University of Pennsylvania researchers have made progress in deciphering the neural processes behind human thought. Using brain recordings, they identified unique patterns that reflect how people associate words in their memories. These patterns, known as 'neural fingerprints', can potentially be used to read out individual's memory or...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have gained insight into how phase change materials switch between states, a key step towards creating universal memory storage devices. By using nanowires, they were able to observe the phase change in real-time and discovered a new mechanism that could lead to more efficient memory devices.
Penn and Cornell researchers have created evidence-based guidelines for veterinary CPR, aiming to standardize treatment of cardiac arrest in pets. The guidelines recommend 100-120 chest compressions per minute, intubated ventilation at a rate of 10 breaths per minute, and administration of vasopressors every 3 minutes.
Researchers discovered that T cells employ a Lévy walk strategy, characterized by short and long movements, to track down parasites like animal predators. This insight into immune-cell movement patterns can inform novel approaches to combat diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS.
Two studies led by University of Pennsylvania scientists uncover new information about Native American and First Nations migration patterns, genetic impact of cultural practices and historical relationships among groups. The research provides the first clear evidence of shared markers in DNA of people living in the circumarctic region.
Researchers found that the force of the Mississippi River emptying into the Gulf created mounds of freshwater which pushed the oil slick away from the coast. This discovery could help improve predictions of where oil will make landfall in future spills, sparing fragile coastlines and wildlife.
Researchers created a virtual copy of patient-specific blood to simulate blood clotting and test the effectiveness of drugs like aspirin. The simulations predicted accurate responses to drugs in individual donors, identifying potential genetic mutations.
A new study identifies genes responsible for the Pygmies' relatively small size, suggesting hormonal pathways and immune system regulation as possible drivers. The research provides evidence of natural selection's role in shaping human traits, highlighting the importance of studying global diversity and evolutionary contexts.
University of Pennsylvania chemists developed a theoretical method and computer algorithm to search for proteins that can crystallize into a target structure. They successfully created the first custom-designed protein crystal, paving the way for better understanding of proteins' makeup and designing new materials.
The University of Pennsylvania is leading a $10 million National Science Foundation project to develop computer-assisted programming tools that can make coding faster, easier and more intuitive. The ExCAPE team aims to leverage advances in verification technology to help programmers avoid mistakes in the first place.
Researchers at Penn have identified a critical role of Nmnat in maintaining healthy nerves and protecting against degeneration. The enzyme helps stabilize mitochondria, which are essential for nerve cell health.
A team led by Ralph Brinster at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has successfully preserved spermatogonial stem cells in mice for over a decade, demonstrating their viability and ability to produce healthy offspring. The study provides promising evidence for a potential fertility treatment in humans, address...
Researchers have discovered that an Epstein Barr-like virus can infect dogs and be linked to lymphoma, similar to its effects on humans. The study found that dogs with lymphoma had antibodies against the virus and viral elements in their tumors, indicating a direct association.
The research aims to use real-time EEG data to detect impending seizures and develop fast-acting drug therapies to prevent them. The technology has the potential to improve epilepsy management for both canine and human patients.
Penn researchers created the first physical demonstration of 'lumped' optical circuit elements, a milestone in the nascent field of metatronics. By manipulating light waves with nanorods, they replicated the function of electronic circuit elements like resistors and capacitors.
A 300-million-year-old tropical forest was discovered and characterized by a Penn researcher, providing insight into the ecology and climate of its time. The researchers found six groups of trees, including tree ferns, Sigillaria, and Cordaites, which were preserved in volcanic ash.
Researchers found that 6- to 9-month-old babies comprehend words for common objects like foods and body parts through daily language experience. They also found little improvement in word recognition until around 14 months.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania uncover unifying mechanism to explain dune patterns in White Sands National Monument, revealing how wind interacts with dunes and impacts vegetation growth. The findings may hold implications for understanding tipping points in dune landscapes under climate change.
Researchers found a genetic connection between Native Americans and southern Altaians, suggesting the Altai region as the potential source of the earliest Native Americans. The study analyzed mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome DNA markers to define the founding lineages of Native American populations.
Researchers at Penn Vet & Scheie Eye Inst. successfully treated dogs with X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa using gene therapy, correcting defects in the RPGR gene and restoring vision. The treatment targets both rod and cone cells, showing promise for treating other photoreceptor degenerations.
A University of Pennsylvania team has made significant inroads into understanding how Ethiopian populations adapt to high-altitude environments. Their genome-wide study reveals that different genetic mutations, known as convergent evolution, are responsible for their unique physiological traits.
Researchers at Penn developed a new MRI contrast agent that targets acidic environments of tumors, improving diagnosis accuracy. The coating technology allows the particles to be neutral near healthy tissue but become ionized in low pH, attracting them to tumor sites.
A team of chemists at the University of Pennsylvania has developed a method to watch proteins fold in real-time, allowing for a better understanding of protein folding and misfolding. This technique uses infrared spectroscopy to analyze structural changes as a function of time, providing insights into protein folding mechanisms.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researcher Jessica McCrory Calarco found that middle-class children are more proactive in seeking help from teachers, while working-class children tend to wait until the last resort. Middle-class parents coach their children on how to ask for help, leading to better academic outcomes.
A team of Penn researchers has discovered that the evolution of the TAS2R38 gene, responsible for bitter taste perception, was driven by factors other than taste. The study found that African populations have a broader range of PTC taste sensitivity and unique genetic variants not seen in non-Africans.
Penn and Brown researchers discovered an aspect of friction on the nanoscale that may lead to a better understanding of earthquakes. The team used atomic force microscopy to simulate rock-on-rock contact with different materials, revealing stark differences in frictional aging.
Researchers used a novel experiment to investigate the brain's perception of surface lightness, finding that the ratio hypothesis does not explain the observed performance. Instead, participants could distinguish between shades with ratios up to 50 times higher than expected, suggesting other mechanisms are at work.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new cell-based vaccine that shows promise in treating canine non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The vaccine, which uses B-cells instead of dendritic cells, has been shown to increase overall survival time for dogs with the disease.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing have found a link between low birthweight and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders. Premature infants are five times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than children born at normal weight, according to the study published in Pediatrics.
Scientists have discovered 'superfast' muscles in bats that allow them to navigate and hunt in total darkness using echolocation. These muscles can contract up to 100 times faster than typical body muscles, enabling the rapid succession of calls needed for successful hunting.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have identified a gene responsible for early retinal degeneration, a disease causing blindness in dogs. The study suggests that this gene may be involved in the control of photoreceptor cell division, potentially leading to the development of therapies to regenerate retinal cells and restore vision.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have developed a new technique for analyzing phylogenies, showing that the results stand up against known fossil history of whale species. The method allows for changing rates of speciation and extinction over time and among lineages.
Researchers have identified a novel method for detecting weak points in disordered materials like glass, which may lead to better understanding of material failure and potential applications. The study combines theoretical modeling with experimental results, shedding light on the principles governing material responses.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a color-changing stress sensor using polymersomes and porphyrins, allowing for early detection of system failures. The technology has the potential to monitor drug delivery and track stress in cellular membranes.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania discovered that changing particle shape can disrupt the coffee ring effect, a ring-shaped stain left after coffee drops evaporate. By using non-spherical particles, they found that it's possible to eliminate this phenomenon and achieve uniform coating deposition.
University of Pennsylvania chemists have made the first molecular binding measurement of radon, a dangerous radioactive gas. The team measured how well radon binds to a molecule called cryptophane, paving the way for future research on its properties and other noble gases.
The Penn team successfully grafted olfactory receptors onto carbon nanotubes, enabling the conversion of chemical signals into electrical signals. This technology has potential applications in pharmaceutical research and could help develop new treatments for diseases by targeting specific GPCRs.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a nanoscale plasmonic cavity that drastically reduces emission lifetime in semiconductors. By engineering high-intensity electromagnetic fields and controlling confinement, they achieve an unprecedented record-breaking emission lifetime measured in femtoseconds.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have identified a brain-based explanation for how memories become linked, revealing that contextual associations are retained across time scales. The study uses precise brain activity data from epilepsy patients to pinpoint the region of the brain responsible for episodic memory.
Researchers at Penn Vet found a cancer drug that shrinks dog tumors and may lead to human treatment. The study discovered the same aberrant activation of a critical pathway in dogs with lymphoma as humans.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that a single drug can induce bone marrow cells to quadruple platelet production. The study found that inhibiting myosin-II with the drug belebbistatin increases megakaryocyte growth, allowing them to produce more platelets in a soft environment.
Researchers use synchrotron radiation to identify copper-bearing molecules in ancient bird fossils, revealing pigmentation patterns that can be compared to living organisms. The technique allows for the concentration and distribution of pigments to be mapped, providing insights into camouflage and natural selection.
Physicists at the University of Pennsylvania have demonstrated a dramatic increase in the combined on time of semiconductor nanorods when clustered together, providing new insight into this mysterious blinking behavior.
Researchers have linked the fastest sea-level rise in 2,000 years to increasing global temperatures. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that sea level rose by more than 2 millimeters per year on average since the late 19th century.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully increased light-matter coupling strength in nanoscale semiconductors, paving the way for designing faster and more efficient photonic devices. By fabricating structures with surface passivation techniques, they were able to overcome the limitation of bulk materials.
Researchers at Penn propose two-dimensional graphene metamaterials that can manipulate electromagnetic waves in the infrared spectrum. The metamaterials' conductivity can be altered using voltage, enabling transformation optics and applications in telecommunications, imaging, and signal processing.
A team of international scientists, led by University of Pennsylvania geneticists, have discovered genetic variations in humans that may help resist malaria. The research found that certain mutations in genes related to red blood cell proteins could be linked to lower malaria susceptibility.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have developed a way to form biological molecules that can be directly integrated into electronic circuits. A new microscope technique was also developed to measure the electrical properties of these devices.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an algorithm to computationally select the best proteins for building nanostructures, drawing inspiration from biological structures. The method eliminates thousands of candidate proteins to identify suitable ones, making the protein selection process more efficient.
A team of Penn psychologists overturned the long-standing associative word learning theory, finding that children learn their first words through moments of insight rather than gradual exposure. Experiments involving short video segments showed that repeated exposure did not improve accuracy, and early informative vignettes were crucia...