News

Lab Bench to Commercialization 2024 grant recipients announced

Four projects led by researchers in the Penn State Eberly College of Science have been selected to receive Lab Bench to Commercialization (LB2C) grants in 2024

Drought may drive deadly amphibian disease, researchers find

Pumpkin toadlets are in trouble. Progressively severe droughts are disrupting the microbiomes of the thumbnail-sized orange frogs, potentially leaving them vulnerable to a deadly fungal disease, according to a new study by an international research team.

How does Zika virus replicate and transmit from mother to fetus?

In 2015, an outbreak of Zika virus, driven by a heavy rain season and subsequent boom in the virus’s host mosquito population, caused thousands of babies in Brazil to be born with severe birth defects.

Foodborne-pathogen Listeria may hide from sanitizers in biofilms

An estimated 1,600 people in the U.S. contract a serious infection from Listeria bacteria in food each year. Penn State researchers may now better understand how the bacteria, called Listeria monocytogenes, survive and persist in fruit-packing plants by evading and surviving sanitizers.

Many models are better than one for COVID-19 scenario projections, study finds

New research examines the performance of COVID-19 projections used to aid pandemic response by the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub.

College of Ag Sciences recognizes faculty, staff for research achievements

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences lauded outstanding accomplishments in research during the 2023 Research Awards Ceremony, held Nov. 1 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

Q&A: Modeling measles amidst a global disruption in vaccine supplies

According to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published Nov. 17 in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a drop in vaccination coverage led to a 72% increase in reported measles cases and a 43% increase in measles deaths during 2021-22.

First rapid tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea exhibit 100% sensitivity

Chlamydia and gonorrhea disease currently has a clinically available rapid test, but that could change thanks to a Penn State-led research team. This could be used for a variety of infections.

Manuel Llinás named as the Ernest C. Pollard Professor in Biotechnology

Manuel Llinás, distinguished professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and of chemistry in the Penn State Eberly College of Science, has been named the Ernest C. Pollard Professor in Biotechnology.

Q&A: What is the Eva J. Pell ABSL-3 Laboratory for Advanced Biological Research?

Beata Clapp explains how Penn State’s Pell Lab facilitates research to forecast the severity of potential disease outbreaks and inform the development of therapeutics and diagnostics.