3/19
Perelman School of Medicine
Want to Cut Calories? New Penn Studies Suggest Placing Orders Before It's Time to Eat
Want to cut calories and make healthier meal choices? Try avoiding unhealthy impulse purchases by ordering meals at least an hour before eating.
Penn Study Shows Elevated Brain Blood Flow Linked to Anxiety and Mood Symptoms in Females
Adolescence is a critical period for emotional maturation and is a time when significant symptoms of anxiety and depression can increase, particularly in females. Prior work by a team of Penn Medicine researchers found that sex-specific changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) begin at puberty.
Penn Study: Friendly Competition and a Financial Incentive Increases Team Exercise
Would having your exercise performance compared to that of your peers motivate you do more? A new study suggests it might. And adding a financial incentive would only sweeten the deal even more.
Penn Medicine: Hybrid Immune Cells in Early-Stage Lung Cancer Spur Anti-Tumor T Cells to Action
The microenvironment of tumors is a mix of cell types, mostly comprised of inflammatory cells. White blood cells, recruited from the blood and bone marrow, represent a significant portion of these inflammatory cells and influence nearly all steps of tumor progression.
Insurance Mandates Lead to More Children Diagnosed and Treated for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Penn Study Finds
State mandates requiring commercial health plans to cover the cost of services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have resulted in an increased number of children being diagnosed and treated for ASD, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Three Veterans at the University of Pennsylvania Named 2016 Tillman Scholars
Three military veterans who are enrolled as graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania, John Schippert, Jonathan Wood and Matthew Miclette, have been appointed as 2016 Tillman Scholars through the Pat Tillman Foundation.
Penn Medicine: Neuroscience Researchers Caution Public About Hidden Risks of Self-Administered Brain Stimulation
The growing trend of "do-it-yourself" transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) poses hidden risks to healthy members of the public who seek to use the technique for cognitive enhancement.
Despite Increasing Global Legalization of Physician-Assisted Suicide, Use Remains Rare, Penn Study Finds
Despite increasing legalization of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) worldwide, the practice remains relatively rare and, when carried out, is primarily motivated by psychological factors such as loss of autonomy or enjoyment of life, rather than physical pain.
Penn Medicine: New Therapy Treats Autoimmune Disease Without Harming Normal Immunity
In a study with potentially major implications for the future treatment of autoimmunity and related conditions, scientists from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found a way to remove the subset of antibody-making cells that cause an autoimmune disease, without harming the rest of the immune system.
Penn Engineers Develop $2 Portable Zika Test
University of Pennsylvania engineers have developed a rapid, low-cost genetic test for the Zika virus. The $2 testing device, about the size of a soda can, does not require electricity or technical expertise to use. A patient would simply provide a saliva sample. Color-changing dye turns blue when the genetic assay detects the presence of the virus.
In the News
Sugar-coated gold nanoparticles could replace some antibiotics
According to a Penn Medicine study, a new therapy involving laser light and sugar-coated gold nanoparticles can reduce tooth decay and infected wounds without needing antibiotics.
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A new strategy to attack aggressive brain cancer shrank tumors in two early tests
A clinical trial led by Stephen Bagley of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that targeting two associated proteins with CAR T cell therapy could be a viable strategy for shrinking brain tumors.
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Alzheimer’s may be caused by a build-up of fat in brain cells
A study by Michael Haney of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that the root cause of Alzheimer’s is a build-up of fat droplets in brain cells.
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Philadelphia hospital program adds psychologists to bridge mental health services for trauma survivors
A new psychology team at the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program has provided about 46 survivors with short- and long- term therapy, featuring remarks from Elinore Kaufman and Lily Brown of the Perelman School of Medicine.
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Social factors may ‘disproportionately’ affect transplant process
A 2023 study led by researchers at Penn found that 44% of patients evaluated for liver transplants were not placed on organ wait lists, with nearly 17% rejected because of psychosocial or financial reasons. Marina Serper and Tamara Cozzi of Penn Medicine discuss the evaluation process for transplants.
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