Home > News and Events > Research News

Research Press Release Archive

Main Content

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

Ants maintain essential interactions despite environmental flux: 12 June 2019 — Ants adjust their social interactions to accommodate changes in population density, according to researchers at Penn State and Georgetown University. The findings suggest that ant colonies are capable of maintaining their sophisticated social organization despite potentially drastic changes in their environments.
Adding a carbon atom transforms 2D semiconducting material: 24 May 2019 — A technique that introduces carbon-hydrogen molecules into a single atomic layer of the semiconducting material tungsten disulfide dramatically changes the electronic properties of the material, according to Penn State researchers who say they can create new types of components for energy-efficient photoelectric devices and electronic circuits with this material.
New drug could help treat neonatal seizures: 15 May 2019 — A new drug that inhibits neonatal seizures in rodent models could open up new avenues for the treatment of epilepsy in human newborns.
Gravitational forces in protoplanetary disks may push super-Earths close to their stars: 09 May 2019 — New research led by Penn State astronomers improves understanding of why very large planets called super-Earths with small, quick orbits form so close to their host stars.
LIGO and Virgo Detect Neutron Star Smash-Ups: 02 May 2019 — LIGO and Virgo observe five probable gravitational waves in the first month after the observatories were upgraded, including one believed to originate in a never-before-seen neutron star-black hole merger.
How the bumble bee got its stripes: 01 May 2019 — Researchers have discovered a gene that drives color differences within a species of bumble bees, helping to explain how mimicry—individuals in an area adopting similar color patterns—evolves.
NIH grant funds research to pinpoint natural selection’s influence on genomes: 30 April 2019 — A $1.7 million grant through the National Institutes of Health is helping researchers led by Michael DeGiorgio, assistant professor of biology, understand how much influence natural selection has had on humans' evolutionary path.
Unlocking the mystery behind blood clots: 25 April 2019 — New research demonstrates how proteins called “integrins” form an intermediate state between their active and inactive forms that promotes the aggregation of platelets, the blood cells that form clots.
New research shows promise for success of underrepresented scholars in STEM: 25 April 2019 — New evidence shows positive effects of undergraduate programs at Penn State and other institutions aimed at increasing retention and academic performance of historically underrepresented undergraduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
New sensor detects rare metals used in smartphones: 23 April 2019 — A more efficient and cost-effective way to detect lanthanides, the rare earth metals used in smartphones and other technologies, could be possible with a new protein-based sensor that changes its fluorescence when it binds to these metals.
Features that make lizards sexy are resilient to stress: 17 April 2019 — Physical traits and behaviors that make a lizard sexy—features used to attract potential mates and fend off competitors—may be important enough that they do not change in the face of stress, according to Penn State researchers.
First ever open public alerts from LIGO: Two probable black-hole mergers spotted in first weeks after gravitational-wave detector is updated: 16 April 2019 — Two new probable gravitational waves have been detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and the Virgo observatory in Italy in the first weeks after the detectors were updated.
A new signal for a neutron star collision discovered: 16 April 2019 — A bright burst of X-rays has been discovered by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory—including Penn State researchers—in a galaxy 6.6 billion light years from Earth, an event that likely signals the merger of two neutron stars.
Researchers to study genetic roots of Parkinson's disease with NSF grant: 12 April 2019 — A pair of Penn State professors will combine different sources of information to more efficiently identify genes involved in disease progression. Ultimately, this work may help to further precision medicine.
New computer model automatically, aesthetically crops photos: 12 April 2019 — Computers can now automatically crop photos to capture the most interesting part in an aesthetically pleasing manner, thanks to researchers at Penn State.
New SCATTIRSTORM microscope could improve bioenergy production: 11 April 2019 — The construction of a new multimodal optical microscope, SCATTIRSTORM, that could enable more efficient bioenergy production, is the focus of a three-year, $1.5 million, U.S. Department of Energy grant awarded to three Penn State researchers.
Unjamming the genome after DNA damage: A gene regulatory multi-tool has yet another function: 05 April 2019 — A protein complex that is involved in nearly every step in the regulatory control of gene expression in cells has now been shown also to play a key role in clearing potential traffic jams in the production of RNA.
The Serengeti-Mara squeeze: One of the world’s most iconic ecosystems under pressure: 01 April 2019 — Increased human activity around one of Africa’s most iconic ecosystems is “squeezing the wildlife in its core,” damaging habitat and disrupting the migration routes of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, according to an international study that included a researcher at Penn State.
Extremely accurate measurements of atom states for quantum computing: 25 March 2019 — A new method allows the quantum state of atomic “qubits”—the basic unit of information in quantum computers—to be measured with twenty times less error than was previously possible, without losing any atoms.
Researchers find features that shape mechanical force during protein synthesis: 01 March 2019 — A team of researchers has taken another step toward understanding the mechanical force of protein synthesis, and created a mathematical model that can help guide future work on the process.