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Medicine
Books, babies, and bonding: How a passion for literacy benefits the hospital’s smallest patients
Whitney Zachritz, an intensive care nursery clinical practice leader at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, spends part of her week in the 38-bed neonatal intensive care unit curating books for parents to read to their newborns.
How Penn Medicine is changing the world with mRNA
Vaccines are just the beginning of the potential for messenger RNA, the Nobel Prize-winning technology.
New treatment reverses Alzheimer’s disease signs
According to a preclinical study from Penn Medicine researchers, a molecular compound mimics the effect of natural chaperones that are depleted in the aging brain.
Research shows how stress activates neurons that disrupt sleep
New research from Penn Medicine shows suppressing these neurons may be a promising target for therapies to treat stress-related sleep disorders, like insomnia and PTSD.
First in-human clinical trial of CAR T cell therapy with new binding mechanism shows promising early responses
The therapy tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial might drastically change the way the T cells work, potentially allowing the new CAR T cell product to work where other products have failed.
One in six patients with opioid use disorder leaving the hospital before completing treatment
A new Penn Medicine analysis shows that discharges too early for patients with opioid use disorder increased over 50% between 2016 and 2020.
Inclusive, ambitious research to meet the needs of a changing planet
Collaborative research communities supported by the Environmental Innovations Initiative are addressing issues related to climate action, stewardship of nature, and societal resilience.
Could a single shot heal heart disease?
Experts at Penn Medicine are researching novel treatments for heart disease, including CRISPR gene editing technology, CAR T technology, and mRNA injections.
Lidocaine may be able to kill certain cancer cells by activating bitter taste receptors
A preclinical Penn Medicine study explains the previously observed anti-cancer effect of the common anesthetic drug.
A space for lifesaving, collaborative work
Gov. Josh Shapiro, President Liz Magill, and others from the University community celebrated the new home of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation.
In the News
Sugar-coated gold nanoparticles could replace some antibiotics
According to a Penn Medicine study, a new therapy involving laser light and sugar-coated gold nanoparticles can reduce tooth decay and infected wounds without needing antibiotics.
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Alzheimer’s may be caused by a build-up of fat in brain cells
A study by Michael Haney of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that the root cause of Alzheimer’s is a build-up of fat droplets in brain cells.
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Philadelphia hospital program adds psychologists to bridge mental health services for trauma survivors
A new psychology team at the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program has provided about 46 survivors with short- and long- term therapy, featuring remarks from Elinore Kaufman and Lily Brown of the Perelman School of Medicine.
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Social factors may ‘disproportionately’ affect transplant process
A 2023 study led by researchers at Penn found that 44% of patients evaluated for liver transplants were not placed on organ wait lists, with nearly 17% rejected because of psychosocial or financial reasons. Marina Serper and Tamara Cozzi of Penn Medicine discuss the evaluation process for transplants.
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Dal study of football players sheds light on how concussions affect the brain
A collaborative study by Penn found that 60% of cases with blood-brain-barrier dysfunction had healed three months later.
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Best CPAP alternatives
Richard Schwab of the Perelman School of Medicine says that obstructive sleep apnea causes breathing to pause during sleep when something like the tongue or relaxed throat muscles blocks the airway.
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