Researchers discover how genetic and environmental factors influence racial health disparities, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment approaches. Studies show that genetic contributions play a larger role in blood pressure differences among African Americans than previously thought.
Researchers have discovered two candidate planets orbiting white dwarfs, which are the remnants of dead stars. The team used a combination of telescopes to detect these planets, which could provide clues about the solar system's formation and the presence of life in the galaxy.
A research team has discovered clusters of aluminum atoms that exhibit chemical properties similar to single atoms of metallic and nonmetallic elements when reacting with iodine. The discovery enables the creation of unique compounds with distinct properties.
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.
A study by Penn State found that high added sugar intake in preschoolers leads to low consumption of essential nutrients and food groups. Children with high added sugar levels had the lowest intake of vitamins, minerals, grains, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.
A recent study found that most physicians prescribed potentially inappropriate medications for elderly patients, but adding awareness and education led to changes in prescribing practices. The researchers suggest using tools like the Beers criteria to identify these medications and plan interventions to improve elderly care.
Researchers found that power lines can achieve near-gigabit per second transmission rates under ideal conditions, making them a potential alternative for broadband internet in rural areas. However, engineering issues such as impedance matching and interference need to be addressed to make this technology economically viable.
The Swift X-ray Telescope has successfully captured its first gamma-ray burst afterglow, marking a significant milestone in the mission to understand these mysterious events. The telescope will help scientists pinpoint the location and nature of the explosion, providing crucial clues about the origins of gamma-ray bursts.
A study by Dr. David V. Day and colleagues found that NHL players who held the captaincy position outperformed their peers without such responsibilities. The researchers attribute this improvement to the culture of leadership promoted in the league.
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.
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.
A study by Penn State researchers reveals that repeated abuse can have a significant impact on bystanders, causing moderate to severe psychological and physiological repercussions. The study found that bystanders experience elevated emotional arousal when recalling past episodes of abuse, similar to victims.
A recent study suggests that Akt3 protein is key to melanoma's resistance to chemotherapy, promoting tumor cell survival and development in 43-60% of non-inherited melanomas. Lowering Akt3 activity can reduce tumor-creating potential and make cancer cells more susceptible to signals inducing apoptosis.
A new method automatically extracts acknowledgments of funding agencies, institutions, and individuals in computer and information science papers. The study finds NSF leads in citations, while DARPA funds established researchers with high impact work.
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.
A study found that minority teens perceive their own ethnic groups using more drugs than others, but this perception is influenced by their sense of identity. In contrast, White youth tend to underestimate the prevalence of drug use among other racial groups.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Penn State researchers are conducting a project to develop a technique for detecting mine voids using seismic signals. The initiative aims to locate and record voids near existing coal mine tunnels, which could help prevent flooding incidents like the Quecreek disaster.
Researchers found that reducing food energy density by 30% led to a 23% decrease in daily calorie intake, while reducing portion size by 25% resulted in a 12% decrease. Women experienced no significant differences in hunger or fullness ratings despite these changes.
Researchers have confirmed the existence of an odd-parity superconductor, a new electronic state in materials that can carry electric current without resistance. The strontium ruthenate Sr2RuO4 SQUID experiment provides direct evidence for this previously theorized but never demonstrated state.
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.
A new framework for assessing multi-user, computer-supported cooperative systems is proposed by researchers at Penn State. They found that students who had better awareness of their collaborators' activities were more effective in collaborating on science projects. The study introduced new system features to support improved awareness ...
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.
Researchers found that an ancient marine invasion led to a significant increase in regional diversity, with gamma diversity rising by 26% due to changes in beta diversity. The study suggests that habitat distribution or increased habitat diversity may have contributed to this increase.
A diet high in walnuts decreases C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation associated with heart disease. The study found that walnut consumption lowered total cholesterol, LDLs, and triglycerides, while also reducing inflammatory markers.
Researchers suggest oxygen may have appeared 100 million years before its previously believed debut, based on improved dating and proxy measures. The shift from a reducing to an oxidizing atmosphere is linked to volcanic activity and the production of water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Researchers create miniature drills and end mills using microelectro discharge machining to produce smooth, curly chips of glass or ceramic. The process can take as long as an hour to produce one dimple a half millimeter in diameter, but is faster than photolithography.
African-Americans report lower annual quit rates compared to Whites, with cultural norms and parental prohibitions playing a significant role in curbing smoking tendencies. Community-based initiatives can be more effective than cessation programs in reducing smoking rates among African-Americans.
A new study by Penn State professor Stephan Goetz suggests that the presence of a Wal-Mart store in a county can lead to higher poverty rates, as the chain pays its workers relatively low wages. This can have long-term effects on the local community, including reduced civic capacity and philanthropic efforts.
Researchers found that negative economic news can significantly boost a president's approval ratings, even if their foreign policy is stellar. The power of negative reporting about the economy was demonstrated during President George H.W. Bush's administration.
Researchers develop a new method that embeds data in ultra-short pulses of laser light, shaped via fractal modulation as wavelets, to improve communication reliability. The system achieves higher average bit rates than conventional optical wireless links and ensures on-the-fly operation without significant electronic processing.
A new study reveals that iron deficiency in the brain's substantia nigra region may contribute to restless legs syndrome. Elevated levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were found in individuals with RLS, suggesting a link between cellular iron deficiency and dopamine regulation.
The grant will fund new research in high-risk areas, improve infrastructure, and enhance commercialization of nanotechnology to spur business growth. The award supports Penn State's role as an engine for economic growth in the central region and Commonwealth.
Research finds that women who head households tend to support Democratic candidates, even in close races. This shift occurs when women become economically independent from men and develop their own perspectives.
A study by Penn State found that postnatal home nurse visits significantly reduce hospital readmissions and ED visits for jaundice and dehydration in newborns. The cost savings for insurance payers is estimated to be around $181.82 per child, making this a cost-effective alternative to traditional hospital care.
The Penn State Center for Environmental Kinetics Analysis will bring together experts to measure and synthesize kinetic data for environmental systems, with a focus on scaling and modeling. The center aims to increase understanding of environmental systems among researchers and the general public through education and outreach initiati...
A study by Dr. Namanjeet Ahluwalia found that iron deficiency in older women can impair immune function, affecting T-cell and granulocyte responses to infection. The study included 72 healthy women over 60 living in rural Pennsylvania counties.
Researchers have developed a method to stabilize and control the conductance state of single molecules using tailored intermolecular interactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of molecular memory components with reduced power usage.
A computer program simulated how people who felt threatened would respond to a serial subtraction problem, showing a 25% decrease in performance speed. Increasing knowledge through instruction and practice, or continuously checking results to bolster confidence, can help individuals switch their pre-task appraisal from threatening to c...
A Penn State study suggests that student advocates and school districts can achieve their goals by agreeing on non-negotiable core values before compromising on issues. The study emphasizes the importance of dialogue, give-and-take negotiation, and acknowledging diverse social values.
Researchers at Penn State are part of a multi-institutional project studying restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition characterized by creepy-crawly sensations in the legs. The study aims to explore treatment options and causes of RLS, including iron deficiency and FDA-approved pharmaceuticals.
A team of US marine scientists has discovered a new cluster of hydrothermal vents in the Lau Basin, a geologically unique back-arc basin. The vents are expected to hold secrets about the origin of life on Earth, and the discovery is part of an unprecedented research effort that includes multiple expeditions over the next two years.
A retrospective study found that low-dose ketamine infusions provided complete relief from CRPS pain for 76% of patients, with 54% remaining pain-free for three months or more. The therapy's effectiveness was linked to its ability to block NMDA-receptor complexes involved in pain processing.
A virtual zebrafish microanatomy atlas will be created with the grant, providing high-resolution files and three-dimensional images of body structures. The atlas will enable data-sharing among researchers to speed discovery in human diseases.
Researchers found that 10-year-old free time activities predicted sex-typed characteristics in early adolescence, but exceptions existed for boys. For girls, sports positively predicted math interests, while time with mothers boosted language arts grades.
Research suggests that big telecom firms are cornering the broadband market by buying up ISPs, offering broadband services, and providing scale advantages. Despite this, some independent ISPs have survived by specializing in value-added services.
A study by Penn State researchers found a cluster of four genes that appear to be heavily selected in the European-American population, suggesting adaptation to new environmental pressures. In contrast, the African-American population shows signs of natural selection for milk tolerance due to changes in TRPV6 and TRPV5 genes.