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Health Sciences
Progress in addressing a severe skin disease that affects dogs and humans
Both dogs and humans can suffer from ichthyosis, a disorder that makes the skin dry, scaly, and prone to secondary infections. A new study has uncovered new details about the disease, and moves toward developing a topical therapy.
How cumulative trauma will affect migrant children
Doctors and researchers argue that the cumulative childhood trauma and chronic stress associated with parental separation for migrant children can cause potentially irreparable lifelong harm to their mental and physical health.
A maverick among chemists
Madeleine Joullie, the first woman to join Penn’s chemistry faculty, was also the University’s first affirmative action officer, which she says is the most important thing she’s done.
Boosting testosterone makes men prefer higher-status products
A study out of the Wharton School found that a single dose of testosterone increased men's preference for luxury, high-status items, mimicking animal behavior.
Brain stimulation decreases intent to commit assault
Research from Penn Medicine and the Criminology department shows that using minimally invasive electrical currents on the prefrontal cortex can reduce the desire to carry out such violence and increase the perception that it’s morally wrong.
Study reveals secrets of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ pancreatic cancer tumors
Immune cell makeup of tumors, and their ability to metastasize, is controlled by factors specific to individual cancer cells themselves.
Using statistics to uncover the truth about individual cells
Researchers at Penn have developed a better method for interpreting data from single-cell RNA sequencing technologies.
The ins and outs of sugar alcohol
Gastroenterologist Octavia Pickett-Blakely, an assistant professor at the Perelman School of Medicine, explains the workings of the increasingly popular sweetener, found in products like Bai Water and Halo Top.
Correcting a blind spot
A groundbreaking genetic study seeks to transform the prevention and treatment of glaucoma while reversing historical racial disparities in who suffers from the disease, and who benefits from such research.
New therapeutic target for slowing the spread of flu virus
Understanding influenza virus-host interactions point to potential new targets for flu treatments.
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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A new strategy to attack aggressive brain cancer shrank tumors in two early tests
A clinical trial led by Stephen Bagley of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that targeting two associated proteins with CAR T cell therapy could be a viable strategy for shrinking brain tumors.
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Cats aren’t jerks. They’re just misunderstood
James Serpell of the School of Veterinary Medicine says that the domestic cat suffers from its legacy of being a not-quite-wild animal on the margins of society.
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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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