News

Jun 20, 2025
How a genetic tug-of-war decides the fate of a honey bee
Despite having identical genetic instructions, female honey bee larvae can develop into either long-lived reproductive queens or short-lived sterile workers who help rear their sisters rather than laying their own eggs. Now, an interdisciplinary team led by researchers at Penn State has uncovered the molecular mechanisms that control how the conflict between genes inherited from the father and the mother determine the larva’s fate.
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Jun 11, 2025
‘Fingerprinting’ plant compounds helps explain food, drink tastes
Researchers develop method to determine what compounds affect bitter taste, mouthfeel in wine, dark chocolate, and other foods and drinks.
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Jun 11, 2025
Q&A: Unifying the microbiome sciences for global health and sustainability
Recently, members of Penn State's One Health Microbiome Center published an article in the American Society for Microbiology’s flagship journal, mBio. In this Q&A, a few of the paper’s authors discussed how the center is leading the charge to breakdown traditional disciplinary silos and expand the One Health focus to include more than just pathogenic microbial threats.
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Jun 03, 2025
Isolated Torrey pine populations yield insights into genetic diversity
Researchers find a few genes that allowed trees from insular populations to adapt to local conditions may inhibit their adjustment long term to a new location.
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Jun 02, 2025
Huck opens search for Associate Director for Graduate Education
The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences is seeking an innovative Penn State faculty member with a strong background in interdisciplinary life sciences research and a passion for teaching and mentoring graduate students to join our Huck leadership team as an Associate Director for Graduate Education.
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May 29, 2025
Biology professor, Huck associate operations director to retire
After a decade of service to the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and a distinguished academic career spanning four decades, James Marden, professor of biology and associate director of operations, will retire from Penn State at the end of June.
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May 22, 2025
Looking to cut calories? Try adding chilies, study suggests
Throwing a little heat on your meal might be an effective strategy for cutting back on calories, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State.
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May 14, 2025
Second round of Penn State-Auckland seed grant recipients complete projects
The 18-month term for the 2023-24 seed grant-funded projects recently concluded, with the teams submitting their final reports.
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May 12, 2025
Manufacturing PA Innovation Program funds two Stuckeman-led research projects
Two projects led by Stuckeman School architecture researchers have garnered grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Manufacturing PA Innovation Program
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May 08, 2025
Cultural burning by Indigenous peoples increased oak in forests near settlements
New study shows fire-tolerant trees were more abundant around historic Native American villages in southern New England
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