Researchers have devised a general method to control grain boundaries in 2D materials, leading to enhanced electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and magnetism. The innovative approach utilizes Gaussian curvature on the substrate to predetermine grain boundary locations and line them up in orderly positions.
Researchers developed a test to predict bitter pit disorder in stored Honeycrisp apples, which can save growers millions of dollars annually. The test analyzes calcium levels in fruit peels and indicates whether the disorder will develop.
Researchers at Penn State University have found that an iron-sulfur cluster carrier called NfuA replaces the destroyed iron-sulfur cluster in LipA, allowing it to continue producing lipoic acid. This discovery could help understand why humans with defects in the iron-sulfur carrier gene have deficiencies of lipoic acid.
A rare cancer in patients with breast implants, BIA-ALCL, may be on the rise and underreported. The cancer is linked to textured implants, which were introduced in the 1990s, and can lead to chronic inflammation and lymphoma, resulting in a good prognosis when treated promptly.
Researchers confirm neutron star collision using electromagnetic radiation detected by NASA's Swift Gamma Ray Burst Explorer. The event provided a complete picture of compact object mergers, marking a major breakthrough in astronomy.
For the first time, scientists have detected both gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation from the merger of two neutron stars, creating a new black hole. The detection marks the beginning of a new era in multi-messenger space exploration.
A family approach to managing chronic illnesses can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. By working together on lifestyle changes such as healthier eating habits and regular exercise, family members can help patients stay on track with their treatment plans.
Researchers found that broccoli's indole glucosinolates can activate the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the intestinal lining, maintaining a healthy balance in gut flora and immune surveillance. This may help prevent diseases like various cancers and Crohn's Disease caused by inflammation.
A team of Penn State engineers developed a new type of lithium sulfur battery that could improve efficiency, reduce costs and increase safety. The battery uses an organic sulfur-based interphase layer to prevent dendrite formation and improve mechanical flexibility.
Penn State researchers have developed a flexible, biodegradable optical fiber that can deliver light into the body for medical applications. The fiber, made of citrate-based polymer, enables ultrafine tuning of refractive index differences and allows for bending and stretching without damage.
A study found that playing a game called 'Hello' encourages people with chronic illness and their caregivers to engage in advance care planning. Three months after playing the game, 75 percent of participants had completed some form of advance care planning.
Researchers analyzed 56 high-quality studies on dementia to identify gaps in knowledge, focusing on caregiver behavior, environment, and progression of disease. The study aims to inform treatment design and interventions to reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia patients.
Taking prescribed sleep medications for insomnia increases risk of falling in older adults, according to researchers. Non-drug approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy may be more effective and safer.
A new telescope attachment using custom beam-shaping diffusers enables highly precise ground-based observations of exoplanets. The technology minimizes distortions caused by the Earth's atmosphere, allowing for stable and smooth images that are essential for maximizing precision in measurements.
A study found that middle managers used tactics like inflating subordinates' performance and coercing employees to deceive top management to achieve unachievable goals. This deception can harm an organization by affecting bonuses, strategic decisions, and resource allocation.
The documentary highlights New Orleans' efforts to create a master plan for future events as the 'canary in the coal mine' for climate impacts. The city's unique situation, with the Mississippi River altered after the great flood of 1927 and land sinking due to sea-level rise, underscores the need for planning and resilience.
Researchers predict warming temperatures will alter forage growing season timing but have minimal effect on summer heat stress in dairy cattle. Poultry producers may benefit from lower energy costs, while beef cattle production could increase due to warmer conditions and more forage availability.
Research suggests that physical abuse and punishment negatively impact children's academic performance, with harsh corporal punishment increasing peer isolation. Parent education on alternative forms of punishment may be a solution to prevent physical abuse and promote children's cognitive development.
For the first time, three detectors tracked gravitational waves emitted by a merger of two black holes, allowing scientists to more closely locate their birthplace in space. The detection highlights the scientific potential of a three-detector network of gravitational-wave detectors.
Researchers found that anxious mothers' babies spend more time looking at angry faces before turning away, suggesting a genetic component to anxiety development. This study could help predict which children are at risk for anxiety and potentially prevent its development.
A recent study identified a gene associated with schizophrenia risk that plays a critical role in early brain development. The gene, ZNF804A, regulates essential processes such as protein translation and neuronal migration. Understanding its function could lead to more effective treatments for the disorder.
Researchers found that pigs fed a high-calorie diet supplemented with purple-fleshed potatoes had lower levels of inflammation-linked protein IL-6, compared to those on a standard diet. This study suggests that whole foods containing macronutrients and phytonutrients may be effective in preventing colon cancer.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new biomaterial that can replace plastic barrier coatings in packaging and other applications, offering strong oil and water barrier properties. The material, comprised of treated cellulose pulp and chitosan, is compostable and has the potential to greatly reduce pollution if widely adopted.
Penn State researchers create a low-cost delivery system for probes to collect thermodynamic data in storms, with successful launches into supercell storms. The new system aims to link temperature data with radar wind data to predict tornado formation and improve forecasts.
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.