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.
Scientists find that altering the structure and assembly of cellulose can make it more easily broken down, leading to more efficient biofuel production. By modifying the synthesis process, plants can produce cellulose with fewer structured bundles, reducing the need for time- and energy-intensive industrial processes.
Achieving widespread reductions in preventable hospital readmissions among Medicare beneficiaries may take longer than anticipated. Fostering collaborative relationships among providers across care settings is key to reducing preventable readmissions, according to researchers analyzing the State Action on Avoidable Rehospitalizations i...
Researchers have empirically calibrated the Maya Long Count calendar to the modern European calendar using carbon-14 dating, offering a more accurate understanding of Maya dates relative to historic events. The study's findings suggest that climate change played an important role in the development and demise of the complex civilization.
A study by Penn State University researchers found that exposure to negative sentiment on Twitter is contagious, while positive sentiments are not. Microbloggers with reciprocal relationships tend to be influenced differently depending on the vaccine sentiments of their connections, with negative sentiments being more socially contagious.
Children with autism have excess duplicated DNA segments, which may affect the chances of developing autism. The research found a higher level of genetic changes, including common variants, in children with autism compared to typically developing children.
Researchers found that high ozone levels interfere with pollinators finding flowers and predator insects finding host plants. Insects rely on volatile organic compounds to detect odors, but ozone degrades these compounds, leading to confusion.
For the first time, scientists have demystified a key step in human DNA replication by discovering how a sliding clamp loads onto DNA. The research reveals that a clamp loader quickly removes the clamp from DNA when polymerase is absent, allowing the polymerase to capture and complete the assembly of the holoenzyme.
A randomized, controlled trial found that consuming monounsaturated fats in vegetable oils like canola oil lowered abdominal fat by 1.6 percent compared to other oil blends. This reduction in belly fat may decrease metabolic syndrome risk factors and heart disease risk.
Researchers suggest a more flexible understanding of the immune system's interaction with microbes, considering both pathogens and beneficial bacteria. The human body hosts ten times more bacterial cells than human cells, which play crucial roles in improving body functions.
The researchers designed nanostructured metamaterials that can control device performance across a range of frequencies. They achieved this by introducing nanonotches in the corners of the fishnet holes to create flexibility in independently controlling permittivity and permeability.
Scientists have sequenced and analyzed three lemur populations to guide conservation efforts, revealing significant genetic distance between northern and eastern aye-ayes. The study also compared human and lemur genetic diversity, suggesting the aye-ayes were separated for an extended period by geographic barriers.
Richard B. Alley, a renowned geoscientist, has been awarded the AAAS Public Engagement in Science Award for his outstanding contributions to popularizing climate science. His work has helped demonstrate that past regional to global climate changes occurred rapidly and significantly impacted the environment.
Only about one in five central Pennsylvania women who experienced intimate partner violence were asked or counseled by a health care provider about abuse. The study highlights the need for improved preventive healthcare services, particularly among women exposed to IPV.
A study using fMRI found that first-year college students' brains showed habituation to alcohol-related stimuli and alterations in cognitive control networks. Changes in neural connections may influence decision-making and judgment abilities. The research suggests that exposure to alcohol cues can disrupt brain development, particularl...
Parents can significantly reduce their teens' drinking during college by discussing alcohol with them before they start. The study found that pre-college conversations about alcohol had a lasting impact on students, while summer and fall conversations showed limited effectiveness.
Researchers discover that unhealthy eating behaviors can worsen moods in women without prior mood changes, leading to a better understanding of the relationship between emotions and eating. The study's findings suggest that this connection may play a role in the development and maintenance of unhealthy eating habits.
Researchers recalculated the commonness of Earth-sized planets in habitable zones of low-mass stars, finding nearly three times as many planets as previous estimates. The average distance to the nearest potentially habitable planet is about seven light years.
Researchers developed a new thin film technology that allows for simultaneous analysis of multiple substances, leading to faster and more efficient diagnostics. The device can detect changes in chemical composition using optical fingerprints, offering improved accuracy and reliability compared to existing state-of-the-art technology.
Research suggests autistic children are 28 times more likely to contemplate or attempt suicide than typical children, with demographics and behavioral problems being key risk factors. The study analyzed data from over 700 children with autism, finding depression was the strongest single predictor of suicidal ideation or attempts.
Astronomers have discovered the closest star system to the Sun, located 6.5 light years from Earth, making it an ideal target for planet-hunting expeditions. The star system consists of a pair of brown dwarfs, which are too small in mass to ignite hydrogen fusion.
A Penn State study reveals that only one in five central Pennsylvania women who have experienced intimate partner violence are asked or counseled by a healthcare provider. The research highlights inadequate preventive care services for women exposed to IPV, which can lead to serious immediate and long-term health issues.
Researchers found that committed farmers tend to do better than those who test the local market, capturing additional revenue through higher prices and improved sales margins. Farmers can start by meeting with chefs and shop owners, learning their needs and pricing.
Researchers evaluated an afterschool program called the Good Behavior Game, finding that high organizational ability and community involvement are key to its effectiveness. The study suggests that combining these elements can lead to improved implementation of evidence-based practices in afterschool settings.
Researchers are using engineering control theory to create complex brain models that can simulate neurological diseases. By simplifying these models and fusing them with real system measurements, they aim to develop more accurate treatments for conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London found that plant communities in the Arctic are more resilient to climate change when populations of caribou and musk ox remain intact. The research suggests that these large herbivores maintain plant species diversity, while warming reduces it.
Researchers found that hourly temperature data provides a more accurate estimate of malaria parasite development rate than mean monthly temperatures. This approach has implications for understanding and predicting malaria transmission risk in different climates and regions.