Health Sciences

Gum Disease Bacteria Selectively Disarm Immune System, Penn Study Finds

The human body is comprised of roughly 10 times more bacterial cells than human cells. In healthy people, these bacteria are typically harmless and often helpful, keeping disease-causing microbes at bay. But, when disturbances knock these bacterial populations out of balance, illnesses can arise. Periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease, is one example.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Penn Research Develops ‘Onion’ Vesicles for Drug Delivery

One of the defining features of cells is their membranes. Each cell’s repository of DNA and protein-making machinery must be kept stable and secure from invaders and toxins. Scientists have attempted to replicate these properties, but, despite decades of research, even the most basic membrane structures, known as vesicles, still face many problems when made in the lab.

Evan Lerner

$4.35 Million Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Grant Establishes Penn Prevention Research Center

A five-year, $ 4,350,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established a Prevention Research Center (PRC) at the University of Pennsylvania. The PRC, one of 26 in the nation, will conduct innovative public health and disease management research aimed at preventing chronic disease and reducing health disparities in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Greg Richter

Penn Medicine Research Reveals Suicides Are Far More Likely to Occur After Midnight

A new study by researchers at Penn Medicine is the first to reveal that suicides are far more likely to occur between midnight and 4 a.m. than during the daytime or evening. The research abstract was published recently in an online supplement of the journal Sleep and will be presented at SLEEP 2014, the 28th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC.

Jessica Mikulski

University of Pennsylvania Establishes Penn Center for Innovation

President Amy Gutmann today announced the launch of the Penn Center for Innovation, a new initiative that will provide the infrastructure, leadership and resources needed to transfer promising Penn inventions, know-how and related assets into the marketplace for the public good.   

Evan Lerner

Penn Medicine Study Finds Marijuana Use May Impair Sleep Quality

A new study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania suggests that marijuana use may be associated with impaired sleep quality, especially in people who have been using the drug since their teenage years.

Jessica Mikulski



In the News


Huffington Post

Thirteen subtle changes veterinarians would never ignore in their cats

Kaitlyn Krebs of the School of Veterinary Medicine says that cats can indicate illness through behavioral changes such as hiding or spending time in unusual places.

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Times of India

Drinking two beers daily ages the brain by 10 years; study reveals surprising findings

A study by Penn researchers found that one to two units of alcohol per day shrunk overall brain volume and gray matter volumes. 

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Irish News

Seven unusual sleep hacks to help you drift off peacefully—we speak to a sleep expert about how to get a good night’s rest

A study from the Perelman School of Medicine found that participants who practiced paradoxical intention experienced significantly reduced sleep anxiety.

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Yahoo! Life

More yogurt and nuts, less alcohol and snack foods: How GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are influencing people’s food spending habits

Carrie Burns of the Perelman School of Medicine says that weight-loss medications tend to decrease cravings for foods high in sugar and fat.

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WESA Radio (Pittsburgh)

Migratory birds mainly responsible for bird flu outbreak, experts tell Pa. lawmakers

Louise Moncla of the School of Veterinary Medicine says that avian flu viruses are being spread far geographically because of wild migratory birds.

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