University Of California, Davis

This study looked at 14 kidney transplant recipients whose immune systems are suppressed to prevent organ rejection. Because of this suppression, standard COVID-19 vaccines often don't work well for them. Researchers tested whether temporarily reducing their immunosuppressive med…

This study looks at whether a brief counseling session can help injured patients who drink heavily change their habits. Researchers will track 830 adults admitted to the hospital for injuries to see if the talk reduces repeat hospital visits, DUIs, and risky drinking. The goal is…

This study tests a combination of three drugs (obinutuzumab, ibrutinib, and venetoclax) in 40 people with untreated follicular lymphoma, a slow-growing blood cancer. The goal is to see if the combination works better than each drug alone at shrinking tumors and controlling the di…

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

This study looks at whether eating walnuts can improve cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and change gut bacteria in overweight or obese adults aged 45-70 who have high LDL cholesterol. Participants will eat walnuts and have their blood, blood pressure, and stool checked ov…

This study tests whether taking high-dose vitamin D (4,000 IU daily) for 3.5 years can correct vitamin D deficiency and slow down memory and thinking decline in older adults aged 65-90. Researchers will compare high-dose to standard-dose vitamin D in 180 participants with normal …

This study tests if injecting a patient's own muscle cells into the tongue can safely improve swallowing problems caused by head and neck cancer treatment. About 66 adults who completed cancer therapy at least two years ago and still have moderate swallowing difficulty will recei…

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 study uses a safe, painless eye scan (OCT) to see if early Alzheimer's can be detected by measuring how support cells in the retina respond to light. Researchers will compare 100 people with early signs of Alzheimer's to those without any signs. If successful, this could lea…

This study tests an online program to help 2,000 women who had gestational diabetes complete recommended postpartum diabetes tests and join lifestyle programs. The goal is to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by making follow-up care easier and more accessible.

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 looks at whether a liquid ADHD medication (methylphenidate) can improve thinking skills in children aged 6 to 17 who have both an intellectual disability and ADHD. The 68 participants will receive either the drug or a placebo, then switch after a break. Researchers wil…

This study looks at whether freeing up the skin near the tips of a surgical wound (called undermining) can improve how the scar looks. About 50 adults having skin surgery on their neck, trunk, arms, or legs will have one wound tip undermined and the other not. Doctors will compar…

This study tests whether teaching memory support strategies and promoting healthy activities like exercise, mental challenges, and stress management can improve memory and daily thinking in older adults who are worried about their memory. About 263 people aged 65 and older with n…

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

This study compares two standard ways to manage pain after ACL knee surgery: a nerve block injection versus oral pain medication. About 60 people aged 18 to 45 having ACL reconstruction will take part. Researchers will measure pain levels and how much opioid medication is needed,…

This study tests whether a nerve block (an injection near the neck nerves) plus local anesthetic can lower pain, nausea, and the need for strong painkillers after thyroid surgery. About 74 adults having part or all of their thyroid removed will be randomly assigned to get either …

This study tests whether having a diabetes coach for 6 months improves quality of life for families of children (16 or younger) newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. 60 families will be split into two groups: one gets a coach plus usual care, the other gets usual care only. Resea…

This small pilot study tests whether a telehealth coaching program can help caregivers of infants (12-18 months old) who show early signs of ADHD and have a family history of the condition. The program teaches caregivers strategies to support their child's attention, self-control…

This study tests a brief mindfulness practice to help people with long COVID feel better emotionally and physically. Researchers will measure well-being, stress, anxiety, and other symptoms in 400 participants over 3 months using online sessions and surveys. The goal is to see if…

This study tests an online Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for caregivers of people with dementia. The toolkit helps caregivers plan for their own unexpected health events by identifying a standby caregiver. About 68 caregivers aged 55 and older who live with and care for a spouse…

This pilot study looks at whether the DASH diet, a heart-healthy eating plan, can help people with heart failure. Researchers will track the diets, blood pressure, and heart failure markers of 26 participants who receive nutrition counseling. The goal is to see if this diet can i…

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 non-invasive monitor (ClearSight) can predict low blood pressure during surgery as accurately as the standard method that uses a needle in the artery. About 50 adults having surgery with general anesthesia and an arterial line will take part. The goa…

This study follows 300 premature babies born before 33 weeks to learn why some develop serious conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis, lung disease, or growth problems. Researchers analyze bacteria and molecules from the babies' stool, blood, and urine, as well as their DNA fr…

This study tests whether using social media and artificial intelligence can increase health awareness, especially about organ donation. Researchers will reach up to 2 million Facebook users in California and measure how many sign up as organ donors. The goal is to find better way…

This study looks at whether special PET scans can accurately measure fat, swelling, and scarring in the liver of people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or its more serious form, NASH. About 120 adults who already need a liver biopsy as part of their care will also …

This study uses a special full-body PET/CT scanner to look at muscle tissue in people with chronic low back pain caused by myofascial pain. The goal is to find new ways to measure pain and muscle changes using imaging. About 53 adults with ongoing low back pain will be scanned to…

This study looks at whether pulse oximeters, which measure oxygen levels, give different results for newborns with darker skin compared to lighter skin. Researchers will compare oxygen readings from the device with actual blood oxygen levels in 163 babies in intensive care. The g…

This study looks at whether an AI chatbot can help people with hip or knee osteoarthritis feel less anxious and more confident when making treatment decisions. About 100 adults will chat with the AI before their regular surgeon visit. Researchers will measure changes in decision-…

This study explores whether telehealth tools can make autism assessments and parent support more accessible for families with infants. About 80 families will use video-based evaluations and online resources to see if these methods reduce parent stress and improve confidence. The …

This study looks at whether two types of olive oil can change risk factors for heart disease, such as cholesterol levels, inflammation, and gene activity. Researchers will test blood samples from 44 healthy adults of different body weights after they consume the oils. The goal is…

This study looks at whether using sunscreen on a surgical scar can make it look better after healing. About 50 adults who had skin cancer surgery will have half of their scar treated with sunscreen and the other half left alone. Three months later, doctors will compare the two si…

This early study tests whether a single dose of black rice extract can increase levels of BDNF, a protein important for brain health, memory, and mood. Researchers will compare the extract to a placebo in 12 healthy adults aged 18–80. The goal is to see if this natural supplement…

This study tracks how GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide affect food cravings and diet quality in people with overweight or obesity. Over 24 weeks, up to 150 adults will fill out questionnaires about their eating habits and cravings. The goal is to understand how …

This study looks at whether having college students create a 10-minute play about healthy eating and exercise can improve their knowledge and habits. Ten UC Davis students will take part, and researchers will measure changes in their understanding, daily choices, and overall well…

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, active adults aged 18-30 will eat the meal and have blood samples taken ove…

This study looks at brain inflammation after a moderate to severe head injury using special PET scans. About 30 adults will get scans at two weeks and two months after their injury. The goal is to see if the amount of inflammation is linked to the risk of developing epilepsy late…

This study compares a new total-body PET/CT scanner (uEXPLORER) to conventional PET/CT scanners in 180 adults with lung cancer, lymphoma, or melanoma. The goal is to find the shortest scan time on the new scanner that still produces images as clear as the standard scan. Participa…

This study looks at whether giving a probiotic (Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis) to healthy, breastfed infants for 21 days can increase the amount of helpful bacteria in their stool. About 120 babies born by C-section or vaginal delivery are participating. Researchers will…

This study looks at two different oxygen level targets for newborns who have trouble breathing or a condition called pulmonary hypertension. About 54 babies will be randomly assigned to one of two oxygen goals. Researchers will track their health and use special heart scans to se…

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 samples from 200 healthy adults aged 25-75 to measure specific breakdown products. The goal is to better unde…

This study tests whether a new total-body PET scanner can improve cancer imaging for people with prostate cancer, breast cancer, or neuroendocrine tumors. Nine participants will receive one of three FDA-approved imaging agents to see how well the scanner captures tumor activity. …

This study looks at how introducing solid foods (sweet potato or pear) changes the gut bacteria of exclusively breastfed babies aged 4 to 7.5 months. Researchers will track gut health, digestion, and early development in 102 healthy infants. The goal is to understand the link bet…

This study looks at how different types of dairy fat affect inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome or obesity. Participants eat a high-fat meal and have their blood tested over six hours. The goal is to understand how dairy fat components influence the body's inflammatory…

This study looks at newer, less invasive treatments done through a scope for various stomach and gut problems, such as acid reflux, trouble swallowing, and issues after weight-loss surgery. Researchers will compare these newer methods to standard treatments to see which works bet…

This study tests whether a special training program helps therapists and school staff better use two proven autism therapies for children. About 1,200 participants, including program leaders, providers, and parents, will take part. The goal is to see if extra coaching and motivat…

This study looks at whether using a numbing solution (tumescence) during skin graft harvesting helps the graft heal better in people having head and neck cancer surgery. About 58 adults will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard method or the numbing technique. The …

This study aims to create a network of clinics across California that use a mobile health app to collect data from people who have had a first episode of psychosis. The goal is to help doctors make better treatment decisions and to develop a new tool that measures how long psycho…

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

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

This study looks at how weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) might change memory and thinking skills in people with obesity and cognitive decline. Researchers will test memory and thinking before and after surgery in up to 9,500 participants. The goal is to understand if losin…

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 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 California's Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS), which identifies people who bought guns legally but later became banned from owning them. Researchers want to see if the program lowers the risk of future violent crimes and firearm-related arrests. Abou…

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 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 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 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…