A 50-amino-acid stretch of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) jams mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, starving cells of energy. This leads to neuronal death, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, according to Penn researchers.
A Penn study reveals that 200,000 Philadelphia households struggle to afford housing due to decreasing incomes and increasing costs. The city's low-income households rely on wages, not welfare, for income, which has decreased by 30% in the last 35 years.
The University-Assisted Community Schools Program has been selected for a $100,000 prize to recognize its high-quality organizational work improving children's lives. The program, developed by Penn faculty and students, focuses on solving community problems in areas like environmental health, literacy, and nutrition.
Researchers found that female participants experienced reduced tension and increased relaxation when exposed to pheromones from male underarm secretions. The study also showed a shift in blood levels of luteinizing hormone, with the onset of smaller pulses shortened by an average of 20 percent.
Researchers pinpoint stellar production of helium, revealing it was 24-25% of matter in the primordial universe. The study's findings suggest metal-rich stars produce 2.1 times as much helium as metals, with implications for dark energy.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year grant of approximately $500,000 to the University of Pennsylvania's Mathematics Department to continue its Access Science project. The program provides professional development and hands-on activities for urban teachers to enhance student learning in math and science.
Researchers have successfully created a giant self-assembled liquid crystal lattice using hundreds of thousands of highly branched molecules. The structure, which consists of discrete microscopic spheres linked together, has a repeat unit size comparable to spherical virus particles isolated from plants.
High school students from Philadelphia area participate in a youth engagement initiative, expressing concerns about the lack of discussion on current events. They also request better sex education programs and increased funding for schools, aiming to become active citizens who contribute to their communities.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that a readily available chemical called sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (NaDDBS) can disperse nanotubes in water with remarkable efficiency. This discovery represents an important step towards wider applications of nanotubes.
Researchers at Penn GSE will collaborate with city government and the school district to create the Kids' Integrated Database System, merging databases for over 250,000 Philadelphia children. The KIDS system aims to examine high-priority issues in early childhood development, including school readiness, foster care, and special education.
A new study reveals persistent gender inequalities in the Philadelphia region, with women facing lower median incomes and overrepresented in low-paying jobs. The report also highlights the disproportionate burden of caring labor on women, which contributes to their lower earnings.
A study found that individuals who received poor scores on an intelligence test watched television longer and were less likely to look away from the screen. In contrast, those who performed well watched for a shorter duration. Television use may serve as a distraction from negative self-feelings.
Researchers found that fully differentiated blood cells retain their ability to switch identity, challenging the long-held idea of fixed cell types. The discovery has potential applications in replacing damaged cells in blood diseases and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers found that when sensory cues from hands and eyes differ, the brain splits the difference to create a single percept, weighing individual senses differently. The brain maintains three separate representations of an object's properties, prioritizing combined visual and haptic cues over conflicting signals.
The tele-immersion system has been upgraded to process data in real-time, thanks to the use of a far-off supercomputing center. This allows participants to feel as if they're in each other's presence, regardless of distance. The new setup uses a large bank of digital cameras and polarized glasses to create a realistic experience.
Researchers have successfully restored sperm production in infertile mice by transplanting healthy Sertoli cells. The technique, developed by Dr. Ralph L. Brinster, may provide a new way to replace defective Sertoli cells and initiate normal spermatogenesis.
A new class of drugs may prevent neurodegenerative disorders by fortifying neurons before disease onset. Geldanamycin, a natural antibiotic, boosts molecular chaperone activity, protecting against alpha-synuclein toxicity in Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have developed computer models to predict the effects of atomic disorder on piezoelectric properties, leading to improved performance. The work paves the way for designing lead-free piezoelectric materials with enhanced properties.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that voter registration rolls are grossly inaccurate in many US states, with 32 states having counties with more registered voters than eligible voters. The problem is caused by a dysfunctionally decentralized election system and can lead to voting fraud.
A new web-based database provides researchers with access to the Plasmodium genome, enabling them to examine chromosome organization, scan for genes and predict protein structures. The database aims to speed up research and discovery in malaria combat, leveraging global collaboration among diverse scientists.
Dogs on a reduced-calorie diet lived up to 13 years, while those with high-calorie diets averaged 11.2 years. The study also found that lean body conformation and dietary restriction can help prevent chronic illnesses like osteoarthritis.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy approach to treat mucopolysaccharidosis VII, a disorder affecting multiple organ systems, in dogs. The treatment involves four intravenous injections of a retroviral vector expressing canine beta-glucuronidase, resulting in normal enzyme activity and near-normal mobility in treated dogs.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania successfully transplanted testicular tissue from mice, goats, and pigs into mice, resulting in functional sperm production. This breakthrough has significant implications for preserving endangered species and developing new methods for livestock breeding.
A study found that cognitive therapy was as effective as medication in treating severe depression, with a lower cost. Cognitive therapy showed a long-term cost benefit and offered enduring protection comparable to ongoing medication.
Researchers at Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine found that a specific gene, Oct4, plays a crucial role in the viability of cloned embryos. Only 34% of embryonic cells correctly reprogrammed to express Oct4, and just 10% showed levels of expression conducive to further development.
Researchers are developing more realistic training simulations that take into account fatigue, stress, personal values, emotion, and cultural influences to improve skill attainment. The goal is to steer trainees away from behaviors contributing to crowd aggression, such as flaunting weapons or authoritarian governance.
A recent study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that a boy's height at age 16 is a significant determinant of his salary as an adult. The study controlled for race, gender, and socio-economic status, and found that taller teenagers earned up to 15% more than shorter counterparts in any given field.
A new study reveals that even after three years of steady work, former welfare recipients still struggle to earn a family-supporting income. The 'Moving Up is a Steep Climb' study found better-paying and more stable jobs allow parents to spend more time with their children.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new type of epoxy that is three times harder and conducts heat significantly better than regular epoxy. The addition of carbon nanotubes to the adhesive yields enhanced thermal conductivity and mechanical strength.
A team of researchers is tracking the health of rescue dogs and their handlers who searched at the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The study aims to identify potential long-term consequences, including cancer and mental health issues, and provide assistance to those affected.
A study found that suicide rates among African-American males aged 15-24 increased by 14% from 1979 to 1997, while gun-related suicides rose to 70%. Healthcare providers should ask depressed youths about firearm access.
Researchers propose a more heterogeneous model of protein folding, which offers alternative pathways to the traditional view. This new understanding may lead to drugs that mimic molecular chaperones' role in fending off neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Penn and Illinois have created nanoscale peapods that exhibit tunable electronic properties. By manipulating encapsulated molecules, they can engineer electron motion inside nanotubes in a predictable way.
An ivory statuette of a lion-tamer may be part of the throne given to Apollo by King Midas, according to Dr. Keith DeVries. The statuette's style and date match Phrygian art from Turkey, supporting a strong case for its association with the king's throne.
A team of Penn researchers found that molecular chaperones can block the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's by preventing neuronal decay in Drosophila melanogaster. The study suggests that activating these molecules may be an effective approach to treating several human neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that hip laxity is a solid risk factor for canine arthritis, which affects an estimated 70-80 percent of dogs in certain breeds. Selective breeding to avoid high-laxity individuals could slash the incidence of canine arthritis within 10 years.
Researchers have detected a massive compact halo object, or MACHO, using gravitational microlensing event data from the Hubble Space Telescope and European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. The object is estimated to be 5-10% the mass of the sun and is thought to comprise up to 50% of the Milky Way's dark matter content.
Researchers have identified a molecule, GCNF, that restricts mouse cells' potency. This discovery may allow for the creation of embryonic stem cells without sacrificing embryos, opening up new avenues for research.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have identified a gene called CREB that plays a role in regulating rest's rejuvenating effects. The study found that CREB activity is inversely related to the physiological urge for sleep and that blocking this activity increases the need for sleep after a period of wakefulness.
A team led by Haim H. Bau will model transport of liquids, particles, and cells in microconduits to study biological interactions. They will use low-temperature co-fired ceramic tapes to fabricate prototypes.
The University of Pennsylvania has launched TECH.21, a national technology lab focused on improving adult education and literacy. The initiative aims to provide near-term and long-range answers on the effectiveness of educational technologies, partnering with organizations across the US.
The three-year award aims to develop an integrated approach to reliable embedded systems, considering real-time issues and resource constraints. Embedded computers are critical in various industries, including medicine and transportation, and their failure can have widespread consequences.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that adding a 'fuzz' of chemical chains to colloidal molecules can lead to the formation of predictable arrays of lattices. This entropy-driven phenomenon offers promise for designing new materials rationally rather than through trial and error.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania successfully inserted a foreign gene into male mouse spermatogonial stem cells, achieving high efficiency and expression. The breakthrough enables the creation of transgenic individuals in various species, paving the way for studying human diseases.
Researchers found that certain fish muscles specialized for fast mating calls are now mutually exclusive with other functions like swimming. The study, on toadfish Opsanus tau, reveals the limitations of biological systems when optimized for one function.
Players of the game are more likely to call 911 or see a doctor in case of an actual heart attack. The most interactive version shows the strongest gains, shifting intentions towards quick action and improved understanding of symptoms.
A team led by Jonathan M. Smith from the University of Pennsylvania aims to engineer better security features into mainstream computers through open-source collaboration.
Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a biochemical pathway in animals responsible for detoxification of heavy metals. The discovery establishes a firm basis for determining its ubiquity in other animals and clarifies how animals eliminate, sequester and metabolize heavy metals.
The University of Pennsylvania team has developed a fuel cell that can run directly on liquid diesel, sidestepping the need to reform fuels into hydrogen. This breakthrough could enable wider adoption of fuel cells in transportation and other applications, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional energy sources.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania will explore ways to incorporate a focus on embedded computer reliability into product design, developing models and analysis tools to identify potential bugs. The goal is to improve product dependability and reduce costs by predicting reliability earlier in the design phase.