The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics recognized Francis Halzen for his work on the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. Naoko Kurahashi Neilson, PhD, a professor in Drexel University’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been an integral […]
Tag: College of Arts and Sciences
“New” Family Tree for Neotropical Knifefishes
A great deal goes into not only finding a new fish species, but in confirming that it is, in fact, unknown to science and then placing it on the “tree of life”. The scientific names and classifications of fishes – and all living things – are based on specimens that are collected in the field and preserved in natural history collections like the Academy of Natural Sciences here in Philadelphia. Published literature creates a verifiable chain of custody that ties taxonomic names to their authors, dates, usage and museum specimens.
Q+A: Why are Volcanoes so Misunderstood and What can Scientists do to Change That?
Volcanoes are one of the great wonders of nature. Their power and reputation precede them, and the fact that no one really knows exactly when they will erupt adds to their mystery. The curiosity, and sometimes misinformation, about volcanoes is only increased with social media and the internet.
Q+A: How Can We Keep Mosquitoes Away This Summer?
Summer is one of the most anticipated seasons of the year. With kids out of school, many families use this time to go on vacation to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. However, people aren’t […]
Q+A: Where Do Thoughts That Seem to Appear Out of Nowhere Actually Come From?
During the course of a day, our attention can easily wander from time to time. Our brain can go from focusing on something around us to involuntary, random thoughts for no apparent reason. This “mind-wandering” describes a common phenomenon in which a wide range of self-generated thoughts emerge spontaneously. Neuroscientists have been studying the brain for years as they try to understand where these spontaneous thoughts come from.
Q&A: What’s Next for IceCube’s Hunt for ‘Ghost Particles?’
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, or IceCube, is a massive cubic-kilometer detector embedded deep in the Antarctic ice at the South Pole that explores fundamental questions in physics and astronomy. For the first time since its inception in 2010, IceCube has just completed an upgrade consisting of adding over 600 new detectors to the existing 5,160 which were installed more than 15 years ago. This upgrade, along with the continued collaboration of Physics faculty and students from Drexel University, should lead to more information on neutrinos, or “ghost particles” as they are sometimes referred to, and pave the way for more cosmic discoveries.
Q+A: What Does It Take To Bring Home A Gold From The Olympic Games?
With the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games rapidly approaching, athletes around the world are preparing for their moment in the spotlight. Years of practice, hard work and dedication come together as competitors earn the international […]
Q+A: Eating Disorders and Body Image: Two Overlooked Problems for Men
The growing popularity of weight-loss medications like GLP-1s has triggered a broad reevaluation of the driving forces behind our relationship with food. As a result, researchers are also taking a fresh look at the neurological and psychological drivers of eating disorders — including binge-spectrum eating disorders, which affect approximately 2.8 million adults in the United States.
Q+A: When Jobs Left Town, Some People Stayed – Why?
A Drexel University sociologist investigates how deindustrialization gutted blue-collar jobs in the American Midwest – and why some people still call these communities home, even as they struggle with unemployment, poverty, and other social and […]
Q+A: Can We Reduce Distortions in Our Memory?
Researchers, led by Alexa Tompary, PhD, an assistant professor in Drexel University’s College of Arts and Sciences, are examining the parts of the brain they believe are responsible for the distortions in memory and if these distortions can be reduced.