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.
A new study reveals that mobile phone data can be skewed towards more accessible populations, leading to misleading predictions and ineffective outbreak responses. Researchers urge acknowledging and measuring bias in all types of data to ensure accurate public health decisions.
A new type of ferroelectric polymer holds promise as a high-performance motion controller, offering a promising avenue for the development of soft actuators. The research demonstrates the potential of ferroelectric polymer nanocomposites to overcome limitations of traditional piezoelectric polymers.
Researchers found that experiencing traumatic events, such as natural disasters or loss of family income, in early life is associated with lower reading and vocabulary test scores over time. Children from rural households may face additional obstacles due to environmental shocks, leading to reduced food security and poorer health.
A global study documents the intricate balance between tree seed defense and dispersal, revealing that trees with unreliable seed production strategies rely most heavily on animal disperser species. This findings have significant implications for forest conservation efforts.
Researchers at Penn State found a significant association between salivary cotinine and heavy metals such as copper, zinc, lead, in children exposed to tobacco smoke. The study suggests that environmental tobacco smoke exposure may be a source of increased children's exposure to heavy metals.
A Penn State-led research team has revealed how a leader cell emerges to coordinate the invasion of cancer cells, enabling the prediction of tumor invasiveness. The study found that MALAT1, a gene associated with metastasis in various cancers, plays an essential role in regulating leader cells.
Penn State researchers have successfully controlled the movement and separation of nanorods using ultrasound technology, opening up new possibilities for drug delivery and bioprinting. The demonstration has potential applications in additive manufacturing and targeted drug delivery.
A digital assay called STAMP has been developed to directly measure the presence of HIV in single drops of blood, providing a more efficient and accurate alternative to traditional methods. The test uses CRISPR-Cas13 technology to detect and signal the presence of HIV, allowing for real-time monitoring of viral loads.
Researchers collected thousands of specimens from various populations to conclude that the Chesapeake logperch is a distinct subspecies found nowhere else. The fish is threatened by invasive predatory fishes and dwindling in numbers, highlighting the need for its rescue and reintroduction effort.
A study by Penn State researchers found that minority communities bore the brunt of the opioid crisis, with Black men and American Indian/Native Alaskan men and women disproportionately affected. The researchers suggest that race- and gender-specific interventions may be more effective in preventing overdose deaths.
Researchers confirm Bachman's warbler as a distinct species by sequencing its genome from museum specimens. The study reveals a new candidate gene involved in feather pigmentation in the group. Comparing the genomes of the extinct warbler with living sister species highlights the crucial role of museum collections in science.
New research found that social infrastructure in rural communities can provide essential support to older, non-white adults. This study highlights the importance of community spaces in promoting healthy aging among Black and Hispanic older adults, who are disproportionately affected by loneliness and mental health issues.
A study published in Telecommunications Policy found that cloud adoption enables innovation in rural businesses, increasing new-to-market innovation by 6% compared to non-cloud firms. The research highlights the importance of broadband access in enabling rural entrepreneurship and supporting vibrant economies.
Researchers found that giraffes on either side of the rift have not interbred for over 1,000 years, with females showing no signs of migration. The study suggests that Masai giraffes are more endangered than previously thought, requiring separate but coordinated conservation efforts.
A new study found that a vaccine against the deadly chytrid fungus in frogs can shift the composition of the microbiome, making frogs more resilient to future exposure. The researchers applied a non-lethal dosage of a metabolic product created by the chytrid fungus to tadpoles and observed a protective shift in the microbiome.
Researchers found that tightly curled scalp hair provided the best protection from the sun's radiative heat while minimizing sweat. This adaptation enabled human brains to grow to modern-day sizes without conserving water through sweating.
Researchers developed a method to guide control efforts in the park by tracking feral swine movements. Feral swine cause widespread damage to ecosystems by wallowing and rooting, reducing natural food stocks and spreading diseases.
Researchers developed a sensor capable of detecting subtle pressure changes, mimicking human skin's sensitivity. The innovative device has potential applications in robotics, healthcare, and other fields.
Researchers have created a low-cost, RNA-based sensor design that can detect human biomarker proteins with high accuracy. The technology has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of diagnostic testing for various conditions such as arthritis and cancer.
Researchers have discovered a bacterial protein that can separate rare earth elements more efficiently and effectively than current methods. The protein uses a unique dimerization mechanism to distinguish between similar metals, paving the way for greener mining and recycling practices.
A new study found that declines in sexual satisfaction and erectile function are correlated with future memory loss in middle-aged men. The research tracked associations between sex life, cognition, and physical changes in hundreds of men aged 56-68.
A team at Penn State has produced high-resolution images of SARS-CoV-2's protease protein and polyprotein complex. The research reveals a consistent order in which the proteins are cleaved, potentially supporting more efficient antiviral drugs.
A new study found that strategic city planning can reduce the urban heat island effect by using trees, taller buildings with shade-providing effects, and pavement with high albedo levels. These design strategies can help create more comfortable thermal conditions in cities, especially for low-income communities and vulnerable populations.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a protein-based nano-computing agent that can directly influence cell behavior by responding to stimuli and producing desired actions. The agent, which responds to light and a drug called rapamycin, has the potential to control cellular orientation and behavior.