Sleep - you might be healthier

College students have long been known as some of the most sleep-deprived people in the nation, but one recent study found that sleepiness may be the least of our problems. Sleeping too much or too little is associated with higher rates of obesity, smoking and alcohol use, according to a study released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rising food prices hit organics

Although shoppers have generally accepted that eating organic foods will be more costly, a recent and rapid rise in prices may force some consumers to alter their eating habits. Food prices have been rising for several months now, and at first, organic prices stayed steady.

An unbreakable plastic - and health concerns

Sipping water out of that Nalgene bottle might not be so good for you. Numerous studies, including one at the University of Cincinnati earlier this year, show that traces of the toxic substance bisphenol-A, commonly called BPA, are released from Nalgene bottles' "unbreakable" plastic.

Eight glasses a day could be just a myth

We've long been told to drink eight glasses of water a day - but that may not be necessary. Penn researchers Stanley Goldfarb and Dan Negoianu reviewed research on water intake and concluded that there is no reliable scientific data to support the idea that drinking those eight glasses makes a person healthier.

Even in the hospital, infections develop

Hospitals are in the business of curing what ails their patients, but in 2006 about 19 out of every 1,000 patients developed an infection while being treated at Pennsylvania hospitals. This data, released last Thursday by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, is the group's second state-wide report on hospital-acquired infections.

RIAA gets legal setback in prosecuting BU students

The Recording Industry Association of America has hit a roadblock in its efforts to prosecute four students at Boston University for copyright infringement. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner forbade Boston University - which had been subpoenaed by the RIAA - from providing the names of students to the organization until she further investigates the school's privacy policy.

Students uninsured nationwide

Twenty percent of college students - a total of 1.7 million individuals - lack health insurance and racked up $120 to 235 million in uncompensated medical bills, according to a recent report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Of those who are insured, there was a great disparity in the quality of their coverage, the report found.

From patients, a sickly view of some hospitals

All patients are not completely satisfied with their treatment at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, but the hospital scored above average on a recent government survey of patients. On average, 67 percent of patients surveyed nationwide said they would definitely recommend their hospital to others.

Life-span gap between rich and poor grows

There is a growing gap between the life expectancies of richer and poorer Americans, recent government data shows. Although Americans as a whole are living longer lives, the life expectancy gap is growing between the rich and the poor, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Giving the gift of life, now happening more often at HUP

Sometimes, good can come from tragedy - and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is trying to make that happen more often. In the last few years, HUP has made a concerted effort to raise its rate of organ donation. For the past two years, HUP's transplant program has received the Medal of Honor from the Department of Health and Human Services for having 75 percent of eligible donors do so.

For immigrants, a plan for better health

With a new citywide partnership, Penn is helping senior-citizen immigrants educate their communities - by making videos. Penn's department of Family Medicine and Community Health has joined in a partnership to improve the health care of Southeast Asian immigrants in Philadelphia, which has the largest Southeast Asian refugee population in Pennsylvania.

McIntosh appealing sex-assault sentence

Tracy McIntosh, the former Penn neurosurgery professor who was resentenced last month for a 2002 sexual assault, is now challenging his new sentence. Joel Trigiani, McIntosh's lawyer, had stated an intent to appeal the new sentence of 3 « to seven years in prison, and he followed through with that appeal on March 20.

McIntosh appeals new sexual-assault sentence

Tracy McIntosh, the former Penn neurology professor who was resentenced last month for a 2002 sexual assault, is now challenging his new sentence. Joel Trigiani, McIntosh's lawyer, had stated an intent to appeal the new sentence of 3 « to seven years in prison and he followed through with that appeal on March 20.

Trying to curb Ebola, one protein at a time

Penn scientists at the School of Veterinary Medicine recently discovered a protein that slows the spread of the Ebola virus. The protein, ISG15, inhibits the spread of the virus to other cells. This discovery - which explains a way to slow the progression of the disease - has raised hopes for the eventual development of a treatment for Ebola, which has a mortality rate of up to 90 percent.

In the hospital, differences of night and day

Hospital patients who experience cardiac arrests are more likely to die during nights and weekends compared with the daytime, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This report raises questions about the differences between the care received in emergency rooms during regular working hours and the graveyard shifts.

New clinic starts off renovations at Dental School

Dental students had something to smile about last month when Penn's School of Dental Medicine opened its new periodontal clinic. The new clinic for periodontics - the branch of dentistry dealing with gums and the supporting structures for teeth - was long overdue.

Before 'sim man,' med schools taught with old-school techniques

"I've never tried this before" is the last thing you want a doctor to say to you. However, there is a first time for everything, and medical procedures are no exception. Fortunately, Penn's School of Medicine uses advanced technology to enable students to practice procedures on mannequins that can simulate complex surgical procedures.

Med offerings altered off campus

The University of Pennsylvania Health System is doing a little spring cleaning, rearranging and remodeling this year. In addition to the expansive new Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine - set to open in June next to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania - Penn Medicine at Rittenhouse, located at 18th and South Streets, will also see some development and expansion.

A medical center that's good for patients - and the environment

At Penn Medicine, officials are thinking green, and they're not just referring to nauseated patients. The Raymond and Ruth Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine is on schedule to open early this summer and will have certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Penn rides out tough flu season | w/ Interactive Feature

Feeling crappy? You're not the only one. Universities around the country have been experiencing recent outbreaks of influenza. At Penn, the trend is the same. Student Health is trying to manage this year's increased number of flu cases, however, this flu season is not atypical, said Evelyn Wiener, director of Student Health Service.