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The changing landscape of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases
James Lok, Penn Vet

Parasitology professor James Lok’s studies of the development and basic biology of parasites, particularly the roundworm Strongyloides, have implications for finding new drug candidates. Veterinary schools have traditionally been strongholds of parasitology research, and Penn Vet is no exception. (Image: Eric Sucar)

The changing landscape of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases

Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Zika, chikungunya, and dengue are among the vector-borne infections making headlines. Penn researchers shed light on what’s behind the spread and how to stay safe.

Katherine Unger Baillie

With free vaccinations, ChildProtect program helps Amish communities stay healthy
ChildProtect 1

A child receives a vaccination as part of Lancaster General Health’s ChildProtect program. To date, the program has offered free vaccinations to more than 70,000 children, many of whom are members of Amish communities. (Photo: Peggy Peterson Photography)

With free vaccinations, ChildProtect program helps Amish communities stay healthy

When an outbreak of rubella struck the Amish in Pennsylvania in 1991, Lancaster General Hospital responded with a rapid vaccination campaign. The program endured, and continues to offer preventive health services to hundreds of children each year.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Texting and driving with the littlest passengers
carseat

Texting and driving with the littlest passengers

Researchers found that in the previous three months, about half of parents admitted to reading texts and using social media while driving, and found a correlation between distracted driving and other risky behaviors behind the wheel.

Penn Today Staff

Philly as lab, classroom, and collaborator
Sayre Health Clinic

Philly as lab, classroom, and collaborator

Philadelphia’s rich history and forward momentum make it ripe for scientific inquiry for a number of Penn schools and departments, from urban and population studies to medicine and anthropology.

Michele W. Berger

Penn One Health goes abroad
James Ferrara

James Ferrara will lead an interdisciplinary team of Penn students to Kathmandu, Nepal this summer to study a bacteria called Campylobacter.

Penn One Health goes abroad

In August, Penn Vet student James Ferrara will combine veterinary research and public health outreach in Nepal, where he will join a team of graduate students conducting research on Campylobacter, a bacteria found in unpasteurized milk, that is prone to cause infection.

Jacob Williamson-Rea

Proteins found in semen increase the spread of Ebola virus infection
ebola

Proteins found in semen increase the spread of Ebola virus infection

Areas that were declared Ebola-free are seeing a resurgence in the virus. Researchers have discovered that men can harbor the virus in their semen up to two and a half years, leading to new cases of sexual transmission years later.

Penn Today Staff

Public libraries can influence public health
public_library

Public libraries can influence public health

The Healthy Library Initiative, a partnership between Penn and the Free Library of Philadelphia, works to expand the role of public librarian to serve the public health needs of patrons and the community.

Penn Today Staff

A ‘smart-connected cup’ to fight Zika
smart_cup

A ‘smart-connected cup’ to fight Zika

By combining a a Thermos, a microfluidics chip and a smartphone, researchers have found a way to bring Zika testing to sites where clinical laboratories aren’t present but diagnostics are needed.

Penn Today Staff

The Best and Worst U.S. States for Children

The Best and Worst U.S. States for Children

Johanna Greeson of the School of Social Policy & Practice commented on a child-wellness study, noting an omission of statistics on abuse and neglect. Greeson did, however, applaud the new insights into state-by-state differences.