A study published by UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program found that prior DUIs and other alcohol-related convictions among legal handgun owners in California significantly increased the risk of arrest for violent or firearm-related crimes. The increase was fourfold to fivefold, independent of other risk factors.
A study found that marijuana legalization significantly reduced perceptions of harm in eighth- and 10th-graders, but increased past-month use by 2-4% in Washington state. No change was seen in Colorado. The authors attribute the increase in teen use to reduced stigma and perceived risk after legalization.
A study sequencing genomes of Shigella sonnei isolates found two clusters of outbreaks, one causing severe gastrointestinal problems due to a toxin gene acquired from other Shigella species and another resistant to fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The findings provide insights into the bacteria's virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.
A new study published in Diabetes Care shows that IUDs and subdermal implants are the safest hormonal contraceptives for women with diabetes, with low rates of thromboembolic events. The findings expand pregnancy planning options for this population, encouraging physicians to offer these effective and safe birth control methods.
Researchers found that greater weight increases the likelihood of night sweats and hot flashes in early menopause, but reduces these symptoms throughout menopause. Maintaining a healthy weight before and at the onset of menopause may help reduce hot flashes and night sweats.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that terminally ill cancer patients who undergo surgery experience longer hospital stays, readmissions, and discharge to extended care facilities. The study emphasizes the importance of discussing risks and benefits with patients before proposing surgery.
A study found Neu5Gc in pig organs, particularly heart, spleen, kidney, and lungs, with concentrations increasing as organs are cooked. This non-human sialic acid sugar molecule may trigger an immune response, leading to chronic inflammation and increased risks of tumor formation and inflammatory diseases.
Researchers recommend using shorter post-discharge timeframes to accurately measure factors within a hospital's control. A five- to seven-day period is ideal, isolating the impact of hospital care from other drivers of readmissions.
A US university is testing an intervention to reduce antibiotic prescriptions for viral infections, a major contributor to antibiotic resistance. The study focuses on adult acute bronchitis and children's upper respiratory tract infections, aiming to promote better use of antibiotics and reduce resistance.
A new report from UC Davis Institute for Population Health Improvement highlights areas where increased cancer screening and control efforts can save lives. Effective screening tests exist for several cancers, yet many Californians remain under-screened, leading to late-stage diagnoses and reduced treatment success.
A recent study by the University of California - Davis Health found that Hispanic men in California have lower rates of screening for colorectal cancer compared to white men. The study suggests that increased screening can help reduce the incidence and mortality rates of the disease among this population.
A consensus statement from Project TENDR highlights a link between toxic chemical exposures and neurodevelopmental disorders. The alliance calls for immediate action to reduce exposure levels to chemicals like organophosphate pesticides, PBDEs, and lead.
Research from UC Davis Health System found that premenstrual mood changes, abdominal cramps, and breast pain are linked to inflammation, while headache is not. The study suggests that hormonal factors play a role in the onset of symptoms and may require tailored treatments.
Researchers found that diabetic women were three times more likely to have anti-fetal brain autoantibodies, which may be linked to increased inflammation and neurodevelopmental conditions in children. The study suggests that metabolic conditions during pregnancy may alter maternal immune tolerance to the fetus.
Research at UC Davis Health System identified a mechanism by which antibiotics alter gut microbiota, increasing nutrients that benefit pathogen growth. The study found that oral antibiotic treatment increases the synthesis of an enzyme generating nitric oxide radicals, which oxidize sugars and promote Salmonella growth.
Researchers at University of California - Davis Health found that patients with late-stage lung cancer who undergo surgery have better survival rates than those who don't. However, only 11% of these patients receive surgery, highlighting a need for improved access to care.
Researchers found a link between maternal immune dysfunction during pregnancy and autism combined with intellectual disability. The study identified distinct immune profiles for mothers of children with both conditions, as well as those with intellectual disability without autism.
A team of researchers has found that voltage-gated calcium channels open in unison to allow calcium ions into and activate excitable cells like neurons and muscle cells. This cooperative behavior could lead to improved therapies targeting aberrant calcium channels in malfunctioning cells.
Experts recommend that physicians counsel patients about firearms as part of routine care, focusing on well-being and safety, especially for children. The review paper addresses common misconceptions and provides resources for clinicians and patients to address firearm-related injuries.
A miniature camera using optical character-recognition technology mounted on eyeglasses significantly improves the ability to read and perform daily living activities. The device, called OrCam, recognizes text, faces, and commercial products, offering a new hope for those with age-related macular degeneration or advanced-stage glaucoma.
Researchers identified 43 genes with autism susceptibility also linked to cancer, potentially leading to repurposed treatments. Common biological mechanisms may enable personalized medicines for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Research in a mouse model found that antibiotics deplete beneficial bacteria, increasing oxygen levels that favor the growth of pathogen Salmonella. This discovery has profound implications for preventing side effects of antibiotic treatment and informs new strategies to tackle bacterial infections.
A new study from UC Davis Health System found significant disparities in state funding for autism services among racial and ethnic groups. Compared to white children aged 3-17, African Americans and Hispanics received significantly lower per-person spending, while adults with ASD over 18 saw a nearly $13,000 difference.
Only 14 mental health apps were examined in a recent literature review, with little efficacy, safety or clinical outcome data found. A framework, ASPECTS, has been proposed to guide psychiatrists and patients in evaluating apps for clinical use.
Researchers at UC Davis Health System found that state spending on autism services increases dramatically with age. On average, people aged 18 and over receive nearly two and a half times more funding than younger individuals with ASD.
A study by researchers at UC Davis MIND Institute found that a cancer gene is nearly twice as likely to be defective in children with autism spectrum disorder and their fathers. The correlation is particularly high among children with more severe ASD, suggesting a link between DNA repair capacity and genomic instability.
Researchers have found that suppressing the nuclear receptor protein ROR-γ with small-molecule compounds can reduce androgen receptor levels in castration-resistant prostate cancer, stopping tumor growth. This novel approach targets the root cause of the problem - the overexpression of the AR gene and its protein.
A study found that increased arterial stiffness in young adults is associated with reduced white matter volume and decreased gray matter integrity. This association suggests that vascular health can impact brain health from an early age.
A long-term study found that regular cannabis users experienced downward social mobility, financial difficulties, and relationship problems. The research suggests that cannabis may not be 'safer' than alcohol for economic and social well-being.
A comprehensive modeling study found that breast cancer screening with digital mammography poses only a small risk of radiation-induced breast cancer for most women. However, the research showed increased risk for women with large breasts or breast implants. The study suggests biennial screening from ages 50 to 74 may be the safest opt...
A systematic review of breast density studies found unreliable determinations and a significant risk of re-categorization. Supplemental diagnostic screenings for women with dense breasts may find additional cancers but also greatly increase false positive results, highlighting the need for more research on evaluation methods.
A new study found that pigeons can accurately distinguish between benign and malignant breast cancer slides, similar to human observers. With some training, pigeons performed just as well as humans in categorizing digitized microscope slides and mammograms of normal vs. cancerous breast tissue.
A new study suggests that postmenopausal women may be safely screened every two years, while premenopausal women over 40 may benefit from annual mammograms to increase early detection. The research also highlights the importance of considering menopausal status rather than age when determining screening intervals.
A recent study found that a costly computer-aided detection tool used in nearly all mammograms does not improve cancer detection rates and may even result in missed cancers. The study's findings have led some researchers to advocate for ending Medicare coverage of the tool, which could save millions annually.
A study of nearly 400 participants aged 76+ found that low vitamin D levels accelerate cognitive decline and increase dementia risk. Individuals with dark skin or insufficiency were disproportionately affected.
A new UC Davis study found that molecular tests, commonly used in US hospitals, often misdiagnose patients with C. difficile infection, leading to over-treatment and potential harm. The study suggests that traditional toxin tests are more effective in predicting clinical disease and outcomes.
The UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center aims to develop preventions and policies protecting communities from environmental toxins and disease. The center focuses on studying toxic exposures and their effects on human health, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley with high pollution levels and ethnic diversity.
A 10% increase in wages leads to a 5% drop in smoking rates among male workers with low education levels. Increasing the minimum wage could improve quitting rates for smokers and has significant health benefits.
A recent study by the UC Davis team has discovered that an early inflammatory response can 'paralyze' CD4 T cells, a crucial component of the immune system. This finding could lead to more effective cancer treatments and new approaches for managing autoimmune conditions.
A new method for personalizing bladder cancer treatments has been developed by researchers at the University of California - Davis Health. The approach uses tumor xenografts to identify effective therapies, which can be tested in mice before being administered to patients.
Researchers at UC Davis found that a novel combination therapy of Interleukin (IL)-2 combined with imiquimod and topical retinoid is highly effective in treating patients with skin metastases, resulting in complete clinical response and high survival rates.
A UC Davis study found that nearly one-third of ovarian cancer patients survived at least 10 years after diagnosis, contradicting the common perception of poor survival rates. The research also identified younger, earlier-stage disease and lower-risk tumor types as factors associated with longer survival.
UC Davis researchers have identified a compound, PEP005, that activates latent HIV and increases activation by up to 15-fold when combined with JQ1. This breakthrough offers promising hope for an HIV cure. The study's findings suggest that PEP005 is already approved by the FDA and has great potential to advance into clinical studies.
UC Davis researchers estimate that the total costs of caring for people with autism spectrum disorder will range from $162 to $367 billion in 2015 and potentially reach $1 trillion by 2025. The study recommends increased investment in research and early intervention programs to reduce these costs.
Researchers found that people with schizophrenia experience relational encoding problems and regional brain dysfunction in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The study suggests a new target area for treatment development to improve memory in individuals with psychosis.
Researchers suggest that level I trauma centers can provide training opportunities for military surgeons to maintain their skills. The study found that level I trauma centers closely resemble military Role 3 facilities in terms of case density and work schedules, making them ideal for sustaining combat surgical skills.
A recent UC Davis study highlights the need for improved primary care support structures to address high pediatric asthma rates in California. The research found that nearly 10% of state children suffer from asthma, with low flu vaccination rates and limited access to primary care providers contributing to these rates.
A study by researchers at the University of California - Davis Health found that children with ADHD who moved more intensely exhibited better cognitive performance. The study suggests that allowing movement during cognitive tasks may be beneficial for students with ADHD, rather than trying to keep them still.
UC Davis researchers identified molecular interactions between capsaicin and the TRPV1 receptor, paving the way for more selective and effective pain relief drugs. The study found that sweet peppers contain a compound called capsiate, which is almost identical to capsaicin but differs at one key interaction site.
Restricting access to firearms for people who misuse alcohol is associated with reduced risk of committing firearm violence. Studies link binge drinking and heavy chronic drinking to aggressive firearm behaviors, while policies in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and the District of Columbia show varying degrees of enforcement.