Nov. 23 - Pancreatic cancer discovery; bone marrow stem cell program
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Tree leaves show the season’s colors above the Science Library Pedestrian Bridge. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Reminder: There will be no Digest tomorrow or Friday. Happy Thanksgiving and see you on Monday!
Have a happy and COVID-19 free holiday!
Help keep COVID-19 in check. Before and after you travel or attend a large gathering - even if you don’t feel sick - take a home test.
UCI researchers uncover promising lead in treatment of pancreatic cancer
Tumor cells in the most common pancreatic cancer share nutrients to live and grow. A new discovery by UCI biologists led by Christopher Halbrook, an assistant professor of molecular biology & biochemistry, could help lead to better treatments for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which accounts for over 90 percent of pancreatic cancer cases. The scientists’ paper appears in Nature Cancer. While pancreatic cancer is relatively rare, it is among the leading causes of cancer death in the United States.
Jessica Reinhardt, the first patient to undergo a bone marrow transplant at UCI Health to stop progression of multiple sclerosis, says the experience has been life-changing. Photo by Michael Der
UCI’s bone marrow transplant program helps fight multiple sclerosis
The UCI Health bone marrow transplant program is now offering leading-edge stem cell therapy usually reserved for blood cancers to halt progression of multiple sclerosis, a neurodegenerative autoimmune disease. Jessica Reinhardt was the first patient to undergo the treatment in April 2022 at UCI Medical Center, one of a handful of U.S. hospitals to offer the experimental therapy outside clinical trials. So far, three patients with multiple sclerosis have received treatment for MS and another patient had the treatment for a different autoimmune disorder, all with promising results.
Thanksgiving holiday DIY gift ideas
In the not-too-distant past, swapping homemade goodies was an honored holiday tradition with families eagerly sharing their trademark cookies, candies, breads and even more savory fare. Given today's busy schedules, who has time? With that in mind, UCI Health’s Live Well blog has assembled some delectable recipes that are quick to make and sure to delight friends, co-workers, neighbors and extended family alike. It's also a fun holiday activity that allows little ones to experience the joy of giving.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
A message from UC President Michael Drake: Giving thanks
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons in California, and with it comes our annual reminder to give thanks for those who have helped us in the past year, says UC President Michael Drake in this year’s Thanksgiving message.
CDC: Bivalent booster more effective in fighting COVID-19 than previous shots
The new bivalent COVID-19 booster shots are up to 56 percent more effective at preventing symptomatic infection than the two original vaccines in adults ages 18 and up, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data, released Tuesday, comes from a large-scale study on the updated shots, which target the BA.4 and BA.5 strain of the omicron variant, as well as the original strain. The original shots and first booster that Americans received targeted only the ancestral strain of COVID-19. So far, just 11 percent of Americans 5 and older have received an updated booster.
UAW strike update
The UAW strike on UC campuses, including UCI, is ongoing. Negotiations continue, as do instruction and research. The latest FAQs and information are available on the provost's continuity webpage.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.
Virus Experts Say "Do This Now" to Avoid COVID, as Dr. Fauci Holds Final Press Conference
Eat This, Not That!, Nov. 23, 2022
Cited: Bernadette Boden-Albala, director & founding dean, Program in Public Health
What To Do If You Feel Guilty After Setting Boundaries
HuffPost, Nov, 23, 2022
Cited: Jessica Borelli, associate professor of psychological science
China's continued "zero COVID" policy stirs dissent
NPR (audio), Nov. 23
Cited: Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Chancellor’s Professor of history
#UCICONNECTED
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