9.30
Health Sciences
Shining a light on the dangers of lead
Shining a light on the dangers of lead
Lead poisoning robs children of opportunity, and the impact is worse in underserved communities. Faculty and students at Penn are bringing scientific and policy attention to the problem, while empowering young people to minimize their risk and be leaders for change.
Enhanced Recovery program significantly reduces post-op opioid use
Enhanced Recovery program significantly reduces post-op opioid use
An Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol for elective spine and peripheral nerve surgery decreases opioid use and the length of hospital stays.
Uncovering the neurological connections to COVID-19
Uncovering the neurological connections to COVID-19
A variety of research efforts across Penn are working to uncover the neurological implications of COVID-19, including stroke, neuroinflammation, and loss of smell.
New genetic cause of an inherited neuropathy discovered
New genetic cause of an inherited neuropathy discovered
A discovery by Penn researchers in siblings may hold answers to new gene therapies for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
The perfect balancing act of inflammation rests on a single molecule
The perfect balancing act of inflammation rests on a single molecule
A new Penn study reveals a molecular mechanism that helps the body mount balanced responses to deadly infections.
Greater access to HIV and tuberculosis medications is needed worldwide
Greater access to HIV and tuberculosis medications is needed worldwide
A Penn-led study finds a specific combination of HIV and TB treatments, which is difficult to obtain in certain parts of the world, decreased the mortality risk for patients with HIV and multidrug-resistant TB.
New machine learning method allows hospitals to share patient data privately
New machine learning method allows hospitals to share patient data privately
An emerging technique called federated learning is a solution for health systems and hospitals that are often resistant to sharing patient data, due to legal, privacy, and cultural challenges.
Community health worker interventions can reduce hospitalizations
Community health worker interventions can reduce hospitalizations
A new study adds to the growing evidence base that community health workers can help meet the challenges of traditional health care delivery and strained health systems.
Primary care, delivered
Primary care, delivered
Class of 2019 alumni, in collaboration with Sayre Health Clinic, bring housing and food insecure people in Philadelphia primary care through a medically outfitted van.
Half of low-income communities have no ICU beds
Half of low-income communities have no ICU beds
A new Penn study says policies that facilitate hospital coordination are urgently needed to mitigate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the News
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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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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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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