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Medicine
Researchers identify potential nanoparticles for therapeutic mRNA delivery before birth
Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the School of Engineering and Applied Science have identified ionizable lipid nanoparticles that could be used to deliver mRNA as part of fetal therapy.
Artist Maya Lin’s large-scale installation will be on display in Penn Medicine’s new Pavilion
The new installation from the renowned artist and designer embodies the health system’s goal of creating calming, healing environments for patients.
Philly Police now transport 2 of every 3 gunshot victims to hospital
A new study shows that Philadelphia Police transport two of every three gunshot or stabbing victims to area trauma centers, helping ensure exceptional survival rates.
Outcomes of critically ill COVID patients improved consistently during the pandemic
A Penn Medicine study finds that mortality rates of critically ill patients have progressively declined from the first surge of the pandemic, suggesting that hospital staff rapidly improved their management even before widespread use of evidence-based treatments.
Opiate overdoses spike in Black Philadelphians, but drop in white residents since COVID-19
New research into opioid overdoses that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights new disparities along racial lines that are likely fueled by existing inequality.
When words aren’t enough, medical students go back to the drawing board
A Penn Medicine class helps students hone their visual art skills to help patients understand their medical treatment better via visual aids that bridge communication gaps and outline their care.
Mutations commonly linked to breast cancer found to pose no increased risk
Several genetic mutations previously linked to breast cancer and included on commercial genetic tests were found not to increase a woman’s risk of disease, according to a multi-institutional population study of more than 64,000 women.
New statistical method exponentially increases ability to discover genetic insights
A test of the Sum-Share method found 1,734 genetic variations associated with cardiovascular-related conditions when just one had previously been likely.
New treatment target discovered that halts osteoarthritis-like knee cartilage degeneration
Penn Medicine researchers have used nanotechnology and previous knowledge of a protein pathway to significantly reduce knee cartilage degeneration and pain.
Two Penn faculty named Hastings Center Fellows
Scott D. Halpern and Jennifer Prah Ruger are acknowledged for their outstanding accomplishments in ethics and health.
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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