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Michele W. Berger
Senior Science News Officer
mwberger@upenn.edu
Psychology
Damian Pang may have discovered a new type of memory
Damian Pang may have discovered a new type of memory
The Penn LPS Online Certificate in Neuroscience let Pang gain additional knowledge and skills while still working full time as an airline pilot out of Hong Kong.
Dolores Albarracín appointed Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor
Dolores Albarracín appointed Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor
Albarracín will be the Alexandra Heyman Nash University Professor, with joint appointments in the Annenberg School for Communication and the Department of Family and Community Health in the School of Nursing.
A link between childhood stress and early molars
A link between childhood stress and early molars
Penn researchers discovered that children from lower-income backgrounds and those who go through greater adverse childhood experiences get their first permanent molars sooner.
2021 cohort of Postdoctoral Fellows for Academic Diversity named
2021 cohort of Postdoctoral Fellows for Academic Diversity named
The competitive program, managed by Office of the Vice Provost for Research, is designed to support early career researchers and scholars while enriching the Penn community.
Scientists say active early learning shapes the adult brain
Scientists say active early learning shapes the adult brain
Through the Abecedarian Project, an early education, randomized controlled trial that has followed children since 1971, Penn and Virginia Tech researchers reveal new discoveries about brain structure decades later.
A mental health checkup for children and adolescents, a year into COVID
A mental health checkup for children and adolescents, a year into COVID
As a whole, this group experienced a significant short-term psychological toll. Though the long-term consequences aren’t yet known, particularly given how the year disproportionately exacerbated adverse childhood experiences, Penn experts remain cautiously optimistic.
Morality isn’t fixed but changes around close relationships
Morality isn’t fixed but changes around close relationships
Research from MindCORE postdoc Daniel Yudkin found that the importance people place on certain moral values shifts depending on who is around in a given moment.
Mental Health Awareness Month happenings for Penn faculty and staff
Mental Health Awareness Month happenings for Penn faculty and staff
For Mental Health Awareness Month, the Division of Human Resources is hosting faculty and staff events focused on caregiving support, mindfulness, and nutrition, among other areas of need.
What happens in the brain when we imagine the future?
What happens in the brain when we imagine the future?
Research from neuroscientist Joseph Kable finds that two sub-networks are at work, one focused on creating the new event, another on evaluating whether that event is positive or negative.
A more effective at-home treatment for IBS
A more effective at-home treatment for IBS
In a randomized control trial, researchers found that after eight weeks, participants with irritable bowel syndrome who used an app focused on cognitive behavioral therapy experienced better health-related quality of life, fewer GI symptoms, and less anxiety.
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In the News
The New York Times
How to get things done when you don’t want to do anything
Damon Centola of the Annenberg School for Communication authored a 2016 study that found competition can motivate behavioral change.
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Today
Olympians face 'overwhelming' mental pressure—especially this year
Jeremy Tyler of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the pressure faced by Olympic athletes. “Imagine going into the most important moment of your present lifetime, the world watching, having the knowledge that everyone expects you to live up to your reputation of being the best … and you’ve got go into it completely alone, without any social or emotional support,” he said. “I can’t think of a higher pressure or more daunting task to go through.”
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Associated Press
In Trump’s Jan. 6 recast, attackers become martyrs, heroes
PIK Professor Dolores Albarracín spoke about how conspiracy theories persist, even when countered with facts. “The belief contains a device that protects it,” she said. “Nothing can invalidate the conspiracy theory. Trying to refute the theory proves the theory and signals you as a conspirator.”
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ABC Australia
'It's not you. It's your strategy': How to use science to stamp out your bad habits and make a change
Katy Milkman of the Wharton School spoke about taking a strategic approach to changing behaviors. “If you haven’t built a system that makes it fun to do whatever it is that’s good for you, you won’t persist. And persistence is what makes us successful when it comes to change,” she said.
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The Washington Post
In countries where vaccines are available, offers of free airline tickets and apartments for the fully inoculated
Emily Largent of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about tactics to incentivize COVID-19 immunization, such as lotteries and giveaways. “I’m generally optimistic that we will see some increase, but it’s not going to get us to the high levels of vaccination” needed, she said. “Incentives are not going to move everyone who is holding out over the finish line.”
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Slate.com
Why you might feel weird when you go maskless
Cristina Bicchieri of the School of Arts & Sciences was cited for her theory of social norms, which purports that people conform to meet the expectations of others.
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