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Penn State


Medieval black death not bubonic plague

Researchers investigate church records to reconstruct the virulence, spacial diffusion and temporal dynamics of the Black Death. They argue that the disease was transmitted through person-to-person contact, contrary to traditional theories linking it to bubonic plague.

Women talk about sex more than men do

A recent Penn State study found that women reported talking more about sex and related topics with their best friend, as well as being more comfortable doing so. This difference in communication style may contribute to problems in marital communication and could have implications for emerging adults' sexual attitudes and behaviors.

Free web-based tool makes map colors a snap

ColorBrewer is a free web-based tool that enables users to select from various color schemes for their maps. The tool offers sequential, diverging, and qualitative schemes, allowing users to test and refine their choices. Additionally, ColorBrewer provides detailed color specifications for printing, projection, or web display.

Disaster increases marriages, births and divorces

A Penn State study found that disasters like Hurricane Hugo increase marriages, births, and divorces in affected areas. The study analyzed marriage, birth, and divorce records in South Carolina before and after the hurricane, finding a significant increase in all three life changes in disaster-affected counties.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·DateMar 15, 2002

Technophobes may be right after all

Recent research in social informatics reveals that information and communication technologies often have unintended outcomes, such as harming group communications and exacerbating social differences. The studies highlighted the need for frameworks to expose value conflicts embedded in ICT design, but these are not widely practiced.

SourcePenn State·JournalAnnual Review of Information Science and Technology·DateMar 14, 2002

Researchers capture unusual sprite-like blue jet

Researchers have captured an unusual sprite-like blue jet over Puerto Rico, exhibiting characteristics of both blue jets and sprites. The event's unique features include a branching conical shape and hot spots, which are similar to those seen in computer models but not fully explained.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateMar 13, 2002

'Smart' methods for detecting computer network intruders

The researchers report that the rough sets method offers significant advantages in intrusion detection, including the ability to work with missing values and imprecise data. The team's study found an average classification accuracy rate of 75.68% for rough sets, compared to 69.78% for neural nets and 51.16% for inductive learning.

SourcePenn State·JournalDecision Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2002

Making ice cream more then just cranking

Research shows that lower dasher rates can produce ice cream with the same physical structure and sensory attributes as higher rates, reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency. The balance of ingredients, including milk fat, emulsifiers, and air, is crucial in achieving desired quality and texture.

Tea and chocolate beneficial for heart health

A review published in Current Opinion in Lipidology suggests that flavonoid-rich foods like tea and chocolate may be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Moderate consumption of these foods, especially in combination with other fruits and vegetables, could lead to a reduced risk of heart disease.

SourcePenn State·JournalCurrent Opinion in Lipidology·DateJan 17, 2002

Researchers investigate mysteries of the African rift

Researchers are studying the chemical signatures of lavas from the Rift Valley in Turkana to understand the evolution of mantle plumes and how continents split apart. The study suggests that a mantle plume was present in the area 35 million years ago, contributing to the formation of the African Rift Valley.

Researchers trace dynamics of measles epidemics

Measles researchers used statistical techniques to pinpoint epidemic patterns in cities, revealing a two-year cycle, with larger cities catching on faster. The disease spreads through waves at about 5 kilometers per week, primarily carried by school children.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateDec 12, 2001

Parental marital discord affects quality of offspring marriages

A longitudinal study by Dr. Alan Booth and Dr. Paul R. Amato found that parental marital discord impacts offspring marriages, including the degree of matrimonial happiness or conflict. The transmission of poor interpersonal behaviors from parents can result in lower quality marriages among children.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateNov 26, 2001

Government regulations can prove discriminatory to minority religions

A new study analyzing 2,109 court cases on religion found that government regulations can disproportionately affect minority religions. The study, led by Dr. Roger K. Finke, reveals that minority religions are more likely to be involved in court decisions and less likely to receive favorable rulings compared to mainline churches.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal for the Scientific Study of Religion·DateNov 7, 2001