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.
A recent study published in Appetite found that people who pay more attention to media coverage about Trump's diet are more likely to view fast food as a socially acceptable meal option. This increased attention is also associated with a greater likelihood of eating fast food in the near future, regardless of party affiliation.
A new algorithm called OnTAD rapidly identifies and elucidates the functions of topologically associating domains (TADs), which are disrupted in diseases like cancer. The tool reveals increased gene expression in hierarchical TADs, associated with active epigenetic states.
Dodder parasitic plant avoids genetic evolution arms race with host plants by sending microRNAs that shut down defense genes. The parasite targets conserved host genes and creates multiple versions of its genetic weaponry to ensure effectiveness.
A Penn State study found that hydration levels among women are associated with lower scores on tests measuring motor speed, sustained attention, and working memory. The researchers suggest that being 'in the sweet spot' of hydration is best for cognitive function, particularly for tasks requiring sustained attention.
Researchers at Penn State used fiber-optic cables to detect tiny seismic events caused by thunder during a storm, marking the first time scientists have recorded thunder-induced seismic events.
Researchers found that government regimes shifted their Twitter strategy after protests, using diverse topics and hashtags to distract citizens. The opposition also became less focused in response, potentially due to the regime's social media strategy.
A new study has discovered a way to identify disease-resistance genes in cacao trees, which could lead to the development of more sustainable farming systems and improved crop yields. The method uses genome sequencing to rapidly identify resistant genotypes and provides insights into the genetic diversity of cacao trees.
A team of researchers at Penn State developed protocells with enzymatic activity, actively moving independently like living cells. High ATP concentrations surprisingly suppress protocell movement by binding to the ATPase enzyme.
Researchers discovered that exercise increases brain oxygenation by packing more oxygen into the bloodstream, contradicting the long-held assumption that blood is always completely saturated with oxygen. This breakthrough sheds new light on the dynamic relationship between respiration and cerebral oxygenation.
A study by Penn State researchers found that women wearing hijabs in news stories can elicit harsher social judgment, with conservatives showing lower empathy and perceived innocence. The study suggests potential obstacles for women who wear hijabs in the real world, highlighting the need for more nuanced portrayals in media.
Researchers analyzed bushmeat samples from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and found 27 different groups of bacteria, including those causing anthrax, brucellosis, and Q fever. The team identified a high prevalence of Clostridial species, which cause diseases like botulism and tetanus.
Researchers found that people tend to move to counties with similar political preferences, creating a 'hollowing out' of the political center. This phenomenon suggests that politically extreme counties can act as magnets for migration, further widening the political divide.
Fourteen Penn State faculty members have been named AAAS fellows for their exceptional work in various scientific disciplines. These new fellows were recognized for their contributions to fields such as physics, astronomy, computer science, and entomology.
Researchers found that people experiencing higher felt love had significantly higher levels of psychological well-being and extraversion personality scores. They also developed a method to analyze noisy data using Bayesian latent stochastic differential equations model.
A team of researchers has developed an AI-powered system that can analyze placentas using computerized photographic image analysis, potentially improving health outcomes for mothers and babies. The system uses artificial intelligence to detect features linked to abnormalities and potential health risks.
Researchers suggest forest farming as a solution to unsustainable wild collection of medicinal plants, which can lead to overharvesting and loss of ecosystems. Forest farming promotes better quality products, stable income for farmers, and increased transparency in the supply chain.
Men with more traditional views on gender roles tend to have higher allostatic loads due to stress, while those with progressive views are protected. Financial dependency on women is not linked to increased stress, but traditional beliefs about gender roles are.
People living with or beyond cancer are more than twice as likely to die of a stroke compared to the general population. Certain types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, and colorectum cancers, were found to be most commonly associated with fatal strokes.
Researchers discovered a rare gene mutation in the DUOX2 gene associated with familial thyroid cancer, which increases the risk of hereditary non-medullary thyroid cancer. The mutated protein produces excess hydrogen peroxide, potentially causing additional genetic mutations and increasing cancer risk.
A study by Penn State found that college students who got an additional 43 minutes of sleep per night experienced lower blood pressure and reduced sleepiness. The researchers also discovered that a relatively minor commitment to get more sleep can make a significant impact on improving health.
A $3.5 million NSF grant will enhance Galaxy's compatibility with GPUs, improving its speed and functionality. The goal is to reduce scientific discovery time from hours to minutes and seconds.
A study reveals how mitochondrial DNA is transmitted between generations, showing that a bottleneck occurs during oogenesis, reducing genetic diversity. This process can affect the inheritance of disease-related mutations, making it crucial for genetic counseling in women planning pregnancies.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a bio-inspired, liquid, sludge- and bacteria-repellent coating that can make toilets self-cleaning. The coating, called LESS, reduces the amount of water needed to flush a conventional toilet by half, making it more efficient and sustainable.
A team of researchers at Penn State developed a way to control the direction of self-propelled protocells using enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions. The protocells can move towards or away from specific chemical signals, enabling targeted drug delivery and reducing the amount of medication required.
New research from Penn State College of Medicine shows that JUUL delivers almost three times as much nicotine as most other e-cigarettes, with high concentrations in its pods. The study also found that JUUL is addictive and may be a less harmful alternative to cigarettes for smokers.
A recent study found that 17% of sexual minorities experienced discrimination in the previous year, with higher rates among males and older adults. The researchers aim to raise awareness about the need for continued work to reduce discrimination and promote inclusive policies.