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Laughing gas: An old drug’s new trick to fight depression
A laughing gas mask hovering over a patient’s perspective.

Image: vzmaze via Getty Images

Laughing gas: An old drug’s new trick to fight depression

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine have uncovered how nitrous oxide, an anesthetic used worldwide since the 19th century, could help lift mood fast in people with depression that resists other treatments.

From Penn Medicine News

1 min. read

Wharton’s Dinan Hall restoration celebrated
J. Larry Jameson, Erika H. James and Jamie Dinan stand in front of Dinan Hall.

President J. Larry Jameson, Wharton School Dean Erika H. James, and Trustee Jamie Dinan at the Dinan Hall dedication ceremony.

(IMAGE: SHIRA YUDKOFF)

Wharton’s Dinan Hall restoration celebrated

A gift from Trustee, Wharton Board of Advisors member, and alumnus Jamie Dinan led to renovation of former Vance Hall.

2 min. read

People select feedback to flatter others, except when they dislike them

People select feedback to flatter others, except when they dislike them

New research by Penn’s Social Action Lab research associate Xi Shen and PIK Professor Dolores Albarracín finds that people generally want to make other people feel good about themselves—unless they dislike that person.

From the Annenberg Public Policy Center

2 min. read

The Wharton School introduces new undergraduate concentration and MBA major in artificial intelligence for business
The exterior of Penn’s Huntsman building with a blue sky.

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The Wharton School introduces new undergraduate concentration and MBA major in artificial intelligence for business

The degree is designed to address the world’s growing demand for AI-related skills and expertise, and “represents a bold step forward in our mission to prepare the next generation to responsibly lead in an AI-driven world,” says Wharton dean Erika James. The curriculum includes courses on applied machine learning, data science, neuroscience, data engineering, statistics, and ethics.

2 min. read

Reframing historical narratives of Jewish sorrow
Panelists at a conference.

Ishay Rozen-Zvi; Ross Shepard Kraemer of Brown, emerita; and Seth Schwartz, of Columbia.

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Reframing historical narratives of Jewish sorrow

Between colleagues in Penn’s Jewish Studies Program, conversations began to surface about two years ago concerning an age-old question of any society: How do we write history?

1 min. read

Exploring the history of making choices, small and large
Sophia Rosenfeld leans against a bookshelf smiling.

Sophia Rosenfeld’s new book traces the history of the idea of choice. She likes to work on ideas that are “ubiquitous,” or so prevalent in society that we rarely talk about or even notice them.

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Exploring the history of making choices, small and large

In a new book, Sophia Rosenfeld of the Department of History chronicles the past and present of an elusive idea—choice—and what it has meant and still means for people and society.

4 min. read

Sarah J. Jackson awarded fellowship from the Institute for Advanced Study

Sarah J. Jackson awarded fellowship from the Institute for Advanced Study

Jackson, an associate professor at Penn’s Annenberg School for Communication will begin a one-year fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Study, one of the world’s foremost centers for intellectual inquiry. Jackson studies the ways media, journalism, and technology represent and are used by marginalized publics. Her research focuses on how communication arising from Black, feminist, and activist spaces contributes to U.S. progress.

Scientists unlock frogs’ antibacterial secrets to combat superbugs
A tree frog in Thailand.

The researchers theorized that frogs must have developed antibiotics to survive in their challenging environment.

Image: Michael Edward via Getty Images

Scientists unlock frogs’ antibacterial secrets to combat superbugs

The lab of César de la Fuente has created synthetic peptides, a class of antibiotics, derived from the secretions of a frog commonly found in South Asia.

Ian Scheffler

2 min. read

Penn Electric Racing’s latest racecar
Students unveil their latest self-made electric race car on College Green, just in front of Benjamin Franklin statue.

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Penn Electric Racing’s latest racecar

Penn Electric Racing, the student-led Formula Society of Automotive Engineers electric team, debuted its latest electric race car, REVX, on College Green on March 28. This marks the team's 10th custom-designed car since its founding in 2013 and its most sophisticated to date.

3 min. read

‘Hacking’ data for insights and innovation
Jackie Balanovsky, Glynn Boltman, Ki Joon Lee, and Geddy Lucier sit around a table working on their laptops.

(From left) Jackie Balanovsky, Glynn Boltman, Ki Joon Lee, and Geddy Lucier, all third-year students in the College of Arts and Sciences, work on their analysis of student loan complaint data during the 2025 PORES Hackathon.

(Image: Courtesy of Andrew Arenge)

‘Hacking’ data for insights and innovation

Penn student data science teams tackle large volumes of information as they compete for honors with the Penn Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies.

3 min. read