Study suggests one-third of wild bee species in Pa. have declined in abundance

August 29, 2022

Over a six-year period in southcentral Pennsylvania, measures of biodiversity among wild bee communities declined and one-third of species experienced decreases in abundance, according to a Penn State-led team of researchers.

Plant scientist and former department head Rich Marini retires after long career

August 26, 2022

Professor of Horticulture Richard Marini, who led Penn State’s Horticulture Department as it evolved to become the Department of Plant Science, retired July 1 after a four-decade career that left a huge mark on the fruit tree industry.

Military sexual trauma more likely among veterans with prior adversity, trauma

August 24, 2022

Military service members who experienced adversity or trauma during childhood, combined with exposure to warfare, including as participants in the military or as bystanders, are more likely than others to experience Military Sexual Trauma during their service, according to new research led by Penn State.

Master Gardener puppet show pairs pollinator education with catchy tunes

August 24, 2022

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners from Centre County recently debuted “POLLINATORS! The Musical,” a 30-minute production aimed at providing pollinator education in a fun and catchy way. Two upcoming performances will be held on Sept. 11 at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

Penn State Extension to offer free virtual walking program

August 24, 2022

Anyone interested in developing healthy habits and increasing stamina can benefit from a free Penn State Extension virtual walking program called “Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania.” The statewide program will take place from Sept. 12 to Nov. 7.  

Ag Sciences, PR student selected as Agricultural Future of America ambassador

August 24, 2022

Leah Welk, a third-year student double-majoring in agricultural science and public relations, has been selected as an ambassador for Agricultural Future of America at Penn State.

Flavonoids from sorghum plants kill fall armyworm pest on corn; may protect crop

August 23, 2022

Flavonoids produced by sorghum leaves have shown promising results in combating fall armyworm larvae. When sprayed on the leaves of corn, sorghum flavonoids stunt the growth of fall armyworm and often kill the pest, Penn State researchers report in a new study.

Mandatory labeling on genetically engineered foods may reduce customer purchases

August 22, 2022

Labels alerting customers that products contain ingredients from genetically engineered plants may reduce sales, at least in the short term, according to a new study from a research team including an agricultural economist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

What do I need to know about monkeypox now?

August 19, 2022

More than 10,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in the United States since May, triggering the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to declare the outbreak a public-health emergency. As the fall semester begins, many are wondering if they should be concerned about monkeypox. Suresh Kuchipudi, the Huck Chair in Emerging Infectious Diseases at Penn State and an expert on emerging and zoonotic viruses, explains what is known about monkeypox and how to protect yourself.

Graduate students in entomology and ecology win prestigious fellowships

August 19, 2022

Two graduate students who work in the laboratory of an entomology faculty member in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences recently received prestigious fellowships to further their graduate education and research.

Researchers get USDA-NIFA grant to study corn plant nutrient-use efficiency

August 18, 2022

A research team led by a Penn State plant scientist has received a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study the functions of key plant genes responsible for regulating the acquisition and use of nitrogen and phosphorus in corn hybrids.

Inaugural tree climbing school in Harrisburg reduces barriers to career entry

August 18, 2022

To help bolster the workforce for an industry in need of employees and provide a career path for residents of the state’s capital city, Penn State Extension recently offered a course, titled “Tree Climbing School,” in Harrisburg for the first time.

Compost to computer: Bio-based materials used to salvage rare earth elements

August 18, 2022

Penn State chemical engineering researchers used micro- and nanoparticles created from organic materials like corncobs and tomato peels to capture rare earth elements from aqueous solutions.

Penn State students aiding project to reduce plastics and support Chesapeake Bay

August 18, 2022

As doctoral students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Wei-Shu Lin and Parisa Nazemi Ashani are dedicating their academic studies and future careers to improving ecosystems, including the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States.

Alumnus-founded startup Phospholutions announces $5.3M investment

August 18, 2022

Penn State alumnus-founded startup Phospholutions, a leader in sustainable fertilizer technology, recently announced additional investment from leading global agricultural companies totaling $5.3M. This funding will support the commercialization of their RhizoSorb technology in the U.S. row crop market.

Alumna creates graduate award using patent royalties

August 17, 2022

With the hopes of increasing awareness and interest in public health and medical entomology, Penn State alumna Alexis Barbarin created an annual award for graduate students pursuing research and degrees in that field. The BEDBUGS Award is being funded by yearly royalties Barbarin receives from a patent for a bedbug pesticide she helped research while pursuing her doctorate.

Penn State asks visitors to be vigilant when it comes to spotted lanternfly

August 17, 2022

With Penn State’s academic year and football season starting soon, thousands of people will be visiting Happy Valley, and the University wants to make sure they are not spreading the spotted lanternfly — an invasive pest that feeds on more than 100 types of plants.

Plant molecular geneticists discover, and begin to crack, the epigenetic code

August 16, 2022

When plants sense environmental challenges such as drought or extended periods of extreme temperatures, they instinctively reprogram their genetic material to survive and even thrive. The chemical code that triggers those changes can be deciphered and then duplicated to breed more vigorous, productive and resilient crops. That’s the conclusion of a team of Penn State molecular plant geneticists that conducted the first-ever study of those reprogramming effects and discovered that “epigenetic reprogramming” code, which results in the expressing and over expressing of some genes and the silencing of others.

Pulsed light technology effectively kills harmful pathogens in new study

August 16, 2022

A light-based food sanitization technique successfully eliminated multiple harmful pathogens in a new study carried out by Penn State researchers.

Alumna honors mother through scholarship, memorial tree, seat wall at Arboretum

August 15, 2022

To honor her mother’s legacy, Tina Terrell committed $80,000 to create the Lucille Terrell MANRRS Scholarship in the College of Agricultural Sciences, designate a scarlet oak in The Arboretum at Penn State as “Lucille’s Tree” and name one of the Arboretum’s future Fountain Garden seat walls in her honor.

Penn State Extension’s water resources team earns national award

August 15, 2022

Members of Penn State Extension’s water resources team recently earned a Gold Award from the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals for the publication “Simple Solutions for Your Eroding Backyard Stream,” a resource developed in conjunction with Extension’s Backyard Stream Repair Program.

Reviving the ‘lost’ map of Pennsylvania’s 86,000 stream miles

August 15, 2022

Interested in exploring new fishing, boating or hiking spots? Curious about how water connects throughout the state? A map featuring Pennsylvania’s 86,000 stream miles is available from Penn State Extension.

Plant pathologist Donald Davis retiring from Penn State after more than 50 years

August 12, 2022

Donald Davis, professor of plant pathology and environmental microbiology, is retiring after a career spanning more than 50 years in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Berkey Creamery flavor marks College of Earth and Mineral Sciences milestone

August 12, 2022

Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Berkey Creamery have partnered to commemorate the college’s 125th anniversary by sponsoring the popular flavor, “Bittersweet Mint,” as “Earth and MINTeral Sciences Bittersweet Mint” from August to October.

Land-use webinar to focus on dealing with difficult issues

August 11, 2022

Increasingly, local governments and communities are managing contentious and rapidly changing issues, according to Penn State Extension educators, who will offer a webinar at noon, Aug. 17, focused on dealing with difficult issues.   

Officials to address agricultural issues and policy matters at Ag Progress Days

August 2, 2022

Governmental officials and industry representatives will join academic leaders and experts to discuss a wide range of issues and policies affecting Pennsylvania agriculture during several events at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug.9-11.

Undergrads to present research at public symposium on climate science, solutions

July 29, 2022

Four summer research programs that task undergraduate students with exploring pressing research related to climate science and solutions are culminating in a combined event that is open to the public. These Penn State programs are hosting their final symposium Thursday, Aug. 4, in the Steidle Building Atrium on the University Park campus.

Ag Progress Days highlights climate-smart ag, animal health, spotted lanternfly

July 29, 2022

Climate-smart agriculture, animal health issues such as avian influenza, vector-borne diseases and the spread of the spotted lanternfly will be the focus of displays and presentations at the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building and Theater during Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 9-11.

Researchers get $2M NSF grant to develop Africa water-food-energy network

July 29, 2022

A team of Penn State researchers has received a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to lead a three-institution team developing the “SustainFood Network,” which will link scientists, communities and policymakers in addressing challenges at the nexus of water, energy and food security in Africa.

After a two-year hiatus, College of Ag Sciences resumes study abroad programs

July 28, 2022

After a two-year pause due to the pandemic, students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences once again are taking advantage of study abroad opportunities. In the spring semester, students visited countries around the world, including Spain, Ireland, Germany and Kenya.

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)