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Penn State


Targeting two flu proteins sharply reduces airborne spread

A study in ferrets demonstrates that immunity to two proteins on the surface of the influenza virus can reduce transmission and viral evolution. Targeting both hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins can effectively curb the spread of the virus, with transmission rates dropping by half in animals with immunity to both.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2026

Q&A: What factors influence likelihood and severity of Ebola outbreaks?

Researchers at Penn State found that Ebola outbreaks are influenced by environmental and human factors, including weather patterns, vegetation health, and human movement. A strong positive correlation was found between the total length of roads and rivers in outbreak locations and the number of Ebola cases reported early in each outbreak.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiology Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2026

Q&A: Gassing up bioengineered materials for wound healing

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new class of tunable biomaterials, known as granular aerogel scaffolds, to support tissue regeneration and vascularization in wound healing. The material offers improved cell infiltration and may help rapidly form new blood vessels and regenerate damaged tissue.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiomaterials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2026

Making mini-lightning in a block of plastic

Researchers use mathematical calculations to recreate lightning-like discharge in everyday materials like acrylic and quartz. The study could enable the study of a powerful natural phenomenon at a lab bench and potentially lead to advances in meteorology and X-ray sources.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 5, 2026

Variety: Spice of life or risk factor for overeating?

A new study conducted by researchers at Penn State found that the presence of a higher variety of foods in a buffet increases both the weight and calories of food selected. Participants who visited buffets with more food options chose higher-calorie dense foods, leading to increased calorie consumption.

SourcePenn State·JournalAppetite·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2026

COVID-19 infection predicts higher risk of kidney disease, study finds

A study found that COVID-19 infection significantly increases the risk of acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure in US adults. The research used machine learning models to analyze data from over three million patients, revealing a 2.3-times higher risk of acute kidney injury compared to influenza.

SourcePenn State·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 25, 2026

Borrowing from biology to power next-gen data storage

Researchers at Penn State have developed a bio-hybrid system that combines synthetic DNA with perovskite semiconductors to create a memory resistor that stores and processes data with minimal power consumption. This technology has the potential to enable more efficient data centers, speedier data processing and more complex data analysis.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026

Plant-based material offers sustainable method of recovering rare earth element

Researchers at Penn State develop novel technology to isolate and recover dysprosium, a critical rare earth element used in semiconductors and other applications. The new approach uses cellulose-based nanocellulose to selectively separate dysprosium from other elements, promoting a more environmentally friendly and efficient method.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2026

Flipping and reversing mini-proteins could improve disease treatment

A team of researchers from Penn State and The University of Minnesota Medical School found that chemically changing the structure of a naturally occurring peptide can make it more stable and effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The new shape imparted by the modified molecule allows it to physically degrade bacterial cell me...

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2026

Could light-powered computers reduce AI’s energy use?

A new prototype device accelerates and reduces energy cost of AI computation by encoding data into light patterns, enabling faster and more efficient processing. This innovation aims to ease the energy bottleneck in AI technology, making it more sustainable and accessible for various applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2026

Too many saturated fats may be more harmful than too many refined carbohydrates

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that higher fat diets were more harmful than high-carbohydrate diets, even when fiber supplementation was added. Mice on high-fat and ketogenic diets experienced weight gain, liver damage, and other negative health effects, while those on a high-carbohydrate diet did not.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 10, 2026

Fentanyl is changing how doctors treat opioid use disorder

A new national survey found that nearly three-quarters of clinicians encounter obstacles when starting buprenorphine treatment for patients using fentanyl. Researchers emphasize the need for evidence-based guidelines to initiate buprenorphine in light of more potent drugs.

SourcePenn State·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 5, 2026

Team develops smart synthetic material inspired by octopus skin

A team of researchers developed a programmable smart skin out of hydrogel that can be used to encrypt or decrypt information, enable adaptive camouflage and power soft robotics. The material's dynamic control over optical appearance, mechanical response and surface texture can be adjusted using external stimuli.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

Electric eel biology inspires powerful gel battery

Researchers at Penn State develop a hydrogel-based battery that mimics the electrical processes of electric eels, producing higher power densities than previous designs. The battery is non-toxic, flexible, and environmentally stable, making it suitable for biomedical applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2026

Can AI understand the human brain better than humans?

A novel AI framework uses speech patterns to detect cognitive decline years before traditional tools can, offering non-invasive screening for neurodegenerative conditions. The approach analyzes complex dynamics and transitions hidden in speech to reveal subtle patterns and extract objective biomarkers from natural patient behavior.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 28, 2026

Inflammation and autoimmune-like dysfunction may play a role in heart failure

A recent study from Penn State College of Medicine researchers found that helper T cells, typically involved in fighting infections, become overly activated in failing human hearts, causing damage. The activation of these T cells highlights the impact of inflammation and immune dysfunction in heart failure.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 27, 2026

To explain or not? Need for AI transparency depends on user expectation

A new study by Penn State researchers found that the level of transparency in artificial intelligence (AI) systems affects users' trust. When systems meet or exceed users' expectations, trust increases without needing detailed explanations. However, when expectations are not met, users require more information and a deeper understandin...

SourcePenn State·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateJan 22, 2026

Female athlete health, well-being focus of updated report

A new consensus statement provides evidence-based guidance for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and return-to-play protocols for female athletes. The updated report includes a first-of-its-kind adolescent model of the Female Athlete Triad, addressing energy deficiency in growing adolescents.

SourcePenn State·JournalSports Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 13, 2026

What does cybersecurity look like in the quantum age?

A recent paper highlights the need for defense mechanisms covering software, programs, and physical components of quantum computing systems. Key findings include the risk of crosstalk, intellectual property theft, and lack of end-to-end protection, emphasizing the need for safeguarding quantum computers from ground up.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 8, 2026

AI approach takes optical system design from months to milliseconds

A research group at Penn State introduced a new, high-speed design process for nanoscopic materials used in advanced optical systems. The method uses large language models (LLMs) to predict how metasurfaces will influence light, bypassing traditional simulation processes that required extensive domain knowledge and time.

SourcePenn State·JournalNanophotonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2026

Night waking impacts cognitive performance regardless of sleep duration

A new study published in Sleep Health found that the quality of a night's sleep, rather than its length, predicts how quickly older adults process information the next day. Researchers analyzed data from 261 participants aged 70 and above, who wore devices to track their sleep and completed cognitive assessments six times a day.

SourcePenn State·JournalSleep Health·TypeObservational study·DateDec 18, 2025

Opposing forces in cells could hold clues to treating disease

Researchers found that two proteins in the CCR4-NOT complex have opposing roles in controlling genetic messages, with one destabilizing and the other steadying mRNA. This balance is critical to gene regulation and understanding cellular differentiation, adaptation to environmental stimuli, and disease mechanisms.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateDec 16, 2025

Eyes for an agricultural robot: AI system identifies weeds in apple orchards

Researchers at Penn State developed an AI machine vision model that accurately finds, outlines, and estimates the density of weeds in apple orchards. The system achieved high accuracy for weed detection, segmentation, localization, tracking, and identification, paving the way for automated precision herbicide sprayer guidance.

SourcePenn State·JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2025

Transparent ceramic could boost internet speeds and cut energy use

Researchers have created transparent ceramics that can control light with exceptional efficiency, surpassing theoretical predictions. The breakthrough is attributed to the zentropy theory developed by Penn State professor Zi-Kui Liu, which explains the material's unique electro-optic properties.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2025