10.20
Health Sciences
Breast cancer diagnosis in the ‘between’ year: Body mass index matters
Breast cancer diagnosis in the ‘between’ year: Body mass index matters
While breast density—a characteristic that can help tumors hide from mammography—has attracted a lot of attention from clinicians, a new study finds evidence that body mass index, or BMI, is also important, especially in the year between screenings.
The cancer fighters: John Glick and a legacy of a half century in oncology
The cancer fighters: John Glick and a legacy of a half century in oncology
A major figure in the fight against cancer, John Glick reflects on his career after decades of working with the Perelman School of Medicine and as director of Penn’s National Cancer Institute for more than 20 years, treating thousands of patients during his tenure.
Developing new technologies to solve the mysteries of the brain
Developing new technologies to solve the mysteries of the brain
The Perelman School of Medicine’s Flavia Vitale is using her background in biomedical and chemical engineering to develop cutting edge materials and devices that will help clinicians diagnose and treat brain disorders.
Building (and hiring) for the future at Penn Medicine’s new Pavilion
Building (and hiring) for the future at Penn Medicine’s new Pavilion
In the months leading up to the Pavilion debut, a massive recruitment effort is underway to hire more than 600 employees.
COVID-19 presents an understanding of nurses’ moral distress during crisis care
COVID-19 presents an understanding of nurses’ moral distress during crisis care
Researchers from the School of Nursing found that effective leadership and communication reduced moral distress for nurses providing patients with crisis care during the pandemic.
A new approach to determining post-acute care for older adults with dementia
A new approach to determining post-acute care for older adults with dementia
Two new studies measure the outcomes of home health care versus a skilled nursing facility for patients with dementia after being discharged in hospitals, and find that the mental status at the time of discharge is more relevant than a dementia diagnosis.
Coding the emotions that anti-tobacco ads evoke
Coding the emotions that anti-tobacco ads evoke
Sophomore Oulaya Louaddi and junior Gabriela Montes de Oca interned this summer with Annenberg’s Andy Tan, helping the research team design and test culturally appropriate anti-smoking campaigns for young women who identify as sexual minorities.
New program inspires underrepresented young women to cancer research
New program inspires underrepresented young women to cancer research
The Abramson Cancer Center’s Summer Health Experience, or SHE, program introduces young women to careers in cancer research. Statistics show that Black and Latinx women are severely underrepresented in the health sciences.
Restoring ‘chaperone’ protein may prevent plaque buildup in Alzheimer’s
Restoring ‘chaperone’ protein may prevent plaque buildup in Alzheimer’s
Penn Medicine researchers show how restoring levels of the protein DAXX and a large group of similar proteins prevents the misfolding of the rogue proteins known to drive Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
In-person requirements decreased WIC participation during the pandemic
In-person requirements decreased WIC participation during the pandemic
Prior to the pandemic, only about half of all eligible families received WIC benefits. In a recent study in JAMA, Penn Medicine researchers examined one way in which these burdens may have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the News
The New York Times
Waiting on U.S. mandate, some nursing homes are slow to vaccinate staff
PIK Professor Ezekiel Emanuel said lower COVID-19 vaccination rates lead to more infections. “We should be clear that mandates have been working and have been working in every industry that has tried them,” he said.
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Scientific American
Four success stories in gene therapy
Jean Bennett and Albert Maguire of the Perelman School of Medicine developed a gene therapy to treat blindness in patients with retinal dystrophy caused by mutations in the RPE65 gene. “These people can now do things they never could have dreamed of doing, and they’re more independent and enjoying life,” said Bennett.
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ABC News
Why breakthrough COVID deaths can be misunderstood
Edward Stadtmauer of the Perelman School of Medicine advised cancer patients to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “If you have abnormal plasma cells to begin with or are getting therapy that might suppress or damage plasma cells, you can see why that this group of patients may have the most difficulty responding to a COVID infection and responding to vaccines,” he said. “If there is any group of patients who should be vaccinated and get a booster, it is this group of patients.”
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ABC News
Why COVID boosters weren't tweaked to better match variants
John Wherry of the Perelman School of Medicine said there’s no guarantee that a booster shot retooled to target the delta variant would work better than a general COVID-19 vaccine booster.
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The New York Times
Data from federal scientists raise questions about J.&J. booster shots
Scott Hensley of the Perelman School of Medicine is quoted on which vaccines should offer an mRNA booster and how much data the F.D.A. needs before making that recommendation.
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