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Infectious Diseases
Harnessing an innate protection against Ebola
School of Veterinary Medicine researchers have identified a cellular pathway that keeps Ebola virus from exiting human cells, with implications for developing new antivirals.
Five things to know about this year’s ‘tripledemic’
The Perelman School of Medicine’s E. John Wherry and Scott Hensley discuss the season’s confluence of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV and how our bodies are responding.
How sex differences may influence lung injury
Comparing lung cells from male and female mice, School of Veterinary Medicine scientists found gene expression differences that may explain why older males are at a higher risk than females for worse outcomes from COVID-19 and similar diseases.
New mRNA vaccine to fight 20 known subtypes of influenza
Heading into clinical trials, the new research from Penn Medicine may serve as a general preventative measure against future flu pandemics.
The monkeypox outbreak: What we learned so far, and what could be better
Penn experts assess the state of the monkeypox outbreak, messaging surrounding the ongoing vaccine rollout, and how the public can be better informed for the future.
Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’ and spread on teeth
These multicellular, cross-kingdom assemblages were more resistant to antimicrobials and removal and caused more extensive tooth decay than their single-species equivalents, according to research led by School of Dental Medicine scientists.
Landscape and climate factors can predict prevalence of Lyme disease bacteria
Environmental models, developed by biologist Dustin Brisson of the School of Arts & Sciences, former graduate student Tam Tran, and colleagues, could help forecast disease hotspots.
Chewing to curb COVID
Penn Medicine will conduct a new clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a chewing gum designed by School of Dental Medicine researchers to trap SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva.
Monkeypox: What is known and unknown
The current outbreak of monkeypox is showing no sign of slowing. Stuart Isaacs of the Perelman School of Medicine, an expert on poxviruses, sheds light on the disease, its prevention and treatment, and what to watch for this fall.
Severe COVID-19 increases risk of life-threatening blood clots
A new Penn study finds the clotting condition, venous thromboembolism, was more common in those hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to those hospitalized with influenza.
In the News
Virology is part of the golden age of health: Don’t dismantle it
James Alwine of the Perelman School of Medicine co-writes that over-regulation could unduly constrain the ability to respond to future viral pandemic threats.
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Coryza, an avian influenza lookalike, lingers in Lancaster
Sherrill Davison of the School of Veterinary Medicine outlines the symptoms and signs of infectious coryza, an avian influenza lookalike.
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Penn scientists are honored for mRNA research used in COVID vaccines
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine have been named to the National Inventors Hall of Fame for their research on mRNA vaccines.
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COVID-19 is more widespread in animals than we thought
Frederic Bushman of the Perelman School of Medicine says that many mammalian ACE-2 receptors are proving susceptible to COVID, even if they aren’t a perfect match.
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What’s next for mRNA vaccines
Norbert Pardi of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues are developing a universal mRNA flu vaccine, featuring remarks from mRNA pioneer Katalin Karikó.
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New COVID variant drives increase in Pa. and N.J. infections
Frederic Bushman of the Perelman School of Medicine says that the new XBB.1.5 COVID variant is more immune-evasive and is sharply increasing in Pennsylvania as a proportion of all infections.
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