A Penn study found a link between social network structure and brain activity, revealing that individuals with diffuse friend networks show more dynamic brain responses than those with close-knit social circles. The research used fMRI to examine the brain's response to social exclusion, finding that participants with sparse networks ex...
Researchers at Penn University studied the effects of a lightning strike on granite rock, using X-ray diffraction analysis to determine the mineral content and temperature. The study found that the rock was raised from ambient temperatures to at least 1,700 degrees Celsius, with organic material trapped in the glass layer.
Researchers identified two proteins regulating hair cell formation in plant roots, enabling plants to thrive under phosphorus starvation. GRP8 overexpression increased root-hair cells, leading to improved phosphate uptake and biomass production.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have shown that electrical stimulation delivered when memory is predicted to fail can improve memory function. The study found that stimulating the brain during periods of poor function significantly improves memory, likening it to restoring normal traffic flow.
A team of Penn researchers has pinpointed the underlying mechanism leading to vision loss in Best disease, a condition affecting central vision. They discovered that differences in supporting structures between rods and cones contribute to lesion development in the macula.
Researchers at Penn found that vivid visualization of the future does not increase delayed gratification as previously thought. Instead, they discovered that better visualizers tend to be more impulsive when making choices about smaller rewards.
Researchers found cats with normal lactate levels had better survival rates than those with high lactate levels, with a five-day survival rate of 57% compared to 17%. The study suggests lactate can be a helpful measure in evaluating prognosis and making treatment decisions for critically ill cats.
University of Pennsylvania researchers created a predictive indexing tool that identifies patients most in need of intensive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression. The study found that those with worse prognoses saw the strongest results from CBT, while others saw no differences between CBT and less-intensive treatments.
Researchers have created a way to make metamaterials with a single inclusion, providing easier fabrication and tailoring light-matter interactions. This 'photonic doping' technique has implications for flexible photonics, information processing systems, and telecommunications applications.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have broken the limit of organic synthesis, allowing for more efficient gene and drug delivery. The study suggests that the conformation of the core molecule plays a role in this self-limiting growth phenomenon.
Studies reveal that brain activity in self-related and mentalizing regions combine unconsciously to produce a signal about an article's value, predicting its likelihood of going viral. Brain scans from a small group of people can accurately predict the virality of health articles among real New York Times readers.
A Penn vet team has discovered two major players in the immune system's T cells that trigger chronic inflammation and lead to persistent leishmaniasis lesions. Blocking these pathways with existing FDA-approved drugs led to significant reductions in lesions in an animal model.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania and University of York found that teenagers who self-report feeling drowsy mid-afternoon are 4.5 times more likely to commit violent crimes a decade and a half later. The study also links daytime sleepiness with poor attention and brain function, which can lead to criminal behavior.
Scientists studied ageing phenomenon at nanoscale, finding that friction force doubles with time and load increase. This discovery supports fundamental theory describing ageing mechanism, shedding light on fault stability and earthquake prediction.
Research reveals that regulatory T cells interact with and support the survival of plasma cells, a crucial component of the immune system. The interaction is essential for maintaining plasma cells, which produce antibodies against previously encountered pathogens or vaccines.
Researchers found that cancer cells can spread through the extracellular matrix with optimal tissue stiffness. Drugs targeting ECM stiffness could prevent metastasis, providing a new approach to diagnostics and treatment.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania have successfully grown colloidal crystals with a diamond structure, enabling special optical properties. The material, called a photonic bandgap material, could revolutionize photonics and enable the construction of 'transistors' for light.
A Penn-led group argues that the 'Tully monster' is not a vertebrate, contrary to previous claims. The team points out inconsistencies in fossil preservation and eye structure, which they believe don't support a vertebrate classification.
The study found that when a gun is used in domestic disputes, women are less likely to incur injury but substantially more likely to be frightened. This highlights the coercive control aspect of using a gun to intimidate and maintain power dynamics.
Researchers develop plant-based therapy to prevent antibodies from forming against clotting factor VIII, a common cause of hemophilia reactions. The treatment showed promising results in dog trials, with significantly lower antibody levels and no negative side effects.
Researchers found that downregulation of the interferon receptor IFNAR1 creates an environment where cancer cells can survive and reproduce unchecked. Modifying immunotherapies by stabilizing IFNAR1 may improve treatment outcomes for solid tumor cancers.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully grown a single layer of tungsten ditelluride, a unique two-dimensional material with predicted topological electronic states. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in quantum computing, as these materials may enable intrinsically error-tolerant forms of computation.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that Americans' dehumanization of Muslims and Mexican immigrants is linked to increased hostility, including support for violent collective action. Dehumanizing perceptions also hinder counterterrorism efforts.
A new study at the University of Pennsylvania found that people who are more mindful are more likely to change their behavior in response to health messages. Mindful individuals react less negatively to health advice, leading to increased exercise motivation and healthier choices.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that diabetes accounts for 12% of deaths in the United States, significantly higher than previously thought. This increase is attributed to the growing prevalence of diabetes, which has risen by nearly 300% since 1980, affecting over 21 million Americans.
A new Penn-led study found that invasive sedge is more effective at preventing erosion of dunes during big storms compared to native grass. The research suggests that land managers may want to consider the virtues of non-native species when protecting coastal communities.
A study led by Wei Guo has identified Sec3 as a key activator that speeds up the binding of SNAREs, allowing vesicles to fuse with the plasma membrane. The researchers used a combination of molecular biology and crystallography to understand the mechanism of exocytosis and have potential implications for endocrinology, neurotransmissio...
A team of scientists has identified a mechanism to counteract Ebola's ability to spread, revealing that host cells sequester viral proteins away from the plasma membrane. This discovery could lead to a novel antiviral strategy against Ebola.
Researchers at Penn have identified a mechanism by which mitochondria can drive changes in nuclear gene expression associated with tumor progression. The epigenetic process involves a protein triggered by mitochondrial oxidative or metabolic stress, leading to reduced cancer gene expression when blocked.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have identified a key player in causing neuronal damage linked to HIV treatment: the enzyme BACE1. Inhibiting this enzyme may offer a new approach to minimizing damage to neurons in patients on antiretroviral therapies.
A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania found that cigarette packaging warning labels with images of real smokers who were harmed by their habit increased quit attempts and success rates. The study, which tested pictorial warning labels, showed that these labels consistently outperformed text-only labels.
The new method minimizes waste generation and energy consumption, allowing for the recycling of rare-earth metals at a higher rate. By pairing specific ions, the researchers can filter out individual metal cations, enabling their separation and recovery.
A new study by Lauren Sallan reveals that the tails of fish and tetrapods are distinct structures with different evolutionary histories. Fossilized fish hatchlings show a dual tail structure consisting of a scaly, fleshy tail and a flexible fin.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study to replicate the original power pose study, finding no support for increases in feelings of power or testosterone. The study also suggested that power poses may decrease testosterone levels in individuals who are already perceived as losers.
A Penn-led team will use game theory, evolutionary modeling, and massive datasets to develop reproducible methods for studying human social behavior and collective identity. The project aims to improve the speed, scale, and rigor of social science research.
A Penn-led team has discovered how some intestinal cells can withstand chemotherapy and radiation, providing new insights into the regenerative capacity of these reserve stem cells. The study found that these cells are in a dormant state, protected from damage, but can be activated by RNA-binding proteins to proliferate.
The Penn Dental team has created a genetic engineering method to improve plant-based medicines by optimizing codons in DNA sequences. This technique resulted in increased protein expression levels, with hemophilia clotting factor five to six times higher and poliovirus protein roughly 26 times higher than native sequences.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that competition significantly motivates people to exercise more than friendly support. The study, which recruited nearly 800 Penn students, showed that attendance rates were 90% higher in competitive groups compared to a control group. Meanwhile, team support actually led to lower ...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a new mechanism by which RNA molecules are degraded in plants, occurring co-translationally with translation. This process is linked to gene regulation and may play a role in stress response.
Penn Vet researchers have discovered a new mechanism for antibacterial immunity, where caspase-8 regulates inflammatory cytokine production. In mice lacking caspase-8, innate immune cells have a general defect in responding to microbial products, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.
Researchers are exploring the connection between Johne's disease in cattle and Crohn's disease in humans. The study found that MAP-infected cows share symptoms with Crohn's patients, including thickened intestines, diarrhea, and low protein absorption.
A new analysis of over a thousand fossil fishes reveals that holosteans were as evolutionarily innovative as teleosts, and perhaps even more so. The study, led by the University of Pennsylvania's John Clarke, challenges the traditional view of teleosts' success story.
Researchers at Penn Dental Medicine developed a plant-made antimicrobial peptide that rapidly kills tooth-decay-causing bacteria and thwarts biofilm formation. The peptide, combined with an enzyme, breaks down the oral biofilm matrix, promoting wound healing and bone regeneration.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania failed to replicate a 2013 study's finding that reading literary fiction improves social abilities. They tested using the original study materials and methodology but found no significant difference between literary and popular fiction.
Researchers at Penn University have found remarkable similarities between human Leber congenital amaurosis and canine blinding disease Senior Løken Syndrome. The diseases share the same causative gene, NPHP5, and display similar pathology. The study's findings offer promising results for developing therapies to treat these conditions.
A recent Phase 3 clinical trial led by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that a new nasal spray anesthetic called Kovanaze is effective in preventing pain during dental procedures. The study showed that the compound was comparable to commonly used injectable numbing agents and had minimal side effects.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a link between telomeres and the Wnt signaling cascade, which may hold a treatment option for patients with dyskeratosis congenita. Stimulating the Wnt pathway reversed signs of DC-related dysfunction in human tissues.
A team of Penn researchers has created a computer model that accounts for thermal fluctuations and surface undulation, enabling more accurate targeting of cancer cells. The new model can aid in custom designing nanocarriers with specific molecules for personalized medicine.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have created nanoparticles that use the acidity of tooth decay to kill bacteria in dental plaque and prevent cavities. The treatment, which combines hydrogen peroxide with acid-sensitive nanoparticles, was shown to be highly effective at disrupting biofilms and killing bacteria.
The Penn researchers have developed a placenta-on-a-chip that accurately models the transport of nutrients across the placental barrier. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize research on preterm birth by providing a unique capability to mimic and study the function of the human placenta.