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Penn State


Clues on how soils may respond to climate change found

Researchers found drastic drops in organic material preserved in core samples from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum event, suggesting soils emitted atmospheric carbon dioxide. The findings could mean global climate models overestimate terrestrial ecosystems' ability to mitigate future warming.

SourcePenn State·JournalPaleoceanography and Paleoclimatology·DateJul 24, 2019

How to restore a coral reef

A new paper outlines concrete guidelines for restoring coral populations by maximizing genetic diversity, allowing them to adapt to local conditions and thrive. The guidelines, developed by a consortium of experts, provide a definitive plan for collecting, raising, and replanting corals in locations similar to their original environment.

SourcePenn State·JournalEcological Applications·DateJul 23, 2019

Novel powdered milk method yields better frothing agent

Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel method to create skim milk powders with enhanced properties and functionality, offering a potential replacement for synthetic emulsifying agents. The new processing technology could lead to the creation of foaming agents that are recognizable on food labels.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Food Engineering·DateJul 23, 2019

Maintaining shelf-stable drugs

A new mathematical model describes how highly concentrated antibody solutions separate into different phases, similar to an oil and water mixture. This separation can reduce the stability and shelf-life of some drugs that use monoclonal antibodies.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2019

New tuberculosis tests pave way for cow vaccination programs

A new skin test can accurately differentiate between cattle infected with tuberculosis (TB) and those that have been vaccinated against the disease. This breakthrough has significant implications for reducing TB transmission from cattle to humans through unpasteurized milk or co-habitation with infected animals.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 17, 2019

A single measurement may help determine kneecap instability risk

Researchers found that measuring the distance between the tibial tubercle and trochlear groove using MRI can accurately predict knee instability. A TT-TG distance of 13 mm is identified as a guideline for identifying patients at risk, with further study planned to explore contributing factors.

SourcePenn State·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateJul 17, 2019

Using artificial intelligence to detect discrimination

Researchers developed an AI tool to detect discrimination in salaries and policing, using causality-based counterfactual inference algorithms. The tool was tested on various datasets and found evidence of gender-based discrimination in salary, with women having lower odds of receiving a salary over $50,000 per year.

Awareness of product transformation increases recycling

A study by Penn State researchers found that when consumers are reminded of the products that their recyclables can be turned into, they are more likely to recycle. The team conducted a series of studies where participants were shown advertisements featuring product transformation, and results showed a significant increase in recycling...

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 10, 2019

Using artificial intelligence to better predict severe weather

Researchers developed an AI framework that detects rotational movements in clouds from satellite images, pointing to potentially threatening storm formations. The method achieved 99% accuracy and predicted 64% of severe weather events, outperforming existing detection methods.

SourcePenn State·JournalIEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing·DateJul 2, 2019

Researchers look to unlock post-traumatic stress disorder puzzle

A team of researchers has identified a key link between pre-existing brain circuit function and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vulnerability. The study found that rats with altered neural circuit connectivity were more prone to fearful responses to threats, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of PTSD.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 28, 2019

Milk: Best drink to reduce burn from chili peppers

Researchers at Penn State's Sensory Evaluation Center found that milk significantly reduces capsaicin burn, with whole milk and skim milk showing the largest reductions. Milk's effectiveness is attributed to its protein content, which may play a more relevant role than fat content.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysiology & Behavior·DateJun 25, 2019

Vanilla makes milk beverages seem sweeter

Researchers at Penn State used vanilla to reduce sugar content in flavored milk, finding that participants perceived the beverage as significantly sweeter. The study aims to develop a reduced-sugar chocolate milk for the National School Lunch Program.

SourcePenn State·JournalFood Quality and Preference·DateJun 20, 2019

South African forests show pathways to a sustainable future

Researchers found that coastal, indigenous forests in South Africa store a moderate to large amount of carbon, making them important for conservation. The study also highlights the need to balance forest productivity with local community needs in order to achieve sustainable development.

SourcePenn State·JournalCarbon Balance and Management·DateJun 19, 2019

Sensing food textures is a matter of pressure

A study by Penn State researchers found that the ability to detect food textures is related to individual differences in pressure sensitivity. The study involved 111 volunteer tasters who were asked to perceive different textures in chocolate, with those who could detect grittiness being more accurate. This research may have implicatio...

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 13, 2019

New records show spread of parasitic deer flies across the US

Deer keds, a type of parasite fly that occasionally bites humans, have been found in more locations than previously thought, according to Penn State researchers. The team mapped their distribution across North America, documenting new state and county records, and warned that they may transmit disease-causing bacteria.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateMay 31, 2019

Richtsmeier receives anatomist's science award

Richtsmeier investigates the role of developmental processes in morphological variation, using mouse models to study craniofacial growth patterns and the influence of genetic variants on disease phenotypes. Her current research focuses on the chondrocranium, the first skull to form during embryonic development.

Marching for climate change may sway people's beliefs and actions

Research suggests that climate change marches can increase collective efficacy beliefs, making people more optimistic about working together to address the issue. Participants who regularly consumed conservative media showed increased efficacy, while those who watched liberal media had more favorable impressions of marchers.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Communication·DateMay 23, 2019

Measuring methane from coal and gas in Pennsylvania informative

A team of researchers found that methane emissions from natural gas in Pennsylvania are significantly lower than those from coal, but not negligible. The study used a ratio of methane to ethane to determine the sources of emissions and estimated that natural gas production has about half the carbon footprint of coal mining.

SourcePenn State·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 23, 2019

Exercise may help teens sleep longer, more efficiently

A new study led by Penn State found that exercise can help teenagers sleep longer and more efficiently. Participants who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity fell asleep 18 minutes earlier and slept for 10 minutes longer than those who were sedentary. The researchers also found connections between sleep and activity the fo...

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 22, 2019

New drug could help treat neonatal seizures

Researchers have identified a small organic compound called gluconate that acts as an anticonvulsant, inhibiting seizures by targeting chloride ion channels. The study found that gluconate suppresses seizure activity more effectively in neonatal animals than adults.

SourcePenn State·JournalMolecular Brain·DateMay 15, 2019

Study finds Wi-Fi location affects online privacy behavior

A study found that Wi-Fi location influences online privacy behavior, with people in public spaces like coffee shops being more cautious when using public Wi-Fi. Participants who had a stronger 'publicness heuristic' tendency disclosed less information and engaged in fewer unethical behaviors when connected to public networks.