A team led by Penn State's Ken Tamminga is using a new approach to regenerate the Nine Mile Run area in Pittsburgh, highlighting the potential of resilient species like Ailanthus and African dung beetles. The project aims to enhance biodiversity and reintroduce native species to create a more sustainable ecosystem.
A team of physicists has devised a general theorem to explain the phenomenon of allometric quarter-power scaling, which describes how biological processes vary in predictable ways depending on an organism's mass. The researchers found that efficient transportation networks, including those in plants and animals, follow this scaling law.
Researchers at Penn State's College of Medicine have identified a marker for certain types of brain tumors, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which are the most prevalent and difficult-to-manage. The marker, interleukin 13 receptor, is present in over 90% of patients with GBM, making it a valuable diagnostic tool.
Researchers found that WIC participants had lower infant death rates related to pregnancy and delivery. Additionally, Medicaid participation reduced the risk of infant mortality due to external causes like infectious diseases and accidents. The study also highlighted disparities in access to healthcare among low-income families.
Penn State's InterWET website enables users to calculate water quality consequences with point-and-click calculators, exploring topics like surface runoff, groundwater, and fish populations. The website aims to help beginners understand hydrological concepts without requiring complex math.
Researchers have developed a new method to create activated carbon products from unburned coal waste, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. The process separates the fly ash from the unburned carbon and activates it for high surface area production with yields over 70 percent.
Researchers have developed a new method to engineer glass that can withstand stress without catastrophic failure, reducing the variability in strength. This new approach creates internal compressed layers that stop crack propagation, making the glass more consistent and reliable.
Researchers monitored the Soufriere Hills Volcano's cyclic eruptions to understand mechanisms behind them. They identified cyclical events nearly so well as no one before and made predictions on eruption timing and areas affected, saving lives through evacuation efforts.
A recent study found that 54% of single women entering Medicaid receive assistance for less than one year, with only 15% staying for five years. The researchers suggest that policy makers develop a stable source of coverage for former welfare recipients and shift the cost among women, employers, and Medicaid as their incomes and employ...
Researchers have developed a new class of porous materials, called nanobubblepack, with ordered crystal-like arrangements of ultra-small spherical spaces. They can produce these materials in a range of pore sizes and fill them with various substances.
A common surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), has been shown to inactivate sexually transmitted viruses including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomaviruses (HPVs). The discovery provides a major step towards developing a practical, non-toxic, and inexpensive product to protect women from HPV infection.
A recent gene study published in Science magazine contradicts decades of research suggesting that birds are the closest relatives of reptile groups. Turtles have been found to be the closest living relatives of crocodilians, according to the analysis of 24 nuclear genes and 9 DNA segments from reptile cells.
Researchers have created a simpler computer simulation for ultrafine particle size growth and distribution, which can accurately predict particle group sizes over time. The simulation is fast, accurate, and uses modest computing power, and has already been confirmed by experimental results in certain cases.
A study of 254 women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) found that 7.5% had undiagnosed diabetes, compared to 1% in the general population. Insulin resistance is a key factor in PCOS-related glucose intolerance and diabetes risk.
A commercially available additive can double the life of concrete bridge decks and lower costs by enhancing resistance to water, corrosion and deicing salt. The study found that bridge decks constructed with the additive had less tendency for water or salts to intrude into the concrete.
Recent genetic studies suggest modern humans originated in Africa, with extremely high genetic diversity across the continent. This diversity holds potential for understanding genetic diseases of Africans and African Americans, as well as finding treatments for diseases like malaria and HIV.
A study on non-Western folk beliefs found that partible paternity is a common concept among indigenous groups in South America and New Guinea. This ancient tradition suggests that every man who contributes sperm during pregnancy biologically contributes to the child, challenging the long-held assumption of a single biological father.
A recent gene study challenges the popular Cambrian Explosion theory, proposing that major animal groups evolved steadily over 1200 million years. The research uses hundreds of gene sequences to calculate evolutionary timelines and suggests that many species existed before their fossils appeared.
Astronomers have discovered large numbers of previously unknown stars in the Virgo Cluster using dying green stars as tools. The findings suggest that at least 22% of Virgo's light is coming from these hidden stars, and could affect estimates of universe mass.
Chemists have discovered a key to enhancing hydrodesulfurization, the most widely used process for removing sulfur compounds from crude oil. By observing individual molecules on surfaces, they found that nickel atoms can act as 'sticky ballbearings,' capturing thiophenes and helping them bind at optimal edge sites.
Researchers continuously monitored carbon dioxide flux at a 35-acre tree-kill area near Horseshoe Lake, discovering daily cycles that defy temperature explanation. The data suggests barometric pressure oscillations and Earth tides may influence the degassing rate, highlighting the complexity of volcanic gas emission.
A study found that smoking-related illnesses and deaths have risen sharply in the US and France, with increased female smoking causing a steady increase in disease and mortality. The proportion of deaths attributable to cigarette smoking rose from 16.7% to 47.4% among American women.
Pat Shipman's book Taking Wing: Archaeopteryx and the Evolution of Bird Flight has received the 1998 Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science. The book explores the enigmatic fossil Archaeopteryx, whose anatomy combines birdlike and reptilian features, and its role in understanding how birds evolved flight.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered specific compounds in garlic that lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting liver cell production. The study found three water-soluble sulfur-containing compounds that decreased cholesterol production in cultured rat liver cells by 40 to 60 percent, with potential implications for heart health.
A study by Penn State researchers found that microwaving or roasting garlic can destroy its anti-cancer activity, unless the herb is chopped or crushed first. However, a 10-minute standing period allows an enzyme to react with chemicals, producing allyl sulfur compounds that retain anti-cancer properties.
Researchers found that injecting methotrexate significantly improved patient health and reduced costs for those with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The study involved 52 patients, with 73% switching to injection treatment due to dissatisfaction with oral method side effects.
Research suggests that anesthesia during labor and delivery may cause temporary delays in nursing, but has no long-term effects. Breastfeeding is strongly recommended by the AAP, with newborns being nursed frequently to promote immune system development.
A new ultrasonic scanner developed by Penn State researchers can image the interior of a material as it responds to temperature changes. The device was used to study a laminate material called PEEK, which is widely used in various consumer products, and demonstrated its ability to detect defects and monitor internal structure changes.
A recent Penn State study found that new welfare reform legislation and abortion restrictions may have created a paradoxical outcome. The increase in single mothers, who are often on welfare, may be due to the decreased access to abortion services, leading more women to choose childbearing over termination.
African-American crack addicts often had traumatic childhoods marked by physical and sexual abuse, leading to unstable adult lives. The study's findings suggest that these individuals may gravitate towards drug dealing as a means of support due to unemployment and unstable employment.
Dr. Daniel B. Lee's research suggests that rituals, not common beliefs, provide social glue for religious communities. This is evident in the Weaverland Mennonites' case study, where symbols and rituals sustain unity despite individual members having fluid and unstructured religious beliefs.
The monetization of medicine has led to doctors making fiscal decisions, prioritizing who will pay for treatment. Progressive hospitals benefit, while the poor and underinsured access limited services. High-tech tools have increased costs, exacerbating the issue.
A study by Penn State researcher Valarie King found that church-going grandparents have closer, more involved relationships with their grandchildren. The research, which collected data from over 500 White families, showed a moderate correlation between religiousness and grandparent involvement.
Researchers found that welfare-dependent individuals and working poor people face negative attitudes from professionals and encounter barriers in their daily lives. They struggle to lead ordinary lives without facing stigma, which drains their energy and hinders their progress in moving up the economic ladder.
A Penn State study reveals single mothers on welfare are more likely to have psychiatric disorders, highlighting the need for mental health services in welfare reform programs. The research found that major depression and agoraphobia were prevalent among welfare recipients.
The U.S. shows a drop in international rankings in math and science between the fourth and eighth grades due to low gains from year to year. Researchers attribute this to systemic issues in the education system, including curriculum and teaching quality.
Four Pennsylvania science teachers participated in a research expedition to study hydrothermal vents and active volcanoes on the ocean floor. The teachers worked with international scientists to understand how communities of animals live on these structures and developed new lesson plans for their students.
Researchers investigated beaver pond succession and its impact on waterfowl productivity, finding that ponds in the old active stage created the most valuable habitat for waterfowl broods. Beaver ponds also support a wide range of bird species, including marsh and song birds.
Researchers at Penn State have identified new molecular players involved in gene expression and discovered unexpected dynamics among these molecules. The study reveals how these molecules interact with each other to activate genes, shedding light on the complex process of gene regulation.
Researchers at Penn State found that sex hormones have little effect on adolescent sexual behavior after a nearly two-year study. Social factors like peer pressure are believed to have a much larger impact on behavior.
Researchers create neural network pattern recognition software to predict battery performance and life, providing faster and cheaper data for manufacturers. The software uses only minutes of laboratory test data and can be used to build better batteries.
A team of Penn State materials scientists has developed a new polymer material that can move significantly when an electric field is applied. The material, Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) Copolymer, exhibits electrostrictive properties and shows potential for use in artificial muscles, skin, and organs.
Researchers develop new catalyst that significantly enhances methanol-air fuel cells' efficiency, enabling a more practical and sustainable power source. The breakthrough catalyst, composed of platinum, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium, presents a major improvement over existing platinum-ruthenium alloys.
Astronomers have discovered expanding gas clouds thrown off by nuclear eruptions in stars, which provide reliable distances to these stars. The Hubble Space Telescope has captured detailed images of two nova shells, revealing structure and asymmetry, including polar blobs and equatorial rings.
A microbiological process developed by Penn State researchers can effectively remove perchlorate, a rocket fuel ingredient detected in 14 states, from contaminated drinking water. The process uses naturally occurring bacteria to reduce perchlorate concentrations below the action level.
A new study from Penn State found that families with patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease are more likely to accept available treatment, whereas those with advanced-stage patients may choose to withhold care. The study also highlighted the need for family involvement in making treatment decisions.
A survey of 60,000 Pennsylvania students found a decrease in willingness to seek help from physicians, parents, teachers, and counselors for drug abuse treatment. Students' perception of the risks associated with drugs has decreased over time, but the actual problems persist.
A computer model predicts reliably the severity and timing of drought episodes six months in advance, helping farmers choose drought-tolerant crops and minimizing economic losses. The researchers also highlight the need to maintain adequate river levels to prevent barge traffic disruptions and ensure water supply.
Penn State researchers investigate the ionosphere and atmospheric sodium using a six-minute rocket flight. They aim to determine if sodium can be used as a tracer of atmospheric motion and understand its relationship with sodium ions.
A 20-acre Pennsylvania watershed was extensively measured in the 1970s, providing valuable data for calibration of runoff models. The study revealed differences in water behavior between south- and north-facing slopes, with implications for understanding small-scale hydrology.