A new UCLA study reveals that people seeking antiretroviral medications after high-risk sexual encounters are likely to complete the full treatment regimen. The research also shows a strong demand for publicly available post-exposure prophylaxis among high-risk populations in Los Angeles County.
The University of California - Los Angeles School of Dentistry has received a $1,876,920 NIH grant to develop an innovative tool for rapid and reliable assessments of the stress response to trauma as evidenced in saliva. This technology aims to unite healthcare providers in delivering comprehensive care to patients with facial trauma.
Researchers at UCLA will use a new super-resolution stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope to investigate molecular assemblies and biological processes, including chromatin structure and cell signaling. The instrument will also enable the development of new family of STED probes based on semiconductor nanocrystals.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a novel mechanism to predict survival in older women with early-stage lung cancer. Higher levels of aromatase, an enzyme that produces estrogen, are associated with more aggressive disease and lower survival rates in women over 65.
A study by UCLA researchers has identified brain circuits involved in hunger that are influenced by leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells. Leptin supplementation reduced activation in regions linked to hunger while enhancing activation in regions linked to inhibition and satiety in three adults with congenital leptin deficiency.
A study by UCLA scientists found that 48% of women and 23% of men are interested in cosmetic surgery, with 31% of women reporting feeling uncomfortable in their own skin. The researchers were surprised to find no correlation between body image and interest in surgical alteration.
A new UCLA study found that vulnerable elderly patients enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid received only 65% of recommended tests and treatments, indicating significant room for improvement. The study examined quality of care for common conditions such as depression, diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure.
Researchers found that bone marrow transplant is a successful treatment option for DiGeorge syndrome, with a 75% survival rate. The study also suggests that the thymus may not be necessary for immune development after birth.
Researchers used a novel 3D mapping technique to analyze MRI data from Alzheimer's patients and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The study found progressive brain atrophy in both groups, but MCI patients showed more cortical damage characteristic of Alzheimer's. This innovative method outperforms existing 3D imaging techniques.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Chlamydomonas, a tiny green alga with approximately 15,000 genes. The study provides new insights into human diseases associated with cilia dysfunction, as well as photosynthesis and metabolic processes.
The UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities is leading a nationwide project to assess the effects of environmental and genetic factors on children's health. The National Children's Study will follow 100,000 children from birth to age 21 to prevent and treat pressing health problems like autism, diabetes, and obesity.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new material that can produce polarized light, a key component for brighter displays in consumer electronics. The material uses aligned nanoscale pores to confine light and enhance lasing, making it 20 times easier to generate polarized light than traditional methods.
Researchers at UCLA identified a distinct pattern of gene expression in immune cells from chronically lonely individuals. This finding suggests that social isolation affects the activity of genes driving inflammation and may provide a molecular framework for understanding its link to heart disease, viral infections, and cancer.
Researchers will develop a faster, more sensitive biosensor to detect bacterial infections in human clinical fluid samples. The goal is to enable point-of-care diagnostics and aid antibiotic treatment selection within two hours.
A new UCLA study reveals that unstable lifestyles and lack of organization in HIV patients' lives can act as a barrier to regular medical care. The researchers developed a six-item scale to gauge the level of chaos in an adult's life, which found those with more chaos scored higher on the scale and had lower mental health status.
The Consortium for Neuropsychiatric Phenomics aims to understand the biology underlying various mental disorders by targeting healthy brain systems, such as memory and impulse control. This interdisciplinary approach may lead to new treatments and accelerate gene discovery.
A UCLA/RAND study found that more than half of children with an HIV-infected parent are not consistently in that parent's custody. Children of HIV-infected parents face risks for behavioral and emotional problems, highlighting the need for stable homes to cope with HIV effects.
A new UCLA study found that up to one-fourth of HIV-positive patients in Los Angeles reported feeling stigmatized by their healthcare providers, leading to low access to care and delayed treatment. The perception of stigma was linked to higher odds of reporting low access to care, with significant consequences for patient outcomes.
The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center will feature advanced medical technology, including wireless access to reports and lab results, diagnostics, and robotics. The new center is designed to create a healing environment with thousands of new, state-of-the-art technologies.
Researchers have discovered a specific form of estrogen that can protect the brain from degeneration without increasing cancer risk. This 'designer estrogen' offers potential for treating multiple sclerosis and combating other age-related brain diseases.
New research from UCLA finds that fireproofing homes dramatically reduces the spread of forest fires. By fireproofing not just their own homes but also those of their neighbors, individuals can help limit the damage and preserve entire neighborhoods.
A new UCLA study found that women exposed to high levels of air pollution in Los Angeles County were more likely to have preterm babies. The research, which analyzed data from over 2,500 births in 2003, controlled for other risk factors and found a significant link between air pollution exposure and increased preterm birth rates.
Associate Professor Jennie Ching-I Tsao of the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program has been selected as a winner of the Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship. The program provides tools and skills to advocate for better treatment of pain, including media communication and policy engagement. Tsao's research focuses on biopsychosocial models of pain ...
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center found that blocking angiogenesis signaling from inside endothelial cells can result in heart attacks, fatal strokes, and systemic vascular illness. The study suggests a more targeted approach to drug delivery may be necessary to minimize side effects.
Researchers at UCLA developed a mathematical model to assess the severity and predict the consequences of Staphylococcus Aureus outbreaks in the Los Angeles County Jail. The model identified that continuous inflow of colonized individuals is the primary cause of sustained outbreaks.
Researchers at UCLA have identified three inflammatory cytokines as potential biomarkers for predicting Type 2 diabetes in apparently healthy individuals. The study, which involved over 1,600 participants, found that high levels of these cytokines were associated with an increased risk of developing the disease.
The study aims to identify effective off-patent antibiotics for treating uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by MRSA. Researchers hope to find an optimal treatment to stop progression of serious infections or prevent recurrence, with Olive View–UCLA Medical Center as the principal study site.
Researchers have developed a method to produce highly pure and functional neurons from human embryonic stem cells, enabling the creation of models for studying neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The new approach allows for the isolation of specific neuronal populations with defined biological properties.
A recent study by UCLA's Center on Everyday Lives of Families found that convenience foods are commonly used in American families' dinners despite initial expectations. On average, meals took 52 minutes to prepare, with no significant time savings from relying on convenience foods. The study also revealed that mothers bear the brunt of...
A new study reveals that 23% of hospital-based physicians in China are smokers, significantly higher than the global average. The study prompts China CDC to initiate an antismoking campaign aimed at physicians and medical students.
Researchers at UCLA found that female mice have a lower threshold for cortical spreading depression (CSD), a key contributor to migraines. Memantine, a medication approved for Alzheimer's disease, shows promise in preventing migraines in patients with high frequency of attacks.
A study reveals that monkeys learn through active engagement, mirroring human learning strategies. By generating answers themselves from memory, monkeys outperformed passive training with hints in long-term retention. This finding supports the importance of active learning in both humans and animals.
A recent study by UCLA researchers found that at least 100 of the 599 documented cigarette additives have pharmacological effects, including enhancing or maintaining nicotine delivery. The study highlights a need for regulation of these additives to address concerns over addictiveness and environmental impact.
A new UCLA study finds that combining diesel exhaust particles with cholesterol fats leads to a dangerous synergy that causes blood vessel inflammation and cardiovascular disease. The researchers discovered that the interaction activates genes promoting cellular inflammation, accelerating the narrowing and blockage of blood vessels.
A national initiative designed to improve heart-failure patient care in hospitals resulted in significant gains, including increased adherence to key quality-of-care performance measures and reduced hospital stays. The initiative also led to favorable trends for in-hospital and post-discharge mortality rates.
Researchers used TMS to measure mirror neuron activity in response to American and Nicaraguan gestures, finding higher activity when observing shared culture. This study suggests culture shapes brain's neural mechanisms, influencing behavior and potentially informing motor skill and language learning.
Researchers found that HIV protease inhibitors block an enzyme crucial for generating the structural scaffolding of the cell nucleus. This leads to an accumulation of prelamin A and causes disease phenotypes similar to those associated with genetic defects in ZMPSTE24.
Researchers isolated bisdemethoxycurcumin, which boosts macrophages to clear amyloid beta plaques found in Alzheimer's disease. The study identified key genes involved in this process, offering a new treatment approach that targets the innate immune system.
Researchers measured the effect of hepatitis B on patients' quality of life, creating a new tool to better assess overall well-being. The study found that psychosocial impact affected many patients more than physical symptoms, underscoring the need for clinicians to consider social and psychological factors in treatment.
A new UCLA AIDS Institute study found that self-monitoring by HIV-positive patients is an effective strategy to reduce high-risk behavior. By answering questions about their sexual behavior, patients reflected on their own behavior and changed their actions.
Scientists analyzed DNA samples and found that ancient Alaskan gray wolves are genetically distinct from modern wolves. They lived in Alaska continuously from at least 45,000 years ago until approximately 12,000 years ago.
Autistic individuals often struggle with interpreting subtle social cues like facial expressions and tone of voice. A UCLA study found that explicit instructions can train their brains to respond appropriately. Researchers trained ASD children to pay attention to these cues, resulting in increased activity in the brain's 'social' network.
Chemists from UCLA and the University of Florence have made progress in understanding ALS by identifying copper and zinc's lack as a factor in protein misfolding. This hypothesis could lead to treatment advancements, but further investigation is needed.
Researchers found that verbalizing emotions reduces brain activity in the amygdala, a region associated with emotional responses. This decrease in activity is linked to increased activity in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, which processes emotions and inhibits behavior.
Researchers found that a breakdown of myelin in the developing brain may contribute to the progression of Huntington's disease. The study, led by Dr. George Bartzokis at UCLA, suggests that an abnormality in the Htt gene affects myelin nourishment, leading to neuron death and disease symptoms.
UCLA researchers found that 90% of PG-13 rated films feature 'happy violence,' which can increase aggression and fear in young viewers. The study highlights the importance of media depictions on youth violence, with potential long-term consequences.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center have discovered a novel anti-inflammatory cell signaling pathway that may serve as a vital Yin-Yang mechanism to maintain the delicate balance of immune response. This discovery may lead to new ways to fight cancer and inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully manipulated nanomaterials to create a new drug-delivery system for anticancer drugs. The system uses silica-based nanoparticles to deliver water-insoluble drugs into human cancer cells, increasing their effectiveness and reducing toxicity.
Researchers at UCLA successfully reprogrammed normal tissue cells into cells with unlimited properties as embryonic stem cells, offering a promising alternative to current cloning methods. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of immune-compatible cells for disease treatment and regenerative therapies.
A new survey reveals that chronic hepatitis B patients often misunderstand the nature of their disease and its treatment. Despite being aware of the long-term consequences of the virus, many patients do not comply with their medication regimens, highlighting the need for improved patient education. The study suggests that enhanced pati...