A low-fat diet has been shown to increase the survival rate of obese children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia by five times compared to a high-fat diet. This dietary intervention could potentially help kill cancer cells and improve treatment outcomes.
Students from lower-income neighborhoods who attended top-performing Los Angeles County high schools were less likely to abuse marijuana. Attending one of these schools was linked to lower marijuana use, fewer peers abusing drugs, and improved academic performance.
Researchers found that HIV-infected infants were four times more likely to acquire congenital CMV infection compared to uninfected counterparts. Infants born to HIV-positive mothers had high rates of congenital CMV, with a sixfold greater chance of acquiring the virus during pregnancy.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered that late-stage prostate and lung cancers share common molecular mechanisms. The study found that these cancers can evolve similarly, even from different organs, which could lead to the development of drugs to treat not just prostate and lung cancers but also small cell cancers of almost any organ.
Researchers found that online participants lost an average of 10.3 pounds at 6 months and 8.8 pounds at 12 months, comparable to in-person program results. The online program also showed better participation rates than the in-person program.
Researchers at UCLA have created a quick and effective mechanism to measure how circulating tumor cells perform functions that drive disease, such as producing proteins that degrade tissue. The new approach enables scientists to understand how tumor cells act, rather than just what they are made from.
Researchers found that acute changes in extracellular matrix components can trigger rapid changes in cell metabolism and migration, potentially leading to cancer metastasis. The study suggests targeting tumor metabolism by altering the extracellular matrix could lead to new cancer treatments.
A study by UCLA researchers found that California's minority population contributes to the state's relatively low death rate, despite high poverty and lack of insurance rates. The state's death rate from all causes was 619.1 per 100,000 population in 2016, lower than the national average.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method for tracking brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. The system uses tiny artificial receptors paired with semiconductor devices that can function in living tissue.
A new study led by UCLA researchers found that the ACA reduced disparities in healthcare between Mexican-heritage Latinos and other Latinos, with a significant increase in health insurance coverage among Mexican-heritage Latinos after implementation of the law's major provisions. However, disparities persist due to legal status, income...
Scientists have discovered a three-pronged treatment that stimulates axon growth through scar tissue in rodents, potentially leading to therapies for humans. The approach triggers axon growth and transmission across damaged tissue, opening doors to restoring connections in people with spinal cord injury.
A UCLA-led study found that a combination of pembrolizumab and SD-101 can alter the tumor microenvironment, enabling the immune system to attack cancer more effectively. The treatment has shown promise in people receiving immunotherapy for the first time, with some patients experiencing complete tumor disappearance.
A study of 63 healthy individuals found a strong association between elevated gut bacteria and stronger brain function in areas linked to reward and emotions. This suggests that indole-producing gut bacteria may contribute to overeating behaviors.
A UCLA study reveals that magnetic stimulation of the lower spine can restore significant bladder control in people with spinal-cord injuries. The treatment improved patients' quality of life by an average of 60%, allowing them to urinate voluntarily for up to four weeks between treatments.
A new roadmap for improving health has been developed by UCLA researchers using software that aggregates data on how to treat conditions of children with complex medical situations. The team identified 10 key health outcome domains, including social integration and family support, to help provide a comprehensive model of care.
Researchers found that statins can improve conditions in people with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, a rare syndrome affecting 1 in 150,000 people worldwide. The study also identified two new tests to help diagnose the condition and showed promise for oral statin therapy as a potential new approach.
A UCLA-led study found that many people with heart failure do not receive recommended medications, and when prescribed, they are often at lower-than-recommended doses. The research highlights the need for new strategies to improve medication dosing and outcomes for people with heart failure.
A new study from the University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences reveals that parents who experienced severe childhood trauma are more likely to have children with behavioral health problems. The study found a strong association between parents' adverse childhood experiences and their children's behavioral health issues, par...
A UCLA-led study found how colon cancer alters its genes to avoid detection by the immune system. The ability of cancer to change its genes, called immunoediting, had never been described in colon cancer before.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a personalized glioblastoma vaccine that shows promise in increasing long-term survival. The vaccine, known as DCVax-L, has been shown to extend median survival time from 15-17 months to 23.1 months.
A $12M grant from CIRM will fund a phase 1 clinical trial testing pembrolizumab with dendritic cell injections into lung cancer tumors. The goal is to activate a targeted immune response against lung cancer, addressing the challenge of T cells not reaching tumors.
UCLA researchers discovered a promising drug strategy blocking tau transmission, which could slow neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. A small molecule called cambinol blocks the transfer of tau aggregates from cell to cell.
Researchers discovered naturally occurring hormones 'notum' and 'lipocalin-5' that accelerate fat burning and protect against Type 2 diabetes. Lipocalin-5 also enhances muscle's ability to metabolize nutrients, reducing obesity and diabetes risk. The findings could lead to new drugs for halting obesity and heart disease.
A new study has identified a critical stage in human embryonic development that may contribute to infertility and miscarriage. The research, led by UCLA biologist Amander Clark, reveals that epigenomic changes in early embryonic stem cells play a crucial role in determining embryo viability.
Research from UCLA and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that surgeries performed by older surgeons (age 50 and up) have lower patient mortality rates than those performed by younger surgeons. The study also showed that female surgeons in their 50s had the lowest patient mortality rate, regardless of age group or gender.
Researchers link increased prescribing of opioids to benzodiazepines, a known overdose risk factor, contributing to rising overdose deaths. The US sees a surge in opioid-related fatalities despite a decline in new prescriptions after 2010.
Researchers found an association between certain risk-related terms on Google Trends and subsequent syphilis trends reported to the CDC. The Twitter-based model predicted state-level trends in syphilis with 90% accuracy, allowing for early warning systems to be developed.
Researchers at UCLA have identified four distinct subtypes of melanoma with varying levels of sensitivity to ferroptosis, a type of self-inflicted cell death. These findings suggest new treatment approaches for dedifferentiated melanomas by combining ferroptosis-inducing drugs with multiple cancer therapies.
Two targeted therapies, MLN128 and CB-839, individually target the metabolism of key nutrients glucose and glutamine, respectively, to treat squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. Researchers found that when used in combination, these drugs could reduce tumor growth in aggressive lung cancer.
Scientists have developed a new CRISPR method to analyze the effects of thousands of gene edits in parallel, improving their ability to identify harmful genetic changes. This technique enables researchers to rapidly distinguish between damaging and harmless edits, potentially leading to breakthroughs in disease diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method that enables them to observe astrocytes' influence on nerve-cell communication in real time, shedding light on their role in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease.
Scientists have discovered higher levels of humanin in placentas of women who gave birth to underweight infants. This protein may play a role in protecting the fetus during placental failure. The study highlights the importance of understanding the causes of low birthweight and its potential impact on adult health.
A new UCLA study found that a peer navigation treatment program can help former HIV-positive inmates stay on their medications and keep the virus controlled. The program showed significant improvement in viral suppression rates compared to the traditional approach used today.
Researchers at UCLA have identified two genes associated with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The genes, GDF15 and IGFBP7, are linked to appetite regulation and placenta development.
A new UCLA-led study found that cardiovascular health disparities between whites and minorities narrowed slightly from 1988 to 2014. However, the reduction was due to worsening health among whites, not improvements in African-Americans and Mexican-Americans.
Researchers at UCLA have created a new method for targeted gene delivery using 'nanospears,' which can enable safer, faster and more cost-effective gene therapies. The nanostructures are biodegradable and can be mass-produced inexpensively, delivering genetic information with minimal impact on cell viability and metabolism.
Research found distinct changes in brain structures and concurrent symptoms that differed between men and women with sleep apnea. Women showed more regions of the superior frontal lobe thinning than men or control groups, linked to enhanced cognitive deficits.
A new UCLA-led study finds that the Great Recession was associated with increased blood pressure and glucose levels, particularly among older homeowners and those still in the workforce. The study analyzed data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and suggests that economic crises can have measurable effects on public health.
Researchers discovered that most new cardiomyocytes come from cardiac progenitor cells during early embryonic development, but this ability fades as mice mature. The study's findings could lead to methods for regenerating heart tissue after a heart attack.
A UCLA study found that male teens outperform older men in driving skills, while sports participation improves driving abilities among both males and females. The researchers propose expanding safety training to all new drivers, regardless of age or gender, to reduce traffic accidents and save lives.
A newly discovered gene called MeXis has been found to act within clogged arteries to remove excess cholesterol from blood vessels. This study suggests that long non-coding RNAs play a crucial role in the development of heart disease and may lead to new insights into treating cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at UCLA have uncovered a gene network that promotes the formation of spinal motor neurons in chicken and mouse embryos. The study sheds light on how embryonic development is orchestrated for motor neuron formation, with implications for stem cell-based therapies to repair or study neurodegenerative diseases.
A new UCLA study found that a high-cholesterol diet can accelerate the formation of tumors in the colon by speeding up intestinal stem cell division. The research identified a molecular pathway that could serve as a new target for colon cancer treatment.
The study provides the first atomic description of the herpes virus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, allowing scientists to identify specific targets for antiviral therapies. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for both KSHV and Epstein-Barr viruses.
A new vaccine approach developed at UCLA may help lower hospitalizations due to the flu. The researchers used genomics to identify and eliminate the virus' defense mechanisms, enabling a safe and highly effective vaccine candidate that can be taken as a nasal spray.
Researchers have successfully coaxed human stem cells into becoming sensory interneurons, responsible for relaying information from throughout the body to the central nervous system. This breakthrough could lead to a cell-based treatment that restores sensation in paralyzed people without immune suppression.
The study found that expanded Medicaid coverage led to a 2.3% decrease in uninsured rates among pregnant women who already had a child, and a 7.9% decrease in the number of uninsured mothers during pregnancy. Additionally, lower-educated mothers were 1.7% more likely to receive adequate prenatal care due to the expansions.
Researchers developed a gene therapy approach using CAR T-cells to target and destroy HIV-infected cells, achieving sustained immunity of over two years in test animals. The engineered cells effectively attacked and killed HIV-infected cells without adverse effects.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully created skeletal muscle from human pluripotent stem cells, a major step towards developing a cell replacement therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The study uses natural human development as a guide to mature muscle cells in the lab and restore dystrophin-producing muscle fibers.
Researchers found that Ebola survivors' immune systems may provide some protection against future infection. The study, led by UCLA, located 14 survivors of the 1976 outbreak who still lived in the same remote villages.