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Women's Health (Audio)

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Ina Stelzer, Ph.D., explores how the maternal immune system adapts to support a healthy pregnancy and how disruptions can lead to complications like preterm birth. Her lab identifies early immune changes linked to spontaneous preterm birth and investigates the role of the maternal brain in regulating immune responses. Stelzer uses advanced technologies like mass cytometry and spatial proteomics to map immune and molecular changes in pregnancy, integrating these data with transcriptomics and mouse models. Her team studies how antidepressants affect immune signaling during pregnancy and examines the impact of social and behavioral factors. These insights may reveal biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improving maternal and fetal health.
Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40773]
Sarah Banks, Ph.D. explores why Alzheimer's disease affects women differently than men, emphasizing distinct patterns in tau pathology, cognitive testing bias, and treatment response. She explains how women tend to show a rapid buildup of tau during early cognitive decline, which may contribute to their higher prevalence of Alzheimer's. Banks also highlights how common diagnostic tools may overlook symptoms in women and how approved treatments may offer less benefit for them. Her research at UC San Diego investigates key sex-based differences in risk factors, including sleep apnea, diabetes, and exercise. One study reveals that over 70% of participating women had undiagnosed sleep apnea. Another focuses on Black women, using blood biomarkers to identify overlooked risks and improve care. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40768]
Louise Laurent, M.D., Ph.D., presents new insights into placental biology using cutting-edge molecular and imaging technologies. As part of the NIH-funded Human Biomolecular Atlas Program, her research focuses on mapping the structure and function of the placenta across gestation. By combining bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell analysis, spatial transcriptomics, and imaging mass cytometry, Laurent and collaborators identify key differences in cell types and gene expression associated with pregnancy stages and labor. Her team highlights how specific cells like syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblasts evolve over time and interact with maternal tissue. This integrated approach offers an unprecedented view of placental development and lays the groundwork for understanding reproductive health and disease. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40670]
Jennifer Anger, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. investigates interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome, with a focus on improving care through research on sex, gender, and health disparities. Using Veterans Affairs (VA) data, Anger challenges the outdated belief that IC predominantly affects women. She explores how comorbidities such as PTSD and depression, common among veterans, influence bladder pain, and examines how factors like exercisJennifer Anger, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. uses VA data to study interstitial cystitis.. She examines links between bladder pain, PTSD, depression, diet, and disparities to improve care across all gender identities.e, diet, and neighborhood deprivation impact symptoms. By including both cis and trans women as well as men, Anger seeks to advance more inclusive, data-driven understanding and treatment of IC across all populations.
Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40675]
Gladys (Sandy) Ramos, M.D. outlines the comprehensive maternal care services at UC San Diego, emphasizing clinical excellence, innovation, and community impact. She highlights programs in diabetes and pregnancy, high-risk obstetrics, postpartum and HIV care, and maternal mental health. Ramos describes cutting-edge capabilities in fetal and placental imaging, including expertise in placenta accreta and genetic counseling. A fetal surgery program is launching soon, expanding access to specialized care and research. The department’s patient population closely reflects San Diego County’s demographics, which informs both clinical care and research priorities. Ramos also details a collaborative structure with multidisciplinary conferences and welcomes partnerships in research related to maternal, placental, and fetal health. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40669]
Sheng Zhong, Ph.D. pioneers technologies that advance women’s reproductive health. Zhong develops a minimally invasive method to analyze extracellular RNA secreted by embryos during IVF. By sequencing tiny samples of spent culture media, they generate comprehensive RNA profiles and use machine learning to identify biomarkers that predict embryo quality with accuracy comparable to traditional imaging. This breakthrough offers a gentler, data-driven alternative for assessing embryo viability, with the potential to improve live birth rates and support families navigating infertility. Zhong’s research highlights the power of molecular innovation to transform fertility care and address critical challenges in women’s health. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40676]
Andrea Z. LaCroix, Ph.D. presents major public health trends affecting women across the lifespan, from rising maternal mortality and chronic disease risks linked to pregnancy complications to the ongoing need for improved menopause care. She highlights innovative research, including digital tools for menopause education, studies on cancer survivorship, and efforts to predict healthy aging using epigenetic clocks and physical activity data. LaCroix shows how decades of research continue to shape strategies for aging with preserved cognitive and physical function, aiming to help more women thrive into their 90s and beyond. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40766]
Gretchen Bandoli, Ph.D., highlights four major research initiatives within her division focused on maternal and child health. The Center for Better Beginnings studies medication and vaccine safety during pregnancy and lactation through ongoing cohort studies. The Mommy’s Milk Human Milk Research Biorepository collects breast milk samples to investigate postnatal exposures. The SOMI study links medical records and geolocated data for over 7 million California births to examine maternal-child health outcomes. Bandoli also leads a site for the Healthy Brain and Child Development Study, a national project following 7,500 mother-child pairs over the first ten years of life with neurodevelopmental assessments and biological sampling. All projects welcome collaboration and emphasize long-term outcomes.
Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40772]
Emily Lukacz, M.D., M.A.S. presents research from two national networks focused on female pelvic floor disorders. One project studies bladder health in over 3,000 women to identify factors that support wellness rather than disease. Another conducts large-scale clinical trials, including a randomized study comparing two minimally invasive treatments for stress urinary incontinence. Additional trials include the TULIP study, which evaluates postpartum urinary symptom treatments using an app-based device, physical therapy, or educational materials, and a new study testing prescribed physical activity after pelvic surgery. These studies emphasize patient-centered outcomes and generate data available for further research and analysis. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40769]
Experts discuss recent advances in how maternal health and immune function during pregnancy affect infant development and long-term outcomes. Research focuses on immune adaptations, complications like preterm birth, and neuroimmune pathways, using techniques such as mass cytometry, spatial proteomics, and chemogenetics to identify biomarkers and mechanisms that guide prevention and treatment strategies. Sandy Ramos, M.D.
Clinical Landscape and OGRS Opportunities
Louise Laurent, M.D.,Ph.D.
Single-Cell and Spatial Multi-Omic Insights into the Human Placenta (HUBMAP)
Marni Jacobs, Ph.D.
The MOM-Health Study and the MOHD Consortium
Lars Bode, Ph.D.
Human Milk Institute (HMI)
Gretchen Bandoli, Ph.D.
MotherToBaby
Ina Stelzer, Ph.D.
Reproductive Immunology
Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40666]
Explore key aspects of aging and menopause, focusing on women’s health and how biological changes impact overall well-being. Experts discuss current research on healthy aging, including the role of physical activity, brain health, and hormone changes during menopause. They highlight how sex differences affect diseases like Alzheimer’s and emphasize the importance of personalized approaches to treatment and prevention. The presentation also underscores ongoing studies and resources aimed at improving the quality of life for aging women through better understanding and support.
Linda Brubaker, M.D.,M.S.
Clinical Landscape and OGRS Opportunities
Amanda Lewis, Ph.D.
Glycobiology (GLOW)
Andrea LaCroix, Ph.D.
Healthy Aging After Menopause
Anthony Molina, Ph.D.
Stein Institute for Research on Aging
Sarah Banks, Ph.D.
Alzheimer in Women
Emily Lukacz, M.D.,M.A.S.
Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium and Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (PFDN)
Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40668]
Menstruation is the cyclical shedding of the endometrium triggered by falling progesterone levels. Menstruation is a rare trait found in less than 2% of mammals and likely evolved independently at least 4 times. Why do some mammals menstruate while most do not? The leading hypothesis is that menstruation occurs as a nonadaptive consequence of spontaneous decidualization of the endometrium, which evolved to increase biosensoring of embryo quality. While the trait of spontaneous decidualization (and as a byproduct, menstruation) was likely shaped by natural selection, menstruation also disposes women to conditions such as endometriosis, pre-menstrual syndrome, and bleeding disorders, especially in the contemporary context. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40693]
Experts highlight innovative research and clinical advances in fertility and infertility. Speakers share new ways to improve IVF outcomes using liquid biopsy and RNA analysis, aiming to predict embryo quality without invasive tests. They also explore how imaging technologies can better detect and monitor reproductive cancers, helping tailor treatments for conditions like ovarian and cervical cancer. Throughout, there's a focus on addressing health disparities, improving care for all genders, and using big data and AI to personalize reproductive health solutions.
Antoni Duleba, M.D.
Clinical Landscape and OGRS Opportunities
Rebecca Rakow Penner, M.D.,Ph.D.
Imaging in Gynecologic Disorders
Jennifer Anger, M.D.,M.P.H.
Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome in Reproductive Age Women
Sheng Zhong, Ph.D.
Silverseq and Liquid Biopsy
Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40667]
Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern, but innovative approaches and community-based research are transforming prevention efforts, particularly immigrant communities. With over 600,000 new cases diagnosed annually, early detection and prevention strategies are crucial.
However, accessibility and awareness gaps persist in immigrant communities due to language barriers, cultural stigma, and limited healthcare access.
Community-based research plays a pivotal role in bridging these gaps. In engaging local populations through culturally sensitive outreach ensures that prevention strategies are accepted and effective. University of Miami Chief Health Equity Officer, Dr. Erin Kobetz, discusses how integrating cutting-edge technology with community engagement, moves us closer to reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates, fostering a healthier future for immigrant populations.
Series: "Exploring Ethics" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40464]
Christine Wu Nordahl, Ph.F., offers an insightful exploration into the unique needs and experiences of autistic teens, focusing on fostering inclusive spaces. Highlighting themes of gender diversity, underdiagnosis in girls, and the impact of societal perceptions, she emphasizes the importance of tailored support for neurodiverse individuals. Through powerful participant stories and an inspiring poem, Nordahl underscores the resilience and creativity within the autistic community. Her passionate advocacy for better diagnostic tools and inclusive interventions makes this talk a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand and empower autistic youth. Series: "Autism Tree Project Annual Neuroscience Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40213]
Maria Rosario (Happy) G. Araneta, Ph.D., M.P.H., highlights the significant impact of prenatal and childhood malnutrition on later health outcomes, including coronary heart disease and diabetes. She emphasizes the importance of physical activity, strength training, and the need for inclusive research to address health disparities. Future research directions include understanding cognitive impairment related to diabetes and developing effective interventions for diverse populations. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39392]
Explore the untold narrative of reproductive justice through the lens of Black women's activism in this enlightening program. Hear about the limitations of conventional reproductive rights movements and learn when the movement moved toward inclusivity. From SisterSong's pioneering efforts to redefine bodily autonomy to understanding the historical oppression shaping healthcare today, this program is a vital insight into advocacy and empathy in diverse healthcare settings. [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Show ID: 39426]
Why won't my baby latch? Is my baby getting enough to eat? The early days of breastfeeding are filled with so many questions. Nancy White, RN, IBCLC, a board certified lactation consultant, joins Julia Cormano, MD, FACOG, to talk about basic techniques, the ins and outs of latching, and how to overcome challenges as you start your breastfeeding journey. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38625]
Many women are becoming pregnant later in life. Providers use the term “advanced maternal age” (AMA) to describe a pregnancy in a person greater than 35 years old. Dr. Julia Cormano explains how being AMA can impact your pregnancy and the steps you can take to optimize your health. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38253]
It may seem surprising to start thinking about birth control even while you’re pregnant, but there’s no better time than now to start planning if and when you’d like to be pregnant again. Dr. Julia Cormano outlines birth control options from the pill to tubal ligation. Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 38257]
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