North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay are at high risk of being struck by boat propellers while feeding on copepods, which school just below the surface. Researchers have found that these whales spend most of their time between the surface and 13 feet below, making them invisible to boats.
Researchers found that marital conflict in adoptive parents can impact their infant's sleep patterns, which becomes regulated during infancy. The study, published in Child Development, suggests that marital instability may set a child up for problematic sleep patterns.
A study found that caregivers and their relatives with mild to moderate dementia have differing perceptions of care quality. The team's results suggest that adult children underestimate the importance of core values held by their relatives, leading to potential miscommunication as dementia worsens.
A study by Penn State researchers found that people who view negative political ads perceive the ads as having a greater influence on others than themselves. The experiment showed that both supporters and opponents of a presidential candidate believe the ads affect others more than they are affected by them.
A study by Penn State found that adding pureed vegetables to children's favorite foods increased their daily vegetable intake and reduced calorie consumption. Researchers served vegetable-enhanced meals to 39 preschoolers aged 3-6, who ate nearly twice as many veggies and 11% fewer calories.
A team of ecologists models climate change effects on fire occurrence and composition of Yellowstone forests, finding a tipping element that may alter the flora, fauna, and ecosystem quality. The researchers predict frequent fires will become the norm in parts of the landscape by 2050.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that particles in liquids don't always settle at the bottom based on size or speed. Instead, they arrange themselves in a way that achieves the lowest energy state, often resulting in a layered structure with larger particles at the bottom and smaller ones above.
A new software program, called a DNA compiler, designs synthetic DNA sequences to control protein production in simple organisms. The technology allows biotechnology companies to quickly identify the best DNA sequence for a particular application, increasing efficiency and productivity.
Researchers found that journalists were more likely to cover the cultural aspects of a story, such as race and business, compared to bloggers. This reflects the advantages professional journalists have over bloggers, including better training and resources.
Penn State researchers found that hospitals focusing on improving operational efficiency can achieve better patient satisfaction scores without increasing spending. A balanced value equation is key to driving better performers.
A $1.2 million NSF grant will support research on gene instability in maize, enabling scientists to make precise genetic modifications and improve crop yields. The project aims to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling gene expression in plants.
Researchers found that adult day care centers alleviate caregiver stress and improve dementia patient behavior, sleep quality. The study showed significant reductions in caregiver stress and behavioral problems when dementia patients attended daycare, compared to staying home.
A new patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model has shown significant improvement in diabetes management, increasing adherence to evidence-based care guidelines and clinical outcomes. The study found a notable increase in patients receiving essential services such as yearly exams and vaccinations, leading to better health outcomes.
A team of scientists has discovered that the female ancestor of all living polar bears was a brown bear that lived in Britain and Ireland during the last ice age. This hybridization event likely occurred due to climate changes affecting the North Atlantic ice sheet, leading to periods of overlap in bear habitats.
Research reveals that an individual's consumption habits and contraceptive choices are influenced by their cultural background, which in turn affects their responses to climate change. People's perceptions of environmental impact influence their behavior, with some behaviors offsetting environmental gains.
Researchers use genome sequencing and analysis to identify individuals for captive breeding programs, aiming to maximize genetic diversity and prevent extinction. The study provides insights into the impact of European settlement on Tasmanian devil genomic diversity.
Researchers have developed a novel waveplate technology inspired by the peacock mantis shrimp's eye, which can improve high-definition CD, DVD, and holographic technology. The new waveplates offer broader polarized light capabilities over the entire visual spectrum.
A recent study found that cancer survivors have lower employment rates (8-9%) and work fewer hours (3-6 hours/week) compared to their peers without a history of cancer. The researchers suggest that the findings may be attributed to factors such as changing priorities, employment discrimination, or inadequate workplace accommodations.
Researchers developed a brief exam to identify frontal and temporal dysfunction in ALS patients, which can impact decision-making and treatment planning. The Penn State Brief Exam of Frontal and Temporal Dysfunction Syndromes (PSFTS) has been used in over 200 patients and is now standard care at the Medical Center.
A new research area seeks to discover ways to manage the evolution of drug-resistant disease organisms and slow their spread. The goal is to develop a science-based model for drug-resistance management that can inform treatment guidelines for various diseases, including malaria, MRSA, AIDS, and cancer.
A study by Penn State researchers found that companies that export and invest in research and development are significantly more productive than those that don't. These firms can gain a competitive edge by learning from their customers and accessing foreign markets.
A newly constructed, 2,000-year history of sea level elevations will help scientists refine models used to predict climate-change-induced sea level rise. The record shows the past century had the fastest recorded rate of sea level rise.
A study by Penn State researchers found that young adults who are web savvy but lack knowledge about federal government may struggle to participate online. The experiment revealed that participants often failed to find correct government websites, citing obstacles such as general lack of knowledge and limited search engine results.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Penn State a $27.3 million grant to support the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, which aims to improve public health through collaborative research and outreach expertise. The grant will focus on children's health, cancer, and behavioral health.
Researchers found that generation time is a strong indicator of mutation rate, accounting for 40% of variation among species. Male mutation bias, where males have higher DNA mutations than females, was also linked to generation time. In contrast, metabolic rate appeared to be only a moderate predictor of mutation rates.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that cancer survivors in the US spend an average of $9,300 per year on medical expenses, significantly more than those who have never had cancer. The study also revealed gender and demographic disparities in healthcare spending among cancer survivors.
A new combination of a breast cancer chemotherapy agent and an artificial antibody has been tested in clinical trials, showing promising results in targeting colon cancer cells. The treatment, which combines lapatinib with monoclonal antibodies, has the potential to provide hope for patients with treatment-resistant cancers.
Researchers found that cash-based overcompensation leads to higher satisfaction ratings than industry-standard compensation or voucher-based overcompensation. Participants were most satisfied with a $400 cash bonus, but satisfaction levels did not increase linearly with the amount of cash provided.
Researchers found that carbon release into atmosphere today is nearly 10 times faster than during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a 55.9 million-year-old event similar to current global warming. The study suggests this rapid change may not allow sufficient time for biological systems to adapt.
Scientists at Penn State College of Medicine have created a new approach to treating brain tumors by targeting the ferritin protein with siRNA. By reducing ferritin levels in cancer cells, the sensitivity to chemotherapy can be increased, allowing for lower doses and potentially fewer side effects.
Researchers created a 3D model of Mount St. Helens' 1980 eruption to better understand pyroclastic density currents and their impact on terrain. The model accurately reproduced the blast's effects, revealing that gravity and terrain shape play key roles in determining damage zones.
A new intervention using cognitive activities is being tested to help patients with delirium superimposed on dementia. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, aims to improve physical function and resolution of delirium.
A gamma-ray burst, GRB 090429B, has been identified as a potential candidate for the most distant object in the universe at an estimated distance of 13.14 billion light years. The burst was detected by NASA's Swift satellite and is believed to be extremely likely, with a 99.3% chance, to be the most distant cosmic explosion.
Researchers found that naltrexone significantly reduced inflammation in Crohn's disease patients, with 88% experiencing at least a 70-point decline in symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment. The study suggests that interfering with the opioid system may lead to the reversal of inflammation.
Researchers at Penn State University have developed a laboratory procedure that allows scientists to assemble and study the structure of entire chromosomes. The process reveals the construction of chromatin, a super-compressed marvel of molecular packaging that contains all an organism's DNA and associated proteins.
Scientists use new technique to demonstrate that cell membrane and cytoplasm structure can guide asymmetric cell division. Model cells show that simple chemical interactions can result in complex behaviors like asymmetric division even without genetic signals.
The Bee Informed Partnership aims to reduce honey bee mortality, increase profitability, and enhance sustainable management systems. The project will use epidemiological methods to identify effective practices and create a dynamic Honey Bee Health database with an interactive web-based interface.
A study of 508 children found a strong association between childhood excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and obesity, asthma, anxiety, and depression. Waist circumference was also significantly associated with EDS, suggesting metabolic factors play a role.
Researchers have developed a method to deliver vitamins using corn starch, potentially creating stable vitamin-enriched ingredients. This technique could offer an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods of producing medications and food supplements.
A Penn State study reveals that obesity impairs skeletal muscle function in rats, leading to impaired muscle strength and locomotion. The research suggests that the muscles of obese mammals are not properly 'tuned' to their body weight.
A parasitic fungus infects tropical carpenter ants, causing them to become zombie-like and die in ideal conditions for the fungus. The fungus affects the ant's muscles, nervous system, and behavior, leading to a loss of coordination and death.
A $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will support Penn State's efforts to develop and evaluate an oral hygiene approach for patients with dementia. The project, led by Rita A. Jablonski, aims to reduce care-resistant behaviors and improve oral health through the application of neurobiological principles.
Penn State's Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Training Program aims to reduce child obesity rates through comprehensive training in ingestive behavior, nutrition education, and research methods. The five-year grant will support nine graduate students and provide on-the-job training in four career areas.
Researchers found that employees initially assigned to powerful supervisors had a better experience when participating in work-family programs. This
A new oral hygiene approach called Managing Oral Hygiene Using Threat Reduction (MOUTh) has been developed to help nurses care for dementia patients who resist care due to perceived threats. The technique focuses on making the patient feel comfortable and reducing threat perception, resulting in improved oral health outcomes.
Researchers found that higher BPA concentrations at 16 weeks of pregnancy were associated with wheezing in children, while effects diminished as they aged. More research is needed to confirm the correlation between BPA and wheezing in children.
Researchers have discovered a novel strategy by which antibiotic-resistant bacteria change their genetic make-up to evade multiple antibiotics. The study provides a clear chemical picture of a clever mechanism for antibiotic resistance that some bacteria have evolved, enabling the design of new compounds to combat superbugs.
Researchers have found that over-expression of motor protein km23-1 can block human ovarian tumor growth, leading to eventual cancer cell death. This discovery offers promise for new therapies to treat ovarian cancer, a disease affecting U.S. women with an estimated 21,880 new cases and 13,850 deaths in 2010.
Researchers have found that repeated topical application of ISC-4 can reduce tumor cell expansion by 80-90% and decrease tumor development in mice skin by about 80%. The compound is safe and kills melanoma cells two to five times more effectively than normal cells.
Researchers used data mining to analyze the corrosion-resistant properties of Alloy 22, a key material for nuclear waste containment. They found that the alloy can predict future corrosion patterns under similar environmental conditions.