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...
US overdose deaths involving fentanyl and stimulants increased 50-fold from 2010 to 2021, with stimulants becoming most common drug class found in fentanyl-involved overdoses. The trend disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minority communities, particularly Black and African American people.
Doctors treating Parkinson's patients need to focus on the emotional and social impacts of stigma, in addition to motor symptoms. Stigma can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and isolation, which significantly affect quality of life.
Researchers analyzed data from 2005-2020 and found that 10-year conditional survival was similar between biventricular and most single-ventricle CHD patients. Biventricular CHD patients also showed better 10-year survival compared to non-CHD heart transplant recipients.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center aim to overcome brain tumor's limited treatment options with ERAS-801, a brain-penetrant inhibitor showing promise in preclinical models. The team is testing the treatment in early clinical trials for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma.
Researchers found that tumors with metastasis to the brain respond better to immunotherapy due to effective priming outside the brain. Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, does not respond well due to impaired priming step.
Research reveals that heart transplant recipients from economically disadvantaged areas are at a greater risk of graft failure and mortality, with a 10% increased relative risk compared to those from non-distressed communities. The disparity in outcomes has widened since the implementation of the 2018 UNOS Heart Allocation policy.
Researchers evaluated biochemical recurrence as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival, but found no reliable correlation. Biochemical recurrences occur early in the disease course and may impact quality of life, but high-level data tracking this is lacking.
Researchers at UCLA have found that embedding study recruitment in pre-appointment check-in pages can increase participation rates up to 40 times higher than traditional methods. The new technique, called preCheck-in recruitment, resulted in a socio-demographically representative patient population without financial incentives or staff...
Researchers found a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab can extend progression-free survival and improve response rates in patients with resistant metastatic melanoma. The treatment showed a 37% improvement in progression-free survival compared to ipilimumab alone.
A global consortium of researchers has developed a large-scale, cross-species database and universal 'clock' to estimate age in all mammalian tissues. The study found that changes in DNA methylation levels are closely associated with life span and numerous other traits across mammals.
Researchers have discovered a novel pathway that minimizes liver injury during transplantation by activating the protective CEACAM1-S version. This protective characteristic is regulated by HIF-1α and can be enhanced using molecular tools and alternative gene splicing, reducing organ injury and improving post-transplant outcomes.
Researchers found that translating consent documents can discourage investigators from recruiting patients with limited English proficiency, contributing to low rates of participation from underrepresented groups. By relieving investigators of these costs, studies can become more inclusive and results more accurate and generalizable.
Researchers found seven potential genes linked to increased autism risk, including rare inherited variations and polygenic scores. Children with language delays had a higher likelihood of inheriting these genes, suggesting a link between genetic risk and language delay.
Researchers designed machine learning models to identify children at risk of self-harm, finding that incorporating more data points and diagnostic codes improved detection rates. The models were particularly effective for detecting underrepresented groups, such as Black and Latino youth.
A UCLA Health study found that Kundalini yoga increased activity in a region of the brain impacted by stress and associated with memory decline. The study suggests that this type of yoga, which combines movement and meditation, may be beneficial for older women at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
PSMA PET imaging provides prognostic information on cancer recurrence risk before treatment, improving personalized treatments and guiding surgical plans. The tool outperforms current standard tests in predicting biochemical recurrence, a critical factor in determining cancer-specific mortality.
Researchers identify key protein interactions that control the body's immune response during liver transplantation, leading to improved transplant survival rates. The study found that a specific communication pathway between CEACAM1 and TIM-3 proteins plays a crucial role in controlling the immune response.
A new UCLA Health study analyzed genetic data from 36,000 patients to identify disease risks and healthcare utilization among ancestrally diverse groups in the Los Angeles region. The research found substantial differences in diagnoses, hospital utilization, and genetic disease rates across clusters linked by shared genetic ancestry.
Researchers boosted inhibitory interneuron activity in Fragile X mice, reducing hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli. The study found that even young mice with Fragile X had lower PV neuron density and functional decoupling, but treatment restored excitatory neuron function and reduced hypersensitivity.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center confirmed genetic variants of unknown significance are verified mutations that increase the risk of kidney cancer. The findings could lead to new treatment options for people with hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC).
New research suggests targeting autoimmune inflammation associated with ALS could be a promising approach. The study found that two drugs, including one already approved for multiple sclerosis, reduced the expression of inflammatory proteins in ALS patients' immune cells.
A UCLA-led team is tracking mpox outbreaks across the US with a new surveillance project called CRASHED. The research aims to identify cases beyond high-risk groups and determine if mpox remains rare or resurges more broadly.
A UCLA research team has developed a new method called cfSort to accurately quantify tissue-derived cell-free DNA in liquid biopsies. The approach identifies unique methylation patterns for each tissue, enabling accurate diagnosis and monitoring of diseases.
A new AI model has been developed to help doctors determine the extent of cancer within the prostate gland, improving the effectiveness of focal therapy. The model was found to be more accurate than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting tumor margins, reducing the chance of cancer recurrence.
Researchers found that when a patient's congestive heart failure is mentioned during the initial check-in process, emergency room physicians are less likely to test for pulmonary embolism, potentially leading to delays in diagnosis. This anchoring bias can delay crucial testing and diagnosis of deadly medical conditions.
Scientists found that CXCL13-mediated recruitment of B cells helps predict response to immunotherapy treatment. This cooperation between T cells and B cells is associated with improved survival in patients treated with immunotherapy.
The expanded Child Tax Credit led to significant improvements in adult health and nutrition, with eligible adults reporting better health outcomes and food security compared to ineligible adults. The study estimates that this policy may have benefited approximately 1.08 million adults and 684,000 households.
A pilot study suggests that high-definition cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (HD C-tDCS) may be beneficial for acute ischemic stroke patients. In the study, patients who received HD C-tDCS showed improved blood flow and a significant rescue of threatened brain tissue, compared to those in the sham group.
Researchers at UCLA Health have discovered that estriol, a pregnancy hormone, can repair damaged myelin in the brain's cortex of mice with multiple sclerosis. This finding offers hope for developing new treatments to address the disease's progression.
A statewide pay-for-performance intervention based on Choosing Wisely reduced rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections from 43% to 25%. This reduction occurred without measurable harms at safety-net hospitals serving disadvantaged patients.