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How to stay safe from 5 common but dangerous bugs this summer

In human brains, as global brain activity (blue) occurs, the arrows point to cerebral spinal fluid moving (orange and red). In these functional MRI images, the left brain demonstrates a weaker coupling, indicating Alzheimer's disease. A healthy coupling appears in the right images. IMAGE: XIAO LIU/PENN STATE

Coupled brain activity, cerebrospinal fluid flow could indicate Alzheimer's risk

The researchers discovered that a location on canine parvovirus (CPV) where dog antibodies bind — called an antibody binding site — overlaps with a location on CPV where the virus attaches to cells — called a receptor binding site — in a fashion that is similar to SARS CoV-2 and influenza viruses. As a result, when antibodies attach to this antibody binding site on the virus, they prevent the virus from then attaching to and infecting cells. The image shows an antibody attached to CPV. IMAGE: PENN STATE

New images of canine parvovirus may help predict how virus jumps to new species

Reef-building corals, such as elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), and their hybrid, all pictured here, co-evolve with the microscopic algae that live within their cells, according to a new study by Penn State biologists. IMAGE: LISA CARNE, FRAGMENTS OF HOPE BELIZE

Reef-building corals and microscopic algae within their cells evolve together

COVID-19 model consensus: Quiet summer, uncertain fall

Data 4 Action (D4A) Penn State student research assistants process blood samples so they will be ready for serology testing to detect the presence of antibodies to COVID-19. IMAGE: DAN LESHER/PENN STATE

Data 4 Action enriches student experience while documenting pandemic

A community of Pocillopora corals on a reef in Palau with light micrograph insets of Cladocopium pacificum nov. (left) and Cladocopium latusorum sp. nov. (right), two dinoflagellate symbionts critical to these coral animals' health and growth. IMAGE: CORAL PHOTO, TOM BRIDGE, JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY; ALGAE PHOTOS, KIRA TURNHAM, PENN STATE

Widespread coral-algae symbioses endured historical climate changes

Results from a late March 2020 survey conducted by Penn State College of Medicine researchers may be useful for refining health messaging approaches during COVID-19 resurgences and in planning for future pandemics.  IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES | VALENTINRUSSANOV

Sufficient knowledge but sense of information overload evident early in pandemic

Current projects in the new facility are focused on retrieving ancient DNA — the code inside all living things — to understand how humans, animals and the environment have changed through time.

Photo Gallery: A New Home for Ancient DNA

New CDC Guidelines Say You Don’t Have to Wear a Mask When Riding Outdoors

As Brood X cicadas emerge, Northeast Pa. awaits their arrival

Why Aren't There Mammals in Super Vivid Colors Like There Are Birds and Bugs?

Mother fence lizards that experience stress during pregnancy give birth to male offspring with shortened telomeres, which is associated with shortened life spans, according to new research. IMAGE: TRACY LANGKILDE, PENN STATE

Maternal stress during pregnancy may shorten lifespans of male lizard offspring

So Far, Vaccines Remain Effective Against Variants

New research modeling the plant cell wall reveals that chains of cellulose bundle together within the cell wall and slide against each other when the cell is stretched, providing a unique combination of strength and extensibility. The image shows the cell wall model as it is stretched, including its primary components cellulose (purple), xyloglucan (green), and pectin (yellow). IMAGE: COSGROVE LAB, PENN STATE

What makes plant cell walls both strong and extensible?

A Penn State-led team of scientists has developed a diagnostic test for early detection of citrus greening, a disease that causes green, misshapen and bitter citrus fruit — making it unmarketable and threatening the $3.35 billion U.S. citrus industry. IMAGE: DAVID BARTELS, USDA ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE

CRISPR/Cas technology could enable early diagnosis of devastating citrus disease

Will My Sense Of Smell Ever Return? Olfactory Insights From COVID And Beyond

Dr. Benkovic headshot

Pioneering chemist Stephen Benkovic elected Foreign Member of Royal Society 6

Whole-Genome Data Point to Four Species of Giraffe

CDC says coronavirus could be under control this summer in U.S. if people get vaccinated and are careful

Used face mask crumpled on the ground.

Models project COVID-19 cases may spike in May, before sharply declining by July

Five new research collaborations between Penn State and minority-serving institutions selected to receive seed funding via the Inter-Institutional Partnerships for Diversifying Research program

Three Penn State faculty elected to National Academy of Sciences

Researcher in the field.

Mutant corn gene boosts sugar in seeds, leaves, may lead to breeding better crop

Penn State researchers 3D bioprinted breast cancer tumors (green) and cultivated their supportive microenvironments (purple) to better understand how they interact with one another. IMAGE: OZBOLAT LAB/PENN STATE

The micro-environment of breast cancer in three dimensions