In a breakthrough study, researchers found that dendritic cells, a type of immune cell, can be co-opted by tumors to promote angiogenesis and tumor growth. The study suggests a new approach to fighting solid tumors by targeting the interaction between angiogenesis and the immune response.
Researchers found that scores of patients with a shunt stayed stable, while those without declined by 20% after 12 months. Isoprostane levels were reduced by 50% compared to standard anti-Alzheimer medications.
Researchers discovered a link between aneurysm formation and the activation of an asthma inflammation gene. Blocking this pathway may prevent or slow aneurysm progression, potentially using anti-inflammatory drugs used in cardiovascular disease treatment.
Researchers mapped where three retroviruses integrate into human DNA, finding unique patterns for each. This discovery has implications for better-engineered gene therapies and new HIV drugs.
Researchers pinpoint identity of early-stage T-cells in blood, providing tools for studying T-cell development and improving understanding of immune system. The discovery sheds light on thymus-imported cell types and may help uncover why certain T cells are difficult to reconstitute after bone marrow transplants.
Researchers Wade Berrettini and Irwin Lucki received Distinguished Investigator Awards to study gene identification and behavioral effects of neurotrophins. Monica Gonzalez won a Young Investigator Award to investigate the effect of long-term light deprivation on depression.
A new study reveals a previously unrecognized mechanism for blood vessel patterning, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. The discovery involves an endothelial receptor called PlexinD1, which may enable manipulation of blood vessel growth and development.
Scientists visualize bacterial ribosome recycling factor (RRF) structure using three-dimensional cryo-electron microscope, shedding light on its role in protein synthesis. RRF is a promising target for designing new antibiotics as it differs between eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
Researchers discovered 68 maternal mutations in zebrafish that may help understand human infertility and birth defects. These mutations affect early embryonic development, including cell divisions and tissue patterning.
A new study published at ASCO finds that MRI is more effective than mammography in detecting the number and size of breast cancer tumors. The research involved over 1000 women across 17 sites, revealing that MRI detected additional cancerous lesions in 56 women, while mammograms only identified 17.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that most antidepressants, except citalopram, are ineffective on mice lacking norepinephrine. The researchers tested eight commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs and discovered a critical link between norepinephrine and desired behavioral effects.
A landmark study by Penn Medicine reveals significant improvements in quality of life and survival rates for heart failure patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and optimized pharmacologic therapy. The study shows a 36% reduction in all-cause mortality for patients implanted with CRT defibrillators.
Researchers find that alkylating agents can induce necrotic cell death in cancer cells by damaging DNA and activating the PARP protein. This process is specific to proliferating cancer cells and does not affect healthy cells, offering a potential new approach to treating cancer.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that dysbindin protein expression is reduced in over 80% of patients with schizophrenia, correlating with increased glutamate packets. This discovery provides a critical lead for understanding schizophrenia's cellular mechanisms.
Researchers developed an electronic nose device that analyzes exhaled gases to diagnose pneumonia and sinusitis, showing 92% and 70% accuracy in ICU patients respectively. The device has potential to radically change diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a fat cell hormone, adiponectin, that can cause weight loss in mice by increasing their metabolic rate. This finding has far-reaching potential to help treat obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
A new study reveals that torcetrapib significantly increases levels of HDL cholesterol in patients with low levels, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. The drug works by inhibiting the transfer of cholesterol from HDL to LDL, and its effectiveness is maintained when given in combination with a statin.
A new study found that only 2% of patients who experienced an allergic-like event after the first penicillin prescription had another reaction, despite previous estimates suggesting a 60% rate. The researchers suggest that some patients labeled as penicillin-allergic can safely receive the antibiotic in emergency situations.
Researchers found that norepinephrine is critical for retrieving intermediate-term contextual and spatial memories, but not for forming or long-term consolidating emotional memories. The study used mutant mice lacking norepinephrine and rats treated with beta blockers to test this hypothesis.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to modify alpha globin, potentially providing more effective treatments for sickle cell disease. Genetically engineered mice with the disease showed improved blood counts and extended lifespan after producing zeta globin.
Researchers discovered a myosin gene mutation that correlates with anatomical changes in early hominid fossil record, including smaller jaw muscles and larger brain size. The mutation, estimated at 2.5 million years ago, may have lifted an evolutionary constraint on brain growth in early humans.
Researchers discovered that BCR/ABL oncogene blocks normal DNA repair mechanism, leading to genetic mutations and blast crisis. This breakthrough may lead to long-term treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia, a fatal blood cancer affecting people over 40.
Penn researchers have isolated stem cells in adult mice responsible for hair growth, leading to the development of potential treatments. The findings also hold promise for burn treatments, where current skin grafting methods fail to generate hair growth.
Researchers found a link between olfactory dysfunction and excess tau proteins in brain structures important for smelling. The study used genetically engineered mice to evaluate the effect of tau protein overexpression on smell perception.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine is conducting a smoking cessation study that will provide participants with medication and individual counseling. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, in good health, and motivated to quit smoking, and are expected to participate for nearly one full year.
A recent study, PROSE, found that double mastectomies significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer in women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations by 95%. The study followed 483 at-risk women for over six years, showing that prophylactic mastectomies can be an effective preventive measure.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a telomerase peptide-based vaccine against breast cancer. The study aims to stimulate an immune response that can target and kill cancer cells, with the goal of improving patient health.
Penn scientists use gene-transfer technology to insert extra MRSA into cells, leading to increased protection against oxidative stress and potential treatment for diseases related to aging and the heart. The study's findings suggest that boosting MSRA levels may prevent cell apoptosis and treat disease.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has established a first-of-its-kind peer-support helpline for individuals concerned about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The helpline provides direct access to trained volunteers who offer emotional support, referrals, and information on genetic counseling and risk management.
A study by Victoria Werth and Kathleen E. Sullivan identified a variant of the TNF-alpha promoter that shows increased activity when exposed to sunlight, leading to cellular death and inflammation in lupus patients. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for photosensitivity in lupus patients.
A recent study found that novelty-seeking adolescents are more receptive to tobacco advertising, with twice the likelihood of being targeted. This suggests that anti-tobacco campaigns may need to target these youth specifically.
Researchers found that specific variants of dopamine transporter and receptor genes associated with higher dopamine levels in the brain facilitated smoking cessation. This study highlights the importance of genetic investigations beyond single gene effects.
A two-year study found that caregivers refuse risk-free medications to slow Alzheimer's disease progression if it may impact their relative's quality of life. Caregivers with depression, financial burdens, or from racial minority groups were more likely to decline treatment.
Researchers at Penn aim to understand factors influencing poor prostate cancer outcomes among African-American men, including biological, environmental, and behavioral aspects. The study's findings may help develop better tools for prevention and treatment, ultimately improving clinical outcomes for this underserved population.
Heme flooding can shut down cell membrane channels, killing neurons and constricting blood vessels. Researchers found a chemical called NS1619 restores channel function and may lead to a new treatment.
Researchers have discovered four new genes in the most unstable part of chromosome 15 that contribute to Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes and hereditary spastic paraplegia. These findings can expand genetic diagnosis of these diseases, including prenatal genetic counseling.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that mandatory prescription drug utilization reviews have no detectable effect on prescribing errors or patient outcomes. The program's reliance on computer alerts and guidelines was deemed ineffective in changing physician behavior.
Penn researchers suggest novel genetic causes for cardiac hypertrophy and new therapeutic agents against it. They also demonstrate that anti-HDAC drugs can block the development of hypertrophy in animal models.
Researchers developed a novel computer protein design method that created a more efficient and stable version of the peptide Compstatin, which prevents autoimmune-mediated damage. The new method cut down on trial and error, allowing for faster development of potential biopharmaceuticals.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 53% of computer searches for 'no prescription codeine' lead to illegal opiate sales sites. The sites often require minimal information and can be accessed from outside the US, posing a significant risk to public health.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School found that guggulipid, a traditional herbal remedy, has no impact on lowering cholesterol levels. The research suggests that dietary supplements need rigorous testing for safety and efficacy, with further studies planned to investigate its effects on triglycerides and inflammation.
The new method uses streptavidin-biotin protein complex to coat red blood cells with tPA, spares existing blood clots and reduces the risk of bleeding. This technique could provide a safe way of delivering clot-busting drugs with fewer side effects.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania identified Pim-2 as a critical enzyme in the survival of cancer cells. The study found that Pim-2 operates independently from the Akt pathway, allowing cancer cells to survive even when starved or deprived of growth factors.
Researchers found that blood vessel formation in the pancreas is crucial for normal insulin production in fetuses. Exendin-4, a pancreatic hormone analog, can rescue insulin-producing cells and prevent diabetes by regulating PDX protein.
A study found that people with a gun in their home are almost twice as likely to die in a gun-related homicide and 16 times more likely to use a gun to commit suicide than those without. Handguns account for most domestic homicides and suicides, highlighting the dangers of gun ownership.
Two Penn researchers, Mitchell Lazar and Virginia Lee, have been awarded $500K Bristol-Myers Squibb unrestricted research grants to support their groundbreaking work in hormone regulation and Alzheimer's disease. The grants will further enable them to focus on translating their findings into medical practice.
Rotarians have awarded Penn a $250,000 grant for Alzheimer's research using funds from their Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust. This grant builds on the work of Domenico Praticó, who has identified isoprostanes as a promising new avenue for treating Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that participants on the Atkins diet lost an average of 14.7 pounds compared to 5.8 pounds in the conventional diet group after one year. Additionally, Atkins participants had greater increases in HDL cholesterol and reductions in triglycerides.
Researchers highlight importance of controlling blood pressure and vascular risks in heart failure management. They propose a new classification system for heart failure stages, emphasizing the need for early intervention.
Dr. Coughlin's research involves manipulating immune cells to recognize and kill tumors and viruses, holding promise for cancer treatment and vaccine delivery in children. She will present her work at the Society for Pediatric Research Annual Meeting and receive an award recognizing her leadership and contributions to pediatric research.