The impact of microplastics—and how to limit exposure To better visualize microplastics, researchers in the McBride Lab at Penn Engineering use fluorescent dyes like Nile Red, which attach to plastics and make them glow under specific light. Environmental researcher Derek Ho developed a system used in their lab called the Fluorescent Imaging Microplastic Analysis Platform, or FIMAP. It uses machine learning to detect and identify plastic particles larger than about 20 microns in complex water samples.(Image: Sylvia Zhang) The impact of microplastics—and how to limit exposure Microplastics researchers Samantha McBride and Derek Ho of Penn Engineering and Vijay Bhatia of the Philadelphia Water Department discuss how microplastics get into ecosystems and human bodies, offering practical ways to minimize exposure. 3 min. read
Examining the important and changing landscape of children’s media (Center): Bonnie in Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5. (Image: Courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved)(Image: Courtesy of Pixar. © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved) Examining the important and changing landscape of children’s media Penn Today talked to Annenberg’s Kim Woolf about communication theories of children’s relationships to media and how the children’s media ecosystem has evolved—topics she covers in the Children and the Media class. 3 min. read
A ‘second sight’ on American history Image: Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images A ‘second sight’ on American history In her new book, Annenberg School for Communication professor Sarah J. Jackson traces how historical and contemporary writers, journalists, and filmmakers have strengthened the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 4 min. read
The public health impacts of floods Image: Philippe Gerber via Getty Images The public health impacts of floods Cheryl Bettigole, executive director of the Penn Center for Public Health and former health commissioner of Philadelphia, discusses the many ways communities are affected by floods 3 min. read
Q&A: How big, loud trucks quietly shape people’s lives With diesel prices on the climb, truckers across the United States are adopting fuel-saving measures like driving more slowly to reduce operating expenses.(Image: Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images) Q&A: How big, loud trucks quietly shape people’s lives Sociologist Steve Viscelli discusses the pain points many American truckers face as they contend with rising fuel costs and the shifting transportation landscape. 3 min. read
Getting to the root of it: Why soil matters Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center.(Image: Elliot Bullen) Q&A Getting to the root of it: Why soil matters Soil specialist Alain Plante of the School of Arts & Sciences explains what soil is, how it works, and why its health matters far beyond plant growth. 3 min. read
Turf war: Artificial versus real grass Image: aire images Turf war: Artificial versus real grass In conversation with Penn Today, mechanical engineer, tennis player, and soccer fan Paulo Arratia discusses the material differences between natural grass and synthetic turf. 3 min. read
David Meaney on Penn’s research enterprise David Meaney, Penn’s vice provost for research.nocred Q&A David Meaney on Penn’s research enterprise Penn Today spoke with David Meaney, vice provost for research, about research at Penn—its current focus and plans for its growth and evolution in the continued quest to help make lives better. 4 min. read
Why are icy surfaces slippery? Despite the commonality of water and ice, says Penn physicist Robert Carpick, their physical properties are remarkably unique.(Image: mustafahacalaki via Getty Images) Why are icy surfaces slippery? Winter Storm Fern brought icy and snowy conditions to the Northeast and other parts of the country over the weekend. Penn Today asks physicist Robert Carpick about the unique properties of ice, the science of curling, and how close we are to ‘nonslip’ ice. 5 min. read
Iran at a crossroads Iran is functioning under an Internet communications blackout, which has strained economic and family ties, says Penn’s Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet.(Image: Vahid Salemi via AP Images) Q&A Iran at a crossroads In a Q&A, Penn historian Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet, an expert on Iran and the modern Middle East, speaks about the Iranian opposition movement, current protests, the Islamic Republic’s crackdown, and daily life in the country. 4 min. read