A modified version of the Floristic Quality Assessment Index (FQI) tool accurately assesses wetland quality without requiring a list of all plants. The rapid model was found effective in predicting wetland quality in 87 tested areas, with a free online calculator available for public use.
A study by Penn State researchers found that high-growth firms are more likely to be in communities with a variety of industries, rather than just one or two specialized industries. Communities with higher numbers of bachelor's degrees also tend to host these businesses.
Researchers from Penn State have developed a model that uses fractal geometry to describe the layering in silvery fish skin, which can guide the design of devices such as broadband mirrors. The technique has potential applications in advanced optical coatings, laser protection, infrared imaging systems, and photovoltaics.
Research suggests Mexican immigrant children's diets are influenced by their new cultural environment, deviating from their mothers' healthier traditional diets. The study found that children in immigrant families face different social and nutritional environments than their parents.
Researchers have developed a technique that enables the detection of single molecules of contaminants, explosives, or diseases using a combination of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and a slippery surface. This innovation has vast applications in analytical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and nation...
Research supports theory of kin selection, suggesting that altruistic behavior occurs to pass genes to next generation. Genes inherited from queen promote altruistic behavior in worker bees, while those from father's promote selfish behavior.
Researchers found that genetic variants in the beta-3 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors can alter nicotine behavior. People carrying the more common version are more likely to have problems with nicotine use.
Researchers have identified a novel drug target for treating Rett Syndrome and other forms of autism-spectrum disorders. By increasing KCC2 function in diseased nerve cells, the treatment may alleviate symptoms and improve brain development.
Researchers developed a new method to test Einstein's General Relativity using brief blasts of rare radio signals from space called Fast Radio Bursts. This method is considered a significant tribute to Einstein on the 100th anniversary of his first formulation of the Equivalence Principle.
Research suggests that genetic variation in the ZnT2 protein may be common in women and associated with abnormal zinc levels in breast milk. Women with this variation may have trouble breastfeeding and their milk may contain lower than normal amounts of zinc, posing a risk to exclusively breastfed infants.
Researchers at Penn State University have developed a system to replicate the formation and dissolution of liquid organelles in a lab setting. By controlling the electrostatic charge of molecules, they were able to create synthetic liquid organelles that can assemble and disassemble in a biologically-reasonable way.
A team of scientists has discovered the precise timing of myosin's power stroke, a process that generates movement in muscles. The findings reveal that the lever arm swing 'gates' phosphate release, enabling myosin to efficiently generate force and motion.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have developed a new nanotechnology approach using 'smart fat cells' that can pass the blood-brain barrier to detect early-stage brain tumors. This breakthrough could transform gliomas from a death sentence into a treatable condition, enabling patients to receive timely treatment.
A proposed technique developed by a Penn State-led research team enhances oil recovery rates by up to 78-90% and sequesters more carbon dioxide. The model uses horizontal drilling and supercritical carbon dioxide to extract light components from the oil.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new material that is both highly transparent and electrically conductive, potentially replacing indium tin oxide in display technology. The new material, a correlated metal, has a structure that allows it to behave like a liquid, resulting in high optical transparency and conductivity.
A new study finds that individuals value their own personal information at $2.31, while valuing their friends' data at just $1.56 when it's necessary for a third-party app's function. This prioritization may increase the vulnerability of all data to exploitation.
Researchers have found a compound that can prevent and reverse fatty liver disease and obesity in mice by targeting the farnesoid X receptor. The compound, Gly-MCA, was tested in obese and diabetic mice fed with a high-fat diet and showed significantly less fat and insulin resistance compared to untreated control groups.
A team of researchers at Penn State has received a $10.2 million grant to study a new malaria-prevention method involving eave tubes with insecticide-laced netting. The approach aims to limit mosquito access to houses and reduce indoor mosquito densities by up to 90 percent.
A new $4.4 million research project aims to improve diagnosis and therapies for obesity-related health problems, including coronary heart disease, endometrial cancer, type-2 diabetes, and degenerative joint disease. The project will utilize big data analytics and genomics to gain insights into the causes of obesity.
Research at Penn State found that dicamba drift reduces flowering in both alfalfa and common boneset plant species. Herbicide exposure also decreases insect visitation to damaged flowers, particularly honeybees and syrphid flies. The study suggests widespread damage from these herbicides may adversely affect pollinator communities.
Researchers at Penn State have created a reusable microfluidic device that can sort and manipulate cells for cheap and convenient biomedical diagnosis. The device, called acoustic tweezers, uses gentle vibrations to manipulate cells and has the potential to be used in diagnostics, therapeutics, and biology labs.
Scientists have found fossilized peach pits over 2.5 million years old in southwest China, providing new insights into the fruit's evolutionary history. The discovery suggests that peaches evolved through natural selection before humans domesticated them.
Research suggests that wild pumpkin and squash were initially used for non-food purposes, such as containers and tools, before humans discovered their edible value. The loss of megafauna allowed wild plants to grow in new environments, leading to the evolution of palatability.
Research found that more than half of children in the US misperceive or reject their parents' political party affiliations. Social support from parents increases the likelihood of children adopting their party identifications but not necessarily knowing them accurately.
Penn State researchers develop a new symmetry operation that can reduce the number of measurements needed to find new materials. This technique uses distortion symmetry groups to analyze physical systems under stress or forces, enabling faster discovery of advanced materials with unique properties.
Researchers are developing an electrochemical separation process to remove challenging elements like cesium and strontium from used nuclear fuel. This approach aims to create less waste, separate out nuclear waste for better management, and extend the life of electrolyte solutions.
Researchers used a 3D printed model of the human airway to study how airflow affects the transfer of volatile particles from the back of the mouth to the nasal cavity. They found that slow, steady breathing optimizes the delivery of these particles, leading to better food enjoyment.
Researchers found that banning affirmative action can lead to a decline in student body diversity and negatively impact students of color. The study examined the impact of Proposal 2 in Michigan, which prohibited considering race in college admissions, and found that administrators felt disempowered to support racial diversity on campus.
Research highlights the potential backfire of stigmatizing smoking in public health campaigns, which can lead to increased stress and resistance to quitting. Vulnerable groups may benefit from anti-smoking programs focusing on giving up benefits rather than negative stereotypes.
Researchers have developed ultrasensitive gas sensors using boron-doped graphene, detecting noxious gas molecules at extremely low concentrations. The sensors outperform current state-of-the-art sensors by six orders of magnitude, opening a path to high-performance detection of toxic gases and other molecules.
A team of Penn State researchers has created a simple mathematical formula to predict the most influential factors in lithium-ion battery aging. The formula takes into account state of charge, charging/discharging frequency, operating temperature, and current to estimate battery degradation.
Research suggests that gut bacteria can ferment dietary fiber, producing short-chain fatty acids that contribute to liver lipids and potentially lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In individuals with compromised TLR5 function, overconsumption of fiber may exacerbate this process.
A study by Penn State economists found that counties with higher rates of self-employment suffered fewer negative effects from increased imports. Self-employed workers are better positioned to recognize changes in the market and adapt to new opportunities, leading to stronger economic networks and growth.
Research reveals individual corals have varying capacities to adapt to changing ocean conditions brought about by climate change. The study found that some corals are more protective of their partner algae in harsh environmental conditions, suggesting a greater capacity to respond to climate change.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that a molecular motor can stimulate the growth of microtubules in cells, which could lead to new treatments for cancer. The study found that kinesin-5 molecules pause at the end of microtubules and generate pushing forces, allowing them to grow the microtubes.
The Penn State College of Medicine has implemented a new curriculum that focuses on patient navigation, shifting from a physician-centric to a patient-centric model. First-year medical students learn about the health care system and gain hands-on experience as patient navigators.
A new study refutes the idea that a single group of chemicals controls reproduction across numerous social insect species, suggesting pheromones evolved uniquely in different species. The researchers found no effect on egg production, but ovary regression was positively correlated with time to egg laying.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a way to give transistors a power boost by incorporating vanadium oxide into electronic devices. The material's metal-to-insulator transition property can enhance state-of-the-art non-volatile memories and improve the stability and energy efficiency of read, write, and maintain information states.
Researchers developed a new method to analyze neural activity, revealing an organized geometric structure in neurons. The study used clique topology and found similar structure in activities among place cells in different experimental conditions.
Research finds that climate variability played a significant role in the emergence, decline, and re-establishment of ancient agrarian states in Mexico and Peru. The study analyzed climate records from stalagmites and ice caps to understand how climate conditions influenced the growth and instability of these civilizations.
Researchers used climate models to predict how greenhouse warming could be the source of water on early Mars, which would support a warm and habitable environment. The study found that volcanic fluxes caused by plate tectonics may have led to a high percentage of hydrogen in the atmosphere, driving global warming.
Scientists at Penn State and University of Chicago discovered a new way to use light to draw and erase quantum-mechanical circuits on topological insulators, allowing for non-invasive and faster experimentation. The technique uses ultraviolet and bright red light to manipulate the electronic properties of these materials.
A $5 million NSF PIRE grant is awarded to Penn State's Center for Language Science to translate the science of language learning into education. The project aims to harness recent discoveries on bilingualism benefits to inform educational practice and policy, bringing science to classrooms globally.
Rats exposed to frequent stress during adolescence showed improved problem-solving skills and foraging efficiency under high-threat conditions in adulthood. This study provides insights into how humans respond to adolescent stress and may inform research on human maltreatment and adverse environments.
Researchers developed a smartphone application to collect data on food handlers' behaviors, minimizing the Hawthorne Effect. The app allows for discreet observation and recording of aspects such as hand hygiene and temperature control, improving the quality of food safety observations.
Patients with higher positive psychological states were more likely to engage in healthy habits, such as physical activity and better sleep quality. Positive emotions also enabled people to cope with stress and adjust their health goals, leading to improved adherence to medications and reduced smoking rates.
A five-year study found that tillage timing significantly impacts nitrogen availability and loss in organic farming systems. The researchers discovered that fall tillage followed by a period of fallow led to vulnerable bursts of nitrogen that were susceptible to leaching.
Researchers discovered that players' performances in video games significantly impact their attitudes towards brands. Players who performed well in games exhibited better recall and more favorable attitudes toward the brand compared to those who experienced difficulties or crashes.
Researchers found that the return period for a storm producing a surge of 2.81 meters or greater has been reduced from 3,000 years to just 130 years since human-caused climate change began. This increase in storm surges is attributed to rising sea levels and more intense tropical storms.
A team of researchers developed a cell sorter based on acoustic waves that can compete with existing fluorescence-activated cell sorters, sorting up to 13,000 cells per second while gently manipulating individual cells. The device is compact, inexpensive, and preserves cell viability and functions.