A new wearable device collects biofluids such as tears and saliva to analyze conditions like oral ulcers, oral cancer, and eye infections on a rapid, continuous basis. The sensors also administer medicine with microneedles through the skin, offering improved treatment options for patients.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new root trait that allows plants to grow deeper roots capable of penetrating hard soil layers. This trait, called multiseriate cortical sclerenchyma, is characterized by small cells with thick walls and lends rigidity to the roots.
Penn State researchers found that summer temperatures and precipitation influence honey bee winter survival. The study developed a tool for forecasting winter survival probability using growing degree days and other environmental variables. This prediction model can help beekeepers make informed management decisions.
Researchers have discovered that toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems play a crucial role in plasmid replication and bacterial antibiotic resistance. The presence or absence of plasmids significantly impacts a bacterium's ability to cause infection.
Research found that individuals with lower power distance beliefs (egalitarian values) react more harshly to morally transgressing companies due to increased empathy for victims. Companies can improve standing by offering sincere apologies and remedies.
A study found that specific Facebook activities, such as posting pictures, commenting, and customizing profiles, are more important to older adults' user experience and well-being than their overall use of the site. These activities enhance feelings of competence, relatedness, and autonomy, leading to higher levels of well-being.
A new analysis of nearly two decades of satellite data shows that economic development, fossil-fuel combustion, and air quality are closely linked on a continental and national scale. However, under favorable policies, these factors can be decoupled.
Researchers have developed a method to detect flank instability in volcanoes using satellite images, revealing surface deformation related to flank motion at Pacaya volcano. The technique provides finer detail of volcanic flank motion and can reveal upticks in the rate that creep is occurring.
Cryo-electron microscopy study reveals how an enzyme synthesizes ribosomal RNA at different speeds depending on the bacteria's growth rate, providing insights into the regulation of this process and its importance in E. coli cells.
Researchers studied feral and managed honey bee colonies to understand how environmental and genetic factors impact pathogen tolerance. Feral colonies showed higher levels of certain pathogens but increased immune gene expression, which correlated with survival rates.
A team of Penn State researchers used machine learning algorithms to improve the efficiency of design evaluations for porous materials. By leveraging image colorization techniques, they reduced computational load while maintaining accuracy. The findings provide a framework for designers to create more structurally responsible parts wit...
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a unique enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the production of thiostrepton, a potent antibiotic that can also target breast cancer cells. The breakthrough, detailed in a new Nature Chemistry study, could lead to the development of more effective human medicines.
Researchers found increased blood flow and dilation of brain arterioles during non-REM and REM sleep stages, indicating the brain's ability to clear waste products. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of how disrupted sleep affects mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
A team of Penn State engineers has developed a lithium iron phosphate battery that can charge in 10 minutes and reduce range anxiety in electric vehicles. The battery's ability to quickly heat up and cool down allows for rapid recharging without sacrificing performance.
Researchers developed a novel decontamination method using pulsed ultraviolet light to inactivate microbial strains on eggshells, achieving significant reductions. The technology showed no negative effects on hatching eggs or chick growth, improving food safety and potential financial constraints.
A study led by Penn State researchers found that climate change poses a significant threat to wild bee communities due to rising temperatures and precipitation patterns. The team's analysis of 14-year data sets revealed that temperature and precipitation were the most critical factors influencing wild bee abundance and species diversity.
Researchers found that high cortisol concentrations in newborn fawns were associated with lower survival rates. Cortisol levels varied between study areas, suggesting other environmental factors may influence mortality rates.
Researchers found that individuals who enjoyed zombie and apocalyptic movies before the pandemic were better equipped to deal with it. Immersing oneself in fiction can serve as mental rehearsal for real-life events, according to the study published in Personality and Individual Differences.
Antioxidants prevent imaging damage to conducting polymers, allowing for higher-resolution imaging and new insights into polymer structure. This breakthrough enables further development of soft electronic devices.
Researchers develop peptide that disrupts protective outer coating of TB pathogen, making it susceptible to antibiotics and die. The peptide specifically targets the fatty acid on the pathogen's surface, allowing it to effectively kill the bacteria without harming good bacteria.
A team of researchers studied over 3,500 leaf fossils from Patagonia, Argentina, and found a surprising 92% species-level extinction rate in the region. The study suggests that despite high extinction rates, South American plant families largely survived and grew more diverse during the Paleogene period.
Research found that men and women endorsing traditional forms of masculinity were more likely to vote for and have positive feelings towards Trump. Hegemonic masculinity, a culturally idealized form of masculinity emphasizing strength, dominance, and power, was linked to increased sexism, racism, and xenophobia.
Desalination membranes' density distribution at the nanoscale is crucial for performance. Thinner membranes with consistent density improve water filtration, contrary to previous thought that thickness matters more. This breakthrough could lead to 30-40% efficiency increase and cost savings.
Researchers found that almost two-thirds of light smokers (1-4 cigarettes/day) and a quarter of those smoking less than weekly were addicted. The study suggests that clinicians should consider lighter smokers for treatment, as they may still require assistance to quit.
A study found relatively high levels of clovamide in disease-resistant chocolate tree leaves, a potential contributor to resistance against black pod rot. The discovery could lead to novel breeding programs and streamline the breeding process using a 'marker-assisted selection' approach.
The researchers are developing two self-administered scratch-and-sniff smell tests to detect COVID-19. The first test identifies odors such as smoke, strawberry, chocolate, and onions, while the second test reveals sensitivity to different concentrations of the same odor.
Researchers found that surgery in addition to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy increased the length of survival for stage four breast cancer patients. The study, published in Annals of Surgical Oncology, suggests that knowing a cancer's biological subtype can help determine effective treatment plans.
Researchers found that surgery in addition to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy increased survival for stage four breast cancer patients. Patients with hormone receptor-positive tumors saw a prolonged length of survival when their treatment plan included surgery.
Researchers found that deep, slow-slip behaviors beneath subduction zones, such as Cascadia, may control the timing and behavior of megathrust earthquakes. Slow-slip events, which occur at a deeper depth than damaging earthquakes, release energy in different directions, primarily down.
Researchers found that reduced amounts of p120ctn contribute to resistance in cancers with high EGFR levels, leading to poorer treatment outcomes. Testing for p120ctn levels may help clinicians identify patients at risk for therapy resistance or relapse.
Research led by Penn State scientists found that bumble bees in low-quality landscapes had higher levels of disease pathogens. The study's findings can inform management practices to support the conservation of wild bee populations and highlight the importance of maintaining high-quality habitats.
Researchers found that fibrous proteins form a solid layer on water's surface, interfering with fluid property measurements. This finding has the potential to improve bioprinting results by identifying optimal protein solution concentrations and operating parameters.
A team of Penn State engineers found a connection between nitric oxide-expressing neurons and changes in arterial diameters in mice, shedding light on brain function and aging. The researchers discovered that approximately half of the dynamic range in blood vessel diameter is controlled by a small group of neurons.
Researchers at Penn State have created multilayered quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) insulators, enabling the realization of the QAH effect over a broader range of conditions. This allows for the construction of high-speed electronic highways with minimal energy loss, which could significantly improve information transfer speed.
Researchers found that a small percentage of locations and events contribute to the majority of annual pollution loads entering the bay. The study suggests targeting 'hot moments' -- not just 'hot spots' -- across impaired watersheds to achieve water-quality-restoration goals.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a nanomaterial cement mixture that can effectively seal leaky natural gas wells, reducing methane emissions. The new cement is more resistant to cracking and can be pumped through narrow spaces, making it suitable for use in active unconventional wells and orphaned abandoned gas wells.
Researchers have discovered a new toxin-antitoxin system that allows bacteria to slow down their activity and thrive during periods of scarcity. The HEPN/MNT system, the most abundant TA system in prokaryotes, enables bacteria to conserve energy and resources by inhibiting toxin production.
A preschool enrichment program, REDI, has been shown to boost social and emotional skills that still have positive effects years later. Children attending Head Start preschools with the REDI program were less likely to experience behavioral problems and emotional symptoms by seventh and ninth grade.
Penn State researchers have created an automated process planning software to optimize additive manufacturing, reducing design time and material waste. The software uses algorithmic mapping of designs from CAD software to AM to minimize unnecessary steps, enabling faster production and lower costs.
Penn State researchers computationally modeled the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 protein spike to ACE2, finding it highly optimized for human binding. The team also explored changes in the virus spike that could alter its affinity with human ACE2, potentially informing future research on vaccine durability and animal transmission.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new system that can harvest energy from human breathing and motion to power wearable health-monitoring devices. The system uses stretchable micro-supercapacitors with an island-bridge design, allowing it to stretch up to 100% without losing its functionality.
An international team of researchers has connected specific genetic signals with specific areas of the face, identifying 203 genomic regions that play a role in human facial development. The study sheds light on craniofacial malformations such as cleft lip and palate, as well as evolutionary differences between various populations.
Research found that neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, cause tissue death in brain cancer tissues, leading to poor survival rates for glioblastoma patients. The study identified ferroptosis as the underlying mechanism, which promotes tumor growth.
A Penn State research team conducted field tests on three commonly used mineral-based aerosol sunscreens, finding trace nanoparticles but at safe levels. The study suggests that the canister design and active ingredients are unlikely to produce vastly different amounts of nanoparticles.
A recent study found that pallets are responsible for over 30,000 hospital emergency room visits in the US due to unintentional contact. The majority of injured individuals were between 35-44 years old, with children under 18 and elderly people also at risk.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly half a million cancer patients in the US between 15-39 years old to determine cancer cases in this age group. The results show a 30% rise in cancer diagnoses among adolescents and young adults, with kidney, thyroid, and gastrointestinal cancers increasing at the greatest rates.
A study by Penn State researchers found that cultural factors significantly impact gesture choices, with some gestures differing between American and Chinese participants. The team identified common ground among cultures for similar purposes and actions.
Researchers used statistical analysis of zircon ages to determine continental formation timelines. The study suggests that modern-scale watersheds formed as early as 2.7 billion years ago.
Researchers at Penn State and the University of Michigan have developed an inexpensive therapy to prevent antibiotic resistance. The 'anti-antibiotic', cholestyramine, reduces fecal shedding of daptomycin-resistant bacteria by up to 80-fold, providing a potential solution to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.
Two genes involved in plumage coloration have evolved through distinct processes: ASIP, which produces melanin, and BCO2, which produces carotenoid pigments. The researchers found evidence of introgression, where genes from one species were transferred to another, contributing to the warblers' diverse colors.