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.
A study by Penn State found that most people overestimated the time it takes to walk or bike to work, with faculty and staff being the worst offenders. The researchers believe that education and encouragement can help increase self-confidence and improve travel times.
Researchers used satellite data to identify a major magma supply into a reservoir extending almost two miles from the crater of Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua. The findings suggest that volcanoes can be fed magma through nearby underground channels, helping explain how they erupt without warning.
A recent study by Penn State economists suggests that investing in public education leads to higher upward mobility and lower teen pregnancy rates. The researchers found that better school quality has nearly twice the beneficial effect on upward mobility as reducing high school dropout rates.
A team of researchers will create decision-support tools to help beekeepers and land managers maintain pollinator populations. The tools will assess landscape factors, predict bee health, and provide information on flowering plant species.
Researchers at Penn State have identified key steps and proteins involved in cellulose synthesis, a crucial process for biofuels. The study's findings may lead to more efficient breakdown of cellulose for renewable energy production.
Researchers at Penn State designed a new material with twice the piezo response of existing commercial ferroelectric ceramics. The material's unique structure increases its dielectric properties and piezoelectric effect, making it suitable for medical ultrasound applications.
Researchers found that older adults are more likely to rely on gist memory, leading to difficulty distinguishing between real and false memories. This can result in false memories being confused with actual events.
A recent study by Penn State researchers has found that fluctuations in rainfall in Uganda are linked to an increased risk of infant hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluids in the brain cavities. The research used satellite data and climate models to identify vulnerable areas for epidemic diseases, paving the way for preventive measures.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that parenting style and a baby's temperament have a significant impact on their weight gain. Babies with a surgent temperament are more likely to be offered food as a comfort measure, leading to overeating and a higher risk of obesity.
A recent study by Penn State researchers found that women are choosing more effective, long-term methods of contraception when cost is not an issue. Since the Affordable Care Act mandate required private health insurance plans to cover all FDA-approved contraceptive methods without cost-sharing, privately insured women have been using ...
Researchers are using seismic data collected through a novel real-time monitoring system to track the spread of carbon dioxide underground. The team aims to refine the picture of what's happening underground as carbon dioxide spreads and increases in concentration in different rock features.
Research finds IEPs are often aligned to general education curriculum, lacking guidance on providing special education supports. Despite this, IEPs play a role in shaping educational supports for students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms.
Infected 'zombie ants' do not face aggression from their nest mates, but instead continue to share food resources until they leave the nest to die. The fungus is a chronic condition for the colony, without inducing strong defensive measures.
Researchers have developed a method to create large amounts of fillable and targeted nanovesicles using immune cells. These nanovesicles can be customized with specific ligands to target different types of tumors, enabling more effective cancer treatment.
A team of researchers has developed a new class of glass based on metals and organic compounds, with improved glass-forming ability and pliability compared to traditional silica glass. The new metal-organic compound glass, ZIF-62, exhibits superior mechanical properties and optical transmission.
A team of scientists, led by Penn State's Demian Saffer and Laura Wallace, is installing observatories beneath the sea floor to study slow earthquakes. They aim to uncover links between slow earthquakes, large normal earthquakes, and tsunami generation risk.
A novel study led by Penn State researchers will analyze ramps' phytochemistry, nutritional makeup, and market trends. The project aims to quantify the plant's key chemicals and evaluate its vulnerability to the allium leaf miner pest.
Researchers found that high school students preferred seasoned vegetables, except for sweet potatoes, and the seasonings were developed specifically with school dietary guidelines in mind. This simple recipe modification could result in more students eating vegetables and less food waste in schools.
Researchers used deep learning to analyze patterns of taxi demand and predict demand significantly better than current technology. This approach could help lessen idle time for taxis, making cities cleaner and improving safety in congested areas.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to androgens had no significant association with girls' time spent with either boys or girls. However, girls with classical CAH spent more time in male-typical activities and less time in female-typical activities. This study suggests that gender development is a complex process influenced by bo...
Research finds that mothers who continue to co-sleep with their babies past six months are more likely to feel depressed, criticized, and anxious about their baby's sleep. Despite the trend to discourage co-sleeping, experts emphasize the importance of finding a sleep arrangement that works for everyone in the family.
Scientists at Penn State have developed a new understanding of why synthetic 2D materials often perform orders of magnitude worse than predicted. By using oxygen-terminated substrate surfaces, they enhanced the photoluminescence intensity and carrier lifetime of molybdenum disulfide by 100 times.
A team of researchers will work on creating hydrogen fuel from renewable sources, such as sunlight, to produce a clean alternative for transportation and residential applications. The goal is to make headway in the food-energy-water nexus by bypassing natural photosynthesis.
The study highlights the importance of considering access to wood fuels when formulating policies to deal with food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers suggest expanding sustainable biomass production and consumption, including agroforestry practices to ease the burden on women, who collect most firewood.