Unlocking the biofuel energy stored in plant cell walls: Plants may no longer be an untapped energy source
A freshly cut stalk of sugar cane. Every plant cell is surrounded by a fibrous wall that provides strength while allowing the cell to continue growing. Penn State scientists are studying how the cell walls are made, information that could lead to better ways of harvesting the energy stored in their chemical bonds. Credit: Penn State/Patrick Mansell
Invasive microbe protects corals from global warming, but at a cost
Physiologically stressed reef corals lose their symbionts and appear bleached. The invasive symbiont, Symbiodinium trenchii is quick to populate these animals after cessation of thermal stress. Image of the Boulder Star Coral (Orbicella faveolata). Image: Dustin Kemp / University of Georgia
MINERVA Telescope Array Dedicated in Ceremony on Mount Hopkins
A view of the MINERVA telescope array and MINERVA-Red on Mount Hopkins.
Astrobiology students explore alien environment on Earth
Penn State astrobiology students examine a sulfidic cave in Italy where white biofilm grows on the walls. Credit: Kyle Rybacki
Chronic illness causes less harm when carnivores cooperate
Wolves, several of which are infected with sarcoptic mange, from Yellowstone National Park, WY. Credit: National Park Service
Rao Prize Conference on May 14, 2015 features statistics prize winners
From left to right: Sir David R. Cox, Nancy Reid, and Vijay V. Raghavan
Schreyer Scholar credited with co-discovery of new pulsar: Never-before-seen star found during NSF-funded educational outreach program
Artist’s impression of pulsar PSR J1930-1852 in orbit around a companion neutron star. Discovered by a team of high school students, including current Schreyer Scholar Cecilia McGough, this pulsar has the widest orbit ever observed around another neutron star. Image: B. Saxton (NRAO/AUI/NSF)
New technique shows shale-drilling additives in drinking-water taps near leak
A sampling from one of the affected homes located near a reported pit leak at a Marcellus shale gas well pad. Image:Susan Brantley/Penn State
Giant gorging black holes may explain rapid growth of infant universe
Astronomers have studied 51 quasars with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and have found they may represent an unusual population of black holes that consume excessive amounts of matter. Credits: Illustration: CXC/M. Weiss, X-ray images: ASA/CXC/Penn State/B. Luo et al.
New NASA coalition to lead search for life on distant worlds includes two leaders at Penn State
Click on the image for a high-resolution image. The search for life beyond our solar system requires unprecedented cooperation across scientific disciplines. NASA's NExSS collaboration includes those who study Earth as a life-bearing planet (lower right), those researching the diversity of solar system planets (left), and those on the new frontier, discovering worlds orbiting other stars in the galaxy (upper right).Credits: NASA
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