News Archives

Penn Study: Americans Show Little Tolerance for Mental Illness Despite Growing Belief in Genetic Cause

PHILADELPHIA –- A new study by University of Pennsylvania sociology professor Jason Schnittker shows that, while more Americans believe that mental illness has genetic causes, the nation is no more tolerant of the mentally ill than it was 10 years ago.The study published online in the journal Social Science and Medicine uses a 2006 replication of the 1996 General Social Survey Mental Health Module to explore trends in public beliefs about mental illness in America, focusing in particular on public support for genetic arguments.

Penn Chemist Discovers the Elusive Chemical Middleman That Removes Acid Rain

PHILADELPHIA –- Researchers have discovered the middleman in the complex chemical reaction that is essential to the atmosphere's ability to break down pollutants, especially the compounds that cause acid rain. The study improves the basic understanding of the chemical removal of acid rain and will allow scientists to better model how pollutants are removed from the atmosphere and to predict potential environmental conditions.

Penn Physicist Fay Ajzenberg-Selove Among Eight Scientists to Receive the 2007 National Medal of Science

PHILADELPHIA - University of Pennsylvania physicist Fay Ajzenberg-Selove, is among eight recipients of the 2007 National Medal of Science, the nation's highest honor for science. Ajzenberg-Selove and her fellow honorees will receive their medals at a White House ceremony Sept. 29.

Penn President Welcomes Incoming Freshmen

WHO: Dr. Amy Gutmann, president of the University of PennsylvaniaWHAT: Move-in for Penn's Class of 2012WHEN: Aug. 28, 2008, 10:30 a.m.WHERE: Hill College House 34th and Walnut streetsPenn's president, Dr. Amy Gutmann, will welcome some of the more than 2,400 incoming freshmen as they move into their dorms.

PennGreen Initiative Will Train Students to Lead an Environmentally Conscious Culture on Penn Campus

WHAT: PennGreen, a week-long pre-orientation pilot leadership training program designed to provide selected University of Pennsylvania upperclassmen with information and skills they can use to give future incoming freshmen an environmental introduction to the campus and Philadelphia.

Penn Museum Launches Penn Cultural Heritage Center

PHILADELPHIA –- The Penn Cultural Heritage Center, dedicated to expanding scholarly and public awareness, discussion and debate about complex issues surrounding the world’s endangered cultural heritage, has been established at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia.

University of Pennsylvania Scientists Move Optical Computing Closer to Reality

PHILADELPHIA –- Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have theorized a way to increase the speed of pulses of light that bound across chains of tiny metal particles to well past the speed of light by altering the particle shape. Application of this theory would use nanosized metal chains as building blocks for novel optoelectronic and optical devices, which would operate at higher frequencies than conventional electronic circuits.

Penn Media Seminar on Neuroscience and Society

Sept. 19, 200810 a.m. to 1 p.m.Penn Club of New York, Tarnapol Room30 W. 44th Street,New York, N.Y. If attending, please RSVP immediately to Blake Cole at 215-898-8721 or coleba@pobox.upenn.edu. The seminar is open to the news media only.

Chief of U.N. Al Qaeda Monitoring Team to Release New Briefing Seven Years After 9/11

WHO:

Penn Hosts Science-Minded Middle School Girls at Camp GEMS: Girls in Engineering, Math and Science