9.30
Health Sciences
Avery Posey’s cancer research takes high risks for big rewards
Avery Posey’s cancer research takes high risks for big rewards
The assistant professor of systems pharmacology and translational therapeutics, who studied with Carl June as a postdoctoral fellow, combines his two research passions—gene therapy and investigating ‘little known’ biology—in the pursuit of new knowledge.
Chatbots delivering psychotherapy help decrease opioid use after surgery
Chatbots delivering psychotherapy help decrease opioid use after surgery
A Penn Medicine study shows that patients receiving messages from a chatbot used a third fewer opioids after fracture surgery, and their overall pain level fell as well.
Wide variation across hospitals in nurse staffing is threat to public’s health
Wide variation across hospitals in nurse staffing is threat to public’s health
Researchers at the Penn found that the understaffing at hospitals during the first surge of COVID patients has had adverse consequences on nurses and on patient care.
Poultry in a pandemic: Getting the facts on keeping backyard flocks
Poultry in a pandemic: Getting the facts on keeping backyard flocks
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Penn Vet’s Sherrill Davison has seen an increase in phone calls from new flock owners looking for general management resources for their birds. Here, she offers health and safety advice for keeping flocks healthy.
Tips for easing back pain during isolation
Tips for easing back pain during isolation
In a Q&A, Penn Medicine's Jang Won Yoon, a neurosurgeon, offers advice on managing back pain during the pandemic.
COVID-101: Medical students get a crash course in coronavirus
COVID-101: Medical students get a crash course in coronavirus
When physicians-in-training at the Perelman School of Medicine were sent home for remote work and virtual learning due to the pandemic, 80 fourth-year students immersed themselves in a crash course on COVID-19 virology, epidemiology, therapies, vaccines, and related topics.
Iranian, American health experts share coronavirus experiences in rare talk
Iranian, American health experts share coronavirus experiences in rare talk
The coronavirus crisis and the move to online events presented Penn’s Middle East Center with a rare opportunity to foster the first public conversation about the virus between senior health officials in Iran and counterparts in the United States.
Gender parity in heart failure research calls for more women authors and patients
Gender parity in heart failure research calls for more women authors and patients
An analysis led by Penn Medicine identifies gender disparities in authorship of heart failure guideline citations and clinical trials.
An improv class that enriches the mind and soul, even remotely
An improv class that enriches the mind and soul, even remotely
The Penn Memory Center’s Cognitive Comedy program gives people with memory impairments and their caregivers a no-pressure space to think creatively, socialize, and be part of a community.
Trauma centers weathered increase in gun violence from city’s COVID hotspots
Trauma centers weathered increase in gun violence from city’s COVID hotspots
A study evaluating how Philadelphia’s Level 1 trauma centers responded during the worst of COVID-19 showed a disproportionate number of patients from the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
In the News
Fast Company
UPenn releases surprising report on 9/11 rescue dogs and their causes of death
Research from the School of Veterinary Medicine tracked the causes of death for 95 search-and-rescue dogs deployed on 9/11 and showed that most of the dogs died of typical age-related conditions and outlived others of their breeds. “Dogs have a really good filtering system,” said Cynthia Otto. “Their lungs are different—they don’t get asthma, for example.”
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NBC News
Secret, powerful panels will pick COVID-19 vaccine winners
Susan Ellenberg of the Perelman School of Medicine said it’s important to keep data and safety monitoring boards anonymous to protect the members from people desperate for treatment. It “would be very hard to tell [a patient], ‘Oh I can’t help you.’ It’s an unreasonable burden,” she said.
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Bloomberg
Stay-at-home orders more effective on virus than closing businesses
Research by the Wharton School’s Kent Smetters, Alexander Arnon, and John Ricco found that shelter-in-place orders did more to combat the coronavirus than business closures and at a lower economic cost.
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The Wall Street Journal
Thousands of American troops to take part in COVID-19 early-detection study
PIK Professor Jonathan Moreno commented on plans to conduct a COVID-19 early-detection study on U.S. troops. “Should we ask for consent if it reveals medical issues that a person in uniform may not want revealed and is not relevant to job performance?” he asked.
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The Washington Post
FDA poised to announce tougher standards for a COVID-19 vaccine that make it unlikely one will be cleared by Election Day
Holly Fernandez Lynch of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on the FDA’s use of emergency authorizations to expedite coronavirus drugs. “Is the president going to put the screws to the FDA so much that they will speed ahead on a vaccine?” she asked.
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