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Flesh-Eating Infections in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Spur New Discovery

Rheumatoid arthritis patients taking medications that inhibit interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a molecule that stimulates the immune system, are 300 times more likely to experience invasive Group A Streptococcal infections than patients not on the drug, according to University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers. Their study, published August 19 in Science Immunology, also uncovers a critical new role for IL-1beta as the body’s independent early warning system for bacterial infections.

Zika Infection May Affect Adult Brain Cells

Concerns over the Zika virus have focused on pregnant women due to mounting evidence that it causes brain abnormalities in developing fetuses. However, new research in mice suggests that certain adult brain cells may be vulnerable to infection as well. Among these are populations of cells that serve to replace lost or damaged neurons throughout adulthood, and are also thought to be critical to learning and memory.

Downtown Change Makers Event Features ‘Professor Algae’ Stephen Mayfield

UC San Diego’s Professor Stephen Mayfield, a pioneer in exploring the uses of algae for fuels, medicine, food and other purposes, is the featured speaker at this year’sthe inaugural launch of the “Change Makers” eventseries, set for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at the Downtown San Diego Partnership, 401 B Street , Suite100.

UC San Diego Named World’s 14th Best University for Fourth Consecutive Year

The University of California San Diego has been named the 14th best university in the world for the fourth year in a row by the 2016 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Nationally, UC San Diego was named the country’s 12th best university.

UC San Diego Hosts Free Tours of America’s Newest Scientific Research Ship R/V Sally Ride

The public is invited to free tours of America’s newest scientific research vessel, R/V Sally Ride, on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., as it docks at San Francisco’s famed Exploratorium interactive science museum for its first port call.

UC San Diego Dean Awarded Prestigious Meteoritical Society Medal

Mark Thiemens, a former dean and professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UC San Diego, has won the most prestigious prize awarded in the field of meteoritics —the scientific discipline concerned with the study of solar system origin, evolution and history.