Researchers use nanoplasmonics to modulate light on the nanometer scale, but controlling the beam's direction is challenging. A bubble lens overcomes this issue by reconfiguring its location, size, and shape to focus or deflect the light beam.
Researchers have developed a new polymer membrane that improves the stability and conductivity of alkaline fuel cells while reducing the need for expensive platinum catalysts. This breakthrough could make fuel cells more affordable and accessible, offering an alternative to traditional technology.
A Penn State-led research team found that histone protein changes can control whether a gene functions, with the potential to maintain genetic expression and prevent disease. The study's findings have significant implications for the study of diseases like cancer and understanding cellular behavior.
Sea-ice loss has widespread effects on Arctic wildlife, including disruptions to food chains, population mixing, and disease dynamics. The loss of albedo and increased warming accelerate melting, affecting critical habitats for species such as caribou, arctic foxes, and walrus.
Researchers studied temperature-driven changes in tea tortrix population dynamics, finding that desynchronization leads to more synchronous outbreaks. A mathematical model predicts population cycles under constant and seasonally driven temperature regimes, shedding light on how temperature influences insect populations.
Researchers develop method to filter out cancer cells from cerebrospinal fluid to prevent brain metastasis and decrease complications. This technique may help treat breast cancer and other metastasizing cancers earlier and with potentially fewer drugs.
Researchers found that juvenile Atlantic salmon raised in enriched tanks with pebbles, rocks, and artificial plants outperformed those in standard tanks. The study suggests that creating more natural environments can boost fish intelligence and adaptability, leading to higher survivability when released into the wild.
A Penn State University team wins the US Department of Energy poster competition using only 1000 commonly used words, explaining how energy from sunlight is captured by plants and stored in plant cell walls. The team's creative approach helped them win first prize out of 31 submissions.
The SIBS Program aims to cultivate healthy and supportive sibling relationships by teaching children how to share responsibilities and practice making decisions together. Results from a randomized trial demonstrate improved positive interactions, increased self-control, and enhanced social competence among participants.
Aerospace engineers can now detect adhesive failures in hard-to-reach places more quickly and precisely using the right ultrasonic frequency. The selection process could save time and effort for engineers performing maintenance on complex composite materials.
Research finds bystanders intervene in about a third of bar fights, with most intervening in male-male conflicts. Nonviolent interventions were used in 65% of male-male fight breakups, while incidents between males and females received the lowest intervention rates.
Researchers have identified nine fungal lineages associated with ambrosia beetles threatening avocado production in the US and Israel. The unique fungi adaptability poses a threat to global farms and forests.
Researchers developed statistical models to predict which drug is best for a specific individual with a specific disease, considering pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and genetic factors. The framework will help doctors and pharmacists simulate variables like protein-protein interactions and predict treatment effectiveness.
Mercedes Richards, a professor at Penn State University, is being recognized for her groundbreaking research on interacting binary stars. She uses computer models and movies to illustrate how these stars interact, and has made both 2D and 3D images of the gravitational flow of gas between stars in any interacting binary-star system. Ri...
Researchers have identified a gene that enables Jatropha, a potential biofuel plant, to withstand drought. The study found that the JcPIP1 gene plays a crucial role in recovery from damage, while JcPIP2 may help prevent drought stress.
A study found that whole chickens purchased from farmers markets had significantly higher levels of bacteria like Campylobacter and Salmonella compared to those from grocery stores. This suggests interventions like antimicrobial rinses may be necessary to lower pathogen loads on poultry carcasses.
A recent study has identified 1,274 genes in the Y chromosome of cattle, a significant increase compared to other primates. This discovery may help biologists better understand how cattle and other mammals evolved and improve fertility in the dairy and beef industry.
Researchers found that pairing vegetables with flavored dips increased acceptance among children, with 64% finding veggies yummy when paired, compared to 31%. The dip's flavor and type played a significant role in kids' willingness to try vegetables.
A recent study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that people express more positive feelings towards a robot that takes care of them than one that needs care. Researchers observed 60 interactions between college students and a social robot, Nao, to determine how human perception of robots changed based on their role.
A team of Penn State researchers developed a process using three inexpensive computer programs to grade fingerprints for ridge detail evaluation. The system ensures standardized evaluation finer than human capabilities, improving the reliability of fingerprint matches.
Researchers are developing innovative systems to track infectious diseases, leveraging the internet and mobile phones. Digital epidemiology enhances transparency and understanding of outbreaks, predicting increased importance in future public health efforts.
A recent study published by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that protein km23-1 is crucial for the spread of colon cancer cells. The team discovered that reducing km23-1 levels decreases the production of TGF-beta and reduces a framework structure associated with cancer cell movement.
Researchers found that hydropower could accommodate unexpected variations in wind energy, but only if operating guidelines were relaxed over a two-week period. Changing these guidelines is complex and may require congressional action, according to Penn State researchers.
Research reveals Ailanthus tree's rapid growth and dominance in Pennsylvania clearcuts, displacing native plants. The tree's spread has accelerated with human activities like logging, mining, and drilling.
Using sound waves, researchers can create repeatable patterns of metallic nanomaterials onto substrates that are incompatible with conventional lithography methods. The technique allows for the patterning of nanowires with tunable spacing and density, enabling potential applications in various fields.
A creative storytelling program called TimeSlips helps medical students see people with dementia as fully-fledged individuals, rather than just diagnoses. The program, which encourages participants to use their imagination and share stories in poem form, leads to significant improvements in student attitudes towards dementia patients.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have found that bariatric surgery restores nerve cell properties altered by diet, allowing patients to better regulate digestion. The study may lead to new treatments that mimic the effects of gastric bypass without surgery.
A new discovery by Penn State researchers may lead to the creation of cheaper clean-energy technologies. The team, led by Raymond Schaak, has found that a nickel phosphide nanoparticle can effectively trigger hydrogen production from water. This process is crucial for many energy-production technologies, including fuel cells and solar ...
Penn State researchers found that cocoa powder supplement reduced inflammation and fatty liver disease in mice fed high-fat diet. The study suggests cocoa's polyphenolic compounds may improve gut barrier function and reduce insulin levels.
Researchers found reduced populations of small, bottom-dwelling fishes like darters and increased sedimentation rates due to dredging alter habitats, leading to regime shifts in fish species. This study highlights the complex effects of human activities on aquatic ecosystems in large rivers.
Researchers found spindle-shaped microfossils in 3 billion-year-old rocks, indicating the presence of planktonic autotrophs. The findings suggest that oceans had life for an extended period, potentially leading to rapid evolution of diverse life forms.
Scientists have developed a method to derive mature human neurons from reprogrammed skin cells, enabling direct disease modeling and customized treatments. The new approach uses astrocytes to guide the growth of neurons, leading to more effective cell differentiation and improved neural function.
Researchers found that consistent bedtime within 45 minutes increases likelihood of using CPAP for at least four hours. Adults with inconsistent bedtimes are more likely to nonadhere to treatment, increasing odds by 3.2 times.
The PROSPER program, a community-based initiative, reduces prescription drug misuse and other substance use among young adults by up to 65% when implemented in middle school. The program's effectiveness is attributed to its timing, which aligns with the developmental stage of early adolescents.
Scientists discover new antibiotic molecule KKL-35 that targets trans-translation step in bacteria, rendering them incapable of replicating. The compound is 100-fold more effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis than current therapies.
Researchers have developed a faster method to identify Salmonella strains, reducing the time it takes to detect outbreaks from one to three days. The new approach, called CRISPR-MVLST, is comparable in accuracy to existing methods and has the potential to be much cheaper.
A recent study by Penn State criminologists reveals that young people are disproportionately targeted in sexual assaults. The researchers found that females aged 15 are nine times more likely to be raped than 35-year-old females, and males aged 15 are also at high risk.
A new study found that social influences, including spouse and coworker encouragement, employer support, and community bike-friendliness, significantly impact active commuting. However, factors like age, BMI, and lack of on-street bike lanes also negatively influence active commuting.
Astronomers detected a neutron star's abrupt slow-down with NASA's Swift observatory, which is an unprecedented event. The discovery of the 'anti-glitch' neutron star named 1E2259+586 has significant implications for understanding pure physics in extreme conditions.
A study by Penn State and University of California, Irvine researchers found that Mexican American mothers' formal immigration status impacts their children's and grandchildren's educational attainment. Unauthorized immigrant mothers' children lag behind in education compared to authorized immigrant mothers' and U.S.-born mothers' chil...
Researchers found that caregivers experience lower care-related stressors and more positive events when their dementia patients attend adult day services. This reduces anger and decreases the impact of non-care stressors on depressive symptoms, demonstrating a buffering effect of adult day services on caregiver well-being.
Researchers found that mosquitoes may be responding to an immune challenge rather than manipulating their behavior to transmit malaria parasites. Mosquitoes will wait to feed until the parasites mature and migrate to the salivary glands, but this response is also seen in non-infected mosquitoes.
A team of seismologists has discovered that slow earthquakes, which last minutes rather than seconds, are linked to the type of rock in faults. Laboratory experiments using natural samples from Japan found that clay minerals play a key role in this slip behavior, influencing how rocks react to shear.
College students who communicate more with their parents are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and engage in physical activity. The study found that 14% more fruits and veggies were consumed, and 50% more physical activity occurred when students spoke with their parents for 30 minutes or more.
A study found that high school obesity rates are associated with increased childbearing risk in obese females, which may be due to reduced stigma and more partnership opportunities. The researchers suggest that health officials should consider the impact of obesity prevalence on pregnancy risks in schools.
Researchers found that whole walnuts and their extracted oil improve cardiovascular disease risk by favorably affecting vascular health and enhancing the functionality of good cholesterol, HDL. The study suggests that simple dietary changes incorporating walnuts or their oil in a heart-healthy diet may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Research identifies a key gene that regulates both protection against bacterial infection and excessive blood clotting, leading to potential new treatments for deep-vein thrombosis. The study found that inhibiting the enzyme could offer hope to patients prone to clots.
Researchers found that participants who customized their avatars with a backpack overestimated the height and difficulty of virtual hills, while those without a backpack had more accurate perceptions. The study suggests that designing realistic avatars can improve the immersion and effectiveness of virtual reality exercises.
Researchers found that people respond strongly to the voice of smart objects, even if they're not human-like. The study suggests that speech is a social cue that can make objects more social and acceptable.
In a study of the I Love Bees game, researchers discovered that players formed teams and adopted a military-like leadership hierarchy, suggesting that game designers should not over-design leadership structures. The findings highlight the power of games to inspire collaboration and teamwork.