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Health Sciences
How health systems can build a culture of anti-racism
How health systems can build a culture of anti-racism
A trio of Black academicians at Penn Medicine discuss how health systems can use their power, might, and resources to foster racial equality in health systems and communities.
Researchers begin forming guidance on properly managing COVID-19 patient airways
Researchers begin forming guidance on properly managing COVID-19 patient airways
As the pandemic continues and knowledge about it evolves, a team of researchers has worked to form a consensus on topics including intubation, high-flow nasal oxygen, and the use of personal protective equipment.
COVID-19 patients survive in-hospital cardiac arrest at pre-pandemic rates
COVID-19 patients survive in-hospital cardiac arrest at pre-pandemic rates
Resuscitation and survival rates are much higher than earlier reports of near-zero, and variation at the individual hospital level may have affected overall numbers.
Charting a path forward with unifying definition of cytokine storm
Charting a path forward with unifying definition of cytokine storm
Penn Medicine researchers have developed a unifying definition of “cytokine storm” to provide a framework to assess and treat patients whose immune systems have gone rogue.
Researchers unlock the door to tumor microenvironment for CAR T cells
Researchers unlock the door to tumor microenvironment for CAR T cells
A new study finds that combining CAR T thereapy with an enzyme-inhibitor drug allows the engineered cells to battle through jumbled blood vessels and attack tumors.
A modified game of ‘chicken’ reveals what happens in the brain during decision-making
A modified game of ‘chicken’ reveals what happens in the brain during decision-making
Research from the Platt Labs found that in rhesus macaques, two regions of the brain mirror those of similar regions in humans, broadening the understanding of what unfolds, neurologically, when people interact and cooperate.
Scientists identify brain cells that drive wakefulness and resist general anesthetics
Scientists identify brain cells that drive wakefulness and resist general anesthetics
A new study that identifies the neurons that promote wakefulness supports a long-debated hypothesis that the brain’s sleep regulation mechanism also regulates its response to general anesthetics.
Closing the racial disparity gap in survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest
Closing the racial disparity gap in survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest
Despite investments to improve the quality of resuscitation efforts, fewer than 25% of all patients that experience cardiac arrests in hospitals survive to discharge, and survival varies significantly across hospitals and by race.
Potential cellular target for eliminating bone breakdown in osteoporosis found
Potential cellular target for eliminating bone breakdown in osteoporosis found
New research has discovered a cell type that governs the way bones form and maintain themselves, opening up a potential target for future therapies for bone disorders like osteoporosis.
Penn joins ‘cryo revolution’ by adding Nobel-winning microscope
Penn joins ‘cryo revolution’ by adding Nobel-winning microscope
The Singh Center’s Krios G3i, an electron microscope for studying samples at extremely low temperatures, allows researchers to look at cells, proteins, and nanoparticles like never before.
In the News
Health.com
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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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.”
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The Washington Post
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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The Washington Post
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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Philadelphia Inquirer
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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