Researchers have discovered the controlling enzyme, GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase, which serves as the biosynthetic pathway for plants to manufacture vitamin C. This breakthrough could lead to engineered plants with increased vitamin C content, improving plant resistance and human nutrition.
A new UCLA study used fMRI to capture detailed pictures of the human brain's response to inhaling pure oxygen. The researchers found that adding carbon dioxide to the gas mix calms the hypothalamus and slows the release of dangerous chemicals, preventing lasting damage.
Researchers at UCLA have achieved a record-breaking 18 lumens per watt for red phosphorescent LEDs using a new combination of polymer-infused liquid, resulting in brighter, clearer pictures and slimmer profiles. The development aims to make future LED TVs cheaper while maintaining high image quality.
A pilot study at UCLA found that testosterone gel reduced MS symptoms, slowed brain degeneration, and increased muscle mass in men with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The study suggests a possible neuroprotective effect of testosterone treatment in men with MS.
Parkinson's disease and narcolepsy share symptoms due to damage in the same small group of neurons. Researchers found that Parkinson's patients have severe loss of hypocretin cells, which may be reversible with treatments aimed at reversing this deficit.
Researchers propose a new mechanism for Alzheimer's disease, linking breakdown of myelin to amyloid-beta fibrils and neurodegeneration. Myelination is key to brain function, and its decline with age may underlie the disease's progression.
Researchers at UCLA AIDS Institute found a peptide that enhances HIV infection, contradicting its normal protective function. The discovery could lead to the development of new tools for gene therapy using HIV-based vectors.
A new study by UCLA and Rand Corp. reveals that more than half of children with an HIV-infected parent are not consistently in that parent's custody. This finding can help physicians better address the needs of families affected by HIV.
A simple blood test taken at hospital admission can predict in-hospital mortality risk for heart failure patients, says UCLA researcher. Higher BNP levels are associated with higher mortality rates and other clinical outcomes such as mechanical ventilation and longer hospital stays.
A study by UCLA researchers found that children with autism exhibit reduced activity in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, a region responsible for evaluating emotions and context. This impairment affects their ability to process visual cues like eye gaze and facial expressions.
A UCLA imaging study found that autistic children with impaired imitation and empathy skills have reduced activity in the mirror-neuron system, a neural mechanism for automatic understanding of others' actions. This suggests that this system may be the underlying cause of these symptoms.
A new study by UCLA researchers suggests that current US control strategies for flu epidemics may not be effective and could even make outbreaks worse. The study found that providing free vaccinations to entire families can actually increase the frequency of severe epidemics due to decreased adaptability among household members.
A study by UCLA researchers found that Hurricane Katrina evacuees held deep distrust towards public health authorities, citing issues with competency, equity, and honesty. The researchers recommend increasing community representation in disaster planning to address these concerns.
A new study by UCLA researchers found significant changes in treatment patterns and quality-of-care indicators that paralleled improvements in clinical outcomes and mortality rates for heart failure patients. The study reported a 29% reduction in in-hospital mortality and a 36% reduction in the need for mechanical ventilation.
Researchers have discovered that Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and type 2 diabetes share a common molecular mechanism, involving amyloid fibrils with a universal 'molecular zipper' structure. This finding could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatment options through 'structure-based drug design'.
The study found that strong extended family ties facilitated evacuation decisions, providing access to transportation and shelter, but also hindered it by creating conflicting opinions about evacuation messages. This highlights the importance of considering social networks in disaster planning for vulnerable communities.
Researchers found that a 15-week Tai Chi program significantly improved headache pain and overall quality of life for adults suffering from tension headaches. The exercise's emphasis on relaxation and breathing may address the underlying cause of tension headaches.
A UCLA study found that three common prostate cancer treatments affect men's lives in different ways, with varying degrees of erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms. The study tracked 580 men for five years and used a web-based data collection system to gather accurate information.
Researchers at UCLA have designed a new super-hard material called rhenium diboride, which is as incompressible as diamond but can be made without high-pressure conditions. This material has the potential to replace some industrial applications of diamond and cubic boron nitride.
A UCLA/University of Toronto team has discovered a protein called CREB controls neuron participation in memory formation, suggesting a new approach for preserving memory in people with Alzheimer's or brain injury. The study found that high levels of CREB lead to more likely storage of memories.
A UCLA study found a nearly 80% decline in the number of Latino graduates from dental schools between 1982 and 1999, despite a 42.7% increase in the Latino population. This shortage will result in fewer dentists serving Spanish-speaking populations, with limited ability to bridge language gaps.
Researchers create covalent organic frameworks with high thermal stability, surface areas and extremely low densities. COF-108 has the lowest density reported of any crystalline material, suitable for storing hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide.
A UCLA study suggests that lactate may be a key fuel for the brain after traumatic injury, potentially replacing glucose. Researchers found that the brain takes up and utilizes lactate more than at any other time after injury, making it a faster and more efficient source of energy.
Researchers at UCLA used a novel brain imaging technique to show that lithium increases gray matter in the brains of people with bipolar disorder, particularly in areas critical for attention and emotional control. The findings suggest that existing gray matter in these regions may be underused or dysfunctional.
Project Strive, a UCLA research project, aims to reconnect chronically homeless teens with their families, teaching them skills to manage conflict and prevent further runaways. The intervention program offers five short-term sessions between parents and adolescents, focusing on emotional management, communication, and problem-solving.
A study of 31 long-term diet studies found that only a small minority of participants achieved sustained weight loss, while the majority regained weight. Exercise was found to be a key factor in maintaining weight loss, and dieting may even lead to negative health effects.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a new protein called GPIHBP1 that plays a crucial role in breaking down fats in the bloodstream. The protein is expressed exclusively on the endothelial cells of capillaries and helps regulate the delivery of lipid nutrients to different tissues.
A new UCLA study found that practicing Tai Chi chih alone boosts immunity to a level comparable to the standard vaccine against shingles. Combining Tai Chi with the vaccine results in a clinically relevant boost and added benefits for middle-aged adults.
A promising pilot study has led to a larger clinical trial of estriol as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. The trial aims to recruit 150 women and measure relapse rates over two years, potentially providing a new, affordable option with dual benefits of reducing inflammation and protecting the brain from damage.
A new procedure, anal cytology, detected abnormal cell changes in 244 HIV-positive patients, leading to subsequent biopsy confirmations. Abnormal results prompt further investigation and management.
Researchers have designed and mass-produced billions of fluorescent microscale particles in the shapes of all 26 letters of the alphabet. The 'LithoParticles' can be used to mark individual cells, create tiny pumps, motors or containers with medical and security applications.
A team of researchers from six universities, led by the US Department of Defense, is awarded $6 million to explore precise biological assembly for studying quantum physics in nanoparticle arrays. This research aims to produce fundamental understanding of quantum electronic systems and could impact future electronics.
Researchers design a custom mask to camouflage abnormal gene splicing, restoring the correct genetic blueprint. The approach shows promise in treating cancer and other diseases caused by genetic mutations, with future testing planned in mouse models.
A UCLA study reports that over half of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis improved their walking distance by at least 20% after taking Viagra. The medication may help breathing by opening or dilating blood vessels to allow more blood flow to the lungs.
The current US child health system is a patchwork of disconnected programs and lacks clear accountability or performance goals. The authors argue that the system fails to produce desired health outcomes due to outdated logic and finance strategies.
A study by UCLA researchers found that only 41% of primary care providers offered advice on sexually transmitted infections or safe sex, while 36% had offered more than 20 HIV tests. The study suggests that providers are testing patients who present with symptoms rather than proactively offering early detection.
Scientists at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute have discovered defects in the infection-fighting T-cells of Graves' disease (GD) patients' immune systems. The study found an abnormal surplus of receptors targeted by an antibody that mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, causing inflammation and damage to eye tissue.
UCLA scientists have been awarded $4 million in seed grants to fund innovative research projects on human embryonic stem cells. The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at UCLA will utilize these funds to explore various aspects of human embryonic development, immune response, and cell differentiation.
A five-year study involving over 1,200 families has identified two new genetic links to familial autism, with one gene associated with neurexin 1 and a previously unidentified region of chromosome 11 implicated. The findings suggest that autism has numerous genetic origins rather than a single cause.
Researchers have developed a new accelerator technique that doubles the energy of electrons in just one meter, revolutionizing the field of high-energy physics. This breakthrough technology, using plasma to amplify energy, has the potential to make future accelerators more feasible and affordable.
Researchers have developed a new model of Parkinson's disease in fruit flies, confirming the link between dopamine and a mutant form of the parkin protein. The study found that a single copy of the mutation was toxic to dopaminergic neurons, leading to motor dysfunction.
A UCLA-led study examines 48 years of White House press conferences, finding that economic downturns and second-term effects trigger more aggressive questioning. The researchers also discovered that journalists become more restrained on foreign affairs but still grill presidents on domestic issues.
Researchers at UCLA suggest that the brain uses physical changes to cells to monitor time, rather than a clock-like mechanism. The team's computer model showed that the brain-cell network can encode time through the context of preceding events, which was tested in a study with research volunteers.
The study found that the brain's reward centers are activated when thinking about potential gains, but turned down for potential losses. Neural activity in areas such as the prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum is more sensitive to possible losses than gains, predicting individual differences in risk-aversion.
A team of UCLA and Caltech chemists has demonstrated a large-scale, ultra-dense memory device using reconfigurable molecular switches. The device stores information using bistable rotaxane molecules, which can be switched at very modest voltages.
The team of scientists deciphered the genome of Trichomonas vaginalis, a single-celled parasite causing trichomoniasis, which affects an estimated 170 million people annually. The large genome contains nearly 26,000 confirmed genes, providing new insights into pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
A new UCLA study warns that the World Health Organization's (WHO) plan to track transmitted HIV drug resistance in Botswana may not be effective due to a high detection threshold. The researchers suggest revising the threshold to around 3 percent to detect resistance earlier and provide more accurate information on the situation in Bot...
A study of over 100,000 acute heart failure patient episodes found that obese patients had a substantially lower in-hospital mortality rate compared to lean patients. The findings suggest that nutritional/metabolic support may have therapeutic benefit in specific patients hospitalized with heart failure.
Researchers found that existing quality-of-care indicators for heart failure patients may not accurately predict mortality rates. A new beta-blocker measure was associated with improved patient outcomes and could potentially save an additional 19,000 lives per year.
A UCLA study found that most homeless youths sought healthcare for sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive health, regardless of their housing situation. The study also showed that males who remained homeless were more likely to seek emergency room treatment for traumatic injuries.