Laura Shields
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Articles by Laura Shields
Recognizing sex differences in heart disease can improve treatments for all
One-size-fits-all hats are okay, but one-size-fits-all medical treatments don't cut it. A new study shows that drug treatment outcomes are significantly different for a type of heart valve disease, called aortic valve stenosis, based on how the disease progresses in males versus females.
Recognizing Sex Differences in Disease Can Improve Treatments for All
Published Date June 06, 2025 Article Content One-size-fits-all hats are okay, but one-size-fits-all medical treatments don’t cut it. A new study shows that drug treatment outcomes are significantly different for a type of heart valve disease, called aortic valve stenosis, based on how the disease progresses in males versus females.
Artificial Intelligence Speeds Up Diagnoses of Some Cancers
Article Content This story appears in the spring 2025 issue of UC San Diego Magazine as “Critical Diagnosis.” When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, the time to treatment is critical. “Today, a cancer patient can expect to wait weeks after their initial tumor diagnosis for a standard genomic test,” says Ludmil Alexandrov, professor at UC San Diego in both the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.
A Battery Breakthrough Inspired by a Can of Compressed Air
Published Date May 08, 2025 Article Content Breakthroughs can start from simple curiosities. An exciting battery breakthrough at the University of California San Diego, for example, started when a graduate student wondered about those little cans of compressed air that are used for dusting off keyboards. But these kinds of initial ideas have little chance of becoming gamechangers without a university ecosystem that offers support, resources and freedom to explore.
UC San Diego Engineer Miroslav Krstic Named Fellow-Ambassador of CNRS
CNRS extended the Fellow-Ambassador invitation to Krstic based on recommendations from one of its 10 scientific institutes, CNRS-Informatics. In return, Krstic has committed to spending at least one month per year giving lectures and collaborating in research in French laboratories over three years. According to Krstic, France has been his second intellectual home for two decades.
Using bacteria as living test tubes to study human gene mutations and find new drug leads
Traditional biochemical methods of studying human gene mutations are often laborious and costly. Now bioengineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new simple approach to rapidly check on human gene changes and also screen chemicals as potential drugs by turning everyday bacteria into living test tubes. The researchers have published their new study in Nature Biomedical Engineering.
Using Bacteria as Living Test Tubes to Study Human Gene Mutations and Find New Drug Leads
To push LEICA to the next step, the researchers also wanted to test the technique’s capability to find new drug leads. They exposed the bacteria to hundreds of small molecules, one at a time, in small culture tubes and watched the bacterial growth. They easily detected the drugs known to help or block enzyme activity. They also uncovered several new compounds that strongly slowed growth only when the human enzyme was present.
Good News for Fusion Energy Workforce Development in San Diego
Published Date April 10, 2025 Article Content In February 2025, the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, an Office of Science user facility of the U.S. Department of Energy, approved a new institutional user agreement with the University of California San Diego. What’s in the new agreement? UC San Diego personnel, including qualified graduate students, can now apply for access to the DIII-D tokamak facility even without being directly tied to a dedicated multi-year grant.
Hands-on Chemical Engineering Course at UC San Diego Brings Students Out into the Light
Published Date February 25, 2025 Article Content Students huddled around a laptop—this is a common sight on the University of California San Diego campus. But it’s less common when the students are outside, surrounded by pipes and hoses that attach a water tank to a large blue-black panel. A closer inspection reveals lots of colorful wires on a breadboard, lines of code on a computer screen and looks of concentration on the students’ faces. Simply put, the students are trying to heat up water.
New microactuator driving system could give microdrones a jump-start
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New microactuator driving system could give microdrones a jump-start Original
An innovative circuit design could enable miniature devices, such as microdrones and other microrobotics, to be powered for longer periods of time while staying lightweight and compact. Researchers from the University of California San Diego and CEA-Leti developed a novel self-sustaining circuit configuration—featuring miniaturized solid-state batteries—that combines high energy density with an ultra lightweight design.
UC San Diego Professor Honored by Sony and Nature for Bioengineering Research
Published Date February 04, 2025 Article Content Bioengineering Professor Kiana Aran is one of three inaugural winners of the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature. She is recognized for her pioneering work fusing biology with electronics to enhance precision medicine—including the development of CRISPR-Chip, a CRISPR-powered electronic chip designed to detect genetic mutations in real time. The award is a collaboration between the Sony Group Corporation and Nature.
Microbial Cell Factories May Help Get to the Root of Understudied Plant Molecules
Published Date January 16, 2025 Article Content Sometimes just using a different tool makes the job a whole lot easier. A team of researchers co-led by the University of California San Diego has developed a method to produce a special class of plant hormones, known as strigolactones, at unprecedented levels using microbial cell factories.
Swimming with the sharks: What progressives can learn from Republicans Against Trump
Monday, 22 June 2020 7:28 AM By Laura Shields and Dirk Singer We've always known that conservatives have the campaigning instincts of sharks. But it's rare for progressives to see their techniques being used against a common enemy, rather than ourselves. As dual UK-US nationals who work in communication, we have become obsessed with the Never Trumpers who are going all in to get Donald Trump out in November.
Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS)
10/18/2019 Background In recent years, states have been actively updating and expanding their Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS), which require utilities to achieve a certain percentage of energy savings based on the amount of electricity or natural gas sold in the state. States have implemented these long-term efficiency goals to decrease electricity and natural gas consumption and promote efficient technologies that reduce pollution associated with energy generation and use.
Another massive let-down for British citizens in Europe.
Laura Shields Date:23 September 2019 Tags: Opinion, Boris Johnson, Brexit, British in Europe, Citizens' Rights, EU27, Healthcare, No-Deal Brexit, S1 Healthcare, UK Government, Vienna Convention, Vote Leave, Twitter thread The UK government could just do the right thing and commit to funding healthcare for 180,000 pensioners, disabled people, students and posted workers living in the EU27 indefinitely. But it won’t, Laura Shields writes. First published in September 2019.
Porcupine barbs for better wound healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and less painful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
Porcupine Barbs For Better Wound Healing
At first, the idea of using porcupine quills to patch up wounds sounds torturous. But, taking inspiration from the spiky rodent, researchers have begun to work on a new type of surgical staple that may be less damaging — and lesspainful — than current staples. Worldwide, surgeons perform more than 4 million operations annually, usually using sutures and staples to close wounds. Yet these traditional tools designed to aid healing can create their own problems.
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