A team of Penn State researchers has developed a method to improve regular battery management practices for lead-acid batteries used in electric locomotives. The new approach increases the cell capacity by 41 percent and overall battery capacity by 30 percent, rejuvenating dead cells and reducing sulfation.
Researchers found a significant link between climate and infant brain infections, with rainfall affecting the number of hydrocephalus cases. The study suggests that environmental conditions can quench bacterial infections, making some cases potentially preventable if understood better.
Astronomers from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and Penn State have released a vast image gallery featuring ultraviolet and optical images captured by the Swift satellite's Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope. The collection includes early images, stunning views of galaxies, and rare types of stars.
Researchers found that the environment transitioned rapidly between a closed woodland and an open grassland, triggering evolutionary changes. The team used lake sediments and biomarkers to reconstruct the types of vegetation present, revealing a correlation between environmental changes and planetary movement.
The study reveals differences in the speed of evolution among globular clusters, with fast-aging clusters experiencing core collapse within a few hundred million years. In contrast, slow-aging clusters would take several times the current age of the universe to undergo core collapse.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that targeting km23-1, a motor protein involved in cell migration, can slow the spread of cancer cells. By inhibiting km23-1, cancer therapies may be developed to prevent tumor cells from migrating to other parts of the body.
A study by Penn State researchers has found high levels of ancient brines in Marcellus flowback water, which are consistent with brines formed during the Paleozoic era. The study highlights the importance of proper disposal and re-use of fracking fluids to prevent environmental contamination.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that plants can detect and respond to insect odors, leading to improved defenses. The tall goldenrod plant's ability to sense the sex attractant emitted by male flies makes it less appealing to female flies, reducing damage and increasing seed quality.
Researchers developed a novel hybrid conduit that combines soft and electrically-active materials to guide nerve regeneration and reconnection. The design showed promising results in rats, with significant muscle mass gain compared to other designs.
Research found that healthcare providers often advise overweight and obese women to gain less weight than recommended, leading to potential health risks. Women also received limited exercise guidance, with most advised to limit or stop exercising altogether.
Researchers at Penn State University have developed a new type of optical fiber with integrated solar-cell capabilities that can be scaled to long lengths and woven into flexible fabrics. This technology has the potential to revolutionize portable electronics, offering lightweight, foldable, and wearable power sources.
Researchers found that invasive cheatgrass is linked to larger and more frequent fires, particularly in the Great Basin. The study used satellite imagery to identify cheatgrass in disproportionately high numbers of fires.
Researchers found that targeting glutamate receptors in the vagus nerve may control pancreatic functions, providing new hope for treating conditions like gastro-esophageal reflux disorder. The study's findings support the idea that separate nerve pathways regulate diverse organs along the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Six Penn State faculty members have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, including Peter Hudson, Soundar Kumara, Andrew Read, Nitin Samarth, Matthew Thomas, and Karl Zimmerer. They were recognized for their research in various fields, including wildlife disease ecology, interdisciplinary indust...
Scientists at Penn State University developed a new paradigm for understanding the earliest eras of the universe, extending analyses to the Big Bang using loop quantum cosmology. The research reveals that fundamental fluctuations in space-time evolved into large-scale structures, challenging classical physics and inflationary theories.
A new prevention program helps elementary-school aged siblings learn to get along, leading to improved future health and well-being. The SIBlings Are Special (SIBS) program teaches positive communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, resulting in reduced aggressive behaviors and increased self-control.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a natural fungus, Beauveria bassiana, that can effectively control bed bugs. The study found that the fungus infects and kills bed bugs within five days, even when they are in close proximity to uninfected individuals.
Researchers have identified two species of wood-boring beetles as the makers of wormholes in European printed art since the Renaissance. The study, published in Biology Letters, uses printed art as a trace fossil to precisely date species and identify their locations.
Researchers found that female bloggers enjoyed blogging due to feelings of empowerment and community connection. Site metrics like traffic visitors and comments predicted continued interest in blogging. Bloggers who felt a strong sense of agency were more influential.
A Penn State researcher examined a low-income community project that provided WiFi and computer training, finding technology alone cannot address underlying issues. The study highlights the need for political action over reliance on tech to solve poverty problems like low wages and childcare access.
Researchers have developed a method to study hepatitis C medication side effects in Petri dishes and test tubes, potentially paving the way for safer treatments. The technique could help identify medications that eliminate all adverse effects and aid in personalized medicine.
Researchers at Penn State used scenario-based games to detect confirmation bias in intelligence analysts. The study found that teams trained in considering alternative hypotheses outperformed others in identifying perpetrators and targets. The game was designed to mimic real-life situations faced by U.S. intelligence analysts in Iraq.
Researchers found that epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a compound in green tea, can reduce blood glucose levels when combined with starchy foods. This suggests that drinking green tea with meals containing starch may help control typical blood sugar increases.
A Penn State study found that enrolling uninsured adults in Medicaid would increase costs by 13% due to their higher disease burden. Extending Medicaid coverage may not be the most cost-effective solution, suggesting strengthening current safety-net providers might be a better approach.
Researchers found that individuals who dwell on daily stressors and become increasingly upset are more likely to suffer from chronic health issues. The study suggests that learning how to manage stress is key to maintaining good health.
A gene called spastin plays a critical role in axon regeneration, which was found to be shut down by a mutation in the gene. The researchers used fruit flies as a model organism and observed that severed axons regrew normally when the gene was present.
A recent study published in Health Psychology found that people's satisfaction with life is directly impacted by their daily physical activity. By exercising just a little more than usual, individuals can significantly improve their satisfaction with life.
Researchers used zebrafish to test genetic mutations that affect human skin color and found that some mutations had no effect on the fish's skin color. This approach may be useful in identifying which genetic mutations can be ignored and which require attention, potentially aiding personalized medicine.
Researchers found that pregnant men experience increased stress levels during conflict discussions, depending on the level of hostility expressed by their partner. Women, on the other hand, show varying responses to relationship conflict, with some experiencing prolonged stress and others finding discussing difficult topics reassuring.
Researchers found that ovulation rates and quality remained unchanged after bariatric surgery, with only a minor shortening of the menstrual cycle. Weight loss improved sexual function, particularly desire and arousal, in obese women seeking pregnancy.
The National Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge Network (NACK Network) will continue its workforce development programs, addressing industry needs for skilled micro- and nanofabrication workers. The network aims to create pathways from high school to skilled manufacturing careers across the US.
Scientists created primitive cell-like structures that infused with RNA, demonstrating how molecules react under conditions similar to early Earth. The model showed increased chemical reactions by up to 70-fold when RNA was densely packed, highlighting the importance of compartmentalization in early life forms.
A $11.9 million NSF award supports a multi-institution research network on sustainable climate risk management strategies at Penn State and nine additional universities. The network aims to develop improved analysis frameworks, mentor diverse researchers, and inform climate-related risk management decisions.
A new acoustic cell-sorting chip developed by Penn State researchers can sort cells into multiple channels, paving the way for smaller and more efficient analytical devices. This technology has the potential to replace bulky and expensive current methods, allowing for easier analysis of blood and genetic testing.
A Penn State researcher found that public health messages about a disease can elicit responses like disgust and anger, shaping stigma development and influencing people to share stigma messages or endorse interventions.
A study by Penn State researchers found that kindergartners' aggressive behavior can be attributed to varying levels of verbal ability and physiological arousal. The team identified two groups: one characterized by low verbal ability and the other by high emotional reactivity.
A study by Penn State researchers found that people perceive tweets and retweets differently depending on the source, with original tweets from popular doctors being most credible. Non-medical professionals with a large following were also seen as more trustworthy than doctors who retweet health messages.
A study by researchers found that when nurse leaders' actions mirror their spoken words regarding safety, unit nurses are more likely to report errors, leading to a stronger commitment to safe practices. This, in turn, results in a reduction in patient treatment errors.
Researchers at Penn State developed a method to create a rough surface on bone grafts similar to untreated bone, promoting healing and increasing the likelihood of successful implantation. The new technique uses physical vapor deposition to coat the graft with hydroxyapatite, optimizing its osteogenic properties.
Researchers used DNA analysis to separate hundreds of coral symbionts into distinct species, revealing unique ecological distributions. This breakthrough should improve research into reef-building corals and their complex biology, potentially aiding in the survival of corals under global warming.
Research suggests public safety-net hospitals directly controlled by governments are more profitable than others, contradicting expectations. To sustain themselves financially, these hospitals must transform their organizations to adapt to the new market dynamic and reduce reliance on direct public subsidies.
Researchers developed a theory of caregiving through the end of life, comparing it to a theory on bereavement. They found significant conceptual similarities between the two theories, validating both models. The study aims to help nurses provide timely support to family caregivers after a loved one's death.
The U.S. Navy awarded Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory a $853 million contract over the next 10 years to support critical defense research and development. The award enables ARL to carry out research in guidance, navigation, and materials science.
Penn State researchers are creating a new training program for doctoral students in Big Data Social Science, with the help of a $3 million NSF grant. The program aims to equip scientists with tools to address the challenges of massive and complex socially generated data.
The DairyCents app estimates income over feed cost per cow, helping farmers plan financially. It also compares feed prices across the country and allows farmers to reference their current feed prices, potentially leading to better deals with suppliers.
Despite negative stereotypes, religious groups in Africa promote medical solutions and provide care for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Many congregations actively engage both faith and biomedical approaches to address the epidemic.
Researchers tracked parasite-induced disease and death in reintroduced wolf packs in Yellowstone National Park, finding that mange did not infect wolves until 2007. The diseases that infected the wolves quickly were all viral, including canine distemper and parvovirus, while mange is a skin infection caused by scabies mites.
The study found that almost all US cities have become more diverse over the past four decades, with rural communities following urban trends. Diversity has led to a decline in white-dominant places and an increase in communities with significant minority populations.
A collaborative five-year project involving over 440 researchers worldwide has published a comprehensive understanding of the human genome's functions. The ENCODE study found that over 80% of the human genome sequence is linked to biological function, and mapped over 4 million regulatory regions where proteins interact with DNA.
Researchers will develop methods to design origami structures that actively fold and unfold in response to multiple fields, guided by predictive multi-scale modeling and multi-physics simulations. The four-year project will also integrate summer student exchange programs and capstone design projects for K-12 students.