Perelman School of Medicine

Taking out the protein garbage becomes more difficult as neurons age

As cells age, their ability to remove damaged proteins and structures declines, which could be a risk factor for neurodegenerative brain diseases.

20 brain scans showing regions affected by neurological damage.

Brain matter altered in U.S. personnel who developed neurological symptoms in Cuba

Images reveal key brain differences, particularly in the cerebellum, between impacted patients and healthy individuals, which may underlie clinical findings previously reported by the Penn team.

A rendering of a plasma cell lymphocyte.

A new cancer drug, thanks to a new approach

Researchers in the Abramson Cancer Center helped bring new hope to patients with multiple myeloma with a drug that targets the command center of a cancer cell.

small child stands on scale with error message with adult's feet alongside the scale, symbolizing early weight stigma

Early and ongoing weight stigma linked to internal weight shaming

Self stigma surrounding weight is associated with poor mental and physical health, and a new study identifies key characteristics of people who are most prone to this internalization.

Cluster of multicolored balls drawn with various emoji faces.

Cross-cultural similarities and differences in emoji usage

While the idea of emojis unifying people across language barriers is enticing, people of different cultures might not use emojis in the same way.

child looking at shoulder while parent sprays sunscreen on.

Further testing on sunscreen is needed. That’s no reason to avoid it

Following a study on active ingredients in sunscreen, the takeaway is: Wear it. Avobenzone, which was found to be absorbed into the bloodstream, is not ‘not safe,’ says dermatology’s Bruce Bod.

Reaching millennial women ‘where they’re at’—on Instagram

Researchers in the Women’s Health Clinical Research Center at Penn Medicine began experimenting with using Instagram for clinical birth control trial recruitment in 2017, and have since seen a surge in research participants.

Artificial cells can deliver molecules better than the real thing

With an onion-like structure, the artificial cells developed by researchers at Penn appear more stable and better equipped to carry cargo than their natural and commercial counterparts.

points of light representing the human torso and the human heart signifying cardiovascular health

Cardiac genetic mutation may not always predict heart disease

Researchers at Penn Medicine and Geisinger find only 5% of patients with a mutation of the TTN gene have dilated cardiomyopathy, despite changes in heart function.

A smiling woman stands next to a screen that displays energy usage information for chiller plant system.

Saving energy in the buildings that save lives

In a Q&A, Kat Morlang, energy manager at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, discusses optimizing chiller plants, swapping out inefficient lights, and other ideas to make the health system as energy-efficient as possible.

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