A genome-wide screen of zebrafish identified an enzyme, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-aa (pappaa), that promotes learning and memory by increasing IGF availability to neurons. The study's findings have implications for understanding human neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, autism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered hypermethylation of the C9orf72 gene may protect against certain neurodegenerative diseases. Patients with hypermethylation showed more dense grey matter in affected brain regions, suggesting a potential neuroprotective target for drug discovery.
Residents who walked near newly greened vacant lots had significantly lower heart rates compared to walking near blighted, or neglected, vacant lots. The average heart rate reduction was over 5 beats per minute lower when near greened lots versus non-greened lots.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a way to reactivate cardiac muscle cell proliferation in adult hearts, leading to reduced scar formation and improved heart function after injury. The approach involves using synthetic microRNAs with short half-lives to induce cardiomyocyte growth.
Researchers found that combining radiation with ipilimumab shrank tumors in some patients. The team also identified the PD-L1 pathway as a mechanism of resistance, suggesting an ideal third treatment to improve response and immunity.
A new study by Penn Medicine researchers found that even with optimal conditions, a large proportion of the US population would be unable to access a comprehensive stroke center within 60 minutes. The study suggests that population-based planning is crucial to develop systems of care given finite resources.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found a significant correlation between Twitter sentiment and health insurance marketplace enrollment. The analysis of 977,303 tweets revealed that a 0.10 increase in positive sentiment was associated with a 9% increase in enrollment.
A new Penn study reveals that over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements are the leading causes of drug-induced liver failure, not prescription drugs. The research analyzed data from an integrated healthcare system in Northern California and found that acetaminophen and herbal supplements were responsible for nearly half of a...
Scientists confirm that HIV-1 groups O and P originated in western lowland gorillas, according to a comprehensive survey of SIV infection in African gorillas. The study's findings have implications for understanding the genesis of emerging diseases and may provide insights into future human infection risks.
Researchers found that patients who didn't respond to CBT for anxiety in childhood had more chronic suicidal ideation at 7-19 years after treatment. Successful CBT confers long-term benefits, reducing later suicidality.
Research suggests that those who experienced violence during the Guatemala Civil War are four times more likely to suffer from PTSD and alcohol-related disorders. The study, led by Victor D. Puac-Polanco and Charles C. Branas, found significant mental health problems among Guatemalans who witnessed or experienced violent events.
The phase II study results indicate that palbociclib can extend disease control and produce tumor shrinkage in ER+ breast cancer patients. Researchers observed significantly longer progression-free survival in hormone receptor-positive patients compared to those with HR-negative breast cancer.
A preclinical study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found engineered T cells to be both safe and effective at controlling tumor growth in mice with glioblastoma. The CAR T cells target a mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor protein called EGFRvIII, found on about 30% of glioblastoma patients' tumor cells.
A new study found that organizational culture and climate are better predictors of the use of evidence-based practices than individual therapist characteristics. The study suggests that targeting organizational culture and climate changes may increase the use of effective therapy strategies.
Researchers found common biomarkers of sleep debt in humans and rats, indicating a link to metabolic disorders such as weight gain, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The study also identified potential biomarkers, oxalic acid and diacylglycerol 36:3, which could serve as indicators of sleep quality and quantity.
A new study of cancer patient-clinician encounters found that only a small percentage of patients requested clinically inappropriate tests or treatments. Most requests were for imaging studies, laboratory tests, or palliative care interventions, with few requesting chemotherapy or proton beam therapy.
A new study found that sleep-deprived individuals consume more fat and less carbohydrates, while displaying increased connectivity in the salience network, which is linked to emotional responses and bodily sensations. This unique approach examines changes in brain activity's impact on eating behavior following sleep deprivation.
A new study published in JAMA found that smartphone apps are as accurate as wearable devices in tracking physical activity. The research used 10 top-selling smartphone apps and devices to compare their accuracy, with results showing smartphones were only slightly off from the observed step counts.
Researchers identified key immune biomarkers that can help distinguish between HIV patients who experience life-threatening complications and those who fare well on treatment. The findings suggest that personalized approaches may be necessary for these patients, as a one-size-fits-all approach could worsen outcomes.
A new study found a significant link between austerity measures and sharp increases in Greek suicides, particularly among men. The analysis, which covered the period from 1983 to 2012, showed that men experienced a sustained 13% increase in suicide beginning in October 2008.
Researchers found that inhibiting the activity of a signaling protein called MEKK3 could prevent CCM-related heart defects and potentially treat the disorder. The study also identified a previously unknown signaling pathway involved in CCMs.
Researchers have discovered the N-terminal domain of Hsp104 plays a crucial role in its ability to dissolve prions and other misfolded proteins. This finding opens up new research directions for designing and engineering Hsp104 to combat human disease proteins.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered a mutated ATRX gene as a potential biomarker for aggressive brain tumors and rare adrenal tumors. The study found that 13% of tumors had ATRX mutations, which were more common in clinically aggressive cases.
A new study found a significant correlation between Medicaid reimbursement increases for primary care providers and improved appointment availability. The Affordable Care Act's fee bump resulted in a 7.7 percentage point increase in new patient appointment availability.
Researchers have identified two novel compounds with high potency and low toxicity as potential new general anesthetics. The discovery was made using a high-throughput screening process that tested over 350,000 compounds, and the team is now working to optimize and test these compounds further.
A Penn Medicine study analyzed hospital websites to assess the accuracy of TAVR marketing, finding that nearly all hospitals overstate benefits but underreport risks. The study highlights the need for hospitals to present a balanced view of both the known risks and benefits of the procedure.
Researchers found that 'normal' metabolizers had better quit rates with varenicline versus the nicotine patch, while slow metabolizers benefited from the nicotine patch. The study suggests treating normal metabolizers with varenicline and slow metabolizers with the nicotine patch could improve quit rates.
A new study found that adding radiation treatment to hormone therapy saves more lives among older men with locally advanced prostate cancer, reducing cancer deaths by nearly 50 percent. The treatment was also associated with fewer deaths from any cause.
A study by Penn Medicine found that many patients with type 2 diabetes are being discouraged from taking metformin due to an overly conservative FDA label. The authors recommend amending the label to reflect more modern guidelines, which could extend the drug's use to nearly 1 million additional patients.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have successfully restored type 1 diabetics' ability to recognize low blood sugar levels after receiving islet cell transplantation. The treatment has nearly abolished time spent in a hypoglycemic state and improved response to experimental insulin-induced hypoglycemia.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a way to directly reprogram skin fibroblasts into functional melanocytes, the body's pigment-producing cells. This technique has significant implications for developing new cell-based treatments for skin diseases and screening strategies for melanoma.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have developed a new method to suppress inflammation in kidney dialysis patients. By administering a small molecule version of compstatin, they were able to completely suppress the complement immune response and reduce inflammatory biomarkers.
A new study reveals that two-thirds of women treated for early-stage breast cancer in the US receive longer radiation therapy than necessary, despite multiple randomized trials and professional society guidelines showing that hypofractionated radiation is clinically effective and less costly.
A new study has shown that a simeprevir-based therapy is as effective as the standard of care in treating chronic Hepatitis C virus infection, with fewer adverse events. The study found that simeprevir was well-tolerated and could be a viable alternative for patients who cannot access or afford newer treatment options.
A recent study published in JAMA found that restricting residents' work hours to 16-24 hours per shift had no impact on patient deaths or readmissions. The researchers analyzed nearly 6.4 million Medicare patient hospital admissions between 2009 and 2012, but found no relative changes in mortality rates during this time period.
The latest trial results show a response rate of over 90% among pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients, with complete responses in 92% and remission rates of 70%. The therapy also demonstrates promise for non-Hodgkin lymphomas, including a 100% response rate in follicular lymphoma patients.
A Penn Medicine study found that people with mental illness are more likely to have been tested for HIV than those without. The study also found that those with schizophrenia and bipolar disease had the highest rate of HIV testing.
A Penn Medicine study suggests that disruptions in brain memory-related activity after quitting can identify smokers at risk of relapsing. Smokers who failed to quit had decreased activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and reduced suppression of activation in the posterior cingulate cortex, indicating a higher chance of re...
A Penn study found that a defect in energy production plays a key role in CKD development. Restoring fatty acid metabolism largely prevented signs of CKD in mouse models. The researchers hope to develop new compounds that boost enzymes related to fatty acid metabolism to slow CKD progression.
Researchers have developed a comprehensive cognitive test battery, Cognition, to measure the impact of spaceflight stressors on astronauts' cognition. The 10-test battery will be administered to the first astronaut on the International Space Station on November 28.
Researchers at Penn Medicine identified a protein that predicts post-concussion severity in professional athletes. Elevated levels of calpain-cleaved αII-spectrin N-terminal fragment (SNTF) shortly after sports-related concussion can predict the severity of post-concussion symptoms.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have uncovered a molecular clock that regulates multiple phases of circadian cycles, allowing genes with related functions to oscillate in synchrony. This discovery has implications for developing more efficient pharmaceutical regimens and minimizing side effects.
A study found that programming electronic health records to make generic drugs the default choice increases generic medication prescribing rates, leading to cost savings and reduced healthcare spending. The intervention was effective in both ambulatory clinics and did not require additional effort from physicians.
A new study led by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that black and white heart failure patients have similar rates of atrial fibrillation, contradicting previous studies. The study suggests that physicians should monitor all heart failure patients for atrial fibrillation regardless of race.
Researchers found that bed bugs can acquire and transmit the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, causing Chagas disease. The study demonstrated bi-directional transmission of the parasite between mice and bed bugs, highlighting a potential emerging problem.
A Penn study found that only 15% of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators have thought about device deactivation in terminal illness, while 53% have advanced directives. The study suggests a disconnect between patients' awareness and clinicians' perspectives on ICD deactivation.
A new study found that public lay bystanders in higher-income Pennsylvania counties are more likely to perform CPR during cardiac arrests, with a ROSC rate of 23.3% compared to 1.5% in lower-income areas. The research suggests targeting CPR education efforts in lower-income counties to improve cardiac arrest survival rates.
A phase II study led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found olaparib produced a 26% overall tumor response rate in patients with advanced cancers associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. The treatment showed improved survival rates for patients with ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.
A new study by Penn Medicine researchers reveals that septic shock survivors have a higher risk of readmission within 30 days, often due to life-threatening complications. The findings highlight the need for improved patient education and discharge planning to prevent readmissions.
A systematic review found that high-quality randomized controlled trials on behavioral weight loss counseling in primary care settings are limited, with only two studies identifying effective interventions producing an average weight loss of at least five percent. The review highlights the need for further research to evaluate the effe...