Researchers found that genes affecting cilia function are linked to diabetes, kidney failure, and liver fibrosis in both rare genetic disorders and the general public. The discovery opens up new possibilities for targeted treatments and gene therapies.
In a groundbreaking 68-week study, semaglutide combined with intensive behavioral therapy resulted in an average weight loss of 16% for participants, exceeding one-third who lost 20% or more of their baseline weight. The treatment also showed significant improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors and marked metabolic benefits.
A study at the University of Pennsylvania found that 61% of opioids prescribed to patients after orthopedic procedures went unused. The text message system showed high patient uptake, with 88% responding on the fourth day and 95% on the 21st day. Patients reported a decrease in pain levels without using most of the prescribed opioids.
Researchers at Penn Medicine found that genetically manipulating a fly's Imitation SWItch/SNF (ISWI) gene led to marked sleep disturbances, memory problems, and social dysfunction. The study suggests that targeting sleep may improve symptoms in children with neurodevelopmental disorders
A Phase 3 clinical trial showed that a new medication, avacopan, is more effective than treatment with glucocorticoids in keeping patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in remission for a year. Avacopan appears to work rapidly and may prevent the accumulation of disease-related damage.
A significant number of NHL patients achieved complete remission and progression-free survival with Kymriah, a personalized cellular therapy. The study demonstrated the durability of this approach, with most patients remaining in remission five years after treatment.
Thyroid hormone doesn't operate as a straight-on/off switch but rather shifts the balance between gene activity, revealing a more nuanced mechanism of action. This discovery has significant implications for understanding metabolic diseases and developing targeted therapies.
A recent brain-and-behavior study investigates how humans perceive and respond to faces with anomalies, finding that the 'anomalous-is-bad' stereotype manifests in brain responses and attitudes, with the amygdala playing a key role.
Researchers found that people with cross-reactive antibodies had no protection against SARS-CoV-2, and these antibodies did not correlate with COVID-19 severity. The study suggests that pre-existing immune responses may play a role in reducing disease severity, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Researchers sent take-at-home tests to patients overdue for screenings, increasing completion rates by nearly 20% compared to traditional reminders. The intervention cost just $150 per patient, a critical factor for sustainability in community health centers.
Researchers identified systemic inflammation as a potential biomarker for predicting patient response to CD40 immunotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients with systemic inflammation had worse overall survival rates than those without, suggesting that immune therapies may be less effective in these cases.
Scientists discovered that DCM-causing LMNA gene mutations disrupt the 'identity' of heart muscle cells by altering nuclear lamina-genome interactions and epigenetic marks. This disruption leads to abnormal gene regulation and loss of mechanical elasticity in heart cells.
A new study from Penn Medicine reveals that patients with inactive cancer and not currently undergoing treatments are significantly more likely to experience severe COVID-19 illness. The research highlights the importance of COVID-19 mitigation measures, such as social distancing and mask-wearing, and vaccinations for all patients.
A study found that fatal opioid overdoses increased by over 50% among Black individuals in Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, white residents experienced a 31% drop in fatal overdoses during the same period. The research suggests that racial inequities worsened the opioid crisis, with factors such as economic hardshi...
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a method to halt osteoarthritis-type knee cartilage degeneration by targeting a specific protein pathway. By over-activating the EGFR signaling pathway, they were able to slow down cartilage degeneration and knee pain in mice.
A new study found that implementing an 'opt-out' pathway for cardiac rehabilitation referrals significantly increased rates, from 15% to 85%, among patients eligible for the therapy. The opt-out system leveraged technology to automate the process, making it easier for clinicians and patients.
Researchers developed a first-of-its-kind patient-informed questionnaire tool to capture quality of life and other key outcomes before and after abdominal hernia repair. The Abdominal Hernia-Q (AHQ) tool has been shown to be reliable, efficient, and sensitive to negative clinical outcomes.
Researchers have developed a new statistical method called Sum-Share that exponentially increases the ability to discover genetic insights. The method uses summary-level data from multiple sites to generate significant insights, outperforming existing methods in detecting genetic variations associated with cardiovascular conditions.
A team of Penn Medicine researchers identified five categories of curriculum that misrepresented race in class discussions, presentations, and assessments. They recommend medical schools standardize language, contextualize racial differences, and generate evidence-based medical knowledge to dismantle structural racism.
Researchers found that continuing commonly used blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors and ARBs did not affect COVID-19 patient outcomes. The study supports international recommendations to continue these medications in hospitalized patients unless there is a clear medical issue.
A recent study by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals significant disparities in telemedicine use, particularly among older adults and patients from minority populations. The study found that patients over 55 were less likely to participate in telemedicine visits, with those over 75 being 33% less likely.
A new study found that COVID-19 mortality rates in hospitals are linked to the number of cases in the surrounding community. Hospitals with high case rates had worse outcomes, while those with declining case rates saw significant improvement over time.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that remote monitoring using wearable step counters and conversational text messaging reduced hospital returns after joint surgery by 4x. The 'Hovering' program improved patient recovery and activity levels, with significant declines in hospital readmissions.
A US study finds that many donor kidneys are discarded due to low-quality tissue, yet can function acceptably when transplanted. The study suggests that procurement biopsies add little value and may even reduce the supply of available kidneys.
Only 1.8% of US obstetrician-gynecologists have an X-waiver, allowing them to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid addiction. Rural areas and cities with high neonatal abstinence syndrome rates have higher X-waiver rates among OB-GYNs.
Researchers have found that knocking out the CD5 gene on CAR T cells using CRISPR-Cas9 technology enhances their ability to eliminate blood cancers. Mice infused with CD5-deleted CAR T cells showed higher T cell proliferation and reduced tumor size compared to non-edited cells.
A new study reveals an average of 120,232 firearm injuries per year in the US, with nonfatal cases being twice as prevalent as deaths. The research highlights the need for effective prevention strategies beyond just addressing fatal injuries.
A subcutaneous injection of teclistamab elicits responses in 74% of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, offering a promising treatment option for patients with poor prognoses. The study's results suggest that teclistamab takes a similar approach to cellular therapies but is more convenient and faster to administer.
Combining CAR T cell therapy with a PAK4 inhibitor improved T cell infiltration and reduced solid tumors in mice. The study found that inhibiting the enzyme PAK4 helped normalize the tumor microenvironment, allowing T cells to attack the tumor more effectively.
A Penn Medicine study reveals that marginalized groups prioritize professionalism and face challenges in academic medicine due to biases. The research highlights the need for institutions to reevaluate professionalism standards to create a more inclusive culture.
Researchers analyzed data from 11 US hospitals and found that 22% of COVID-19 patients who suffered cardiac arrest could be revived. After resuscitation, 12% survived for at least a month, with survival rates similar to pre-pandemic levels among non-New York hospitals.
A recent study has discovered a cell type that governs bone formation and maintenance, shedding light on the mechanisms behind osteoporosis. Researchers found that bone marrow adipogenic lineage precursors (MALPs) play a distinct role in regulating bone remodeling, and targeting these cells could lead to more effective therapies.
A short training course on handheld ultrasound devices has significantly increased confidence among geriatricians in using the technology and interpreting images, with a notable increase in comfort level tripling within four hours and extending to six months.
A new study finds that telemedicine can significantly reduce dermatology consult times, from 84 days to under five hours. The study suggests that this approach does not increase utilization or costs, making it a viable option for expanding telemedicine use.
Researchers have developed a new approach to prevent toxicity seen in sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia after gene therapy to treat neurological disorders. The approach involves modifying a transgene with a microRNA target, which reduces transgene expression and eliminates toxicity.
A new study from Penn Medicine researchers found that early and repeated exposures to diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays and CT scans, may increase the risk of testicular cancer. The study suggests that reduced medically unnecessary testicular exposure could be considered to reduce radiation dose and optimize shielding practices.
Recent studies have revealed that cardiovascular adverse events, such as heart failures and arrhythmias, are common in cancer patients treated with CDK 4/6 inhibitors. These agents have significantly improved survival rates for breast cancer patients but come with a risk of cardiac damage.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that patient-provider racial concordance significantly affects patient experience. Physicians who share the same racial or ethnic background as their patients receive higher ratings for maximum patient experience scores.
A national study by Penn Medicine researchers reveals a significant link between food insecurity and cardiovascular death rates among adults. The analysis found that counties with increasing food insecurity levels had higher cardiovascular mortality rates, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
Gun violence patients made up nearly 23% of trauma hospitalizations during the 2020 stay-at-home order, a significant increase from previous years. Trauma cases overall dropped by half during this time, but gun violence remained a major concern, disproportionately affecting people of color.
A new 'fast' MRI test has been shown to detect breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss in women with dense breasts. The test, which is an abbreviated version of traditional breast MRI, detected 27 cancers per 1,000 women screened.
Researchers found a significant disparity in fatal police shootings between Black and white individuals, with Black victims experiencing lethal encounters at a rate three times higher than their white counterparts. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of police violence on marginalized communities.
A team led by Dr. Katherine L. Nathanson has been awarded $5.4 million to continue researching the genetic risk factors of testicular cancer, which affects men aged 15-45 in the US and Europe. The study aims to identify novel susceptibility genes and provide data for surveillance of high-risk individuals.
A new Penn study found administering radiation therapy to multiple myeloma patients waiting for CAR T cells to be manufactured was safe and did not interfere with cellular therapy. Patients who received radiation 34 days or fewer before infusion had similar rates of severe side effects as those who did not receive radiation.
A new study from Penn Medicine found that proton therapy reduces the risk of radiation-induced heart diseases in lung cancer patients. Mini-strokes and heart attacks were significantly less common among patients who underwent proton therapy compared to those treated with conventional photon-based radiation therapy.
A new study published in Preventive Medicine found that news reports place disproportionate emphasis on fatal and multiple shootings, while underreporting common victims. The researchers believe this could affect public perception of gun violence and shape policy decisions.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has demonstrated a new method to rebuild complex body tissues using a magnetic field and hydrogels. This technique allows for the creation of engineered tissues with natural tissue-like properties, including a cellular gradient.
A Penn-developed machine learning tool helps sustain end-of-life care discussions with cancer patients, tripling the rate of those discussions. The study shows that clinicians engage more in conversations when prompted by an algorithm and a behavioral nudge.
A recent study has provided a detailed picture of fuel and nutrient use by the human heart, establishing a new framework for studying heart function in health and disease. The study found that healthy hearts rely heavily on fatty acids as energy sources, while failing hearts consume more ketones and release more amino acids.
Researchers are using artificial intelligence to integrate and analyze genetic, imaging, and clinical data from over 60,000 Alzheimer's patients. This project aims to identify precise diagnostic biomarkers and drug targets for the disease, which affects nearly 50 million people worldwide.