Ecology News | Ecology | The Huck Institutes (en-US)

Flatheads grow fast in this river system, attain large body sizes and can eat a variety of prey. Because adult flatheads have few natural predators, they can exert strong control over the ecosystem. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Sep 05, 2025

Invasive flathead catfish now top predators in Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania

New study suggests that smallmouth bass and channel catfish are changing what they eat to avoid having to compete with or being eaten by the invader.

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A team at Penn State has developed a novel wearable sensor capable of continuously monitoring low rates of perspiration for the presence of a lactate — a molecule the body uses to break down sugars for energy. Credit: Provided by Farnaz Lorestani. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 03, 2025

Don’t sweat it: New device detects sweat biomarker at minimal perspiration rate

Non-invasive, wearable sensor can identify and track lactate in low-perspiration conditions, researchers say.

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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 28, 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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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 25, 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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A mallard, shown here fitted with a GPS unit, can be tracked by researchers. In recent decades, mallards have experienced a range-wide decline of 12% in the U.S. The Integrated Movement Model being developed by researchers could help inform conservation and management of mallards by combining GPS tracking and citizen science reports. Credit: Clayton Holmes. All Rights Reserved.

Aug 25, 2025

GPS-outfitted birds and citizen sightings to inform a better migration model

Funded by an NSF grant, researchers aim to develop a powerful new tool that melds data from GPS device-carrying birds with sightings by citizen science groups.

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David Kennedy, associate professor of biology at Penn State, and Clara Shaw, now assistant professor of biology at the University of Minnesota Duluth Credit: Keith Hickey / Penn State / Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 22, 2025

What traits matter when predicting disease emergence in new populations?

Traits of early virus spread help determine if a virus will ultimately persist in a new population, according to new research.

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The team’s sensor is capable of measuring and reporting the chloride ion levels of a subject's sweat in real time with high precision and efficiency. Credit: Caleb Craig/Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

Aug 20, 2025

Breaking a sweat: Using chloride in sweat to help diagnose cystic fibrosis

Researchers at Penn State develop a wearable sensor that can accurately measure the chloride ion levels of sweat in real time.

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The treatment is used to control northern fowl mites, a blood-feeding parasite that can lead to health problems and lower egg production in chickens and other poultry. Credit: Zachariah Smith on Unsplash. All Rights Reserved.

Aug 15, 2025

Northern fowl mite treatment tested at Penn State receives FDA approval

A new way to treat poultry for fowl mites was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July, thanks in part to a team of researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

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This large American Elm tree stands on the Penn State Beaver campus near the Laboratory Classroom Building. American Elm trees are now considered rare after its population was ravaged by Dutch elm disease. Credit: Kristen Doerschner / Penn State Beaver / Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 12, 2025

Tree inventory creates map of campus foliage at Penn State Beaver

Penn State Beaver joined the Commonwealth Arboreta Network as Bartlett Tree Experts recently mapped campus trees as part of an ongoing initiative across all Commonwealth Campuses.

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