A rediscovered soil archive – more than a century old – could show how years of farming alters soil
| kcur.org
Soil science is a relatively new field and becoming more critical in the work to keep soil healthy and productive. The discovery of century-old soil samples at a land-grant university could offer big clues into how soil has changed over time. This article quotes Rita Graef, director of the Pasto Agricultural Museum.
Penn State tests dairy herd for bird flu in support of state surveillance effort
| psu.edu
Animal health experts in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have announced that — out of an abundance of caution — they will test the University’s dairy herd for highly pathogenic avian influenza, under a voluntary state testing program.
Sixth Bioinorganic Workshop brings researchers together for unique opportunity
| psu.edu
Since 2010, the Penn State Eberly College of Science’s Department of Chemistry has hosted the Bioinorganic Workshop for researchers in the bioinorganic chemistry field at Penn State and other universities across the country and around the world.
Unearth gardening tips at Ag Progress Days Yard and Garden Area
| psu.edu
Need expert gardening advice? Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences experts will offer consultations in the Yard and Garden Area during Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13-15.
Stuckeman School names diversity, inclusion, access, well-being, equity honorees
| psu.edu
The Stuckeman School has named Marc Miller, associate professor of landscape architecture, the school’s inaugural associate director for access, wellbeing and equity (AWE). He will oversee the school's Diversity and Inclusion Fellow Program as well as the newly created AWE Ambassador Program.
Message in a bottle: Combining mixed-color glass an option to boost recycling
| psu.edu
Only about 33% of glass is recycled in the United States, partly due to expenses like sorting bottles by color. A new study found glass from post-consumer bottles of different colors can be safely melted together in the recycling process, which could potentially lead to more bottles being recycled, according to Penn State scientists
Complete recycle of solid-state batteries possible, thanks to polymer layers
| interestingengineering.com
The recycled battery retained over 92 percent of the original coin cell battery’s discharge capacity. This article mentions Penn State research.
There's a right and a wrong way to build a solar farm
| popsci.com
Large renewable energy installations can handle storm runoff and soil erosion, if constructed correctly. This article quotes Lauren McPhillips, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering
Girirajan named head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
| psu.edu
Santhosh Girirajan, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and interim head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, has been named head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Penn State's Eberly College of Science, effective July 1.
Q&A: Xianbiao Hu on driving transportation research forward
| psu.edu
Xianbiao "XB" Hu, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Penn State with a Larson Transportation Institute (LTI) affiliation, shared his transportation engineering expertise with President Neeli Bendapudi and others at a visit to LTI’s test track on June 29. Penn State News spoke with Hu about his research and some of his recent and ongoing projects that address emerging transportation issues affecting drivers in Pennsylvania.
Resident questions groundskeepers' landscaping decision with concerning consequence: 'Many are dying'
| thecooldown.com
The dreaded "mulch volcano" — where mulch is piled up and packed around the base of a tree — is a landscaping trend that has become incredibly pervasive. This article quotes Penn State Extension expertise.
How Penn State’s sustainability initiatives rank among other universities
| psucollegian.com
Each college and campus at Penn State has the opportunity to create a Sustainability Council to advance all of the university’s different sustainability goals.
Lacking a standard unit for light measurement, scientists devised a spectral sensitivity curve in the early 20th century. This graph, representing an "average human observer," mathematically quantifies light. Though imperfect, it remains the standard today, but an update could significantly improve the energy efficiency of lighting. Listen to the podcast.
Join Our Mailing List
IEE publishes a weekly email newsletter and event guide during most of the year containing featured news stories, events, and other announcements.