Dairy nutritionist gets USDA grant to study effect of cows’ diet on milk fat

September 14, 2022

A Penn State animal scientist has received a four-year, $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study the regulation of fatty acid metabolism in dairy cows with the goal of boosting revenues and efficiency on farms by increasing milk fat and optimizing use of dietary fat in cow rations.

What are potential animal reservoirs for monkeypox?

September 13, 2022

Penn State researchers will study the monkeypox virus to understand the potential for it to spill over from humans to animals, as its pathogenesis — or disease development — in animal and human cells in vitro. In addition, they will study potential targets for therapeutics to treat the monkeypox disease.

Soybean virus may give plant-munching bugs a boost in survival

September 13, 2022

Most viral infections negatively affect an organism’s health, but one plant virus in particular — soybean vein necrosis orthotospovirus, often referred to as SVNV — may actually benefit a type of insect that commonly feeds on soybean plants and can transmit the virus to the plant, causing disease, according to Penn State research.

Microbiome Center announces inaugural Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellows

September 13, 2022

The first-ever round of Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellowships will support the work of Microbiome Center members and allow them to acquire knowledge and techniques to then share with other University colleagues.

Land-use webinar to focus on ‘missing middle’ housing

September 12, 2022

An upcoming Penn State Extension webinar will focus on “missing middle” housing, a term that describes a range of multifamily or clustered building types, such as duplexes, rowhomes and courtyard apartments, that are compatible in scale with single-family homes. According to organizers, “missing middle” housing is intended to meet the demand for walkable neighborhoods, respond to changing demographics and provide housing at different price points.

COVID-19 drugs persist in wastewater, may pose risk to aquatic organisms

September 8, 2022

Certain drugs used to treat COVID-19 patients — including remdesivir, dexamethasone and antibiotics for associated bacterial infections — persist through wastewater treatment and may occur in waterways at levels high enough to negatively affect aquatic organisms, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. The findings highlight the broad utility of wastewater surveillance as a tool for monitoring the effects of human health on water quality and ecosystem health.

Penn State Master Gardeners and alumni spruce up Flight 93 National Memorial

September 8, 2022

Around 100 Penn State Extension Master Gardeners, alumni from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and College of Education, and 10 National Park Service staff members assembled in August at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County to beautify the grounds by weeding, pruning and removing plant debris.

Penn State’s sustainability efforts in Beaver Stadium suites lauded

September 8, 2022

Penn State’s successful efforts to reduce waste going into a landfill after football games at Beaver Stadium are spotlighted in a case study in the Green Sports Alliance’s just-published “Food Waste Diversion and Compostable Packaging Playbook.” 

Penn State Fayette weather station will benefit campus and community

September 7, 2022

Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus has installed a weather station on campus as part of the Pennsylvania Environmental Monitoring Network, which includes 20 similar systems across the commonwealth. The project, which began development in 2017, is funded by the Penn State Office of the Vice President for Research, the Institutes of Energy and the Environment, and the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.

Adding fungal enzymes to dairy cow rations boosts milk output and quality

September 7, 2022

Supplementing the feed of dairy cattle with enzymes from two funguses simultaneously has a positive effect on the animals’ lactational performance, according to Penn State researchers, who studied the concept in an experiment with cows.

Local food boon spurred by pandemic may be short-lived, new research reports

September 6, 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic affected American households in countless ways, but according to researchers, some of the most tangible shifts are taking place in the food system.

Metabolomics Core Facility continues to expand while pushing scientific bounds

September 2, 2022

The primary goal of Penn State’s Metabolomics Core Facility, established a decade ago and housed in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, is to identify and quantify the small molecules (or metabolites) in plant and animal biofluids, cells and tissues.

Museums welcome students back to campus with passport program, special hours

September 2, 2022

You pass them every day: as you hop on a Link to ride to campus from the parking lot at Beaver Stadium, as you scooter across campus past giant lion’s paws on Curtin Road, beyond the glass wall in the hallway of Deike Building, or behind you as you start across Curtin Road to the Berkey Creamery. Did you know that there are dozens of museums and collections across the University Park campus? Millions of specimens, including fish, birds and insects, historic objects and cultural artifacts including paintings, sculptures, scientific and musical instruments, and more, are waiting at almost every turn.

Entomology grad named American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow

September 2, 2022

Emily Sandall, who completed her doctoral studies in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences in 2020, has been selected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science to be part of its 50th class of Science and Technology Policy fellows.

'Growing Impact' podcast discusses solar irrigation pump effects on FEW nexus

September 2, 2022

A team of researchers is investigating a government policy that increases solar-powered irrigation pumps in India and how the use of solar irrigation pumps may impact India’s highly exploited groundwater reserves and the country’s food and energy production.

Boy’s discovery reveals highly complex plant-insect interaction

September 1, 2022

A backyard discovery by 8-year-old Hugo Deans, son of Penn State Professor of Entomology Andrew Deans, eventually led to the revelation that oak galls — plant growth triggered by insects — are part of an elaborate relationship among ants, wasps and oak trees, turning a century of knowledge about plant-insect interactions on its head.

New dual-title graduate degree in microbiome sciences now available

August 31, 2022

Students interested in the study of microbiomes now can apply for the new microbiome sciences dual-title doctoral degree program, administered by Penn State’s Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

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.

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)