Have RNA, will travel: Malaria parasite packs genetic material in preparation for trip from mosquitoes to humans
Because the malaria parasite Plasmodium cannot anticipate when it may be transmitted from a mosquito to a mammalian host, it uses specialized poly(A)-binding proteins to package and protect its genetic material for use after transmission. Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
How massive is supermassive? Astronomers measure more black holes, farther away
An artist's rendering of the inner regions of an active galaxy/quasar, with a supermassive black hole at the center surrounded by a disk of hot material falling in. Credit: Nahks Tr'Ehnl (www.nahks.com) and Catherine Grier (Penn State) and the SDSS collaboration
New research agenda for malaria elimination and eradication
Glass sculptures depict the malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Credit: Artwork by Luke Jerram, graphic design by Rachel Papernick
Four-dimensional physics in two dimensions
Illustration of light passing through a two-dimensional waveguide array. Each waveguide is essentially a tube, which behaves like a wire for light, inscribed through high-quality glass using a powerful laser. Many of these waveguides are inscribed closely spaced through a single piece of glass to form the array. Light that flows through the device behaves precisely according to the predictions of the four-dimensional quantum Hall effect. CREDIT: Rechtsman laboratory, Penn State University
Alien Megastructure not the cause of dimming of the 'Most Mysterious Star in the Universe'
This illustration depicts an uneven ring of dust orbiting KIC 8462852, also known as Boyajian’s Star or Tabby's Star. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Agricultural parasite takes control of host plant’s genes
Dodder, a parasitic plant, attached to a host plant from which it obtains water and nutrients. The parasite inserts microRNAs into the host that can silence the expression of host genes. This is the first example of cross-species gene regulation observed in a parasitic plant. CREDIT: Penn State University
Understanding enzyme cascades key to understanding metabolism
Like ants, one enzyme follows the trail left behind by the previous one. In this case, the initial substrate is acted upon by enzyme A, leaving a substrate suitable for enzyme B and on down the line. Credit: Ayusman Sen
Two discoveries by international collaborations involving Penn State scientists make list of Physics World Top Ten Breakthroughs of 2017
Physics World Top 10 logo. Credit: Physics World.
Turning pathogens against each other to prevent drug resistance
Credit: Penn State
Mathematical model mimics melanoma
Mathematical model mimics melanoma. Left: melanoma cells grown in culture with normal cells form clusters that resemble proto-tumors. Right: Simulations using a modified version of the Widom-Rowlinson model replicate patterns of melanoma cell growth seen in laboratory experiments by controlling the exclusion area -- the amount of space required -- around two types of simulated cells as they grow and spread. Credit: Penn State
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