Researchers discovered that complex nerve-cell signaling genes evolved over 600 million years ago in the common ancestor of humans and sea anemones. This finding suggests that many mechanisms controlling electrical impulses in neurons were not present in the earliest nervous systems.
Researchers aim to balance personal data protection with global statistics benefits using differential privacy methods. This approach restricts analyses that reveal individual records, ensuring accuracy while preventing identification.
The 'Hockey Stick' graph, created by Michael Mann and colleagues, revolutionized the climate change discussion with its depiction of rising temperatures. Despite criticism, investigations have consistently upheld the validity of Mann's research, highlighting a crucial distinction between legitimate scientific debate and bad faith attacks.
Small farmers, often women, are preserving traditional crop varieties and landraces, providing vital resources for their livelihoods. Peri-urban and marginal locations are key areas where this preservation is occurring, with urban markets driving demand for local foodstuffs.
Researchers analyzed indicators of conflict and intergroup interaction in Eastern North America, finding that warfare varied widely over time and space. They identified patterns across extremely large areas, including fortified settlements and skeletal remains of warfare victims.
Researchers developed a microscale solar concentration technology that enables ultra-high efficiency solar cells to be used on rooftops. The system consists of miniaturized photovoltaic cells, 3D-printed lens arrays and a moveable focusing mechanism, reducing size, weight and cost while increasing power generation.
Researchers found that mice pretreated with low doses of green tea polyphenol EGCG had a 75% reduction in liver toxicity compared to untreated mice. This study suggests that chronic green tea consumers may be less sensitive to potential liver toxicity from supplements containing green tea extract.
A Penn State College of Medicine researcher proposes updating professional medical society guidelines to address when it is ethically justified to Google a patient. The proposed guidelines would help healthcare providers navigate the use of search engines in patient care.
Research found that both adult children and aging parents identify stubbornness in the other, with individual and relationship-based factors linked to perceptions. The study suggests a need for intervention to increase understanding and provides insights for practitioners on how to address stubborn behaviors.
A green tea compound may trigger a process in the mitochondria that leads to cell death, reducing cancer cell defenses. Researchers found EGCG selectively targets sirtuin 3 in cancer cells, causing oxidative stress and programmed cell death.
The study found that well-established rules for getting good sleep, such as limited caffeine and a regular bedtime, led to sufficient sleep quantity and adequate sleep quality. Reducing the encroachment of technology into sleep time is crucial to support well-known sleep hygiene principles.
A study found that giving employees more control over their work schedules can improve sleep quantity and quality, reducing the risk of chronic disease and early mortality. Participants experienced an average gain of nearly an hour of sleep per week compared to those without flexible scheduling.
Research suggests that spraying treated wastewater on land can diminish water pollution by filtering out endocrine-disrupting compounds, which can harm fish populations. Soils with more organic carbon accumulate higher levels of these compounds, but some break down instead.
Scientists tested 100 undergraduate students in a memory experiment and found that even simple pieces of information were often forgotten when not expected. However, participants performed better when the information was relevant to their current task. This suggests that people's expectations play a significant role in determining what...
A new study by Penn State geoscientists suggests that the Greenland Ice Sheet is melting at a faster rate due to rising temperatures, with potential global sea level rise of up to 24 feet. The study's findings highlight the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate this effect and protect vulnerable communities.
A Penn State study found that a prenatal program aimed at enhancing couples' co-parenting relationship improved children's adjustment and school engagement at age seven. The intervention focused on fostering positive co-parenting, leading to better emotional security and well-being for the child.
Researchers found that users who share news on social media sites, especially those who engage with friends, are more involved with the content. Users who ask questions or seek opinions from friends show increased involvement, suggesting that developers should encourage discussions about shared content.
Researchers rely on imputation methods to estimate immigrant populations' legal status and insurance coverage, but these methods may deliver inaccurate results. Inaccurate estimates can lead to planning and implementation of policies with unintended consequences for local groups.
A five-year, $30 million NASA mission will measure atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases in the eastern United States. The study aims to improve detection and quantification of carbon sources and sinks using airborne, satellite, and ground-based observations.
Richard Alley has received the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change for his pioneering research on abrupt climate change. He is recognized as a leading expert on ice and its implications for fast glacier flow and sea-level change.
A recent study found that incorporating one avocado per day into a moderate-fat, cholesterol-lowering diet significantly lowers LDL and total cholesterol levels. The researchers tested three diets, including one with an added avocado, and found the avocado diet to be more effective in reducing bad cholesterol.
A new model developed by Penn State researchers can accurately identify stream sections suitable for wild brook trout, helping fisheries managers protect habitat. The model uses characteristics like water temperature and soil type to predict brook trout occurrence in the eastern United States.
The Center will address four key topics: layered oxide ferroics, autonomously powered nano-motors, high-pressure electronic metalattices, and optically active particles. The grant supports 45 faculty members worldwide in interdisciplinary research.
A Penn State researcher developed a simple model to select the right-sized boulder to stop a truck traveling at 30 miles per hour. The model considers factors like soil density and boulder displacement, accurately predicting an effective boulder size for embassy protection.
Scientists at Penn State have discovered a miniscule vacuum gap that creates an energy barrier for electrons moving between layers of material. This gap is crucial for designing next-generation electronic devices, such as vertical tunneling field effect transistors.
A study by Timothy M. Ryan and Colin N. Shaw found that the agriculturalists had significantly lower bone mass than foragers, while the bone characteristics of more mobile foragers overlapped with those of nonhuman primates.
Researchers develop acoustic tweezers that can precisely position groups of cells for study, eliminating the risk of cell damage. The device achieves a throughput of thousands of cells and enables precise control over cell-to-cell contact, paving the way for studies on cellular communication and information transfer.
Researchers found that reading from light-emitting e-readers before bed suppresses melatonin release and shifts the circadian clock, leading to longer sleep latency and reduced REM sleep. Exposure to short-wavelength-enriched blue light disrupts natural sleep patterns.
Researchers highlight four areas of concern for parents and practitioners: normal sleep patterns, nightwakings, parental presence at bedtime, and safe sleep training. The study aims to educate nurse practitioners on sharing current knowledge with parents to promote healthy nighttime care choices.
Researchers analyzed 6,629 runway reviews to identify a network of influence among major designers, tracing style trends through the industry. The technology may help consumers create wardrobes within budget and predict future fashion trends.
Life expectancies for black people are shorter and more uncertain than those of whites. Researchers found that higher rates of white deaths among the young offset the higher homicide rates among blacks. Targeted interventions for sex and race may help reduce the disparity in lifespan variability.
A team of researchers found that inhibiting the intestinal farnesoid X receptor with drugs like tempol and antibiotics can prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. This discovery highlights the complex role of gut microbes in human health and potential targets for treating metabolic disorders.
A team of Penn State researchers has developed a thermoplastic material from squid protein, which can be used in 3D printing and has tunable properties for medical or cosmetic applications. The semi-crystalline thermoplastic exhibits high tensile strength and is a wet adhesive.
A team of Penn State engineering students designed workstations that allow users to share space while maintaining their own work areas. The researchers used simulations to determine optimal table shapes and sizes for accommodating groups of different sizes, ultimately publishing their findings in Applied Ergonomics.
Researchers found that e-cigarettes are less addictive than traditional cigarettes, with higher nicotine concentration and longer use leading to greater dependence. The study suggests that e-cigs may have health advantages over cigarettes due to lower levels of toxic substances.
The new Science Across Virtual Institutes project will create a shared platform for broader research at the nation's 10 CZO locations and international counterparts. This will enable scientists to establish common experiments and measurements, providing training for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
Researchers found that voters and consumers differ significantly in their willingness to pay for decreased risk, with women willing to pay more than men. Women are also more willing to pay for a reduced risk of illness at a restaurant.
A small group of hunter-gatherers in Southern Africa remained isolated and distinct from other African ethnicities for most of the past 150,000 years. Their genetic history reveals limited gene flow with non-Khoisan populations.
Researchers found that insecticides increase slug populations and reduce crop yields by poisoning insects that eat slugs. The neonicotinoids can have unintended costs, even within crop production.
People living in communities with poorer mental health spend a quarter of the month in negative mood, while suburbs report fewest poor mental health days. Tighter knit communities and strong social connections lead to better wellbeing and happier residents.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a thermally regenerative ammonia-based battery that converts low-grade waste heat into electricity with high efficiency. The battery can produce up to 60 watts per square meter of power, making it six to 10 times more efficient than other liquid-based thermal-electric energy conversion systems.
A team of researchers found that most fossil plant lineages from Patagonia are older than the dates predicted by molecular clocks. This study refutes a widely-held idea about how plants and animals arrived at their current distributions, suggesting that molecular clocks may be biased.
A comprehensive study of the mouse genome has discovered striking similarities and differences with the human genome, shedding light on gene regulation and its impact on human biology. The findings may lead to better use of mouse models in medical research.
Research suggests that spices and herbs, such as cinnamon and garlic, can lower triglyceride levels in the blood, which can lead to a reduced risk of heart disease. The use of high-antioxidant spice blends may be a potential way to reduce calorie intake without sacrificing flavor.
Researchers find plant-based omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid effective in preventing cardiovascular disease, potentially reducing heart disease risk. Dietary recommendations should be amended to increase ALA consumption, according to experts.
A recent study has discovered a genotype variant that speeds up the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in mice, leading to faster disease progression and shorter life spans. The research aims to better understand the molecular pathway of this accelerated model to develop more successful drug trials for all ALS patients.
A study of 582 films over 30 years reveals that entertainment can be more important than a simple diversion, providing audiences with ways to grapple with life's questions. Serious movies may not sell as well as action flicks at the box office, but they are still deeply appreciated and memorable.
Researchers found that successful language learners had more connected brain networks than less successful participants, both before and after learning. This suggests that learning a second language can lead to structural and functional changes in the brain.
A novel method of altering a protein in milk has been discovered, enabling the delivery of an antiretroviral drug to infants with HIV/AIDS. This breakthrough could greatly improve treatment for the estimated 3.4 million children suffering from the disease.
Michael E. Mann received the 2014 Pongo Environmental Award for his groundbreaking research on global warming and strong advocacy for climate protection. The award recognizes his work in providing crucial global temperature data and a compelling case for global warming, as well as his leadership as a climate warrior.