Latest News
https://agsci.psu.edu/research/news
Novel method to measure root depth may lead to more resilient crops
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240319-novel-method-to-measure-root-depth-may-lead-to-more-resilient-crops
As climate change worsens global drought conditions, hindering crop production, the search for ways to capture and store atmospheric carbon causing the phenomenon has intensified. Penn State researchers have developed a new high-tech tool that could spur changes in how crops withstand drought, acquire nitrogen and store carbon deeper in soil.2024-03-19T12:05:00ZNews ItemForest, stream habitats keep energy exchanges in balance, global team finds
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240313-forest-stream-habitats-keep-energy-exchanges-in-balance-global-team-finds
Forests and streams are separate but linked ecosystems, existing side by side, with energy and nutrients crossing their porous borders and flowing back and forth between them. For example, leaves fall from trees, enter streams, decay and feed aquatic insects. Those insects emerge from the waters and are eaten by birds and bats. An international team led by Penn State researchers has now found that these ecosystems appear to keep the energy exchanges in balance — a finding that the scientists called surprising. 2024-03-13T10:35:00ZNews ItemNew nasal vaccine platform helps clear COVID-19 infections in an animal model
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240312-new-nasal-vaccine-platform-helps-clear-covid-19-infections-in-an-animal-model
A newly developed intranasal vaccine candidate, called SpyCage, helps to clear COVID-19 infections more quickly than controls in pre-clinical testing, according to a recent study led by researchers at Penn State.2024-03-12T15:09:00ZNews ItemProject reveals pandemic perceptions in Alaskan fishing community
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240311-project-reveals-pandemic-perceptions-in-alaskan-fishing-community
Penn State researchers examined community member's COVID-19 perceptions in Bristol Bay, Alaska, home to the world’s largest commercial salmon fishery, and found perceptions of risk varied across race/ethnicity groups by residency and income.2024-03-11T16:14:00ZNews ItemHow does a virus hijack insect sperm to control disease vectors and pests?
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240308-how-does-a-virus-hijack-insect-sperm-to-control-disease-vectors-and-pests
A new study led by researchers at Penn State has clarified how a widespread bacteria called Wolbachia and a virus that it carries can cause sterility in male insects by hijacking their sperm. These findings could improve techniques to control populations of agricultural pests and insects that carry diseases like Zika and dengue to humans.2024-03-08T07:00:00ZNews Item'Growing Impact' examines PFAS water contamination, evaluation of existing tech
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240304-growing-impact-examines-pfas-water-contamination-evaluation-of-existing-tech
The latest episode of the "Growing Impact" podcast examines the challenges and potential negative health outcomes of PFAS in drinking water, highlighting efforts to evaluate decontamination technologies for safer community water sources.2024-03-04T11:00:00ZNews ItemNew role for bacterial enzyme in gut metabolism revealed
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240228-new-role-for-bacterial-enzyme-in-gut-metabolism-revealed
Synthesized from cholesterol in the liver, bile acids long have been known to play a role in human metabolism. A team led by Penn State researchers has uncovered the mechanism by which bacteria in the gut generate a wide variety of new bile acid species, the functions of which are not yet clear. 2024-02-28T15:00:00ZNews ItemPenn State College of Ag Sciences seeks partners for statewide tech initiative
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240228-penn-state-college-of-ag-sciences-seeks-partners-for-statewide-tech-initiative
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences invites collaborators from within and beyond the University to join it as it embarks on a new initiative focused on leveraging emerging and advanced technologies to support sustainable and resilient agricultural systems and the broader living systems that support them.2024-02-28T13:37:00ZNews ItemCyber-physical heating system may protect apple blossoms in orchards
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240228-cyber-physical-heating-system-may-protect-apple-blossoms-in-orchards
Spring frosts can have devastating effects on apple production, and a warming climate may be causing trees to blossom early, making them more susceptible to the damaging effects of extreme cold events. Growers’ attempts to prevent the flowers from freezing by attempting to heat the canopies of their orchards largely have been inefficient. To deal with the worsening problem, Penn State researchers devised a frost protection cyber-physical system, which makes heating decisions based on real-time temperature and wind-direction data.2024-02-28T08:21:00ZNews ItemTerraSafe Materials and Penn State partner on sustainable packaging solutions
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240227-terrasafe-materials-and-penn-state-partner-on-sustainable-packaging-solutions
TerraSafe has established a lab in State College and entered a licensing agreement with Penn State to commercialize sustainable packaging solutions developed by researchers at Penn State. The agreement is based on technologies invented by a research team led by Jeffrey Catchmark, professor of agricultural and biological engineering and of bioethics in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Catchmark and his team have worked for years developing technology that can replace conventionally used materials with those that are significantly more environmentally friendly.2024-02-27T14:05:00ZNews ItemLecture to discuss behavioral factors that drive what, why and how children eat
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240222-lecture-to-discuss-behavioral-factors-that-drive-what-why-and-how-children-eat
Kathleen Keller, professor of nutritional sciences and food science at Penn State, will deliver the 2024 Pattishall Research Lecture on March 20. Her lecture will discuss brain and behavioral factors that drive what, why and how children eat, and how these eating behaviors predict the development of childhood obesity.2024-02-22T15:07:00ZNews ItemLadybug scents offer a more ecologically friendly way to protect crops
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240222-ladybug-scents-offer-a-more-ecologically-friendly-way-to-protect-crops
A team of researchers led by Sara Hermann, assistant professor of arthropod ecology and trophic interactions in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, has developed pest control tools based on chemicals present in interactions between ladybugs and aphids. These tools could offer farmers more sustainable pest-control options.2024-02-22T13:40:00ZNews ItemDual-energy harvesting device could power future wireless medical implants
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240220-dual-energy-harvesting-device-could-power-future-wireless-medical-implants
A new wireless charging device developed by Penn State scientists could dramatically improve powering capability for implantable biomedical devices — like pacemakers, insulin pumps and neurostimulators — while still being safe for our bodies, the researchers said.2024-02-20T13:00:00ZNews ItemCommon plant could help reduce food insecurity, researchers find
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240216-common-plant-could-help-reduce-food-insecurity-researchers-find
An often-overlooked water plant that can double its biomass in two days, capture nitrogen from the air — making it a valuable green fertilizer — and be fed to poultry and livestock could serve as life-saving food for humans in the event of a catastrophe or disaster, a new study led by Penn State researchers suggests.2024-02-16T14:00:00ZNews ItemDairy cows fed botanicals-supplemented diets use energy more efficiently
https://agsci.psu.edu/news/20240212-dairy-cows-fed-botanicals-supplemented-diets-use-energy-more-efficiently
Supplementing the feed of high-producing dairy cows with the botanical extract capsicum oleoresin, obtained from chili peppers, or a combination of that extract and clove oil resulted in the animals using feed energy more efficiently and emitting less methane from their largest stomach, according to a new study conducted by Penn State researchers.2024-02-12T22:57:00ZNews Item