Penn State Energy and Environment News

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.

IceCube researchers detect a rare type of energetic neutrino sent from powerful astronomical objects

| theconversation.com

Tau neutrinos are notoriously difficult to spot in detectors like IceCube. But researchers have managed to isolate 7 candidates.

$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.

FDA finds traces of bird flu virus in grocery store milk but says pasteurized dairy is still safe

| wfmz.com

The FDA said that it does not think it is likely that the particles would able to infect people but it is conducting additional tests to be completely sure. This article quotes Mark Boudreau, teaching professor of biology at Penn State Brandywine.

For millions of Americans, high-speed internet is unavailable or unaffordable − a telecommunications expert explains how to bring broadband to the places that need it the most

| theconversation.com

Affordable access to high-speed internet brings educational opportunities, economic development and better access to health professionals. This article quotes Christopher Ali, Pioneers Chair of Telecommunications.

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.

Dairy cows transported between states must now be tested for bird flu

| nytimes.com

Since a new form of bird flu arrived in 2022, federal officials have sought to reassure Americans that the threat to the public remained low. This article quotes Troy Sutton, assistant professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences.

Geography student explores food sustainability at Taproot Kitchen

| psu.edu

Geography undergraduate student James Schafer has found a way to apply his geography education to address local issues, particularly around food sustainability and social empowerment, through volunteering with Taproot Kitchen.

Penn State molecular biologist, Ross Hardison, named an AAAS Fellow

| psu.edu

Ross Hardison, Academy Professor and professor emeritus of biochemistry and molecular biology, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Engineering professor named AIMBE fellow

| psu.edu

Patrick Drew, professor of engineering science and mechanics and an associate director of the Huck Institutes, was inducted into the 2024 class of fellows for the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

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.