The University of California, San Francisco has been awarded $5M in federal funding to launch a national center to improve dementia detection and management. The center will translate evidence-based approaches into practical tools, training, and technical assistance to bridge the gap between research and practice.
A recent study by UCSF researchers found that while over-the-counter hearing aids have lowered costs, many consumers struggle to navigate their options, find expert help, and secure coverage. The study suggests that consumers need trustworthy information, professional guidance, and coverage policies that reflect the new market.
Researchers at UCSF discovered a potential immune mechanism connecting maternal antibodies to premature birth, revealing a set of antibodies that appeared consistently once pregnancy began and reacted against a protein controlling inflammation. The study could lead to new ways of screening for preterm birth risk and new interventions t...
A new study found that children living in areas with higher levels of lithium in drinking water were more likely to be diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a rare heart condition. Lithium levels in California were associated with a 71% greater odds of diagnosis compared to lower levels.
UCSF researchers analyzed 590,282 heart attack hospitalizations in California between 2011 and 2022 to find that specialized emergency services improve survival rates in communities with critical access gaps. In contrast, adding capacity where it already exists offers little benefit, highlighting the importance of resource distribution...
A new long-acting HIV treatment combines lenacapavir and cabotegravir to expand options for people with resistance to commonly used HIV drugs. The study found all participants achieved and maintained control of the virus, paving the way for improved care before clinical trials are completed.
Researchers developed an AI approach to predict glioblastoma recurrence, allowing for targeted treatments before the cancer becomes visible on MRI. The tool uses microscopic images of fresh, unprocessed tissue and scored based on tumor infiltration, with an accuracy of predicting recurrence within 5-10 millimeters of the sampled tissue.
Researchers at UCSF have identified 16 molecules in the blood that rise during menopause, associated with brain aging and Alzheimer's disease risk. Higher levels of these molecules in older women are linked to worse memory and thinking skills, as well as increased dementia risk.
A preliminary study led by UC San Francisco found that reducing ultra-processed food intake significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety in participants, who reduced their intake by over 85%.
Researchers propose using carefully designed combinations of approved drugs to create a more convincing placebo, limiting participant disclosure, and rigorous testing to ensure effective masking. This approach, called UMBRAA, aims to overcome the challenge of distinguishing between psychedelic effects and the power of expectation.
Scientists at UCSF and UC Berkeley have discovered two neighboring brain regions that signal in opposite directions, one pushing toward
Researchers found that energy-demanding tissues have larger macrophage crews to manage waste, with the number of macrophages tracking mitochondrial activity and waste production. This system is critical for tissue health and function, and may help preserve tissue function as we age.
UCSF's new center aims to train 1,000 health care providers annually and develop screening tools to identify eating disorders. The center will also serve as a national hub for eating disorders research, connecting investigators across institutions and disciplines.
UCSF scientists have invented a way to treat cancer with teacher cells and tumor pieces, combining immune cells grown in the lab with patient tumor samples. The method uses dendritic cells to train T cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells, offering a promising approach to immunotherapy.
The UCSF Industry Documents Library has made public nearly 700 internal documents from Fleet Farm, a Midwest retailer accused of ignoring an internal warning before selling firearms to a straw buyer. The documents, part of a lawsuit alleging negligence, provide a new resource for researchers, policymakers, and the public to understand ...
A new study found that the majority of veterans with low-risk prostate cancer pursued active surveillance in 2024, up from 27% in 2005. The study followed over 73,000 veterans and showed similar survival outcomes for surveillance compared to treatment.
Researchers discovered a statistically significant reduction in premature atrial contractions after cannabis inhalation, with no impact on daily activity levels. The findings challenge assumptions about the cardiovascular effects of cannabis and may lead to new approaches for preventing or treating abnormal heart rhythms.
Researchers discovered that Candida auris uses chitin to create a 'perfect nest' on the skin, evading immune clearance. This understanding offers potential targets for preventing C. auris persistence and may help explain how it becomes deadly in vulnerable patients.
Researchers found that people with well-controlled HIV have more fibrosis in their fat tissues, leading to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The study also identified a blood marker of scarred fat, which may help predict metabolic future for individuals with HIV.
The US government's withdrawal of funding for global HIV programs led to a sharp reduction in the number of people entering HIV care across East Africa. New patient enrollment dropped by 59% and viral load testing declined by 33% within weeks, according to findings from researchers at UC San Francisco.
Repeatedly losing and gaining weight accelerates muscle loss in middle-aged people, as found in new UC San Francisco research. The study analyzed MRI scans of 1,433 participants and found that those with fluctuating weights lost nearly four times as much thigh muscle over four years.
A new study published in Nature Communications finds that a protein called saxiphilin can neutralize the potent neurotoxin saxitoxin, preventing and even reversing paralytic shellfish poisoning. The discovery could have important public health implications as saxitoxin accumulates in shellfish and causes poisoning when consumed.
UCSF Health Converge accelerates development of AI tools for real-world care delivery by co-developing solutions with select companies. The program focuses on building patient-centered, clinically effective AI solutions that align with UCSF Health's standards.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found an alarming rise in invasive breast cancer among Asian American women over the last two decades. Breast cancer rates are rising among nearly all ethnic groups much faster than any other U.S. group, with Chinese and Vietnamese women experiencing the highest increases.
The University of California, San Francisco is launching a novel clinical trial to test a combination of therapies for the most common form of Alzheimer's disease. The trial will enroll up to 825 participants and test drugs that target both amyloid and tau proteins, with the goal of slowing disease progression.
Researchers created a personalized adaptive DBS system that detects neural signals associated with each step and adjusts stimulation in real time, improving gait symmetry and reducing falls. The study demonstrates the potential for brain stimulation to adapt to behavior itself, opening doors to future therapies.
Researchers discovered a single amino acid change that allows coronaviruses to interact with human and bat immune systems differently, shifting the body's response to infection. This alteration enables benign animal viruses to adapt to humans and cause severe disease.
Researchers at UCSF built a robotic system to treat thousands of mini tumors, identifying shared features among persister cells that could help explain why cancer comes back. Nine drugs consistently weakened persister cells, suggesting common vulnerabilities.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that women with HIV are more likely to die from preventable trauma-related conditions like substance use and mental illness. The researchers say these causes are largely missing from official death records, highlighting the need for broader goals in HIV care beyond just controlling the virus.
Researchers have made major steps toward solving the mystery of how brain aneurysms form by identifying key cell types and genetic pathways involved. The study's findings provide new insights into a clinical paradox: smaller aneurysms can still rupture, and offer opportunities for early intervention to prevent ruptures.
A new study reveals how Philip Morris Companies Inc. used cigarette research and flavor engineering to design Lunchables, a successful ultra-processed food for children. The company's strategy was based on optimizing 'technical synergies' between tobacco and food divisions.
A new study found that demand for abortion and miscarriage hotlines increased by double digits before the Dobbs decision, with states later enacting abortion bans seeing a significant surge. The hotline saw a 210% spike in use from June 2022 to June 2023.
Researchers used an open-source AI model called Mirai to quickly identify high-risk patients and expedite their diagnostic process. This led to a significant reduction in wait times, with some women receiving biopsy results within days of having their mammograms done.
A study from UC San Francisco researchers reveals that regulatory differences around the world are slowing the development and adoption of biosimilars. The lack of standardization in biosimilar approval processes is a major obstacle for these cheaper alternatives to expensive biologics, which could lower costs for patients.
Researchers found biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease that correlated with minor cognitive differences in midlife adults. These biomarkers, measuring tau and amyloid plaque, were associated with a greater chance of cognitive decline, particularly in processing speed and executive function.
Researchers discovered that CD4+ immune cells spot and attack the virus in the liver, leading to viral clearance. This finding points to a potential cure for hepatitis B, with therapies designed to activate these immune cells.
Scientists discovered an anti-CRISPR protein that sabotages CRISPR systems in bacteria by jamming the protein assembly line. This discovery reveals a new mechanism of defense against CRISPR-based gene editing.
Researchers found that psilocybin causes temporary shifts in brain entropy, leading to increased insight and emotional self-awareness. This correlates with improved well-being and cognitive flexibility, suggesting the psychedelic trip is key to its therapeutic effects.
Researchers discovered that interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) occur in a predictable pattern, unfolding sequentially in individual neurons. Nearly 80% of IED-involving neurons are also involved in language and perception, suggesting the brain blips can derail cognition.
A new portable device can deliver accurate test results for tuberculosis (TB) in less than half an hour, matching lab accuracy. The MiniDock MTB uses similar technology to COVID-19 tests and detects DNA of mycobacterium tuberculosis, enabling rapid diagnosis and treatment
Researchers at UCSF discovered that single-celled organism Stentor learns through modifying existing proteins with calcium signaling, which is similar to the mechanism used by animal neurons. This finding suggests that learning may be a fundamental feature of life and could have evolved before the emergence of brains.
A new freeze-dried blood product called Thrombosomes has shown promise in treating traumatic brain injuries by reducing swelling and bleeding. The product, derived from platelets with trehalose preservation, has been tested on mice and found to be effective in stabilizing damaged blood vessels.
A new analysis from UC San Francisco argues that diagnostics are being overlooked, slowing progress against major diseases despite advances in targeted therapies. The study suggests that nearly half of the world's population lacks adequate access to diagnostics due to inadequate investment and insurance reimbursement.
Researchers mapped the maternal-fetal interface in unprecedented detail, identifying new cell types and insights into conditions such as preeclampsia and preterm birth. The study found a previously unknown cell type that responds to cannabis, which may explain its association with poorer pregnancy outcomes.
A team of researchers discovered that inflammation in multiple sclerosis causes DNA damage to neurons essential for higher thinking and cognition. This finding provides a new direction for the field and highlights the importance of protecting grey matter neurons from damage.
A new study by UC San Francisco reveals that aging lung tissue can lead to catastrophic immune dysregulation, causing elderly individuals to become severely ill. The research suggests that targeting the damaged spiral of inflammaging could provide a promising therapeutic target for treating age-related respiratory diseases.
Researchers have discovered how the TRPM8 protein changes its shape when exposed to cool temperatures, shedding light on the mechanisms behind cold sensation and pain. The study could lead to new treatments for conditions like cold allodynia and improve our understanding of dynamic proteins.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have traced the molecular pathway connecting gut immune cells to the brain during a parasitic infection. The study reveals that tuft cells release acetylcholine, which activates vagal nerve fibers carrying signals from the gut to the brain.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that analyzing fine-scale patterns in brain waves during sleep can provide insights into brain health. The research suggests that sudden large spikes on EEG, known as kurtosis, are associated with a lower risk of dementia.
Using azithromycin within one day triggers antibiotic resistance in the respiratory tract, according to a study published in Nature Microbiology. The researchers followed hospitalized COVID-19 patients and found that azithromycin changed the mix of microbes in the upper airway, leading to persistent changes for more than a week.