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.
A team of researchers found that unequal neutron-star mergers can create an electromagnetic signal, which could be detected using gravitational-wave detectors like LIGO. The simulations revealed that the larger star tears apart its partner, creating a slower merger and allowing an 'electromagnetic bang' to escape.
Researchers found that 59.3% of men and 56.2% of women over 75 received unnecessary colorectal cancer screenings, while 45.8% of women under 65 received unnecessary cervical cancer screenings. The study highlights the need for targeted screening recommendations to balance risks with benefits.
A new study using loop quantum cosmology accounts for two major mysteries of the universe's largest scales. The research resolves two anomalies that have puzzled scientists for years, providing a closer look at the early universe and its primordial features.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a way to enhance superconductivity in materials by layering molybdenum sulfide with molybdenum carbide, increasing conductivity by 50% to 6 Kelvin. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient energy transmission and storage.
A team of international scientists reconstructed the evolutionary history of SARS-CoV-2 and found that the lineage has been circulating in bats for decades. The study suggests that preventing future pandemics requires better sampling within wild bats and real-time human disease surveillance systems.
Researchers used seismic waves to study chemical reactions deep below ground, revealing changes in porosity and saturation of rocks. The findings have implications for understanding water quality and protecting valuable groundwater resources.
Researchers created a self-healing polymer that mimics squid ring teeth, enabling fast and efficient repair of soft robotic actuators. The material can heal within one second, regaining its original strength and being fully biodegradable and recyclable.
Researchers are investigating the link between impaired brain hubs and mental health issues using cutting-edge methods. The study aims to understand how hub regions contribute to altered brain network function and behavior, potentially leading to better treatments for brain disorders.
A new technology has been developed by Penn State researchers that enables better light control without requiring large materials and structures. This hybrid photonic architecture combines the best qualities of photonic integrated circuits and metasurfaces, paving the way for multifunctional devices with flexible access to free space.
Researchers at Penn State determined the optimum dosage of 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) to reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy cows by 16-36%, with no effect on milk production or quality. The study's findings suggest that widespread use of 3-NOP could be an affordable strategy to mitigate climate change.
Researchers found playing a simple conversation game increased African Americans' participation in end-of-life care planning, including discussing preferences with family members and completing advanced directives. The study suggests the game is a valuable tool to address disparities in end-of-life care for African Americans.
A new study led by Penn State finds that LCCBs can cause vascular remodeling, reducing blood flow and increasing pressure. This damage can lead to an increased risk of heart failure in patients taking the medication.
A Penn State researcher challenges the prevailing view that indigenous peoples' fires had a minor ecological impact. Instead, Abrams argues that indigenous peoples played a significant role in managing forests through frequent, low-intensity fires. This management approach allowed for extensive agriculture and supported wildlife habitats.
Researchers studied Telica Volcano, using photos collected from 1994-2017 and photogrammetric techniques to quantify changes in crater morphology. They found that crater wall collapse is a primary mechanism for changing volcano shape.
The Greenland Ice Sheet holds enough water to raise sea levels nearly 24 feet. A new project, GreenDrill, aims to drill through the ice to the underlying bedrock, revealing the ice sheet's past in unprecedented detail and enabling more accurate predictions of how it may add to rising seas.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a previously unidentified nanostructure on insect surfaces that can be used to engineer stronger, more resilient water repellent coatings. These high-solid fraction textures may imbue additional water repelling benefits and could be applied to personal protective equipment (PPE) to better resis...
The US Department of Energy has awarded Penn State over $10 million to develop new ferroelectric memory materials that can be stacked in the third dimension above processor chips. This breakthrough technology aims to mitigate the von Neumann bottleneck, allowing for seamless communication between memory and computation.
Researchers have discovered that older mice have a higher number of new mutations in their mitochondrial genomes than younger mice. This finding could have significant implications for understanding human reproductive health and the causes of genetic diseases.
A new study has narrowed down the region of the genome that drives the black color in warblers by studying hybrid offspring. The hybrids have a mix of coloration from the parent species, allowing researchers to identify which regions of the genome are associated with which color patterns.
Researchers used a new technique to study oxytocin receptor expression in developing mouse brains, revealing key neural connections form during early development. The study found that oxytocin receptor expression peaks at 21 days after birth and plays a role in wiring the brain.
A study by Penn State researchers found that every COVID-19 death will impact around nine surviving close family members, including grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, and children. The multiplier effect may help raise awareness about the disease's ripple effects and inform policies on family leave and paid leave.
Researchers discovered that goldenrod plants respond to gall fly sex pheromones by priming their chemical defenses, reducing gall formation, but varying effects depending on male fly age. Younger males result in fewer galls, while older males yield more galls.
A study of over 2,000 women found that those who delivered by C-section were less likely to conceive after unprotected intercourse, with approximately 69% conceiving compared to 78% for vaginal deliveries. The association remained even after accounting for various factors.
A recent study by Penn State researchers found that people seeking novel sensations and taking risks are more likely to enjoy bitter beers like IPAs. These individuals perceive bitterness more intensely and have a higher tendency to drink pale-ale-style beers.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that can deliver a localized cancer treatment by inhibiting tumor growth in mice. The nanoparticles use a specific chemistry to attach a microRNA that prevents cancer cells from producing proteins, leading to cell death.
Researchers discovered that flavonoids from a specific corn line reduced inflammation in mice with an inflammatory-bowel-disease-like condition. The study suggests that flavonoid-rich corn may provide protective effects on human health, offering a promising new approach to treating chronic intestinal disease.