Researchers at Penn State found that weight fluctuations and changes can lead to faster cognitive decline in older adults. The study analyzed data from 4,304 participants and showed that those with greater variability in weight experienced more rapid cognitive declines.
Researchers at Penn State developed CitraBoneQMg, a biodegradable scaffold that combines magnesium and glutamine with citric acid to promote bone growth. The implant increased bone growth by 56% in rats compared to traditional implants, demonstrating its potential for treating complex fractures.
A novel genome-wide association study identifies previously unrecognized connections between human genetics, gut fungi, and chronic disease. The study establishes that host genetics can influence the fungi that live in the gut and provide clues about their abundances.
Research reveals that smallmouth bass and channel catfish are changing their diets to avoid competing with or being eaten by the invasive flathead catfish. The study found that flathead catfish have a higher trophic position than resident predators, exerting strong control over the ecosystem.
A new method called spVelo calculates RNA velocity to understand how cells become specialized. By incorporating spatial information and processing multiple batches at once, the method overcomes previous challenges.
Researchers developed a novel wearable sensor that can detect lactate biomarker in low-perspiration conditions, making it suitable for critically ill patients and athletes. The device, about the size of a standard band-aid, uses a granular hydrogel scaffold to collect sweat and identify lactate, showing accuracy within two hours.
A novel wearable sensor can identify and track lactate in low-perspiration conditions, allowing for continuous health monitoring. The device, about the size of a standard band-aid, uses a granular hydrogel scaffold to absorb sweat and transport it to a microfluidic chamber where lactate is detected.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine discovered a new function of antibody-making B cells in response to flu infection. These cells produce a key signaling molecule called interleukin-1 beta, which is necessary for developing a robust immune response and forming optimal germinal centers.
Researchers used ancient DNA and computer simulations to determine that migration of farming groups was the dominant factor in the expansion of farming, while cultural adoption by hunter-gatherers played a minimal role. The study found that the adoption of new ideas and practices did not significantly accelerate the spread of agriculture.
Research reveals Salmonella Dublin, a cattle and human pathogen, is increasingly resistant to antibiotics, with similar genetic makeup across animal, human, and environmental samples. The study's findings highlight the need for a One Health approach to control its spread and evolution.
Researchers developed a sensor that detects acetone levels in breath to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes. The sensor can provide results in a few minutes without requiring a visit to a doctor's office or lab work.
A new study reveals that sugars and maleic acid act as crucial messengers in a molecular feedback loop between photosynthesis and stomatal regulation. This discovery advances understanding of how plants optimize energy production and could improve crop yields.
Researchers at Penn State have identified certain characteristics that can help predict whether a virus will persist in a new population. Infection prevalence and viral shedding were found to be significant predictors of long-term viral persistence. The study used a worm model system to examine disease transmission and emergence at a p...
Researchers at Penn State and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory analyzed human deep space communications to determine the most likely places to detect signals from an extraterrestrial intelligence. They found that transmissions to deep space, including spacecraft near Mars, are more detectable than those intended for low-Earth orbit.
A new online assessment tool, developed by Penn State, assists veteran-serving organizations in identifying individualized risks and providing targeted support. The tool, called the Veteran Transition Screener (VTS), uses predictive models to match a veteran's demographic profile with risk factors linked to poor transition outcomes.
Researchers found that corn's root traits evolved in response to changing nitrogen availability and water levels, with fewer nodal roots and development of multiseriate cortical sclerenchyma helping the crop adapt. These adaptations enabled corn to thrive under varying environmental conditions, including a warming climate.
Scientists at Penn State developed a new method to predict superconducting materials using density functional theory and zentropy theory, potentially leading to discovery of new superconductors at higher temperatures. The approach successfully predicted signs of superconductivity in conventional and high-temperature superconductors.
A new study reveals that endometriosis can lead to lower blood pressure responses in women due to altered autonomic nervous system functions. This finding may have significant implications for diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Researchers at Penn State developed a wearable sensor that accurately measures chloride ion levels in sweat, enabling early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. The sensor uses multiple types of hydrogel to track small fluctuations in chloride ion levels, providing real-time information on an individual's health.
A study by Penn State researchers revealed that corn root traits, including fewer nodal roots, multiseriate cortical sclerenchyma, and seminal roots, evolved over time to enhance plant performance under nitrogen stress. The findings suggest that these adaptations were crucial for corn's success in domestication.
A new study by Penn State College of Education Professor Dana Mitra found that successful student voice practices depend on a careful balance of cognitive mindsets, emotive 'heartsets,' and intention-building skillsets. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing safety concerns before implementing student voice initiatives.
A team of computer science researchers at Penn State demonstrated that transcriptions of phone calls can be generated from radar measurements taken up to three meters from a phone. The accuracy is limited to around 60%, but the findings raise important questions about future privacy risks.
A study found that Nepali farmers perceive climate-related risks as a threat to their financial stability, leading them to focus on agriculture. The researchers suggest providing practical information and resources to help farmers explore alternative livelihoods.
Researchers found that siblings, friends, and extended family play crucial roles in helping parents keep their children safe on online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft. Online safety risks include scams, anti-social behavior, and adult roleplays.
Researchers at Penn State found an antagonistic relationship between two common plant viruses, TSWV and INSV, resulting in lower levels of the more severe virus. The study suggests that this interaction could help lead to better disease control in the future.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new extraction workflow that improves oil recovery from tight shale formations by up to 15%, while providing long-term storage for carbon dioxide emissions. The innovative approach enhances cyclic CO2 injection, a decades-old method that bolsters extraction from naturally occurring rock formations.
Researchers found that roads with passing zones have 11% fewer total crashes and 12% fewer fatal/injury-causing crashes compared to sections without marked passing zones. The study suggests that wider, straighter, flatter roads with more visibility are associated with lower crash risk.
A study in Nepal found that small-scale farmers perceive climate-related risks as a threat to their livelihoods, leading them to stick with agriculture. The researchers recommend providing farmers with climate information and financial resources to explore alternative income sources.
A team of scientists has developed microrobots that use sound waves to coordinate into large swarms exhibiting intelligent-like behavior. The swarms can navigate tight spaces and re-form themselves, making them suitable for tasks like cleaning up pollution and delivering drugs directly to a problem area.
Researchers at Penn State have simulated a new class of protein misfolding using atomic-scale models, revealing a type of entanglement that disrupts protein function and persists in cells. The findings support the existence of this long-lasting type of misfolding, which is thought to contribute to aging and disease.
Researchers at Penn State found that shallowly injected wastewater into groundwater does not completely clear potentially harmful contaminants like nitrogen and phosphate. The team suggests modifying the effluent's chemical makeup to increase salinity and density to improve filtration time.
A team at Penn State developed a new fabrication approach to create a flexible material for self-powered wearable sensors. The material, based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene), exhibits piezoelectricity and can generate electricity from motion.
A team of researchers led by Victor Pasko has revealed the atmospheric events that trigger lightning strikes within thunderclouds. The study describes how strong electric fields accelerate electrons, producing X-rays and initiating a deluge of additional electrons and high-energy photons.
A team of Penn State researchers has discovered a fundamental reaction in transition metal chemistry that can proceed through a different order of events, achieving the same outcome. This finding raises questions about whether this new pathway has been occurring all along and potentially opens up new avenues for chemical design.
Researchers at Penn State and WHO develop a method to predict regional measles vaccination coverage even without accurate survey data. The method uses routinely collected data on potential measles cases, resulting in highly correlated predictions with gold-standard DHS data.
Researchers at Penn State developed a novel technique to analyze ice fractures in the Thwaites Glacier, a key indicator of potential collapse and sea-level rise. The new method provides high-resolution profiles of surface elevations and visual cross-sections of fractures, shedding light on fracture depth and activity.
A team of Penn State researchers has found a new way for the fundamental reaction of oxidative addition to occur, potentially opening up new space for chemical design. This discovery could lead to more efficient industrial processes and the creation of new reactions that break down stubborn pollutants.
Researchers used the Cycles agroecosystem model to simulate nuclear winter scenarios and predict the impact on global corn production. The study found that a large-scale nuclear war could lead to an 80% drop in annual corn yields, resulting in widespread famine and catastrophic consequences.
A study in ferrets suggests that pre-existing immunity to H1N1 seasonal influenza virus provides protection against severe illness from H5N1 bird flu. The researchers found that ferrets with immunity to H1N1 or H3N2 showed reduced symptoms and lower viral replication when exposed to the H5N1 virus.
Researchers aim to understand the relationship between nightmares and anxiety-related mental health disorders like PTSD. They will use novel imaging techniques to map brain activity during sleep stages.
Researchers evaluated nine commercially available demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides on annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass fairways. The study found that two fungicides caused injury to annual bluegrass but not creeping bentgrass, while another fungicide resulted in the lowest injury on both species.
Researchers at Penn State have demonstrated how gold nanoclusters can mimic the spin properties of trapped atomic ions, allowing for scalability in quantum applications. The clusters can be easily synthesized in large quantities and exhibit unique Rydberg-like spin-polarized states that mimic superpositions.
Researchers developed a proof-of-concept device to detect HMGB1 protein in menstrual blood, showing five times more sensitivity than existing laboratory tests. The test can detect low concentrations of the biomarker, enabling early detection and intervention for endometriosis patients.
A new study found that consuming pistachios every night for 12 weeks altered bacteria in the gut of adults with prediabetes, increasing beneficial short-chain fatty acids like butyrate. The changes may offer long-term health benefits, potentially slowing Type 2 diabetes development or reducing inflammation.
The team built a high-resolution 3D structure of the Powassan virus, shedding light on its transmission and potential therapeutics. The findings could inform future treatments and preventions for this emerging tick-borne disease.
Weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) impacts both the ocean and atmosphere, contributing equally to the cold anomaly. A cooler ocean surface reduces evaporation and moisture in the atmosphere, amplifying the pre-existing cold anomaly.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a computational model that uses big data and physical readings to simulate and predict water movement. The model, which incorporates artificial intelligence, offers predictions at unprecedented levels of efficiency and accuracy compared to traditional models.
A new study led by Penn State researchers suggests that bumble bees' dietary preferences do not necessarily reflect their optimal nutritional needs. Despite choosing diets high in certain nutrients, the bees experienced negative fitness outcomes, including decreased egg-laying and unchanged body mass.
The book examines how architects can better serve society by changing their approach to the building process. Staub discusses three components of sustainability: ecological, economic, and social, highlighting social sustainability as an under-discussed aspect in architecture.
A new study found that warmer areas within fields have more blooms and bees, with flower density being the primary driver of foraging behavior. The research suggests that precision agriculture approaches could be used to inform conservation efforts by identifying low-performing sites.