Researchers discovered a signaling mechanism allowing intracellular bacteria like Salmonella to outmaneuver host defenses. By triggering macrophage death and activating the complement system, these bacteria can safely deliver themselves into another macrophage. This 'hack' enables them to persist within infected hosts.
Researchers at UC Davis Health have developed an engineered antibody, FuG1, that can interfere with the cell-to-cell transmission ability of SARS-CoV-2. The approach targets the furin enzyme, which is critical for viral transmissibility, and could be added to existing SARS-CoV-2 antibody cocktails.
A UC Davis Health study found that taking bile acids or treatments regulating their production levels can help control psoriasis inflammation. Bile acids inhibited skin inflammation by stopping immune T cells from producing proinflammatory protein IL-17A and blocking immune cell movement to the site.
A study of 16 US cities found a historic level of job losses associated with an increase in firearm violence and homicide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Low-income households were disproportionately affected, with low-wage workers losing jobs at five times the rate of middle-wage workers.
A new UC Davis study highlights the inequity in tobacco cessation advice and assistance for Latino smokers on Medi-Cal. Despite increased access to health insurance, these smokers receive less help quitting than non-Latino white smokers, highlighting the need for targeted strategies.
Researchers discovered that Black women have a greater relative abundance of Actinobacteria, associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and elevated inflammation. The study highlights the importance of understanding the role of gut microbiome in cardiometabolic health disparities among Black women.
A new study reveals that infant kidney transplants offer improved survival rates and lower graft failure rates after the first year. Early transplantation avoids adverse effects of waste buildup on neurodevelopmental outcomes and growth.
A new study by UC Davis Professor Garen Wintemute found that two-thirds of Californians have a direct personal stake in gun violence, with many experiencing violence through hearing gunshots or encountering memorials. The research suggests experiences of violence can permeate communities and may inform public policy and education.
Researchers found that handgun buyers with IPV history are at higher risk of committing subsequent violent crimes, including murder, rape, and robbery. The study highlights concerns about the effectiveness of background checks in preventing such cases.
Researchers at UC Davis Health developed a new treatment that simultaneously blocks IL-6 and TNF cytokines, providing superior protection against acute graft-versus-host-disease severity and mortality. The dual-cytokine blockade approach did not impair beneficial graft-versus-tumor effects.
A new UC Davis study tracks firearm violence, assault, and homicide in 13 major US cities by zip code, revealing stark disparities. Firearm violence increased 29.3%, homicides by 27.7%, while robberies decreased 23.3% and rapes by 31.4% during the first five months of the pandemic.
A new study published in the journal Nutrients found that probiotics can reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy by up to 33% and improve quality of life symptoms. The study also identified specific gut microbes associated with higher levels of nausea, suggesting potential biomarkers for future research.
A team of researchers at UC Davis Health has developed a novel PET imaging-based tool to detect liver inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The tool uses dynamic PET imaging and mathematical modeling to measure glucose transport from blood to liver tissue, allowing clinicians to quantify liver inflammation.
Antibodies that mimic the SARS-CoV-2 virus may explain lingering symptoms of long-haul COVID-19 and rare vaccine side effects like allergic reactions and blood-clotting. This theory, based on classic immunological concepts, suggests a cascade of immune responses that can lead to adverse effects.
Researchers from UC Davis MIND Institute develop a home-based language testing method using telehealth, allowing Spanish-speaking parents to assess their children's language abilities. The study found the parent-led test to be feasible, reliable, and effective in both English and Spanish-speaking groups.
Researchers developed a predictive model that maps electric activity of mouse, rabbit, and human cardiac cells, allowing translation of findings across species. The model is expected to accelerate drug development and improve understanding of disease mechanisms.
Researchers at UC Davis have discovered that mysterious protein clusters on neurons play a critical role in activating gene transcription and allowing neurons to produce crucial proteins. The clusters, known as calcium-signaling hotspots, are highly conserved across species and enable the process of excitation-transcription coupling.
A recent study confirms the effectiveness of Tobacco Tracker in shaping college attitudes and behaviors towards smoke and tobacco-free (STF) policies. The online tool resulted in doubled awareness, tripled use, and increased support for STF policies on two California public universities.
A UC Davis MIND Institute study suggests telehealth evaluation can help families access care and diagnose autism earlier. The research found that telehealth approaches in the first year of life improved access to care for infants with elevated autism risk, reducing waitlists and parental stress.
A new smartphone-based app, iBehavior, will be tested to improve the accuracy of data in clinical trials involving individuals with intellectual disability. The app uses ecological momentary assessment to track symptoms related to executive function, often associated with ADHD.
Men with a history of alcohol charges have more than twice the risk of suicide when purchasing handguns, according to new research. The study also found that recent and repeat alcohol charges were associated with the greatest risk of suicide, suggesting that reducing firearm access or addressing alcohol use could help mitigate this risk.
A new study found that unusual visual inspection behavior in infants aged 9 months and older is predictive of a later diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This behavior, characterized as an over-focus on objects, was most prominent and present earliest in infants who developed ASD.
A new study from the University of California Firearm Violence Research Center shows that physical disorder in Detroit doesn't lead to a steep increase in violent crime. The study's findings suggest that community-driven efforts to rebuild and remake rundown neighborhoods can be effective in reducing disorder and fear.
A UC Davis Health study found that patients on stable opioid therapy who had their doses tapered had significantly higher rates of overdose and mental health crisis. The study suggests that patients undergoing tapering need significant support to safely reduce or discontinue their opioids.
Researchers at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center are investigating whether turmeric can successfully reduce joint pain in breast cancer patients and improve their quality of life. The study aims to provide important data on the safety and effectiveness of using turmeric with oral anti-estrogen therapy.
During the first five months of the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 4.3 million more background checks for firearm purchases occurred nationwide than expected, resulting in 9.3 million total firearm purchases. Researchers found an association between increased gun purchases and domestic violence but not non-domestic firearm violence.
A new UC Davis study confirms that SARS-CoV-2 contamination on hospital surfaces is unlikely to be infectious. The research used genome sequencing to detect the virus on surfaces and found that only a small percentage of samples were positive, suggesting that improved cleaning protocols may have reduced transmission.
Researchers have discovered a type of stem cell that can restore the immune system's antiviral response and repair damaged gut lymphoid follicles. The treatment offers a multi-pronged approach to eradicating HIV, complementing current treatments.
A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that a Western diet rich in sugar and fat disrupts gut microorganisms, leading to psoriasis flares. Switching to a balanced diet restores gut health and suppresses skin inflammation, offering a potential solution for managing the condition.
The UC Davis Clinical Translational Science Center has been awarded a $33 million grant renewal from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a five-year period. The center will continue to provide critical funding and essential services to advance outstanding research in human health, with a focus on reducing health disparities.
A new study reveals that two-thirds of Californians have never heard of gun violence restraining orders, despite being available for five years. Most respondents, including gun owners, would be willing to use a GVRO if a family member was at risk of causing harm.
A novel chemical blocker targeting chemokine proteins significantly reduces skin and joint inflammation in a mouse model with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The study identifies CCR6 as a critical agent for joint inflammation, making it an attractive target for arthritis therapy.
A genetically encoded sensor, psychLight, can detect hallucinogenic compounds and rapidly alter brain connections, showing promise for treating mental illness. The sensor was used in high-throughput screening to identify a previously untested compound with antidepressant potential.
Researchers discovered that targeting androgen receptors can destroy bladder cancer cells. The study found a common protein variant in malignant bladder tumor cells, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
A novel COVID-19 test has been created by pairing mass spectrometry with machine learning, achieving high accuracy rates of 98.3% for positives and 96% for negatives. The test uses a mass spectrometer to analyze nasal swabs in minutes, providing rapid results.
A new study published in Preventive Medicine found that California's tobacco sales age increase from 18 to 21 has reduced smoking rates among 18-20-year-olds, but not non-daily smokers. The law change was associated with a decrease in 'daily' smoking prevalence, from 2.2% in 2016 to nearly zero in 2019.
A new test, expressive language sampling (ELS), has been validated as a reliable tool to measure communication development in youth with Down syndrome. The study found that ELS measures were generally valid and reliable across ages and IQ levels, demonstrating strong validity for vocabulary, syntax, and speech intelligibility variables.
A new study confirms that children with Down syndrome have a substantially increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) before age 5. The research found that 2.8% of children with Down syndrome were diagnosed with leukemia, compared to 0.05% of other children.
Researchers recommend a risk-based algorithm that maximizes cancer detection by considering clinical indication, breast symptoms, and age. The approach successfully detects high-risk individuals, accounting for 55% of cancers despite limited mammograms.
Researchers found that adolescents with autism exhibit greater brain activity during proactive executive control tasks, suggesting a unique approach rather than impairment. The study also revealed enhanced connectivity between regions associated with reactive control processes in individuals with autism.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry has identified patterns of maternal autoantibodies associated with autism spectrum disorder, allowing for early diagnosis and potential behavioral intervention. Researchers found that these biomarkers can predict the likelihood and severity of autism with high accuracy.
A study by UC Davis VPRP found that 4% of California adults experienced violence, leading to severe distress and social problems. Firearm involvement in violent events was associated with increased socioemotional consequences, including higher levels of perceived threat and reduced social functioning.
Wildfire smoke carries microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, that can spread infection when inhaled. The study highlights the potential for wildfires to become a source of bioaerosols, which can travel long distances and impact human health.
Studies using longitudinal brain scans found a subtype of autism characterized by disproportionate megalencephaly and slower development in white matter tracts. Researchers also linked changes in white matter growth with autism traits and symptom severity.
A UC Davis Health study reveals that the colon lining releases hydrogen peroxide to limit microbial growth, providing a natural filter for the gut microbiota. This finding suggests a new treatment approach for gut inflammation and dysbiosis, shifting focus from targeting bacteria to fixing habitat filters and restoring host functionality.
A new study by UC Davis MIND Institute finds a connection between gestational age and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children with Down syndrome. Earlier gestational age was linked to increased ADHD symptoms later in childhood.
A medical case series presents three teenagers with unexplained breathing problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting similarities between vaping-related lung injury and COVID-19 symptoms. The study emphasizes the importance of considering EVALI in pediatric patients with respiratory failure and recommends vaping cessation coun...
A study by UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers found that young survivors of AML are at risk of developing late effects, including cardiovascular, endocrine, and respiratory diseases. Non-white patients and those living in deprived neighborhoods were disproportionately affected.
Researchers found a distinct DNA methylation signature in cord blood of newborns with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), spanning regions linked to early fetal neurodevelopment. The findings may hold clues for early diagnosis and intervention.
Researchers compared two popular autism interventions and found that more intensive treatment did not lead to better results. The study, led by UC Davis Health, suggests that therapists can adapt their approaches to meet individual child needs.