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.
Researchers found that teenagers who placed high importance on both work and family goals, as well as having confidence in achieving them, were more likely to report feeling successful in their careers and families later in life. These individuals also reached higher education levels than those with only family-oriented goals.
Researchers found that pesticide exposure causes changes in gene expression that are sensitive to diet and nutrition. Feeding bees a complex diet of pollen improves their resistance to lethal doses of pesticides.
Newborn rats showed increased uptake of vitamin A in tissues beyond the liver after supplementation, providing insight into neonatal nutritional needs. This research could inform evidence-based dietary recommendations to reduce infant mortality in developing countries.
Seizures and migraines have long been considered separate events, but a new study reveals a surprising connection between the two. By applying fundamental physics principles to an older theory of brain electricity, researchers found that seizures and spreading depression are part of a spectrum of nerve cell behavior.
A landmark study provides a detailed working image of the PRC1 enzyme in action on a chromosome unit, revealing previously unknown information about its interaction with nucleosomes. The research offers new paradigms for understanding how chromatin enzymes function and has implications for understanding cancer-related diseases.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that both agave nectar and a placebo were more effective than no treatment for young children's cough symptoms. The study suggests that giving children something to drink, like sugar water or honey substitute agave nectar, may help alleviate their discomfort.
A study by Penn State researchers found that subjective screening questions used in adolescent hearing screenings are unreliable and miss high-frequency hearing loss. Objective hearing tests were more effective, but refining them is necessary to accurately identify teenagers at risk for hearing loss.
A new adaptive management approach could improve outcomes in disease outbreaks by allowing for quick updates to interventions based on real-time information. This flexible approach has been proposed as a way to contain outbreaks more efficiently and effectively, saving lives and millions of dollars.
Research suggests that human activities such as clear-cutting and fire suppression have a greater impact on forest tree composition than climate change. The study analyzed 190 datasets to determine the relative impacts of climate versus altered disturbance regimes for various biomes across the eastern United States.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine identified common gene variants associated with delayed fracture healing, potentially leading to improved treatment for patients. The study's findings suggest that specific genetic polymorphisms may impair or fail to support fracture healing.
A study by Penn State scientists found that children born to older mothers have higher rates of mitochondrial DNA mutations, which can cause over 200 diseases. The researchers also discovered the size of the 'bottleneck' period during egg-cell development, providing crucial information for genetic counseling and family planning.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a metamaterial coating that allows coated objects to function normally while appearing as something other than what they really are. The 'illusion coatings' work by using copper patterns designed to create the desired result, enabling practical applications for cloaking metal antennas and sensors.
Researchers found that displaying a user's interaction history on a website can offer a sense of conversation, making it more engaging than traditional websites. This approach also fosters positive attitudes towards the site, improving user trust and awareness of their actions.
A Big Data to Knowledge Program grant will develop big data methods to tackle 80% of coronary heart disease causes, including physical inactivity and poor stress management. The goal is to create adaptive, individualized health-behavior interventions using real-time data from smartphones and wearable devices.
A study by Penn State researcher Dunja Antunovic found that the media mostly celebrated female NFL referee Shannon Eastin's debut, but failed to provide comprehensive analysis of gender issues in sports. The research highlights structural barriers that hinder women's participation in traditionally male roles.
Penn State researchers are teaming up to study how certain cues on mobile and web devices inspire mental shortcuts that predict user trust in online sites and social networks. The study aims to promote better interface design and educate users about mental shortcuts that compromise their privacy when online.
Scientists have found that defects in a 2D material called tungsten disulphide can create unusual characteristics, making it useful for electronic devices and hydrogen gas liberation. The researchers used an advanced microscope to visualize the defects, revealing a low-energy barrier that allows them to be easily displaced.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that people's perception of alcohol taste varies due to genetic differences in bitter taste receptors. These differences can influence drinking habits, with some individuals experiencing more bitterness and lower liking for alcoholic beverages.
Researchers at Penn State University have discovered a method to produce ultra-thin diamond nanothreads with exceptional strength and stiffness. The discovery is based on compressing benzene molecules under high pressure, allowing them to form a strong tetrahedral core linked by hydrogen atoms.
The project will support a series of events exploring human self-definition and the concept of humanism in the face of scientific advancements. The initiative aims to build bridges between arts, humanities, and sciences at Penn State.
Researchers have designed decoys that mimic female emerald ash borers, enticing male beetles to land on them and get electrocuted. The team's bioreplicated decoys were more attractive to males than simpler 3D-printed decoys due to their fine-scale texture and color.
A Penn State researcher found that as U.S. casualties rose in Afghanistan, war coverage became increasingly negative towards the military and the war effort. Reporters who were embedded with troops reported more negative tones than those outside the country.
A study by Penn State researchers found that one-third of men in academic science are willing to reduce their career intensity to focus on family. The majority of men studied desired more involvement at home but faced challenges balancing work and family life due to long hours and intense devotion to their field.
Researchers developed parameters to distinguish Venus-like planets from Earth-like ones based on distance from stars. The study identified 43 potential Venus-like planets with characteristics like size and orbit, but atmospheric conditions remain unknown.
New research by Penn State scientists suggests that hydraulic fracturing water is not a significant risk to groundwater, as it is sequestered in the rock formation. The study found that capillary and osmotic forces prevent upward migration of residual treatment water into overlying groundwater.
Pennsylvania is experiencing a higher rise in thyroid cancer incidence compared to the rest of the US, with significant increases seen in white women and black women. The study suggests that actual disease increase contributes to the rising rates, not just increased detection.