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Penn State


Child abuse may be connected to changes in development, body regulation

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 7, 2026

Ultrahigh-energy cosmic messengers may carry ultraheavy secrets

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 7, 2026

Move over cassette tapes, adhesive tape has memory, too

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalNew Journal of Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

Hydraulic brain: Body motion linked to fluid movement in the brain

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 27, 2026

Q&A: Does nature have a role in national security?

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature-Based Solutions·DateApr 23, 2026

Q&A: What do teenagers need from their parents?

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...

SourcePenn State·JournalFamily Process·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 22, 2026

Mapping microplastic movement in rivers and streams across Pennsylvania

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...

SourcePenn State·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2026

Robots can’t feel; these sensors could change that

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2026

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