Research

How unflagged, factual content drives vaccine hesitancy

A new paper from computational social scientist Duncan Watts examines how factual, vaccine-skeptical content on Facebook has a greater overall effect than “fake news,” discouraging millions from the COVID-19 shot.

From Penn Engineering Today

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.

Nathi Magubane

Public defender shortages

A new report by Paul Heaton, director of the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice, shows that nearly every county in Pennsylvania has a shortage of public defenders.

Kristen de Groot



In the News


AOL.com

Top home security upgrades that can lower your homeowners insurance premiums

According to joint research from the Wharton School and the University of Wisconsin, homeowner insurance premiums have risen an average of 33% since 2020.

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Times of India

Drinking two beers daily ages the brain by 10 years; study reveals surprising findings

A study by Penn researchers found that one to two units of alcohol per day shrunk overall brain volume and gray matter volumes. 

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Healio

GLP-1s ‘modestly lower’ the risk for depression in adults with diabetes

A study by postdoc Huilin Tang of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues finds that GLP-1 hormones can reduce the risk of depression among older adults with diabetes.

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Irish News

Seven unusual sleep hacks to help you drift off peacefully—we speak to a sleep expert about how to get a good night’s rest

A study from the Perelman School of Medicine found that participants who practiced paradoxical intention experienced significantly reduced sleep anxiety.

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U.S. News & World Report

Trump proposed eliminating Social Security taxes. Here’s the bill that could make it happen

An analysis from the Penn Wharton Budget Model found that current retirees would benefit at the expense of future generations if taxes were eliminated on Social Security benefits.

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Men’s Health

These two personality traits make you instantly more attractive, say studies of over 4,000 people

A study by postdoc Natalia Kononov of the Wharton School suggests that kindness and helpfulness can make someone more attractive, regardless of the situation or relationship.

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