Study: Fireflies at risk due to climate change, urban development
| lewistownsentinel.com
Catching fireflies is an iconic summer experience for many people living in North America, but the flickering beetles are on the decline. New research has identified factors that may be contributing to declining populations. This article quotes Christina Grozinger, Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology.
Researchers unveil innovative technology that outperforms conventional solar panels using both sun and 'cold universe' energy: 'A key renewable energy technology'
| thecooldown.com
Researchers at Penn State developed a method of using both solar energy and the incredibly cold temperatures of outer space to create both renewable energy and cooling capacity. This article quotes Linxiao Zhu, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
American diets got briefly healthier, more diverse during COVID-19 pandemic
| psu.edu
American diets may have gotten healthier and more diverse in the months following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers. They published their findings in PLOS ONE.
The major benefit to attracting woodpeckers to your yard
| housedigest.com
While you might worry that woodpeckers will destroy your yard by hammering at your trees, there are actually a lot of benefits to having them around. This article quotes Penn State Extension expertise.
Build clean energy on dirty land, these researchers say
| heatmap.news
How can we make better use of the areas environmental destruction has left behind? This article cites the research of Hannah Wiseman, professor of law and Wilson Faculty Fellow in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
Storm-chasing trip offers Penn State students classroom lessons on the road
| psu.edu
Penn State's Storm Chase Team recently visited the Midwest on a 10-day trip. The team used weather data to create a travel plan on the fly. They saw several severe weather events, hail and even a storm that produced a tornado. But the trip wasn't all about thrills. They visited sites such as the National Weather Center and the National Severe Storms Laboratory to learn about researching and forecasting severe weather events.
Making rechargeable batteries more sustainable with fully recyclable components
| psu.edu
A team of Penn State chemical engineering researchers has reconfigured the design of solid-state lithium batteries so that all their components can be easily recycled. They published their approach in ACS Energy Letters.
Master Watershed Steward Katie Stanley leverages knowledge in Allegheny County
| psu.edu
For Katie Stanley, joining the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer program in 2019 was a perfect complement to her day job as an interpretative naturalist for Allegheny County Parks.
July 17 webinar to address improving rural communities’ response to homelessness
| psu.edu
A July 17 Penn State Extension land-use webinar is aimed at equipping planners with the knowledge and tools needed to improve rural communities’ responses to homelessness.
Re-engineering cancerous tumors to self-destruct and kill drug-resistant cells
| psu.edu
A team led by Penn State researchers created a modular genetic circuit that turns cancer cells into a “Trojan horse,” causing them to self-destruct and kill nearby drug-resistant cancer cells. They published their work in Nature Biotechnology.
Arboretum at Penn State wins award for pollinator and bird garden
| wtaj.com
The Arboretum at Penn State has won an international award for its sustainable landscape architecture for its Pollinator and Bird Garden. This article quotes Harland Patch, director of pollinator programming at the Arboretum.
A rainy Pa. forest offers a fun window into an Appalachian ecology debate
| wesa.fm
Pennsylvania’s Ohiopyle State Park almost meets a common definition of a rainforest, but it falls just short on a key metric. This article quotes Eric Burkhart, teaching professor of ecosystem science and management.
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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