A new study has strengthened a family-strengthening intervention program, showing improved parental anger control and more positive relationships with children. The adapted program aims to prevent poor outcomes in teens, such as substance use and risky behavior.
Despite quality issues and social stigma, a majority of Pennsylvania's mobile home residents are satisfied with their homes. The primary benefit of living in a mobile home is affordability, according to Penn State researchers who found that 48% of respondents cited affordability as a major advantage.
A team of researchers at Penn State has discovered that certain combinations of elemental atoms can mimic the electronic signatures of other elements. By examining photoelectron spectroscopy data, they found similarities between titanium monoxide and nickel, zirconium monoxide and palladium, and tungsten carbide and platinum.
Researchers found two brown dwarf-sized masses around an ordinary star, which is extremely rare. The discovery suggests that planets may assemble around stars more quickly and efficiently than thought possible.
A team of researchers found low-angle normal faults, thought to be stable, can actually slip due to the presence of talc and clays allowing for easy sliding. This challenges previous laboratory experiments that indicated these faults should not move.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new type of glass that blocks ultraviolet light and has increased radiation damage resistance. The cerium-containing phosphate glasses can be used in windows, sunglasses, and solar cells.
Researchers studied gait to identify physical signs of Parkinson's disease in its early stages. The team found that people with Parkinson's had significantly asymmetrical arm swings compared to those without the disease.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has awarded Penn State's nuclear engineering program nearly $1 million to boost nuclear education and expand the workforce. The funding will support a radiochemistry education program with a new laboratory course providing hands-on experience for students.
A study by Penn State researchers used a computer model to compare senators' voting records to their floor statements on issues. The findings showed that legislators tend to use nouns and adjectives that signal their voting patterns. Future research could include building automated programs to analyze real-time data.
Researchers found that religious searching behaviors remained mainstream and technologically savvy, despite secularization trends. Search engines poorly delivered relevant content, likely due to localized religious websites.
Researchers found that anxiety sensitivity significantly predicted depression symptoms in above-average worriers. The fear of cognitive dyscontrol and publically observable anxiety symptoms specifically correlated with depression. Understanding this link may lead to new depression treatments by addressing anxiety sensitivity.
Researchers reconstructed spatial patterns of ocean and land surface temperature over the past 1500 years using diverse climate proxies. They found dynamic connections between natural phenomena like El Niño and regional temperature changes.
A study is using cell phones to collect detailed data on human interactions, allowing for a more accurate picture of daily life. The research aims to refine existing prevention programs by identifying patterns in individual behavior.
Researchers found search engines are used for fact-checking and supporting higher-level information needs, revealing a more complex role in learning. Their study suggests design improvements for search engines can better address users' cognitive and affective aspects.
A team of scientists led by Ross Hardison has made significant discoveries about the mechanisms of gene regulation in red blood cells. They found that transcription factor GATA-1 controls the expression of over 2,600 genes by binding to specific sites on DNA.
A $1 million project aims to develop computational tools using next-generation petascale computers to analyze genome rearrangements. The team plans to test their new algorithms on a collection of fruit fly genomes, which will provide insights into the mechanisms underlying gene order diversity.
Research found that couples who use thoughtfulness and reasoning during conflicts show lower stress-related protein levels, suggesting a potential health benefit. The study measured cytokine levels before and after marital discussion tasks and found a correlation between cognitive word use and reduced inflammation.
Researchers found that sprinters have significantly shorter lever arms in their ankles compared to non-sprinters. This allows muscles to produce greater force without sacrificing speed. The study suggests that a unique foot structure is essential for sprinting success, with longer toes providing an additional advantage.
Researchers are using two tiny insects, the predatory mite and the lady bug, to control European red mites and two-spotted spider mites in Pennsylvania apple orchards. By reducing pest mite numbers, biological control saves growers millions in integrated pest management costs.
Researchers aim to correlate seismic activity with glacier slip using pump tests and measurements of natural seismicity. The projects focus on stability of ice stream grounding zones and role of active subglacial lakes in ice sheet loss.
A recent space experiment using the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope has provided evidence about the fundamental structure of space and time. The team confirmed aspects of Einstein's theories of gravity, which unite space and time in the concept of space-time.
A team of researchers is exploring the fossil record of ancient plants in Patagonia, Argentina, which could provide insights into plant evolution, distribution, and ecology. The study aims to determine if a major plant extinction occurred when dinosaurs went extinct and how long it took for recovery.
Researchers analyzed global warming's impact on four New World monkey species, finding a significant drop in their populations during climate fluctuations. The team used statistical models to investigate how food resources and tree responses related to temperature and rainfall patterns.
Researchers found genetically modified squash are more susceptible to bacterial wilt disease due to increased feeding by cucumber beetles. The study suggests that the fitness advantage of virus-resistant crops comes at a price, with unintended consequences for biodiversity.
Researchers have identified groups of neurons that precisely keep time in the primate brain, allowing for fine-scale control over actions. The discovery opens doors to investigations into how the brain produces and uses its natural time code.
Scott Anderson of Palm Beach, Fla., and his team won the 2009 ConocoPhillips Energy Prize with their ECO-Auger, a hydrokinetic machine harnessing tidal currents for renewable electric energy. The prize recognizes innovative ideas to create a more secure energy future.
Researchers used photography and detailed geological mapping to identify 30 tombs on fracture traces, which can lead to flooding and damage. The team plans to use this information to stop flooding by diverting water away from tombs.
Researchers will catalog digitized images and artifacts, building tools for online searches of ancient Cyprian artifacts. The project aims to preserve artistic and cultural heritage in Cyprus, with potential benefits for other ancient cultures.
Penn State's College of Information Sciences and Technology has received a two-year, $1 million grant from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to further its research in areas related to national security. The award aims to produce students who can become leaders in the U.S. intelligence community.
Buruli ulcer is caused by mycobacterium ulcerans and primarily affects poor rural communities in tropical countries. The new study aims to identify the natural reservoir for the disease, its activation, and transmission to humans.
Researchers have successfully produced renewable hydrogen from wastewater using a microbial electrolysis system at a Napa Valley winery. The process uses bacteria to convert organic material into electrical current and then produces hydrogen gas, which can be used as a clean energy source.
A five-year study at Penn State will analyze hypertension in humans and laboratory conditions, shedding light on potential therapeutic strategies for people with essential hypertension. The study aims to understand how hypertension affects the body's cardiovascular system and its impact on individuals.
The Arctic is experiencing dramatic biological responses to global warming, with many iconic species facing extinction due to loss of polar ice habitat. However, some species are adapting, such as reindeer that benefit from melting snow, while others, like caribou, are declining in numbers.
Researchers at Penn State have found that machines are unable to recognize distorted images like humans can. This limitation may be overcome in the future as computer programs harness large volumes of online data for knowledge generation and automatic recognition.
A team of biologists found that a rare species of algae proliferated in corals during a period of high sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean Ocean. The results suggest that this species may save some corals from bleaching, but its long-term impact on coral health is uncertain.
Penn State researchers have received a $1 million stimulus grant to improve cyber security for modern data centers. The project aims to consolidate four areas of systems security research, including microscopic intrusion analysis and detection, redundancy, automatic response, and diversity-driven protection.
Researchers at Penn State are investigating the effects of interactivity in digital media on user engagement. They will experimentally examine three types of interactivity, including source, medium, and message-based interactions, to determine their individual and combined effects.
Researchers have developed acoustic tweezers that can position single cells or nanosized beads using sound waves, allowing for efficient manipulation without damaging live cells. The technology has significant advantages over existing methods in terms of versatility, miniaturization, and power consumption.
The MOSAIC program is a four-year training initiative for graduate students to work with immigrant children learning English as a second language. The program addresses inadequate training of speech-language pathologists to diagnose communication disorders in multilingual children, targeting rural states with high numbers of ESL learners.
Researchers from Penn State and LIGO Scientific Collaboration have put new constraints on the details of the universe's earliest moments, setting limits on gravitational waves that could have come from the Big Bang. The analysis provides vital clues to understanding how the structure of the universe evolved.
A new portable device could help recover bodies in disasters and solve crimes by detecting the unique chemical signature of death. By analyzing odorant chemicals released from decomposing bodies, researchers aim to create a valuable addition to the forensic toolkit.
Researchers discovered higher levels of pathogens and co-infections in honeybees from collapsing colonies, but no single pathogen can be identified as the cause. The study suggests that CCD may be contagious or caused by exposure to a common risk factor impairing bee immune systems.
Researchers reconstruct past hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean, indicating a high period of hurricane activity during the Medieval Climate Anomaly around AD 900-1100. The current low hurricane activity may be related to an emerging El Niño event, which can lead to more wind shear and fewer hurricanes.
Researchers have developed a process that cleans wastewater and generates electricity, also removing 90% of salt from brackish water or seawater. The system uses microbial desalination cells to convert wastewater into clean water producing electricity.
Researchers uncover how certain types of viral RNA pairs trigger an enzyme called protein kinase R (PKR) to inhibit viral production. PKR recognizes double-stranded RNAs and stops protein synthesis in infected cells, ultimately causing cell death.
Peter Wilf, a renowned paleobotanist, has been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Speaker honor by the Paleontological Society. His research on ancient plants and terrestrial ecosystems will be showcased through three lectures, shedding light on biodiversity, climate change, and extinction.
Researchers found that daily temperature fluctuations significantly impact malaria parasite growth and transmission rates. In areas with cooler temperatures, a fluctuation of 45 degrees Fahrenheit reduces the parasites' incubation period, making them infectious nearly two weeks earlier.
Researchers found a negative correlation between birth rates and the timing of rotavirus epidemics. With declining birth rates, outbreaks occur later in the year, particularly in California.
A study by Penn State scientists found that the Y chromosome has evolved rapidly, losing genes at a rate that could lead to its complete disappearance. The research revealed that this rapid evolution is due to the Y-specific DNA evolving independently from the non-sex chromosomes.
A study at Penn State has identified over 16,000 active genes in mouse brains during embryonic development and post-natal stages. These genes are linked to cognitive and sensory abilities and may hold the key to developing treatments for neurological disorders such as autism and Alzheimer's disease.