News
Mar 10, 2022
How grasses like wheat can grow in the cold
A new, large-scale analysis of the relationships among members of the largest subfamily of grasses, which includes wheat and barley, reveals gene-duplication events that contributed to the adaptation of the plants to cooler temperatures.
Full Article
Mar 07, 2022
Studying diseases with better delivery of gene-editing tools
Using gene-editing tools with stem cells can be challenging because their delivery into cells can be inefficient, time-consuming, or expensive. A Penn State-led team of interdisciplinary researchers has developed a method that improves the lifespan and efficiency of CRISPR gene-editing tools after delivery.
Full Article
Mar 03, 2022
Researchers publish how-to guide for monitoring and analyzing brain activity
Penn State researchers have developed a set of tools and methods to better monitor and analyze sleep-related signals and fidgeting in rodent brain studies. Considered the bedrock of biomedical research, rodent studies often provide the first advanced understanding of brain activity and are the foundation on which human studies are eventually built.
Full Article
Mar 02, 2022
Students in Department of Animal Science receive accolades for research
There are many opportunities to participate in undergraduate- and graduate-level research in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Graduate students Emily Van Syoc and Sophia Kenney are among those reaping the numerous benefits.
Full Article
Mar 01, 2022
A new molecular family tree of grasses
The evolutionary relationships among grasses — including important crop plants like wheat, rice, corn, and sugarcane — have been clarified in a new molecular study of the grass family tree. Having a clear picture of the relationships among the grasses can help understanding of how important crop traits like seed size or disease resistance evolves and eventually could inform manipulation of these traits to increase crop yields.
Full Article
Feb 25, 2022
Repurposing FDA-approved drugs may help combat COVID-19
Several FDA-approved drugs — including for type 2 diabetes, hepatitis C and HIV — significantly reduce the ability of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 to replicate in human cells, according to new research led by scientists at Penn State. Specifically, the team found that these drugs inhibit certain viral enzymes, called proteases, that are essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication in infected human cells.
Full Article
Feb 25, 2022
Microscopy director propagates new discoveries and new scientists
The directors of the core facilities at Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences work behind the scenes on many successful research projects; often they are accomplished scientific researchers themselves. In many cases, these experts — and their facilities — bring insight, diverse experience, and decades of expertise to Penn State.
Full Article
Feb 22, 2022
Penn State establishes the Geroscience and Dementia Prevention Consortium
There is growing evidence that cognitive decline and dementia can be slowed. According to a recent report commissioned by the Lancet, an estimated 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by targeting modifiable behavioral, physical health, and psychosocial risk factors. There are also new drug therapies being created, behavioral interventions, and other areas that have shown promise in research.
Full Article
Feb 21, 2022
Omicron detected for first time in white-tailed deer
Some white-tailed deer living in Staten Island, New York, are actively infected with the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2, according to new research led by scientists at Penn State. The team also found neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in one of the Omicron-infected deer, suggesting that, like humans, deer can be reinfected with the virus.
Full Article
Feb 17, 2022
Penn State biologist Michael Axtell named distinguished professor
Michael Axtell, professor of biology at Penn State, has been selected to receive the title of distinguished professor of biology in recognition of his exceptional record of teaching, research, and service to the University community.
Full Article