Supersonic whale calls and special relativity Humpback whales, like the one pictured here off the coast of Provincetown, Massachusetts, are routinely located by analyzing when their calls reach underwater microphones. In a recent paper, oceanographer John Spiesberger and a colleague identified a theoretical wave-interference effect that can make energy from sound waves outrun fundamental speed limits without violating the laws of physics. Their findings could improve whale tracking.(Image: Courtesy of Bryce Flynn / Getty) News Supersonic whale calls and special relativity Researchers noticed a wave-interference effect that makes sound energy appear to outrun fundamental limits without breaking physics. Their findings could improve whale tracking.
What lies beneath To better understand trade and economics along the Mediterranean Sea during Late Antiquity, second-year Ph.D. student Konstantinos Raptis dives deep into the ocean. Artifacts and shipwrecks remain preserved on the seafloor, offering a rare time capsule from a world long gone by.(Image: Courtesy of Konstantinos Raptis) What lies beneath From uncovering ancient ways of life to addressing the pressing threat of climate change, scholars at Penn Arts & Sciences are finding an upside to looking down. 2 min. read
Group projects nocred Group projects A roundup of stories from Penn Today on foraging patterns in the bee community, group problem solving, student performing arts, and moderating social media content. 2 min. read
Awards and honors for Penn faculty in the School of Arts & Sciences nocred Awards and honors for Penn faculty in the School of Arts & Sciences A roundup of the latest awards and accolades for Arts & Sciences faculty in criminology, sociology, political science, Africana studies, English, and history. 2 min. read
The hidden waves at the beach Image: Jenny Evans / Stringer via Getty Images The hidden waves at the beach Electromagnetism researcher Nader Engheta explains the physics behind invisible waves washing over beachgoers at the shore. 3 min. read
Tracing an ancient blue across the ancient world nocred Tracing an ancient blue across the ancient world Penn researchers Vanessa and Alexis North are studying one of the largest collections of Egyptian blue objects ever found in the ancient Near East, shedding new light on how the world’s first synthetic pigment may have traveled far beyond Egypt. 4 min. read
Lasting legacy nocred Lasting legacy A roundup of stories from Penn Today on the evolution of language, plant reproduction, DNA and evolution, and men’s sexual and reproductive health. 2 min. read
Reto Gieré on energy systems, waste, and sustainability “Many people still think of waste as something disposable, rather than as a resource that still contains value,” says Reto Gieré, earth and environmental science professor in the School of Arts & Sciences.(Image: Courtesy of Penn Climate) Reto Gieré on energy systems, waste, and sustainability The earth and environmental science professor invites his students to view sustainability as integral to industry and to reconsider waste as a potential resource for reuse. 2 min. read
On the move: Water quality and antimicrobial resistance testing goes mobile Arnav Lal collects water at Playa Baquerizo on San Cristóbal Island as a sea lion watches.(Image: Lisa Mattei) On the move: Water quality and antimicrobial resistance testing goes mobile Penn researchers have developed a mobile field laboratory allowing them to test water quality and track antimicrobial resistance in and around San Cristóbal in the Galápagos. 4 min. read
Awards and honors for Penn faculty nocred Awards and honors for Penn faculty A roundup of the latest awards for Penn faculty in the School of Arts & Sciences, Penn GSE, Penn Carey Law, the Perelman School of Medicine, and Penn Nursing. 2 min. read