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.
A team of chemists at Penn State developed a designer's toolkit to construct complex nanoparticles using a simple mix-and-match process. They created a library of 47 distinct nanoparticles with varying materials and shapes, overcoming the bottleneck in laboratory synthesis.
A new study reveals that a polydnavirus suppresses the defense mechanisms of both caterpillar hosts and plant hosts, allowing parasitic wasps to thrive. The virus reduces glucose oxidase in caterpillars' saliva, triggering lower enzyme activity and defense-gene expression in plants.
A study by Penn State researchers found that older adults who used Facebook to share personal stories felt a higher sense of community, while customizing their profiles made them feel more in control. Commenting on posts also provided a sense of social interaction.
Researchers found that fawn survival is higher in landscapes with mixed forest and agricultural cover, but human-caused mortalities are greater. The study suggests that efforts to alter fawn survival may be challenging due to predation, and that reducing antlerless harvests may be more effective.
The Thwaites glacier, part of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, is under study due to its potential impact on sea levels. Researchers will use radar and seismic sensing to investigate the glacier's response over decades and centuries.
Researchers found that positive family climate and effective parenting strategies during adolescence can lead to better problem-solving skills and less-violent romantic relationships as young adults. Positive engagement with parents is also associated with feelings of love and connection in young adult relationships.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a chemical-free method for etching nanoscale features on silicon wafers. The technique, called tribochemical reaction, uses a scanning probe microscope to remove single layers of atoms from the surface without damaging underlying layers.
A team of biologists and immunologists from Penn State will study bear ecology, movement, and immune response to understand the spread of sarcoptic mange in Pennsylvania bears. The research aims to identify genes associated with resistance to the disease and develop effective management strategies.
A study found that ride-sharing platforms, such as Uber, may be performing similar roles to human managers, but with limited driver input. The platform prioritizes the needs of riders over drivers' concerns, leading to a blurred line between employee and contractor status.
Researchers found that users consider personalized apps more trustworthy when consulted about store preferences, leading to better usability and engagement. Higher perceived transparency reduces privacy concerns and boosts user involvement.
A study found that consumers tend to blame companies for imposing internal and external surcharges, even if the charges were imposed by an outside agency. The characteristics of the surcharge can shift blame, with customers being more likely to blame the firm if it's something internal.
Researchers found that defects in 2D molybdenum sulfide materials can improve their physical and electrochemical properties. By intentionally introducing sulfur vacancies, they can enhance chemical processes like hydrogen evolution from water, leading to increased energy efficiency and reduced costs.
A Penn State researcher suggests that using online exchanges like Craigslist can reduce municipal solid waste by 2-6% annually, leading to millions of dollars in savings for large cities. This reuse behavior could also eliminate millions of tons of waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study reveals that tidal wetlands and estuaries bury the majority of carbon in coastal waters, with 80% of it being stored. This finding helps establish how coastal waters influence atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and climate.
Researchers from Penn State have developed a new sodium-based material that can be used as an electrolyte in solid-state batteries. The material has defects allowing it to transfer ions, making it safer and potentially cheaper than current lithium-ion batteries.
A new system called MAPHEX can remove almost all phosphorus from stored livestock manure, addressing a major environmental issue in the US. The technology could have a huge impact on water quality problems if made more affordable to operate.
Researchers analyzed e-cigarette flavors and found that many chemicals used in flavoring increase the production of free radicals, while a few decrease it. The study identified six flavorants that significantly increased free radical production, including linalool, dipentene, and citral.
Researchers discovered that when live bacteria are spun at high speeds, they aggregate and form a dense disk, but when the spinning stops, the disk collapses due to imperfections on its surface. The resulting rapid movement of bacteria away from their origin of rotation creates an explosion-like effect.
Researchers found primary care providers and pediatricians are less confident in evaluating irritability than child and adolescent psychiatrists, leading to over-reliance on medication. Increasing education and training may help improve diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that roasting cocoa beans at optimal temperatures can boost polyphenol content and anti-pancreas-lipase activity while maintaining flavor profile. This study challenges previous findings on the negative impact of roasting on health benefits.
A team of researchers found that changes in sea levels during the Early Triassic period were caused by variations in the Earth's tilt, affecting ocean and groundwater volumes. The study suggests that this natural process may contribute significantly to future sea-level rise.
Researchers found that sulfur amino acid restriction can lead to enhanced lifespan, weight loss, and reduced oxidative stress in animals. While more research is needed in humans, the study suggests that a restricted diet may help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A Penn State demographer warns that Hurricane Maria's destruction may have crippled Puerto Rico's ability to gather and analyze accurate data, hindering the island's recovery and response to future emergencies. The lack of proper data collection services and analysis may lead to inadequate allocation of resources, including money and aid.
Researchers at Penn State developed a microengineered slippery rough surface that surpasses current technology in water harvesting applications. The new surface combines the properties of pitcher plants and rice leaves, allowing it to collect tiny water droplets from air at a faster rate.
Researchers developed more accurate models to predict methane emissions from dairy cattle, utilizing individual data from over 5,200 lactating cows from 15 countries. The new models can be used to create region-specific inventories, improving the accuracy of carbon footprint assessments and mitigation strategies.
The Water Recovery X-ray rocket, WRX, will test a newly-developed X-ray spectrograph and study the X-rays from a supernova remnant in the Milky Way galaxy. The mission will provide information about the conditions in the Vela supernova remnant, including temperature, density, chemical composition, and ionization state.