Morning Sign In

What are heart xenotransplantations? Why is it important and what kind of research has been found and is currently being done? In this fifth episode of Morning Sign In, we'll be delving deeper into these questions.

While you may not think about it often, your brain is vital to practically everything you do. In fact, it’s what allows you to process and remember this podcast episode! While our physical health (the health of our bodies in general) rightfully receives lots of attention, the health of our brains should not be neglected either. Doing so can have serious consequences.

In this episode, join MSO at UCLA Co-Editor-in-Chief Dhruv Khosla and writers Mia Kim and Umiemah Farrukh as they discuss the importance of both mental and cognitive health. They explain key concepts, like what these terms mean in the first place, and go on to discuss issues stemming from poor mental or cognitive health, such as depression and Alzheimer’s disease, respectively. Mia and Umiemah also provide resources and strategies that may help you improve the health of your brain!

If you’re interested in learning more about the articles and topics we covered, you can do so at our website, www.msoatucla.org!

Speakers: Dhruv Khosla, Co-Editor-in-Chief. Mia Kim, Writer. Umiemah Farrukh, Writer.

Audio editing: Jingyao (Bella) Chen, Editor

Cover art: Yea-Lyn Pak, Media Director

Sources used in this episode:

Umiemah’s article on mental health: https://www.msoatucla.org/genetics-and-adverse-childhood-experiences-shape-the-adult-mind.html

Mia’s article on cognitive health and exercise: https://www.msoatucla.org/redefining-the-factors-behind-exercises-benefits-for-the-brain.html

Healthy Minds Study Fall 2020 Data Report: https://healthymindsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HMS-Fall-2020-National-Data-Report.pdf

APA information on mental health disparities in diverse populations: https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/diversity/education/mental-health-facts

Trygg et al. 2019 study on intersectional inequalities: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6657170/

MannMukti at UCLA: https://mannmuktiucla.wixsite.com/mysite

NIH NIA information on cognitive health: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults

SPRINT MIND trial: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2723256

Summary of 2019 NIH study on physical activity and cognitive health: https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/physical-activity-and-motor-ability-associated-better-cognition-older-adults-even-dementia

2021 Nature study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04183-x

2015 meta-analysis on loneliness and treatments: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25866548/

Article on benefits of yoga for youth with depression and anxiety by former MSO writer Lily Kiamanesh: https://www.msoatucla.org/benefits-of-yoga-for-youth-with-depression-and-anxiety.html

Harvard article on sleep and mental health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sleep-and-mental-health

2015 review article on aging and cognition: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4906299/

Explanation of healthy aging by UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences: https://memory.ucsf.edu/symptoms/healthy-aging

Additional resources:

UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services: https://counseling.ucla.edu/

LA County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH): https://dmh.lacounty.gov/get-help-now/

LACDMH Help Line: 800-854-7771

As one of the leading causes of death in the United States and around the world, cancer is an extremely relevant topic and a frequent health concern. Fortunately, the amount of information available to healthcare professionals and the general public on what cancer is, and on precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing cancer, continues to increase. Recently, breakthroughs in cancer research have helped improve existing treatment options and even led to the development of new methods for treating certain types of cancer.

In this episode, join MSO at UCLA president Laila Khorasani, writers Catherine Beaudin and Robin Fong, and guest speaker Kevin Fong—a radiation therapist at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco—as they discuss what cancer is and steps everyone can take to help prevent cancer. They also discuss some of the available treatment options including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and a rapidly emerging field of cancer treatment called immunotherapy.

If you’re interested in learning more about the articles and topics we covered, you can do so at our website, www.msoatucla.org!

Cover art: Yea-Lyn Pak, Media Director

Audio editing: Jingyao (Bella) Chen, Editor

Speakers: Laila Khorasani, President. Catherine Beaudin, Writer. Robin Fong, Writer.

Sources used in this episode:

Article on improving cancer immunotherapy by MSO writer Anjali Roy: https://www.msoatucla.org/activating-the-killer-in-stem-cells-to-improve-cancer-immunotherapy.html

Article on detecting cancer early by MSO writer Annie Liang: https://www.msoatucla.org/a-cure-for-cancer-prevention-and-early-prognosis.html

Understanding cancer: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer

Chemotherapy as a cancer treatment option: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/chemotherapy/how-is-chemotherapy-used-to-treat-cancer.html

Chemotherapy to treat cancer: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/chemotherapy

Immunotherapy to treat cancer: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy

Guidelines for the early detection of cancer: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html

Healthy choices that can help prevent cancer: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/other.htm

In countries around the world and especially in America, the last few years have brought a tidal wave of reckoning with racial inequality and unjust social structures. While this probably immediately reminds you of police brutality incidents and the inexcusable killing of Black Americans like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, this reckoning also applies to a field concerned with healing and supporting life: healthcare. In this episode, join MSO at UCLA writer Melody Zaki and editor Sofia Luengo-Woods as they explore how people of color—particularly Black Americans—receive different, and often unfair, treatment than their counterparts of other races in the realm of medicine and healthcare. This unequal treatment is not an isolated series of cases, but rather a racial pattern that persists through the stages of life. Melody and Sofia also provide concrete suggestions for how these issues can be addressed to promote equality and improve health outcomes for patients.

2:13 - Melody explains the connection between childbirth and racial disparities in America

5:54 - Socioeconomic status isn’t the only barrier Black mothers face

10:07 - Melody proposes some solutions to handle racially differing rates of maternal morbidity and C-sections

11:50 - Sofia reveals an area of disparity further down the life course that is often overlooked

13:24 - Research studies indicate that bystander CPR rates are influenced by race, something that can mean the difference between life and death

15:35 - Sofia pinpoints potential paths towards finding equity in bystander CPR rates and some great resources for CPR training

16:58 - Melody explains end-of-life options and how they are entangled with socioeconomic status and race

20:14 - Trust between healthcare professionals and Black Americans has historically been low, and VAE/PAS may worsen it

22:46 - Melody shares her thoughts on improving end-of-life care without racial disparity

If you’re interested in learning more about the topics we covered, you can do so at our website, www.msoatucla.org!

Cover art: Yea-Lyn Pak, Media Director

Audio editing: Jingyao (Bella) Chen, Editor

Speakers: Dhruv Khosla, Co-Editor-in-Chief. Melody Zaki, Writer. Sofia Luengo-Woods, Editor

Sources used in this episode:

Melody’s article on maternal morbidity and race: https://www.msoatucla.org/racial-disparities-in-maternal-morbidity.html

Melody’s article on VAE/PAS: https://www.msoatucla.org/racial-privilege-behind-vae-and-pas.html

Data from study on C-section rates: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40615-020-00842-3/tables/2

AHA study on bystander CPR and race: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.119.012637

Study on race and cardiac arrest: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300957218300959?casa_token=sBOzRT1yqrAAAAAA:ncKYDzH7eWeCb1F4OeLsg9KpmII9bRFAG5ll5zfVGqnc0p0fc5Onwq4GAP5RAxOIfgk6BMJd

Study on bystander CPR and neighborhood ethnicity: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735675714004495

CPR training for UCLA students: http://uclacpr.weebly.com/

CPR training: https://www.nationalcprfoundation.com/how-much-does-a-cpr-class-cost/