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Explore the discoveries and breakthroughs advancing the life sciences

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honey bee on a flower

Penn State Extension webinars focus on bee biology, ecology and management

Tuberculosis kills 1.4 million people every year, making it the most deadly disease arising from a single infectious agent. Researchers found that the number of cases that are due to transmission from animals, as opposed to human-to-human transmission, may be much higher than previously estimated. IMAGE: VIVEK KAPUR, PENN STATE

Tuberculosis spread from animals to humans greater than previously thought

The concept of geologic influences on forest growth will be especially valuable in Pennsylvania, because it is a major producer of hardwood lumber, and the state has so much forest growing on its portion of the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, shown here. But the Ridge and Valley is a major portion of the forested Appalachian Mountains, so these findings should apply from southern New York to northern Georgia. IMAGE: WARREN REED/PENN STATE

Bedrock type under forests greatly affects tree growth, species, carbon storage

Researchers at Penn State aim to help minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread by identifying specific subway stations in which intervention resources — such as setting up testing sites, allocating additional personnel to disinfect frequently touched surfaces in subway stations, and distributing masks and hand sanitizer — could be of greatest benefit. IMAGE: EDDI AGUIRRE, UNSPLASH

Researchers aim to help cities prioritize interventions for public transit

Living in close proximity to human settlements disturbs giraffe social networks, according to a new study by an international team of scientists. IMAGE: SONJA METZGER

Human presence weakens social relationships of wild giraffes

A collection of microgreens that are being tested for robust growth and nutritional properties in one of Penn State’s greenhouses. IMAGE: FRANCESCO DI GIOIA, PENN STATE

Research team to study food resilience in the face of catastrophic global events

A few superspreaders transmit the majority of coronavirus cases

The Penn State Ecology Community is Committed to Combatting Racism and Injustice

Professor and virologist Marilyn J. Roossinck describes her work and interesting elements of virus behavior.

Virus Diversity Dependent on Host: Marilyn Roossinck Discusses Her Research

Biomimetic composites are produced by topological interactions, expanding the limits of the physical properties, such as electrical conductivity. IMAGE: MERT VURAL, PENN STATE

Self-assembling, biomimetic composites possess unusual electrical properties

A new atomic model for the LSD1/CoREST histone methylase in complex with its nucleosome substrate could provide important insight into how cells regulate their genes. IMAGE: SONG TAN, PENN STATE

New image of a cancer-related enzyme in action helps explain gene regulation

Huck Life Sciences Building

Huck graduate students among NSF award recipients

Chachrit Khunsriraksakul

BG student receives award for research on immunologic, rheumatologic diseases

(Left) A single stem cell-derived cardiac muscle cell expresses a muscle cell specific protein alpha-actinin (green). (Right) Electrophysiological characterization of stem cell-derived cardiac muscle cells. IMAGE: XIAOJUN LIAN

NSF CAREER grant recipient offers potential boost for stem cell therapy

US tops 100,000 coronavirus deaths with no end in sight

40% of COVID-19 patients may be asymptomatic as disease progresses

Symbiotic Logo

Podcast collaboration explores research, policy and democracy during pandemic

Antibody tests for COVID-19 are not reliable enough to evaluate immunity among individuals, but can inform decisions about public health, such as how and when to relax social distancing interventions, researchers say. IMAGE: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, UNSPLASH

COVID-19 antibody testing. What is it good for?

TikTok Videos Reveal Tiny Bugs Living In Strawberries

Researchers will determine best-practice ultraviolet levels and exposure times so that ultraviolet-based disinfection devices can be developed to kill airborne viruses in rooms and on surfaces. IMAGE: ALYSSA LAGRANGE, MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE

Battling disease with ultraviolet light

New Design Helps N95 Mask Wearers Breathe Easier

Democracy Works: The People Vs. The Experts — And Those Caught In The Middle

Keeping tabs on neighborhood wildlife may hook you on all the action

AHA News: A Nutritious Side Dish to Grill This Memorial Day