Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered that restoring DAXX protein levels can prevent the misfolding of proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease and certain cancers. This finding could lead to new targeted approaches for treating these diseases, including reducing neurodegeneration and tumor growth.
A CRISPR screening tool identified ZMYND8, an epigenetic regulatory protein, as a potential new therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia. Inhibiting ZMYND8 has been shown to leave cancer cells with smaller tumors and better survival in mouse models.
The study found that the first dose of mRNA vaccine primes the immune system, while the second dose boosts the T-cell response, which can last for years. In people with a history of COVID-19, the T-cell response was already robust after the first dose, with no significant increase after the second dose.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a new mechanism of resistance in advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients to CAR T cell therapy. They found that inhibiting the BET protein with the small molecule inhibitor JQ1 can reinvigorate exhausted T cells and increase their production.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified 182 genes likely responsible for kidney function and 88 genes for hypertension. The study provides a clearer picture of the genetic underpinnings of chronic kidney disease, paving the way for potential treatments.
Researchers found that treating obese mice with TSLP stimulates the immune system to release lipids through sebaceous glands, leading to significant abdominal fat and weight loss. The study suggests that increasing sebum production via the immune system could be a strategy for treating obesity in people.
A meta-analysis of nearly 200,000 men revealed 22 new genetic locations associated with inherited testicular germ cell tumors. The findings could help doctors identify high-risk patients and signal them to screen for the disease.
Researchers have found that T cells, a key part of the immune system, remain exhausted even after exposure to a virus ended. This limitation affects immune-based therapy research and may require new approaches to treat chronic viral infections and cancers.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine developed a new technology for cellular immunotherapy that targets KRAS mutations in lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. The therapy uses human cells to mobilize an immune system attack on mutated KRAS tumors and shrink them.
Investing in structural home repairs in historically segregated, low-income neighborhoods has been associated with reduced crime rates and improved public health. Research from the University of Pennsylvania found that total crime dropped by 21.9% on blocks where homes received repairs through a city-funded program.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have developed a framework to detect Alzheimer's disease and other forms of neurodegeneration using cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. The ATN framework, which includes three biomarkers, has been shown to provide accurate diagnoses for patients with frontotemporal degeneration.
Researchers found that combining personalized goals with a game and financial incentives increased veterans' daily step counts by an average of 1,224. However, progress was short-lived, as neither group sustained their gains after the intervention period ended.
Research from Penn Medicine finds that women-authored articles are cited fewer times than their male counterparts, with median citations ranging from 33 for primary authors to 59 for senior authors. This disparity reinforces existing barriers to career advancement for female academics.
Researchers found that COVID-positive trauma patients have a six times higher risk of death and double the likelihood of complications compared to those without COVID. The risks were even greater in patients over age 65.
A new study published in Chemical Senses found that patients who had their wisdom teeth extracted showed improved tasting abilities decades after surgery. The study challenges the notion that removal of wisdom teeth has only negative effects on taste and represents a significant finding in the field.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that Black patients die at higher rates than white patients due to unequal hospital quality. The research suggests that if Black patients had access to the same hospitals as white patients, their mortality rate would decrease by a single percentage point.
A new study of nearly 30,000 patients found that Black and white women have the same prevalence of genetic mutations associated with breast cancer risk. Younger age and ER-negative breast cancer were identified as risk factors in genes including BRCA1 and BRCA2.
A Penn-developed odor test using AI and machine learning distinguishes between cancer cells and benign tumors in blood samples. The tool achieves high accuracy rates for detecting ovarian and pancreatic cancers, showing promise as a non-invasive screening approach.
The study found diABZI to be highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2. The drug stimulates interferon signaling, reducing viral loads and cytokine production in the lungs.
A new Penn Medicine study shows that blood cancer patients with lower antibody levels can rely on T cells to combat COVID-19. The research found that patients with higher CD8 T cell counts were more than three times likelier to survive than those with lower counts.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that a game-based program increased physical activity levels among diabetes patients by an average of 503 steps per day. The program used wearable devices and digital scales with personalized goals to encourage competition, collaboration, or support from family members.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has doubled the percentage of Black participants in cancer clinical trials through community outreach and engagement efforts. The initiative improved access and treatment for historically underrepresented groups, with significant increases observed in non-therapeutic interventional and ...
Researchers found that patients were more likely to complete hepatitis C screenings when the test was already ordered for them, with completion rates doubling. The study also showed that traditional mail notifications resulted in higher screening rates than online patient portals, particularly among Black patients.
The RAPID technology uses electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to detect SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein and provides 90% accurate results in four minutes. The test is inexpensive, scalable, and can be read on a benchtop instrument or smartphone, extending reliable COVID-19 testing to remote areas.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients with heart disease are less likely to receive cholesterol-lowering statin prescriptions later in the day, particularly after 12 pm. The odds of prescription decreased progressively throughout the morning and remained low throughout the afternoon.
The researchers generated human brain organoids of the arcuate nucleus, which exhibits high cell diversity, to model development and disease. The organoids maintained disease-specific gene signatures, including those related to Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder causing hunger and obesity.
Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered a new mechanism of lung tissue regeneration in infant lungs, where alveolar type 1 cells reprogram into alveolar type 2 cells after injury. This finding could impact the development of regenerative lung therapies and explain why COVID-19 affects children differently than adults.
A phase II study by Penn Medicine shows rucaparib helped control cancer growth in patients with BRCA or PALB2 genetic mutations. The results support the use of rucaparib as a maintenance therapy for pancreatic cancer patients, offering a safe and effective alternative to chemotherapy.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that smartphone breath alcohol testing devices have varying levels of accuracy. Some devices failed to detect users over the legal driving limit more than half the time, highlighting concerns about their reliability and potential impact on road safety.
A study led by Penn Medicine researchers identified a new genetic cause of hearing loss and its link to the GAS2 protein's role in amplifying sound waves. The researchers found that the absence of functional GAS2 leads to severe hearing impairment in mice, highlighting the importance of this protein for normal hearing.
A Penn Medicine study reveals that opioid supply shortages in emergency departments can lead to a decrease in opioid use, but no significant change in dosing. The shortage led to a shift from IV opioid use to oral formulations.
The program, called Practical Alternative to Hospitalization (PATH), uses advanced practice providers and personalized plans to support patients after visiting the emergency department. Nearly 9 out of 10 patients enrolled in PATH did not need to return to the hospital for care within a month.
Researchers developed a method to visualize small tau protein aggregates forming under normal physiology, distinguishing them from pathological aggregates. The new approach uses high-resolution microscopy and machine learning to identify healthy tau aggregates, offering potential for new treatments for neurological diseases.
A $3.5 million grant will support the Aging Brain Cohort Dedicated to Diversity (ABCD2) study, a research and training initiative aiming to create one of the largest neuroimaging cohorts of Black individuals. The study aims to enhance understandings of Alzheimer's disease relationships with cognitive decline and identify risk factors.
Researchers found that Parkinson's disease patients demonstrate stable preferences for abstract art but diminished perception of movement in paintings. The study suggests that the brain's motor system interprets non-representational visual cues as abstract representations of movement, influencing aesthetic experiences.
Researchers found that a shorter 'linker' on CAR T cells improves their response to B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study suggests that modifying the length of linkers can improve CAR T cell function and overcome current limitations.
Researchers found that piperlongumine binds to and inhibits TRPV2 protein, which is overexpressed in glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. The treatment radically shrank tumors and extended life in two mouse models.
A study published in Circulation found four new genetic variants associated with peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare condition characterized by weakened heart muscle. The research suggests that these genetic mutations may be linked to non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease affecting middle-aged men and women.
Researchers simulated the COVID-19 epidemic's trajectory and found that even modest increases in evictions could lead to thousands of excess cases in Philadelphia, highlighting the need for renter protection policies to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
A retrospective study suggests that MitraClip reduces death and heart failure hospitalizations by up to 50% for patients with secondary MR, even with slightly smaller mitral valve openings. The study also found improvements in quality of life measures in some patients with higher gradients.
Researchers at Penn Medicine delivered a new gene therapy that improved vision in three patients with severe vision impairments. The therapy showed sustained improvements in day and night vision, without serious side effects.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine suggests that individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 may only need one vaccine dose to produce a sufficient antibody response. In contrast, those who have not had COVID-19 require two doses to achieve strong levels of immunity.
Researchers found that patients with high levels of PDL-1 and a KRAS gene mutation lived longer when treated with immunotherapy alone compared to those without the mutation. Patients without the mutation had better survival with combination therapy, suggesting preferred treatment approaches for this patient group.
A new study found significant disparities in the use of SGLT2 inhibitors among Black, Asian, female, and lower-income patients with diabetes. The study's findings are consistent with prior studies showing decreased use of novel therapies among marginalized groups.
Researchers discovered that humans evolved higher eccrine gland density due to accumulated changes in the hECE18 enhancer region, which drives EN1 expression. This trait is thought to have adapted to early hominins' hot habitats, promoting survival and evolution.
A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that residents in majority-Black neighborhoods experience higher rates of severe pregnancy-related health problems. Neighborhood-level public health interventions may be necessary to lower these rates.
Researchers found that CD40 agonist treatment before surgery improved T cell attack on tumors, with 82% of treated tumors being T-cell enriched. The treatment also reduced tumor-associated fibrosis and enhanced dendritic cells' maturity. Disease-free survival was 13.8 months, with median overall survival at 23.4 months.
Researchers developed a hyaluronic acid hydrogel system to stabilize damaged cartilage, pausing its degeneration and promoting the formation of a protective barrier. The therapy was shown to enhance healing and restore regular activity to chondrocytes in lab tests.
A recent study published in Health Affairs found that urgent care centers are associated with increased spending for lower-acuity visits across both emergency departments and urgent care centers. For every 37 urgent care visits, one fewer lower acuity ED visit occurs, but total costs increase rather than decrease.
Researchers have discovered that nuclear speckles work in partnership with p53 to boost the activities of specific sets of genes. This finding may lead to a better understanding of cancers and potential cancer treatments. The study suggests that nuclear speckles are major regulators of gene expression.