UCSF

04/03/2026

Why do illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu hit older adults harder?

UCSF researchers found it may come down to how aging lungs respond. Instead of just fighting infection, the immune system can overreact and cause damage in the lungs.

They also identified specific immune cells tied to this process, which could help lead to new treatments.

Why are the elderly so much more likely to get sick and hospitalized for pneumonia and COVID? UCSF scientists found that old lung cells overreact to infections, inviting immune attack and runaway inflammation.

04/02/2026

Some discoveries grow beyond the lab.

Over 240 companies have been founded by UCSF faculty, raising nearly $12 billion in venture capital — creating jobs and benefiting the economy. Around 55 were launched in the past five years alone, supported by NIH funding.

These ventures work on everything from helping people with COPD breathe easier to new treatments for autoimmune diseases to testing for thousands of infections in just 48 hours.

This is how research turns into real care. https://tiny.ucsf.edu/TFzVWV

04/02/2026

Antibiotics don’t treat viruses. But they were often used early in COVID-19.

Now a UCSF-led study shows why that matters. Researchers found that taking azithromycin for even one day can trigger antibiotic resistance in the respiratory tract. The findings highlight how quickly unnecessary antibiotic use can make these drugs less effective against the infections they’re meant to treat.

Azithromycin was used early in the pandemic to treat COVID-19 in patients and has continued to be used to fight respiratory illnesses. But a new UCSF-led study supports findings that show it isn't effective and that it has negative consequences.

04/01/2026

Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure. It is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes.

A UCSF-led study looked at a program used across six University of California Health medical centers. Among 90,000 patients, better blood pressure control helped prevent serious heart disease and death in patients.

A special program developed by the University of California Health system and adopted at all six UC academic medical centers has been effective in reducing hypertension in patients and could be used by other health systems looking to standardize chronic disease care.

04/01/2026

UCSF Alumni Weekend returns April 23–25, 2026, bringing together alumni, faculty, and community members for conversations on science, leadership, and the future of health.

Join the UCSF community at Mission Bay for Discovery Talks, conversations with UCSF leaders, and alumni reunions across generations.

Registration is now open. Final RSVP deadline is April 9:
https://www.ucsfalumniweekend.com/

03/31/2026

Why do our bodies heal more slowly as we age?

UCSF scientists found that repair cells undergo changes in how their genes are expressed as we age. By restoring more youthful patterns of gene activation, researchers were able to revive key repair functions and improve tissue health.

This discovery points to new ways to treat age-related disease by helping cells perform at their best again.

03/27/2026

J. Michael Bishop, UCSF's Nobel-Prize winning former chancellor who died at 90, helped found the modern field of cancer biology.

He showed how cancer is rooted in the genes, laying the foundation for today's targeted therapies.

He was a dedicated mentor to generations of scientists, and he shaped the UCSF we know today.

Read more about his life and legacy: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2026/03/431646/nobel-winning-cancer-researcher-michael-bishop-dies-at-90?utm_source=ucsf&utm_medium=li&utm_campaign=michael_bishop_obituary

03/27/2026

How does your body know something is cold? UCSF scientists just captured the first detailed images of the protein in our nerves that turns cold into a signal your brain can feel. https://ow.ly/zgb850Yzryi

03/26/2026

Why do you lose your appetite when you’re sick? UCSF scientists figured out how cells in the gut send signals to the brain during an infection, leading to that familiar loss of appetite. https://ow.ly/8Zr150Yzrpl

03/26/2026

If UCSF shows up in your dreams, it’s probably one of these places. 💭

03/26/2026

03/26/2026

Last week, a plaza at UCSF Mission Bay was dedicated to honor Dr. Michael V. Drake, in recognition of his enduring legacy: connecting disciplines, advancing research and patient care, and championing public higher education. The Michael V. Drake Plaza reflects a legacy of leadership grounded in service and a lasting contribution to the University of California.