A national study reveals children without insurance are 3.3 times more likely to be transferred for mental health emergencies than those with private insurance. The study highlights inequities in care based on insurance coverage, creating additional burdens on the patient, family, and healthcare system.
A new AI/ML model developed at UC Davis Health can predict acute kidney injury in burn patients more accurately and quickly than traditional methods. The model achieved 90-100% accuracy for identifying AKI using just routine laboratory results, shortening diagnosis time by nearly a full day.
A UC Davis study found that educating physicians and patients about safe antibiotic use can reduce overuse by one-third. The study compared two approaches, including educational materials and on-site physician champions, and found significant reductions in inappropriate antibiotic treatment.
A new clinical guide aims to empower physicians to recognize patients' risk of firearm injury or death and discuss safe firearm practices. The guide, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, provides practical tools for screening, counseling, and interventions.
A UC Davis study found that environmental temperature significantly affects the development of frog eggs into larvae, influencing gene expression and neurodevelopment. The research also suggests that fluctuations in body temperature may impact nervous system development and disease in humans.
Researchers developed a machine-learning approach to distinguish critical markers of Alzheimer's disease using computer-aided analysis. The tool can process large amounts of data quickly and accurately, enabling neuropathologists to analyze thousands of times more samples than before.
A new program aims to address this fear by providing patients with accurate information about treatment options and reducing the stigma around seeking help. The study found that nearly half of adults who die by suicide saw a primary care clinician within a month prior to their deaths.
A team of researchers has identified specific factors in stem cell secretions that help protect neurons and reduce the severity of spinal cord injuries linked to spina bifida. The study's findings could pave the way for a cell-free treatment for the birth defect, which can cause lifelong disabilities.
Researchers developed a new protocol to identify febrile infants under 60 days old who are at low risk of serious bacterial infections. The study showed that using simple laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood cell count, can confidently exclude these cases, reducing unnecessary invasive procedures and hospitalizations.
Researchers at UC Davis developed a novel simulation that provides insights into vital atomic-scale drug-cardiac cell interactions. The study advances the development of new antiarrhythmic drugs targeting voltage-gated sodium channels, which can help predict individual patient responses to drug therapy.
Researchers found that mice exposed to secondhand smoke developed cardiac alternans, a precursor to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The study expands knowledge of tobacco smoke's effects on cardiac function in nonsmokers.
Later-born siblings of children with ASD or ADHD are at higher risk for developing the same conditions. The study found that families with a child diagnosed with ASD have a 30 times higher chance of their younger sibling being diagnosed with ASD, while those with a child diagnosed with ADHD have a 13 times higher chance.
Retailers have unique advantages in accessing consumer data, while current policies struggle to guide the industry on telehealth and AI capabilities. Experts warn of potential convergence of personal and non-personal health information.
A recent study found that Delaware's comprehensive background check policy led to a significant increase in firearm background checks, with no comparable effect in Washington and Colorado. The study suggests that enforcement and compliance issues hindered the policy's impact in these states.
A groundbreaking new study by UC Davis researchers has found that obesity can hinder immunotherapy treatments, but also improve survival rates in some obese patients. The study discovered that increased leptin levels in obese individuals correlate with enhanced expression of PD-1 checkpoint protein.
The California Safety and Wellbeing Survey found that 25% of adult Californians live in households with firearms, while 40% include children under 12. The survey also revealed that nearly 3,200 people died from firearm-related injuries in California in 2017.
Leading researchers urge government intervention to phase out organophosphates, citing evidence of lower IQs and difficulties with learning in children exposed prenatally. The review calls for reduced exposures through monitoring, education, and alternative pest-control measures.
New studies from UC Davis Health reveal that fractures lead to bone density losses throughout the body, particularly around the time of fracture and in bones far from the site of injury. The research also identifies age-related recovery differences, with younger mice regaining pre-fracture bone mineral density levels.
A visual aid designed for parents of children with minor head injuries helped them communicate with emergency medicine physicians and make informed decisions about their child's care. Parents who used the decision aid had better understanding of symptoms, relative risk of brain injury, and pros and cons of CT scans.
A new biomarker panel identified in a large metabolomic study could accelerate autism diagnoses, detecting around 17 percent of children with ASD. The panel analyzes amino acid metabolism and shows promise for developing an ASD biomarker test.
A comprehensive analysis found high-risk HPV testing excellent for detecting pre-cancerous cells and cancer, with a higher detection rate compared to Pap smears. The research also showed that while high-risk HPV tests are effective, they can lead to more treatments with potential harms due to false positives.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that low levels of cytomegalovirus (CMV) significantly impact microbe and immune cell populations, influencing the immune system's response to the influenza vaccine. CMV infection also alters gut microbiota, potentially diverting resources away from other threats.
Research shows that community college graduates are more likely to select family medicine for residency training and come from diverse backgrounds. Strengthening medical school outreach at the community-college level is recommended to increase physician diversity and access to primary care.
Using catheter-based ablation instead of medications alone reduces the risks of death and stroke in AFib patients, according to a new study from UC Davis physicians. The study found that outcomes for patients treated with ablation were similar to those not treated with it within 30 days, but showed benefits beyond 30 days.
Researchers found no significant link between fluid infusion and brain injury in children with DKA, contrary to decades of clinical practice. The study provides more treatment flexibility for clinicians, but the authors continue to investigate potential causes of neurological damage.
A study by the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program found that televised sporting events in Chicago reduced violent, property and drug crime reports by as much as 25 percent. Winning games had a significant impact, with crime rates being approximately 15 percent lower during Bears Monday Night Football games.
Researchers at UC Davis Health have developed fluorescence sensors allowing precise capture of dopamine activity in the brain. This breakthrough technology enables high-resolution maps of dopamine transients associated with behaviors such as learning and motivation.
Researchers found that children with autism have too many amygdala neurons early on and then lose them as they age. Typically developing children, however, gain more amygdala neurons over time, suggesting a link between excessive neuron growth and anxiety in autism.
Researchers at UC Davis have discovered a potential strategy to combat HIV latency by modulating histone crotonylation, which regulates HIV transcription. Increasing crotonylation increased viral transcription in both cell models and patient samples, suggesting a promising approach for developing an HIV cure.
Researchers at UC Davis Health have identified a new molecular target, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), that plays a major role in inflammation and airway obstruction associated with asthma. Targeting VEGFA may lead to new treatments.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that ophthalmologists' perceptions of financial and clinical productivity declined as they adopted electronic health records, while overall practice costs increased. Only one-third of surveyed ophthalmologists said they would return to paper records if possible.
A simulation model found that investing in targeted policing and the community-based strategy Cure Violence can effectively reduce urban violence. The study suggests that a combination of both approaches may be more effective than either alone.
A new microscope technology using ultraviolet light enables fast and accurate imaging of fresh tissue samples, revolutionizing pathology and medical research. This approach eliminates the need for time-consuming slide preparation and preserving tissue, making it an essential tool for improving patient care and research nationwide.
A California survey found that physicians and pharmacists significantly increased their use of the state's prescription drug monitoring program, CURES, following a law mandate update and registration requirement. The study suggests that education and outreach efforts can drive greater compliance with the law.
New research from UC Davis Health finds that denying patient requests for specialist referrals, laboratory tests, or medications leads to lower clinician satisfaction ratings. Communications training is recommended to help doctors effectively manage patient requests and balance patient needs with resource efficiency.
The UC Davis Department of Pediatrics has received a $2 million grant to fund a new telemedicine program for children in remote communities. The program will provide physiatry care for kids with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other disabilities, improving quality of life and preventing complications.
A study from UC Davis Health found that peer-led interventions can significantly reduce tobacco use among youth and young adults, with a 12.5% quit rate at six months. The most effective tools were informational conversations and 'quit kits' of behavior-replacement activities.
A study found that Delaware's expansion of comprehensive background check policies to include private-party sales resulted in a 25% increase in handgun background checks and a 34% increase for long guns. In contrast, Washington and Colorado experienced no overall change in background checks despite enacting similar policies.
A review by UC Davis graduate students highlights the need for research on wildfire smoke's composition and its impact on human health. The study found that current scientific evidence is insufficient, and pesticides and fire-suppression chemicals used in California contribute to the toxic effects of wildfire smoke.
Researchers found that mothers who took recommended amounts of folic acid around conception had a significantly lower risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) even when exposed to household or agricultural pesticides. Folic acid intake was associated with reduced autism risk, but did not eliminate it.
A study published in Kidney Cancer journal found a decline in California kidney cancer incidence rates from 2009 to 2013, with stabilization of the trend. The research also showed an increase in partial nephrectomies, a surgical treatment that preserves long-term kidney function.
UC Davis Health researchers found that dietary fiber acts as the right fuel to help intestinal cells maintain gut health. The beneficial microbes metabolize indigestible fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids, signaling cells to maximize oxygen consumption and limit harmful microbes.
A new study from UC Davis researchers found that immigrant farmworkers are less likely to use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) compared to their US-born counterparts. The analysis of comprehensive data on farmworker households showed a significant increase in SNAP participation among citizens, while immigrants and H...
Researchers found no difference in important clinical outcomes for pediatric trauma patients who received routine ultrasound evaluations compared to those without. The study aimed to determine whether ultrasound could safely decrease CT scan use and improve resource use, but results showed minor savings of $1,200 per patient.
A new study suggests that CT scans can be used to detect core muscle frailty in elderly patients with hip fractures, predicting survival rates and guiding treatment decisions. The research found that patients with better core muscle had significantly better survival rates over a 10-year period.
Children and adolescents have a higher risk of dying from second cancers compared to older adults. The study found that survival rates are significantly lower for second cancers in young patients, particularly those under age 40.
Direct-to-consumer ads for low-testosterone treatments increase prescriptions but may not improve men's health, according to UC Davis physician Richard Kravitz. The rise in hormone-replacement therapies has led to unnecessary treatments and potential cardiovascular risks.
Researchers at UC Davis Health found that doctors and patients often have differing priorities for pain treatment, with patients seeking to reduce pain intensity and physicians focusing on improving physical function. The study recommends pain-focused communication training to improve doctor-patient agreements.
Researchers found that altered CSF distribution in high-risk infants can predict ASD, with 70% accuracy. Increased subarachnoid CSF at six months is associated with more severe autism symptoms.
Researchers found that older adults living in poor neighborhoods with high homicide rates experience more depressive symptoms. Neighborhood factors like violence, poverty, and safety perception contribute to depression, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions.