The UCLA-led PREVENT project will enroll 10,000 health care personnel at 16 medical centers to study the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines among vaccinated and non-vaccinated workers. The results will help determine how effective vaccines are at preventing infection.
A UCLA team has been awarded two grants totaling $6 million to identify new ways to treat pancreatic cancer. The research aims to untangle the complexities of the disease and develop effective immunotherapeutic approaches.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially avoidable hospitalizations for non-COVID conditions dropped more among white patients than Black patients. This UCLA study suggests that existing racial healthcare disparities worsened, with African Americans facing worse access to outpatient care.
A UCLA-led research team identified a chemical cocktail that enables large numbers of muscle stem cells to be produced within 10 days. The approach shows promise for improving muscle regeneration and could lead to the development of stem cell-based therapies for muscle loss or damage due to injury, age, or disease.
A new study finds that mobile stroke units (MSUs) improve patient outcomes and lessen the chance for disability by delivering care faster than standard stroke care. MSU patients received tPA treatment within 60 minutes, resulting in better outcomes and less disability.
A new UCLA study finds that women with high muscle mass and high body fat have a greater degree of protection against heart disease-related death than those with low body fat. Meanwhile, men with high muscle mass and low body fat show a significant decrease in risk, but not as pronounced as seen in women.
Researchers found that older people correctly understood basic medication information in over 70% of cases. However, when physicians failed to discuss potential side effects, patients incorrectly assumed there were none for nearly half of their prescribed medications.
Researchers have grown human stem cell-derived organoids in a lab dish that matured in sync with the timeline of human development, replicating key aspects of normal human development. The study provides a framework for assessing how well in vitro models model in vivo development and function.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that high type I IFN signaling is present in a subset of pancreatic tumors, leading to decreased NAD and NADH levels. The combination of IFN signaling and NAMPT inhibitors showed promising results in suppressing tumor growth and reducing liver metastases in mice.
Researchers created a model to identify patients with high-risk prostate cancer who will benefit from the PSMA PET scan. The study found that patients with a Gleason score of 9 or 10 and high percent positive cores are most likely to benefit from the scan.
Despite a 2015 initiative to improve access, Mexico's poorest residents often go without painkillers, while pharmacies in poorer areas are less likely to carry them due to cost. The study also found that opioids may be diverted to the US, exacerbating its opioid epidemic.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a new approach combining an anti-psychotic drug, a statin and radiation to improve overall survival in mice with glioblastoma. The triple combination extended median survival 4-fold compared to radiation alone, providing hope for improved treatment options.
A study by researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that MRI frequently underestimates the size of prostate tumors, which can lead to undertreatment. The accuracy of treatment depends on precise measurements of both tumor size and PI-RADS score.
A study by UCLA researchers found that 74% of women who forgo breast reconstruction after a mastectomy are satisfied with their outcome. Despite support concerns, women pointed to faster recovery and body image as reasons for choosing 'going flat'.
Researchers have developed a simple, high-throughput method for transferring isolated mitochondria into mammalian cells, allowing for the study of mitochondrial DNA diseases and potential treatments. The new device, MitoPunch, enables the transfer of mitochondria into thousands of recipient cells simultaneously.
A new UCLA study suggests that our brains generate a common code to mark where other people are in relation to ourselves. The research, published in Nature, used brain electrodes to observe how patients navigated physical spaces and monitored others nearby.
A UCLA-led study uses 3D-printed models to identify possible link between COVID-19 and stroke. The researchers found that the coronavirus increases the production of a molecule called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which affects blood vessel cells in the brain.
Scientists have developed a new combination therapy that suppresses the MAPK pathway by holding cancer-driving proteins in a death grip. The treatment has shown promise in treating aggressive subtypes of cancers with specific mutations in genes called RAS or NF1.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a gene called PACS-1 that is overexpressed in cancer tissues, which can lead to cancer growth and spread. Higher levels of PACS-1 expression in the nucleus may indicate resistance to chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
A new UCLA-led study reveals that older patients who undergo emergency surgeries on their surgeon's birthday have a 23% higher mortality rate compared to those treated on other days. The study, published in the BMJ, suggests that surgeons may be more distracted on their birthdays than other days.
A new UCLA-led research study shows that mindfulness meditation can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and related issues such as fatigue and sleep disturbance in younger breast cancer survivors. The six-week interventions were effective in improving the mental health of women diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age.
Researchers created a mouse model to study SARS-CoV-2's impact on organs beyond the lungs, revealing systemic damage and long-lasting changes. The study sheds light on the virus's ability to circulate through the bloodstream and affect vital organs.
A new framework helps determine the exact timing of DNA mutations in cancer genomes, enabling more targeted and personalized treatments. By analyzing 22 different algorithms on nearly 300 prostate cancer samples, UCLA researchers identified biases and variability to improve treatment outcomes.
The new PSMA PET imaging technique has been shown to detect significantly more prostate lesions than current standard-of-care techniques. This breakthrough could lead to better treatment outcomes and more precise care for men with prostate cancer.
Researchers found that combining long-acting antipsychotic medication with cognitive training led to significant improvements in cognitive deficits and work/school functioning in schizophrenia patients. The study, published in Psychological Medicine, suggests a potential breakthrough in treating the condition.
The grants will focus on studying the impact of Proposition 64, employment conditions, and marketing on cannabis use among various demographics. UCLA faculty members will conduct research on workplace experiences, safety conditions, and career trajectory in the cannabis industry.
A new study from UCLA researchers found that smoking cigarettes causes more severe COVID-19 infection in the airways by blocking immune system messenger proteins. The study used a model of airway tissue created from human stem cells to understand how SARS-CoV-2 virus affects smokers.
Researchers found patients with a particular type of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B44 were more likely to benefit from immunotherapy in melanoma but not non-small cell lung cancer. The study identified mutations driving the different responses, paving the way for better patient stratification and potential therapy design.
A new study by UCLA researchers found that antiretroviral therapy given over two years was unable to completely restore age-appropriate epigenetic patterns in HIV-infected adults. This suggests that even successfully treated HIV-infected individuals are at an increased risk for early development of diseases commonly associated with aging.
Researchers have identified certain features of a patient's tumor that can predict whether axillary lymph node dissection is necessary, sparing women from disabling arm swelling. A UCLA study found over 40% of women with lymph node involvement at diagnosis have only 1-3 positive nodes at surgery.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a compound called AMBMP that can activate chemical signals inside muscle cells, increasing muscle mass and strength. This finding offers new hope for treating people with limb girdle muscular dystrophy, a disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness.
Researchers have found that a virus-mimicking drug can make certain stealthy melanoma tumors visible to the immune system, allowing for better targeting by immunotherapy. The findings open up new possibilities for personalized therapies in hard-to-treat cancers.
A review of 39 randomized clinical trials found that combining therapy with medication is more effective in preventing illness recurrence in people with bipolar disorder. Psychoeducation and group therapy were particularly helpful in reducing symptoms and improving outcomes.
Researchers found abnormalities in brain areas including caudate that normalized after four weeks of CBT, but not in those who didn't receive treatment. Pre-treatment HRF patterns can predict individual patient response to CBT with high accuracy.
Researchers trained kindergarten teachers to assess 185,000 kindergarteners' health and development, revealing 30% of poor children were vulnerable in one or more domains, with Black children at highest risk. The study highlights the value of micro-level understanding of child-developmental inequities to develop targeted supports.
A new report suggests that COVID-19 survivors may be experiencing 'brain fog' and other neurological symptoms due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study, published in The Clinical Neuropsychologist, explores historical data on previous coronaviruses and finds a heightened risk of PTSD among survivors. Researchers emphasize...
A statewide coalition, led by UCLA, aims to reduce COVID-19 knowledge disparities and increase vaccine uptake among underrepresented populations in California. The initiative combines community-engaged research with local partnerships to build trust and address concerns.
A new study found that the Affordable Care Act reduced burdensome out-of-pocket healthcare costs for low- and middle-income families with children, from 35.6% to 23.7% and 24.6% to 17.3%, respectively. Despite this improvement, these families still face significant financial burdens.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that the brain measures seconds by changing patterns of neural activity, with two distinct 'clocks' in different regions. The study found that mice could anticipate rewards based on scents associated with specific time intervals.
The research will develop biomarkers and clinical assessments to improve treatment outcomes for adolescents and young adults at risk of schizophrenia. The five-year study will recruit 1,040 patients with Clinical High Risk (CHR) and healthy controls, using data-driven methods to predict individual clinical trajectories.
Researchers detected a significant spike in cough and acute respiratory failure cases at UCLA Health facilities between Dec. 2019 and Feb. 2020, exceeding previous year's averages by 1,000. This unexpected increase may indicate early COVID-19 cases in the area.
A new UCLA study identifies two key drivers of the immune system's attack on cancer cells: T cell infiltration and interferon-gamma signaling. The research found that blocking immune checkpoints amplifies interferon-gamma signaling, leading to enhanced antitumor immune responses.
Researchers found abnormalities in brain function related to symptom severity in both disorders, with more severe symptoms linked to distinct patterns of activity and connectivity. The study suggests that addressing these brain abnormalities through psychotherapy or psychiatric medications could be key to treating these conditions.
A study found that older adults with pre-existing major depressive disorder demonstrated resilience to the stress of physical distancing and isolation during the pandemic. They used coping strategies such as maintaining regular schedules, distracting themselves from negative emotions, and using mindfulness.
A new DNA test can accurately identify individuals whose gonorrhea is curable with a single dose of oral ciprofloxacin, providing an alternative treatment option. The study found that all 106 subjects identified as having the wild-type gyrA serine strain were cured with the antibiotic.
Researchers found that chemotherapy is rarely used to treat adults with localized sarcoma, affecting only 22% of patients. Facilities performing more surgeries for sarcoma tend to use chemotherapy more frequently.
The study found that a delicate equilibrium between stem cells and airway cells is necessary for proper lung regeneration. In the aging process, this balance is disrupted, leading to increased cancer risk and other diseases.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a phenomenon where some patients' T cells lose expression of transgenic TCR over time, potentially due to DNA methylation. This study aims to inform the design of future cellular immunotherapies and improve treatment outcomes for advanced cancer patients.
A UCLA study reveals that COVID-19 antibodies decrease by roughly half every 36 days after infection in people with mild cases of the disease. This rapid decay raises concerns about the reliability of antibody tests and the potential impact on herd immunity and vaccine effectiveness.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a potential new combination therapy to treat advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by targeting BMI1 proteins. The study found that using an anti-PD1 immunotherapy drug in combination with PTC209 successfully stopped cancer growth, prevented reoccurrences, and eliminated cancer stem cells.