A new study found that personal and psychological characteristics significantly impact progress in workplace wellness programs. The research suggests that tailoring nudges to an individual's behavior profile can unlock full potential, leading to improved outcomes. For some groups, ongoing incentives may be necessary to sustain motivation.
Scientists at Penn Medicine have engineered bacteria-killing molecules from toxic proteins found in wasp venom, which could help combat antibiotic-resistant infections. The new antimicrobial molecules work by disrupting bacterial membranes and summoning immune cells, showing promise as potential treatments for sepsis and tuberculosis.
A pay-for-performance program increased prescriptions of high-quality, evidence-based cancer drugs by 5.1 percentage points without significantly changing total spending on care. The program improved the rate of high-value prescribing in oncology, leading to better patient outcomes and longer life expectancy.
A clinical trial found that active choice nudges led to significant increases in optimal statin prescribing for patients with heart disease, while passive nudges had no effect. The study suggests that small design changes can improve the impact of alerts, and future research will focus on clinician and patient nudges.
Researchers Brian Litt and Gregory Corder received $5.6M and $2.4M NIH awards to develop autonomous neurodevices that learn from patients and predict seizures. They aim to improve chronic pain management without opioid side effects.
A team of Penn researchers has received a $3.2 million grant to develop an AI-powered system that can accurately predict the likelihood of cardiac patients accepting or rejecting a new heart. The project aims to reduce rejection rates and improve patient outcomes by analyzing cardiac biopsy tissue images.
Researchers discovered a novel mutation in the VCP gene leading to a buildup of tau proteins and neuronal vacuoles, characteristic of Vacuolar Tauopathy (VT), a rare neurodegenerative disease. The study suggests a new therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease by boosting VCP activity to break up protein aggregates.
A clinical trial found that a daily regimen of hydroxychloroquine did not reduce infection rates among healthcare workers. The study suggests that other prevention measures such as social distancing and vaccination may be more effective in preventing COVID-19.
Researchers at Penn University found that autophagy, a cellular process, causes SIRT1 enzyme to degrade over time. Treating mice with an autophagy inhibitor restored SIRT1 levels, suggesting a new approach to treating age-related diseases.
Penn researchers found that epigenetic changes disable protective pathways and enable pro-disease pathways in older brain cells with Alzheimer's Disease. These changes can be targeted by drugs, suggesting a new approach to treating early-stage disease.
Researchers have developed a new Dual CAR T cell immunotherapy that targets the HIV reservoir and combats HIV infection in humanized mice. The therapy, which combines two CARs into a single T cell, provides a strong and long-lasting response against HIV-infection while being resistant to the virus itself.
A new tool, WellExplorer, provides information on potential exposure to hydraulic fracturing chemicals in drinking water. The app allows users to view the closest fracking sites, learn about used chemicals and their toxicity levels.
A study led by Avery Posey reveals the presence of CD19, a B cell molecule targeted by CAR T cell immunotherapy, in brain cells that protect the blood-brain barrier. This finding may be linked to neurotoxicity in patients undergoing CD19-directed CAR T cell therapy.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that TV ads for psoriasis and eczema medications lack diversity, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities. This underrepresentation may contribute to treatment disparities, as non-white patients are less likely to receive effective treatments.
Researchers found that factors like low pulse oximetry levels and fever were key indicators for hospital readmission. The study also showed that older patients and those with certain symptoms were more likely to require hospitalization.
Researchers found that middle-aged individuals have different H3N2 flu virus antibody specificities, which can leave them more susceptible to infection. Early childhood infections can elicit strong, long-lasting memory immune responses, but these may not be effective against newer strains of the virus.
Scientists have identified the SLC25A51 gene as a key player in transporting NAD+ to mitochondria, a critical step in cellular metabolism. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer by manipulating NAD+ levels in specific cells.
A pre-clinical study suggests that an investigational drug reduces the buildup of toxic poly(GR) proteins and TDP-43 clumps, which contribute to neurological decline in patients with ALS and FTD. The study found that treatment with a pipeline drug reduced neurodegeneration in mouse models.
A new model prioritizes countries based on premature deaths caused by COVID-19, focusing on mitigating three types of harms: death and permanent organ damage, indirect health consequences, and economic destruction. The Fair Priority Model aims to reduce premature deaths and other irreversible health consequences from COVID-19.
Researchers used publicly available cell phone location data to analyze activity across up to 2,740 counties in the US. They found that counties with a greater decline in workplace cell phone activity showed lower COVID-19 infection rates, suggesting this data can be used to estimate growth rates and inform decision-making.
A new study found that opioid prescription rates for outpatient knee surgery vary greatly across the US, with some states prescribing up to 85% of patients opioids. The average strength of prescriptions is also high, often exceeding the CDC's threshold for increased risk of overdose death.
Researchers found that patients who received daily text messages from an automated chatbot experienced a significant decrease in opioid use, averaging 26 pills compared to 41 for non-participants. This low-effort approach aims to reduce opioid dependence and is potentially transferable to other patient populations.
Researchers identified a link between female authors and increased enrollment of women in heart failure clinical trials. The study, published in Circulation: Heart Failure, found that clinical trials with female first or senior authors had a higher proportion of enrolled female participants.
The study found that implementing antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV and newer tuberculosis medications decreases the risk of death for adults with drug-resistant TB. Access to these life-saving medications varies widely globally.
The study found that patients following the ERAS protocol had significantly lower rates of opioid use at one, three, and six months after surgery compared to those receiving standard care. Additionally, the ERAS group experienced shorter hospital stays, fewer postoperative complications, and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers identified HDAC3 as orchestrator of immune system's inflammation response to infection, with both triggering and reducing inflammation. The study highlights the need to target non-enzymatic functions of HDAC3 instead of its enzyme activity to mitigate lethal outcomes.
A new study found that half of low-income communities have no ICU beds, exacerbating COVID-19 mortality rates. The lack of access to critical care units compounds the impact of the virus on these communities, with higher infection rates and comorbidities increasing the risk of death.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a new genetic cause of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that affects nearly one in two thousand people. The discovery sheds light on the genetic underpinnings of the disease and may hold answers to new gene therapies.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that pregnant Black and Hispanic women are five times more likely to be exposed to the coronavirus than white and Asian women. The study analyzed serological data from over 1,200 women and found significant variation in virus exposure rates across racial and ethnic groups.
A new machine learning approach, federated learning, enables hospitals to share patient data securely, improving the accuracy of brain tumor diagnoses. This technique has been successfully tested in a Penn Medicine study, which showed that it can outperform centralized models in identifying brain tumors.
Researchers found that 2.4% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients had ischemic stroke, mostly due to pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The study also highlighted racial disparities in stroke outcomes, with Black patients more likely to experience strokes.
A new viewpoint piece in JAMA outlines key considerations for implementing chatbots in healthcare, including patient safety, trust, and transparency. The authors propose a framework to inform decision-making on chatbot implementation, emphasizing the need for robust evaluation and research.
Researchers have found that embryonic stem cells use a self-eating process called chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) to maintain pluripotency, but switch to a related metabolite when differentiating into specialized cells. This discovery could lead to new regenerative therapies for tissue and organ repair.
Despite overall improvements in combat casualty outcomes since World War II, research reveals significant spikes in mortality during specific conflicts, including Vietnam and Iraq. Understanding these patterns is crucial for identifying areas for improvement and enhancing military readiness.
Researchers have identified a rare mutation of the TP53 gene that leaves individuals at a higher risk of developing multiple types of cancer over their lifetime. This mutation is most commonly found in the Ashkenazi Jewish population and may confer a lower lifetime risk compared to classic Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
A new study from Penn researchers identified three distinct immune profiles in severely ill COVID-19 patients. These immunotypes were characterized by different levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activity, with the third type showing little to no immune response. The findings could help predict disease severity and guide treatment strategies.
Researchers will focus on inflammation and the role of different cells in the immune system in cardiovascular health. The team plans to establish the molecular basis of inflammation in the heart and accelerate innovation in immune-cardiology.
A new study highlights the importance of access to nature in addressing community health needs, citing benefits to physical, mental, and social health. Researchers recommend incorporating assessments of nature access into patient encounters and refer patients to community groups increasing green areas.
A new study from Penn Medicine found that abnormal function of sensory neurons outside the brain contributes to autistic social behaviors. Peripheral sensory systems can serve as more accessible therapeutic targets for treating ASD-related symptoms.
A new study reveals that excessive fructose consumption overwhelms the gut's ability to break down sugar, leading to fatty liver development. The research found that consuming food slowly mitigates adverse effects, highlighting the importance of rate-dependent fructose processing.
Long-term use of muscle relaxants has increased dramatically since 2005, particularly among older adults, who are prescribed these drugs at a rate nearly three times that of their proportion in the US population. This trend is concerning, as it can lead to dangerous interactions with opioids and other serious side effects.
A massive genomic analysis has found hundreds of new genetic variants associated with type-2 diabetes, as well as those tied to related conditions like coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease. The discovery may lead to personalized treatments for patients at high risk of developing the disease.
Researchers have discovered a way to soften a cell's nucleus, allowing it to move through dense connective tissues and promote injury repair. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutics for healing dense connective tissues with poor natural repair capacity.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that critically ill COVID-19 patients are 10 times more likely to develop cardiac arrhythmias than other hospitalized patients. The researchers suggest that systemic illness, rather than the viral infection itself, is a primary trigger for these cardiac problems.
A new study found that homeless patients are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days due to chronic diseases and limited access to medical care. The study, conducted across three states, revealed a 17% combined 30-day readmission rate among homeless patients compared to 14% among housed individuals.
A new study found that nearly 10% of patients prescribed opioid medications following heart surgery will continue to use them more than 90 days after the procedure. The study also revealed a direct link between the dosage of opioids first prescribed and the likelihood of persistent opioid use.
The University of Pennsylvania's CEET will focus on air pollution, lung health, and environmental neuroscience with a strong emphasis on community engagement. The $8 million grant will support cutting-edge research and policy-making to improve the health of vulnerable individuals and communities.
Researchers found that embryo culture is associated with placental abnormalities, preeclampsia, and abnormal fetal growth. Optimizing embryo culture is key to ensuring healthy outcomes for mothers and offspring.
Researchers have discovered a new class of immunotherapy that targets myeloid immune cells and slows tumor growth by inhibiting the c-Rel molecule. The treatment showed promising results in both human cells and mouse models, shrinking tumors by up to 80% and reducing immune suppressor cells.
A study found that only 16% of commercially insured patients received timely follow-up care after an opioid overdose, with black patients being half as likely to receive treatment. The lack of care is attributed to barriers beyond insurance status and highlights the need for increased adoption of pathways to initiate buprenorphine in EDs.