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University of California - Los Angeles


Three-drug combinations could help counter antibiotic resistance, UCLA biologists report

Researchers found that combining three different antibiotics can often overcome bacterial resistance, with some combinations killing 100% of bacteria. The study's findings could be a major step toward combating drug-resistant infections, and the team plans to make open-access software available for other scientists and clinicians to use.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateJul 21, 2016

Some Asian-Americans are predisposed to want more carbs and fast food

Researchers found a genetic variation linked to food addiction in Asian-American college students, who were more likely to crave carbohydrates and fast food. The study's findings suggest that targeting addictive behavior in individuals with the DRD2 A1 variant could lead to personalized approaches for promoting healthier eating habits.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAsia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJun 7, 2016

Teenage brain on social media

A new UCLA study found that teenagers' brains activate the same reward circuitry when seeing high and low social media likes, influencing their behavior. The study suggests that social media can have a significant impact on teens' willingness to conform and engage in risk-taking behavior.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 27, 2016

For young people with schizophrenia, physical and mental exercises offer hope

Researchers found that physical exercise significantly improves cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia, particularly in areas such as memory, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills. The study suggests that early intervention and combined cognitive training with aerobic exercise may lead to long-lasting impr...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalSchizophrenia Bulletin·DateApr 6, 2016

To treat a leading cause of osteoporosis, surgery is better than widely used medications

A recent study found that surgery to remove overactive parathyroid glands is associated with significantly fewer bone fractures compared to treatment with bisphosphonate medications. This suggests that medication may not be the most effective option for treating hyperparathyroidism, which is a leading cause of osteoporosis.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 4, 2016

New drug combinations could significantly improve tuberculosis treatment

Researchers at UCLA and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have developed a new feedback system control technique to pinpoint the best possible drug-dose ratios for treating tuberculosis. This approach has identified promising combination treatments that can kill bacteria much faster than standard regimens, potentially shortening treatment ...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2016

Electronic health records can help catch undiagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes

Researchers developed a screening algorithm using electronic health records to identify people with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes, uncovering previously unknown risk factors such as sexual and gender identity disorders and intestinal infections. The tool showed promise in detecting 400,000 potential cases nationally.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Biomedical Informatics·DateFeb 16, 2016

Military families benefit from UCLA-developed resilience program

The UCLA-developed FOCUS program significantly improved the ability of military families to cope with deployment-related stresses and combat injuries. The eight-week program reduced anxiety and depression by half and improved family dynamics, particularly in areas such as communication and problem-solving skills.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateDec 15, 2015

Is seeing believing? People are not good at identifying where sights, sounds originate

Researchers at UCLA found that people struggle to accurately identify the source of sights and sounds, despite relying on our senses for perception. The study suggests that the brain makes tradeoffs between precision and error tolerance, with benefits for tasks performed in high-acuity areas but limitations in outer areas.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 8, 2015

West Nile virus killing millions more birds than previously thought, UCLA researchers find

West Nile virus is killing millions more birds and affecting many more species than initially thought. Survival estimates dropped dramatically in nearly half of the 49 studied species, highlighting the long-term effects of the disease. The research provides a warning for future infectious diseases that may affect humans as well.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

Large, violent animal packs shaped the ecosystems of the Pleistocene epoch

Researchers found that intense attacks from packs of large carnivores, including lions and sabertooth cats, helped keep herbivore populations in check. This study challenges the long-held assumption that mammoths, mastodons, and giant ground sloths were limited by reproductive timing due to resource scarcity.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2015