Research finds that unusual DNA structures, called G-quadruplexes (G4s), are preserved by natural selection and play a role in gene expression and cellular processes. G4s are more common and stable in regions with important functions, suggesting they should be considered functional elements of the genome.
Researchers study rare warbler hybrid with mismatched color patterns to disentangle genetic drivers of traits usually inherited together. The team identifies new location in genome linked to black face mask and confirms previously identified region for black throat patch.
A newly discovered fossil deposit, Haiyan Lagerstätte, contains exceptionally preserved soft-bodied organisms and rare juvenile fossils. The study provides a unique glimpse into how these ancient animals developed from larvae to adults.
Scientists recorded sound signals from March to June 2020 in Pennsylvania using underground fiber-optic sensors. They found a quiet period during the lockdown followed by a recovery of activity as restrictions lifted, with construction and vehicle traffic recovering sooner than pedestrian traffic.
A recent study using ethane proxies has found that oil and gas wells contribute significantly to greenhouse warming, exceeding EPA estimates by 48-76%. The researchers tracked ethane and methane emissions across the US over three seasons, providing new insights into fossil fuel sources.
A new Penn State study found that doubling the amount of corn and broccoli served at a meal increased children's veggie consumption by 68%, or an additional 21 grams. The daily recommended amount for kids is about 1.5 cups, and serving larger portions may help meet this target.
Researchers have sequenced the nuclear genome of the koala lemur, a giant primate that went extinct in Madagascar around 500-2,000 years ago. The findings reveal new insights into its position on the primate family tree and how it interacted with its environment, which could help understand past lemur extinctions.
Researchers used functional MRI to understand how the brain's reward areas react to e-cigarette aerosols with and without flavor. For smokers, unflavored e-cigarettes may mimic the typical smoking experience more than flavored e-cigarettes.
Researchers found that clickbait headlines often performed worse than traditional headlines in attracting readers. The studies also suggest that using artificial intelligence to detect fake news by classifying headlines alone may be complicated and not effective.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that more than 60,000 people were treated for nonfatal agricultural-related injuries in US emergency departments between 2015 and 2019. The majority of injured individuals were youths, with nearly two-thirds being male and approximately 80% white.
Researchers at Penn State have used supercomputers to find materials that can accelerate hydrogen production from water using photocatalysis, a process that harnesses sunlight. The team identified six promising candidates, which could potentially reduce the cost of hydrogen production and make it competitive with gasoline.
Research finds that when service industry employees are financially dependent on customer tips and required to project a positive attitude, they're more likely to experience sexual harassment. The study suggests that reducing dependence on tips or relaxing emotional expectations can help mitigate this issue.
A team of researchers from Penn State, University of Nebraska--Lincoln, and NIST proposed a six sigma framework of quality control for additive manufacturing. The method involves five steps: defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling, to eliminate defects and drive profits.
A study tested over 150 sorghum germplasm lines for resistance to a fungus likely to hamper production. Researchers found sources of resistance to anthracnose leaf blight, including improved lines from various regions. The findings will help develop better recommendations for sorghum growers in Pennsylvania.
A $1 million grant will be used to develop fluorochemical dispersants, known as FTags, which coat proteins in vaccine liquids to stabilize them thermally. This technology aims to eliminate the need for refrigerated supply chains and ensure vaccines can be transported at elevated temperatures.
Millimeter wave technology offers significant promise for improving wireless network speed and reliability. Researchers are developing machine learning-based schemes to advance the technology, addressing challenges such as channel estimation and blocking from obstacles.
The American Medical Association has awarded Penn State College of Medicine $1.8 million to develop residency education programs that prepare physicians for the complexities of modern healthcare. The project aims to equip residents with health systems science knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality patient care.
Researchers at Penn State have designed and tested prototype batteries for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, which require high energy density and rapid charging. The batteries can sustain over 2,000 fast-charges and retain some charge to ensure safety in the air.
Research suggests climate change will have a larger and more widespread impact on landscapes than the emerald ash borer. The model showed that climatic changes, such as warmer temperatures and droughts, would lead to a shift in tree composition from northern to southern hardwoods.
Researchers created high-resolution maps of the virus using cryogenic electron microscopy and custom software. The 3D image revealed that an antibody binding site on CPV significantly overlapped its receptor binding site, allowing antibodies to block virus attachment and neutralize infection.
Researchers developed a robotic mechanism for picking and trimming button mushrooms, achieving a 90% success rate in initial tests. The system's performance was improved after multiple picks, demonstrating its potential for automated harvesting.
Researchers have developed semitransparent perovskite solar cells with high efficiency, enabling the creation of tandem devices that boost performance. The breakthrough could lead to transparent solar cells on windows, generating electricity from sunlight.
Research reveals that genetic differences within microscopic algae living inside corals correspond to the coral species they inhabit, suggesting a coevolutionary relationship. This partnership optimization may hold key insights into improving conservation efforts for critically endangered coral species.
A Penn State scientist has developed a new mathematical formula that may solve the decades-old problem of spacetime in Einstein's theories of relativity. By placing space and time on an equal footing, Gopalan's approach removes the negative sign problem, allowing for traditional Euclidean geometry to be applied.
Researchers found that coral species Pocillopora maintain close relationships with specific algae genera Cladocopium despite intense climate fluctuations over the last 1.5 million years. This resilience may enable them to adapt to modern ocean warming, at least in the coming decades.
A study by Penn State and Quest Diagnostics researchers found a 63% decrease in STI testing for men and 59% for women during the early months of the pandemic. This may lead to an increase in future STI cases, potentially resulting in adverse health outcomes such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
The National Science Foundation has renewed funding for the Materials Innovation Platform at Penn State's Materials Research Institute, enabling the development of new ultra-thin materials with unique quantum properties. The facility will advance 2D materials research across the US, supporting over 100 scientists nationwide.
Researchers have created a new map of dark matter in the local universe using machine learning, revealing previously undiscovered filamentary structures connecting galaxies. The map provides a detailed understanding of the distribution of dark matter and its gravitational influence on galaxies.
Researchers analyzed global pollen data to study the global rate of change in vegetation, finding a worldwide acceleration in compositional change between 4.6 and 2.9 thousand years ago. Human influence on terrestrial ecosystems exceeds climate-driven transformation during this period.
A team of researchers used computational biology and leading-edge experiments to study alpha-synuclein, a protein linked to Parkinson's disease. They found stable conformations that can form complexes with other biomolecules, offering possibilities for developing drugs to regulate the protein's function.
A new study using high-resolution CT scanning reveals key relationships between cichlid morphology and behavior, enabling scientists to infer life history and characteristics of rare or extinct fishes. This technology will aid conservation efforts by characterizing the remaining fish species in Lake Malawi.
A recent study found that only 19% of women in sub-Saharan Africa underwent cervical cancer screenings between 2011 and 2018. The rates varied greatly by country, with some countries having nearly 46% of women screened versus less than 1%. Increasing screenings is crucial to detect the disease early and improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that Indigenous languages overlap with 8,200 species ranges in African UNESCO sites, suggesting a strong connection between cultural and biodiversity preservation. The study suggests engaging Indigenous people in governance to redesign management strategies and conserve localities.
Researchers at Penn State have identified a gene controlling flowering in cacao, which may accelerate breeding efforts for disease-resistant trees. The Flowering Locus T gene's similarity to Arabidopsis' florigen protein suggests it can be used to develop new varieties with improved yields and quality traits.
A Penn State-led study found that maternal stress during pregnancy can shorten the telomeres of male lizard offspring, leading to decreased lifespan. The researchers discovered a sex-specific effect, where stressed mothers give birth to sons with significantly shorter telomeres, highlighting potential implications for human longevity.
Researchers modelled plant cell walls, discovering that chains of cellulose form a network providing both strength and extensibility. This new concept could inspire polymeric materials with new properties.
Researchers discovered that users respond differently to AI systems asking for personal info when offered help versus asking for help themselves. Help-seeking AIs gained more trust and increased intentions to share personal info. The study suggests designing AIs to increase user awareness of personal info importance.
Research published in Scientific Reports reveals that individuals with HIV are at a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and fatal outcomes from COVID-19. The study found a 24% increased risk of infection and a 78% higher risk of death among people living with HIV compared to those without the virus.
Research analyzed 100 popular children's educational apps, finding most scored low on quality criteria, including facilitating active thinking and minimizing distraction. Experts recommend parents co-play with their kids and app developers collaborate with child development experts to create high-quality educational content.
Researchers found that patients are less likely to take health advice from AI doctors who know their medical history and use first names. On the other hand, patients want to be on a first-name basis with human doctors. This study suggests that machines must navigate a fine line in serving as doctors.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel graphene-based physically unclonable function (PUF) that is more energy-efficient and secure against AI attacks than silicon-based devices. The device's unique properties make it resistant to machine learning attacks, adding tamper resistance as another security feature.
A comprehensive study of the legume family reveals a history of whole-genome duplications and helps uncover the evolution of genes involved in nitrogen fixation. The research team identified strong evidence for 28 separate whole-genome duplication events, shedding light on the evolutionary spread and diversification of legumes.
Researchers at Penn State discovered a new mechanism for terminating transcription of DNA into RNA in bacteria, facilitated by proteins NusG and NusA. The study found that these proteins together facilitate termination at about 88% of intrinsic terminators, expanding our understanding of gene regulation and potential antibiotic targets.
Penn State is leading a $1.2 million project, CANARY, to assess and catalog northern Appalachian-basin critical mineral resources and waste streams. The project aims to extract valuable materials from coal waste, promoting regional growth and addressing national security needs.
Researchers analyzed over 19,000 breastfeeding-related tweets to identify negative and positive themes affecting breastfeeding behaviors. The study found new factors influencing breastfeeding, such as fear of biting, and proposed interventions to address these issues, including technological aids and workplace accommodations.
Researchers cultivated tumor microenvironments using metastatic triple-negative breast cancer cells and studied the genetic information of entire systems. They found that cellular communication in the microenvironment drives physiological changes in tumor behavior, including growth and movement.
A study found that consumers with high need for cognition prefer content-based recommendations, while those with low need for cognition prefer collaborative filtering. The type of product also plays a role, with experience products being more appealing to consumers with high need for cognition.
Researchers discovered a mutant corn line with enhanced sugar levels due to the Maize ufo1 gene. The finding has implications for breeding crops that can thrive in a warming world, with potential benefits including improved stress tolerance, seed development, and biomass production.
A study found that people who customize their online spaces with a strong sense of identity are less likely to adopt health advice. In contrast, those who feel a sense of control are more likely to perceive the ads as threatening, leading to negative reactions. Researchers suggest customizing interfaces to preserve users' sense of cont...
A study by Penn State researchers found that people who felt pleasure in a controversial celebrity's misfortune were less likely to take steps to prevent lung cancer or COVID-19. The study suggests that schadenfreude can demotivate people from taking preventive actions, having serious public health implications.