Home > News and Events > Research News

Research Press Release Archive

Main Content

A multi-page list of all research press releases since 1997

New method uses fluorescence to identify disease-causing forms of proteins: 13 February 2019 — A new method uses fluorescence to detect potentially disease-causing forms of proteins as they unravel due to stress or mutations.
Toward automated animal identification in wildlife research: 11 February 2019 — A new program developed by researchers from Penn State and Microsoft Azure automatically detects regions of interest within images, alleviating a serious bottleneck in processing photos for wildlife research.
Simple drug combination creates new neurons from neighboring cells: 07 February 2019 — A simple drug combination that converts cells neighboring damaged neurons into functional new neurons could potentially be used to treat stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain injuries.
Open-access satellite data allows tracking of seasonal population movements: 06 February 2019 — A massive release of passive-surveillance satellite data of nighttime lights could help researchers in fields ranging from agriculture to epidemiology.
Male birth control for the malaria parasite: 31 January 2019 — Disrupting two genes involved in the preservation of RNA molecules inhibits the ability of the male form of the malaria parasite to mature and be transmitted from human blood into mosquitoes.
Membraneless protocells could provide clues to formation of early life: 31 January 2019 — Membraneless protocells allow RNAs to participate in fundamental chemical reactions, providing clues to early steps in origin of life on earth.
Stellar winds, the source material for the universe, are clumpy: 24 January 2019 — Data recorded by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory of a neutron star as it passed through a dense patch of stellar wind emanating from its massive companion star provide valuable insight about the structure and composition of stellar winds.
New method uses ultraviolet light to control fluid flow and organize particles: 22 January 2019 — A new, simple, and inexpensive method that uses ultraviolet light to control particle motion and assembly within liquids could improve drug delivery, chemical sensors, and fluid pumps.
How hot are atoms in the shock wave of an exploding star?: 21 January 2019 — A new method to measure the temperature of atoms during the explosive death of a star will help scientists understand the shock wave that occurs as a result of this supernova explosion.
Having stressed out ancestors improves immune response to stress: 21 January 2019 — Having ancestors who were frequently exposed to stressors can improve one's own immune response to stressors, according to researchers at Penn State who studied fence lizards and their stress response. The results suggest that family history should be considered to predict or understand the health implications of stress.
Discovering the beauty of living cells: Science meets coffee shop art: 17 January 2019 — A recent art exhibition in downtown State College featured "The Art of Cell Biology," with 18 works produce by Penn State scientists. Claire Thomas, associate professor of biology and of biochemistry and molecular biology and curator of the exhibit, discusses the exhibit as well as the intersection of science and art.
Freedom to hypothesize: Biology professor prepares Scholars for graduate school: 15 January 2019 — Penn State Associate Professor of Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Claire Thomas helps her students develop an ability to think critically in research situations.
Differences in genes’ geographic origin influence mitochondrial function: 14 January 2019 — A new study explores whether interactions between genomes found in the nucleus of a cell and within the mitochondria of a cell, which are fine-tuned by natural selection over deep evolutionary time, could be altered when genes of different geographic origins are brought together within a genome.
Searching the stars: 03 January 2019 — With forward-looking, concurrent development of a new global research hub and a unique graduate curriculum, Penn State is growing the worldwide SETI community, looking for intelligent life across the cosmos.
Beyond the black hole singularity: 20 December 2018 — Our first glimpses into the physics that exist near the center of a black hole are being made possible using “loop quantum gravity”—a theory that uses quantum mechanics to extend gravitational physics beyond Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
Bacterial protein could help find materials for your next smartphone: 19 December 2018 — A newly discovered protein could help detect, target, and collect from the environment the rare-earth metals used in smartphones.
Unprecedented screen of 500,000 compounds reveals new candidates for malaria prevention drug: 06 December 2018 — More than 600 promising new antimalarial drug candidates that inhibit the malaria parasite at an earlier stage in its lifecycle than most current drugs have been identified from a screen of over 500,000 chemical compounds.
Corals and their microbiomes evolved together: 29 November 2018 — Corals and the microorganisms they host have evolved together for hundreds of millions of years. Understanding this long-term relationship could add fresh insight to the fight to save the Earth’s embattled coral reefs.
Lizards quickly adapt to threat from invasive fire ants, reversing geographical patterns of lizard traits : 29 November 2018 — Some lizards in the eastern U.S. have adapted to invasive fire ants—which can bite, sting, and kill lizards—reversing geographical trends in behavioral and physical traits used to avoid predators.
Traffic noise stresses out frogs, but some have adapted: 21 November 2018 — Frogs from noisy ponds near highways have altered stress and immune profiles compared to frogs from more quiet ponds—changes that reduce the negative effects of traffic noise on the amphibians.