A new off-the-shelf vaccine has shown promise in treating pancreatic and colorectal cancers in patients with KRAS mutations. The study found that the vaccine significantly decreased tumor biomarkers and produced strong T-cell responses, leading to a reduced risk of relapse and death.
A UCLA-led study found that a combination of telehealth coaching, peer support, and automated text messages increased PrEP uptake among younger Americans by more than doubling it. The intervention's success suggests the importance of behavioral interventions and wraparound services in supporting HIV prevention.
Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified the protein TYRP1 as a promising target for CAR T-cell therapy. The study demonstrates potent antitumor responses against cutaneous and rare melanoma types, offering new hope for treating these challenging-to-treat cancers.
A four-drug chemotherapy regimen, NALIRIFOX, has been approved by the FDA for frontline treatment of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The regimen, combining irinotecan liposome, oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil, resulted in longer overall survival compared to a two-drug protocol.
A new study found that young teenagers who develop a strong distrust of others as a result of childhood bullying are substantially more likely to have significant mental health problems as they enter adulthood. Researchers used data from 10,000 children in the UK and found that adolescents who were bullied at age 11 and developed great...
A UCLA-led evaluation found that 81% of homeless residents in the pilot program were no longer unsheltered after one year. The initiative improved housing placement rates and reduced time spent in locked psychiatric settings.
New research finds that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals experience greater negative impacts on their health status, activity levels, and ability to work after COVID-19 infection compared to white participants. The study highlights the need for equitable health interventions for underserved populations.
Researchers have identified genetic and cellular changes underlying placenta accreta spectrum disorder, which can cause the placenta to fail to separate from the uterus at birth. The study sheds new light on this increasingly prevalent disorder, which has devastating implications for maternal and neonatal health.
Researchers have identified UCHL1, a protein found in highly aggressive neuroendocrine carcinomas and neuroblastoma, as a potential molecular biomarker for diagnosing these cancers and predicting responses to therapy. Targeting UCHL1 with inhibitors has been shown to delay the growth and spread of these tumors in pre-clinical models.
UCLA surgeons and scientists present research on ethnic predictors of gastric cancer survival, early liver retransplantation and risk factors for chemical restraint use in adult trauma patients. The studies highlight the importance of understanding these factors to improve patient care.
A new study finds that infants born full-term to mothers infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy are three times more likely to develop respiratory distress compared to uninfected infants. Vaccination prior to infection was found to be protective, reducing the risk by half.
A recent study by researchers at UCLA Health Sciences found that the presence of certain microorganisms in semen may affect sperm motility and male fertility. Specifically, Lactobacillus iners was linked to negative impacts on sperm parameters.
Researchers found a combination treatment involving high doses of radiation and chemotherapy to be safe and effective in treating locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment, which includes an adaptive boost plan, showed promising results in improving progression-free survival and reducing toxic side effects.
Researchers found that impaired autophagy can lead to cardiac dysfunction by depleting NAD+ levels, which activates a chain of events causing mitochondrial and cardiac damage. Inhibiting a key enzyme in this pathway may offer new therapeutic options for heart failure treatment.
Scooter-related injuries in the US nearly tripled from 2016 to 2020, resulting in more severe injuries and higher healthcare costs. The study found that scooter riders were more likely to experience long bone fractures and paralysis than bicycle riders.
A new study found that fentanyl-laced prescription pills are driving a surge in overdose deaths among high school age adolescents in the US. The death rate for this group has increased to 5.2 per 100,000, with Arizona and Colorado experiencing rates double the national average.
Researchers used OCTA to visualize retinal blood vessel changes in migraine patients during and between attacks. Blood flow decreases were found, with asymmetrical flow correlated to headache pain side.
A new report by UCLA neurologist Dr. Indu Subramanian recommends that doctors delivering Parkinson's diagnoses use correct terminology and provide guidance on treatment options, lifestyle choices, and coping strategies to give patients hope and agency.
Researchers at UCLA Health have received a $3 million grant to identify novel biomarkers and develop AI for detecting aggressive prostate cancer. The project aims to improve treatment accuracy and reduce unnecessary interventions.
A new UCLA study found that the ketogenic diet alters key gut microbiome functions related to fatty acid oxidation and amino acid metabolism in pediatric epilepsy patients. These changes confer seizure resistance in mice when transplanted fecal matter is used, holding promise for new microbiome-based therapies.
A new UCLA Health study found that hormonal contraceptive pill users processed stress differently at the molecular and psychological level. They also reported a more negative emotional response to stress compared to non-users.
A study by UCLA researchers found that nearly 20% of patients with serious illnesses listed as alive in their medical records were actually deceased according to California data. This discrepancy led to hundreds of wasteful follow-up outreach efforts, straining resources and healthcare workers' time.
Two studies led by UCLA researchers reveal how cancer cells use energy to survive and grow, shedding light on why some prostate cancers become resistant to hormone therapy. The findings highlight the importance of considering cell metabolism in developing new cancer treatments, particularly those targeting the androgen receptor.
A new study found Black men diagnosed with advanced stages of prostate cancer are significantly less likely to be prescribed novel hormone therapy compared to white or Latino men. The disparity persisted at five years and beyond, with Black patients receiving this crucial treatment at a lower rate.
A UCLA study found that substance abuse treatment can lead to reduced methamphetamine usage and longer periods of abstinence. The study, which analyzed responses from nearly 300 men in Los Angeles, suggests that even limited treatment options can be effective in reducing methamphetamine use.
A new study calls for increased health outcome reporting at ICE detention centers to monitor the quality of medical care. The researchers found discrepancies between emergency medical services and ICE reports, raising questions about the medical care provided in these centers.
Researchers discovered an alternative immune response involving NK and CD4+ T cells that can recognize and attack cancer cells when the usual recognition marker B2M is missing. This finding holds potential for developing more effective combination cancer immunotherapy treatments.
A study of over 2.9 million patients found that gender concordance was associated with lower mortality for female patients, but higher mortality for male patients. The quality of surgical care provided by female surgeons is equivalent to or slightly better than that provided by male surgeons.
A new study from UCLA Health researchers demonstrates that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is effective in most patients with major depressive symptoms, starting to alleviate symptoms as quickly as one week. The treatment was found to be associated with a significant response rate of 54% of patients, with early impr...
Researchers developed an AI model using epigenetic factors to predict patient outcomes across multiple cancer types. The model successfully divided patients into two groups with different survival chances, and its genes were found to have a significant overlap with cluster-defining signature genes.
A UCLA study found that hospitals with high patient diversity are less likely to offer core cancer services, including hospice care, chemotherapy, and robotic surgery. The lack of these resources can impact treatment quality and outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown pathway for dietary cholesterol absorption in the gut, which could lead to new treatments for managing cholesterol levels. An experimental drug has been found to specifically target this pathway, offering a potential new approach to controlling cholesterol levels.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method to engineer more powerful immune cells that can potentially be used for 'off-the-shelf' cell therapy to treat challenging cancers. Gamma delta T cells with high expressions of CD16 surface marker exhibited increased ability to recognize and kill cancer cells.
A study published in JMIR Medical Education found that GPT-4 can accurately diagnose and triage health conditions comparable to board-certified physicians. The model's performance does not vary by patient race or ethnicity, providing a promising tool for healthcare systems.
Researchers identified a mechanism that fuels cancer cell growth and developed a new strategy to restrict this process. By restricting glucose in lung cancer cells, they found it caused the cells to lose their specialized features, making them more aggressive.
Researchers at UCLA and Charles Drew University are receiving NIH funding to tackle the HIV epidemic, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as youth, transgender individuals, and Black Americans. The projects will explore innovative implementation strategies to enhance community engagement and support high-quality services.
A UCLA-led study shows datopotamab deruxtecan, a Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate, significantly improves progression-free survival in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment primarily benefits patients with non-squamous tumors, reducing disease progression and improving overall survival.
A study by UCLA researchers found that children of parents with adverse childhood experiences are at increased risk of arrests and convictions by young adulthood. Positive childhood experiences were not observed to provide a balance for the adverse ones.
Researchers describe a groundbreaking case of bilateral TMS treatment for chronic ataxia after hemorrhagic stroke, resulting in significant improvements in walking speed and balance. The treatment showed promise as the patient regained independence in daily activities.
New studies from UCLA Health found that measuring pupil response to light before TMS treatment correlates with improved depression symptoms. Pupil size reflects activation of the autonomic nervous system, which is negatively impacted in people with depression. Researchers discovered a significant association between baseline pupil cons...
A UCLA-led team has identified RBFox1, an RNA splicing regulator, as a key player in promoting human stem cell-derived heart muscle cell maturation. This finding offers a deeper understanding of heart muscle cell development and hints at future therapeutic applications for regenerative therapies.
Researchers developed a nanocapsule that reduces lactate levels and releases hydrogen peroxide, recruiting and activating immune cells to attack tumors. The approach increased immune cell activity by 2-5-fold, improving cancer immunotherapy success rates.
Researchers discovered a new role for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in a pathway activated by interferon-gamma that leads to cancer cell death. Hyperactivation of ERK causes stress in cells, triggering cell death through specific proteins DR5 and NOXA.
A UCLA-led team has discovered the nerve supply that activates brown adipose tissue, a potential key to treating obesity. The study found nerve branches in all eight cadavers dissected, which may lead to using nerves to stimulate BAT activity for weight loss.
UCLA researchers found that people exposed to discrimination exhibit altered brain responses to food cues, increasing cravings for unhealthy foods and changing gut chemistry. This leads to a higher risk of obesity and related disorders, highlighting the potential role of discrimination in food choices and health outcomes.
A new study links menopause to cognitive deficits, revealing estrogen receptor beta's crucial role in astrocytes. Midlife female mice showed cognitive impairment after losing ovarian hormones, and brain atrophy was observed in the dorsal hippocampus.
A pharmacist-led intervention has been shown to improve medication adherence among Latinos with type 2 diabetes, leading to significant reductions in blood sugar levels. The study found that patients who interacted with a pharmacist had an average 0.45% reduction in blood sugar, while systolic blood pressure remained unchanged.
Researchers discovered that guiding specific neurons to their natural target regions leads to recovery, while random regrowth is not effective. The study provides crucial insights into axon regeneration and requirements for functional recovery after spinal cord injuries.
A new study finds an engineered compound largely prevented bone loss in mice aboard the International Space Station, simulating long-duration space travel. The compound, BP-NELL-PEG, displayed superior specificity for bone tissue without adverse effects.
Research from UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine found that living in a disadvantaged neighborhood can disrupt brain information processing involved in reward, emotion regulation, and cognition due to poor diet and lack of physical activity. The study analyzed the microstructure of the brain cortex and found associations between ne...