A new AI model developed by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine can predict the progression of autoimmune disease among those with preclinical symptoms up to 1,000% more accurately. The GPS model integrates data from large genetic studies and electronic health records to identify individuals at high risk of disease progression.
Researchers found that horned-face bees prioritize flower quantity, while alfalfa leafcutting bees focus on nutritional quality. This study highlights the need to understand seasonal foraging habits among various bee species to support pollination and plant reproduction.
New research led by Penn State scientists reveals flies are increasingly at risk due to rising global temperatures, compromising their role as prolific pollinators. The study found that bees can tolerate higher temperatures than flies, highlighting the vulnerability of fly populations to climate change.
A concentrated sugar solution was found to be just as effective as antibiotics at treating a common infection in dairy cows, reducing the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The discovery has the potential to minimize antibiotic use and combat antimicrobial resistance in both humans and animals.
Studies activated neurons in different brain regions to make male and female mice resilient to stress, revealing distinct sex-specific mechanisms. Gene expression changes were also observed in brain regions of stressed resilient vs non-resilient mice, suggesting potential for lasting protective changes.
A new study from Penn State found that parents who experienced difficult childhoods provided an average of $2,200 less for their children's college education. This suggests that intergenerational monetary exchanges could influence the next generation's success, with even parents' current socioeconomic status mattering.
A new tool developed by Penn State researchers uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to analyze placenta images, detecting abnormalities and risks such as neonatal sepsis. The PlacentaCLIP+ model has the potential to transform neonatal and maternal care in low- and high-resource settings.
The new book, 'Peace by Peace: Risking Public Action, Creating Social Change,' tells the stories of ordinary individuals who took small steps to make big changes in their local communities. Drift, a feeling of detachment and disconnection, is identified as a major challenge, but practical wisdom is proposed as a tool to counteract it.
A team of researchers at Penn State has developed a novel technique called strain tuning to precisely manipulate the atomic arrangement of materials. This process enables the creation of thin films with improved ferroelectric performance, paving the way for environmentally friendly advancements in consumer electronics and medical devices.
A team of researchers at Penn State has pinpointed the exact moment of loss of consciousness due to anesthesia by mapping what happens in different brain regions during that moment. The study found that rapid activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus triggers loss of consciousness.
Researchers at Penn State aim to integrate gallium nitride with silicon substrates using 2D materials as seed layers, aiming to improve power electronics efficiency and reduce production costs. This project could lead to more efficient power electronics for electric vehicles and data centers.
Researchers at Penn State are using ultrasound technology to monitor the transport of genetically engineered, cancer-fighting macrophages into brain tumors. The team aims to enhance the effectiveness of these cells in attacking brain cancer cells by delivering drugs via ultrasound.
Researchers at Penn State and Columbia University have observed a type of quasiparticle called a semi-Dirac fermion that has mass when moving in one direction but not in the other. The discovery, made using a technique called magneto-optical spectroscopy, could lead to advances in emerging technologies such as batteries and sensors.
A new study found that Kirtland's warblers have exceptionally long runs of homozygosity (ROH) indicating very recent inbreeding, while also having a high frequency of potentially damaging genetic variants. This suggests that continued management is necessary to ensure the species' survival.
Researchers found a 1.5% decrease in low-birthweight babies across 271 school districts, with each $1,000 increase in income tied to improved infant health outcomes. Income gains also led to increased prenatal care rates, but not changes in pregnancy-related behaviors.
Fossil evidence from Australia and South America challenges prevailing narrative that eucalypt forests are under siege from expanding rainforests. The study suggests that fire became a feature of these vegetation interactions in Australia around five million years ago, making large-scale fire interventions unnecessary.
A team of researchers aims to mitigate toxic organic compounds produced in biochar manufacturing by assessing design and optimization strategies for biorefineries. They will evaluate treatment processes to remove contaminants and develop strategies for widespread use of biochar.
Researchers found tick tubes effective in reducing ticks on mice within one season, with mice using more cotton over time. The study suggests that consistent deployment and replacement of tick tubes are key to effectiveness, targeting cooler months or consistently throughout the year.
A Penn State research team mapped wild leek habitats in Pennsylvania to provide guidance for forest farming. The study identified suitable sites based on soil, topography, and vegetation characteristics, offering a solution to conservation challenges surrounding wild leek overharvesting.
A team of Penn State researchers used mathematical modeling to explain the underlying mechanism at play. They found that an energy feedback process is responsible for accelerating electrons beyond the applied voltage.
A team of researchers at Penn State developed a novel bioprinting technique that uses spheroids to create complex tissue, producing tissue 10-times faster and with high cell density. The technique enables the rapid fabrication of functional tissues and organs, opening new opportunities for regenerative medicine.
Astronomers have discovered a fourth planet in the unusual Kepler-51 system, which consists of three ultra-low density 'super-puff' planets. The new planet, Kepler-51e, has a mass similar to the other three and follows a circular orbit of approximately 264 days.
Researchers found that brief scientific literacy interventions can undermine conspiracy beliefs, particularly those built on faulty reasoning. These interventions were most effective against novel conspiracies and among high-conspiracy groups.
Researchers at Penn State found that Indigenous communities played key roles in the adoption and dispersal of peaches across the continent. Peaches were likely widespread across Interior Southeast settlements as early as 1620, 100 years after Spanish expeditions in Florida and Georgia.
A study found that police radio transmissions disproportionately involve Black suspects, posing a higher privacy risk for Black people. The researchers analyzed 24 hours of human-transcribed communications and found that Black males were mentioned most often, even in majority white zones.
Researchers analyzed 35 million news links on Facebook and found that around 75% were shared without clicking, with conservative content being shared more often. This suggests social media users tend to merely read headlines rather than engage with core content, contributing to the spread of misinformation.
A new study led by Penn State researchers found that phosphorus loss from agricultural lands has increased over the past four decades, despite efforts to reduce it. This loss can lead to decreased crop yields and higher food prices, as well as harm algal blooms and aquatic life.
Researchers describe holobiont biology, a multidisciplinary approach uniting seen and unseen realms of life. Microbes outnumber human cells and contribute to biological variation in traits such as disease and body mass index.
A recent study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery found that non-white patients have twice the risk of dying within 30 days of carotid endarterectomy compared to white patients. The study analyzed data from over half a million patients and highlights persistent racial disparities in medical outcomes.
A new study found that middle-aged people who engage in everyday physical activity show improvements in cognitive processing speed, which can counteract the natural decline in cognitive abilities with age. The study, led by Penn State researcher Jonathan Hakun, used ecological momentary assessment to track participants' daily activitie...
Researchers found that cognitive performance worsened for older adults on days they felt lonelier than usual and the following day. The study suggests a vicious cycle between loneliness and cognitive decline over the short term, highlighting the importance of early intervention to prevent chronic loneliness.
A new Penn State study found that consistent bedtimes are crucial for children's emotional regulation and behavioral control. Children who followed a regular sleep schedule displayed improved self-regulation skills, while those with inconsistent bedtimes showed increased impulsivity.
New research reveals microplastics can act as ice nucleating particles, affecting cloud formation and potentially influencing weather forecasting and climate modeling. The study found that microplastics can trigger ice crystals to form at warmer temperatures, altering precipitation patterns and aviation safety.
A team at Penn State developed an experimental pipeline called Cleavage High-Throughput Assay (CHiTA) that can test the activity of thousands of predicted twister ribozymes. The study identified approximately 94% of tested ribozymes as active, revealing their function can persist even with slight imperfections.
A recent study published in the journal Microbiome found that lifestyle factors, such as diet and smoking habits, significantly impact the composition of beneficial bacteria in the mouth. The research team analyzed saliva samples from individuals representing different subsistence strategies in Nepal and discovered a correlation betwee...
A new study by Penn State researchers tracked wastewater and groundwater monitoring data to inform wastewater practices in the Florida Keys. The scientists found that shallow injection of treated wastewater removed over 90% of soluble reactive phosphorus, but some nutrients remained in nearshore waters.
A new study by Penn State researchers finds that microplastics are increasing in freshwater environments and are directly tied to rising global plastic production. The study tracks microplastic levels in freshwater sediment from before the 1950s to today, showing a rise in line with plastic production.
Researchers have found that water fern Azolla does not contain cyanotoxins, which could pose a threat to human health. The plant's symbiotic relationship with Nostoc azollae reduces toxin production, making it a potential solution for global food insecurity.
A team of researchers, led by Ida Djenontin, is investigating the socioecological outcomes of restoration in degraded woodlands ecosystems. The project aims to understand tradeoffs between social and ecological goals and local and global priorities.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new method to turn stripped-down plant cells into other types of cells, revealing the banding patterns in plant cell walls that increase stability. The study's findings provide insights into how cell walls are created and can inform methods to break down plant cells for biofuels.
Researchers found that AI doctors who recall patients' social information, with privacy control offered, increase patient satisfaction. Human doctors don't require social or medical information to establish a close relationship with patients.
Scientists used photon-counting CT scanner to track changes in protein expression and cartilage degradation in animal model. The approach revealed evidence of osteoarthritis long before clinical symptoms develop, offering potential for early diagnosis and monitoring.
A new study published in the journal Aging & Mental Health found that people with more positive expectations of aging tend to report less frequent cognitive problems and are less likely to perceive a decline in their cognitive performance over time. Researchers suggest that modifying older adults' aging expectations could support healt...
Scientists at Penn State have engineered a bacterial protein to better separate rare earth elements, enriching neodymium and praseodymium. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize industrial mining, offering a more efficient, greener, and less expensive process.
A new study using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed the presence of proplyds around brown dwarfs in the Orion Nebula. The team discovered 20 cool objects that are too small and cool to undergo hydrogen fusion, with two faint proplyds detected by Hubble previously.
Researchers at Penn State and MIT have discovered a room-temperature non-reciprocal Hall effect, which challenges fundamental principles of physics. The finding has potential implications for developing new technologies such as quantum communication, energy harvesting, and terahertz imaging.
Researchers identify 47 prey species consumed by invasive flathead catfish, including smallmouth bass and blueback herring. The study's findings provide valuable insights for fisheries managers to better manage the waterway.
A new study by Penn State researchers suggests that making AI training data diversity information available can shape users' expectations of algorithmic fairness and trust. Displaying racial diversity cues in AI interfaces can enhance users' perceptions of algorithmic fairness and trust, according to the study's findings.
Twenty-two new species of gall wasps have been identified and named for the first time, thanks to new research led by a Penn State graduate student. The tiny wasps were named after famous thieves and tricksters in history, mythology and pop culture.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have re-engineered natural killer immune cells with blue light-activated protein function, allowing them to infiltrate and kill solid tumor spheroids. The technology has shown promising results in killing breast cancer and melanoma cells within seven days.