August 22, 2024

UC IRVINE NEWS

School of Education partnering with Santa Ana elementary school

The School of Education will join with the Santa Ana Unified School District to launch their first university-assisted partnership at James Monroe Elementary School. While the School of Education regularly engages in research-practice partnerships with SAUSD schools and programs, the university-assisted partnership is distinctive for allowing a more robust, holistic and community-driven approach between the School of Education and an entire school. It will advance Monroe Elementary’s current work to integrate student support efforts, expand learning opportunities and promote active family and community engagement. Said Frances Contreras, dean of UC Irvine’s School of Education (above): “This partnership gives the School of Education community a tremendous opportunity to collaborate in community-engaged research and to strengthen further our strong and long-established partnership with Santa Ana Unified School District.”

Scientists find rosemary extract compound that reduces cocaine sensitivity

Researchers have discovered that an antioxidant found in rosemary extract can reduce volitional intakes of cocaine by moderating the brain’s reward response, offering a new therapeutic target for treating addiction. “There are currently no effective therapeutics for dependence on psychostimulants such as cocaine, which, along with opioids, represent a substantial health burden,” said Kevin Beier, an associate professor of physiology & biophysics involved in the study. “Our study deepens our understanding of the basic brain mechanisms that increase vulnerability to substance use disorder-related outcomes and provides a foundation for the development of new interventions.”

Doctor warns of single symptom diagnosis

Relying on the presence or absence of a single symptom to diagnose neurological conditions such as autism or concussion is a concerning trend in pediatrics, writes School of Medicine associate professor Dr. Sharief Taraman in Psychology Today.

“The absence of a symptom does not necessarily rule out a condition. Rather, more often than not, further evaluations are needed to make accurate diagnoses.”

UC NEWS

Calling all UC staff: Share your voting perspectives and experience

Leading up to the 2024 elections, UC will be helping to get out the vote by making it easy for voters of all ages and affiliations to get the nonpartisan information they need. As part of these efforts, it will be amplifying the voices of UC staff who are planning to head to the polls (or the mailbox) this year. Please take a moment to send your voting perspectives and experiences and share why the 2024 elections are important to UC staff.

SAVE THE DATE

The Five Big Ideas of AI Powering Innovation in Business and Education

Wednesday, noon. (sponsored by Division of Continuing Education)

An Exploration of Art, Complexity, and Uncertainty in the 21st Century as part of Getty's PST ART: Art & Science Collide

Noon Saturday public opening. (sponsored by Claire Trevor School of the Arts)

For more events, visit UCI Today.

#UCIconnected

Nursing school’s simulation center receives accreditation

The Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing’s Simulation Center, which is used to train future nurses in emergency response and other healthcare scenarios, has been granted provisional accreditation by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. The accreditation marks a significant achievement for the Simulation Center, making it one of only 20 accredited programs in California and the sole Simulation Center within the University of California system to achieve this honor. “This milestone underscores our commitment to providing our nursing students with high-quality, immersive, and innovative education,” said Jocelyn Ludlow, director of simulation. “Provisional accreditation recognizes our adherence to rigorous standards in simulation education. This sets us on the path to achieving full accreditation in the future.”

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