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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

July 27, 2022

A researcher in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to lead a three-institution team developing the “Sustainfood Network,” which links scientists, communities and policymakers to address challenges in Africa at the nexus of water, energy and food security.

Ag Progress Days tours cover livestock, forest management, water quality

July 21, 2022

Livestock studies, pasture systems, forest management and water quality will be among the topics featured on several research and educational tours offered during Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 9-11 at Rock Springs.

Torrey pine genetic research may benefit efforts to save chestnut, ash trees

July 20, 2022

A new genomic study of the rarest pine tree in the world, the Torrey pine, aimed at bolstering the case for a genetic rescue of the species barely surviving in the western U.S., revealed the complexity and risk associated with the endeavor. However, a tree geneticist at Penn State who oversaw the research suggests it may benefit efforts she is involved in to save other species in the East.

Agricultural engineers design early step for robotic, green-fruit thinning

July 18, 2022

Penn State agricultural engineers have developed, for the first time, a prototype “end-effector” capable of deftly removing unwanted apples from trees — the first step toward robotic, green-fruit thinning.

International Conference on Pollinator Biology, Health, Policy slated for 2023

July 12, 2022

Online registration and submission of abstracts now are open for the fifth International Conference on Pollinator Biology, Health and Policy, which is scheduled for June 3-6, 2023, at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on the University Park campus.

Researcher gets grant to study biofilters to reduce livestock facility methane

July 11, 2022

A scientist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lead a team conducting research on using biofilters to mitigate methane from enteric emissions produced in livestock facilities.

Above-ground microbial communities that quell plant diseases can be developed

July 11, 2022

Microbial communities naturally living on the leaves and stems of tomato plants can be manipulated to suppress diseases that reduce productivity, according to Penn State researchers, offering hope that growers someday can apply these mixtures of bacteria and fungi to protect plants and improve harvests.

Penn State scientists examine the effects of child maltreatment on survivors

July 1, 2022

Benjamin Bayly, assistant professor in family studies, child and youth development in the College of Agricultural Sciences, led a study examining how different types of childhood maltreatment were associated with depressive symptoms and heavy episodic drinking between the ages of 14 and 30.

Secrets of reptile and amphibian aging revealed

June 23, 2022

An international team of 114 scientists, led by Penn State and Northeastern Illinois University, reports the most comprehensive study of aging and longevity to date comprising data collected in the wild from 107 populations of 77 species of reptiles and amphibians worldwide.

Tourism activity collapse during COVID-19 benefited rural hospitality employment

June 17, 2022

While the COVID-19 pandemic delivered a massive economic blow to the U.S. tourism sector, some rural communities benefited from the crisis in terms of employment gains, according to a team of researchers from Penn State and West Virginia University. Their study is the first to document the pandemic's economic impact on tourism in the U.S. at the county level.

Plant pathology grad student receives NSF fellowship to study grapevine disease

June 13, 2022

A graduate student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has received a three-year Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation, valued at more than $100,000, to study how climate change is affecting diseases that rot grapes.

Managing habitat for flowering plants may mitigate climate effects on bee health

June 1, 2022

Warm, wet weather conditions and changing climate negatively influence the nectar intake and nutritional health of honey bees, but maintaining large tracts of grassy natural habitat with flowering plants around apiaries may help to mitigate the detrimental effects of climate, according to a new study by an international team of researchers.

Office for Research and Graduate Education

Address

217 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802-2600

Office for Research and Graduate Education

Address

217 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802-2600