The 59th annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts returns to the streets of downtown State College and Penn State’s University Park campus from Wednesday, July 9, through Sunday, July 13.

2025 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts to be held July 9-13 | Penn State University

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The 59th annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts returns to the streets of downtown State College and Penn State’s University Park campus from Wednesday, July 9, through Sunday, July 13.

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Campus Life

2025 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts to be held July 9-13

An ancient society near the southern shores of Lake Titicaca in modern-day Bolivia was once one of the continent’s most powerful civilizations. Known as Tiwanaku, the ancient society is widely considered by archaeologists to be one of the earliest examples of civilization in the Andes and a precursor of the Inca empire, but it mysteriously disappeared about a thousand years ago. Now, a team led by scientists at Penn State and in Bolivia have discovered a Tiwanaku temple, shedding new light on what the society looked like in its prime.

Ancient temple ruins discovered in Andes shed light on lost society | Penn State University

An ancient society near the southern shores of Lake Titicaca in modern-day Bolivia was once one of the continent’s most powerful civilizations. Known as Tiwanaku, the ancient society is widely considered by archaeologists to be one of the earliest examples of civilization in the Andes and a precursor of the Inca empire, but it mysteriously disappeared about a thousand years ago. Now, a team led by scientists at Penn State and in Bolivia have discovered a Tiwanaku temple, shedding new light on what the society looked like in its prime.

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Research

Ancient temple ruins discovered in Andes shed light on lost society

An estimated 7.2 million Americans — or one in nine people over the age of 65 — has Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, there is no cure for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and available medications largely target symptoms in the later stages of the disease. In this Q&amp;A, Scott Selleck, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, discusses his research on how neurodegenerative conditions progress and how to potentially stop them.

Q&A: The quest to halt neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease | Penn State University

An estimated 7.2 million Americans — or one in nine people over the age of 65 — has Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, there is no cure for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and available medications largely target symptoms in the later stages of the disease. In this Q&A, Scott Selleck, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, discusses his research on how neurodegenerative conditions progress and how to potentially stop them.

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Q&A: The quest to halt neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease

AstroFest 2025 to offer four nights of stargazing, astronomy activities July 9-12

Nighttime pistachio snacking may reshape gut microbiome in prediabetic adults

Penn State Creamery unveils new 'Cow to Cone' video celebrating 160th anniversary

Eight graduate students receive U.S. National Science Foundation fellowships

Women's volleyball's Schumacher-Cawley to receive Jimmy V Award at 2025 ESPYS

The Medical Minute: Irregular periods, weight gain, facial hair? It could be PCOS

Priority hiring consideration processes introduced for staff, NTL faculty at closing campuses

How a genetic tug-of-war decides the fate of a honey bee

Penn State ranks 24th in US, 82nd globally in 2026 QS World University Rankings 

The Medical Minute: Top 7 tips for safe outdoor exercise

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Palmer Museum unfolds contemporary exhibition on the ancient medium of paper 

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2025 Children’s Miracle Network Telethon raises $343,954

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Andrew Read leads conversation on executive actions and their impact on research

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Penn State announces non-tenure-line faculty promotions, effective July 1, 2025

Penn State announces tenure-line faculty promotions, effective July 1, 2025

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Andrew Read to host conversation focused on executive action affecting research 

Presidential livestream on Commonwealth Campuses planned for May 22

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Klahr named vice provost for Global

Two students, eight degrees: Penn State graduates complete quadruple majors

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Elm trees at University Park to be sprayed at sunrise on May 12

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$2.7M NIH grant to fund first comprehensive syphilis test

Parking and transit changes for summer 2025 at University Park

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Around Campus

More research news

Engineering

College of Engineering

A research group, including several Penn State researchers, developed a computational model to streamline flood prediction in the continental United States. Their model, which they call a differentiable routing model, incorporates physical readings — like temperature and river height — into a system that uses artificial intelligence to simulate and predict water movement.

Improving predictions of flood severity, place and time with AI | Penn State University

A research group, including several Penn State researchers, developed a computational model to streamline flood prediction in the continental United States. Their model, which they call a differentiable routing model, incorporates physical readings — like temperature and river height — into a system that uses artificial intelligence to simulate and predict water movement.

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Improving predictions of flood severity, place and time with AI 

Earth and Mineral Sciences

College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

A patch of the Atlantic Ocean just south of Greenland is cooling while much of the world warms. The origin of this “cold blob” has been linked to weakening ocean currents that help regulate global climate — called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Penn State researchers have found a weakening AMOC impacts not just the ocean but also the atmosphere, and that these two factors may contribute equally to the cold anomaly.

Ocean, atmosphere equally responsible for Atlantic ‘cold blob,’ scientists find | Penn State University

A patch of the Atlantic Ocean just south of Greenland is cooling while much of the world warms. The origin of this “cold blob” has been linked to weakening ocean currents that help regulate global climate — called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Penn State researchers have found a weakening AMOC impacts not just the ocean but also the atmosphere, and that these two factors may contribute equally to the cold anomaly. 

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Ocean, atmosphere equally responsible for Atlantic ‘cold blob,’ scientists find

Agricultural Sciences

College of Agricultural Sciences

Humans may not be the only species that struggles to eat the right amounts of the ideal foods. A new study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that what bumble bees choose to eat may not line up with their ideal nutritional needs.

What a bumble bee chooses to eat may not match ideal diet | Penn State University

Humans may not be the only species that struggles to eat the right amounts of the ideal foods. A new study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that what bumble bees choose to eat may not line up with their ideal nutritional needs.

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What a bumble bee chooses to eat may not match ideal diet

Featured Research

Scientists at Penn State uncovered an ancient temple in the Bolivian Andes, offering archaeologists rare new insights into the Tiwanaku civilization, a once-powerful society that existed over a thousand years ago and was a precursor to the Inca empire before it mysteriously disappeared.

Temple that mysteriously vanished 1,000 years ago revealed in PSU study

Several years ago, a cosmic particle detector in Antarctica observed a series of unusual radio signals, according to an international research group that includes scientists from Penn State. The strange radio pulses were detected between 2016 and 2018 by NASA’s Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna, a range of instruments flown on balloons high above Antarctica that are designed to detect radio waves from cosmic rays hitting the atmosphere, and a new study provides additional context to the nearly decade-old results.

Scientists discover bizarre signals coming from ice in Antarctica

The list of treatments for low back pain is endless, but few offer relief for the one in four Americans who suffer from this persistent pain and leading cause of disability globally. The good news? A multi-institutional team, led by researchers from the Penn State College of Medicine and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, found that eight weeks of either mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) training led to meaningful improvements among adults with chronic low back pain that’s currently treated with opioids and had not responded to prior treatments.

Chronic back pain? Study finds these 2 therapies helped people feel better

Fragrances and lotions don't just change the way people smell, they actively alter the indoor air chemistry around the wearer, disrupting a critical natural process the body uses to protect itself from pollution, according to an international research team that includes scientists from Penn State.

Study: Perfume and lotion disrupt body's natural air cleaning system

Looking to cut calories? Scientists at Penn State believe that spices trick the body into wanting less food and cause people to eat a fifth less than if they have a milder meal.

Spicy foods can slow down eating and cut calorie intake, study suggests

People often cheat to win money, get prizes, or beat others. But what if there’s nothing to gain except feeling good about yourself? Would people still bend the rules just to feel a bit smarter, more accomplished, or healthier? New research led by Penn State University says yes—and shows exactly how and why they do it.

The hidden way you might be cheating yourself, according to research

Lithium-ion batteries have become the norm for electric vehicles and electronics, but their liquid electrolyte design pales in comparison to solid-state electrolyte versions. However, manufacturing hurdles and high production costs have limited the adoption of solid-state batteries, a challenge Penn State researchers are working to solve.

PSU researchers discover process that could unleash futuristic batteries

Controlling sound has long been a staple of science fiction and fantasy. In Dune, the cone of silence allows characters to converse privately, even in open spaces. The eerie billboards of Blade Runner 2049 whisper advertisements into the ears of those passing by. Now, a new study led by Penn State has precisely narrowed where sound is perceived by creating localized pockets of sound zones, called audible enclaves.

New audio tech could let you listen privately without headphones, PSU study finds

Microscopic particles are useful in many areas of technology. These tiny helpers are often smaller than a grain of pollen, yet they promise many possibilities. Researchers at Penn State have developed new models to predict and control the motion of these particles in confined spaces, enhancing their potential for precise medical applications and environmental remediation.

Study: Tiny particles may help cure disease and clean up pollution

For years, lithium-ion batteries have powered everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. But their reliance on liquid electrolytes has raised significant safety concerns due to their instability, which can lead to fire hazards. Researchers at Penn State are now working on a safer and more reliable alternative: solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) for use in batteries that could revolutionize consumer electronics and electric vehicles.

Penn State scientists boost EV battery efficiency with ‘cold’ manufacturing method

Scientists, including researchers at Penn State, have discovered the perfect vacation spot: it's sun-soaked, has sandy beaches, sports gentle waves lapping rhythmically on the shore. But hold off on grabbing the sun lotion, because there's a catch—it's on ancient Mars.

Ancient mars once boasted 'vacation-style' beaches, study finds

Dairy isn’t the only food that’s good for bone health. Prunes may also protect bone structure and strength in postmenopausal women, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers

Penn State researchers find prunes may protect your bones

Vaccine refrigeration — which can be expensive and logistically challenging, but still needed — could become unnecessary, thanks to research from a Penn State team.

Vaccine refrigeration could become optional, thanks to Penn State team

A research team has discovered that by using a new method of "atomic spray painting," they can tweak the atomic structure of lead-free potassium niobate in order to enhance its ferroelectric properties.The study, created by a team led by Penn State researchers, explains how molecular beam epitaxy can be employed to deposit atomic layers onto a substrate to create thin films.

Penn State scientists make breakthrough discovery after 'atomic spray painting' experiment

New insights into bee movements and life cycles have been uncovered after Penn State researchers tracked the insects using tiny QR codes glued onto their backs.

Tiny QR codes help Penn State scientists track bee movements

Geese appear to understand when and where hunting takes place but are willing to risk the danger to stay close to resources and their primary habitats, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State.