6.19
Health Sciences
The transforming power of global aid on health care—and care giving
Foreign aid makes up close to half of Mozambique’s national health care budget. In a new book, Ramah McKay of the School of Arts and Science lends a critical eye toward how this influx of global health dollars is felt on the ground, by caregivers and patients alike.
‘Candy aspirin,’ safety caps, and the history of children’s drugs
When St. Joseph Aspirin for Children was introduced in the 1940s, it was formulated to be attractive in taste and color to its young audience. Dubbed “candy aspirin,” the product became popular—fast. As a consequence, aspirin poisonings of children under five skyrocketed.
Science and politics: a Q&A with Molly Sheehan
The School of Engineering and Applied Science postdoc researcher discusses what fascinates her about science, her unique path in science and technology, and the role scientists should play in political office.
Ovarian cancer drug shows promise in pancreatic cancer patients
Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine have isolated the specific mutations that respond to FDA-approved treatments for ovarian cancer, opening up treatment options for other cancer patients who harbor those mutations.
Assets in the opioid epidemic, working dogs can also become its victims
The opioid epidemic is at crisis levels in the U.S., and humans aren’t the only ones at risk. In an interview with Knowledge@ Wharton, the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Cynthia Otto explained the vulnerabilities of working dogs who get exposed to opioids, and how to keep them from harm.
Dogs born in the summertime more likely to suffer heart disease
Dog days of summer: a study out of the Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Veterinary Medicine has found a correlation between canine health and birth season.
Different diseases elicit distinct sets of exhausted T cells
A new study by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine found that immune systems that are battling long-term infections or chronic diseases are left fatigued, and identified nine distinct varieties of exhausted T cells, or Tex.
Helen Fetaw sets her sights on treating underserved populations
The recent College of Arts and Sciences grad will combine passion for studying medicine and social justice to advocate for patients in the U.S. and around the world.
Leadership training for a new focus on healthcare
Doctors at the Perelman School of Medicine are focusing on what the future of healthcare will require of its leaders for a well-integrated healthcare system.
Stem cell signaling drives mammary gland development and, possibly, breast cancer
A connection between mammary stem cells and macrophages, a type of immune cell, is crucial for mammary gland development, and may also figure into the biology of breast cancer.
In the News
PhillyVoice
When to See the Doctor When You’re Traveling, and When to Suck It Up
Penn Global’s Erica Sebastian advised travelers to factor in a visit to the doctor when planning a trip, especially “if you have a chronic health condition.”
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Reuters Health
Workplace Noise in Daytime Linked to Sleep Problems at Night
The Perelman School of Medicine’s Mathias Basner weighed in on the effects of noise environments on stress levels.
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BBC
Why Do Only Some People Get Blackout Drunk?
Reagan Wetherill of the Perelman School of Medicine discussed “inherent brain vulnerabilities, and genetic vulnerabilities,” that put adolescents at risk of future alcohol abuse.
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The Washington Post
Forget ‘Man vs. Machine.’ When Doctors Compete with Artificial Intelligence, Patients Lose
Carrie Kovarik, Caroline Nelson, and John Barbieri of the Perelman School of Medicine co-authored an argument for collaboration, not competition, between doctors and AI technology.
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
New Blood Test for Pregnant Women Could Predict Preterm Birth
The Perelman School of Medicine’s Michal Elovitz discussed the results from her research exploring methods for predicting preterm births. The study’s results were published in Science.
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