Researchers at UCLA Engineering have developed a novel approach to silicon devices that combines light amplification with a photovoltaic effect, enabling the generation of power normally wasted as heat. This breakthrough has significant implications for the photonics industry and the traditional stronghold of semiconductors.
A new nationwide study found that cyclophosphamide improved breathing, lung function, quality of life, functional disability, and skin thickness in patients with scleroderma. The findings will help researchers develop new drug therapies and better understand the disease's development.
A study by UCLA physicists reveals a connection between water vapor in the atmosphere and intense rainfall, using statistical properties similar to those found in magnets. This finding may lead to more accurate climate models and improved precipitation prediction under global warming.
Researchers found Sprycel to be extremely effective in combating Gleevec resistance, with a major cytogenetic response reported in 45% of chronic phase patients. The drug works by binding to mutant proteins and inhibiting tyrosine kinases, offering CML patients a new treatment option.
A new study published in PLoS Medicine analyzes federal data on US suicide rates and sales of the antidepressant fluoxetine since its introduction in 1988. The research found that suicide rates dropped steadily over 14 years as sales of fluoxetine rose, with the strongest effect among women.
Researchers at UCLA have made an important advancement in protein engineering by developing a new method to control proteins using nanotechnology. They successfully replaced the natural chemical mechanism controlling protein function with mechanical control, opening up possibilities for reduced side effects and improved treatment options.
Researchers have found that pairing Tarceva with Celebrex significantly increases response rates in lung cancer patients, offering a potential breakthrough in treating the disease. The combination therapy has shown to increase response rates by about three-fold, with some patients experiencing responses for up to 93 weeks.
A UCLA/VA study found that many eligible VA patients with abnormal FOBT results did not receive follow-up diagnostic tests such as colonoscopies or barium enemas. The study identified factors contributing to lack of follow-up, including lack of primary care visits and delayed referrals.
Researchers found that following a healthy lifestyle plan, including memory exercises, physical activity, and balanced diet, significantly improved brain metabolism and cognitive function in just 14 days. The study suggests that simple lifestyle changes can have a lasting impact on mental health and overall well-being.
A recent UCLA study found no association between the MCPH1 and ASPM gene variants and differences in brain size. The researchers used MRI scans to measure brain size in 120 healthy individuals and identified those with these genetic variations, but their findings suggest caution when interpreting evolutionary advantages of these variants.
Researchers have mapped a link between the size of the hippocampus and progression to Alzheimer's dementia. The technique allows for subtle anatomical differences to be detected, which holds great promise for predicting cognitive decline and improving patient counseling.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered how the drug Ro15-4513 binds to specific receptors in the brain to block alcohol's effects on motor coordination. This breakthrough may lead to the development of sober-up pills, alcohol addiction medications, and treatments that harness the beneficial effects of moderate alcohol consumption.
Researchers develop novel nanoscale architectures using spin-wave buses for efficient interconnectivity and low power consumption. The breakthrough enables the design of fully interconnected networks of processors on a single chip, overcoming current limitations in spintronic architectures.
Researchers found that combining an anti-inflammatory with an acid-reducing drug reduces dyspepsia occurrence by 66 percent, compared to taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory alone. The study suggests this combination may be the preferred treatment for arthritis patients at high risk for stomach problems.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that breast cancer survivors with persistent fatigue have higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine proteins in their blood. Behavioral interventions like tai chi and yoga may help alleviate the fatigue, which affects about a third of breast cancer survivors for years after treatment.
Researchers suggest that interactions between viral dynamics and structured treatment interruptions may cause high fluctuations in viral load, leading to virologic failure. This challenges the effectiveness of a single, structured treatment interruption therapy for all HIV patients.
Researchers found that older men who drank moderately or heavily and had comorbidities worsened by alcohol use had a 20% higher mortality rate than other drinkers. The study also revealed that lower drinking thresholds should be recommended for older adults with specific conditions.
A study of adults with memory complaints found greater complaints were associated with global brain decline over two years. Those with the Alzhiemer's disease genetic risk factor showed more pronounced declines in temporal regions linked to memory functions.
A new MRI study found a nearly perfect correlation between iron levels in brain regions and those reported by past post-mortem studies. The study suggests that age-related brain iron accumulation is a modifiable risk factor for degenerative brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.
The discovery of a double helix nebula near the Milky Way's black hole center suggests an extremely strong and highly ordered magnetic field. This twisting wave is thought to be caused by the interaction between the galaxy's magnetic field lines and a disk of gas orbiting the black hole.
Researchers found that the SRY gene plays a crucial role in regulating dopamine-producing brain cells, which malfunction in Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that men are more susceptible to the disease due to lower levels of this gene, while women may have an alternative protective mechanism involving estrogens.
A new study published in AIDS and Behavior found that pregnancy, rather than high-risk behavior, was the primary predictor of STD testing among newly homeless youth. The study, conducted at UCLA, surveyed 261 homeless youth aged 12-20 and found a 32% STD rate among those who had received an STD test in the past three months.
A new UCLA study published in Science suggests that a farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) may be useful in treating progeria, a genetic disease causing accelerated aging in children. The majority of FTI-treated mice showed improvements in body weight, bone integrity, grip strength, and survival compared to untreated control mice.
A study by UCLA researchers found that men with cardiovascular disease may benefit from lower blood sugar levels, but women's risk of death increases with higher glucose levels. The research analyzed data from over 1,200 patients and suggested that there is no 'normal' blood sugar level for men with heart disease.
Merchant identified a critical protein molecule that measures copper levels and responds to its presence in green algae, shedding light on the adaptive mechanisms of life. Her research has implications for human nutrition and may reveal new strategies for allocating essential nutrients.
UCLA researcher Dr. Andre Nel has developed a new testing method to evaluate the safety and health risks of engineered nanomaterials. The approach uses existing toxicity testing frameworks to predict potential hazards, enabling the classification of materials as safe or toxic.
A new biosensor developed by GeneFluidics enables accurate identification of bacteria in urine samples with a rapid turnaround time, reducing the two-day wait period for conventional lab tests. This innovation has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs associated with urinary tract infections.
Researchers use confocal laser scanning microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to analyze ancient microorganisms in Martian rocks, revealing insights into biochemistry and degradation over millions of years. The techniques allow scientists to view fossils in three dimensions, providing new evidence for the search for life on Mars.
Researchers found a link between defective PAK enzyme signaling pathways and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. The study suggests therapies targeting the PAK defect could treat cognitive issues in both Alzheimer's and Down syndrome patients.
A UCLA/Harvard study reveals that less than half of US healthcare workers receive flu shots, with lower rates among African American and younger workers. This low vaccination rate increases the likelihood of flu transmission to patients, highlighting the need for targeted educational campaigns to improve outreach and vaccination rates.
Researchers found that human kidney cancer cells lacking the tumor suppressor gene Von Hippel Lindau were more sensitive to CCI-779 due to high levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). The study identified a test to predict which patients will benefit from receiving CCI-779, potentially helping 20,000 kidney cancer patients annually.
Researchers discovered young super nebulae around giant star clusters, containing up to a million young stars, and emitting radiant power billions of times that of the sun. The discovery raises questions about why Milky Way no longer forms similar clusters after 10 billion years.
A team of researchers from UCLA has discovered a group of over 30 young stars near a supermassive black hole, contradicting the idea that such an environment should prevent star formation. The stars' orbits suggest they formed in a massive star cluster and migrated towards the black hole.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method to track neuronal cell death in the hippocampus, a key memory center, which may lead to early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that 49% of Alzheimer's patients and 24% of mild cognitive impairment patients showed significant density decreases.
The study illustrates 12 disease pairs and their therapeutic implications, including the use of severe caloric or protein restriction to treat diseases such as kidney failure and morbid obesity. Researchers propose considering genetic, infectious, and metabolic influences when looking for treatments, particularly in regard to HIV/AIDS.
A recent study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found a significant link between genetic risk factors and myelin breakdown in the brain. The research suggests that assessing myelin health through MRI may help identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease, allowing for targeted prevention strategies.
Researchers found that newborn screening for SCID could be cost-effective due to the benefits of early diagnosis and the potential to save lives. A two-tiered strategy combining existing tests has been shown to improve accuracy without increasing costs, making it a promising approach for nationwide screening programs.
A new programmable chip has been developed to accelerate the production of molecular imaging molecules for PET, with a 93% accuracy in detecting Alzheimer's disease. The technology enables mass production of diverse imaging molecules and applications for PET in biology and pharmaceutical research.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that Alzheimer patients treated with testosterone showed significant improvements in quality-of-life scores compared to those receiving a placebo. However, there were no significant differences in cognitive skills.
A new study by BCIRG shows that Herceptin paired with chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival in early breast cancer patients, while eliminating cardiac toxicity. The treatment also reduces the risk of relapse by 51% and is an alternative to standard therapy for patients at risk of heart damage.
Researchers found that identical twins infected with the same HIV strain had different T-cell receptor characteristics, indicating a random and unpredictable immune response. This discovery challenges the idea of developing a single, universal vaccine for everyone.
A UCLA imaging study found that children with autism have a dysfunctional mirror neuron system, which may underlie their social deficits. The study used fMRI to measure brain activity in high-functioning children with autism while they imitated and observed emotions.
A recent study examined the impact of the 1988 Spitak earthquake on adolescents in Armenia and found that psychotherapy provided sustained benefits even 1.5 years post-disaster. Untreated adolescents had higher levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms, while treated adolescents saw significant improvements in their conditions.
A new UCLA study suggests that colonoscopy results do not reassure Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients, contradicting previous beliefs. The study found limited diagnostic value of colonoscopy in diagnosing IBS for patients under age 50.
A new study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that bupropion significantly reduced methamphetamine cravings and diminished the 'high' associated with its use. The research suggests that bupropion prevents methamphetamine from entering brain cells, reducing feelings of euphoria.
A recent study found that infant mortality for black and white infants born at minority-serving hospitals is significantly higher than at non-minority hospitals. The study suggests that these hospitals may provide lower quality care to very low-birthweight infants.
A recent study found that heavy drinking declined with age, although the drop was slower among men and smokers compared to women and non-smokers. The study also revealed that those who got married or quit smoking during follow-ups reduced their heavy drinking. Regular moderate drinking is likely beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Researchers discovered sequence variations in the DISC1 gene that predict schizophrenia, neurocognitive deficits, and brain structure abnormalities. The study's findings offer hope for developing a treatment that can prevent or fix the protein's function.
UCLA researchers have developed a new method to monitor the immune system's response to cancer using PET scans. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more effective ways to test immunotherapies and track human responses to cancer treatments.
Research suggests that disruption of myelination is a key component behind childhood developmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia. Incomplete inhibitory circuits may lead to impulsive behaviors, while fully functional excitatory circuits worsen psychiatric disorders.