11/15
Meredith Mann
meredith.mann@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Medicine
Hepatitis C-infected kidneys get a green light for further transplant research
Hepatitis C-infected kidneys get a green light for further transplant research
Results from a multicenter study point to expanding the donor kidney supply, and alleviating long transplant wait times, with hep-C infected organs, then treating the disease post-transplant.
Penn Medicine helps power international COVID-19 data consortium
Penn Medicine helps power international COVID-19 data consortium
An international consortium involving Penn researchers pools electronic health record data from around the world to discover clinical insights about COVID-19.
How misinformed vaccine beliefs affect policy views
How misinformed vaccine beliefs affect policy views
There is broad support in the U.S. for pro-vaccination policies, but as many as 20% of Americans hold negative views about vaccines. The Annenberg Public Policy Center shows that such misinformed vaccine beliefs are the strongest driver of opposition to pro-vaccination public policies.
Opioid rates for knee surgery both high and varied
Opioid rates for knee surgery both high and varied
Examining insurance data, Penn researchers found that 36% of patients received an opioid prescription that was stronger than the CDC-recommended dose.
Penn Engineering and Nursing partner with Hillrom on Internet-of-Things Technology
Penn Engineering and Nursing partner with Hillrom on Internet-of-Things Technology
A collaboration with nursing, engineering, and the medical device provider will develop new technologies to assist clinicians via “safe AI.”
Progress toward a treatment for Krabbe disease
Progress toward a treatment for Krabbe disease
The inherited disease, which typically kills children before their second birthday, has no cure, but a School of Veterinary Medicine study in a canine model offers hope for an effective gene therapy with lasting results.
Existing drugs like statins may be promising COVID-19 treatments
Existing drugs like statins may be promising COVID-19 treatments
Commentary by two Penn researchers outline a systematic framework for repurposing existing drugs to quickly find new therapies, after an observational study suggested statins may be helpful in combating COVID-19.
Opioid overdoses among Medicaid cohort examined
Opioid overdoses among Medicaid cohort examined
A study of opioid risk and overdose among Medicaid enrollees finds subpopulations with varying levels of risk, with repeated overdoses outnumbering overdoses among new prescription opioid users.
Chatbots delivering psychotherapy help decrease opioid use after surgery
Chatbots delivering psychotherapy help decrease opioid use after surgery
A Penn Medicine study shows that patients receiving messages from a chatbot used a third fewer opioids after fracture surgery, and their overall pain level fell as well.
An improv class that enriches the mind and soul, even remotely
An improv class that enriches the mind and soul, even remotely
The Penn Memory Center’s Cognitive Comedy program gives people with memory impairments and their caregivers a no-pressure space to think creatively, socialize, and be part of a community.
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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