Researchers found that vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids improved the immune system's ability to clear amyloid plaques from the brain. The study identified key genes and signaling networks regulated by these substances, which may help control inflammation and improve plaque clearance.
Researchers at UCLA's Pediatric Medical Home will study ways to reduce preventable hospital admissions and emergency room use among children with medically complex illness, aiming to decrease healthcare expenditures. The study will analyze root causes of preventable hospitalizations and design cost-saving strategies.
A new study from UCLA has identified a possible link between outdoor food ads and a tendency to pack on pounds. The researchers found that the more outdoor advertisements promoting fast food and soft drinks there are in an area, the higher the likelihood that residents are overweight.
A UCLA-led study found that older adults' general mistrust of the government and AIDS-related conspiracy theories significantly impact their willingness to get tested for HIV. Despite venues offering free testing, 45% of participants had not taken an HIV test in the past year.
Researchers have developed a new technique to identify abnormal tau proteins associated with repetitive head injuries, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and tracking of brain disorders. The study used PET scans to detect elevated levels of FDDNP in the brains of five retired NFL players.
A new UCLA study reveals that obese youngsters are at far greater risk of having three or more reported medical, mental, or developmental conditions compared to their non-overweight peers. The researchers found a nearly twice the risk of obesity, as well as a higher likelihood of poorer health, disability, and emotional problems.
A new study led by UCLA researcher Dr. Derjung Tarn found that a simple training program improved physicians' ability to communicate key facts about prescribed medications, including potential side effects and medication adherence. The intervention resulted in higher ratings from patients on communication about medications.
A new study reveals that genetic factors significantly contribute to obesity, with DNA influencing body-fat responses to high-fat, high-sugar diets. The research found that genetics account for up to 80% of the variation in body-fat percentage among mice, suggesting a strong link between DNA and fat gain.
Researchers at UCLA have found a powerful boost to therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy by combining a proven FDA-approved medication, dantrolene, with existing treatments. This combination aims to restore normal muscle function and improve the lives of those affected by the disease.
A new imaging-guided targeted biopsy method using MRI and ultrasound fusion has been shown to detect prostate cancer more accurately than traditional blind biopsies. The technique led to a high rate of cancer detection and identification of aggressive tumors, improving patient outcomes.
Researchers suggest that physicians use tools from behavioral economics and social psychology to motivate patients to control their chronic diseases. Techniques include helping patients form specific plans, breaking big goals into smaller tasks, and using cash payments as a motivator.
The University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences successfully performed the nation's first
UCLA's heart transplant program has been ranked among the nation's best by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), with a silver-level ranking for its high transplant rates and patient survival. The program is one of only seven nationwide to achieve this level, and it has earned a silver ranking twice, including in 2010.
A new approach for assessing fracture risk combines bone density measures with body size and bone size, predicting risk accurately regardless of race or ethnicity. The study found that this composite bone strength index performed just as well as traditional methods in a group of nearly 2,000 women.
Researchers measured brain activity during sleep and found the entorhinal cortex shows persistent activity, behaving as if it's remembering something. This challenges conventional theories about memory consolidation during sleep.
Researchers find harmless virus living on skin that naturally targets and kills Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, a major trigger of acne. The discovery offers promising new hope for developing targeted anti-acne therapies.
Researchers have discovered how chemical agents bind to and detect amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain, enabling quicker diagnosis and earlier treatment. The study's findings will speed the development of new imaging agents, providing potential benefits for patients with early Alzheimer's disease.
A US multicenter study showed that 46% of kidney transplant recipients in living donor chains were minorities, contradicting previous fears. The study highlights the potential for expanding donor chains to increase diversity and accessibility for minority patients.
A team of researchers has identified a possible key to slowing the progression towards AIDS by uncovering an early immune response that targets a specific section of the HIV protein. This novel finding could lead to new insights into vaccine design and may provide hope for better treatment options for those living with HIV.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a gene therapy regimen that safely restores immune systems to children with ADA-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a devastating disease. The treatment showed promising results in restoring immune function to three out of six patients, offering new hope for these children.
Researchers discovered that tumor suppressor genes TSC and PTEN regulate stem cell-like blood precursor cells in fruit flies. The TOR pathway uses these genes to gauge nutrition levels and stress, expanding or increasing the number of blood progenitor cells. High levels of ROS were found to be valuable in this context.
A UCLA study challenges the World Health Organization's approach to HIV prevention in South Africa, suggesting a 'test and treat' strategy could be more effective but costly. The researchers predict that treating the 1.6 million people who need treatment would be very effective as a form of 'treatment as prevention,' bringing the epide...
Researchers identified a unique cell type that bridges bone marrow stem cells and the entire human immune system, offering insights into healthy immune function and potential therapies for diseases. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding cancer development and treatment.
Researchers investigated six models for community health center access to subspecialty care, finding that integrated systems offer the best comprehensive access. Community health centers can hire subspecialists or partner with hospitals to provide better care.
A new device that mechanically removes stroke-causing blood clots from the brain has been proven to be highly effective in reopening blocked vessels, with a success rate of 61% compared to 24% for the standard FDA-approved mechanical device. The device also led to better survival rates three months after a stroke.
A new UCLA study identifies uniquely human patterns of gene activity in the brain that could deepen our understanding of human evolution and brain diseases. The research suggests that complex signaling pathways and enhanced cellular function in the frontal lobe created a bridge to human evolution, enabling higher rates of learning.
Scientists at UCLA and the Technion have unraveled how our brain cells encode vowel pronunciation in speech. They found two distinct areas in the brain responsible for this process, one responding to all vowels and another firing exclusively for specific vowels.
US-born Latina women are at higher risk of having children with retinoblastoma due to factors like poorer diets and smoking during pregnancy. In contrast, Mexican-born Latinas are at lesser risk, possibly due to healthier behaviors after immigration.
A UCLA study finds that a computerized brain fitness program significantly improves memory and language skills in older adults. The six-month program, used by participants aged 84, demonstrated improved cognitive function compared to those who played less frequently.
Researchers have discovered that embryonic endothelial precursors can differentiate into beating cardiomyocytes in the absence of Scl, a master regulator of blood development. This finding may provide new avenues for creating cardiac stem cells and treating heart conditions through regenerative medicine.
African American couples affected by HIV will benefit from a new intervention program, Eban, which aims to reduce HIV transmission and promote healthier living. The program's effectiveness was previously tested in a four-city study with 535 serodiscordant couples.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a novel molecule, ephrin-A5, that inhibits new connections between neurons, limiting brain recovery after stroke. Blocking this molecule promotes axonal sprouting and functional recovery in mouse models.
A new targeting technology has been found to improve outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation, with an 86% success rate after a single procedure. The technology, known as focal impulse and rotor modulation (FIRM), allows doctors to detect and shut down the electrical sources of the arrhythmia in minutes.
A UCLA-led study found that reporting models for mortality may unfairly skew hospital rankings if stroke severity isn't considered. The researchers discovered that more than half of hospitals initially classified as having higher-than-expected mortality rates were reclassified after adjusting for stroke severity.
Physicians feel responsible for assessing and addressing medication adherence but often rely on simple inquiries about adherence, leaving room for improvement. Non-adherence can lead to poor clinical outcomes, increased hospitalizations, and higher mortality rates.
Researchers at UCLA are conducting a clinical trial to investigate the impact of copper surfaces on reducing hospital-acquired infections. The study aims to determine if lowering bacteria levels on hospital surfaces results in reduced infection rates, better patient outcomes, and lower costs.
A new UCLA study found that obesity and a higher waist circumference reduce risk of adverse outcomes in advanced heart failure patients. Men and women with high BMI and waist circumference had significantly better event-free survival rates than those with normal weight.
A new UCLA study published in Basic Research in Cardiology found that heart attacks in late pregnancy result in worse heart function and more damaged heart tissue than in non-pregnant females. The research suggests that the heart may be particularly vulnerable to injury during this critical period, but partially recovers after giving b...
Researchers found that a diet enriched with DHA and curcumin preserved walking ability in rats with spinal-cord injury, while a Western diet caused measurable walking problems. The study suggests that dietary supplements may help repair nerve cells and maintain neurological function after degenerative damage to the neck.
Researchers at UCLA have combined gene expression and peripheral blood analysis to identify potential precursors of autism. The study found strong links between genetic variations in specific regions of the genome and altered expression patterns in genes related to nervous-system function.
A new UCLA-led study shows that a two- or three-drug combination given to infants within 48 hours of birth can reduce the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission by about half compared to AZT alone. The study found that this combination significantly reduced HIV transmission, while also being less toxic to the infants.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that purified human perivascular stem cells can form bone faster and with higher quality than traditional methods, potentially eliminating the need for invasive bone grafts. The study uses a fresh cell composition called stromal vascular fraction to isolate and purify the stem cells.
A recent study found that 26.7% of homeless adults in downtown LA are infected with hepatitis C, while nearly half (46.1%) are unaware of their infection status. The study also highlights the need for interventions such as HCV education, counseling, and voluntary testing and treatment services.
A new study reveals the immune system and inflammation may play a significant role in Lou Gehrig's disease, specifically targeting motor neurons for clean-up by macrophages. Resolvin D1, an omega-3 fatty acid derivative, was found to curb inflammation and block harmful proteins, offering a potential new approach to treating ALS.
Studies show that ligand cells produce pulling force to pull on Notch, activating cellular responses. The findings provide compelling evidence for the role of mechanical force in Notch signaling, potentially leading to new therapeutic targets for diseases related to Notch signaling.
Researchers discover mutation on same gene responsible for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, a disease characterized by rapid cell division and large size. The finding enables early diagnosis and treatment of IMAGe syndrome, a rare disorder stunting infants' growth.
The study found that kidney stone prevalence nearly doubled from 8.8% in 2007-2010 to 17.6% in 1994, with obesity and diabetes being key risk factors. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and body weight can reduce the risk of kidney stones.
The Urologic Diseases in America report documents the significant impact of urologic conditions, such as urinary tract infections and prostate cancer, on the American public. The study reveals that these conditions result in substantial healthcare costs, with estimates suggesting $40 billion annually.
A new UCLA study finds that nerve-sparing surgical techniques and experienced surgeons can improve erectile function after prostate cancer surgery. Surgeons with at least 1,000 cases under their belt and those who actively seek improvement have better outcomes.
Researchers found two specific gene variants associated with faster motor decline in Parkinson's patients. These variants can now help doctors predict disease progression, allowing for targeted therapies and faster results on efficacy of drugs.