A new study from Penn State found that more educated individuals are early adopters of risky behaviors and set trends for others to follow. However, once informed about the health risks, they quickly adjust their habits, making them potential trendsetters for positive change.
A Penn State researcher has received a $7.3 million grant to investigate the Ah receptor's impact on immune function and epithelial barrier integrity. The study aims to understand how activating the receptor enhances or disrupts the immune response in different tissues, with potential implications for diseases such as colon cancer.
Researchers found nine microRNAs in premature breast milk that target metabolic processes, regulating gastrointestinal function and energy use in premature babies. These findings suggest that breast milk may be optimized for premature infants' nutritional needs.
Researchers found that preeclampsia can permanently change blood vessel function, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Applying a drug to restore dilation response shows promise as potential treatment strategy.
Long-Qing Chen, a renowned professor at Penn State, has been awarded the Humboldt Research Award for his significant contributions to materials science and engineering. He plans to establish international collaborations and learn about European cultures through a one-year research project in Germany.
Researchers found that inflammation originating from abdominal fat precedes the development of sleep apnea in adolescence. Weight loss and anti-inflammatory medication have also been shown to reduce apnea severity. The study suggests biological-based interventions may be more effective for mild to moderate cases.
Research highlights the benefits of maternal stress in wildlife, influencing offspring characteristics and behaviors. Prenatal exposure to stress hormones can shape epigenetic changes, behavior, and physiology in offspring.
New leaf sensor technology measures plant water stress and detects wilting points, allowing for precise irrigation. The system uses a smartphone app to manage details, promising significant improvements in water-use efficiency.
Researchers found that mutated Ras causes ER stress, activating IRE1, which can both promote and inhibit tumors. IRE1 degrades messenger RNAs to help cells survive but also expresses proteins that fix unfolded proteins.
Researchers developed a material that can shrink the diameter of waveguides and control waveguide characteristics with unprecedented flexibility. The conformal coating solves crosstalk and blockage problems, enabling smaller waveguides to be more closely bundled.
A computer program analyzed estimates from an agribusiness expert, improving the accuracy of forecasts and leading to a 2-3% increase in profits and a 6-7% decrease in costs. The model quantifies expertise by comparing expert judgments with data collected in the field.
A team of researchers found that goldenrod plants can detect a specific chemical compound emitted by gall-inducing flies, triggering a defense response. The plants respond strongly to E,S-conophthorin, a blend of chemicals that attracts females and fertilizes eggs.
Penn State faculty members Ming Xiao, Heng Xu, and Jun Zhu receive NSF Convergence grants to support interdisciplinary research on permafrost coastal erosion, crowdsourcing research, and quantum science. The grants aim to bring together experts from various fields to address complex challenges and advance scientific discovery.
A new study found that flu vaccination rates for children may have decreased due to the unavailability of a nasal spray vaccine. The study, published in Vaccine, analyzed data from 9,591 pediatric patients and found that without the option of the nasal spray, total influenza vaccination rates were 1.6% lower in 2016-17 than in 2015-16.
A team of researchers at Penn State University has discovered a new pathway for nonstandard RNA transcription using high-resolution crystal structure. This finding provides insights into the mechanism of reiterative transcription, which plays a key role in controlling gene expression.
A study led by Penn State researchers found that wood frog populations are more sensitive to changes in temperature or temperature interacting with precipitation than to changes in precipitation alone. This suggests that sensitivity to climate change cannot be predicted solely by knowing locations within the species' climate envelope.
Researchers at Penn State's IST developed a system that correlates Twitter posts with power outage reports, showing a moderate-to-strong correlation. The tool could enable real-time monitoring and faster deployment of resources during disasters.
Penn State researchers have developed a novel approach to efficiently convert potato waste into ethanol, achieving a maximum ethanol concentration of 37.93 grams per liter in a co-culture biofilm reactor. The process eliminates the need for externally added enzymes and energy costs, reducing production costs and increasing productivity.
Participants listed keeping in touch and monitoring others' updates as main reasons for using Facebook, while also citing privacy concerns and triviality of posts. The researchers suggest that clear privacy control tools are needed to promote older adults' Facebook use.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine discovered that certain viruses evade the innate immune system by spreading to blood and being fought off in organs like the liver and spleen. This finding could lead to better treatments for viral infections like Zika, dengue, and measles.
A new study by Penn State researchers finds that injecting manure into crop fields instead of spreading it on the surface significantly reduces estrogen loads in surface runoff. The method also showed reduced transport rates of total dissolved phosphorus and dissolved organic carbon.
A Penn State researcher has received a $1.9 million grant to develop a genetic lab tool using a mosquito virus to control malaria. The virus, called AgDNV, will be used to insert specific genes into mosquitoes, allowing scientists to study their phenotypes and develop malaria-control strategies.
Researchers studied viruses from different eras to understand how they evade the host's immune response. Viruses collected in the 1990s are more effective at suppressing immune systems than those from the 1950s, leading to severe symptoms and high mortality rates.
A recent study found that consuming almonds regularly can improve HDL cholesterol levels and function in people with elevated LDL cholesterol. The almond diet resulted in a 19% increase in large HDL particles and improved HDL function by 6.4%, suggesting potential benefits for heart health.
A study found that mothers with stronger opinions about responding to night wakings had poorer coparenting perceptions. The researchers emphasize the importance of early and frequent communication between parents to maintain a healthy coparenting relationship.
Edward O'Brien's research aims to understand how the speed of protein assembly affects its structure and function, a question that was once considered unresolved by scientists. His team is developing computer simulations to model protein translation and explore the origins and consequences of translation rate changes on protein behavior.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that maize was sufficiently domesticated 4,300 years ago in Honduras, contrary to previous Mexico-based theories. The site's exceptional preservation and high-precision dating methods revealed larger cobs with more rows than typically found in Mexico.
A study of age and crime statistics from Taiwan suggests that cultural factors, such as collectivist societies and parental supervision, may influence the age-crime relationship. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that biology drives teen criminal behavior, instead highlighting the importance of cultural influences.
A new technique uses a fluorescent sensor to detect stress on cells at earlier stages than conventional methods. The method can be adapted to detect protein aggregates caused by other toxins and diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
A new study suggests that electrical grounding can moderate preterm infants' electromagnetic exposure in the NICU, improving their health outcomes. Vagal tone, measured by heart rate variability, increased by 67% after grounding, indicating improved autonomic nervous system function.
Researchers at Penn State have received a grant to develop the first new taxonomy for species of the genus Fusarium in 30 years, aiming to improve identification and classification of the genus. The project will produce a comprehensive monograph with digital connectivity and access to DNA sequence data.
A study found that infants with inhibited temperaments are more likely to be hesitant when trying new foods, while those with exuberant temperaments tend to accept new foods. Researchers observed infant reactions to new toys and food throughout the first 18 months, finding a consistent relationship between temperament and eating behavior.
A study found that Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus) trees can produce up to 52 million seeds during their lifetime, making them a major invasive threat in US forests. The tree's ability to maintain seed viability over its lifetime is unique among species.
Researchers found that Pennsylvania snowshoe hares have shorter, less-dense winter coats than their northern counterparts, producing lower coat temperatures. They also exhibit altered movement rates and resting-spot selection in response to variable winter temperatures. These adaptations may enable the hares to survive warming winters.
Researchers found a split between same words used by presidential candidates from different parties and what they mean, with semantic divide growing over time. This semantic shift can make dialogue difficult, if not impossible.
A new composite material made from a combination of polymers and hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets has been developed by Penn State researchers. This material can store energy at operating temperatures above 176 degrees Fahrenheit, outperforming current commercial polymers.
Researchers found that self-efficacy positively affects physical activity in osteoarthritis patients, even controlling for pain and mood. Boosting confidence can increase daily steps and moderate-intensity activity.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a compound that inhibits tumor growth by 69% in a mouse model and killed human melanoma cells. The compound targets the Akt1 pathway and human topoisomerase IIα activity, contributing to melanoma tumor growth.
Scientists have developed a high-resolution microscope to directly observe kinesin motors moving along microtubules, revealing the coordination of attachment and release. This new understanding may help clarify defects in transport processes contributing to diseases such as Alzheimer's and ALS.
Researchers found that using a true non-industrially influenced baseline could reduce the available carbon budget for meeting the 2°C warming limit. The study suggests that assuming a late 19th-century baseline may be underestimating the warming already taken place.
Researchers introduce a new method, 'social triangulation,' to identify local social media users based on their social networks' characteristics. This approach can help officials pinpoint people in a local area and disseminate critical information.
Researchers used a pig model to study chronic diseases, finding that pigs have similar gut bacterial profiles and immune systems as humans. The study suggests that a pig model could lead to better treatments and food-based prevention strategies for conditions like colon cancer and type 2 diabetes.
A study published in Journal of Environmental Management found a direct correlation between shale gas development activity and the rapid invasion of non-native plant species in Pennsylvania's northern forests. The research suggests that invasive plants can alter forest ecosystems, affecting wildlife habitats and timber harvests.
Researchers found high concentrations of contaminants, including endocrine disrupting chemicals and carcinogens, in sediments and pore water. The discharge of oil and gas wastewater impacted water quality on a larger scale than previously thought, with contamination detected as far away as 12 miles downstream from treatment plants.
Researchers are studying how activist groups like SNCC collected and leveraged geospatial intelligence data to plan protests and address racial segregation. The study aims to advance modern knowledge of geospatial intelligence and incorporate its importance into educational curriculums.
A recent Penn State study analyzed the fate of seven emerging contaminants in wastewater treatment plants and groundwater wells. The results showed that soil generally acts as an effective biogeochemical filter, removing most contaminants except during snowmelt events.
A team of Penn State food scientists found that people generally cannot tell the difference between fat levels in ice creams within a certain range. The study challenges some ice cream marketing that suggests high-fat ice cream is higher quality and better tasting.
A new study shows that rooftop concentrating photovoltaics can produce over 50% more energy than standard silicon solar cells, reaching 30% efficiency in outdoor testing. The system's embedded microtracking technology enables efficient tracking of the sun and maximizes energy production.
Researchers recommend early blood testing for iron deficiency in young women, especially those who have been menstruating for over three years. The study found that iron deficiency without anemia is common among adolescent females and can be associated with lower standardized math scores and attention problems.
Researchers discovered ancient plankton-like microfossils in South African and Australian rocks, dating back 3.4 billion years. The fossils' unique morphology and carbon isotope values suggest they had planktonic stages in their life cycles.