A new clinical trial led by University of Pennsylvania researchers will study the impact of genetic makeup on quitting success for smokers. The study, which will analyze 1350 adult smokers, aims to develop a personalized medicine approach to improve quit rates.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that exposure to community violence is associated with increased asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Younger adults were more likely to be exposed to violence and experience ED visits.
A new study published in PLoS One reveals that the brain shifts between sleep/awake states under anesthesia through different processes. The researchers identified a fundamental state called neural inertia, which explains the brain's resistance to changes in consciousness. This finding may lead to the development of novel anesthetic dr...
Ants have been found to be genetically identical but exhibit distinct behaviors due to epigenetic mechanisms. The study compares two ant species, Florida carpenter ant and Jerdon's jumping ant, and reveals differences in gene expression corresponding to different castes.
Using yeast as a model organism, researchers at Penn identified novel histone modifications key to gamete formation and potential biomarkers of human male infertility. The study reveals the importance of epigenetic processes in sperm formation, which may lead to fertility problems.
A genome scan has identified a gene, Sort1, that regulates LDL-C levels and is associated with heart disease. The study found that increasing liver sortilin protein reduced plasma cholesterol and may provide a new target for treating cardiovascular disease.
University of Pennsylvania researchers describe a novel mechanism involving calcium transfer between cell components to regulate cell energy. Without this transfer, cells undergo autophagy, or self-eating, as they struggle to produce enough ATP.
Scientists have discovered a new epigenetic mechanism by which AMPK regulates gene expression, allowing direct control of cellular processes such as sugar storage and insulin production. This finding holds promise for the development of new therapies for diseases like diabetes and cancer.
Fruit fly males with reduced Alzheimer's disease protein activity showed impairments in learning and memory as they aged. Researchers prevented age-related deficits by treating the flies with drugs like lithium or genetic manipulations that reduced nerve-cell signaling.
A study found that soccer experts made more foul calls when action moved right-to-left compared to left-to-right, suggesting a bias in refereeing. Researchers suggest that referees should avoid switching diagonals at halftime to prevent unfair advantages.
A new therapy called olaparib has shown promising results in slowing tumor growth in advanced breast cancer patients with a genetic mutation. The treatment was found to be effective in 85% of patients, with fewer side effects compared to traditional therapies.
Researchers found that compstatin, a drug that targets the complement system, can reduce blood clotting during dialysis for end-stage kidney disease. In severe sepsis, compstatin also blocks the activation of both complement and coagulation systems, potentially preventing multiple organ failure and death.
Research reveals genetic variations that affect estrogen levels and inflammation, leading to joint pain in breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors. The study identifies personalized strategies to boost compliance and offers new treatment options for this debilitating side effect.
A Penn study found significant variation in jumping gene locations among individuals, underscoring their impact on genetic diversity. The researchers also discovered that these genes contribute to the raw material of evolution by providing new genetic material through insertions.
Cancer patients can benefit from moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, tailored to individual needs, to improve quality of life, muscular strength, and reduce the risk of recurrence for breast cancer patients. Exercise also helps maintain lean body mass, contributing to increased well-being.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have made significant progress in treating metastatic breast cancer, using a targeted immunotherapy approach that boosts the effectiveness of a therapeutic vaccine. The treatment has shown rapid and marked loss of Tregs without toxicity, resulting in stabilization of dise...
A team of scientists found an intermediate state during the formation of fat cells, induced by hormones related to cortisol. This transition state could be targeted for new therapies to combat obesity and metabolic disorders.
A comprehensive study identifies significant cognitive and anatomic differences in Alzheimer's disease patients with and without the APOE ε4 gene, affecting memory, attention, language, and executive function. The findings have important implications for early diagnosis, treatment, and personalized medicine approaches.
Researchers link PMSE syndrome to mTOR pathway, a complex network implicated in common neurological disorders with autism-like symptoms. The study reveals clues about TSC, a relatively common disorder, and its connection to PMSE and other neurological conditions.
A new study found that community-based organizations can effectively implement an evidence-based HIV/STD risk-reduction intervention with adolescents. The intervention increased condom-protected intercourse without reducing the frequency of sexual activity.
A team of researchers has created a new implantable device that measures the heart's electrical output with greater resolution than current devices. The device uses flexible silicon technology to bring electronic circuits right to the tissue, enabling high-density maps of electrical activity.
Louis J. Soslowsky, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon and bioengineer, has been awarded the AAOS Kappa Delta Ann Doner Vaughan Award for his groundbreaking research on rotator cuff injuries. His studies using rat models have provided valuable insights into the etiology, pathogenesis, and repair response of these injuries.
A second dose of gene therapy has proven safe and effective in animal studies, suggesting that patients who benefit from treatment in one eye may experience similar benefits in the other. The study found no signs of toxic side effects or interference from unwanted immune reactions.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) cancer cells rely on a normal version of an associated protein to stay alive. Deleting this gene from leukemia cells blocks uncontrolled growth triggered by a fusion protein, suggesting that it is essential for MLL proliferation.
A new Penn study reveals that nearly 135 million Americans are over an hour away from primary stroke centers, where timely treatment is crucial. The study suggests using medical helicopters to transport patients faster and proposes lower-cost solutions such as inter-hospital referral networks and telemedical technology.
Health care volunteers can make a disaster situation worse if they are not prepared. To optimize their response, they should seek formal training in disaster medicine and register with existing volunteer organizations. They should also consider the physical and emotional challenges of working in disaster areas and be mindful of the nee...
A team-based approach to intensive care units (ICUs) can improve patient outcomes even when specially trained intensivist physicians are not available. Studies have shown that multidisciplinary care teams, with or without an intensivist, result in a 16% reduction in the odds of death compared to single-specialist teams.
Researchers link daily activities to violent injury risk using portable mapping technology. The study aims to inform communities about place-based risk factors and identify opportunities to make them safer.
Research reveals that sleep triggers cellular changes that promote memory formation, involving the NMDAR molecule. The brain undergoes significant reorganization during sleep to strengthen neural connections.
Researchers have found distinct changes in white matter and protein markers of brain pathology after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), which can induce problems with sodium channels on neurons
Researchers have identified a distinct type of mutation in acute myeloid leukemia patients that could account for half of the remaining cases. The mutations lead to increased production of a molecule called 2HG, which may block the ability of leukemic cells to differentiate into normal blood cells.
The 'Branching Morphogenesis' installation, made from 75,000 cable zip-ties, simulates human lung cell interactions and challenges existing notions of complex biological information display. It has won the 2010 International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge award.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine presented Phase II trial data on Lexgenleucel-T, a cell and gene therapy product for HIV treatment. The study showed 88% of evaluable subjects had a decrease in viral load set point, with one subject maintaining complete control of HIV viremia for over 14 weeks.
Researchers found a new genetic risk factor, TMEM106B, associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration, a subtype of early-onset dementia. The study suggests that alterations in this protein may contribute to the development of FTLD.
A toxic form of the neural protein Elk-1 is linked to three degenerative brain disorders: Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease. The study found that this modified form of Elk-1 strongly associates with pathological markers present in diseased tissue from these diseases.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that extended use of a nicotine patch improves abstinence from cigarettes and helps smokers quit again after relapse. The extended therapy regimen was more effective in boosting abstinence rates than standard therapy.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania shows that an abstinence-only intervention for pre-teens can delay the onset of sexual activity. The program reduced self-reported sexual intercourse by 33% compared to a control group, with fewer reports of recent sexual activity among participants.
Researchers discover that beneficial gut bacteria play a crucial role in priming the immune system to combat future infections. The study found that these 'good' bacteria influence neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, and suggest that prolonged antibiotic use may compromise immune function.
Researchers found no increased mortality risk among trauma patients presenting on nights and weekends, unlike other critically ill patients. Trauma centers' 24/7 staffing ensures consistent care regardless of time of presentation.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have developed a new model of skin cancer that sheds light on the role of Src kinase and its anti-oncogene counterpart, Srcasm. The study found that Fyn, a member of the Src family of proteins, is a potent oncogene in skin cancer, while Srcasm levels are decreased and acti...
A Penn study reveals that thiocyanate, an antioxidant in broccoli and cauliflower, protects lung cells from inflammation damage. The findings suggest a potential therapy for cystic fibrosis, as inadequate thiocyanate levels may worsen inflammatory diseases.
A team of scientists has discovered how fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare genetic disorder, develops at a cellular level. The mutation that causes FOP mistakenly activates a cascade of biochemical events in soft tissues, leading to extra bone growth.
A study found that carotid arterial stenting procedures were associated with poorer clinical outcomes, including heart attack and stroke, in Medicare patients. The increased use of stenting procedures coincided with expanded Medicare coverage, leading to higher rates of mortality and adverse outcomes.
Penn researchers identify a novel cellular source of atrial fibrillation, the most common type of abnormal heart beat, and suggest a more precise way to treat AF with reduced side effects.
Breast cancer survivors who lifted weights regularly felt better about their bodies and had improved intimate relationships, according to a new study. The weight lifting also helped alleviate lymphedema symptoms and boosted emotional empowerment.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a small molecule that inhibits heat shock protein HSP70, which is overexpressed in tumor cells. The inhibitor, called PES, blocks HSP70's stress-relieving functions and induces cell death by disrupting autophagy.
A gene therapy treatment has successfully restored vision in five children and seven adults with Leber's congenital amaurosis, a group of inherited blinding diseases. The treatment uses genes to produce light-sensitive pigments in the back of the eye, allowing patients to navigate low-light environments and perform daily activities.
Research supports potential for new anti-cancer agent as loss of p53 and ATR severely disrupts tissue maintenance in mice, leading to rapid deterioration and fatal outcomes. Cells without ATR persisting in tissues cause blockage of regeneration, while absence of p53 worsens tissue degeneration.
A recent study by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that possessing a gun during an assault increases the risk of being shot, rather than protecting against it. The study estimated that individuals with a gun were 4.5 times more likely to be shot in an assault compared to those without a gun.
Research identifies women who entered menopause recently may be at higher risk of joint pain caused by breast cancer drugs. Electro-acupuncture proves helpful for alleviating symptoms, improving fatigue and anxiety.