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Health Sciences
Computer-generated antibiotics and biosensor Band-Aids
Computer-generated antibiotics and biosensor Band-Aids
For Penn synthetic biologist César de la Fuente and his team, these concepts aren’t some far-off ideal. They’re projects already in progress, and they have huge real-world implications should they succeed.
Seven years later, PrEP access remains a challenge
Seven years later, PrEP access remains a challenge
Getting PrEP in the hands of high-risk communities remains a challenge; Penn researchers and practitioners are finding ways to reduce barriers and investigate new forms of the drug.
Predicting treatment outcome for leishmaniasis
Predicting treatment outcome for leishmaniasis
In a study of patients treated in Brazil, a team led by School of Veterinary Medicine researchers identified genetic factors and features of the infection itself that predict whether patients will respond to treatment.
This Penn heart patient is a 9-year-old boxer dog named Sophie
This Penn heart patient is a 9-year-old boxer dog named Sophie
Sophie underwent a cardiac ablation procedure in a Perelman School of Medicine translational research lab to treat her arrhythmia—the first time a dog with her diagnosis received such a treatment. Veterinary cardiologist Anna Gelzer says of the collaboration, “It’s the best of both worlds.”
Eating disorders grow more prevalent and skew younger
Eating disorders grow more prevalent and skew younger
Experts say a team approach between clinicians and those close to the individual are necessary to properly address an eating disorder, and still, relapses are a common occurrence.
Inspiring young women in STEM
Over two days, nearly two dozen female STEM role models at Penn welcomed more than 100 high school students and teachers to campus as part of the Girls Advancing in STEM (GAINS) Initiative Conference on campus.
Tall people: Your hearts are at risk
Tall people: Your hearts are at risk
The research team reveals a strong link between the genetic variants associated with height and one’s risk for arterial fibrillation, and is among the first to demonstrate that height may be a causal—not correlated—risk factor for the condition.
Using science to make cities safer and healthier
Using science to make cities safer and healthier
In a Q&A, criminologist John MacDonald discusses his new book, grounded in years of research on the positive effects of remediation like fixing up abandoned lots and houses.
Reprogramming ant ‘soldiers’
Reprogramming ant ‘soldiers’
A Penn study reveals the epigenetic pathway that controls social behavior in carpenter ants, finding that the ants reprogram up to five days after they hatch, while reprogramming was ineffective at the 10-day mark.
If you’re black and pregnant, heart disease diagnosis may come too late
If you’re black and pregnant, heart disease diagnosis may come too late
A Penn study finds black women are diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy significantly later than white women, which likely explains disparities in outcomes.
In the News
Science
Deciphering a cancer treatment’s dark side
Saar Gill of the Perelman School of Medicine said it would be easier to treat cancer using CAR-T cell therapy without the looming possibility of triggering cytokine release syndrome.
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The New York Times
Can melatonin vapes safely help people sleep?
Julio Chirinos of the Perelman School of Medicine wrote an editorial to accompany a new study about the effects of marathon running on the heart. “Exercise is great for the entire body, including the arteries,” he said.
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Rolling Stone
Can melatonin vapes safely help people sleep?
Philip Gehrman of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on the use of melatonin to aid sleep. “There have been quite a few randomized trials showing that melatonin is no better than placebo to help people sleep,” he said.
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“Academic Minute” (WAMC, Northeast Public Radio)
Jonathan Moreno on bioethics and the transformation of health care in America
PIK Professor Jonathan Moreno discussed the book “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven but Nobody Wants to Die: Bioethics and the Transformation of Health Care in America,” which he co-authored with President Amy Gutmann.
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The New York Times
The F.D.A. is in trouble. Here’s how to fix it
Steven Joffe of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the tensions between groups that want medical products to be proven effective before the F.D.A. approves them for public use and groups that believe patients can make their own decisions once the products pass basic safety testing. “The F.D.A. has been moving in the latter direction under great political and public pressure,” he said.
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