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A second life for leaves
Two researchers stand in a roped-off area of land, backlit by the rising sun. A study site marked with pink flags is at their feet.

Eliza Nobles, a Morris Arboretum intern, and Jessie Buckner, an ecologist with Applied Ecological Services, set up the first plots at Penn Park on a sunny morning in October. Their study will examine how using leaf mulch or allowing fallen leaves to remain on a site impacts soil health and ecology.

A second life for leaves

Taking a scientific approach to managing campus land, Facilities and Real Estate Services is partnering with soil scientists and ecologists to study how mulching plots with leaves fares for soil health and biodiversity.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Researchers create better light-trapping devices
nine spirals of yellow and white over a dark blue impressionist background, with darker lines of waves along the bottom of the image

Researchers create better light-trapping devices

A new study shows how the performance of optical resonators can be improved using topological physics, which can lead to more efficient lasers, sensors, and telecommunication devices.

Erica K. Brockmeier

Russian interference and the West: Learning from ‘The Lands in Between’
Protesters holding posters saying: "Give us fair elections" and "For honest elections", outdoors in Moscow square.

Russian interference and the West: Learning from ‘The Lands in Between’

In his new book, Mitchell Orenstein argues that politics in countries situated between Russia and the European Union can hold powerful lessons for Western countries affected by Russian interference.

Kristen de Groot

How does opioid exposure affect brain development in young children?
Two people standing in a building entryway. Windows are on their left, a yellow wall with a portrait are on their right. They're both looking into the camera and smiling.

The new NIH-funded work from researchers Dylan Tisdall of Penn Medicine and Allyson Mackey of the School of Arts and Sciences will work to develop an MRI method geared specifically to three- to five-year-olds and calculate how exposure to opioids can impede neurocognitive development of children in that age range.

How does opioid exposure affect brain development in young children?

That’s the question Allyson Mackey and Dylan Tisdall hope to answer, through a new grant from an NIH initiative focused on addiction research.

Michele W. Berger

Japan ambassador speaks of ‘cornerstone’ relations with U.S.
Ambassador Yamamouchi and Fred Dickinson shake hands Ambassador Kanji Yamamouchi, left, with Center for East Asian Studies Director Frederick Dickinson at Huntsman Hall. (Image: Mengxi Jiang)

Japan ambassador speaks of ‘cornerstone’ relations with U.S.

In a lecture and conversation with the Penn community, Consul General and Ambassador of Japan Kanji Yamanouchi discussed the state of Japan’s relationship with the United States.
Penn Museum’s transformation revealed
sphinx in the archway of the museum entrance

Penn Museum’s transformation revealed

The main level reopens after a historic renovation featuring the relocated sphinx and completely reimagined Africa and Mexico/Central America galleries.

Louisa Shepard

Mentoring circles support a journey through STEM
Group of five people sitting in chairs in a circle

Mentoring circles support a journey through STEM

An initiative of the Biomedical Postdoctoral Council Diversity Committee has established an informal network of “mentoring circles” for postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates in STEM, with a particular emphasis on including participants from underrepresented backgrounds.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Social interactions in the housing market
For Rent sign on front gate of a brick apartment building

Social interactions in the housing market

Doctoral candidate in sociology Doron Shiffer-Sebba’s prize-winning research paper examines the interpersonal dynamics of landlords and tenants.

Penn Today Staff

‘Fight On, Pennsylvania’ celebrates a century
Two pages of sheet music for the song Fight On Pennsylvania.

One hundred years ago two Penn freshmen, David Zoob and Ben McGiveran, wrote the music and lyrics to “Fight On, Pennsylvania,” which became the University’s official fight song for athletic contests. (Image: Penn Archives, from "Songs of the University of Pennsylvania.")

‘Fight On, Pennsylvania’ celebrates a century

One hundred years ago two Penn freshmen got together in a Quad dorm room and wrote the music and lyrics to a song they named “Fight On, Pennsylvania.” The University’s official fight song became a tradition at football games, and today is played thousands of times a year.

Louisa Shepard