New biomaterial could replace plastic laminates, greatly reduce pollution

September 20, 2017

An inexpensive biomaterial that can be used to sustainably replace plastic barrier coatings in packaging and many other applications has been developed by Penn State researchers, who predict its adoption would greatly reduce pollution.

Pate named Nationwide Insurance Associate Professor of Agricultural Safety

September 20, 2017

Michael Pate has been appointed Nationwide Insurance Associate Professor of Agricultural Safety and Health in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

CHAPS open house offers rare view of Penn State’s equine science programs

September 20, 2017

Sept. 30 will mark the fifth annual Penn State Horse Barn Open House, hosted by the Collegiate Horseman’s Association at Penn State (CHAPS) and the Penn State Equine Research Team at the equine science facilities' “Old Barn,” directly across from Beaver Stadium, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be held in connection with the third annual Celebrate Agriculture Day at Beaver Stadium, an event designed for Penn Staters to honor the agricultural roots and history of the University.

Whole food diet may help prevent colon cancer, other chronic conditions

September 20, 2017

Colorful fruits and vegetables -- like the purple potato -- may contain compounds that help fight some types of cancer. An international team of researchers studied the anti-cancer effects of purple potatoes in pigs. This could be another step in finding prevention strategies and cancer treatments for patients.

$4.92M gift to Penn State for industrial biotechnology education, research

September 19, 2017

CSL Behring, a global specialty biotherapeutics leader, has committed $4.92 million to Penn State over the next six years to transform biotechnology education and research across Pennsylvania and beyond.

The Final Ag Frontier: Plant sciences student looks to the skies

September 15, 2017

Plant sciences student Laura Reese spent her spring semester working for NASA in Cape Canaveral, Florida. She performed research in conditions meant to emulate growing plants in space.

Grant supports research to enhance epithelial barrier function, immune response

September 15, 2017

A faculty member in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has received a $7.3 million grant for innovative research on a cellular protein that could be a target for enhancing immune function in response to a variety of diseases and environmental toxins. Gary Perdew, John T. and Paige S. Smith Professor in Agricultural Sciences, received the award from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health.

Fifth annual Rural Studies Conference to be held Oct. 27-28

September 14, 2017

Penn State's Rural Sociology Graduate Student Association (RSGA) will host the 5th Annual Rural Studies Graduate Student Conference on Oct. 27-28 at the HUB-Robeson-Center on the University Park campus. This conference welcomes undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines and all institutions who study rural areas and topics, both domestically and internationally.

College of Agricultural Sciences hosts Mandela Washington Fellow

September 14, 2017

Aïssata Abdou Gado, a recipient of the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, spent six weeks of professional development at Penn State's University Park campus in August and September. She worked with faculty and staff from across the College of Agricultural Sciences on issues related to food security, livestock and women's empowerment.

Forest experts: All signs point to a banner year for Pa.'s foliage display

September 14, 2017

The rainy summer in Pennsylvania has set the stage for what could be an awesome autumn foliage display, according to forest ecologists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Student uses summer internship at CDC to fight environmental contaminants

September 13, 2017

Senior environmental resource management student Aaron Blakney spent the summer of 2017 analyzing the impacts of hazardous materials during an internship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fruit and vegetable intake influences obesity risk in Mexican-American children

September 12, 2017

Potential disparities in fruit and vegetable intake in Mexican-American children may be placing them at greater risk for obesity and related health problems, according to researchers at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Penn State.

Steinberg named senior director of development in College of Ag Sciences

September 12, 2017

Following a comprehensive national search, Lauren Steinberg has been named senior director of development in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. Formerly the director of major gifts for the college, Steinberg brings more than 17 years of fundraising experience to her new position.

Land-use webinar to focus on municipal authorities tapping into renewable energy

September 8, 2017

How municipalities and their local authorities can utilize renewable energy such as solar to run their systems will be the topic of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension on Sept. 20.

Webinar to discuss natural gas role in plastics

September 8, 2017

How does natural gas transform the economics of the Appalachian Basin and the production of plastics? That will be the topic of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension on Thursday, Sept. 21.

NEWBio project concludes, advances biomass energy efforts

September 8, 2017

The NorthEast Woody/Warm-season Biomass Consortium (NEWBio) is a regional network of individuals from leading universities, businesses and government who worked together to advance sustainable bioenergy in the Northeast through a $10 million U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant.

Professors to share impacts of overusing antibiotics on WPSU’s 'Digging Deeper'

September 8, 2017

Penn State President Eric J. Barron will welcome a pair of University professors to his monthly WPSU show, “Digging Deeper,” to discuss their research on reducing harmful overuse of antibiotics. The show will air at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sept. 17 on WPSU-TV.

Report addresses flooding and flood insurance impacts on rural Pennsylvania

September 7, 2017

A newly released report examines how flooding and recent changes to the federal flood insurance program are impacting rural Pennsylvania in unique ways.

Safe, comfortable housing for cage-free chickens is goal of Penn State research

September 7, 2017

A shift in consumer behavior is prompting some poultry producers to change the manner in which chickens are housed and cared for, and research underway in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will help them convert from traditional caged housing to noncaged systems that continue to safeguard the health and safety of flocks and employees.

New book on rural poverty in the U.S. co-edited by rural sociology professor

September 6, 2017

Ann Tickamyer, professor of rural sociology, examines why the geography, demography and history of rural communities keeps them poor, in a comprehensive analysis that extends from the Civil War to the present in the new publication, "Rural Poverty in the United States."

Client relationship, business operations managers named for Penn State Extension

September 5, 2017

Penn State Extension has named client relationship managers and business operations managers to serve its 10 administrative areas across Pennsylvania. The appointments are part of recently announced changes to the organization's structure, product development and program delivery.

Penn State researcher's work empowers youth to be change agents

August 31, 2017

Ongoing research conducted by Nicole Webster, associate professor of youth and international development in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, examines the role of youth in civic engagement and social change.

More research needed on effects of maternal stress in wild animals

August 31, 2017

If a human mother is stressed while pregnant, research shows her child is much more likely to have emotional, cognitive or even physiological problems, such as attention deficit, hyperactivity, anxiety, language delay, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Conversely, the results of maternal stress on the offspring of other animals — particularly wildlife under threat from predators — is believed to be positive, and contributes to their survival.

Penn State's Great Insect Fair offers a view of the 'unseen'

August 31, 2017

Although insects are all around us, we tend to pay attention primarily to the ones that sting, bite, eat our garden plants or invade our homes. But there is much more about the world of insects and other arthropods that goes unnoticed. Giving the public a glimpse into this fascinating world is the goal of Penn State's Great Insect Fair, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the Snider Ag Arena on the University Park campus.

Leaf sensors can tell farmers when crops need to be watered

August 30, 2017

Plant-based sensors that measure the thickness and electrical capacitance of leaves show great promise for telling farmers when to activate their irrigation systems, preventing both water waste and parched plants, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Pathway's power to boost, halt tumors may be promising cancer therapy target

August 28, 2017

A protein may be a key part of a complex molecular cascade that can both cause and inhibit tumors in certain types of cancer, including skin and lung cancers. Penn State researchers suggest that understanding the basic biology of cancer can help the future design of anti-cancer therapies that attack cancer, but leave healthy cells alone.

Penn State faculty network and learn at annual entrepreneurship retreat

August 28, 2017

Faculty and staff from across Penn State came together Aug. 15-16 at University Park in support of entrepreneurship teaching and learning at the fifth annual ENTI Summer Gathering. ENTI, launched is 2013, is Penn State’s Intercollege Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Three faculty members join the Institutes of Energy and the Environment

August 25, 2017

The Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE) announced the addition of three new cofunded faculty members who will join Penn State during the 2017–18 academic year. The faculty members are Kristina Douglass, Jonathan Duncan and Jillian Goldfarb.

Medicine and music: Immunology major makes his own way at Penn State

August 24, 2017

Alex Barna, a junior from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, has discovered an opportunity to distinguish himself from other pre-med students in the College of Agricultural Sciences' immunology and infectious disease major.

First group of Intergenerational Leadership Institute participants to graduate

August 24, 2017

Eight older adults will be acknowledged at a ceremony at 2 p.m. on Sept. 22 at Penn State's Nittany Lion Inn for their accomplishments, community service and leadership in generating new programs and activities for strengthening intergenerational bonds and improving quality of life in the State College, Pennsylvania, area. The honorees are the first group of graduates of Penn State's Intergenerational Leadership Institute, a certificate training program for older adults.

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)