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Research Press Release Archive

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

Pathogens may evade immune response with metal-free enzyme required for DNA replication: 18 October 2018 — New study shows that some bacterial pathogens, including those that cause strep throat and pneumonia, are able to create the components necessary to replicate their DNA using a ribonucleotide reductase enzyme that does not require a metal ion cofactor.
New NSF-funded ultrafast microscopy laboratory to support research of 2D materials: 15 October 2018 — The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $1.4 million to a team of Penn State scientists led by John Asbury, associated professor of chemistry, to develop a new laboratory at Penn State with ultra-fast microscopes that will provide a high-resolution look at two-dimensional materials.
Giraffe babies inherit spot patterns from their mothers: 02 October 2018 — Some features of a giraffe’s spot pattern are passed on from mother to baby, according to a new study led by researchers from Penn State.
Shake, Rattle, and Roll to High Efficiency Photovoltaics: 27 September 2018 — New insight into how a certain class of photovoltaic materials allows efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity could set up these materials to replace traditional silicon solar cells.
Lab Bench to Commercialization 2018–19 grant recipients announced: 25 September 2018 — Three faculty members will receive $75,000 each toward commercializing intellectual property
A naturally occurring antibiotic active against drug-resistant tuberculosis: 20 September 2018 — A naturally occurring antibiotic called kanglemycin A is effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, even in drug-resistant strains
Young children’s oral bacteria may predict obesity: 19 September 2018 — Weight gain in early childhood is related to the composition of oral bacteria of two-year-old children, suggesting that this understudied aspect of a child’s microbiota -- the collection of microorganisms residing in the mouth -- could serve as an early indicator for childhood obesity.
The surprising environment of an enigmatic neutron star: 17 September 2018 — An unusual infrared emission detected by the Hubble Space Telescope from a nearby neutron star could indicate that the pulsar has features never before seen. The observation could help astronomers better understand the evolution of neutron stars.
Coral bleaching increases disease risk in threatened species: 11 September 2018 — Researchers highlight the need to increase genetic diversity among staghorn corals to prevent further loss in the Florida Reef Tract
Family genetic background vital for understanding progression of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders: 07 September 2018 — Whether an individual develops a neurodevelopmental disorder like autism or ADHD, and the severity of that disorder, depends on genetic changes beyond a single supposedly disease-causing mutation. A new study led by researchers at Penn State reveals that the total amount of rare mutations—deletions, duplications, or other changes to the DNA sequence—in a person’s genome can explain why individuals with a disease-associated mutation can have vastly different symptoms.
Could a demon help to create a quantum computer? Physicists implement a version of Maxwell's famous thought experiment for reducing entropy: 05 September 2018 — Reduced entropy in a three-dimensional lattice of super-cooled, laser-trapped atoms could help speed progress toward creating quantum computers.
Water worlds could have stable climate, perhaps support life, study says: 31 August 2018 — “Water world” planets, those covered with a deep global ocean, could maintain surface conditions similar to that of the Earth for over a billion years.
New NSF-funded center to explore chemistry of “nanothreads”: 27 August 2018 — The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $1.8 million to a team of scientists led by John Badding, professor of chemistry, physics, and materials science and engineering at Penn State, to establish the NSF Center for Nanothread Chemistry (CNC).
Births, deaths and collisions: Swift’s telescope snaps one millionth UV image: 22 August 2018 — The Ultraviolet Optical Telescope (UVOT) aboard the NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory captured its millionth image on May 13. Swift's science and flight operations are controlled by Penn State from the Mission Operations Center at the University Park campus.
Community-based conservation management has positive effect on wildlife: 13 August 2018 — Putting land management in the hands of local communities helps the wildlife within, according to new research by Penn State biologist Derek Lee.
Diverse symbionts of reef corals have endured since 'age of dinosaurs': 09 August 2018 — Coral-algal partnerships dating back 160 million years show ability to withstand severe environmental change
Don't avoid the outdoors, avoid tick bites: 06 August 2018 — Penn State researchers' study of tick-borne disease dynamics could thwart future outbreaks
Wildfire management designed to protect Spotted Owls may be outdated: 24 July 2018 — According to a new study, forest fires are not a serious threat to populations of Spotted Owls, a species that acts as an indicator of biological health to the old-growth forests where they live. These findings suggest that management strategies for this species are outdated.
Finding the proteins that unpack DNA: 12 July 2018 — A new method allows researchers to systematically identify specialized proteins that unpack DNA inside the nucleus of a cell, making the usually dense DNA more accessible for gene expression and other functions.
New era of space research launched by IceCube Observatory and global team of astronomers: 12 July 2018 — The first-ever identification of a deep-space source of the super-energetic subatomic high-energy neutrino particles has launched a new era of space research. Detection of one such neutrino beneath the Antarctic ice sent a global team of astronomers racing to track down its origins: a flaring supermassive black hole 3.7 billion light years from Earth.