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.
The study observed a rare phenomenon known as the dynamic breaking of Friedel's Law in layered van der Waals materials, where the pairs of Bragg peaks show opposite oscillating patterns. This unique behavior is attributed to the lattice structure of the material and its effect on electron diffraction.
Researchers found a statistically significant difference in storm structure between those producing tornadoes and non-tornadic supercells, which could lead to more accurate warnings. The study suggests using polarimetric radar data to identify the orientation of raindrop shapes, potentially improving tornado warning times.
Researchers at Penn State suggest that supermassive black hole coronae could be the source of high-energy cosmic neutrinos, exceeding expectations. The new model predicts electromagnetic counterparts in soft gamma-rays, with next-generation detectors poised to explore this possibility.
Researchers have gained a new understanding of relaxor ferroelectric behavior, which relies on both experiment and theoretical modeling. This breakthrough shows that relaxor ferroelectricity in polymers comes from chain conformation disorders induced by chirality.
Research confirms that breeding areas with more open canopies do provide opportunities for timber rattlesnakes to reach required body temperatures, but also increase risk of hawks and bobcats. Forest managers should balance canopy cover and predation risk during future conservation efforts.
A new study by Penn State researchers reveals that genetic deletions linked to neurodevelopmental disorders affect not only brain development but also other parts of the body. The findings suggest that these deletions can cause defects in multiple organ systems, including heart, kidney, and skeletal structures.
Researchers found that consumers can identify different bitter compounds in beer, but this does not influence their liking for the beverage. The study suggests that beer drinkers prefer a general bitterness rather than specific bitter qualities, which may help breweries with quality assurance.
The 2017 Women's March drew little negative commentary on Twitter, with most tweets about the event being positive and supportive. Despite some controversy, the march was met with widespread enthusiasm, with over 40,000 users tweeting about the event on its day.
Researchers at Penn State and Xiangtan University developed a device that analyzes sweat for biomarkers like pH and glucose to monitor health conditions. The single-opening device reduces evaporation and allows for on-the-spot analysis using a colorimetric approach.
Scientists at Penn State have fabricated a 'photonic topological insulator' that can mediate interaction between photons and form self-sustaining wave patterns called solitons. This innovation could lead to more efficient lasers, medical imaging, and other photonic technologies.
Researchers estimate that the initial COVID-19 infection rate was undercounted due to testing issues and asymptomatic individuals. They found that excess ILI data showed a nearly perfect correlation with the spread of COVID-19, suggesting a much greater undiagnosed population than originally thought.
Researchers discovered well-preserved conifer fossils in Patagonia that show the Araucaria genus has roots in the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. The findings suggest that relatives of Norfolk Island pines were part of a rainforest stretching across Australasia and Antarctica.
A recent study found that seven patient samples contained M. orygis, a subspecies not typically associated with human TB, indicating potential zoonotic transmission in India. The researchers suggest broadening the definition of zoonotic TB to include other MTBC subspecies capable of causing human disease.
A Penn State sociologist finds that opinions on non-political issues are increasingly aligned with ideology, forming a 'political oil spill' phenomenon. This division is growing broader and more complex, threatening compromise and agreement.
Researchers found that forests on shale bedrock store 25% more live aboveground carbon and grow 55% faster than those on sandstone bedrock, making them ideal for conservation and carbon sequestration.
A team of Penn State professors has received a $3 million grant to investigate food resilience in the face of catastrophic global events. The researchers aim to develop strategies for emergency food production, including the use of alternative crops, soilless growing systems, and long-term storage methods.
A study analyzing trends in muskrat mortality found associations with viruses, fungal infections, and toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides. The research provides a baseline for understanding potential role of pathogens and contaminants in declining muskrat populations across North America.
A new image of the LSD1 enzyme reveals its role in regulating genes and interacting with the nucleosome. The discovery sheds light on how cancer cells disrupt normal development and highlights potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers investigate vulnerability of smart city water and energy systems to cyber attacks, which can cause blackouts and damage. The study aims to develop detection methodologies to counteract such criminal acts using mathematical attack models and big data analytics-based methods.
Researchers have developed self-assembling biomimetic composites with unusual electrical properties. By breaking the rule of mixtures, these materials can exhibit different in-plane and out-of-plane conductivities.
A genetic analysis of brook trout in Loyalsock Creek drainage reveals that fish are moving between tributaries, using the mainstem as a seasonal corridor. This finding contradicts previous research and suggests that conservation efforts should focus on larger streams and rivers to protect critical movement corridors.
Researchers at Penn State created a brief animated video to educate people about the risks of antibiotics, finding it effective in convincing participants that antibiotic use can be risky. The study suggests that a video intervention could help increase public awareness and promote antibiotic stewardship.
A Penn State research team examined the effects of differential privacy on mortality rates in 2010, revealing dramatic changes in population counts for racial and ethnic minorities. The findings highlight concerns about data accuracy, funding allocations, and understated health risks in some areas.
A team of researchers at Penn State has developed a handheld ultraviolet light device that can effectively disinfect areas by killing the novel coronavirus. The device uses high-performance UV LEDs emitting a high intensity of UV light, which is currently limited by transparent electrode materials.