Automated milking stalls use robotic technology to milk and clean cows, eliminating the need for farmers to hand-milk their cattle several times a day.

Food security is the availability of food and having access to it. An individual is considered food-secure if they do not live in hunger or fear of starvation.

Known for its one-of-a-kind flavor names and annual Free Cone Day, the beloved ice cream company was founded in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. The company got its start after the two seriously mootivated friends took an ice cream-making course at Penn State. To read more about the ice cream masterminds’ Penn State experience, click here.

Genetic testing uses a variety of laboratory techniques to determine if a patient has a genetic disorder, or is likely to acquire one. Individuals often wish to be tested based on a family history of a disease, apparent symptoms, or concerns about passing a genetic disorder to their children.

Chemistry that specializes in the chemical compounds and processes that occur in organisms.

According to the National Library of Medicine, a genome is an organism’s complete set of DNA, including all of its genes. A genome contains everything needed to build and maintain the organism. In humans, every cell that has a nucleus has a copy of the genome.

The application of statistics and computer science to the field of molecular biology. It is the name given to these mathematical and computing approaches used to glean understanding of complex biological processes.

Genome sequencing is “decoding” the DNA found in a genome (see above definition). For the most part, genome sequencing is done by high-tech machines.

A term referring to an animal belonging to the subfamily Bovinae, which includes antelope, bison, buffalo, cattle, and yak. The cows that supply milk to the Creamery are moost certainly bovine.

A natural, spontaneous, often-political movement that frequently occurs at the local level. The groups who encourage people to register to vote are an example of a grassroots movement.

Broadband refers to a telecommunication signal that has a wider bandwidth than a standard signal, and thus a greater information-carrying capacity. For example, broadband Internet can supply the same amount of information more than twice as fast than dial-up Internet, which has a smaller bandwidth.

Internet2 is a large, advanced not-for-profit networking system used in the US that connects over 60,000 educational, research, Internet industry and government institutions.

Also known as a cell tower, a cell site is an elevated structure (usually a tower) that contains the necessary technology to create a “cell” in a cellular network. These “cells” provides cellular service and are sometimes required by cities to blend into the surrounding area http://it-stre.am/jGb9hL.

According to Merriam-Webster, malnutrition is “faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization”. The World Health Organization lists malnutrition as the single most serious threat to the world’s public health.

A company that provides cellular phones and service to customers. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon are some examples of cellular carriers.

Mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that identifies unknown compounds, quantifies known compounds and reveals the structure and chemical properties of molecules. Mass spectrometry is used to detect athlete steroid use and dioxins in contaminated fish.

A telecommunications service that allows people to use wireless, mobile telephones to connect via low-power radio transmission sites called cell sites.

A “middle mile network” is the segment of telecommunications network that links a network operator’s core network to a local network plant. A “last mile network” (or “first mile network”, depending on your perspective), then, is the segment of network that delivers connectivity from a communications provider to the customer.

Stands for “central exchange”. Centrex is essentially a normal telephone line that provides additional services such as three-way calling, call transfer, caller ID and voicemail. Centrex lines are associated with business phone systems. Have you ever had to dial “9” to get a dial tone at an office? Then you have used a Centrex line!

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is “an agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce that serves as the executive branch agency principally responsible for advising the President on telecommunications and information policies”. One responsibility NTIA takes on is ensuring all Americans have affordable phone and cable TV service.

Closed-circuit television is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific set of monitors. Security cameras found in stores are an example of closed-circuit television.

Stands for “non-governmental organization”. As its name suggests, a NGO is a legally constituted group that operates independently from any government. The American Red Cross, Green Peace, and Doctors Without Borders are some examples of popular NGOs.

A compost pile is made of organic matter that has decomposed and can be reused as fertilizer or soil amendment. Compost is rich in nutrients and can be made easily at home using fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea, leaves/yard trimming, eggshells and even clean paper or cardboard. For more information on creating your own compost pile, click here.

A way of farming that is as self-sufficient as possible and aims to optimize the health and efficiency of soil, plants, animals and people. For example, an organic farm would provide natural living conditions for livestock, practice composting, and not use pesticides.

A computer cluster is a group of two or more computers that are linked together to work as a single computer. Sometimes computer clusters are even made from video game consoles.

According to Merriam-Webster, palatability is simply “the quality of being delicious”. Yum!

A computer simulation is a computer program that simulates (or replicate) an abstract model so that it can be studied or analyzed. Flight simulators and weather forecasting are some popular uses of computer simulation.

A mixture of substances that is sprayed on crops to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate pests. While pesticides help keep pests away, they can be harmful to our health, environment and economy. It is estimated that the agriculture industry in the United States uses over 800 million pounds of pesticides every year.

An agricultural system that is characterized by mechanization, the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and emphasizes productivity and profitability.

Physiology is the science of the functions and activities of living organisms and the physical and chemical processes involved. Basically, physiology is the science of how we live – from how we breathe to how our hearts beat.

Data sharing refers to the act of making academic research available to others. Sharing is caring!

The Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC) is a computing and networking center located in Pittsburgh, PA. It allows university, government and industrial researchers to utilize some of the most powerful supercomputer systems.

According to Merriam-Webster, a database is “a usually large collection of data organized especially for rapid search and retrieval”. Most of the time databases are stored in computers.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) by definition is “a technology that uses communication through the use of radio waves to transfer data between a reader and an electronic tag attached to an object for the purpose of identification and tracking”. Have you ever used an E-ZPass when going through a tollbooth? That’s RFID at work.

According to dictionary.com, a developing nation is a nation that exhibits the following qualities: the average income is lower than in industrialized nations; the economy relies on exporting just a few crops; and farming is practiced with very basic methods. Rapid population growth endangers the food supply in many developing nations.

A satellite uplink is the transmitter that sends data up to the satellite. In comparison, a satellite downlink is the component required to receive/decode data.

Drip irrigation keeps plants hydrated by slowly dripping water onto their roots through a network of valves, pipes, tubes and emitters. Drip irrigation helps cut down water and fertilizer use.

Shelf life is the length of time that food is given before it’s considered unsuitable for sale, use or consumption. A food can still be safe to consume even if it has passed its shelf life, but its quality is no longer guaranteed.

Emulsifiers are responsible for keeping water and oil in food mixed, rather than separated. They make food more appetizing by improving appearance and consistency, and extend the food’s shelf life. Some examples of foods with emulsifiers are mayonnaise, margarine, ice cream and peanut butter.

A stabilizer is a substance that allows food ingredients that do not mix well to remain mixed together after blending. Simply put, a stabilizer maintains the consistency of foods like mayonnaise.

FCC is an acronym for the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC regulates radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable communications in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US territories.

Statistical quality control, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, refers to using statistical methods to monitor and maintain the quality of products and services.

A food group is a group of foods that share similar nutritional or biological characteristics. Grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, and nuts/seeds/legumes are all examples of food groups.

Supercomputing is what it sounds like – using a top-of-the-line computer for things such as quantum physics, weather forecasting, simulations, etc. Currently the world’s fastest supercomputer, Fujitsu K, can crank out a whopping 8.2 quadrillion calculations per second.

Food insecurity is not having food available or not having access to it. Food insecurity is a major problem – 17,000 children die of hunger around the world every day. In 2008, 14.6 percent of households in the United States were food insecure. To help those who are hungry, consider donating to charities such as Feeding America or World Hunger Relief.

Synthetic fertilizer is made from chemicals, in contrast to organic fertilizer that is made from plant or animal matter. Miracle-Gro is an example of a popular brand that produces synthetic fertilizer.