Researchers created a unique model to study earthquake fault friction forces using angel hair pasta, glass beads, and sand. They found that initial conditions and particle dimensionality have a significant impact on friction, with smooth particles producing different results than irregular ones.
A recent study published in Media Psychology found that stereotypes can impact memory when identifying criminal suspects, with participants more likely to misidentify African-American suspects than White suspects. The study suggests that deeply imbedded biases can tamper with memories, leading to tragic consequences.
A study of two Georgia cities reveals that basic IT literacy has only marginal success in helping underserved groups access economic opportunities. Most disadvantaged social groups face difficulties sustaining their use of technology beyond initial classroom training, leading to frustration and limited benefits.
Researchers have successfully used Non-Contact Ultrasound (NCU) to inactivate bacterial spores, opening up potential for sterilizing mail, medical equipment, food, and more. The technology uses high-frequency sound waves to penetrate materials without causing harm.
A study by Lynette Kvasny and Eileen Trauth finds that technology skills alone do not bridge the digital divide for underrepresented groups. Social and cultural barriers, including institutionalized biases, limit access to IT careers.
A recent study suggests that music selection is influenced by multiple factors, including anticipated pleasure, mood, activity, and social context. Participants showed significant changes in their opinions about disliked songs after listening, highlighting the complex nature of music enjoyment.
Scientists analyzed 40 years of daily weather data to understand the NAO's two-week cycle and its effects on European winters. They found that positive NAO events lead to milder winters, while negative events bring colder temperatures and more precipitation.
Researchers have discovered that coral layers in the Atlantic Ocean hold a key to understanding the region's climate dynamics. By analyzing calcium carbonate skeletons, Dr. Lisa Greer and her team found a periodic pattern of oxygen isotope composition with peaks every 12-15 years, mirroring sea surface temperature data.
Dr. Richard B. Alley, a leading expert on abrupt climate change, cautions that current models may underestimate the severity of future climate changes. He suggests policymakers should plan for contingencies to address resource scarcity and conflicts.
Methane-based greenhouse and anti-greenhouse events contributed to the Archean climate's stability. The presence of methanogenic bacteria played a crucial role in these processes.
The Automatic Linguistic Indexing of Pictures (ALIP) system uses a pictorial dictionary to associate images with keywords, allowing for more accurate image annotation and search. The system has demonstrated great potential for use in biomedicine, digital libraries, and other fields.
A team of researchers at Penn State has developed a compact chiller that uses sound waves to cool ice cream, achieving temperatures below freezing point with minimal energy consumption. The innovative system, powered by high-amplitude sound energy, has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce and consume refrigerated foods.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that larger portion sizes result in consuming 30% more calories, regardless of individual eating habits. This suggests that portion control is crucial for weight management and suggests alternatives like low-calorie vegetables and broth-based soups.
A study published in Nature found that changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation synchronize population fluctuations of caribou and muskoxen across Greenland. The researchers used local and global weather data to show cross-species synchrony, indicating the North Atlantic Oscillation's influence on their population dynamics.
The Dialogue-Assisted Visual Environment for Geoinformation (DAVE_G) is a new system that enables crisis managers to visualize geospatial information on a large map using verbal and gesture commands. The system aims to improve decision-making in emergency management by providing real-time access to critical data.
Preliminary study finds that modified structural steel connections may fail under small bomb blasts, compromising building stability. Researchers aim to address issues and consider progressive collapse of multi-story buildings.
Researchers develop theoretical models to understand the spatial component of insect outbreaks and predict their spread. By analyzing the Larch budmoth infestation in the European Alps, they confirmed that space-time models accurately predict geographic spread and timing, even with complex dynamics involved.
A study by Penn State researchers found that slow download speeds increase arousal in some individuals, leading to greater physiological excitement and improved memory. Slower speeds also encourage more active browsing behaviors.
A new database technology developed by Dr. Peng Liu can detect single, multiple or simultaneous attacks, isolating malicious transactions while preserving benign ones. The software also repairs the database by containing corrupted data objects and undoing the effects of the attack, allowing for static and on-the-fly repairs.
Researchers will study ultra high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to develop clearer, more precise images of the body's interior. The goal is to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients.
A study published in the journal Appetite found that energy density labels do not lead to increased food intake among normal-weight women. The research suggests that people take the same portion sizes regardless of calorie content, making it easier for manufacturers and restaurants to create healthier products.
The Big Ten university consortium is enhancing its research and training reactors to improve nuclear education and infrastructure. The four universities will share $1.97 million in funding to design the next generation of nuclear research facilities.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that adding as little as 10% vegetable oil to diesel fuel reduces friction and wear, achieving similar performance to high-sulfur diesel. The team's tests also showed that oxygen-treated vegetable oil mixtures can meet current emission regulations with minimal oil usage.
Researchers create DOAS system that separates fresh air supply from cooling and heating functions, reducing carryover of recirculated air and eliminating damp spots. This approach could save $2 per square foot in new construction and reduce operating costs by up to 60-70%.
The new center combines multiple research areas, including molecular devices, nanofabrication, and selective chemistry. Regular seminars feature the researchers of the Center for Nanoscale Science.
A team of researchers reanalyzed the data from Boas' 1912 study on cranial measurements, finding that genetic factors dominate variation in head shape. The study's results contradict Boas' claims that environmental influences are the primary driver of cranial plasticity.
A recent study by Penn State found that disabled seniors formerly on SSDI spend significantly more on prescription drugs than the rest of the Medicare population. The study discovered that nearly half of these seniors spent 10% or more of their income on medication, highlighting a pressing concern for this vulnerable population.
A virtual stomach simulation reveals how pills break down and release medication in the stomach, with key findings including three distinct zones and effects of buoyancy on mixing and drug release. The technology aims to improve extended-release tablet formulations and shed light on diseases involving stomach motility.
A team of researchers led by A. Welford Castleman Jr. has discovered exactly how an acid compound dissolves molecule by molecule using water molecules as a solvent. The study found that the interaction of four surrounding water molecules with the hydrogen-bromide molecule tips the energy balance, triggering its eventual dissolution.
A new software-based approach developed by Penn State engineers allows subscriber signals to be processed ahead of others experiencing strong co-channel interference, improving efficiency and minimizing interference in wireless local loops.
Key findings from a study suggest that patients prioritize personal service, therapist listening skills, and clear explanations over facility amenities. Researchers surveyed over 1,868 participants and found that adequate time spent on individual patient care is vital for patient satisfaction.
Researchers developed a new circuit that harnesses vibrations to generate up to 50 milliwatts of power, surpassing the output of simple energy harvesting circuits. The adaptive piezoelectric energy harvesting circuit can be used in various applications, including wearable devices, sensor networks, and smart home security systems.
Active mountains, despite constant uplift, do not get taller because of erosion forces balancing uplift and sediment transport. Researchers found that river erosion rates closely match the rate at which rocks move up, with abrasion by suspended particles doing most of the down cutting.
A study found that mentally ill individuals are vulnerable to victimization in conflict situations, particularly those with substance abuse disorders or delusional beliefs. Counseling services can help family members and professionals cope with these individuals while avoiding conflicts.
A new class of composites has been developed that can store electric charge more efficiently, enabling the creation of artificial muscles and tendons with improved motion. The material also has potential applications in microfluidic systems for drug delivery and smart skins for drag reduction.
A new study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that oral contraceptive use during adolescence is not associated with weight gain or increased body fat. Researchers monitored 66 female participants, aged 16-21, for four years, tracking their blood lipid patterns and body composition.
Researchers at Penn State have identified a protein, km23, that is defective in nearly half of human cancer tissues. Alterations in this protein disrupt cell signaling, leading to tumor growth and spreading. The team hopes to develop drugs targeting km23 to prevent tumor progression and diagnose specific cancers.
Scientists at Penn State have developed a voltage-controlled, two-color bipolar LEC that can produce yellow and red light, paving the way for efficient and stable full-color displays. The technology has high luminance intensity, efficiency, fast response time, and long-term stability, making it suitable for flat-panel applications.
A study of Puerto Rican women found that their level of satisfaction with obstetrical care is significantly influenced by institutional settings, medical staff characteristics, and the continuity of care. Latino physicians are culturally sensitive, but their ethnicity does not affect patient satisfaction.
In 19th century US, religion was used to justify white superiority, fueling Manifest Destiny and racial hierarchy. This 'double fantasy' of common identity and divine mission ultimately clashed with social realities, revealing the complexities of White American identity.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a system to remove hydrogen odorant using adsorbers, enabling the use of pure hydrogen in fuel cells. The system also addresses hydrogen storage concerns by utilizing a metal hydride system based on magnesium, which is stable up to 554 degrees Fahrenheit.
A recent study by Bridget Goosby suggests that maternal mental health and warmth can mitigate the negative effects of poverty on adolescents, while education plays a role in promoting self-worth. The study found that experiencing poverty between ages 0-4 has the strongest impact on early adolescent self-worth.
The study found that many low-income single parents experience close to full-time jobs with brief periods of lay-off or lower hours. They often struggle to make ends meet due to limited benefits from their employers, leading to a weaker safety net for children.
The study highlights how low-income families struggle with health problems that significantly impact their ability to transition from welfare to permanent work. The researchers found that caregivers often neglect their own health needs to care for family members, and there are gaps in coverage and access to services.
A study found that husbands attach a higher probability to working full time after age 62 compared to wives. Wives' pension wealth is less, but marriage provides financial security, influencing their retirement decisions.
Scientists have discovered a chain of cellular events that occurs in plant cells when exposed to environmental stress, ultimately leading to the production of protective proteins. The research, led by Sarah M. Assmann, found that a hormone called abscisic acid regulates the processing of RNA molecules involved in stress response.
Researchers found that mycorrhizal fungi can increase nitrogen fixation in legumes, improving soil fertility for corn production. Legumes like lablab show promise as a solution to enhance soil fertility without fertilizers.
A study by Penn State researchers found that jet contrails altered the average daily temperature range in the United States during a three-day commercial air shutdown in September 2001. The diurnal temperature range increased by 1.8 degrees Celsius, with daytime temperatures being higher and nighttime temperatures lower without contrails.
Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine developed a new measurement technique to assess norepinephrine release in tissues adjacent to blood vessels. This improvement allows for more accurate data on the hormone's role in vasoconstriction and maintains adequate blood pressure when standing up.
The consortium aims to reveal secrets of the Archaea domain, a grouping thought to include organisms with ancient evolutionary lineages. Researchers will study the structure and function of genes and proteins in this domain.