Researchers found that individuals with a 'news will find me' mindset consider social media friends and algorithms as trustworthy as professional editors and journalists. This can lead to a reliance on unverified information and undermine traditional news sources.
Researchers developed a drone-based approach that can create high-resolution maps using photogrammetry, nearly as accurate as expensive LiDAR technology. This method enables rapid updates to agricultural landscapes and can be used for farm planning, reducing nutrient runoff and environmental protection.
A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that child abuse is associated with disrupted development and decreased ability to maintain stable bodily functions. The research suggests that different types of maltreatment affect children differently, with boys being more susceptible to negative effects than girls.
Research suggests that some ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays could consist of atomic nuclei heavier than iron, losing energy more slowly as they travel through intergalactic space. This finding could help narrow down the possible sources of these particles and impact how we search for their origins.
A digital therapy app was found to be more effective in treating anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders among college students compared to traditional campus clinics. The study, which tested the app's effectiveness over six months, showed a significant increase in symptom-free students and services uptake.
A recent study found that failing the glucose challenge test was associated with babies having higher birth weights, a risk factor for future obesity and diabetes. Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes were also more likely to give birth to large babies.
Researchers developed a framework to study the impact of genetic variants on neurodevelopmental disorders. By analyzing induced pluripotent stem cells, they found that genetic background can lead to different clinical outcomes in individuals with the same deletion on chromosome 16.
Ordinary adhesive tape stores a sequence of multiple memories with tunable strength, allowing for simple mechanical calculations. Researchers developed an automated device to create these memories by peeling the tape past designated distances.
A study by Penn State researchers found that trade secret policies restrict labor mobility, leading to early-career workers receiving higher starting wages but stunted wage growth later. Firms instead shifted toward greater use of capital, replacing human labor with automation equipment.
Visitors to a California region with numerous substance use disorder treatment centers experience higher levels of overdose, particularly out-of-state individuals. The study suggests that the industry's lack of oversight and predatory practices contribute to this hotspot.
A study using mice and simulations found that abdominal contractions compress blood vessels connected to the spinal cord and brain, enabling gentle brain movement that facilitates cerebrospinal fluid flow and potentially removes neural waste. This mechanism may explain why exercise is thought to benefit brain health.
Disrupted ecosystems can increase risk for food security, water scarcity, health and well-being, crime, mass migrations, border breaches, and social unrest. Governments must protect natural infrastructure to safeguard citizens' basic needs and prevent ecological disruptions.
Penn State professor Greg Fosco emphasizes the importance of parental monitoring, autonomy-supportive parenting, and fostering a sense of purpose in teenagers' lives. Research suggests that when adolescents perceive a stable relationship with their parents, their well-being suffers, while having a sense of purpose is linked to lower su...
A recent study investigated microplastic movement in freshwater ecosystems across Pennsylvania, finding that watersheds with higher population densities and adjacent wastewater treatment plants had higher concentrations of microplastics. The research also revealed local features, such as forests and rural areas, play a critical role in...
Researchers at Penn State have made precise calculations, showing that a discrepancy in particle physics was a fluke, not nature. The study strengthens confidence in the Standard Model to 11 decimal places, ruling out new forces or quantum objects.
A new study has found that postmenopausal white women with higher genetic risk of obesity regained weight about two times faster than those with lower genetic risk. Despite this difference, Black women in the study regained weight at a similar rate, regardless of their genetic risk.
Researchers found that connected natural habitats help maintain beneficial skin microbes that inhibit deadly fungal pathogens in tropical amphibians. Habitat fragmentation weakens these microbial defenses, leading to increased pathogen infection levels.
SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2026
A new coaching tool helps users identify biases in their prompts and generate more inclusive content. The study found that the intervention increased users' awareness of algorithmic bias and boosted confidence, but led to a less satisfactory user experience.
A new study finds that prenatal opioid exposure in babies does not predict future classroom performance. Despite previous research suggesting a link between NAS and adverse developmental outcomes, this study found no significant differences in standardized test scores between students with and without a history of NAS.
A new study found that female post-9/11 veterans experienced a more significant decline in overall well-being compared to their male counterparts after the COVID-19 pandemic. They reported lower work satisfaction, higher underemployment, and less emotional support, with the sharpest difference appearing in work strain.
A new study finds that ending birthright citizenship would have the largest relative growth of unauthorized births among Asians, while Latinos would comprise 93% of the U.S.-born population without legal status in 2050. The policy change could disenfranchise highly educated immigrants who contribute to the economy.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive electronic 'skin' using tiny devices that can measure force applied over an area. This technology has the potential to improve prosthetic limbs and robotic manipulation, allowing robots to accurately track hand movements and grasp delicate objects.
A study found that late sleep schedules are linked to unhealthy eating habits, including increased calorie intake and snacking, as well as reduced physical activity, particularly during school hours. The researchers suggest that parents should pay attention to their children's sleep timing during adolescence.
Researchers use NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to study the ultra-low-density planet Kepler-51d, which defies planetary formation models. A thick layer of haze on the planet obscures its chemical elements and origin, making it challenging to discern its formation process.
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.
A new study in 15- to 25-year-olds finds that ADHD treatment improves outcomes for young people with ADHD and substance use disorder, including a 30% decrease in mortality. Despite being diagnosed with both conditions, young people are less likely to receive ADHD medication.
SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2026
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.
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.
Astronomers detect rare cosmic burst from colliding galaxies, which sheds light on how the universe creates heavy elements like gold and platinum. The burst, known as GRB 230906A, is believed to have been triggered by the collision of two neutron stars, releasing a flood of energy and forging heavy elements.
A study found that radiologists who reviewed imaging tests twice after AI flagged them as abnormal were 53% less likely to be held liable in court compared to those who reviewed once. This suggests that changes to radiologist workflow could reduce legal risk, but may also come with increased costs.
Researchers at Penn State have developed microscopic thermometers that can be integrated onto a chip to track temperatures. The sensors, made from advanced 2D materials, differentiate subtle temperature changes in just 100 nanoseconds and can be placed on a single chip, offering efficient temperature monitoring.
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.
Researchers characterized the structure and function of a protein that regulates sugar and fat levels, finding it can work with an unexpected partner - itself. This partnership may drive the expression of different genes than its usual partner, offering new therapeutic targets for diseases like liver cancer and diabetes.
A study found that consistent routines in the home can reduce the likelihood of children struggling with school transitions, but harsh parenting can undermine these benefits. Parents who demonstrated flexibility in their parenting style were less likely to parent harshly.
Researchers found that some pesticides can infiltrate and move with groundwater, bypassing riparian buffers in karst watersheds. This study highlights the need to consider transport pathways to mitigate pesticide pollution, particularly in areas with high groundwater flow.
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.
A recent study by Penn State researchers found that tardigrades can adapt to simulated Martian soil, but some regoliths are damaging to their health. Washing the regolith with water can mitigate this impact, providing a potential resource for plant growth and protection against Earth contaminants.
A study found that voice AI ordering encourages customers to choose indulgent food options due to mental fatigue. Adding a friendly avatar to the interface can reduce this effect and lead to more balanced decisions.
SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 26, 2026
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.
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.
Researchers discovered that adding salt additives and water enables PEDOT:PSS to grow hair-like fibers conducting electricity. The material's stretchability and conductivity can be enhanced by adjusting the chemical makeup, making it suitable for bioelectronic devices.
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.
Researchers have developed a novel polymer alloy material made from commercially available plastics that can handle unprecedented high temperatures and store more energy than traditional polymer capacitors. The new material has a dielectric constant of 13.5, allowing it to maintain its performance level from -148 F to 482 F.
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...
A new study finds that different organic acids result in varying levels of sourness and mouthfeel sensations, even when consumed at the same concentration. The study suggests that individual differences play a significant role in shaping our perception of sour foods.
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.
A lattice-like structure called the membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS) acts as a gatekeeper for endocytosis, regulating nutrient uptake and protein regulation in brain cells. Disrupting this structure can lead to accelerated endocytosis and increased cellular uptake of toxic molecules like amyloid precursor protein.
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.
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.
The team created a programmable smart skin out of hydrogel, enabling enhanced multifunctionality and adjustable properties. The material can encrypt or decrypt information, enable adaptive camouflage, power soft robotics, and more.