How a genetic tug-of-war decides the fate of a honey bee
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Despite having identical genetic instructions, female honey bee larvae can develop into either long-lived reproductive queens or short-lived sterile workers who help rear their sisters rather than laying their own eggs. Now, an interdisciplinary team led by researchers at Penn State has uncovered the molecular mechanisms that control how the conflict between genes inherited from the father and the mother determine the larva’s fate.
Remembering Carlo Pantano, former director of the Materials Research Institute
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The Penn State community mourns the loss of Carlo G. Pantano, a globally respected glass scientist, dedicated educator and former director of Penn State’s Materials Research Institute, who died on May 31. He was 74.
Penn State ranks 24th in US, 82nd globally in 2026 QS World University Rankings
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Penn State tied for No. 82 in the world in the recently released 2026 QS World University Rankings, placing the University in the top 6% worldwide among the 1,501 institutions ranked by QS. Penn State also placed, out of 192 ranked U.S. institutions, at No. 6 among Big Ten universities, No. 8 among U.S. public institutions, and No. 24 among all U.S. universities.
Tune in to unveiling of first images from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and LSST
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At a live-streamed first look event, the first images and videos from the U.S. National Science Foundation–Department of Energy Vera C. Rubin Observatory will be unveiled. Over the next decade, the observatory will conduct the Legacy Survey of Space and Time — an international project of which Penn State is a member — to create an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition time lapse record of the Universe.
Penn State 3rd in US, 64th globally in 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
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Penn State ranks No. 3 in the United States and No. 64 overall among the top international institutions assessed by the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings. These rankings aim to assess universities against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — global goals adopted by all U.N. member states that look to improve life for all people and protect the planet. Penn State is one of only four U.S. institutions to rank in the top 100 globally.
Q&A: Who is in the most danger during a heatwave?
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Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In this Q&A, W. Larry Kenney, professor of physiology and kinesiology and Marie Underhill Noll Chair in Human Performance at Penn State, and doctoral candidate Olivia Leach discuss their research on the upper limits of heat and humidity that people can withstand based on their age, sex and health.
Commonwealth Campus faculty honored for excellence
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Five faculty members were honored with awards at the end of the spring semester – three given by the University College for research, teaching and service, and two from the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses in recognition of innovative teaching practices to enhance student learning.
Five named Big Ten Academic Alliance Department Executive Officer fellows
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The Big Ten Academic Alliance Department Executive Officers program has gained five additional fellows from the Penn State ranks.
Strange radio pulses detected coming from ice in Antarctica
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A cosmic particle detector in Antarctica has emitted a series of bizarre signals that defy the current understanding of particle physics, according to an international research group that includes scientists from Penn State.
Heard on Campus: College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Troy Ott at Timber 2025
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Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association co-hosted the 2025 Forest Products Equipment and Technology Exposition, June 6-7 at Penn State's Ag Progress Days site at Rock Springs. The college's dean, Troy Ott, was on hand to support the partnership among Penn State, the state's forest products industry, forest landowners and government agencies.
Q&A: Has nature always been strange? The ‘eco-weird’ unmakes the familiar
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The eco-weird, an emerging genre pioneered by Penn State philosopher Brian Onishi, focuses on the strange feelings familiar places in nature can cause. In this Q&A, Onishi discussed the concept, which is detailed in his recently published book on the topic.
Bellisario College Dean Marie Hardin named Scripps Howard Administrator of the Year
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Dean Marie Hardin of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State was named as the 2024 Scripps Howard Administrator of the Year.