Researchers at Penn State have identified a complex of proteins crucial for the maturation of the malaria parasite's sexual stage, which is required for transmission to mosquitoes. Disrupting this complex inhibits the parasite's ability to mature and infect mosquitoes, offering a new tool in the fight against malaria.
Researchers created membraneless protocells that facilitate chemical reactions, providing insights into the prebiotic 'RNA world'. These assemblies concentrate RNA molecules and enzymes, allowing them to participate in fundamental chemical reactions.
New research reveals that black students are more frequently suspended than white students of similar backgrounds, despite controlling for behavioral and socioeconomic factors. Students with disabilities were initially at greater risk but their risk was later explained by other study factors.
A new process creates a graded index Teflon-air film that eliminates reflections, making transparent plastics nearly invisible. The technology has practical applications in solar panels, eyeglasses, and virtual/augmented-reality headsets.
Researchers led by Penn State astronomer Pragati Pradhan found that stellar winds, composed of protons, electrons, and metal atoms, contain dense clumps. The Chandra data revealed a 'Compton shoulder' indicating back scattering by surrounding matter, providing new insights into star environments.
Researchers found that LGB individuals are more likely to experience drug and alcohol use disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders, and cardiovascular disease. The study used time-varying effect modeling to analyze data from over 30,000 participants and found age-specific disparities in health outcomes.
Researchers found that minority borrowers pay around 8% more in fees than similarly qualified white borrowers when working with white brokers. However, the study also reveals that minority borrowers do not receive preferential treatment from minority brokers.
Researchers develop a simple and inexpensive method using ultraviolet light to gather and organize particles in liquids, enabling precise control of fluid flow and potential applications in sensing, drug delivery, and nanotechnology. The method shows promise for sorting particles by size and moving uphill toward the light source.
Researchers found that lizards from high-stress environments had more robust immune systems when exposed to prolonged stress, suggesting a potential adaptive advantage. The study's results may have implications for human stress response and disease prevention.
A study of a long-protected northeastern virgin forest plot found that small forest fragments may not provide conservation benefits. Nearly half the species present at initial protection are now gone, and yearly species composition is highly dynamic. Effective management is needed to prevent degradation of habitat.
Researchers measured temperatures of slow-moving gas atoms surrounding a star after an exploding star's shock wave, answering a long-standing question about their physical processes. The results confirm the relationship between atomic weight and temperature, settling an important issue in astrophysics.
Scientists found evidence of a climate feedback that prolonged the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), considered an analogue for modern climate change. The study suggests that long-lasting impacts on global temperature may occur even with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers solve decades-long mystery of red pigments in corn by discovering a new gene, Ufo1, which controls the expression of a pigment pathway. The study's findings have significant implications for plant breeding, biofuel production, and crop protection from pests.
A cellular protein called Hsp70 plays a critical role in Zika virus infection, facilitating attachment to cells, replication inside cells, and release of mature virus particles. This discovery validates Hsp70 as a potential target for developing new therapies to prevent or treat Zika virus infection.
Oil companies can tap into vast sums of recoverable oil in unconventional reservoirs by adopting new methods that account for the unique physics found at these formations. By focusing on diffusion rather than pressure differences, researchers estimate that recoveries can be increased by two to three times.
A nationwide study found microbes in about half of homes, with a single species dominating all positive samples. Despite their presence, the microbes pose no health concerns and remain safe to drink. The discovery highlights the widespread colonization of water heaters by extremophiles in domestic environments.
A study of over 8.6 million cancer patients found that white males, younger patients, and those with specific types of cancer were more likely to commit suicide. The researchers aim to identify high-risk patients to tailor treatments and develop survivorship programs.
Researchers found that differences in genetic origins between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA can affect energy production by mitochondria. In populations with mixed ancestry, natural selection may guide the trajectory of mitochondria-related genes towards similar geographic origins.
Researchers at Penn State developed a technique to extract and purify alkylresorcinols (ARs) from rye bran, which can act as antioxidants in emulsions. The study found that ARs were not as effective as synthetic or natural antioxidants but showed promise for future development.
Researchers found that dairy cows' milk yield and composition follow predictable annual cycles driven by photoperiod, regardless of geographic location. The study's findings will help dairy farmers better manage their herds and interpret the effects of management strategies.
Biofabricated tissues with micropores allow for efficient nutrient and oxygen diffusion, enabling the growth of larger tissue samples. The novel approach uses stem cells derived from human fat and sodium alginate porogens to create porous tissue strands that can be implanted in bone or cartilage defects.
Researchers at Penn State used modeling methods to predict properties of ZIF glasses, combining transparency and metallic glass nonbrittle quality, with potential applications in gas storage and energy, promising breakthroughs in transparent and bendable glass
Loop quantum gravity allows physicists to extend gravitational physics beyond general relativity's limitations, enabling the analysis of black hole interiors. The theory predicts a repulsive force that can overwhelm classical gravity, potentially resolving the information paradox at black holes.
Researchers have developed a new method to analyze cardiac muscle cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells, using a non-invasive fluorescence technique that enables faster and more accurate analysis. This breakthrough method uses CRISPR-Cas9 to generate a calcium-indicating reporter stem cell line, which allows for the examinati...
A newly discovered protein from the bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens has been found to be 100 million times better at binding to lanthanides than to other metals. The protein's unique structure may explain its remarkable selectivity, which could provide insights into detecting and targeting rare-earth metals for industrial purposes.
Researchers use human T cells to create unbreakable encryption keys, solving a problem in mathematical algorithms that relies on one-way functions. The approach is designed to protect against increasingly powerful computers and quantum computing.
Research reveals that low-income, rural kids are at higher risk of second- and third-hand smoke exposure, with as many as 63% of children having detectable levels of cotinine. The study found that frequent moves, lower income, and more adults in the home increase a child's exposure to smoke.
Researchers found that tilled fields had smaller ant nests, which consume fewer weed seeds, while no-till fields had more evenly distributed ant nests. This suggests that preserving ant colonies by reducing tillage could benefit farmers in managing weeds.
Researchers developed a biodegradable edible film made with plant starch and antimicrobial compounds to control the growth of foodborne pathogens on seafood. The film successfully killed vibrio and salmonella bacteria, which are linked to gastrointestinal problems when consumed.
Researchers have discovered the oldest known plant virus, a 1,000-year-old virus from ancient corncobs at an Ancestral Puebloan ruin in Arizona. The discovery reveals that chrysoviruses can persist in plants for long periods and may confer potential benefits to the plant.
Researchers found that teens who used cognitive reappraisal had better metabolic measures, while those who suppressed emotions had more inflammation. The study suggests that emotion regulation strategies developed in adolescence can affect health later in life.
A study by Penn State researchers found that setting speed limits below engineering recommendations leads to an increase in fatal and injury crashes. Lowering speed limits by 10-25 miles per hour resulted in a decrease in property damage-only crashes, but drivers often ignore lower speed limits
A new Louis Stokes Regional Center of Excellence will help broaden participation of minority students in nanotechnology and STEM fields. The center will provide remote access to nanotechnology instruments, research experience, and professional development for educators.
Research suggests that having a regular bedtime and getting enough sleep from early childhood may lead to healthier body weight in adolescence. Children who had age-appropriate bedtimes were found to have optimal sleep patterns and lower BMI compared to those with suboptimal bedtimes.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a system to manipulate electrons based on their energy and momentum, enabling controlled partitioning of electron flow. This technology could potentially be used to create 'color-coded' roads for electrons, revolutionizing the field of electronics.
Researchers have developed a novel 3D imaging technique called COBRA that visualizes the atomic and electron density structure of complex perovskite crystal structures. This breakthrough enables the study of materials with unique properties, such as ferroelectricity and superconductivity.
A mobile application will register natural head and body movements, distinguish between different skin tones and lighting conditions, and capture vital signs such as pulse rate. The project aims to expand beyond a 'wellness app' classification by the FDA, to an FDA-approved tool that can be used globally.
Researchers found that customization features inspiring autonomy, community, and competence led to increased tracked workouts and weight lifted. Relatedness and competence also predicted user behavior, with gender playing a role in these effects.
Researchers found that combining low doses of paraquat herbicide with sugar-binding proteins called lectins triggered Parkinsonism-like symptoms in rats. The study suggests that the toxin travels from the stomach to the brain, forming a misfolded protein alpha-synuclein that causes the disease.
Research found that young women who received health and beauty information from friends were more likely to believe indoor tanning made them look and feel better. However, those who got information from news sites understood the immediate risks of indoor tanning.
Researchers found that girls who gained weight rapidly between ages 5 and 15 were more likely to be obese at 24. A follow-up study of 182 participants found a 93% rate of overweight or obesity in those with accelerated weight gain, compared to 20-37% in other groups.
Research reveals that eastern fence lizards adapt their behavioral and physical traits to avoid being attacked by fire ants. As fire ants expand their range northward, lizards switch from relying on camouflage to twitching and fleeing to remove the ants, leading to significant changes in limb length and stress physiology.
A new study links frequent, seasonal fires to the formation and expansion of ancient grasslands. The researchers used a novel approach to analyze plant biomarkers in fossil soils, revealing that fire played a crucial role in shaping the landscape.
A study by Penn State researchers found that there are five distinct classes of people with alcohol use disorder, each characterized by specific symptoms. Young adults were more likely to fit the profile with excessive drinking and withdrawal symptoms, while older adults struggled with cutting back on their drinking.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that citrate, a natural product found in bones and citrus fruit, can fuel bone healing by providing extra energy for stem cells. This understanding will help develop slow-release biomaterials to speed up bone repair and reduce inflammation.
Frogs from quiet ponds exhibit increased stress hormone levels and impaired immune function when exposed to traffic noise. In contrast, frogs from noisy ponds display a dampened stress response and altered immune profile, which reduces the negative effects of traffic noise.
A Penn State study suggests that children's executive functions in kindergarten can predict their mathematics, reading, and science achievement, as well as classroom behavior, in second grade. Deficits in working-memory, a key component of executive functions, are strongly linked to repeated academic difficulties across elementary school.
Scientists analyzed pre- and post-drilling water samples to identify methane contamination sources near Marcellus Shale gas wells. The study found that drilling-related methane leaks can change water chemistry, mobilizing metals and releasing unwanted compounds.
Researchers at Penn State will investigate a new approach for removing rare-earth fission products from molten salt baths using liquid metals. The goal is to increase the recovery efficiency of rare-earth elements and minimize nuclear waste.
Penn State researchers found that people can learn to associate colors with tastes and that some people are quicker learners than others. They also discovered that different bitter compounds have distinct taste profiles, which may explain why people enjoy some bitter flavors but not others.