Intersections film series to screen ‘Merchants of Doubt’ on Wednesday, Nov. 5
| psu.edu
Sustain Penn State’s Intersections film series will continue its fall program with an online screening of “Merchants of Doubt” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The film reveals decades-long practices of corporations hiring people who seem to have scientific credentials, but who instead spread scientific disinformation in order to prevent public regulation and oversight.
Small group of users drive invasive species awareness on social media
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In the age of social media, the battle against invasive species in nature is increasingly unfolding online. A new study analyzing over 500,000 tweets posted between 2006 and 2021 found that that mammals, especially urban pests like cats, pigs and squirrels, dominated online conversation with aquatic habitats and island ecosystems as frequent backdrops for viral posts.
Spotted lanternfly may use ‘toxic shield’ to fend off bird predators
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Spotted lanternflies may season themselves to the distaste of potential bird predators, according to a new study led by entomologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
EarthTalks: Executive to address mine development, needs in critical minerals
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Rens Verburg, geochemist and executive at the firm WSP USA, will give a free talk on Nov. 3, titled, "The Critical Minerals Rush — Not So Fast," as part of the EarthTalks series hosted by the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute.
Geography lecture to explore climate change and mental health in Ghana
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Thelma Abu, assistant professor of environment and human interactions at the University of Connecticut, will deliver a talk during the Department of Geography's "Coffee Hour" on Friday, Oct. 31.
Penn State research enterprise continues to grow, produce positive impacts
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Penn State’s research enterprise reached a new milestone in fiscal year 2024-25 with $1.44 billion in total research expenditures, the largest in the University’s history. The amount — which is an 8% increase, or $110 million, over the previous year — reflects the combined external and internal investments in critical research areas, such as artificial intelligence, national defense, energy resilience, agriculture and public health.
Q&A: Can honey bee-inspired research make electric grids more resilient?
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Led by Penn State Professor Wangda Zuo and funded by a $1 million grant, researchers are drawing inspiration from honey bee colonies to improve the resilience of electric grids by enabling energy devices to communicate and share power directly, similar to how bees coordinate resources in a hive.
Old dog, new tricks: Prehistoric viruses can be used to defend bacterial cells
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A previously overlooked defense mechanism involving extremely old, dormant viruses can successfully help bacteria defend against modern viruses, according to a new study led by Thomas Wood, professor of chemical engineering at Penn State.
Graduate fieldwork in Malawi connects restoration, data and community
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For two Penn State geography graduate students, fieldwork in Southern Africa offered more than a research assignment. It provided a front-row view of how science, community and collaboration come together in the effort to restore landscapes undergoing rapid environmental change.
Newly discovered ‘super-Earth’ offers prime target in search for alien life
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The discovery of a possible “super-Earth” less than 20 light-years from our own planet is offering scientists new hope in the hunt for other worlds that could harbor life, according to an international team including researchers from Penn State.
SustainaLions ERG kicks off second year with new opportunities for engagement
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Since 2023, members of Penn State's diverse university-wide Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have played a vital role in building a culture that uplifts collaboration, community, and sustainability amongst all employees. One example is the SustainaLions ERG, which was launched in 2024 and is entering its second year with an expanded vision and language.
Coal plants emitted more pollution during the last government shutdown, while regulators were furloughed
| by Ruohao Zhang
Ruohao Zhang, Penn State; Huan Li, North Carolina A&T State University, and