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.
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.
A new randomized clinical trial found that training the less-impaired arm significantly improved movement coordination, speed and control in chronic stroke survivors. The study showed that motor skills in the less-affected arm can be improved even years after a stroke occurs.
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.
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
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.
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...
Fathers' warmth and developmentally supportive engagement with their babies at 10 months old were associated with better child health markers at age seven. In contrast, mothers' behavior had little predictive value on the child's physical health.
Researchers developed ZENN, an AI framework that recognizes and adapts to hidden differences in data quality. By using thermodynamic principles, the model distinguishes meaningful signals from uncertainty and noise.
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.
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.
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.
A recent study found that back pain can predict sleep problems years later in men over 65, leading to a 12% to 25% increase in sleep issues. Men with back pain are more likely to experience poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.
A new study finds that environmental regulations in the US reduce medical costs and financial losses by up to five times more than the costs associated with implementing these rules. The EPA's operating budget is tiny compared to federal spending, yet it helps protect the environment and save lives.
A new virtual reality (VR) program, VRmivora, enables students to explore bird fieldwork experiences, filling a gap in science outreach and communication. The program allows users to interact with birds, analyze genetic samples, and learn about evolution through genetics.
Researchers found that leads in sea ice significantly influence atmospheric chemistry and cloud formation, altering regional atmospheric composition. This creates a feedback loop that accelerates sea-ice melt and amplifies Arctic warming.
SourcePenn State·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·TypeObservational study·DateDec 18, 2025
LionGlass promises to cut glass manufacturing carbon footprint in half by lowering melting temperature and eliminating carbonate materials. The technology also offers improved damage resistance, up to ten times that of conventional glass.
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.
A new study led by Penn State researchers found that plant genomes work together to determine a tree’s ability to adapt to changing environments. When the combination of inherited genes better matches up, those plants may be better able to perform photosynthesis and take up key nutrients.
SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 18, 2025
A new study found that proteins containing a widespread structural motif are more likely to misfold in E. coli. Essential proteins with the motif are more likely to be rescued by chaperones, suggesting an evolutionary mechanism to repair them.
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.
A team at Penn State has developed a high-speed platform capable of producing synthetic brochosomes, tiny nanostructures that make insects invisible to predators. The technology could lead to advancements in camouflage, sensors, and other applications.
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.
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.
A study by Penn State's Allison Fleming found that poor health is the primary driver of forced retirements. State vocational rehabilitation agencies may be able to help individuals with disabilities remain in the workforce longer, addressing issues such as financial and health costs associated with early retirement.