Turning pathogens against each other to prevent drug resistance

December 11, 2017

Limiting a much-needed resource could pit pathogens against one another and prevent the emergence of drug resistance, say researchers.

Citizen scientists to help researchers gauge Susquehanna water quality

December 11, 2017

Using a network of up to 60 citizen scientists, a team of Penn State researchers will assess the levels of endocrine-disrupting compounds in the Susquehanna River next year, and in turn empower those volunteers to become part of the solution to water-quality problems related to emerging contaminants.

Security Center launches grant program for Penn State faculty, researchers

December 4, 2017

The Center for Security Research and Education at Penn State invites University faculty and researchers to apply to its new grant program to support security-related scholarship and educational programs at Penn State.

Uncertainty surrounds U.S. livestock methane emission estimates

November 30, 2017

A new study of methane emissions from livestock in the United States — led by a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences — has challenged previous top-down estimates.

NIH grant supports exploration of plasma medicine capabilities in blood

November 28, 2017

Researchers in Penn State’s Colleges of Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, and Medicine have been awarded a grant from the National Institute of Health’s National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering to investigate how low-temperature plasma can treat infectious bacterial growth on human tissue and prosthetic implants in the cardiovascular system.

Corn genetics research exposes mechanism behind traits becoming silent

November 21, 2017

For more than a century, plant geneticists have been studying maize as a model system to understand the rules governing the inheritance of traits, and a team of researchers recently unveiled a previously unknown mechanism that triggers gene silencing in corn.

Penn State team receives $7M award to enlist insects as allies for food security

November 20, 2017

A Penn State-led research team is hoping to enlist insects as allies in an effort to make crops more tolerant of environmental stressors, after the crops are already growing in the greenhouse or field.

Clearinghouse releases veteran needs report

November 17, 2017

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State has just released “Supporting United States Veterans: A review of veteran-focused needs assessments from 2008-2017.” The report reviewed veterans needs assessments from the past decade and identified the most common needs.

Researchers aim to develop best practices for organic beekeeping industry

November 17, 2017

A nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will support Penn State researchers in determining best management practices for organic beekeeping by comparing organic and chemical-free to conventional management systems. The funding comes from the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative of USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Major gifts benefit College of Ag Sciences entrepreneurship and innovation

November 10, 2017

The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences today (Nov. 10) announced two $1 million gifts to endow positions in its Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) Program. Both gifts have received matching funds from the university.

Mushrooms are full of antioxidants that may have antiaging potential

November 9, 2017

Mushrooms have more ergothioneine and glutathione together than any other food. Both of these are important antioxidants that previous research has linked to anti-aging treatments and strategies. Researchers are also exploring whether the antioxidants play a role in brain health.

Penn State research expenditures reach all-time high of $863 million

November 8, 2017

Penn State’s research expenditures reached a record high of $863 million for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, an increase of $27 million, according to Vice President for Research Neil Sharkey. The total included $534 million in federal funds, and $329 million from a combination of private funders, the Commonwealth, and university sources.

Exposure to chemical during pregnancy may cause health problems for offspring

November 8, 2017

A chemical used in plastic packaging may get passed from mother to offspring during pregnancy, affecting the gut bacteria of the young. Researchers suggest this could increase the possibilities of inflammation-related conditions, such as colon cancer and type 2 diabetes, for the offspring later in life.

'Virtual farm' website provides a plethora of dairy sustainability information

November 7, 2017

Farmers can see sustainability principles in action with just a few mouse clicks, thanks to an interactive "virtual farm" web site developed by researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Extension, in partnership with the project's lead, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Cornell University and the Dairy Innovation Center.

Penn State researchers take aim at invasive, 'pernicious' spotted lanternfly

November 7, 2017

As populations of the invasive spotted lanternfly explode — and the state-imposed quarantine area in southeastern Pennsylvania expands — researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences are looking for solutions to help stop the insect's spread and save agricultural crops from serious damage.

'Zombie ant' brains left intact by fungal parasite

November 7, 2017

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A fungal parasite that infects ants and manipulates their behavior to benefit the fungus' reproduction accomplishes this feat without infecting the ants' brains, according to a study led by Penn State researchers.

Use of glow sticks in traps greatly increases amphibian captures in study

November 7, 2017

With amphibian populations declining around the world and funds to find the causes scarce, a team of Penn State researchers has shown that an unorthodox tactic will make it easier and therefore less expensive to capture adult salamanders and frogs.

Internship strengthens Penn State's ongoing relationships in China

November 6, 2017

A new summer internship, which will be available to undergraduate students with a veterinary research interest, is the most recent in a series of collaborations spanning a century-old partnership between Penn State and South China Agricultural University.

Penn State hosts international E. coli research experts

November 1, 2017

With its 50-year-old E. coli Reference Center, Penn State long has been at the forefront in isolating bacteria from animals, humans and the environment. The University will continue its leading role Nov. 6-8 when it hosts an international group of experts to propose how to transition one of the most fundamental tests for E. coli into a genomics-based assay.

Penn State partners to address Republic of Georgia's invasive stink bug problem

October 25, 2017

Entomologists from Penn State are working to apply what they have learned by studying the Mid-Atlantic region's brown marmorated stink bug infestation — which peaked between 2010 and 2013 — to similar recent problems impacting the Republic of Georgia in eastern Europe.

Research yields test to predict bitter pit disorder in Honeycrisp apples

October 19, 2017

A test to determine whether bitter pit — a disorder that blindsides apple growers by showing up weeks or months after picking — will develop in stored Honeycrisp apples was developed by a team of Penn State researchers, promising to potentially save millions of dollars annually in wasted fruit.

Cacao pioneers: Meet Penn State's Colombian Fulbright Scholars

October 19, 2017

Four new Fulbright Scholars, who arrived at the College of Agricultural Sciences in August, are looking to economics, sociology, and soil and plant science research for ways to put Colombia at the forefront of the world's cacao production. Under the guidance of faculty at Penn State, they will attempt to tackle some of the country's most pervasive issues, from education to production challenges and corruption.

Like it or not: Broccoli may be good for the gut

October 13, 2017

Cruciferous vegetables -- such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage -- may help trigger a receptor in the gut that can improve gut function. In a study on mice, eating broccoli led to a better ability to withstand digestive irritants. The researchers also suggest that the mechanism might improve barrier function -- keeping nutrients in and toxins out of the intestinal lining -- and that could limit the damage of inflammation.

Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences adds five new faculty members

October 9, 2017

Five new faculty members have joined the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Ag Sciences student explores global food practices, nutrition

October 9, 2017

Emily Seiger, a community, environment and development major in the College of Agricultural Sciences, is gaining insight into problems related to food safety, hygiene and food security around the world.

Graduate training program in pollinator ecology gets a boost with USDA grant

October 4, 2017

A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will enhance an innovative Penn State graduate training program in entomology and ecology aimed at helping to solve the multifaceted problem of pollinator decline.

Warming unlikely to have major impact on animal agriculture in Northeast

October 3, 2017

Climate change will not significantly impair animal agriculture in the Northeast region of the United States, according to a multidisciplinary team of researchers, who point out there are many variables in the future scenario they envision.

New mobile app diagnoses crop diseases in the field and alerts rural farmers

September 29, 2017

Researchers who developed a new mobile application that uses artificial intelligence to accurately diagnose crop diseases in the field have won a $100,000 award to help expand their project to help millions of small-scale farmers across Africa. David Hughes, associate professor of entomology and biology, Penn State, leads the project with James Legg, of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.

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.

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.

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