News

Penn State researchers earn funding for sustainable weed and insect management

Three Penn State research teams have received awards totaling $1.78 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to investigate climate-smart approaches to pest control in agriculture.

Levon Esters, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Fox Graduate School, with the recipients of the 2024-25 University Graduate Fellowships and Distinguished Graduate Fellowships. Credit: The Fox Graduate School at Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

University fellowships awarded to 110 graduate students

The J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School at Penn State named 110 graduate students as recipients of the 2024-25 University Graduate Fellowships and Distinguished Graduate Fellowships. The students were honored on Oct. 3 at a reception held at the Bryce Jordan Center.

The researchers collected 58 bulk tank milk samples and applied various AI algorithms to differentiate between baseline samples and those representing potential anomalies, such as milk from an outside farm or milk containing antibiotics.  Credit: SeanShot/Getty Images. All Rights Reserved.

AI decodes microbes’ message in milk safety testing approach

By combining the genetic sequencing and analysis of the microbes in a milk sample with artificial intelligence (AI), researchers were able to detect anomalies in milk production, such as contamination or unauthorized additives.

Martu women cook bush tomatoes in a campfire while waiting to roast the monitor lizards piled to the right of the fire. Credit: Photo used with permission from senior Martu estate holders, courtesy of Rebecca Bliege Bird. All Rights Reserved.

Landscape effects of hunter-gatherer practices reshape idea of agriculture

Indigenous hunter-gatherer practices play key role in plant dispersal, genetic diversity and conservation, according to new research led by Penn State anthropologists.

Levon Esters, dean of the Fox Graduate School at Penn State, with the 2024 Three Minute Thesis finalists. Credit: Jillian Wesner / The Fox Graduate School at Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

Three Minute Thesis competition provides lasting impact for graduate students

In the final round of the first Penn State Three Minute Thesis competition in March 2024, 11 graduate students took the stage at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center to show off their research, represent themselves, and compete for both prize money and the opportunity to compete in a regional 3MT competition.

A new program offered by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will provide growers with knowledge that can help them succeed in the expanding market for microgreens. Credit: Francesco Di Gioia/Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

New project to support microgreens producers with risk management education

Faculty members in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have launched a new project to help agricultural producers tackle the challenges of microgreens production.

Babesiosis, a disease spread by ticks, is on the rise. Credit: Penn State Extension / Penn State. Creative Commons

Rates of a tick-borne parasitic disease are on the rise

Cases of babesiosis increased 9% per year, on average, between 2015 and 2022 and nearly half were co-infected with another tick-borne illness such as Lyme disease, according to a new study

Recent findings will help identify the groups of bees that may be most at-risk and aid in creating conservation strategies, according to researchers. Credit: Neringa Normantaite/Unsplash. All Rights Reserved.

Adding fall blooming plants may help both managed and wild bees in cities

Recent findings will help identify the groups of bees that may be most at-risk and aid in creating conservation strategies, according to researchers.

Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

12 Penn State faculty receive U.S. Fulbright Scholar Awards for 2024-25 year

Twelve Penn State faculty members received Fulbright Scholar Awards for the 2024-25 academic year, according to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. An additional four faculty members have been named Fulbright Specialist Award recipients.

USDA grant to support summer research experiences for undergraduates

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently announced an investment of $11.6 million in its Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates program. Among the recipients, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences was awarded a $750,000 grant to support 50 undergraduate students in exploring career opportunities in food science and nutritional sciences.