University Of California, Davis

This study looked at whether temporarily reducing immunosuppressive medication in kidney transplant recipients could improve their immune response to a third dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Fourteen participants with low or no prior antibody levels were enrolled. The main goal…

This study looked at whether a brief conversation about alcohol use can help injured patients drink less and avoid future injuries. About 830 adults admitted to the hospital for injuries took part. The goal was to see if this simple talk reduces hospital readmissions, DUIs, and r…

This study tests whether teaching kidney transplant recipients to eat a whole-food plant-based diet can improve their blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight, and reduce hospital visits. About 49 adults who had a kidney transplant in the past year and have high blood pressure, hi…

This study compares two common treatments for actinic keratosis—rough, scaly spots caused by sun exposure. One treatment freezes the spots off (cryotherapy), and the other is a cream (5-FU) that kills abnormal cells. About 73 adults will get both treatments on different parts of …

This pilot study looks at whether the DASH diet (a heart-healthy eating plan) can help people with heart failure better manage their condition. Researchers will track 26 adults' food intake, blood pressure, and heart-related lab results over time. The goal is to see if adding nut…

This study tests a combination of three drugs (obinutuzumab, ibrutinib, and venetoclax) in 40 people with untreated stage II-IV follicular lymphoma. The goal is to see if the combination works better than each drug alone at shrinking tumors. Participants receive all three drugs a…

This study tests whether high-dose vitamin D (4,000 IU daily) works better than the standard dose (800 IU) at correcting vitamin D deficiency and slowing memory decline in older adults. Researchers will follow 180 people aged 65-90 with low vitamin D levels for 3.5 years, using b…

This study looks at whether eating walnuts can improve cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and change gut bacteria in overweight adults aged 45-70 with high cholesterol. Participants eat walnuts for a period, and researchers measure blood lipids, blood pressure, and stool sa…

This study tests whether injecting a patient's own muscle cells into the tongue can safely improve swallowing problems caused by head and neck cancer treatments like surgery, chemo, or radiation. About 66 adults who finished cancer treatment at least 2 years ago and still have mo…

This early-stage study tests whether it is safe to take a person's own bone marrow stem cells and inject them into the eye to treat blindness caused by diseases like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Fifteen adults with severe vision loss will receive the injection a…

This study tests a simple, painless eye scan (OCT) to see if it can detect early Alzheimer's disease before dementia sets in. Researchers will compare people with early chemical signs of Alzheimer's to those without any signs. The goal is to find a new way to diagnose Alzheimer's…

This pilot study tests whether gentle abdominal massage can help prevent jaundice (yellowing of the skin) in healthy newborns. Researchers at UC Davis will enroll 30 babies to see if parents find the massage easy to do and if it helps lower bilirubin levels. The goal is to find a…

This study tests an online program to help 2,000 women who had gestational diabetes get recommended postpartum diabetes screening and join lifestyle programs to prevent type 2 diabetes. Participants receive standard health information plus up to four extra online tools designed t…

This study looks at two standard ways to control pain during and after ACL surgery: a nerve block (injection near the knee) versus oral pain medication. About 60 adults aged 18 to 45 who need ACL reconstruction will take part. Researchers want to see if both methods provide simil…

This study looks at whether having a personal diabetes coach for 6 months can improve quality of life for families of children (16 or younger) recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. About 60 families will either get the coach or usual care. Researchers will check stress levels …

This pilot study tests whether a supplement called AHCC, made from cultured mushroom mycelia, can improve quality of life for women with ovarian cancer who are receiving standard chemotherapy. About 20 participants will take either AHCC or a placebo during their treatment. The ma…

This small pilot study tests a telehealth program that coaches caregivers of infants (12-18 months old) who show early signs of ADHD. The program teaches caregivers techniques to help their child with self-control and emotional regulation. The goal is to see if this approach is f…

This study looks at whether a numbing injection in the neck (called a cervical block) plus local anesthetic can lower pain, nausea, and the need for strong painkillers after thyroid surgery. About 74 adults having their thyroid removed will be randomly assigned to get either the …

This study tests a tablet app called the Digital Memory Notebook (DMN) to help older adults with mild memory problems or early Alzheimer's manage everyday tasks like appointments and medications. Twenty participants will learn to use the app in weekly sessions over six weeks, the…

This study looks at whether a set of thinking and attention tests can measure changes caused by a stimulant medication in children aged 6 to 17 who have both intellectual disability and ADHD. About 68 participants will receive either the medication or a placebo, then switch after…

This study tests an online Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for caregivers of people with dementia. The toolkit helps caregivers identify a backup caregiver so they can focus on their own health needs during an emergency. About 68 caregivers aged 55 and older who live with their pa…

This study tests a brief mindfulness practice for people with long COVID. The goal is to see if it can boost well-being and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. About 400 adults who had mild to moderate COVID-19 over 3 months ago and still have symptoms like brain fog or fatig…

This study looks at a technique called 'undermining' to reduce scarring after surgery on the neck, trunk, arms, or legs. Undermining means freeing the skin around the wound to reduce tension. The study will compare scars when one tip of the wound is undermined and the other is no…

This study looks at inflammation in the brain after a moderate to severe head injury. Researchers use special PET scans to measure inflammation at two weeks and two months after the injury. They want to see if the amount of inflammation is linked to the risk of developing epileps…

This study uses a special full-body PET/CT scanner to look at muscle tissue in people with chronic low back pain. The goal is to find new ways to measure pain and muscle changes, not to treat the pain directly. About 53 adults with ongoing low back pain will have scans and answer…

This study looks at whether telehealth tools can help families who are worried about autism in their babies. About 80 families will use online videos and questionnaires to support their child's development and reduce parent stress. The goal is to see if these tools are easy to us…

This study looks at whether using sunscreen on a healing surgical scar can make it look better. Fifty adults who had skin cancer surgery will have half of their scar treated with sunscreen and the other half left alone. After three months, doctors will compare the two sides to se…

This study tests whether adding a special stain (PRAME) to standard microscope checks during Mohs surgery helps doctors see leftover melanoma cells more clearly. About 36 adults with early-stage melanoma (stage 0 to IIc) will take part. The goal is to see if the stain improves ac…

This study looks at whether a special training program helps therapists and school staff use proven autism therapies more effectively. About 1,200 people, including program leaders, providers, and parents of children with autism, will take part. The goal is to see if extra traini…

This study looks at whether giving a probiotic (Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis) to healthy, breastfed infants for 21 days increases the amount of this bacteria in their stool. About 120 babies born by C-section or vaginal delivery will take part. The goal is to measure ch…

This study tests whether special PET scans can accurately measure fat, swelling, and scarring in the liver of people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more serious form, NASH. Researchers will compare scan results with standard liver biopsies and blood tests …

This study looks at a new, non-invasive monitor that predicts when a patient's blood pressure might drop dangerously low during surgery. Researchers want to see if this monitor works as well as the standard method that uses a tube placed in an artery. The study involves 50 adults…

This study looks at how two different kinds of olive oil affect heart disease risk factors. Researchers will measure changes in cholesterol, inflammation, and gene activity in 44 healthy adults of various weights. The goal is to see if olive oil polyphenols can improve cardiovasc…

This study observes how sugars, fats, and proteins in breast milk differ among mothers and change over time. It also explores how these components, along with maternal diet and health, influence the development of the baby's gut bacteria. About 395 pregnant women who plan to brea…

This study tests whether social media ads and artificial intelligence can increase health awareness, especially about organ donation, among Californians. Researchers will track clicks, ad views, and actual donor registrations. Up to 2 million Facebook users with a California zip …

This study checks if pulse oximeters (the clip-on sensors that measure oxygen levels) give less accurate readings for newborns with darker skin. Researchers will compare oxygen readings from the sensor with a more precise blood test in 163 babies in intensive care. The goal is to…

This study looks at how acne and the antibiotic doxycycline affect the bacteria and fats on your skin and in your gut. Researchers will compare people with and without acne, and see how these change after taking antibiotics. The goal is to learn more, not to test a new treatment.

This study looks at whether an AI chatbot can help people with hip or knee osteoarthritis feel less anxious and more confident when making decisions about their treatment. About 100 adults will chat with the AI before their doctor visit. The goal is to see if the chatbot reduces …

This study aims to improve how total-body PET scans work for people with prostate cancer, breast cancer, or neuroendocrine tumors. Researchers will collect extra data from FDA-approved imaging agents during routine scans. Only 9 participants are needed, and the goal is to learn m…

This study looks at how weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) affects memory and thinking skills in people with obesity who also have memory problems or dementia. Researchers will test memory and thinking before and after surgery in up to 9,500 participants. The goal is to unde…

This study follows 1,000 people with stomach conditions that may lead to cancer, such as chronic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia. Researchers will track participants over time, collect lifestyle and health information, and analyze biospecimens to find biomarkers linked to dise…

This study compares a new, faster total-body PET/CT scanner (uEXPLORER) to standard PET/CT scanners in 180 adults with lung cancer, lymphoma, or melanoma. The goal is to find the shortest scan time that still produces clear, high-quality images for cancer staging. Participants wi…

This study looks at how much flavanols—natural compounds found in foods like apples, berries, and tea—people consume in their daily diet. Researchers will collect urine from 200 healthy adults aged 25 to 75 to measure specific breakdown products. The goal is to better understand …

This study looks at how well newer, less invasive treatments (done through a scope) work for various stomach and gut problems compared to standard care. About 500 adults with conditions like acid reflux, achalasia, or issues after weight-loss surgery will take part. The goal is t…

This project connects 12 clinics across California to collect information from over 1,300 young people (ages 12-30) who have experienced their first episode of psychosis within the past 5 years. The goal is to use a mobile health app and a clinician dashboard to track symptoms an…

This study looks at whether California's program that takes guns away from people who are no longer allowed to own them (like those convicted of a crime) actually lowers their risk of future violence. Researchers will follow 20,000 adults who had firearms but later became prohibi…

This study looks at whether college students who create and perform a 10-minute play about diet and exercise learn more and follow health guidelines better. Ten UC Davis students will take part, and researchers will measure changes in their knowledge, daily habits, and well-being…

This study looks at whether training in memory aids and healthy lifestyle activities (like exercise, mental games, and stress management) can help older adults with mild memory concerns keep their thinking skills sharp. About 263 people aged 65 and older will join either a self-g…

This study looks at whether eating chicken raised using different farming methods (conventional vs. organic) changes the nutrients and hormones in your blood and how quickly your body builds muscle. Nineteen healthy, active adults aged 18-30 will eat 100 grams of chicken and have…

This study looks at whether a supplement made from black rice can increase levels of BDNF, a protein that supports brain health, memory, and mood. Researchers will give 12 healthy adults either the black rice extract or a placebo and measure BDNF in their blood. The goal is to se…

This study looks at how different parts of dairy fat affect inflammation in adults with metabolic syndrome or obesity. Participants eat a high-fat meal and have their blood tested over six hours to measure inflammatory markers. The goal is to understand which dairy components mig…

This study tracks up to 150 adults with overweight or obesity who are taking GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide. Over 24 weeks, researchers measure changes in food cravings, diet quality, and eating habits using questionnaires. The goal is to understand how these d…

This study looks at what helps increase lung cancer screening in people aged 50-80 who smoke or used to smoke. Researchers will test two different ways to encourage screening and compare them to usual care. About 2,869 participants from UC Davis clinics will take part. The goal i…

This study looks at how eating corn bread made from whole grain or refined maize flour, along with mung bean stew, changes nutrient levels in the blood and affects muscle protein building. Twenty healthy adults aged 18-30 will eat the meal and have blood samples taken over three …

This study looks at how eating cheese compared to a non-dairy cheese substitute changes inflammation levels over six hours. Researchers will measure inflammatory markers in the blood of 20 adults with metabolic syndrome or obesity. The goal is to understand the short-term effects…

This study looks at how the first solid foods (sweet potato or pear) change the gut bacteria of breastfed babies and how those changes relate to their development. About 100 healthy infants and their mothers are taking part. The goal is to learn, not to test a treatment.

This study looks at how kangaroo care (holding your baby skin-to-skin) changes the nutrients and amount of breast milk in parents whose babies are in the NICU. About 25 parents will provide milk samples after holding their baby and after no contact. The goal is to understand if t…

This study looks at two different oxygen level targets for newborns with breathing failure or high blood pressure in the lungs. About 54 babies born at 35 weeks or later will be randomly assigned to one of two oxygen goals. The goal is to see which target leads to better outcomes…

This study looks at whether using a fluid injection called tumescence helps skin grafts heal better after head and neck cancer surgery. About 58 adults having this surgery will be randomly assigned to get either tumescence or standard care. The main goal is to see if tumescence l…

This study follows 300 premature babies born before 33 weeks to learn why some get serious diseases like necrotizing enterocolitis, lung problems, or growth failure. Researchers collect samples of blood, urine, stomach fluid, poop, and mother's milk to measure bacteria and small …