Researchers found that notification legislation was not significantly associated with lower odds of late-stage diagnoses, but insurance coverage laws were linked to decreased chances of later-stage diagnoses. Younger women and Hispanic women tended to benefit more from these laws.
Researchers successfully used cryopreserved sperm to fertilize coral eggs from hundreds of miles away, demonstrating the reproductive compatibility of distant coral colonies. The technique, known as assisted gene flow, has potential as a conservation tool for endangered corals and could accelerate their adaptation to climate change.
SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2021
A new tool has been developed to identify genetic influences behind sex-biased diseases, such as lupus, which affect females more frequently. The tool analyzes genes that escape X chromosome inactivation, a process that ensures females do not overexpress genes on their X-chromosomes.
A new project aims to bring data science into the curriculum of Penn State's engineering programs, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and community awareness. The researchers plan to collaborate with local communities, industry, and K-12 schools to provide students with real-life data sets and projects.
Physicists have successfully tested the theory of generalized hydrodynamics in one-dimensional gases, demonstrating its accuracy in simulating out-of-equilibrium quantum systems. This breakthrough could greatly simplify the study of such systems and eventually inform the development of quantum-based technologies.
Researchers found that invasive shrubs absorb more sunlight and lower air temperatures on the forest floor, giving them a competitive advantage. This phenomenon may explain why invasive plants negatively impact bees, butterflies, and amphibians in forest understories.
Researchers have identified a new family of ferroelectric materials, including magnesium-substituted zinc oxide, that can be used for low-energy digital storage. These materials have the potential to revolutionize information and energy storage, offering improved performance and reduced power consumption.
A new study found that local mobility, primary care access, and limited contacts in contagion hubs can curb COVID-19 deaths. The researchers used novel statistical approaches to analyze mortality curves across 20 Italian regions, identifying a strong association between mobility and COVID mortality.
Research highlights six core pillars of learning: active, engaged, meaningful, socially interactive, iterative, and joyful. Experts offer practical advice on transforming everyday spaces into playful learning environments that support children's growth.
Using human stem cells and small molecules, researchers successfully differentiated them into insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. This breakthrough could lead to a personalized treatment option for type 1 diabetes, reducing costs and increasing accessibility for those affected.
A new study suggests some people choose to avoid feeling compassion, citing it as mentally taxing. However, when choosing to feel compassion towards close family members, the experience is easier and less challenging.
A new study assesses the potential trajectories of cellular agriculture, a technology that grows cultured meat, dairy, and egg products from animal cells and yeast. The research highlights the need for increased public investments in open-source research and education to ensure a just and equitable development of the sector.
Researchers at Penn State developed a luminescent sensor that can detect and quantify low concentrations of terbium in complex acidic samples. The sensor uses a protein called lanmodulin, which is selectively binding to rare earth elements, and has the potential to help develop a domestic supply of these metals.
Researchers found that no-till production farmers can reduce herbicide use by implementing integrated weed-management practices, such as high-residue cultivation and seeding companion crops. Despite increased weed pressure, crop yields and profits were not significantly affected.
The Center for Atomically Thin Multifunctional Coatings (ATOMIC) has received Phase II funding to expand its research and development of advanced 2D coatings. With the addition of Boise State University, ATOMIC aims to advance technology to more applied solutions and collaborate with industry partners on high-reward projects.
Researchers found that many collectors are planting seeds in forests to conserve wild populations, but also using commercially acquired seeds from online purchases, threatening the plant's gene pool. The study aims to better understand ginseng forest farming and promote conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
A team of researchers used remote sensing data and deep machine learning to identify hundreds of new shell ring sites in the southeastern US. The study provides a better understanding of how people lived in the area and offers a way to locate undiscovered shell rings.
A study by Penn State researchers found that Black COVID-19 patients are three times more likely to have experienced a stroke prior to their diagnosis than non-Black patients. This disparity may explain the high mortality rates among Black populations during the pandemic.
A recent study found that most structural variants in cacao genomes are deleterious, impairing gene function and adapting plants to stressors. However, some variants facilitate adaptation by influencing gene expression, particularly those associated with pathogen resistance genes.
Researchers found that people's personality, such as extroversion, and gender affect their interaction with websites. Extroverted individuals tend to prefer interactive sites that facilitate communication between users, while men and women have different preferences when it comes to interacting with computers.
New modeling results suggest that COVID-19 may behave like common-cold coronaviruses, affecting mostly young children who have not been vaccinated or exposed. The overall burden from this disease is expected to decline due to lower severity in children.
Researchers have created an AI software that uses Minecraft to test its ability to plan for future events and solve complex tasks. The software, developed by Penn State researchers, aims to advance artificial intelligence in areas such as robotics, logistics management, and drone flight.
A team from Penn State has developed a method to print biodegradable electronics on complex geometries and potentially human skin. The technique uses low-cost, low-heat pulses of light to transfer zinc nanoparticles to the surface.
Researchers used advanced electron microscopy to film human viruses in liquid droplets, revealing new structures and insights into their behavior. The technique has implications for developing better treatments and vaccines, with potential applications in COVID-19 research.
Researchers developed a novel method to visualize and understand the structural and chemical evolution of silicon and its interface with the electrolyte. This breakthrough could lead to more robust lithium batteries with improved performance and longer cycle life.
Scientists have found evidence of hydrohematite, an iron oxide mineral containing water, in Martian rocks. This discovery suggests that Mars may have once had a watery environment and could hold a significant water reserve.
A team of researchers has identified a gene called ZmCIPK15 that regulates the angle of root growth in corn, leading to improved nitrogen capture. This discovery could support breeding of crops with deeper roots to enhance food security, particularly in regions where nutrient deficiencies are prevalent.
New research at Penn State found that close, supportive relationships with parents, especially dads, can help stave off certain adjustment problems during adolescence. The study showed that father-adolescent intimacy was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and weight concerns across most of adolescence.
Researchers at Penn State create a material that can capture and purify water by forming a film with fluorinated amino acids. The film is able to hold PFAS substances for up to 24 hours, making it a potential tool for contaminant removal in drinking water.
Researchers identified four key themes contributing to diseases of despair in Pennsylvania: financial instability driving self-harming behavior, lack of infrastructure exacerbating distress, deteriorating sense of community leading to loneliness and isolation, and family fragmentation. These findings have significant implications for u...
Research suggests that global warming could reduce the spread of dengue fever by making mosquitoes more sensitive to warmer temperatures. However, it may also limit the effectiveness of Wolbachia, a bacterium used to control viral infections in mosquitoes.
The newly launched NEID spectrometer will measure the minute gravitational tug of planets on their host stars, enabling the detection of rocky planets and characterization of exoplanetary atmospheres. By utilizing this technology, scientists aim to push the boundaries for searching smaller exoplanets and probing beyond past challenges.
A new algorithm can help researchers understand how simple actions lead to complex behaviors in biological systems, such as cancer growth and voting patterns. The algorithm analyzes Boolean networks, which are collections of nodes that are either on or off, to identify attractors that correspond to stable long-term behaviors.
Researchers at Penn State identified a link between red blood cell flow and fluctuations in brain oxygenation. The study found that random flow rates through tiny blood vessels contribute to these changes, which may have implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases.
Penn State researchers have developed an imaging technique that can not only identify but also potentially treat deep vein thrombosis by breaking down blood clots. The particles used in the technique bind to activated platelets and inhibit further clot growth, disrupting the clot or inhibiting its mechanism to persist.
Researchers found that fawns in areas with multiple predators and humans tend to relax instead of being hypervigilant. The study used trail cameras to analyze the behavior of fawns, adult deer, and predators in different landscapes.
Research found that patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) had twice as long hospital stays and double the total health care costs compared to those receiving standard care. Delivering ECT in outpatient settings may make treatment more cost-effective.
SourcePenn State·JournalAdministration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research·DateJul 14, 2021
Researchers found that combining prescribed fires with suppression operations reduces tree mortality by 72%, compared to 22% for operations alone. The study's findings suggest that prescribed burns have a strong moderating effect on wildfires, making fire management strategies more effective.
Researchers from four universities collaborate to develop novel building materials using natural Black hair texture and styling practices. The team translates African American cultural practices into architectural applications, creating transformative built environments.
A team of researchers has created a new normal brain growth curve chart for children, resolving decades-long issues in the field. The study found that male and female brains grow differently, but not in terms of cognitive ability, and that there is a universal ratio between brain size and cerebrospinal fluid volume.
A recent Penn State study found that women and lower-education users are more likely to tweet personal information, despite higher vulnerability to online privacy threats. Contrary to expectations, socioeconomic status and demographics did not significantly impact the use of account security features.
A team of researchers from Penn State and Northern Arizona University developed a statistical risk model linking supply chain diversity to the probability of a city experiencing food shocks. The study found that higher diversity in the supply chain leads to lower probabilities of food shock, highlighting the importance of diversifying ...
A study found that counterfeit dominance negatively impacts Anglo-American consumers' perceptions of authentic luxury fashion brands, while having little effect on Asian consumers. This is due to cultural differences in social-adjustive attitudes, with Anglo-Americans relying more on outgroups and Asians on ingroups.
Researchers at Penn State designed a synthetic defective SARS-CoV-2 virus that interferes with the real virus's growth, potentially causing its extinction. The therapeutic may be used as a self-promoting antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
The study found that streams with high detritivore diversity have higher rates of decomposition, but also discovered that the loss of these organisms can slow down this process. The researchers concluded that if detritivores continue to decline, ecosystems will struggle to sustain life due to reduced nutrient recycling.
A new method developed by Gayah and Aalto University researcher Murat Bayrak suggests eliminating left turns at busy intersections to reduce congestion. The hybrid approach uses heuristic algorithms to identify the most efficient configurations, banning left turns in city centers while allowing them on periphery roads.
SourcePenn State·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJul 6, 2021
The National Institutes of Health has funded a new predoctoral training program at Penn State to train graduate students in neural engineering. The program aims to encourage collaboration among STEM students and faculty interested in brain function and brain disorders.
A team of researchers has resurrected a forgotten genus of algae, Philozoon, previously discovered in the late 1800s. The study reveals that these micro-algal symbionts live inside animal tissues and create photosynthetic animals, highlighting their ecological significance.
An international team has developed a predictive tool to help mitigate COVID-19 in Africa, utilizing current case data, population, economic status, and meteorological sensing from satellites. The tool provides weekly projections of expected cases and helps countries decide on mitigation policies.
A new study by Penn State College of Medicine reveals that people living with HIV/AIDS are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and die from suicide than the general population. The researchers found that despite medical advancements, the risk of suicide in this population is high.