News

Chronic inflammation may lead to low milk production in breastfeeding moms

Eighty percent of mothers breastfeed their newborns, but only 25% breastfeed exclusively for the six months recommended by United States Dietary Guidelines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Indigo Ag creates fellowship to further efforts of Penn State Microbiome Center

In support of the Penn State Microbiome Center, Indigo Agriculture has created the Indigo Agriculture Graduate Fellowship in the College of Agricultural Sciences through a $200,000 gift, matched 1:1 by the University through the now-concluded Graduate Scholarship Matching Program.

New 'Life From All Angles' video highlights Lance Lian’s stem cell research

The latest episode of "Life From All Angles," a YouTube series from the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, features Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Xiaojun "Lance" Lian and his efforts to produce new cardiomyocytes to advance the effectiveness of stem cell differentiation.

Corn-colonizing fungus may help the crop repel disease, grow larger

A fungus that can colonize, or grow within, corn plants doesn’t just leave the plant unharmed — it also can help the plant stave off harmful bugs and other fungi, according to a new study by Penn State researchers.

New grant looks to biomaterials to help reduce construction waste

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 600 million tons of construction and demolition debris from man-made polymers and petroleum-based materials was generated in 2018 in the United States.

Model shows how intelligent-like behavior can emerge from non-living agents

From a distance, they looked like clouds of dust. Yet, the swarm of microrobots in author Michael Crichton’s bestseller “Prey” was self-organized.

Study examines feeding damage caused by spotted lanternflies on young maples

Short-term, heavy feeding by adult spotted lanternflies on young maple trees inhibits photosynthesis, potentially impairing the tree’s growth by up to 50 percent, according to a new study by Penn State scientists.

Combination of two materials creates high-performance, stretchy nanogenerator

The popularity of wearable electronics has induced demand for their parts, including power sources such as triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs).

Materials Research Institute accepting proposals for two seed grant projects

The Materials Research Institute (MRI) offers a series of seed grants to Penn State researchers that encourage high-risk, high-impact collaborative projects across multiple disciplines with great potential for societal benefit. Currently, calls for proposals are open for two seed grant programs.

Novel 3D imaging model may show path to more water-efficient plants

Changes in Earth’s orbit that favored hotter conditions may have helped trigger a rapid global warming event 56 million years ago that is considered an analogue for modern climate change, according to an international team of scientists.