News

Scientists mimic natural conditions in the lab to more accurately test stress

Bolstering results with methodological insight, a team of scientists led by Huck Institutes researcher Victoria Braithwaite and graduate student Lauren Chaby has garnered compelling evidence that chronic, unpredictable stress during adolescence causes long-term changes in individuals' cognitive bias and coping response.

Penn State team wins Department of Energy poster competition

A group of Penn State scientists from the Center for Lignocellulose Structure and Formation led by Huck Institutes affiliate Daniel Cosgrove took first prize in a U.S. Department of Energy "Ten-Hundred and One Word Challenge" contest in which scientists were challenged to explain their research using only images, cartoons, photos, and the 1,000 most commonly used words in the English language.

Dark chocolate lovers show tolerance for bitterness in ice cream

In light of the global obesity epidemic, many consumers and health professionals are concerned about the levels of added sugars in foods. Now, a study by Penn State researchers including Huck Institutes affiliate John Hayes has shown that some consumers may not need all the added sugars in order to enjoy one of America's favorite comfort foods: chocolate ice cream.

Unique pathogen requires a novel approach to studying virulence

Huck Institutes researcher Moriah Szpara takes an interdisciplinary tack in her work -- using tools from neurobiology, virology, bioinformatics, and comparative genomics to find keys to a cure for human herpesvirus.

Announcing the new Predoctoral Training Program in Computation, Bioinformatics and Statistics (CBIOS)

The Huck Institutes announce a new NIH-funded predoctoral training program the CBIOS Training Program aimed at preparing a cadre of young scientists to excel in cross-disciplinary genomics research cutting across the traditional disciplines of life sciences, computer science, bioinformatics, and statistics.

Even zombies need an agent

While unraveling a dramatic case of mind control, biologist David Hughes brought the real science behind zombies to the big-screen Hollywood blockbuster "World War Z."

Avocado farmers face unique foe in fungal-farming beetle

Beetles with unusual "green thumbs" for growing fungi are threatening avocado crops and could transform into a more destructive pest, according to an international team of researchers that includes Huck Institutes affiliate David Geiser.

Mathematical models target disease with drugs chosen by your DNA

Medicines that are personally tailored to your DNA are becoming a reality, thanks to the work of U.S. and Chinese scientists including Huck Institutes affiliate Rongling Wu who have developed statistical models to predict which drug is best for a specific individual with a specific disease.

Drought response identified in potential biofuel plant

Drought resistance is key to large-scale production of Jatropha, a potential biofuel plant, and an international group of scientists that includes Huck Institutes affiliate John Carlson has identified the first step toward engineering a hardier variety.

Understanding bulls' gene-rich Y chromosomes may improve herd fertility

Researchers including Huck Institutes affiliate Wansheng Liu have found that, surprisingly, the Y chromosomes of cattle have more genes and are more active than the Y chromosomes of a variety of primates and other mammals.