The episode of Freakonomics Radio examines the potential risks and rewards of celebrity endorsements, focusing on the scandal involving Jared Fogle and Subway, and analyzes whether such endorsements significantly impact consumer behavior. Despite Fogle’s arrest for repugnant crimes, Subway sales showed no significant decline, questioning the actual influence of celebrity endorsements on brand success as opposed to conventional beliefs held by marketing departments.…Read More
In a new study published in Science, Michael Platt, Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor and Faculty Director of the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative, shows how Hurricane Maria reshaped social behavior among rhesus macaques on Puerto Rico’s Cayo Santiago.
Alongside collaborators Professor Lauren Brent, University of Exeter, and Camille Testard, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Pennsylvania, Platt found that in the aftermath of environmental devastation, monkeys became more socially tolerant as a strategy to survive extreme heat and limited shade. The findings offer striking parallels to human resilience, showing how social connection can serve as a vital survival mechanism under climate stress.…Read More
Neuroscientists Michael Platt and Peter Sterling highlight that the declining global fertility rate is attributed to increasing social isolation and anxiety, fundamentally altering economic and social landscapes. They emphasize that traditional government interventions have been ineffective, suggesting deeper societal and lifestyle restructuring to counteract negative mental health trends influenced by digital culture.…Read More
Neuroscientist Michael Platt and his team explored heart rate synchrony as a biomarker to improve decision-making dynamics within groups, facilitating better communication and cooperation. Their findings suggest that heart rate synchrony can serve as a reliable indicator of group effectiveness, surpassing traditional survey-based measures in predicting successful outcomes during collaborative tasks.…Read More
The article discusses the implications of advancements in AI, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, on various fields, exploring the interplay between artificial intelligence and neuroscience as well as the ethical considerations and potential societal impacts, such as displacement of jobs, the integration in education, and the biases in data training. Experts Michael Platt and Elizabeth “Zab” Johnson from the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative highlight current projects that leverage AI for brain science and underscore the intersections of technological advancements with human creativity and societal application, predicting rapid changes and the need for thoughtful governance.…Read More
The article discusses the impact of declining fertility rates on the workforce, featuring insights from Wharton professor Michael Platt. It highlights concerns about how demographic changes can affect labor markets and economic structures.…Read More
Great Minds Come Together at the 2023 Wharton Neuroscience Summit Michael Platt, Director of the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative, provides opening remarks. On Friday, November 3, more than 100 attendees from industry and academia gathered on the eighth floor of Huntsman Hall at the Wharton School for the 2023 Wharton Neuroscience…Read More 
In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Penn clinical psychologist Philip Gehrman and colleagues investigated why a sleepless night can sometimes lift symptoms of depression. Brain imaging revealed that increased activity in the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex—two regions tied to mood and emotion—was linked to improved mood in participants, regardless of depression status. The findings shed light on the brain mechanisms behind this effect and suggest new, noninvasive paths for rapid treatment that could mimic the benefits of sleep deprivation without losing sleep.…Read More
The text discusses BDO’s initiatives in digital risk management, tax technology, and AI strategy, highlighting collaborations with industries like healthcare and pharmaceuticals to streamline processes and improve efficiency. It also mentions podcasts by BDO focusing on transforming the tax function using technology and internal resources.…Read More
A recent perspective in Science calls for stronger collaboration between neuroscience, psychology, and law to create policies that safeguard children online. As digital environments increasingly shape how young people think and behave, the authors stress the urgency of evidence-based regulation that accounts for children’s unique developmental vulnerabilities. With contributions from experts at Penn, the piece emphasizes the need for rapid, translational research to inform policy in step with today’s fast-moving technological landscape.…Read More
