3.30
Medicine
A new way to study HIV’s impact on the brain
A new way to study HIV’s impact on the brain
Using a newly developed laboratory model of three types of brain cells, Penn and CHOP scientists reveal how HIV infection—as well as the drugs that treat it—can take a toll on the central nervous system.
Pavilion powers ahead to combat COVID-19
Pavilion powers ahead to combat COVID-19
Across Philadelphia and the surrounding counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, shops and restaurants have closed their doors, schools and businesses have turned to virtual operations, and all nonessential workers have been ordered to stay at home in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
Providing care from a distance
Providing care from a distance
Telemedicine is a critical tool in the COVID-19 epidemic. Clinicians at the medical, dental, and veterinary schools are making use of virtual encounters to keep providing patients with safe, timely, quality care.
At drive-through testing sites, Penn providers on the front lines of a pandemic
At drive-through testing sites, Penn providers on the front lines of a pandemic
Penn Medicine physicians, nurses, and advanced practice providers have rapidly mobilized to transform a parking lot in West Philadelphia into a COVID-19 testing site.
Takeaways from an overseas epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak
Takeaways from an overseas epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak
John Holmes discussed the epidemiological data on COVID-19 and shared his personal perspectives on the outbreak as a visiting professor working in Northern Italy.
Flattening the curve of coronavirus
Flattening the curve of coronavirus
In the current fast-moving, unprecedented situation, what we do today to stem the impact of COVID-19 can vastly affect what we will face tomorrow. Two epidemiologists discuss what we can do individually and as a society to slow the spread of the disease.
On-campus research to be limited due to COVID-19
On-campus research to be limited due to COVID-19
The Office of the Provost has announced new measures for research activities at Penn in response to COVID-19.
The biology of coronaviruses: From the lab to the spotlight
The biology of coronaviruses: From the lab to the spotlight
The recent coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19, has been swift, but according to microbiology professor Susan Weiss, it didn’t come out of nowhere. Coronaviruses have been around for a long time, and new strains have transformed and may continue to emerge.
Penn is fighting pancreatic cancer
Penn is fighting pancreatic cancer
Researchers within the Penn Pancreatic Research Center and beyond continue to seek innovative ways to treat and detect this deadly disease—and are making promising progress.
Drug found to trigger the ‘energy balance’ system for appetite suppression
Drug found to trigger the ‘energy balance’ system for appetite suppression
Penn researchers show how the FDA-approved drug liraglutide interacts with a distinct set of neurons in the brain’s “energy balance” system to suppress appetite.
In the News
NPR
Her incredible sense of smell is helping scientists find new ways to diagnose disease
Richard Doty of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the use of scent signaling in diagnosing disease. “It used to be that physicians did use breath odor and other odors, to signify certain disorders. But that’s not really invoked presently, because we have so much better ways of [diagnosing] things,” he said.
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The Washington Post
More lifesaving ventilators are available. Hospitals can’t afford them
Lewis Kaplan of the Perelman School of Medicine explained why it’s impractical for most hospitals to keep back up ventilators on hand, which require regular maintenance and additional trained staff. “It’s like taking military planes out of your boneyard,” he said. “There can be a variety of economic disincentives to be prepared for the worst thing that can happen."
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Why the coronavirus and most other viruses have no cure
David Barnes of the School of Arts and Sciences spoke about the role of supportive care during viral outbreaks. “There are actually plenty of cures for viral illnesses,” he said. “We just don’t think of them as cures. We’re still kind of myopically fixated on finding a cure, when what we really should be doing is getting adequate basic nursing care for all patients.”
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The New York Times
Is ibuprofen really risky for coronavirus patients?
Garret FitzGerald and Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about fevers and the anti-inflammatory drugs that treat them.
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The New York Times
Most patients underestimate likely scar size before Moh’s surgery
Joseph Sobanko of the Perelman School of Medicine co-authored a study that found that people who have cancerous lesions removed from their faces using Moh’s micrographic surgery are surprised by the size of their scars.
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
What if you want a COVID-19 test but don’t have health insurance?
Evan Anderson of the School of Nursing said concerns about the accessibility of coronavirus testing aren’t unreasonable. “For the people that are uninsured, they could very easily be looking at a few thousand dollars in charges at least,” he said. “Even for people who are insured, they may very well have a high deductible, and they could still be facing a $1,000 charge.”
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