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West LA Times

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

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Champs again! Men’s volleyball claims its 21st NCAA title

The UCLA men's volleyball team secured their 21st National Collegiate Volleyball Championship on Saturday, May 4, by defeating No. 2 seed California State University, Long Beach, in four sets at the Walter Pyramid arena on the Long Beach campus. The scores of the match were 25–21, 25–20, 27–29, and 25–21.The victory marked a significant achievement for the UCLA men's volleyball program, with the team winning their first back-to-back titles since the 1995 and 1996 seasons. Additionally, this win contributed to UCLA's impressive record of 122 NCAA titles across all sports....

By West LA Times | May 5, 2024

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Access to Firearms Linked to Increased Suicide Risk Among California Youth

A recent study conducted by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has shed light on the concerning relationship between access to firearms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Californians ages 15–24. The study, based on data from the 2021 and 2022 California Health Interview Survey, revealed alarming statistics and implications.According to the study, youth who expressed fears of gun violence were nearly twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts compared to those who did not harbor such concerns. Additionally, in 2022, researchers found that young individuals...

By West LA Times | Apr 30, 2024

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Language that could be clues to suicide differ between men and women

By West LA Times | Apr 24, 2024

A recent study led by UCLA researchers has uncovered significant differences in the language used to describe male and female suicides in public health records. The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, analyzed 271,998 suicides over a 17-year period in the U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System. The findings show that words associated with male suicides often referenced job loss, alcohol abuse, financial stress, and unusual behavior, while those related to female suicides more frequently mentioned mood, psychological state, and mental health...

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South L.A., Antelope Valley lead L.A. County in preventable hospitalizations

By West LA Times | Apr 23, 2024

Los Angeles County residents living in lower-income areas like South Los Angeles and the Antelope Valley face a considerably higher risk of preventable hospitalizations or emergency department visits, according to a recent study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.The study revealed that South Los Angeles has the highest rate of preventable hospitalizations (1,252 per 100,000 adults), followed by the Antelope Valley (888). Ninez Ponce, director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, emphasized that these disparities highlight the healthcare system's...

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Historic $1 Million Gift Advances Latino Legal Scholarship at UCLA School of Law

By West LA Times | Apr 22, 2024

UCLA School of Law has received a $1 million donation from Alicia Miñana de Lovelace, chair of The UCLA Foundation board, to enhance its Critical Race Studies program, marking the largest-ever single contribution to the initiative. The program, founded in 2000, is the sole law school-based program in the nation devoted to Critical Race Theory and related scholarship.Alicia Miñana de Lovelace's generous gift aims to advance Latino legal scholarship at UCLA Law by establishing the Laura E. Gómez Teaching Fellowship on Latinx People and the Law in honor of retiring UCLA Law...

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Mutations in noncoding DNA Linked to Cancer Pathways and Patient Survival, UCLA Study Finds

By West LA Times | Apr 18, 2024

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has revealed a significant connection between mutations in noncoding DNA and genes associated with cancer pathways, as well as their impact on cancer patient survival.According to corresponding author Xinshu “Grace” Xiao, a UCLA professor of integrative biology and physiology, the research aimed to address the challenge of understanding the functions of mutations in noncoding regions. Xiao explained, “Predicting the outcomes of mutations in protein-coding regions is...

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Los Angeles County Residents' Quality of Life Hits Record Low Due to High Cost of Living, UCLA Survey Shows

By West LA Times | Apr 17, 2024

Los Angeles County residents are experiencing a record-low level of satisfaction with their quality of life, largely due to concerns over the high cost of living. The annual UCLA survey revealed that worries about affordability have pushed the overall rating down to 53, marking the second time in three years that it has fallen below the survey's midpoint of 55.Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the study at UCLA, highlighted the impact of rising housing costs on renters, who are feeling particularly pessimistic about their futures. Yaroslavsky noted, "Housing costs have gone...

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Supportive housing program for Californians experiencing homelessness shows promise

By West LA Times | Apr 17, 2024

A recent evaluation conducted by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has revealed the positive impact of the Housing for a Healthy California program on individuals experiencing homelessness in the state. The program, which provided permanent housing to 230 individuals from January 2021 to December 2022, aimed to support those who had been without stable housing for over a year.One key aspect of the program was the provision of supportive services tailored to each participant's needs. According to the evaluation, participants received assistance such as linking to...

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Sean Astin to deliver UCLA College commencement address

By West LA Times | Apr 16, 2024

Actor, advocate and UCLA alumnus Sean Astin will deliver the keynote address at all three 2024 UCLA College commencement ceremonies, which are scheduled for 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 14, in Pauley Pavilion.“I’m thrilled to be returning to Westwood to speak to the class of 2024,” Astin said. “Graduating from UCLA was an incredibly proud moment in my life. I’m excited to celebrate alongside my fellow Bruins and offer some words of encouragement and inspiration as they begin their post-college journey.”Astin, who transferred to UCLA from Los Angeles Valley...

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Advance in immune cell screening uncovers receptors that target prostate cancer

By West LA Times | Apr 15, 2024

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in immune cell screening that could have significant implications for targeting prostate cancer. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showcase a new method for screening T cells, a crucial component of the body's immune system, to identify receptors that are essential for effective cell-based treatments.Through this innovative screening process, the researchers identified three previously unknown...

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U7+ Alliance of World Universities urge G7 to increase access to higher education

By West LA Times | Apr 12, 2024

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block and Vice Provost Cindy Fan recently participated in the U7+ Alliance of World Universities meeting in Milan, Italy. The alliance, consisting of over 80 university leaders from 18 countries, adopted the 2024 U7+ Statement on Global Access to Higher Education.According to the U7+ Alliance of World Universities, the statement encourages the G7 to collaborate with the alliance to develop high-quality, inclusive education systems from primary through higher education. It also calls for support in investment in higher education in low- and...

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Degrees: EPA in the courts and on “forever chemicals” in drinking water

By West LA Times | Apr 11, 2024

Apr 11 2024From vehicle emissions to PFAS, it’s a busy week for EPA watchers. UCLA experts weigh in below.On Tuesday, a federal appellate court in Washington, D.C., upheld California's authority to regulate vehicle emissions more strictly than the federal government. Ann Carlson, UCLA environmental law professor and former acting administrator of NHTSA, expressed her satisfaction with the decision in Ohio v. Environmental Protection Agency, emphasizing the significance of California's role in combating air pollution and climate change: "California’s authority to...

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Advance in light-based computing shows capabilities for future smart cameras

By West LA Times | Apr 11, 2024

Researchers at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA have made a significant breakthrough in optical computing technology that could revolutionize the field of visual information processing. The team has developed a transparent device that operates under low-power ambient light, offering nonlinear operation essential for processing visual information efficiently.In a study published in Nature Communications, Aydogan Ozcan, the Volgenau Professor of Engineering Innovation at UCLA, expressed the significance of this advancement, stating, “Optical nonlinearities are...

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UCLA Receives $5 Million Grant to Align Neuroscience and Societal Needs

By West LA Times | Apr 10, 2024

UCLA and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science have secured a $5 million grant to establish a multidisciplinary research center focused on leveraging neuroscience for the benefit of society. The institutions are matching the grant funding to kickstart the initiative.The partnership, supported by the Dana Foundation, is aimed at maximizing the potential of neuroscience for public good. The collaborative effort will bring together experts from various fields such as neuroscience, social sciences, education, policy, and the humanities to collaborate with local...

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People make more patient decisions when shown the benefits first

By West LA Times | Apr 5, 2024

UCLA psychologists have found that the way choices are presented can significantly impact decision-making processes. According to a recent study published in Nature Communications, the order in which information is provided to individuals can influence whether they opt for immediate gratification or exercise patience for larger rewards in the future.Lead author of the study, Ian Krajbich, highlighted the importance of framing choices by stating, "The takeaway message is that people can be impatient or exhibit a lack of self-control for many reasons." The research...

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Report Outlines Path for Theaters' Sustainability in Post-Pandemic World

By West LA Times | Apr 1, 2024

The U.S. theater industry may find a path to a more sustainable future by adopting practices learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by UCLA professor Barbara Fuchs and Rhonda Sharrah, a UCLA doctoral candidate in English. Fuchs emphasized the importance of collaboration among theater companies, producers, and stakeholders to attract greater public and private support, stating, “The pandemic accelerated that crisis yet also led to unprecedented government funding, which demonstrated how much money could be made available for the sector.”The report...

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UCLA Health Acquires West Hills Hospital and Medical Center

By West LA Times | Mar 29, 2024

UCLA Health has acquired the 260-bed West Hills Hospital and Medical Center and related assets from HCA Healthcare. The transaction, which was finalized on March 28, will help address hospital inpatient capacity needs, allowing UCLA Health to provide world-class care to more patients across the region. The hospital has been renamed UCLA West Valley Medical Center.“We are pleased to welcome West Hills staff members as UCLA Health employees as we work together to serve the community. I thank HCA Healthcare leaders for their efforts in completing this transaction with us,”...

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Changes to U.S. data collection on race, ethnicity could be a boon to public health

By West LA Times | Mar 29, 2024

The Biden administration's recent announcement regarding changes in how the government collects information about people's race and ethnicity has been met with both praise and concern from various groups.Ninez Ponce, director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, expressed enthusiasm for the revisions, stating, “As our society evolves to become ever more multicultural and multiethnic, these new rules are a crucial step toward recognizing that and toward achieving health equity.” Ponce and other leaders at the center provided detailed recommendations to the White...

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UCLA Library Welcomes New Senior Fellows Cohort

By West LA Times | Mar 27, 2024

UCLA Library has announced the incoming cohort for its 2024 UCLA Library Senior Fellows program, consisting of 20 top managers of academic libraries from across the nation. The program, which will take place in July, aims to provide a platform for strategic thinking and practical approaches to the challenges faced by academic libraries, preparing the fellows for advanced leadership roles in the field.Reflecting on her experience as a 2018 fellow, Athena Jackson, the Norman and Armena Powell University Librarian, expressed the value of the program in building a supportive...

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Drinking Water in U.S. Prisons Potentially Contaminated with PFAS

By West LA Times | Mar 20, 2024

A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health has raised concerns about the quality of drinking water in U.S. prisons, highlighting potential contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The research, led by senior author Nicholas Shapiro from UCLA and co-author Lindsay Poirier from Smith College, reveals alarming findings regarding the presence of PFAS in the watersheds surrounding carceral facilities across the country.The study indicates that 47% of America’s prisons, jails, and detention centers are situated in watersheds that are...