Through
9/15
Neuroscience
Four academic journeys explored
Four academic journeys explored
Vijay Balasubramanian and Tukufu Zuberi in the School of Arts & Sciences, Amy Hillier in the School of Social Policy & Practice, and Brittany Watson in the School of Veterinary Medicine share their academic paths toward interdisciplinary work.
Who, What, Why: Lasya Sreepada on decoding Alzheimer’s disease
Who, What, Why: Lasya Sreepada on decoding Alzheimer’s disease
The doctoral candidate at the School of Engineering and Applied Science discusses her path to brain research and how it set her on a course to demystifying neurological diseases using data science approaches.
Hurricane changed ‘rules of the game’ in monkey society
Hurricane changed ‘rules of the game’ in monkey society
PIK Professor Michael Platt and collaborators from the University of Exeter find Hurricane Maria transformed a monkey society by changing the pros and cons of their interpersonal relations.
Making virtual worlds
Making virtual worlds
In a class this spring, Jeffrey Vadala of the Penn Brain Science Center taught students to analyze virtual reality landscapes and create their own.
Fruitful insights on the brain
Fruitful insights on the brain
Research led by China Byrns of the lab of Nancy M. Bonini in the School of Arts & Sciences have uncovered new details about the role of zombie-like cells in brain aging, using the fruit fly as a model.
Different brain structures in females lead to more severe cognitive deficits after concussion than males
Different brain structures in females lead to more severe cognitive deficits after concussion than males
New Penn Medicine research finds that axons in brains of female mammals may be more vulnerable to damage.
B cells drive responses of other immune cells, can be modified to prevent multiple sclerosis symptoms
B cells drive responses of other immune cells, can be modified to prevent multiple sclerosis symptoms
Penn Medicine research finds that abnormally active B cell metabolism causes an inflammatory immune response in individuals with MS.
More than two hearts beat as one
More than two hearts beat as one
PIK Professor Michael Platt and collaborators studied how physiologic measures like cardiac synchrony can guide decision making in groups. Their study found that heart rate synchrony was a much better predictor than standard questionnaire-based surveys.
Addressing declining fertility
Addressing declining fertility
In a Q&A with Penn Today, Michael Platt talks about the socioeconomic and emotional factors leading to plummeting fertility rates.
Organ transplant drug may slow Alzheimer’s disease progression in individuals with seizures
Organ transplant drug may slow Alzheimer’s disease progression in individuals with seizures
A new study from a team at Penn Medicine finds that inhibiting neuron excitability slows the cognitive effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
In the News
CNN
A detailed look at children’s brains might show how sex and gender are different, new study says
A study co-authored by Dani S. Bassett of the School of Engineering and Applied Science finds that sex and gender map onto largely distinct parts of the brain.
FULL STORY →
The Washington Post
Watching Biden, many see the heartbreaking indignities of aging
Jason Karlawish of the Perelman School of Medicine says that a debate inherently tests an individual’s cognitive abilities of attention, concentration, multitasking, working memory, and language.
FULL STORY →
Newsweek
Man does DNA test, not prepared for what comes back ‘unusually high’
César de la Fuente of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and Perelman School of Medicine says that Neanderthal DNA provides insights into human evolution, population dynamics, and genetic adaptations, including correlations with traits such as immunity and susceptibility to diseases.
FULL STORY →
Associated Press
A new strategy to attack aggressive brain cancer shrank tumors in two early tests
A clinical trial led by Stephen Bagley of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that targeting two associated proteins with CAR T cell therapy could be a viable strategy for shrinking brain tumors.
FULL STORY →
Daily Mail (U.K.)
ADHD may have evolved more than 12,000 years ago as an advantage for foragers, study claims
A study led by David Barack of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that ADHD may have played a major role in foraging and survival for ancient hunter-gatherers.
FULL STORY →
The Wall Street Journal
How to stay mentally sharp into your 80s and beyond
According to David Wolk of the Perelman School of Medicine, a healthier body can help the brain respond better to the aging process.
FULL STORY →