Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences

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man and woman posing near big horn sheep

Scientists make strides toward restoring bighorn sheep in the American West

5/2/13

As pneumonia continues to limit recovery of the once nearly extinct bighorn sheep population in the western United States, a research team including scientists from Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has made key discoveries that lead to a better understanding of the disease and how it might be more effectively controlled.

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Penn State mourns alumni leader and philanthropist J. Lloyd Huck

12/7/12

Penn State has lost an alumnus whose leadership and philanthropy have helped the University to become a pioneer in the life sciences. J. Lloyd Huck, the retired chairman of the board of pharmaceutical firm Merck & Company and a former chairman of Penn State's Board of Trustees, died in State College, Pa., this week at the age of 90. With his wife and fellow Class of 1943 member Dorothy Foehr Huck, he established endowments in fields ranging from molecular biology to nutrition, leading to the creation of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.

"Few institutions are fortunate enough to have such visionary advocates as Lloyd and Dottie Huck," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson. "Through Lloyd's decades of service to the University, he guided Penn State on an ambitious path, and through the Hucks' philanthropy, they have enabled our students and faculty to fulfill that ambition.

Peter Hudson standing in front of the Millenium Science Complex

In Touch With...Peter Hudson

9/5/12

Peter Hudson came to Penn State a decade ago from the University of Stirling, in his native Great Britain, to serve as the Verne Willaman Chair of Biology. In 2005 he became director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. The Huck provides a foundation for research collaboration across colleges and departments in the University, offering resources for faculty and students to carry out collaborative research. We sat down to talk with him to learn more about the Huck.

Clear Thinking

5/2/12

Neuroscientist Patrick Drew can't see inside your brain. But he has found a way to see inside a mouse's—and by doing so, he is gaining new insights into how the human brain may function.

Global warming link to amphibian declines in doubt

11/12/08

Evidence that global warming is causing the worldwide declines of amphibians may not be as conclusive as previously thought, according to biologists including Peter Hudson, the Willaman professor of biology at Penn State. The findings, which contradict two widely held views, could help reveal what is killing the frogs and toads and aid in their conservation.

Untitled

Testosterone key to disease transmission

8/8/08

High levels of testosterone may be a key factor in spreading disease among mice, according to biologists. The findings could help explain why males in a population are often more likely to get infected, and transmit disease. "We know that testosterone makes males more susceptible to disease," said Daniel Grear, Penn State doctoral student in ecology. "We wanted to find out if it impacts their behavior as well and how that increases their ability to transmit disease."

Pistachios lower cholesterol, provide antioxidants

4/25/07

A handful of pistachios may lower cholesterol and provide the antioxidants usually found in leafy green vegetables and brightly colored fruit, according a team of researchers led by Penny Kris-Etherton, distinguished professor of nutrition at Penn State. "Pistachio amounts of 1.5 ounces and 3 ounces -- one to two handfuls -- reduced risk for cardiovascular disease by significantly reducing LDL cholesterol levels, and the higher dose significantly reduced lipoprotein ratios," said Sarah K. Gebauer, graduate student in integrative biosciences, Penn State, to attendees at the Experimental Biology meeting recently held in Washington, D.C.

Probing Question: Is caffeine harmful to your health?

10/2/06

A steaming cup of black coffee in the morning is to many people what gasoline is to their cars: essential fuel. The active ingredient in that fuel? Caffeine, a central-nervous-system stimulant found in the leaves and beans of many plants, especially those of coffee and tea.

man and woman posing near big horn sheep

Scientists make strides toward restoring bighorn sheep in the American West

5/2/13

As pneumonia continues to limit recovery of the once nearly extinct bighorn sheep population in the western United States, a research team including scientists from Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has made key discoveries that lead to a better understanding of the disease and how it might be more effectively controlled.

Untitled

Penn State mourns alumni leader and philanthropist J. Lloyd Huck

12/7/12

Penn State has lost an alumnus whose leadership and philanthropy have helped the University to become a pioneer in the life sciences. J. Lloyd Huck, the retired chairman of the board of pharmaceutical firm Merck & Company and a former chairman of Penn State's Board of Trustees, died in State College, Pa., this week at the age of 90. With his wife and fellow Class of 1943 member Dorothy Foehr Huck, he established endowments in fields ranging from molecular biology to nutrition, leading to the creation of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.

"Few institutions are fortunate enough to have such visionary advocates as Lloyd and Dottie Huck," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson. "Through Lloyd's decades of service to the University, he guided Penn State on an ambitious path, and through the Hucks' philanthropy, they have enabled our students and faculty to fulfill that ambition.

Seasons Greetings POTD 12 22 12

December 2012

12/3/12

Photo of the Day set for December 2012. Penn State's University Park campus.

Peter Hudson standing in front of the Millenium Science Complex

In Touch With...Peter Hudson

9/5/12

Peter Hudson came to Penn State a decade ago from the University of Stirling, in his native Great Britain, to serve as the Verne Willaman Chair of Biology. In 2005 he became director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. The Huck provides a foundation for research collaboration across colleges and departments in the University, offering resources for faculty and students to carry out collaborative research. We sat down to talk with him to learn more about the Huck.

Clear Thinking

5/2/12

Neuroscientist Patrick Drew can't see inside your brain. But he has found a way to see inside a mouse's—and by doing so, he is gaining new insights into how the human brain may function.

Global warming link to amphibian declines in doubt

11/12/08

Evidence that global warming is causing the worldwide declines of amphibians may not be as conclusive as previously thought, according to biologists including Peter Hudson, the Willaman professor of biology at Penn State. The findings, which contradict two widely held views, could help reveal what is killing the frogs and toads and aid in their conservation.

Untitled

Testosterone key to disease transmission

8/8/08

High levels of testosterone may be a key factor in spreading disease among mice, according to biologists. The findings could help explain why males in a population are often more likely to get infected, and transmit disease. "We know that testosterone makes males more susceptible to disease," said Daniel Grear, Penn State doctoral student in ecology. "We wanted to find out if it impacts their behavior as well and how that increases their ability to transmit disease."

Pistachios lower cholesterol, provide antioxidants

4/25/07

A handful of pistachios may lower cholesterol and provide the antioxidants usually found in leafy green vegetables and brightly colored fruit, according a team of researchers led by Penny Kris-Etherton, distinguished professor of nutrition at Penn State. "Pistachio amounts of 1.5 ounces and 3 ounces -- one to two handfuls -- reduced risk for cardiovascular disease by significantly reducing LDL cholesterol levels, and the higher dose significantly reduced lipoprotein ratios," said Sarah K. Gebauer, graduate student in integrative biosciences, Penn State, to attendees at the Experimental Biology meeting recently held in Washington, D.C.

Probing Question: Is caffeine harmful to your health?

10/2/06

A steaming cup of black coffee in the morning is to many people what gasoline is to their cars: essential fuel. The active ingredient in that fuel? Caffeine, a central-nervous-system stimulant found in the leaves and beans of many plants, especially those of coffee and tea.