Scientists at Penn State University have developed a new high-pressure technique to create large-area thin-film silicon semiconductors at low temperatures in simple reactors. This approach could make large, flexible semiconductors more feasible for applications like flat-panel monitors and solar cells.
Researchers found that simplified EULAs with separate pages and bullet points led to increased comprehension and a better attitude among users. This 'halo effect' enhances goodwill, transparency, and online safety for consumers concerned about privacy and security.
The Kepler-223 planetary system has unusually long-term stability due to gravitational interactions between its four planets, which return to the same positions relative to each other and their host star. Numerical simulations suggest that slow migration during formation could have placed these planets into their balanced configuration.
Penn State will lead a six-year, $20 million University Coalition for Fossil Energy Research to advance clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The coalition will explore research in coal, natural gas, and oil, including carbon dioxide capture and utilization, with the aim of minimizing environmental impacts.
Researchers found that screens alone could convince participants of a robot's femininity, eliminating the need for physical shape changes. This discovery may help develop customized robots for specific roles and populations, enhancing user experiences.
A study of 68 teen internet users found that many were able to resolve risky situations on their own. The researchers argue that focusing on positive interactions with online risk can help teach teens how to stay safe, rather than avoiding exposure altogether.
A study by Penn State researchers reveals that social media users act autonomously on some privacy issues but become interdependent when information is co-owned by multiple users. Participants relied on strategies like group discussions and private groups to manage privacy rights for group content.
A Penn State researcher found that political lobbying is linked to increased airline profits, but may harm the effectiveness of government regulation. The study analyzed data from 46 companies over 15 years, revealing a positive correlation between lobbying efforts and profitability.
Research found that deep-pitched male voices are seen as dominant by other males but have a smaller impact on attracting females. Human male traits imply physical aggression and formidability, providing competitive advantages in fighting or threatening other men more than they help attract women.
Research reveals that type 2 diabetes drug trials frequently exclude women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or may become pregnant without clear justification. The criteria most often excluded women who were currently pregnant or breastfeeding, but more than 50 studies excluded all women of childbearing potential.
A Penn State geoscientist is joining the NASA Mars rover team to investigate whether environmental conditions on Mars were ever favorable for microbial life. He will analyze Martian rocks and compare them to Earth rocks to search for signs of life, including sulfur and organic matter.
A study at Penn State's Deer Research Center found that deer prefer certain non-native invasive plants over native species, contributing to their spread. This preference is driven by plant species' palatability and growing season, suggesting a crucial role for deer in shaping plant community assembly.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a nanowire array that can cool about 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit using 36 volts, an electric field level safe for humans. The material is flexible, can be powered by a 500g battery pack for two hours, and could potentially be incorporated into firefighting gear or athletic uniforms.
A study found that workers who had good relationships with their bosses carried that goodwill into their new jobs, leading to important benefits for their former workplaces. Good relationships with bosses can also make ex-employees valuable ambassadors and future customers.
A recent study found that MOOC students are more engaged on Facebook groups than built-in course message boards and forums. The researchers suggest that social media tools can provide another communication channel for students, build a sense of community and trust, and offer better organization.
The team determined the three-dimensional structure of RlmN protein from Escherichia coli bacteria, capturing it during a normally transient event. The discovery sheds light on RlmN's function in modifying RNA molecules that are crucial for bacterial infections and potential antibiotic resistance.
The cooperative extension program has been instrumental in keeping farmers on the farm, with the federal program helping to retain over 137,000 agricultural businesses. By leveraging research from land grant universities, the program provides education and learning opportunities to farmers and citizens alike.
Researchers found that tap water and table salt can effectively clean milking systems, removing over 90% of residue with just a warm water rinse. The use of electrolyzed oxidizing water reduces cleaning time by up to 55% and costs by 30-40%.
A large analysis found that older adults who met strength-training guidelines had significantly lower mortality rates, even when controlling for demographic variables and health behaviors. The study suggests that strength training is beneficial beyond improving muscle strength and physical function.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified new asthma biomarkers in blood that can predict asthma with 91% accuracy. The discovery may lead to the development of a diagnostic blood test and more targeted treatments for asthma.
A recent study found that seniors use Facebook primarily for social bonding and curiosity, with a desire to stay connected to family and friends. The researchers suggest that simple and convenient interface tools are essential for attracting older adult users and motivating them to use the site longer.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have discovered a potential target for treating lupus: interferon gamma. The cytokine stimulates immune cells and is involved in the formation of autoreactive B cells that produce autoantibodies, leading to inflammation and tissue damage.
Researchers identify two distinct HSV-1 virus strains in an individual, revealing their European/North American and Asian origins. The discovery opens doors to tracing a person's life history using genetic fingerprinting of viral genomes.
Researchers successfully replicated a range of fault slip modes found during earthquakes, quiet periods and slow earthquakes. They used ground quartz and a machine to apply pressure and alter stresses, revealing the forces behind slow earthquake mechanisms.
A new ice sheet model suggests that Antarctic ice sheet melting could lead to a 50-foot rise in sea level by 2500, potentially doubling previous estimates. The researchers attribute this to ocean warming and the fracturing of floating ice shelves, which would cause them to collapse into the sea.
A new approach to climate risk management can help policymakers navigate trade-offs between economic growth, temperature stabilization, and carbon abatement. The method considers the multidimensional trade-offs of four goals, allowing for potential compromise on certain objectives.
A Penn State-led research group has been selected by NASA to build a new instrument to detect planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. The NEID instrument will use the tiny gravitational tug of planets on their stars to discover and measure the orbits of rocky planets with liquid water.
A recent study identifies multiple sexual behaviors associated with prevalent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Men who engaged in anal stimulation or enema use were nearly five times as likely to test positive for HIV as those who did not.
Researchers propose expectancy-based binding theory, which suggests that subjects remember features without necessarily attaching them to the target object. This contradicts traditional theories of object-based and feature-based encoding., Attention alone is not enough for accurate memory recall, according to the study.
A new study suggests that the GOES-R geostationary satellite can provide more accurate hurricane predictions by analyzing brightness temperature data. The satellite's high-resolution data allows for a more detailed understanding of hurricane intensity, including wind speed and sea level pressure.
Researchers at Penn State developed an acoustofluidic rotational manipulation method that can rotate small organisms and cells using gentle acoustic waves. This technique enables 3D imaging of biological specimens without the need for expensive confocal microscopes.
A Penn State psychologist argues that big data can enhance our understanding of human development by aggregating empirical work from multiple investigators. This approach could also enable personalized medicine and wearable data-collection with more accurate results.
Astronomers have discovered the fastest ultraviolet winds ever seen near a supermassive black hole, with wind speeds of over 200 million miles per hour. This breakthrough study sheds light on quasar outflows and their role in galaxy formation.
A new study suggests that caregivers can lower children's meal calories by choosing lower-calorie products and strategic portion sizes. By serving larger portions of lower-calorie foods with smaller portions of higher-calorie foods, children's overall caloric intake can be substantially reduced.
Researchers developed compound inhibitors that target ribosomes in the translation phase of a virulent bacteria's genetic process. These compounds halt the bacterial rescue operation, making it difficult for the bacteria to grow and proliferate. The study's findings offer new hope against biowarfare agents and resistant pathogens.
Researchers found that interactive companies are perceived as more informative, leading to stronger brand attitudes and increased purchase intentions. The study suggests that engaging with customers through communication is key to boosting a company's influence.
A study by Penn State researchers found that older adults who recalled more robots in films had lower anxiety toward robots. The researchers suggest that incorporating features reminiscent of Hollywood portrayals, such as human-like interfaces and sympathetic designs, may ease apprehension toward robots.
Researchers found Eastern US forests are changing, with drought-sensitive tree species dominating and fire-resistant ones declining. This shift, known as mesophication, makes forests more vulnerable to future climate change and droughts.
Researchers found that participants who assembled their own robots experienced a higher sense of accomplishment and ownership. However, those who faced difficulties during assembly lowered their ratings. The study suggests that manufacturers should balance positive and negative aspects of self-assembly when designing robots.
A new study published in the American Journal of Pathology suggests that green tea's antioxidant properties may be compromised when consumed with iron-rich foods or supplements. The researchers found that the main compound in green tea, EGCG, loses its ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes when bound to iron.
A computer program developed by researchers can categorize leaves into large evolutionary categories, leading to improved fossil identification and a better understanding of flowering plant evolution. The method achieves a 72% accuracy rate over 19 leaf families compared to random chance.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $17.8 million to Penn State to establish a national user facility for two-dimensional crystal research. The Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium will focus on growing bulk and ultrathin crystalline chalcogenide materials, staffed by experts in crystal growth and theory/simulation.
A new method allows for efficient sequencing of the male-specific Y chromosome in gorillas, showing significant similarity to both human and chimpanzee Y chromosomes. This breakthrough enables researchers to study male infertility disorders and conservation genetics efforts related to endangered species like gorillas.
Penn State researchers found that growing feed grains on-farm reduces fossil energy inputs compared to importing from the Midwest. The smallest farm with only forage crops imported all feed grain had a large energy input, but larger farms using canola fuel crops showed significant savings.
A new project aims to promote gender-sensitive and ecologically sensitive agriculture in Cambodia, targeting smallholder farmers who produce nearly half of the world's food. The program seeks to improve nutritional status, income, and access to resources, while protecting agro-ecological resources.
Researchers found that most MOOC instructors face challenges throughout the course development and instruction process, including preparation, implementation, and feedback phases. Instructors reported heavy workloads, overwhelming expectations, and difficulty in providing one-on-one guidance in a large online class.
Demirel is using proteins to coat biomedical swabs, enabling gene analysis from tiny amounts of blood or biological samples. The project has market potential in forensics, genetics and medicine industries.
A team of researchers at Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh has developed a new way to use enzyme reactions to trigger self-powered mechanical movement. The enzyme pumps can precisely control flow rate without an external power source and turn on in response to specific chemicals in solution.
A study by Penn State and Columbia University found that individuals who experience more negative emotions and perceive stressful events as more stressful have lower heart rate variability, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This suggests that reaction to stress is more important than its frequency in determining health risks.
Researchers found that omega-3 supplementation reduced breast density in postmenopausal women with a body mass index above 29, bordering on obesity. The study suggests that DHA alone may be preferentially protective in these individuals, offering an example of personalized approach to breast cancer prevention.