News | The Huck Institutes (en-US)

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Apr 09, 2025

Complete genome sequences of six ape species unveiled

Previously inaccessible regions reveal novel insights that may advance understanding of evolution and conservation genetics for endangered apes as well as human health.

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Urara Hasegawa, assistant professor at Penn State, demonstrates thermogels, special materials that can turn from a liquid into a solid when triggered by heat. New thermogels developed by Hasegawa and her team show promise as a next-generation biomaterials. Credit: Urara Hasegawa. All Rights Reserved.

Apr 09, 2025

‘Patchy’ thermogels show next-gen biomedical material potential, scientists say

Special biomedical materials that can be injected as a liquid and turn into a solid inside our bodies — called thermogels — could provide a less-invasive way to deliver drugs or treat wounds. Scientists at Penn State have developed a new design for these materials that further improves their properties and may hold particular promise for use in tissue regeneration, the researchers said.

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The U.S. National Science Foundation National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences at Penn State recently announced its first cohort of working groups. The center is supporting 10 initial working groups which will conduct research in accordance with open science principles, producing peer-reviewed articles, public datasets and reproducible workflows. The working groups will reuse and integrate diverse datasets, creatively visualized in this illustration, to gain insights about emergent properties that could potentially answer fundamental scientific questions and lead to transformative discoveries. Credit: NicoElNino/Alamy Stock Photo. All Rights Reserved.

Apr 09, 2025

NCEMS working groups to answer molecular and cellular bioscience questions

The U.S. National Science Foundation National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences at Penn State aims to drive multidisciplinary collaboration utilizing publicly available research data.

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As AI expands, so does its environmental footprint, from high energy use to e-waste. But with efficient models, greener infrastructure and smarter design, the tech industry can curb its impact and improve its sustainability. Credit: Adobe Stock. All Rights Reserved.

Apr 09, 2025

Q&A: Can artificial intelligence growth and sustainability go hand in hand?

Optimizing AI to use less energy and protect the environment

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In research conducted at the Penn State dairy barns, cows that were fed a diet that included 15% whole cottonseed produced 5% more milk fat per day than cows not eating whole cottonseed. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Apr 08, 2025

Feeding dairy cows whole cottonseed byproduct boosts milk fat, researchers find

In a new study, a team led by researchers at Penn State demonstrated that supplementing dairy cattle feed with 15% whole cottonseed can increase milk fat concentration and yield.

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Apr 04, 2025

Forty-two graduate students recognized with University awards

Annual awards celebrate graduate students' impact in research, scholarship, teaching, outreach and more.

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In a recent study, a team of researchers led by Penn State scientists tested a new hypothesis for why some species of butterflies and moths have very specific diets, feeding on only a few types of plants, while others are far less picky. Credit: Nick Sloff / Penn State. Creative Commons

Apr 03, 2025

Picky eaters by day, buffet by night: Butterfly, moth diets sync to plant aromas

In a recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, an international team of researchers tested a new hypothesis for why some Lepidoptera have very specific diets, feeding on only a few types of plants, while others are far less picky.

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On the latest episode of “Growing Impact,” a team of Penn State researchers discusses how their seed grant project aims to address nitrous oxide emissions from the agricultural sector by developing a system for real-time emissions monitoring and reduction.

Apr 01, 2025

Researchers working to address agricultural greenhouse gas emissions

On the latest episode of “Growing Impact,” a team of Penn State researchers discusses how their seed grant project aims to address nitrous oxide emissions from the agricultural sector by developing a system for real-time emissions monitoring and reduction.

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Erika Machtinger researching in the field

Mar 31, 2025

Machtinger harnesses the power of collaboration to solve complex problems

Erika Machtinger is a veterinary entomologist whose work impacts wildlife, agriculture, industry, and public health across the U.S. Her efforts hinge upon the unique, interdisciplinary ecosystem of researchers and resources at Penn State.

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A multi-institutional team led by Dipanjan Pan, the Dorothy Foehr Huck & J. Lloyd Chair Professor in Nanomedicine at Penn State, recently received a five-year, $2.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to develop the next generation of synthetic blood. Credit: Provided by Dipanjan Pan. All Rights Reserved.

Mar 31, 2025

$2.7M NIH grant to fund next generation of synthetic blood

A multi-institutional team led by Dipanjan Pan, the Dorothy Foehr Huck & J. Lloyd Chair Professor in Nanomedicine at Penn State, recently received a four-year, $2.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to develop the next generation of synthetic blood.

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