10/23
Science & Technology
Putting community first, in a new social justice initiative
Putting community first, in a new social justice initiative
The Community Collaboratory for Co-Creation, led by Penn Nursing and Penn Engineering, will focus on research, education, and community engagement and outreach.
A better estimate for tick numbers with ‘citizen science’ data
A better estimate for tick numbers with ‘citizen science’ data
A team led by School of Arts & Sciences biologists found a way to account for biases in data collected by members of the public, using it to create a comprehensive abundance map of the tick responsible for transmitting Lyme disease.
Social media bots may appear human, but their similar personalities give them away
Social media bots may appear human, but their similar personalities give them away
A new engineering study examines how social media bots disguise themselves to interact with genuine accounts on social media platforms, while suggesting a new strategy for how to detect them.
Before geoengineering, some fundamental chemistry
Before geoengineering, some fundamental chemistry
Research led by Joseph S. Francisco of the School of Arts & Sciences examines the chemistry of a proposal to curb climate change’s effects—creating a sunshade in the upper atmosphere made of sulfuric acid—and finds that there’s more work to do to successfully pull off such a feat.
From corals to humans, a shared trigger for sperm to get in motion
From corals to humans, a shared trigger for sperm to get in motion
Coral sperm require a specific pH to move, according to research from the School of Arts & Sciences, which identifies a signaling pathway that is shared by organisms including humans. The results inform how corals may fare with climate change.
Penn senior Max Wragan named George J. Mitchell Scholar
Penn senior Max Wragan named George J. Mitchell Scholar
Senior Max Wragan, a neuroscience major and chemistry minor, has been selected for a George J. Mitchell Scholarship, which covers one academic year of postgraduate studies in Ireland, including stipends for living and travel expenses.
In the brain’s cerebellum, a new target for suppressing hunger
In the brain’s cerebellum, a new target for suppressing hunger
A research team led by J. Nicholas Betley in the School of Arts & Sciences has identified an entirely new way the brain signals fullness after eating. The findings offer a novel target for therapies that could dramatically curb overeating.
Novel gene therapy for hemophilia A
Novel gene therapy for hemophilia A
The multicenter study, led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, showed improved and sustained production of a needed clotting factor and reduced bleeding events.
Taking a closer look at cryptocurrency
Taking a closer look at cryptocurrency
Experts across the University share their thoughts on how cryptocurrency has globally transformed businesses, research, and the environment.
‘Encrypted’ peptides could be wellspring of natural antibiotics
‘Encrypted’ peptides could be wellspring of natural antibiotics
An interdisciplinary team of Penn researchers have used a carefully designed algorithm to discover a new suite of antimicrobial peptides, or naturally occurring antibiotics, in the human genome.
In the News
The Guardian
Corporations using ‘ineffectual’ carbon offsets are slowing path to ‘real zero’, more than 60 climate scientists say
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences signed a pledge asserting that corporate carbon offsets are ineffectual and hinder the energy transition.
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Bloomberg
More companies ditch junk carbon offsets but new buyers loom
Danny Cullenward of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design says that there needs to be broader accountability for false statements in voluntary carbon markets.
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The Conversation
Many wealthy members of Congress are descendants of rich slaveholders — new study demonstrates the enduring legacy of slavery
A co-authored study by Ph.D. student Neil Sehgal of the School of Engineering and Applied Science found that legislators who are descendants of slaveholders are significantly wealthier than members of Congress without slaveholder ancestry.
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Salon.com
Climate change despair has never been higher — but experts say hope is still possible
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that the obstacles to avert critical planet warming are entirely political, rather than physical or technological.
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KYW Newsradio (Philadelphia)
Crumbling America: The infrastructure crossroads
Howard Neukrug of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses where America’s water infrastructure needs to be shored up and what improvements can be made to aging pipes and unreliable delivery mechanisms.
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New Republic
Who’s going to tell Harris the truth about carbon markets?
Danny Cullenward of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design says there’s no guarantee that trees planted to offset carbon emissions will stay standing indefinitely.
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The Wall Street Journal
Gavin Newsom raises gas prices again
Danny Cullenward of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design estimates that California gas prices could climb 65 cents a gallon in the near term and by nearly $1.50 by 2035.
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Inside Climate News
Hurricane threat poised to keep rising, experts warn
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that every Celsius degree of warming increases maximum winds in the strongest storm by about 12%, equating to a 40% increase in wind damage.
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MSNBC
Climate expert on Hurricane Milton’s rapid intensification as ‘extreme weather becomes more extreme’
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Hurricane Milton's rapid intensification is part of a trend fueled by climate change.
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The Wall Street Journal
Why robots are getting less work at U.S. factories
Researchers at Penn are developing microrobots that can clean teeth and high-tech dental implants to fight off bacteria through red light therapy.
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