Measuring the impact of loneliness and social isolation on the brain A penguin watching a vessel at sea.(Image: Michael Beaulieu—French Polar Institute) Measuring the impact of loneliness and social isolation on the brain New research from Penn Medicine shows the negative, yet reversible, impact of spending time in isolated, confined, extreme environments—such as an Antarctic research station. 5 min. read
Disaster simulation trains nursing students in mass casualty incident response nocred Disaster simulation trains nursing students in mass casualty incident response The School of Nursing—in collaboration with Penn Medicine, the School of Social Policy & Practice, and the Division of Public Safety—held a disaster simulation, with graduate nursing students responding to volunteer actors injured in a mock explosion. 4 min. read
Study finds children’s health broadly declining in the U.S. Image: Maskot via Getty Images Study finds children’s health broadly declining in the U.S. Using data from 2007 to 2023, researchers from Penn Medicine and CHOP found measures like mental health and obesity, as well as infant and child mortality rose. They urge policy interventions and improved societal infrastructure to prioritize health of the country’s youngest generation. 4 min. read
AI-driven discovery of hundreds of potential antibiotics Research from the lab of César de la Fuente on an AI-powered screen of global venom libraries uncovers dozens of promising drug candidates.(Image: McDonald Wildlife Photography Inc. via Getty Images) AI-driven discovery of hundreds of potential antibiotics Research from the lab of César de la Fuente on an AI-powered screen of global venom libraries uncovers dozens of promising drug candidates. 2 min. read
How discoveries become cures Image: Margo Reed How discoveries become cures Public investments in biomedical research have an outsized effect, driving new scientific insights, economic growth, and ultimately treatments and cures. 3 min. read
From compassionate connections to infection prevention: Addressing the xylazine crisis From compassionate connections to infection prevention: Addressing the xylazine crisis To address the xylazine crisis in Philadelphia, Penn Medicine employees are offering support within the health system and in the community. 2 min. read
Genetic testing beneficial in critically ill adults Image: Ten Image/Science Photo Library via Getty Images Genetic testing beneficial in critically ill adults Penn Medicine researchers have identified genetic conditions in a large percent of adults admitted to the intensive care unit, dispelling the belief that genetic testing only benefits a pediatric population. 3 min. read
Transforming CAR T treatment: ‘Leukemia-on-a-chip’ The actual chip of human leukemia bone marrow where chambers and channels were filled with food dyes.(Image: NYU Tandon Applied Micro-Bioengineering Laboratory/Courtesy of Weiqiang Chen) Transforming CAR T treatment: ‘Leukemia-on-a-chip’ In a collaborative effort with NYU, Penn researchers have helped pioneer a novel 3D platform that mimics the human bone marrow and immune environment, enabling more predictive testing of cancer immunotherapy success in patients, including CAR T cell therapies. 3 min. read
Food insecurity linked to elevated mortality risk among cancer survivors Food insecurity linked to elevated mortality risk among cancer survivors A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine shows that cancer survivors experiencing food insecurity had a 28 percent relative increase in risk of death versus those who were food secure. 1 min. read
Red Ribbon Connect links Penn with HIV/AIDS researchers worldwide Timethius Terrell serves as program lead for Red Ribbon Connect. He’s dedicated to promoting global collaboration in HIV/AIDS research.(Image: Elliot Sipila) Red Ribbon Connect links Penn with HIV/AIDS researchers worldwide Organized by a recent Penn alum on the Community Advisory Board of the Penn Center for AIDS Research, the newly launched Red Ribbon Connect program entails a monthly virtual exchange for HIV/AIDS researchers at Penn and worldwide to swap insights and perspectives. 5 min. read