Penn State botanists get state grant to study ginseng in Pennsylvania

December 16, 2020

Two Penn State botanists have received a grant from Pennsylvania to study wild ginseng population genetics, morphology and human influence through seed planting in the state.

'Windows of opportunity' crucial for cutting Chesapeake nutrient, sediment loads

December 14, 2020

The vast majority of nutrients and sediment washed into streams flowing into the Chesapeake Bay are picked up by deluges from severe storms that occur on relatively few days of the year. That is the conclusion of a new study led by Penn State researchers, who say it offers clues for cleaning up the impaired estuary.

Video series created by Penn State Extension educator, team receives accolades

December 8, 2020

Denise Continenza, a Penn State Extension educator based in Lehigh County, was honored at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences 86th Annual Session, held virtually Sept. 14-16.

'Incider' information: Workshops in Ukraine support growth of cider industry

December 8, 2020

Providing apple farmers and cider producers in Ukraine with information on cider production technologies and marketing, global trends and developments, and consumer preferences, was at the core of three yearly seminars in Kiev, Ukraine, led by Penn State Extension.

Penn State senior selected as Marshall Scholar

December 7, 2020

Penn State senior A’dryanna Jenkins earned a 2021 Marshall Scholarship, allowing her to pursue graduate studies in pathology at Cambridge University for one year.

College of Agricultural Sciences announces 2020 Staff Laureate Award winners

December 3, 2020

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences announced recipients of its 2020 Staff Laureate Awards during a recent virtual collegewide staff meeting.

Penn State seeks nominations for Earthshot Prize for environmental solutions

December 3, 2020

In an effort to identify strong examples of promising solutions to environmental challenges, Penn State faculty and staff are encouraged to either self-nominate or to nominate other researchers or projects for the Earthshot Prize, by the internal deadline of Dec. 17.

After shipping, pallets pose big risk to public, cause many accidents, injuries

December 2, 2020

Shipping pallets — often used as display platforms in retail settings or seen as raw material for household projects — were responsible for sending more than 30,000 people to the emergency rooms of U.S. hospitals over a recent five-year period, according to a new study by a Penn State researcher.

University endorses climate change letter to world leaders

December 2, 2020

Penn State was one of 37 international universities that endorsed a letter drafted by the International Universities Climate Alliance that urged world leaders to protect humankind from climate change.

Researchers aim to 'upcycle' nutrient waste on farms using duckweed

December 1, 2020

With a $1.7 million grant from the National Science Foundation, Penn State researchers will investigate how duckweed could be grown on Pennsylvania farms to limit nutrient pollution into the Chesapeake Bay.

Project examining impact of the pandemic on youth receives broad response

December 1, 2020

A global, interdisciplinary research initiative designed to support youth and empower them to play an active role in addressing the challenges left in the pandemic’s wake, received survey responses from more than 6,000 youth in at least 50 countries.

'Anti-antibiotic' allows for use of antibiotics without driving resistance

December 1, 2020

An inexpensive, FDA-approved drug — cholestyramine — taken in conjunction with an antibiotic prevents the antibiotic from driving antimicrobial resistance, according to new research by scientists at Penn State and the University of Michigan.

Sophomore puts her education into action to promote sustainability, conservation

November 24, 2020

Isabella Briseño, an environmental resource management major, already has built an impressive resume for a future career in environmental policy.

Penn State food scientist gets grant to study novel metal food can coatings

November 24, 2020

Gregory Ziegler, professor of food science in the College of Agricultural Sciences, recently received a grant of about $470,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to conduct a three-year study of alternative coatings for metal food cans.

Penn State researcher to explore how vitamin D affects COVID-19

November 23, 2020

Funding from the National Institutes of Health will enable Margherita Cantorna, distinguished professor of molecular immunology and nutrition in the College of Agricultural Sciences, to study whether vitamin D supplementation could help people ward off or reduce symptoms caused by COVID-19.

Turfgrass management program alumnus retires after legendary career

November 23, 2020

During Frank Dobie's more than five decades as a golf course superintendent, making difficult decisions was “par for the course.” But one of his earliest decisions — to enroll in Penn State’s Golf Course Turfgrass Management program — arguably was his easiest and most important.

COVID-related unemployment hits people of color, women and older workers hardest

November 18, 2020

Job losses resulting from the coronavirus pandemic have affected wide swaths of the population, but workers in some demographic groups and industry sectors have been hit harder than others, according to "COVID-19 and Pennsylvania’s Economy," a series of reports compiled by researchers in Penn State's Center for Economic and Community Development.

Pennsylvania 4-H to benefit from estate pledges

November 17, 2020

Three long-time Penn State Extension employees have demonstrated their support for and dedication to Pennsylvania 4-H through two separate estate commitments.

Penn State Ag Council announces 2020 leadership award recipients

November 17, 2020

An agricultural industry leader, a center dedicated to advancing animal agriculture and a Penn State senior from Lancaster were honored when the Penn State Agricultural Council presented its 2020 Leadership Awards at the council’s fall delegate meeting Oct. 15.

Biochar from agricultural waste products can adsorb contaminants in wastewater

November 16, 2020

Biochar — a charcoal-like substance made primarily from agricultural waste products — holds promise for removing emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals from treated wastewater. That’s the conclusion of a team of researchers that conducted a novel study.

Dairy cows exposed to heavy metals worsen antibiotic-resistant pathogen crisis

November 16, 2020

Dairy cows, exposed to drinking water contaminated with heavy metals for a few years, carry more pathogens loaded with antimicrobial-resistance genes able to tolerate and survive various antibiotics. That’s the finding of a team of researchers that conducted a study of two dairy herds in Brazil four years after a dam holding mining waste ruptured, and it spotlights a threat to human health, the researchers contend.

Book co-edited by Penn State faculty explores gender relations in agriculture

November 13, 2020

While women represent a significant portion of the global agricultural workforce, they face many roadblocks to success, including limited access to land, technological advancements, education and financing. These barriers, and ways to overcome them, are explored in a new publication, “Routledge Handbook of Gender and Agriculture,” co-edited by faculty in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Food Science launches virtual buddy program to support student community

November 12, 2020

The Food Science Club and the Penn State chapter of Phi Tau Sigma launched a buddy program this fall, a virtual platform for undergraduate and graduate students to connect, interact and gain professional development skills during the academic year.

Land-use webinar to focus on changes in consumer food sourcing during pandemic

November 12, 2020

Changes in how consumers locate and buy their food will be the subject of a web-based seminar hosted by Penn State Extension at noon on Nov. 18.

Virtual Ag Live tailgate brings together alumni, supports student scholarships

November 12, 2020

Organizers of the Ag Live Tailgate, the annual four-day reunion and charity event hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society, are not allowing its signature gathering to be sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic.

Smell and taste changes provide early indication of COVID-19 community spread

November 11, 2020

Self-reports of smell and taste changes provide earlier markers of the spread of infection of SARS-CoV-2 than current governmental indicators, according to an international team of researchers. The researchers also observed a decline in self-reports of smell and taste changes as early as five days after lockdown enforcement, with faster declines reported in countries that adopted the most stringent lockdown measures.

Arboretum at Penn State recognized as 'A Great Place in Pennsylvania'

November 10, 2020

The Arboretum at Penn State has been recognized as one of three “Great Places in Pennsylvania for 2020” by the state chapter of the American Planning Association. "Great Places" have a sustainable vision for the future and serve as a model for other communities, according to the association.

Family symposium highlights parent-child separations

November 10, 2020

Penn State’s 28th annual National Symposium on Family Issues was recently held focusing on the causes and consequences of parent-child separations. For the first time ever, the event was held virtually, but that didn’t deter experts around the nation from participating and offering their diverse research on the subject.

Golden ticket: Researchers examine what consumers desire in chocolate products

November 9, 2020

Gold foil, ornate labels and an intriguing backstory are product characteristics highly desired by premium chocolate consumers, according to research conducted by food scientists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Could SARS-CoV-2 evolve resistance to COVID-19 vaccines?

November 9, 2020

Similar to bacteria evolving resistance to antibiotics, viruses can evolve resistance to vaccines, and the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 could undermine the effectiveness of vaccines that are currently under development, according to a paper published Nov. 9 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by David Kennedy and Andrew Read from Penn State. The authors also offer recommendations to vaccine developers for minimizing the likelihood of this outcome.

Media Contacts

  • Senior Public Relations Specialist/News Editor
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  • Public Relations Specialist/Science Writer
  • Science and News Writer
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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)