Forest soils release more carbon dioxide than expected in rainy season
| psu.edu
Current carbon cycle models may underestimate the amount of carbon dioxide released from the soil during rainy seasons in temperate forests like those found in the northeast United States, according to Penn State researchers.
Sediment loading is key to predicting post-wildfire debris flows
| psu.edu
The mudslides that follow wildfires in Southern California can be deadly and difficult to predict. New research can help officials identify areas prone to these mudslides and respond before disaster occurs, according to scientists.
Energy, chemical engineering professor receives fellowship
| psu.edu
Hilal Ezgi Toraman, assistant professor of energy engineering and chemical engineering at Penn State, has been named the Virginia S. and Philip L. Walker Jr. Faculty Fellow in Materials Science and Engineering. Chemical engineering professor receives fellowship
Spring 2020 EarthTalks series presents science toward solutions
| psu.edu
The spring 2020 EarthTalks series, "Societal Problems, EESI Science towards Solutions," features scientists from Penn State’s Earth and Environmental Systems Institute and explores the human impacts on the global environment and how to apply this knowledge to decision-making.
Seven engineering faculty members receive ROCKET Seed Grant to fund new research
| psu.edu
Seven Penn State College of Engineering faculty members were awarded the College of Engineering’s 2020 Research Opportunities for mid-Career Knowledge EnhancemenT (ROCKET) Seed Grant to fund exploration of new or existing research areas.
Penn State scientist shares knowledge of soil science during visit to Ukraine
| psu.edu
Ukraine is called the “breadbasket of Europe,” a moniker earned because of the fertile, black soils that blanket its landscape. As a longtime professor of environmental soil science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Rick Stehouwer has studied this famed “chernozem” soil, knowledge he acquired through books, lectures and lab samples.
Field camp a rite of passage for undergraduate geosciences majors
| psu.edu
This past summer, 36 Penn State geosciences students made the trek out West to investigate the geology of the intermontane western United States. The capstone experience for undergraduate geosciences majors, field camp is an intensive outdoor course that applies classroom and laboratory training to solving geological problems in the field.
Thunderquakes make underground fiber optic telecommunications cables hum (audio available)
| news.agu.org
Telecommunications lines designed for carrying internet and phone service can pick up the rumble of thunder underground, potentially providing scientists with a new way of detecting environmental hazards and imaging deep inside the Earth.
Fiber-optic cables capture thunderquake rumbles
| psu.edu
Underground fiber-optic cables, like those that connect the world through phone and internet service, hold untapped potential for monitoring severe weather, according to scientists.
Impact of animal infectious disease to be focus of conference at Penn State
| psu.edu
Exploring the emergence, spread and control of animal diseases is the focus of the inaugural Emerging Animal Infectious Disease Conference, scheduled for March 23-25, 2020, at the Wyndham Garden Inn, Boalsburg. The event will be co-hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State’s Center for Security Research and Education.
A little humour may help with climate change gloom
| theconversation.com
Studies show that humour is useful for engaging the public about climate change
The Secrets of Skeleton Lake
| psu.edu
With the help of Penn State’s Radiocarbon Laboratory, international researchers uncovered surprising secrets of a Himalayan lake.
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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