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.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a way to control the geometry and stability of self-assembled monolayers using different carboranethiol isomers. The new SAMs show exceptional properties, including selective capture of biomolecules and high-quality patterning.
Researchers found evidence of abundant oxygen in ancient ocean and atmosphere, dating back 3.46 billion years. The discovery suggests early life forms like cyanobacteria produced oxygen 3.46 billion years ago.
Increased schooling across sub-Saharan Africa may lower new HIV infections among younger adults, contradicting previous views of education as an AIDS risk factor. Formal education appears to reduce the risk of HIV infections by up to 34 percent in some countries.
Researchers have discovered that motor proteins can be engineered for efficient cargo transport, potentially leading to targeted cancer treatment. By altering the function of these proteins, scientists aim to develop new drugs that inhibit kinesin activity during cell division, slowing tumor growth.
A Penn State professor is evaluating a bilingual school-readiness program called Madres Educando a Sus Niños/Mothers Educating Their Children, which engages mothers through Hispanic culture. The program aims to promote children's literacy and language development by providing mothers with books that focus on cultural experiences.
Researchers modeled West Antarctic ice sheet's past movements and found it collapsed and regrew multiple times due to ocean warming. The study uses deep sea oxygen isotope ratios to deduce Antarctic temperature changes and suggests the ice sheet may collapse if ocean temperatures warm sufficiently.
Researchers at Penn State have developed stainless steel brushes that can produce hydrogen at rates and efficiencies similar to those achieved with platinum-catalyzed carbon cloth. The new design reduces costs by five times compared to traditional platinum catalysts, while maintaining high current densities and energy recovery.
A study by Penn State researchers identified nine factors that can help predict future click-through rates, including number of records in a search and browser type. The positive factors had five effects, while four had negative effects, with user intent having no significant impact on predicting click-throughs.
Researchers at Penn State developed a solar-powered process converting carbon dioxide to methane using titania nanotubes, achieving a 20-times higher yield than previous attempts. The method uses dual catalysts coated on the nanotubes, resulting in significant hydrocarbon production.
Researchers have developed a potent drug against melanoma by combining compounds from green vegetables with selenium. The new compound, isoselenocyanate, targets the Akt3 protein and reduces tumor growth by 50-60%, showing potential for low-toxicity treatment.
A recent study found that team-based diabetes care improves health outcomes for Medicaid patients, including significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and hemoglobin A1C. However, the study suggests that this approach does not result in lower treatment costs under Medicare and Medicaid.
Researchers found ad clicks on Dogpile.com to be only 15% of total interactions, with 35% of queries yielding no clicks. The study challenges previous reports of a 30% ad click-through rate and suggests advertisers can leverage alternative forms of keyword advertising.
The Greenland ice sheet is expected to melt, causing a 23-foot sea level rise, while Antarctica's ice sheet could add up to 190 feet. Recent studies show that the ice sheets are melting faster than snow replacement.
A study using African Americans with West African and European ancestry found a strong statistical correlation between genetic admixture and facial traits. The researchers measured distances between specific face landmarks to compare genetically determined admixture with facial feature differences.
Climate change is altering malaria patterns due to daily temperature fluctuations, which can affect the incubation period of malaria parasites in mosquitoes. This can lead to changes in transmission rates, with warmer temperatures potentially increasing the risk of infection.
The US has a century-long history of dependence on oil, which remade human life's ecology. A shift to alternative energy sources may require reevaluating petroleum use and government involvement in the transition.
Scientists develop a simple model for complex cell structure by creating artificial cells with molecular crowding and heterogeneity. The system mimics the behavior of proteins and nucleic acids in living cells, allowing researchers to study the effects of macromolecular crowding on chemical reactions.
AfricaArray trains masters and doctoral students in geophysics, supports research on the African superplume. The program combines student education with research and field schools, aiming to improve understanding of the continent's geological phenomena.
Researchers have developed a plasmonic switch using molecular machines, which can transmit electrons and light simultaneously. This technology has the potential to enable ultra-small computers with high storage capacity and processing speed.
The system will enable researchers from seven disciplines to perform virtual experiments and address open problems in their fields, including infectious disease dynamics, material development, and human interactions. The instrument is expected to promote technology transfer and enhance the diversity of computational science talent.
High levels of specific proteins in spinal fluid may signal the onset of Lou Gehrig's disease. Researchers developed a diagnostic kit using these biomarkers, achieving 92% accuracy in identifying ALS patients.
Researchers at Penn State University have discovered a way to produce hydrogen by exposing aluminum clusters to water, leveraging their unique geometric structures. The process enables the production of hydrogen gas without heat or energy input, opening up new possibilities for clean energy applications.
A team of volcanologists developed a new program to quickly and accurately predict areas at high risk for lethal hazards from volcanic eruptions. The program uses existing GIS data to create maps that outline potential surge damage, enabling decision-makers to evacuate or put people on high alert.
The Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC) will support the development, integration, and testing of complex defense systems. Penn State's Applied Research Lab, College of Information Sciences and Technology, and Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies are involved in the center.