A study from Penn Medicine researchers analyzed online reviews of 539 Pennsylvania facilities to identify common themes associated with high-quality and low-quality care. The analysis found that five-star reviews were more likely to mention focus on recovery, staff helpfulness, and compassionate care, while one-star reviews were often ...
A new study by Penn Medicine found that counties with worse economies had higher cardiovascular mortality rates, particularly among middle-aged adults. The research suggests that economic disparities contribute directly to health disparities and highlights the need for interventions such as policies like a health insurance expansion.
A new study from Penn Medicine found that early diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is associated with improved outcomes in women diagnosed during late pregnancy or shortly after delivery. Black women are disproportionately diagnosed later, which may explain disparities in outcomes.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that implementing an electronic health record nudge increased cancer screening orders by 22% and 14%, respectively. However, the study also showed that patients' follow-through on screenings remained largely unchanged. The researchers suggest that future intervent...
Researchers found a 75% reduction in gastric cancer risk after eliminating Helicobacter pylori infection. Higher rates of gastric cancer were observed among African American, Asian, and Hispanic populations, as well as men who smoke.
A Penn Medicine study reveals a strong link between genetic variants associated with height and the risk of atrial fibrillation. Taller individuals are at an increased risk, with every one-inch increase in height translating to a three percent increase in risk.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered an epigenetic pathway that controls social behavior in carpenter ants. The study found that Major ant soldiers can be successfully reprogrammed up to 5 days after they hatch, but not beyond 10 days, revealing a narrow window of epigenetic plasticity.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered that a higher dose of rituximab is more likely to put patients with pemphigus into complete remission compared to the standard treatment regimen. The study found that patients over 65 had a nearly 10-fold greater chance of achieving complete remission, while those with moderate to severe obe...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have conducted the first-in-US trial of CRISPR-edited immune cells for cancer, demonstrating safety and feasibility with three participants. The edited T cells expanded and bound to their tumor target without serious side effects.
Researchers genetically engineered CAR T cells with molecular tags, allowing them to be monitored in animal models using PET imaging. This technology enables clinicians to track the number and location of CAR T cells over time, providing a more accurate measure of therapy durability and potential efficacy.
Researchers found that users who tweeted about loneliness were more likely to post about anger, anxiety, and depression, as well as struggles with relationships and substance use. The study aims to develop a 'loneliness prediction system' using social media data to identify individuals at risk of loneliness.
Researchers developed a blood test that measures cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to predict prognosis in glioblastoma patients. The test correlates with progression-free survival and detects genetic mutations not found in solid tissue biopsies, offering a complementary view of the tumor's molecular profile.
Researchers from Penn-led study suggest that tuberculous infection is rarely life-long and that 90% of infected people will not develop active TB. The study found that immunological memory to the disease can outlast elimination of infection, making it difficult to detect those at risk.
A new algorithm developed by a Penn Medicine-led team flags patients who would benefit most from advance care planning conversations, leading to improved timely discussions. The study found that 51% of high-priority flagged patients died within six months compared to less than four percent in lower priority group.
A new study from Penn Medicine shows that bariatric surgery is safe and effective for teenagers with morbid obesity, with low rates of complications and readmissions. The study found no evidence that higher BMI was associated with poor health outcomes following adolescent bariatric surgery.
The Penn Medicine team will analyze clinical data from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and age-related dementias to understand the mechanisms of TReND, a umbrella term for progressive neuropathologies after TBI. The study aims to establish diagnostic criteria for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and other forms of TReND.
Researchers found that acetate from alcohol metabolism alters proteins that regulate DNA function in the brain, affecting gene expression and behavior. This discovery provides a new understanding of the biology behind cravings and offers potential targets for treating alcohol abuse and fetal alcohol syndrome.
A new study published in Annals of Surgery found that high-risk patients who underwent general or vascular surgery at major teaching hospitals had significantly lower 30-day mortality rates (15.9% vs 18.2%) and reduced costs compared to non-teaching hospitals. Orthopedic surgery patients showed similar outcomes at both types of hospitals.
Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered that ANT is crucial for mitophagy, a quality control process removing damaged mitochondria, and found that mutations leading to defective quality control cause heart disease. The study reveals ANT's two distinct roles: producing ATP and regulating mitophagy.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that women have half the average number of followers as their male counterparts, despite similar tweet activity. The disparity holds implications for gender disparities in academic medicine and the effectiveness of social media platforms.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have made a breakthrough in understanding how spinal discs respond to injury. They found that using drugs like fasudil can calm cells and delay their default healing response, which has potential as a treatment for disc degeneration and back pain. This discovery highlight...
A new study from Penn researchers reveals that the molecular mechanisms of newly formed precursor T cells drive transformation into exhausted T cells. The discovery could help identify patients who may benefit from specific treatments, such as checkpoint inhibitors.
In Penn Medicine's New Jersey practices, an electronic 'nudge' served as an effective tool to influence prescribing behavior and lower quantities of prescribed opioids. The study found no evidence that pain control worsened despite the decreased prescriptions.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania is developing a critical tool for imaging the brains of patients with Parkinson's disease. They plan to use a special type of PET scan to detect the disease early on and provide detailed information about its progression.
A new model developed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has been created to personalize which cancer mutations are best targets for immunotherapy. The algorithm analyzes protein sequences from individual patient samples and evaluates their similarity to healthy cells, predicting a better immune response.
Patients who use online patient portals are 50 percent more likely to get a flu shot and twice as likely to have their blood pressure checked compared to those who do not interact with these portals.
A Penn Medicine study shows delivering a 'distant cousin' of a key protein prevents muscle damage and maintains muscle function in both small and large animal models. The synthetic substitute, utrophin, proved to be an effective and safe alternative to dystrophin, with significant implications for gene therapy.
The American Heart Association's new scientific statement identifies the benefits and risks of novel interventional devices for treating pulmonary embolism. The devices, which remove or dissolve clots in the lungs, are shown to be effective but carry moderate risks, particularly in patients with intermediate-risk PE.
Researchers are expanding brain organoid research, raising concerns about the potential for consciousness in host animals. The authors propose an ethical framework grounded in scientific principles to address these issues and ensure responsible use of this technology.
A new prediction system significantly increased palliative care consultations for seriously ill patients by 74%, according to a University of Pennsylvania study. The Palliative Connect trigger system uses predictive analytics to identify patients in need of palliative care consultation, leading to earlier and more effective interventions.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that oncologists dropped usage of two immunotherapies by 50% within six months of FDA label changes. The findings suggest that oncologists can quickly incorporate new guidelines into their practices.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have developed a vaccine that protects against genital herpes, with almost all animal subjects exposed to the virus showing sterilizing immunity. The vaccine stimulates three types of antibodies to block the virus from entering cells and ensure innate immune system protective functions are not turned off.
Rates of filled opioid prescriptions after eye surgery doubled from 1.2% in 2000-01 to 2.5% in 2014 across six ocular subspecialties, despite reduced invasiveness and recovery time for these procedures. The study's findings are concerning as they suggest that efforts to reduce opioid use have not had the desired impact.
Researchers found that electronic pill bottles and two-way text messaging increased medication adherence to over 80%, but didn't lower blood pressure levels. The study's results highlight the need for more effective strategies to manage hypertension.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that radiation therapy given 30 days or less before CAR T infusion reduces the risk of serious cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. The therapy may also have potential benefits for NHL patients, according to researchers.
A $3 million Stand Up 2 Cancer grant supports a clinical trial evaluating a combination therapy to prevent triple-negative breast cancer recurrence. The trial will utilize a blood test to identify women at risk and harness the immune system to eliminate the cancer.
Two new studies published in Pediatric Blood and Cancer and Acta Oncologica demonstrate the potential benefits of proton therapy for children with brain cancer. Proton therapy shows promising outcomes in improving overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates, particularly in young patients. Additionally, a new technique called p...
A new national study by Penn Medicine found that hepatitis C-infected kidneys can function comparably to uninfected kidneys in patients who do not already have the virus. The study showed a significant increase in the use of HCV-infected organs, but raised questions about why these organs are still assigned lower risk scores.
Researchers at Penn Medicine successfully harnessed CAR T-cell therapy to target and remove activated cardiac fibroblasts, significantly reducing cardiac fibrosis and restoring heart function in mice with heart disease. The approach demonstrates potential for treating heart disease, a leading cause of death worldwide.
Researchers at Penn Medicine and Deloitte Consulting LLP used behavioral insights, gaming elements, and social incentives to improve workplace physical activity. The study found that adding competition led to significant increases in physical activity, while other groups saw only temporary improvements.
A Penn Medicine study found that simple emoji buttons installed in emergency departments can monitor doctor and patient sentiments in real-time. The findings suggest that the terminals are used at a high level, providing valuable insights into trends and sentiment shifts.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients in the US and Canada receive opioids at a rate seven times higher than those in Sweden. Nearly half of US patients received high-dose opioid prescriptions within 30 days of discharge, while 25% of Canadian patients did so.
A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that minority students remain underrepresented in medical schools, despite increasing numbers over time. The study's findings suggest that while diversity in medical education has improved, it still lags behind the country's shifting demographics.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that providing patients with more testing choices, such as home fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), does not increase participation in colorectal cancer screening. However, framing choice did impact patient decision-making, leading to a decrease in colonoscopy rates.
Researchers identify CDK7 as a key player in prostate cancer growth and development, offering new treatment hope for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Turning off CDK7 leads to the death of cancer cells, with limited off-target effects on healthy cells.
A new clinical trial from Penn Medicine found that administering arginine vasopressin to trauma patients with severe bleeding can significantly reduce the need for blood products, a promising way to save lives. The study, published in JAMA Surgery, showed that patients treated with AVP required less than half the usual volume of blood ...
A recent study by Penn Medicine researchers found that automated text message conversations increased the rate of colonoscopies from 62 to 90 percent. The study used text reminders, instructions, and two-way messaging to engage patients before their appointments.
A new study found that French transplant centers are more likely to accept lower-rated kidneys from older donors, which could benefit thousands of Americans on the waitlist. This approach could provide over 10,000 years of life with a functioning kidney transplant if adopted in the US.
A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that nicotine-free e-cigarettes can immediately reduce vascular function and impair blood flow. The researchers used MRI exams on healthy adults to measure changes in blood vessels after vaping a single e-cigarette, revealing significant damage.
New USPSTF recommendations for BRCA1/2 genetic testing are beneficial, increasing use of genetic counseling and testing for those with high risk. However, concerns remain about large-panel genetic tests, direct-to-consumer multi-panel tests, and racial and socioeconomic disparities in genetic testing uptake.