Researchers found a significant association between reduced daily physical activities and mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. The study suggests that increased daily physical activity could be an effective way to reduce these symptoms in dialysis patients.
Researchers studied CA-MRSA transmission and survival on commonly touched items, revealing the bacteria's ability to survive on porous objects like towels. The findings suggest these surfaces are important in spreading the virulent bacteria.
Dr. Carol D. Berkowitz receives 2014 Ray E. Helfer Award for her work on detecting child abuse and neglect, with a focus on improving healthcare system protection for children.
A new study by LA BioMed Research found that a calcium score can predict heart disease risk among adults with minimal or no known risk factors. Adults with low to moderate calcium scores were more likely to die from heart disease than those with no calcified plaque buildup.
Long-term study highlights the need for early intervention to improve academic outcomes and reduce negative behaviors in children exposed to methamphetamine before birth. Researchers found that these children were 2.8 times more likely to have cognitive problem scores than their unexposed peers.
A survey of parents with congenital heart disease found that physicians often fail to provide compassionate and understandable information, leading to difficult decisions and stress. The study suggests that physicians should offer context, including success rates and internet resources, to help guide treatment choices.
A study found that changing hospital orders increased pertussis immunization rates by 69% among new mothers, providing protection for themselves and their newborns. Implementing a standing order led to the largest increase in vaccinations, raising the rate from zero to 69%.
Dr. Richard Glassock, a member of LA BioMed's Board of Directors, has been awarded the 2014 Medal of Excellence for his exceptional contributions to patient care. He is recognized for his extensive research and clinical expertise in glomerular diseases and clinical nephrology.
Researchers at LA BioMed are developing novel anti-infectives designed to disarm methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), reducing its resistance to antibiotics and promoting effective treatment outcomes.
LA BioMed researchers have reported a promising new therapy for Sanfilippo B syndrome, reducing brain damage and reversing heparan sulfate storage. The experimental treatment, NAGLU-IGF2, is taken up by neurons in the disease model, providing hope for patients with no available therapies.
Researchers at LA BioMed have reported promising results with the investigational antifungal isavuconazole in reducing mucormycosis infections. Isavuconazole was found to be as effective as high-dose liposomal amphotericin B, a current treatment option, in disease models.
A new study by LA BioMed finds that daily antibiotic use is the most effective method for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections, reducing recurrence rates to 0.4 per year. Cranberry pills and estrogen therapy also showed benefits, with acupuncture treatments reducing recurrence rates to 0.7 per year.
Researchers at LA BioMed developed antibodies to prevent human cell invasion and treat mucormycosis using CotH protein blocker. The study provides groundwork for developing therapies and diagnostic tests for high-risk patients.
A recent international study found two lower-dose intrauterine contraceptive systems to be highly effective and well-tolerated over a three-year period. The devices were easier to use in women who had not delivered a child or had delivered by cesarean section, making them a suitable alternative for women seeking reduced hormone exposure.
A team of researchers led by LA BioMed's Patricia Dickson will use state-of-the-art brain imaging to study the brains of disease models with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), a genetic disease causing cognitive deterioration, memory loss and dementia. The goal is to gain greater understanding of MPS brain disease and develop new treatments.
Researchers are investigating the links between maternal nutrition, BPA exposure, and offspring obesity. Studies aim to understand how neural development in the womb can lead to overeating and obesity later in life.
Researchers at LA BioMed discovered a link between maternal nicotine exposure during pregnancy and asthma in the third generation. The study found that even though the third generation was not directly exposed to nicotine or smoking, they were still more likely to develop asthma due to epigenetic modifications caused by maternal smoking.
The article reveals that antibiotic resistance among hospital-acquired infections is much greater than prior CDC estimates, with resistance rates ranging from 11% to over 50%. The FDA's promise to reboot antibiotic development rules has fallen short, and the authors conclude that more than an FDA 'reboot' is needed to combat this crisis.
A study by LA BioMed found that men who get more sleep on the weekend can improve their insulin sensitivity, reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research, conducted over six months, involved 19 non-diabetic men who slept an average of 6.2 hours per night during the week and caught up on sleep on weekends.
Patients with increasing accumulations of coronary artery calcium were six times more likely to suffer a heart attack or die from heart disease. More frequent monitoring of patients with coronary artery calcium buildups could help determine the risk and give them time to make changes.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that estrogen plus progestin use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. The study suggests that mortality from breast cancer may be higher for women using this combined hormonal therapy.
Christina Wang, a leading LA BioMed researcher, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of andrology. Her research has focused on male reproductive health and disease, with a particular emphasis on androgen replacement therapy and hormonal male contraceptive development.
Post-menopausal women who received estrogen-only medication reported significantly lower joint pain frequencies compared to those receiving a placebo. The study found modest but sustained relief from joint pain in these women.
A new progestogen-only treatment has been found to halt acute abnormal uterine bleeding in women, with 44 of 48 participants experiencing complete cessation of bleeding within five days. The therapy, which involves a low-dose injection and oral pills, shows promise as a temporary bridge to longer-term targeted therapies.
Infectious disease experts call for novel approaches to end the growing scourge of 'superbugs,' citing 2 million annual infections and 100,000 deaths. The authors recommend new strategies to prevent infections, encourage economic investment in anti-infective treatments, and alter host-microbe interactions.
Researchers at LA BioMed identified a potential new target for medications to halt status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition causing brain damage. The study found that NMDA receptor activity increases during persistent seizures, leading to increased medication effectiveness with NMDA antagonists.
Dr. Richard Casaburi leads research on COPD, a disease affecting millions, to identify genetic factors and develop new treatments. The study, funded by NIH, aims to understand what genetic deficiencies contribute to COPD development and progression.
Dr. Rehan's research aims to understand the long-term impact of maternal smoking on childhood asthma, as well as its potential effects on future generations. Studies have shown that nicotine exposure during pregnancy can alter lung development and increase asthma risk.
Dr. Bowen Chung is conducting two studies to improve mental health care for troubled youths and adolescents, focusing on family therapy and resiliency classes. The first study will test the effectiveness of family-focused therapy in improving treatment outcomes for psychotic and bipolar adolescents.
A study led by Dr. Christina Wang at LA BioMed has shown a new male contraceptive gel containing testosterone and Nestorone to sharply lower sperm counts in men, achieving low sperm concentrations in 88-89% of participants. The results warrant further study as a safe and effective hormonal male contraceptive.
Researchers at LA BioMed are conducting a study to evaluate the effectiveness of an immune-stimulating topical cream called Imiquimod in treating melanoma. The study aims to assess how Imiquimod combats melanoma tumors at the genetic level and may lead to personalized immune therapy.
Dr. Rowan Chlebowski, a leading breast cancer researcher at LA BioMed, has been recognized for his significant contributions to cancer prevention and control through the ASCO-American Cancer Society Award and Lecture. His work on clinical trials and lifestyle interventions has reduced breast cancer recurrence and incidence.
Dr. Patricia Dickson's research aims to develop a stem cell-based therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis I, a fatal pediatric disease causing neurodegeneration. The project seeks to address critical issues in the development of therapeutic candidates.
LA BioMed has received a Grand Challenges Explorations grant to develop an innovative treatment for premature infants using aerosolized synthetic lung surfactant. The project aims to reduce breathing problems in preterm babies by providing a non-invasive approach.
A new risk prediction equation has been developed to predict death and end-stage renal disease in patients with impaired kidney function. The CKD-EPI equation provides more accurate classification of individuals at risk, leading to better prevention and management of kidney disease-related outcomes.
The Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is conducting clinical trials on mood and anxiety disorders, including depression, and testing the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for teenagers who have attempted suicide or engaged in self-harm behaviors.
Researchers examine interaction between Ibudilast, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and MA, an addictive stimulant, in the first Phase I clinical safety trial. The study aims to determine the effects of Ibudilast on heart rate and blood pressure when combined with relevant doses of MA.
A recent study published in the Journal of The National Cancer Institute suggests that estrogen alone may reduce breast cancer risk, whereas estrogen plus progestin can increase it. The findings are based on data from two randomized clinical trials conducted as part of the Women's Health Initiative.
A new study published in The Lancet Oncology found that estrogen-only form of menopausal hormone therapy continues to protect women from breast cancer, with a 23% reduced incidence and 63% lower mortality rate compared to placebo. The research followed over 7,500 women for nearly 12 years.
A study found that 73% of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy who underwent surgery were seizure-free after two years. The procedure, called anteromesial temporal resection, also improved quality of life for those patients. Early diagnosis and referral to specialized centers are crucial for optimal treatment outcomes.
LA BioMed investigators are making significant strides in cardiovascular medicine, with a focus on early detection of heart disease and treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Drs. Matthew Budoff and Ronald Oudiz are leading efforts to develop new therapies and improve symptoms for patients with these conditions.
A statewide survey will help assess the pediatric emergency readiness of hospital emergency departments in California and beyond. The project aims to determine what resources hospitals are lacking to treat young patients and how they can acquire them.
LA BioMed has broken ground on a new research center for chronic diseases, consolidating collaborative efforts of investigator groups and serving as the new home for several clinical programs. The $9.7 million grant from NIH will support rapid deployment of shovel-ready projects and create jobs in the local economy.
A Phase I study is underway to test the safety and tolerability of a new androgen dimethandrolone undecanoate as a potential male contraceptive. Dr. Christina Wang hopes to develop an oral agent that can effectively decrease sperm production, offering men more frequent doctor visits and improved reproductive system understanding.
Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim, a leading researcher on infectious diseases at LA BioMed, has been recognized by the American Society for Microbiology for his groundbreaking work on Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly antibiotic-resistant bacterium. The honor acknowledges his contributions to understanding and combatting this threat to public health.
Adding azithromycin to daily treatment for COPD reduces acute exacerbations by 27% and improves quality of life. The study, funded by NHLBI, recruited 558 participants who took azithromycin for a year.
LA BioMed will receive $4.17 million from the NIH grant to fund inpatient clinical research unit at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. The UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute aims to accelerate scientific discoveries and clinical breakthroughs for improved health.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that prenatal exposure to thirdhand smoke can have as serious or even more negative impacts on an infant's lung development than postnatal or childhood exposure. Pregnant women should take precautions to avoid homes and places where thirdhand smoke is likely to be found.
Researchers found substantially lower death rates and fewer subsequent heart attacks among patients who waited eight or more weeks after a heart attack. The study's findings suggest new surgical guidelines could help improve patient outcomes.
A study published in Brain Research found that nutritionally deprived newborns are programmed to eat more due to reduced neurons in the brain's food intake region. This suggests maternal nutrition plays a critical role in preventing obesity and related diseases.