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.
Climate researchers found that global climate models become increasingly uncertain when making predictions at scales below approximately 600 miles for temperature changes and 1200 miles for precipitation patterns. This makes it difficult to predict regional variations, such as the difference in warming between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh.
Researchers study how parents cope with NICU stress using secular and spiritual strategies, finding that negative religious coping can lead to lower levels of connection with family. Effective coping fosters bonding with the baby, while spiritual support provides a sense of meaning and connection.
New research shows coral larvae cannot survive a 5,000-kilometer trip across the Pacific to replenish eastern corals. Simulations indicate reefs in the Eastern Tropical Pacific are isolated and vulnerable to disturbances.
A team of Penn State materials scientists has developed a unique three-dimensional sandwich-like structure that protects the dense electric field in the polymer/ceramic composite from dielectric breakdown. The material has been shown to have high energy density, power density and excellent charge-discharge efficiency, making it highly ...
A Penn State researcher found that pregnant women use a dual self-image to cope with the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy. They differentiate between their pre-pregnancy body weight and 'baby weight,' allowing them to maintain a positive body image during this time.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine developed a new care plan for managing septic perianal Crohn's disease, which combines medical and surgical treatments. The plan resulted in a 60% healing rate among patients, with half requiring permanent ostomy bags while the other half saw some improvement but did not heal completely.
Researchers found that teens are more likely to be bullied by current or former friends and dating partners than by strangers. Close relationships can lead to intense competition for status and esteem, resulting in cyber aggression.
Researchers used data on taxi trip records and points of interest from FourSquare to gather insights into neighborhood crime rates. The study found that areas with nightclubs tend to be low-crime areas, suggesting people choose safe destinations.
A study of 1,508 infertile women with PCOS found that frozen embryo transfers had lower rates of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and pregnancy complications compared to fresh embryo transfers. Women with PCOS who received frozen embryos also had higher rates of live births and better birth weights.
Researchers suggest that analyzing and countering terrorist narratives can be an effective way to reduce recruitment. By understanding the processes used by terrorists to persuade people to join their groups, experts can craft counter-narratives that contradict these themes and promote alternative messages.
A genetic mutation in modern humans may have allowed them to effectively process toxic compounds produced by fires, potentially giving them an evolutionary edge. This mutation is thought to be linked to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and may have helped humans adapt to environmental toxin exposures.
Researchers have accurately dated the extinction of woolly mammoths on St. Paul Island to 5,600 years ago using fungal spores and sediment DNA. The study found that freshwater limitation contributed to their demise, highlighting the vulnerability of small island populations to environmental change.
A study by Penn State researchers found that websites with search and interaction history can be just as engaging as chatbots or human helpers. By leveraging browsing history, businesses can create a sense of contingency, making users feel like they're having a conversation.
Researchers developed self-healing polyelectrolyte coatings that can repair themselves and neutralize chemicals, protecting users from toxic substances and hazardous environments. The coatings are thin, micron-sized and can increase material strength while being reusable and rewearable after laundering.
Researchers developed an ultrasensitive chemical sensor using N-doped graphene and Raman spectroscopy, detecting trace amounts of molecules in solutions. The technique significantly enhances the Raman signal, allowing for detection of organic molecules at very low concentrations.
Researchers found that different tree species employ unique strategies to acquire nutrients, with thicker roots avoiding hot spots and thinner roots relying on fungal partnerships. Understanding these strategies can help predict forest responses to climate change.
A major international study found that family members play a crucial role in supporting individuals with diabetes, but also face significant emotional strain. The research highlights the need for healthcare providers to include family members in educational sessions and provide them with resources to manage their loved one's condition.
A new mobile application called WithShare facilitates collaborative activities by allowing users to request and participate in shared experiences. By streamlining interactions and emphasizing reciprocal roles, the app aims to overcome limitations of traditional timebanking and promote coproduction relationships.
Researchers discovered a gene that enables plants to harness energy from the far-red-light spectrum, potentially increasing plant productivity. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient crop plants and even artificial photosynthesis as an alternative energy source.
As air pollution increases, hydrocarbon molecules break down, confusing bees and increasing foraging time. This affects not only generalist but also specialist bees, impacting pollination and ecosystem balance.
Researchers found that teaching parents bedtime techniques can improve infants' sleep-related behaviors, leading to longer sleep duration and reduced rapid weight gain. Establishing good sleep habits early in life is crucial for preventing obesity and promoting emotional health.
Researchers found that female deer typically travel twice as far and take more convoluted paths than males, making it harder to contain chronic wasting disease. Dispersal rates are density-dependent, meaning higher deer densities lead to greater dispersal.
A team of engineers has created a method to produce cartilage from strands of bioink using 3D printing. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of cartilage patches for worn-out joints, with potential applications in treating osteoarthritis.
Researchers found that bumble bees selectively forage among plant species based on the nutritional quality of their pollen. The study identified specific plant species with high protein-to-lipid ratios as preferred by bumble bees.