A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that ACA marketplace plans offer significantly fewer mental health providers than primary care, highlighting the need for better regulation and incentives. The study suggests that narrower network design and lower reimbursement rates may contribute to this disparity.
A new imaging tool using targeted fluorescent dye successfully lit up benign brain tumors in patients undergoing removal surgery, allowing surgeons to identify tumor tissue. The technique improved surgical outcomes, with a 73% gross-total resection rate and perfect concordance for post-operative MRI results.
A Penn-led study identified 16 new genes associated with type-2 diabetes and one new genetic risk factor for coronary heart disease. The researchers found that most of the sites known to be associated with higher diabetes risk are also linked to higher CHD risk, highlighting potential targets for future therapies.
Scientists mapped B-cell clone populations across the human body, discovering two broad networks that influence immune responses. The findings provide a new foundation for infectious disease research and could lead to tissue-specific immune monitoring assays.
Researchers found patients with psoriasis covering 10% or more of their body surface area are at almost double the risk of death. The study used an objective measure of disease severity to analyze the relationship between psoriasis severity and mortality.
A new concept of nonvoluntary treatment could distinguish psychiatric patients who refuse help but likely would have accepted it in a healthy state of mind from traditional involuntary treatment. This distinction aims to provide more precise categorization and alleviate ethical concerns.
A study found that patients with one normal BRCA gene and germline mutations in breast and ovarian cancers had better survival rates when treated with chemotherapy. The research team evaluated the genetic profiles of 160 tumors and discovered a relationship between BRCA gene retention and resistance to treatment. Patients with normal B...
A new study from Penn researchers found a strong association between high moral reasoning and increased activity in the brain's reward system. This link suggests that positive motivations towards others play a crucial role in moral reasoning development, with higher levels of morality linked to more advanced principles and ethical rules.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has received two highly competitive post-doctoral Institutional Training Grants for genomic science. The grants will support training programs in translational medicine and informatics, as well as the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetics and genomics.
A new study shows that community health workers can improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalization rates, and lower costs for Medicaid patients. The IMPaCT program pairs trained local residents with chronically-ill patients from low-income neighborhoods.
A team of scientists used CRISPR technology to genetically engineer Indian jumping ants, revealing the molecular basis of their social communication. The study found that mutations in specific genes affected ants' sense of smell and social behavior, with potential implications for human brain disorders.
A study found that high-quality early intervention for children with autism can lead to significant cost savings. After just two years, the costs associated with the Early Start Denver Model were fully offset due to reductions in other services. The model uses a developmental curriculum and teaching procedures delivered by therapy team...
Researchers found that age and tumor type are key factors in initial denial, with cancers outside brain/spine denied 4.5 times more frequently. Despite this, 97% of cases were overturned on appeal, highlighting the need to streamline the appeals process.
Researchers have discovered a new biomarker associated with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), a group of rare genetic disorders. Elevated CSF spermine levels were linked to CNS symptoms in patients, providing a potential diagnostic tool and target for novel therapeutics.
Matthew S. Kayser, MD, PhD, a Penn Medicine assistant professor, has received a Clinical Scientist Development Award from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to explore biomarkers for treatment response in insomnia and depression. The grant will support his research project using a metabolomics platform.
Researchers discovered that older adults with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or mild stage Alzheimer's disease dementia reported lower quality of life compared to those without a diagnosis. The study also found that awareness of worsening prognosis had a negative impact on daily life satisfaction.
Researchers discovered how DNA damage cues immune cells to arrive at cancer cells, leading to increased tumor response. Inhibiting cell division can prevent micronuclei formation and reduce immune responses to cancer cells.
Researchers used a contrast agent to make tumor cells glow during surgery, combining it with PET scans to identify malignant nodules. This approach improved diagnostics and led to the removal of more cancerous nodules from lung cancer patients.
The Penn Center for Precision Medicine has awarded $565,000 in funding to eight research teams for their personalized medicine projects. The projects aim to improve treatment outcomes for various diseases, including idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania challenges common advice given to breast cancer patients, suggesting that antiperspirants can be used safely during radiotherapy. The study found no significant difference in radiation skin dose absorbed by patients with or without antiperspirants.
A new study suggests that a simple financial incentive of $100 can boost the rate of colon cancer screenings, increasing it from 1.6% to 3.7%. The study found that offering this inducement more than doubled the rate of screening when compared to a simple emailed request.
Researchers found significant discrepancies in how potential donors are evaluated and identified across the US. They propose two new metrics: evaluating donation percentage and tracking organs transplanted per possible donor, which could help identify high-performing OPOs and improve donation rates.
Researchers found genetically modified CAR T cells successfully migrated to and penetrated glioblastoma tumors, but triggered an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To overcome resistance, existing immunotherapies targeting checkpoint inhibitors may be necessary.
A study of 85,000 subjects identified three new gene variants that contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease by affecting the brain's immune cells. Researchers believe these findings offer fresh ideas for targeting the immune system to fight the disorder.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine identified a process where cancer cells instruct normal cells to act like viruses, enabling tumors to spread and resist treatment. This 'virus mimic' is detected in the blood of cancer patients and could explain why some breast cancers are more aggressive than others.
A newly identified biomarker panel correctly detects early pancreatic cancer in human cells, improving the ability to diagnose patients at different stages of their disease. The panel combines plasma thrombospondin-2 with CA19-9 levels for reliable detection of pancreatic cancer, potentially altering treatment outcomes.
A recent study at the University of Pennsylvania found that commercial brain training with Lumosity had no effect on decision-making or cognitive function. The researchers recruited two groups, one following Lumosity and the other playing online video games, but neither group showed improvements in brain activity or decision-making.
Common insurance plans leave access to top cancer hospitals at risk due to narrow network exclusions. Researchers call for greater transparency and more patient access.
A comprehensive review found that 63% of Americans have not completed an advance directive, with chronic illness and age being key factors. The study emphasizes the importance of completing these documents to ensure end-of-life care preferences are respected.
A Penn study found a 189% increase in multiple recurring Clostridium difficile infections from 2001 to 2012, highlighting the growing need for effective treatments. Fecal microbiota transplantation shows promise but requires further evaluation for long-term safety.
The Penn researchers will study the role of microbiota and microenvironment in developing Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Their goal is to advance knowledge of the disease and identify novel biomarkers and therapies.
A University of Pennsylvania study found that social isolation in fruit flies leads to sleep loss, which causes cellular stress and activates the unfolded protein response (UPR). Chronic activation of UPR is linked to aging and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and diabetes.
Researchers found gilteritinib, an FLT3 inhibitor, to be a well-tolerated treatment that led to frequent clinical responses in patients with the FLT3 gene mutation, a common cause of relapsed leukemia. The drug showed promising results in a first-in-human study, with response rates tracking with the degree of FLT3 inhibition.
A study by Penn researchers found that antibiotics can significantly change the skin microbiome, leading to lingering effects even after treatment is stopped. Antiseptics, on the other hand, had a less durable impact and did not significantly alter the skin's microbial communities.
A high-resolution view of the structure of Hsp104 has been acquired, showing how it processes proteins to break down tangles. The study provides insight into a potential nanomachine that could be used to dismantle harmful protein clumps in disease.
New research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine finds that lenvatinib improves overall survival rates in older thyroid cancer patients who are resistant to standard radioiodine treatment. The drug is well-tolerated and has a significant impact on patient outcomes.
Three Penn researchers, Elizabeth Grice, Vijay Bhoj, and Kara Maxwell, have been awarded $1.9 million in Burroughs Wellcome Fund grants to investigate skin microbiome functions and CAR T-cell immunotherapy for Hemophilia A. The grants aim to advance our understanding of human infectious diseases and cancer research.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered a molecular player that acts as a pilot light to turn on brown fat, which burns sugar and fat to produce radiant heat. Mice lacking this molecule, histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), are unable to activate brown fat, highlighting its crucial role in metabolism.
A study has identified eight new genetic locations associated with an increased risk of testicular germ cell tumors. The findings, published in Nature Genetics, could help doctors understand which men are at the highest risk of developing the disease and signal them to screen those patients.
A new research design from Perelman School of Medicine scientists provides a more effective way to assess the safety of newly approved drugs and those with rapidly increasing or declining use. This trend-in-trend method can identify rare side effects and provide accurate results, even in the absence of comparable control groups.
Researchers linked lower levels of WNT10A protein to male pattern baldness and found a treatment mechanism involving beta-catenin signaling. Small molecule drugs targeting this pathway may treat hair thinning and palm skin defects in WNT10A patients.
A new analysis found that women pay an average of 40 percent more than men for minoxidil foams, a hair loss remedy known as Rogaine. Researchers compared prices at 24 different pharmacies across four states and found the cost difference despite similar ingredients.
Researchers found that insomnia is three times more likely to report thoughts of suicide and death among U.S. Army servicemembers compared to those without the condition. Insomnia was a significant predictor for suicidality, with wakefulness at night associated with increased suicidal ideation.
A recent study published in Tobacco Control found that pictorial warning labels (PWLs) with images convey similar risk information as text-only labels, holding smokers' attention more effectively. The researchers observed that congruent PWLs where the image and text express similar messages or themes may be an optimal design strategy.
Olaparib has been shown to improve progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy in patients with BRCA-related advanced breast cancer. The phase III OlympiAD trial demonstrates the efficacy of olaparib as a treatment option for this patient population.
A recent study found that delayed eating patterns, compared to daytime eating, can lead to increased weight, insulin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, negatively affecting fat metabolism. Eating earlier in the day may help prevent overeating in the evening and at night.
David F. Dinges, a renowned expert in sleep research, has been awarded the Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to advancing sleep science. The award recognizes his extensive work on sleep restriction, circadian biology, and its impact on human physiology and behavior.
Researchers developed a DNA vaccine targeting HPV 16/18 to generate immune responses in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The therapy was safe and well-tolerated, with 18 of 22 patients showing elevated T cell activity specific to HPV 16/18.
Carl June, MD, a renowned cancer and HIV gene therapy pioneer, will receive the American Society of Clinical Oncology's highest scientific honor. He is recognized for his groundbreaking development of personalized chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, which has shown remarkable success in treating various cancers.
A Penn study found that acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) regulates gene expression in neurons to form and store spatial memories. Blocking ACSS2 impairs long-term memory, suggesting a potential target for neurological disorders like anxiety and depression.