New Penn State research reveals that Southern natives and average education level are key predictors of school corporal punishment use. The study found a correlation between parental corporal punishment and SCP, highlighting the potential negative impacts on children's social and behavioral well-being.
A new gene-editing technology, ReMOT Control, is being developed by a Penn State-led team to enable researchers to study gene function in diverse arthropod species. This method breaks down barriers to genetic modification, allowing for accurate and precise studies of gene function.
Researchers found differences in immune system factors between men and women with bipolar disorder, particularly in zinc levels associated with depression severity in women. This study suggests that biological changes in the body could be used to diagnose the disease and tailor treatments differently for men and women.
Women who receive false-positive mammogram results are more likely to begin medication for anxiety or depression than those with immediate negative results. A 10-20% higher rate of prescription medications was found in patients requiring multiple tests to rule out a breast cancer diagnosis.
A study found that mice eating 30% fewer calories had a lower parasite load and lived longer. The parasite adapts by slowing its replication in response to host's nutritional status.
A team of Penn State researchers has created 2D layered devices that can self-assemble at atomistic precision, enabling the production of high-efficiency devices such as flexible electronics and energy storage systems. The devices feature minute spacing between layers, which is crucial for achieving optimal performance.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that flexible flagella allow bacteria to overcome local forces between molecules, reducing viscosity and effectively thinning the liquid. This understanding could inform ways to control or prevent biofilm formation on surfaces, leading to better medical device designs and filtration methods.
A randomized clinical trial involving 1,000 Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) found that acupuncture did not increase live births when combined with clomiphene or placebo medication. The study suggests that acupuncture may not be an effective supplemental treatment for infertility in women with PCOS.
Penn State researchers will use a new grant to develop an extraction technique combining pressure filtration and ion-exchange/ion chromatography to recover rare earth elements from domestic coal. The goal is to determine the economic feasibility of recovering REEs from coal-related materials.
A recent study by Penn State researchers found that young, U.S.-born Latino males report the highest levels of discrimination in both interpersonal and institutional contexts. The study, published in the Social Science Research journal, suggests that this group's higher expectations for inclusion and awareness of unfair treatment contr...
Researchers found that people who took a picture of a sentimental item before donating it donated between 15-35% more than those who did not receive a prompt. This is because possessions, memories, and identity are psychologically tied together.
A new analysis shows that genetic variation and elevated ozone exposure increase the risk of developing autism, with an added effect when combined. The study found that copy-number variation and particulate matter in the environment had significant individual impacts on autism risk.
Researchers found that negative social media comments about a TV show tend to lower enjoyment for other viewers, while positive comments have little impact. The 'bandwagon effect' suggests that people adopt beliefs and ideas because they think others hold similar beliefs, making negative comments more influential.
Researchers from Penn State's IST have developed a method to identify bow echoes in radar images, a phenomenon associated with fierce winds. The algorithm can automatically detect bow echoes as they begin to form, providing instant notifications for severe weather alerts.
Researchers at Penn State aim to protect critical structures from earthquakes and explosions using a new metamaterial. The team will use numerical and experimental studies to evaluate the effectiveness of their proposed material in filtering and dissipating surface waves.
Researchers found that grape-based compounds resveratrol and grape seed extract effectively killed colon cancer cells and suppressed tumors in mice. The combination of these compounds was found to be non-toxic to healthy cells, making them a promising approach for colon cancer prevention and treatment.
Michael Mann, a world leader in climate science, has been awarded the Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communications. The award recognizes his work on reconstructing global temperature variations over the past two millennia and its significance in understanding human-caused warming.
Researchers found that 50% of energy is released in slow earthquakes, reducing tsunami risk, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. The study used data from instruments placed on the seafloor and in boreholes east of Japan's coast to understand slow-slip earthquakes and their impact on large earthquakes and tsunamis.
A Penn State researcher has been awarded a grant to develop a 'hydrogen sponge' technology that could efficiently store hydrogen fuel for use in fuel cell vehicles. The technology uses supercritical liquid form to condense the gas, allowing for storage at ambient temperature and low-pressure conditions.
Researchers Francisco Diaz and Pak Kin Wong are developing a new contraceptive technology that targets two essential reproductive processes. Their project aims to identify effective, non-invasive, low-cost, and easy-to-use contraceptives by exploring novel approaches to contraception.
A newly described protein, PfAP2-I, regulates a number of genes involved with the parasite's invasion of red blood cells, making it an effective target for new antimalarial drugs. Preventing PfAP2-I from binding to DNA and initiating the expression of invasion genes could stop an infection before it reaches the red blood cell stage.
Researchers analyzed data from over 50 million people and found that prior statin use was associated with a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The association was more noticeable in people taking lipophilic statins, and was most robust for those using the medication for less than two-and-a-half years.
A Penn State researcher is leading a five-year project to investigate adolescent-specific changes in face processing during pubertal development. The study will test three groups of adolescents and young adults, exploring how facial processing changes influence behaviors and social relationships.
A new study led by Penn State Smeal College of Business researchers assesses the capacity of humanitarian response systems following disasters. The research proposes new metrics based on optimization models to guide individual decisions toward system improvement and aid in real-time assessment of stockpile capacity.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that e-cigarette users are relatively less dependent on their product compared to traditional cigarette smokers. The PATH study analyzed responses from over 30,000 young people and adults, showing that e-cigarettes cause less nicotine dependence than cigarettes.
Using the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers measured the deflection of light rays as they passed near a white dwarf star, providing a solid estimate of its mass. The result confirms theoretical predictions and offers insights into the star's structure and composition.
KELT-9b, a Jupiter-like gas giant, has a 'year' of only 1.5 days and orbits an extremely hot star that radiates more ultraviolet radiation than our sun. The planet's atmosphere is constantly blasted with high levels of radiation, making it inhospitable to life.
Researchers found that babies who shared a room with parents after the first four months had poorer sleep quality and more unsafe sleeping practices. The study suggests that the American Academy of Pediatrics should reconsider its recommendation to room-share for the entire first year.
A new two-part system turns embryonic or adult stem cells into the desired target cell type, reproducing flawlessly. The system uses a DNA plasmid that makes cells glow green when exposed to blue light, allowing researchers to track its removal and control gene expression.
Researchers from Penn State and Florida State University have developed a new, industrially scalable catalyst that splits water into hydrogen with minimal external energy. The molybdenum disulfide alloy improves the efficiency of the process, enabling cheaper production of clean hydrogen fuel.
A study by Penn State researchers suggests a possible link between the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant and thyroid cancer cases in nearby areas. The study found an increase in genetic mutations caused by low-dose radiation exposure in patients who developed thyroid cancer after living in at-risk regions.
A new study found that participants in the PROSPER program showed a significant reduction in lifetime use of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. The program also reduced prescription drug misuse and reported lower levels of drug-related problems among young adults.
Researchers have identified a key to generating effective tissue-resident memory T cells that can fight off infections in organs. By adjusting the strength of T cell receptor stimulation, scientists can promote the generation of these cells, which could lead to more efficient protection against viruses like Zika and HIV.
Assistant professor Namiko Yamamoto is using a $447,663 grant from the Office of Naval Research to explore the fundamental toughening mechanisms of novel ceramic composites. Her goal is to develop ceramics with enhanced fracture toughness and damage tolerance for high-temperature aerospace applications.
Researchers at Penn State have created inexpensive molecular rulers for DNA research using new, license-free DNA ladders. These plasmids can estimate DNA fragment sizes between 50 and 5,000 base pairs in length, offering a cost-effective alternative to commercially available methods.
A recent study analyzed over 9,000 middle-aged adults in England and found that moderate drinkers who also smoked experienced more health problems than those who drank lightly or abstained. The researchers suggest that other lifestyle factors, such as education and smoking habits, may be more influential on midlife health.
A team of biologists studied lizards' reactions to fire ant exposure in socially stressful environments. Despite initial expectation that lizards would be stressed, they found lower baseline cortisol levels in those exposed to fire ants for two weeks.
A recent study by Erica Frankenberg found that student assignment policies in Jefferson County, Kentucky, are increasing diversity despite rising segregation. The new policies have resulted in steady enrollment growth with no evidence of flight by white or affluent students to private schools or neighboring districts.
Researchers aim to promote sustainable water for agriculture through stakeholder engagement, testing flexible models in Arizona, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. The project seeks to address complex web of social, economic, cultural, institutional, legal, and biophysical conditions influencing water resource management.
A Penn State researcher has been awarded nearly $8 million by DARPA, the US Navy, and Lockheed Martin to continue his work on engineered metamaterials. The project aims to develop new algorithms and simulation tools for designing optical materials, with potential applications in electromagnetic cloaking technology.
Positive trends in creating open and reproducible environments are underway, with more researchers sharing data and software. Technology is also improving, with new web-based management tools and data depositories being developed.
Researchers have created a bacteria-powered fuel cell that can convert methane into small amounts of electricity near the wellheads, reducing long-distance transport and leakage. The process uses a consortium of bacteria that produces electricity by capturing methane and producing acetate, electrons, and an energy enzyme.
A new study published in New Forests finds that the American chestnut rescue effort will eventually succeed, but at a slower pace than anticipated. The research team reviewed decades of breeding records and transgenic experiments to conclude that it is just a matter of time before blight resistance is achieved.
A new method pinpoints critical information needed to improve management decisions during a disease outbreak. The approach provides two important pieces of information: the best course of action and highlighted gaps in knowledge that matter for intervention strategies.
A compound called interleukin 4 helps macrophages kill parasites and promote healing in lung tissue by binding to a receptor called myosin 18A. This discovery could lead to better treatments for common infections, including those caused by parasitic worms that infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
A team of researchers has discovered a new type of living material composed of liquid crystals and bacteria. The combination creates unusual optical, physical, and electrical properties, and the bacteria exhibit collective behavior when at high concentrations. Experiments show that oxygen removal stops the action of the living material.
Astronomers predict that combining NIRISS and NIRSpec on James Webb Space Telescope will maximize information content about exoplanet atmospheres. This combination allows for the observation of key chemical compounds such as water, methane, and carbon dioxide.
Researchers found no difference between men and women in facial recognition abilities, challenging conventional wisdom that women excel in this area. Facial recognition is a crucial skill for social interactions and decision-making.
Researchers found that similar levels of trust reduce opportunistic behavior, while asymmetry leads to perceptions of opportunism. Asymmetry in power and size influences perceptions, with bigger buyers perceived as less opportunistic by smaller suppliers.
Researchers studied 240 children with autism between 15-71 months old, finding that IQ, communication skills, and speech ability explained less than 3% of their tantrums. Children with clear speech and high intelligence had the same number of tantrums as those with lower speech skills.