A computer model of a planet's lifecycle reveals stagnant lid planets can sustain liquid water and potentially life for billions of years. The presence and amount of heat-producing elements are key indicators of habitability, according to Penn State researchers.
A study by Penn State researchers found that poor mental health days can lead to a 1.84% drop in per capita real income growth rate, resulting in $53 billion less total income each year. Investing in mental health resources may help mitigate these effects, particularly in rural counties with limited access to services.
A recent study published in Ecosphere reveals that mixed-severity wildfires actually produce more benefits than costs to Spotted Owl populations. The research analyzed 21 scientific studies and suggests that management strategies prioritizing fuel-reduction logging are outdated.
Researchers found that lower-paid microworkers were more likely to reduce their efforts and experience cognitive dissonance, which can impact study results. The study's findings suggest that low pay may lead workers to feel conflicted and struggle with rationalizing their actions.
A study found that children who have a stronger brain response to food rewards are more likely to overeat, even when not hungry. The research suggests a way to identify brain responses that can predict obesity development and may help prevent overeating at an earlier age.
Degradation rates of oil were slower in the dark and cold waters of the Gulf of Mexico than at surface conditions. Oil biodegradation rates decreased by 4 percent for every 328 feet of increase in water depth, with complete degradation taking 42 days in sediments deeper than 3280 feet.
Researchers found that older women with high bitter-taste sensitivity had a significantly higher cancer risk, despite not consuming fewer vegetables. The study suggests that the relationship between bitter-taste sensitivity and cancer may relate more to overall diet quality than just vegetable consumption.
Researchers developed a high-throughput method to screen and categorize transcription factors based on their ability to displace nucleosomes. The study identified both new and previously known nucleosome-displacing factors, which tend to be highly abundant in the nucleus and bind tightly to DNA.
Astronomers at the IceCube Observatory have detected a high-energy neutrino from a flaring supermassive black hole in the constellation Orion, marking a new era in space research. The detection is believed to be generated by the blazar TXS 0506+056, which was identified as a possible counterpart to the neutrino event.
A Penn State economist is leading a three-year study on innovation in rural communities, focusing on how to support rural entrepreneurs. The researchers aim to capture data on overlooked innovations and explore connections between innovation and export capacity.
A recent study found that suppressing fears during a health scare can lead to higher levels of fear and emotional suppression. Researchers suggest that providing quality information and preparing the public for disease outbreaks can help mitigate this cycle.
Researchers found that anticipating stress can lower working memory later in the day, regardless of actual stressful events. This effect was particularly pronounced for older adults, who already experience cognitive decline.
Researchers at Penn State found that low-tech training methods, such as customized flipcharts, can improve food safety knowledge and behavior among workers in small-scale dairy farms. The training led to improved sanitation and personal hygiene practices, reducing the presence of microorganisms like E. coli.
A new grant will explore the use of genome editing to modify human pluripotent stem cells for cardiac treatment. This approach could lead to unlimited production of cardiac cells in the lab for therapy, reducing the need for heart donors.
Research by Penn State's Clio Andris found that universities attract athletes from afar, increasing diversity on campuses. The study analyzed data from over 160,000 student-athletes and found that Ivy League schools and less centrally located schools have strong pull rankings.
A new study using fruit flies identifies complex gene interactions underlying a common cause of autism. The research reveals that multiple genes interact to modulate variable symptoms, challenging the traditional single-gene approach.
A team of researchers at Penn State has developed a cold sintering process to create nanocomposites of ceramics and 2D materials, known as MXenes. This innovation enables the production of high-performance materials with potential applications in solid-state batteries, thermoelectrics, and more.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that increases the rate of methanol formation by three times over palladium alone and four times over copper alone. The catalyst combines palladium and copper in a precise atomic ratio, creating an ideal surface structure for efficient CO2-to-methanol conversion.
Researchers at Penn State developed a self-heating battery that can rapidly charge regardless of outside temperature. The battery's unique design allows for 15-minute charging at temperatures as low as -45 degrees F, reducing range anxiety and increasing driving distances.
An international team of researchers has identified the electrical activity specific to the start of migraines and demonstrated a way to stop it in animal experiments. They found that spreading depolarization, seen in migraines, can be stopped with an opposite direction of electrical current used to turn off seizures.
Lancaster County corn production may face significant declines due to projected climate change impacts. Rising temperatures and extreme heat stress threaten corn yields, forcing farmers to reconsider their growing strategies.
A series of setbacks can lead to an 'action crisis,' causing individuals to question the importance of their goal. New research reveals that repeated struggles and setbacks can cause people to devalue their goal, making it harder to stick to it. However, knowing ahead of time when an action crisis may occur allows individuals to prepar...
Researchers discovered a naturally occurring enzyme called viperin that produces the molecule ddhCTP, which prevents viruses from copying their genetic material. The compound shows promising antiviral effects against flaviviruses, including Zika and West Nile viruses, but not picornaviruses.
A team of researchers has identified 27 new viruses in bees from around the world, shedding light on the impact of viral pathogens on bee health and agriculture. The discovery was made using a novel high-throughput sequencing technique that efficiently detected both known and unknown viruses.
A new study finds that the shutdown of two nuclear power plants in Pennsylvania will not significantly impact power prices due to low natural gas prices. The research suggests that efficient natural gas power plants have increased capacity, making it difficult for nuclear power to compete with competitive market outcomes.
A 15-year study found that siblings' warmth and perceived parental treatment influenced their education levels, with warmer siblings more likely to achieve similar education. The researchers suggest that family experiences beyond school can impact academic achievement.
Researchers develop nanosystem that selectively targets cancerous tumors using gelonin protein toxin, cloaked in extracellular vesicles from tumor cells. The system releases toxic protein into cancer cell cytosol, killing the cell without harming healthy tissue.
A new study of groundwater in Bradford County shows improving water quality despite heavy Marcellus Shale development. Researchers used data-mining techniques to find rare instances of possible gas contamination near seven out of 1,385 shale wells.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new nanoparticle-based drug delivery system that targets cancer cells using mechanical properties of diseased cells. The 'mechanotargeting' approach outperforms existing 'chemotargeting' strategy in delivering drugs to targeted cells.
Researchers have created new antibiotics that target specific genes in C. difficile bacteria, allowing for precise killing of the infection while sparing other beneficial gut bacteria. The antisense therapy approach has great potential for treating hospital-acquired infections.
A Penn State preschool program helps low-income parents prepare their children for school, resulting in better academic performance and social-emotional skills. The program's benefits extend into third grade, with participating children needing fewer additional school services.
A team of physicists has demonstrated a way to confine light in a waveguide array, making it insensitive to defects. This innovation could lead to cheaper and more efficient photonic devices, such as lasers and solar cells, by reducing material imperfections.
The study uses archaeological evidence and physics-based processes to describe how the islanders placed the hats on the statues. The researchers propose that workers would rotate, leverage, and pivot the hats onto the statue tops using small wooden levers.
Penn State engineers have developed a new lithium-ion battery that can charge electric vehicle batteries up to 10 times faster than current technology, regardless of temperature. The breakthrough could be a major selling point for customers and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
A $1.7 million NIH grant will aid in understanding citrate signaling for bone development and designing novel biomaterials. Researchers aim to mimic native tissue composition and induce bone growth through citrate-presenting biomaterials.
Researchers found that official inflation indexes, such as CPI and PCE, may overestimate or underestimate the true inflation rate due to errors in housing rent assessments. The alternative method suggests an error range of 1.7-4.2% during the Great Recession and 0.3-0.9% during the current expansionary period.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers found that oil and gas wastewater can be effective at suppressing dust, but it also carries high salt, organic, and radioactivity concentrations. The team recommends using alternative materials or treatment to remove contaminants before using the wastewater.
Researchers found that climate change led to a shift in the host choice of zombie ant fungi, from leaves to twigs and bark, as tropical forests transitioned to temperate areas. The study, published in Evolution, reveals that this adaptation occurred independently in different locations around the world.
Researchers will use high-resolution imaging technology to study oxytocin neurons and their connections in the brain, aiming to gain insights into social behavior and potential disorders like autism. The project aims to create a detailed anatomical map of oxytocin neurons to better understand how they drive behavior.
A new Penn State research study found that posttraumatic stress symptoms increase risks for academic difficulties in student veterans. Partnered women were particularly affected due to relationship problems impacting their academic functioning.
Research supports recent FDA restrictions on prescription hydrocodone- and codeine-containing cough medicines for children, finding opioids in general should not be prescribed for coughs and colds. The study highlights the risks of opioid-containing cough products outweighing potential benefits in pediatric populations.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new composite material that can efficiently harvest mechanical and thermal energy using a 3D piezoelectric ceramic foam supported by a flexible polymer. The material outperforms traditional piezoelectric composites, offering improved flexibility and energy output.
A three-year study aims to identify risk factors for oral vocabulary difficulties and examine how they affect math and science achievement. The research may inform the development of early interventions to support students with STEM learning difficulties.
Researchers discovered that mechanical forces control protein synthesis speeds by influencing ribosome tunnel geometry and protein segment movement. This finding may lead to a better understanding of disease mechanisms linked to defective protein synthesis.
Researchers found that conflicts with a spouse can exacerbate chronic pain and symptoms in individuals with osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes. Daily diaries revealed that those experiencing tension with their partner had worse moods, greater pain, and more severe symptoms.
Researchers found that patients with mutations in DNA repair genes like ATM and RB1 tend not to live as long as those without. These mutations can make tumor cells more susceptible to certain treatments, bringing potential hope for targeted therapies.
Researchers discovered that altered body odor can indicate malaria infection, even when microscopic tests fail. Machine learning models using volatile biomarkers reliably identify asymptomatic infections with 100% sensitivity.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to introduce genetic mutations into cacao plants, resulting in enhanced disease resistance. The study suggests that a fraction of the targeted gene's copies may be sufficient to trigger systemic disease resistance.
The US will gain better capabilities to respond to a nuclear attack thanks to Penn State's research on nuclear forensics, which will analyze special nuclear materials for unique signatures. The project will enhance national response in the face of a nuclear detonation and contribute to broader applications in nuclear science.
Researchers found that childhood adversity is strongly associated with mood and sleep problems in adulthood, which lead to greater physical pain. However, optimism and feeling in control can mitigate this connection.