Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that nutrients regulate the brain's hunger alarm system. By associating unfamiliar foods with low calorie content, mice can temporarily turn off the neurons responsible for hunger, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for reducing overeating and obesity.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new dental material that can kill bacteria and resist biofilm growth without harming surrounding tissue. The material is effective with minimal toxicity and can withstand severe mechanical stress.
According to a new study from the University of Pennsylvania, local efforts in residential housing and transportation can significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The researchers found that adopting energy-conservation standards in housing could reduce emissions by 31-46% by 2030, while a fuel-economy standard of 40 mpg could reduce transpo...
Researchers found that mindfulness training and therapy can mitigate the decline in cognitive abilities and impulse control associated with prison time. The study revealed that inmates who participated in CBT and mindfulness exercises showed significant improvements in emotion recognition and impulse control compared to those in a cont...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an injectable gel that slowly releases microRNAs to stimulate heart muscle regeneration. The gel's unique properties allow it to target specific signaling pathways related to cell proliferation, resulting in improved recovery rates and potentially life-prolonging effects.
Penn researchers discovered a universal signature, called softness, which predicts the location of defects in disordered systems. This finding enables the prediction of material failure and has implications for designing shatter-resistant glasses and predicting geological phenomena.
Researchers construct whole-brain map of electrical connectivity in the brain, finding that low-frequency rhythms drive communication between frontal, temporal and medial temporal lobes. This work elucidates brain network communication during memory formation and supports efforts to enhance memory using brain stimulation.
A recent study by Penn researchers reveals that the Brazil nut effect plays a crucial role in explaining how rivers resist erosion. The phenomenon, where larger particles tend to rise to the top of mixtures, helps create an armor-like layer on riverbeds, protecting them from excessive erosion. This finding has significant implications ...
Researchers analyzed 1.3 million tweets from users with self-reported ADHD diagnoses to understand their online behavior. The study found that people with ADHD tend to post messages related to lack of focus and mental exhaustion, often using words like 'hate' and 'sad'. This could help clinicians develop condition-specific apps that of...
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers has found that the 'push-pull' blood sampling technique is as accurate as venipuncture, but requires no presample to be discarded and minimizes contamination risk. The method uses a catheter's dead space to collect samples, reducing needle pricks and pain for patients.
Gun violence in US cities like Washington D.C. shows an endemic pattern, with clustering in certain neighborhoods rather than spreading rapidly. Researchers recommend place-based interventions targeting neighborhood features to reduce crime rates.
Penn researchers have developed a method to mimic the solar transformation process of giant clams to improve the production of biofuel. By controlling the size and optical properties of nanoparticles, they can efficiently convert sunlight into energy, mimicking the iridocytes found in giant clam shells.
A team from the University of Pennsylvania discovered how chromosomes bias their chance of getting into a sex cell by exploiting asymmetry in the cell-division process. This bias can lead to errors in gamete formation, causing miscarriages and conditions like Down's syndrome.
A team of linguists and evolutionary biologists found certain linguistic changes occurred due to selective forces, while others were guided by chance. The study analyzed substantial collections of annotated texts and identified patterns where random chance affected rare words more than common ones.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed filters that use nanoparticles to prevent biofilm buildup, increasing efficiency and lifespan. The new membranes block bacteria- and virus-sized contaminants without letting them stick.
Researchers at Penn University have demonstrated the ability to control liquid crystal patterns, which could be useful in creating patchy colloids and microscopic particles with functionalized surfaces. The study was led by Lisa Tran and Randall Kamien and has potential applications in biosensing and energy harvesting.
Researchers discovered a protein-cleaving enzyme called FAP that plays a role in shaping the physical nature of the stroma, promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Deleting or inhibiting FAP in mouse models of pancreatic cancer slowed disease progression and reduced cancer spread to other organs.
Research found a 3% decrease in assaults on Mondays after the start of Daylight Saving Time, challenging previous assumptions about sleep deprivation's impact on crime. The study suggests that increased sleep may be associated with more offending behavior, but internal biases and short-term effects are likely causes.
A new study found that smokers mistakenly think Natural American Spirit cigarettes, marketed as organic and additive-free, are healthier than other cigarettes. The researchers used a rigorous experimental design to show that NAS advertisements lead consumers to believe the company offers a healthier product.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University have identified the posterior cingulate cortex as a key brain region that motivates behavior change. By stimulating this area, people can become more exploratory and creative, suggesting its role in foraging efficiency and landscape adaptation.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered a dynamic two-step mechanism in female immune cells to regulate X chromosome inactivation. B cells regain X-chromosome markers during activation through the transcription factor YY1, leading to increased gene expression related to immunity.
A study led by University of Pennsylvania geneticists has identified new genetic variants associated with skin pigmentation in diverse African groups. The findings shed light on human evolution and inform an understanding of the genetic risk factors for conditions like skin cancer.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania reveals how defective viral genomes can help infected cells survive despite an immune system attack. The researchers discovered that signaling proteins encoded by these genomes protect infected cells from apoptosis, enabling them to persist in the face of an antiviral response.
Researchers found that the strength of olivine increases with decreasing grain size, indicating the mantle is weaker than believed. This discovery may help understand how tectonic plates form and deform.
In a new study, researchers led by Igor E. Brodsky identified a mechanism that allows host cells to overcome the strategies used by pathogens like Yersinia bacteria to evade the immune system. By understanding this 'back-up alarm' system, scientists may be able to develop new therapies to target tumor cells and promote their demise.
Researchers at Penn and Wistar Institute found that melanoma cells bypass BRAF inhibitor blockades by activating parallel pathways governed by PAK enzymes, leading to increased aggressiveness.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about the optical properties of glass, finding that stable glasses can exhibit birefringence despite having no molecular orientation. This unique property allows for the creation of scratch-free coatings and materials with different mechanical properties.
Researchers analyze climate models to show that polynyas in the Southern Ocean can release heat into the atmosphere, warming temperatures and wind patterns globally. This process also affects tropical rainfall and water resources in regions like Indonesia and South America.
A new study has identified Del-1, a bone marrow protein, as a potential regulator of hematopoiesis, the process by which blood cells are created. Targeting Del-1 may enhance immune cell production and improve stem cell transplants for both donors and recipients.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a mechanism for regulating gene activity in plants by identifying small DNA sequences called Polycomb response elements (PREs) that direct the silencing of genes. These PREs can be manipulated using gene-editing techniques to alter gene expression without adding foreign gene...
A new meta-analysis finds that having friends who smoke doubles the risk of adolescents starting and continuing to smoke. The study also reveals that peer influence is stronger in collectivist cultures, where adolescents are 4.3 times more likely to pick up smoking if their peers smoke.
Researchers found that puppies raised by attentive mothers were less likely to succeed in training programs. Those whose mothers nursed more often while standing up had lower graduation rates as adult guide dogs. The study suggests that minor obstacles can help offspring succeed later in life.
The University of Pennsylvania is launching a new training program for state and local governments to develop integrated data systems, enabling more effective policy analysis. The program will assist 10 jurisdictions in developing governance processes, legal frameworks, and data plans.
Researchers at Penn have developed a new approach to targeting cancer cells using engineered macrophages, which distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells. The treatment shows promise in regressing human tumors without toxicity.
A new study led by University of Pennsylvania researchers found a link between diabetes and changes in the oral microbiome, which increases pathogenicity and leads to inflammation and bone loss. The study showed that transferring the oral microbiome from diabetic mice to normal mice induced rapid bone loss.
The Well-Being Map is an interactive tool that uses over 37 billion publicly shared tweets to analyze and display scores for various characteristics in every US county. It provides valuable insights into community traits such as well-being, personality, government-reported health, and socioeconomic factors.
Researchers at Penn found that a perturbed skin microbiome can be transmitted to uninfected mice, leading to heightened inflammatory responses and more severe disease. The study also hints at the potential for practical implications in treating people with leishmaniasis.
Researchers have discovered a new topological material that could overcome difficulties in creating fault-tolerant quantum computers. By patterning the superconductor directly into the crystal, they can eliminate electrical contact problems and pattern devices for quantum computing in one single crystal.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have made surprising discoveries about the properties of butterfly wings, shedding light on their structural origins. The study reveals that the whiteness on male butterflies' wings changes depending on the angle, and that this phenomenon is crucial for signaling and mating purposes.
Researchers found that blocking yeast-bacteria interaction may prevent severe biofilms that cause early childhood caries. The team identified surface molecules on the fungus that interact with bacterial-derived protein, impairing biofilm formation.
Researchers have identified the KMT2A gene translocations as a common underlying cause of infant and treatment-related leukemias. The Penn/CHOP team has also found that topoisomerase II cleavage clusters in specific regions of the genome, which may play a role in DNA damage repair and cancer development.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has created the most thorough model to date of how smart materials work in ultrasound technology. They found striking similarities with the behavior of water, which could lead to new materials design and higher quality piezoelectrics.
A team of engineers at the University of Pennsylvania has developed a new model that better simulates how cells interact with their environment and form focal adhesions. This understanding is crucial for diagnosing and combating cancer, as it reveals the importance of dynamic processes in cellular behavior.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that pediatric nurses who work in poor environments and have high patient loads are more likely to miss required care. The study, published in Hospital Pediatrics, revealed that over half of pediatric registered nurses reported missing at least one care activity, with those in...
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania's Damon Centola refutes the classic theory that groupthink destroys the wisdom of crowds. In egalitarian networks, where everyone has equal influence, individuals help each other get smarter, leading to a striking improvement in the intelligence of the group.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania reveals that a low resting heart rate partly explains the higher rate of criminal offending among men. The research found that heart rate partially mediated the relationship between gender and all types of adult criminal offending, including violent and nonviolent crime.
Liquid crystal drops exhibit novel behavior characteristics during drying, forming different phases that affect fluid movement and solid deposition. The discovery sheds insight into controlling drying solutions for macromolecules in dyes and pharmaceutical formulations.
A new study found that empathy can have different health effects, depending on the perspective taken when helping someone in need. Stepping into the shoes of the suffering person leads to a health-threatening physiological response, while reflecting on how they might feel promotes a health-promoting response.
A new Penn study found that early-maturing girls are more likely to experience physical or sexual violence in dating relationships if their friend group contains more boys. The research, published in Pediatrics, analyzed data from over 3,800 girls and confirmed that girls who developed earlier have a 14% increased risk of dating abuse.
A new species of ancient snake, Zilantophis schuberti, has been discovered in eastern Tennessee with distinctive wing-shaped projections on its vertebrae. The species lived around 5 million years ago and is closely related to rat snakes and kingsnakes.