News from

Biology

Reset All Filters
381 Results
How ancient attraction shaped the human genome
Human X chromosomes, karyotype, structure, division in genetic biological study

Why do modern humans carry small amounts of Neanderthal DNA almost everywhere in their genome except on the X chromosome? A new study by Alexander Platt and Daniel Harris in the lab of geneticist Sarah Tishkoff suggests the answer lies in ancient attraction. (Pictured) An illustration of a normal karyotype, the full complement of chromosomes arranged in homologous pairs.

(Image: quantic69 via Getty Images)

How ancient attraction shaped the human genome

Research led by geneticist Sarah Tishkoff’s finds that prehistoric mating preferences is a likely explanation for why modern humans have small amounts of Neanderthal genetic elements on their X chromosomes, challenging the idea that human evolution was driven solely by survival of the fittest.

3 min. read

Could ‘cyborg’ transplants replace pancreatic tissue damaged by diabetes?
Microscopic view of pancreas tissue.

The researchers grew pancreatic tissue (above) so it incorporated a mesh-like electronic network (red). Cells within the tissue produce insulin (green), the blood-sugar-lowering hormone lost in type 1 diabetes.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine)

Could ‘cyborg’ transplants replace pancreatic tissue damaged by diabetes?

A new electronic implant system developed by Penn Medicine researchers prompts lab-grown pancreatic cells to mature, and suggests a new way to treat diabetes.

Matt Toal

2 min. read

How to incentivize problem solving in groups
Artist rendering of several people conected with string stretch their connections to the limit, testing the strength of unity.

Image: Flavio Coelho via Getty Images

How to incentivize problem solving in groups

Why do some groups get smarter together while others collapse into groupthink? New research from theoretical biologist Joshua Plotkin and collaborators show that collective intelligence doesn’t emerge by rewarding the most accurate individuals but by rewarding those who improve the group’s prediction as a whole.

3 min. read

20 breakthroughs of 2025
Masoud Akbarzadeh holding up one of the fabricated materials.

The Polyhedral Structures Laboratory is housed at the Pennovation Center and brings together designers, engineers, and computer scientists to reimagine the built world. Using graphic statics, a method where forces are mapped as lines, they design forms that balance compression and tension. These result in structures that use far fewer materials while remaining strong and efficient.

(Image: Eric Sucar)

20 breakthroughs of 2025

From ancient tombs and tiny robots to personalized gene editing and AI weather models, Penn’s 2025 research portfolio showed how curiosity—paired with collaboration—moves knowledge into impact and stretches across disciplines and continents.

5 min. read