Researchers at UCLA have developed a patented test that uses methylation patterns in DNA to accurately predict a person's age within five years. This test could offer a new forensic tool for crime-scene investigations, as well as personalized medicine applications, such as tailoring medical interventions based on an individual's bio-ag...
A new UCLA study reports favorable long-term outcomes for lower-risk patients with left main coronary artery disease who underwent angioplasty with medication-coated stents. The procedure had an excellent short-term outcome profile and a low risk of complications.
Researchers found that prostate cancer can adapt to hormone therapy by activating a survival cell signaling pathway, making it more effective. The study's findings suggest that targeting both the androgen receptor and PI3K pathways may be necessary to effectively treat these cancers.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a sugar-binding protein called galectin-9 that traps PDI on T-cells' surface, making them more susceptible to HIV infection. This finding may lead to the development of new anti-HIV therapeutics by inhibiting PDI or galectin-9.
Researchers used a brain scan to assess amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in adults with Down syndrome, revealing higher levels in all brain regions compared to healthy controls. The study found significant associations between increased age and higher binding values in specific brain areas.
Researchers have uncovered the molecular mechanism of a biological sensor known as the gating ring, which regulates bodily activities such as blood pressure and insulin secretion. The findings could lead to therapies against diseases like hypertension and genetic epilepsy.
A national study found that optimally implementing key guideline-recommended therapies for all eligible heart failure patients could prevent up to 67,996 deaths annually. The study highlights the potential health benefits of more consistent use of evidence-based treatments.
A recent study found that high out-of-pocket costs were a significant factor in the public's willingness to use PrEP, outweighing its effectiveness in preventing HIV infection. Participants expressed a desire for a 100% effective pill and reported concerns over sexual risk disinhibition and stigma associated with PrEP use.
A UCLA study has identified a common molecular signature in autistic brains, shedding light on the disorder's origins. Researchers found consistent differences in gene expression patterns between autistic and healthy brains, particularly in the cerebral cortex.
A new test measuring multiple parameters including PSA and six antibodies found in the blood of men with prostate cancer is more sensitive and specific than the conventional PSA test. The A+PSA assay reduces false-positives and shows great potential to improve prostate cancer diagnosis.
A new technology fusion of MRI with real-time 3D ultrasound improves targeted biopsy accuracy for prostate cancer diagnosis. The system identifies suspicious areas in the prostate and provides a roadmap for biopsy needle guidance, increasing cancer detection rates by five times compared to conventional biopsies.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a method to enhance the functionality of killer T-cells, which can help fight melanoma and other cancers. The study found that priming killer T cells with IL-12 increased their ability to recognize and target cancer cells.
A new study found that Latinas who endure domestic violence during or within a year of pregnancy are five times more likely to experience postpartum depression. The researchers suggest that recent exposure to intimate partner violence is a stronger predictor of postpartum depression than prenatal depression.
A new study found that adding community mobilization activities and post-test psychosocial support services to easily accessible HIV counseling and testing programs improved initial and repeat testing rates significantly. The project detected almost four times as many HIV cases in community-based areas than clinic-only programs.
UCLA researchers have discovered a novel method to stimulate the immune system against lung cancer by delivering an immune-stimulating protein via nanoscale containers called vaults. The approach showed potent inhibition of cancer growth in pre-clinical studies and has the potential to be a game-changer in cancer immunotherapy.
UCLA researchers may have discovered a way to convert non-insulin-producing cells into functional beta cells, which could lead to a permanent solution for diabetes. The study found that chemical tags called methyl groups play a crucial role in maintaining cell identity and converting cells into insulin-secreting beta cells.
A study by UCLA researchers found that ACE inhibitors may increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence in women who have had early-stage breast cancer. In contrast, beta blockers appeared to have a protective effect, and when used together with ACE inhibitors, may help mitigate this risk.
Squamous cell cancers can arise from hair follicle stem cells, which were found to be more prone to developing tumors. Researchers hope this discovery will lead to specific therapies targeting cancer initiation, potentially preventing the disease before it starts.
An experimental drug called NVP-BEZ235 blocks a crucial cancer cell signaling pathway, slowing ovarian cancer growth and increasing survival in an ovarian cancer mouse model. The drug also re-sensitizes resistant cancer cells to platinum chemotherapy, offering new hope for fighting drug resistance.
A new educational booklet developed by UCLA researchers can help patients better prepare for a colonoscopy, increasing the likelihood of a successful procedure. The booklet provides clear instructions and visual aids to aid in bowel preparation, which is crucial for identifying polyps and reducing cancer incidence.
A UCLA-led study found that adherence to national guideline-recommended therapies for heart failure significantly lowered mortality rates. Six out of seven individual measures were associated with improved patient survival over 24 months.
A new study by UCLA researchers has found that a key regulator of cholesterol and fat metabolism in the liver also plays a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. LXRs, master regulators of cholesterol and inflammatory gene expression, control the fibrosis-making cells of the liver.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a potential biomarker to track Alzheimer's disease progression and treatment effectiveness. The study found that the immune gene MGAT3 is expressed differently in various patient groups, which may lead to personalized disease prognoses and therapy responses.
A personalized dendritic cell vaccine has been shown to increase median survival time in patients with glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer. The vaccine was found to be effective in patients with the mesenchymal subtype of glioblastoma, which accounts for about one-third of all cases.
Homeless kids who use online social networking sites are more likely to have been tested for sexually transmitted infections and better informed about preventing them, despite increased risk of risky behaviors
Researchers at UCLA and the Veterans Administration may have accidentally discovered a solution to regrow hair by blocking a stress-related hormone, according to an article published in PLoS One. The compound, astressin-B, induced long-term hair growth in chronically stressed mutant mice through a short-duration treatment.
A study by researchers at UCLA Stroke Center found that strokes and cardiovascular disease exacted an enormous toll on Hollywood stars. The team identified 30 actors who suffered strokes and 39 heart attacks among Oscar nominees between 1927 and 2009, with women accounting for 60% of stroke victims.
Researchers found that less than one-third of acute stroke patients treated with clot-busting drug tPA receive it within 60 minutes of hospital arrival. Timely tPA administration is linked to lower in-hospital mortality and fewer complications, with every 15-minute reduction associated with a 5% lower risk of death.
A UCLA study reveals HIV causes rapid aging in CD4+ T-cells, leading to accelerated aging and increased risk of age-related diseases. Researchers found that infected individuals exhibit premature telomere shortening, a hallmark of cellular aging.
A UCLA-led study finds that health care reform can improve coordination between assessing disease risk and providing appropriate tests and follow-up medical services. The law expanded coverage for an annual wellness visit, which includes assessing risk for disease and developing a personalized prevention plan.
Researchers at UCLA found that the Nrf2 protein, thought to protect against oxidative stress, actually promotes atherosclerosis by raising plasma cholesterol levels and increasing plaque formation in arteries. The study suggests that antioxidant therapies targeting this protein may not be as effective due to these additional mechanisms.
Researchers at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research found that neural stem cells maintain high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to help regulate normal self-renewal and differentiation. The findings may have significant implications for brain repair and abnormal brain development.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have found a new mechanism that regulates protein stability in cells, triggered by the GSK3 enzyme. This discovery could lead to potential new treatments for cancer, particularly colorectal cancers and other forms of cancer.
A UCLA-led study found nearly two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke died or were rehospitalized within a year. Hospital mortality and readmission rates varied widely nationwide, indicating opportunities to improve stroke care.
Researchers at UCLA found that the protein Bmi-1 plays a crucial role in regulating self-renewal of normal prostate stem cells and transforming healthy cells into prostate cancer cells. Inhibiting Bmi-1 slowed the growth of aggressive prostate cancer in animal models.
Researchers have found that patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma develop resistance to targeted treatment PLX4032 through genetic mutations or cell surface protein overexpression, accounting for 40% of cases. The study aims to develop new therapies targeting these mechanisms.
UCLA researchers have pinpointed the culprit behind chronic rejection of heart, lung and kidney transplants. They discovered that HLA molecules on donor tissue provoke an immune response in the patient, leading to overgrowth of cells lining the inner blood vessels of the grafted organ.
A study reports on UCLA's experience with new techniques combining catheter ablation with minimally invasive surgical methods to access hard-to-reach areas of the heart. These procedures significantly improved accuracy in applying ablation therapy, offering more treatment options for high-risk patients.
Researchers found that the protein N-cadherin is upregulated in prostate cancer that does not respond to hormone therapy, making it a potential target for therapy. The study suggests that a monoclonal antibody targeting N-cadherin may be effective in treating this aggressive form of prostate cancer.
A new study led by researchers from UCLA and USC found that pregnant women whose sisters had hyperemesis gravidarum are 17 times more likely to experience the condition. Women with a family history of extreme morning sickness may be aware they may also have it, highlighting the importance of taking a family history into account.
Researchers have identified a promising medical therapy to help overcome the brain's limited capacity for recovery after a stroke. By studying tonic inhibition in mice, they found that blocking this inhibitory brain chemical can improve behavioral recovery after stroke.
Researchers at UCLA used brain imaging and genetic detective work to illustrate how genetic variants alter the brain, behavior, and learning. The discovery could lead to earlier detection of autism and targeted therapies to rebalance brain function.
A study found that a peptide being tested to treat atherosclerosis significantly inhibited the growth of ovarian cancer in human cell lines and mouse models. The peptide, an apoA-I mimetic, was shown to be effective when administered via injection or ingestion, with minimal side effects.
A new study suggests that medical schools can tap into doctors' sense of mission and self-identity to increase the number of primary care physicians in medically underserved areas. Training students in underserved settings during medical school and residency can also improve their likelihood of continuing to serve those populations.
A UCLA team is studying ways to get HIV-positive men released from LA jails into medical care and on sustained treatment. The randomized controlled trial will assess an innovative peer-navigation intervention to improve health outcomes and prevent transmission.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center found that combining curcumin with Cisplatin suppresses head and neck cancer cell growth, slowing tumor progression. The study showed that curcumin regulates cell cycling, inhibiting cancer-promoting NFκB.
A UCLA study found that exposing fetal neurons to high levels of the immune protein MHC leads to abnormal brain development in mice. This discovery may provide new insights into factors contributing to human neurological disorders like schizophrenia and autism.
A UCLA-led consortium will compare two approaches to help heart failure patients transition from inpatient to outpatient care, aiming to reduce readmissions. The project aims to identify approaches that can improve quality and reduce cost of care across different communities.
Researchers will study proteins that trigger cell activity and functions, aiming to understand how they malfunction and cause heart disease. The project, led by UCLA, involves seven institutions worldwide and focuses on mitochondria and proteasomes, which may contribute to heart disease when defective.
The UCLA-developed Combat Casualty Care educational program provides critical training for U.S. armed forces medical personnel in traumatic injury management, applicable to both military and civilian settings. The program incorporates cutting-edge video footage, patient cases, and ultrasound training modules to enhance trauma care.