Lifesaving natal work; diabetes research

Jan. 23, 2024

Puddles reflect clearing skies above the Physical Sciences quad. (Photo: Steve Zylius/UCI)

UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS

Professor’s journey to solve diabetes epidemic

As a child, Dequina Nicholas, an assistant professor of molecular biology and biochemistry, saw her mother struggle with diabetes. Now she is examining a new way to combat the illness, which she also suffers. Her research into dietary lipids that contribute to the disease led to an innovator award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The honor comes as California contends with a diabetes rate exceeding the national average.

Mom and baby saved from deadly complication at UCIMC

Nearly half a year after her son, Landon, was born, a grateful Rita Tira returned to UCI Medical Center last month for a reunion with the caregivers who worked to save her from a sudden and deadly complication during childbirth. After 22 hours of labor in June, Tira developed a rare condition called amniotic fluid embolism, which occurs when the fluid surrounding the fetus in the uterus enters the mother’s bloodstream and triggers a severe allergic reaction that can lead to cardiovascular collapse. It has a mortality rate of 60% to 80% for mothers and 30% for their babies. Fortunately, UCI Health high-risk pregnancy obstetrician Dr. Jonathan Steller was on duty that day, along with the specialty medical teams that ultimately saved both lives.

Common sleep disruptors and how to address them

From twitching legs to vivid nightmares, there are myriad obstacles to uninterrupted sleep. And that’s assuming you can doze off in the first place. UCI Health sleep medicine expert Dr. Rami Khayat weighs in on some common problems involved in falling and staying asleep—and how to overcome them.

UC NEWS

Make your voice heard by voting

2024 is a big year for elections, starting with California’s presidential primary on March 5. Millennials and Gen Zers — born between 1981 and 1996 — make up nearly half the voting-age population this year. Collectively, younger voters have tremendous electoral power, which is why the UC newsroom created a handy guide on how to register to vote and find your nearest polling place.

#UCIconnected

Professors release new edition of Rap on Trial

In 2021, Jack Lerner, a clinical professor of law (and director of the UCI Intellectual Property, Arts and Technology Clinic), and Charis Kubrin, a professor of criminology, law and society, published Rap on Trial: A Legal Guide, which examines First Amendment rights and racism in criminal cases involving musicians. Today, amid continuing concern about the use of rap lyrics in court, the book’s second edition hits the shelves. Law students in the IPAT Clinic contributed substantially to the new edition through research, drafting and editing.

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