Giraffe babies inherit spot patterns from their mothers
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.
Research
Research
Great Valley study on the effectiveness of entrepreneurial teams earns honors
10/9/18
As part of an ongoing grant from the National Science Foundation, Kathryn Jablokow, professor of engineering design and mechanical engineering at Penn State Great Valley, worked alongside Mohamed Megahed and Pratik Pachpute, two Great Valley graduate students, to study the effectiveness of entrepreneurial teams. Their research paper won second place in the entrepreneurial division of the American Society for Engineering Education.
Chewing gum may be effective for delivering vitamins
10/9/18
Nearly 15 percent of all chewing gum varieties sold promise to provide health-enhancing supplements to users, so Penn State researchers studied whether two vitamin-supplemented products were effective at delivering vitamins to the body. Their results validate the concept of gum as an effective delivery system for at least some vitamins.
Lindsey receives $160,000 NSF grant to research student reasoning in physics
10/5/18
Beth Lindsey, associate professor at Penn State Greater Allegheny, has received a National Science Foundation grant to fund research on student reasoning in physics.
NSF funds three-year study of virtual-reality engineering simulations
10/5/18
Researchers at Penn State Behrend and University Park are developing a virtual-reality simulation that will place engineering students in an interactive and immersive manufacturing environment. The National Science Foundation is supporting the project with nearly $300,000 in funding.
Larger cities have smaller water footprint than less populated counterparts
10/4/18
Global sustainability is important now more than ever due to increasing urban populations and the resulting stress it can have on natural resources. But increased populations in cities may lead to greater efficiency, as a team of Penn State researchers discovered when they analyzed the water footprint of 65 mid- to large-sized U.S. cities.
Enhancement of piezoelectric properties in organic polymers all in the molecules
10/4/18
The inability to alter intrinsic piezoelectric behavior in organic polymers hampers their application in flexible, wearable and biocompatible devices, according to researchers at Penn State and North Carolina State University, but now a molecular approach can improve those piezoelectric properties.
Latin may help students bridge their native language with English
10/3/18
Researchers found that teaching English Learners — students who aren’t fluent in English and often come from homes where a language other than English is spoken — the Latin roots of words helped them problem solve the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Chemistry professor brings lessons to life through student research
10/2/18
For more than 10 years, Julie Ealy, associate professor of chemistry at Penn State Lehigh Valley, has worked on in-depth chemistry research with undergraduate students, providing a valuable opportunity that most college students do not get to experience.
Penn State launches new consortium to combat the opioid crisis
10/2/18
Pennsylvania is one of the states most impacted by the growing opioid epidemic, with one of the highest overdose death rates in the country — but a new initiative bringing together experts from across Penn State aims to combat this crisis through data-driven, evidence-based innovation.
Lori Hancock named associate vice provost for institutional research
10/2/18
Penn State's Lori Hancock has been named the University’s associate vice provost for institutional research within the Office of Planning and Assessment. Hancock, who has served as the interim associate vice provost for institutional research since June 2018, will begin her permanent role on Oct. 8.
Biofilm reactor promises to cut production costs on vitamin K
10/2/18
In an innovative study that promises to reduce production costs for the most potent form of vitamin K — Menaquinone-7, Penn State researchers have developed a novel method to enhance the fermentation process that creates the supplement by agitated liquid fermentation in a biofilm reactor.
New predictive models may transform personalized treatment of infectious disease
10/2/18
A new National Institutes of Health (NIH) High-Risk, High-Reward grant will allow Penn State’s Steven Schiff and team to explore a radically changed approach to predicting, preventing and treating infectious disease at the individual level at point-of-care. This venture provides the researchers an opportunity to explore a new way of addressing critical unmet needs, especially in the developing world.
Computer model may help scientists split up, reassemble proteins on command
10/2/18
Researchers say that a computer-guided algorithm they created may help scientists find just the right spot to split a protein and then reassemble it to functionality. They add this could be another step — perhaps even a dance step — toward using chemical and light signals to create new medical treatments — for instance CAR T-cell therapy — and biosensors.
New weather model could increase tornado-warning times
10/1/18
Penn State researchers are the first to use data obtained from recent next-generation satellites in a numerical weather-prediction model used to provide guidance for tornadic thunderstorm forecasting.
Penn State researcher receives federal grant to study early learning program
10/1/18
Researchers at Penn State and Portland State University will test the impacts of MindUp, a program designed to help kids develop social-emotional and self-regulation skills.