Researchers found a significant decrease in serious crimes in areas around remediated buildings, including a 39% reduction in gun assaults. The study suggests that making buildings safer can improve health outcomes and reduce crime.
The Affordable Care Act has led to a dramatic drop in out-of-pocket prices for prescription contraceptives, with average costs declining by up to 38% for oral contraceptive pills and 68% for IUD insertions. Annual savings are estimated at approximately $1.4 billion per year.
A new meta-analysis of 11,000 healthy volunteers in 394 phase I trials found that serious adverse events were rare, occurring in only 34 (0.31%) cases, and half of these were unrelated to the study drug or procedures. The majority of adverse events were mild, with nearly a quarter being judged as unrelated to the study.
A Penn study found that natural genetic differences in DNA sequence can determine how an anti-diabetic drug works, shedding light on personalized approaches to treating diabetes and related disorders. The research suggests that genetic variations can affect drug response, which could lead to more effective treatments.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a stem-like progenitor cell, called cardiomyoblast, that produces only heart muscle cells. This discovery is expected to accelerate research into cardiac therapies and potentially lead to new treatments for heart damage.
The Independence at Home Medicare demonstration program saved over $25 million in the first year by improving geriatric care and reducing hospital readmissions. The program, which provides home-based medical care through house calls, resulted in improved patient satisfaction and reduced healthcare costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
Researchers discovered that actin polymerization powered by the Arp2/3 complex is essential for forming and moving autophagosomes. The formation of 'actin comet tails' propels these compartments toward lysosomes for final processing, enabling cells to recycle misfolded proteins and damaged organelles.
A study found that young adults struggle with navigating health insurance plans, citing unfamiliarity with terms like deductible and co-insurance. The researchers suggest the need for tools to assist with the enrollment process, including decision aids and cost estimators.
A recent study reveals that nearly 1 in 3 counties in the US have limited access to specialty care for ovarian and cervical cancers, affecting 14.8 million women. The study also found that 15% of women may face barriers to care due to their referral network.
A recent study published in Psychopharmacology found that lisdexamfetamine improved executive functions and objective measures of cognitive decline in post-menopausal women. The research suggests that the drug may help alleviate difficulties with memory, time management, and other cognitive tasks.
Community health workers are expected to play a vital role in healthcare delivery due to the increasing need for CHWs nationwide. A new perspective piece offers guidance on how to maximize effectiveness, including integrating CHWs with formal healthcare providers and addressing upstream issues.
A new study found that younger, unrelated donors with high T cell counts, particularly CD8 cells, resulted in significantly reduced disease relapse and improved survival rates for older patients. Screening for donor T cell characteristics may help optimize donor selection for these transplants.
The study reveals that Rev-erbα has two distinct roles in regulating the body clock and metabolism, one in cells across the body and another in the liver. This dual function may enable the development of targeted therapies for metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and fatty liver disease.
A new study found that refraining from late-night calories helps prevent some of the decline in neurobehavioral performance during sleep restriction. Subjects who fasted performed better on reaction time and attention lapses than those who had eaten during late-night hours.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that specific types of physical activity are associated with better sleep habits. These include aerobics/calisthenics, biking, gardening, golfing, running, weight-lifting, and yoga/Pilates. In contrast, household and childcare work were linked to insufficient sleep.
Research from Penn scientists found that individuals with higher moral reasoning skills showed increased gray matter in the prefrontal cortex, a key area for complex social behavior and decision making. The study also linked higher levels of moral development to lower neuroticism and increased openness to experience.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine suggests that PD-1 does not directly cause T cell exhaustion. Instead, it helps regulate the balance between different T cell types, preserving a 'reserve force' that can fight on later. This finding has implications for cancer and antiviral therapies.
New research reveals wide variability in organ donation rates across the US, with Midwest having the highest rates and New York State having the lowest. If consent rates were to increase in low-performing areas, nearly 2,700 lifesaving transplants could be made available.
Researchers at Penn's Abramson Cancer Center have made significant advancements in treating advanced BRCA-related ovarian cancer, with over a third of patients responding to olaparib. Additionally, targeted therapy everolimus shows promise in stabilizing disease for advanced thyroid cancer patients who stop responding to sorafenib, and...
Researchers developed a novel method to measure injectable wrinkle reducer efficacy using 3D imaging. The technique, called speckle tracking photogrammetry, allows for objective evaluation of wrinkle reduction and optimal dosage. It has the potential to guide physician and consumer choice in individual cases.
The rapidly emerging field of precision medicine is characterized by its use of genetic, biomarker, and psychosocial characteristics to tailor treatments for individual patients. While it holds great promise, precision medicine also raises concerns about the balance between patient needs and fiscal management.
While advances in technology have made multigene testing useful in predicting breast cancer risk, clinicians need awareness of its limitations. Recent studies suggest that low-cost genetic testing solutions may cause undue anxiety and stress due to lack of information about many genetic variants.
A large prospective study found that individuals with higher HDL function have a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania analyzed data from over 25,000 participants and discovered a strong correlation between HDL function and reduced heart disease events.
Researchers discovered a critical role of the body clock in controlling the immune response to infection. A microRNA called miR-155 helps stop the macrophage clock, allowing it to become inflamed, while restoring clock function may provide new therapies for inflammatory disorders.
A study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that there are nearly 400 HIV-positive potential organ donors in the US who could provide life-saving organs for HIV-positive patients. The study estimates that these donors could reduce the waiting time for transplants, but the quality of their organs is a concern.
A Penn study found that four different financial incentive programs helped more smokers quit than free access to behavioral counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. Deposit contracts were the most effective, with a success rate of 55% among participants who accepted them.
A recent study found that almost half of patients opted out of comprehensive cancer gene screening due to concerns about uncertainty and potential distress. Pre-test counseling significantly reduced anxiety in these patients, but highlighted the need for individualized guidance before genetic testing.
Women with cystic fibrosis are at risk of unplanned and mistimed pregnancies due to inadequate contraceptive use. The study found that only 49% of participants used contraception, with those having more severe CF disease being less likely to do so.
A new study by Penn researchers reveals how a special type of nucleosome, containing the protein CENP-A, is stabilized at the centromere during cell division. The presence of accessory protein CENP-C imparts stability to CENP-A molecules, ensuring proper chromosome separation.
A plant toxin has been found to cause biliary atresia, a rare and debilitating liver disease, in animal models. The toxin, isolated from Australian plants, selectively destroys the bile ducts outside the liver, leading to scarring and preventing bile flow.
Researchers from Penn Medicine and the Perelman School of Medicine will engineer T cells to be resistant to HIV-1 infection using a new gene therapy approach. The project aims to make more CD4 T cells resistant to the virus, re-invigorating the immune response.
Researchers found high incidence of death and urgent cardiac surgery following off-label use of Lariat device, calling for FDA reassessment. The study highlights regulatory loophole allowing devices cleared for one purpose to be used in higher-risk applications.
A new study demonstrates that gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) improves vision in patients within weeks of treatment, with benefits peaking at one to three years after treatment. However, the visual gain eventually declines, highlighting the need for future therapeutic strategies to sustain restored vision.
The article highlights the importance of clinical phenotyping in precision medicine, with Penn researcher Garret FitzGerald advocating for translational med hubs to be equipped with the necessary resources. The NIH's Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) program is seen as a key driver of this effort.
A study published in Diagnosis found that a computer-assisted diagnosis tool, VisualDx, was used by physicians without an increase in dermatology consultations. The tool aids in diagnosing skin conditions by generating possible diagnoses accompanied by photographs from a database of over 1,300 pediatric and adult conditions.
A new study found that an increase in CELF2 expression drives widespread changes in mRNA splicing during T-cell development, leading to physiologically important changes in proteins. The research provides unprecedented insight into the regulation of splicing during thymic development and reveals a biologic role for CELF2 in human T cells.
A phase I trial found a new combination of immunotherapy drugs to be safe and effective in shrinking tumors in patients with metastatic melanoma. The dual treatments, which target the immune system's 'brakes' and 'gas,' resulted in an overall response rate of 27% and median progression-free survival of 2.5 months.
Researchers successfully migrated immune cells to tumor sites in patients with mesothelin-expressing tumors. The treatment showed no major adverse events, suggesting patients tolerated it well, with T cells targeting and surviving at tumor sites for up to 28 days.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, shrank or stabilized tumors in most patients with pleural mesothelioma. The medication was safe and showed promise for treating this rare and deadly form of cancer.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered how early cells make decisions to turn on one genetic program and exclude others. By understanding this process, scientists can create new cells at will for transplantation and tissue repair in diseases such as liver or heart disease.
A new Penn Medicine study found that patients seen in emergency departments have misperceptions about opioid dependence and want more information about their pain management options. Patients desire better communication from physicians about their pain management options, along with discussion of the risks of opioid dependence.
Researchers found that lung tissue can repair itself by using mature lung cells to regenerate new ones. Type 1 cells can transform into Type 2 cells to produce surfactant and help with gas exchange. This discovery has implications for treating conditions like COPD.
Researchers found that specific BRCA mutations are linked to higher breast cancer risk and lower ovarian cancer risk, potentially leading to more personalized risk assessment and prevention strategies. The study analyzed data from over 31,000 women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered a new class of receptors that ketamine binds to, which may underlie its diverse effects. This finding opens the door for designing drugs that interact specifically with these receptors, potentially leading to more targeted treatments.
A recent study published in Kidney International found that HIV-positive kidney transplant patients have superior outcomes compared to those with Hepatitis C. The three-year survival rates for HIV patients were similar to those of uninfected patients (90%), while Hepatitis C patients had a lower rate (84%).
A Penn study analyzed 277,693 ICU patients with preexisting limits on care, finding that 23% received CPR despite DNR orders. Variability in care was significant, with some ICUs offering life support to nearly all patients and others with minimal use.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that nearly 93% of NFL athletes with traumatic midfoot injuries returned to competition within 15 months and showed no significant decrease in performance. The study assessed the career impact of midfoot injuries, including effect on athletic performance after return to play.
A study led by the University of Pennsylvania found that roseroot extract may be an effective treatment for mild to moderate major depressive disorder, with fewer side effects than conventional antidepressants. The herbal remedy showed a more favorable risk-to-benefit ratio, suggesting its potential as an alternative therapy option.
Researchers developed two predictive models to identify patients at risk for serious complications after joint replacement surgery. The first tool identifies patients with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, while the second model predicts which patients require intensive care unit admiss...
A Penn Medicine study found that modern technology for healing distal femur fractures is as safe and effective as its more established alternative without a potential shortfall of the older approach. Surgeons' improved decision-making using fewer screws has resulted in decreased technical problems associated with locked plating.