Tracing an ancient blue across the ancient world nocred News 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.
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
Greenland’s fragile ice: Three new takeaways Image: jamenpercy via Getty Images Greenland’s fragile ice: Three new takeaways The Greenland Ice Sheet is more vulnerable to climate change than previously thought. School of Arts & Sciences assistant professor Jon Hawkings unpacks new research. 2 min. read
Cooperation has a downside Image: Denis Novikov via Getty Images Cooperation has a downside Research from a team led by Joshua Plotkin, Walter H. and Leonore C. Annenberg Professor of the Natural Sciences in the School of Arts & Sciences, cautions that sometimes working together can actually spur inequality. 2 min. read
Summer storms nocred Summer storms A roundup of stories from Penn Today on water quality, AI and sustainability, clean fuel production, and managing stormwater runoff. 2 min. read
Lessons from the Schuylkill River on community-engaged research Image: Bethany Wiggin Lessons from the Schuylkill River on community-engaged research A historian working on both sides of the Atlantic, Bethany Wiggin, a professor of German in the School of Arts & Sciences, is interested in how historic legacies—including pollution—shape modern landscapes and how changed landscapes impact human populations. 3 min. read
How artists have depicted—and shaped—society’s relationship with the sea Courbet, Gustave, “Waves.” 1870, oil on canvas.(Image: Philadelphia Museum of Art: The Louis E. Stern Collection, 1963-181-21. https://www.philamuseum.org/objects/59527) How artists have depicted—and shaped—society’s relationship with the sea In recognition of the summer season and beach vacations, Penn Today spoke with history of art professor Ann Kuttner about ancient Roman portrayals of the sea and Ph.D. student Benjy Jude about 19th-century French seascapes. 4 min. read