UCSF scientists studying a key enzyme used by the virus that causes COVID-19 have identified chemical building blocks that might eventually be used to make an antiviral drug. The chemical fragments could bind to and disable the enzyme, called the “macro domain,” which is a crucial part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus’s ability to replicate in human cells. James Fraser discusses the finding from this research. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36500]

Climate change affects the health of all Americans. The adverse health consequences are projected to worsen with additional climate change. Kristie Ebi, University of Washington, explains that proactive adaptation policies and programs reduce the risks and impacts from climate-sensitive health outcomes and from disruptions in healthcare services. Additional benefits to health arise from explicitly accounting for climate change risks in infrastructure planning and urban design. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 36491]

Are humans rational beings guided by facts and information or do our moral views, desires, affiliations and motivations influence our perception of facts? Increasingly distrust in the science of climate change is rooted in different exposure to media/information and tied to political ideology. Dr. Gina Solomon says that the debate on the science is actually a debate on the solution and discusses ways to communicate about climate science. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 36490]

This program describes the ways in which new technology can help better protect the heart during radiation therapy for breast cancer and explores the stepwise progress towards shorter courses of treatment for breast cancer patients. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36502]

As the United States continues to set new daily record levels for coronavirus cases Dr. George Rutherford, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UCSF, explores what we know about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and what the future holds. He talks about intervention, vaccines and models of super spreading.

Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36498]

The purpose of public health is to fulfill society’s interest in assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, says Dr. Richard Jackson, Professor emeritus at the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA. For nine years he was Director of the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health. In this talk. he explores environmental impacts on health ranging from climate change, toxicology, terrorism, and sustainability. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Public Affairs] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36489]

COVID-19 was initially identified as a respiratory disease, but scientists now know that it also affects several other organs in the body, including the heart. Heart damage is a major determinant of COVID-19 related deaths, and even patients who experience only mild COVID-19 symptoms exhibit signs of cardiac dysfunction after recovery. UCSF researchers Todd McDevitt and Bruce Conklin explore how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, inflicts damage on heart cells. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36499]

With COVID-19 diagnostic testing, people who test positive can isolate and get care earlier. Dr. Charles Chiu, UCSF Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Medicine / Infectious Diseases, explores the various tests and their features. He also talks about SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing and its uses and a new study to identify biomarkers of the virus. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36497]

As the world awaits vaccines to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control, UC San Francisco scientists have devised a novel approach to halting the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease. They are focused on the potential of virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to treat COVID-19 by passive immunization. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36496]

Traumatic injuries are the largest health crisis in the world today. UCSF's Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology provides advanced surgical education for surgeons in developing countries to improve the level of orthopedic care. Series: "The Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology " [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 36423]