9/27
Science & Technology
First UN Water Conference in four decades includes a delegation from Penn
First UN Water Conference in four decades includes a delegation from Penn
Events on campus last week kicked off the global proceedings, which will include representatives from the Water Center at Penn, Penn Carey Law School, and the School of Arts & Sciences.
Who, What, Why: Sarah Kane on the sonification of astronomical data
Who, What, Why: Sarah Kane on the sonification of astronomical data
Fourth-year Sarah Kane participates in research mapping the galaxy and converting astronomical data into sound for the visually impaired.
Decolonializing science and technology
Decolonializing science and technology
Kim Tallbear, professor of Native studies at the University of Alberta, delivered the Provost’s lecture on diversity on decolonializing science and technology.
In a warming world, chief heat officers help adapt, prepare, and protect
In a warming world, chief heat officers help adapt, prepare, and protect
In advance of Perry World House’s Global Shifts Colloquium on extreme heat in urban areas, Penn Today spoke with chief heat officers about their role in influencing public awareness, preparedness, and policy.
At Penn Energy Week, a time to reflect on energy science, technology, and policy
At Penn Energy Week, a time to reflect on energy science, technology, and policy
Hosted by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy and the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology, the third annual Energy Week, which runs March 20-24, offers events on decarbonization, careers in the energy sector, global energy security, and more.
Update of a local tree field guide offers ‘antidote for plant blindness’
Update of a local tree field guide offers ‘antidote for plant blindness’
A new edition of “Philadelphia Trees,” coauthored by former Morris Arboretum director Paul W. Meyer, Catriona Bull Briger, and Edward Sibley Barnard offers tips for identifying tree species and highlights some of the most notable trees in the region, including many on Penn’s campus.
The immune system does battle in the intestines to keep bacteria in check
The immune system does battle in the intestines to keep bacteria in check
New research from Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine demonstrates that Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, a relative of the bacterial pathogen that causes plague, triggers the body’s immune system to form lesions in the intestines called granulomas.
Penn’s eight 2023 Thouron Scholars named
Penn’s eight 2023 Thouron Scholars named
Seven fourth-year students and one May graduate have each received a 2023 Thouron Award to pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom.
Real or fake text? We can learn to spot the difference
Real or fake text? We can learn to spot the difference
Penn computer scientists prove that people can be trained to tell the difference between AI-generated and human-written text. Their new paper debuts the results of the largest-ever human study on AI detection.
Who, What, Why: Tess Kuracina tends to the ‘BioPond,’ a beloved campus oasis
Who, What, Why: Tess Kuracina tends to the ‘BioPond,’ a beloved campus oasis
As garden supervisor for the treasured green space formally known as the James G. Kaskey Memorial Park, Kuracina plans, plants, waters, and weeds, aiming to make it ‘more beautiful and special every year.’
In the News
USA Today
Stop the doom. We failed to prevent climate change—but we will decide how bad it’ll get
In an Op-Ed, Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that climate doom and denial can lead people down a path of disengagement, benefiting fossil fuel interests that profit from climate inaction.
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
Earth’s ‘fragile moment’ with Michael Mann, latest on Irizarry police shooting
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses what can be done to slow the warming of the planet and the politics that get in the way.
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Philadelphia Business Journal
As One uCity Square nears capacity, developer plots surrounding innovation campus and hotel addition
David Meaney of the School of Engineering and Applied Science is quoted on a building project that will mark the first time Penn Engineering and Penn Medicine will have operations under the same roof.
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Salon.com
Climate change “undoubtedly” played a role in Libyan floods that killed over 11,000 people: experts
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that human-caused climate change is favoring stalled weather systems that remain in place for longer periods of time, leading to more persistent heat and flooding events.
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Salon.com
Humans are dangerously pushing the limits of our planet in ways other than climate change
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that dangerous extreme weather events will only get worse if we continue to burn fossil fuels and generate carbon pollution.
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USA Today
How close is Earth to becoming unlivable? Humans push planet to brink, study warns
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that humanity is coming up against the limits of environmental sustainability and must take immediate action.
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Associated Press
California lawmakers approve the nation’s most sweeping emissions disclosure rules for big business
Danny Cullenward of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design says that California’s new emissions disclosure bill could lead to similar proposals in other states.
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Bloomberg
Microsoft sees low risk for customers in AI copyright lawsuits
Chris Callison-Burch of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says that Microsoft’s indemnification commitment for AI end-users is a good move for PR and reassurance.
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NBC News
Here’s why Hurricane Lee is alarming even if it doesn’t make landfall
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that rapid storm intensification is alarming because it means government officials and communities have less time to prepare and face more uncertainty in evacuation planning.
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Wired
Big batteries are booming. So are fears they’ll catch fire
Sanya Carley of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design says that people will fixate on even rare battery fires and explosions, connecting them to new infrastructure proposed in their community.
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