New research by Andrew Stokes suggests that excess weight in the US substantially increases mortality risk, contrary to previous findings. Using individuals' highest BMI in life to predict mortality rates, Stokes found a 33% attributable risk for overweight and obesity.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that strain-specific Lyme disease immunity can last six to nine years. This finding has significant implications for vaccine design, as a single vaccine could potentially cover multiple strains of the disease-causing bacteria, substantially reducing the risk of infection.
Researchers developed a hydrogel that delivers enzyme inhibitors to damaged heart tissue, minimizing long-term damage and improving heart function. The gel's responsive design allows it to release inhibitors in response to the activity level of the enzyme.
A new study led by Penn Dental Medicine researchers has reversed bone loss and inflammation in patients with leukocyte adhesion deficiency, a rare immune disorder. The breakthrough discovery identifies IL-17 as the key driver of periodontitis and bone loss in these patients.
Researchers found that climate change is shrinking Antarctic Bottom Waters, a massive current that 'hides' heat and carbon from the atmosphere. This reduction in convection could lead to increased heat trapping in the deeper ocean, contributing to global warming.
Researchers found that male and female owl monkeys were genetically monogamous, with no cases of extra-pair paternity. The team discovered a strong connection between a species' faithfulness and significant involvement of males in caring for their young.
Researchers found strong evidence of recent positive selection for lactase persistence in African populations, likely due to pastoralism. Three new genetic variants associated with the trait were identified, as well as two previously known SNPs, suggesting a link between cattle domestication and milk consumption.
Researchers from Penn and CHOP confirmed a genetic link between missing DNA on the X chromosome and birth defects such as epilepsy, cleft palate, and respiratory failure. The study provides a mouse model to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of these conditions and potentially identify genes responsible.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has used mathematical modeling to better understand the mechanisms involved in traumatic brain injuries. Their findings reveal that rapid impacts can cause permanent damage due to the rate of stretching, not just the force applied.
Researchers have identified a fovea-like region in dogs' retina with high cone density, similar to that of humans, and found it susceptible to genetic blinding diseases. This discovery has promising implications for translational research into human foveal and macular degenerative diseases.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has made a groundbreaking discovery about how climbing fibers provide feedback to Purkinje cells, allowing them to detect legitimate error signals amidst random firing. This knowledge will be fundamental to future studies of fine motor control and learning.
Penn researchers found that nuclear stiffness, controlled by lamin-A, affects cell migration and survival. Softer nuclei are more susceptible to DNA damage, leading to cell death, while stiffer nuclei allow for easier migration but compromise DNA protection.
Penn researchers develop model material exhibiting reversible plastic deformation with characteristics of plastic deformation on the macroscale. This novel behavior could lead to designing materials with unique properties, such as dampening vibrations or protecting against impacts.
Researchers develop a mathematical model explaining the two-phase process of abrasion that makes rocks rounder. The study reveals that abrasion reduces rock size only after it becomes smooth, providing new insights into erosion and sediment travel in rivers.
A new sauropod species, Yongjinglong datangi, has been discovered in northwestern China, providing insights into the diversity of Titanosaurs. The fossil remains suggest that the animal was a juvenile or subadult, with features indicating potential for growth and increased size in adults.
Researchers have discovered a type of liquid crystal that dissolves in water, holding potential for biomedical applications. When placed in water droplets and oil, the liquid crystals exhibit unique behavior, transforming water droplets into faceted gemstones.
Researchers have found concrete evidence for a long-lived Nordic grog tradition in northernmost Europe during the Bronze and Iron Ages. The discovery highlights innovative uses of local ingredients to create unique fermented beverages.
Researchers from Penn Vet found a shared cell death pathway involved in inherited vision diseases, including rod cone dysplasia and X-linked progressive retinal atrophy. The study suggests that targeting this pathway with TNF-inhibitors could slow disease progression or complement gene therapies.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania propose a new theoretical framework for metamaterials that can perform 'photonic calculus' on light waves, enabling fast and efficient calculations. This technology could revolutionize fields such as image processing by allowing real-time manipulation of light wave profiles without conversi...
Researchers have created a technique called PIP-seq to map all interactions between RNA and proteins. The study identifies potential disease-causing genetic mutations in regions of RNAs where RNA-binding proteins bind, providing new insights into neurological diseases like Parkinson's. The data is publicly available online.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a decision-making model that compares and weighs multiple variables to predict the optimal choice. By using this 'predictive advantage index' in personalized medicine, clinicians can make more informed decisions based on a comprehensive analysis of relevant data.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a method to grow liquid crystal 'flowers' using silica beads as templates, creating a lens-like structure with potential applications in optics and optoelectronics. The new approach demonstrates directed assembly and paves the way for the creation of custom optical components.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a way to reduce disease toxicity associated with Lou Gehrig's disease in animal models. By targeting stress granules and modulating cellular structures, they slowed neuron dysfunction and showed promise in mammalian cells.
Researchers at Penn have developed a dynamic model of tissue failure that takes into account the complex feedback effects of cells' molecular motors. The study reveals how myosin activity contributes to tissue instability and provides insights for designing more accurate models to predict tissue behavior.
A team of University of Pennsylvania scientists has discovered a new mechanism of cancer spread by identifying the split personalities of a protein called Exo70. The research found that one form of Exo70 promotes cell movement and invasion, while the other helps maintain cellular structure and organization.
Researchers at Penn have found that the optimal amount of strain for a beating heart depends on the stiffness of its collagen framework. The study showed that as the embryo develops, the stiffening of collagen leads to an increase in myosin motor proteins to maintain the optimal heartbeat.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania develop method to deliver protein across blood-brain barrier, degrading Alzheimer's plaques by up to 70% in mice brains and human brain tissue. The approach uses cholera toxin B as carrier and myelin basic protein to break down amyloid beta chains.
Etienne Benson's research reveals that squirrels were intentionally introduced to cities in the 19th century as part of a parks movement aimed at beautifying urban landscapes. The presence of squirrels in cities is linked to the idea that nature in the city is essential for human health and sanity.
Neuroscientists found that brain cells encode spatial information and form 'geotags' for memories, activated before recall. Spatial memory systems are linked to episodic memories, allowing researchers to predict recalled items with accuracy.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania has uncovered a mechanism that allows blood stem cells to divide in perpetuity, using the motor protein myosin II. The researchers found that asymmetric division is enabled by myosin IIB, which helps to partition key factors and keep one side as a stem cell.
Researchers at Penn University have developed a new technique for fast and sensitive DNA sequencing using graphene nanoribbons with nanopores. The team's innovative method allows for faster measurement of DNA sequences, as the electrical current flowing through the ribbon is modulated by each base.
Researchers have identified FOX01 as a critical molecule in the wound-healing process, providing a possible new target for pharmaceuticals. The study found that FOX01 plays an integral role in activating key growth factor TGF-β1 and protecting cells against oxidative stress.
Researchers found that natural selection acts on evolvability, favoring traits that enable rapid adaptation and evolution in pathogens like Lyme disease bacteria. This is evident through increased genetic diversity among unexpressed cassettes, which offer a window into past natural selection for more evolvable VlsE protein.
Researchers from Penn and Drexel have demonstrated a novel solar cell construction method, which may improve energy absorption efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs. The discovery is based on a material exhibiting the bulk photovoltaic effect, allowing for more efficient harvesting of visible light.
The University of Pennsylvania researchers have developed a new tool to direct the assembly of particles and materials using elastic energy. This technique, combined with a new template design, allows for the creation of complex patterns and structures. The team's findings could lead to breakthroughs in fields such as displays, sensors...
A new study reveals a genetic mutation that makes certain people sensitive to bitter compounds appeared advantageous for African populations, with potential roles in immune response and metabolism. The research found strong correlations between specific gene variants and increased bitterness sensitivity in East Africans.
A Penn study reveals that low levels of mitochondrial DNA in tumor cells from aggressive breast cancer patients can lead to the development of metastatic properties. The research, published in Oncogene, breaks ground in understanding cancer progression and may offer a biomarker for personalized treatment approaches.
Researchers from University of Pennsylvania found no evidence of the endowment effect in Hadza people, a hunter-gatherer society in Tanzania. The study suggests that this bias may not be universal and could have been shaped by cultural factors rather than evolutionary history.
Researchers have identified a new way to relieve pain in dogs with bone cancer, using a single spinal injection of neurotoxin. The treatment showed promise in reducing pain levels, offering an alternative to more aggressive approaches like amputation and chemotherapy.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researcher Robert Aronowitz highlights the flaws in prostate cancer screening measures, citing a 1950s study that showed invasive procedures were often performed without solid evidence. Millions of men have undergone PSA tests, which can lead to unnecessary treatments and detrimental effects.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have made an encouraging breakthrough in developing a gene therapy to treat macular dystrophy. They successfully delivered a healthy copy of the BEST1 gene to dogs using viral vectors, showing promise for preventing or restoring vision in individuals with these conditions.
A team of University of Pennsylvania researchers used Facebook data to develop computer models that accurately predicted users' age, gender, and personality traits. The study drew on a large dataset of Facebook status updates to identify linguistic patterns that correlated with specific characteristics.
A recent Penn study found that fish skin and gut immune responses are similar, with key components resembling those in mammals. The study suggests IgT plays a crucial role in regulating host-microbiota homeostasis and may be involved in developing improved fish vaccines.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created a new mechanism for extracting energy from light, increasing efficiency by 3-10 times compared to conventional methods. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar cells and optoelectronic devices.
Researchers at Penn University have developed a computer model to optimize the properties of metal nanowire networks for flexible touchscreens. The model helps identify the optimal balance between transparency and electrical resistance, leading to improved device performance.
A team of Penn biologists offers a mathematically based explanation for why cooperation and generosity have evolved in nature. Generous strategies, which involve cooperating with opponents but also forgiving defectors, are shown to be the only approaches that resist defectors over the long term.
A Penn study found that lamin-A, a protective protein in the nucleus, plays a key role in regulating stem cell differentiation and tissue stiffness. The research revealed a correlation between lamin-A levels and elasticity in various tissues.
A study by University of Pennsylvania geologist Jane Willenbring and colleagues found that the local glacial maximum in southern Europe occurred earlier than expected, around 26,000 years ago. This discovery provides new insights into how regional climates have varied over time and could lead to more accurate global climate models.
A multi-disciplinary study by University of Pennsylvania researchers has illuminated a crucial step in the process of cell movement. The protein Exo70 induces a reshaping of the cell's plasma membrane, necessary for cell migration from one location to another.
Researchers analyze dinosaur skulls using 3D geometric morphometrics and conclude that three previously identified species are actually one. The study reveals that differences among specimens arose from the burial and compression process, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in taxonomic classifications.