Penn State Extension jumpstarts community leadership around environmental issues
| psu.edu
What stops people from leading and implementing local projects? How can we encourage volunteers to take action to address climate change? These questions gripped a team of Penn State Extension educators and Master Gardeners, who set out to find answers.
Hopper-Dean family helps combat global hunger with PlantVillage matching fund
| psu.edu
PlantVillage, a platform developed by Penn State researchers that is helping tens of millions of farmers across Africa cope with the immediate challenges of climate change, will be enhanced and expanded thanks to the generosity of Jeff Dean and Heidi Hopper, whose gift includes a commitment to match other donations up to a total of $2.5 million.
Do climate summits like COP26 really matter?
| wnycstudios.org
After two weeks of deliberations, the COP26 climate summit has come to an end. But how effective are these kinds of summits? And do the outcomes even matter? The Takeaway talks about that and more with Dr. Michael E. Mann, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science.
EarthTalks seminar to examine drivers of rapid increase in US wildfire activity
| psu.edu
Park Williams, associate professor of geography at the University of California, Los Angeles, will deliver a talk titled "Understanding the rapid recent increase in western U.S. wildfire activity" at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29. The talk, which is free and open to the public, takes place via Zoom.
'Watered-down hope': Experts wanted more from climate pact
| apnews.com
While world leaders and negotiators are hailing the Glasgow climate pact as a good compromise that keeps a key temperature limit alive, some scientists are wondering what planet these leaders are looking at.
International symposium launched to promote mine dust and aerosol research
| psu.edu
To promote the development of dust and occupational health-related science and technologies associated with mining, an international symposium on mine dust and aerosol research is being launched by the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences in collaboration with the Shandong University of Science and Technology and the International Journal of Coal Science & Technology.
Penn State chemistry professor Benjamin Lear uses ‘empathy’ in, out of his classroom
| collegian.psu.edu
For Benjamin Lear, IEE cofunded faculty member and professor of CHEM 110H and SC 103N at Penn State, his students know him for his interpersonal connections.
Brantley named Barnes Professor of Geosciences
| psu.edu
Susan Brantley, professor of geosciences and director of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, was selected to receive the inaugural Dr. Hubert Barnes and Dr. Mary Barnes Professorship in Geosciences.
Poison Plastics? Researchers worry plastic can affect fertility, pregnant women
| local21news.com
Researchers are sounding the alarm about items in your pantry and refrigerator that could cause some major health problems due to the plastic containers the food is stored in. Penn State's Jeffrey Catchmark is working on a polysaccharide packaging replacement material that’s developed from natural starches like corn and potato.
Coal creation mechanism uncovered
| psu.edu
The mechanism behind one of the first stages of coal creation may not be what has long been thought, according to a team of researchers, who found that microbes were responsible for coal formation and production of methane in these areas, which has implications for methane fuel recovery from some coal fields.
SSRI announces large pilot grants program
| psu.edu
Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute invites proposals of up to $75,000 for innovative pilot research projects that contribute to SSRI’s strategic mission of fostering interdisciplinary research that addresses critical human and social problems at the local, national and international levels.
Engineering professor named associate fellow for advancing aerospace industry
| psu.edu
Steve Lynch, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State, has been recognized for his advancements to the aerospace industry by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
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.
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