of 17.5% and identifying hotspots with high PM2.5 levels. This integrated approach can inform targeted health alerts and safety measures for areas with poor air quality.
Researchers at Penn State have developed zentropy theory to predict the behavior of ferroelectric materials. By integrating top-down statistical and bottom-up quantum mechanics, zentropy provides a quantitative prediction that can narrow down possibilities significantly, allowing for more efficient discovery and design.
A two-year NIH-funded study led by Penn State associate research professor Ashley Linden-Carmichael examines the next-day effects of heavy drinking on young adults' daily cognitive functioning. The study will collect intensive self-reported data from 250 participants to explore the impact of alcohol use on memory and other cognitive fu...
A novel approach to measuring microbial activity in wetted soil reveals clues about the vulnerability of biocrusts to climate change. The research found that active and inactive microorganisms differ in species richness and composition after being resuscitated by a simulated rain event.
Researchers found little evidence of a repeatable pattern in influenza cases in Vietnam, suggesting that the virus is unpredictable throughout tropical areas. This finding poses substantial challenges for prevention and management of cases in regions with high population density.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a safe and efficient way to create cyclopropanes, key features in many drugs, using a previously undescribed chemical process. The new method uses visible light and common ingredients to transform alkenes into cyclopropanes with no carbene intermediate.
A new study finds changes in atmospheric circulation may play a significant role in the formation of the 'cold blob' in the North Atlantic. The North Atlantic Oscillation influences wind patterns, which can cool ocean surface temperatures, and may have contributed to the region's unusual cooling trend.
Researchers found that Period 1 gene becomes more active in memory-forming region of brain in daylight hours after learning, playing crucial role in consolidating memories. Mice exhibit improved daytime memory performance compared to nighttime.
Researchers developed a method to reduce platinum-group metal loadings in fuel cells, resulting in competitive performance and better durability. The new process could enable mass production of fuel cell electric vehicles, offering zero emissions and higher energy density.
Researchers have discovered fossils of a group of spurges in Argentina that date back 52 million years, suggesting these plants migrated from South America to Asia and beyond. The findings provide the first direct fossil evidence of spurges in Gondwanan South America, contradicting previous assumptions about their Asian origins.
The Philadelphia soil project has yielded promising results for urban growers, revealing low contaminant levels and high nutrient content. The initiative aims to empower growers by providing site-specific assessments and soil testing guidance, enabling them to make informed decisions about their gardening sites.
A Penn State-led research team has created a stretchy integrated electronics system by sandwiching an n-type semiconductor between two rubbery materials. The stack architecture improves mechanical stretchability and suppresses microcracks, enabling high device performance even when stretched.
A new $7 million grant will support research into the mechanisms that exacerbate inflammatory disease. The study aims to understand how environmental chemicals affect the gut microbiome, a key factor in chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at Penn State have received a $2 million NIH grant to develop high-throughput spheroid (HTS) bioprinting technology, which can quickly fabricate scalable, native tissues. The technology has the potential to repair bone in sensitive places like the skull and could be used for implantation, research, or disease modeling.
A Penn State research team is studying the effectiveness of riparian buffers in mitigating excess nutrients, sediments, and pesticides in streams. The study aims to identify areas where buffers are underperforming and develop solutions for restoring and maintaining buffer integrity.
Penn State has been awarded $6.25 million in CDC funding to lead a new Vector-Borne Disease Regional Training and Evaluation Center, which aims to reduce Lyme disease and other vector-borne diseases by enhancing training for at-risk groups.
New research shows certain coral species can survive climate change without suffering reduced growth or other tradeoffs when partnering with thermally tolerant algae. This finding suggests these partnerships may dominate reef ecosystems in a climate-changed future.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that bioluminescent bacteria use a small RNA molecule called Qrr1 to coordinate their behavior and colonize the squid's light organ. This mechanism is likely widespread among bacteria, enabling them to exploit quorum sensing pathways.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new thermoelectric cooler that greatly improves cooling power and efficiency compared to current commercial units. The device uses half-Heusler alloys and demonstrates a 210% enhancement in cooling power density while maintaining a similar coefficient of performance.
Researchers used wearable sensors and automatic feeders to monitor dairy calves and identify behavioral changes indicative of bovine respiratory disease. The approach achieved an accuracy of 88% in labeling sick and healthy calves, with 70% of sick calves predicted four days prior to diagnosis.
The project aims to develop a sustainable hemp-based supply chain in Pennsylvania, focusing on manufacturing and deployment of bio-based products. The goals include reducing greenhouse gases through carbon capture strategies and promoting diversity and inclusion.
A team at Penn State has identified a protein called calcium-dependent protein kinase 32 (CPK32) that modifies the cellular machinery responsible for producing cellulose. This new understanding could inform the design of more stable, cellulose-enriched materials for biofuels and other functions.
A new study found that larger group size and polygynous mating systems are linked to deeper male voices in primates. This sex difference is thought to influence mating success through attracting mates or intimidating competitors.
Research found that seeing bad news about climate change can make people more afraid over time, but also may encourage audiences to think about what society can do to address the problem. Repeated exposure to threatening messages can lead to increased efficacy beliefs and a greater sense of control.