News Archive - School of Medicine

How a Single Gene Alteration May Have Separated Modern Humans from Predecessors

UC San Diego researchers discovered a single gene alteration that may help explain cognitive differences between modern humans and our predecessor, and used that information to develop Neanderthal-like brain organoids in the lab.

Can Current Smartphone Technology Tell You When a Pandemic Might Come Calling?

UC San Diego researchers find that an optical tool already embedded in many smartphones can accurately diagnose blood-oxygen levels and help monitor respiratory disease in patients, particularly when they are quarantined at home.

Poorer Mental Health Smolders After Deadly, Devastating Wildfire

UC San Diego researchers report that climate change is a chronic mental health stressor, and promotes a variety of mental health problems. The 2018 Camp Fire is a case study.

UC San Diego Health Opens Vaccination Site on University Campus

UC San Diego Health will open a new COVID-19 vaccination site on the main campus of University of California San Diego, serving vaccination-eligible UC San Diego Health patients as well as UC San Diego faculty and staff.

Year or More Delay Between Abnormal, At-Home Screening and Colonoscopy Increases Cancer Risk

A new study by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found delayed time between abnormal stool-based screening and subsequent colonoscopy was associated with an increased risk of a cancer diagnosis and death from colorectal cancer.

Genomic Studies Implicate Specific Genes in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

After analyzing the genomes of more 250,000 military veterans, researchers have identified 18 specific, fixed positions on chromosomes that appear associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. The findings may point to new therapeutic drug targets.

When — Not What — Obese Mice Ate Reduced Breast Cancer Risk

University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center researchers report that intermittent fasting reduced breast cancer risk in obese mice.

Designer DNA Therapeutic Wipes Out Cancer Stem Cells, Treats Multiple Myeloma in Mice

UC San Diego study supports launch of Phase I clinical trial to test a designer DNA agent — an antisense oligonucleotide that targets a gene called IRF4 — in patients with multiple myeloma.

Metabolism May Play Role in Recurrent Major Depression

Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine, in collaboration with Dutch scientists, have found that certain metabolites — small molecules produced by the process of metabolism — may be predictive indicators for persons at risk for recurrent major depressive disorder.

Youth Using E-cigarettes Three Times as Likely to Become Daily Cigarette Smokers

University of California San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science researchers report that starting tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, before the age of 18 is a major risk factor for people becoming daily cigarette smokers.