10.20
Health Sciences
Cytokine treatment promotes weight loss by ‘sweating’ fat
Cytokine treatment promotes weight loss by ‘sweating’ fat
A seemingly unremarkable observation—greasy hair—showed Penn researchers how the immune system could be targeted to reverse obesity.
Tracking the earliest steps in parasite infection
Tracking the earliest steps in parasite infection
The parasite Cryptosporidium, a leading global cause of diarrheal diseases in children, injects host cells with a cocktail of proteins. Using powerful video microscopy, School of Veterinary Medicine researchers tracked the process in real time.
Clarifying T cell ‘exhaustion’
Clarifying T cell ‘exhaustion’
T cells, which are among the most powerful weapons in the immune systems of humans and other vertebrates, remain substantially programmed to stay exhausted even many weeks after exposure to a virus ended.
New cell therapy shows potential against solid tumors with KRAS mutations
New cell therapy shows potential against solid tumors with KRAS mutations
The new technology for cellular immunotherapy shows promising anti-tumor activity in the lab against hard-to-treat cancers driven the KRAS mutation.
Support and inspiration for undergrads pursuing careers in health care
Support and inspiration for undergrads pursuing careers in health care
The three-day-long National Pre-Health Conference, the brainchild of rising senior Alejandra Bahena, begins Aug. 4.
Penn Medicine’s new center to improve surgical equity for vulnerable patients
Penn Medicine’s new center to improve surgical equity for vulnerable patients
The Center for Surgical Health provides a new access point into sustainable, high-value surgical care for patients who typically rely on the emergency room for treatment.
New engineering approaches to address unmet oral health needs
New engineering approaches to address unmet oral health needs
With a new NIH training grant, awards, and new faculty and publications, the recently launched Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry is leveraging technological advancements to improve oral health.
Unexpected finds bring fresh excitement to the archives
Unexpected finds bring fresh excitement to the archives
Stacey C. Peeples’ discovery of a trove of historic papers, newspaper clippings, and various ephemera adds to the rich history she curates as lead archivist at Pennsylvania Hospital.
Using race to diagnose anemia during pregnancy may increase its risk at delivery
Using race to diagnose anemia during pregnancy may increase its risk at delivery
Penn researchers suggest going against national guidelines and standardizing the threshold at which pregnant women are treated for anemia
100 years of insulin
100 years of insulin
On July 27, 1921, Canadian doctors Frederick Banting and Charles Best successfully isolated the hormone insulin, one of the most important breakthroughs in treating diabetes. Experts from around the University share their thoughts on the medical triumph on the 100th anniversary.
In the News
The New York Times
Managing ADHD is hard. These coaches want to help
Lisa Joy Tutttle of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about Penn’s Adult A.D.H.D. Treatment and Research Program, which provides clients with coaching and other support. “We’re really trying to help people develop their own insights and solutions,” she said.
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Philadelphia Business Journal
Cell therapy pioneer Dr. Carl June to chair Chinese biotech firm's scientific advisory board
Carl June of the Perelman School of Medicine has agreed to serve as chairman of Bioheng Biotech Co.’s scientific advisory board. "Bioheng has made impressive progress in both universal CAR-T and enhanced CAR-T [therapies] for solid tumor, and achieved outstanding clinical results," June said. "I look forward to a faster clinical application and sooner benefit to cancer patients."
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US News
Mandates, not recommendations, work best to get folks vaccinated: Study
PIK Professor Dolores Albarracín authored a study that found mandates are more likely to lead to vaccine uptake than suggestions. “The requirement condition works better across the board, for different racial and ethnic groups and even among people who dislike feeling and being controlled by others,” she said.
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The New York Times
Waiting on U.S. mandate, some nursing homes are slow to vaccinate staff
PIK Professor Ezekiel Emanuel said lower COVID-19 vaccination rates lead to more infections. “We should be clear that mandates have been working and have been working in every industry that has tried them,” he said.
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ABC News
Why breakthrough COVID deaths can be misunderstood
Edward Stadtmauer of the Perelman School of Medicine advised cancer patients to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “If you have abnormal plasma cells to begin with or are getting therapy that might suppress or damage plasma cells, you can see why that this group of patients may have the most difficulty responding to a COVID infection and responding to vaccines,” he said. “If there is any group of patients who should be vaccinated and get a booster, it is this group of patients.”
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