A team of researchers developed a programmable smart skin out of hydrogel that can be used to encrypt or decrypt information, enable adaptive camouflage and power soft robotics. The material's dynamic control over optical appearance, mechanical response and surface texture can be adjusted using external stimuli.
A new randomized clinical trial found that training the less-impaired arm significantly improved movement coordination, speed and control in chronic stroke survivors. The study showed that motor skills in the less-affected arm can be improved even years after a stroke occurs.
Researchers at Penn State develop a hydrogel-based battery that mimics the electrical processes of electric eels, producing higher power densities than previous designs. The battery is non-toxic, flexible, and environmentally stable, making it suitable for biomedical applications.
A novel AI framework uses speech patterns to detect cognitive decline years before traditional tools can, offering non-invasive screening for neurodegenerative conditions. The approach analyzes complex dynamics and transitions hidden in speech to reveal subtle patterns and extract objective biomarkers from natural patient behavior.
A recent study from Penn State College of Medicine researchers found that helper T cells, typically involved in fighting infections, become overly activated in failing human hearts, causing damage. The activation of these T cells highlights the impact of inflammation and immune dysfunction in heart failure.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that the level of transparency in artificial intelligence (AI) systems affects users' trust. When systems meet or exceed users' expectations, trust increases without needing detailed explanations. However, when expectations are not met, users require more information and a deeper understandin...
Fathers' warmth and developmentally supportive engagement with their babies at 10 months old were associated with better child health markers at age seven. In contrast, mothers' behavior had little predictive value on the child's physical health.
Researchers developed ZENN, an AI framework that recognizes and adapts to hidden differences in data quality. By using thermodynamic principles, the model distinguishes meaningful signals from uncertainty and noise.
A new consensus statement provides evidence-based guidance for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and return-to-play protocols for female athletes. The updated report includes a first-of-its-kind adolescent model of the Female Athlete Triad, addressing energy deficiency in growing adolescents.
A recent paper highlights the need for defense mechanisms covering software, programs, and physical components of quantum computing systems. Key findings include the risk of crosstalk, intellectual property theft, and lack of end-to-end protection, emphasizing the need for safeguarding quantum computers from ground up.
A research group at Penn State introduced a new, high-speed design process for nanoscopic materials used in advanced optical systems. The method uses large language models (LLMs) to predict how metasurfaces will influence light, bypassing traditional simulation processes that required extensive domain knowledge and time.
A recent study found that back pain can predict sleep problems years later in men over 65, leading to a 12% to 25% increase in sleep issues. Men with back pain are more likely to experience poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.
A new study finds that environmental regulations in the US reduce medical costs and financial losses by up to five times more than the costs associated with implementing these rules. The EPA's operating budget is tiny compared to federal spending, yet it helps protect the environment and save lives.
A new virtual reality (VR) program, VRmivora, enables students to explore bird fieldwork experiences, filling a gap in science outreach and communication. The program allows users to interact with birds, analyze genetic samples, and learn about evolution through genetics.
Researchers found that leads in sea ice significantly influence atmospheric chemistry and cloud formation, altering regional atmospheric composition. This creates a feedback loop that accelerates sea-ice melt and amplifies Arctic warming.
LionGlass promises to cut glass manufacturing carbon footprint in half by lowering melting temperature and eliminating carbonate materials. The technology also offers improved damage resistance, up to ten times that of conventional glass.
A new study published in Sleep Health found that the quality of a night's sleep, rather than its length, predicts how quickly older adults process information the next day. Researchers analyzed data from 261 participants aged 70 and above, who wore devices to track their sleep and completed cognitive assessments six times a day.
A new study led by Penn State researchers found that plant genomes work together to determine a tree’s ability to adapt to changing environments. When the combination of inherited genes better matches up, those plants may be better able to perform photosynthesis and take up key nutrients.
A new study found that proteins containing a widespread structural motif are more likely to misfold in E. coli. Essential proteins with the motif are more likely to be rescued by chaperones, suggesting an evolutionary mechanism to repair them.
Researchers found that two proteins in the CCR4-NOT complex have opposing roles in controlling genetic messages, with one destabilizing and the other steadying mRNA. This balance is critical to gene regulation and understanding cellular differentiation, adaptation to environmental stimuli, and disease mechanisms.
A team at Penn State has developed a high-speed platform capable of producing synthetic brochosomes, tiny nanostructures that make insects invisible to predators. The technology could lead to advancements in camouflage, sensors, and other applications.
Researchers at Penn State developed an AI machine vision model that accurately finds, outlines, and estimates the density of weeds in apple orchards. The system achieved high accuracy for weed detection, segmentation, localization, tracking, and identification, paving the way for automated precision herbicide sprayer guidance.
Researchers have created transparent ceramics that can control light with exceptional efficiency, surpassing theoretical predictions. The breakthrough is attributed to the zentropy theory developed by Penn State professor Zi-Kui Liu, which explains the material's unique electro-optic properties.
A study by Penn State's Allison Fleming found that poor health is the primary driver of forced retirements. State vocational rehabilitation agencies may be able to help individuals with disabilities remain in the workforce longer, addressing issues such as financial and health costs associated with early retirement.
A team at Penn State has developed a novel approach to treating bladder cancer using bacterial mixtures, known as microbial product cocktail immunotherapy. This method uses AI to personalize the treatment for each patient and has shown promising results in mice with bladder cancer, more than doubling long-term cancer survival rates.
Researchers at Penn State develop high-speed platform to produce synthetic brochosomes, complex nanostructures that make insects invisible to predators. The breakthrough enables next-gen camouflage, sensors and other advancements for humans.
Researchers at Penn State have identified a deliberate imbalance in the shape of viral shells that helps them infect their hosts. The 'loaded die' design creates a spring-loaded genome that positions genetic material precisely, allowing viruses to rapidly hijack host machinery and replicate.
A new study found that calcium accumulation in breast arteries and its progression on mammograms can predict future cardiovascular disease. Women with more severe calcification and those whose calcification worsened over time had a higher risk of heart-related events, such as heart attack, stroke, and death.
The grant aims to increase individual screenings and change how health systems embed evidence-based screening practices into everyday operations. PA-CARES will work with trusted organizations in 28 counties with the lowest screening rates to implement effective screening options and facilitate timely linkage to care.
A new study found that wood warblers have borrowed color-related genes from neighboring species, leading to the evolution of diverse plumage colors. This gene exchange, known as introgression, occurred across multiple genera and is believed to have played a role in the group's rapid diversification.
The report identifies top-priority scientific objectives and proposes four mission campaigns to maximize the scientific return of the first three human landings on Mars. It provides a science-driven roadmap balancing scientific goals with existing NASA mission plans and technological capacity.
Researchers at Penn State are developing a small, durable ventricular assist device (VAD) specifically designed for young children with heart failure. The PSU Child VAD aims to provide long-term support while waiting for a heart transplant, improving quality of life and outcomes.
Researchers developed a new device that can differentiate between active HIV infection and false positives caused by vaccines, with accuracy rates of 95% and 98%. This technology has the potential to accelerate vaccine development and improve diagnosis, addressing the limitations of existing diagnostics.
A new method developed by Penn State researchers improves the analysis of genetic data, identifying more genes associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS. The technique, BASIC, integrates both bulk tissue samples and single-cell data to uncover shared genetic effects across different cell types.
A scalable approach to designing and fabricating wireless electronic systems that can adapt to 3D surfaces has been developed by Penn State researchers. This method uses liquid metal patterns printed onto heat-shrinkable polymer substrates, enabling the creation of customizable smart devices.
Researchers developed a drone-based AI system to monitor turkey behavior, detecting 87% of behaviors and 98% accuracy. The system could reduce labor demands, allow continuous monitoring, and lower training burdens.
The partnership has resulted in the successful commercialization of LionGlass, a new family of glass developed at Penn State, offering enhanced mechanical durability and reduced carbon footprint. The collaboration aims to bring this sustainable material to luxury packaging, with major cosmetics brands expressing strong interest.
Researchers at Penn State developed a smartphone app called NaviSense that uses AI and recommendations from the visually impaired community to guide users to objects in their environment. The tool can identify items users are looking for in real-time based on spoken prompts, providing improved navigation for visually impaired people.
Researchers are working to develop strategies to mitigate sandbagging in AI models, a tactic where systems downplay their capabilities to evade evaluation. The project aims to improve AI safety by developing strong guardrails to prevent uncontrolled release.
Researchers found that everyday routines in early infancy can shape later obesity risk. A new study from Penn State suggests that a handful of routines around feeding, sleep and play during the first two months of an infant's life can be linked to higher weight just a few months later. The EHL tool helps pediatricians identify specific...
Researchers found that eating a Mediterranean diet with moderate portions of lean beef did not increase blood levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), an emerging indicator of cardiovascular disease risk. This suggests that dietary quality is more important than the amount of beef eaten in relation to heart health.
A team of researchers has successfully developed niobium disulfide metallic nanotubes with predictable properties, a long-sought goal in advanced materials science. The breakthrough was made possible by adding table salt to the growth process, which helped create stable shells and revealed two-layer tubes.
Verallia and Penn State collaborate to test LionGlass, a new family of glass with reduced carbon footprint and enhanced durability. The partnership aims to lower energy consumption and eliminate carbon-based raw materials.
Researchers at Penn State developed four AI-powered GIS agents to demonstrate autonomous data retrieval, spatial analysis, map generation, and cartographic tasks. The agents showed promise in reducing manual grunt work and expanding geospatial solutions to pressing challenges.
Researchers found that apalutamide and finasteride effectively suppressed AML progression in mice and patient-derived cells by inhibiting the androgen hormone pathway. The study provides a novel targetable pathway for leukemia patients, offering a promising new direction for treatment.
A recent study by Asher Rosinger found that children who drink their tap water and live in food-secure households consume fewer calories from sugary drinks. This suggests a link between water insecurity and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, highlighting the importance of universal access to safe drinking water for children's health.
Researchers at Penn State developed seven new high-entropy oxides by removing oxygen during synthesis, stabilizing iron and manganese in ceramics that wouldn't otherwise stabilize. The team used machine learning to identify six additional combinations of metals forming the new materials.
A team of scientists at Penn State has created a more efficient and less dense piezoelectric ceramic material that can harvest energy from waste vibrations. The improved material, made of potassium sodium niobate, is thermally stable, fatigue resistant and performs competitively with existing lead-based materials.
Researchers found a significant link between cultivated cropland, herbicide use, and increased melanoma incidence in Pennsylvania. The study suggests that environmental exposure beyond occupational settings may contribute to skin cancer risk.
Researchers at Penn State found that stress-sensitive type-one nNOS neurons regulate blood flow and neural activity in mice brains. Eliminating these neurons resulted in reduced blood flow and electrical activity, highlighting their critical role in brain function.