A physical model for forming patterns in pollen Four sets of pollen grains (from top left to bottom right: Alisma lanceolatum, Galium wirtgenii, Gaillardia aristata, Gomphrena globosa), showing the scanning electron microscopy image alongside the simulation of the physical model for the same geometry (Image credit: PalDat.org (SEM image) and Asja Radja (simulation)). A physical model for forming patterns in pollen Physicists have developed a model that describes how patterns form on pollen spores, the first physically rigorous framework that details the thermodynamic processes that lead to complex biological architectures.
The dynamics of light-harvesting chemistry The dynamics of light-harvesting chemistry A new paper provides insights into the chemistry that underlies human-made, light-driven catalytic systems and paves the way to better understand how light-induced reactions can be controlled more effectively.
And the Oscar goes to…a Penn sophomore Penn sophomore Claire Sliney is a co-executive producer of one of five films nominated for an Oscar in the Documentary Short Subject category. The 91st Academy Award ceremony is Feb. 24. And the Oscar goes to…a Penn sophomore Claire Sliney is a co-executive producer of one of five films nominated for an Academy Award in the Documentary Short Subject category. “Period. End of Sentence.” explores the stigma of menstruation for girls in India and Sliney’s work to address the issue.
How one gene in a tiny fish may alter an aquatic ecosystem Threespine stickleback, which occupy lakes across the northern latitudes, are a tiny fish with an outsize impact on evolutionary research. Penn biologist Seth Rudman has found that a single gene affects the way they interact with their environment. (Photo: Seth Rudman) How one gene in a tiny fish may alter an aquatic ecosystem Linking genomics to evolution to ecology, the work takes an unusual approach to reveal broad implications of how species adapt to their local environment.
Spicy foods: To eat, or not to eat Spicy foods: To eat, or not to eat Cold months come with fiery foods—but is that heat good for you? Penn’s Paul Rozin and Nitin Ahuja, along with a registered dietician, chime in to explore its effects on mind and body.
Supreme Court decision a boon for truck drivers and, potentially, the gig economy A recent Supreme Court decision now allows transportation workers to sue their employers in class-action lawsuits. This verdict could have implications for truckers, but could also affect Uber drivers and others in the gig economy. Supreme Court decision a boon for truck drivers and, potentially, the gig economy Three Penn experts discuss the ruling, which gives transportation workers the ability to sue their employers in class-action lawsuits, sidestepping forced arbitration.
Shooting hoops with Ashley Russell Shooting hoops with Ashley Russell The senior guard and co-captain of the women’s basketball team talks a shooter’s mentality, rebounding at the guard position, and the key to avoiding turnovers.
Procrastinating on climate change Procrastinating on climate change Joseph Kable, Baird Term Professor of Psychology, studies how people make (or don’t make) decisions. He calls the circumstances around climate change a “perfect storm of features” that’s leading us to not act.
Copyright expiration releases works to the world The Penn Libraries is digitizing and sharing books published in 1923 that have come into the public domain. One is "Vinzi a Story of the Swiss Alps," by Johanna Spyri, author of the more-famous "Heidi." The edition is the first U.S. translation to English from German, published in Philadelphia. Copyright expiration releases works to the world Works from 1923 have entered the public domain after a 20-year extension on copyright protections. The Penn Libraries is digitizing unique works to share.
How the appliance boom moved more women into the workforce Before running water and electricity, a single load of laundry could take four hours to wash. But with the advent of mechanical appliances, like the washing machine above, that dropped to 41 minutes. How the appliance boom moved more women into the workforce A new book from economist Jeremy Greenwood looks at the effects of technological progress on home life.