12.1
Perelman School of Medicine
The view from inside the ‘medical scandal’ of China’s gene-edited babies
The view from inside the ‘medical scandal’ of China’s gene-edited babies
In a Q&A, geneticist Kiran Musunuru describes his unintentional connection to the scientist behind the scandal and the book that came out of the experience.
Side gigs for good
Side gigs for good
After putting in a full, impactful day at work at Penn, some faculty and staff fill their spare hours with endeavors that make a difference.
Living in poor communities, dying from heart disease
Living in poor communities, dying from heart disease
A new study, led by Penn Medicine, found counties that experienced the most economic distress from 2010 to 2015 had the highest cardiovascular mortality rates.
Researchers identify method to slow down cancer cells efforts to multiply
Researchers identify method to slow down cancer cells efforts to multiply
A study from the Abramson Cancer Center finds that turning on a key metabolic process could make soft tissue sarcoma more susceptible to treatment.
Computer-generated antibiotics and biosensor Band-Aids
Computer-generated antibiotics and biosensor Band-Aids
For Penn synthetic biologist César de la Fuente and his team, these concepts aren’t some far-off ideal. They’re projects already in progress, and they have huge real-world implications should they succeed.
Seven years later, PrEP access remains a challenge
Seven years later, PrEP access remains a challenge
Getting PrEP in the hands of high-risk communities remains a challenge; Penn researchers and practitioners are finding ways to reduce barriers and investigate new forms of the drug.
This Penn heart patient is a 9-year-old boxer dog named Sophie
This Penn heart patient is a 9-year-old boxer dog named Sophie
Sophie underwent a cardiac ablation procedure in a Perelman School of Medicine translational research lab to treat her arrhythmia—the first time a dog with her diagnosis received such a treatment. Veterinary cardiologist Anna Gelzer says of the collaboration, “It’s the best of both worlds.”
Eating disorders grow more prevalent and skew younger
Eating disorders grow more prevalent and skew younger
Experts say a team approach between clinicians and those close to the individual are necessary to properly address an eating disorder, and still, relapses are a common occurrence.
Tall people: Your hearts are at risk
Tall people: Your hearts are at risk
The research team reveals a strong link between the genetic variants associated with height and one’s risk for arterial fibrillation, and is among the first to demonstrate that height may be a causal—not correlated—risk factor for the condition.
Reprogramming ant ‘soldiers’
Reprogramming ant ‘soldiers’
A Penn study reveals the epigenetic pathway that controls social behavior in carpenter ants, finding that the ants reprogram up to five days after they hatch, while reprogramming was ineffective at the 10-day mark.
In the News
U.S. News & World Report
Antarctic study shows isolation, monotony may change the human brain
Alexander Stahn of the Perelman School of Medicine led a study that found a volume decrease in the hippocampi of explorers who spent 14 months at a research station in Antarctica. “It was an average of about 7%, which is really big in terms of brain changes,” he said.
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The Washington Post
Do NAD-boosting supplements fight aging? Not according to current research
Joseph Baur of the Perelman School of Medicine said that while supplements claiming to increase NAD levels and improve longevity are unlikely to do harm, they’re ineffective when it comes to actually extending human life. “There have been several short-term clinical trials that have been mostly disappointing,” he said.
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Men’s Health
Wait, is it safe to take cold medicine when you’re breastfeeding?
Anna Graseck of the Perelman School of Medicine said, “Over-the-counter cold medicines are generally safe for breast feeding moms,” but warned that anything containing the decongestants pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine can impact the milk supply.
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Fast Company
How old are you really? Elysium Health will tell you—for $500
Joseph Baur of the Perelman School of Medicine said the startup Elysium Health’s claims that they can make cells behavior as though they were younger is “one of these things that is based mostly on benefits in mouse models. I think it’s a wide open question how beneficial this will ultimately turn out to be in humans.”
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Today.com
Veterans with PTSD struggle to parent, but help is available
Leah Blain of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the difficulties of parenting for veterans with PTSD. “That feeling being jumpy or on guard—you can imagine how that is going to translate with the kiddos. They have so much energy, which is wonderful, but it is a lot to process all the time if your symptoms are working all the time,” she said.
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