Ph.D. candidate investigates mortality under 50
Although it is the richest nation in the world and the sole remaining superpower, life expectancy at birth in the United States is among the lowest of all high-income countries.read more
View ArticleZapping brain’s ‘filter’ helps thinking outside the box
The ability to focus on a single idea without being distracted by the myriad thoughts, memories, sensations, and other stimuli constantly stirring in the human brain is known as “cognitive control.”...
View ArticleStem cell ‘grip’ helps determine its fate
The field of regenerative medicine holds great promise, propelled by a growing understanding of how stem cells differentiate themselves into many of the body’s different cell types. But clinical...
View ArticleStudy shows ‘Fluffya’ accent is steadily changing
If you say, “wooder ice,” when you order a water ice treat or scream, “Go Iggles!” when the Eagles are playing the dreaded Dallas Cowboys, chances are, you’re from Philadelphia—or as some residents...
View ArticleNanotubes could help diagnose Lyme disease
Early diagnosis is critical in treating Lyme disease. Existing tests, however, can only assess the presence of antibodies against bacterial proteins that take weeks to form after the initial infection...
View ArticlePenn researchers study effectiveness of anti-smoking ads
What makes people change the way they behave? It’s a question that cuts to the core of human nature, and one that has been approached by researchers from many different fields.read more
View ArticleThe surprising and complicated history of adoption
In 1976, Peter Conn and his wife, Terry, were confronted with a dilemma.read more
View ArticlePenn Vet study finds pet store puppies come with increased risk
In the first large-scale study of its kind, Penn researchers have found evidence that puppies purchased from pet stores show an increased prevalence for behavioral problems as adults.read more
View ArticleAdults in Malawi are living longer, but with disabilities
The number of adults living beyond age 45 in the sub-Saharan African country of Malawi is growing rapidly, but according to a study by Penn and Malawian researchers, many of these older men and women...
View ArticlePenn researchers use dogs to detect ovarian cancer
When it comes to the sense of smell, dogs far surpass the capacity of human beings. Humans sniff out odors using about 350 different olfactory receptors, but canines utilize more than 1,000 to inhale a...
View ArticlePenn researchers integrate origami and engineering
The quintessential piece of origami might be a decorative paper crane, but in the hands of an interdisciplinary Penn research team, it could lead to a drug-delivery device, an emergency shelter, or...
View ArticlePenn economist pens report on Philly’s 10-year tax abatement
The City of Philadelphia’s 10-year tax abatement program—among the most generous of its kind in the country—has been highly praised by proponents for creating the building boom in Center City over the...
View ArticleMaking new cartilage from stem cells
Cartilage injuries have ended many athletes’ careers—including that of former two-sport star Bo Jackson—and the general wear-and-tear of the joint-cushioning tissue is something that almost everyone...
View ArticleNursing study finds that breakfast, indeed, is the most important meal
There’s an old saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Parents routinely implore their children to eat something in the morning so that they are energized, focused, and alert for...
View ArticleFrench wine born in ancient Italy
Though France has long been hailed as one of the world’s leading fine wine producers, the iconic grape beverage originated elsewhere.read more
View ArticlePenn researchers design water-soluble solution to build better painkillers
Finding better painkillers is a high priority for doctors, researchers, and patients. While opioids, such as morphine, are very effective, they come with unwanted side effects and can be addictive and...
View ArticlePenn study finds quality trumps quantity in language acquisition
The more parents speak to their children, the bigger their vocabularies are when they begin school. Research has indicated that richer parents speak to their children more often than poorer parents do,...
View ArticlePenn video game study helps identify new brain cell
Modern psychology and neuroscience intersect in the effort to connect specific regions of the brain with behaviors and abilities that depend on them. Advances in non-invasive imaging technologies have...
View ArticlePenn study finds generosity pays
Lord Alfred Tennyson described nature as “red in tooth and claw,” yet species from ants to humans consistently defy that depiction with acts of generosity and cooperation.read more
View ArticlePenn researchers test economic theory among hunter-gatherers
Centuries of economic theory have been based on one simple premise: When given a choice between two items, people make the rational decision and select the one they value more. But as with many simple...
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