Search Results
Pennsylvania Adoptees Longitudinal Study (PALS)
This study will examine various factors within the home of children adopted from the child welfare system between the ages of 4 and 10 that may impact their development. The first visit will occur remotely via Penn State Health Microsoft Teams; the second visit is optional and will occur within 4 weeks of the first visit at the Transforming Lives of Children Center in Harrisburg, PA; and the third visit will occur one year after the first visit, when research staff will travel to participants' homes. This research will help understand the factors that impact the development of children adopted from the child welfare system and how we may better serve these children and their families.
The child and parent will be asked to complete interviews, questionnaires and various tasks. Parents may also be asked to complete questionnaires online.Participation will last for one year and include the following:-One visit occurring remotely via PSH Microsoft Teams-One visit at the Transforming the Lives of Children Center in Harrisburg, PA, four weeks after Zoom visit (optional)-Final visit at home will occur one year after the first Zoom visit
$225
Child legally adopted by the caregiver
The same caregiver will participate in each of the visits
A biological parent resides in the same home as the child
Women and Infants' Stress and Health
The goal of this study is to understand how babies and their mothers learn to respond to stress during the early years of the baby's life. Participating women complete questionnaires and do a mildly stressful task alone (during pregnancy) or with their babies (at four different times over the first two years of the baby's life) and collect saliva samples that tell us about stress responses, either at home or at one of our lab sites. We aim to use what we learn to better support expecting parents who may be at risk for stress-related health problems and improve their children's resilience to stress throughout life.
Women are asked to participate in six sessions over Zoom and/or at the PACT Center between their 28th week of pregnancy and when their child is 2 years old. During these sessions, which last up to 2 hours each, mothers and babies will1.participate in mildly stressful tasks (like having the mother leave the room for up to 3 minutes and then return) and games to assess the baby’s emotional and cognitive development2.provide saliva samples by drooling into a tube (for the mother) or holding a cotton swab in their baby’s mouth to get it wet3.fill out questionnaires about themselves and their baby4.take part in clinical interviews that ask about mood and other markers of psychological ill-being
$220
18 or older
English speaking
Autonomic Control of the Circulation and the Venous Distension Reflex
This study is looking at how blood pressure control is altered by increased volume in veins.
Fluent in written and spoken English
Capable of giving informed consent
Free of acute or chronic medical conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, neuromuscular disease, kidney disease, diabetes or cancer
Able to visit Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. for study visits
Pregnant or nursing
Currently using opioids or undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder
Living with a chronic disease such as hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, neuromuscular disease, kidney disease, diabetes or cancer
Visceral Pain Sensation and Nav1.8
We wish to investigate the role of a specific gene in visceral pain sensation and perception. This gene, Nav1.8 has a known change present in 10% of the population which may affect the way we feel inflammatory pain in the gut. This is an important symptom in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some patients feel high levels of pain we would like to control, other patients feel little to no pain in the presence of very active disease, which can lead to dangerously under-treated disease. In this study, we will use healthy volunteers as well as IBD patients, and test their sensitivity using rectal balloon dilation.Research subjects will be asked to fast, skipping solid foods and opaque liquids for 6 hours before the testing. Usually this means skipping 1 meal. At the beginning of the study visit. they will use an over the counter enema to clear their rectum of any stool. Healthy control subjects that have never had a colonoscopy before and all IBD patients will undergo a very brief proctoscopy to either verify rectal health or check for any IBD disease activity. Healthy controls that have had a prior colonoscopy within the last 5 years will skip that prior step. Then a trained physician on the research team will insert a thin, lubricated tube into the rectum, which will be inflated to specific pressures. Most of these tests will be designed to measure any change in sensation, then the need to use the toilet, followed by urgent need or discomfort, and lastly the lower threshold of pain. Test subjects will be able to stop testing at any time, should they become too uncomfortable. The testing takes between 1 and 1 and a half hours, and volunteers are compensated $200 for their time.
To simulate abdominal pain, we use a thin tube placed in the rectum that inflates a small balloon to very precise and safe pressures. Our bodies interpret these pressures (in ascending order) as the need to go to the bathroom; first just a little, then with increasing urgency and eventually discomfort and pain. During these experiments, we only measure the lower threshold of pain, and stop immediately when you tell us to stop. We have significant experience using this approach and we have found it consistently informative while causing the least amount of discomfort possible. The whole thing takes about an hour and we’re paying volunteers $200 for participating. We'll ask that you skip a meal before the study visit, and perform an over-the-counter enema at the start of the visit.
$200
UC and Crohn's patients: be willing to undergo a brief proctoscopy the day of the testing visit
Healthy controls: have had a colonoscopy in the last 5 years OR be willing to undergo a brief proctoscopy the day of the testing visit
Healthy control: any diagnosed lower GI disease (such as IBS or active diverticulitis) or significant abdominal pain in the last 12 months.
Any peripheral neuropathy or neuromodulating/opioid medications
Any Autoimmune disease (except Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
Smart Connected Water Bottle and Lighting Devices: A Prenatal Pilot Study
We will conduct a pilot study to test feasibility of an innovative light device and blue-light glasses for promoting better sleep and a novel, smart water bottle for proper hydration. We will also examine women’s sleep and hydration behaviors in relation to their perceptions of pain, and obtain feedback from the participants on the overall patient intervention content to reduce prescription opioid use and promote behavioral pain management strategies after delivery.
Currently recruiting pregnant women who are in their 2nd or 3rd trimester.Attend a pre-session (in person OR remote) to explain the use of the water bottle, lighting devices, activity monitors, and weight scaleUse the devices for 22 days and complete surveys in your own homeAttend a post-session (in person OR remote) to return devices and participate an interview about the last 22 days
$100
2nd or 3rd trimester
18-45
Reside around State College, PA
Diagnosed eating disorders/extreme dietary restrictions
Currently diagnosed with gestational diabetes
Currently diagnosed with pre-eclampsia
Not pregnant
Psychopathy and Affective Priming
This is a study which examines whether priming for fear can influence affective empathy in persons high in psychopathic traits.
Able to read and write in English
Persons under the age of 18
Human-Centric Non-Invasive Physiological Sensing System for Early Detection of Workers’ Heat Stress in the Field
This study will examine different structural designs of stretchable, skin-like sensors on the surface of human skin for workers.
There will be one in person visit;Subjects will first be asked to sit still for 3 minutes and then move their skin by the research team for another 3 minutes.
be over 18 years old
must understand English
resources from Penn State, University Park
Mindful Moms study
This study (Mindful Moms) is being done to understand how an 8-week app-based mindfulness program called Calm impacts breastfeeding and maternal well-being. Eligible participants will be asked to complete three online surveys (each survey will take about 20 minutes) and take part in an 8-week app-based mindfulness program. Eligible participants will also be asked to take part in one online interview that will take about 25-30 minutes once the mindfulness program is over.
Participants will take part in one of two groups: A group asked to take part in a free 8-week app-based mindfulness program on their smartphone starting when they are 36 weeks pregnant or 4 weeks after delivery. The program will teach participants about mindfulness and breathing strategies to assist with calming their mind and body. or A group asked to take part in a free 8-week app-based mindfulness program on your smartphone starting 4 weeks or 12 weeks after they deliver. The program will teach participants about mindfulness and breathing strategies to assist with calming their mind and body. Participants will also be asked to complete three online surveys (each survey will take about 20 minutes) and take part in one online interview that will take about 25-30 minutes once the mindfulness program is over.
$130
currently pregnant (12 to 34 weeks) or recently delivered (within the past 4 weeks)
intend to or are currently breastfeeding
daily access to a smartphone
willing to download a free mobile app
Satisfying Competing Task Goals While Walking on Different Paths
As we walk, we have to achieve different task goals: stay on the path, keep moving forward, maintain balance, etc. This study will test young healthy adults walking on various types of paths to determine how they negotiate achieving these various task goals. We predict that for different walking tasks, these healthy adults will make different trade-offs between which goals to achieve in a systematic and predictable way.
There will be one in-person visit lasting no more than 3 hours. Participants will be asked to perform some basic vision, reaction time, and balance tasks. Participants will then be asked to walk on a treadmill in a virtual environment under a variety of conditions where the visual scene and/or paths being walked on change from trial to trial.
$20
Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 18 and ≤ 30
Blood pressures with systolic < 140 and diastolic < 90
Corrected visual acuity (Snellen chart) ≥ 20/40 with both eyes open
Able to walk un-assisted for at least 5 minutes without shortness of breath, chest pain, or joint pain in the legs, neck, or back
A qualitative exploration of rurality, physical activity, and intervention preferences among older residents in Pennsylvania
This study will use interviews to explore to explore perceptions of rurality, physical activity behaviors and physical activity intervention preferences among rural older adults who live in Pennsylvania
Currently residing in Pennsylvania
Able to speak, read, and write in English
Not currently residing in Pennsylvania
Not able to speak, read, and write in English
Penn State SELF - Student Engagement, Learning and Flourishing
Substance misuse is a leading national problem, with young adults at high risk. We aim to develop a university resource that elucidates biobehavioral underpinnings of problematic student substance use at University Park campus. This initiative would inform services needed, provide engaged learning opportunities, connect with faculty, and catalyze high-impact, interdisciplinary research. In addition to this primary rationale, this study will allow us to capture detailed information about other critical student experiences such as food and housing insecurity, experiences of discrimination, and daily health practices to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Participants will be asked to take a baseline survey followed by a 21- daily diary protocol (brief 5 minute survey each day for 21 days. For more information or to register interest in participating please see: https://projectself.psu.edu/register-your-interest/
Enrolled at UP
18-24 years old
Part-time students
Students located in the EEA
Older than 24
No graduate students
Identifying views of Military Veterans Regarding Contemporary War and Conflict Reporting
This study will involve surveying and interviewing US military veterans and non-veterans regarding their perceptions of the quality, accuracy, and themes of contemporary war and conflict reporting.
Military Veteran
Current Member of the Military
Non-Military Civilians
Attention for Neoteny Among Distractors
This is a reaction time study where participants need to detect a stimuli among distractor stimuli. This study will examine whether physical immaturity (also called neoteny) has preferential attentional mechanisms by asking participants to detect neotenous stimuli among other neotenous stimuli and non-neotenous stimuli as distractors.
Opens to males and females
The association between perceived parenting styles, intolerance of uncertainty, and anxiety among young adults
This study aims to understand the association between young adults' perceived parenting, intolerance of uncertainty, and trait anxiety. Participant will be asked to complete a questionnaire that aims to answer the environment and parenting beliefs around which they were brought up, and if they face stressors and anxieties associated with them. This is a correlational study
Geographical location: USA
All genders
All ethnicities
Individuals over 34 years
Individuals residing outside USA
The effects of local negative pressure on forearm and skin blood flow in humans
This study continues our exploration into the mechanisms underlying the control of blood flow. During the experiments, we noninvasively measure skin blood flow (SkBF) and forearm blood flow (FBF) with a FLPI and venous occlusion plethysmography (VOP), respectively. The FLPI uses a low energy laser to measure SkBF. VOP uses blood pressure cuffs on the upper arm and wrist, and an elastic strain gauge encircling the forearm between the cuffs to measure the change in forearm-circumference over time from which we calculate FBF. For each experiment, we collect SkBF and FBF data for a 20-minute baseline, expose the skin of the forearms to negative pressure and then collect SkBF and FBF data for an additional 30-90 minutes. Each subject participates in 2 experiments that differ only in the protocol for the application of negative pressure (i.e. continuous, pulse).
•Individuals that use nicotine-containing products
Illicit or recreational drug-use
•Taking corticosteroids, anticoagulants, NSAIDS, or blood thinners
Pregnancy
TMIST_EA1151
This study is being done to answer the following question:Can tomosynthesis mammography, three-dimensional x-ray imaging of the breast, lower your chance of developing life-threatening breast cancer through routine screening compared with digital mammography, two-dimensional x-ray imaging of the breast?We are doing this study because we want to find out which of the two usual approaches to breast cancer screening are better in the early detection of life-threatening breast cancers.
Patients must be scheduled for, or have intent to schedule, a screening mammogram.
Patients must be able to tolerate digital breast tomosynthesis and fullfield digital mammographic imaging required by protocol.
Patients must be willing and able to provide a written informed consent.
Patients must not have new symptoms or signs of benign or malignant breast disease
Patients must not have had a screening mammogram within the last 11 months prior to date of randomization.
Patients must not have previous personal history of breast cancer including ductal carcinoma in situ
Patients must not currently have breast enhancements (e.g., implants or injections).
Breaking the Model Minority Mold: Storying the Experiences of Asian Americans labeled dis/abled
This is a qualitative study that will examine the educational experiences of Asian American individuals who have been labeled as dis/abled or academically struggling at some point throughout their educational career. The study will focus on the narrated stories and discussions from the participants as they reflect on various moments from their education.
Identify or have been labeled as disabled
Received the majority of K-12 education within the United States
Over the age of 18
Received majority of K-12 education outside of the United States
Do not identify as Asian American
Longitudinal Associations Between Food Insecurity, Diet, Mental Health, Sleep and Academic Outcomes in College Students
This is a questionnaire study that seeks to discover the prevalence of food insecurity at PSU's University Park campus over the course of a semester and the relationship between long-term food insecurity and academic outcomes, as mediated by mental health and sleep outcomes.
Must be in their 2nd semester during Spring 2021
Must have internet access
Must be at least 18 years old
Must not have children or other dependents
Has diagnosed mental disorders
Is unable to read, write or understand English fluently
Immersive Virtual Reality Storm Surge: Scale and Risk Perception
Evaluating if an immersive virtual reality experience of storm surge flooding gives people an understanding of the scale of the flooding and increases their risk perception of such flooding compared to a non-immersive desktop experience.
English-speaking
Atrophy of Olfactory Bulb in Early-stage Parkinson’s disease
This research is being done to study the deterioration of the central olfactory system (sense of smell system) in the brains of patients diagnosed with early- stage Parkinson’s disease.
Patients should not have reached their 65th birthday.
Patients that have tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia unilaterally
Autonomic dysfunction
Parkinson-plus syndrome
Postural instability
History of exposure to substances that cause parkinsonism
Evaluating the consequences of mistimed light-emitting device use on cardiac activity and sleep health
The study is being done to find out whether wearing blue light-blocking glasses in the evening improves subsequent sleep. This is a 21-day study where participants will be asked to wear a sleep-monitoring “actiwatch”, an activity monitor, and a heart tracker, as well as to provide screenshots of their smartphone’s screen time app for three weeks. Participants will also be given the option to wear a blood pressure cuff on their arm for three days during the second half of each week, for a total of nine days.
Study participants will be asked to wear small devices on their wrist, hip, and shirt collar, and provide screenshots of their smartphone screen time app for three weeks. During the second and third weeks, participants will be asked to wear a pair of blue light-blocking glasses. Halfway through each week, participants will also be asked to wear a blood pressure monitor for 3 days/nights.There will be a total of seven in-person visits. At the first visit we will explain the study, ask interested participants to sign a consent form, collect information, and distribute study materials and devices. During all subsequent visits, participants will answer questionnaires and be provided additional study materials and devices.
150.00
Own an iOS smartphone (iPhone)
Willingness to update smartphone to access the current version of the Screen Time application
Willingness to participate in surveys, wear health monitoring devices, and provide screenshots of their smartphone’s screentime application throughout the entire study
Age 18 to 29 years old
Taking prescribed medications that affect sleep
Recent shift work
Sleep disorder diagnosis or any cardiovascular disease
Primarily use an Android smartphone
Livestreaming, Content Creation, and Playing and Learning Online
This study surveys how different viewers, livestreamers and content creators learn and engage online. We are recruiting people who view or create content on livestreaming platforms such as Twitch, YouTube or Mixer (past or present). This study involves filling out a survey which should take 15-20 minutes to complete. Participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of 20 $75 e-gift cards for their participation.
people who watch livestreams
aged 13 or older (if not yet legally adults, with parental/guardian permission)
online content creators
gamers or esports viewers
cannot read, communicate or provide consent in English
does not livestream or watch livestreams or create content online
if a minor, does not have parental/legal guardian permission
Phase II, questionnaire for “BRITE Synergy: Developing and Validating a Framework for Measuring Resilience in Low-Income Housing in the Post-Pandemic World”
This study includes the questionnaire related to "BRITE Synergy: Developing and Validating a Framework for Measuring Resilience in Low-Income Housing in the Post-Pandemic World" which has been previously submitted. The objective of this part of the research is examining the extent to which energy burden linked to the use of inefficient appliance within the context of a changing climate can be a good proxy for community resilience and if the ongoing building electrification drive.
Participants will be asked to complete an online survey via a link that will be accessed.
10 random participants will receive $20 gif cards.
Subjects must be living in the US
Living outside the US
Characterizing resilience to food-cue induced overeating in children
This is a behavioral and neuroimaging study that will examine how food commercials affect the way a child eats and responds to food. Children enrolled in the study will complete 5 in-lab sessions that include eating meals and snacks, watching TV, and playing computer games. For one of these sessions, children will complete an fMRI scan. On the first and last visit to the lab, children will receive a DXA scan to assess their body composition.
We are looking for children to help us learn about how kids respond to different types of foods and food advertisements. The study consists of 5 visits to our facilities in Noll and Chandlee Labs, located on the University Park Campus. For 3 visits your child will eat test meals and snack buffets in our laboratory. On 1 visit we will use fMRI to take pictures of your child’s brain. We will use a DXA to scan for lean muscle and conduct an IQ test. These procedures are not harmful. You and your child will fill out questionnaires.Your child will also play computer games and watch commercials.
$250.00-450.00
Be 7-9 years-old at enrollment.
Not be taking any medications known to influence body weight, taste, food intake, behavior, or blood flow.
Have no learning disabilities (e.g., ADHD).
The biological mother must have a body mass index either between 18.5 - 25 kg/m2 (low-risk group) or greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (high-risk group).
If they have a learning disability, ADD/ADHD, language delays, autism or other neurological or psychological conditions.
If they have a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Cushing’s syndrome, Down’s syndrome, severe lactose intolerance, Prader-Willi syndrome, HIV, cancer, renal failure, cerebral palsy, or can't engage in moderate exercise.
If they don’t speak English.
Biological mother must have a body mass index either between 18.5 - 25 kg/m2 (low-risk group) or greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 for mothers (high-risk group), or they are excluded.
Contempt as a Mixed Emotion
This study will investigate whether contempt is a positive, negative, or mixed emotion.
Study of Angelica gigas dietary supplements (Cogni.Q) and potential effects on human immune cells
This human study will test the impact of dietary supplement vegicaps containing Korean Angelica root extract on 2 types of human immune cells: neutrophils that kill bacteria and other germs and natural killer (NK) cells that kill virus-infected cells and cancers. We had done an earlier study with Korean Angelica supplement and discovered even a single dose of it increased blood neutrophils and NK cells within 24 h. In the new study, Korean Angelica capsules (Cogni.Q) will be compared head-to-head with dummy (placebo) capsules. This is to make sure the immune boosting actions are really from the Korean Angelica supplement.Approximately 40 men will take part in this research study at Hershey Medical Center.
Subjects weighing between 110 to 240 pounds; their body mass index (BMI) should be in the range of 19=< BMI >=30
Subjects having normal hepatic, renal function as assessed by history, physical and clinical chemistry analysis (CMP eGFR).
Subjects with normal blood pressure (systolic below 120 mm Hg and diastolic below 80 mm Hg)
Subjects taking any kind of prescription medications regularly or within 10 days of the study will be excluded.
Subjects taking dietary or herbal supplements that contain AGN (e.g. Cogni.Q, Decursinol-50, Ache Action, Fast-Acting Joint Formula, EstroG-100/Profemin) within 10 days of the study.
Non-English-speaking subjects
Asymmetric neurodegeneration of central olfactory system in early-stage Parkinson’s disease
This research is being done to study the deterioration of the central olfactory system (sense of smell system) in the brains of patients diagnosed with H&Y stage 1 or 2 Parkinson’s disease compared to that of healthy volunteers.
In this study, you will receive a clinical evaluation and an MRI examination. After that, you will be followed every 12 months for up to 4 years.
up to a total of $250.00.
Cognitively-normal H&Y stage 2 PD patients. H&Y stage 2, as defined by an exam in the practically defined “off” state, and have a diagnosis of PD at the age of 59 or younger. 1st visit prior to age 65
Healthy participants between ages 40-64 at their first visit.
Able and willing to provide informed consent
Fluent in written and spoken English
Dementia
Previous antipsychotic or anti-dopamine drug therapy
Traumatic head injury
Other neurological diseases or disorders
Examining executive functioning deficits, affective deficits, and social functioning to better understand disruptive behaviors and callous-unemotional traits
This research seeks to better understand functioning in children who differ in symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), conduct problems (CP), and callous-unemotional (CU) traits, ages 6 - 13. Specifically, this research is being done to find out how these different types of behaviors impact cognitive skills (like attention, impulsivity, working memory, emotion identification) and social functioning to help inform future treatment with these children.
Estimated IQ of 80 or above
Willing and able to discontinue psychoactive medication treatment for the experiemental session, if relevant
Caregiver and child must be fluent in written and spoken English
Psychiatric symptoms requiring urgent treatment, such as mania or suicidal ideation/homicidal ideation
Unable to be tested off medication
Physical disabilities that are incompatible with completing laboratory tasks such as hearing or speech impairments, or visual impairments that cannot be corrected with visual aids
Penn State Exercising Women's Study
This study aims to assess energy status in young sedentary and exercising women as it is related to menstrual status, bone health, psychological health, sleep variables, and cardiovascular function.
There will be three to four visits to the laboratory. Procedures include questionnaires, a blood draw, providing a hair sample, providing two saliva samples, cardiovascular measurements, and bone scans, as well as resting metabolic rate, cognitive, aerobic fitness, and countermovement jump testing. Participants will be asked to collect urine samples throughout one menstrual cycle, or 28 days for amenorrheic females. Exercise and physical activity will be recorded and monitored for seven days via logs and wearables. Food intake will be recorded for three days. Collegiate athletes will be tested twice; in-season and off-season.
Age 18-30 years
Body Mass Index between 16-29.9 kg/m2
For sedentary participants: less than 2 hours of purposeful exercise per week and regular menstrual cycles for the last 6 months (i.e. cycles between 26 and 35 days in length)
For exercising participants: exercise at least 2 hours per week AND/OR participate in collegiate athletics. Exercising participants can have regular or irregular menstrual cycles for the last 6 months.
Currently a smoker or history of regular smoking
Taking any hormonal medication in the past six months, other than oral contraceptives
Serious or chronic health condition (including heart condition, thyroid illness, metabolic disease)
Hysterectomy or oophorectomy
Effects of antibiotic use on fecal microbiome and resistome
This study will investigate the changes in the human fecal microbiomes and resistomes in response to antibiotic treatment.
English speaking/reading
Books a medical appointment for upper respiratory tract infection
Patient participated in STUDY00012891 previously
Reason for medical visit is not upper respiratory tract infection
Patient is pregnant
Patient has a medical history that includes diagnosis of any intestinal related disease