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‘Information gerrymandering’ poses a threat to democratic decision making
Pixelated image of a brain with red, blue, and purple regions

Information gerrymandering can change the way we think about political decisions, as depicted in this image of a gerrymandered mind. People must integrate disparate sources of information when deciding how to vote. But information does not always flow freely; it can be constrained by social networks and distorted by zealots and automated bots. Researchers showed that certain structures in a social network can sway the voting outcome of towards one party, even when both parties have equal size and each player has the same influence, a phenomenon they called “information gerrymandering." (Image: Alexander Stewart)

‘Information gerrymandering’ poses a threat to democratic decision making

Concern over fake news and online trolls is widespread and warranted, but researchers have identified another impediment to the free flow of information in social networks. The phenomenon, which they term “information gerrymandering,” arises from the structure of a social network and introduces bias into collective decisions.

Katherine Unger Baillie

A society’s cultural practices shape the structure of its social networks
Parent teaching child how to mow grass

People learn either by observing those around them or by innovating. A new study from Penn biologists Marco Smolla and Erol Akçay demonstrates how cultures can evolve based on what kind of learning and skills are required to thrive within them.

A society’s cultural practices shape the structure of its social networks

Biologists Erol Akçay and Marco Smolla used mathematical models to show that societies that favor generalists, who have a wide range of skills, are less well-connected than those societies that favor specialists, who are highly skilled at a smaller number of traits.

Katherine Unger Baillie

‘Smart aviary’ poised to break new ground in behavioral research
outside the smart aviary

‘Smart aviary’ poised to break new ground in behavioral research

A collaboration that has brought together biologists, engineers, and physicists to study the reproductive behavior of birds using machine learning in a custom-built aviary at Pennovation Works.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Artificial cells can deliver molecules better than the real thing
medical rendering of a cell membrane

Artificial cells can deliver molecules better than the real thing

With an onion-like structure, the artificial cells developed by researchers at Penn appear more stable and better equipped to carry cargo than their natural and commercial counterparts.

Gina Vitale , Erica K. Brockmeier

Timing is everything for the mutualistic relationship between ants and acacias
vachellia collinsii tree with swollen thorns growing in a pot

Researchers Scott Poethig and Aaron Leichty studied the development of ant-attracting traits in multiple species of acacia, including Vachellia collinsii. (Photo: Scott Poethig)

Timing is everything for the mutualistic relationship between ants and acacias

With a new insight into a long-described mutualistic relationship, plant biologists from the School of Arts and Sciences reveal the genetic factors and evolutionary forces that govern the development of the acacia’s ant-sustaining traits.

Katherine Unger Baillie

A new drug target for chemically induced Parkinson’s disease
Grid of multiple brain scans

Findings from Penn Vet suggest a potential new target for treating Parkinson's, an enzyme that wreaks its damage on dopamine-producing neurons.

A new drug target for chemically induced Parkinson’s disease

An enzyme that modifies chemicals formed in the body by alcohol, tobacco, and certain foods may be a new target for treating Parkinson’s disease. The altered compounds may play a role in triggering the onset or advancing the progression of the neurodegenerative condition.

Katherine Unger Baillie

A squid’s eye view

A squid’s eye view

Alison Sweeney of the School of Arts and Sciences discussed the complex structure of squids’ eyes, which have special lenses that allow for crisp vision in dark water. “The resolution of their eyes is approaching that of humans, their retinas are much more sensitive than ours are to light, and if you dig into the nitty-gritty of how nature figured it out, I’m forever blown away at the level of nuance to get it to work.”

Meaningful science, with students at the helm
jennifer punt with students in canine lab

Jenni Punt (center), a professor of immunology at Penn Vet, is leading the One Health@Penn research community.

(Image: Eric Sucar)

Meaningful science, with students at the helm

With CANINE, a collaboration between the School of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Arts and Sciences’ Biology Department, undergraduates are breaking new ground in immunology.

Katherine Unger Baillie