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Health Sciences
Jameson’s term extended as head of Penn Health System and Perelman School of Medicine
Penn president Amy Gutmann announced that Jameson will serve as dean of the Perelman School of Medicine through June 30, 2025.
Gun injuries in the U.S. each day number 329—for every death, two survive
Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine examine trends in fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries to inform prevention strategies.
Project Quaker testing program key to a safe campus reopening
Developed in partnership with Penn Medicine, the program aims to conduct 40,000 COVID-19 tests each week and will support ongoing plans to bring students back to campus this spring.
From preserving mummies to practicing medicine
Physician-in-training Charlotte Tisch draws on her background in archaeological artifacts for her medical training, even reaching out to museums for PPE during the pandemic.
Vision researchers honored by End Blindness 2020
The Outstanding Achievement Prize highlights the contributions of the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Gustavo D. Aguirre and the Perelman School of Medicine’s Jean Bennett and Albert M. Maguire toward a gene therapy for a form of blindness.
Organoids to rebuild the brain
Penn neuroscientists are developing innovative ways to treat neurological diseases, including implanting neural tissue like a brain organoid to rebuild brain circuitry.
Increasing HPV vaccine uptake in adolescents
More than 90% of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers could be prevented by widespread uptake of the HPV vaccine. Yet, vaccine use in the United States falls short of public health goals.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine emergency use authorization: Five takeaways
The Perelman School of Medicine’s Holly Fernandez Lynch sheds light on the regulatory process that will allow companies to begin distributing their COVID -19 vaccines.
No change in preterm birth or stillbirth in Philadelphia during pandemic
Challenging earlier reports, a CHOP-Penn Medicine study employed a rigorous analysis of a diverse, urban pregnancy cohort and found no significant changes.
Home health care improves COVID-19 outcomes
Survivors of COVID-19 often have health ramifications from their illness and hospital stay, and until now, no data has been available on the outcomes of COVID-19 patients discharged home after hospitalization and their recovery needs.
In the News
What is trypanophobia? How to cope with a fear of needles so you can get the COVID-19 vaccine
Thea Gallagher of the Perelman School of Medicine offered tips for overcoming fear of needles in order to get the COVID-19 vaccine, starting with just making the appointment. "More doing and less thinking is an important way to overcome your fear," she said.
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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.”
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Study suggests Pfizer vaccine works against virus variant
Frederic Bushman of the Perelman School of Medicine said there’s no reason to think the COVID-19 vaccines won’t work on new strains of the virus. “A mutation will change one little place, but it’s not going to disrupt binding to all of them,” he said.
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Could cutting or delaying doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to immunize more people make the pandemic last longer?
Steven Joffe of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on the unknown efficacy of a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which was designed to be given in two doses. “Those unknowns are why some people say, ‘We should stick with what we know. By all means, do the trials to test [varied regimens], but don’t just wing it.’ Others say, ‘We are in a race against the virus.’ I’m not going to come down on one side or the other,” he said.
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You’ve seen many images from the Capitol riot. Here’s why it’s okay to take a break
Thea Gallagher of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the effects of exposure to violent media imagery. “You don’t have to be there,” she said. “You can still be traumatized by watching things, hearing about them.”
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