Probing Question: Are there limits to freedom of speech?

The Jan. 7 massacre of 12 journalists in Paris has renewed debate about freedom of expression. What do the U.S. Constitution and courts say about the publication of inflammatory and offensive material?

Research

NSF-funded study analyzes how manmade noise impacts bird decline

1/30/15

How noise can affect interactions between human and natural systems is the topic of a National Science Foundation grant awarded to researchers at Penn State and Boise State University.

Civil engineering’s Qiu awarded $500K grant to study landslides

1/29/15

Tong Qiu, assistant professor of civil engineering, was recently awarded a National Science Foundation Early Career Development Award.

Poster session highlights latest evolution in GE-funded natural gas initiative

1/29/15

A group of GE executives from around the country converged on campus recently to meet with representatives from the Smeal College of Business and three other Penn State colleges as part of the continuing evolution of the Center for Collaborative Research on Intelligent Natural Gas Supply Systems (CCRINGSS).

New Kensington philosophy professor delves into desire theory

1/28/15

Developing and defending a version of the desire theory is the focus of recent research by Donald Bruckner, associate professor of philosophy at Penn State New Kensington. Bruckner’s research deals with the theoretical ethics of human good, and what is the good human life.

Green tea ingredient may target protein to kill oral cancer cells

1/28/15

A compound found in green tea may trigger a cycle that kills oral cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone, according to Penn State food scientists. The research could lead to treatments for oral cancer, as well as other types of cancer.

Fossils' surroundings shed light on extinction and environmental changes

1/28/15

When trying to interpret the fossil record, we must first understand how they ended up where they are -- and that means taking a close look at the sediments that surround them, says Penn State scientist Mark Patzkowsky.

Cardiac stress testing may not benefit ED patients with chest pain

1/27/15

Patients seen in the emergency department (ED) for chest pain who did not have a heart attack were found to be at very low risk of experiencing a heart attack during 190 days of follow-up. Early cardiac stress testing compared to no stress testing was not associated with lower odds of having a heart attack in the future.

Satire has a history of informing during times of crisis

1/27/15

Just as only the jester can tell the King the truth, satire performs a vital function in democratic society by using humor to broach taboo subjects, especially in times of crisis, according to a book by Penn State researchers.

Communication is key when dealing with aging parents

1/27/15

Headstrong elderly parents and their adult children may be able to find common ground with proper intervention, according to researchers in human development.

Flexible work schedules improve health, sleep

1/26/15

Giving employees more control over their work schedules may help curb sleep deficiency, according to health researchers.

Good bedtime habits equal better sleep for kids

1/26/15

Children obtain better and more age-appropriate sleep in the presence of household rules and regular sleep-wake routines, according to sleep researchers.

"Fast Farming" Biology professor and undergraduate research student examine Brachypodium plants in grow room.

Research to help farmers address environmental challenges of climate change

1/23/15

Penn State Eberly College of Science Professor Charles Anderson and his research team are looking to help farmers and crop breeders grow hardier plants to boost the world's food supplies.

Living laboratory offers thousands of acres for research, recreation

1/23/15

Stone Valley Forest, a 6,775-acre property primarily in Barree Township, Huntingdon County, is perhaps best known for outdoor recreation that is free to the public, also serves as a petri dish for faculty and student research.

Research shows infants are able to remember more than originally thought

1/22/15

In a recently published article, Jennifer Zosh, assistant professor of human development and family studies at Penn State Brandywine, and collaborator Lisa Feigenson, associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at Johns Hopkins University, found when infants are given an array of different objects they can remember up to their working memory capacity.

Soils could keep contaminants in wastewater from reaching groundwater, streams

1/22/15

With endocrine-disrupting compounds affecting fish populations in rivers as close as Pennsylvania's Susquehanna and as far away as Israel's Jordan, a new research study shows that soils can filter out and break down at least some of these emerging contaminants. The results suggest that water pollution can be diminished by spraying treated wastewater on land rather than discharging it directly into streams, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Media Highlights

Fast Company: January 29, 2015
How flexible work culture could solve sleep problem
Lead researcher Orfeu Buxton, associate professor of biobehavioral health, said managers have to convey priorities to employees and then can become aware of family needs.
Reuters: January 28, 2015
Trouble falling asleep may note high blood pressure
Trouble sleeping, especially trouble falling asleep, may be associated with high blood pressure. Study coauthor is Dr. Alexandros N. Vgontzas of the College of Medicine.

Other Voices

Colin Firth the neuroscientist?
College of Medicine neuroscience doctoral candidate Jordan Gaines explores ethical dilemmas in science authorship.
from:
The Conversation
Lunar Lion commences rocket engine testing
The Penn State Lunar Lion team, seeking to land a spacecraft on the moon by 2015, recently completed the important step of successfully testing its rocket engines.
from:
Lunar Lion

Find out more about Penn State research

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The blog that tells the stories behind the news of research and creative activity at Penn State. We are a team of writers in the Research Communications unit at the University.

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Probing Question: Are there limits to freedom of speech?

Research

Research

NSF-funded study analyzes how manmade noise impacts bird decline

Civil engineering’s Qiu awarded $500K grant to study landslides

Poster session highlights latest evolution in GE-funded natural gas initiative

New Kensington philosophy professor delves into desire theory

Green tea ingredient may target protein to kill oral cancer cells

Fossils' surroundings shed light on extinction and environmental changes

Cardiac stress testing may not benefit ED patients with chest pain

Satire has a history of informing during times of crisis

Communication is key when dealing with aging parents

Flexible work schedules improve health, sleep

Good bedtime habits equal better sleep for kids

Research to help farmers address environmental challenges of climate change

Living laboratory offers thousands of acres for research, recreation

Research shows infants are able to remember more than originally thought

Soils could keep contaminants in wastewater from reaching groundwater, streams

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