4/2
Medicine
From high school to the hospital
An immersive program at the Perelman School of Medicine gives high school students a sneak peek at a potential future in the medical field.
New ‘patch’ uses natural body motion to fix disc herniation
The tension-activated repair patch plugs holes in discs in the spine like car tire patches, and could prevent further disease progression.
Pain scores, age can help identify patients more likely to use few or no opioids after surgery
A Penn Medicine study shows that patient pain scores are a good predictor for opioid use, but younger patients and those who hadn’t used opioids before are less likely to take them.
Vaccine confidence falls as belief in health misinformation grows
A new survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that finds that the number of Americans who think vaccines approved for use in the United States are safe dropped to 71% from 77%.
Cardiovascular deaths due to extreme heat expected to rise
A new study from researchers at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine indicates that older adults and Black adults are at greater risk of excess deaths.
How cell developmental biology fits into the future of medicine
Ben Stanger, the Hanna Wise Professor in Cancer Research and professor of medicine and cell and developmental biology, discusses his research and publishing his first book, ‘From One Cell: A Journey into Life’s Origins and the Future of Medicine.’
Two Penn schools partner with Camden County to launch virtual reality Narcan training
The Annenberg School for Communication and School of Nursing continue their efforts to train as many people as possible on administering the lifesaving overdose reversal medication.
A ‘thermometer’ tool to measure tumor growth between scans
Researchers at Penn Medicine have developed a first-ever tool that gives a real-time assessment of tumors to provide less uncertainty for patients worrying between scans.
A new understanding of immune response during SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections
New research by Penn Medicine finds T cells to be a critical defense against severe illness in the first days after infection, giving clues that could lead to stronger vaccines.
High pregnancy weight gain tied to higher risk of death in the following decades
Findings from a Penn Medicine study, which analyzed 50 years of data, highlights the health risks tied to conditions like heart disease and diabetes that can occur when more weight is gained in pregnancy than recommended.
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.
FULL STORY →
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.
FULL STORY →
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.
FULL STORY →
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.
FULL STORY →
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.
FULL STORY →
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.
FULL STORY →