Penn State Energy and Environment News

Penn State Sustainability to screen 'Newtok' for Intersections Film Series

| psu.edu

Penn State Sustainability’s (SustainPSU) Intersections Film Program returns at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16 with its screening of “Newtok.” The film will be screened online on Zoom and is free and open to the public with pre-registration.  

Once-rare infection spread by tick bites on the rise in the US... and it's already reached the UK, warn experts

| dailymail.co.uk

Every year the tick-borne disease babesiosis, sometimes referred to as 'American malaria', has increased by an average of 9 per cent between 2015 and 2022 in the US. This article features Penn State research.

Video: Hurricane Milton sucks water out of Tampa Bay

| yahoo.com

Tampa Bay experienced a rare reverse storm surge as Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday evening. This article quotes Peter Stempel, associate professor in landscape architecture.

It’s time to redesign hurricane season’s most recognizable graphic

| fastcompany.com

The ‘cone’ has been a staple in hurricane communication, but many meteorologists believe it’s misleading. This article quotes Rob Lydick, a forecaster for Weather World at Penn State.

AI decodes microbes’ message in milk safety testing approach

| psu.edu

By combining the genetic sequencing and analysis of the microbes in a milk sample with artificial intelligence (AI), researchers were able to detect anomalies in milk production, such as contamination or unauthorized additives. The new approach could help improve dairy safety, according to the study authors from Penn State, Cornell University and IBM Research.  

Landscape effects of hunter-gatherer practices reshape idea of agriculture

| psu.edu

Humans likely played key roles in affecting plant dispersal and genetic diversity long before the advent of farming, according to new research by Penn State anthropologists.

Three Minute Thesis competition provides lasting impact for graduate students

| psu.edu

Graduate students took away positive experiences participating in Penn State’s inaugural Three Minute Thesis competition this past spring. 

A matter of taste: Electronic tongue reveals AI inner thoughts

| psu.edu

A team led by Penn State researchers recently developed an electronic tongue capable of identifying differences in similar liquids, such as milk with varying water content; diverse products, including soda types and coffee blends; signs of spoilage in fruit juices; and instances of food safety concerns. They found that results were even more accurate when artificial intelligence used its own assessment parameters to interpret the data generated by the electronic tongue.

Retiring coal plants with climate and equity in mind

| engineering.princeton.edu

Facing competition from cheap natural gas and a growing renewables market, coal-fired power plants are on the decline in the United States. This article features a multi-university research team that includes Penn State.

Penn State celebrates promotions of 254 faculty

| psu.edu

Recently promoted faculty were joined by their families and colleagues for a celebration of their accomplishments and contributions to Penn State in the Bryce Jordan Center’s 1855 Room. Teaching, clinical, research and library faculty, who account for more than half of all faculty at Penn State, came from across the commonwealth to celebrate their promotions.

Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences faculty honored by national society

| psu.edu

Two faculty members in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Ali Demirci and Juliana Vasco-Correa, recently received awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Looking to the future, Master Watershed Steward emphasizes conservation

| psu.edu

As a self-described outdoor person, Penn State Master Watershed Steward volunteer Sue Nielsen not only understands the importance of protecting natural resources for future generations but also sees that everyone has an active role to play in conservation.