A new study suggests that northern pintails are caught in an ecological trap, favoring cropland over scarce alternative nesting habitat, leading to nest failures and population decline. Climate change and drainage practices also contribute to their vulnerability.
The study aims to develop optical radiation products used in large-scale sanitation processes and create a lamp with both germicidal and lighting elements. Researchers will test different wavelengths of ultraviolet light against coronaviruses like COVID-19.
A new urine-testing system inspired by nature can identify metabolites that cause kidney stones to form, enabling patients to receive results within 30 minutes. The test is more cost-effective and simpler than current methods, making it a promising solution for managing urinary stone disease.
A Penn State study found that eating a meal with six grams of spice blend reduced inflammation markers compared to meals with less or no spices. The researchers discovered anti-inflammatory properties in the blend, which may help offset inflammation caused by high-carb and high-fat meals.
Researchers developed a method to create affordable and stronger car materials using graphene-reinforced carbon fibers. The process reduces production cost by up to 67% while increasing strength by 225%. This technology has the potential to improve safety and reduce costs in vehicle production.
A research team is investigating how the pandemic affects academic performance, particularly among low-income and first-generation students. They will examine various factors such as housing, internet access, and caregiving responsibilities to identify barriers to learning.
A researcher at Penn State is testing the efficacy of common disinfectants against viruses. The study aims to determine the optimal contact time for sanitizing surfaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Researchers at Penn State have successfully developed a novel plasma medicine technique that effectively targets and kills bacteria in liquid cultures without developing resistance. The process uses low-temperature plasma generated from atmospheric pressure or liquids, creating reactive particles with antibacterial effects.
A new study found that middle-aged adults reported more daily stress and lower well-being in the 2010s compared to the 1990s. The researchers attribute this increase to the added responsibilities of childcare, eldercare, and work, as well as the pace of technological advances.
Researchers developed a new process to combine multiple disease models for outbreak management, reducing uncertainty and providing better tools for decision makers. The three-part process allows policymakers to evaluate valuable ideas from across the modeling community and identify critical uncertainties to prioritize research directions.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new supercapacitor based on manganese oxide that combines the benefits of batteries and other supercapacitors. The device has high energy density and power, making it suitable for electric vehicles and wearable electronics.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that manipulating a single gene can induce stress memory in plants, giving them increased vigor and productivity. This epigenetic technique allows for non-genetically modified crops with improved resilience.
A new study found that mosquitoes are most likely to transmit malaria in the early evening when people are exposed, followed by midnight and morning. This shift in biting behavior could reduce the effectiveness of bed nets in preventing malaria.
Researchers are exploring quantum computing's potential in accelerating drug discovery for COVID-19 treatment. By generating complex compounds quickly, they aim to find a cure faster and more efficiently than traditional methods.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze 30 years of crop-yield data, finding that warmer conditions are causing corn yields to increase in humidity and decrease with extreme temperatures. The study predicts a shift in corn and soybean production from Iowa and Illinois to Minnesota and the Dakotas as optimal climate conditions change.
A recent storm in Argentina produced hailstones up to 9.3 inches across, potentially setting a new world record. Researchers suggest classifying such large hailstones as 'gargantuan' and emphasize the need for more awareness and data collection to better understand these extreme events.
Researchers at Penn State are developing microwave plasma technology to produce hydrogen and graphene from natural gas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The technology enables rapid heating of gas and can be powered by renewable electricity, making it a promising solution for the hydrogen economy.
Researchers identified top food sources for urban honey bees, including trees like maples and oaks in spring, and woody vines like Virginia creeper in summer and fall. The study highlights actionable findings for urban land management, beekeepers, and homeowners to sustain honey bees and other pollinator species.
Researchers modeled measles dynamics using 40 years of English and Welsh data, revealing local town spread contributes to virus persistence before vaccination. After introduction, unidentifiable sources became main reintroduction pathway.
Researchers found that people are hesitant to use single sign-on services for sensitive apps like relationship and financial apps, citing concerns about data leakage and privacy. Participants preferred to use their email address or create a new account to access these apps.
Researchers at Penn State developed a public-speaking tutor on Amazon Alexa, which helps users recognize and modify negative thinking behaviors. The study found that the tutor eased pre-speech anxiety in participants.
A study published in CHI 2020 found that users are influenced by contextual cues to disclose personal information, including social security numbers and phone numbers. The researchers identified 12 heuristics, or mental shortcuts, that trigger this behavior, such as the bandwagon heuristic and authority cue.
A recent study by Penn State researchers found that providing users with the option to adjust privacy and content settings on Amazon Alexa does not necessarily increase their trust in the platform. In fact, for power users, it can have an unfavorable effect. However, customizing content increased trust among sensitive users.
Researchers found that a common soil fungus can promote plant growth and boost defense responses in corn plants, suppressing pest growth. This discovery could be an valuable ally for organic corn growers facing challenges with insect control.
Researchers developed a CRISPR/Cas9 protocol that allows genetic modification of whiteflies, which can lead to novel control strategies. The technique enables the deletion of genes in whiteflies, allowing scientists to investigate genetic control strategies for this devastating pest.
Microalgae in coral cells may compensate with other metals when iron is limited, potentially affecting vital biological functions. Research found that different species of microalgae acquire other trace metals in unique quantities, which could have cascading effects on coral health.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel method to deliver therapeutic proteins inside the body using an acoustically sensitive carrier and ultrasound imaging. The method uses a fluorous mask to interact with the particle's fluorous liquid medium, allowing the protein to be released in a precise manner.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to improve the efficiency and heat tolerance of devices, including electric cars, drills, and grids. By altering dielectric capacitors with engineered materials, they increased storage capacity while also increasing electric charge efficiency.
Researchers at Penn State have directly observed functional metabolons involved in generating purines, the most abundant cellular metabolites. The findings suggest that enzymes are not haphazardly located throughout cells but instead occur in discrete clusters, or metabolons, that carry out specific metabolic pathways.
Research reveals significant economic losses in US soybean production, with average annual losses reaching nearly $4.55 billion from 1996 to 2016. The most economically damaging diseases were the soybean cyst nematode, charcoal rot, and seedling diseases.
A team of researchers led by Gang Tan aims to create parsers that provide provable guarantees about safety and are resistant to bugs. The SPARTA system focuses on securely opening PDFs, but the goal is to apply this technology to other formats as well.
Researchers found that commercially available baby foods lack dark green vegetable content and flavor, making it difficult for young children to develop a liking for these vegetables. The study suggests that fruit puree dominates the taste and flavor profile of these products.
Researchers confirm early plant cultivation in southwestern Amazonia, dating back to 10,350 years ago, with evidence of manioc and squash. The discovery suggests that the earliest inhabitants were not just hunter-gatherers but also engaged in plant cultivation.
A new study reveals that the risk of transmitting the virus PPRV does not significantly increase with age, unlike its sibling virus measles. Instead, animals from pastoral areas are more likely to become infected compared to agropastoral areas.
Researchers investigate how ancient practices can inform modern resilience strategies in the face of climate change. Ancient communities adapted by leaving coastal areas during sea-level rise, using prickly pear cactus as a defensive barrier.
A novel point-of-care testing device that detects COVID-19 through genetic material may provide early diagnosis and control the spread of the disease. The device's potential benefits include a turnaround time of under 45 minutes, making it an urgent solution for capacity enhancement in testing COVID-19.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that organic soybean producers using no-till and reduced-tillage production methods can achieve similar yields at competitive costs compared to traditional tillage-based production. This sustainable method reduces labor, fuel, and input costs while conserving soil health and water quality.
Researchers have created a device capable of converting low-level magnetic fields into usable electricity, with 400% higher power output than existing technology. This technology has significant implications for designing self-powered wireless sensor networks in smart buildings, potentially leading to substantial energy savings.
Researchers analyzed China's control measures during the first 50 days of the COVID-19 epidemic and found that they may have prevented over 700,000 infections outside of Wuhan. The study suggests that these measures successfully broke the chain of transmission by preventing contact between infectious and susceptible people.
In one dimension, bosons can form a Fermi sea similar to non-interacting fermions, but still exhibit bosonic velocity distribution. This phenomenon demonstrates the complex behavior of ultracold gases in optical lattices and has implications for quantum devices and systems
A new study by Penn State researchers found that validating a person's feelings can be more effective in supporting friends and family than critical or diminished emotional messages. The study used six different supportive messages, with highly person-centered messages producing the most emotional improvement.
Engineers have developed a method to predict which mutations will occur in people, making it easier to create effective pharmaceuticals. The researchers used algorithms similar to those used in chemical physics to model how evolution works and found that biased random events play a big part in the evolution of resistance in leukemia.
New research suggests that racial achievement gaps, rather than systemic bias, are the primary reason for the overrepresentation of students of color in special education. The study found that districts with larger black-to-white or Hispanic-to-white achievement gaps were also more likely to report higher risk ratios. This method can b...
Researchers developed guidelines for giraffe translocations to ensure long-term population viability, including ideal group composition and decision-making processes. A founding population of 30 females and 3 males is recommended for initial translocations, while larger groups can be used to maintain genetic diversity.
A research team, including Penn State and Microbiotix, aims to develop a novel oral antibiotic targeting the trans-translation pathway of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The project has received $2.86M in funding from CARB-X to optimize and develop a new compound into an effective treatment for drug-resistant gonorrhea.
The study found that farmers know less about pesticides applied to their seeds than those applied in other ways, due to seed treatments being exempt from labeling requirements. This lack of knowledge can lead to overuse of pesticides, harming the environment and farmers' health. The researchers recommend improved labelling of pesticide...
Researchers at Penn State developed a laboratory method to create membraneless compartments within a liquid, allowing them to segregate and concentrate components for important cellular functions. The findings could provide insight into how cells use these compartments to perform different tasks in different locations, with potential a...
A survey of over 2,000 Americans found that most respondents prefer a more transparent governance approach with control and compensation. The top factors increasing willingness to share data were policies allowing data deletion and specific permissions for re-use. Conversely, policies selling database access to pharmaceutical firms and...
New research suggests that scientists who are known for their hard work, like Thomas Edison, are more motivating than those who are viewed as naturally brilliant, like Albert Einstein. The findings dispel myths about what it takes to succeed in science and can help optimize science education.
The disease-causing virus BYDV manipulates its host plant and aphid vector to create warmer regions for feeding, increasing the vector's heat tolerance. This allows certain aphids to thrive in warmer conditions, posing implications for crop health as the global climate warms.