Ag Science Magazine
Summer 2019
Features
Researchers in the college are studying the biology of insect vectors of disease with a goal of preventing outbreaks.
There is an unwanted guest lurking in Pennsylvania's northern watershed. It has a taste for endangered mussels, and plans for expansion.
Scientists are trying to unlock the secrets of stress response. If they succeed, crops may be designed to deal with a warming planet.
College Briefs
Two Pennsylvanias?
A series of new reports suggest a widening prosperity gap is dividing southeastern Pennsylvania and the rest of state.
Improving food safety practices in Africa
Consuming unsafe food is a major public health threat globally, but the continent bearing the most burden is Africa, where more than 91 million people fall ill and 140,000 die each year from foodborne diseases, according to the World Health Organization.
Ecosystem Science Head Retires
Thirty-plus years of work with land-grant universities leaves Mike Messina proud of his career.
Eating to Win
Safe Insecticide
Insect-deterring sorghum compounds may be made into eco-friendly pesticides.
The Pits Are It
Researchers find compounds in avocado seeds could prevent disease.
Going Local
Enjoying wines made with native grapes may be a learned response.
Bye Bye, Bacteria
Researchers encourage better monitoring of less-deadly foodborne bacteria.
Cool Beans
Storing roasted coffee beans in the freezer--a popular preservation method--really can help preserve the aroma of certain varieties of beans, according to research by food science major Andrew Cotter and Helene Hopfer, Rasmussen Career Development Professor of Food Science.
A New Use for LEGOs
Researchers build starch backbones for lab-grown meat using LEGO pieces.
Flimsy Flier
The spotted lanternfly is not a strong or frequent flier--weaknesses that may hinder its ability to travel long distances by air, according to Thomas Baker, Distinguished Professor of Entomology and Chemical Ecology, and colleagues.
How Now Dairy Cow?
Living Shield
A material that protects beetles from being burned by their own defensive weapons holds promise for biomedical applications.
