Feature Stories
What if the next pandemic is carried by a bug?
A Penn epidemiologist curbed a Chagas disease epidemic in Arequipa, Peru. Can he do it again in Philadelphia?
The chemicals they carry
Thousands of U.S. soldiers returned from the 1991 Persian Gulf War with a mysterious, incurable illness. To find answers, researchers are reprogramming their cells.
The weight of human life
In the cold, turbulent waters off the coast of South Africa, marine archaeologists find the wreckage of a slave ship.
Reuniting babies and their bottles
Feeding tubes and surgeries offer an imperfect fix for infants with a rare genetic disorder that leave them unable to eat. Neuroscientists are looking for a cure.
Media Relations
Preventing evictions remains critical to controlling COVID-19, study finds
An epidemiological model shows that even a modest uptick in evictions could lead to hundreds of thousands of excess COVID-19 cases. Covered by: Live Science, Washington Post, The Hill, Telemundo, Philadelphia magazine, .
Nicotine-free e-cigarettes can damage blood vessels
While e-cigarette liquid may be relatively harmless, the vaporization process can transform it into something toxic. Covered by: CNN, CBS News, FOX News, Good Morning America
Bourbon or rye? You can’t tell the difference
When asked to sort American whiskeys, consumers were more influenced by alcohol content, age at bottling, and product brand. Covered by: The Daily Mail, Popular Science, Modern Farmer, VICE, and Jimmy Fallon.
Depressive symptoms prevalent among Division I college athletes
Nearly a quarter of Division I college athletes show signs of depression. Covered by: The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed and Sports Illustrated.
Hookworm vaccine trials begin at GW
In a pioneering study, infecting healthy adults with bloodthirsty parasites is the next step toward eradicating the disease. Covered by: the Washington Post and NPR.
News Stories
What the Roe v. Wade overturn means for abortion rights in Pa., N.J., and Del.
Residents in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey won’t be immediately affected by the Supreme Court’s decision — however, that could change by November’s midterm elections, especially in the Keystone State. Here’s what’s at stake in the region. (WHYY News)
Who will teach nursing? With retirements looming, vacancies unfilled and accreditors cracking down, many colleges search for strategies to hire professors in fast-growing field.
College faulted for not considering childbirth a legitimate reason to miss class
Complaint says college violated Title IX by refusing to allow a student dealing with a high-risk pregnancy and delivery to miss some classes without penalty. (Inside Higher Ed)
NCTQ Study Gives Teacher Prep Programs Failing Grades
Teacher preparation programs are not adequately preparing future educators, according to a new study from the National Council on Teacher Quality. Like much of the group’s previous work, the new study’s methodology generated complaints from many education school leaders, even as they acknowledge that programs need to improve. (Inside Higher Ed)