Ecological medicine is a new approach to health science that draws on a very old idea: connecting with each other, with animals and plants, and with the natural world fosters health and well-being for people and the planet. 

“Everything you suspected was good for you -- fresh air, trees, animal companions, purpose, reciprocity -- turns out to have peer-reviewed backing,” said Rebecca Calisi Rodríguez, associate professor of neurobiology, physiology and behavior and director of the Green Care Lab at the University of California, Davis.

Simple items like hay feeders, giant rubber activity balls and shatter-proof mirrors can improve the health and welfare of stabled animals while also reducing frustration behaviors, according to University of California, Davis, research published in the journal Animals. 

The findings offer a low-cost way for owners to keep horses engaged while reducing the risk of ulcers, fragile leg bones and other health and behavioral issues. 

The holidays are full of flavorful dishes and family traditions. Whether it’s homemade stuffing or a cookie swap, all foods are meant to be enjoyed this time of year. Maintaining a healthy approach to eating during the holiday season may feel overwhelming, but Debbie Fetter, associate professor of teaching with the UC Davis Department of Nutrition, has some helpful pointers to help everyone feel good about those once-a-year favorites (hello, pumpkin pie).

As climate change increases the frequency of droughts, UCLA researchers found one overlooked side effect: people report more conflicts with wildlife during drought, when resources are scarce.

A University of California, Davis research project that aims to improve maternal health for Black women, who face high rates of pregnancy-related complications, needs funding support to continue onto a vital next phase of the study.

A team of international researchers led by University of California, Davis, released a mobile tool recently that will help small-scale farmers in Asia and Africa craft the right diet for cattle to increase yield and productivity, helping to reduce methane emissions.

Demand for cattle milk and meat in Africa is growing each year. High costs for feed without adequate nutrients reduces productivity and contributes to emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

In a cozy college town known for bikes and farmers markets, a group of UC Davis students spent their spring and summer doing work beyond the classroom. They immersed themselves in the stories of people in Davis who often go unheard: farmworkers, immigrants, people facing housing challenges and more. As part of a course on environmental justice, they turned those conversations into recommendations for the city’s long-term planning efforts.

The early days with a baby can be overwhelming. Having someone who understands, especially in your own language, can make all the difference. A recent donation to UC Davis is helping ease financial barriers for bilingual students training to become lactation consultants, so they can bring that care to their communities.

At the end of a grocery run, shoppers in Berkeley are now more likely to face fruits and nuts than candy and soda in the checkout lane. A first-of-its-kind city ordinance that took effect in 2021 requires large grocery stores and other retailers to replace sugary drinks and sweets at checkout with healthier options like water, nuts, seeds and fruit.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, killing 87% of patients within five years. Previous studies have shown that obesity can increase pancreatic cancer risk by around 50%. In a new study from the University of California, Davis, researchers showed evidence that switching from a high-fat diet to a low-fat diet slowed pancreatic precancer development in mice, even after weight gain and precancerous changes began. The research was published in the Journal of Nutrition.