Through
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A round-up of Penn mentions in local, national, and international media.
Penn In the News
While the available COVID-19 shots are still useful, companies are beginning to update their formulas in response to emerging variants. “Whether it turns out to be a false alarm, it would be really good to know if we can actually do this—get a new vaccine rolled out and be ready,” said E. John Wherry of the Perelman School of Medicine.
Penn In the News
Andrea Schneider of the Perelman School of Medicine said research shows that head injuries and genetics can increase a person’s risk of dementia. “One common misconception is that dementia is inevitable with aging. This is not true,” she said. “Dementia is not a normal part of aging; however, the risk of dementia does increase with age.”
Penn In the News
Research co-led by PIK Professor Dolores Albarracín found that those who trust science are more likely to believe and share false claims containing scientific references than those who do not. “A critical mindset can make you less gullible and make you less likely to believe in conspiracy theories,” she said.
Penn In the News
Angela Duckworth of the School of Arts & Sciences helped lead a study that explored the impact of academic, social, and emotional learning loss among high school students who learned remotely last year. “We must recognize that our nation’s students are not just lagging as performers, they are suffering as people," she said.
Penn In the News
James Serpell of the School of Veterinary Medicine spoke about the reciprocal relationship between pets’ and their owners’ feelings. “You can think of many contexts in which having an animal that can anticipate your thoughts is wonderful, in terms of training or performing tasks for people,” he said. “But in the context of an owner who's experiencing a lot of anxiety, you can see the disadvantage.”
Penn In the News
Research from the Annenberg Public Policy Center and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia finds that young adults who use the phone while driving are more likely to engage in other behaviors associated with car crashes. “It may be useful to treat cellphone use while driving as part of a group of risky driving behaviors, such as driving while impaired by alcohol,” said the APPC’s Dan Romer.
Penn In the News
Jordana Cohen of the Perelman School of Medicine co-authored a study that found beta-blocker blood pressure drugs may increase the risk of heart problems in people with HIV. “Ideally, a patient’s primary care and infectious disease team should work together for the best possible outcomes,” she said.
Penn In the News
Roy Hamilton of the Perelman School of Medicine said there’s significant evidence that people from racial or ethnic minority groups tend to receive worse medical care than white patients. “This feeds into or contributes to a complicated cycle of problems where individuals from historically marginalized groups are both more suspicious and more wary of pursuing care,” he said. “And when they do, oftentimes those suspicions are borne out.”
Penn In the News
Research led by Stephanie Mayne of the Perelman School of Medicine found that living in a noisy neighborhood with less green space can negatively impact teens’ sleep, potentially leading to poorer memory and thinking skills. “Our findings suggest that neighborhood noise and green space may be important targets for interventions,” she said.
Penn In the News
Femida Handy of the School of Social Policy & Practice said the pandemic has made charitable giving more challenging. "Individuals wishing to volunteer must find new ways to do so while paying attention to their own health needs alongside that of the communities they serve," she said.