A UCLA study found that less than 5% of men with low-risk prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance receive regular monitoring, putting them at risk of cancer progression. The study suggests that patients and doctors should agree on a follow-up schedule to closely monitor the cancer.
A Phase II randomized, placebo-controlled study found that taking estriol along with conventional medications helped RRMS patients avoid relapses. Estriol treatment improved cognition and prevented brain atrophy, potentially providing a one-two punch against the disease.
Researchers at UCLA have found a new way to reduce painful ascites, a common condition in ovarian cancer patients. The experimental drug inhibits macrophages, immune cells that help cancer spread, making the abdominal cavity less conducive to tumor growth.
A new UCLA-led study suggests that wrist fractures in postmenopausal women can predict a higher risk of future fractures, particularly spine, upper arm and lower arm fractures. The research highlights the importance of developing strategies to prevent subsequent fractures after an initial wrist fracture occurs.
A new UCLA study found that having a routine place for well and sick care is the most reliable predictor of whether a child will be readmitted to hospital. The study also revealed that parents' confidence in their children's continued good health is closely correlated with fewer unplanned readmissions.
A new study by UCLA researchers reveals a wide range of costs for treating low-risk prostate cancer, with active surveillance being the most cost-effective option. The study used time-driven activity-based costing to analyze costs across an entire care process, finding significant variation in prices for different treatments.
Researchers have identified growth differentiation factor 10 (GDF10) as a molecule that promotes brain cell formation of new connections after a stroke. The discovery may lead to the development of a treatment to enhance brain repair and functional recovery in people who have suffered a stroke.
A study by the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health found that CicLAvia significantly reduces air quality in Los Angeles neighborhoods. The event decreases ultrafine particle presence and particulate matter readings by up to 49% along closed streets, and even lower rates on nearby streets still open to traffic.
A UCLA-led study suggests that brief interventions in primary care clinics can significantly reduce risky drug use among patients. Participants who received brief advice and follow-up coaching reported a 33% reduction in their drug use over three months.
Youths with high-functioning ASD exhibit underdeveloped and insufficiently networked social brain areas, with increased blood flow in frontal regions important for navigating social interactions. Reduced long-range connectivity between default mode network nodes may explain impairment in social responsiveness.
The Harry Winston Fellowships support research to prevent, treat and cure disease in children. The three new Fellows are Dr. Claire Baldauf, studying intra-uterine growth restriction, Dr. Jina Lim examining aortic valve disease, and Dr. Emily Whang investigating inflammatory bowel disease.
A high-fructose diet has been shown to slow down the brain's ability to recover from head trauma, according to a new US study published in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. The research found that rats fed a fructose-infused diet took 30% longer to solve a maze after being subjected to a simulated traumatic brain injury.
A new UCLA study reveals that Alzheimer's disease consists of three distinct subtypes, each requiring targeted research and potential new treatments. The cortical subtype appears to be fundamentally different from the other two, suggesting different causes and optimal treatment approaches.
Research reveals HIV testing trends among adults aged 50-64 are not sustaining gains after CDC's 2006 recommendation. Testing rates remain low at around 3.7% despite risk behaviors remaining constant, underscoring the importance of patient advocacy for older adults
A UCLA-led study found that only 1 in 10 heart failure patients are referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program after hospitalization, despite strong evidence of its benefits. The study's findings point to the need for improved awareness and strategies to increase referrals.
The UCLA division of geriatrics has received a $2.5 million grant to enhance geriatric education, training and workforce development in Riverside County. The program, called PICATE, will establish new interprofessional curricula for students training in medical, nursing, social work and allied health fields.
Researchers discovered that CA125-negative tumor cells have an enhanced ability to repair their DNA and resist programmed cell death, making them dangerous. Combining chemotherapy with birinapant significantly improved disease-free survival in laboratory models of human ovarian cancer.
A UCLA-led study found that despite high compliance rates with guidelines for treating traumatic brain injuries, hospitals do not necessarily provide better care. The study analyzed data from 14 Los Angeles County trauma centers and found significant variability in mortality rates and procedure adherence.
A UCLA study found that the Sound Body Sound Mind curriculum tripled the percentage of students who passed California's standardized physical fitness test in under-resourced schools. The program increased students' confidence levels, enjoyment of physical activity, and knowledge about fitness.
A UCLA/USC study suggests that damage to the brain's nerve fibers is likely the cause of varying recovery times after a traumatic brain injury. The research found that patients with widespread myelin damage performed 14% worse on cognitive tests and had slower wiring, while those with intact myelin recovered faster.
A new UCLA study found that sepsis accounts for a significant percentage of hospital readmissions in California, with an estimated annual cost of $500 million. The study also revealed disparities in readmission rates among different demographics, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this critical issue.
A UCLA review of common practices in prostate cancer has found that monitoring men with very low- and low-risk prostate cancers using watchful waiting or active surveillance is an effective approach for many patients. This approach could spare them the debilitating side effects of aggressive treatments, which are often used unnecessari...
Researchers identified individual neurons in the medial temporal lobe that changed their firing to encode new associations at the exact moment of the experience. This finding may lead to a better understanding of memory loss and new methods to fight it in Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases.
New UCLA research reveals that vitamin B12 can lead to pimple-prone skin by changing the activity of facial bacteria. This finding may help identify new treatments for acne by targeting specific mechanisms in the skin. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, sheds light on one key role that B12 plays in acne development.
Researchers used humanized mice to study the effects of cocaine on immune systems, finding that cocaine makes people more susceptible to HIV infection. The study suggests that cocaine blunts the body's defense against the virus and increases the pool of cells that can become infected.
A UCLA study finds that children with autism spectrum disorder who are overly sensitive to sensory stimuli have brains that react differently, leading to a condition called sensory over-responsivity. The research may lead to interventions that can help improve the lives of these children and their families.
Researchers at UCLA successfully tested a portable finger-probe device on 53 potential organ donors, predicting which livers would function properly after transplantation. The device could increase the number of organs used for transplant and save patients waiting for transplants from dying.
A new study finds that Twitter can provide valuable information about the health and social needs of transgender individuals, including mental health issues like depression. The researchers collected over 1,135 tweets containing relevant hashtags and analyzed the sentiments expressed in the tweets.
A recent UCLA study found that only 3.7% of US adults with pre-diabetes were prescribed metformin, despite its proven effectiveness. The study highlights the underuse of metformin for diabetes prevention, which could be attributed to lack of knowledge and reluctance by patients and doctors.
Parents of children with drug-resistant epilepsy describe their arduous journey to get referrals for surgery, highlighting delays and frustration. The study calls for interventions to target these barriers, aiming to improve access to specialty care.
A new study from UCLA has found that women experiencing extreme morning sickness during pregnancy are three times more likely to have children with attention disorders and language delays. In utero exposure to HG may be linked to nutrient deficiency and life-long effects on the exposed fetus.
A recent UCLA study found that only 9% of US academic medical practices have procedures for connecting patients to LGBT-competent physicians. This suggests a need for increased training and policies to support LGBT patient care. The study's findings highlight the importance of healthcare providers being aware of and sensitive to factor...
A UCLA study found that 77% of California physicians understand the basics of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, with 59% supporting it. The survey also revealed a correlation between doctors' political affiliations and medical specialties.
A new imaging tool found a strikingly similar pattern of abnormal protein deposits in the brains of retired NFL players with concussions, which may help identify brain disorders like CTE. The study also shows differences in brain imaging patterns between concussed athletes and healthy individuals.
Researchers at UCLA find that HIV infection accelerates age-related epigenetic changes, leading to accelerated onset of diseases like cancer and osteoporosis. The study suggests that HIV itself may accelerate these aging-related changes by more than 14 years.
Researchers found that ECT alters the hippocampus and amygdala, structures linked to mood and learning, in patients with major depression. These changes correlated with improved mood and treatment response.
A new study published in the journal AIDS found that for most children with HIV and low immune cell counts, cells rebound after treatment. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,700 children infected with HIV before or during birth and found that 86% of children achieved normal CD4+ counts within one year of treatment.
A new on-board air filtration system developed for school buses reduces exposure to vehicular pollutants by up to 88%, making it cleaner way to transport children. The HECA filtration system could protect the 25 million American children who commute on school buses nearly every day from harmful exposures.
The rate of Latino physicians per 100,000 Latinos in the US has declined by 22% since 1980, according to a new study. The shortage of culturally familiar doctors negatively affects healthcare for U.S. Latinos, who face barriers to quality care due to language and cultural barriers.
A new method has been developed to deliver promising treatments to stroke patients quickly, thanks to the work of paramedics. By working with paramedics in the field, intravenous medications can be given to patients within the 'golden hour,' the window in which brain damage is minimized.
A UCLA study reveals that parents' long-term goals for their children play a significant role in predicting math and reading abilities. Children from poorer families tend to perform worse despite similar family incomes, due to factors like younger mothers, reduced parental interaction, and limited access to educational resources.
Researchers at UCLA have found that a deficiency of the hormone hepcidin makes people with iron overload disease susceptible to Vibrio vulnificus infections. A medical form of hepcidin, minihepcidin, has been shown to cure the infection by restricting bacterial growth.
A novel nomogram was developed by UCLA researchers to accurately calculate the risk of disease recurrence in liver cancer patients after a liver transplant. The tool uses pre-transplant radiologic information, blood biomarkers, and pathological characteristics to predict recurrence rates.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a genetic link between PTSD and two gene variants, COMT and TPH-2. These variants may contribute to the onset and persistence of the disorder, suggesting that heredity influences a person's risk of developing PTSD. The findings could lead to faster diagnosis and better treatment for survivors.
A UCLA study found that early exposure to antidepressants can impact adult anxiety behavior, with Lexapro potentially altering serotonin neurotransmission and reducing anxiety in mice. The research highlights the need for safer antidepressant options during pregnancy.
A new study from UCLA found that combining social media with behavioral psychology increased HIV testing rates among men who have sex with men in Peru. The Harnessing Online Peer Education intervention was more effective than traditional care through social media, suggesting a valuable tool in the fight against HIV.
Researchers found that higher-earning clinicians earn more by providing more services per patient, rather than seeing more patients. This challenges the current fee-for-service payment model, which may not incentivize clinicians to prioritize quality of care.
A randomized clinical trial found that perineal self-acupressure helped participants break up hard stools, relax muscles, and stimulate nerves responsible for bowel movements. 72% of patients reported improvement in their constipation symptoms after performing the technique for four weeks.
Researchers discovered that statins can reverse the learning deficits caused by Noonan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting 1 in 2,000 people. The treatment works by reducing Ras activity, allowing brain cells to communicate properly and enabling normal learning to take place.
Asthma is a widespread disease that causes genetic damage in peripheral blood, leading to oxidative stress and DNA damage. The study found four types of systemic effects, including protein damage, which can result in unstable chromosomes and increase the risk of other diseases.