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Charlene Shupp Espenshade, executive director of the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation, prepares to sample microgreens cultivated at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences during the college’s recent Legislative Research Tour. She is joined by graduate students Auja Bywater and Rishi Ravichandran. Credit: Sean Duke / Penn State. Creative Commons

College of Ag Sciences research tour explores connection between food, health

Government and industry stakeholders got a literal taste of the future of agriculture by sampling hydroponically grown greens at one of several presentations during the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences’ annual Legislative Research Tour, held Sept. 25 at the University Park campus.

Study first author, Marjorie Jauregui, a pilot plant research technologist at Penn State, found that radish microgreens, no matter at what temperature they were dried, retained a significant portion of nutrients. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Hot air drying largely preserves nutritional composition of radish microgreens

Inexpensive, low-tech process preserves plant compounds that provide health benefits; offers potential insight into producing microgreens food powder supplements.

During extreme heat, older adults can submerge their hands and forearms in tap water to cool their core temperatures and reduce their heart rates, according to a new study by researchers in the Penn State Department of Kinesiology. Credit: Dennis Maney / Penn State. Creative Commons

Submerging forearms in water may help protect older adults during extreme heat

Immersion of hands and forearms helps lower core body temperature, according to a new study from researchers in the Penn State Department of Kinesiology.

Andrew Patterson, John T. and Paige S. Smith Professor, professor of molecular toxicology and of biochemistry and molecular biology, and Huck Chair in Molecular Toxicology at Penn State, has been named associate director for shared and core facilities at the Huck Institutes. Credit: Mike Houtz / Penn State. Creative Commons

Andrew Patterson named Huck associate director for shared and core facilities

Patterson, Huck Chair in Molecular Toxicology, champions discovery through collaboration at Huck’s core facilities.

A partnership of CNH, the Penn State Corporate Engagement Center and Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will advance research and student learning through the use of a New Holland fully methane-powered tractor. The college received the tractor during its Ag Progress Days expo. From left are Paul Heinemann, professor of agricultural and biological engineering and director, Technology in Agriculture and Living Systems Initiative; Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding; Troy Ott, dean of the college; Sean Dorosz, CNH medium tractor marketing manager; Russell Howard, CNH Pennsylvania territory sales manager; Beth Gugino, assistant dean for graduate education and associate director of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station; John Peterson, director of corporate engagement, Penn State; Philip Eby, CNH hay and forage product manager; Andrew Tarman, CNH haytool hydraulics and driveline test manager; and Samanta Cassinera, CNH combine resource and operations manager.   Credit: Michael Houtz / Penn State. Creative Commons

Natural gas-powered tractor to boost ag science research at Penn State

Faculty and students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will soon have expanded opportunities for hands-on learning and research with the addition of New Holland’s fully methane-powered tractor.

A crowd gathers to watch a field machinery demonstration Aug. 13 during Ag Progress Days 2025. Credit: Michael Houtz/Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. All Rights Reserved.

Penn State’s 2025 Ag Progress Days a success in showcasing innovation, impact

Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, held Aug. 12-14 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, was a successful showcase of agricultural innovation, research and technology, according to leaders in the College of Agricultural Sciences, which sponsored the event.

Study lead author Sophia Kenney, postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Animal Science, samples a maternity pen for Salmonella Dublin. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Bacteria strains infecting cattle and humans in US are highly similar

Researchers report dangerous, often antibiotic-resistant pathogen called Salmonella Dublin is circulating among animals, humans and food-associated environments.

Lacy Alexander (seated) and Auni Williams recreate one of the experiments from the study, where women submerge their hand in cold water while their blood pressure is monitored. Credit: Aaron Wagner / Penn State. Creative Commons

Endometriosis affects more systems in women’s bodies than previously understood

Women with the condition displayed lower blood pressure responses to stress than other women in new study .

Logo of the Eberly College of Science's Science Matters: Spotlight Sessions. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Eberly College introduces Science Matters: Spotlight Sessions outreach events

The Penn State Eberly College of Science is introducing a new series of outreach events — titled Science Matters: Spotlight Sessions — to provide a unique opportunity for the community to engage directly with the brilliant minds working on the front lines of discovery to create positive, real-world impact.

Huck names new associate director for graduate education

Penn State Professor of Anthropology David Puts has been named the associate director for graduate education at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.