6.21
Health Sciences
Childhood trauma has lasting effect on brain connectivity in patients with depression
Childhood trauma has lasting effect on brain connectivity in patients with depression
A study led by Penn Medicine researchers found that childhood trauma is linked to abnormal connectivity in the brain in adults with major depressive disorder.
A conversation with James Serpell
A conversation with James Serpell
Welcome to the “office hours” of James Serpell, professor of ethics and animal welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine and director of the Center for the Interaction of Animals & Society.
An epidemic that affects us all
An epidemic that affects us all
Public officials and medical experts meshed on stage for this year’s Silfen Forum, discussing the complex issues surrounding the nation’s opioid crisis.
Study reveals overlapping and distinct genes associated with heavy drinking and alcoholism
Study reveals overlapping and distinct genes associated with heavy drinking and alcoholism
In the largest-ever genome-wide association study of both traits in the same population, a team of researchers found 18 genetic variants of significance associated with either heavy alcohol consumption, AUD, or both.
Eating disorders do not discriminate: Trans teens face greater risk
Eating disorders do not discriminate: Trans teens face greater risk
Research shows that transgender children are at greater risk for developing eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, even more so than their cisgender peers.
Topical targeted therapies show promise in treatment of skin cancer
Topical targeted therapies show promise in treatment of skin cancer
A Penn study finds fewer side effects with small-molecule kinase inhibitors compared to standard ointment when treating precancerous skin lesions.
Researchers discover the source of new neurons in brain hippocampus
Researchers discover the source of new neurons in brain hippocampus
The findings extend the understanding of how a continuous supply of neurons throughout life is connected with learning and memory.
Unlocking the female bias in lupus
Unlocking the female bias in lupus
The majority of lupus patients are female, and new findings from Montserrat Anguera of the School of Veterinary Medicine and colleagues shed light on why. The research suggests that female lupus patients don’t fully silence their second X chromosome in T cells, leading to an immune response gone awry.
A DIY colorectal cancer screening kit
A DIY colorectal cancer screening kit
At-home screening kits are found to be effective, with roughly a quarter of patients overdue for screenings mailing the completed kits back within two months.
Penn Dental Medicine educating dentists to care for persons with disabilities
Penn Dental Medicine educating dentists to care for persons with disabilities
Penn Dental Medicine is helping to improve access to care for persons with disabilities through a commitment to provide continuing education and educational content to dentists on how to manage this special population.
In the News
Axios
The flimsy promises of brain wearables
Anna Wexler of the Perelman School of Medicine said the FDA is ill prepared to reign in the companies producing wearable brain devices, which record brain activity or stimulate the brain with electric currents in spite of little oversight.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
College affirmative action bans linked to higher rates of smoking among minority youth
A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine has found that states that ban affirmative action in college admissions experience increased smoking rates among black, Latino, and Indigenous high schoolers. “Educational policies can have these unintended health consequences,” said co-author Atheendar Venkataramani. “Social policies really matter for health, and it’s worth talking about.”
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
In Pennsylvania, ‘deaths of despair’ are 50% higher than the national average
Maria Oquendo of the Perelman School of Medicine is quoted on increased suicide rates in Pennsylvania.
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Time
‘They’re chipping away.’ Inside the grassroots effort to fight mandatory vaccines
In an article about anti-vax organizing, Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine said, “Vaccines are a victim of their own success.” Offit continued, “people have forgotten how sick measles can make you and how dead measles can make you.”
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Nature
Whole-body PET scanner produces 3D images in seconds
Abass Alavi of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about a new version of a PET scanner that can generate 3D renderings of the entire human body in just seconds, a fraction of the time required by older iterations. “The whole-body machine is another quantum jump in medical imaging,” said Alavi.
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