Challenges and advances in brain-computer interfaces The concept of a brain-computer interface was first proposed and experimented upon in the 1970s by Jacques Vidal, who demonstrated that humans could control a cursor on a computer screen using their brain waves. (iStock /Tatiana Sozonova) Challenges and advances in brain-computer interfaces Following FDA approval for tech startups to begin human clinical trials for brain-computer interfacing technologies, Penn Today met with Anna Wexler of the Perelman School of Medicine to discuss the promising possibilities and potential pitfalls of neurotechnology.
Breaking down barriers to blood donation for LGBTQ+ people (Image: iStock/hxdbzxy) Breaking down barriers to blood donation for LGBTQ+ people New blood donation rules empower more LGBTQ+ people to give and expand the blood supply.
Auto-nudges increase emergency department treatment of opioid use disorder Image: iStock/Sviatlana Lazarenka Auto-nudges increase emergency department treatment of opioid use disorder A Penn Medicine study finds assessment for opioid withdrawal doubles when a triage screening question is paired with electronic health record automated prompts.
A better understanding into how genes make us prone to allergies Image: iStock/Phira Phonruewiangphing A better understanding into how genes make us prone to allergies Slight alterations in the ETS1 protein level can lead to allergic inflammation.
The problem of race-specific tests in lung care Image: iStock/Svitlana Hulko The problem of race-specific tests in lung care Using different baseline lung function for Black and white patients leads to lower rates of diagnosis in Black patients, say Penn LDI fellows.
New, precise, and efficient DNA sequencing method may lead to easier testing and earlier cancer detection Image: iStock/ismagilov New, precise, and efficient DNA sequencing method may lead to easier testing and earlier cancer detection The technique, created by Penn Medicine researchers, requires smaller DNA samples for testing and opens up potential new opportunities for next-generation diagnostics.
Demystifying the supporting role of key cellular structures Image: iStock/Christoph Burgstedt Demystifying the supporting role of key cellular structures Penn researchers shed light on actin, a key cell-structure protein, and their findings offer insights into treating many muscle, bone, heart, immune, and neurological disorders.
Cells linking chronic psychological stress to inflammatory bowel disease identified Image: iStock/Vadym Pastukh Cells linking chronic psychological stress to inflammatory bowel disease identified New Penn Medicine research finds cells in central nervous system communicate stress responses to the gastrointestinal tract.
Data suggests stopping immunotherapy after two years is reasonable in patients with advanced lung cancer Image: iStock/XiXinXing Data suggests stopping immunotherapy after two years is reasonable in patients with advanced lung cancer A new Penn Medicine study finds indefinite immunotherapy is not associated with improved survival in large, retrospective cohort.
Smoke safety: What to know and how to keep safe with poor air quality A person cycles past the skyline in Philadelphia shrouded in haze, Thursday, June 8, 2023. Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside. (Image: AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Q&A Smoke safety: What to know and how to keep safe with poor air quality Olajumoke O. Fadugba of the Perelman School of Medicine addresses why smoke irritates the body, why people with allergies and asthma are particularly affected, and how to stay safe. Writer: Kristina García