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Child Life at Penn State Children’s Hospital welcomes second facility dog

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Obesity linked with higher chance of developing rapid, irregular heart rate

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Unwanted drugs, needles and syringes accepted at upcoming event

Medical Minute

The Medical Minute: How to safely dispose of opioids

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Ask Us Anything About… The Stages of Cancer

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Warren Gittlen, center, holding golf club, stands in front of a statue of the Nittany Lion with seven Penn State researchers. They are outdoors. The researchers, a mix of both men and women, are wearing white lab coats.

Remembering cancer research philanthropist Warren Gittlen

The Penn State Cancer Institute and broader Penn State community are mourning the passing of alumnus and longtime cancer research philanthropist Warren Gittlen.

Highmark Health grants $25 million to Penn State Health to advance cancer research and innovative therapies

The grant will provide support for development of new cancer treatment drugs, clinical trials to test promising new therapies and recruitment of leading cancer researchers in key disciplines.

Penn State Health St. Joseph breaks ground on $5.5 million Cancer Center expansion

A new $5.5 million addition to the Penn State Health St. Joseph Cancer Center to open by year’s end will offer people in the Berks region faster, more targeted radiation treatments close to home.

Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine elevate Radiation Oncology to department status

Penn State College of Medicine has created a new Department of Radiation Oncology and named Dr. Rickhesvar Mahraj, professor of radiology and pediatrics, its interim chair.

An illustration depicting a microscopic view of nerves, with the nerves illustrated using blue, red, purple and other colors, and the backdrop being mostly gray and black.

McLaughlin leads research on identifying minimally invasive biomarkers for multiple sclerosis

A study led by Patricia McLaughlin, professor of neural and behavior sciences at Penn State College of Medicine, may show a new way to monitor the progression and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Flavor affects free radicals produced by e-cigarettes

The flavor of an e-cigarette may affect more than a consumer’s taste buds, according to Penn State researchers who say the chemicals that make up the different flavors also produce different levels of free radicals.

Primary care doctors may be unsure when kids’ bad moods are serious or not

All children have moments of moodiness, but family medicine doctors and pediatricians may doubt their abilities to tell the difference between normal irritability and possibly bigger issues, according to Penn State researchers.

Sulfur amino acid restriction could amount to new dietary approach to health and longevity

The longevity and health improvements seen in animals on sulfur amino acid-restricted diets could translate to people, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

A close-up of a woman with her head placed against a piece of eye exam equipment. The equipment is shining a bright light into her eye, which is being held open by her thumb.

The Medical Minute: Are you at risk for macular degeneration?

Many people accept deteriorating eyesight as an inevitable part of getting older, but blurry or distorted vision – such as when straight lines appear wavy – could be signs of age-related macular degeneration.

The Medical Minute: Reducing the likelihood of developing cancer

There are many factors that determine your likelihood of developing cancer, including age, genetic predisposition and lifestyle.

The Medical Minute: Joint cracks and pops usually not cause for concern

It’s not unusual for your body to make “popping” or “cracking” sounds as you lean over, twist or reach for something. Fortunately, it’s also typically not a cause for worry.

The Medical Minute: Asthma differences in adults and children

As the winter cold season melts into seasonal spring allergies, many people may start to experience sneezing, wheezing and other breathing difficulties. Sometimes, the trouble goes away after a few days, but if it lingers or recurs, asthma could be the culprit.

The Penn State Nittany Lion statue is seen in Penn State College of Medicine's outdoor courtyard. The statue is seen at the right of the photo in focus, framed by trees and pink flowers to the left and above and grass below.

EdVenture to host University of Toronto scientists April 19

The Woodward Center for Excellence in Health Sciences Education will present EdVenture 2018, an annual celebration of Penn State College of Medicine educational activities and accomplishments.

Students across Penn State compete in Global Health Case Competition

Students from Penn State College of Medicine, Dickinson Law and Penn State University Park participated for the first time in the 2018 International Emory Global Health Case Competition held March 16 and 17 in Atlanta.

Biomedical sciences student attends competitive NIAID program

Nathalie Fuentes, a third-year biomedical sciences PhD student at Penn State College of Medicine, was selected from among hundreds of students nationwide to participate in a program at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Graduate Research Forum celebrates 30th anniversary

More than 120 graduate students, faculty members and alumni from Penn State College of Medicine came together to build relationships and exchange ideas at the 30th annual Graduate Research Forum held March 1 and 2, 2018.

Hershey Medical Center celebrates National Doctors’ Day

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is celebrating National Doctors’ Day, an annual observance to recognize the contributions of physicians to the communities they serve.

Man’s best friend puts young patients at ease

Kaia, a therapy dog at Penn State Children’s Hospital, was the first facility dog ever in a Pennsylvania children’s hospital, and is making a huge difference in the lives of pediatric patients.

Children’s Hospital earns three-star rating for congenital heart surgery

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has again awarded Penn State Children’s Heart Group a three-star rating for congenital heart surgery – the highest designation available.

Children's Hospital again recognized by U.S. News & World Report

For the seventh consecutive year, Penn State Children’s Hospital has been ranked among the Best Children’s Hospitals in multiple specialties by U.S. News & World Report.

Ask Us Anything About… Smoking and Vaping

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing nearly half a-million Americans each year. Learn more about the dangers of tobacco and strategies for quitting, along with the rising popularity of vaping.

Ask Us Anything About… New Year’s Resolutions

For many people, a new calendar year sparks a new-found drive for self-improvement. But New Year’s resolutions are easier broken than kept. We share tips on how to break bad habits – and start good ones.

Ask Us Anything About… The Flu

Every year, the flu proves deadly and leads to tens of thousands of deaths across the U.S. With flu activity on the increase in Pennsylvania, Dr. Jay Zimmermann, a family physician at Penn State Medical Group-Elizabethtown, says now is the time to get vaccinated.

Ask Us Anything About… Back Pain

Back pain affects eight out of 10 people and is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work. Dr. Mark Knaub, an orthopedic surgeon at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, talks about what you can do if you experience back pain and how to prevent it in the first place.

Two men pose for a photo, looking at the camera. The man on the right holds a small trophy. They are standing on an ice rink, where some young hockey players and fans are seen in the background.