Researchers discover a critical protein complex called 55LCC that regulates protein stability during DNA replication, advancing understanding of genetic diseases and potential treatments for neurologic disorders. The study's findings suggest 55LCC plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth DNA replication progress.
Researchers found that AI models using language patterns from past studies are less predictive for depression among Black people on Facebook. The study suggests that considering intersection of race and social media can improve depression detection, and calls for more data to learn depression patterns in Black individuals. Better under...
A new analysis by researchers from Penn Medicine found that minority patients with lymphoma may be less likely to receive CAR T cell therapy due to clinical, provider, and socioeconomic barriers. The study assessed data from two cancer centers and found significant disparities in treatment access among minority populations.
A new study by Penn researchers finds that healthcare algorithms can have a nuanced impact on racial and ethnic disparities, sometimes reducing disparities but also affecting other outcomes. The research team identified strategies to mitigate disparities, including adding non-race variables and using diverse data sets.
Researchers discovered that only a small percentage of neurons are activated in epileptic brains, which can lead to permanent changes and impaired cognition. Early intervention with an experimental treatment within 48 hours after the first seizure may prevent these long-term changes.
Researchers have developed a new method for creating human artificial chromosomes (HACs) that can work within human cells, bypassing a common obstacle. The new technique allows for more efficient laboratory research and expands the potential for gene therapy.
Researchers found that initial vaccinations against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain shape immune responses to newer variants BA.5 and XBB, with higher B cell repertoire leading to more effective cross-reactive immunity. This 'immunological imprinting' effect could impact future vaccine designs.
Early trial results from six patients with recurrent glioblastoma show reduced tumor sizes after administering dual-target CAR T cells targeting EGFR and IL13Rα2 intrathecally. This 'dual-target' approach may outsmart the defense systems of GBM, leading to more effective therapies.
Black adults in the US suffer from short and very short sleep after exposure to news about police killings of unarmed Black individuals. The study's findings suggest that poor sleep health is another tragic byproduct of exposure to these events.
Researchers at Penn Medicine analyzed over 400 patients treated with CAR T cell therapy and found only 16 cases of second cancers, mostly solid tumors. A single case of CAR-negative T-cell lymphoma was identified in a patient who developed a secondary lung tumor after treatment.
A new analysis focusing on people of African ancestry identified three gene variants linked to glaucoma, including two likely causal variants and one associated with cup-to-disc ratio. The study's findings could enhance early screening and personalized therapeutic interventions for this population.
A new exhalation delivery system using fluticasone directly targets the sinuses, reducing symptoms and inflammation in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. The system showed significant improvements compared to a placebo, providing hope for non-invasive treatment options.
A new study demonstrates a simple, pre-programmed order in electronic medical records can increase palliative care consultation rates and reduce hospital stay length for patients with COPD, dementia, or kidney failure. This scalable strategy improves quality of life and symptom management for critically ill patients.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine sheds light on two rare heart conditions, dilated cardiomyopathy and peripartum cardiomyopathy. The study reveals that truncated titin proteins are present in hearts affected by DCM, indicating a potential link between genetic variants and disease development.
A real-world study found that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in protecting children and adolescents from infection, with 98% reduced risk during the delta variant phase. Vaccine effectiveness slightly declined during the omicron wave, but still provided strong protection against severe illness and cardiac complications.
A pair of proteins YAP and TAZ have been identified as conductors of bone development in the womb. They help direct blood vessel integration into cartilage, a vital aspect of bone development, and may provide insight into genetic diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta.
The iStar tool uses advanced techniques to capture both detailed views of individual cells and broader tissue patterns, enabling doctors to diagnose cancers that might otherwise go undetected. It also predicts gene activities at near-single-cell resolution, paving the way for molecular disease diagnosis.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that mailing signed orders to patients with cirrhosis led to a significant increase in liver cancer screenings. The study involved over 500 patients and showed that 55% completed their screening within six months, compared to just 27% in the control group.
Stress activates neurons in the preoptic hypothalamus during non-rapid eye movement sleep, causing microarousals that interrupt sleep cycles. Suppressing these neurons may be a promising target for therapies to treat stress-related sleep disorders like insomnia and PTSD.
Researchers found that patients who scheduled their own mammograms through an online patient portal had a 13 percentage point increase in screening completions. This simple intervention doubled the number of mammogram completions, resulting in approximately 4,500 more people getting screened.
A new therapy, venetoclax, has improved survival rates for Non-Hispanic Black patients with acute myeloid leukemia, narrowing the racial disparity. The study analyzed over 3,000 adult patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2022 and found a significant increase in two-year overall survival rates.
A Phase I clinical trial of AT101, a new CAR T cell therapy targeting CD19 through a distinct binding mechanism, has shown a 100% complete response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The treatment was found to be safe with manageable side effects and is expected to build upon the effectiveness o...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that lidocaine activates the bitter taste receptor T2R14, which triggers apoptosis in cancer cells. This mechanism could lead to improved treatment options for patients with head and neck cancers, particularly those associated with human papillomavirus.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that younger patients and those with no prior experience with opioids are more likely to use few or no opioids after surgery. The researchers used data collected through automated text messages sent to 3,600 patients who underwent common surgical procedures.
Researchers developed 'tension-activated repair patches' that release anti-inflammatory molecules, helping discs regain tension and reverse herniation. The patch uses natural biomechanical movement to activate its release, offering a potential early intervention for preventing worsening pain related to disc degeneration.
A new analysis from Penn researchers projects a significant increase in US cardiovascular deaths due to extreme heat over the next four decades. Older adults and Black adults will experience greater increases in excess cardiovascular deaths due to extreme heat, according to the study.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have received a $10 million grant to develop a new strategy for preventing breast cancer recurrence by targeting dormant tumor cells. In a phase II clinical trial, the team successfully cleared dormant cells from over 80% of patients, offering a promising proof-of-concept for this approach.
Researchers identified enhanced B-cell and T-cell responses in fully vaccinated individuals who became infected with SARS-CoV-2, generating immunological memory to prevent severe infection. Vaccine-primed memory T cells play a critical role in preventing severe COVID-19.
A new analysis of 50 years of data found that pregnant people who gained more than the recommended amount of weight had a higher risk of death from heart disease or diabetes in the decades following. Higher risk was found for all weight groups studied, but no increase in risk was uncovered among those who were obese.
Patients with long COVID exhibit reduced serotonin levels, leading to inflammation and neurological symptoms. Treating serotonin deficiencies may reverse memory impairment in small animal models.
A study led by Penn Medicine researchers found that women and those from racial and ethnic groups are underrepresented in surgery department leadership roles. Women were more likely to be in vice chair roles than chairs or division chiefs, while URiM individuals dominated DEI vice chair roles.
A new experimental mRNA vaccine provides protection in preclinical animal models against infection from Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The vaccine prevents the development of Lyme disease and may represent a powerful tool in reducing Lyme disease cases.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found a significant link between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and atopic dermatitis (AD), with adults having a 34% increased risk and children having a 44% increased risk. The severity of AD was also associated with an increased risk of developing IBD.
Researchers have found that a single enzyme produced by the blood-brain barrier controls the amount of juvenile hormone that enters the brain, leading to different behaviors among worker ants. This discovery has implications beyond the ant world and suggests similar mechanisms may be at play in other species.
Researchers developed a new strategy to target CD45, a surface marker found on nearly all blood cells, using CRISPR base-editing. This approach aims to overcome challenges in CAR T cell therapy, which currently targets specific cancer types, and could expand treatment options for virtually all blood cancers.
Researchers found that individuals with higher body mass indexes have impaired connections between the hippocampus and hypothalamus, leading to an inability to control eating habits. The study suggests that targeting this brain circuit may lead to new treatments for obesity and related disordered eating conditions.
A new study by Penn Medicine found that the discontinuation of pandemic-related SNAP benefits led to a significant increase in food insufficiency in the US. The study found that households affected by the benefit cuts experienced a 21% relative increase in both food insufficiency and food insufficiency among children, affecting over 2 ...
Neuroscientists at Penn Medicine identified a brain mechanism that enables focus despite visual distractions. By analyzing neuron activity in animal models, they discovered 'beta bursts' in the lateral prefrontal cortex, which suppress distracting stimuli and direct attention towards tasks.
TRIM11 protein levels decreased in Alzheimer's disease models, suggesting replenishment may improve cognitive and motor function. The study reveals that TRIM11 plays a key role in removing tau protein tangles that cause neurodegenerative diseases like AD.
Researchers have developed an experimental antibody treatment that largely prevented graft versus host disease in the intestines, without causing broad immune suppression. The treatment blocked donor T-cell attack and increased survival rates in preclinical models.
Researchers have developed a new DNA sequencing method that allows for precise mapping of 5-methylcytosine, a key regulator of gene expression. This technique, called Direct Methylation Sequencing (DM-Seq), enables scientists to profile DNA using small samples and without damaging the sample, making it suitable for liquid biopsies and ...
A study analyzing de-identified data from almost 11,000 total visits by Penn Medicine employees found that telemedicine visits were 23 percent less expensive than in-person visits for the same conditions. The per-visit costs of the telemedicine program averaged $380 while in-person encounters cost $493 to conduct.
Researchers have revealed key atomic structures of actin filament ends using cryo-electron microscopy. The study provides fundamental insights into the mechanism behind actin filament polarity, shedding light on disorders such as muscle weakness and heart problems.
Researchers found that glial cells in the gastrointestinal tract respond to stress signals from the central nervous system, leading to inflammation and exacerbating IBD symptoms. Chronic stress can impair treatment efficiency for IBD patients using steroids.
Researchers will study how DNA folding and organization impact heart cell development and maintenance. The goal is to unravel the role of genome folding in controlling cell behavior, particularly in heart cells.
A retrospective cohort study suggests that stopping immunotherapy treatment at two years is a valid strategy without compromising overall survival. The researchers analyzed data from 1,091 patients and found similar overall survival probabilities between those who stopped treatment and continued it indefinitely.
A study analyzed tweets from nearly 500 emergency medicine physicians, finding a significant increase in expressions of loneliness, anger, and anxiety during the pandemic. Positive themes took a dive, while negative emotions dominated, with loneliness increasing by up to 17% compared to pre-pandemic years.
Researchers have unlocked insights into how brown fat tissue can be harnessed to combat obesity and remove glucose from the blood. The study used a cryogenic electron microscope to view mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 in atomic detail, revealing potential new ways to promote weight loss.
Penn Medicine researchers will present results from clinical trials for recurrent glioblastoma and metastatic breast cancer. Experts will also present studies on serious illness conversations, Medicaid expansion impact, and infertility among female oncologists.
Researchers developed a new approach to genetic engineering of cells, promising improvements in speed and efficiency over current methods. The technique uses special cell-penetrating peptides to deliver CRISPR-Cas molecules into cells with up to 100% efficiency and low toxicity.