9/27
Katherine Unger Baillie
Senior Science News Officer
kbaillie@upenn.edu
Veterinary Medicine
A decade of advancing working dogs for the greater good
A decade of advancing working dogs for the greater good
Inspired by her experience caring for working dogs following 9/11 at Ground Zero, Penn Vet Working Dog Center Director Cynthia Otto’s initial vision has grown into a thriving organization with a mission to use science to improve the breeding, training, care, and effectiveness of working dogs.
T cells that ‘nibble’ tumors unwittingly help cancer evade the immune response
T cells that ‘nibble’ tumors unwittingly help cancer evade the immune response
Blocking this process, known as trogocytosis, improved the ability of a CAR T cell therapy to treat cancer in mice, according to research led by School of Veterinary Medicine scientists.
Cooler temps and northern climes associated with increased diabetes diagnoses in dogs
Cooler temps and northern climes associated with increased diabetes diagnoses in dogs
Mirroring a finding in humans, diabetes diagnoses in dogs were more common in colder areas of the U.S. and during winter, according to a new study led by School of Veterinary Medicine researchers.
The Gambia Goat Dairy builds sustainability through community
The Gambia Goat Dairy builds sustainability through community
Since its founding by Penn Vet students in 2016, the Gambia Goat Dairy has worked in partnership with Gambians to serve its community. The research and teaching farm also gives current students the opportunity to use their veterinary skills for social good.
Progress toward a stem cell–based therapy for blindness
Progress toward a stem cell–based therapy for blindness
A multi-institutional effort led by researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine is taking steps to develop an effective technique to regenerate photoreceptors cells and restore sight in people with vision disorders.
A newly identified stem cell regulator enables lifelong sperm production
A newly identified stem cell regulator enables lifelong sperm production
Research led by Jeremy Wang of the School of Veterinary Medicine has discovered that the enzyme DOT1L, a stem cell renewal factor, is essential for mice to produce sperm throughout their adult lives.
A Penn Vet tale: Olive, the tiny little fighter
A Penn Vet tale: Olive, the tiny little fighter
When Olive, the four-month-old Shih Tzu mix, became critically ill with respiratory distress, clinicians at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital spent a week collaborating on intensive treatment.
A heart start for Milkshake, the fainting goat
A heart start for Milkshake, the fainting goat
When Milkshake’s vitals were dangerously compromised, a team at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center pinpointed the problem in the fainting goat’s heart, and saved her life.
Elucidating the developmental origin of life-sustaining adrenal glands
Elucidating the developmental origin of life-sustaining adrenal glands
Research led by the School of Veterinary Medicine reveals that adrenal development proceeds differently in humans than it does in mice.
Frozen testicular tissue still viable after 20 years
Frozen testicular tissue still viable after 20 years
Many pediatric cancer treatments, though lifesaving, can compromise future fertility. In a new study in rodents, researchers from the School of Veterinary Medicine showed that testicular tissue frozen for more than 20 years could give rise to sperm.
Media Contact
In the News
NBC Philadelphia
Police officers line street for final salute to beloved Montco K-9
Cynthia Otto of the School of Veterinary Medicine speaks on the loss of K-9 Rookie, who had a long history with the Penn Vet Working Dog Center and died in the Ryan Veterinary Hospital.
FULL STORY →
Philadelphia Inquirer
The best emergency vets in Philadelphia
Penn Vet’s Ryan Veterinary Hospital remains one of the top recommended emergency vets in the city. Penn Vet also sees livestock and farm animals for regular and emergency visits at the New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, PA.
FULL STORY →
Philadelphia Inquirer
Humans are back to work and social events. Their pups are getting anxious
Carlo Siracusa of the School of Veterinary Medicine gives tips on at-home behavior work to do with dogs who are anxious.
FULL STORY →
The New York Times
Chewed and rolled: How cats make the most of their catnip high
Carlo Siracusa of the School of Veterinary Medicine comments on how evidence shows that some cats want to impregnate their body with the smell of catnip but a sizable chunk of cats don’t show this behavior.
FULL STORY →
Smithsonian Magazine
Dogs sniff out COVID-19 with surprising accuracy
Cynthia Otto of the School of Veterinary Medicine is quoted on the levels of difficulty for dogs to smell COVID in sweat samples compared to on a full human body.
FULL STORY →
New Scientist
Rat testicle cells make sperm after being frozen for 23 years
Postdoctoral fellow Eoin Whelan of the School of Veterinary Medicine comments on testicle tissue frozen before cancer treatment that may allow young male cancer victims to later father biological children through in vitro fertilization.
FULL STORY →