Frank Otto

Children face elevated kidney, heart, and gut risks for years after COVID infection

Children face elevated kidney, heart, and gut risks for years after COVID infection

Findings from researchers at Penn Medicine show elevated risks for chronic organ disease among children, and reveal some racial differences in long COVID risks.

2 min. read

Nudge boosts statin-prescribing, means fewer pharmacy trips

Nudge boosts statin-prescribing, means fewer pharmacy trips

Statins are lifesaving to those with high cholesterol, but patients don’t always take them. A nudge that increased long-term prescriptions could be key.

2 min. read

Meniscus injuries may soon be treated by customizable hydrogel

Meniscus injuries may soon be treated by customizable hydrogel

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine found a new 3D-printed customizable hydrogel performed well in preclinical trials with several different types of meniscal tears, offering a potential mend for common joint injuries.

1 min. read

Survey shows patients with disabilities less likely to feel respect from doctors

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Survey shows patients with disabilities less likely to feel respect from doctors

A new Penn Medicine analysis shows that patients with disabilities were both less likely to feel respect from their doctors and less likely to feel their doctors explained things well.

Online health care reviews turned negative following COVID pandemic

Image: iStock/AndreyPopov

Online health care reviews turned negative following COVID pandemic

New research shows online reviews of health facilities took a negative turn after COVID and remain that way.

To get drivers to put down their phones, make it a game

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To get drivers to put down their phones, make it a game

A large trial of strategies to reduce distracted driving presented by Penn Medicine experts show that those that were “gamified” yielded a lasting reduction in handheld phone usage while driving.

When there’s money to lose, phone usage while driving drops

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When there’s money to lose, phone usage while driving drops

New research from Penn Medicine finds that feedback plus cash incentives designed with insights from behavioral science reduces phone use while driving.

New approach accurately identifies medications most toxic to the liver

Image: iStock/Mohammed Haneefa Nizamudeen

New approach accurately identifies medications most toxic to the liver

A Penn Medicine-led study developed a novel approach to using health care data to measure rates of liver injury, as the current method of counting cases is not providing an accurate picture.

Rare disease’s DNA-damaging mutation could have consequences for more common conditions

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Rare disease’s DNA-damaging mutation could have consequences for more common conditions

In their pursuit to discover the mechanism behind how the deadly rare disease RVCL does its damage, Penn Medicine researchers found some clues to the DNA damage theory of aging.

Text reminders help connect health care workers to care and improve their mental health

Image: iStock/Chainarong Prasertthai

Text reminders help connect health care workers to care and improve their mental health

Nationwide, health care workers are facing strains to mental health, but Penn Medicine’s regular reminders about its mental health platform lead to significant improvements of symptoms.