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The World as Multimedia Village

Have you noticed that the Internet is changing the world into a




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Map: Where Has COVID-19 Closed Schools? Where Are They Open?

This national map tracks each state's mandates or recommendations on K-12 school closures and openings related to the coronavirus.




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Grant helps Penn College students cover child care costs

The U.S. Department of Education awarded a $96,099 grant to Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Dunham Children’s Learning Center to help reduce fees for eligible students whose children are enrolled at the early childhood education facility in 2024-25.




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Ithaca wood carver exhibits folk art at Penn College gallery

Mary Michael Shelley has been carving out a life in Ithaca, New York, since she graduated from Cornell University in 1972. The folk artist is sharing works representing the evolution of her 50-plus-year career in an exhibition at The Gallery at Penn College through Nov. 26.




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Inspiring STEM speaker to address digital divide at public forum

A former computer engineer turned motivational speaker will share his dynamic insights on “Bridging the Digital Divide: Unlocking Access and Opportunity in Education” during a Nov. 6 presentation of the Technology & Society Colloquia Series at Pennsylvania College of Technology.




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Penn College Diesel Club’s vintage Mack truck wins big again

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Diesel Performance Club has captured another first place in drag race competition. The club's 1959 B-61 Mack drag truck, known as “Accelerated Learning,” won top honors in the “Big Rig Auto” bracket at the October Truck Fest at Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey. That victory qualified the truck for the “King of the Island” bracket race, where it finished in second place.




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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 College recognized for nonpartisan student voter engagement

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has recognized Pennsylvania College of Technology for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that fostered high levels of student voter engagement in the 2022 midterm elections and for its commitment to ensuring that nonpartisan democratic engagement is a defining feature of campus life.




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Penn College collision repair student receives scholarship

A Pennsylvania College of Technology freshman is one of five students nationwide to receive a BASF Techs for Tomorrow scholarship.




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Grant leaves lasting benefits for veterans at Penn College

A federal grant that enhanced services for veteran students at Pennsylvania College of Technology recently ended, but its benefits will endure.




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Bus mechanic apprenticeship being developed at Penn College

Pennsylvania College of Technology has been awarded a $600,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry to develop a new sector apprenticeship in transportation. The apprenticeship will train bus mechanics, addressing the shortage of skilled bus service technicians and ensuring the consistent operation of public transit in urban and rural areas across the commonwealth.




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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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Johnson Lecture in Scientific Communication to be held Nov. 21

Alaina G. Levine, president of Quantum Success Solutions LLC, professional speaker, STEM career coach, and author, will give the fall 2024 A. Dixon and Betty F. Johnson Lecture in Scientific Communication at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 in 100 Thomas Building on the Penn State University Park campus. The free public lecture is open to the Penn State community.




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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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Virtual speaker explores insomnia from childhood to young adulthood on Oct. 18

Poor sleep is linked to cardiometabolic disease, depression and anxiety, among other concerns. Sleep disturbances can begin in childhood, but insomnia symptoms in children aren’t always taken seriously — and how childhood symptoms develop into a persisting disorder remains elusive. Learn more from Julio Fernandez-Mendoza, professor at the College of Medicine, in the next Virtual Speaker Series from the Penn State Alumni Association from noon to 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 18. 




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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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Community invited to Trick-or-Treat at Penn State Hazleton on Oct. 24 

Penn State Hazleton's trick-or-treating is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the Sports and Recreation Field at the campus. Children attending the event must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 




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Invasive flathead catfish impacting Susquehanna’s food chain, researchers find

Flathead catfish — native to the Mississippi River basin — were first detected in the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania in 2002, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In the two decades since then, the invasive species has spread throughout the river basin. The impact of the large predator on the waterway’s food webs and ecology was unknown, but now a team including researchers from Penn State is beginning to understand what Susquehanna flatheads are eating and how their presence is affecting native aquatic species in the river.




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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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Thompson, Pennsylvania in the Balance among those receiving Ag Council awards

U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, was honored with the 2024 Leadership Award presented by the Penn State Ag Council at its fall meeting in State College. Also recognized were members of the Pennsylvania in the Balance initiative and undergraduate student Jessica Herr.




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Penn State Master Watershed Steward Jane Cook leads by example in Lehigh Valley

In 2014, Jane Cook joined the second-ever training class of Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteers. She was already active in the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association, but since then, she has logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours educating the public and restoring local watersheds.




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Public pressure influences whether companies reduce their environmental impact

The effectiveness of national voluntary programs asking companies to pledge to lower their pollution and greenhouse gas emissions depends on pressure from the public, according to a new study led by a Penn State researcher.




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Land-use webinar to address local implementation of active transportation plans

A Penn State Extension land-use webinar on Nov. 20 will guide local officials on the ins and outs of implementing “active transportation plans.”
 




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'Growing Impact' discusses communicating inland flooding through visualizations

The latest episode of "Growing Impact" explores how a research team is using computer modeling and animations to visualize future flood and levee failure scenarios.




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Viral country singer Sam Barber brings his ‘Restless Mind’ to Penn State Nov. 7

Viral country singer-songwriter and former reality-star contestant Sam Barber will bring his “Restless Mind” tour to Happy Valley at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in Eisenhower Auditorium.




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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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Students invited to virtual leadership and success conference

Penn State World Campus is hosting a virtual leadership summit this month and invites students from across the University to attend.




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Peter Cocoziello discusses real estate innovation on 'Dare to Disrupt' podcast

In the latest episode of Invent Penn State’s "Dare to Disrupt" podcast, host Ryan Newman interviews Peter Cocoziello, chairman, founder and CEO of Advance Realty Investors, a company specializing in real estate development, construction and property management.




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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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Students are invited to connect with Pittsburgh-area employers on Nov. 25

Students are invited to expand their professional network and connect with businesses during the second annual Pittsburgh Connect: Penn State Student Networking Summit at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25.




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New innovation fund for Penn State Smeal students to explore AI initiatives

Dan and Robyn Ives recently made a $100,000 commitment to create the Dan and Robyn Ives AI Innovation Initiatives Fund in the Penn State Smeal College of Business. Their annually funded gift will give Smeal’s eLearning Design and Innovation Group $20,000 a year over the next five years to explore the challenges and opportunities that AI presents for Smeal students, faculty and staff and to expand educational and experiential learning opportunities around AI.




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Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation announces seed grant awardees

Penn State’s Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation has awarded its inaugural seed grants. These grants are designed to support interdisciplinary research projects that foster collaboration led by Penn State researchers, aiming to make a significant impact on the future of the built environment and real estate practice. 




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News24 Business | Kenya court rules Meta can be sued over layoffs by contractor

A Kenyan court ruled on Friday that Facebook's parent company Meta could be sued in the East African nation over the dismissal of dozens of content moderators by a contractor.




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News24 Business | Many Wall Street executives are worried about Trump but wary of Harris

Many executives have reservations about backing either candidate in the US presidential election.




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News24 Business | Zimbabwe central bank chief says ZiG 43% devaluation is 'once-off' event

Zimbabwe sought to assure citizens that its gold-backed currency would not suffer another steep devaluation and steps were being taken to assure its defence.




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News24 Business | Is China’s new stimulus enough to revive its economy?

China is trying to revive its economy from a COVID-era slump, but is it doing too little, too late?




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News24 Business | Musk's millions: Five ways the world's richest man helps Trump

In an extraordinary twist that has upended an already unpredictable election, the world's richest man has become Donald Trump's most influential supporter in his bid to return to the White House.




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News24 Business | India's festive gold buying spree continues, defying record price

Indian buyers of gold brushed off record high prices and made purchases for the Dhanteras and Diwali festivals starting on Tuesday, hoping bullion would continue to rally and deliver promising returns amid a cooling stock market, industry officials told Reuters.




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News24 Business | Dynasties battle to lead Mauritius with democracy out of favour

As 1 million people head to cast ballots, the election results are likely to be announced 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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PSU-LV faculty and staff present at Commonwealth Connections Instructor Days

Faculty and staff from Penn State Lehigh Valley were among the slate of presenters and panelists at the annual Commonwealth Connections Instructor Days, a virtual event whose goal is to share strategies and tools for success in teaching.




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Start Up Lehigh Valley holds 6th annual pitch competition

A sweet dessert infused with tropical flavors took home the top prize in the 6th Annual Start Up Lehigh Valley pitch competition held on Oct. 15 at Baker Hall, Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem. The annual event recognizes and encourages new business ventures in the greater Lehigh Valley




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Lehigh Valley fall art exhibition to focus on 'liberty and justice for all'

Three artists whose work examines the ideas of social justice, civic engagement and democracy will be featured in an exhibition at the Ronald K. DeLong Gallery at Penn State Lehigh Valley from Nov. 18, 2024, to Jan. 23, 2025.




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Panelists at PSU-LV event discuss importance, challenges facing reading literacy

Shifts in how reading is taught have led to declining reading literacy scores on standardized tests across U.S.




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News24 Business | Investment update | What Trump or Harris could mean for JSE shares

The latest investment insights and market developments.




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News24 Business | Rand hits best level in weeks as 'Trump trades' unwind

The dollar softened on Tuesday as traders squared positions on the day of the US presidential election, after recent polls dented some market bets on a victory for Republican Donald Trump.