News | The Huck Institutes (en-US)

Andrew Patterson, John T. and Paige S. Smith Professor, professor of molecular toxicology and of biochemistry and molecular biology, and Huck Chair in Molecular Toxicology at Penn State, has been named associate director for shared and core facilities at the Huck Institutes. Credit: Mike Houtz / Penn State. Creative Commons

Sep 01, 2025

Andrew Patterson named Huck associate director for shared and core facilities

Patterson, Huck Chair in Molecular Toxicology, champions discovery through collaboration at Huck’s core facilities.

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Images of of a lychee seed and a mouse brain scanned in the Huck Institutes' High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging Core Facility. Credit: Thomas Neuberger / Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 29, 2025

Huck launches new seed grant program to support research in MRI Core Facility

Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences is requesting proposals for a new “Life at All Scales” seed grant program that will afford researchers opportunities to explore the capabilities of the High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Core Facility. Proposals are due Sept. 30.

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Penn State will utilize the petition in communication with Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation as a clear demonstration of widespread support for the University’s research mission and its statewide impact. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 28, 2025

Penn State petition calls for support of federally funded research

A petition launched by Penn State invites the University community to support continued federal investment in research that plays a vital role in life-changing solutions, powering economic growth across the commonwealth and beyond, and driving transformational discovery.

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New research by Penn State scientists shows that migration of farming groups was the dominant factor in the spread of agriculture, while cultural adoption by hunter-gatherers only played a minimal role. Pictured are the remains of a house in the Neolithic village of Barnhouse Settlement, Orkney, Scotland. Credit: Creative Commons. All Rights Reserved.

Aug 27, 2025

Ancient DNA reveals farming spread through migration, locals slow to adopt it

Using mathematical models, computer simulations, and ancient DNA analysis, an interdisciplinary team of scientists at Penn State was able to measure how migration and cultural adoption each contributed to the expansion of farming.

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Beech Creek, a 170-square-mile watershed in Clinton and Centre counties, has shifted from a thriving trout fishery to waters polluted by acidic mine drainage. Credit: Chris Komlenic. All Rights Reserved.

Aug 27, 2025

Research sheds light on Beech Creek’s struggle with abandoned mine drainage

Students in the TREES dual-title graduate degree program partnered with residents to gather data and build support for watershed restoration.

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Zinc enrichment and light intensity affect the nutritional composition of radish microgreens, shown here. The researchers found that high light intensity decreased the production of plant-defense compounds while it increased the production of antioxidants. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 26, 2025

Fine-tuning zinc supplementation, light exposure to boost microgreens’ nutrition

Microgreens, which are young, edible plants that only take one to three weeks to harvest, are more than garnish at trendy restaurants — they could be the answer to global hunger, according to plant scientists at Penn State.

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The team's research, conducted on mouse-ear cress — scientific name Arabidopsis thaliana, pictured — and fava beans, or Vicia faba, revealed that sugars, along with maleic acid, a chemical involved in energy production, act as crucial messengers that control how and when plants “breathe” and “eat." Credit: Sarah Assmann / Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 25, 2025

Messenger signals that cue plants to ‘eat’ and ‘breathe’ revealed for first time

A new study by an international team of scientists led by Penn State researchers reveals for the first time the molecular messengers that control how and when plants “breathe” and “eat,” which could have implications for agriculture.

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A partnership of CNH, the Penn State Corporate Engagement Center and Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will advance research and student learning through the use of a New Holland fully methane-powered tractor. The college received the tractor during its Ag Progress Days expo. From left are Paul Heinemann, professor of agricultural and biological engineering and director, Technology in Agriculture and Living Systems Initiative; Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding; Troy Ott, dean of the college; Sean Dorosz, CNH medium tractor marketing manager; Russell Howard, CNH Pennsylvania territory sales manager; Beth Gugino, assistant dean for graduate education and associate director of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station; John Peterson, director of corporate engagement, Penn State; Philip Eby, CNH hay and forage product manager; Andrew Tarman, CNH haytool hydraulics and driveline test manager; and Samanta Cassinera, CNH combine resource and operations manager. Credit: Michael Houtz / Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 22, 2025

Natural gas-powered tractor to boost ag science research at Penn State

Faculty and students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will soon have expanded opportunities for hands-on learning and research with the addition of New Holland’s fully methane-powered tractor.

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A crowd gathers to watch a field machinery demonstration Aug. 13 during Ag Progress Days 2025. Credit: Michael Houtz/Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. All Rights Reserved.

Aug 22, 2025

Penn State’s 2025 Ag Progress Days a success in showcasing innovation, impact

Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, held Aug. 12-14 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, was a successful showcase of agricultural innovation, research and technology, according to leaders in the College of Agricultural Sciences, which sponsored the event.

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A team led by a researcher at Penn State has developed a sensor that can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes on-site in a few minutes using just a breath sample.

Aug 22, 2025

New sensor is a breath of fresh air for diagnosing diabetes

A team led by a researcher at Penn State has developed a sensor that can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes on-site in a few minutes using just a breath sample.

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