Grand Challenges

Depression

UCLA and Stanford researchers pinpoint origin of sighing reflex in the brain

Researchers now have a better understanding of how the brain triggers sighing, which is vital to lung function.

pixdeluxe/ iStock

Scientists, including UCLA’s Jack Feldman (department of Neurobiology in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a member of the UCLA Brain Research Institute), have pinpointed two tiny clusters of neurons that are responsible for transforming normal breaths into sighs, which could one day allow physicians to treat patients who cannot breathe deeply on their own.

Anti-bullying program focused on bystanders helps the students who need it the most

KiVa includes role-playing exercises to increase the empathy of bystanders.

Programs meant to reduce bullying in primary and secondary schools are often ineffective. However, after studying more than 7,000 students in 77 elementary schools in Finland, Jaana Juvonen (department of Psychology) has found one that works very well and greatly benefited the mental health of sixth-graders who experienced the most bullying. This program has also significantly improved their self-esteem and reduced signs of depression.

Free parking is expensive

Try finding a spot.

Craig Warga/ Bloomberg

Donald Shoup of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs’ Urban Planning department weighs in on the benefits of increasing parking rates in metropolitan areas.

How to boost L.A.’s sinking transit ridership

ALS passengers wait to board at the Expo Line Culver City Station.

Los Angeles Times

Ethan Elkind, who is jointly appointed at UCLA School of Law and UC Berkeley School of Law, discusses L.A.’s sinking transit ridership and proposes solutions for a more comprehensive, convienient, and equitable transportation system.

Electric patch holds promise for treating PTSD

Research revealed the first evidence that trigeminal nerve stimulation, or TNS, helps provide relief from chronic post-traumatic stress.

Happenings