News

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.

How does oil affect corals?

By the time a coral exposed to oil shows signs of sickness, it may already be close to death. That's why Huck Institutes affiliate Iliana Baums is investigating the use of molecular tools to detect signs of stress in corals before they become ill and to determine just how much oil is lethal to corals.

Biologist investigates lasting ecological impacts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill

At the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, in the vicinity of the Macondo well, Huck Institutes affiliate Charles Fisher discovered previously unseen impacts on coral communities.

When people go viral over plant viruses

While we tend to think of viruses as nasty germs that we try desperately to get rid of, only a small percentage of viruses are pathogens, said Huck Institutes affiliate Marilyn Roossinck in a recent presentation at the Millennium Cafe.

Video data-sharing library for developmental science established

In the largest project of its kind, Databrary an open-source, web-based video-data-sharing library sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health is being created by an interdisciplinary team of scientists that includes Huck Institutes affiliate Rick Gilmore.

Infectious disease research gets a boost from websites, blogs, and social media

While public health officials around the world are on alert about the pandemic potential of new disease threats, a team that includes Penn State University biologist Marcel Salathe is developing innovative new systems and techniques to track the spread of infectious diseases, with the help of news websites, blogs, and social media.

Microbiology experts will visit Penn State for the American Society for Virology's annual meeting

More than 1,200 leading microbiology and virus experts will take part in the American Society for Virology's 32nd annual meeting, to be held from July 20-24 at Penn State's University Park campus.

Penn State biologist is among 3 winners of 2013 Kyoto Prizes

Masatoshi Nei, an evolutionary biologist at Penn State and an affiliate of the Huck Institutes, is among the three winners of the Kyoto Prizes for 2013, the Inamori Foundation announced on Friday.

Researchers to focus on factors affecting forest regeneration

Over the next several years, Penn State researchers including Huck Institutes affiliate Duane Diefenbach in the College of Agricultural Sciences will study factors affecting forest regeneration in Pennsylvania.