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Nathi Magubane

Science News Officer
  • nathi@upenn.edu
  • (215) 898-8562
  • A portrait of science writer Nathi Magubane
    Articles from Nathi Magubane
    Climate change and atmospheric dynamics unveil future weather extremes
    Canal middle agricultural dry by drought and heatwave on summer. water crisis and water stress on summer during long term drought on summer.

    A collaborative team of researchers led by Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences have found the interplay of natural systems and human-induced climate change are setting the stage for more frequent and severe weather events.

    (Image/iStock / Piyaset)

    Climate change and atmospheric dynamics unveil future weather extremes

    A collaborative team of researchers led by Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences have found the interplay of natural systems and human-induced climate change are setting the stage for more frequent and severe weather events.
    In hot water: Coral resilience in the face of climate change
    scuba diver researching coral

    Researchers led by Katie Barott collect data from coral populations in Kanohe Bay, Hawaii. 

    (Image: Courtesy of Kristen Brown)

    In hot water: Coral resilience in the face of climate change

    Over a decade, researchers from Penn studied coral species in Hawaii to better understand their adaptability to the effects of climate change.
    More than skin deep: A molecular and mechanistic look at pigmentation variation
    Two men sitting and smiling for a photgraph

    PIK Professor Sarah Tishkoff led a collaborative team of researchers who have discovered key insights into the molecular basis of skin color differences among Africans. “There’s so much genetic diversity in African populations, but they’ve also been historically underrepresented in studies,” Tishkoff says. “Our findings offer more information on these populations and paint a clearer picture of human evolution.”

    (Image: Courtesy of Sarah Tishkoff and Alessia Ranciaro)

    More than skin deep: A molecular and mechanistic look at pigmentation variation

    A new collaborative study offers a better understanding of genes and variants responsible for skin color, providing insights into human evolution and local adaptation.
    Dark Energy Survey uncovers clues to universe’s complexity
    an image of a spiral galaxy

    An image of NGC 1365 collected by the Dark Energy Survey. Also known as the Great Barred Spiral Galaxy, NGC 1365 is an example of a spiral galaxy and is located about 56 million light-years away. (Image: DECam, DES Collaboration)

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    Dark Energy Survey uncovers clues to universe’s complexity

    The decade-long effort reveals findings consistent with standard cosmological models, but open to more complex interpretations.
    Microrobots: An emerging biomedical trend
    Medical concept in the field of nanotechnology, a nanobot studies or kills a virus. 3D rendering.

    Image: Courtesy of iStock / K_E_N

    Microrobots: An emerging biomedical trend

    In a Q&A with Penn Today, Hyun (Michel) Koo of the School of Dental Medicine and Edward Steager of the School of Engineering and Applied Science discuss the emerging trend of microrobots in healthcare.
    Celebrating innovation and impact
    Sean McCooe, Holger Kissel, Shu Yang, Firooz Alfatouni, Steve Kelly, and Sean Marett pose for photograph at an award ceremony.

    During its recent eighth annual Celebration of Innovation, the Penn Center for Innovation (PCI) reported on a successful fiscal year 2023. From left: Sean McCooe, Holger Kissel, Shu Yang, Firooz Alfatouni, Steve Kelly, and Sean Marett.

    (Image: Courtesy of Felice Macera)

    Celebrating innovation and impact

    Now in its tenth year of operation, the Penn Center for Innovation marked innovation achievements from fiscal year 2023 with highlights and awards.
    Things to know: E-scooters and safety
     People preparedness for fire drill and training to use a fire safety tank.

    With the rising popularity of e-scooters, the Division of Public Safety is spreading the message of safe use and operation of these devices that are prohibited from campus buildings.

    (Image: iStock / panom73)

    Things to know: E-scooters and safety

    Penn’s Gene Janda and Joe Romm and Andrew Baldwin of the Philadelphia Fire Department discuss lithium-ion battery fire risks.
    AI security
    Digital hands manipulating by a man in the suit. Internet risks, artifical intelligence anxiety concept.

    As large language models become increasingly adept at synthesizing information and producing human-like responses, many are concerned that malicious actors may use this technology in dangerous ways. Alex Robey, a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, is developing a first-of-its-kind defense­­, SmoothLLM.

    (Image: iStock / Moor Studio)

    AI security

    As AI gets more adept at synthesizing information and producing humanlike responses, many are concerned that malicious actors may use this technology in dangerous ways. Ph.D. candidate Alex Robey safeguards AI systems against malicious tampering.
    The Singh Center for Nanotechnology turns 10
    Exterior of Singh Center for Nanotechnology lit up at nighS

    The Singh Center with its marigold glass facade and distinctive cantilevered structure exemplifies cutting-edge scientific research by virtue of its sleek geometry and meticulous attention to detail by all those involved in its development. (Image: Weiss/Manfredi)

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    The Singh Center for Nanotechnology turns 10

    Since its founding, the Center’s multidisciplinary approach has been a strength, where researchers from Penn Engineering, Arts & Sciences, and more come together in one space.
    A peek into the future of visual data interpretation
    Photograph of a cellphone homes screen.

    Alyssa Hwang, a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, developed a new framework for evaluating the performance of large language models’ ability to analyze images. Hwang utilized the tool to run a battery of tests on the new ChatGPT-Vision to assess its ability at describing scientific images ahead of its release.

    (Image: iStock/Robert Way)

    A peek into the future of visual data interpretation

    Researchers from Penn have developed a framework for assessing generative AI’s efficacy at deciphering images.
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