8.15
Health Sciences
Dogs born in the summertime more likely to suffer heart disease
Dog days of summer: a study out of the Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Veterinary Medicine has found a correlation between canine health and birth season.
Science and politics: a Q&A with Molly Sheehan
The School of Engineering and Applied Science postdoc researcher discusses what fascinates her about science, her unique path in science and technology, and the role scientists should play in political office.
Different diseases elicit distinct sets of exhausted T cells
A new study by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine found that immune systems that are battling long-term infections or chronic diseases are left fatigued, and identified nine distinct varieties of exhausted T cells, or Tex.
Helen Fetaw sets her sights on treating underserved populations
The recent College of Arts and Sciences grad will combine passion for studying medicine and social justice to advocate for patients in the U.S. and around the world.
Stem cell signaling drives mammary gland development and, possibly, breast cancer
A connection between mammary stem cells and macrophages, a type of immune cell, is crucial for mammary gland development, and may also figure into the biology of breast cancer.
Leadership training for a new focus on healthcare
Doctors at the Perelman School of Medicine are focusing on what the future of healthcare will require of its leaders for a well-integrated healthcare system.
Researchers discover cell type dictates form of Parkinson’s disease protein
Different Parkinson’s-related brain disorders are characterized by misfolded proteins embedded in cells. A team from the Perelman School of Medicine discovered that the type of cell effected dictates which disease strain may emerge.
A chemotherapy companion to save thousands of lives
A trio of Penn students created the startup Sanguis, producing an inexpensive, portable blood cell counting device.
New ‘match’ streamlines clinical training experience for psych graduate students
A new “match” for clinical psychology graduate students connects trainees with potential externship sites. In its second year, the initiative successfully matched more than 250 trainees in the mid-Atlantic region.
With second FDA approval, the transformative power of CAR-T is multiplied
After last year’s approval to treat pediatric lymphoma, the latest indication will expand the number of patients that can be treated with personalized cell therapy almost tenfold.
In the News
The New York Times
Clues to your health are hidden at 6.6 million spots in your DNA
Daniel Rader of the Perelman School of Medicine discussed the availability of genetic screening for early indicators of heart disease.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
New hepatitis C drugs mean diseased organs can be used for transplants
The Perelman School of Medicine’s Peter Reese discussed the possibility of increased rejection in patients who’ve received infected kidneys, saying “we can’t rule it out. It’s possible there’s more immunological injury with hep C infection.”
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Associated Press
Penn Medicine eliminating sugary drinks in facilities
Ralph Muller of Penn Medicine discussed the hospital system’s recent announcement regarding the phasing out of sugary drink sales.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Hyperbaric oxygen: The mysterious therapy that saved a cancer survivor from radiation side effects
Hyperbaric therapy is controversial, according to Matthew Kelly of HUP, largely because “it’s expensive, and some practitioners overuse it, which gives a black eye to the field.” However, for some patients, the oxygen-rich environment can promote healing and fight infection.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Cancer ‘drones’ in blood weaken immune system, Penn scientists show
Wei Guo of the School of Arts and Sciences and George Xu of the Perelman School of Medicine discussed their team’s cancer research. “Tumor cells are smarter than we thought,” said Guo.
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