UCSF

NIH Funding Powers UCSF Research, with Nationwide Impact UCSF received $824 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2025 to drive the discovery, translational, and clinical science that leads to new treatments for disease and advances U.S. leadership in health and science.

Good news for science at UCSF. The NIH awarded $824M to support research across our campus this year. See what that funding is powering. https://tiny.ucsf.edu/z2dThf

Protecting Your Skin from UV Damage Doesn’t Need to Cost a Lot A study finds that while sunscreen costs hugely vary, lower-cost lotions can be just as effective in protecting against the sun.

Do expensive sunscreens actually work better? A UCSF study found sunscreen lotions with the same SPF offer the same UV protection, even when prices vary dramatically. Researchers found costs differed up to 17-fold per application.
https://tiny.ucsf.edu/ORq7y3

The Brain May Learn More from Rare Events than from Repetition How we learn to predict an outcome isn’t determined by how many times a cue and reward happen together. Instead, how much time passes between rewards is also important. Understanding this process has implications for how we think about addiction, and could also point to faster AI algorithms.summary

New UCSF research suggests the brain may learn more from rare experiences than from those that are repeated frequently. It challenges a 100-year-old assumption tied to Pavlov. https://tiny.ucsf.edu/LHyEnq

Periods May Trigger Pain for Many Who Have Sickle Cell Disease UCSF researchers found that 64.4% of female patients report sickle cell disease (SCD) pain during menstruation. However, these patients also report low rates of hormonal contraceptive awareness or use, which could potentially help treat SCD pain for female patients.

Periods may be an overlooked trigger of sickle cell pain. In a nationwide study across 11 states led by UCSF, 64% of women and girls with sickle cell disease reported disease-related pain during menstruation, with higher ER visits and hospitalizations. https://tiny.ucsf.edu/GaAa8X

As Health Care Goes Digital, Patients Are Being Left Behind An NIH-funded survey by UCSF researchers found that despite the fact that digital health will continue to be core in health delivery, less than half of surveyed health systems are checking for barriers to using patient portals, telemedicine, and other digital health tools.

Health care is increasingly digital. Are patients ready? A new study found 44% of health systems screen for digital readiness, and among systems serving uninsured patients only one-third do. Without assessing access and skills, digital care risks leaving patients behind. https://tiny.ucsf.edu/LGl6Cc

AI Bots Accurately Analyze Big Data Set to Predict Preterm Birth A team of UCSF researchers successfully tested several mainstream AI agents for the ability to analyze big data on women's reproductive health, with the goal of predicting pre-term births.

What can generative AI do with complex pregnancy data? UCSF master’s student and a high school student used AI to generate working code in minutes and build models that predict preterm birth. tiny.ucsf.edu/gDTx6H

Immune Cells Linked to Epstein-Barr Virus May Play a Role in MS A study from UCSF shows a previously unknown connection between the Epstein-Barr virus, known to play a role in MS, and an understudied type of immune cell.

“Killer” immune T cells that target the Epstein-Barr virus may trigger multiple sclerosis, by making the immune system go haywire and attack the myelin that coats nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord — where these cells are concerningly abundant. https://ow.ly/3qqa50YhPga

Rewriting the Story of Estrogen The hormone’s role in women’s health reaches far beyond reproduction.

Estrogen isn’t just about reproduction. It affects bones, brains, pain, gut health and more. See how UCSF scientists are reshaping our understanding of #WomensHealth. 🔬
#InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience https://ow.ly/FrOH50Ye1Wu

When Judy Li was diagnosed 10 years ago with early non-invasive breast cancer, many women chose mastectomy. @NIH-supported UCSF research shows some may avoid it with monitoring and milder treatment. tiny.ucsf.edu/i9bINg

Could kidney transplant patients ditch daily pills for a monthly treatment? New research suggests a monthly therapy could extend the lifespan of transplanted kidneys with fewer side effects. https://tiny.ucsf.edu/uOFQLP

This Cellular Hazmat Team Cleans Up Tau. Can It Prevent Dementia? Researchers found a "garbage man" enzyme that tags toxic clumps of proteins in the brain for removal, and saw a correlation with resilience against dementia.

As we age, brain cells face a growing mess — including toxic clumps of tau protein. UCSF scientists found a cleanup crew that can remove tau before it clumps, hinting at new ways to prevent dementia. tiny.ucsf.edu/orFiVL

Mighty Microscopic Fibers Key to Cell Division and Life Itself UCSF scientists discover that the spindle, the structure that divides chromosomes equally during mitosis, actually gets stronger when it is stretched.

Millions of cells divide every second with few errors. UCSF researchers found that spindle fibers grow stronger in response to the force of pulling DNA into new cells. A living example of a self-reinforcing material. https://ow.ly/QAvV50Y58Ok

Trauma or Toxic? A Deep Dive into the Impact of Stress on Kids’ Health UCSF researchers found evidence that stress occurring as early as before birth or as late as adolescence can affect multiple conditions in kids, from asthma to mental health to cognitive functioning.

You’ve heard of “trauma” and “toxic stress,” but how do they impact kids? A major UCSF review finds stress can begin in the womb and affect mental and physical health, as well as learning and behavior, all at once. tiny.ucsf.edu/LyYqdV

Tissue Repair Slows in Old Age. These Proteins Speed It Back Up UCSF scientists engineered old fibroblast cells to turn their genes on and off in the same way as young fibroblasts. The old fibroblasts were rejuvenated: they multiplied (green) and produced more of ...

Why do cuts heal more slowly as we age? UCSF researchers found that aging fibroblasts — the body’s repair cells — change how their genes turn "on" and "off." Resetting that gene activity made old cells act younger and rejuvenated the livers of older mice. tiny.ucsf.edu/FXvvCy

Psychiatrists Hope Chat Logs Can Reveal the Secrets of AI Psychosis UCSF psychiatrists may have documented what is likely the first case of AI psychosis in a peer-reviewed journal. He tells us what to know as media reports about cases mount.

What's behind recent headlines related to AI psychosis? UCSF psychiatrists documented the first peer-reviewed case of AI-associated psychosis in an academic journal and is now studying whether chat logs could reveal warning signs. tiny.ucsf.edu/rIpnQ3

Why does IBS pain hit women harder? UCSF researchers uncovered an estrogen-linked gut pathway where PYY triggers EC cells to release serotonin and activate pain-sensing nerves. tiny.ucsf.edu/lHmGeQ

The Inspiring Story of World’s First All-Female Heart Transplant In 2023, UCSF became the first to boast an all-female heart transplant team led by Amy Fiedler, MD, who featured in an iconic snap of the procedure that went viral, landing UCSF colleagues on national...

A heart transplant, and every person is a woman. In one of medicine’s most male-dominated fields, the story behind this moment starts long before the OR. tiny.ucsf.edu/WS5trT

UCSF Chancellor Addresses How the Institution Can Ensure Its Continuum UCSF's Chancellor Hawgood urged transition to a "Second Curve" of innovation, leveraging philanthropy, new infrastructure, and AI to overcome funding challenges and ensure sustained excellence.

UCSF is at a critical inflection point: transition to our next phase of growth or risk stagnation. Chancellor Hawgood’s #UCSFSOTU 2025 address dives into AI, robotic surgery training and the “Second Curve” shaping the future of health care and research. tiny.ucsf.edu/cBUu7L

Drink Up: Coffee Is Safe for People with A-Fib A study found that drinking at least a cup of caffeinated coffee daily significantly lowered the risk of atrial fibrillation, a common heart condition.

Scientists just learned that your daily cup of coffee could protect your heart. UCSF researchers found that drinking a cup a day reduced atrial fibrillation risk by 39%, challenging decades of medical advice to avoid caffeine. tiny.ucsf.edu/aCOq1X

How Do I Prepare Today for Healthy Aging Tomorrow? UCSF experts share how to plan for a vibrant future as we age.

The earlier you focus on movement, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and social connections, the better your chances of aging well, according to Louise Aronson of UCSF. Start today. Full Q&A: magazine.ucsf.edu/how-to-prepa...

State of the University Address Live viewing page of the annual UCSF Chancellor's State of the University Address.

Happening TODAY! Tune in at noon for #UCSFSOTU 2025 with Chancellor Sam Hawgood. Hear about UCSF’s accomplishments from the past year and how our institution is innovating to adapt for the future. tiny.ucsf.edu/HuBTYF

Fatty Snacks in Winter May Trick the Body into Packing on the Pounds How do our bodies adapt to the changing length of days as we go from winter to summer and back? UCSF researchers found that unsaturated fat plays an important role in regulating circadian cycles, and ...

As days get shorter, your diet could be confounding your body’s clock. UCSF scientists found that saturated fat tells your body it’s summer and eating too much of it in winter tells your body to conserve fat. tiny.ucsf.edu/a8fHWx

State of the University Address Live viewing page of the annual UCSF Chancellor's State of the University Address.

Join us LIVE for the 2025 State of the University Address with Chancellor Sam Hawgood on Friday, Nov. 7, at noon. Discover how UCSF continues to innovate to adapt for the future. tiny.ucsf.edu/reaeye

Why Is It So Hard to Adjust When Clocks ‘Fall Back’? Neurologist Dr. Ptacek explains how "falling back" disrupts the 24-hour circadian clock, affecting mood and performance, with mitigation tips.

Changing the clock isn’t just an hour lost or gained, it’s a shock to your body’s internal rhythm. UCSF neurologist explains how light, sleep, and even your mood get thrown off — as well as how to reset faster when daylight saving time ends. tiny.ucsf.edu/ZY3ALi

UCSF researchers don’t just make discoveries in cancer, Alzheimer’s and stroke care. They’ve launched more than 240 companies that are creating jobs and improving lives across America. #SpeakUp4Science tiny.ucsf.edu/i9bINg

Two UCSF Faculty Elected to National Academy of Medicine in 2025 Christine E. Dehlendorf, MD, and Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH, have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) this year, one of the highest honors in the field of health and medicine.

Congrats to UCSF’s Christine Dehlendorf, MD, and Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH, on their election to the National Academy of Medicine — one of the highest honors in health and medicine, for advancing reproductive and environmental health. tiny.ucsf.edu/nq7DpT @ucsffamilymed.bsky.social

How Multiple Sclerosis Harms a Brain Long Before Symptoms Appear Image In the hu

UCSF researchers discovered just how early multiple sclerosis starts damaging the brain. It happens years before symptoms appear, and the early warning signs can be seen in the blood. tiny.ucsf.edu/W1FVne

Could This Birth Control Shot Increase Your Risk for Brain Tumor? UCSF radiation oncologist David Raleigh, MD, PhD, studies the link between brain tumors and injectable birth control.

Could birth control shots raise brain tumor risk? UCSF radiation oncologist's research shows that synthetic progesterone in shots makes meningioma grow like wildfire. tiny.ucsf.edu/hdUI4r

UCSF Wins 7 Prestigious NIH Awards for High-Impact Work Seven UCSF investigators are receiving the prestigious award for their research from the National Institutes of Health.

Seven UCSF researchers have earned prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards, supporting their work in areas spanning cancer, sickle cell disease, autism, heart health, and more. Congrats to our visionary innovators moving medicine forward! tiny.ucsf.edu/oLBgdW

Small Leak Due to a Big Laugh? Pelvic Floor PT Might Fix It UCSF’s Physical Therapy department debuts a new Women’s Health Residency Program this fall, which will include training on women’s bodies during and after (peri)menopause.

Weak orgasms, incontinence, back pain — can all stem from poor pelvic health. With only 120 certified pelvic health PTs in CA, UCSF's new Women’s Health Physical Therapy Residency is training specialists to close the gap. tiny.ucsf.edu/KIgU98