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Katherine Unger Baillie
Science News Officer
kbaillie@upenn.edu
Biology
Replicating fetal bone growth process could help heal large bone defects
A new study finds large bone defects could be regenerated through stem cell implantation and mimic the process of rapid fetal bone growth.
Why are so many women still dying from childbirth?
Experts from Penn discuss the role that social determinants, socioeconomics, and racism play, and how the University is addressing the maternal mortality crisis head on.
Compound’s benefits aren’t tied to the body clock
New research from Penn Medicine overturns what was previously known about a compound associated with reductions in obesity and diabetes risk.
Senior pictures
Graduating senior and photographer Isabel Zapata captured 57 of her classmates in places of significance to create Torch Magazine. The publication features their reflections as well as her portraits.
A link between mitochondrial damage and osteoporosis
In healthy people, a tightly controlled process balances the activity of osteoblasts, which build bone, and osteoclasts, which break it down. Damage to cells’ mitochondria can make that process go awry, meaning exposure to cigarette smoke, alcohol, environmental toxins can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Putting mussels to the test
With a mussel hatchery in the future for the Schuylkill River, students in Byron Sherwood’s field biology course used scientific rigor to ask how effectively these filter feeders might render the water clean.
We’re only as good as our microbiomes are happy
Understanding the microbiome, the collection of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the gut, is helping to sort out the intricacies of diet, chronobiology, cancer treatment, and more.
Microbiologist named Penn Presidential Professor
Kellie Ann Jurado has been recognized by President Amy Gutmann for her research on the immune system and viral infections. Her current work is on the immune response during a Zika infection.
Certain strains of bacteria associated with diabetic wounds that do not heal
A new study finds that whether a wound like a diabetic foot ulcer heals or progresses to a worse outcome, including infection or even amputation, may depend on the microbiome within that wound.
Philadelphia: The new city of science
Penn researchers will be involved in a weeklong series of interactive activities and events across the city as part of the Philadelphia Science Festival.
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In the News
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
Scientists Isolate Human Lung Progenitor Cells That Repair Alveolar Damage
Edward E. Morrisey, of the Perelman School of Medicine, has co-authored a paper on lung stem cells in mice and humans, which may lead to the development of new strategies for human lung regeneration.
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The Scientist
Parasitologist, Reprogrammed: A Profile of David Roos
David Roos of the School of Arts and Sciences was profiled for his journey from art major to scientist and for his current work developing EuPathDB, a catalog of “parasites and other pathogens.”
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