Dr. Aparna Bhaduri receives $750k Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize for her innovative glioblastoma research. Her advanced human organoid models reveal how tumors interact with the immune system and brain cells, driving tumor aggressiveness.
Researchers found significant loss of neurons in the locus coeruleus, a second critical region involved in arousal and muscle tone regulation. This finding suggests an immune-mediated process and challenges the prevailing explanation for narcolepsy with cataplexy.
A first-in-human clinical trial found that setidegrasib, a targeted therapy drug, demonstrated early antitumor activity in advanced lung and pancreatic cancers. The therapy shrank tumors and delayed disease progression in some patients, providing a potential new treatment approach for KRAS G12D-driven cancers.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that half of older patients with dementia remain on psychotropic drugs a year after starting them. The medications, including antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, are often prescribed in acute and post-acute settings such as emergency rooms and skilled nursing facilities. This raises c...
Dr. Dennis Slamon, a renowned breast cancer researcher, has been elected to the Association of American Physicians (AAP) for his pioneering work in HER2 gene discovery and targeted therapies. His research led to significant improvements in survival rates and established the principle of targeted cancer treatment.
Researchers are developing a new wearable technology to monitor babies' movements and detect early signs of autism. The study aims to improve early identification and intervention, which is crucial for optimal developmental outcomes in autistic individuals.
Researchers at UCLA mapped how Down syndrome disrupts prenatal neuron development, leading to cognitive and sensory processing differences. The study found altered developmental sequences and cell populations that may contribute to the condition's effects.
New research suggests that federal housing assistance may lead to better two-year survival chances among older men with prostate cancer. The study found a 12% lower risk of death in men who received housing assistance compared to those without it.
Researchers found that tumor genetics alone did not explain which patients responded to combination therapy, but rather the tumor's immune environment. Patients with active networks of cancer-killing T cells were more likely to benefit from treatment, while those with dense clusters of plasma cells were less likely.
Dr. Aditya Bardia has been elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation for his outstanding contributions to research and patient care in breast cancer treatment. He is advancing precision medicine therapies through antibody-drug conjugates and liquid biopsy technologies.
Research found that gender-diverse teens reported higher rates of psychological stress and psychotic-like experiences, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health disorders. Bullying and unsupportive legislation drove these findings.
Researchers identify senescent macrophages as a driver of fatty liver disease, inflammation and aging. Clearing these cells reversed liver damage in mice on unhealthy diets.
A national survey found significant disparities in IBS diagnosis across sex and racial groups in the US. Men and Black patients are less likely to receive a formal diagnosis compared to women and white patients, despite similar reported healthcare-seeking behavior and symptom severity.
UCLA investigators present new research on targeted drug delivery for colorectal cancer, COVID-19's impact on breast cancer outcomes, and AI in cancer diagnosis. These studies offer insights into overcoming drug resistance, enhancing immune responses, and improving outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
Research published in Ethnicity & Disease found that self-employed Hispanic women report less high blood pressure, obesity, and poor health compared to their salaried counterparts. They were also more likely to exercise, with a nearly 11% higher rate of physical activity.
A UCLA-led study found that unionization leads to lower turnover rates among direct care workers, with significant benefits including improved care quality and reduced stress. Unionization applies to both for-profit and non-profit organizations, suggesting its potential to save the healthcare system $1.5 billion a year in turnover costs.
A new, cost-effective blood test detects liver, lung, ovarian, stomach cancers, and various non-cancer conditions by analyzing DNA fragments in the bloodstream. The test achieved high accuracy rates for multi-cancer detection and tissue-of-origin identification.
A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that women with diabetes are less likely to receive recommended preventive care services such as conception counseling and breast/cervical cancer screening. This oversight puts them at risk for preventable medical conditions like pregnancy complications.
Current AI systems lack internal embodiment, a property that humans take for granted, which can lead to performance and behavior limitations. Researchers propose a dual-embodiment framework to guide future research in building safer and more aligned AI models.
Researchers analyzed genetic data from nearly 94,000 participants in UCLA's ATLAS Biobank, highlighting new connections between genes, disease risk and medicine response. The study found that genetics can predict how well patients respond to GLP-1 drugs for weight loss purposes, with varying response rates across ancestry groups.
The FDA has approved a gene therapy for severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I, a rare genetic condition that affects one in a million children globally. The therapy, Kresladi, has been shown to significantly reduce severe infections and improve immune function in treated patients.
Researchers found that combining targeted radiation therapy with BO-112 and anti-PD-1 therapy before surgery activated the immune system to fight cancer. This approach reshaped the tumor microenvironment to support T-cell activity, resulting in fewer cancer cells and a more effective anti-tumor response.
Researchers will use human stem cell-based models to uncover molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying autism and schizophrenia. They aim to identify genetic variants that alter brain development and pinpoint common underlying mechanisms for both conditions.
UCLA researchers identified a key protein, E2F3, essential for survival in cancer cells lacking the protective gene RB. Blocking E2F3 effectively halted tumor growth, offering a new strategy for treating aggressive cancers.
Researchers tracked mouse groups during cold exposure and found that individual brain activity influences collective behavior, leading to self-correction when one member is compromised. The study highlights the importance of considering the whole group in understanding brain function.
Researchers engineered supercharged T cells that can recognize and kill prostate cancer cells more effectively. By fine-tuning how they physically interact with tumor cells, the T cells form a stronger bond, allowing them to deliver a targeted immune response without damaging healthy tissue.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel immunotherapy that uses CAR-NKT cell therapy to fight endometrial cancer. The therapy achieved complete tumor elimination and prolonged survival in mouse models, outperforming conventional CAR-T cell therapies.
A new study by UCLA researchers shows that a personalized counseling program, called Motivation and Problem-Solving (MAPS), can help cervical cancer survivors quit smoking, with twice as many women quitting compared to standard support. The program's cost-effectiveness is also demonstrated, with the probability of being cost-effective ...
Patients with neurological diseases face profound questions about identity, purpose, and meaning, but neurologists often lack training and tools to address these concerns. A new paper offers practical strategies for incorporating spiritual assessment into routine neurological care.
A recent study in mice has identified the brain circuits responsible for why we help others, finding a common neural basis in parenting and prosocial behavior. The research suggests that evolution may have linked the biological drive to care for offspring with the urge to comfort distressed peers.
The novel approach outperforms standard CAR-T cell therapy in preclinical studies using mouse models of glioblastoma and ovarian cancer. Armored CAR-T cells eliminate tumors, reshape the tumor environment, and boost immune-cell activity.
A new UCLA study suggests that adding hormone therapy to post-operative radiotherapy may provide little survival benefit for most men with prostate cancer, especially those with low PSA levels. However, men with higher PSA levels before radiation may see modest improvements in survival and metastasis-free survival.
Researchers at UCLA have found a way to supercharge immune cells with a fuel source that tumors can't steal, dramatically improving their ability to survive and attack solid tumors. The approach enables T cells to import cellobiose and convert it into usable glucose inside the cell.
Researchers found that a condensed brain stimulation therapy, known as '5x5' TMS, produced comparable results to the standard six-week course of treatment. Patients who showed little improvement immediately after finishing their five-day course still benefited significantly in the weeks that followed.
Researchers found that certain inhalers used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are not only less harmful to the environment but can also lead to slightly better patient outcomes. The dry powder inhaler was associated with a 14% lower risk of moderate or severe COPD exacerbations compared to metered-dose inhalers.
UCLA researchers have developed a novel gene-editing approach using lipid nanoparticles to deliver a full-length CFTR gene into human airway cells. The study shows promise for treating cystic fibrosis by correcting the underlying genetic mutation, which could lead to more effective and long-term therapies.
A new UCLA study found that adding immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy before surgery is safe and shows promise for some patients with borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer. The combination treatment helped patients live long enough to reach surgery, shrank tumors, and produced encouraging survival outcomes.
A new report published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health highlights the significant global palliative care gap among children, with 96% of those in need living in low- and middle-income countries. The study estimates that $1 million per year is sufficient to cover pain medications for all children ages 0-14 years in need who live...
A UCLA research team has identified the best design for a promising new type of immunotherapy that could be mass-produced to treat multiple solid tumors. The 4-1BB-containing CAR design emerged as superior, demonstrating strongest anti-tumor activity and persistence.
Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center developed a new zinc oxide formulation that significantly reduces the white, chalky cast associated with traditional mineral sunscreens. The tetrapod-shaped particles provide strong protection against UV radiation while staying evenly distributed in the sunscreen.
A study published in Cell identified a protein complex called CRL5SOCS4 that marks tau for degradation, suggesting strengthening this natural defense mechanism could represent a new therapeutic strategy. Higher expression of CRL5SOCS4 components made neurons more likely to survive despite the accumulation of tau protein.
Aging muscles heal more slowly after injury due to increased levels of protein NDRG1 in aged muscle stem cells. NDRG1 helps stem cells survive longer but reduces their ability to activate and repair tissue.
A new clinical trial shows that treating desmoplastic melanoma with immunotherapy before surgery dramatically shrinks or eliminates tumors, improving quality of life for patients. The study found that 71% of patients had no detectable cancer remaining at the time of surgery.
Researchers created a comprehensive map showing how eight different genetic mutations associated with autism spectrum disorder affect early brain development. They found that despite initial differences, these mutations increasingly impact overlapping molecular pathways as development progresses.
Researchers developed miniature 3D tumor organoid models that closely mimic the human brain, revealing how glioblastoma interacts with surrounding brain cells and immune system. The models identified PTPRZ1 as a key regulator of tumor behavior, which helps determine its aggressiveness.
A UCLA-led team has discovered a novel mechanism of kidney stone formation involving bacteria, challenging the long-held assumption that stones develop solely through chemical and physical processes.
A new study demonstrates a health care approach matching treatment intensity to individual risk levels can significantly reduce self-harm and depression among at-risk adolescents and young adults. The randomized clinical trial found significant reductions in self-harm behaviors, improved patient satisfaction, and high follow-up rates.
The Phase 2 ANDROMEDA trial combines two types of PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceuticals with stereotactic body radiotherapy to delay progression and minimize side effects in patients with oligorecurrent prostate cancer. Researchers aim to determine which approach provides the most durable cancer control.
Research finds that nearly one in four Medicare beneficiaries with dementia are prescribed potentially harmful medications linked to falls, confusion, and hospitalization. Despite declines in prescribing rates, high levels of inappropriate prescribing persist among older adults with cognitive impairment.
The funding will support research at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, College of Letters and Science, and Fielding School of Public Health. The studies aim to inform evidence-based regulation and public health priorities.