10.26
Michele W. Berger
Senior Science News Officer
mwberger@upenn.edu
Psychology
Crowd-sourcing optogenetics data to tackle neurological diseases
Crowd-sourcing optogenetics data to tackle neurological diseases
The specialized field of neuroscience, optogenetics, shows clinical promise for conditions like epilepsy and Parkinson’s. But before human trials can get fully underway, the field must better understand a crucial intermediate step, aided by 45 labs in nine countries sharing information.
HIV and suicide risk
HIV and suicide risk
While HIV infection can be well-managed with proper care, suicidal thoughts and attempts remain a pressing concern. A recent study looks at what accounts for the elevated risk for suicide among people living with HIV.
Decision-making and anxiety in the time of COVID-19
Decision-making and anxiety in the time of COVID-19
Penn experts discuss the psychology behind decision-making, how anxiety and stress impacts behavior, and share strategies for deciding how to safely reengage with society.
Brain scans of 9- to 11-year-olds offer clues about aggressive, antisocial behavior
Brain scans of 9- to 11-year-olds offer clues about aggressive, antisocial behavior
Two new papers, one about gray matter, the other about reward behavior, suggest that at the neural level not all conduct problems look the same.
A new approach to aiding Black male trauma survivors
A new approach to aiding Black male trauma survivors
In a collaborative new study between the School of Nursing and Drexel University, researchers have peeled back the layers of what causes and prevents many trauma-surviving Black men from seeking needed professional behavioral health care.
Joseph Kable discusses decision making amidst the pandemic
Joseph Kable discusses decision making amidst the pandemic
Joseph Kable, Baird Term Professor of Psychology, seeks to understand how people make decisions by taking a multilevel approach: understanding the process at both the psychological and biological level.
Web-based platforms provide supporting resources for Penn Medicine staff
Web-based platforms provide supporting resources for Penn Medicine staff
As health care professionals continue to rise to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn Medicine has worked diligently, expeditiously, and compassionately to organize resources for frontline workers.
Police killings and Black mental health
Police killings and Black mental health
Specialists from across the Penn community discuss the mental health impacts of Black people being subjected to videos of African Americans being killed by the police.
Talking positive psychology and COVID-19 with Larry King
Talking positive psychology and COVID-19 with Larry King
In a free video series co-hosted by James Pawelski, King interviews researchers about coping during the pandemic. In a June 11 event, they’ll speak with actor Kevin Bacon about philanthropy, arts and culture’s role in well-being, and the importance of open dialogue.
Cultivating robust civil dialogue during times of unrest
Cultivating robust civil dialogue during times of unrest
Through the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Program, Penn students are learning how to reflect on and engage with subjects like the coronavirus pandemic and the criminal justice system.
Media Contact
In the News
The Wall Street Journal
Hate waiting in line? New research may help things move faster
Hummy Song of the Wharton School spoke about the merits of a dedicated-queue system in managing line lengths. “We usually think about queues from the customer’s point of view, but there is another human on the other end of that line,” she said. “Encouraging customer ownership by dedicating assignments to each server when planning queue configurations might shorten the wait and service time.”
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Philadelphia Inquirer
How to show compassion for Trump—even if you don’t like him
Charles “Chaz” L. Howard, vice president for social equity and community, and Michael Baime of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about finding empathy for President Trump. “The whole country is feeling more hatred and less kindness. This is a moment where we need to take stock, pause and think about what matters for ourselves and our whole country,” said Baime.
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PRI/WGBH Innovation Hub
Powers of persuasion
Jonah Berger of the Wharton School was interviewed about the process of gradually changing the minds of others and about appeals to centrist voters by political candidates.
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Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane (WHYY-FM)
How are teens and young adults coping?
Howard Stevenson of the Graduate School of Education and Frances Jensen of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about how young people view the threat of COVID-19 and the effects of police violence on their mental health.
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CBS Philadelphia
Beauty and the mask: People who wear face masks rated ‘far more attractive,’ study finds
David Sarwer of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about research he helped conduct about perceptions of mask wearing. “For people who might self-conscious or concerned about how they look in a mask when they go in the public, we now have evidence that says, in reality, people are going to see you as more attractive,” he said.
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Today
Who helps the helpers? Why health care workers need 'emotional PPE'
Cecilia Livesey of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about launching an online platform that provides mental health support to Penn Medicine employees. “Stigma in mental health is high—especially among health care workers,” she said. “They have always been told they are the ones who are helping and caring for people. Caring for the care provider is a new idea.”
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