News
Apr 27, 2026
Hydraulic brain: Body motion linked to fluid movement in the brain
The brain is more mechanically connected to the body than previously appreciated, scientists reported in Nature Neuroscience. Through a study using mice and simulations, the team found a potential biological mechanism underlying why exercise is thought to benefit brain health: abdominal contractions compress blood vessels connected to the spinal cord and the brain, enabling the organ to gently move within the skull. This swaying facilitates the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid to flow over the brain, potentially washing away neural waste that could cause problems for brain function.
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Apr 24, 2026
The robot Cambrian explosion: Penn State researchers advance biorobotics
Whether they’re dancing on two legs or scrambling over rough terrain on four, robots are gaining traction on social media and in everyday life. They’re already rapidly evolving in terms of capabilities and size, but according to Penn State Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Baxi Chong, they may be on the brink of something even better. Chong is one of several Penn State researchers capitalizing on unique biological features found in the living ecosystem to develop and expand the field of biorobotics.
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Apr 23, 2026
Detailed 3D Smithsonian specimen models enable far-reaching research
Penn State researchers in the Center for Quantitative Imaging (CQI) used advanced image processing to create high-resolution computer-generated 3D models, called meshes, and visualizations of polychaete worms for the Smithsonian Institution. The digital models of these aquatic segmented worms preserve the biological specimens in detail and allow researchers worldwide to examine key anatomical features without handling the original material.
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Apr 22, 2026
New clues for using common fungus to promote crop growth and health
Trichoderma species — a common fungus found in soils — have varying abilities to promote tomato plant growth and differentially affect the abundance of certain soil bacteria, according to a study led by researchers at Penn State. The work was the latest in a line of research evaluating the use of this common group of fungi as an alternative to pesticides for controlling soilborne pathogens, said Seogchan Kang, professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences and co-corresponding author of the study.
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Apr 20, 2026
Connected habitats help wildlife fight disease, strengthen protective microbes
A team led by Penn State biologists found that amphibians in connected natural forests and aquatic habitats were more likely to host beneficial skin microbes that inhibit a deadly fungal pathogen. But when these habitats become spatially separated due to planted crops, infrastructure development or other human land use, those microbial defenses weaken and pathogen infection levels can increase with potentially deadly results.
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Apr 20, 2026
Sun awarded Robert T. Simpson Graduate Student Award for Innovative Research.
The Graduate Program Core Committee announced that Jiawan Sun has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Robert T. Simpson Graduate Student Award for Innovative Research.
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Apr 17, 2026
Student teams win cash awards for their AI solutions in the Nittany AI Challenge
A panel of industry experts and Penn State faculty selected five student teams as winners of the 2026 Nittany AI Challenge. The teams will use their prize money to continue developing projects that use artificial intelligence (AI) for the good of society.
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Apr 17, 2026
Penn State faculty member named American Physiological Society president-elect
Penn State Department of Kinesiology faculty member Lacy Alexander, professor of kinesiology and research professor in charge, has been named the 2025-26 president-elect of the American Physiological Society.
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Apr 16, 2026
3D-printed brain sensors may unlock personalized neural monitoring
Soft electrodes designed to perfectly match a person’s brain surface may help advance neural interfaces for neurodegenerative disease monitoring and treatment, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers. Neural interfaces are powered by tiny sensors capable of tracking biophysical signals, known as bioelectrodes.
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Apr 16, 2026
Penn State biochemist Melanie McReynolds awarded Hypothesis Fund seed grant
Melanie McReynolds, Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, has been selected to receive a seed grant from the Hypothesis Fund. The Hypothesis Fund aims to advance scientific knowledge by supporting early stage, innovative research — led by scientists at broad swath of universities — that increases adaptability against systemic risks to the health of people and the planet.
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