10.21
Health Sciences
Therapy for rare cancers receives FDA approval
A trial led by researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center received first approval for AZEDRA, an anti-cancer drug for advanced pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma patients who are not candidates for surgery.
Red blood cell ‘hitchhikers’ offer new way to transport drugs to specific targets
A new drug-delivery technology which uses red blood cells to shuttle nano-scale drug carriers, called RBC-hitchhiking, has been found to dramatically increase the concentration of drugs ferried precisely to selected organs.
The fight to eliminate hepatitis C in Philly: A Q&A with Stacey Trooskin
The state of Pennsylvania increased access to hepatitis C drugs for Medicaid patients regardless of their liver health or drug and alcohol use. Penn's Stacey Trooskin, who also serves as the director of Viral Hepatitis Programs at Philadelphia FIGHT, discusses increasing access to treatment even further.
Dental plaque is no match for catalytic nanoparticles
A recent study found that nanoparticles can break down dental plaque with nanoparticles that target biofilms, preventing tooth decay in humans and animal models without damaging surrounding oral tissue.
Chance of being prescribed opioids for a minor injury differs dramatically by where you live
A Penn study showing dramatic variation in opioid prescribing rates and tablet amounts for ankle sprains points to significant opportunities to reduce excessive prescribing, and potentially prevent prolonged use.
Vet students’ goat dairy aims to fill a nutrition gap in Gambia
Briana Wilson plans on becoming a small-animal vet, but this summer she is immersing herself in far-flung ventures in faraway places at the Gambia Goat Dairy, helping to create a sustainable, commercial herd of milking goats.
Piecing together an ancient biblical site, bone by bone
In the lab of Penn Museum’s Janet Monge, rising senior Fiona Jensen-Hitch is sorting and photographing ancient human remains to shed light on the people of ancient city of Gibeon.
BBQ breakdown: How summertime staples can impact your health
As National Hot Dog Month winds down, there is still plenty of barbecue season left. But the most popular items on summer grilling menus are likely the least healthy.
Greening vacant lots reduces depression in city dwellers
People living within a quarter mile of greened lots had a 41.5 percent decrease in feelings of depression and a nearly 63 percent decrease in self-reported “poor mental health,” compared to those who lived near the lots that received no intervention.
Reducing buggy accidents in Amish country
Lancaster County is working to promote driver awareness for all vehicles in Amish country, focusing on safely sharing the road with horse-drawn buggies to reduce accidents.
In the News
CNN
Smoking featured in half of hip-hop videos, study finds
The Annenberg Public Policy Center’s Dan Romer offered commentary on a study of smoking in music videos. He noted that the study didn’t differentiate between marijuana and tobacco products or consider the role of product placement.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Depression often goes undiagnosed. Researchers are turning to Facebook to change that
Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine co-authored a study on social media and mental illness. “Depression is a really debilitating disease and we have treatments that can help people,” said Raina Merchant. “We want to think of new ways to get people resources and identification for depression earlier.”
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Brown fat could help fight obesity. This Penn scientist is looking to harness its power
Patrick Seale of the Perelman School of Medicine discussed differing types of human fat: “white fat,” which stores energy, and “brown fat,” which burns it. Seale was recently awarded the Richard E. Weitzman Outstanding Early Career Investigator Award for his research on the subject.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Is blackout drinking the same as passing out from alcohol? A Penn psychologist explains
The Perelman School of Medicine’s Reagan Wetherill discussed common misconceptions about alcohol-related blackouts. People in a blackout are “conscious and interacting with their environment,” she said. But their brains are “not creating memories” due to alcohol’s impact on the hippocampus.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Planning for your retirement? Many Americans aren’t financially prepared for how long they may live
Lyle Ungar of the School of Arts and Sciences and Lisa Walke of the Perelman School of Medicine discussed the effects of healthy behavior on the human lifespan. The best way to extend one’s life, apart from quitting smoking, is exercise. “I know no one wants to hear that,” said Walke.
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