Some birds, like the American goldfinch, are more vulnerable to West Nile virus than others.
Keeping you up to date with the most recent news from the University of Pennsylvania
|
August 10, 2026
|
|
Combining more than two decades of mosquito surveillance with bird population data collected by thousands of volunteer birdwatchers, Penn Vet researchers found evidence of West Nile virus in 20% of Pennsylvania bird species. By identifying which species appear most affected by the virus, researchers can begin asking why some birds, like the American goldfinch (pictured), are more vulnerable than others. This could ultimately lead to improved wildlife conservation and disease management strategies, says lead author and ecologist Brock Geary.
|
|
![(From left) Social media creators Manny 215 [Manny Clark], Prince Dre, Fis Banga, and Ant Brown on stage with facilitator Tamara Russell at the Creators for Community Safety Summit. (Image: Courtesy of the School of Social Policy & Practice and the Annenberg School for Communication)](https://mcusercontent.com/581921521eeb40a803fe109ff/images/4274bcfc-d4cc-97c8-c6f6-f485189bc575.jpg)
A trio of Penn staff trained Philadelphia-based social media influencers to better understand the overlap between gun violence, online safety, and the social determinants of health. The trainings, part of the SAFELab’s Creator Institute for Violence Prevention, prepared creators to build an anti-violence campaign for local youth, including the “CUREiculum,” an interactive workshop series to be piloted in West and North Philadelphia public schools this fall.
|
|
Clinical psychologist Jenelle Nissley-Tsiopinis and colleagues test school-based programs to help children who have difficulty with organization, time management, and planning. They have found that these interventions help elementary school students with ADHD and are currently evaluating their effectiveness in older students who struggle with executive functions.
|
|
|
The Basser Center for BRCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides support for the next generation of cancer interception researchers like Minh Than (pictured).
Read this story »
|
|
|
|
|
Rising third-year Watson Nguyen of the men’s swimming and diving team won the title in the 50-meter breaststroke at the USA Swimming National Championships with a personal best of 26.65 seconds.
Read this story »
|
|
|
With only two weeks before the fall semester starts, Penn Today revisits stories that explore collaboration and group projects. Research by theoretical biologist Joshua Plotkin and colleagues shows that collective intelligence doesn’t emerge by rewarding the most accurate individuals, but by rewarding those who improve the group’s prediction as a whole.
|
|
|
|
 THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
“Cities are running the experiment first and writing the protocol later,” write Eugènie L. Birch and Mauricio Rodas of the Weitzman School of Design. “That order of operations should worry anyone who remembers that surveillance systems, once installed, rarely come down.”
Read this story »
|
|
|
Publications may require a subscription. Penn students, faculty, and staff can access some subscriptions through the Penn Libraries.
|
|
