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.
New UCLA-led research finds that Paxlovid does not significantly reduce COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality among vaccinated older adults. The study suggests that Paxlovid's potential effect on COVID-19 hospitalization in vaccinated older adults is four times weaker than originally reported.
A new study reveals US hospital occupancy has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, driven mainly by a 16% reduction in staffed hospital beds. This could lead to a bed shortage as early as 2032, posing significant risks to patient safety and mortality rates.
A study found that emergency clinician prescribing of buprenorphine increased in California, leading to more patients starting treatment for opioid use disorder. The efforts were successful in getting patients started, with at least one in three filling a second prescription within 40 days.
Researchers have identified changes in brain rhythms that indicate seizure activity in Alzheimer's patients. High-frequency oscillations (HFOs) occur at rates two to three times higher in Alzheimer's patients than in cognitively normal individuals.
A recent study found that telehealth is closing the care gap for people with substance use disorder in rural areas, but those covered by Medicaid managed care have lower access to this treatment. Rural individuals experienced the greatest overall increase in substance use disorder treatment among all populations studied.
Researchers discovered that mismatch repair genes are critical in eliciting damages to neurons vulnerable to Huntington's disease, triggering downstream pathologies and motor impairment. Targeting these genes may offer novel therapeutic approaches, including improving locomotor and gait deficits and reducing neuronal cell death.
Researchers found a clear causal relationship between gut microbiota and vagal nerve activity in mice. Introducing gut bacteria restored vagal activity, while antibiotics had no impact on germ-free mice. The study identified specific metabolites produced by the gut microbiome that activate the vagus nerve.
A recent study by UCLA researchers has discovered high amounts of bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate (BTMPS) in illicitly sold fentanyl. BTMPS is not approved for human consumption and has been linked to serious health effects such as cardiotoxicity and ocular damage.
A pilot study will explore whether a ketogenic diet helps stabilize mood symptoms in teens and young adults with bipolar disorder. Preliminary research suggests improvements in mood and executive function among older adults.
The Neuro-Oncology Translational Research Training Program aims to bridge laboratory discoveries and clinical applications in neuro-oncology, targeting glioblastoma and brain metastases. The program provides predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees with cutting-edge lab experience and mentorship across multiple disciplines.
The Human Virome Characterization Center at UCLA will investigate the diversity of viruses naturally inhabiting the human body along the oral-gut-brain axis. The center's discovery team will characterize virome richness, diversity, and structure in healthy individuals across different age groups and ethnic backgrounds.
A recent study published in Lancet Oncology reveals a significant link between early side effects from radiation therapy for prostate cancer and long-term complications. Men who experience moderate acute urinary or bowel side effects during treatment are nearly twice as likely to develop late urinary or bowel issues, respectively. This...
The D-CARE study found no differences in patient behavioral symptoms or caregiver strain between health system and community-based care approaches. However, comprehensive care improved caregiver self-efficacy, which remained consistent throughout the 18-month period.
A new study highlights the link between socioeconomic disadvantage and poorer survival rates after heart transplantation in Medicaid-insured patients. The research found that these patients had a higher likelihood of developing cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), a condition affecting transplanted hearts and limiting long-term survival.
A study suggests targeting endocan, a protein produced by endothelial cells in blood vessels, could slow tumor growth and make glioblastoma more vulnerable to existing treatments. The discovery may lead to new strategies to combat glioblastoma, which has an average lifespan of just 12-15 months.
The PEERS Clinic at UCLA offers a 20-week dating program called PEERS for Dating, aiming to demystify social rules and empower participants to form lasting connections. Participants will learn practical strategies for initiating and maintaining romantic relationships with support from trained coaches.
A new study found that nearly half of high-risk prostate cancer patients have metastatic disease when evaluated with advanced PSMA-PET imaging, suggesting traditional imaging may underestimate cancer spread. This challenge the interpretation of previous studies like EMBARK trial, and support the inclusion of PSMA-PET for patient select...
A new study reveals multilingualism enhances executive function skills, including focus, understanding perspectives, communication, and reduces repetitive behaviors in both autistic and non-autistic children. Parents of multilingual households report stronger overall executive function compared to mono-lingual households.
A new study found that emergency department physicians differ in their likelihood of hospitalizing patients, with those who admit more patients being discharged sooner but not less likely to die. The study suggests that differences in physician decision-making drive these variations, rather than patient health.
The study highlights the need for targeted incentives to expand hospital-at-home programs to smaller, rural, and non-teaching hospitals. The research found that adoption of these programs remains concentrated among larger, urban, not-for-profit, and academic hospitals.