6.21
Health Sciences
How do you find a virus that’s completely unknown?
How do you find a virus that’s completely unknown?
A team of microbiologists and pulmonologists at Penn have scanned genome databases and found a new abundant viral family associated with disease.
Cognitive enhancers are considered largely acceptable at the workplace
Cognitive enhancers are considered largely acceptable at the workplace
A new study from Penn Medicine neurologists finds the general public largely views the use of cognitive enhancers such as Adderall as an acceptable practice when used by adults in the workplace.
Philadelphia’s sweetened drink sales drop 38 percent after beverage tax
Philadelphia’s sweetened drink sales drop 38 percent after beverage tax
Findings from a Penn study support beverage taxes as a promising policy tool to help improve public health.
Major payment reform program for cancer drugs falls short
Major payment reform program for cancer drugs falls short
A joint study between Penn Medicine and the Wharton School highlights limitations of voluntary incentive programs.
Daisy the goat kid’s harrowing ER visit
Daisy the goat kid’s harrowing ER visit
Post-birth complications for Daisy the newborn doeling were serious, but quickly assessed for a positive outcome at the New Bolton Center emergency room.
A link between mitochondrial damage and osteoporosis
A link between mitochondrial damage and osteoporosis
In healthy people, a tightly controlled process balances the activity of osteoblasts, which build bone, and osteoclasts, which break it down. Damage to cells’ mitochondria can make that process go awry, meaning exposure to cigarette smoke, alcohol, environmental toxins can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
The mystery behind cleft palate and lips
The mystery behind cleft palate and lips
New research identifies 100 new risk genes that could lead to the development of cleft lip and palate, combining molecular findings with genome data to find that many of the genes that are highly associated with clefting are located near the enhancer regions that work with a specific protein.
Pokémon activates a unique part of the brain, offering insights into its structure
Pokémon activates a unique part of the brain, offering insights into its structure
In a study of adults who played the game extensively as children, Penn and Stanford researchers discovered that a particular area of the visual cortex lights up when players view characters from the original version.
The cancer-body clock connection
The cancer-body clock connection
Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine show how disruptions to the circadian rhythm influence tumor growth and cancer treatment.
At Weiss Tech House, a race from idea to prototype in one semester
At Weiss Tech House, a race from idea to prototype in one semester
The student-run incubator hosted its first hardware accelerator this spring, offering cash, mentoring, and access to specialized equipment to four teams.
In the News
Axios
The flimsy promises of brain wearables
Anna Wexler of the Perelman School of Medicine said the FDA is ill prepared to reign in the companies producing wearable brain devices, which record brain activity or stimulate the brain with electric currents in spite of little oversight.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
College affirmative action bans linked to higher rates of smoking among minority youth
A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine has found that states that ban affirmative action in college admissions experience increased smoking rates among black, Latino, and Indigenous high schoolers. “Educational policies can have these unintended health consequences,” said co-author Atheendar Venkataramani. “Social policies really matter for health, and it’s worth talking about.”
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
In Pennsylvania, ‘deaths of despair’ are 50% higher than the national average
Maria Oquendo of the Perelman School of Medicine is quoted on increased suicide rates in Pennsylvania.
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Time
‘They’re chipping away.’ Inside the grassroots effort to fight mandatory vaccines
In an article about anti-vax organizing, Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine said, “Vaccines are a victim of their own success.” Offit continued, “people have forgotten how sick measles can make you and how dead measles can make you.”
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Nature
Whole-body PET scanner produces 3D images in seconds
Abass Alavi of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about a new version of a PET scanner that can generate 3D renderings of the entire human body in just seconds, a fraction of the time required by older iterations. “The whole-body machine is another quantum jump in medical imaging,” said Alavi.
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