Childhood experiences and exposure to combat linked to poorer mental health

July 8, 2020

A recent study of approximately 9,000 new post-9/11 veterans conducted by researchers at the Clearinghouse for Military Readiness at Penn State and Veterans Affairs examined how exposure to various stressors was related to their current mental health.

College of Ag Sciences alumnus receives Diana Award for humanitarian work

July 8, 2020

Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, a 2018 graduate of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, has received the Diana Award, one of the highest accolades a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian effort.

Sensation seekers, risk-takers who experience more bitterness apt to drink IPAs

July 8, 2020

People who seek novel and powerful sensations and are more prone to taking risks — and who perceive bitter tastes more intensely — are more likely to prefer bitter, pale-ale-style beers and drink them more often, according to Penn State sensory researchers, who conducted a study that involved blind taste tests and personality assessments.

Custom nanoparticle regresses tumors when exposed to light

July 7, 2020

A team of Penn State researchers is collaborating on a potential new method to treat cancer by delivering a unique nanoparticle to a localized cancerous area in mice and activating the treatment through light exposure.

Antioxidants in corn line could aid human IBD protection, therapy

July 6, 2020

Flavonoids from a specific line of corn act as anti-inflammatory agents in the guts of mice with an inflammatory-bowel-disease-like condition, according to a team of researchers who said flavonoid-rich corn should be studied to determine its potential to provide a protective effect on human health.

Virgil inspires donor to create endowed professorship in College of Ag Sciences

July 6, 2020

Thanks to a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor, the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Entomology have established the Publius Vergilius Maro Professorship.

Protecting dogs from harmful algae blooms focus of Penn State Extension webinar

July 2, 2020

Keeping dogs and other animals safe from toxic algae blooms in water is the focus of a free Penn State Extension webinar slated for 7 p.m. on July 23.

Grants move College of Ag Sciences research toward commercialization

July 1, 2020

Three research projects that have great potential to be successful in the marketplace have received grants through a Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences program designed to spur innovation.

Center for Security Research and Education announces seed grant awardees

June 30, 2020

The Center for Security Research and Education (CSRE) has selected 13 interdisciplinary projects through its spring 2020 seed grant program. CSRE is providing a total of $300,000 in funding for the projects, with an additional $300,000 in matching and supplemental funding from other colleges, departments, and institutes.

Checklist of Pa. bees documents 49 new species and some that may be endangered

June 29, 2020

A study documenting bees that are reported to occur in Pennsylvania has found the presence of 437 species, including 49 never before recorded in the state.

College of Agricultural Sciences alum reflects on lessons learned at Penn State

June 29, 2020

Nelson Gaydos, an outreach specialist with the American Association of Meat Processors, credits his education and experiences at Penn State for helping him to meet the challenges of the food industry.

Project to study pandemic impacts on Alaskan salmon season

June 26, 2020

Penn State is part of a research team conducting surveys with fishery participants and residents to better understand the costs and benefits of varied mitigation policies and developing pandemic preparedness scenarios in Bristol Bay, Alaska, home to the world's largest commercial sockeye salmon fishery.

Pollinator project supports biodiversity at Penn State Orchard Road solar array

June 25, 2020

An innovative project is creating a buzz around Penn State’s University Park campus, especially among the many species of pollinators that call Centre County home.

Penn State Extension educator offers advice on insecticide use for lanternflies

June 25, 2020

As summer progresses — and spotted lanternflies make themselves at home just about anywhere, including on residential properties — frustrated homeowners might find themselves wrestling with the idea of using insecticides to vanquish the insect interlopers. Before doing so, homeowners should do their research, weigh the pros and cons, and seek professional advice if needed

New products available at Penn State Berkey Creamery

June 24, 2020

The Penn State Berkey Creamery is offering new items that are guaranteed to make summer, or any season, much cooler.

Sunnier but riskier

June 23, 2020

Conservation efforts that open up the canopy of overgrown habitat for threatened timber rattlesnakes are beneficial to snakes but could come at a cost, according to a new study by researchers at Penn State.

From research to outreach: Tool tests students' readiness for public engagement

June 23, 2020

A new online resource developed by faculty at Penn State can help educators better identify students who need additional support in honing the communication skills they need when interacting with the communities they hope to improve.

University Libraries honors employees with annual awards

June 22, 2020

Penn State University Libraries recently recognized five outstanding faculty and staff from among its more than 500 employees, this year representing the Penn State Harrisburg and University Park campuses, and continuing a tradition spanning at least 46 years.

Big Ten Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program inducts six new fellows

June 17, 2020

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program in 2020-21 will include six new fellows from Penn State.

Asian giant hornets currently not a concern for Pa., eastern North America

June 17, 2020

Recent alarming news reports aside, Asian giant hornets — sometimes referred to, hyperbolically, as "murder hornets" — are not an immediate concern in the Northeast, nor are they likely to be for a long time, if ever, according to an entomologist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Master Gardeners grow interest in home gardening through Victory Garden series

June 17, 2020

The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners are growing interest in home gardening through their 'Victory Garden Reinvented' webinar series.

Penn State Extension webinar series to explore topics on private water supplies

June 16, 2020

A Penn State Extension webinar series, which begins June 24 and continues through Aug. 12, will help rural homeowners address common water supply management problems.

Penn State Extension webinars focus on bee biology, ecology and management

June 16, 2020

An eight-part webinar series developed by Penn State Extension aims to teach people all about bees, discussing topics as diverse as colony survival, queen bee rearing and transforming one’s garden into a pollinator-friendly habitat.

New members elected to Water Council

June 16, 2020

Shirley Clark and Susan Boser were elected by their peers as new members of the University’s Water Council and will begin their terms on July 1, 2020.

Alumni Association announces new home for virtual programming

June 15, 2020

With Penn State Alumni Association Presents, alumni and friends have a new go-to place to connect with people, places and events that will inspire and entertain Penn Staters of all generations.

Tuberculosis spread from animals to humans greater than previously thought

June 15, 2020

The number of human tuberculosis cases that are due to transmission from animals, as opposed to human-to-human transmission, may be much higher than previously estimated, according to an international team of researchers. The results could have implications for epidemiological studies and public health interventions.

Check it out: Resource can aid citizens in stopping spread of spotted lanternfly

June 12, 2020

A printable checklist developed by Penn State Extension and the state Department of Agriculture can help citizens tick all the boxes when it comes to preventing the spread of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect that is threatening the agricultural, timber and ornamental industries.

Pandemic germinates Master Gardener support for nonprofits, health care workers

June 11, 2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused Penn State Master Gardeners across Pennsylvania to cancel annual plant-sale fundraisers and other gardening events this spring, they made their local communities the beneficiaries of the resulting glut of unsold plants, donating them to various nonprofit groups, school programs and other organizations.

Bedrock type under forests greatly affects tree growth, species, carbon storage

June 10, 2020

A forest's ability to store carbon depends significantly on the bedrock beneath, according to Penn State researchers who studied forest productivity, composition and associated physical characteristics of rocks in the Appalachian ridge and Valley Region of Pennsylvania.

Researchers aim to help cities prioritize interventions for public transit

June 10, 2020

Researchers at Penn State aim to help minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread by identifying specific subway stations in which intervention resources — such as setting up testing sites, allocating additional personnel to disinfect frequently touched surfaces in subway stations, and distributing masks and hand sanitizer — could be of greatest benefit.

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)

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)