Articles by Lizelda Lopez
UC San Diego Receives $12.6 Million Award to Launch a New Polysubstance Addiction Research Center
New center will bring together researchers across disciplines to study the underlying biology of addiction and relapse By bringing alcohol and drug research together and connecting biological information across multiple levels, the new center aims to move addiction research from isolated observations toward a more integrated understanding of why addiction develops, why some people are more vulnerable than others and why relapse occurs.
Exercise Program Supports Better Attention and Slows Biological Aging in Breast Cancer Survivors
Two studies from a randomized clinical trial suggest exercise may benefit attention and memory while altering epigenetic markers tied to aging. A 12-month exercise intervention was associated with improvements in attention and memory among breast cancer survivors, while a companion analysis suggests exercise may also slow biological aging.
One in Nine Older Adults Who Use Cannabis Meet Criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder
Older adults may be at greater risk for some harms associated with cannabis use because of age-related changes in the body. iStock/rawpixel Published Date September 28, 2026 An estimated 8.9% of U.S. adults aged 65 and older used cannabis in the past year. Among older adults who used cannabis in the past year, 11.4% met criteria for cannabis use disorder, most with mild severity. More frequent cannabis use was associated with a greater likelihood of cannabis use disorder.
Biology’s four-letter DNA alphabet just expanded to eight
Researchers showed that E. coli RNA polymerase can read and transcribe an eight-letter genetic alphabet containing four natural DNA letters and four synthetic ones. Cryo-electron microscopy structures at 2.42 to 2.75 angstrom resolution revealed that the enzyme recognizes synthetic base pairs using many of the same structural checkpoints it uses for natural DNA.
Breakthrough Helps Expand Genetic Alphabet
One of biology’s most essential enzymes can accurately read and transcribe an expanded, eight-letter genetic alphabet. Photo credit: iStock. Published Date September 02, 2026 Researchers showed that the enzyme RNA polymerase can accurately read and transcribe an expanded, eight-letter genetic alphabet, not just DNA’s natural four-letter code. Using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy, the team revealed how the enzyme recognizes synthetic DNA letters in the same way it recognizes natural ones.
UC San Diego Study Finds Changes to California’s Landscapes May Influence Valley Fever Risk
Study links higher disease rates to certain agricultural and natural landscapes near California communities, raising concerns as drought and water regulations lead to more farmland being left uncultivated across the state. In California, rates of Valley fever have increased by more than 800% over the past two decades.
Resetting the Clock on Discovery
Published Date August 19, 2026 This story is from the 2026 issue of Discoveries, a UC San Diego Health Sciences magazine. Not long ago, discovering a new drug followed a familiar, painstaking arc. Scientists would spend years identifying a biological target, screening thousands of compounds and refining promising leads in the lab — often with no guarantee that this effort would ultimately benefit patients. Today, that timeline is being dramatically rewritten.
Study Identifies Previously Missed DNA Mutation Pattern in Colorectal Cancer
Researchers identified a previously overlooked pattern of DNA mutations in colorectal cancer that had been mistaken for a combination of known mutation patterns. The pattern is a genuine and recurring feature in some colorectal cancers and appears relatively late as colorectal tumors develop. This suggests that something may change during tumor development that causes cancer cells to accumulate a new type of DNA damage or copying error.
A Vegan Diet May Begin Changing Gene Activity in Just 4 Weeks
Researchers found signs that diet can reshape molecular patterns linked to inflammation and biological aging within just four weeks. Credit: Shutterstock Changing what you eat may begin reshaping how your genes behave in as little as a few weeks, even though your DNA itself remains unchanged. In a randomized clinical trial, researchers found that healthy adults who followed a vegan diet for one month developed changes in chemical markers attached to their DNA.
One Month on a Vegan Diet Shifts Epigenetic Patterns Associated with Aging and Inflammation
Genome-wide analysis found a vegan diet reshaped the DNA methylation landscape associated with immune cell composition and health-related measures of biological aging. Study adds to growing evidence that nutrition can shape biology at the molecular level. Photo by iStock/zi3000 Published Date August 04, 2026 A one-month randomized trial found a vegan diet altered DNA methylation patterns linked to inflammation, cell growth and metabolism.
From Code to Care: How UC San Diego Is Leading the Way in AI for Health Care
Sumita Singh, from U.S. News & World Report, moderates the "Spotlight on AI in the clinic" panel with Alexander Khalessi, MD; Anne O'Donnell and Philip Rackliffe. Photo by Erik Jepsen/University Communications Published Date July 28, 2026 Patrick “Paddy” O’Donnell was 20 years old when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and terminal brain cancer. Doctors initially told him and his family to “enjoy life” because there was no cure.
Adolescent substance use continues to rise through mid-teens, national study finds
(A) Unweighted prevalence of lifetime alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and "other" substance use by chronological age and (B) split by sex. *Note: Age 17 has a smaller cell size (n = 375). Credit: Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports (2026).
Gene Regulation Map Reveals Treatment Targets for Heart Failure
Cellular atlas maps how heart failure rewires gene control in different heart cells, linking DNA changes to disease and pointing to new precision medicine therapies This study allows us to finally understand the gene regulatory logic of heart failure — how genes are controlled in specific cell types as the disease develops. That’s a major step forward, because most disease risk lies not in genes themselves, but in the vast noncoding regions that regulate them.
Personalized Gene Therapy Helps Teen with Rare Form of Severe Epilepsy Walk Independently
Published Date July 21, 2026 Investigational gene therapy with allele-selective antisense oligonucleotides silenced the expression of a mutant copy of the SCN2A gene, dramatically reducing seizure frequency. Broad developmental gains were observed across a two-year period, with no adverse health effects reported. The approach provides a model for rapidly translating personalized genetics into treatments for many other neurological and non‑neurological diseases caused by single gene mutations.
UC San Diego Study Finds An Exponential Increase in E-Bike Injuries in California
New statewide analysis reveals rising injury severity among e-bike riders, particularly children, highlighting urgent needs for safety education, infrastructure improvements and policy changes E-bike injuries in California increased from just two reported collisions in 2018 to 1,506 in 2024. Photo credit: iStock/Travis Morrison Published Date July 20, 2026 E-bike injuries in California increased from just two reported collisions in 2018 to 1,506 in 2024.
UC San Diego Launches Institute for Applied Health Intelligence
New institute will partner with six schools and UC San Diego Health to accelerate the delivery of data-driven, equitable health care Much like how a central nervous system connects the brain and the body, the new Institute for Applied Health Intelligence will connect numerous resources across UC San Diego to create a seamless link between research and clinical practice.
Screen Reveals New Proteins That Control RNA Processing
Researchers screened 879 human RNA-binding proteins and identified 63 potential regulators of alternative polyadenylation (APA), a process that affects how genes are expressed. Most of the proteins identified had not previously been linked to APA, and the study uncovered unexpected roles for several of them. The researchers also developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model that can predict proteins involved in RNA regulation.
UC San Diego Researcher Wins $5.6M NIH Avant Garde Award to Prevent HIV, Hepatitis C and Overdose
Innovative project will use AI-powered “digital twins” to help public health agencies better prevent HIV, hepatitis C and overdose among people who use drugs Funding will support the development of innovative artificial intelligence tools designed to improve public health responses to HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and overdose among people who use drugs across the United States.
Smoking restrictions gain support across all 50 states over 30 years
Credit: Erik Mclean from Pexels A recent study from researchers at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at the University of California San Diego developed and validated a new way to measure changing social norms around cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure in the United States over the past three decades. The findings are published in the journal BMJ Public Health.
UC San Diego Study Tracks Shifting US Smoking Norms Over 30 Years
Researchers analyzed responses from 1.5 million people across all 50 states from 1992 to 2022 to develop a new way to measure public attitudes about restricting smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. States with stronger support for restricting smoking had lower smoking rates. The findings suggest tobacco control programs may benefit from targeting social norms and provide a new quantitative tool to measure changes over time.
Gene Therapy Approach Reduces Muscle Spasticity After Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
A gene therapy strategy that restores signals that help control and regulate muscle activity in the spinal cord significantly reduced muscle spasticity in a rat model of chronic spinal cord injury. Safety studies in other animal models found no detectable motor or sensory deficits after treatment. Researchers observed limited distribution of the treatment vehicles outside the targeted spinal cord region, supporting a favorable safety profile.
U.S. Overdose Deaths Dropped in 2024 Amid Uneven Progress, Study Finds
Researchers warn that if these trends continue, stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine may soon surpass opioids as the defining addiction-related public health challenge in the U.S. “Overdose deaths are only one part of the picture,” said Steffanie Strathdee, PhD, senior author of the study and professor of medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
UC San Diego Study Uncovers Molecular “Shield” Behind Cancer Immunotherapy Resistance
Immunotherapies can be highly effective against cancer, but many tumors resist treatment by creating a local environment that weakens immune cells. Researchers found that blocking a small RNA molecule called microRNA-25 made tumors more responsive to immunotherapy across multiple cancer models. The findings identify the miR-25–SDC3 pathway as a potential therapeutic target for converting immunotherapy-resistant “cold” tumors into more treatment-responsive “hot” tumors.
Sex Differences in Dementia Risks Reveal Stronger Cognitive Impacts in Women
Published Date May 20, 2026 Women showed higher rates of seven modifiable dementia risk factors, with sex differences observed in 10 of 13 factors studied. Certain risk factors — particularly cardiovascular and metabolic conditions — were more strongly associated with poorer cognitive performance in women than in men. Findings suggest dementia prevention strategies may be more effective when tailored by sex, prioritizing both risk factor prevalence and impact.
Leucovorin Prescriptions for Children with Autism Surged After Public Attention
"The timing was striking,” Rothman said. “The increases began after a widely viewed media story and accelerated again after federal officials publicly discussed the medication. It highlights how rapidly clinical practice can shift when a treatment captures public attention.” The study does not determine whether leucovorin improves symptoms of autism, nor does it evaluate patient outcomes after treatment.
Poor Sleep Tied to Alzheimer’s Risk in Older Women
Sleep complaints may represent both an early warning sign and a potential intervention target for Alzheimer’s disease in older women. Poor sleep was linked to worse memory and greater tau buildup in brain regions affected early in Alzheimer’s disease, but only in women with elevated genetic risk. Assessing self-reported sleep problems is not only inexpensive, but could potentially also be a target for Alzheimer’s disease prevention efforts.
Teens view cannabis as less harmful than alcohol, vapes and cigarettes
Credit: Kampus Production from Pexels Adolescents in California consistently perceive cannabis as less harmful than other commonly used substances, according to a new study analyzing data from two large statewide school surveys.
Federal grant terminations disproportionately impact minority scientists, study finds
Credit: Mikhail Nilov from Pexels Researchers from University of California San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science have found that recent federal grant terminations targeting research on health equity and gender identity have disproportionately affected scientists from the very communities those studies aim to support. The findings were published May 5, 2026 in The Lancet Regional Health—Americas.
Federal grant terminations disproportionately impact minority scientists, study finds
5 hours ago All exercise is good for you. But exercising this way gives you even better odds of living a long, healthy life. What’s your exercise routine like? Do you jog the same loop every week, attend the same class at the gym, or enjoy the same Saturday bike ride? If so, you can pat yourself on the back for …
National Institutes of Health Grant Terminations Disproportionately Impact Minority Scientists
A national survey of 941 scientists whose National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants were terminated in 2025 found the cuts disproportionately affected minority researchers. Researchers from marginalized groups were both overrepresented among those whose grants were canceled and more likely to have their work specifically targeted for termination. The findings suggest the policy changes may deepen existing disparities in the U.S. biomedical research workforce.
Cannabis Microdosing More Common Than Psychedelics Among US Adults, National Survey Finds
Cannabis is the most commonly microdosed substance in the U.S., with about 9.4% of adults — roughly 24 million people — reporting lifetime use. More people reported microdosing for recreational reasons than for medical reasons. Cannabis microdosing was nearly twice as common as psilocybin, LSD or MDMA, challenging the perception that microdosing is mainly a psychedelic practice. Microdosing was more common among people reporting poorer mental health.
Early Cannabis Use May Stall Key Brain Skills in Teens
A large longitudinal study suggests that teenagers who begin using cannabis may experience slower development in key cognitive abilities compared to their peers. Subtle early differences appear to widen over time, particularly in areas like memory and attention, with evidence pointing toward specific cannabis compounds as a possible factor.
Water Molecules Found to Actively Drive Gene Transcription Process
Water molecules play an active, essential role in gene transcription, helping RNA polymerase II carry out the chemical steps needed to read DNA and build RNA. High-resolution imaging revealed hundreds of precisely positioned water molecules that stabilize the enzyme and help ensure accurate selection of genetic building blocks. The findings challenge the traditional protein-only view of transcription, showing water is a conserved and critical component of the gene expression machinery.
Anti-Vaping Advertisements and Lung Injury News Coverage Helped Reverse Trend in Teen Vaping
UC San Diego researchers explain major shift in adolescent vaping following widespread public health messaging Youth vaping in the United States surged from 8.1% in 2017 to a peak of 20% in 2019 before beginning a sustained decline, reaching 5.9% by 2024. Understanding what triggered that reversal is critical for ongoing tobacco prevention efforts. Photo credit: iStock/AntonioDiaz Published Date April 24, 2026 Teen vaping quit attempts nearly doubled from 28.8% in 2017–18 to 53.2% in 2019–20.
Largest U.S. study finds teen cannabis use linked to slower cognitive development
“These results point to THC as a likely driver of the changes we’re seeing,” Wade said. “It also highlights how complicated cannabis products can be, especially since some products labeled as CBD may still contain THC.” While the differences seen in the study were relatively modest, researchers say they could still matter. During adolescence, the brain is rapidly developing, and even small changes in memory, attention or thinking speed can affect school performance and daily life.
UC San Diego Study Links Diabetes to Early Alzheimer’s-related Changes in the Blood of Latino Adults
Large community study suggests simple blood tests could help identify dementia risk earlier in Latino populations disproportionately affected by diabetes and limited health care access UC San Diego researchers have found that diabetes is linked to changes in measurable biological signals in the blood that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and brain damage in Latino adults.
Largest U.S. Study Finds Teen Cannabis Use Linked to Slower Cognitive Development
Study of more than 11,000 teens finds cannabis use tied to slower gains in memory, focus and thinking speed as well as worse memory over time during key years of brain development Across a range of skills — including memory, attention, language and processing speed — teens who used cannabis showed restricted growth over time compared to those who did not.
Blood Test Predicts Dementia in Women as Many as 25 Years Before Symptoms Begin
Measured in blood samples, the biomarker p-tau217 was strongly linked to future dementia risk across decades of follow-up in a large, diverse cohort of U.S. women UC San Diego study suggests we may be able to identify women at elevated risk for dementia decades before symptoms emerge. Courtesy of iStock/Vanessa Nunes Published Date March 10, 2026 A simple blood test identified women at higher risk for dementia up to 25 years before symptoms appeared.
UC San Diego Center for Community Health Receives $250,000 Grant to Expand ¡Más Fresco! Plus
Published Date March 09, 2026 The University of California San Diego Center for Community Health (CCH) received a $250,000 grant to expand ¡Más Fresco! Plus, an innovative produce prescription program that delivers farm-fresh produce boxes directly to the homes of San Diego County residents experiencing food insecurity and diet-related chronic disease.
Recent Pandemic Viruses Jumped to Humans Without Prior Adaptation, UC San Diego Study Finds
“The 1977 influenza story is, in many ways, even more compelling than what we found for COVID-19,” Wertheim said. “Our results provide new molecular evidence supporting the long-suspected idea that the H1N1 pandemic was sparked by a laboratory strain — possibly in the context of a failed vaccine trial.” Historical records and prior genetic analyses have suggested that the 1977 H1N1 virus appeared almost unchanged after a 20-year absence, a pattern difficult to reconcile with natural evolution.
Study finds natural fungal supplement improves COVID-19 vaccine response
Credit: Courtesy of UC San Diego Health Sciences Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have found that a natural fungal supplement taken at the time of COVID-19 vaccination reduced short-term vaccine side effects and helped antibodies—the body's natural immune defenders—last longer in people who had not previously been exposed to the virus. The study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, was published March 3, 2026, in BMC Immunology.
From Rett and Pitt-Hopkins to ALS: 5 Rare Diseases UC San Diego Researchers are Tackling in the Lab
Published Date February 23, 2026 Rare diseases are widely underrecognized. Individually uncommon, they affect nearly 10% of Americans, with diagnosis often delayed years. Precision science is changing outcomes. At the UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute, base editing, organoids and RNA biology are driving clinical trials and FDA-approved therapies. Patient-driven research delivers hope.
Spreading Drug Costs Over the Year May Ease Financial Burden for Medicare Cancer Patients
A new study examines the potential impact of the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P) — an opt-in policy implemented in 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act that allows beneficiaries to spread out of pocket (OOP) costs over the calendar year— on Medicare Part D beneficiaries with cancer who face high out-of-pocket (OOP) prescription drug costs.
Expanded School-Based Program Linked to Lower Youth Tobacco Use Rates in California
Published Date January 12, 2026 Researchers from University of California San Diego report that an expanded, school-based tobacco prevention program in California was associated with significantly lower rates of smoking and vaping among middle and high school students. The study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health on Jan. 12, 2026, evaluated the impact of California’s Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program following a major funding increase approved by voters in 2016.
California Grants $7.4 Million to Advance Gene-Edited Stem Cell Therapy for Friedreich’s Ataxia
Funding supports safety studies, manufacturing and clinical planning needed before applying to test the treatment in patients. UC San Diego has received a $7.4 million grant to support the development of a first-of-its-kind stem cell-based gene therapy for Friedreich’s ataxia.
'Three-hit model' involving genes and environment describes possible causes of autism
A new University of California San Diego School of Medicine study offers a unified biological model to explain how genetic predispositions and environmental exposures converge to cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates. The study, published in Mitochondrion, describes a "three-hit" metabolic signaling model that reframes autism as a treatable disorder of cellular communication and energy metabolism.
Three-Hit Model Describes the Causes of Autism
Because the second and third “hits” — environmental triggers and prolonged activation of the CDR — are potentially reversible, early detection and intervention could dramatically reduce autism risk. To illustrate how multiple metabolic hits can stack to cause disease, Naviaux compares autism to phenylketonuria (PKU), a classical genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability if untreated.
Genetic Study Links Impulsive Decision Making to a Wide Range of Health and Psychiatric Risks
Analysis of 135,000 participants reveals 11 genetic regions tied to delayed gratification and shows shared biology with mental, cognitive and metabolic traits Published Date November 25, 2025 Article Content Researchers from University of California San Diego have identified 11 genetic regions linked to delay discounting — the tendency to prefer smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed ones — shedding new light on how impulsive decision-making relates to both mental and physical health.
GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Dramatically Lower Death Rates in Colon Cancer Patients
Article Content A new University of California San Diego study offers compelling evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists — the class of drugs behind Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, for example — may do more than regulate blood sugar and weight.
Pharmacists Help Cancer Patients Manage High Blood Sugar More Effectively
“These improvements were achieved with relatively few visits and largely through remote follow-up, which makes the results especially encouraging,” said Mnatzaganian.
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