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Health Sciences
Technology, aging patients, and the people who care for them
Technology, aging patients, and the people who care for them
In a quest to ease the care process for older adults and the very sick, as well as their family-member caregivers, PIK professor George Demiris is studying the intersection of smart-home technologies and health informatics.
‘Candy aspirin,’ safety caps, and the history of children’s drugs
‘Candy aspirin,’ safety caps, and the history of children’s drugs
When St. Joseph Aspirin for Children was introduced in the 1940s, it was formulated to be attractive in taste and color to its young audience. Dubbed “candy aspirin,” the product became popular—fast. As a consequence, aspirin poisonings of children under five skyrocketed.
Assets in the opioid epidemic, working dogs can also become its victims
Assets in the opioid epidemic, working dogs can also become its victims
The opioid epidemic is at crisis levels in the U.S., and humans aren’t the only ones at risk. In an interview with Knowledge@ Wharton, the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Cynthia Otto explained the vulnerabilities of working dogs who get exposed to opioids, and how to keep them from harm.
Dogs born in the summertime more likely to suffer heart disease
Dogs born in the summertime more likely to suffer heart disease
Dog days of summer: a study out of the Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Veterinary Medicine has found a correlation between canine health and birth season.
Science and politics: a Q&A with Molly Sheehan
Science and politics: a Q&A with Molly Sheehan
The School of Engineering and Applied Science postdoc researcher discusses what fascinates her about science, her unique path in science and technology, and the role scientists should play in political office.
Ovarian cancer drug shows promise in pancreatic cancer patients
Ovarian cancer drug shows promise in pancreatic cancer patients
Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine have isolated the specific mutations that respond to FDA-approved treatments for ovarian cancer, opening up treatment options for other cancer patients who harbor those mutations.
Different diseases elicit distinct sets of exhausted T cells
Different diseases elicit distinct sets of exhausted T cells
A new study by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine found that immune systems that are battling long-term infections or chronic diseases are left fatigued, and identified nine distinct varieties of exhausted T cells, or Tex.
Helen Fetaw sets her sights on treating underserved populations
Helen Fetaw sets her sights on treating underserved populations
The recent College of Arts and Sciences grad will combine passion for studying medicine and social justice to advocate for patients in the U.S. and around the world.
Leadership training for a new focus on healthcare
Leadership training for a new focus on healthcare
Doctors at the Perelman School of Medicine are focusing on what the future of healthcare will require of its leaders for a well-integrated healthcare system.
Stem cell signaling drives mammary gland development and, possibly, breast cancer
Stem cell signaling drives mammary gland development and, possibly, breast cancer
A connection between mammary stem cells and macrophages, a type of immune cell, is crucial for mammary gland development, and may also figure into the biology of breast cancer.
In the News
Philadelphia Gay News
UPenn hosts free online panel for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion
The Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative, led by José Bauermeister and Jessica Halem of the School of Nursing, will host a free online panel in April on the integration of LGBTQ+ people in the workforce.
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The New Yorker
How to die in good health
PIK Professor Ezekiel Emanuel says that incessantly preparing for old age mistakes a long life for a worthwhile one.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Mayor Parker’s plan to ‘remove the presence of drug users’ from Kensington raises new questions
Shoshana Aronowitz of the School of Nursing and Ashish Thakrar of the Perelman School of Medicine comment on the lack of specificity in Philadelphia’s plan to remove drug users from Kensington and on the current state of drug treatment in the city.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
How many patients would recommend their Philly-area hospital to family and friends? Check your local hospital
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has been named one of the most recommended acute-care facilities by patients in the Philadelphia area.
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
Homeward bound: When a Penn Medicine nurse was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she turned to the service dogs she helped to train
A profile highlights Maria Wright of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, from her volunteer work connecting people with service dogs to her cancer diagnosis and her own journey applying for a service dog.
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