Insulin pump use has grown over two decades but disparities persist among racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Youth from lower-income backgrounds and minority groups are less likely to use insulin pumps.
Research suggests that long COVID patients share similar lingering negative effects on physical, mental, and social well-being with individuals who have other illnesses. The study found moderate-to-severe residual symptoms in 40% of COVID-positive participants and 54% of those who tested negative.
Researchers at UCLA Health have made significant breakthroughs in understanding deadly brain cancer and the role of housing interventions. A study found a cancer vaccine to be highly effective in treating glioblastoma multiforme, a nearly lethal brain cancer. Additionally, a survey highlighted the need for increased diversity in gastro...
Researchers found that genetic correlation estimates are confounded by cross-trait assortative mating, a phenomenon where individuals with similar traits mate more frequently. This suggests that some genetic correlations may be inflated and should be re-evaluated for disease risk prediction and therapy development.
Research on interventions to mitigate housing insecurity found low-certainty evidence of positive health outcomes, primarily for emergency rent assistance and homeownership assistance. However, existing interventions may need to be paired with other efforts to address structural determinants of health.
Researchers have successfully used CRISPR technology to substitute genes in immune cells, allowing them to focus on cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The new approach, presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 2022, has shown promising results in treating patients with various solid cancers.
Researchers from UCLA have developed a strategy to identify novel treatments for cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases by exploiting sex differences in the brain. The study provides a roadmap for disentangling the contribution of sex-specific factors, which can yield treatments optimized for each sex.
A new UCLA-led study found comprehensive brain-wide changes in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, refining scientists' understanding of how the condition progresses. The study analyzed gene expression across 11 cortical regions, revealing strong evidence that RNA changes in the brain are likely the cause of ASD.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that new onset CKD rates are higher among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino populations compared to white persons with diabetes. The rate declined from 8% in 2015-2016 to 6.4% in 2019-2020.
Researchers aim to identify electrical activity in brain consolidation and test targeted brain stimulation to strengthen memories. The study could advance understanding of neural mechanisms involved in memory formation, potentially benefiting people with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at UCLA have identified an animal model that shares similarities with progressive multiple sclerosis, enabling studies of disability-improving treatments. The model reveals neurodegeneration features and effects on various parts of the brain and spinal cord, holding promise for future treatment discovery.
Research from UCLA Health Sciences found that telehealth consultations following an emergency department visit were associated with 28 more repeat ED encounters and nearly 11 more return hospital admissions per 1000 patients. The findings highlight the need for careful consideration of when to use telemedicine for post-ED follow-ups.
Amino acid GABA shows promise in reducing disease severity, viral load and death rates in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. GABA administration inhibits inflammatory actions of immune cells, potentially providing a generalizable therapy to treat COVID-19 and future novel coronaviruses.
A new analysis by UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that men with prostate cancer benefit from adding androgen deprivation therapy to radiation treatment. The study showed improved metastasis-free survival for patients receiving short-term ADT before or after radiation, especially in those receiving prostate-only RT.
A study found that 60% of healthcare workers tested positive for COVID with antigen tests after five days and 50% were positive after seven days. Antigen tests are a better proxy for indicating infectiousness than PCR tests.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Semel Institute identified the gene P300 as a potential therapeutic target for treatment-resistant brain cancer glioblastoma multiforme. By blocking P300, tumor cells can be prevented from recovering and growing under the hostile conditions created by radiation therapy.
A new study from UCLA found that students who attended high-performing charter schools had a 50% lower rate of alcohol use disorder compared to waitlisted students. Males in the intervention group also reported better physical health and lower obesity rates, while females did not show similar benefits.
A long-term study of over 300 breast cancer survivors found a link between chronic inflammation and cognitive problems. Higher levels of CRP were related to lower reported cognitive function, suggesting that this common test for inflammation may also indicate risk for cognitive concerns.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a novel, cost-effective approach to detect cancer at its early stages using cell-free DNA in blood samples. Their method, cfMethyl-seq, has shown high accuracy and potential for accurate early diagnosis of certain cancers from a single blood test.
Researchers found pre-existing differences in gut bacteria between people with and without HIV, including decreased Bacteroides species and increased Megasphaera elsdenii. These changes were present even before infection occurred, suggesting a potential link between gut microbiome and HIV susceptibility.
Scientists have developed guidelines to produce high-quality, well-structured mini-brain organoids that accurately mimic human brain tissues. By using early-stage stem cells and specific molecules, researchers can overcome challenges in uniformity and structure, enabling studies of neurological development, disease, and therapies.
Researchers at UCLA and UCSF will map gene regulatory regions to understand how genetic variants affect brain development. They aim to build a comprehensive catalog of cell types in the developing brain and identify specific cell types and genomic regions that mediate the risk of brain diseases.
Researchers developed an AI tool using natural language processing and machine learning to identify people who inject drugs in electronic health records. The model accurately identified PWIDs in 1,000 records from 2003-2014, significantly improving clinical decision making and resource allocation.
A new UCLA study reveals a link between REM sleep duration and body temperature in animals, suggesting that REM sleep acts like a 'thermostatically controlled brain heater'. This challenges popular views on the role of REM sleep in learning and emotional regulation.
Researchers analyzed genomic data from 30,000 patients and found a highly diverse patient population with ancestries from virtually all continents. This study aims to leverage genetic diversity for discovery in personalized healthcare, especially for underrepresented populations.
A 21% relative risk reduction in reported high-risk HIV behavior was found for single mothers with a State-level Earned Income Tax Credit (SEITC) of 10% or above the Federal EITC. A 10 percentage-point increase in SEITC was also linked to a 38% relative reduction in high-risk behavior.
A pilot study from UCLA researchers found that neurofeedback training significantly normalized brain wave frequencies and improved cognitive function in cancer patients with chemo brain. The study's results support further research into the effectiveness of neurofeedback as a treatment approach.
Research suggests rising temperatures could disrupt sleep patterns and blunt the immune response, making people more susceptible to infections. This is particularly concerning for low-income communities and communities of color who face heightened risks from heat and limited access to air conditioning.
A study examining the link between pesticide exposure and thyroid cancer risk found that 10 out of 29 reviewed pesticides were associated with an increased risk. Exposure to paraquat dichloride was consistently linked to thyroid cancer, while higher numbers of pesticides over a 20-year period proportionally increased risk.
A new UCLA-led study has identified multiple new risk genes for Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) by combining new testing methods. The researchers used high-throughput testing to simultaneously test 5,706 genetic variants in 25 loci associated with Alzheimer's and nine loci associated with PSP.
Researchers have discovered a functional link between STING signaling and immunometabolism, suggesting that PET imaging could measure the pharmacodynamic effects of STING-activating drugs. This approach may enable a whole-body analysis of immune activation in humans, guiding clinical development of anti-tumor therapy.
Researchers used natural language processing and machine learning to analyze nearly 35,500 death records, identifying the most common substances involved in overdose deaths. The system reduced data processing time by months, allowing for more rapid public health responses and interventions.
Researchers will design and distribute two new types of miniscopes, enabling deeper brain observations. The devices will be light enough for rodents, unlocking insights into neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed a new technology that can detect early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma using nanoparticles, which are released by tumor cells and can be detected in circulation. The technology, called HCC EV SPA, has the potential to enable rapid and affordable detection of the disease, leading to improved survival rates.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new framework for studying the organization of the human brain by combining data simulation and experimental observation. The study reveals that a small number of spatiotemporal patterns can unify various observations, providing a description of global functional brain organization.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a roadmap detailing how stem cells become sensory interneurons, which enable sensations like touch and pain. The study identifies protocols for producing all types of sensory interneurons in the laboratory, paving the way for cell therapies to restore sensation in people with spinal cord injuries.
A five-month field experiment involving 199 primary care physicians found that comparing performance to peers decreased job satisfaction while increasing burnout. The study also showed that training leaders on how to best support physicians mitigated such negative effects.
A unique study of brain activity found that sound during sleep prompts a robust response from the brain, except in one key area where alpha-beta waves are attenuated. The findings could help understand how information is processed by the brain in unconscious states.
Outpatient antibiotic management of selected patients with appendicitis is safe, allowing many to avoid surgery and hospitalization. This treatment approach is associated with fewer serious adverse effects compared to hospitalization.
A new UCLA study found that transgender patients who underwent gender-affirming facial feminization surgery reported higher scores in seven measures of psychosocial health, including anxiety, depression, and positive affect. The study suggests that facial feminization surgery is an important procedure for treating gender dysphoria.
Researchers analyzed stored blood samples from infected men and found significant age acceleration in DNA epigenetic measures and telomere shortening. The study demonstrates HIV's substantial impact on the body's aging processes within two to three years of infection.
A new UCLA study found that fixed vial sizes for the controversial Alzheimer's drug aducanumab could result in significant wasteful spending of up to $605 million per year on Medicare. The researchers suggest reducing vial sizes to contain costs and improve the value of future Medicare spending.
A new study by UCLA surgeons has developed a technique to remove the Adam's apple with minimal scarring, offering a welcome solution for transgender women and nonbinary people who often face stigma due to neck scars. The procedure, called 'scarless' tracheal shave, is effective and can be performed in 90 minutes with minimal equipment.
Adult flu vaccination rates declined in states with low COVID-19 vaccination rates, indicating a potential link between the two. The study found that factors causing low COVID-19 vaccination behaviors also led to declines in flu vaccination rates.
A UCLA study has identified a synthetic IL-9 receptor that allows T cells to target cancerous tumors without the need for chemotherapy or radiation. The treatment showed promise in multiple systems and cured over half of mice with pancreatic cancer and melanoma.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy that appears to correct a rare creatine deficiency disorder by increasing creatine levels and reducing toxic guanidinoacetic acid. This could hold promise for treating the disorder, which commonly results in intellectual disabilities and seizures.
Researchers from the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a method to degrade tumor cell-surface PD-L1 using a small molecule activator of ITCH protein. This approach suppresses relapses of melanoma in animal models by reducing PD-L1 accumulation, allowing T-cells to target tumors more effectively.
Researchers administered epidural electrical stimulation (EES) to patients with degenerative spine diseases undergoing surgery, improving respiratory control and depth of breathing. The study provides proof of principle for using EES as an alternative treatment to combat opioid-induced respiratory depression.
A new UCLA study reveals how air pollutants affect placental cells, leading to pregnancy complications and infant health issues. Chronic exposure to traffic-related pollutants triggers immune activation, attacking vital placental cells and disrupting nutrient supply.
A large retrospective study examines the impact of pandemic-related school closures on children's mental health, finding that adolescent females were disproportionately affected. The study reveals a substantial rise in hospitalizations for suicide, psychosis, and eating disorders after statewide school closure orders.