1.21
Michele W. Berger
Senior Science News Officer
mwberger@upenn.edu
Medicine
New statistical method exponentially increases ability to discover genetic insights
New statistical method exponentially increases ability to discover genetic insights
A test of the Sum-Share method found 1,734 genetic variations associated with cardiovascular-related conditions when just one had previously been likely.
New treatment target discovered that halts osteoarthritis-like knee cartilage degeneration
New treatment target discovered that halts osteoarthritis-like knee cartilage degeneration
Penn Medicine researchers have used nanotechnology and previous knowledge of a protein pathway to significantly reduce knee cartilage degeneration and pain.
Too many donor kidneys are discarded in U.S. before transplantation
Too many donor kidneys are discarded in U.S. before transplantation
A new study finds kidneys discarded as low-quality in the U.S are similar to kidneys transplanted with acceptable outcomes in France.
How researchers scrub Twitter for health data from real humans—not bots
How researchers scrub Twitter for health data from real humans—not bots
For more than 10 years, Graciela Gonzalez-Hernandez has been studying natural language across social media to inform clinical care, carefully sifting through language to determine which voices qualify as patient experiences.
Two Penn faculty named Hastings Center Fellows
Two Penn faculty named Hastings Center Fellows
Scott D. Halpern and Jennifer Prah Ruger are acknowledged for their outstanding accomplishments in ethics and health.
How medical schools can transform curriculums to undo racial biases
How medical schools can transform curriculums to undo racial biases
Penn Medicine researchers find that lectures and assessments misuse race, playing a role in perpetuating physician bias.
Older, nonwhite patients access telemedicine significantly less among patients overall
Older, nonwhite patients access telemedicine significantly less among patients overall
A new study out of Penn Medicine finds minorities, older populations, non-English speakers, and those with lower incomes face inequities in accessing telemedicine care.
One step closer to an at-home, rapid COVID-19 test
One step closer to an at-home, rapid COVID-19 test
The lab of César de la Fuente is working on a paper-based biosensor that could provide results in minutes. Clinical trials began Jan. 5.
Commonly used blood pressure medications are safe for COVID-19 patients
Commonly used blood pressure medications are safe for COVID-19 patients
A Penn Medicine-led trial found medications to be neither beneficial or harmful in the treatment of hospitalized patients.
How can the world allocate COVID-19 vaccines fairly?
How can the world allocate COVID-19 vaccines fairly?
It’s an ethical question many Penn experts are contemplating. One fact is certain, they say: Distribution must not exacerbate disparities and inequities in health care.
Media Contact
In the News
The New York Times
Need a new knee or hip? A robot may help install it
Matthew Sloan of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the increase in hip and knee replacement surgeries in the past 20 years. “Among the older patients, the big driver is the desire to stay active,” he said.
FULL STORY →
The New York Times
Why are we so afraid of fevers?
Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine said treating fevers can prolong or worsen an illness because immunity works better at higher temperatures. While fever reducers can relieve uncomfortable symptoms, “You’re not supposed to feel better,” he said. “You’re supposed to stay under the covers, keep warm, and ride out the infection. We have fevers for a reason.”
FULL STORY →
The New York Times
Should you bank your baby’s cord blood?
Steven Joffe of the Perelman School of Medicine said the cost of private cord blood banking is hard to justify at this point, unless someone in the family is known to have a blood disorder that required a stem cell transplant. “The data suggest there might be a little help there, but I find it not at all convincing,” he said.
FULL STORY →
BBC
COVID vaccines: An opportunity for science?
Alison Buttenheim of the School of Nursing spoke about the hesitancy surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine. “It looks like right now about half of adults, in the U.S. at least, say they are likely to get the vaccine—this moves around a bit—but another 20-30% either say they’re maybe unlikely or might want to wait,” she says.
FULL STORY →
6ABC.com
Dr. David Fajgenbaum and Ajay Raju—Overheard part II
David Fajgenbaum of the Perelman School of Medicine was interviewed about surviving Castleman Disease.
FULL STORY →
The New York Times
Dermatology has a problem with skin color
Susan Taylor of the Perelman School of Medicine co-authored “Dermatology for Skin of Color,” a textbook about treating skin conditions in people with darker skin tones. “We shouldn’t have to write separate textbooks—that information should be integrated into the quote-unquote standard textbooks,” she said.
FULL STORY →