Research finds that husbands' psychological well-being declines modestly when their wives' percentage contribution to family income increases, despite stable marital happiness. This decline may be due to married men feeling unwelcome or challenged by greater equity in decision-making and household duties.
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.
Penn State meteorologists have combined weather data from airports, weather stations and sensors to create a more detailed picture of weather conditions in the state. The project aims to provide real-time displays of observations and user-specific products for various industries, including agribusiness and the power industry.
Researchers John Debes and Steinn Sigurdsson predict unstable planets will collide, creating 'reborn' planets around white dwarfs. This process could create heavy bombardment of material into inner planetary systems, explaining phenomena like dusty white dwarfs and metal-polluted atmospheres.
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.
Dr. Richard B. Alley suggests that past climate records indicate abrupt changes, particularly near poles and away from them. He proposes a threshold-based approach to climate change, which could lead to more realistic predictions of future climate shifts.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new model for vulcanian eruptions, which they validated using data from the Soufriere Hills volcano. The model suggests that water vapor leakage plays a crucial role in determining the rate and force of these explosive events.
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.
Researchers use fractal models to study blue jets and starters, finding they are made of small streamers rather than a solid column. Blue jets propagate slowly from clouds to ionosphere, while starters travel shorter distances with low charge input.
Research finds that economic interdependence, including capital market and monetary policy ties, inhibits conflict behaviors more effectively than trade ties. Countries can exert non-violent pressure and test resolve of economic partners, reducing the risk of war.
Researchers found that a modern human-like growth period in humans is a relatively recent evolutionary acquisition, arising around 120,000 years ago. The analysis of fossil teeth suggests that the prolonged growth and development seen in humans today is not as old as previously thought.
The newly discovered species, Sphaerodactylus ariasae, is the smallest of all 23,000 species of reptiles, birds, and mammals. The tiny lizard can curl up on a dime or stretch out on a quarter, measuring only 16mm long.
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.
Research finds that genetics, age, and depression are significant predictors of arthritis, while openness is linked to effective mental functioning among aging African Americans. The study also suggests a strong genetic influence on several measures of well-being, including life satisfaction and depression.
The RIDGE 2000 program will focus on the integration of research across a wide range of disciplines to study complex seafloor ecosystems and geological processes. With an investment of $27 million, the program aims to address questions that bridge gaps between disciplines.
A study led by Drs. Eva S. Lefkowitz and Karen Fingerman found that middle-aged women take charge in conversations with their aging mothers, using positive language to maintain good relationships. The researchers recorded 46 mother-daughter pairs and discovered a low level of negativity in their interactions.
A computer-controlled differential braking system can stabilize vehicles by reducing spin, which causes rollovers. The system has been developed to adjust brake forces on the right and left sides of the cab independently.
A Penn State study found that uniform speed limits can lead to different impacts on boats of different sizes. At speeds near 6-8 mph, prop wash can stir up lake sediments, aggravating turbulence problems. The study suggests a computer program to predict water velocity and guide lake managers in setting safe speeds.
Agricultural tariffs average over 40% globally, with dairy products and sugar being heavily protected. The paper advocates for the abolition of export subsidies and curtailment of domestic support to create a level playing field.
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.
Neutrinos may fly out first in powerful gamma-ray bursts, carrying details of the universe's first stars. Scientists believe neutrino bursts can help detect massive star collapses and dark gamma-ray dark collapses.
Workers were more willing to pay for policies that directly benefited them than those with no direct benefit. Notably, teachers with a low probability of using paid childbirth leave had the highest willingness to pay.
A study found that consuming cocoa and dark chocolate slowed LDL oxidation by 8% and boosted total antioxidant capacity. However, experts stress the importance of a balanced diet that includes a variety of whole foods to support overall cardiovascular health.
Researchers at Penn State University and SurroMed, Inc. have developed a novel method for encoding information on the submicron scale using microscopic metallic barcodes. These patterned metallic particles can simultaneously monitor multiple biological reactions in very small volumes of fluid.
A study found that interactive video visits can reduce costs by $300 per patient by substituting seven in-home visits, while advanced communication technology can save $700 per patient. Patients and nurses responded favorably to the technology, which improved positive outcomes of treatment and reduced hospital re-hospitalizations.
The center supports an interdisciplinary team of scientists aiming to explore the first signals detected from gravitational waves generated by massive objects in the universe. Researchers anticipate collecting data from new detectors in the US, Europe, and Japan, plus a space-based detector.
The aging inmate population in Pennsylvania's prisons requires increased long-term care services due to growing numbers of inmates needing daily living assistance. The study found that nearly 24% of inmates 65 years and older need assistance, and the cost of care can reach up to $70,000 per person per year.
Dr. Linda M. Hanagan's innovative approach uses active control systems to dampen vibrations in existing buildings, reducing costs and time required compared to traditional stiffening or thickening methods. The system can be applied quickly, often taking less than a week to fix the problem.
A team of researchers discovered a new type of carbon nanotube that is approximately 40 percent stronger than other nanotubes made using the same number of atoms. This breakthrough was achieved through supercomputer simulations at the San Diego Supercomputer Center and the University of Michigan.
The report highlights the need for a universal paid leave policy and flexible scheduling to support working families. Employers and governments are urged to adopt holistic approaches to work-life integration, including joint planning and community initiatives.
Researchers found that young stars in Orion exhibit high levels of X-ray flaring, sufficient to explain the production of unusual isotopes locked away in ancient meteorites. This discovery suggests that our Sun may have also formed these isotopes during its baby years.
A team of scientists led by Leisa Townsley has found evidence of X-ray-emitting gas in the Rosette Nebula, a star-forming region. This gas is thought to be created by the collision of stellar winds from massive stars and may play a significant role in shaping the galaxy's interstellar medium.
Researchers propose allowing everyone over 62 to purchase Medicare at a community-rated premium, with subsidies for low-income individuals and tax-free savings accounts. The plan aims to make pre-medicare insurance more affordable without increasing government spending.
Researchers at Penn State investigated alternative diesel fuel DME, which burns smokeless and produces fewer particulates. The team found that DME can mix completely with diesel fuel but its viscosity may be a key property in developing these fuels.
Scientists at Penn State have developed a new method to reduce the permeability of biomedical polymers using silicate clay, achieving a significant improvement in air and water resistance. The clay is mixed with the polymer in a common solvent, resulting in a barrier that effectively blocks many paths for air and water migration.
US children perform worse in math and science compared to those from single-parent households in countries with strong family policies. Financial and support benefits compensate for economic and time constraints. The US lags behind other industrialized countries in providing aid to poor and single-parent households.
Researchers found that current marriage conditions, including weekly work hours and household responsibilities, have a greater impact on marital satisfaction than spouses' past relationships. The study also revealed significant gender differences in how these factors affect marital quality.
Research finds that student activism is linked to extracurricular involvement and a strong social network. Students who are well-established in campus life are more likely to participate in protests.
A recent study by Dr. Laura C. Klein found that adolescent nicotine exposure directly affects stress hormone levels in adults, leading to increased risk of anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments. The research suggests a possible biochemical explanation for the effects observed in human studies.
A new gene study reveals that early land plants and fungi evolved much earlier than thought, around 700-1300 million years ago. These organisms likely played a crucial role in changing the Earth's climate by increasing oxygen levels and decreasing carbon dioxide.
A study by Penn State researchers found that quaking aspen groves have declined by 30% in the last 50 years due to environmental changes such as fire suppression, livestock grazing, and increased herbivore populations. The unique history of the Lake Tahoe Basin also plays a role in this decline.
A new study by Penn State researchers reveals that managed care plans' use of performance measures can lead to improved quality of care, but significant variations in effectiveness remain. The study found that tightly integrated relationships between healthcare providers and the plan are key factors in delivering high-quality care.
PENNTAP, a leading technical assistance provider, has helped Mexico establish a new technical assistance program. The program focuses on automotive service shops, software development, and metalworking sectors with an emphasis on environmental protection.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new link design for wireless infrared local area networks that uses a multi-beam transmitter with a narrow field of view receiver. The system achieves a bit-error rate of one error per billion bits and uses milliwatt transmitted power levels.
A research team at Penn State discovered that consortia of bacteria and archaeobacteria consume up to 80% of marine methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The findings indicate that these microorganisms play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate.
A comprehensive study of flamingo genes reveals a shocking family tree, with the elegant flamingo's closest relative being the squat grebe. The study's findings suggest that physical features like long legs and webbed feet evolved repeatedly in aquatic bird species, contradicting traditional classification systems.
Researchers found a significant difference in movement on each side of the Eastern California Shear Zone, with one side moving more than the other due to varying heat flow properties. This discovery provides a more accurate method for modeling earthquake data and could be applicable in many places.
Penn State researchers studied silica layer formation on modified e-glass, discovering that it breaks up and repolymerizes during corrosion. Understanding this process could lead to stronger fibers and improved lung safety for people exposed to glass fibers.
A comprehensive analysis of aquatic bird genes reveals that flamingos are closely related to grebes, contrary to their physical appearance. The study suggests that evolutionary change occurred at a faster pace than previously recognized, with physical features evolving repeatedly in different species.
A team of researchers from Penn State has successfully developed a polymer coating that adheres to the surface of optical glass, particularly phosphate glasses. This breakthrough enables new applications for these glasses in fields such as optics and photonics.