Firefly populations at risk due to climate change, urban development
| psu.edu
Catching fireflies is an iconic summer experience for many people living in North America, but the flickering beetles are on the decline. A new study by a team that includes Penn State researchers has identified factors that may be contributing to declining populations.
Bird flu is infecting more mammals, so what does that mean for us?
| post-gazette.com
In her three decades of working with elephant seals, Dr. Marcela Uhart had never seen anything like the scene on the beaches of Argentina’s Valdés Peninsula last October. This article quotes Troy Sutton, professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences.
Companies aim to release more treated oilfield wastewater into rivers and streams
| yahoo.com
Texas regulators are issuing permits to discharge large volumes of treated “produced water” into some waterways. Questions remain about the toxic pollutants found in the wastewater. This article mentions Penn State research.
Geography master's student gains real-world perspective through EPA internship
| psu.edu
Samuel Cohen, a graduate student in the Department of Geography at Penn State, saw the real-life impact of his research during a summer internship at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Cohen's thesis research focuses on the biogeochemistry and ecohydrology — or how hydrological processes influence ecosystems — of human-impacted watersheds. Cohen said his goal is to better understand the fate and behavior of pollutants and that the tangible aspects of his internship were pivotal, as they allowed him to witness how his research could be applied.
Increasing sustainability through education at United States national parks
| psu.edu
Derrick Taff, associate professor in the Penn State Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, is leading multiple studies that influence sustainability education and policies at Rocky Mountain National Park and Grand Teton National Park. He also recently completed a scholar-in-residence program with the Rocky Mountain Conservancy.
Middle-of-the-road mountains form the best carbon sinks
| eos.org
Silicate rock weathering has a sweet spot: erosion that isn’t too fast or too slow. This article quotes Evan Pugh University Professor Susan Brantley.
Applications now open to faculty for Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for 2025-26
| psu.edu
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program's 2025-26 competition is now open for faculty, staff and administrators, featuring more than 400 awards offered in more than 135 countries. The awards cycle is open until Sept. 16.
$20M NSF grant to support center to study how complex biological processes arise
| psu.edu
A $20 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation will support the establishment and operation of the National Synthesis Center for Emergence in the Molecular and Cellular Sciences at Penn State. The center will enable research that uses existing, publicly available data to glean new insights about how complex biological systems, such as cells, emerge from simpler molecules. Findings from the research could eventually inform the development of disease treatments and other applications such as minimizing the negative effects of aging.
After a long slog, climate change lawsuits will finally put Big Oil on trial
| yahoo.com
After years of legal appeals and delays, some oil companies are set to stand trial in lawsuits brought by state and local governments — including in Minnesota — over the damages caused by climate change. This article quotes Hannah Wiseman, professor of law at Penn State Law.
US government commits $2.5M to battery-testing center at Penn State Behrend
| psu.edu
Penn State Behrend has been awarded $2.5 million in federal funding to develop a battery-testing facility in the college’s Knowledge Park, where a planned Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness will support the transition to battery-powered heavy-haul equipment in the rail, marine and mining industries.
Capstone Design Conference to showcase student innovation and creativity
| psu.edu
Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering and Technology will hold its annual Capstone Design Conference from 12:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 26, on campus.
Bird flu is infecting more mammals. What does that mean for us?
| nytimes.com
H5N1, an avian flu virus, has killed tens of thousands of marine mammals, and infiltrated American livestock for the first time. Scientists are working quickly to assess how it is evolving and how much of a risk it poses to humans. This article quotes Troy Sutton, assistant professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences.
Once a frozen haven, climate-driven rising temperatures are rapidly thawing the Arctic permafrost, posing a major threat to communities and infrastructure. Researchers are investigating how these changes will transform rivers, with potential consequences for erosion, sediment transport, and the entire Arctic landscape. Additionally, their project incorporates art to communicate these critical findings in an engaging way. Listen to the podcast.
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