What are the hidden physics of a day at the beach? Materials scientist Shu Yang explains.
Keeping you up to date with the most recent news from the University of Pennsylvania
|
July 27, 2026
|
|
Materials scientist Shu Yang explains the hidden physics of a day at the beach, like why some sands scorch your feet, what makes the perfect sandcastle, and how the same humble grains end up in windows and smartphones.
|
|
Vaccinating against cancer is challenging because tumors use many strategies to evade detection by the immune system. But researchers at the Basser Cancer Interception Institute are advancing a new platform for developing cancer vaccines. They hope that cancer interception will stop precancerous growths before they advance into diagnosable tumors.
|
|
As LeBron James signs with the Philadelphia 76ers, revisit a story from the Penn Today archives that highlights one of the NBA superstar’s earliest experiences in the city: playing at the Palestra. James visited campus in December 2002 as part of the Fighting Irish, when he was a 17-year-old high school senior attending St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio.
|
|
Cooperation tends to benefit those who are already well-connected and the allocation of rewards influences people’s willingness to work together, according to research led by evolutionary biologist Joshua Plotkin. “What’s new here is that we treat cooperation not as the finish line but as a starting point,” Plotkin says. “Once it takes hold, what does this mean for the distribution of welfare?”
|
|
|
Students in the Class of 2028 are participating in language programs spanning 20 cities around the world as part of the Lauder Institute’s six-week Summer Immersion.
Read this story »
|
Penn Nursing’s Harm Reduction working group has mobilized to explore pressing issues related to drug use, forging connections to people tracking relevant policy at local and state levels.
Read this story »
|
|
|
This week, as sunny summer weather entices dogs outside, Penn Today revisits stories that support the health of our canine companions. The Comparative Immunotherapy Program, led by veterinarian Nicola Mason (left), is uniting human and veterinary medicine to advance promising solutions for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
|
|
|
|
 EDUCATION WEEK
Laura Perna of the Graduate School for Education says that a New York City program is “trying to communicate to students and their families at this early age that college is out there—and they should be thinking about it.”
Read this story »
|
|
|
Publications may require a subscription. Penn students, faculty, and staff can access some subscriptions through the Penn Libraries.
|
|
