Blocking tumor signals can hinder cancer’s spread Studying the molecular players that foster cancer’s spread, a team of basic science researchers from Penn have identified a way to halt it. By inhibiting an enzyme, they successfully reduced the spread of lung metastases in a mouse model of melanoma, also significantly prolonging survival. (Image: Courtesy of Serge Fuchs) Blocking tumor signals can hinder cancer’s spread A cross-campus team led by Serge Fuchs of the School of Veterinary Medicine used an inhibitor of an enzyme called p38α kinase to suppress the spread of melanoma to the lungs in a mouse model.
At a community health center, doctors offer COVID testing—and screening for depression At a community health center, doctors offer COVID testing—and screening for depression The Sayre Health Center in West Philadelphia is including anxiety and depression screening with COVID-19 testing, a necessity for a population especially at risk for both.
New liver cancer research targets non-cancer cells to blunt tumor growth New liver cancer research targets non-cancer cells to blunt tumor growth By targeting senescent cells using “senotherapy,” researchers can greatly reduce tumors in models.
COVID-19’s assault on Black and Brown communities COVID-19’s assault on Black and Brown communities Racism, inequality, and the coronavirus have combined to cause an alarming number of COVID-19 cases and deaths among African-American and Latinx populations.
Do political beliefs affect social distancing? Do political beliefs affect social distancing? A new study found that political partisanship influenced Americans’ decisions to voluntarily engage in physical distancing at the start of the pandemic, particularly in response to communications by state governors.
To boost opioid treatment prescriptions, entice physicians To boost opioid treatment prescriptions, entice physicians A new study shows that a financial incentive can dramatically increase the number of emergency department physicians trained to prescribe a potentially life-saving medication that prevents patients from fatal opioid overdose.
Side Gigs for Good during COVID-19 Side Gigs for Good during COVID-19 Whether making masks, writing letters, raising funds, or shopping for neighbors, members of the Penn community have stepped up during the pandemic to support those in need.
Steep decline in organ transplants amid COVID-19 outbreak Steep decline in organ transplants amid COVID-19 outbreak France and the United States have experienced a significant reduction in the number of organ donations and solid organ transplant procedures since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Activating an estrogen receptor can stop pancreatic cancer cells from growing Activating an estrogen receptor can stop pancreatic cancer cells from growing Activating the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor has been shown to stop pancreatic cancer from growing, but may also make tumors more visible to the immune system and thus more susceptible to modern immunotherapy.
Nurses go beyond the caregiving Nurses at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, seen here in personal protective equipment, use thermal scanners to check the temperature of every person who enters the facility. (Image: Daniel Burke) Nurses go beyond the caregiving In the face of a disease that requires physical separation from other human beings, these care providers have extended their role, taking on tasks usually relegated to others and sitting in as family and friends to the ill.