A study found that athletes who feel more closely connected to their teammates are more likely to conform to their behaviors, including both positive and risky actions. The researchers suggest that teams should find ways to encourage bonding without pressuring members to engage in negative behavior.
Researchers discovered a predictive biomarker for epilepsy by analyzing the connection between heartbeat irregularities and abnormal brain activity in mice. They found that anomalous heart rate patterns slightly preceded abnormal brain waves, allowing them to predict which mice would develop seizures with 100% accuracy.
A team of Penn State mechanical engineers developed a self-healing membrane that screens out smaller objects while allowing larger ones to pass through. The membrane responds to an object's kinetic energy and can be optimized for various applications, including medical devices and sanitation systems.
Faster countdowns have been found to increase patience in video game players, even after the game is over. The study suggests that a quicker countdown creates a sense of time passing more quickly, reducing impatience and encouraging more deliberate decision-making.
A study by Penn State researchers found that mothers who engage with their children during playtime and gently guide them to clean up can help toddlers with poor regulation skills maintain a healthy weight. As preschoolers, these children tend to have lower BMIs compared to those with good regulation skills, suggesting that parents' be...
A plant virus manipulates aphid species to its advantage by increasing the nutrients in host plants, making it easier for aphids to feed. This allows late-arriving aphids to outcompete early arriving ones, leading to boosted reproductive success and increased spread of the virus.
A study found that eating white button mushrooms can alter the gut microbiome, producing short-chain fatty acids that regulate glucose production in the liver. This research holds promise for developing new diabetes treatments and prevention strategies.
Researchers have gained new understanding of how autophagosomes seal off waste material, with a key role identified for ESCRT complexes. This breakthrough could lead to new cancer treatments by inhibiting autophagy closure.
Scientists have developed a new class of materials inspired by squid DNA that can control thermal conductivity, which could lead to improved fabrics for athletic wear. The materials' thermal conductivity increases dramatically when wet, allowing them to 'flip' a switch and remove heat from the body.
Researchers found that scarlet macaws sequenced from Chaco Canyon and Mimbres areas in New Mexico shared the same haplogroup, indicating a single breeding population. This contradicts previous theories that ancestral Puebloan people brought birds back from Mexico, as transporting adolescent birds would be logistically difficult.
A study by Penn State researcher Derek E. Lee found that community-based conservation management in Tanzania increases wildlife densities and giraffe population growth. The research demonstrates the effectiveness of transferring wildlife management rights to local communities.
A recent survey found that nearly a third of college students knew someone who overdosed on painkillers or heroin, while 20.5% said they know someone addicted to pain medication. The study highlights the collateral damage of the opioid epidemic on those closely tied to users.
New technology enhances CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing efficiency in mosquitoes, allowing for easier manipulation of gene expression in a wide range of species. This breakthrough enables control of vector-borne diseases, elimination of agricultural insect pests, and potentially gene therapy for human and animal health.
A team of scientists found that coral-algal partnerships are older and more diverse than previously thought, with a history dating back to the 'age of dinosaurs.' This relationship has enabled corals to adapt to environmental changes over millions of years.
The Hemingway Letters Project has received a three-year NEH grant to publish nearly 6,000 surviving letters written by Ernest Hemingway, including previously unpublished work. The project will cover volumes five through seven, spanning 1932-1941.
A global study using camera trap data found that large-bodied mammalian carnivores exclude other carnivore species, shaping local communities. This leads to a chain reaction affecting prey species, plant communities, and even insect populations.
A study by Penn State researchers identified 13 types of problems with screening questions for Alzheimer's disease, including vagueness and emotional triggers. The findings suggest that clinicians can improve their understanding of patients' unique experiences by asking better questions.
A $318,696 NSF award will support the development of a novel biosensing nanotechnology to visualize trace biomarker proteins under a microscope. This technology has the potential to greatly advance protein sensing, enabling accurate diagnoses based on biopsies and improving basic biomedical research.
A responsive parenting intervention resulted in lower body mass indexes (BMIs) among toddlers when they were three years old. The program taught first-time moms how to respond appropriately to their babies' needs, leading to healthier weight development and reduced rates of overweight and obesity.
Researchers used official government records to estimate a higher death toll from Hurricane Maria, with approximately 1,139 deaths surpassing the official count of 64. The study aimed to inform future weather disaster preparedness and response.
Researchers developed a more comprehensive method for measuring the Earth's boundary layer depth using radar, which constantly ebbs and flows. This improvement in accuracy can lead to better forecasts for severe weather events, air pollution, and wildfire forecasting.
Researchers found that personalist rule in dictatorships receives significantly more foreign investment in fixed-asset intensive industries. Deals with dictators often involve illicit payments, which can siphon off money from the public good.
Researchers propose a four-factor model for online engagement, including physical interaction, interface assessment, absorption, and digital outreach. This model can lead to the development of content that encourages sharing and websites that promote learning and memory.
A study led by Penn State researchers found low levels of pharmaceuticals in drinking water from private wells in north central Pennsylvania. The most frequently detected compounds were ofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole, with at least one compound detected at all sites.
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.