News

3-D imaging sheds light on Apert Syndrome development

Three-dimensional imaging of two different mouse models of Apert Syndrome shows that cranial deformation begins before birth and continues, worsening with time according to a team of researchers, including Huck Institutes affiliate Joan Richtsmeier, who studied mice to better understand and treat the disorder in humans.

A key regulatory protein is discovered to be essential for malaria parasite transmission to mosquitos

Two teams one of them led by Huck Institutes researcher Manuel Llinas have independently discovered that a single regulatory protein acts as the master genetic switch that triggers the development of male and female sexual forms (termed gametocytes) of the malaria parasite, solving a long-standing mystery in parasite biology with important implications for human health.

Drought, fires impact ability of Amazon to hold carbon dioxide

Fires in the Amazon could jeopardize the forest's ability to soak up carbon dioxide emissions even as deforestation there slows down, according to Huck Institutes scientist Jennifer Balch.

Cancer treatment, artery repair are goals of $3 million in NIH grants

The National Institutes of Health have awarded grants totaling $3 million for two nanoparticle research projects in which Huck Institutes bioengineer Jian Yang is co-principal investigator.

Environment influences ability of bacterium to block malaria transmission

The environment significantly influences whether or not a certain bacterium will block mosquitoes from transmitting malaria, according to Penn State scientists including postdoctoral researcher Courtney Murdock of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics.

Scientific racism's long history mandates caution

Racism as a social and scientific concept is reshaped and reborn periodically through the ages, and according to Huck Institutes affiliate Nina Jablonski both medical and scientific researchers need to be careful that the growth of genomics does not bring about another resurgence of scientific racism.

Asian longhorned beetles pheromone could be used for management

According to an international team of researchers that includes Huck Institutes faculty scientist Kelli Hoover, female Asian longhorned beetles lure males to their locations by laying down sex-specific pheromone trails on tree surfaces, and this finding could lead to the development of a tool to manage these invasive pests.

Coral reef biologist Todd LaJeunesse stars in comic

Cartoonist Adrian Pijoan illustrates a story of conservation research to highlight environmental challenges.

Nanomotors are controlled, for the first time, inside living cells

For the first time, a team of Penn State chemists and engineers including Huck Institutes faculty scientist Tony Jun Huang has placed tiny synthetic motors inside live human cells, propelled them with ultrasonic waves and steered them magnetically.

Wasps use ancient aggression genes to create social groups

Aggression-causing genes appeared early in animal evolution and have maintained their roles for millions of years and across many species, even though animal aggression today varies widely from territorial fighting to setting up social hierarchies, according to a research team that includes Huck Institutes faculty scientist Christina Grozinger.