1.15
Health Sciences
Penn Vice Provost Ezekiel Emanuel named to President-elect Biden’s Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board
Penn Vice Provost Ezekiel Emanuel named to President-elect Biden’s Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board
Emanuel has been tapped as member of a team of leading public health and scientific experts to advise on the Biden-Harris COVID-19 response.
Wellness resources at your fingertips
Wellness resources at your fingertips
When facing the challenges of the current moment, Penn students, faculty, and staff have options to promote their emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
At the Clyde Barker Transplant House, respite and comfort food for the soul
At the Clyde Barker Transplant House, respite and comfort food for the soul
A partnership between the Clyde F. Barker Penn Transplant House and the Walnut Hill College culinary school gives transplant patients and their families hearty meals and much-needed comfort from the West Philadelphia community.
Fatal police shootings among Black Americans remain high, unchanged since 2015
Fatal police shootings among Black Americans remain high, unchanged since 2015
Violent encounters with police represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S., especially among Black, Indigenous, and people of color. A new study characterizes trends and quantifies inequities across racial/ethnic groups.
Inside the pandemic’s health provider financial crisis
Inside the pandemic’s health provider financial crisis
In an LDI virtual seminar, experts from top hospital, health center, and primary care positions detailed the fiscal disruption and uncertain future created by the COVID crisis.
‘Fast’ MRI detects breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss
‘Fast’ MRI detects breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss
Abbreviated MRI shortens the screening time and requires only three sequences, while traditional ultrasound’s limitations don’t detect cancer as reliably for women with higher breast density.
Media’s reporting on gun violence does not reflect reality
Media’s reporting on gun violence does not reflect reality
A new study looks at media reports in three cities and finds half of victims were covered in the news, but a disproportionate amount of attention was given to less common circumstances and victims.
Priming the immune system to attack cancer
Priming the immune system to attack cancer
An international team, co-led by the School of Dental Medicine’s George Hajishengallis, showed how immune “training” transforms certain immune cells to target tumors.
The role of data in a world reshaped by COVID-19
The role of data in a world reshaped by COVID-19
Experts across Penn share their insights on how data and data science affect their fields in the context of an ongoing pandemic.
Direct-to-consumer COVID-19 testing
Direct-to-consumer COVID-19 testing
Concerns over direct-to-consumer COVID-19 tests may override the benefits, with issues of safety, efficacy, and ethics in question.
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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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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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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