Researchers found that native fence lizards are adapting to fire ant attacks by developing twitching behavior, running away, and longer hind legs. Lizards from sites invaded longest were more likely to perform these survival behaviors.
Researchers create handheld device to recognize and report on environmental or medical compounds using biologically tagged nanowires and integrated circuit chips. The method allows for accurate placement of nanowires with less than a micron accuracy, enabling simultaneous detection of different pathogens or diseases.
A team of scientists has successfully sequenced the genes of the Tasmanian Tiger from its hair, revealing insights into mammal extinction and potential ways to prevent it. The study also opens up new possibilities for analyzing museum specimens and could potentially lead to the revival of extinct species.
Researchers at Penn State have developed tiny particle syringes that can deliver specific drugs to diseased cells, reducing toxins in the body. The microcapsules are flexible and can be filled with a variety of substances, making them a potential solution for targeted treatment.
Researchers have developed a genetic modification that modifies the connections in lignin, making it easier to break down and access cellulose for ethanol production. The modified plants show increased sugar yields without compromising plant strength or lignin content.
Researchers found a previously unknown form of biofilm in an oxygen-deficient lake within the Frasassi cave system in Italy. The unique microbial ropes grow slowly due to limited energy availability, and are composed of bacteria and archaea species.
A team of researchers used seismic waves to create CAT-scan-like images of the Soufriere Hills Volcano's internal structure. The study found an elongated magma chamber that fills with magma, causing it to decompress and resulting in greater eruptions than expected.
A team of researchers has discovered how the N4 phage injects its own RNA polymerase into E. coli bacterial cells, enabling it to create new proteins without host help. The unique property allows for potential therapeutic applications in killing E. coli bacteria.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that increasing selenium levels in human blood cells can reduce the multiplication of the AIDS virus. By targeting a specific protein called Tat, selenium can slow down viral replication, with results showing a 10-fold decrease.
Scientists have derived a simple law to predict where icebergs will calve off from parent ice sheets. The rate of spreading, width, and thickness of the ice shelf are key factors in this process, accounting for most observed variability.
A Penn State study found that obese rats are less sensitive to sweet tastes and prefer sweeter foods due to a weakened response to weak concentrations, leading to a vicious circle of overeating and sugar cravings. The research suggests that the brain's reward center is affected by the increased consumption of sugary foods.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that not all DNA segments bound to the GATA1 protein are conserved across mammals, challenging previous assumptions. They found that 45% of these segments retain their identical form in other species, suggesting purifying selection maintains most regulatory regions.
Researchers from Penn State and University of Maryland studied Chesapeake Bay's salinity changes due to sea-level rise. They found an increasing trend in salinity, supporting the hypothesis that climate change is impacting the Bay's ecosystem.
The researchers sequenced the mammoth's nuclear genome, yielding information about its evolution and extinction. They found that woolly mammoths separated into two groups around two million years ago and eventually became genetically distinct sub-populations.
A nontoxic nanoparticle can enter cells, dissolve harmlessly, and release therapeutic drugs or fluorescent dyes. This delivery system has shown promise for treating cancer and vascular diseases.
A team of astronomers discovered a new planet closely orbiting the giant star HD 102272, nearly six times the mass of Jupiter. The planet's location near the star raises questions about how aging stars influence nearby planets.
Researchers found that global warming may not be the primary cause of widespread amphibian declines, contradicting previous widely-held views. The study suggests alternative factors, such as a fungal infection and pesticide use, may be driving these extinctions.
A computer model called Diag was developed to predict human behavior and learning in a circuit troubleshooting task. The model learned at the same rate as participants, replicating their strategy and solving problems accurately.
A case study conducted by Penn State researchers found that rural hospitals can benefit financially and operationally by sharing an IT infrastructure with larger hospitals in the same area. The partnership allows smaller hospitals to afford comprehensive IT systems at a lower cost, while also benefiting from shared IT staff and expertise.
Penn State will receive a $5 million NSF grant to establish a National Center for Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge (NACK), building on its national leadership in nanotechnology education and workforce development. The NACK Center aims to coordinate micro- and nanofabrication workforce development programs nationally.
Scientists have discovered a way to silence a protein that helps leukemia cells survive by blocking its signals. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient treatments for the disease and potentially even reverse its effects.
The Penn State-Drexel team developed and applied a set of geographically-enhanced visual analytics tools to address a homeland security information analysis problem. They successfully integrated raw data, results, and findings from four mini-challenges to identify hidden patterns and insights.
Consuelo M. De Moraes, a Penn State entomologist, has received the ESA's Early Career Innovation Award for her innovative research on chemical communication in ecological interactions. The award recognizes her contributions to promoting minority and women in science.
A study finds that White and Black Hispanics in the US are more likely to integrate with non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans, while Mexicans show consistent generational assimilation. This trend suggests a decrease in racial segregation and an increase in integration over time.
Researchers at Penn State and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a way to control certain proteins using light. The team's hybrid protein was engineered to respond to light, increasing or decreasing enzyme activity depending on the illumination, offering new possibilities for treating diseases.
A U.S.-led team of scientists will use advanced radar and seismic tools to explore the Gamburtsev Mountain range in Antarctica. They hope to determine how this massive mountain range formed, defying geological understanding, and whether it played a role in shaping the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
The new five-year grant from NASA's Astrobiology Institute will focus on developing indicators of life, including analyzing cells, metals, and DNA. The team will search for microbial life in extreme locations on Earth and study ancient rocks for signs of past life.
David A. Gonzales II wins ConocoPhillips Energy Prize for his innovative Layered MagWheel technology, increasing energy conversion and efficiency. The prize recognizes new ideas to improve energy development and use.
A team of researchers found that magma is continuously supplied from deep in the crust but a valve acts below a shallower magma chamber, releasing lava to the surface periodically. The upper reservoir is open and the lower reservoir refills at half the rate it was lost during lulls in eruption.
A team of Penn State researchers has developed a new approach called Automatic Linguistic Indexing of Pictures in Real-Time (ALIPR) that enables computers to recognize the contents of photographs. The system uses statistical models to assign keywords to images based on pixel information, improving accuracy rates up to 90%.
A recent study found that African-American blogs provide a unique platform for discussing HIV and AIDS, allowing individuals to express themselves freely and anonymously. The researchers identified three key risk factors for the Black community: ineffective leadership, Black cultural practices, and individual behaviors.
The Penn State MRSEC will continue its research in four areas: nanoscale motors, nanowires, optical metamaterials, and multiferroics. The center aims to design new materials with unprecedented properties and functions.
Penn State researchers found that teams working in Second Life provided the most accurate answers despite taking longer to finish the task. Face-to-face teams felt most confident but struggled with basic tasks due to the complex keyboard strokes required for avatar movement.
Researchers have identified a gene in rice that controls the size and weight of grains. The GIF1 gene is responsible for controlling invertase activity, which is essential for starch production. By overexpressing the GIF1 gene in transgenic lines of rice, scientists were able to increase grain size and weight.
Researchers at Penn State found that smaller grains require less force to initiate movement through sandy soils than larger ones. This discovery could lead to more efficient designs for power-line towers and industrial mixer blades in sandy environments.
Researchers found that pistachio diets can beneficially affect cardiovascular disease risk factors in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that pistachios may decrease CVD risk profile through effects on Stearoyl CoA Desaturase (SCD) and other bioactive substances.
Penn State researchers have developed a method to rapidly and inexpensively copy biological surface structures using the conformal evaporated film by rotation (CEFR) technique. This technique enables the creation of coatings that capture the micro and nanostructure of biological surfaces, including metallic finishes and iridescent colors.
Researchers develop nanoparticles that deliver siRNA to cancer cells, reducing tumor growth and size by up to 70%. Targeting multiple genes simultaneously leads to synergistic effects, offering a promising personalized medicine approach.
A Penn State bioethicist and Georgetown University law professor argue that the US Army continues to involve physicians in interrogations despite professional medical associations' adoption of restrictive policies. The Army's Behavioral Science Consultation Memo attempts to justify physician participation in interrogations.
Research found that a specific gene variation associated with pair-bonding in voles also affects human males, leading to weaker relationships and increased marital problems. Women married to men carrying the variant reported lower marital quality without lower satisfaction.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a computational method to trace evolutionary histories of proteins back to cells or viruses, aiming to settle the debate on which came first. The new approach uses phylogenetic profiles and tree-like diagrams to provide clearer insights into retroelement evolution.
Researchers confirm that surface temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere were warmer over the last 10 years than any time during the last 1300 years. The study uses a variety of proxy data, including tree rings, marine and lake sediment cores, ice cores, and coral cores, to derive a long-term temperature record.
Researchers have developed a ceramic material that heats up in the microwave without causing damage, allowing for faster cooking times. The material, made from petalite and magnetite, can retain heat for up to 15 minutes, enabling innovative food preparation methods.
A researcher is collecting coral spawn to study how corals respond to global warming. She hopes to acquire information about the impact of water temperature changes on corals and will use this knowledge to identify gene variants that provide resistance to abnormal water conditions.
Researchers developed ferroelectric polymer-based capacitors that deliver power more rapidly and are much lighter than conventional batteries. By tuning the dielectric property and energy density, they created materials with high performance and flexibility.
A team of researchers discovered a novel fungus in the gut of Asian longhorned beetles that helps break down lignin, a protective barrier for plants. The fungus produces enzymes that enable the beetles to digest hard wood, leading to potential breakthroughs in pest control and biofuel production.
A new study suggests that grazing animals in the Arctic can reduce the expected expansion of shrub growth, which would otherwise help mitigate climate change by absorbing more carbon dioxide. The researchers found that muskoxen and caribou reduced shrub growth by 19-46% in plots with increased temperatures.
Researchers found unprecedented levels of fluvalinate and coumaphos in beeswax, while pollen and bees showed lower levels of other pesticides. A new method using gamma radiation reduced acaricide load in beeswax by 50%. The study highlights the need for monitoring pesticide interactions and potential links to Colony Collapse Disorder.
Inwood Hill Park faces challenges preserving native species due to human impact and invasive species proliferation. A collaborative research approach can help understand plant losses and address causes, ensuring the survival of future plantings.
The New Zealand mud snail is outcompeting native species, altering food chains and ecosystems in the Great Lakes. Research suggests the snails can survive being frozen for short periods, making control difficult.