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Penn State


Men and women: The differences are in the genes

A recent study published in Nature found that genes on the inactive X chromosome can escape inactivation and be expressed in females, leading to a stronger overall concentration of particular genes. This discovery could explain some of the differences between men and women that aren't attributable to sex hormones.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateMar 16, 2005

Company Web sites need re-design to lure job searchers

Researchers analyzed 7,000 job-related queries and found that online job searches have a higher percentage of non-relevant returns (60%) compared to general web searches (50%). The study suggests that company web sites need re-design to highlight geographical information and use user-friendly terms for better search engine indexing.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternet Research·DateMar 11, 2005

Black holes influence knowledge of the universe

Researchers found that rotating black holes can cause negative refraction in electromagnetic radiation, affecting our knowledge of the universe. This discovery highlights the importance of considering gravitational forces when studying the origin of the universe.

SourcePenn State·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateMar 10, 2005

New tumor-suppressor gene discovered

A new tumor-suppressor gene called mats has been discovered by researchers at Penn State, which works with another tumor suppressor to control tissue growth. The study found that the mats gene can shrink tumors in flies and may regulate cell number and tissue growth by restricting cell proliferation.

SourcePenn State·JournalCell·DateMar 10, 2005

More elderly residents do not necessarily reduce school tax base

A new study by Penn State researchers suggests that elderly residents do not necessarily reduce school tax bases, but policy changes like property tax rebates can decrease spending. The study found that loyal senior citizens willing to pay higher taxes for the school district can support educational funding if they feel an emotional at...

SourcePenn State·JournalSocial Science Quarterly·DateMar 7, 2005

Curious female rats survive tumors longer

Researchers found that curious female rats with spontaneous breast or pituitary tumors lived an average of six months longer than cautious ones. The study suggests that personality traits may have a significant impact on health and resilience to disease, consistent with earlier findings in human studies.

New software helps with anti-terrorism planning

A new software developed for the U.S. Marine Corps helps organizations prioritize resources and allocate funds to protect critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks. The system considers factors such as protecting people, mission importance, and acceptable risks.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology·DateFeb 16, 2005

Conversational 'black holes' reveal uncertainty in offices

A survey of 74 students found that subordinates were more likely to use name avoidance towards their boss's boss and CEO compared to immediate supervisors. This phenomenon is rooted in socialization patterns and the tendency to rank lower in organizational hierarchies, creating tension between power and equality.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Applied Social Psychology·DateFeb 15, 2005

Preschoolers not getting enough fiber

A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that preschoolers who consumed more fiber had more nutrient-rich diets. Experts suggest increasing fiber consumption through whole-grain products and high-fiber cereals to support healthy growth and development.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateJan 28, 2005

Sunken tanker may help cleanup in future accidents

Researchers have developed a model that accurately recreated the series of events surrounding the Prestige oil spill, highlighting its potential for future cleanup and analysis. The study's focus on asphaltenes and resins not easily degradable underscores the need for efficient containment strategies.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientia Marina·DateJan 25, 2005

Linguistics may be clue to emotions

A recent linguistics study found that people from different cultures use varying numbers of emotion words, with a greater emphasis on negative emotions. The researchers discovered that older adults tend to have more diverse vocabularies when describing their emotional experiences.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development·DateJan 20, 2005

Spying on black-hole eating habits with LISA

The LISA mission will detect low-frequency gravitational waves from the merger of compact objects like stellar-size black holes and neutron stars. By measuring tiny changes in the motion of freely falling test masses, scientists can study these events with unprecedented precision.

CALIPSO monitors pulse of Soufriere Hills volcano

The CALIPSO project is the first volcano monitoring system of its type installed at an andesitic volcano. By comparing measurements with a computer model, researchers can understand what's happening beneath the surface. The goal is to measure magma reservoir size, magma inflow, and magma characteristics.

Hidden fault may contribute to Bay Area earthquake risk

A hidden fault under Marin County, California, could significantly increase the earthquake risk in the San Francisco Bay Area. Researchers believe that a blind thrust fault, which is difficult to detect until an earthquake occurs, may be transferring motion from the northern Hayward fault to the San Andreas fault.

New easy-read road signs based on PSU research

A new typeface called Clearview has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for use on public roads in the US and Canada. The Clearview typeface offers a 20% improvement in legibility and recognition with the same size sign as currently used, reducing driver confusion and increasing safety.

Regional recovery more rapid following late Ordovician extinction

Scientists report that marine benthic diversity in Laurentia recovered to pre-extinction levels within 5 million years, nearly 15 million years sooner than suggested by global compilations. This rapid recovery suggests that the region operated differently from the globe as a whole.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2004

Molecular chains line up to form protopolymer

Scientists at Penn State have observed extended chains of phenylene molecules that align and interact without forming chemical bonds, paving the way for controlling growth and assembly of molecules. This discovery could lead to manipulating nanostructured materials with unprecedented precision.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 7, 2004

TV ads during sports depict unsafe behavior and violence

A study found that nearly one in five commercials during televised major sporting events show unsafe behavior, with bicycles ridden without helmets being depicted frequently. The study also revealed that 14% of commercials showed unsafe behavior, while 6% displayed violence, mostly in movies and TV programs.

SourcePenn State·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateDec 6, 2004

To weigh less, eat more

Researchers from Penn State found that eating more water-rich foods and choosing reduced-fat options can lead to significant weight loss. In two studies, obese women who followed low-energy-density diets lost an average of 21 pounds compared to those on restricted fat intake diets.

New software improves database security

QFilter uses non-deterministic finite automata (NFA) to filter out parts of queries asking for unauthorized access, significantly improving query-response time. The technology offers a practical solution to the ongoing problem of database access controls without requiring substantial changes to existing databases.

Not the end, but beginning of the world as we know it

Researchers found that oxygen in the atmosphere appeared at least 100 million years before its supposed debut with the carbon cycle perturbation. The discovery suggests a complex process involving mantle plume volcanoes and cyanobacteria, leading to an increase in oxygen levels over millions of years.