News

Gene integral to initiating, sustaining sperm cell development identified

With male infertility a mounting global concern impacting approximately 12% of men, a Penn State research team has discovered a gene that plays a key role in initiating and sustaining spermatogenesis. The finding may open a door for future therapies to boost sperm counts.

Replacing 3D printing plastics with plant-derived materials

A $650,000 USDA grant to fund Penn State researchers will support developing new and sustainable resin materials from lignocellulosic biomass.

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.

USDA grant awarded for study on soil health, weed control in organic operations

A nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded to Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will support research on soil health and weed suppression in organic farming.

Grants awarded to Penn State faculty for tropical ecosystems research in Belize

Three projects have been awarded seed grants as part of the Penn State-Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education Research and Education Initiative to develop agroforestry systems .

Females less likely to heal from ACL injuries than males

A study using an animal model is the first to examine tissue healing following chronic overuse injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament. Females also are less able to heal from these microtraumas than males.

Honey bees may inherit altruistic behavior from their mothers

True altruism is rare behavior in animals, but a new study by Penn State researchers has found that honey bees display this trait. Additionally, they found that an evolutionary battle of genetics may determine the parent they inherit it from.

Climate-driven extreme heat may make parts of Earth too hot for humans

If global temperatures increase by 1 degree Celsius (C) or more than current levels, each year billions of people will be exposed to heat and humidity so extreme they will be unable to naturally cool themselves.

Tracking Traits logo. Credit: Michael Tribone. All Rights Reserved.

Podcast explores impacts of inter-species microbial interactions

Over the past two decades, scientists have discovered that all multicellular life forms on Earth, including human beings, play host to a multitude of microorganisms.

A new method for selecting aptamers, or "chemical antibodies," created by Penn State engineers takes only days to complete, instead of the months typically needed for traditional methods. Credit: Kate Myers/Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

Novel hydrogel finds new aptamers, or ‘chemical antibodies,’ in days

One double-helix strand of DNA could extend six feet, but it is so tightly coiled that it packs an entire sequence of nucleotides into the tiny nucleus of a cell. If that same DNA was instead split into two strands and divided into many, many short pieces, it would become trillions of uniquely folded 3D molecular structures, capable of bonding to and possibly manipulating specifically shaped molecules — if they’re the perfect fit.