Researchers at Penn State discovered that coal can act as a geological hydrogen battery, storing hydrogen for future use. The team found that coal's unique structure and properties make it an ideal material for hydrogen storage, with low-volatile bituminous coal performing best in tests.
Researchers found that tree coverage and high-albedo pavement significantly reduced mean radiant temperatures, improving thermal comfort levels in urban areas. The study suggests incorporating trees and pavement design elements into city planning to mitigate the urban heat island effect.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that some climate mitigation strategies could result in harmful health impacts in specific areas, particularly if significant land use changes are required for bioenergy production. This could lead to worsened respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, resulting in premature deaths.
Researchers developed an affordable, stretchable, and waterproof sensor using graphite material from pencils to monitor gas molecules, temperature, and electrical physiological signals. The device has the potential for public health applications, including collecting data on population health variation between geographic locations.
New experiments with ultra-cold atomic gases show that quantum systems composed of many particles change over time following a sudden energy influx. The findings reveal a universality in the behavior of these systems, shedding light on how they evolve and interact.
Researchers found that commercial properties in New York and Boston traded at lower values after Hurricane Sandy, despite no direct damage. This shift in perception is likely due to professional investors responding to changing flood risk perceptions post-Sandy.
A team of Penn State researchers is using a new field called landscape transcriptomics to study how genes respond to environmental changes. By analyzing RNA molecules from across the landscape, they aim to understand how organisms adapt to climate change and develop strategies for conservation and management.
Researchers developed a new sensor array that mimics the red, green and blue photoreceptors in human eyes, producing high-quality images through a neural network-based algorithm. The device has the potential to revolutionize camera technology by increasing spatial resolution and reducing power consumption.
Researchers characterize 106 dim blazars to test the blazar sequence theory, exploring black hole growth and general relativity. The study reveals that lower-energy peaks for dim blazars peak in blue, higher-energy light, extending current knowledge of the pattern.
Scientists at Penn State developed a new device that produces high-fidelity images by mimicking the red, green, and blue photoreceptors and neural network found in human eyes. The device uses narrowband perovskite photodetectors and a neuromorphic algorithm to process information and produce clear images.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to biofortify microgreens with zinc, which can increase their nutritional value and potentially address 'hidden hunger.' The study found that seeds soaked in a 200 parts per million solution of zinc sulfate resulted in higher zinc accumulation in pea and sunflower microgreens.
Researchers have found that corals in the Indo-Pacific region are more flexible and resilient to climate change due to their symbiotic relationships with algae species. These partnerships may help them withstand greater environmental changes, making them better equipped to survive in a warming ocean.
Researchers found that using positive trigger words can retrain large language models and result in less biased responses. The team analyzed GPT-2's responses to user prompts about different countries worldwide and found a significant impact on the types of adjectives used to describe citizens.
Researchers found that disordered thrift shop displays can enhance perceptions of hidden treasure, but risk perceptions outweigh this effect, leading to a net negative impact on purchase likelihood. High inventory knowledge by sellers mitigates these risks, increasing perceptions of curated products and consumer trust.
Scientists at Penn State have developed a unique materials design that can push the conversion efficiency of thermoelectric devices up to 15%. This breakthrough could transform the design and development of next-generation thermoelectric devices, making them more efficient and competitive with other power generation technologies.
A recent study found that early-nesting ducks are vulnerable to habitat destruction and predators when nesting in agricultural fields with debris from previous harvests. Climate change may exacerbate this issue, making it harder for ducks to adapt to the changing landscape.
Researchers found that people dislike fitness recommendations from apps using social media data, instead favoring personalized approaches with control options. Users prefer systems allowing them to choose between different recommendation methods, making them feel more in control.
A study found that high-quality labeling of images boosts perceptions of training data credibility, leading to increased trust in AI systems. However, biases in the data can reduce trust in certain aspects.
Researchers studying the mudskipper, a fish that spends time on land, found that its blinking behavior serves similar functions as in humans and other tetrapods. The study suggests that blinking may have evolved as part of the suite of traits that allowed early tetrapods to adapt to life on land.
Researchers from Penn State and Ohio State University used structural biology, biophysics, and cell biology to understand how pioneer factors interact with nucleosomes. They found that a specific region of the protein helps it access DNA, making it accessible for proteins involved in gene expression.
A Penn State-led team will study the impact of macrobiota, such as clams and seagrasses, on carbon cycling in estuaries, which regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide. The research aims to quantify macrobiota's contribution to carbon and alkalinity dynamics and improve predictive models.
Research suggests that agritourism and direct farm sales complement each other in the same community, increasing revenue for farmers. The study identified hotspots of farms engaging in these activities in various regions, including the Northeast, West, and Great Lakes areas.
Penn State researchers found that complex and diverse supply chains can protect cities from shortages. The diversity of an ecosystem makes a system less vulnerable to natural disasters.
A study by Penn State researchers found that organic beekeeping management is sustainable and supports high honey-bee survival and honey production, rivaling conventional methods. Organic and conventional management systems both increased winter survival by more than 180% compared to chemical-free management.
A novel process makes paper bags stronger, reusable, and biodegradable, reducing global-warming potential. The study also explores the use of torrefied paper as a source for biofuel production, offering a sustainable solution to plastic waste.
A team of researchers at Penn State has developed a first rapid test for mpox, a disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, which can be detected within minutes. The test uses nanomaterials heterostructures to detect trace amounts of genetic material in biological samples.
Researchers use cryo-electron microscopy to visualize a sirtuin enzyme bound to a nucleosome, clarifying how it accesses DNA and histone proteins to modulate gene expression. The study provides insight into the function of SIRT6 in humans and other animals.
A new AI-generated vaccine targeting T-cells provides broad coverage against future COVID-19 variants, potentially lasting longer than current antibody-based vaccines. This innovation has the potential to be used for seasonal flu and other vaccines, offering a long-lasting solution to emerging viral diseases.
Researchers found temperature to be the predominant driver of dissolved oxygen dynamics in US rivers, outperforming light and flow as factors. The study used a deep learning model to analyze data from hundreds of rivers across the United States, revealing the importance of temperature in maintaining water quality.
Researchers develop soft, self-charging bio-inspired power sources for space applications, addressing lithium-ion battery limitations. The new technology uses electric fish-inspired charge-separation principle to produce high-voltage power, potentially recharging from available resources like sunlight.
Users appreciate automation's ability to learn personal preferences, reducing tedious tasks. However, they also desire user control and consent for system engagement, leading to a delicate balance of interactivity and automation.
Researchers at Penn State found that broccoli's aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands bind to a protein in mice, promoting gut health and reducing disease. This interaction activates various activities that affect intestinal cell functions, leading to improved gut barrier function and resilience.
A new study suggests that exposure therapy can be an effective treatment for adolescents with eating disorders, particularly in reducing anxiety towards food. The study found that exposing patients to feared foods, such as candy bars and pizza, helped decrease their anxiety levels and improved their relationships with food.
A Penn State-led research team developed a statistical method to predict the effects of climate change on cold-blooded animals. The Physiologically Guided Abundance Model (PGA Model) combines field and laboratory data to forecast species geographical distributions and abundance in response to warming temperatures.
A new study reveals that the squash bee has evolved in response to increased agriculture, particularly squash cultivation. This adaptation allowed its population to expand significantly, making it an essential pollinator of these crops.
A Penn State-led team has discovered a new physical mechanism explaining naturally occurring X-rays associated with lightning activity in the Earth's atmosphere. The researchers developed a mathematical model that explains how electric fields amplify electrons, driving the phenomenon of relativistic runaway discharges in air.
New research reveals SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations made the virus more rigid and improved its ability to transmit through nasal droplets and infect host cells. This could mean newer vaccines are effective for longer against emerging variants.
The Swift Observatory team, led by Maia Williams, detected the brightest gamma-ray burst ever recorded, GRB 221009A. The burst was incredibly bright and had an afterglow that was more than 10 times brighter than any previous observation.
Researchers used eye-tracking software to study how building inspectors assess structures, finding that experts focus on specific issues for longer periods. The study aims to develop an algorithm to inform autonomous robots for building inspections.
A new soil sensor has been developed to accurately measure temperature and nitrogen levels in soil, enabling farmers to optimize fertilizer use and reduce environmental pollution. The sensor can decouple temperature and nitrogen signals, allowing for precise monitoring of crop health and growth.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that ground beetle species will thrive or decline based on their habitats and traits. Habitat conservation can help mitigate the effects of climate change on these insects, which are critical pest control agents in North American agriculture.
A recent study found that U.S. college students have low awareness of wild bee species, with their knowledge focusing primarily on honey bees and pollination services. The researchers suggest that education alone may not be enough to produce attitude and behavior change, and propose a novel approach using semantic network analysis and ...
A new discovery identified a gene encoding a transcription factor that triggers the development of root cortical aerenchyma, enabling corn roots to capture more water and nutrients from dry soil. This trait results in air passages forming in the roots, making them metabolically cheaper and more efficient in exploring the soil.
Researchers have identified early warning signs of Antarctic ice shelf collapse prior to the 2002 Larsen B collapse. The study suggests that widespread flow acceleration and frequent small-iceberg calving may serve as precursors to destabilization, controlled by both atmospheric and oceanic warming anomalies.
Researchers developed a deep learning model that provides improved predictions of air quality in wildfire-prone areas, distinguishing between wildfires and non-wildfires. The ST-Transformer model uses sparse attention to prioritize relevant information and captures trends associated with wildfires.
A new technique combining underused satellite and radar data in weather models may improve thunderstorm predictions by capturing a more accurate picture of initial conditions in the boundary layer. This technique showed promise in improving forecasts of convection initiation, several hours before the thunderstorms occurred.
A new biosensor developed by Penn State researchers offers dynamic insights into manganese's role in biological systems, opening doors to new research applications. The sensor's capabilities may lead to breakthroughs in understanding photosynthesis, host-pathogen interactions, and neurobiology.
A Penn State-led research team developed a flat, pancake-sized metalens telescope that can capture clear images of distant objects, including the lunar surface. The innovation uses deep ultraviolet photolithography to produce larger pattern sizes and reduces manufacturing costs.
Research from Penn State found that self-monitoring physical activity through smartwatches leads to increased motivation and activity levels. Participants who received prompts to report their activity took hundreds more steps in a given day compared to those who didn't receive such prompts.
Scientists have defined the full-length structure of p53, a crucial protein that regulates cell growth and division. The study reveals how mutations in p53 can lead to cancer by disrupting its ability to grasp DNA, highlighting potential new therapeutic approaches.