Researchers at Penn University discovered that inhibiting a calcium-signaling pathway can block the Ebola virus from exiting host cells and spreading, paving the way for potential broad-spectrum therapy. This approach has implications for treating multiple serious viral infections, including Marburg, Lassa, and Junin viruses.
University of Pennsylvania researchers show that experiencing stress changes a male mouse's sperm, affecting his offspring's response to stress. The change is imparted epigenetically by molecules called microRNAs.
A new study published in the journal Obesity found that accounting for weight history and smoking habits eliminates the mortality advantage associated with being obese. The researchers analyzed data from over 30,400 participants and found that obesity is harmful to those with cardiovascular disease, contrary to previous studies.
A new method developed by Penn researchers can quantify the transport distance of river pebbles from their shape alone, providing evidence for an extensive river system on Mars. The study suggests that Martian pebbles traveled around 30 miles from their source, offering insights into the planet's geological history and potential for life.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a hormone-mediated 'chromatin switch' that directs plants to form flowers in response to auxin. This finding could lead to increased flower formation and potentially boost agricultural yields.
A Penn study shows that gene therapy can cure canine X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, even when treatment is started at mid- or late-stage disease. The treatment successfully halted photoreceptor cell loss and maintained vision in dogs for over three years.
Research reveals fundamental rules governing brain regions' ability to exert control over thoughts and actions, using structural imaging techniques and network science. The frontal cortex's role in cognitive control is mechanistically explained, shedding light on its dynamic control of trillions of individual neurons.
Researchers characterized two genetic mutations linked to achromatopsia in dogs and found that they destabilized molecular channels essential to light signal transduction. The findings provide new insights into the molecular cause of blindness and present opportunities for conducting preclinical assessments of curative gene therapy.
A new study led by University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine researchers demonstrates that protein Del-1 can inhibit bone loss associated with periodontitis. The protein curbs the activity of osteoclasts, cells that absorb bone tissue, leading to a mechanistic explanation of how Del-1 can prevent periodontal bone loss.
A team from Penn Dental Medicine successfully produced a shelf-stable, low-cost drug using freeze-dried lettuce leaves, which promotes tolerance to clotting factors for hemophilia patients. The study confirms the viability of plant-based biopharmaceutical production on a commercial scale.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that Twitter behavior can predict users' income level, with lower-income users using the platform more for personal communication and higher-income users using it to disseminate news. The research analyzed over 5,000 tweets and identified strong correlations between online expressio...
A team of researchers at Penn Vet has identified a form of congenital night blindness in dogs, which shares similarities with human forms of the condition. The discovery may lead to the development of gene therapy to correct the dysfunction in both humans and dogs.
A Penn study identified immunostimulatory defective viral genomes as a key player in eliciting an immune response against RSV. In human and mouse models, the presence of DVGs was correlated with improved immune function and reduced disease severity.
A study by Penn and German researchers reveals that cognitive flexibility is predicted by the degree to which brain networks reconfigure themselves. Participants who performed best on alternating tasks showed more rearrangement of connections within their frontal cortices and new connections with other areas of their brains.
Researchers from Penn and Baylor have precisely quantified the loss of insulin-producing beta cells in dogs with diabetes, revealing a key similarity with human type I diabetes. The study also identifies features unique to canine diabetes, highlighting potential insights into treating human patients.
Researchers have developed a new method for studying protein structure using nanoscopic pores, allowing for the analysis of individual proteins without modification. This technique enables the detection of protein aggregates, which are associated with diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A new Penn study found that hydrogen sulfide regulates Treg cells by modifying a transcription factor called NFYB, leading to improved function and development of these regulatory cells. The study suggests potential therapeutic interventions for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and hypertension.
Researchers developed a 'reusable holdout' tool to identify meaningful correlations in adaptive data analysis. The algorithm, tested on two rigged datasets, correctly identified true statistical significance and eliminated false discoveries.
A team of scientists from the University of Pennsylvania discovered that lightning can reshape rocks at an atomic level, creating distinctive black 'glazes' and shock lamellae. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the effects of meteorite impacts on rocks.
Researchers found that memory T cells specific to parasite infections can form in the skin, setting up a defense against future infections. This discovery could inform efforts to develop an effective vaccine for leishmaniasis and other diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy.
University of Pennsylvania engineers have discovered a silicon-based photonic device sensitive to photon spin, enabling faster and more efficient computing. This breakthrough could lead to the development of photonic computers that exploit the spin of photons, potentially orders of magnitude faster than current technology.
Researchers from Penn Vet show how arginylation, a protein modification, regulates an enzyme called PRPS2, critical for human life and involved in cancer. The study suggests that arginylation could be a target for intervention to prevent uncontrolled cellular expansion in cancer.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania implicated defects in mitochondria as a key factor in cancerous cell transition. Disrupting mitochondrial components led normal cells to adopt cancerous characteristics, including increased glucose consumption and invasive behavior.
Biologists from Penn University analyzed genetic data to track blacklegged tick migrations. The study reveals that ticks moved into new areas through short-distance local moves, shedding light on patterns of disease spread and controlling strategies.
Researchers at Penn have identified a specific gene, TEX11, responsible for some cases of male infertility. The study found that mutations in this gene are present in approximately 1% of men with azoospermia, a condition where males produce no sperm.
A new Penn study shows that preserving social network boundaries can facilitate the spread of complex ideas, contradicting previous theories. By analyzing computational models and correlations between individual characteristics, researchers found that stronger group ties allow for more effective knowledge sharing across organizations.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that maternal stress during pregnancy can 'reprogram' the developing brains of her children through changes in the vaginal microbiome. This initial exposure affects gut microbiota, metabolism, and brain development.
Researchers at Penn Vet used blood plasma and serum in glucometers for more accurate measurements than whole blood, finding results closely aligned with a gold standard machine. This simpler method may soon be adopted for human patients relying on glucometers.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new method to recycle rare-earth magnets, simplifying the process and increasing efficiency. The technique uses standard laboratory equipment and can separate neodymium and dysprosium from used electronics in just minutes.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new type of gripper that mimics the gecko's ability to grip and release surfaces. The gripper uses a composite structure with a hard plastic core and softer silicone rubber shell, allowing for tunable adhesion.
A University of Pennsylvania study found a 3-5% reduction in recidivism among juvenile offenders processed as adults for felony drug offenses. This suggests that processing these juveniles in the adult system may not uniformly increase offending and may actually reduce it in some circumstances.
Researchers found that genetic mutations accepted by evolution are contingent upon previous mutations, making predictions of long-term evolution challenging. The study also revealed that mutations become entrenched and increasingly difficult to revert over time, supporting the idea that evolution is unpredictable and irreversible.
A national survey found that most Americans disclose their personal data for discounts because they believe marketers will harvest the data anyway. The study's lead author argues that marketers misrepresent consumers' behaviors as rational acceptance of 'tradeoffs,' which is not true.
Defect-free palladium nanowires, a thousand times thinner than human hair, were stretched under controlled conditions to reveal the point where failures first appear. The study found that thermal uncertainty plays a significant role in the material's failure, with defects forming on the surface of the wire.
Etienne Benson's research explores the impact of birds on the power grid in 1920s California, revealing how avian waste caused short circuits. The study highlights the importance of considering non-human actors in infrastructure systems and the need for 'insulation' and 'interconnection' strategies to mitigate nature's effects.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that mice use separate systems to determine their location and direction, with environmental cues influencing place recognition but not heading retrieval. The study used identical rooms with different markings on the north wall, which allowed researchers to isolate the two processes.
Researchers at Penn University developed liquid-crystal-based compound lenses that work like insect eyes, enabling 3D image reconstruction and light polarization sensitivity. The lenses produce images with different focal lengths, allowing for reconstruction of spatial relationships.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researcher Adrian Raine suggests that omega-3 supplements can have long-term neurodevelopmental effects, reducing antisocial and aggressive behavior problems in children. The study found a 42% reduction in externalizing behavior and 62% reduction in internalizing behavior after six months, with...
A new species of dinosaur, Saurornitholestes sullivani, discovered by University of Pennsylvania researcher Steven Jasinski had an unusually large olfactory bulb, implying a powerful sense of smell. This keen sense may have made the species an intimidating predator.
Penn researchers have developed a novel model of artificial membranes with programmable surfaces, allowing for precise control over glycan structures. This breakthrough enables the study of membrane-sugar-protein interactions, which are crucial for understanding diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
By speeding up real atomic force microscope experiments and slowing down simulations, researchers matched the sliding speeds, resolving a major problem in studying atomic-scale friction. This breakthrough enables the study of stick-slip friction at overlapping speeds, allowing for more accurate measurements.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have identified a molecular link between DNA damage, cellular senescence, and premature aging. The study found that interferon signaling ramps up in response to double-stranded DNA breaks, prompting cells to enter senescence.
Researchers discovered that netrin-1 regulates the blood-brain barrier by promoting tight junction proteins. Delivering netrin-1 to mice with MS improved symptoms, highlighting its potential therapeutic benefits.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed nanoparticles that can interact with oil-water interfaces without clumping together. By measuring pressure and density, they've established universal rules governing the physics of these systems, which could lead to advances in nanomanufacturing, catalysis, and photonic devices.
A study using fMRI scans found that unnecessary brain activity hinders learning, while reduced neural connections facilitate faster skill acquisition. The researchers' novel analysis methods revealed complex brain networks and community structures that correlate with individual differences in learning rates.
Scientists are studying Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to understand the behavior of living fluids, which could lead to new treatments for lung diseases like cystic fibrosis. The research team discovered that the algae changes its swim pattern dramatically in elastic fluids, which possess both liquid and solid-like properties.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has found evidence of a new culprit in colon cancer, the protein MSI2. Overexpression of MSI2 is common in colon cancer tumors and promotes tumor growth by disrupting cellular metabolism.
Engineers from Penn and ExxonMobil have uncovered the molecular mechanisms behind a common anti-wear additive used in motor oil. The study reveals that the additive forms a 'tribofilm' through stress-activated growth, providing a cushion effect against wear and tear.
Researchers at Penn University developed a new model of sediment transport in rivers, showing that even calm rivers creep forward slowly due to particle interactions. The study improves geologists' ability to predict erosion rates and landscape evolution over time.
Researchers have filled in details on how an enzyme, MOV10L1, protects sperm integrity by producing RNA molecules essential to development. The discovery could lead to a form of reversible male contraception by disrupting piRNA production.