News
College of Agricultural Sciences edition
College of Agricultural Sciences edition
Stories
Smell and taste changes provide early indication of COVID-19 community spread
Self-reports of smell and taste changes provide earlier markers of the spread of infection of SARS-CoV-2 than current governmental indicators, according to an international team of researchers. The researchers also observed a decline in self-reports of smell and taste changes as early as five days after lockdown enforcement, with faster declines reported in countries that adopted the most stringent lockdown measures. Full story
Golden ticket: Researchers examine what consumers desire in chocolate products
Gold foil, ornate labels and an intriguing backstory are product characteristics highly desired by premium chocolate consumers, according to research conducted by food scientists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Full story
Arboretum at Penn State recognized as 'A Great Place in Pennsylvania'
The Arboretum at Penn State has been recognized as one of three “Great Places in Pennsylvania for 2020” by the state chapter of the American Planning Association. "Great Places" have a sustainable vision for the future and serve as a model for other communities, according to the association. Full story
Could SARS-CoV-2 evolve resistance to COVID-19 vaccines?
Similar to bacteria evolving resistance to antibiotics, viruses can evolve resistance to vaccines, and the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 could undermine the effectiveness of vaccines that are currently under development, according to a paper published Nov. 9 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by David Kennedy and Andrew Read from Penn State. The authors also offer recommendations to vaccine developers for minimizing the likelihood of this outcome. Full story
Book co-edited by Penn State faculty explores gender relations in agriculture
While women represent a significant portion of the global agricultural workforce, they face many roadblocks to success, including limited access to land, technological advancements, education and financing. These barriers, and ways to overcome them, are explored in a new publication, “Routledge Handbook of Gender and Agriculture,” co-edited by faculty in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Full story
Virtual Ag Live tailgate brings together alumni, supports student scholarships
Organizers of the Ag Live Tailgate, the annual four-day reunion and charity event hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society, are not allowing its signature gathering to be sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic. Full story
Food Science launches virtual buddy program to support student community
The Food Science Club and the Penn State chapter of Phi Tau Sigma launched a buddy program this fall, a virtual platform for undergraduate and graduate students to connect, interact and gain professional development skills during the academic year. Full story
Penn State Extension provides free courses to young women in Kenya
In August, Penn State Extension (in the College of Agricultural Sciences) partnered with the Global Give Back Circle (GGBC), an organization focused on providing education and mentorship opportunities to young women in five African nations. Global Give Back Circle “leverage[s] the time and talent of women globally, through a Mentorship Program designed to help at-risk girls continue their education and embrace economic freedom,” according to their website. Full story
Land-use webinar to focus on changes in consumer food sourcing during pandemic
Changes in how consumers locate and buy their food will be the subject of a web-based seminar hosted by Penn State Extension at noon on Nov. 18. Full story
Family symposium highlights parent-child separations
Penn State’s 28th annual National Symposium on Family Issues was recently held focusing on the causes and consequences of parent-child separations. For the first time ever, the event was held virtually, but that didn’t deter experts around the nation from participating and offering their diverse research on the subject. Full story
Historian Ibram X. Kendi to discuss how to be an antiracist at virtual event
Ibram X. Kendi, one of America’s foremost historians and leading antiracist voices, will discuss his book “How to Be an Antiracist” from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. The free, live-streamed event will feature a moderated conversation with Kendi, followed by Q&A. Full story