Penn Psych Study Shows Twitter Can Predict Rates of Heart Disease

In a new study published in the journal Psychological Science, Penn researchers demonstrate that Twitter can capture more information about heart disease risk than can traditional risk markers. They found that expressions of negative emotions in a given U.S. county’s tweets were associated with higher heart disease risk, while positive emotions were associated with lower risk. The study was led by Department of Psychology doctoral candidate Johannes Eichstaedt.

Researchers have assumed that the psychological well being of communities is important for physical health. The new study suggests that Twitter may provide a window into a community’s collective mental state, proving useful for epidemiological purposes and public-health interventions.

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Arts & Sciences News

Julia Hartmann Named Fay R. and Eugene L. Langberg Professor in Mathematics

She specializes in algebra and arithmetic geometry, a newer field that applies techniques from algebraic geometry to solve problems in number theory and co-developed the method of field patching.

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Holger Sieg Named Baird Term Professor of Economics

Sieg focuses his research on public and urban economics, as well as the political economy of state and local governments.

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Frank Schorfheide Named Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Economics

His research provides a set of tools that are useful for empirical work with modern macroeconomic models, including forecasting and policy analysis.

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Corinn Harrell Named Vice Dean for Finance and Administration

The role oversees finance and budget, facilities, staff human resources, and computing. Harrell had held the interim position since September.

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Taussia Boadi, C’24, and Cheryl Nnadi, C’24, Honored as Projects for Progress Winners

The pair, along with Ariane Thomas of Penn GSE, won for Positioned for Success, which provides academic support and enrichment to Philadelphia middle school students in the child welfare system affected by gun violence or parental incarceration.

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Hear the Latest Research by Penn Arts & Sciences Graduate Students at Penn Grad Talks February 23

Twenty students will present their work in eight-minute TED-style talks. Cash prizes are on the line.

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