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The quest to find actionable data for policymakers in developing countries
Cocoa farming in Ghana.

In Ghana, a team led by associate professor of practice Heather Huntington is working with many partners to support “deforestation-free cocoa,” which could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon sequestration, and help cocoa farmers up their productivity and resilience.

(Image: Courtesy of Heather Huntington)

The quest to find actionable data for policymakers in developing countries

A collaboration between the Penn Development Research Initiative and the DevLab@Penn is on the ground in developing nations to generate better evidence that can influence real-world decisions.

From Omnia

Mapping molecular arrangements to pave the way for better catalytic systems
Bright spots represent individual catalyst molecules captured under cryogenic conditions to prevent clustering.

Eric Stach of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues used neural networks to better identify the characteristics of catalysts that drive the creation of liquid fuels from sunlight. Shown here: The arrangement of a catalyst molecule, as observed under cryogenic conditions. The bright spots represent individual or small groups of molecules immobilized on a surface and the cryogenic temperature helps minimize clustering caused by the electron beam during imaging, allowing scientists to study the molecule’s distribution more accurately.

(Image: Sungho Jeon)

Mapping molecular arrangements to pave the way for better catalytic systems

The Stach Group in Penn Engineering led a collaborative team identifying how chemical catalysts drive the creation of liquid fuels from sunlight, paving the way for more efficient removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
The other emissions coming from cars
A gloved mechanic holds a new tire.

Image: iStock/dangrytsku

The other emissions coming from cars

Tiny tire particles discharge into the environment every time a vehicle brakes, accelerates, or rounds a curve. In a UN brief, geochemist Reto Gieré and colleagues aim to educate the world about this lesser-known environmental obstacle.

Michele W. Berger

Using data to make city planning more safe and accessible
Xiaoxia Dong.

Xiaoxia “Summer” Dong is an assistant professor of city and regional planning in the Weitzman School.

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Using data to make city planning more safe and accessible

Weitzman School of Design’s Xiaoxia ‘Summer’ Dong focuses on the travel behavior and mode choice impacts of driverless cars.

From the Weitzman School of Design

1 min. read

Democracy and Decision 2024 podcast: Part 2
A pile of old, damaged I VOTED stickers.

Image: iStock/BackyardProduction

Democracy and Decision 2024 podcast: Part 2

Omnia’s latest podcast series examined the state of U.S. democracy in the context of the upcoming presidential election, and Part 2 reflects on the outcome.

From Omnia

South Korea crisis, explained
A crowd of people are gathered in a public square, facing left, holding candles and carrying signs in a vigil calling for the South Korean president’s resignation.

People gather in Seoul, South Korea, for a candlelight vigil to call for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s resignation on Dec. 4, following his short-lived martial law declaration.

(Image: Kyodo via AP Images)

South Korea crisis, explained

South Korea plunged into a state of national crisis this week over a six-hour martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Roiled by his own sinking popularity and now facing an impeachment inquiry, Yoon’s political future is now on the line.
A greener, cleaner way to extract cobalt
A large setup infrastructure for mining gold and other minerals in Australia.

(Image: Alfio Manciagli)

A greener, cleaner way to extract cobalt

Penn researchers led a collaborative effort pioneering safer, more sustainable technique to extract elements critical to battery-powered technologies. Findings pave the way for getting value from materials that would otherwise be considered waste.
Jeffrey Kallberg named interim dean of Penn Arts & Sciences
Jeffrey-kallberg

Jeffrey Kallberg is the the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Music, and has been appointed deputy dean of Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences.

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Jeffrey Kallberg named interim dean of Penn Arts & Sciences

Jeffrey Kallberg has been named interim dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, effective Jan. 1. Kallberg currently serves as deputy dean and the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Music.The announcement was made today by Interim President J. Larry Jameson and Provost John L. Jackson Jr.
Is ‘bypassing’ a better way to battle misinformation?
Cartoon images of grownups in failed negotiations over a laptop.

Image: iStock/Visual Generation

Is ‘bypassing’ a better way to battle misinformation?

Bypassing involves offering accurate information that has an implication opposite to that of the misinformation. New research from APPC finds bypassing may be superior to correction in forming beliefs, but not in attitude about the delivered information.

From the Annenberg Public Policy Center