Coronavirus Research

A mostly eaten apple in front of a mirror showing a whole, uneaten apple.

Hospitalizations for eating disorder increased during pandemic

Researchers can’t yet pinpoint definitive reasons, though they surmise it was a combination of factors, including stress, an outsized focus on weight gain and personal appearance, and maybe even symptoms of COVID-19 itself.

COVID-19 patient in a hospital bed wearing a mask with two medical personnel beside them in full PPE.

How observation units and texting shortened hospital stays during COVID-19

An analysis of hospital care for COVID-19 patients shows that while short hospitalizations were often unavoidable, it is be possible to expedite the discharge for patients who could continue to recover at home, with some additional clinical support from the health system.

The miracle workers

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine were among those named as Time’s 2021 Heroes of the Year for their research on mRNA, the foundation for the COVID-19 vaccines.

Penn researchers developing gum that could reduce COVID transmission

Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, and School of Veterinary Medicine, along with the Wistar Institute and Fraunhofer USA, are developing a chewing gum laced with a plant-grown protein that could neutralize the COVID-19 virus in saliva.

Side by side panels that compare before treatment with after treatment with ACE2 gum show a marked decline in bubbles, indicating the virus.

A chewing gum that could reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission

In experiments using saliva samples from COVID-19 patients, the gum, which contains the ACE2 protein, neutralized the virus, according to research led by School of Dental Medicine scientists.

Amid challenges to Biden's vaccine mandate, study shows they work

PIK Professor Dolores Albarracín, Jess Fishman, and Andy Tan, all of the Leonard Davis Institute, wrote an op-ed about the efficacy of vaccine mandates. “Regulations can promote behaviors that benefit society and, in so doing, also may instill social norms to do the right thing,” they wrote.

Penn finds that using automated texts to monitor COVID-19 patients at home saved lives

An analysis of Penn Medicine’s COVID Watch, an automated texting program that helps monitor the condition of COVID-19 patients recovering at home, found that the risk of death for participants was 64% lower than for those receiving the usual care. Furthermore, participants with worsening symptoms went to the emergency department earlier and started treatment sooner than typical patients. “We think that is the mechanism by which we prevented deaths,” said Krisda Chaiyachati.

Sharon Wolf gesturing with her hands speaking to someone in an office.

Sharon Wolf’s work in Ghana expands to address pandemic-related inequalities

The assistant professor at Penn GSE applies research of children, their primary caregiver, and teachers throughout the pandemic about their experiences with remote schooling to a new approach in controlling learning opportunities before gaps in learning form.

Why you should not use ivermectin or other unproven COVID-19 remedies instead of getting vaccinated

Julio A. Chirinos of the Perelman School of Medicine is leading a study of fenofibrate, a low-cost cholesterol drug that may be able to fight COVID-19.

Child wearing mask in school writes at a desk

With more kids eligible for vaccines, is the pandemic in a new phase?

With the FDA authorization last week, 28 million more children are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Experts from the School of Nursing and Perelman School of Medicine share their thoughts about what to expect in the weeks and months to come.

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