FYI…UCSF in the News is a daily summary of news stories published worldwide that highlight UCSF, its affiliated programs, and issues that affect the University.  To read the full news story, click the individual headlines listed below.

On the second Wednesday of each month, FYI…UCSF in the News includes an additional "Research Roundup" section that lists research papers authored by UCSF faculty and published in the journals Cell, Health Services Research, JAMA, Lancet, Nature, NEJM, Nursing Research, and Science.

UCSF PRINT AND ONLINE COVERAGE

  • What would presidential contenders look like after 4 years in office? (Chicago Sun-Times)
    The Chicago Sun-Times reports: "Using Photoshop software, Popular Photography's www.popphoto.com 'aged' John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to show how they might fare after four years in the Oval Office." --- Mentioned: A UCSF study in 2004 showing how chronic stress causes aging at the cellular level [by Elissa Epel and Elizabeth Blackburn, who were not referenced.]
  • Lung cancer is striking nonsmokers as well, especially women (Sacramento Bee)
    The Sacramento Bee reports: "Grace White, center, who has never smoked, was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in November. She says she's not letting doctors dictate how long she has to live and plans to spend a lot more time with her daughter, Alyssa Cook, and grandchildren Olivia Shafer, 3, and Brandon Cook, 6." --- Dr. Sarita Dubey, a lung cancer specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, is quoted.
  • Health info plan backed (Sacramento Bee - Online)
    The Sacramento Bee reports: "The California Public Employees' Retirement System has put its weight behind a statewide health information exchange system being developed by the California Regional Health Information Organization." --- Joanne Spetz, a health care economist and associate professor with the University of California, San Francisco, is quoted.
  • Three brothers, one disease responsible for their deaths (Sacramento Bee, The)
    The three Walter brothers -- who all died of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare neurological illness -- contributed to FTD research by participating in a clinical trial at UCSF while they were alive, and after death, by donating their brain tissue to science. The Sacramento Bee reports: "Now Michael's widow, Beth, is working to carry on their mission. Beth Walter, who lives in Cameron Park, is using her family's story to educate the public and raise funds for research on FTD."
  • UCSF snags $439 million in NIH research grants (San Francisco Business Times)
    The Business Times reports: "University of California, San Francisco, received $439 million in research support from the National Institutes of Health last year, UCSF said late last week. That made it the nation's third-largest recipient of such NIH aid in 2007, trailing only Johns Hopkins University's $582 million and the University of Pennsylvania's $451.5 million."
  • UCSF breaks ground on $254M heart institute (San Francisco Business Times)
    The Business Times reports: "Test piles are being driven for the $254 million, 236,000-square-foot Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of California, San Francisco. A formal groundbreaking is set for May 7 with completion scheduled for early 2011."
  • Research rockets (San Francisco Business Times)
    The Business Times reports: "Companies are tapping UCSF's scientific minds, sending the dollar value and sheer number of industry-sponsored research deals soaring. The year-over-year value of research deals between the University of California, San Francisco, and biotech, pharmaceutical and other companies is expected to more than double to $110 million in the fiscal year ending June 30."
  • The truth about vaccinations (San Francisco Chronicle)
    Spyros Andreopoulos, director emeritus of the Office of Communication and Public Affairs at the Stanford University Medical Center, writes: "In the Bay Area, Stanford and UCSF operate two of the finest children's hospitals in the nation. I suggest that that two join forces to lead an education campaign about vaccinations and public health."

UCSF TELEVISION COVERAGE

  • Are Generic Drugs The Same As Name Brands? (CBS 5 Eyewitness News At 11 PM)
    Dr. William Soller, UCSF Center for Consumer Self Care, tells CBS 5 generics have the same effect as brand name medications.
  • Is Your Mammogram Accurate? (NBC11 News: The Bay Area At 11 -- KNTV San Francisco)
    KNTV reports on an investigation into dozens of mammogram facilities that have failed state requirements under the Mammogram Quality Standards Act (MQSA). --- James Brenner MD, UCSF Mt Zion, talks about patient rights under MQSA. --- Air Time: 11 PM

UCSF HEADLINES

  • New Film Profiles UCSF HIV/AIDS Leaders (UCSF Today)
    UCSF pioneers in the fight against HIV/AIDS are profiled in a new documentary film, which chronicles the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco.
  • UCSF to Participate in San Francisco AIDS Walk (UCSF Today)
    In keeping with the spirit of serving the community, UCSF is again planning to participate in the upcoming AIDS Walk San Francisco. The walk, an annual event sponsored by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, takes place on July 20, during the same month when, in 1981, pioneering AIDS physician Paul Volberding, MD, saw his first AIDS patient at San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH).