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.
Researchers developed a genomic blood test that uses gene activity data to predict survival rates for patients with advanced heart failure who undergo mechanical circulatory support devices. The test was 93% accurate in predicting outcomes and could improve survival rates and treatment decisions.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that high glucose levels in pregnant women can lead to premature heart cell maturation, increasing the risk of congenital heart disease. The study found that targeting the pentose phosphate pathway could help generate more mature cells for regenerating heart tissue.
A new UCLA study estimates that 47 million Americans already show signs of susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease and this number is expected to double by 2060. By then, about 5.7 million will have mild cognitive impairment and 9.3 million will have dementia due to Alzheimer's.
A new medical note system called 'OurNotes' has the potential to promote patient engagement, improve patient-centered care and collaboration between patients and providers. The study suggests that inviting patients to co-produce their own notes may help reduce documentation burdens on clinicians.
A UCLA study found that people are being screened for cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure more frequently since the ACA implemented. However, a disparity was found in aspirin therapy, with men taking daily doses more often than women.
A new study found that heavy rainfall can indicate upcoming outbreaks of mosquito-borne viruses Zika and Chikungunya. The researchers developed a framework to predict where and when future outbreaks will occur, enabling municipalities to prepare measures to limit the spread of diseases.
HIV-infected patients have a lower rate of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs and aspirin therapy, while antihypertensive medication therapy shows less significant differences. The study calls for improving the quality of cardiovascular care for people with HIV.
Researchers developed a predictive tool to accurately estimate cardiac risks for older patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. The 'Geriatric-Sensitive Perioperative Cardiac Risk Index' considers age-specific risk factors and significantly outperforms traditional tools.
A new study found that hospitalized heart failure patients have lower survival rates and higher re-hospitalization risks despite normal left ventricular ejection fractions, highlighting the need for better treatments and outcomes prediction methods.
A new analysis of heart failure data found that federal policies aimed at reducing readmissions have led to an increase in deaths among these patients. The study suggests that the focus on keeping patients out of hospitals may be harming them, rather than improving quality of care.
A UCLA-led study reveals that sleep deprivation affects the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other, leading to mental lapses in memory and visual perception. The researchers discovered that lack of sleep also slows down brain cell activity, causing sluggish cellular activity and performance issues.
Researchers found that low-current electrical pulses targeting the right side of the entorhinal area significantly improved patients' ability to recognize specific faces. The study builds on previous research demonstrating that electrically stimulating the brain's entorhinal cortex can strengthen human memory.
Researchers at UCLA School of Dentistry used nanodiamonds embedded with biomaterials to protect disinfected root canals, resulting in improved tissue healing and no infection in three patients. The study confirms the immense promise of using nanodiamonds for overcoming barriers in various medical procedures.
Researchers developed improved mini brain organoids from stem cells, closely mimicking human brain structure. They found critical similarities between the organoids and real brain tissue and identified effective drugs to block Zika's entry into the brain, offering new avenues for studying neurological disorders
Researchers have developed a synthetic molecule, SUW133, that awakens dormant HIV cells and then knocks them out. The technique, called 'kick and kill,' could lower the viral reservoir enough for people with HIV to discontinue their anti-viral therapy.
A new UCLA study shows that black tea alters energy metabolism in the liver by changing gut metabolites, promoting weight loss and improving lean body mass. Both black and green tea change the ratio of intestinal bacteria, with black tea stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria.
A recent study by UCLA researchers found that low-cost, high-volume services account for a large portion of unnecessary healthcare spending in the US. The study analyzed data from Virginia's healthcare system and found that these services cost the state over $586 million in 2014.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded UCLA a $5 million grant to create a resource center for researchers studying the effects of substance abuse on HIV/AIDS. The Collaborating Consortium of Cohorts Producing NIDA Opportunities will connect researchers with access to millions of pieces of research data and lab samples.
Elementary school children with craniofacial anomalies show highest levels of anxiety, depression and peer interaction difficulties compared to middle and high school peers. Researchers call for education and acceptance to help youngsters thrive.
The UCLA-led study highlights the success of the kidney voucher program, which enables individuals to donate a kidney now and prioritize family members for future transplants. The program has led to 25 lifesaving transplants across the US, thanks to the altruistic donations of living donors.