Researchers identified over 500 DNA sites requiring ATR enzyme to prevent breakage during replication. The findings suggest ATR inhibitors may enhance treatment efficacy for various cancers by targeting repetitive DNA sequences.
Nephrologists and health policy experts advocate for greater transparency in joint-venture dialysis clinics to ensure patient referrals and clinical outcomes are not influenced by financial ties. The lack of disclosure poses a significant barrier to evidence-based research, depriving patients of critical information.
Researchers at Penn discovered a new, rare mechanism that allows leukemia cells to relapse after CAR T cell therapy by masking the target protein CD19. This finding emphasizes the need for precise manufacturing processes to ensure the effectiveness of this treatment.
A new study published in JAMA found that moving the kickoff line to reduce speed and collisions on kickoffs resulted in a significant decrease in concussion rates. The study, conducted by the Ivy League and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, showed a 68% reduction in concussions after implementing the rule change.
Researchers identified specific genes and cells associated with CKD, including the adaptor protein DAB2 in the TGF-β pathway. Further experiments confirmed that reducing DAB2 expression protected mice from CKD. The findings could inform treatment options for this complex disease.
A new study suggests that Medicaid expansions may have been protective against the rise in drug overdose deaths, with nearly 20% lower mortality rates in expansion states compared to non-expansion states.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers identified a rare example where being older improves tissue function, leading to reduced scar formation. The key factor is a compound called stromal cell-derived-factor-1 (SDF1), which is secreted in the bloodstream and is more abundant in younger individuals.
A large study found that severe cases of prosthesis-patient mismatch after transcatheter aortic valve replacement increase the risk of death and heart failure readmissions by 19% and 12%, respectively. The study identified predictors of PPM, including smaller valve prostheses, larger body surface areas, and female or younger patients.
Researchers found that 86% of patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma showed elevated T cell activity after receiving the DNA vaccine. The study also describes a patient who developed metastatic disease but achieved remission after anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
Researchers found vaccination rates dropped significantly throughout the day at primary care clinics from 44% to 32%. Implementing a nudge in electronic health records increased flu vaccinations by nearly 20% compared to practices with no intervention.
A new study reveals pervasive stigmatizing views and myths about psoriasis in the United States, affecting daily life and relationships. The research found that 54% of respondents did not want to date someone with psoriasis, highlighting the need for education and awareness to dispel these negative perceptions.
Health policy experts argue that expunging the program could worsen educational debt in America and threaten the medical workforce. The authors call for clarity and swift decisions to resolve the uncertainty, which is particularly unfair to recent graduates who are already facing significant loan debt.
Researchers identify PDGF pathway to improve anti-VEGF therapies for glioblastoma. Adding an additional inhibitor blocks PDGF, making tumors more sensitive to anti-VEGF treatments.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that black and Hispanic veterans with chronic kidney disease are more likely to progress to advanced kidney disease despite equal access to nephrologist care. Genetic or environmental factors, such as APOL1 mutations, may be central to these disparities.
A modified RNA vaccine elicits protective response in mice to a conserved region of the flu virus, providing broad protection against various strains. The vaccine has shown promise as a universal flu vaccine candidate, which could be given multiple times over a lifetime for long-lasting protection.
Researchers analyzed ape parasite genomes related to Plasmodium vivax, the main source of mosquito-borne malaria outside Africa. They found near-identical genomes between ape and human parasites, differing by only two percent within gene sequences that code for proteins.
Researchers have developed a mouse model that induces scarring and damage similar to human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, allowing for the study of new pathways and targets. The model enables the testing of drugs in more clinically relevant ways, potentially leading to more effective therapeutic options.
Guidelines for discovering Parkinson's biomarkers aim to develop new treatments, focusing on biomarkers within the disease itself. The research emphasizes collaboration and access to biobanks containing thousands of biological samples.
A study in Guatemala finds type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes affect 25% of the indigenous population, with age being a significant risk factor rather than obesity. The prevalence has more than doubled since 2003, and researchers attribute this to aging, increased physical inactivity, and insulin resistance.
Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered PARP inhibitors could prevent toxic TDP-43 accumulations in brain cells. The treatment shows promise for neurodegenerative disorders like ALS and FTD.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells release exosomes carrying PD-L1 to suppress the immune system, enabling a new approach to predict treatment response and track therapy effectiveness through blood tests. This finding has significant implications for precision medicine and personalized cancer care.
The Penn Biomedical Graduate Studies program will award six students with a $2 million fellowship, supporting their work on high-risk projects in biomedical research. The Blavatnik Family Fellowship aims to cultivate outstanding young minds and accelerate critical research.
Jorge Henao-Mejia will receive $500,000 to study the role of gut microbiota in obesity and type 2 diabetes. His research could lead to new treatments for these serious medical conditions.
A clinical trial at Penn Medicine has successfully cured 20 patients of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) after receiving kidney transplants from infected donors who were treated with an antiviral therapy. The results show that the quality and function of the transplanted kidneys are similar to those from non-HCV infected donors.
A new framework developed by Penn researchers measures and addresses the key factors contributing to inclusive learning and work environments in healthcare. The study identifies six factors: presence of discrimination, effective leadership and mentors, hierarchy, recognition, civility, and support for work-life balance.
A new study using machine learning has identified four brain-based dimensions of mental health disorders, including mood, psychosis, fear, and disruptive externalizing behavior. These findings suggest that psychiatric symptoms do not neatly fall into established categories, but instead emerge from diverse clinical domains to form dimen...
A new drug-delivery technology called RBC-hitchhiking has been found to dramatically increase the concentration of drugs in specific organs, potentially decreasing side effects and improving efficacy. The technology uses red blood cells to transport nano-scale drug carriers, achieving a 40-fold increase in drug uptake in the lungs.
Researchers found that diabetes medications controlling macrophage metabolism can reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. By regulating energy sources for immune cells, these medications may inhibit the progression of diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
A study by Penn Medicine researchers found that pairing an online patient dashboard with 'nudges' to doctors tripled statin prescribing rates, increasing from 2.6% to 8%. The nudges used active choice framing and peer comparison feedback to prompt physicians to make decisions on prescriptions.
Researchers found that mice with obesity develop new liver circadian rhythms that impact fat accumulation and burning, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for treating obesity-related liver diseases. Administering drugs at specific times when PPAR-alpha is most active could enhance effectiveness and reduce toxicity.
A new study found significant geographic variability in opioid prescribing patterns for minor injuries, with patients in high-prescribing states receiving up to three times more prescriptions than those in low-prescribing states. Reducing unnecessary prescribing could lead to 18,000 fewer opioid tablets being prescribed.
Researchers found reduced levels of plasmalogens in the liver are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, and other biomarkers of neurodegeneration. The study suggests that a deficiency in these lipids could lead to the eventual destruction of peroxisomes, increasing Alzheimer's risk.
The National Institute on Aging Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Data Storage Site (NIAGADS) has made large-scale DNA sequence data available to researchers. The database includes whole-genome sequence data from 5,000 subjects with Alzheimer's disease and cognitively normal controls from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
A randomized controlled study found that greening vacant lots significantly reduces feelings of depression and improves mental health for surrounding residents. Residents living near greened lots experienced a 41.5% decrease in depression compared to those living near untreated abandoned lots.
Researchers found that cancer patients developing skin diseases after anti-PD-1 therapy can do so even after treatment has concluded. The median time to develop skin disease was four months after starting treatment, but in one case, it took over three years.
The seven randomized trials funded by NCI and PCORI are enrolling slowly due to commercial insurance policies not covering proton therapy. Researchers propose a coalition approach involving insurers, centers, hospitals, vendors, and advocates to establish coverage for trial participation. The trials will compare cancer control and side...
A new study led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine finds that aspirin desensitization can also alleviate alcohol-induced allergies in patients with Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD). Following treatment, 86.5% of patients reported they could drink alcohol without experiencing symptoms.
A study published in Cancer Cell found a rare EGFR mutation, A289D/T/V, driving more aggressive brain tumors with poorer survival rates. Researchers discovered that targeting this mutation with the monoclonal antibody drug mAb806 may reduce tumor growth and extend lives.
Brian C. Capell, MD, PhD, receives the award to investigate epigenetic markers in healthy, sun-damaged, and cancerous skin to identify targets for topical skin cancer treatments. The research aims to clearly define the role of these markers and develop effective therapies for squamous cell carcinoma.
Researchers at Penn School of Medicine successfully reduced cholesterol levels in rhesus macaques using genome editing, offering a new approach to treating heart disease patients who don't tolerate PCSK9 inhibitors. The study demonstrates the potential of this therapy for large-scale clinical trials and future treatment options.
A recent Penn Medicine study found that nearly all major neurodegenerative diseases share common 'proteinopathies' present in varying degrees across different diseases, expanding the potential for combination therapy targeting multiple disease proteins.
A Penn Medicine team discovered that tumor heterogeneity, regulated by genes specific to each tumor, determines whether a tumor is hot or cold. This understanding could help oncologists tailor treatments to a patient's unique tumor composition.
A Penn study found that protein fragments in semen enhance Ebola virus transmission and protect the virus from environmental stress. Researchers suggest targeting amyloids could prevent sexual transmission of the Ebola virus.
Researchers have identified a way to slow the spread of the flu virus by altering molecular interactions between the virus and host genes. Altering these interactions can stunt viral replication, according to new research published in Nature Communications.
A new study published in The Lancet found that police killings of unarmed black Americans are associated with worse mental health among other black Americans. Researchers surveyed nearly 40,000 black Americans and estimated that these deaths contribute to 1.7 additional poor mental health days per person every year.
A new study reveals that N-acetylaspartate (NAA) molecules can inhibit the clumping of amyloid-beta proteins, which are associated with cognitive decline and neurological problems. By restoring NAA levels after head trauma or in neurological diseases, it may be possible to block the progression of amyloid pathologies.
Dr. Daniel J. Rader, a renowned expert in heart disease prevention and treatment, has received the 2018 Gotto Prize for his pioneering work on lipoprotein metabolism. His research has significantly impacted current strategies to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.
A life-saving stroke educational program, Stroke 112, has been adopted globally to improve stroke recognition in non-English speaking countries. The program's use of a universal emergency phone number and simple warning signs has shown high acceptance rates, particularly in Taiwan.
Benjamin A.Garcia, a renowned biochemist at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, has been awarded the Biemann Medal for his groundbreaking work in mass spectrometry analysis techniques. His research focuses on detecting proteins and biomarkers to study disease mechanisms and develop targeted therapies.
A clinical trial by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine shows that combining wearable devices with financial incentives and personalized goal-setting increases physical activity levels in heart disease patients. The study found a significant increase in step counts, totaling about 100 miles more than the average patient in co...