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Penn filmmakers capture less-told stories of climate change
Arctic Sea Daniel Fradin stands on the frozen Arctic Sea. Photo by: Kyle Rosenbluth

Penn filmmakers capture less-told stories of climate change

As part of two CURF grants, students Kyle Rosenbluth and Daniel Fradin traveled to the Arctic to explore a Canadian Inuit community for a documentary—and came back with ample story to tell.
Q&A with Mary Frances Berry: 
“History Teaches Us to Resist: How Progressive Movements Have Succeeded in Challenging Times”
Mary Frances Berry

Mary Frances Berry, Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and a professor of history and Africana studies. (Image: Jim Abbott)

  • Q&A

    • Q&A with Mary Frances Berry: 
“History Teaches Us to Resist: How Progressive Movements Have Succeeded in Challenging Times”

    The civil rights activist, historian, and author discusses her new book “History Teaches Us to Resist: How Progressive Movements Have Succeeded in Challenging Times.”
    Greening vacant lots reduces depression in city dwellers
    Criminologist John MacDonald and emergency medicine physician Eugenia South of the University of Pennsylvania.

    In the latest round of research on the effects of greening vacant lots, criminologist John MacDonald and emergency medicine physician Eugenia South found that people living within a quarter mile of greened lots had a 41.5 percent decrease in feelings of depression and a nearly 63 percent decrease in self-reported “poor mental health” compared to those who lived near the lots that received no intervention.

    Greening vacant lots reduces depression in city dwellers

    People living within a quarter mile of greened lots had a 41.5 percent decrease in feelings of depression and a nearly 63 percent decrease in self-reported “poor mental health,” compared to those who lived near the lots that received no intervention.

    Katie Delach , Michele W. Berger

    Talking philosophy, privacy, and race with Anita Allen
    Anita Allen.

    Anita Allen, Henry R. Silverman Professor of Law and professor of philosophy.

  • Q&A

    • Talking philosophy, privacy, and race with Anita Allen

    On July 1, the Vice Provost and professor of Law and Philosophy became the first female African-American president of the American Philosophical Association’s Eastern Division.

    Michele W. Berger

    Pardon power: Rogers Smith on presidential privilege
    Person stands with arms crossed looking at the camera.

    Rogers Smith, the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Political Science. (Image: Scott Spitzer)

    Pardon power: Rogers Smith on presidential privilege

    The political science professor discusses the legality of the current president applying the power of presidential pardon to himself, and concludes that there's no definitive constitutional answer.

    Penn Today Staff

    A physics treasure hidden in the pattern of wallpaper
    Kane.Wallpaper pattern

    The unusual symmetries present in everyday wallpaper and wrapping paper played a role in the discovery of a new type of insulating material.

    A physics treasure hidden in the pattern of wallpaper

    Charles Kane and Andrew Rappe of the School of Arts and Sciences were part of an international team that has identified a new form of insulating material that may one day provide a basis for quantum computing. The patterns found in everyday wallpaper played a role in the discovery.

    Katherine Unger Baillie

    The changing landscape of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases
    James Lok, Penn Vet

    Parasitology professor James Lok’s studies of the development and basic biology of parasites, particularly the roundworm Strongyloides, have implications for finding new drug candidates. Veterinary schools have traditionally been strongholds of parasitology research, and Penn Vet is no exception. (Image: Eric Sucar)

    The changing landscape of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases

    Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Zika, chikungunya, and dengue are among the vector-borne infections making headlines. Penn researchers shed light on what’s behind the spread and how to stay safe.

    Katherine Unger Baillie

    Understanding the social dynamics that cause cooperation to thrive, or fail
    Akcay hyenas cooperation

    Despite their reputation, spotted hyenas are often cooperative animals, dwelling in large groups and assisting one another during hunts. Penn biologist Erol Akçay modeled a theoretical social group to show how cooperation can arise or collapse. (Photo: Amiyaal Ilany)

    Understanding the social dynamics that cause cooperation to thrive, or fail

    Many examples of cooperation exist in nature, but it’s far from a universal characteristic of human or animal groups. Using a mathematical model, Erol Akçay showed that less randomly connected social networks make cooperation more likely, but those dynamics may ultimately lead to cooperation’s collapse.

    Katherine Unger Baillie

    Philly as lab, classroom, and collaborator
    Sayre Health Clinic

    Philly as lab, classroom, and collaborator

    Philadelphia’s rich history and forward momentum make it ripe for scientific inquiry for a number of Penn schools and departments, from urban and population studies to medicine and anthropology.

    Michele W. Berger