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Study first author Michelle Zavala-Paez, doctoral candidate in Penn State’s Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, selects the main shoot of a hybrid Populus tree to collect the first fully expanded leaf for physiological measurements. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

December 18, 2025

Genetic teamwork may be the secret to climate-resilient plants, researchers find
The Thompson Hollow Fire in April 2025 in Michaux State Forest — in Cumberland County — left behind a charred landscape. Credit: Mobashsira Tasnim. All Rights Reserved.

December 17, 2025

$1.74M grant to fund Eastern Fire Network
A new high-throughput study that used publicly available data shows that E. coli proteins containing a structure called a non-covalent lasso entanglement (NCLE) are more likely to misfold and, if they are essential to the bacteria’s survival, more likely to be repaired by chaperones — the cell’s quality control machinery. Image shows that misfolded (outlined in red) essential proteins (bottom) containing NCLEs are more likely to be repaired (outlined in green) by cellular chaperones (dark grey) than non-essential proteins (top). Credit: Ian Sitarik/O’Brien Lab / Penn State. Creative Commons

December 16, 2025

For certain life-essential proteins in E. coli, repair is more likely
Researchers at Penn State found that two proteins thought to operate in harmony to regulate the genetic information-carrying messenger molecules called mRNA actually work in opposition: one protein destabilizes mRNA while the other steadies it. Credit: wildpixel/Getty Images. All Rights Reserved.

December 16, 2025

Opposing forces in cells could hold clues to treating disease

December 15, 2025

Evaluating the evaluators: How do plant virus genome analysis tools stack up?
The stories that defined 2025 for the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State

December 15, 2025

The stories that defined 2025 for the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State

December 13, 2025

Penn State Engineering Students Showcase Innovative Designs at Fall Capstone Event
Researchers used advanced imaging techniques, conducted at Penn State’s publicly funded Core Facilities, to study the architecture of the Turnip Crinkle Virus (TCV). This plant pathogen has an icosahedral — or 20-sided — shell that is the same structure as many human pathogens, such as enteroviruses, noroviruses, poliovirus, hepatitis B virus and the virus that causes chickenpox. Pictured are Varun Venkatakrishnan, left, a Penn State doctoral student, and Ganesh Anand, associate professor of chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons

December 12, 2025

Unique bond identified as key to viral infection speed
A new study has uncovered several instances of wood warblers — like the magnolia warbler pictured here — passing color-related genes to other species of wood warblers, including those that are not closely related. Credit: Davey Walters. All Rights Reserved.

December 11, 2025

Warblers borrow color-related genes from evolutionary neighbors, study finds
A person in a red jacket holding a microphone

December 11, 2025

Mentorship and communication take center stage at training summit
New research shows how artificial oil-in-water droplets embark on a “treasure hunt,” extending filopodia-like arms toward chemical riches hidden in their environment. The glowing chest symbolizes chemical cues that direct growth and sensing, echoing the way living cells explore their surroundings. Credit: Sanjana Krishna Mari, Sen Laboratory / Penn State. Creative Commons

December 09, 2025

In brief: Like living cells, oil-in-water droplets reach out with 'arms'
Two College of Ag Sciences faculty earn spots on highly cited researchers list

December 08, 2025

Two College of Ag Sciences faculty earn spots on highly cited researchers list

December 05, 2025

How much protein do pecans have?
Eyes for an agricultural robot: AI system identifies weeds in apple orchards

December 04, 2025

Eyes for an agricultural robot: AI system identifies weeds in apple orchards
The Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS) is accepting proposals from Penn State faculty for the next round of the ICDS Rising Researcher Collaborations Funding Opportunity for 2026-27. Credit: NINENII/Adobe Stock. All Rights Reserved.

December 04, 2025

Institute for Computational and Data Sciences seeks Rising Researchers proposals
Vaccine-induced false positives are a major roadblock in the development and approval of an HIV vaccine, according to a research team at Penn State. The researchers developed a test that can differentiate between false positives and active HIV infections. Credit: MicroStockHub/Getty Images. All Rights Reserved.

December 03, 2025

New test distinguishes vaccine-induced false positives from active HIV infection
Credit: Getty Images/LightFieldStudios. All Rights Reserved.

December 01, 2025

New technique maps genetic variants driving neurodegenerative disease risk
Food science graduate student awarded Pennsylvania Space Grant fellowship

November 24, 2025

Food science graduate student awarded Pennsylvania Space Grant fellowship
Laurel Seemiller sitting at a computer displaying her research

November 19, 2025

Postdoctoral Fellow Laurel Seemiller named a Rising Star in Neuroscience
Shrinking materials hold big potential for smart devices, researchers say

November 19, 2025

Shrinking materials hold big potential for smart devices, researchers say

November 18, 2025

Stress-Sensitive Neurons May Have a Powerful Effect on Our Entire Brain
A reasonable portion of lean beef can be part of a healthy diet when consumed with ample servings of vegetables, fruits and/or whole grains, according to a new study by an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Penn State. Credit: OksanaKiian/Getty Images. All Rights Reserved.

November 18, 2025

Eating lean beef as part of a healthy diet may not increase heart disease risk

November 17, 2025

Doctors discover how stress can damage brain cells

November 17, 2025

‘Groundbreaking’ Test Uses Menstrual Blood to Diagnose Endometriosis in Minutes