News | The Huck Institutes (en-US)

Researchers analyzed the genetic composition of 46 mammals, including lions, lemurs and porcupines, illustrated here. Credit: Provided by Yana Safanova . All Rights Reserved.

Sep 29, 2025

Population bottlenecks cause decline of mammals’ immunity, researchers find

Population bottlenecks caused by stark population loss due to illness or habitat destruction caused mammals’ disease immunity to decline, according to a new study led by computational biologists in the Penn State School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

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The team found that a number of populations of Xanthomonas and Pseudomonas bacteria were present on the plants that had developed a resistance against bacterial speck, suggesting they play a role in suppressing the disease. Credit: Dan Gol/Unsplash. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 29, 2025

New clues in how plant microbiomes protect against bacterial speck disease

Bacterial speck is a common disease affecting tomatoes that can result in lower yields for growers. A new study led by researchers at Penn State gives new clues on how a plant’s microbiome can be used to combat the pathogen.

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A new research network co-led by researchers at Penn State seeks to detect the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias years before symptoms emerge, in order to to reduce the personal and financial impacts of the disease. Credit: Getty Images - Milan2099. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 25, 2025

Penn State to co-lead national brain health and dementia prevention initiative

New network aims to advance early Alzheimer's detection through open-source digital tools and was made possible by a $39M grant from the National Institute on Aging.

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Mark Latash and Sayan Deep De Credit: Provided by Sayan Deep De. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 25, 2025

Q&A: How do humans control their bodies?

Research into the neurological and physical mechanisms that humans use to perform everyday tasks can reveal much — including who may be at a higher risk for Parkinson’s disease.

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Penn State doctoral students selected to participate in the Biotechnological and Integrative Opportunities in Microbiome Science doctoral training fellowship, from top left: Erika Biernbaum, Talon Jost, Paula Blanco Ortiz, Jie Feng, Natalie Ford, Jessica Gaydos, Ashley Ohstrom, Shane Connolly, Mackenna Yount, Yara Cavalcante Viera and Kathleen Culhane. Credit: Provided by fellows. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 23, 2025

One Health Microbiome Center awards 11 inaugural doctoral training fellows

Fellows represent the first cohort of the National Institutes of Health-supported doctoral training program in microbiome sciences and biotechnology.

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Mycelium of phytophthora palmivora, which can give rise to cacao black pod disease, grows from an agar plug, infecting a cacao leaf 48 hours after inoculation. Credit: Mark Guiltinan/Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 23, 2025

Gene editing, traditional crossbreeding produce disease-resistant cacao plants

Novel approach could revolutionize sustainable chocolate production while addressing global food security, researchers report.

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The human egg cell, illustrated here, contains specialized genetic instructions called mitochondrial DNA. Credit: Jezperklauzen/Getty Images. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 23, 2025

In brief: Certain age-related DNA mutations are less common in human eggs

A new Penn State-led study suggests that human eggs may have a built-in defense against age-related DNA mutations, a finding that could help researchers better understand reproductive aging and health.

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Andrew Patterson has been named director of Penn State’s Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis. Credit: Michael Houtz. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 23, 2025

Patterson to lead Penn State center on environment and health

Andrew Patterson has been named director of the Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis.

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Extension Educator Michael Powell instructs on proper, safe chainsaw usage. Penn State Extension offers videos on using the powerful, dangerous tools safely. Credit: Michael Houtz/Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 19, 2025

Q&A: What are the best ways to protect against chainsaw injuries?

Expert in College of Agricultural Sciences offers suggestions on how to prevent injuries while using a chainsaw.

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Study first author, Marjorie Jauregui, a pilot plant research technologist at Penn State, found that radish microgreens, no matter at what temperature they were dried, retained a significant portion of nutrients. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Sep 19, 2025

Hot air drying largely preserves nutritional composition of radish microgreens

Inexpensive, low-tech process preserves plant compounds that provide health benefits; offers potential insight into producing microgreens food powder supplements.

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