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.
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.