A study found that having fun at work is significantly related to informal learning, which includes unstructured forms of learning. Fun activities supported by management enhance wellbeing and create a safe environment for learning. Managers' support for fun matters more than their support for learning.
Researchers at Penn State University have identified Speckle-type POZ Protein (Spop) as a key regulator of bone development. The study reveals that Spop positively regulates Hedgehog signaling during bone formation, leading to reduced bone density and brachydactyly-like symptoms.
A team of researchers has identified an oxygen-dependent toxin antitoxin system that can be targeted to inhibit biofilm formation and combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. By understanding the molecular mechanisms behind this system, scientists hope to develop more effective antimicrobials.
Researchers at Penn State are using a computer program to analyze water quality data from Pennsylvania's streams, rivers, and private wells to detect potential environmental impacts of Marcellus Shale gas drilling. The study found that methane concentrations tend to be higher around fault lines.
Common insecticides like neonicotinoids significantly reduce populations of predatory insects in North American and European farming systems, posing a threat to crop yields. The use of integrated pest management strategies is recommended to conserve beneficial insect species.
Researchers found that users who customize their online news portal based on personal interests are less systematic in processing information. They also discovered that this 'self-as-source' perception can make users more willing to accept persuasive messages and advertisements.
Controlling polymer chain conformations may enable fast and flexible electrical circuits, revolutionizing the field of flexible electronics. Researchers developed new polymers that increase mobility in organic thin film transistors by over 10 times.
A team of planetary scientists suggests that dramatic climate cycles on early Mars could have created the planet's deep canyons and extensive valley networks. The researchers propose a glacier-covered Mars with long warm periods lasting up to 10 million years, producing enough water to form these features.
Researchers have estimated that elkhorn coral genotypes in Florida and the Caribbean are up to 5,000 years old, making them potentially the longest-lived animals. This study uses a genetic approach to estimate coral ages, which may provide hope for their survival under climate change.
A new sensor system can detect worsening heart failure conditions in patients with high accuracy, potentially preventing hospitalizations and death. The system, developed by Boston Scientific, uses a suite of sensors to track heart rate, activity, breathing, and other physiological measures.
Adding higher frequencies to the American Academy of Pediatrics hearing test protocol helps detect adolescent hearing loss. Early detection enables modification of behavior to prevent continued damage. The study found that young adults with mild hearing loss may exhibit reading, emotional, or socialization problems.
Researchers sequenced coral genomes to model population histories and show that corals can recover after environmental disasters. The study confirms fossil evidence and suggests that current reef deterioration can be reversed by reducing environmental stresses.
Women who are overweight or obese are less likely to use hormonal birth control methods, opting for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs and implants instead. This preference is driven by fear of weight gain associated with the pill and shot, despite LARCs not containing estrogen.
The article discusses the intricacies of culture and identity for Tibetan Muslim refugees in India, highlighting their struggles to hold onto their identities amidst complex circumstances. Despite being granted citizenship in India, they faced economic and social challenges, further isolating their community.
Researchers found that young adults with ADHD produced more force during continuous motor tasks and had difficulty inhibiting motor responses compared to those without ADHD. This study suggests that inhibitory motor control problems may be a unique identifier for adults with ADHD.
Researchers found that large decadal-scale shifts in the Sierra Nevada fire regime were related to changes in human activity, rather than climate change. Human land use patterns heavily influenced the fire regime, with four distinct time periods identified.
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) emit non-radio emission, challenging models and suggesting severe consequences for host galaxies. The discovery of FRB 131104's gamma-ray counterpart opens possibilities for detecting long-lived counterparts using X-ray, optical, and radio telescopes.
A Penn State study found that a hospital-wide initiative increased bedside interprofessional rounds to 74% among patients. The factors associated with this shift included unit characteristics, staffing ratios, and nurses' perceptions of team collegiality.
The MARISA consortium will utilize social and physical sciences to create, analyze, and translate climate information for decision-making. Climate change projections indicate significant impacts on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, including sea-level rise, temperature changes, and storm frequency.
A comprehensive five-year study will investigate the degradation of shale rock roofs in coal mines, with a focus on moisture-induced damage. The research aims to improve understanding of the science behind these failures, ultimately leading to safer mines and miners.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new strategy for antidepressant therapies by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brains of depressed mice. This approach shows promise as a rapidly acting and more effective treatment option.
Scientists analyzed insect feeding damage to thousands of leaf fossils from Patagonia, Argentina, and found evidence that ecosystems there recovered twice as fast as in the United States. The findings suggest that Patagonia's distance from the impact crater in Mexico may have contributed to the rapid recovery of insect diversity.
Researchers suggest shifting from 'curing' Alzheimer's to building resilience, acknowledging the disease is intertwined with aging processes. They propose education, infrastructure support and proper care as key components of societal response.
Scientists discovered that fluctuations in sulfur availability create atomic chains of molybdenum or tungsten in a two-dimensional alloy, controlling properties like heat transport and electronic behavior. This mechanism can be applied to a wide range of alloys in 2D crystals across the Periodic Table.
Including canola oil in a healthy diet may reduce visceral fat in just four weeks. Monounsaturated fats in canola oil specifically target abdominal fat, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers develop a metamaterial device that can blend into its surroundings like a chameleon, using vanadium dioxide to trigger phase changes. The device's ability to change state is tunable by altering the current flowing through it.
A new initiative aims to analyze ancient Alpine rocks for insight into the forces governing activity beneath the crust. Researchers will investigate thorium and uranium decay to lead in the subsurface, improving understanding of Earth's evolution and subduction processes.
Researchers discovered that parasitic plants, such as broomrapes, can transfer genes from their host plants, making them more invasive and resistant. This horizontal gene transfer may lead to the development of resistant host plants to combat crop loss caused by these weeds.
A recent study found that employees who are a poor cultural fit can remain engaged and productive through job crafting and enhanced leisure activities. Job crafting allows workers to modify their duties to better match personal abilities, while leisure activities can improve job satisfaction and performance.
Researchers found that frequent viewing of selfies on social media sites can lead to lower levels of self-esteem and life satisfaction. Those with a strong desire to appear popular were more sensitive to this effect.
Researchers from Penn State and industry partners aim to create low-cost, durable anion exchange membranes with novel cations for commercial-scale applications in fuel cells and electrolyzers. They will focus on stable polymers meeting ARPA-E requirements for resistance and cost.
Research shows that excess nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, causes overactivity of the TRPV ion channel, leading to cell death and behavioral changes in Caenorhabditis elegans. The study provides clues to the mechanism causing cell death and links it to behavior.
A six-month study in Pennsylvania found that eggs from small flocks have a higher prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis than those from large commercial flocks. The bacteria was present in internal and external egg contents, highlighting the need for education and quality-assurance practices in backyard and small layer flocks.
Researchers have developed methods to control defects in graphene, which can lead to improved membranes for water desalination and energy storage. Simulations using the Reactive Force Field Method predict interactions between atoms and defects, enabling controlled defect formation.
A $1.7 million grant will study climate change impacts on the Menominee Nation's forest, informing decision-making about forest management. The project aims to understand how tribal values inform forest management decisions in a changing climate.
Researchers found that older adults who completed cognitive training programs were more likely to continue driving, with increased chances after additional divided-attention training. Over 2,000 adults aged 65 or older participated in the study.
A new device uses a forest-like array of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes to selectively trap viruses by size, increasing sensitivity by over 100 times. This technology can capture unknown viruses without antibodies or sequence information, enabling early detection and potential vaccine development.
A new, inexpensive method for detecting chloride concentrations in sweat has been developed by Penn State biomaterials scientists. The fluorescent sensor is highly sensitive and selective for chloride, the key diagnostic marker in cystic fibrosis.
Four Penn State researchers have been awarded a total of $450,000 by the Charles E. Kaufman Foundation to study RNA and its processes, as well as real-time gravitational wave detection. The research aims to advance methods for determining RNA structure in living cells and improve prospects for multi-messenger astrophysics.
Researchers used satellite imagery and vaccination records to estimate population size and optimize vaccination coverage. The study showed that timing vaccination campaigns with predictable population peaks can improve coverage, especially in areas with limited access to health services.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that Pinterest users are drawn to the platform's unique features, including easy-to-follow instructions and intuitive navigation. The study also revealed that users pin content to express their interests and creativity.
Professional baseball players have seen a significant increase in weight and obesity over the last quarter century. The majority of athletes were within the normal BMI range for over 100 years, but around 1991, their average BMI began to rise, with nearly 80% now falling into the overweight or obese category.
Researchers at Penn State developed a cold sintering process (CSP) that combines ceramic and plastic materials at lower temperatures than traditional methods. The process allows for densification of materials to over 95% of their theoretical density in just 15 minutes.
Researchers found that providing tips and personalized feedback was just as effective as access to online social networking sites in promoting physical activity. Interventions were most effective among participants with low initial physical activity levels, suggesting a need for stronger reinforcers to motivate population-wide changes.
Researchers at Penn State and EPFL developed an AI model to recognize specific plant diseases from images, achieving an accuracy rate of 99.35% in a public dataset. The technology has great potential for supplementing existing disease diagnosis methods and could be implemented on smartphones, especially in developing countries.
Researchers created a computer defense system that senses possible malicious probes and redirects them to a virtual decoy network. This shadow network is isolated and can mimic the structure of an actual network to fool hackers.
Researchers found that planting a multi-species mixture of cover crops increases ecosystem services, including weed suppression, nitrogen retention, and aboveground biomass. The study suggests that designing cover-crop mixes can lead to greater multifunctionality in agroecosystems.
Designing new materials requires collaboration between theory, synthesis, and characterization. Researchers at Penn State used subatomic microscopy to study strain-induced ferroelectricity in a layered oxide, which could lead to new classes of materials with useful properties.
A team of researchers has successfully developed a device that can control the momentum of electrons in graphene, opening up new possibilities for low-power electronics. The device uses bilayer graphene and can create metallic wires with colored electrons that travel unhindered along the wires with minimal resistance.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new method to synthesize two-dimensional gallium nitride using graphene encapsulation, opening up new avenues of research in 2D materials. The process produces ultra-thin sheets of gallium nitride with improved properties for applications in electronics and optoelectronics.