Through
5/1
Health Sciences
Spending on charity care stalled as Medicaid expanded
Spending on charity care stalled as Medicaid expanded
A new study shows increased coverage for lower-income patients did not lead to more community benefit spending from hospitals between 2011 and 2017.
The gut shields the liver from fructose-induced damage
The gut shields the liver from fructose-induced damage
A new study shows how excessive consumption of fructose, whether via food or beverage, overwhelms gut defenses and results in the development of fatty liver.
Navigating cytokine storms
Navigating cytokine storms
Pairing their expertise, Nilam Mangalmurti of the Perelman School of Medicine and Christopher Hunter of the School of Veterinary Medicine have been working to understand the protective and harmful aspects of the immune response, including in COVID-19.
Bats and COVID
Bats and COVID
A new study from Penn Vet's New Bolton Center tests the guano of North American bats currently in Pennsylvania wildlife rehabilitation centers for the presence of COVID-19.
New database aims to make Alzheimer’s diagnosis easier and earlier
New database aims to make Alzheimer’s diagnosis easier and earlier
A five-minute online session will allow neural health to be tracked across time, so that doctors can make an earlier diagnosis and researchers can evaluate medications and other treatments.
Social distancing and dying alone
Social distancing and dying alone
COVID-19 has led to drastic changes in how hospitals provide end-of-life care to patients and their families. With strict no-visiting limitations in place in an effort to stem contagion, patients have been dying alone.
The overlooked effects of fireworks
The overlooked effects of fireworks
For veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder, fireworks and loud pyrotechnics can add stress and trigger physical reactions, as they mimic the stimuli of combat.
High sensitivity tech offers a potential COVID-19 testing solution
High sensitivity tech offers a potential COVID-19 testing solution
A new diagnostic tool developed at Penn by Ping Wang uses highly sensitive and portable technology for rapid antigen testing.
Long-term use of muscle relaxants has skyrocketed since 2005
Long-term use of muscle relaxants has skyrocketed since 2005
Penn Medicine researchers found the drugs were prescribed disproportionately to older adults, often concurrently with opioids, despite warnings against this dangerous combination.
Coping with COVID stress: From pandemic brain fog to resilience
Coping with COVID stress: From pandemic brain fog to resilience
While feelings of anxiety and concern are normal during a crisis, stress can impact people in a variety of ways. Practicing mindfulness and increasing resilience can combat the physical manifestations of anxiety.
In the News
6ABC.com
Bird flu suspected in deaths of 200 snow geese in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley
Stephen Cole of the School of Veterinary Medicine says that indoor cats are contracting bird flu through raw pet foods of poultry origin or raw milk products.
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Self
The surgeon general calls for new warning labels on alcohol—here’s the truth about how it impacts your health
Henry Kranzler of the Perelman School of Medicine says that alcohol’s effects on the brain are observed more readily because it’s the organ of behavior.
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NPR
Tuberculosis rates plunge when families living in poverty get a monthly cash payout
Aaron Richterman of the Perelman School of Medicine says that there are large and underappreciated benefits of cash-transfer programs, such as potentially ending a tuberculosis epidemic.
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Time
Scientists are racing to develop a new bird flu vaccine
Drew Weissman and Scott Hensley of the Perelman School of Medicine are testing a vaccine to prevent a strain of H5N1 bird flu in chickens and cattle.
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Newsweek
Cancer breakthrough as ‘speckles’ may reveal best treatment
A paper co-authored by PIK Professor Shelley Berger finds that patterns of “speckles” in the heart of tumor cells could help predict how patients with a common form of kidney cancer will respond to treatment options.
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