5/18
Coronavirus Research
Initial SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations prime immune cells to respond to subsequent variants
Immunological imprinting from the original ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain has a significant impact on the antibody responses to the variants and boosters based on them.
‘Natural’ deaths likely COVID-19 related
New study led by Penn and Boston University provides the most compelling data yet to suggest excess mortality rates from chronic illnesses and other natural causes were driven by COVID-19 infections.
FactCheck.org and the fight against misinformation
Across two decades, the Annenberg Public Policy Center project expanded by adding scientific fact checking, translating content into Spanish, and addressing viral social media misinformation.
Researchers breathe new life into lung repair
A collaborative effort from teams across Penn culminates in new techniques to repair lung tissue after damage from flu and COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccine is strongly effective for children and adolescents during delta and omicron
A health record analysis shows that the risk of infection and severe illness is significantly lower for those who are vaccinated, and cardiac conditions do not increase.
Over a third of Americans worry about getting the flu, RSV, or COVID-19
American adults are worried they or loved ones will succumb to the ‘tripledemic’ illnesses in the next three months, according to a new health survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
A space for lifesaving, collaborative work
Gov. Josh Shapiro, President Liz Magill, and others from the University community celebrated the new home of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation.
A new understanding of immune response during SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections
New research by Penn Medicine finds T cells to be a critical defense against severe illness in the first days after infection, giving clues that could lead to stronger vaccines.
Viral persistence and serotonin reduction can cause long COVID symptoms
A new Penn Medicine study finds components of the SARS-CoV-2 virus remain in the gut of some long COVID patients, causing persistent inflammation, vagus nerve dysfunction, and neurological symptoms.
Public knowledge varies greatly on flu and COVID-19
The latest Annenberg Public Health and Knowledge Survey finds the answers to eight survey questions—four for the flu and four for COVID—have the strongest ability to independently predict individual vaccine willingness.
In the News
The mRNA miracle workers
Nobel laureates Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine appear on “Sunday Morning” to discuss their careers, their mRNA research, and the COVID-19 vaccines.
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Review of COVID death stats finds likely undercount in official numbers
A paper co-authored by Penn researchers found that COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. were likely undercounted in official statistics during the first 30 months of the pandemic.
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The Franklin Institute honors nine scientists and engineers on its 200th anniversary
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine are noted for receiving awards from the Franklin Institute and subsequently being honored with a Nobel Prize.
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You should still get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Nobel Prize winner who helped discover it explains why
Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine, who won the Nobel Prize along with Katalin Karikó, discusses the backlash against vaccinations and whether to receive the latest COVID vaccine.
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Long COVID brain fog may originate in a surprising place, say scientists
A study by Christoph Thaiss and Maayan Levy of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues finds that long COVID’s neurological symptoms, like brain fog, memory loss, and fatigue, may stem from serotonin reduction.
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Long COVID research is in its ‘most hopeful’ phase yet
A study by Christoph Thaiss and Maayan Levy of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues suggests that serotonin could be a target for long COVID treatment.
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