University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Research shows how immune system peacefully co-exists with 'good' bacteria

The human gut is loaded with commensal bacteria – "good" microbes that, among other functions, help the body digest food. The gastrointestinal tract contains literally trillions of such cells, and yet the ...

Medical research created May 22, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Newly described type of immune cell and T cells share similar path to maturity, according to new study

(Medical Xpress)—Labs around the world, and a core group at Penn, have been studying recently described populations of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Some researchers liken them to foot soldiers that ...

Immunology created May 14, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Binge eating curbed by deep brain stimulation in animal model, study shows

(Medical Xpress)—Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in a precise region of the brain appears to reduce caloric intake and prompt weight loss in obese animal models, according to a new study led by researchers at the University ...

Neuroscience created Apr 24, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Intractable seizures halted with experimental treatment for rare pediatric 'Pretzel syndrome'

With a better understanding of underlying mechanisms that cause a rare neurodevelopmental disorder in the Old Order Mennonite population, referred to as Pretzel syndrome, a new study reports that five children were successfully ...

Neuroscience created Apr 24, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Mutation causing wrong-way plumbing explains one type of blue-baby syndrome

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC), one type of "blue baby" syndrome, is a potentially deadly congenital disorder that occurs when pulmonary veins don't connect normally to the left atrium of the heart. This ...

Medical research created May 12, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study finds four new genetic risk factors for testicular cancer

A new study looking at the genomes of more than 13,000 men identified four new genetic variants associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer, the most commonly diagnosed type in young men today. The findings from ...

Genetics created May 12, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Not all cytokine-producing cells start out the same way, study finds

(Medical Xpress)—Cytokines are molecules produced by immune cells that induce the migration of other cells to sites of infection or injury, promote the production of anti-microbial agents, and signal the production of inflammatory ...

Immunology created May 13, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers discover link between inherited endocrine tumor syndrome and well-studied cell pathway

(Medical Xpress)—A mutation in a protein called menin causes a hereditary cancer syndrome called MEN1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1). Individuals with MEN1 are at a substantially increased risk of ...

Cancer created Apr 24, 2013 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast