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Grad student works with research team to strengthen nonprofits’ cybersecurity

Anivesh Sinha is one of the graduate research assistants working with a team of faculty and students from five Commonwealth Campuses, with funding from a University Presidential Public Impact Research Award, to help Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations improve their cybersecurity practices.




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How Can We Help Promote Mathematical Identity?

A network of math educators aims to help students of color identify with math abd to abolish the phrase, "I am not a math person."




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News24 Business | Business brief | Mondi shutters fire-hit Bulgarian mill; Mercedes' profits plunge

An overview of the biggest business developments in SA and beyond.




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News24 Business | GEPF two-pot frustrations: After two months, some withdrawals still not processed

Delays in the payment of withdrawals from the two-pot retirement system have led members of the Government Employees Pension Fund to voice their concerns on social media.




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Learning From the Nursing Profession in the New Teacher Strike Era

As teacher strikes sweep the nation, Marc Tucker compares the trajectory of teaching to that of the nursing profession, one of high standards of entry and rigorous preparation.




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Multimedia Journalism Programs Emphasize Real-World Skills

Students are learning how to research and write scripts, hone interviewing techniques, and edit video footage, and some teenagers are even earning certifications in media technology.




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$27 Million to Aid Early-Learning Multimedia Projects

U.S. Department of Education money will help public television develop projects promoting math and literacy for children ages 2 to 8.




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Multimedia Programs Reduce Summer Learning Loss

Summer programs that use multimedia may improve student literacy, numeracy, phonics skills, and math vocabulary, according to a study released by WestEd, a nonprofit education research organization. The report examines the Electric Company's Summer Learning Program, which is sponsored by the Sesame




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Penn College IT professor presents at national conference

Sandra Gorka, professor of computer information technology at Pennsylvania College of Technology, recently addressed a national conference for IT educators.




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Penn College polymer training attracts diverse professionals

The Plastics Innovation & Resource Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology conducted a flurry of workshops in October, delivering training to 25 professionals, representing 14 companies, four states and Canada.




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Penn State mathematician Paul Baum named Atherton Professor

Paul Frank Baum, Evan Pugh University Professor of Mathematics at Penn State, has been honored by Penn State with the title of Atherton Professor. The University created the Atherton Professorship to recognize the continuing high level of scholarly or creative activity Evan Pugh Professors may pursue after their retirement.




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Bacterial protein discovered, engineered to better separate rare earth metals

A newly discovered protein naturally houses an unusual binding site that can differentiate between rare earth elements, and researchers at Penn State have made it even better. Rare earth elements are key components used in everything from modern tech to gasoline production. The protein, called LanD, enriches neodymium and praseodymium over other similar rare earth elements and has the potential to revolutionize industrial mining, researchers said.




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NASA grant to support free tool to improve astrophysical simulations

David Radice, associate professor of physics and of astronomy and astrophysics, has been selected to receive a Sustainment Award from NASA to advance an open-source code called AthenaK for computational astrophysicists. The grant will provide nearly $920,000 over three years.




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Stem cell-like approach in plants sheds light on specialized cell wall formation

Using a new method to turn stripped-down plant cells into other types of cells, Penn State biologists explored how structural banding patterns increase the stability of cell walls. They also explored how their assembly goes astray in mutant plant cells, which could inform methods to break down plant cells for biofuels.




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Lu Bai named Verne M. Willaman Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Lu "Lucy" Bai, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and of physics has been selected as the Verne M. Willaman Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.




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Toxic protein may contribute to ALS development

A team of researchers from Penn State College of Medicine found that misfolded versions of a protein exhibit tissue-specific toxicity linked to cell degeneration that may be linked to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study is a step forward in understanding the physiological processes that may contribute to ALS development and progression and identifies a potential therapeutic target, the researchers said.




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Climate Consortium awards projects to drive climate solutions across key sectors

The Penn State Climate Consortium has awarded funding to four research projects that look to put promising climate solutions into action through interdisciplinary partnerships. 




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Hazleton engineering professor's solar solution cuts costs for energy provider

Penn State Hazleton Associate Professor Joseph Ranalli developed a method to identify mislabeled equipment in solar plants by analyzing cloud motion, significantly reducing labor and costs for a large energy provider and enriching the educational experience for his engineering students by demonstrating real-world applications of data analysis. His collaboration with Principal Research Engineer Will Hobbs from Southern Co. has resulted in the publication of two articles and open-source software. 




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'Seed to Supper' program transforms lives at the Altoona VA Medical Center

At the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, a garden yields fresh produce such as corn, tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini and peppers. It is part of the Seed to Supper program, a Penn State Extension Master Gardener initiative that teaches adults on a limited budget how to grow their own food. For one veteran in hospice care, the garden became a lifeline.




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Distinguished professor in plant nutrition retires after long, impactful career

Jonathan Lynch, distinguished professor of plant nutrition, retired this fall after an innovative and impactful 33-year career in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, focused on conducting research to alleviate world hunger and enhance crop production by subsistence farmers in developing countries.




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2025 TLT Symposium request for proposals open for faculty through Nov. 4

Penn State Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT), part of Penn State University Libraries, is accepting proposals for the 2025 TLT Symposium, scheduled for March 22, 2025. Open to Penn State faculty and staff, the event showcases ways technology can enhance teaching and learning in higher education. Attendees will share unique ways they use technology, network with colleagues, and generate new project ideas.




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Grad earns full-time position through Pennsylvania state department program

Lindsay Mitchell, a Penn State World Campus graduate who earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in May, is one of Pennsylvania’s newest auditors after securing a position through an intern-to-hire program. World Campus offers the undergraduate accounting program in partnership with the Penn State Harrisburg School of Business Administration.




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Gustafson to discuss biodiversity protection, land values on Oct. 30

Matthew Gustafson, Robert and Judith Klein Professor of Finance in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State, will give the talk, “The Biodiversity Protection Discount,” at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 30, in 157 Hosler Building on the University Park campus. Lecture is free and open to the public.




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News24 Business | Nobel economics prize goes to researchers of prosperity

US-based academics Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson won the 2024 Nobel economics prize "for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity", the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said on Monday.




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PSU-LV criminal justice adjunct named Pennsylvania Probation Officer of the Year

Penn State Lehigh Valley criminal justice program adjunct instructor Corallys Fernandez's work in the juvenile probation field was recently recognized on a state level.




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Project aims to build strong manufacturing workforce with immersive technology 

The Richard King Mellon Foundation recently awarded $392,000 to Penn State to build a strong science- and technology-focused workforce in the state’s Mon Valley region through collaboration and virtual, augmented and mixed reality trainings and tools.




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Faculty-produced videos on the value of the humanities earn honors

Unique video work done by Penn State Greater Allegheny faculty member Rosemary Martinelli, assistant teaching professor of marketing and communications, has garnered gold, silver and bronze awards on the local and international stages.




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The Lost Senior Year: Credits, Proms, Sports All in Jeopardy

The coronavirus closures are shaping a disruptive end to a tumultuous academic career for the Class of 2020.




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How a Summer Learning and Sports Program Adapted to the Pandemic

Leaders at DREAM's REAL Kid's New York summer academic and baseball program decided early on to move the program online. To do that, they relied on their core principle: the value of being on a team.




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Trustees November recap: Board approves projects, elects new leaders

The Penn State Board of Trustees concluded its November meetings, giving final approval to several capital projects and electing new officers, among other actions, Nov. 7-8 at the University Park campus.




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Penn State Smeal program supports military veteran entrepreneurs

Jeffrey Goldberg and Matthew Vogt contribute a significant portion of the sales of their company, Sky Devil Wines, to veterans and veteran-specific causes. In 2018 they established a fund that is now named the Sky Devil Veteran's Entrepreneur Fund. The first two recipients of proceeds from that fund were recently named.




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Study tests novel approach to PTSD treatment that helps individuals and spouses

Active-duty service members and veterans experiencing PTSD have additional opportunities for treatment to support them, along with their partners, after the Department of Defense awarded a $3 million grant to Steffany Fredman, associate professor of human development and family studies, and colleagues in the STRONG STAR Consortium.




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Penn State Berks offers Saturday tour for prospective students, Nov. 9

Prospective students and their families are invited to tour Penn State Berks at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, with Lion Ambassador student tour guides.




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Harrisburg team gathers data from space through NASA's RockOn! program

A team from Penn State Harrisburg spent a week at a NASA facility over the summer, building a scientific experiment and sending it to space through the RockOn! program.




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Colorado Supreme Court Overturns State's Pilot School Voucher Program

The Colorado Supreme Court decided Douglas County's Choice Scholarship Program is unconstitutional.




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Education Department Developing Vouchers for Teacher Professional Development

Despite being rebuked by Congress in its bid to do so last year, the U.S. Department of Education says it will use Education Innovation and Research funds for teacher professional development vouchers.




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Improving Special Education While Managing Its Cost

Nathan Levenson of District Management Group discusses how school leaders can improve the quality of special education even as they manage its cost.




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Transfer students thrive in Abington’s STEM Inc. scholarship, transition program

Penn State Abington's STEM Inc. provides financial and academic support and faculty mentors who help jump start students' career development through research and technical experiences.




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Abington mentoring program aims to stem first-year teacher attrition

Research is showing that early career teachers are leaving the profession in droves so two faculty in Penn State Abington's Elementary and Early Childhood Education program created a mentoring program that pairs new graduates teaching in urban centers with retired educators.




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Pulsed field ablation produces results for Penn State Health patients with AFib

One is a retired high school teacher from Leesport. Another is an insurance professional and mother of two from Harrisburg. The third is a retired dentist who lives near State College. They’ve never met but share common bonds: All suffer from atrial fibrillation, or AFib, which is caused by an irregular and often rapid heartbeat in the upper chambers of the heart. This summer, the trio were among the first patients to undergo a newly approved heart ablation procedure at Penn State Health hospitals.




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Microplastics increasing in freshwater, directly related to plastic production

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.




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Penn State Altoona English professor featured in international poetry festival

Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, professor of English at Penn State Altoona, will be featured in the 55th annual Poetry International Festival in the Netherlands. The event will take place June 12 through 15, 2025.




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Penn State Altoona professors host podcast on Appalachian folk horror

Penn State Altoona faculty members Brian Onishi, associate professor of philosophy, and Jeff Stoyanoff, assistant professor of English and women's, gender, and sexuality studies, released a new episode of their podcast, “Horror Joy,” titled “Appalachian Folk Horror: ‘The Blair Witch Project’ and ‘Old Gods of Appalachia.’”




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Penn State Altoona professor’s book reviewed by Wall Street Journal

Brian Black’s newest book, “Ike’s Road Trip: How Eisenhower’s 1919 Convoy Paved the Way for the Roads We Travel,” has received a full review by Mark Yost for the Wall Street Journal.




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York student finds support, mentorship in Fostering Lions Program

Charlie Keller-Golden became an orphan in his senior year of high school and was taken in by a family who lives near Penn State’s York campus. Keller-Golden enrolled at that campus, where he was immediately connected with the University’s Fostering Lions Program. The program expands access to education and provides proactive and comprehensive support for foster youth at Penn State. 




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Penn State leads $8.5M, multi-institution DARPA project on mixed-reality systems

A team of Penn State researchers has been selected to lead a three-year, $8,552,388 multi-institution project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to identify cognitive threats in mixed-reality systems as part of the Intrinsic Cognitive Security program.




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IST distinguished professor to present McMurtry Lecture on Nov. 7

James Z. Wang, distinguished professor in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, will present the college’s annual McMurtry Lecture at noon on Thursday, Nov. 7, in E202 Westgate Building at Penn State University Park.




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$6.5 million grant advances Penn State Behrend's Project RESOLVE

A $6.5 million state grant has positioned Penn State Behrend to begin construction of the Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness, an industry-facing research facility and the centerpiece of the college's Project RESOLVE.




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Barnes and Noble College announces 2024-25 grants to programs across University

Barnes and Noble College — a Barnes and Noble Education company that operates the Penn State Bookstore — has continued its longtime partnership with the University and the Penn State Corporate Engagement Center to award a 2024-25 round of grants supporting a range of programs and initiatives across the commonwealth.




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Students use generative AI for creative inspiration, team building projects

Students in Ashu Kumar’s information technology and information systems classes are learning how to use generative artificial intelligence through a unique approach to teaching.