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.
Researchers from Penn State and the University of Verona developed a new approach to analyze the steadiness of a marksman's aim, which may help diagnose and monitor tremors in patients with neuro-muscular disorders. The technique combines statistical data analysis and stability analysis to track and explain the sources of tremor.
Autonomous agents improved performance by communicating via message board, outperforming previous studies and human-programmed strategies
Research by Penn State specialist Dr. W. Larry Kenney highlights the strain on older hearts when exercising in heat stress, increasing mortality rates among those over 65. Regular exercise and hydration countermeasures can mitigate effects, but individual factors like fitness level and medication impact thermoregulation.
Scientists using Chandra X-ray Observatory discovered a supernova remnant in the center of our galaxy, which may help regulate a nearby supermassive black hole. The remnant is believed to be responsible for intense feeding of material into the black hole, followed by a period of starvation.
Researchers at Penn State aim to improve flood prediction by evaluating past storms with different forecasting methods. They found that convective parameterization schemes can help forecast rainfall, but the best scheme varies depending on the season and atmospheric conditions.
A Penn State researcher explains how atmospheric chemistry can alter the composition of air, affecting environmental quality, and how pollutants like acetone and formaldehyde contribute to ozone production. The study also explores the role of nitrogen oxide in complex chemical reactions that produce hydrogen oxides.
The new center, led by Dr. Theodor Krauthammer, will focus on research and development of methods to ensure building safety under terrorist bomb threats. Penn State will collaborate with other institutions to provide training programs for engineers, architects, and others on using the new technology.
A team of astronomers, including an undergraduate researcher, detect the presence of massive stellar explosions in a distant galaxy using quasar light. The discovery reveals six super bubbles formed at nearly the same time, releasing energy equivalent to 10,000 suns over their lifetimes.
A Penn State study found that restricting foods has negative effects on children's self-esteem, particularly among overweight girls as young as 5 years old. The research suggests that parents' concern about their daughter's weight and restriction of food access can lower perceived physical and cognitive ability.
A Penn State researcher has created a model that explains why flowering plants in Norway bloom earlier after warmer winters. The study incorporates biological factors and provides insight into the ecological responses to climate change.
A Penn State study finds that both water lilies and Amborella are equally close genetically to the first flowering plant, offering new insights into its evolution. The analysis of DNA from three cellular compartments reveals a more diverse ancestry at the base of the angiosperm family tree.
Researchers developed a new method to save lives and protect property in windstorm-prone areas using a laminated glass window unit with a sacrificial ply. The design concept is promising for enhancing hurricane resistance of windows and offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive shutters or boards.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new mechanism for an existing antiviral drug that can alter the genetic makeup of RNA viruses. The discovery uses ribavirin to change the structure of viral RNA, preventing the virus from producing faithful copies and ultimately leading to its collapse.
A team of U.S. and European astronomers detect X-rays from the farthest known quasar, SDSSp J1044-0125, with a redshift of 5.8, revealing the universe's earliest objects. The quasar's low X-ray emission suggests it may be a 'precursor quasar' or have strong accretion processes.
A study by Canadian and Penn State researchers found that butterfly ballots are more confusing than single-column ballots, potentially leading to errors in voting. The team tested the ballots with students and adults, finding that those using butterfly ballots rated them as more confusing and made systematic errors in voting.
Researchers found ancient soil in South Africa with organic carbon dating back 2.6-2.7 billion years, indicating microbial mats developed on land during rainy seasons. The findings suggest the development of terrestrial biomass more than 1.4 billion years earlier than previously reported.
A long-term study of 62 white female participants aged 12-20 found that oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use did not impact their peak bone mass or hip bone mineral density, contrary to theoretical concerns. The findings are significant as they address the needs of young women who are concerned about body changes during adolescence.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified ubiquitin as crucial to budding, a process allowing viruses to exit host cells and infect new ones. The study's findings suggest that ubiquitin plays a key role in the maturation and release of viral particles from the cell surface.
Researchers found that 82% of complications from angioplasty occurred within 18 hours, with most happening at the time of procedure. The study aimed to identify the temporal spectrum of ischemic complications, and their findings have implications for hospital length-of-stay policies.
Researchers propose that deep mantle volcanic plumes caused a sudden increase in oxygen levels, allowing for the emergence of life. The theory suggests that these plumes, rich in iron oxide, were fueled by buried magma and led to the formation of glaciers.
Researchers at Penn State and the University of Miami studied two fault lines in Baja California to understand how strain is partitioned between them. The team found that the Agua Blanco fault has little earthquake activity, while the San Miguel fault has most of the earthquakes.
A new study found that managed care organizations (MCOs) are moving towards instituting quality improvement programs, but may face significant barriers, including a lack of clear consensus among stakeholders and the desire for price over quality. MCO administrators believe that price alone drives most decisions to purchase healthcare.
Researchers suggest that mountain-front reservoirs store water, smoothing out seasonal fluctuations and leaving only long-term cycles. This process is influenced by the fluctuating position of the water table relative to stream levels.
Astronomers using Chandra X-ray Observatory have discovered that protostars, the youngest stage of star formation, are marked by powerful X-rays from plasma ten times hotter and 100 to 100,000 times brighter than our Sun's flares. This has provided the closest look yet at the youngest stars in the Universe.