Rapid climate changes during the Pleistocene Holocene transition led to the extinction of mega fauna and forced humans to adapt constantly. The environment became more stable in the Holocene, but with less variety.
The Pennsylvania Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology Partnership provides a flexible nanotechnology education program for students across the state, offering a capstone semester at Penn State's University Park campus. The program focuses on broadening the scope of nanotechnology applications and social, health, and environmental i...
Researchers have discovered a large number of supermassive black holes, outnumbering initial estimates, using deep X-ray surveys. The findings suggest that these black holes are more stable over time than previously thought.
Researchers found that phytoplankton communities transiently disappear and then recover during abrupt climate changes, with most species adapting to new niches. The study suggests that phytoplankton are more resilient than previously thought, with only specialized and deeper-dwelling species being unable to survive sudden changes.
Research suggests that changes in wetland systematics and natural gas emissions during the glacial period may be responsible for elevated methane levels. The study analyzed ice core samples from Greenland, finding no evidence of clathrates releasing methane into the atmosphere.
Researchers at Penn State have developed titania nanotube dye sensitive solar cells with a 3% initial conversion rate, which they aim to increase to 15% through optimization. The cells use an easier fabrication system than conventional silicon solar cells and have shown promise in producing more electrons that do not recombine.
A recent study by Dr. Jim Jansen found that five popular search engines return nearly identical results in terms of effectiveness, with little benefit for occasional online shoppers. Niche e-commerce search engines may provide a slight increase in relevant results for frequent online consumers.
Researchers found that early lunch periods lead to higher a la carte sales, which often feature lower-nutritional-value foods. Soft drink machines also contribute to vending machine proliferation, decreasing hot lunch participation. Parents' involvement in prohibiting fast food in cafeterias increases school meal program participation.
A study found that 31.4% of non-Latino and 48.4% of Latino WIC clients use medicinal herbs for childhood illnesses, with most being low-risk. The researchers urge herbal education in WIC clinics to address potential risks and ensure safe use.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reveals that more principals than school foodservice directors reported enforced policies, but many expressed misconceptions about nutritional standards. The researchers found few school nutrition policies related to competitive foods, particularly in areas such ...
Researchers at Penn State found that electrolyzed oxidizing water can effectively clean milk pipes without the need for harsh chemicals. The new method is also less expensive and has no skin irritation risks, making it a promising solution for the dairy industry.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new nanofiber fabrication technique inspired by forensic science's fingerprint development method. The technique produces biocompatible materials, including fibers with diameters in the 200-250-nanometer range and nano-sized spheres.
A study found that hazard mitigation grants can save up to $14 billion over 10 years by reducing property damage and loss of life. The grants also help reduce tax revenue losses due to economic disruption caused by natural hazards.
Physicists at Penn State University have developed a new method to study frustration in complex systems, including materials with magnetic moments. The researchers created artificial spin ice using electron beam lithography, allowing them to manipulate the strength of frustrated interactions and probe individual elements within the sys...
Researchers will develop methods to derive and exploit information from diverse data forms, link this information with stored knowledge and analytical reasoning practices, and provide cognitive readiness support. The Penn State team will also apply a cognitive science approach to understanding visual tool usage, enhancing the role of t...
The study reveals that information technologies have increased the quantity of available information in real estate, leading to better-informed consumers who demand specialized services. Virtual tours, online bidding, and national competition have also resulted in additional specializations for professionals and new business models.
The 'play' model of information system design emphasizes collaboration between users and designers to accommodate diverse perspectives. By acknowledging inconsistent views, IT systems can reflect real-world complexities and avoid 'one size fits all' problems.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a system that uses white LEDs to transmit data wirelessly over power lines, achieving gigabit-per-second speeds. The system is more secure than traditional wireless methods due to light's ability to penetrate walls and avoid signal distortion.
Research reveals that pertussis toxin is responsible for prolonging the infection period in immune and vaccinated hosts. The study found that antibodies produced by vaccines are effective only seven days after administration, allowing the bacteria to grow and spread before the body can mount an effective response.
Researchers have successfully sequenced the DNA of a woolly mammoth, comparing it to African and Indian elephant genomes. The study provides unprecedented insight into the evolution and extinction of the species.
Researchers analyzed genes and developed new statistical technique to estimate divergence time. They found that humans and chimpanzees likely shared a common ancestor between 5-7 million years ago, with a maximum limit of approximately 7 million years ago.
A study found that a change in one amino acid in the SLC24A5 gene plays a major role in determining human skin color. Researchers discovered that this mutation contributes up to 38% of the range of skin color in European populations.
A new study finds that the quality of a dog-owner relationship has no impact on thunderstorm-phobic dogs' stress responses. However, dogs living with other dogs in the household exhibited less pronounced stress reactivity and faster recovery times.
A study found that employed mothers' kids consumed fewer calories and less nutritious foods at home but increased consumption of fruits and vegetables at school. The researchers noted a lack of correlation between maternal employment time and nutritional intake, suggesting individual balance is necessary.
Researchers have manipulated hydrogen atoms below the surface of a palladium crystal, creating a structure predicted to be important in fuel cells, metal catalysis, and hydrogen storage. This breakthrough allows scientists to test theoretical predictions and apply data from direct observation.
A comprehensive genetic analysis of snakes, lizards, and other scaly reptiles has revealed surprising relationships among the animals. The study places primitive-looking iguanian lizards at the top of the tree, near advanced lineages like snakes and monitor lizards.
Researchers at Penn State and Rice University discover how to flip molecular switches by engineering their design and surrounding environment. They demonstrated that single-molecule switches can be tailored to respond in predictable ways, depending on the applied electric field direction.
A recent Penn State study suggests that increasing the truck driver's hours of service beyond 10 hours leads to a significant rise in the risk of crashes. The most concerning increase occurs within the 9th, 10th, and 11th hours of driving.
A new study found that a woman's perception of her own attractiveness has no significant impact on her current sexual satisfaction. Women reported feeling more attractive at younger ages and experiencing declines in desire or activity over time, but still reported high levels of enjoyment during sex.
Scientists discovered new boundary sequences of fossils in the southeastern Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, containing both leaf and pollen fossils. The findings suggest that rapid warming during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) led to changes in vegetation, with plants migrating north from their original southern habitats.
The Swift satellite has received a "Best of What's New" award for its innovative technology, enabling rapid detection and follow-up observations of gamma-ray bursts. This breakthrough has confirmed the origin of gamma-ray bursts and helped pinpoint the birth of a special kind of black hole.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a prototype sonic gas analyzer that automatically detects gas concentrations in air/gas mixtures by analyzing pitch changes. The system can track toxic or flammable gases and detect changes as low as 0.003 percent, making it suitable for monitoring hydrogen levels in microbial fuel cells.
The Eastern California Shear Zone, a wide area in western Nevada, puzzles seismologists due to its unexplained northern end. This zone makes up 25% of the North American Plate's movement and has been displacing 50 kilometers over 5-6 million years.
The Penn State team has successfully developed a method to calculate optimal proportions of niobium powder to binder and temperature for sintering, opening doors to injection-molded niobium parts. The approach can be applied to other materials with irregularly-shaped particles, expanding its potential applications.
The Penn State Earth and Mineral Sciences Library launched a geocache treasure hunt as an orientation tool for freshmen. Participants used GPS coordinates to locate the cache, which was hidden in plain sight within the library. The hunt incorporated library knowledge, including the Library of Congress classification system.
Penn State researchers have designed and fabricated tiny piezoelectric microactuators with controlled force, high resolution, and large displacements. The new actuators have dimensions ranging from 350 to 600 microns in length, 50 to 100 microns in width, and 5 to 6 microns in thickness.
Renal transplant recipients are 3.6 times more likely to develop melanoma than the general population, with a mortality rate up to 6 percent in some regions. Men who have had a kidney transplant face the greatest risk, and risk increases rapidly with age.
Despite exposure to environmental chemicals, breast-feeding remains a healthy option for infants. Research suggests few adverse effects have been documented, and none have been clinically or epidemiologically demonstrated.
Halloween is a festival of inversion where children turn traditional roles upside down, dressing up in grown-up costumes and demanding treats from adults. Cindy Dell Clark's research highlights how the holiday exposes young children to their fears when they encounter death-themed decorations.
Researchers found that a natural product of vitamin A can regulate immunity and enhance vaccine response when combined with PIC. The combination resulted in a four to seven times better immune response compared to individual treatments.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that polyphenols in oats inhibit the Maillard reaction, reducing off-flavors and stale odors. The findings suggest that controlling polyphenol levels could prevent undesirable reactions, including those linked to human diseases.
Researchers develop stealth particles to deliver chemotherapy drugs to tumors, reducing phagocytosis by 24% in cell culture. The system allows for targeted delivery of lower doses, potentially improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Penn State developed implantable glucose sensors to monitor troops' metabolic health in the field. The sensors can detect glucose, oxygen, lactate, and pyruvate levels, providing valuable insights into a soldier's overall metabolic picture.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new assay to quantify ergothioneine in fungi, finding that white button mushrooms have about 12 times more of the antioxidant than wheat germ and 4 times more than chicken liver. Exotic mushrooms contain up to 40 times as much ergothioneine as wheat germ.
Researchers have developed tiny rubber balls that can be embedded in plastics to improve adhesion and toughness. The core-shell particles are tailored to join with any plastic or ceramic, solving issues of adhesion found with untailored rubber particles.
The Next Generation CiteSeer project will expand the database, add services, and provide opportunities for joint authoring. The new architecture will be open source, enabling easier use and greater access to metadata.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new microprinting technique called microdisplacement printing, which enables precise placement of molecules during nanoscale component fabrication. This method relaxes requirements for positioning stamps used to apply consecutive patterns with different molecular inks.
Researchers have found that nearly 42% of ovarian cancer patient tumor tissues contain alterations in the protein km23. This discovery suggests km23 as a possible diagnostic indicator and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Further studies aim to develop a screening test and targeted therapies using km23.
Researchers studied tiltmeter data from the Soufriere Hills Volcano to understand its behavior and inner workings. They found that pressure is centered around a half mile below the dome or nearly 2.5 miles above the magma chamber, suggesting a more extensive region involved in pressurization.
Researchers found that plants grow more and longer secondary roots on the non-self side, suggesting a mechanism based on physiological coordination. This coordination might involve internal pulsing of hormonal or electrical signals that desynchronize when plants are separated.