Penn State Extension land-use webinar to focus on agriculture in communities

October 5, 2021

The next web-based seminar in Penn State Extension’s land-use series will examine the benefits of agriculture in communities and how to prioritize agriculture in community land use.

Penn State researchers developing genomic resources to identify novel pathogens

October 4, 2021

To enhance the early detection of novel infectious bacteria that could cause outbreaks of infectious diseases, a team of researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will sequence the genomes of 700 Bacilli bacteria — near relatives of the biothreat pathogen that causes anthrax — in a study intended to enhance the early detection of novel infectious bacteria that could cause outbreaks of infectious disease and public health emergencies.

Plant pathologists at Penn State head investigation into tar spot disease in Pa.

October 1, 2021

Plant pathologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are keeping a watchful eye on a corn disease new to Pennsylvania that has the potential to cause significant yield loss and reduce grain quality.

Berks professor to aid global research focused on uplifting smallholder farmers

September 30, 2021

A professor in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will lend her expertise in gender studies to an interdisciplinary, multi-university team of researchers as they explore methods to advance fruit and vegetable production in Africa, South/Southeast Asia and Central America.

New tool predicts changes that may make COVID variants more infectious

September 29, 2021

Researchers at Penn State have created a novel framework that can predict with reasonable accuracy the amino-acid changes in the virus’ spike protein that may improve its binding to human cells and confer increased infectivity to the virus. The tool could enable the computational surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and provide advance warning of potentially dangerous variants with an even higher binding affinity potential. This can aid in the early implementation of public health measures to prevent the virus’ spread and perhaps even may inform vaccine booster formulations.

Two student teams awarded $25,000 for using artifical intelligence for good

September 29, 2021

A panel of judges named InsectEye and AI-powered Recycling the winning teams in the 2021 Nittany AI Challenge. The teams will receive a combined total of $25,000 in funding to continue moving their solutions forward.

U.S. soybean, corn yields could be increased through use of machine learning

September 29, 2021

Research guided by a plant pathologist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences suggests that machine-learning algorithms that are programmed to recognize changing weather patterns could show producers and agricultural managers how to increase soybean and corn yields in the United States.

Student Farm at Penn State hosts 6th annual Harvest Festival celebration

September 28, 2021

The Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm at Penn State will once again be welcoming the campus and community to the farm for its 6th annual Harvest Festival. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

USDA grant supports Penn State research on mushroom industry automation

September 28, 2021

A nearly $4 million grant awarded to Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will support an interdisciplinary, multi-university team of researchers as they investigate technologies designed to address labor shortages on mushroom farms.

Small but mighty: Microgreens go from trendy vegetables to functional food

September 28, 2021

Starting decades ago as fashionable, high-value gourmet greens, today microgreens have gained popularity among consumers for their nutritional profile and high content of antioxidant compounds. Now, a new study suggests that the tiny plants have the potential to help provide global nutrition security.

Penn State asks visitors to watch for, help stop spread of spotted lanternfly

September 28, 2021

With Penn State’s academic year and football season underway, thousands of students, families and fans are converging on Happy Valley, and the University wants to make sure they are not bringing with them an unwanted hitchhiker — the spotted lanternfly — a pest that feeds on more than 70 types of plants.

College of Ag Sciences senior finds path in environmental academics and action

September 24, 2021

Penn State senior Elka Hoelsken is exploring environmental and natural resource issues as a student in the Environmental Resource Management program.

22 Penn State alumni to receive Alumni Fellow Award

September 22, 2021

The Penn State Alumni Association will honor 22 Penn Staters on Oct. 6 with the Alumni Fellow Award, the highest award given by the Alumni Association.

Learn how to start your AI journey at the virtual 'AI for Good Expo' on Sept. 28

September 22, 2021

Start your journey with artificial intelligence at the virtual "AI for Good Expo" on Sept. 28. Join teams who competed in past and present Nittany AI Challenges, as well as specialists, employers and others who will share best practices in working with AI.

Webinar explores benefits of converting traditional lawns to native landscaping

September 21, 2021

The benefits and challenges of lawn conversion and native landscaping in communities that yield water-quality benefits will be the topic of a web-based seminar hosted by Penn State Extension from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 12.

Windon to lead Ukraine Rural and Agricultural Development program at Penn State

September 21, 2021

Suzanna Windon, assistant professor in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has been appointed director of the college’s Ukrainian Rural and Agricultural Development Program.

Pasto Ag Museum offering 'Research Unplugged' events on October Thursdays

September 20, 2021

The Pasto Agricultural Museum will host three “Research Unplugged” presentations on Thursday afternoons in October, featuring Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences’ faculty talking about their studies in entomology.

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering marks 100-year anniversary

September 20, 2021

Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering has its roots in a global pandemic and will mark its centennial anniversary amid another — a unique organization bookended by unfortunate circumstances.

Institute sponsors four co-funded faculty positions in AI and data science

September 20, 2021

The Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS), in partnership with four academic colleges will sponsor four co-funded faculty positions focused on the development of novel methods or advanced applications in data science.

Collaborative climate project provides research opportunities to undergrads

September 16, 2021

Researchers from several disciplines across Penn State are spearheading an NSF-funded program for underrepresented U.S. undergraduate students to research extreme weather events and climate change in Peru.

Loggers, landscapers face deadly danger felling trees in forests and urban areas

September 14, 2021

Tree felling — whether by professional loggers in a forest setting or by landscapers in urban and rural landscapes — is the most dangerous job in what are two of the most dangerous industries, according to Penn State researchers who conducted a new study of associated deaths.

Urban stormwater study finds little difference between managed, unmanaged flows

September 14, 2021

At a time when many municipalities are seeking to control urban stormwater by investing heavily in green infrastructure — such as water-quality ponds, infiltration basins, porous pavement and riparian plantings — a new study suggests that these expensive efforts may not have much of an impact.

Eberly’s 2022 Lab Bench to Commercialization grant recipients announced

September 13, 2021

The Penn State Eberly College of Science has chosen faculty members Joyce Jose and Sally Mackenzie to receive its 2022 Lab Bench to Commercialization grants. This competitive program provides funding for researchers in the college, enabling them to enhance the commercial potential of ongoing Penn State research and prepare them to translate their Penn State-owned intellectual property to the marketplace.

Penn State Extension offering 'Wormy Deal Workshop' for sheep, goat producers

September 13, 2021

Sheep and goat producers can learn how to better manage internal parasites at the “It’s a Wormy Deal” Workshop that will be held from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Mercer County Penn State Extension Office in Mercer.

Penn State Extension offers forage quality workshop for sheep, goat producers

September 13, 2021

Producers can learn how to better manage differences in forage quality and how it impacts rations at the Forage Quality Impacts on Rations for Sheep and Goat Producers Workshop offered Oct. 1 by Penn State Extension.

Researchers address need for bridges in remote Alaska as climate warms

September 10, 2021

Bridges are increasingly critical for remote communities in rural Alaska, where global warming is causing rivers to freeze later, thaw earlier and form thinner ice. With a new grant from the National Science Foundation, researchers at Penn State plan to investigate the importance of bridges for the well-being of remote Alaskan communities and develop a protocol for these and other communities to fund, construct, monitor and maintain bridges.

National society to recognize two Penn State entomologists

September 9, 2021

Two entomologists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will receive prestigious awards from the Entomological Society of America during its 2021 annual meeting Oct. 31 to Nov. 3. Kelli Hoover, professor of entomology, was elected as a fellow of the society, and Flor Acevedo, assistant professor of entomology, will receive the society's Early Career Professional Research Award.

Penn State's Department of Food Science, Discovery Space partner on outreach

September 9, 2021

Undergraduate students participating in a summer internship opportunity through Penn State’s Department of Food Science recently co-led the “On Deck Genetic Tech” program at State College’s Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania.

Just in time for football: Berkey Creamery releases new premium cheddar cheese

September 9, 2021

The Penn State Berkey Creamery recently unveiled its finest cheddar cheese to date, “Select Reserve Nittany Pride,” a new sharp cheddar that has been aged for more than a year.

Study explores link between earthquakes, rainfall and food insecurity in Nepal

September 9, 2021

The effects of monsoon rainfall on food insecurity in Nepal vary by earthquake exposure, with regions that experienced both heavy earthquake shaking and abundant rainfall more likely to have an inadequate supply of nutritious food, according to a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Media Contacts

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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)