A new multi-scale approach reveals that fracturing and erosion at the surface set the pace of oxidation in deep underground rocks. The team found that microorganisms can form on pyrite, but geologic processes slow the reaction, preventing acid accumulation.
Membraneless compartments, known as complex coacervates, respond predictably to wet-dry cycling, a process likely common during the early development of life on Earth. The behavior informs current applications of the droplets found in household items and has implications for the evolution of life.
A novel, one-step process converts sulfur dioxide to pure sulfur at lower temperatures than traditional methods, reducing waste and energy consumption. This breakthrough technology has the potential to replace existing desulfurization methods and significantly improve environmental outcomes.
Researchers at Penn State have developed new methods to enhance light emission and increase signal strength in 2D materials. By altering the atomic makeup and physical shape of these materials, they created new types of materials that can attract different molecules and induce superconductivity. These advancements have significant impl...
A team of researchers found that cloud-induced infrared radiative feedback creates a localized greenhouse effect, trapping heat and accelerating the formation of tropical cyclones. This process is believed to be instrumental in the origin of many tropical storm events.
Researchers are using a new technology to monitor the movement of thawing Arctic permafrost. A 1.5-kilometer fiber-optic cable will be turned into a long line of vibration sensors to collect seismic data and predict future behavior of the thawing permafrost.
A team of Penn State researchers suggests considering uncertainties when deciding how high to elevate houses in river flood zones. By looking at the range of possible outcomes, decision makers can improve their choices, reducing both the probability of flooding and net costs.
Researchers have developed a machine learning model that analyzes speech and facial movements to diagnose strokes with high accuracy, potentially saving valuable time in diagnosing the condition. The tool was tested on over 80 patients and achieved 79% accuracy comparable to clinical diagnostics by emergency room doctors.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that grafted plants with epigenetically modified rootstock exhibit increased vigor, productivity, and resilience compared to parental plants. The technique uses gene expression manipulation rather than genetic modification, sidestepping controversy surrounding GMOs.
Penn State researchers are creating a new method to monitor HIV treatment effectiveness at home. The device will enable patients to use a finger prick test and reduce hospital visits to check their viral loads, reducing mortality and morbidity rates.
Researchers found evidence that thinning of the lithosphere is generating heat needed to initiate process of stabilizing continental crust. This challenges previous understanding of mountain building and suggests a new mechanism for continent stability.
Researchers found that several nasal and oral rinses had a strong ability to neutralize human coronavirus, suggesting these products could reduce virus spread by COVID-19-positive individuals. The 1% baby shampoo solution inactivated over 99.9% of the virus after a two-minute contact time.
A recent study published in the National Review of Black Politics found that people who don't embody a typical white American identity may have complicated feelings of Americanness that affect their politics. The researchers analyzed data from the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey and found that racial and ethnic mino...
Researchers at Penn State have developed a gel-based 3D bioprinting method that can create complex shapes and tissues with precise cell placement. The yield stress gel allows for the self-healing of the gel structure, enabling the creation of free-form, complex shapes.
A team of researchers from Penn State and NYU has deconstructed the 'biological clock' that regulates birdsong, revealing delays within neuronal circuits play a critical role in timing. The study found a wide distribution of delays in the circuit, allowing for higher resolution and more precise control over complex behaviors.
A rapid and simple method for testing the efficacy of antibacterial drugs has been developed by Penn State researchers. The technique uses dynamic laser speckle imaging coupled with machine learning to predict whether bacteria are alive or dead, allowing for accurate determination of minimum inhibitory concentration values. This could ...
Researchers at Penn State used deep learning to clear up noise in radar satellite data, enabling near real-time observation of volcanic movements. The system can build an accurate picture of the land and its movements, spotting potential warning signs like sudden land shifts.
Research suggests that people do not trust health content on crowdsourced sites, even with expert curation, due to concerns about misinformation and manipulation. However, interactive features such as editing functions can increase perceived credibility.
Carnivorous plants have evolved to digest insect prey by repurposing defense proteins, a mechanism that is regulated through genetic mechanisms. The study aims to understand the evolution and regulation of this process.
Researchers developed a novel technique to produce high-performing biometric sensors by printing them directly on human skin at room temperature. The sensors can capture precise temperature, humidity, blood oxygen levels, and heart performance signals, and are environmentally friendly, making them suitable for people with sensitive skin.
A Penn State College of Medicine researcher is leading a three-year project to create an atlas of developing mice brains using computational tools and high-resolution imaging. The goal is to better understand brain development and identify key cells that may contribute to disorders like autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers found that accounting for climate variability increases predicted sea level rise by 2.7-4.3 inches by 2100, compared to 10.6-14.9 inches without variability. This additional ice melt will impact hurricane storm surges globally.
Fossils found in southeastern Yunan Province, China, reveal monkeys existed in Asia alongside apes, and are believed to be ancestors of modern East Asian monkeys. These ancient primates were well adapted for movement both on land and in trees, with a versatile diet that allowed them to thrive in diverse environments.
A large international study of COVID-19 patients found that pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes can increase a patient's risk of dying from the virus. The study, published in PLOS ONE, suggests that these chronic conditions are a warning sign for a higher risk of death.
A team of scientists has developed a unique COVID-19 vaccine that utilizes a bovine adenovirus as a safe and effective delivery vehicle. The vaccine aims to provide protection to all segments of the population, especially older adults with declining immune systems.
Researchers reconstructed the ancestral great ape Y chromosome, showing rapid evolution in bonobo and chimpanzee. The study found accelerated rates of DNA sequence change and gene loss, suggesting mating habits may have driven this evolution.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine discovered that IL-21 is critical for the development of effective immune responses to chronic infections in the central nervous system. Injecting IL-21 into cerebrospinal fluid reduced deficiencies in mice with impaired CD4 T-cell production and gene expression related to TRM cells.
Researchers found that allowing farmers to harvest vegetation from riparian buffers minimally impacts water quality, with only slight annual average reductions in nutrient and sediment capture. The location of the buffer was most important, as buffers between fields and streams removed more pollutants than those near streams.
A study by Penn State researchers found that suburban areas support the highest number of cricket and katydid species due to intermediate levels of urbanization. The use of aural point count surveys offers a simple and efficient method for monitoring and mapping insect populations, providing vital insights for conservation efforts.
Researchers identified a previously unknown strain of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus bacteria as the primary cause of post-infectious hydrocephalus in Ugandan infants. The bacteria is linked to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which causes neurological damage and can lead to severe cognitive and physical disabilities.
A new study suggests that limited iron levels in corals could impair their ability to respond to climate change. High water temperatures and low iron availability compromise the algae living within coral cells, leading to reduced growth and function.
A new algorithm has been developed by Penn State researchers to train adversarial bots that can exploit weaknesses in master game bots using deep reinforcement learning. The algorithm successfully defeated a world-class AI bot in StarCraft II, highlighting the security threat of using such agents.
A team of Penn State researchers has integrated water purification technology into a sea water electrolyzer, which uses an electric current to split apart the hydrogen and oxygen in water molecules. This new method can make it easier to turn wind and solar energy into a storable and portable fuel.
Researchers found that excessive social media use is related to depression and secondary trauma, suggesting taking a break may promote well-being. Over half of respondents reported some level of depression, while more than half experienced increased hand washing and face mask use as a result of social media.
As the atmosphere warms, ocean stability increases, leading to reduced carbon burial and decreased productivity. Cooler water layers not mixing due to stable conditions prevents oxygen and nutrient delivery.
Researchers found existing CSC apps can only support five processes of a traditional exam, including establishing patient history and ordering tests. Users perceive these apps as lacking comprehensive medical history and flexible symptom input.
A team of Penn State researchers suggests that simpler models may be a better choice for determining some climate risk due to their ability to better sample uncertainties. This approach can help decision-makers quantify risks more effectively, even if it means sacrificing some detail in the model.
Researchers at Penn State develop a new type of imaging that uses reconfigurable particle-based masks to take multiple shots of an object, improving disease diagnosis and microscopy. The technology may also lead to thinner cellphone cameras by minimizing the space requirement.
Researchers found that 50% of plots showed signs of tree regeneration, and water balance projections indicate enough moisture for seedlings. Proper management can prevent severe fires, creating resilient conditions in dry forest areas.
The center is focused on quantum devices and biosensing, creating materials with exceptional optical properties. Researchers are also exploring new crystal chemistry techniques to develop sustainable energy materials.
A research team created dual-mode sensors that capture texture and force, enabling precise measurement of movement magnitude, load, rate, duration, and direction. These sensors could aid people with severe injuries and contribute to advanced robotics.
A team of researchers suggests using two thin films of different materials to create affordable and efficient solar cells. The proposed configuration achieves a 34% efficiency rate, surpassing the efficiency of individual components.
Michael E. Mann, a leading climate researcher, has received the 2020 World Sustainability Award for his groundbreaking work on climate change and sustainability. He is recognized for his contributions to understanding human impact on climate change and advancing climate modeling and statistical methods.
Researchers at Penn State found that certain coping techniques, such as wearing masks and focusing on self-care, were associated with positive mental health outcomes during the pandemic. These strategies, along with protecting oneself from COVID-19 and seeking support, can help bolster mental health.
Astronomers have detected a Jupiter-sized planet, TOI-1899 b, orbiting a low-mass star, providing insights into the formation of giant planets. The discovery was made possible by the Habitable-zone Planet Finder spectrograph and offers a unique opportunity to study the properties of warm Jupiters.
Penn State researchers discovered that adding background noise can enhance weak signals in manmade sensors, a phenomenon common in the animal world. This technique, known as stochastic resonance, can be used to detect other signals with low energy consumption and space requirements, making it suitable for deployment in IoT applications.
A new algorithm called Ohm predicts allosteric sites in proteins using their structure, which can aid in protein engineering and drug design. The tool may help reduce unintended side effects caused by drugs targeting similar proteins.
Mechanical engineering researchers studied fruit flies' eye movements to improve robotic flight control. The study found that flies use eye movements to quickly coordinate their wings in response to visual cues, with reactions up to four times faster than the body or wings.
Small-scale poultry farmers in Vietnam quickly sell their birds during viral outbreaks to avoid financial loss, increasing disease transmission. This practice can contaminate other birds and expose consumers to risk.
A Penn State-developed algorithm can spot illicit online pharmacies that sell substandard medications and potentially addictive drugs without a prescription. The system uses web analytics and predictive models to identify bad sites and alert consumers before they make a purchase.