UC Davis Advancing Health Worldwide News

Can Science Find a Better Way to Trim a Cat’s Nails?

Emily C. Dooley — November 30, 2023

UC Davis researchers are trying to find the best method to trim a cat's nails to reduces stress for the cat and the human.

Higher Conscientiousness Linked to Less Risk of Dementia Diagnosis

Andy Fell — November 29, 2023

People with personality traits such as conscientiousness, extraversion and positive affect are less likely to be diagnosed with dementia than those with neuroticism and negative affect, according to a new analysis by researchers at the University of California, Davis and Northwestern University. The difference was not linked to physical damage to brain tissue found in dementia patients, but more likely to how certain personality traits help people navigate dementia-related impairments.

Why Do Some People Get Headaches From Drinking Red Wine?

Amy M Quinton — November 20, 2023

Ever get a headache after drinking red wine? UC Davis researchers may have uncovered the culprit: the flavanol quercetin and its impact on alcohol metabolism.

Zika Infection in Pregnant Macaques Slows Fetal Growth

Andy Fell — October 25, 2023

Zika virus infection in pregnant rhesus macaques slows fetal growth and affects how infants and mothers interact in the first month of life, according to a new study from researchers at the California National Primate Research Center at the University of California, Davis. The work, published Oct. 25 in Science Translational Medicine, has implications for both humans exposed to Zika virus and for other viruses that can cross the placenta, including SARS-CoV2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Novel Dynamic Imaging Technology Captures the Body’s Immune Response to COVID-19

Andy Fell — October 19, 2023

A team of UC Davis scientists used dynamic total-body positron emission tomography (PET) to provide the first imaging of the human body’s immune response to COVID-19 infection in recovering patients. Their work, published in Science Advances, could lead to a better understanding of how the body’s immune system responds to viral infections and develops long-term protection against re-infection.

Can Golden Retrievers Live Longer?

Amy M Quinton — October 19, 2023

Learn how UC Davis researchers have found a gene associated with longevity in golden retrievers, a dog breed with a 65% chance of dying of cancer.

UC Davis Researchers Awarded $28M to Combat Rift Valley Fever

Emily C. Dooley — September 14, 2023

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, One Health Institute, or OHI, have been awarded $28 million to lead a novel human vaccine trial against Rift Valley fever virus in Africa.

The project, funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI, and the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, aims to work with partners in African countries affected by the virus to assess the safety and immune response of the vaccine in people most at risk.

Efforts Intensify To Assist Avian Botulism-Affected Birds At Tulare Lake

Katherine E Kerlin — September 09, 2023

The UC Davis-managed Oiled Wildlife Care Network responds with CDFW and partners to birds affected by avian botulism at Tulare Lake in California.

The Right Combo: Getting the Most Health Benefits from Fruit Smoothies

Amy M Quinton — August 24, 2023

Blending certain ingredients in fruit smoothies can influence whether your body is getting a nutritional boost, finds a UC Davis study.

Using Glowing Fish to Detect Harmful Pesticides

Andy Fell — August 15, 2023

Birth defects related to chromosomal abnormalities often stem from exposure to chemicals early in the mother’s life. But determining which chemicals are at fault poses a serious challenge — akin to solving a hit-and-run case, decades after the fact. Two researchers in the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences are developing a method that could identify harmful chemicals far more quickly, with the help of red- and green-glowing zebrafish.

Bringing COVID-19 Data into Focus

Andy Fell — July 14, 2023

Using an approach based on computer vision technology, researchers can work back from COVID-19 mortality data to see how infection rates changed on the day a lockdown or similar measure was introduced. The approach could be generally useful in future epidemics and pandemics. The work is published July 14 in Science Advances.

‘The Backdrop’ Podcast: The Nature of Memory and Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Soterios J Johnson — June 28, 2023

Scientists at UC Davis are working to identify early indicators to identify people with pre-clinical Alzheimer’s disease. The hope is that earlier detection — before the brain is significantly damaged — would allow for more successful interventions and better outcomes.

California Veterinary Emergency Team Ready to Help Animals in Wildfires

Amy M Quinton — June 28, 2023

Learn how UC Davis-administered California Veterinary Emergency Team, or CVET, is ready to lead effort to provide veterinary care when wildfires strike.

Unsafe Feeding Methods Spiked During Infant Formula Shortage

Amy M Quinton — June 27, 2023

A UC Davis survey finds nearly half of parents who rely on formula for their babies resorted to potentially harmful feeding methods during the infant formula shortage.

Measuring Meals

Cody Kitaura — June 27, 2023

Food assistance at UC Davis is making students healthier. Learn how efforts to provide food to students in need is making a measurable impact.

Wild and Feral Cats in Populated Areas Release More Toxoplasmosis Parasites

Katherine E Kerlin — June 21, 2023

More humans and temperature fluctuations may exacerbate the spread of T. gondii and other infectious diseases, a UC Davis study found.

Final Necropsy Findings for Beloved Mountain Lion P-22

Katherine E Kerlin — June 15, 2023

The results of famed mountain lion P-22's necropsy conducted by UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and partners.

Bat-Borne Sarbecoviruses Spilled Over in Southeast Asia Pre-Pandemic

Katherine E Kerlin — June 09, 2023

A virus previously found only in bats was detected in the antibodies of people screened for exposure to sarbecoviruses between 2017 and 2020 in rural Myanmar in Southeast Asia, according to a study from the University of California, Davis and collaborators in Myanmar and Singapore. The work is published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Capsule Captures First Look Inside Digestion in Healthy People

Andy Fell — May 10, 2023

Using a specially designed capsule, researchers can now voyage through the digestive system, collecting new data about digestion and microorganisms. The work by a team including researchers at the University of California, Davis, Stanford University and Envivo Bio Inc., is published May 10 in papers in Nature and Nature Metabolism.

Nation’s No. 1 Veterinary School to Open New ER/ICU

Amy M Quinton — April 26, 2023

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine's teaching hospital will open a new emergency room and intensive care unit in May 2023.