10.21
Medicine
Providing a ‘LIFT’ to first-generation med students
Providing a ‘LIFT’ to first-generation med students
All new students face challenges in the transition to college, but for first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students, it’s a whole new world. Providing a community for these students helps counter feelings of isolation and the “impostor” syndrome that FGLI students may experience.
Researchers unravel the early makings of an exhausted T cell
Researchers unravel the early makings of an exhausted T cell
Knowing which T cells will lose the battle against cancer earlier could inform treatments and the development of new immunotherapies.
#OldBoysClub: Twitter and gender disparities in health services research
#OldBoysClub: Twitter and gender disparities in health services research
A JAMA Internal Medicine study of Twitter users find that female health services and policy researchers had considerably less reach and influence on the social media platform than their male counterparts.
In pursuit of a cure, when ideas and options have run out
In pursuit of a cure, when ideas and options have run out
A new book from Penn Medicine’s David Fajgenbaum chronicles his journey to beat Castleman disease, a rare disorder that he’s lived with for almost a decade.
Mounting brain organoid research reignites ethical debate
Mounting brain organoid research reignites ethical debate
Penn neuroscientists call for an ethical framework grounded in scientific principles for transplanting human “mini-brains” into animals as the field evolves.
Gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy safely preserves muscle function
Gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy safely preserves muscle function
A Penn study shows delivering a “distant cousin” of a key protein prevented muscle damage without triggering an immune response in large animal models.
Penn alumnus Gregg L. Semenza awarded Nobel in Physiology or Medicine 2019
Penn alumnus Gregg L. Semenza awarded Nobel in Physiology or Medicine 2019
He is one of a trio of researchers sharing the award for their studies of how cells sense and adapt to varying oxygen levels.
Can the additive tree expand machine learning in medicine?
Can the additive tree expand machine learning in medicine?
By combining elements of two widely used prediction models, the “additive tree” is a highly predictive model that is also easy to interpret.
Identifying a gene for canine night blindness
Identifying a gene for canine night blindness
An international team of researchers led by the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Keiko Miyadera has identified the gene mutation responsible for a form of night blindness in dogs. Strategies to treat this condition could also inform treatment of other diseases that rely on targeting this cell type.
Opioid prescriptions filled after eye surgery doubled over a decade
Opioid prescriptions filled after eye surgery doubled over a decade
A Penn study suggests efforts in the past decade to reduce the invasiveness and recovery time for these procedures have not reduced opioid use.
In the News
The New Yorker
The mystery of the Havana Syndrome
The Perelman School of Medicine’s Douglas Smith offered commentary on the concussion-like symptoms experienced by American diplomats in Havana in the winter of 2017. While some have suggested that their symptoms were psychosomatic, Smith said that “there was not one individual on the team [at Penn] who was not convinced that this was a real thing.”
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CBS News
Eating more fish or taking omega-3 fish oil supplements can cut heart attack risk, studies find
To lower one’s risk of heart disease, the Perelman School of Medicine’s Helene Glassberg recommended eating more fish over taking fish oil supplements. “Get it in your diet if you can, from omega-3 fatty fish like salmon or sardines,” said Glassberg. “This is the best way to get it and not spend $30 on a bottle of supplements at a health food store.”
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