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Research
How HIV infection shrinks the brain’s white matter
How HIV infection shrinks the brain’s white matter
Researchers from Penn and CHOP detail the mechanism by which HIV infection blocks the maturation process of brain cells that produce myelin, a fatty substance that insulates neurons.
Researchers discover drug that blocks multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants
Researchers discover drug that blocks multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants
The drug diABZI—which activates the body’s innate immune response—was highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in mice that were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and likely other coronaviruses.
Scientists say active early learning shapes the adult brain
Scientists say active early learning shapes the adult brain
Through the Abecedarian Project, an early education, randomized controlled trial that has followed children since 1971, Penn and Virginia Tech researchers reveal new discoveries about brain structure decades later.
The relationship between diversity, equity, and inclusion and the workplace
The relationship between diversity, equity, and inclusion and the workplace
A new study out of Wharton—“Improving Workplace Culture Through Evidence-Based Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practices”—examines the relationship between diversity, equity and inclusion practices and a variety of workplace outcomes.
Do you prefer cats or dogs? Why self-expression increases giving
Do you prefer cats or dogs? Why self-expression increases giving
Wharton’s Jonah Berger discusses his new research on how giving consumers the opportunity for self-expression can increase tipping and charitable giving.
Morality isn’t fixed but changes around close relationships
Morality isn’t fixed but changes around close relationships
Research from MindCORE postdoc Daniel Yudkin found that the importance people place on certain moral values shifts depending on who is around in a given moment.
An updated understanding of how to synthesize value-added chemicals
An updated understanding of how to synthesize value-added chemicals
New research provides key insights on how to add functional groups onto simple hydrocarbons including methane, a crucial first step towards designing the next generation of catalysts.
What happens in the brain when we imagine the future?
What happens in the brain when we imagine the future?
Research from neuroscientist Joseph Kable finds that two sub-networks are at work, one focused on creating the new event, another on evaluating whether that event is positive or negative.
Rapid COVID-19 diagnostic test delivers accurate results within 4 minutes
Rapid COVID-19 diagnostic test delivers accurate results within 4 minutes
The low-cost biosensor test developed by Penn Medicine could extend COVID-19 testing with 90% accuracy to remote and disadvantaged areas.
A more effective at-home treatment for IBS
A more effective at-home treatment for IBS
In a randomized control trial, researchers found that after eight weeks, participants with irritable bowel syndrome who used an app focused on cognitive behavioral therapy experienced better health-related quality of life, fewer GI symptoms, and less anxiety.
In the News
Education Week
The more students miss class, the worse teachers feel about their jobs
A study co-authored by Michael Gottfried of the Graduate School of Education finds that teacher satisfaction steadily drops as student absenteeism increases.
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The Washington Post
Diversity will suffer with five-day office mandates, research suggests
A 2024 Wharton School study found that changing job openings to remote work at startups increased female applicants by 15% and minority applicants by 33%.
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Interesting Engineering
Superhuman vision lets robots see through walls, smoke with new LiDAR-like eyes
Mingmin Zhao of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues are using radio signals to allow robots to “see” beyond traditional sensor limits.
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Phys.org
Rising student absenteeism may be hurting teacher job satisfaction
A study by Michael Gottfried and Ph.D. student Colby Woods of the Graduate School of Education finds that student absences are linked to lower teacher job satisfaction, which could exacerbate growing teacher shortages.
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SciTechDaily
Scientists unveil 16+ distinct nerve cell types behind human touch
A study by Wenqin Lo of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues used detailed analyses of the genes used by individual nerve cells to identify 16 distinct types of nerve cells in humans.
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Voice of America
Can honeybees and dogs detect cancer earlier than technology?
Cynthia Otto of the School of Veterinary Medicine and colleagues at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center are training dogs to recognize certain cancer odors.
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