Penn State Energy and Environment News

Interdisciplinary projects awarded seed grants from IEE

| psu.edu

The 2017–18 Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE) seed grant recipients have recently been awarded to 16 groups of interdisciplinary researchers at Penn State. This year nearly $350,000 have been awarded to more than 40 researchers in five colleges at University Park as well as at four campuses.

Data driven dialogue: Scientists bring groups together on water quality concerns

| news.psu.edu

Shale Network, a team of scientists studying water quality around Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania, has spent the last six years fostering a dialogue between concerned citizens, watershed groups, government regulators and representatives from large energy companies around water quality data in the state.

The travel industry has sparked a backlash against tourists by stressing quantity over quality

| theconversation.com

At many popular destinations, residents are protesting against crowding, rowdy visitors and low wages. With some research, travelers can use their visits to enrich host areas instead of harming them.

The woman who loves the gunk on Neanderthal teeth

| cosmosmagazine.com

Laura Weyrich wanted to be a GP, but switched paths when she discovered the predictive power of microbiology. She talks to Geetanjali Rangnekar.

Public health researcher issues dire warning about ethane cracker

| alleghenyfront.org

The ethane cracker will bring 600 permanent jobs, but a researcher warns of impacts to air quality and health of residents nearby the future facility.

Penn State launches new cancer biology program

| psu.edu

Penn State is launching a new program dedicated to cancer biology. The program will focus on the molecular, cellular and translational aspects of cancer.

Varadero, a story about a resilient reef in Colombia's Bay of Cartagena

| bodhisurfyoga.com

Learn more about the Varadero Reef in the Bay of Cartagena in Colombia and its story of ecological resilience in the face of climate change and other environmental crises.

Pathway's power to boost, halt tumors may be promising cancer therapy target

| news.psu.edu

A protein may be a key part of a complex molecular cascade that can both cause and inhibit tumors in certain types of cancer, including skin and lung cancers. Penn State researchers suggest that understanding the basic biology of cancer can help the future design of anti-cancer therapies that attack cancer, but leave healthy cells alone.

New evidence of contaminants from fracking

| cmaj.ca

New evidence has emerged indicating that wastewater from fracking contains compounds harmful to human health. Fracking, a controversial technique for extracting oil and gas, involves injecting a water mixture deep into the ground to force open existing fissures. The process produces wastewater

Institutes of Energy and the Environment seed grant recipients announced

| psu.edu

The 2017 Institutes for Energy and the Environment seed grants have been awarded to a pool of interdisciplinary researchers at Penn State. Thirteen grants totaling more than $312,000 have been awarded to 42 researchers that addressed four research themes: Climate and Ecosystem Change, Future Energy Supply, Smart Energy Systems, and Water and Biogeochemical Cycles.

Natural gas industry wastewater pollution may linger for years

| wesa.fm

A new study finds the treated wastewater from Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry may pollute rivers, lakes, streams and creeks for longer than previously…

Researchers receive USDA grant to study new riparian buffer strategy

| psu.edu

A team led by researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has received a nearly $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a three-year study of a new flexible strategy to ramp up installation of riparian buffers.