A recent study by Penn State researchers found that communities with more fast food restaurants, higher population density, and jobs in the extraction industry have shorter life expectancies. Conversely, areas with growing populations, good access to physicians, and high social cohesion tend to have longer lifespans.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that community characteristics play a significant role in determining life expectancy, with factors such as fast food restaurants, population density, and jobs in the extraction industry negatively affecting lifespan. Conversely, social capital, good access to physicians, and lower population...
Researchers at Penn State developed a novel bioprinting technique that uses aspiration-assisted printing to place tiny tissue spheroids in precise locations, enabling the creation of homogeneous and heterocellular tissues. This method has potential applications in regenerative medicine, drug screening, and microphysiological systems.
Scientists at Penn State identified key genetic regulators controlling the expression of a vital gene required for luminescent bacteria to compete and form symbiosis with Hawaiian bobtail squids. The findings shed light on molecular mechanisms underlying animal-microbe interactions, which may be applicable to human microbiomes.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new method to predict the temperature when plastics change from supple to brittle, which could accelerate the development of flexible electronics. The study found that a simple relationship between chemical structure and glass transition temperature can be used to predict embrittlement point.
Researchers at Penn State's BEST Center have created a lithium-ion battery that balances high energy density with enhanced safety. The All Climate battery can last up to 1 million miles without compromising its performance.
Researchers developed a deep-learning algorithm to predict future market values of crops, which could help indebted farmers determine where and when to sell their crops. The system aims to maximize farmer profits, potentially leading to fewer suicides in India and worldwide.
Researchers have produced barium titanate ceramics using cold sintering at record low temperatures, achieving high quality without the need for secondary heating. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient manufacturing and reduced environmental impacts.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that adults increasingly prefer sweet e-cigarette flavors over traditional tobacco flavors. The study suggests that restrictions on flavored e-liquids may drive long-term users to seek illicit sources, posing health risks.
A study by Penn State researchers found that stress can lead to both giving and receiving emotional support from others, with effects lasting up to two days. The study, which interviewed over 1,600 participants, suggests that stress can facilitate social connections and promote emotional well-being.
A thick buildup of organic matter on the forest floor can complicate efforts to use prescribed fire as a forest management tool. Controlled burns require specific prescriptions to minimize duff smoldering and prevent mortality of large, older pines and potential ecological consequences below ground.
A sub-Neptune sized planet, G 9-40b, has been validated as an exoplanet using the HPF at the Hobby-Eberly Telescope. The discovery confirms the planet's mass and orbits its low-mass host star 100 light years from Earth.
In a study published in PLOS Genetics, researchers found that the NCBP2 gene acts as a key modifier, influencing the impact of other genes in a large genetic deletion. This suggests that neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism, result from complex interactions among multiple genes rather than individual genes.
Researchers found that hormone implants increased weight gain and feed intake by 10% in Holstein steers, making them comparable to beef breeds. This technology can be a game-changer for dairy farmers struggling financially.
Researchers found that green tea extract and exercise reduced fatty liver deposits by 75% in mice fed a high-fat diet, suggesting a potential health strategy for people. The study also showed increased gene expression related to energy metabolism in mice treated with both green tea extract and exercise.
Astronomers led by Penn State graduate student Sofia Sheikh conducted a massive survey of radio emissions from 20 nearby stars, looking for technological signatures of extraterrestrial civilizations. Despite finding no technosignatures, the analysis sets rigorous limits on the presence of advanced civilizations in our galaxy.
Research finds that sorghum crops in areas with high witchweed prevalence have genetic adaptations to resist the parasite, altering hormone production. While these mutations confer some resistance, they also affect photosynthesis and growth, raising potential trade-offs.
The Penn State team aims to create a handheld device that can quickly and cheaply detect evolving viruses in the field using data science and machine learning. The device will utilize laser technology to capture vibrations on the surface of viruses, tracking minute changes to differentiate between emerging strains.
Researchers at Penn State are using a $2.8 million NIH grant to explore 3D bioprinting for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction. They will investigate bioprinting bone, skin, and other tissues directly during surgery to correct defects in the face, mouth, and skull.
Researchers found that hiring managers perceive candidates with self-absorbed or overly opinionated social media profiles as less suitable for employment. The study also discovered that content suggesting drug or alcohol use has a smaller impact on perceptions of employment suitability.
Scientists have identified a key factor predicting post-wildfire mudslides: dry sediment loading, which adds 3-10 feet of debris to mountain channels. Authorities can use lidar technology to map patterns of sediment loading and clear channels before storms hit.
Researchers have solved the structure of a protein complex that enables cyanobacteria to convert weak sunlight into usable energy, giving them an adaptive advantage over other organisms. The discovery could lead to the development of crops that thrive under low-light conditions, increasing crop yields and sustainability.
Researchers find wooden pallets have a slightly lower carbon footprint than plastic pallets on both one-trip and 100,000-trip basis. Heat-treated wooden pallets incur a 20-30% lower carbon footprint than methyl bromide-fumigated ones.
Researchers aim to create a less expensive and efficient natural gas storage system using super-absorbent materials, enabling smaller tanks for vehicles.
A recent study reveals that the herringbone pattern in plant cell walls, created by alternating angles of cellulose layers and a protein called CSI1, is critical for cell growth. This discovery challenges existing theories about cell growth and has implications for biofuels research.
Researchers found that contaminant concentrations increased during warmer months, with higher risk to fish during spawning stages. The study also discovered that nonpoint sources, such as agricultural runoff, were the primary contributor to contaminant levels in high-flow periods.
Tiny meteorites found in ancient soils suggest carbon dioxide made up 25-50 percent of Earth's atmosphere 2.7 billion years ago, indicating a warm planet. Lower nitrogen levels resulting from lower pressure would allow for both high CO2 and cool conditions.
Researchers developed a technique to quickly and sensitively characterize defects in 2D materials using laser light combined with second harmonic generation and dark field imaging. This method provides three times the brightness of standard bright field imaging, revealing grain boundaries and edges of semiconducting 2D materials.
Researchers used airborne measurements to find that oil and gas facilities in the south central US are releasing up to 2.5 times more methane than EPA estimates suggest. The study, part of the ACT-America campaign, used weather models and ethane measurements to determine methane sources.
According to Penn State researchers, US households waste an estimated 31.9% of the food they acquire, with an aggregate value of $240 billion per year. This inefficiency has significant implications for health, food security, and climate change.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to produce over 65,000 different types of nanoparticles, each containing up to six different materials. This breakthrough allows for the creation of complex particles with precise interfaces, opening up new possibilities for electrical and optical applications.
Researchers found that neonicotinoid seed treatments have driven a significant increase in insecticide toxicity to honey bees, particularly oral-based toxic loads, which rose by 9-fold across the US. The study highlights the need for mitigation and conservation efforts in regions with high levels of insecticide use.
A new composite film made with an antimicrobial layer has shown promise in reducing the growth of harmful bacteria on packaged meat and fish products. The film, which contains a biopolymer called pullulan and an antimicrobial compound called Lauric arginate, was found to be effective in killing pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli.,
Researchers found that only 0.1% of cancer patients were enrolled in clinical trials as their first course of therapy after diagnosis. White males with private health insurance and metastatic cancers are more likely to enroll, but the low enrollment rate is still troubling due to the potential for increased life expectancy.
Research found that PFOS changes the gut microbiome of mice, suggesting potential mechanisms outside human cells and metabolic effects on microbes. The study supports emerging ideas that chemical exposures can impact gut microbes.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a wearable gas sensor that detects gases, biomolecules, and chemicals using nanomaterials. The device's self-heating mechanism improves sensitivity and allows for quick recovery and reuse.
A new study suggests that eating walnuts daily can increase certain beneficial gut bacteria, which may contribute to improved heart health. The research found that walnuts enriched a number of gut bacteria associated with health benefits, including Roseburia and Eubacteria eligens.
Higher-density development with more impervious surfaces causes runoff, leading to increased water pollution. Agriculture also contributes significantly to water pollution, and anti-sprawl policies can prevent much-needed land-use changes that reduce pollution.
An international team of researchers found that applying AC electric fields to certain materials makes internal crystal domains bigger and the crystal transparent. The crystals also exhibit ultrahigh piezoelectricity and high transparency after polishing.
Researchers propose a sampling regime inspired by geostatistics that includes regular and random intermediate points to capture fine-scale behaviors. This approach provides more accurate estimates of movement parameters than traditional regular sampling regimes.
Research suggests that maintaining a healthy size distribution of parrotfish in sea floor ecosystems is crucial for coral reef health. Experiments show that large parrotfish play a key role in controlling algae growth, and selective fishing practices could lead to an overgrowth of algae if these larger fish are removed.
A new method to study lithium dendrites was developed using an environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM) in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. The team successfully grew and observed needle-like structures that can short out batteries and cause fires, providing insights into ways to prevent their appearance.
The water lily genome expands the picture of the early evolution of flowering plants, shedding light on key traits like flower development and attractive floral scent. Researchers used high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the genome and transcriptome of Nymphaea colorata, identifying over 31 thousand protein-coding genes.
A team of physicists at Penn State and Germany's University of Wurzburg studied over three dozen devices similar to the one used to produce the angel particle. They found that the feature claimed to be the manifestation of the angel particle was unlikely to be induced by its existence.
A team of meteorologists found no consistent evidence for decadal oscillatory signals in global surface temperature observations. The researchers suggest that any apparent oscillation may be due to external influences like greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions. The study has implications for decade-scale climate predictability.
A new study at Penn State found that incremental improvements made by businesses outside of their firm are crucial for economic growth and employment. The 'latent' innovation index assigns scores to counties based on opportunities for improvement, showing that rural areas can foster innovation too.
A study by Penn State researchers found that the growth of craft breweries in the US is linked to an unprecedented expansion of hop production across 29 states. The number of breweries more than quadrupled from 992 to over 4,000 between 2007 and 2017, resulting in a five-fold increase in hop farms and acreage.
A fast and inexpensive device to capture and identify various strains of virus has been developed by researchers at Penn State and New York University. The VIRRION device uses arrays of nanotubes engineered to be comparable in size to a wide range of viruses, enabling rapid detection through Raman spectroscopy.
Researchers aim to characterize coal dust properties and investigate biological effects of nano-coal dust on lung cells, using a 3D lung-on-a-chip device. This study seeks to understand the toxicity of nano-coal dusts and their impact on human health.
A new study by Penn State and Ohio State researchers found that unwanted sexual attention is significantly higher at fun work events than during normal work hours, but can be reduced with specific measures such as guest participation and afternoon timing.