A UCLA-led study found that dermatopathologists are motivated by both patient safety concerns and malpractice fears when ordering additional tests. The study surveyed 160 dermatopathologists in the US, who reported a strong emphasis on patient safety as a driving factor for their actions.
Researchers found that a protein called type 5 collagen plays a critical role in regulating the size of scar tissue in the heart. Without it, scarring can lead to increased strain on the remaining heart muscle and higher risks of heart rhythm problems and sudden cardiac death.
States with highest income inequality had a larger number of COVID-19-related deaths compared to states with lower income inequality. African Americans and Hispanics were disproportionately affected due to limited access to healthcare and essential jobs.
Researchers identified a new function for histones, enabling the transfer of electrons from one molecule to another, converting copper into a usable form for cells. This discovery refutes earlier theories and suggests histones played a crucial role in the evolution of eukaryotes, including humans, around 2 billion years ago.
A UCLA-led study found that school HPV vaccine policies in Rhode Island and the District of Columbia significantly increased vaccination rates among adolescents. The expansion of such policies could lead to higher vaccination rates and reduced cancer risk, particularly for cervical, oral, and rectal cancers.
Researchers found that homeless patients with influenza were 9% more likely to be admitted from the emergency department and 58% more likely to be put on ventilators compared to other patients. The study highlights the importance of infection control among the homeless population, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A UCLA team successfully treated a child with disseminated coccidioidomycosis by modulating their immune system, paving the way for new treatment approaches for other severe infections. The treatment involves combining established antifungal medications with immune stimulators.
Researchers identified four subtypes of prostate cancer with distinct characteristics, affecting treatment strategies and potentially improving patient outcomes. The study's findings suggest that one subtype requires intensified treatments while another is less aggressive, paving the way for more targeted therapies.
A review of 56 randomized clinical trials found that cognitive behavior therapy is superior to other psychotherapies in reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system. CBT was most effective in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that combining toll-like receptor 9 agonists and NKTR-214 with PD-1 blockade can induce a potent immune reaction against resistant tumors. This combination therapy is being assessed in human clinical trials to improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes.
A new UCLA study found that chemicals in diesel exhaust can trigger the toxic buildup of alpha-synuclein proteins in brain cells, a common occurrence in people with Parkinson's. The research used zebrafish and human cells to confirm the link between air pollution and brain damage.
The UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has been awarded a $5.75 million grant to study the role of obesity in the development of pancreatic cancer. The research aims to understand how inflammation from obesity influences tumor formation and develop prevention strategies for high-risk individuals.
A new treatment combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab has significantly improved survival for people with hepatocellular carcinoma, reducing mortality risk by 42% and increasing cancer response rates. The therapy is being reviewed for FDA approval under a Real-Time Oncology Review pilot program.
Researchers mapped out how gene networks change as muscle cells mature from embryonic development to adulthood. The roadmap could lead to better methods for creating muscle stem cells from stem cells, potentially treating muscular dystrophies and sarcopenia.
Experts recommend prioritizing patient safety with telemedicine and remote monitoring, while minimizing exposure to COVID-19. Delaying treatment by just 15 minutes can significantly impact recovery outcomes.
Researchers at UCLA have found that adding a schizophrenia drug to traditional radiation therapy improved overall survival in mice with glioblastoma. The combination successfully delayed tumor growth and prolonged animal survival by over 200 days.
A new UCLA study reveals that most laypersons misunderstand the concept of 'futile treatment,' a crucial discussion for families making end-of-life decisions. The research highlights the need for increased public engagement on this issue, particularly in resource-scarce healthcare systems like during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a possible new drug, NSPP, that prevents cognitive decline in mice after radiation therapy for brain tumors. The study found the drug did not reduce radiation treatment efficacy.
Researchers found that brain cells generate a 'new song' with the same beat for each breath, adapting to changing rhythms throughout the day. The discovery could lead to new approaches to treating breathing disorders and may even help combat opioid-related deaths.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a method to track the treatment of intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) in children by measuring the levels of micro-RNA 122. This non-invasive marker may be used to diagnose and monitor the disease without biopsies.
Researchers found that brain activity while resting can reveal a person's empathic disposition, potentially helping health care professionals better assess those with autism or schizophrenia. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to analyze brain scans and machine learning algorithms to predict participants' empathy levels.
Researchers identified a molecule that maintains a healthy balance of airway basal stem cells and mature mucociliary cells, potentially leading to new treatments for lung cancer. The compound, Wnt Inhibitor Compound 1 (WIC1), has been shown to limit the proliferation of basal stem cells and restore balance in human cells.
A long-term UCLA-led study of Armenian earthquake survivors found that early psychotherapy significantly improved depression and PTSD symptoms in adolescents, with benefits continuing into adulthood. Factors such as social support and chronic medical illnesses also played a role in the development of PTSD and depression.
Research suggests that taking acetaminophen with a tendency to forgive can reduce social pain by influencing pain signaling in the brain. Forgiveness also lessens feelings of stress and anger following experiences of social exclusion. The combination may provide an antidote to the emotional and physical pains of rejection.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found a condensed five-day radiation regimen to be as effective as traditional five-week treatment in treating soft tissue sarcoma. The new approach showed lower wound complication rates and improved cancer control without increasing side effects.
A UCLA-led study found that the Foxp1 gene controls growth of the embryonic brain and is involved in timing of neuron production. The research revealed that both too much and too little Foxp1 affects neural stem cell replication and formation of specific neurons.
APG-157, a plant-based drug containing curcumin, was shown to reduce inflammation and attract immune cells to tumor tissues in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancers. The treatment also decreased Bacteroides species and had no adverse effects.
UCLA researchers have made a breakthrough in developing lab-grown eggs and sperm for infertility treatment. They discovered that human stem cells can be coaxed into forming germ cells, which are the precursors to egg and sperm cells. The study could pave the way for generating healthy eggs and sperm in a laboratory setting.
A cold plasma patch has been developed to deliver immune checkpoint inhibitors and cold plasma directly to tumors, boosting the immune response and killing cancer cells. The patch significantly prolonged survival and inhibited tumor growth in mice with melanoma.
A UCLA-led study found that six blood proteins can be used to gauge a person's risk for cerebral small vessel disease, which affects an estimated 11 million older adults in the U.S. The test correlates with white matter changes in the brain and provides a more quantitative scale for evaluating the disease.
A study suggests that combining NKTR-214 with adoptive cell therapy may produce a stronger immune response against advanced melanoma, increasing the number of anti-tumor immune cells and their lifespan. This approach could be effective for more patients with advanced solid tumors.
Chronic exposure to interleukin-1-beta promotes lung cancer metastasis by altering gene expression, enabling cancer cells to adopt a phenotype that facilitates distance organ colonization. The study provides new insights into the role of chronic inflammation in tumor progression and metastasis.
Researchers at UCLA and international partners have successfully treated nine patients with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD) using a stem cell gene therapy. Six patients are now in remission and have stopped other treatments, with no complications reported.
A UCLA-led study used machine learning to analyze before-and-after photos of 100 female patients who underwent rhinoplasty, finding that the procedure can make women appear up to 3 years younger. The study estimated a person's age by cropping and extracting features from photographs.
A new study uses an interactive voice application with AI to monitor patients' mental health, offering personalized analysis and finding accuracy comparable to physician assessments. The application, MyCoachConnect, analyzed patients' speech patterns and found unique changes over time, helping track mental states.
A UCLA-led study found that family-focused therapy can delay new and recurring bipolar symptoms in children and teens. The treatment, which involves teaching patients and families better communication skills, resulted in 77% of adolescents recovering from initial symptoms within four years.
A UCLA-led study identified neuropeptide Y as a clear predictor of death in patients with stable heart failure. Patients with higher levels are 10 times more likely to die within one to three years.
Patient visits to primary care physicians increased by 3.6% after Medicaid expansion, but ER department visits remained unchanged. The study found that factors such as data quality and state policies may limit the accuracy of findings.
A team led by Dr. Brigitte Gomperts developed a 'scar in a dish' model that accurately replicates progressive scarring in human organs, enabling the identification of a drug candidate that halted or reversed fibrosis in animal models.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that inhibiting PAK4 gene overcomes resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy in preclinical models. Biopsies from patients with melanoma showed high expression of PAK4, correlating with suppressed immune cell infiltration into tumors.
Chronic inflammation is linked to 50% of all deaths worldwide, causing heart disease, cancer, diabetes and more. Identifying new biomarkers for early diagnosis and better treatment can help reduce chronic disease and improve health.
Scientists at UCLA have discovered a key protein that enables human blood stem cells to self-renew in laboratory conditions. Activating this protein, MLLT3, increases the number of blood stem cells by at least twelvefold, opening up new possibilities for treating blood disorders.
Scientists at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center developed a new high-throughput screening system that identifies selective inhibitors of metabolic pathways. The approach revealed multiple kinase inhibitors block nucleotide metabolism and its targets.
The UCLA prostate cancer program has been awarded an $8.7 million SPORE grant to develop new approaches for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of prostate cancer. The grant will fund three translational research projects to find better ways to treat men with advanced stages of the disease.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a new biomarker tracking mitochondrial activity in lung tumors using noninvasive imaging. This level of activity may predict favorable response to complex I inhibitor and inform treatment decisions for individuals with lung cancer.
Researchers found that fashion models and women from the general population shared similar body image concerns, with thighs and tummies being top areas of focus. The app Somatomap showed promise in helping doctors diagnose and treat eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorders.
A study found that nearly 98% of people prescribed apixaban, a common anticoagulant, use over-the-counter products, which can cause dangerous internal bleeding. Many patients lack knowledge of these interactions, highlighting the need for education and further research.
New research reveals creatine powers CD8 T cells' fight against cancer by storing and distributing energy. Creatine supplementation enhances existing immunotherapies, including PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy, leading to significant tumor eradication rates.
A study led by UCLA researchers found that suppressing the mutation in astrocytes can stop the progression of Huntington's disease in mice and repair some of the damage. The findings suggest that impaired astrocytes play a role in many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and ALS.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are launching a pioneering chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy trial targeting CD19 and CD20 proteins on B-cell lymphoma and leukemia. The goal is to minimize resistance and increase life expectancy for patients diagnosed with these cancers.