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.
Four Penn State researchers, Sean Hallgren, Adam Smith, Michael Hickner, and Susan Parks, will receive the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. They were recognized for their outstanding work in quantum computation, cryptography, polymer chemistry, and bioacoustics.
Researchers found that certain microorganisms can convert methane to carbon dioxide using iron and manganese oxides as electron acceptors. This process is crucial for the Earth's carbon cycle and may have played a significant role in reducing methane levels on early Earth.
A team of Penn State scientists has identified unique patterns in the DNA sequences surrounding insertions and deletions, suggesting mechanisms that may have generated these mutations. The findings could influence genetic counseling for couples seeking to have children.
A pilot prevention program targeting fifth graders and their younger siblings will receive funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The program combines family intervention with a non-stigmatizing focus on sibling relationships to decrease risky behavior and use of drugs among youth.
Adult day care can help alleviate caregiver stress by lifting responsibility for a few hours, promoting sleep and well-being in those cared for. The study will assess the impact of day care on caregivers' health and stress levels over three years with 180 participants.
Researchers at Penn State's Center for Network-Centric Cognition and Information Fusion are working on a $1.2 million MURI grant to develop unified research on network-based hard/soft information fusion. The team will use data from various sources, including cell phones and social media sites, to improve data fusion capabilities.
Researchers found that nickel isotopic fractionation may be a useful biomarker for identifying methanogenic microbes on the early Earth. The presence of specific isotopic fractions indicates biological processes, such as microbial assimilation or uptake of metals.
A zero-tolerance policy towards underage alcohol use in the home may significantly reduce the likelihood of college students binge drinking, according to a study by Caitlin Abar. The study found that students whose parents did not permit them to drink underage were less likely to engage in heavy drinking, regardless of gender.
A Penn State researcher analyzed nearly 1 million Web searches to detect patterns of query reformulation and create models to predict them. The research found that users reformulated their search terms in 22% of queries to more precisely convey the information they were searching for.
Dr. Bruce Logan has developed energy-sustainable water infrastructure that can be used in both industrialized and developing nations. His microbial fuel cells produce clean water and energy, making it a game-changer for powering water infrastructure in developing countries.
The SIESTA II project aims to understand the role of parenting in infant sleep development, exploring how parents' emotional availability affects their child's sleep quality. The study will investigate how consistent bedtime rituals, parental support, and stress levels impact infant sleep habits.
Researchers create Liquid-Gradient Refractive Index (L-GRIN) lenses using water and calcium chloride, enabling precise control over light direction. These fluidic lenses can be fabricated on chips and have potential applications in optical tweezers and medical imaging.
An international team of anthropologists discovered that more aggressive warriors among the Waorani have lower indices of reproductive success than less warlike men. The research contradicts previous findings on Yanomamo men, who were found to benefit from their aggressive behavior in terms of acquiring wives and children.
A team of Penn State entomologists is searching for an insect disease that will infect mosquitoes and impair their sense of smell. By doing so, they hope to reduce the ability of infected mosquitoes to find human hosts and transmit malaria.
Researchers discovered the chlorophyll molecules' structure, enabling artificial photosynthetic systems. The chlorosomes contain up to 250,000 chlorophylls and have unique internal structures.
A new study by Penn State professor Donna Korzick explores the link between estrogen deficiency and increased risk of heart disease in women. Researchers hope to identify proteins that respond to low-estrogen environments, which could lead to new treatments for heart disease.
Researchers investigate how work-related stress affects family life, assessing stress levels through saliva samples and daily diaries. The study aims to improve the physical and psychological well-being of managers, employees, and their families.
The Lignocellulose Center aims to increase knowledge of plant cell walls and improve fuel conversion methods. Researchers will explore the physical structure of lignocellulose and its role in producing biorenewable energy.
Researchers propose alternative explanation for anomalous sulfur isotope composition in ancient rocks, suggesting early oxygen-rich atmosphere may have been present. Laboratory experiments show that organic material and thermal sulfate reduction can produce similar isotopic signatures.
Researchers found that soybean plants colonized with naturally occurring rhizobia had lower aphid densities than those with commercial or artificially fertilized plants. The plants produced the same level of nitrogen regardless of the type of rhizobia used, suggesting a potential tool for protecting plants from insect herbivory.
A new program, Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE), aims to reduce teacher stress and improve student behavior. By teaching mindfulness techniques, teachers can create a positive learning environment, increasing student engagement and reducing disruptive behavior.
The 2007 Solomon Island earthquake highlighted an increased tsunami risk caused by the unusual tectonic plate geography and rapid change in direction. The event showed a localized increase in tsunami heights, potentially creating near-trench islands.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to controlling malaria by killing only older mosquitoes, reducing the selection for resistant insects. This method could lead to evolution-proof insecticides that never become obsolete, saving millions of dollars in development costs.
Researchers discovered that naturally fluorescent molecules like NADH can be used to detect cancer cells. The team developed a non-destructive method to measure NADH levels in live cells, which could help differentiate between normal and cancerous cells at early stages of tumor progression.
A recent study by Penn State researchers suggests that several statistical methods used to detect natural selection at the molecular level are faulty. This has implications for the interpretation of hundreds of published studies on human evolution and the role of natural selection in shaping human traits.
A team of Penn State engineers discovered that microbes can directly convert carbon dioxide and water to methane using electricity, producing a self-sustaining process. This breakthrough could lead to a portable energy source with a low carbon footprint if powered by renewable energy.