A new study from Penn Medicine found that men are 45% more likely to receive bystander CPR in public compared to women, with 1.23 times increased odds of survival without it. The researchers aim to educate the public on the importance of providing bystander CPR regardless of gender or physical barriers.
A Penn study reveals the physical mechanism of how platelets contract and shrink blood clots, which can inform new ways to diagnose and treat conditions like ischemic stroke and deep vein thrombosis. The research found that contracting platelets cause clots to shrink by bending and shortening individual fibrin fibers.
A new study by Penn Medicine researchers found that nearly 70% of cannabidiol products sold online are either over or under labeled, posing serious health risks to consumers. The study highlights the need for regulation and oversight in the rapidly expanding CBD industry.
A new study found that a mutation in the H3N2 strain of the virus is responsible for the low efficacy of last year's influenza vaccine. The team suggests investing in new technologies to produce egg-free vaccines, while emphasizing the importance of annual flu vaccination.
A new study led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that vitamin D deficiency may be a key factor for pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) getting pregnant. The research revealed that women with PCOS who were vitamin D deficient had a 40% lower chance of achieving a pregnancy compar...
Patients with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing serious liver disease compared to those with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a large population-based study. The study found that systemic inflammation plays a significant role in the development of liver disease in these patients.
Women with a history of infertility have a 10% increased risk of death compared to those without reported infertility struggles. Infertility is also linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and diabetes mortality, highlighting the need for further research into the long-term effects of infertility on women's health.
A new treatment reduced disease burden in patients with skin-predominant dermatomyositis, improving patient-reported quality of life and symptom assessments. The treatment, anabasum, was well-tolerated with mild side effects.
A new study from Penn researchers shows that a reflexive system of the human eye also produces a conscious, visual experience that may be related to excessive light sensitivity. The findings suggest that people have brain activity and a visual experience in response to invisible light pulses that stimulate melanopsin cells.
Researchers found that blood flow sends signals for heart 'cushion' cells to become fully formed valves through KLF2-Wnt signaling. This discovery supports an epigenetic explanation for common congenital valve defects.
Researchers discovered that tumor cells in the fallopian tubes of women at high-risk for ovarian cancer can be detected years before they develop into the disease, providing a potential window of time for early detection and intervention. The study identified TP53 gene mutations as an early indicator of ovarian cancer development.
A Penn study reveals that ESRP1 gene mutations contribute to early hearing loss in humans, highlighting a critical molecular pathway involved in auditory development. The discovery opens up possibilities for new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers aim to understand why eating late disrupts natural circadian rhythms and affects weight, glucose, and hormone levels. They will conduct a randomized, long-term study on adults with obesity to compare weight and metabolic effects of daytime versus delayed eating schedules.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine conducted a randomized control trial showing that providing small financial incentives can motivate young people to engage in daily glucose monitoring. Participants who received $60 monthly credits were nearly three times more likely to achieve daily goals, but overall gl...
A study published in Pediatric Blood and Cancer found proton therapy to be as effective as photon radiation while improving quality of life for pediatric head and neck cancer patients. The treatment resulted in similar rates of tumor control and lower rates of toxicity, with no severe side effects reported.
A Penn study found that Notch gene mutations drive expression of Myc and other genes in B-cell cancers, offering new insights into cancer growth and potential therapeutic targets. The research may lead to more effective treatment combinations by targeting Notch-Myc signaling pathways.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania sheds light on how seniors cope with results showing an elevated level of beta amyloid protein plaques, a biomarker of Alzheimer's-disease. Researchers found that many seniors are dissatisfied with the ambiguity of the message and desire more detailed information about their risk.
A new study from Penn researchers reveals how genetic variants in the TMEM106B gene lead to disease by affecting cellular structure and promoting abnormal lysosome activity. This breakthrough provides insight into a major cause of dementia in young adults and may lead to development of new therapeutics.
Researchers discovered that mTORC1 is essential for VLDL-triglyceride production, controlling lipid synthesis and storage in the liver. The study suggests targeting mTORC1 to prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease associated with obesity and diabetes.
Researchers at Penn are building a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner that can image a patient's entire body at once, allowing them to see both glucose and glutamine on the same scan. This will enable better understanding of how these two compounds interact with cancer cells.
Researchers at Penn will launch the ALACRITY Center with three projects to enhance treatment for people served through publicly-funded mental health systems. The center aims to identify effective ways to encourage patients to take antidepressant medication and improve use of evidence-based practices among one-to-one aides assigned to w...
A Penn study suggests that DNA 3D packaging controls which genes are available for activation, influencing cell differentiation. The researchers found that tethering DNA to the nuclear periphery with an epigenetic enzyme contributes to a cell becoming a certain type.
Researchers found noroviruses hide in extremely rare gut cells that fail to communicate with T cells, allowing the virus to evade the immune system. The study informs vaccine development and may explain limited effectiveness of current vaccines.
A new study published in Nature and Nature Genetics describes a comprehensive atlas of gene expression across 42 tissue types, providing insights into the molecular origins of human disease. The study's findings allow researchers to identify genetic factors that cause changes in gene expression and relate them to human disease risk.
African American women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy, a form of heart failure that occurs during or after pregnancy. They also present with worse symptoms and take longer to recover compared to women of other ethnic backgrounds.
Researchers at Penn Medicine are using a fluorescent dye to identify cancerous lymph nodes during head and neck cancer procedures, providing real-time guidance for surgeons. The study aims to minimize the risk of damage to healthy tissue while removing potentially suspicious lymph nodes.
Hao Wu, a Penn Medicine genetics researcher, has received a 2017 NIH New Innovator award to pursue high-risk research on epigenome editing. The grant will fund his study of how the epigenome of heart muscle cells respond and adapt to changing environmental oxygen levels.
A new study found that ride-hailing services decrease alcohol-involved crashes in Portland and San Antonio, but not Reno. The researchers suggest city-specific characteristics may influence the impact of ride-hailing on crash rates.
A new DNA-based Zika vaccine candidate has demonstrated both safety and the ability to elicit an immune response against Zika in humans. The phase 1 clinical trial showed that participants produced an immune response against Zika with minimal adverse effects.
Researchers discovered that chromatin fragments outside the nucleus activate a DNA-sensing pathway, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. The study aims to develop small molecules targeting this inflammatory pathway to treat age-related diseases.
Researchers found that incorporating game design elements into activity trackers increased step counts by nearly one mile per day. The study, which involved families tracking physical activity with wearable devices or smartphone apps, showed a 27% increase in achieving daily fitness goals.
A researcher at the University of Pennsylvania will conduct a randomized, controlled study comparing home-based and office-based phototherapy treatments for psoriasis. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these treatments and fill an evidence gap in the treatment of this chronic autoimmune disease.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that black children with eczema are 30% less likely to see a doctor for treatment compared to white children. Despite having more severe disease, minority children experience lower healthcare utilization rates due to various barriers.
Researchers discovered a chemical tag added to RNA during embryonic development regulates the early brain's growth. The study found that m6A-tagging is essential for proper brain cell development, with dysregulation linked to psychiatric disorders.
A pilot program using big data predicts ED visits in lung cancer patients with 33% accuracy. The model identifies high-risk patients who are 6.6 times more likely to visit the ED compared to low-risk patients.
A new study found that 80% of activity tracker users stuck with the device for at least six months. The populations that could benefit most may not be using these technologies. Gamification and financial incentives were key to sustained use, but more effort is needed to engage low-income individuals.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a new target for cancer therapies by blocking an enzyme crucial to tumor growth and a process that causes resistance to current treatments. A new drug called DQ661 successfully inhibits tumor growth in mice with melanoma, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
A meta-analysis found that sleep deprivation, administered in controlled settings, rapidly reduces symptoms of depression in approximately half of patients. The study suggests that partial sleep deprivation is equally effective as total sleep deprivation and medication does not significantly influence the results.
If DACA expires, the health care profession will face a serious challenge as many former beneficiaries experience adverse effects on mental health and psychological well-being. Health care organizations must proactively reach out to undocumented immigrants to reassure them of continued access to quality health care.
A recent Penn study found that gene expression persists during cell replication, contradicting the long-held assumption that genes become 'silent' during this process. The research, led by Katherine C. Palozola and Kenneth S. Zaret, sheds new light on how cells maintain their identity during division.
A chemically modified version of heparin shows promise in reducing brain swelling and inflammation after traumatic brain injury in mice. The new treatment, ODSH, is being tested in a Phase II clinical trial to assess its effectiveness in people with TBI.
A new research network, led by CHOP and Penn Medicine, aims to identify strategies to prevent kidney stone recurrence. The PUSH study tests personalized fluid goals, financial incentives, and health coaching to reduce stone recurrence over a two-year period.
Researchers found patients with FTD showed thinning of outer retina compared to control subjects. The degree of retinal thinning was worse in those with lower cognition scores.
M. Celeste Simon, a renowned Penn Cancer biologist, has been awarded the National Cancer Institute Outstanding Investigator Award. She is recognized for her groundbreaking research on cancer cell metabolism and its applications in treating clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified amino acids that activate sweet taste receptors, which can block the release of antimicrobial peptides and kill bacteria. This new understanding could lead to new treatments for chronic sinus infections, affecting nearly 35 million Americans annually.
A study published by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified two distinct cell types in the lungs, one promoting regeneration and the other forming scar tissue. This discovery could lead to targeted therapies for conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary...
A new method reveals abnormally shortened telomeres in DMD patients' muscle stem cells, leading to early loss of regeneration capacity and disease progression. The finding suggests gene therapy and treatments targeting telomere length could slow or stop the disease.
A team of Penn researchers found a correlation between shorter telomeres and heart failure in human patients. Telomere length was directly related to cardiac function, with severely shortened telomeres indicating decreased cardiac performance.
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma can start with a lower dose of sorafenib without affecting overall survival, experiencing fewer side effects and lower treatment costs. The reduced dose approach allows patients to ramp up as they show tolerance, while the standard dose may require ramping down due to toxicities.
Researchers found that art observation training significantly improved observational recognition skills among first-year medical students. The study also showed improvements in empathy and emotional recognition, as well as an increase in open-mindedness. Art training alone can help teach medical students to become better clinical obser...