News
Nov 11, 2020
Smell and taste changes provide early indication of COVID-19 community spread
Self-reports of smell and taste changes provide earlier markers of the spread of infection of SARS-CoV-2 than current governmental indicators, according to an international team of researchers. The researchers also observed a decline in self-reports of smell and taste changes as early as five days after lockdown enforcement, with faster declines reported in countries that adopted the most stringent lockdown measures.
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Nov 09, 2020
Could SARS-CoV-2 evolve resistance to COVID-19 vaccines?
Similar to bacteria evolving resistance to antibiotics, viruses can evolve resistance to vaccines, and the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 could undermine the effectiveness of vaccines that are currently under development, according to a paper published Nov. 9 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by David Kennedy and Andrew Read from Penn State.
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Nov 09, 2020
Rainbow Science Network: Inclusive scientists, inclusive science
After six months of design and preparation, the Rainbow Science Network (RSN) launched in October and is ready to assist in fostering a fully inclusive environment in research groups in the Eberly College of Science.
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Nov 09, 2020
Ganesh Anand joins Department of Chemistry as associate professor
Ganesh Anand will be joining the Eberly College of Science this November as an associate professor of chemistry.
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Oct 27, 2020
Podcast features researchers collecting local COVID-19 data for action
On Oct. 19, The Symbiotic Podcast teamed up with the hosts of Podward State — a Penn State student-produced podcast — to interview researchers working on a profoundly collaborative project designed to measure multiple impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents and students in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
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Oct 26, 2020
Malaria parasites hide out in humans when it's not mosquito season
Malaria parasites survive the mosquito-free dry season by waiting silently in humans for the return of the rainy season that brings back with it mosquitoes. New research, by an international team including Penn State scientists, helps explain how the Plasmodium falciparum parasite survives the disruption to its lifecycle, which requires development within the mosquito host for transmission between people.
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Oct 23, 2020
Penn State, Freiburg offer virtual course on pest and pollinator management
In February 2020, as part of a mutual effort to enhance a strategic partnership between the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg and Penn State that dates back to 1998, the two universities announced the selection of two joint proposals for novel online classroom projects.
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Oct 22, 2020
Grafting with epigenetically-modified rootstock yields surprise
Novel grafted plants—consisting of rootstock epigenetically modified to “believe” it has been under stress joined to an unmodified scion, or above-ground shoot—give rise to progeny that are more vigorous, productive and resilient than the parent plants.
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Oct 21, 2020
Novel bioresorbable, tissue-healing surgical device approved by FDA
A new surgical tendon fixation system that not only re-attaches damaged tissues but also facilitates healing as it is absorbed by the body has been granted 510(k) clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, indicating that the device is “as safe and effective” as other legally marketed devices and is ready to go to market.
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Oct 21, 2020
Mouthwashes, oral rinses may inactivate human coronaviruses
Certain oral antiseptics and mouthwashes may have the ability to inactivate human coronaviruses, according to a Penn State College of Medicine research study.
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