Researchers have developed a new test that can detect fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a condition similar to Parkinson's disease, in individuals as young as 30 years old. The study found that brain abnormalities associated with FXTAS may begin to develop about two decades before symptoms occur.
Researchers at UC Davis successfully coax laboratory cultures of human stem cells into the specialized, unique cells needed to repair a patient's defective or diseased bladder. The breakthrough provides a pathway to regenerate replacement bladder tissue for patients whose bladders are too small or do not function properly.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that the investigational cancer vaccine tecemotide, when administered with cisplatin, boosted immune response and reduced the number of tumors in mice with lung cancer. The vaccine also increased interferon gamma levels and stimulated production of killer T-lymphocytes.
Researchers at UC Davis hope to prove that mobile health technology improves cancer patient care, quality, and reduces costs. The project uses a unique social networking tool to connect patients with their nurse coordinators, family, caregivers, and clinicians.
Researchers found that biomarkers for bone formation and resorption predict outcomes for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Elevated markers also identify patients who respond to investigational drug atrasentan, enabling clinicians to match treatments and track effectiveness.
Researchers detected atypical development in nearly half of the younger siblings of children with autism by 12 months. The study found that many of these children showed delays in social, communication, cognitive, or motor development, particularly in social-communication domains.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that mothers who receive formula in the hospital are less likely to fully breastfeed their babies in the second month of life. The study, published in The Journal of Pediatrics, suggests that early formula use limits breastfeeding and increases the likelihood of quitting earlier.
A study found that families with higher levels of parental education and income use more CAM therapies for children with autism. Nearly 40% of children with autism used CAM treatments, compared to 30% with developmental delay. Most CAM users chose low-risk options.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new MRI technique called Active-MRI that captures the movement of the wrist in real-time. This allows for more accurate diagnosis of conditions such as wrist instability, which can be misaligned and cause chronic pain and osteoarthritis.
Research from UC Davis Health found that high HDL and low LDL cholesterol levels are associated with lower brain amyloid plaque deposits, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. This study provides evidence for the importance of cholesterol management in preventing cognitive decline.
A pilot study has found ways to better screen and recover guns from domestic violence offenders, improving enforcement of existing laws. The study suggests using multiple sources of information, including firearm transaction records and court documents, to identify firearm owners and ensure timely recovery of firearms.
A national study funded by the National Eye Institute found that most corneal transplants from donors aged 34-71 have remarkable longevity, with success rates remaining steady at 75% after 10 years. Corneas from younger donors had higher success rates, while those from older donors showed slightly lower performance.
Researchers at UC Davis and University of Rochester found that having health insurance increases use of preventive services like flu shots and health screenings, but does not affect risky health behaviors. The study contradicts a common concern that expanding healthcare coverage may encourage riskier behavior.
The UC Davis Institute for Population Health Improvement has awarded $400,000 to L.A. Care to develop Blue Button functionality, allowing patients to access their own prescription data online. This project is the first in California and among the first in the nation to implement the tool for Medicaid beneficiaries.
A new study by the UC Davis MIND Institute found that children with autism are six-to-eight times more likely to have gastrointestinal problems, including constipation, diarrhea, and sensitivity to foods. These symptoms are related to behavioral issues such as social withdrawal, irritability, and repetitive behaviors.
The Institute for Population Health Improvement at UC Davis has received grants to increase awareness of evidence-based policies addressing various health issues in California and nationwide. The programs aim to inform legislative staff and the public about key topics, including transparency in cancer care.
A new study found that an interactive computer program increased help for those who needed it most without overtreating. Patients using the program were nearly twice as likely to ask about depression and receive treatment recommendations from their physician.
A telemedicine program called HEALTH-COP improved health outcomes for children with obesity in rural California. Clinicians learned how to better assess patients' weight, provide nutrition and physical activity counseling, and implement strategies to change lifestyle behavior.
Researchers at UC Davis found that probiotics containing Bifidobacterium infantis effectively prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. The study showed increased bifidobacteria levels and decreased harmful bacteria in breastmilk-fed babies, indicating potential benefits of probiotic therapy.
Researchers at UC Davis have found a biomarker that can differentiate between the inattentive and combined subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study used electroencephalograms (EEGs) to examine brain waves in adolescents with ADHD and typically developing teens.
A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that chain restaurant menus did not become significantly healthier between 2010 and 2011, despite efforts to increase nutrition. The average calorie and sodium content of main entrées remained largely unchanged, with only slight decreases in some cases.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that high blood sugar levels can cause irregular heartbeats, or cardiac arrhythmia, by activating a protein called CaMKII. The researchers found that O-GlcNAc, a sugar molecule, attaches to CaMKII and causes it to become overactive, leading to pathological changes in the heart's calcium signal...
Research at UC Davis Center for Neuroscience found that maternal viral infection alters brain cell communication and increases risk of autism spectrum disorder. The study discovered a novel biological signaling pathway linking maternal immune activation to disease-linked behaviors.
AUC Davis survey of 1,601 gun dealers found nearly unanimous support for denying gun purchases to individuals with prior convictions and serious mental illness. The survey also revealed strong support for existing policies denying handgun purchases to individuals convicted of aggravated assault or domestic violence.
A study by UC Davis MIND Institute found that none of the children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome met strict diagnostic criteria for autism. Evaluations should be performed to assess autism and guide therapy selection based on symptoms such as language delay.
A novel vaccine approach against human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been shown to be safe and more effective than previous vaccines in an animal model. The vaccine targets CMV's ability to hijack the immune system, inducing broader immunological protection.
The study, conducted by UC Davis and EWC researchers, found that starting mammography screening biennially at age 50 is strongly supported by the model results. This approach aims to maximize impact on reducing breast cancer deaths while working within limited program funding.
A large study found that 4% of head-trauma scans have unexpected results, ranging from benign to life-threatening cancers. Doctors should weigh patient rights against financial costs and anxiety when dealing with incidental findings.
Researchers discovered that degeneration of the fornix, a structure carrying messages to and from the hippocampus, is a key predictor of future cognitive decline. Fornix variables were found to precede clinically relevant deterioration of cognitive function in cognitively normal elderly individuals.
A pilot study by UC Davis researchers found that glucose monitoring systems with an autocorrect feature can produce more accurate blood glucose measurements, improving insulin dosing and glucose control for burn patients. This technology can help reduce mortality and morbidity in these patients.
Researchers at UC Davis have successfully generated oligodendrocytes with spiking properties, allowing them to produce myelin and mature into functional brain cells. The enhanced cells showed superior regenerative capacity and produced thicker, longer myelin sheaths than natural cells.
A new strategy developed at UC Davis Health System tests for telltale antibodies in the blood to detect tuberculosis, potentially improving treatment outcomes. The test can detect about 80% of active TB cases, making it a significant advancement in disease detection.
Researchers at UC Davis have identified a potential drug target for brucellosis, a chronic and debilitating bacterial disease. The study found that PPARγ is responsible for altering the metabolism of immune cells to supply bacteria with energy, enabling its survival and replication.
A collaborative study identifies PRNCR1 and PCGEM1 as long non-coding RNAs that activate androgen receptors, leading to cancer growth and resistance to treatment. The study provides a new target for therapies and offers hope for developing more effective treatments for aggressive prostate cancer.
A study published in Critical Care Medicine found that telemedicine consultations significantly improve the quality of care for seriously ill and injured children treated in remote rural emergency rooms. The research showed that patients' satisfaction and perception of their child's care are also improved when consultations are provide...
UC Davis researchers discover how cancer chemotherapy agent Topotecan acts on gene causing Angelman syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. The study highlights the significance of epigenetics in understanding both rare and common neurodevelopmental disorders.
A UC Davis study reveals that astrocytes can protect brain tissue and reduce disability due to stroke. The research found that a specific type of astrocyte called Olig2PC-Astros has greater antioxidant effects and improves learning and memory in rats.
Researchers have identified a risk factor for autism in children, linking prenatal exposure to maternal antibodies to changes in brain development that affect behavior. The study found altered patterns of neurodevelopment and social behavior in offspring exposed to specific antibodies.
Researchers found that infants with later-diagnosed autism had excessive cerebrospinal fluid and enlarged brains, raising the possibility of using these as potential biomarkers. These anomalies were detectable by MRI at 6-9 months and remained elevated between 18-24 months.
Researchers have identified a specific risk factor for autism, known as MAR autism, linked to maternal antibodies attacking fetal brain proteins. The study found that mothers of children with autism were more than 21 times likely to have these antibodies, offering a potential biomarker for drug development and early diagnosis.
A recent study found that orthopedic oncologists and surgical oncologists conducted only 52% of sarcoma surgeries, while general surgeons, plastic surgeons, and orthopedic surgeons performed the remaining 48%. This disparity may impact patient outcomes due to varying levels of expertise in removing deep-seated tumors.
Researchers at UC Davis School of Medicine analyzed US News primary care rankings from 2009-2012, finding huge shifts in scores over short timeframes. The study proposed alternative measurements, highlighting arbitrariness and sensitivity to changes in key assumptions.
Researchers identify amylin protein deposits in Alzheimer's disease brains, linking it to age-related dementia and Alzheimer's. Amylin accumulation may be therapeutic target for drug development.
Researchers analyzed emergency department records to assess aerial mosquito spraying's impact on human health. No increase was found in diagnoses associated with pesticide exposure, including respiratory and neurological conditions.
Prader-Willi syndrome is associated with the loss of non-coding RNAs, resulting in dysregulation of circadian and metabolic genes. The study found that mice engineered with the loss of a long non-coding RNA showed altered energy use and metabolic differences during sleep.
A study of contaminated steroid injections found that even asymptomatic patients can have fungal infections. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect infection, especially in those who received highly contaminated injections.
A US study found that reducing unnecessary and high-dose pediatric CT scans could lower the overall lifetime risk of future imaging-related cancers by 62 percent. The research suggests that eliminating unnecessary imaging and lowering doses for the highest-dose scans could prevent thousands of future cancers.
Researchers have found that visually impaired individuals and those with uncorrected refractive error are more likely to experience diminished balance when their eyes are closed. The study suggests that vision plays a crucial role in calibrating the vestibular system, which helps maintain physical balance.
Policies allowing medical school faculty to care for family while advancing their careers are more available than ever, yet underutilized. A comprehensive communications intervention at UC Davis increased awareness and reduced barriers to use, promoting a culture shift in support of family-friendly policies.
A new study found that school-located vaccination clinics increased flu vaccination rates among children by 13.2 percentage points, despite higher initial costs. The program may be a cost-effective way to broaden access to flu vaccines for children, particularly in primary-care settings.