A susceptibility gene for type 1 diabetes has been found to regulate self-destruction of the cell's energy factory. Researchers discovered that this pathway could be targeted for prevention and control of type-1 diabetes and may extend to treatment of other metabolic-associated diseases.
Researchers have discovered hundreds of non-coding RNAs in the developing and adult lungs that regulate gene expression by controlling DNA scaffolding. These 'genomic dark matter' RNAs, including NANCI and LL34, play critical roles in lung development and may underlie human diseases such as Brain-Lung-Thyroid Syndrome.
A national team of researchers found that adding clot-busting medications to conventional approaches significantly reduces deaths from sudden-onset pulmonary embolism. The meta-analysis of 16 trials assessed over 2,115 patients and showed a 47% lower mortality rate with thrombolysis.
Researchers pinpointed common perioperative procedures with little clinical evidence, recommending elimination to reduce costs and improve quality of care. The 'Choosing Wisely' campaign supports these findings, encouraging physicians to adopt evidence-based medicine.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has developed new cell culture and mouse models to test immunotherapy for Parkinson's disease. By targeting distorted alpha-synuclein proteins, they prevented pathology development and reversed some effects of existing disease.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals that weight loss is the single most important factor for improving cardiovascular health in obese obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Weight loss alone significantly reduced inflammation, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure.
Researchers at Penn University's Center for Environmental Toxicology will study asbestos exposure pathways and develop methods for bioremediation. The study aims to identify factors that increase the risk of mesothelioma and determine if genetic or environmental factors play a role.
Researchers from Penn Medicine will present on the latest insights into Parkinson's disease, including new animal models that recapitulate alpha-synuclein pathologies. The findings highlight the complexity of the disease and potential avenues for treatment.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania estimates that lifetime costs for autism spectrum disorder can range from $1.4 million to $2.4 million per patient in the US and UK. The study found that costs are significantly higher for individuals with intellectual disabilities, with a lifetime cost of $2.4 million in the US.
A new study found that health policy researchers are hesitant to use social media due to concerns about being perceived as 'opinion' or presenting scientific results in a superficial manner. However, when provided with examples of effective use, researchers became more confident in utilizing social media channels.
Recent advances in genetic research offer new hope for treating coronary artery disease by identifying specific genetic variants and pathways associated with cardiovascular risk. Human genetic data suggest that targeting LDL-C and triglycerides may be effective in reducing major cardiovascular events.
A new study of women with BRCA mutations who underwent risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy found high rates of sexual dysfunction, menopausal symptoms, and poor sleep. Hormone replacement therapy provided relief for some patients, highlighting the need for better strategies to manage long-term effects.
A Penn study reveals how cells remove misfolded proteins, a crucial process for understanding brain diseases caused by toxic protein clumps. The research identified a two-stage recycling system involving proteins PML and RNF4 that tags misfolded proteins for degradation.
A Penn Medicine research team found that recommendations supported by multiple randomized controlled trials were the most durable and least likely to change over time. The study analyzed over 600 Class I ACC/AHA recommendations, finding that 4 out of 5 remained valid across two guideline editions.
Researchers found that cerebral blood flow levels decreased before puberty but diverged sharply after, with females experiencing increased flow and males decreasing further. This divergence may contribute to sex-specific differences in behavior and risk for psychiatric disorders.
Researchers have successfully blocked autophagy in a range of aggressive cancers, including glioblastoma, melanoma, and myeloma, using hydroxychloroquine. The study shows that combining autophagy inhibitors with other cancer therapies can be safe and effective for patients with very sick cancers.
Research reveals that chronic infections impair the development of immune cell memory, reducing vaccine effectiveness. The study found that bystander chronic infections impede the transition of effector T cells to memory T cells.
A meta-analysis of 44 studies found that breastfeeding, tubal ligation, and oral contraceptives are associated with reduced rates of ovarian cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers. Smoking may raise the risk of breast cancer for patients with a BRCA2 mutation.
A University of Pennsylvania researcher discovered that the common selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram arrested the growth of amyloid beta, a peptide in the brain thought to trigger Alzheimer's development. Citalopram was shown to reduce A-beta concentration and prevent new plaque development in mice and humans.
A recent study found that large panel genetic testing for breast cancer mutations yields limited results, with only 2.5% of patients having clinically actionable mutations. The test revealed reportable variants in over 30% of patients, leaving clinicians struggling to interpret the findings and provide accurate guidance.
A new study from Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center found that inappropriate cancer patient demands are uncommon and rarely lead to unnecessary tests and treatments. Most clinicians believe most patient requests are appropriate and incorporated into suitable treatment plans.
A study by neuroscientists at the University of Pennsylvania found that stimulation of dopamine-containing neurons can modify human learning. When participants received a reward, they tended to repeat the button press that resulted in the reward, even when it was no longer associated with the action.
Researchers have found that suppressing hyperactivity of calcium channels alleviated FAD-like symptoms in mice models, indicating a potential therapeutic target. The findings suggest that modulating calcium signaling could be explored as a new approach for treating familial Alzheimer's disease.
A Penn-led study reveals a new molecular circuit controlling longevity in yeast and complex organisms, which may offer a therapeutic intervention to mimic caloric restriction's lifespan-enhancing effects without dietary restrictions. The findings suggest a potential strategy for combating aging-related disorders in humans.
The Penn team advocates for adopting a four-stage design process to identify and solve healthcare issues, where in-house professionals combine passion and knowledge to drive change. This approach enables hospitals to create more effective solutions quickly and efficiently.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that lisdexamfetamine can improve executive function domains in post-menopausal women, including organization, working memory, and recall. The study enrolled 30 women between 48-60 years old with diminished ability to focus and multi-task during early menopause.
A new study reveals that even light drinking increases the risk of liver fibrosis in people co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Researchers found a stark difference between co-infected and uninfected groups, highlighting the importance of counseling patients to reduce alcohol consumption.
Two studies from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine show that patients are often unaware of proper weight gain during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of improved communication. Additionally, research on prenatal testing for morbidly obese women reveals no increased risk of complications or early delivery.
A study by Penn Medicine experts found significant geographic hotspots of increased stroke mortality in the US, with isolated areas of high and low mortality rates within these hotspots. Additionally, women are less likely to receive clot-busting rt-PA treatment at Primary Stroke Centers and non-Primary Stroke Centers, highlighting dis...
Studies by Penn neurologists investigate the potential of statin use and estrogen to delay Parkinson's onset, with promising findings. Telemedicine is also shown to improve access to specialty care for patients with Parkinson's disease.
A novel DNA vaccine targets TEM1, a protein overexpressed in tumors, reducing tumor vascularization and increasing immune cell infiltration. The vaccine induces epitope spreading, creating a secondary immune response against the tumor itself.
Amita Sehgal's team discovered a circuit in fruit flies that controls their daily behavior, with corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) playing a key role. The research provides new insight into basic brain function and could inform studies on human sleep and circadian rhythms.
A team from the University of Pennsylvania used a computer-assisted approach to identify and rank candidate clock components, leading to the discovery of a new core clock gene named CHRONO. CHRONO physically interacts with known clock proteins and modulates daily rhythms in cells.
Researchers found that prior sleep deprivation enhances immune system response and recovery from infection in fruitflies. Flies with adequate recovery sleep after infection showed better survival rates compared to those without it.
Researchers have identified a potential new class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that target the mPGES-1 enzyme, which reduces oxidative damage and slows atherosclerosis in macrophages. This could lead to safer pain relief options without increasing heart disease risk.
Researchers found three key binding sites that contribute to the induction of the anesthetic response, affecting sodium channel function and inducing anesthesia. The study's findings provide new insights into the molecular basis of general anesthesia.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found a critical link between sleep disruption in early life and adult courtship behavior in fruit flies. The team discovered that sleep deprivation affects dopamine production, leading to impaired development of courtship circuits and altered mating behavior.
A study of 305 patients undergoing radiation treatment found that playing an active role in their treatment decisions improved patient satisfaction. Patients who experienced shared decision making or perceived control over their treatments were more satisfied and reported lower levels of anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
A recent study by researchers at Penn Medicine has discovered the essential role of tumor suppressor gene FLCN in regulating lung function in patients with Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome. The absence or mutation of FLCN leads to deteriorated lung integrity and impaired lung function, as reported in their findings in Cell Reports.
Researchers developed new cell models to study circadian rhythms, enabling screening of candidate small molecules for improving clock function. These cell models can be used in basic labs and large-scale pharmaceutical firms to screen candidate drugs.
A new concept of Alzheimer's disease, as a spectrum of diseases, raises ethical and policy-related questions. Dr. Karlawish suggests preparing legal providers to assess decision-making ability and offering caregiver training to support those affected by the disease.
A study found that primary care providers were capable of accepting new patients prior to the start of the Affordable Care Act coverage expansions, with median wait times under one week. However, Medicaid patients faced significant barriers, with only 58% of practices offering an appointment.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have found that the drug baclofen can help block the impact of the brain's response to 'unconscious' drug triggers, potentially preventing cocaine relapse. The study used fMRI scans to measure neural responses to subliminal cocaine cues in patients treated with baclofen.
A new fruitfly study confirmed that the enzyme GABA transaminase, a target of some epilepsy drugs, contributes to sleep loss. The study sheds light on mechanisms connecting sleep disruption and neurological disorders.
A new study reveals that veterans with liver disease who live over 100 miles from a VA liver transplant center are only half as likely to be placed on the transplant waitlist, increasing their risk of death. The further away they live, the less likely they are to receive a transplant and ultimately die.
A new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that dialysis for acute kidney injury (AKI) is potentially hazardous for frail patients with lower creatinine concentration levels. In contrast, more robust patients experience increased survival and reduced mortality when receiving dialysis. These findings highlight ...
Researchers developed a device to noninvasively monitor cerebral blood flow in acute stroke patients. The study found that head-of-bed positioning affects blood flow, with some patients experiencing a paradoxical improvement when their bed was elevated.
Researchers are testing whether early medical intervention can slow down progression of Alzheimer's disease before symptoms emerge. The A4 trial involves enrolling individuals at risk for Alzheimer's, who will be told of their risk status and monitored for potential adverse reactions.
A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that extended wakefulness can result in neuronal injury and loss of brain cells, particularly in the locus coeruleus (LC) neurons. Chronic sleep loss may be more serious than previously thought and may even lead to irreversible physical damage.
Patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C have an 80 percent higher rate of decompensated cirrhosis than hepatitis C-only patients. Even when ART is effective, they still experience a 60 percent higher risk of serious liver disease compared to those with hepatitis C alone.