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.
A study published in PLOS ONE identified a biomarker panel that could help predict gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in early pregnancy, potentially reducing its impact on mother and baby. Researchers found distinct expression of microRNA genes in extracellular vesicles isolated from maternal blood samples taken during the first trim...
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a key molecular mechanism behind memory linking and identified an FDA-approved drug that can restore this brain function in middle-aged mice. The study suggests a potential early intervention for dementia and strengthening human memory in middle age.
A new supplement in Pediatrics suggests that early life interventions can improve later health outcomes and address pressing concerns around youth mental health. The Life Course Intervention Research Network calls for a major focus on supporting children's positive health development and sense of well-being.
A new UCLA-led study finds that affirmative action bans in states led to a decline of 37% in the proportion of underrepresented students in public medical schools. This decrease had a devastating impact on the diversity of the physician workforce, which is crucial for providing equitable healthcare services.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a gene on the Y chromosome that protects against pulmonary hypertension in men by reducing proinflammatory chemokines. The study suggests that targeting inflammation may be a promising new avenue for therapy, and could lead to effective treatments for this fatal disease.
A UCLA-led team found that an abnormally suppressed immune system, not a persistently hyperactive one, may be to blame for some cases of long COVID-19. The study suggests boosting immunity in those individuals could be a treatment option.
A study of 309 people with long COVID found that fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of sense of smell were the most persistent symptoms. The research also revealed that factors such as history of hospitalization, diabetes, and body mass index increased the risk of developing Long COVID.
A new report highlights the intersection of autism, poverty, and non-white race/ethnicity, revealing increased rates of health concerns and care challenges. Autistic children living in lower-income households and those who are BIPOC disproportionately experience poor health outcomes.
Adolescent drug overdose deaths nearly doubled in 2020 and rose another 20% in early 2021 compared to the 10 years prior, despite stable drug use rates. The increase is largely attributed to illicit fentanyls found in counterfeit pills, which can be deadly if ingested.
A recent UCLA study found that the injury rate for e-scooter riders in Los Angeles is higher than the national rates for motorcycle, bicycle, car, and pedestrian injuries. The study estimates 115 injuries per 1 million e-scooter rides, highlighting a growing risk as e-scooters proliferate globally.
A new study by UCLA researchers found that a specialized primary care medical home improved the care and treatment of patients with serious mental illness, resulting in better mental health-related quality of life. The patient-centered medical home model provided comprehensive, coordinated care among patients and their clinicians, lead...
Researchers at UCLA found that premenopausal women with low levels of anti-Mullerian hormone are at a higher risk of experiencing significant bone loss within two to three years. The study suggests that measuring AMH levels could help physicians identify women at risk and provide targeted treatment.
A study led by UCLA Health scientists finds that highly creative people's brains exhibit an atypical approach to connectivity, enabling them to bypass traditional hubs and form distant connections. This 'road less traveled' pattern is more efficient for creative thinking but may not be optimal in all situations.
Researchers from UCLA Health and Harvard Medical School propose a new approach to studying and applying psychedelic compounds to foster intentional changes in habits and behaviors, potentially leading to improved health and resilience.
Researchers say the challenges of treating long COVID are amplified by a critical issue: we do not know what constitutes long COVID or how to formally diagnose it. The lack of standardization in diagnosis and treatment is further exacerbated by limited research data of varying quality and consistency.
Researchers found that a national housing and support program called Housing First was effective in helping homeless veterans access housing and stay in their homes for five years. The study, conducted at the Veterans Administration of Greater Los Angeles, found that strong leadership, organizational resources, and community partnershi...
The US overdose death rate exceeded the white rate for the first time in 20 years, driven by synthetic opioids and highly toxic drugs. Black Americans and Native Americans had the highest overdose death rates, highlighting deep-seated inequalities in access to treatment and services.
A new editorial cautions against the unchecked use of AI in mammography due to past errors like false-positive tests and over-treatment. The authors propose safeguards to ensure improved patient outcomes, including tying Medicare reimbursement to performance metrics.
A new UCLA study has found that hippocampal neurons in rats accurately map the position of a moving object even when stationary, challenging prevailing hypotheses about brain function. The findings open up new research avenues into memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
A UCLA researcher presented a groundbreaking case of an HIV-1 patient in remission after specialized stem cell transplantation for leukemia. The patient has been in remission for 4.5 years and has not experienced any HIV rebound since stopping antiretroviral therapy.