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.
A new wearable gas sensor has been developed to detect nitrogen dioxide at low concentrations, with improved sensitivity compared to conventional designs. The sensor combines laser-induced graphene foam material with molybdenum disulfide and reduced-graphene oxide nanocomposites, enabling real-time environmental monitoring applications.
A new AI app aims to improve the diets and nutrition of adolescent girls in urban settings in Ghana and Vietnam. The app will use machine learning to analyze users' food consumption, provide personalized dietary advice, and encourage healthy eating habits.
A study found that people who catastrophize about their pain are less likely to be physically active later in the day, leading to a cycle of sedentary behavior and worsened pain. This psychological factor may explain why patients with chronic pain avoid physical activities despite its importance for pain management.
A newly developed genotyping chip can help establish and maintain genetic diversity in reef restoration efforts. The chip allows researchers to genetically identify corals and their symbiotic algae, enabling conservation biologists to track coral diversity and compare samples.
A self-assembling monolayer of electrochemically active molecules protects the surface of the lithium anode, preventing dendritic growth and increasing cycle life. This technology enables cold charging and quick-charging capabilities in lithium metal batteries.
Research in Niger links measles outbreaks to rainfall and temperature patterns, revealing a strong annual cycle associated with agricultural labor migrations. Vaccination strategies targeting migrating populations during the rainy season may break this pattern, reducing outbreaks.
A new study found that transmission risk of the PPRV virus increases with specific husbandry practices, including introducing sheep or goats to herds and attending seasonal grazing camps. In contrast, herd size was not related to transmission risk, but rather social cliques formed within individual compounds.
A team of engineers has developed a low-power collision detector inspired by locusts' ability to avoid collisions. The device mimics the locust's response to incoming objects, responding in two seconds and using minimal energy.
A region-wide study by Penn State researchers confirms that invasive shrubs have an advantage over native shrubs, contributing to their proliferation. The study found that invasive shrubs maintain leaves for 77 days longer than native shrubs, giving them a competitive edge in acquiring energy and creating shade.
A study found four distinct classes of drinkers, each with their own vocabulary and habits, providing insight into drinking habits and potentially informing intervention efforts. The results suggest that understanding how drunk someone feels may be a better predictor of risky behavior than objective measures.
The Penn State-led university research alliance aims to develop high-resolution radiation detectors capable of identifying dirty bombs or concealed radiation materials. The team plans to design low-cost, high-efficiency room-temperature detectors that would eliminate the need for extreme temperatures to control detecting materials.
Researchers at Penn State expand gene-editing technology for use in vertebrates like mice, fish, and birds with new funding. The ReMOT Control tool builds on CRISPR/Cas9, enabling efficient delivery of gene-editing cargo to targeted regions of DNA.
Researchers found that the expression of species in a mixture can differ greatly across locations, highlighting the need for customized cover crop mixes. The study shows that low soil inorganic nitrogen favors legume species while a shorter growing season favors triticale.
A study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found no association between telomere length and child sexual abuse in mothers. The researchers checked telomeres of the mothers' children as well, but also didn't find any link.
A new AI algorithm can identify environmental and psychological factors that contribute to substance abuse among homeless youth, allowing for personalized rehabilitation programs. The model, developed by Penn State researchers, found adverse childhood experiences and PTSD to be strong predictors of substance use disorder.
Researchers found a higher prevalence of anemia in pregnant women with malaria and HIV coinfections compared to those without infections. The study suggests that multipronged strategies to prevent and treat these infections are critical to ensure the survival of mothers and their unborn babies.
A two-year study found that fungal spores of Colletotrichum fioriniae, the cause of bitter rot disease, reside symbiotically within apple leaves. The research suggests that the fungus is a leaf endophyte, with most spores coming from forest samples, and has important implications for fruit tree management.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that cover crop roots play a crucial role in increasing soil organic carbon levels and promoting biodiversity. The study found that diverse mixtures of cover crops resulted in increased root biomass and improved soil carbon inputs.
Xin Ning, a Penn State aerospace engineer, has received a National Science Foundation grant to develop a stretchable sensor and foldable field hospital to aid in the COVID-19 pandemic. The wearable sensor will monitor vital signs while being flexible and wire-free.
Researchers found that plant genetic variation influences root flavonoids and soil microbial community composition, which can be impacted by frost. The study suggests that flavonoid production and interactions with microorganisms may provide tolerance to cold and frost stress in sorghum.
A supersensitive dopamine detector developed using 2D materials can help diagnose disorders such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. The detector is low-cost, flexible, and can detect dopamine in real-time, making it a promising tool for non-invasive monitoring.
A new treatment process recovers higher concentrations of rare earth elements from acid mine drainage (AMD), a significant environmental concern. The two-stage method uses carbon dioxide to extract valuable minerals at lower costs and environmental impact.
Researchers from Penn State and Université libre de Bruxelles have discovered an ancient shell llama offering in Lake Titicaca, revealing the lake's significance as a locus of ritual and ceremonial activity for the Inca Empire. The finding suggests that Lake Titicaca played a crucial role in the consolidation of the empire.
Penn State researchers identified 57 medications with a narrow therapeutic index that may be impacted by concomitant cannabinoid use. This list helps medical professionals make safe prescribing choices for patients using prescription or over-the-counter cannabinoids.