11/15
Meredith Mann
meredith.mann@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Medicine
Study finds an increased risk of dementia from decades-old head injuries
Study finds an increased risk of dementia from decades-old head injuries
New Penn Medicine research reveals stronger associations between head injuries and dementia among women compared to men, and among white participants as compared to Black participants.
Delayed emergencies in COVID times
Delayed emergencies in COVID times
A new study shows how often people put off non-COVID emergency care during the pandemic, who stayed home, and what kind of care they deferred.
How Penn Medicine is getting COVID-19 vaccines to communities that need it most
How Penn Medicine is getting COVID-19 vaccines to communities that need it most
Direct outreach to elderly and vulnerable populations, and working with Philadelphia faith leaders has led to community-based clinics throughout West Philadelphia.
Increasing access to life-saving, unused medicines in India
Increasing access to life-saving, unused medicines in India
Aarogya, a social-enterprise organization, is led by three President’s Engagement Prize winners. Since receiving the award, they’ve started delivering otherwise-unused medicines that save lives and money.
How vaccines protect communities
How vaccines protect communities
While individuals who are vaccinated feel relief that they’re better protected, the rollout of vaccines to anyone in their community is still good news.
What works: Medication, a low-calorie diet, and intensive behavioral therapy
What works: Medication, a low-calorie diet, and intensive behavioral therapy
Patients on a low-calorie diet along with intensive behavioral therapy lost nearly three times as much weight when taking new anti-obesity medication than when taking a placebo.
Racial and ethnic factors affect access to treatment for heart disease
Racial and ethnic factors affect access to treatment for heart disease
Researchers uncover a link between racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors and whether Black, Latinx, and lower-income patients receive rhythm control strategies for atrial fibrillation.
Overlooked part of human cells could be genetic key to common diseases
Overlooked part of human cells could be genetic key to common diseases
Long thought a vestigial part of human cells, new genetic analysis of the primary cilium shows that it may be tied to common conditions like diabetes and kidney failure.
Looking out for speech disturbance may be the most important stroke sign
With COVID-19 protocols, fewer in-person doctor visits and ubiquitous face masks make tell-tale signs of stroke like facial drooping and arm weakness harder to detect.
Where the economy falters, deaths from heart disease rise
Where the economy falters, deaths from heart disease rise
A new study finds that the diverging economic fortunes of different parts of the country is linked to differing death rates from heart disease and stroke among middle-aged Americans.
Media Contact
In the News
The Washington Post
The latest skincare trend: Beef fat. Yes, beef fat
Bruce Brod of the Perelman School of Medicine says that there’s no evidence to show beef tallow is better than conventional moisturizers.
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CBS Philadelphia
Philadelphia doctors and scientists encourage young women to pursue STEM careers at Penn event
The STEM Goes Red event hosted at Penn Medicine showed young Philadelphia women in high school how to program miniature computers, with remarks from Helene Glassberg of the Perelman School of Medicine.
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ScienceFriday.com
CAR-T cell therapies show promise for autoimmune diseases
Daniel Baker, a Ph.D. student in Carl June’s lab at the Perelman School of Medicine, discusses the results of a study on donor CAR-T cell therapy.
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AARP.org
Fifteen things to know about the two new Alzheimer’s drugs
Jason Karlawish of the Perelman School of Medicine says that some reactions to new Alzheimer’s drugs can resemble flu-like symptoms, such as chills, shortness of breath, and rash.
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Stat
Social media misinformation is scaring women about birth control
In an opinion essay, postdoc Emily Pfender of the Leonard Davis Institute and Perelman School of Medicine cautions that social media can set back women’s health by perpetuating fear and misinformation instead of empowering informed choices.
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
Does it matter what time you take your medicine?
Garret FitzGerald of the Perelman School of Medicine says that the timing of medication dosing can substantially influence the drug levels in people’s blood.
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