Webinar to discuss natural gas role in plastics

September 8, 2017

How does natural gas transform the economics of the Appalachian Basin and the production of plastics? That will be the topic of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension on Thursday, Sept. 21.

NEWBio project concludes, advances biomass energy efforts

September 8, 2017

The NorthEast Woody/Warm-season Biomass Consortium (NEWBio) is a regional network of individuals from leading universities, businesses and government who worked together to advance sustainable bioenergy in the Northeast through a $10 million U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant.

Professors to share impacts of overusing antibiotics on WPSU’s 'Digging Deeper'

September 8, 2017

Penn State President Eric J. Barron will welcome a pair of University professors to his monthly WPSU show, “Digging Deeper,” to discuss their research on reducing harmful overuse of antibiotics. The show will air at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sept. 17 on WPSU-TV.

Report addresses flooding and flood insurance impacts on rural Pennsylvania

September 7, 2017

A newly released report examines how flooding and recent changes to the federal flood insurance program are impacting rural Pennsylvania in unique ways.

Safe, comfortable housing for cage-free chickens is goal of Penn State research

September 7, 2017

A shift in consumer behavior is prompting some poultry producers to change the manner in which chickens are housed and cared for, and research underway in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will help them convert from traditional caged housing to noncaged systems that continue to safeguard the health and safety of flocks and employees.

New book on rural poverty in the U.S. co-edited by rural sociology professor

September 6, 2017

Ann Tickamyer, professor of rural sociology, examines why the geography, demography and history of rural communities keeps them poor, in a comprehensive analysis that extends from the Civil War to the present in the new publication, "Rural Poverty in the United States."

Client relationship, business operations managers named for Penn State Extension

September 5, 2017

Penn State Extension has named client relationship managers and business operations managers to serve its 10 administrative areas across Pennsylvania. The appointments are part of recently announced changes to the organization's structure, product development and program delivery.

Penn State researcher's work empowers youth to be change agents

August 31, 2017

Ongoing research conducted by Nicole Webster, associate professor of youth and international development in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, examines the role of youth in civic engagement and social change.

More research needed on effects of maternal stress in wild animals

August 31, 2017

If a human mother is stressed while pregnant, research shows her child is much more likely to have emotional, cognitive or even physiological problems, such as attention deficit, hyperactivity, anxiety, language delay, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Conversely, the results of maternal stress on the offspring of other animals — particularly wildlife under threat from predators — is believed to be positive, and contributes to their survival.

Penn State's Great Insect Fair offers a view of the 'unseen'

August 31, 2017

Although insects are all around us, we tend to pay attention primarily to the ones that sting, bite, eat our garden plants or invade our homes. But there is much more about the world of insects and other arthropods that goes unnoticed. Giving the public a glimpse into this fascinating world is the goal of Penn State's Great Insect Fair, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the Snider Ag Arena on the University Park campus.

Leaf sensors can tell farmers when crops need to be watered

August 30, 2017

Plant-based sensors that measure the thickness and electrical capacitance of leaves show great promise for telling farmers when to activate their irrigation systems, preventing both water waste and parched plants, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Pathway's power to boost, halt tumors may be promising cancer therapy target

August 28, 2017

A protein may be a key part of a complex molecular cascade that can both cause and inhibit tumors in certain types of cancer, including skin and lung cancers. Penn State researchers suggest that understanding the basic biology of cancer can help the future design of anti-cancer therapies that attack cancer, but leave healthy cells alone.

Penn State faculty network and learn at annual entrepreneurship retreat

August 28, 2017

Faculty and staff from across Penn State came together Aug. 15-16 at University Park in support of entrepreneurship teaching and learning at the fifth annual ENTI Summer Gathering. ENTI, launched is 2013, is Penn State’s Intercollege Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Three faculty members join the Institutes of Energy and the Environment

August 25, 2017

The Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE) announced the addition of three new cofunded faculty members who will join Penn State during the 2017–18 academic year. The faculty members are Kristina Douglass, Jonathan Duncan and Jillian Goldfarb.

Medicine and music: Immunology major makes his own way at Penn State

August 24, 2017

Alex Barna, a junior from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, has discovered an opportunity to distinguish himself from other pre-med students in the College of Agricultural Sciences' immunology and infectious disease major.

First group of Intergenerational Leadership Institute participants to graduate

August 24, 2017

Eight older adults will be acknowledged at a ceremony at 2 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Penn State's Nittany Lion Inn for their accomplishments, community service and leadership in generating new programs and activities for strengthening intergenerational bonds and improving quality of life in the State College, Pennsylvania, area. The honorees are the first group of graduates of Penn State's Intergenerational Leadership Institute, a certificate training program for older adults.

Making research relevant to the media, policymakers

August 24, 2017

To help researchers improve their science communications, the Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE) and the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center will host a plenary featuring four national journalists. The plenary will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, in Pike Auditorium (22 Biobehavioral Health Building).

Plant 'smells' insect foe, initiates defense

August 24, 2017

It cannot run away from the fly that does it so much damage, but tall goldenrod can protect itself by first "smelling" its attacker and then initiating its defenses, according to an international team of researchers.

Research Unplugged speaker series begins Oct. 5

August 23, 2017

The Research Unplugged speaker series, a collaboration between Penn State's Office of Government and Community Relations and Schlow Library, will include events every Thursday in October.

College of Agricultural Sciences alumnus bass fishing on professional circuit

August 23, 2017

There are an estimated 600,000 living Penn State alumni in the world, and Grae Buck is doing something none of the rest are: He's competing at the very top level of professional bass fishing, on the FLW (Fishing League Worldwide) Tour.

New report on farm sales and income graphically shows 'where the action is'

August 22, 2017

Many would argue that bigger doesn't necessarily mean better. But when it comes to the profitability and survival of Pennsylvania farms, size apparently matters, according to a report compiled by economists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Researchers win funding for new tomatoes, wood packaging pest treatment

August 22, 2017

Penn State research teams working on two promising discoveries -- a new, energy-efficient treatment to kill destructive insects in wood and new tomato varieties bred for Pennsylvania conditions -- each have won $75,000 Research Applications for Innovation, or RAIN, grants to bring their discoveries to market.

Wood frogs research clarifies risks posed to animals by warming climate

August 19, 2017

As conditions warm, fish and wildlife living at the southern edge of their species' ranges are most at risk, according to Penn State researchers who led a major collaborative study of how wood frogs are being affected by climate change.

Potato waste processing may be the road to enhanced food waste conversion

August 17, 2017

With more than two dozen companies in Pennsylvania manufacturing potato chips, it is no wonder that researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences have developed a novel approach to more efficiently convert potato waste into ethanol. This process may lead to reduced production costs for biofuel in the future and add extra value for chip makers.

Altoona professor leads group in maintaining the right-of-way in the right way

August 17, 2017

A group of faculty, students, energy providers, and vegetation-management companies are looking at how to best maintain right-of-ways under utilities to protect those utilities and promote wildlife at the same time.

Injecting manure instead of spreading on surface reduces estrogen loads

August 16, 2017

With water quality in the Chesapeake Bay suffering from excess nutrients and fish populations in rivers such as the Susquehanna experiencing gender skewing and other reproductive abnormalities, understanding how to minimize runoff of both nutrients and endocrine-disrupting compounds from farm fields after manure applications is a critical objective for agriculture.

Students complete fieldwork with the Ojibwe, a Native American people

August 16, 2017

Three students in the global health minor spent five weeks, as part of their required fieldwork, in northern Minnesota working with the population of the Ojibwe, a Native American people. The first two weeks were spent immersing in the culture of the Leech Lake Reservation and the Red Lake Reservation, while the last three weeks consisted of academic research at White Earth Reservation.

Penn State Berkey Creamery expands ice cream availability to Beaver Stadium

August 14, 2017

Fans attending football games will, for the first time, have access to Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream in Beaver Stadium when the Nittany Lions kick off their season on Sept. 2.

Huddle with the Faculty series to kick off 25th year on Sept. 2

August 14, 2017

The Penn State Alumni Association’s Huddle with the Faculty series will enlighten and inform alumni, friends and fans on home fall Saturdays this football season, the program’s 25th year.

Grant enables study of mosquito virus as a genetic lab tool, malaria biocontrol

August 14, 2017

A virus that infects a species of malaria-transmitting mosquito could help scientists gain a better understanding of mosquito biology and eventually could lead to methods for stopping or slowing the spread of the disease, according to a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Jason Rasgon, professor of entomology, has received a grant of $1.9 million from the National Institutes of Health to study the virus, called AgDNV.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
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  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
  • Associate Director of Communications
  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
  • Penn State Extension Writer (Marketing Communications Specialist)