Despite clinical recommendations, genetic testing is underutilized among Medicaid-enrolled children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. The study found stark racial disparities, with Black children less likely to receive genetic testing than their white peers.
A new study found that people with COVID-like symptoms took up to nine months post-infection to regain mental well-being, but physical well-being returned after three months. Up to 20% of patients continued experiencing suboptimal overall health-related quality of life one year after infection.
A new study from UCLA Health finds that middle-class families with children benefited from the 2021 expanded Child Tax Credit by reducing energy insecurity. However, the poorest households saw no measurable benefit and even experienced increased energy insecurity after the credit expired.
Dr. Vanessa Casha, a postdoctoral scholar at the UCLA Brain Research Institute, received the 2025 Hereditary Disease Foundation's Nancy S. Wexler Young Investigator Prize for her research on Huntington's disease. She aims to identify key proteins driving the disease and potential therapeutic targets.
Dr. Enrico Castillo, an assistant professor of psychiatry at UCLA, has been recognized as an emerging leader in health and medicine scholar by the National Academy of Medicine. He will collaborate with the organization's members over three years to address urgent health challenges.
Combining immunotherapy drug dostarlimab with standard chemotherapy improved survival and reduced symptoms in patients with advanced endometrial cancer. Patients lived up to 5.5 months longer with fewer side effects, outweighing risks.
A nationwide study reveals that Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander patients face significantly higher costs for emergency surgeries compared to white patients. Converting just 10% of emergency procedures to planned surgeries could save $1.8 billion annually.
DB-1310, a HER3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate, has shown real potential as a new treatment option for patients with advanced solid tumors that have progressed after standard therapies. In an international clinical trial, DB-1310 demonstrated significant tumor shrinkage and delayed cancer growth in 44% of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients.
Research suggests that self-employment among white women is associated with lower rates of obesity, physical inactivity, and poor sleep duration. This study uses biologic and physical measures to explore the relationship between self-employment and cardiovascular disease risk factors across sex and racial/ethnic minority status.
A new UCLA Health study found that maternal warmth in early childhood predicts better physical and mental health outcomes for teens by shaping their perceptions of social safety. Children who experience more maternal warmth at age 3 have more positive social safety schemas, leading to improved health outcomes at age 17.
A UCLA study found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can significantly enhance the ability of T cells to fight cancer and suppress tumor growth across various cancer types in mouse and human tumor models. SSRIs increased access to serotonin signals, making killer T cells happier and more effective at killing cancer c...
Researchers at UCLA Health identified a candidate small molecule, DDL-357, that increases concentrations of secreted clusterin, reducing toxic protein phospho-tau and improving mitochondrial function. The drug also improved memory in treated mice in maze-based cognitive tests.
Surgeons from UCLA Health and Keck Medicine of USC successfully performed the world's first-in-human bladder transplant. The patient, who had lost most of his bladder due to a tumor removal, received a new kidney and bladder through the pioneering technique developed by Drs. Nima Nassiri and Inderbir Gill.
UCLA Health psychiatrists and researchers will discuss Los Angeles wildfire mental health impacts, perinatal and postpartum mental health, and athlete mental health. Experts will also cover the therapeutic potential of cannabis, mind-body interventions, and quality of care for individuals with disabilities.
The study found that patients who used lecanemab were more likely to be male, white, from urban areas, and with higher socioeconomic status than those who did not. Uptake rates of lecanemab were also significantly higher for patients with these characteristics.
Researchers found that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is as safe as conventional treatment, with similar side effects and quality of life. SBRT shortens treatment time and may have biological advantages in targeting prostate cancer.
A comprehensive study by UCLA's Olympic Analytical Laboratory and Texas Tech University found that growth-promoting substances in US meat supply are present in trace amounts, well below regulatory limits. Most beef samples showed detectable levels of banned substances, but at safe levels for human consumption.
A new study by UCLA researchers shows that advanced MRI imaging and targeted focal therapy can help many men with low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer safely stay on active surveillance long-term, avoiding follow-up biopsies and delaying or avoiding invasive treatments. The findings suggest that routine follow-up biopsy can now be...
The PEERS for Preschoolers program is an evidence-based solution designed to help young children on the autism spectrum learn fundamental social skills needed to form lasting friendships. The program focuses on key areas such as turn-taking, sharing, cooperative play, and good sportsmanship.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that artificial intelligence can help detect interval breast cancers earlier, potentially reducing their rates by 30%. The research used AI software to analyze mammograms and identify subtle signs of cancer that were missed by radiologists.
A study published in Nature Communications identifies fibromodulin as a protein that forms a complex with interleukin 1β to stop myofibroblasts from forming excessive scar tissue. This finding could lead to a new way to reduce or prevent excessive scarring, benefiting patients recovering from surgery, injuries, or burns.
A new gene therapy has successfully restored immune function in nine children with severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I (LAD-I), a rare genetic disorder. The treatment has eliminated symptoms and reduced severe infections, offering a life-changing benefit to these patients.
A UCLA study found that nearly one-quarter of e-scooter-related injuries involved substance-impaired riders, who experienced almost double the risk of traumatic brain injuries compared to non-impaired patients. The study also highlights increased hospital costs for these patients, averaging $4,600 per case.
The UCLA Walter and Shirley Wang Center for Integrative Digestive Health will offer comprehensive care, support, and guidance for patients with gastrointestinal disorders. The new center utilizes an integrative health approach to treat GI diseases and improve quality of life.
A novel topical BRAF inhibitor gel called LUT014 has been shown to significantly reduce the severity of an acne-like rash in patients undergoing anti-EGFR therapies for colorectal cancer. The treatment's safety and effectiveness have been confirmed, offering a potential solution to managing this common side effect.
Researchers at UCLA Health are launching a clinical trial to test whether wearable nerve stimulation can ease ADHD symptoms in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. The study aims to improve focus and behavior by gently stimulating the trigeminal nerve, which is linked to attention and executive function.
New UCLA-led research finds that telemedicine use in 2023 reduced monthly CO2 emissions by the equivalent of 61,000 to 130,000 gas powered vehicles. This modest but noticeable impact on the environment could have policy implications for US healthcare delivery.
Researchers from the University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences will present new research findings on robotic prostate cancer surgery and cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab in high-risk bladder cancer. The innovations aim to improve patient outcomes and advance the field of urology.
Researchers from the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are presenting new findings on combination therapies for liver and pancreatic cancers, including a new organoid model for personalized head and neck cancer treatment. Additionally, they are discussing the potential of liquid biopsies for cancer detection and monitoring.
Researchers have found that puberty triggers significant changes in brain connectivity patterns in individuals with a rare genetic disorder tied to autism. The study suggests that synaptic dysfunction during development may contribute to the condition's behavioral challenges.
Researchers have identified a potential precision medicine approach to prevent chronic kidney disease progression by targeting type 5 collagen, a minor component of scar tissue. A repurposed anti-cancer drug, Cilengitide, has been shown to slow kidney scarring and disease progression in high-risk individuals.
Home care cooperatives have achieved half the turnover rates of traditional agencies, thanks to factors like respect, control, job support, and compensation. These cooperative businesses are owned and operated by caregivers themselves, fostering a more collaborative experience.
A UCLA study validates the predictive power of PROSTOX, a genetic test that uses microRNAs to identify patients at higher risk of developing long-lasting urinary side effects from radiation therapy. The test helps doctors and patients choose safer treatment options, reducing the burden of long-term complications.
A new digital 'translator' for brain studies enables researchers to map the brain in a standardized way, facilitating discoveries and treatments for various disorders. The open-source software allows for the comparison of brain imaging data with widely used brain atlases, promoting commonalities across findings.
Researchers mapped m6A patterns across 162 prostate cancer tumors and found that these modifications were closely tied to tumor aggressiveness. Analyzing m6A tags could help doctors predict disease behavior and determine personalized treatment strategies for patients with prostate cancer.
Dr. Owen Witte has been awarded the 12th annual Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine for his groundbreaking work on leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancers. His discoveries have led to life-saving therapies like Gleevec and ibrutinib, transforming cancer treatment.
Researchers found that electronic cigarettes have a lower likelihood of causing changes associated with atherogenesis, compared to tobacco cigarettes, among people living with HIV. This suggests switching to e-cigarettes could be a promising harm reduction strategy for this vulnerable population.
A new study by UCLA Health has discovered a drug that fully reproduces the effects of physical stroke rehabilitation in model mice. The drug, DDL-920, excites parvalbumin neurons, leading to significant recovery in movement control after stroke.
A new study confirms that a shorter, higher-dose-per-day radiation course is as effective as conventional radiotherapy for treating early-stage prostate cancer without increasing side effects. The study found similar cancer control rates and fewer gastrointestinal issues with the new approach.
Researchers developed an AI tool called Unfold AI to accurately estimate prostate tumor volume and identify patients likely to benefit from partial gland cryoablation. This approach shows promise in reducing treatment failures by over 70% and improving patient outcomes.
A new analysis by UCLA Health finds that psychological prehabilitation can significantly enhance recovery after surgery, reducing hospital stays and pain. The study also found that psychotherapy-based interventions can lower anxiety and depression levels after surgery.
Dr. Nowicki's team has engineered 'supercharged' T cells that produce extra TNF-alpha to boost cancer-fighting ability, offering a potentially more precise and toxic-free treatment option. The new funding will help test these enhanced T cells in preclinical models to evaluate their effectiveness.
A study found that socioeconomically disadvantaged patients used emergency departments less for non-avoidable visits, despite an overall rebound in ED use by 2022. This trend reverses pre-pandemic increases in ED utilization among Medicaid and dual-eligible patients.
The study found that nearly 1-in-3 young people now live with pediatric onset conditions that significantly affect their lives. Young adults are more likely to develop chronic conditions if they have lower socioeconomic status.
A new study suggests that chronic stress and an unhealthy diet may work together to fuel the early development of pancreatic cancer. Researchers found that both stress-related neurotransmitters and obesity-related hormones activate a protein called CREB, which is linked to cancer cell growth.
Researchers discovered significant changes in liver function following diesel exhaust exposure in mice, including disrupted gene activity and mitochondrial dysfunction. The study suggests a potential link between air pollution and metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
A study uncovered new genetic clues explaining why some prostate cancers grow slowly while others become life-threatening, identifying 223 mutations that determine tumor progression. The research shows germline and somatic variability work together to initiate and drive prostate cancer.
A new federal mandate aims to improve patient awareness about breast density, which affects cancer detection and risk. Women with dense breasts may need supplemental screening, such as MRI, to detect breast cancer earlier, but this comes with potential downsides.
Researchers combine radiation with a plant-derived compound to combat glioblastoma, forcing cancer cells into a dormant state. The approach significantly slows tumor growth and improves survival in mice models, offering a potential new avenue for combating this deadly form of brain cancer.
US outpatient prescriptions for ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with usage being three times higher among adults aged 65 and older. The study's findings highlight the need for policy reforms to combat misinformation and mistrust in scientific institutions.