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.
Researchers detect first P Cygni profile in X-rays, revealing a 4.5-million-mile-per-hour wind from a compact pair of stars. The discovery provides new insights into stellar winds and their role in astrophysics.
Astronomers use a flickering quasar image to estimate the expansion rate of the Universe and measure distances to extragalactic objects. The Chandra X-ray Observatory's mirage technique provides a promising method to avoid uncertainties in classic distance-ladder techniques.
A study of 1,277 elderly people found no correlation between left-handedness and mortality rate. Instead, factors such as pressure to switch hands, gender differences, and adaptation to a right-hand world influenced the prevalence of left-handedness among older adults.
Children of divorced parents are more likely to drop out of middle or high school due to economic hardships, not family disruption. The resulting financial stress raises the odds of offspring dropping out to supplement the family income.
A team of Penn State researchers has developed a scale to measure an individual's visioning ability, which is the capacity to summon a vivid mental image of their organization's future. The scale was validated through five survey groups and showed significant correlation with positive outlook and inspirational motivation.
A new study by Penn State and University of Nebraska researchers found that men who are moderately aggressive have stronger immune systems. The study analyzed data from 4,415 men aged 30-48 years and found that those with higher levels of aggression had higher concentrations of specific white blood cells, which could help them better f...
A study by Penn State researchers found that consuming larger portions of puffed-up food servings can reduce hunger and lead to a lower calorie intake. The study suggested using whipped foods like low-fat frozen desserts or air-popped popcorn as alternatives to manage weight.
Research by Penn State and University of Nebraska found that moderate aggression is associated with a stronger immune system, particularly among CD4 cells. Men who reported engaging in occasional fights or aggressive acts had higher levels of lymphocytes, indicating a more rapid and intense response to pathogens.
Physicists have calculated a property known as Cooper instability that produces superconductivity in electrons, suggesting composite fermions can achieve quantum superconductivity. The research, published in Nature, provides convincing evidence for the formation of magically mobile Cooper pairs.
Researchers at Penn State used atomic force microscopy to study the surface of glass and found that molecular-scale roughness is a key factor in bacterial adhesion. The study suggests that traditional theories on bacterial adhesion may need to be revised.
Researchers found that lard and choice white grease produce less nitrogen oxides, ash, and carbon monoxide when burned compared to No. 6 fuel oil. The study suggests that these alternatives could be a cleaner and more sustainable option for the food processing industry.
Penn State researchers have created a rapid test method to identify adulterated honey using spectroscopy, capable of detecting as little as 1% beet sugar invert. The new approach aims to meet US standards for natural honey products with nutraceutical properties.
Researchers have found that large aggregates of bacteria and plankton collide with particles millions of times faster than predicted, leading to enhanced coagulation in wastewater treatment and industrial manufacturing. This discovery has significant implications for the ocean's carbon dioxide balance and global atmospheric conditions.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a procedure that virtually eliminates tissue growth and subsequent blockages after angioplasty, reducing the risk by 90%. The ceramide-coated balloon catheters inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell growth, preventing arterial obstruction.
A new study found that parents who value autonomy are less likely to respond harshly to sibling conflicts, leading to reduced fighting between teens. The amount of time spent together with teen children is also crucial in maintaining a warm sibling relationship.
A Penn State researcher finds that curriculum tracking in US middle schools tends to work against poorer students, with factors such as attitude and course complexity contributing to this outcome. The system often discourages low-income families from questioning or contesting the placement offered by the school.
A Penn State researcher finds that churches in lower-income areas offer fewer opportunities for learning civic skills, despite their importance. Church members from upper-class congregations are more likely to develop these skills, but they are less common among lower-class individuals.
A study by Penn State researcher Dr. Mark D. Hayward found that people with childhood illness are more likely to develop cancer, lung disease, and arthritis in adulthood, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Investing in children's health could lead to significant benefits for adult healthcare.
A five-year study found that people who snore are one and a half times more likely to have high blood pressure, with risk increasing with severity of sleep problem. The study suggests that physicians should consider hypertension when SDB is present.
Researchers have discovered that ozone directly affects plant aging genes, accelerating leaf yellowing and growth retardation. The findings may lead to the development of ozone-resistant plant varieties, reducing agricultural losses estimated at $3 billion annually.
Researchers discovered a simple geometric explanation for protein spiral shapes, which could aid in understanding protein functions and structures. The finding uses mathematical ideas to optimize protein shape for maximum 'thickness,' leading to the natural occurrence of helical motifs in proteins.
Researchers found a potential for water trapped in sediments to surge out and cause undersea landslides that can produce tidal waves. The study suggests a new explanation for expulsive events in the continental slope along the East Coast, potentially triggering landslides without warning.
A computer simulation, known as a cyberkid, was used to study how children's problem-solving behavior changes across ages. The study found that 7-year-olds' thinking improves in strategy selection as they grow towards adulthood.
A three-year study of 351 people from Sweden aged 80 and over reveals that psychoactive medications have negative effects on cognitive performance. The results show that individuals taking these medications experience lower performance scores and a more severe decline in cognitive function compared to those not on medication.
A team of researchers at Penn State's College of Medicine has isolated and characterized a gene, BRMS1, that plays a role in blocking tumor cells' ability to spread. The gene provides a target for developing therapies to keep cancer localized and may aid in proper diagnosis.
A new Penn State study reveals that restrictive feeding practices can pass eating problems from mother to daughter as early as five years old, increasing the risk of childhood overweight. Mothers who control their own weight tend to use more restrictive feeding practices, which can actually promote patterns of intake influenced by pala...