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Health Sciences
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.
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.
High blood pressure conditions during pregnancy increase cardiovascular disease risk 10 years later
A Penn Medicine study sheds light on challenges and potential solutions; Black women are particularly affected.
Parental nicotine use and addiction risk for children
In research done using rats, Penn Nursing’s Heath Schmidt and colleagues found that males that engaged in voluntary nicotine use had offspring more likely to do so, too. Some offspring also developed impaired memory and anxiety-like behavior.
Frontline voices from the pandemic’s early days
In his new book, “The Wuhan Lockdown,” Guobin Yang uses personal diaries from that city’s residents to recreate how it felt at the epicenter of what was then a scary and unknown new virus.
Will a return to pre-pandemic hospital and nursing home conditions solve nurse burnout?
A new study of RNs finds preexisting burnout and dissatisfaction poses a persistent risk to public health.
Penn Dental’s Penntorship connects with the West Philadelphia community
Amid the COVID lockdown, Penn Dental Medicine students Kylie Schlesinger and Julie Berenblum founded a mentorship program for high schoolers in West Philadelphia.
With summer’s return, a guide to avoiding drowning
Zaffer Qasim of the Perelman School of Medicine analyzed the mortality data of drowning victims in the United States to prescribe treatment measures. Among other recommendations, he encourages everyone to get training in basic life support.
How Penn Family Medicine forms a foundation of LGBTQ+ primary care
The first primary care appointment for a patient who identify as LGBTQ is exactly like any appointment for any patient — clinicians are focused on treating them holistically and on listening to the concerns that brought them in for care.
Incarceration associated with negative mental health risks for Black men
A review of literature from the past decade found that for this group in the U.S. such a detention was linked to higher levels of psychological distress, more severe symptoms of PTSD and depression, and more.
In the News
More yogurt and nuts, less alcohol and snack foods: How GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are influencing people’s food spending habits
Carrie Burns of the Perelman School of Medicine says that weight-loss medications tend to decrease cravings for foods high in sugar and fat.
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Migratory birds mainly responsible for bird flu outbreak, experts tell Pa. lawmakers
Louise Moncla of the School of Veterinary Medicine says that avian flu viruses are being spread far geographically because of wild migratory birds.
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Thirteen subtle changes veterinarians would never ignore in their cats
Kaitlyn Krebs of the School of Veterinary Medicine says that cats can indicate illness through behavioral changes such as hiding or spending time in unusual places.
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Drinking two beers daily ages the brain by 10 years; study reveals surprising findings
A study by Penn researchers found that one to two units of alcohol per day shrunk overall brain volume and gray matter volumes.
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Seven unusual sleep hacks to help you drift off peacefully—we speak to a sleep expert about how to get a good night’s rest
A study from the Perelman School of Medicine found that participants who practiced paradoxical intention experienced significantly reduced sleep anxiety.
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