penn state university

Recent research led by Penn State indicates that trees in warmer, drier environments struggle to absorb carbon dioxide, compromising their ability to counteract climate change. The study highlights an increase in photorespiration—a process where stressed trees release CO2—under these conditions, challenging the efficacy of trees as natural carbon sinks in a warming world. Credit: SciTechDaily.comTrees are struggling to sequester heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) in warmer, drier climates, meaning that they may no longer…

Native to the eastern U.S., Carolina azolla holds excellent potential for use as a fast-growing, short-season crop that requires minimal inputs, upkeep, and processing, according to Penn State researchers. The plant — sometimes referred to as mosquito fern, fairy moss, and water fern — could be used to increase the food supply. Credit: Penn StateThe rapidly expanding aquatic fern possesses the nutritional profile necessary to act as a crucial food source in post-disaster scenarios and could be relevant now.An…

Researchers at Penn State have introduced a groundbreaking material fusion that enables a new form of superconductivity, crucial for advancing quantum computing and exploring the theoretical chiral Majorana particles. Their study demonstrates how combining magnetic materials can lead to emergent superconductivity, marking a significant leap in creating chiral topological superconductors and potentially unlocking new avenues in quantum computing research.A new fusion of materials, each with special electrical properties,…

This artist’s illustration shows a cross-section of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole near the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Researchers, led by Ruth Daly at Penn State, determined that the black hole is spinning at about 60% of its potential speed. Credit: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss Researchers revealed that the black hole’s spinning speed could provide an ‘incredibly powerful kick’ to surrounding matter.The supermassive black hole in the center of the Milky Way is spinning so quickly it is warping the spacetime…

Galaxy AM 1054-325 has been distorted into an S-shape from a normal pancake-like spiral shape by the gravitational pull of a neighboring galaxy, seen in this Hubble Space Telescope image. A consequence of this is that newborn clusters of stars form along a stretched-out tidal tail for thousands of light-years, resembling a string of pearls. A new study led by a Penn State astronomer homed in on 12 of these tidal tails and found 425 star clusters, each with as many as a million newborn stars. Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI,…

A study by Penn State reveals that using oat flour in chocolate can reduce added sugar by 25% without affecting its taste or texture, offering a healthier alternative that maintains consumer preference.Penn State researchers have discovered that the key to creating tasty chocolate with reduced sugar content lies in using oat flour, a recent study reveals.In a blind taste test, recently published in the Journal of Food Science, 25% reduced-sugar chocolates made with oat flour were rated equally, and in some cases…

The Black Death in the 14th century may have triggered a significant shift in the human oral microbiome, now associated with modern chronic diseases. Research analyzing ancient dental calculus revealed changes in microbial communities post-pandemic, influenced by dietary shifts. This study offers a vital understanding of the evolution of human microbiomes and their impact on current health issues.New research suggests that the Second Plague Pandemic might have influenced the development of oral microbiomes that contribute…

A study challenges the idea of steady employment among American men, revealing that only 41% of Baby Boomers had stable jobs throughout their prime earning years. This instability affects health and financial stability, urging a reevaluation of employment policies and practices.A new study reveals that just 41% of men sustain continuous employment throughout their prime earning years.Steady employment has traditionally been viewed as a hallmark of the American male identity, particularly among the Baby Boomer generation.…

A new study shows that Americans born in 2019 are likely to spend nearly half of their lives (48% for males, 60% for females) on prescription medications, highlighting gender disparities and raising concerns about polypharmacy, healthcare costs, and the overall health status of the population. American boys and girls born in 2019 are projected to spend 48% and 60% of their lifetimes, respectively, consuming prescription medications, as per recent analytical findings. An American born in 2019 is expected to spend a…

Penn State researchers have discovered an extraordinarily massive planet orbiting an ultracool dwarf star, challenging existing theories of planet and star formation. Named LHS 3154b, the planet’s mass is over 13 times that of Earth, while its host star, LHS 3154, has a mass significantly lower than the sun. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Researchers at Penn State have discovered an unusually massive planet, LHS 3154b, orbiting an ultracool dwarf star. This finding, contradicting current theories, prompts a reassessment of…