Scientists create 'living' gels that heal themselves like human tissue
| studyfinds.org
Discover the power of hydrogel: researchers at Penn State mimic tissue behaviors using special hydrogels for potential breakthroughs in material science. This article quotes Amir Sheikhi, associate professor of chemical engineering.
'Branching Out: The Power of Trees, Forest Ecology and Community Health' March 8
| psu.edu
At this community event, attendees and panelists will discuss the power of trees to save lives and provide for the future. The panel, featuring two arboretum directors and renowned ecologist and National Geographic Explorer at Large Nalini Nadkarni, will lead guests in envisioning the expansion of tree canopies for resilience in Penn's Woods.
Sustainable Labs Program increases participant engagement, welcomes new labs
| psu.edu
Penn State’s Sustainable Labs Program will host two virtual information sessions on Feb. 18 and 21 to provide an overview of the initiative, answer questions and guide prospective participants through the application process.
CA bill would make oil and gas companies liable for natural disasters
| iwf.org
California lawmakers want to hold oil and gas companies responsible for damages attributed to natural disasters, including high-intensity wildfires, under a new bill. This article cites a blog post by Hannah Wiseman, an IEE faculty member and professor of law at Penn State Law.
Harrisburg biology faculty member selected for fellowship
| psu.edu
James Mutunga, assistant professor of biology in Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering, and Technology, was recently selected as a fellow for the 2025 SciComm Identities Project.
Growing Impact: PFAS and human health (Preview)
| youtu.be
Full episode release date: March 1, 2025.PFAS, synthetic chemicals found in countless everyday products, have made their way into humans and animals around the globe. Although their health effects remain unclear, their widespread presence raises important questions. Scientists are now investigating whether these chemicals might disrupt the human gut microbiome, potentially impacting our health in unexpected ways.
New smart sensor takes the pain out of wound monitoring
| psu.edu
Researchers from Penn State and China’s Hebei University of Technology uncovered a new property of a sensor material, enabling the team to develop a new type of flexible sensor that can accurately measure both temperature and physical strain simultaneously but separately to more precisely pinpoint various signals.
Sustainability film highlights structural inequality in pandemic health outcomes
| psu.edu
SustainPSU is hosting an online screening of “Fire Through Dry Grass,” a documentary profiling the experience of residents in a New York City nursing home during the COVID-19 pandemic, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The film illustrates the structural inequalities faced by low-income communities, disabled communities, and communities of color that affected differences in health outcomes during the pandemic.
Penn State Ag Sciences professor conducts virtual exchange with Latvian University
| psu.edu
Noel Habashy, assistant teaching professor of international agriculture and development at Penn State, recently completed an Experiential Digital Global Engagement project with students from his course “INTAG 100N: Everyone Eats: Hunger, Food Security and Global Agriculture” and partners from Riga Stradiņš University, Latvia.
Inuit leaders to discuss climate-changed Arctic in panel, movie premiere
| psu.edu
The Penn State Climate Consortium’s February Climate Conversations Café will feature Inuit leaders who will discuss the challenges of a rapidly changing Arctic on Friday, Feb. 28, at Penn State University Park. The event is connected to the U.S. premiere of the film “A Century After Nanook,” which will take place on Saturday, March 1, at The State Theatre in State College.
Microplastics: Sources, health risks, and how to protect yourself
| by Hlengilizwe Nyoni
Plastic is everywhere, and it is essential to modern life. Yet it comes with a hidden cost: microplastics, tiny pollutants that have become a growing concern for both the environment and human health.
College of Agricultural Sciences student selected as Farm Foundation Cultivator
| psu.edu
Raymond Yan, a fourth-year agricultural and biorenewable systems management student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, represented the University at the January 2025 Farm Foundation Round Table in North Carolina. Yan, one of six students from across the country selected as a "cultivator" by the nonprofit organization Farm Foundation, presented research covering various multidisciplinary projects focusing on food system innovation.