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.
Researchers find that the Jamaican tree crab and its relatives are not related to ocean-dwelling crabs but evolved from a common Jamaican marine ancestor. The species made a rapid evolutionary leap, adapting to their new environment in just 4 million years.
A study by Penn State economists suggests that climate change could lead to an increase in waterborne diseases like Cryptosporidiosis, which can be fatal among immunocompromised individuals. The researchers estimate that doubling the frequency of 100-year floods could add up to $70 per person in costs.
Researchers have uncovered 38 additional fossils that provide a more complete picture of Australopithecus anamensis, confirming its status as the most ancient known upright-walking human ancestor. The new discoveries reveal primitive features such as large canine teeth and sexual dimorphism.
A massive gene study suggests that mammals first evolved around 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous era, much earlier than previously estimated. The research used genetic data from over 10,000 species to infer origin dates, contradicting fossil-based estimates that linked mammal evolution to mass extinctions.
Penn State's Pennsylvania Transportation Institute (PTI) will conduct research, education, and technology transfer programs for PennDOT through the five-year, $15 million agreement. PTI will also assist in assembling focused teams from universities and colleges to support PennDOT's projects.
Researchers at Penn State aim to protect crops by targeting insect taste buds, which are a direct connection between the central nervous system and the outside. By identifying chemicals that stimulate or suppress feeding behavior, scientists hope to develop more effective control methods for corn rootworm pests.
A Penn State research team has found that small-scale fires play a crucial role in shaping forest structure. By analyzing aerial photographs from 1941 and 1993, the researchers determined that topography is key to understanding natural variability and restoring diverse fire regimes in Northern California.
Historically, colleges were established near trade centers, but today, more than half of four-year universities and two-year colleges are metropolitan institutions. This shift has significant implications for urban economies. The majority of institutions are now located near where people live, reflecting a change in the public's percep...
Natural T cells are specialized cells that are part of white blood cells and help the body fight disease. Researchers at Penn State's College of Medicine have discovered that CD1d1 associates with glycolipids to transduce signals that 'turn-on' natural T cells, which helps the body fight disease.
Among the Bari of Venezuela, promiscuous mothers who have secondary fathers benefit their children's survival rates. The study found that children with secondary fathers had an 80% survival rate compared to 64% for those without. Small food gifts during times of scarcity are believed to be the primary reason for this increase.
Researchers are working on long-term artificial heart replacement devices that can be used in humans within five years. Temporary ventricular assist devices have saved thousands of lives and continue to be a major part of heart replacement research.
Researchers at Penn State used global and regional climate models to investigate climate change differences. They found that regional models produced warmer temperatures, leading to more rain and less snowfall in the Northeastern United States.
A new coupled hydrologic model system simulates storm events and river basin response by linking atmospheric and hydrological models. The model was tested on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River basin, showing improved results with historic meteorological data compared to atmospheric predictions.
Penn State researchers investigate climate change's effects on the Susquehanna River Basin, examining vulnerabilities to flooding, waterborne diseases, and policy decisions. They find that effective measures like increased filtration, boiling water, and balanced expenses can mitigate these risks.
A computer model developed by Penn State researchers can predict the probability of land use change and microclimate formation in urban areas. The model uses satellite image data to calculate land use types, vegetation, and surface climate parameters, providing insights into urban growth and its impact on local liveability.
Climate change affects regional economies differently, with some sectors experiencing significant losses while others benefit from increased productivity. A regional model of the Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania suggests that communities can greatly benefit or suffer economically depending on the region.
A team of Penn State researchers is reacquainting old friends by integrating statistical principles back into astronomy. They are using advanced methods such as time series analysis, sampling theory, and nonlinear regressions to tackle complex problems like large-scale clustering of galaxies and the internal structure of the sun.
Penn State researchers are collecting and analyzing urine samples from women aged 35-60 to understand patterns of change during perimenopause. The study aims to identify changes leading up to menopause, which could benefit women and their physicians in making choices about hormone replacement therapy.
A recent study at Penn State's Hershey Medical Center found that hospitalized cardiac patients experience significant fluctuations in adjusting to their medications. Researchers discovered that more than 50% of patients went home with at least 10 different medications, creating challenges for managing drug reactions and side effects.
Research found that young people under 45 with sleep apnea require aggressive treatment to reduce hypertension and cardiovascular issues. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, included subjects aged 20-100 years old.
A team of scientists is tracking El Niño changes using a remote cloud observatory in the Western Pacific. Continuous measurements are being collected to evaluate and develop cloud property and radiation algorithms for global climate models.
The Pennsylvania Sea Grant will focus on extension, education, and communications, monitoring the ecology of Lake Erie's coast and Presque Isle peninsula. Studies will address non-point source pollution, invasive species, and environmentally friendly manufacturing development.
Anabolic steroid use has significantly increased among teenage girls, doubling since 1991, whereas among adolescent boys it has remained nearly unchanged. This trend is attributed to various factors such as the emphasis on physical appearance and competitiveness in sports.
Researchers at Penn State found that northeastern Yellowstone mudpots emit significantly higher levels of carbon dioxide, up to 32,000 grams per square meter per day. This discovery contradicts previous assumptions that active geysers were the primary source of CO2 emissions.
A Penn State study found that holiday cards can bring moderate pleasure and enhance feelings of well-being, even from distant contacts. The researchers discovered that recipients drew meaning from the cards as a way to maintain social ties and derive comfort from the continued existence of social connections.