A team of Penn Medicine researchers successfully identified a pathogenic agent in a patient sample using PathoChip technology, which rapidly identifies elusive microorganisms. The breakthrough could lead to faster and more effective treatment for life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients.
A new study found that health warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages significantly reduce the likelihood of parents purchasing these drinks for their children, regardless of education level. The study also shows that these labels improve parents' understanding of the health dangers associated with overconsumption.
A new study by Penn and Delaware researchers sheds light on the mechanics and biology of natural and engineered tissue, informing ways to treat injuries like knee meniscus tears and age-related tissue degeneration. The team developed micro-engineered models that replicate key features of degenerating native tissue, enabling testing of ...
Researchers analyzed 43 genes in 172 women with peripartum cardiomyopathy, finding that a genetic mutation in the TTN gene is a common cause. This discovery could inform future research and potentially improve care for affected women.
A new study published in Health Affairs found that premium-based financial incentives were ineffective in motivating obese employees to lose weight. The researchers suggest that employers consider testing alternative incentive designs to encourage healthy lifestyle choices.
A Penn-led team has discovered that caste-specific behaviors in ant colonies can be directly altered by changing the balance of epigenetic chemicals. The study found that compounds inhibiting histone acetylation increased foraging behavior in minors, while injecting these inhibitors into young major ants also boosted foraging activity.
Researchers have identified a specific weakness in the immune system of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, which may be corrected with a HER2-targeted vaccine. T cells from patients with recurrent cancer showed weaker response to the HER2 receptor protein compared to those without recurrence.
The new oral drug Palbociclib has shown promise in combating various types of cancer beyond breast cancer, including lymphoma, sarcoma, and teratoma. Early trials have demonstrated its effectiveness in slowing tumor growth and improving survival rates in patients with these conditions.
Researchers found that transradial rescue PCI was used in only 15% of cases, and those who were most prone to bleeding were more likely to be treated with transfemoral access. The study highlights the 'risk-treatment paradox,' where patients at high risk for a condition are less likely to receive aggressive treatment.
Researchers found that diet-induced obesity mice eating a low-fat diet for eight weeks followed by just one week of high-fat diet had improved sleep profiles compared to those maintaining the high-fat diet. The findings suggest that changes in weight are more important than body weight itself in regulating sleep.
A study analyzing over 1,000 headshots of department leaders at top US medical institutions reveals women are underrepresented in leadership roles. Women make up only 13% of department leader positions, despite efforts to address gender disparities.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that the CAP2 gene is responsible for cardiac conduction disease in mice, leading to sudden cardiac death. The researchers also discovered that the gene's absence affects the heart's ability to contract and regulate blood flow.
Researchers found that combining palbociclib with paclitaxel shrank tumors in nearly half of patients with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. The combination appears to be safe and may offer benefits over paclitaxel alone, suggesting a larger clinical trial is warranted.
A new study found that black patients receiving Medicare are less likely to receive biologic therapies for moderate to severe psoriasis than white patients, while those without low-income subsidy are also at a disadvantage. Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disorder, has limited therapeutic options due to high costs and limited insuran...
New studies from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that aspirin use is not associated with improved clinical outcomes or survival among breast cancer patients. However, another study suggests that aspirin may help reduce breast tissue density, which could lead to earlier detection of some breast cancers.
Research finds that medical students' involvement in evaluating patients adds only a few minutes to the average length of stay, allowing for balance between educational needs and treatment. The study's results provide reassurance for teachers who transition students from observing to aiding medical care.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that pre- and post-test counseling for genetic mutations increases knowledge and decreases anxiety in BRCA-negative patients. After testing, most women reported declines in general anxiety and improvements in genetic knowledge.
Researchers have achieved unprecedented response rates of up to 93% and durable remissions of over two years in children with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Similarly, patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma responded well to personalized cellular therapy, with complete remissions seen in 14 patients.
A study of medical records found that men taking androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer were almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease as those who didn't undergo the therapy. The longer duration of ADT, the greater the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Patients who discontinued ibrutinib or idelalisib due to side effects experienced durable responses after switching to another kinase inhibitor, with a 50% objective response rate and 11.9-month median progression-free survival.
A study of 87 CLL patients found 12 genetic mutations that can be targeted by therapies already available for other cancers, including PARP and BRAF inhibitors. These mutations were detected through next-generation sequencing and may offer new treatment options for patients who fail current therapies.
Researchers have found that Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus can infect and replicate in human neurons. This discovery suggests viral infection could underlie at least some symptoms of brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.
A new Penn Medicine study outlines how an individual's location and activities influence their risk of being assaulted, with areas of neighborhood connectedness showing lower rates of gun and non-gun related assaults. The research highlights the importance of changing urban environments to make them safer and reduce violence.
Researchers have discovered a blood test for the SNTF protein, which may predict long-term cognitive impairments in concussion patients. The study suggests that even mild concussions can cause permanent damage to brain wiring, leading to cognitive impairment.
Men with prostate cancer who undergo radiation therapy can benefit from yoga, which stabilizes fatigue, sexual health, and urinary incontinence. Yoga also improves general quality of life by reducing cancer-related fatigue and strengthening pelvic floor muscles.
A study by Penn Medicine and Monell Chemical Senses Center found a genetic taste receptor linked to improved breathing, reduced infections, and enhanced sleep outcomes for patients undergoing chronic sinus surgery. The discovery may improve treatment selection process and set realistic expectations for patients.
Researchers found that adding exposure and response prevention therapy to treatment regimens significantly improved symptoms in patients with OCD who had not responded to medication. The study also showed significant increases in insight, quality of life, and social function after just eight weeks.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine analyzed CRIC data to find that larger left atrium size is associated with an increased risk of heart failure among CKD patients. This finding provides valuable insights into identifying high-risk patients who require closer monitoring and targeted interventions.
A new Penn study finds that video-based CPR training can be just as effective as traditional hands-on training in teaching the basics of CPR. The study involved over 1,600 family members who received either video-only or VSI with manikin training and found that both groups performed similarly in a six-month retention test.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that paying both physicians and patients financial incentives leads to a greater reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The study enrolled 340 primary care physicians and over 1500 of their patients, dividing them into four groups: physician-only in...
Researchers analyzed CRIC data to identify risk markers for adverse cardiac events in CKD patients. The study found that women have a higher risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared to men, with a 1.5 times higher incidence prior to age 70.
The FIGHT study found that liraglutide, a type-2 diabetes drug, did not improve the clinical stability or pumping action of the heart in patients with advanced heart failure. Researchers discovered no significant favorable effects of liraglutide on heart function or quality of life among participants.
A new Penn study shows that mechanical CPR can be an effective alternative to manual CPR for treating cardiac arrest patients. After analyzing over 10,000 cases, researchers found that patients who received mechanical CPR were eight percent more likely to regain a pulse than those who received manual CPR.
Researchers have identified a mechanism that allows the nervous system to heal itself by correctly directing axons to reconnect. Using zebrafish with fluorescent proteins, they found that regenerating axons explore both correct and incorrect paths but are guided towards the proper direction by extracellular matrix components.
A new study suggests that hospital evidence-based practice centers (EPCs) can inform decision-making in medical settings, improving quality, safety, and value of care. EPCs can analyze scientific literature to fill critical knowledge gaps, leading to better outcomes and cost savings.
Researchers found that high-frequency activity in the hippocampus predicts behavioral performance and supports both recollection and familiarity components of recognition memory. The study used direct electrical recordings to test this link.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine used state-of-the-art techniques to survey the skin's virus population, or virome. Most DNA viruses on healthy human skin are viral 'dark matter' with never been described before.
Regular physical activity can help women at high risk of breast cancer delay drastic measures by reducing estrogen-sensitive breast tissue. Women who engage in 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise per day for five days a week may experience a 10% drop in estrogen-sensitive breast tissue over 100 minutes of exercise.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that married patients had a significantly lower risk of dying or developing a new functional disability after cardiac surgery. The study analyzed data from over 29,000 adults and found that unmarried patients were 40% more likely to experience poor outcomes.
Autophagy has been shown to work in the cell nucleus, playing a role in guarding against the start of cancer. By degrading unwanted cellular bits and pieces, autophagy helps prevent cancerous growth, but its improper activation during normal aging leads to premature aging and age-related diseases.
A team of Penn researchers analyzed 114 large animal studies on cartilage repair to determine adherence to federal guidelines. They found that most studies did not follow the guidelines, particularly when evaluating study outcomes, and suggested that a standardized reporting structure be implemented to improve translation.
A study of over 869 pre-teen girls found that those from families with a history of breast cancer or genetic mutations did not show increased signs of anxiety and depression. However, they did express more worry about breast cancer, suggesting a potential benefit of early education about risk.
New data from clinical trials at Penn Medicine demonstrate the clinical benefits of proton therapy for patients with advanced lung, pancreatic, and spine cancers. Proton therapy has been shown to reduce toxicities and improve survival rates compared to conventional radiation therapy.
The program aims to support a culture of experimentation, where insights can be turned into data quickly. Eight new projects will develop, test, and implement novel approaches to health care, focusing on topics such as lab monitoring, advance directives, and managing superutilizers.
The PARTNER II Trial showed promising findings for TAVR with the latest generation of balloon-expandable (SAPIEN 3) device, demonstrating low one-year mortality rates and improved symptom relief. The study also found a low rate of disabling stroke and paravalvular aortic regurgitation.
Researchers have identified distinct microbial signatures in triple negative breast cancer tissue, suggesting potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The study found a predominantly viral and bacterial signature, with some fungi and parasites also present.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that different treatments for Crohn's disease in children have distinct effects on their gut microbiome. The use of antibiotics suppressed bacterial growth but facilitated fungal growth, while immunosuppressant medications reduced inflammation and bacteri...
Researchers at Penn developed a new neuroimaging method that uses glutamate detection to identify epileptic lesions in patients with medication-resistant epilepsy. The GluCEST imaging method was tested on four patients and confirmed the location of the seizures with high accuracy.
A Penn bioethicist recommends increasing randomized trials, using better measures to quantify intervention effectiveness, and developing interventions that accurately reflect decision-making processes.
Researchers found that social media content can be linked to health outcomes, with shared data comprising nearly 1.4 million posts and tweets from over 1,000 participants. The study suggests that social media data can provide insights into health trends and behaviors, potentially informing education campaigns and interventions.