Rock Ethics Institute's 2025–26 Faculty Fellowship application period opens
| psu.edu
The Rock Ethics Institute invites applications for its 2025–26 Faculty Fellows program. The program offers a one-course release from teaching during a single academic year to support ethics-related research projects by Penn State faculty.
Microplastics increasing in freshwater, directly related to plastic production
| psu.edu
Microplastics have been steadily increasing in freshwater environments for decades and are directly tied to rising global plastic production since the 1950s, according to a new study by an interdisciplinary team of Penn State researchers.
Climate Science Research Experience for Undergraduates wraps with symposium
| psu.edu
Penn State's 2024 U.S. National Science Foundation-funded Climate Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates ended on a successful note, with 16 students presenting posters on their summer research projects.
Nov. 6 EEEPI talk: Do dams and groundwater mitigate economic impact of drought?
| psu.edu
Sheila Olmstead, professor at the Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University, will give the talk, “Do Dams and Groundwater Mitigate Drought’s Economic Impact?,” at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 6 , in 157 Hosler Building on the University Park campus.
Extreme weather workshop focuses on saving lives worldwide
| psu.edu
A recent workshop on "Improving the Prediction and Communication of Weather/Climate Extremes in Africa and the United States" was a three-day, hybrid event that brought together weather experts and stakeholders from across the globe to address challenges related to weather related hazards and ways to leverage resources to overcome these challenges. The event was led by Gregory Jenkins, professor of meteorology and atmospheric science and geography.
Spotted lanternfly reports in Allegheny County plummeted 90% in 2024 — but they're not done yet
| post-gazette.com
Reports of spotted lanternflies in Allegheny County declined by 90% since last year, but don’t expect the departure of the invasive leafhopper anytime soon. This article mentions Penn State research.
Wildfires are coming to the Southeast. Can landowners mitigate the risk in time?
| yahoo.com
Mention wildfire, and most people picture the Western U.S. And while it’s true that in recent years those states have burned at a frightening rate, fire has long been a destructive force in the East as well. This article mentions Penn State research.
Research team gets grant to study precision chemical thinning of apple blossoms
| psu.edu
One of the most traditionally time-consuming, labor-intensive processes of apple production is blossom thinning, which involves manually pruning flowers so that remaining blooms can reclaim the plant’s resources to grow better fruit. More recently, the process has shifted to broad chemical spraying, which can have harmful environmental impacts. To assist producers and mitigate environmental harm, the USDA has awarded a three-year, $601,125 grant to a team of Penn State researchers for the development of a robotic precision spraying system.
Graphic design students help ClearWater Conservancy develop new visual identity
| psu.edu
Since 2017, ClearWater Conservancy and the Sustainable Communities Collaborative have collaborated on projects that address the non-profit organization’s needs while providing Penn State students with real-world experiences. This semester, graduate-level graphic design students have been redeveloping the organization’s visual identity and providing recommendations for additional aspects of design in print and digital media.
Page Center shares sustainability messaging strategies in new insights report
| psu.edu
Enacting sustainability practices continues to be a key initiative for organizations, according to a new report from the Penn State Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication. The report reveal ways companies can build stronger, more authentic connections with audiences by taking control of their sustainability messaging to shape effective strategies and drive behavior change across all levels of business.
Water fern gains more evidence as safe potential global food insecurity solution
| psu.edu
Is the floating freshwater fern commonly called Carolina azolla the potential answer to global food insecurity or a possible threat to humanity? On the heels of a study published earlier this year by researchers at Penn State on the plant’s nutrition and digestibility, the team learned of concerns about the plant’s potential toxin content. The researchers joined an international effort to test Azolla and found that it does not contain cyanotoxins, potent toxins produced by a type of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, associated with the plant.
Recycling plastic might sound like a no-brainer. Some environmentalists disagree.
| aol.com
Mitch Hecht, CEO of International Recycling Group, hopes to have money raised for recycling plant by the end of the year. This article quotes Gamini Mendis, assistant professor of engineering, plastics engineering technology and polymer engineering and science programs at Penn State Behrend.
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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