Discovery reveals how diabetes worsens periodontal disease Discovery reveals how diabetes worsens periodontal disease Researchers at Penn Dental Medicine have identified an important immune signaling pathway through which diabetes exacerbates periodontal disease, highlighting the involvement of T cells in the inflammatory response to bacteria.
When does AI assistance undermine learning? When does AI assistance undermine learning? Research by Wharton’s Hamsa Bastani shows that giving learners on-demand AI assistance can erode practice, “productive struggle,” and long-term skill growth—even when they know it harms their learning.
Advancing veterinary medicine through interdisciplinary research nocred Advancing veterinary medicine through interdisciplinary research Amanda Watkins applies her clinical skills as a veterinarian to research new ways to fight biofilm infections as the first graduate of the Penn Veterinary Scientist Training Program. 3 min. read
For Yezidi, historic images and cultural restoration To mark their wedding anniversary, two Yezidi—Khalaf and Hamdya—pose with their son Hegar in Sinjar’s old district.(Image: Nathaniel Brunt) For Yezidi, historic images and cultural restoration Marc Marín Webb, a Ph.D. candidate in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, has researched the images in the Penn Museum archives and brought them back to Yezidi communities. 1 min. read
Transforming community health and social connections in rural areas of the US In 2024, members of the Social Action Lab toured rural areas in Appalachia to hear from nonprofit groups and others who help people with opioid use disorder move toward recovery.(Image: Courtesy of the Social Action Lab) Transforming community health and social connections in rural areas of the US Dolores Albarracín, the Amy Gutmann Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor, has long studied how to curb disease and improve health. 2 min. read
No brain, no gain: Neuronal activity enhances benefits of exercise Image: Sciepro/Science Photo Library via Getty Images No brain, no gain: Neuronal activity enhances benefits of exercise Research led by Penn neuroscientist J. Nicholas Betley and collaborators finds that hypothalamic neurons are essential for translating physical exertion into endurance, potentially opening the door to exercise-mimicking therapies. 5 min. read
Methadone treatment for opioid use rising, but better access needed to reach more Image: Digicomphoto/Science Photo Library via Getty Images Methadone treatment for opioid use rising, but better access needed to reach more Researchers at Penn Medicine find that treatment numbers rose during the 2010s as the opioid crisis became prominent, including increases in buprenorphine, an easier-to-access medication. 2 min. read
Distinct frontal brain signal tied to compulsive behaviors in people with OCD Image: jiefeng jiang via iStock Distinct frontal brain signal tied to compulsive behaviors in people with OCD A new Penn Medicine study shows targeted brain stimulation can significantly reduce symptoms of compulsive behaviors. 2 min. read
Safe driving habits boosted by insurance plans that reward safe driving Image: wmaster890 via Getty Images Safe driving habits boosted by insurance plans that reward safe driving Popular insurance programs offering discounts for driving safely can reduce risky behaviors like speeding and hard braking, Penn Medicine researchers show. 2 min. read
Leveraging AI to help stroke survivors recover speech abilities Shreya Parchure, an M.D.-Ph.D. candidate at Penn, conducts much of her AI-driven research in the Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation, focusing on ways to personalize speech therapy for patients with post-stroke aphasia.nocred Leveraging AI to help stroke survivors recover speech abilities Doctoral student Shreya Parchure and her team evaluated the usefulness of an AI tool for personalizing speech therapy for patients with post-stroke aphasia. 4 min. read