Through
5/1
Health Sciences
From 5 to 95: The impact of life experiences on brain health
From 5 to 95: The impact of life experiences on brain health
Structural and social determinants of health (SSDoH) are environmental conditions in which individuals are born, live, and learn that affect health, and evidence suggests that SSDoH can help to explain similar outcomes in Alzheimer’s disease.
Climate change’s impact on cardiovascular mortality
Climate change’s impact on cardiovascular mortality
Two new studies from Penn LDI indicate the increasing number of extreme heat waves baking large swaths of the country pose new levels of potentially deadly health threats, particularly for older adults and minority populations in low-income communities.
Helping transgender patients navigate health care
Helping transgender patients navigate health care
Penn Medicine Center for Health Equity Advancement and Penn’s Program for LGBTQ Health works to address the specific health care needs of gender diverse patients.
Managing mental health amid gun violence
Managing mental health amid gun violence
In 2021, Philadelphia saw a record number of 486 homicides by shooting as well 1,846 non-fatal shootings. According to clinical psychologist Leah Blain, exposure to trauma, including to gun violence, increases the risk of negative health outcomes.
Children younger than 5 eligible for COVID-19 vaccines
Children younger than 5 eligible for COVID-19 vaccines
In a Q&A, Lori Handy of Penn Medicine and CHOP discusses what it means now that this final group can get protection, plus offers recommendations for families with concerns about doing so.
Stress protein in fibroblasts may be a good target for future cancer drugs
Stress protein in fibroblasts may be a good target for future cancer drugs
A Penn study finds the ATF4 protein is overactive in many types of tumor cells and tumor-supporting fibroblasts to promote tumor survival, and may be a good target for future cancer treatments.
A newly identified stem cell regulator enables lifelong sperm production
A newly identified stem cell regulator enables lifelong sperm production
Research led by Jeremy Wang of the School of Veterinary Medicine has discovered that the enzyme DOT1L, a stem cell renewal factor, is essential for mice to produce sperm throughout their adult lives.
University of Pennsylvania’s first NFT commemorates mRNA research
University of Pennsylvania’s first NFT commemorates mRNA research
Proceeds from the July auction of the non-fungible token—a digital asset—will benefit ongoing research at Penn.
Text messaging shows promise in reaching unvaccinated patients
Text messaging shows promise in reaching unvaccinated patients
A Penn study finds that while automated texting did not get more patients to get their vaccinations against COVID-19, it reached roughly the same amount as manned phone calls.
Helping the brain to heal the gut
Helping the brain to heal the gut
In the second edition of her book on irritable bowel syndrome, Penn psychologist Melissa Hunt explores advances made in the past decade. Her aim is to offer accessible, effective, self-help psychological treatment for those who suffer from the disorder.
In the News
6ABC.com
Bird flu suspected in deaths of 200 snow geese in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley
Stephen Cole of the School of Veterinary Medicine says that indoor cats are contracting bird flu through raw pet foods of poultry origin or raw milk products.
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Self
The surgeon general calls for new warning labels on alcohol—here’s the truth about how it impacts your health
Henry Kranzler of the Perelman School of Medicine says that alcohol’s effects on the brain are observed more readily because it’s the organ of behavior.
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NPR
Tuberculosis rates plunge when families living in poverty get a monthly cash payout
Aaron Richterman of the Perelman School of Medicine says that there are large and underappreciated benefits of cash-transfer programs, such as potentially ending a tuberculosis epidemic.
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Newsweek
Cancer breakthrough as ‘speckles’ may reveal best treatment
A paper co-authored by PIK Professor Shelley Berger finds that patterns of “speckles” in the heart of tumor cells could help predict how patients with a common form of kidney cancer will respond to treatment options.
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Time
Scientists are racing to develop a new bird flu vaccine
Drew Weissman and Scott Hensley of the Perelman School of Medicine are testing a vaccine to prevent a strain of H5N1 bird flu in chickens and cattle.
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