Engineering professor recognized by Earth and space association with dual awards
| psu.edu
Li Li, the Barry and Shirley Isett Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the Penn State College of Engineering, was selected for two honors from the American Geophysical Union, the world’s largest Earth and space science association, for her scientific contributions to the field of hydrology.
Giant flying Joro spider spotted in Massachusetts for the first time
| cbsnews.com
A Joro spider has made it to Massachusetts. The giant, venomous arachnid was spotted in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood. This article mentions Penn State Extension expertise.
Scanning nature for solutions with the Center for Quantitative Imaging
Fariborz Tavangarian, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State Harrisburg, is investigating the intricate structure of a marine sponge (Eulectella aspergillum) to develop innovative materials for human bone tissue engineering. Despite being composed of fragile silica, the sponge exhibits remarkable strength due to its unique layered architecture.
Revealing microplastics with the Environmental Contaminants Analytical Laboratory
After the mass production of plastics began in the 1950s, plastic waste started to enter the environment. In time, this waste broke down into microplastics. For decades, these often-microscopic fragments of plastic have flowed into and through the water and soil.
Radiocarbon Lab assists floodplain reconstruction
Floodplains have been significantly altered since European settlers introduced mill dams and timbering, which increased erosion and led to rapid sediment accumulation. This transformation dramatically changed the natural landscape. Floodplain restoration regains the ecological benefits of the pre-industrialization landscape and is an effective method to improve water quality, prevent erosion, and boost biodiversity.
Penn State Sustainability to host lecture with artist-activist Diane Burko
| psu.edu
Diane Burko, a Pennsylvania research-based climate artist-activist, will give a lecture at the Palmer Museum of Art on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m., as part of Penn State Sustainability’s “Sustainability Showcase Series.”
SustainPSU and Pa. GreenGov Council host annual Commonwealth Sustainability Week
| psu.edu
Building on their ongoing partnership, from Oct. 7 through 11, Penn State Sustainability and the Pennsylvania GreenGov Council will present the annual free online Commonwealth Sustainability Week aimed at empowering governments, organizations and individuals to advance Pennsylvania’s climate goals and to build more resilient communities.
Celebrating Noll Laboratory’s 50th anniversary
| psu.edu
The Penn State Department of Kinesiology will host events on Wednesday, November 20, including unveiling a new historical marker, a historical lecture and a commemoration reception, to celebrate Noll Laboratory’s 50th anniversary.
Stuckeman School to host virtual architecture lecture, research open house
| psu.edu
The Stuckeman School is hosting a virtual lecture titled “The 99%” by Victor Meesters of Rotor and Margo Sulnier of Rotor Deconstruction that will be live-streamed at noon on Oct. 2 in the Stuckeman Family Building Jury Space followed by the school’s Research Open House from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Plant scientist named Huck Early Career Chair in Microbial Community Ecology
| psu.edu
Francisco Dini-Andreote, assistant professor of plant science in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, has been awarded the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair in Microbial Community Ecology.
Injecting manure into growing cover crops can cut pollution, support corn crops
| psu.edu
To better guide farmers managing nitrogen in the soil, a team of Penn State agricultural scientists conducted a new study on dairy manure management strategies for ecosystem services in no-till crop systems. In findings recently published in Agronomy Journal, they report a new strategy that achieves multiple conservation goals while maintaining corn yield: injecting manure into a growing cover crop in early spring.
Lack of food — not money — drives poaching in East African national parks
| psu.edu
Recreation, park and tourism management researchers at Penn State conducted a survey of 267 households near Mkomazi National Park in northern Tanzania and found that food security was much more important than financial or educational security in motivating people to engaging in poaching or illegal grazing in the park.
Flooding is the world's most devastating natural disaster, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Millions of Americans live in high-risk flood zones, with the threat amplified by climate change and aging infrastructure. This episode explores how innovative computer modeling and visualizations can help communities plan for future flood risks and develop effective response strategies. Listen to the podcast.
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