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Michele W. Berger
Science News Officer
mwberger@upenn.edu
Psychology
One hour, one painting: A Barnes visit reveals clues about how the brain processes visual cues
The exercise is one part of a two-week mindCORE summer workshop aimed at underrepresented undergrads across the country. This year’s program focused on language science and technology, and minds in the world.
Names prompt distinct brain activity in preschoolers
A study from Penn and CHOP found that when preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder hear their name, their neural patterns match those of their typically developing peers. The finding held regardless of whether the child’s mom or a stranger called the name.
User-generated content: The medium impacts the message
Wharton’s Shiri Melumad discusses her research on how user-generated content changes in tone based on the type of device used to create it.
Echo chambers may not be as dangerous as you think
Research on the “wisdom of crowds” has found that access to information exchange can increase the likelihood that beliefs are accurate, even contentious partisan political beliefs, among homogenous groups.
Pokémon activates a unique part of the brain, offering insights into its structure
In a study of adults who played the game extensively as children, Penn and Stanford researchers discovered that a particular area of the visual cortex lights up when players view characters from the original version.
Looking beyond the disease to the person living with it
In a new course taught by PIK Professor Jay Gottfried, students lead discussions on cognitive neuroscience topics and then meet patients who have relevant neurologic conditions.
Brain regions linked to memory and emotion help humans navigate smell
The work points to the existence of a grid-like hexagonal structure in olfactory-related brain areas, similar to mapping configurations previously found to support spatial navigation in animals.
In the pursuit of happiness, a new class leads the charge
The course, taught by Positive Psychology’s James Pawelski, not only gives students an intellectual understanding of the subject but asks them to practice what they’re learning.
Former Penn President Judith Rodin speaks on resilience
Returning to campus to deliver the Penn Forum for Women Faculty’s Phoebe S. Leboy Lecture, Rodin reflected on her tenure at the University and the Rockefeller Foundation, while explaining her concept of ‘resilience.’
Junior Christina Steele named Beinecke Scholar
Penn junior Christina Steele has been awarded a Beinecke Scholarship to pursue her graduate education. She is the 12th Beinecke Scholar from Penn since the award was first given in 1975.
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In the News
Newsweek
What UFO ‘Encounters’ Can Tell Us About Fake News and Climate Change Denial
School of Arts and Sciences doctoral candidate Kate Dorsch’s research on the tensions between UFO witnesses and scientists speaks to contemporary challenges to confirmation biases.
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Las Vegas Review-Journal
Racially-charged Situations Topic at Black History Month Event
Howard Stevenson of the Graduate School of Education gave a lecture on racial literacy and outlined steps for coping with racially charged conversations and situations.
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