A new study by UCSF found that people with severe mental illness are more than twice as likely to have Type 2 diabetes. Racial minorities face even higher risks, with Hispanic patients having a 36.9% incidence rate.
A new study found that after the Affordable Care Act's expansion, Medicaid and uninsured patients had improved access to health services outside of emergency departments, leading to a decline in frequent ED use. Frequent ED users were responsible for 30.7% of visits before the legislation and 31.6% after coverage was expanded.
A new study from UCSF found that overweight and obese young adults are more likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors, such as bingeing and purging. The study also found associations between disordered eating and race and sexual orientation, with Asian/Pacific Islanders and homosexual individuals at increased risk.
A new study by UC San Francisco scientists reveals how complex articulatory movements are coordinated in the brain during fluent speech. The research found that brain regions responsible for producing speech are organized according to physical needs of the vocal tract, not just linguistic features like phonemes.
Scientists have successfully programmed cells to self-organize into multi-layered structures reminiscent of simple organisms or embryonic development. These complex cellular assemblies can repair themselves and form complex tissue-like structures, opening doors for wound repair and organ regeneration.
A nationwide study found that over half of concussion patients are lost in the healthcare system shortly after diagnosis, posing a significant risk to their health. The lack of follow-up care is particularly concerning, as it can lead to debilitating symptoms and prolonged recovery times.
A new test developed by UCSF scientists can predict a woman's risk of preterm birth with over 80 percent accuracy when taken between 15 and 20 weeks pregnant. This information enables doctors to treat women at high risk for preterm birth, potentially preventing severe complications.
A Facebook-based treatment program found that smokers are 2.5 times more likely to quit after three months compared to an online quit-smoking program. Young adults, who are often reluctant to seek help, showed high engagement and short-term abstinence rates.
A novel drug has been identified as a potential treatment for brain damage caused by exposure to cosmic rays, protecting memory function in mice. The study's findings suggest that rebooting the brain's immune system may help prevent cognitive impairments in astronauts during deep space travel.
A study by UC San Francisco found that one in six women who underwent elective egg freezing experienced regret, despite being empowered by the procedure. Women with lower egg yields and inadequate information about the process were more likely to express regret.
Researchers found that brain cells react to endogenous opioids and synthetic opioids in distinct ways, with synthetic opioids activating receptors in internal locations that endogenous opioids cannot access. This difference could contribute to the more rewarding effects of synthetic opioids, leading to addiction.
Research from UCSF found that living in better neighborhoods can reduce cortisol levels in low-income children, associated with improved physical and mental health. Access to green spaces, clean air, and quality grocery stores were key factors in this protective effect.
Researchers tracked over 350,000 veterans and found a significant link between concussion and dementia, with concussion alone doubling the risk. The study suggests that traumatic brain injury may hasten neurodegenerative conditions by inducing or accelerating abnormal protein accumulation.
Analysis of hundreds of human prostate tumors revealed that the most aggressive cancers depend on a built-in cellular stress response to put a brake on their own hot-wired physiology. Experiments showed that blocking this stress response causes treatment-resistant cancer cells to self-destruct while leaving normal cells unaffected.
A study by UCSF and Mayo Clinic found that automated breast-density evaluation is as accurate as subjective evaluation done by radiologists in predicting breast cancer risk. Women with dense breasts are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancers.
A new study reveals that the tobacco industry successfully manipulated UNICEF's focus on tobacco control for children, reducing its emphasis on a tobacco-free life. The agency was influenced by big tobacco's lobbying efforts, leading to less stringent measures against tobacco use among youth.
A study led by UC San Francisco found that treating young children with azithromycin significantly reduced child mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. The intervention resulted in a 13.5% lower overall child mortality rate compared to placebo-treated communities.
A new study from UCSF reveals the fetal immune system can trigger preterm labor when it mistakenly identifies the mother's cells as foreign. The researchers found activated immune cells in the cord blood of preterm infants and higher levels of inflammatory chemicals, leading to uterine contractions.
Researchers at UCSF found a 56% increased risk of Parkinson's disease among veterans with concussion compared to those without traumatic brain injury. The study followed over 300,000 veterans for an average of 4.6 years and adjusted for age, sex, and other health conditions.
Researchers have systematically mapped connections between 625 breast and ovarian cancer genes and nearly every FDA-approved chemotherapy for these cancers. The map reveals new genetic factors that determine the response of tumor cells to common classes of chemotherapy treatment.
A new study by UCSF researchers has identified two previously unrecognized genetic risks associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. The findings suggest that these diseases share genetic similarities, but differ in their impact on brain function.
Researchers at UCSF and Stanford University sequence the genome of a mysterious skeleton, nicknamed 'Ata', revealing rare genetic mutations associated with dwarfism and bone growth disorders. The analysis highlights the power of open-source genetic data in enabling precise diagnoses.
New research from University of California - San Francisco scientists shows that the human hippocampus no longer produces new neurons after childhood. This finding presents a challenge to previous studies suggesting neurogenesis could help treat brain diseases.
A new campaign uses spoken word videos to educate young people about the link between diet, environment, and type 2 diabetes, promoting change and demanding healthier habits. The 'Bigger Picture' campaign aims to address the social determinants of health behind the rising rates of Type 2 diabetes in youth.
A new oncolytic virus has been shown to kill cancer cells by alerting the immune system, triggering a widespread immune response that kills cancer cells beyond the infected region. Researchers have found that the virus's mechanism of action involves exposing tumor proteins, which are then detected by the immune system, leading to a pow...
Researchers have identified two compounds that can safely block malaria transmission when added to existing treatment regimens, promising progress toward eliminating the disease. The study's findings suggest that these compounds can effectively prevent the spread of P. falciparum malaria, including its drug-resistant forms.
Cancer researchers have developed a new approach to target 'undruggable' cancer-causing genes by attacking the proteins they produce on the cell surface. The study reveals that antibodies against specific proteins can deliver cytotoxic or immunotherapeutic compounds to Ras-mutant cancer cells.
A scientifically based CAMBRA model, including risk assessment and aggressive preventive measures, dramatically reduces tooth decay in community dental practices. The study's findings support earlier research and have potential to transform dental care for high-risk patients at lower costs.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that primary cilia on brain cells play a crucial role in signaling appetite control. Mutations in the MC4R gene, found in nearly all cases of severe obesity, are linked to impaired communication between neurons via primary cilia.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered monthly cycles of brain activity linked to seizures in patients with epilepsy. By analyzing data from implanted brain stimulation devices, the team identified patterns of electrical discharges known as 'brain irritability' that are associated with higher seizure risk.
Researchers found that young male songbirds can overcome their genetic predisposition to sing like their fathers with enriched early experience. The study used Bengalese finches and found that exposure to a computerized tutor or live adult males reduced the genetic contribution to complex behaviors like birdsong.
Researchers at UCSF have developed a test that can predict how patients with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia will respond to treatment, potentially identifying those who are likely to recover spontaneously. The test uses epigenetic annotations of the genome and has been validated in an additional group of patients treated in Germany.
A new tool predicts the likelihood of a child progressing to kidney failure with high accuracy, enabling better planning for transplant. The tool could reduce the need for interim dialysis and increase transplantation rates in children with kidney disease.
A national survey found that 20% of Black patients and 17% of White patients reported experiencing health care discrimination. Socio-economic status interacted with reported discrimination differently for Whites and Blacks.
A comprehensive atlas of gene expression in human brain cells reveals new insights into autism, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia. The study identifies links between neural stem cell populations and neurodevelopmental disease, opening up new avenues for research.
A new treatment aims to direct an immune response against a misshapen protein found exclusively on cancer cells, offering hope for children with deadly diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. The protein target is a neoantigen that can be used to develop more selective and potent immunotherapies.
Finches learn to adjust their songs depending on the situation they are in, with two distinct brain regions involved in this process: one for generalizable rules and another that can override them. This study provides insights into how humans learn complex behaviors like language and movement disorders.
Scientists have identified a novel biological pathway in beige fat cells that burns excess blood glucose to produce heat, suggesting a new strategy for treating metabolic disorders. This discovery could lead to the development of anti-obesity drugs.
A study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that nearly 40% of middle-aged adults with functional impairment experience further decline or death within 10 years. Functional impairment is more common than previously thought, affecting over 1 in 5 adults before age 64.
A new study reveals that non-small cell lung cancers are driven by multiple genetic changes, including alterations in TP53 and other pathways. The findings suggest that combination therapies targeting these mutations may improve treatment outcomes and prevent drug resistance.
A study by UC San Francisco and CDPH found that lead in imported candy was the top source of food-borne contamination in California, with nearly all cases coming from Mexico, China, and India. The testing program has identified lead sources upstream, allowing for removal before poisoning can occur.
Using electronic health records, UCSF researchers mapped over 435,000 patient location changes and identified a critical CT scanner in the Emergency Department as a significant source of exposure-related C. diff infections. This analysis led to improved cleaning practices and bolstered infection prevention strategies.
A team at UC San Francisco and UNC Chapel Hill has determined the crystal structure of the dopamine receptor D4 at an incredibly high resolution. This breakthrough allows researchers to design a new compound that tightly binds only to D4, potentially leading to more effective psychiatric drugs with fewer side effects.
A new UCSF-led study found that non-representative sampling in pediatric MRI images significantly distorted findings about brain development with age. The research team created a weighted version of the dataset to better reflect the US population, revealing faster-paced brain development and a back-to-front model of brain region develo...
Researchers have successfully completed a Phase II clinical trial showing that an FDA-approved antihistamine restores nervous system function in patients with chronic multiple sclerosis. The drug, clemastine fumarate, repairs damage inflicted on myelin, speeding transmission of electrical signals in the nervous system.
Despite electronic health record adoption, many US hospitals face challenges in integrating external data from other providers, leading to clinician barriers and limited accessibility. The study highlights the need for improved systems to ensure seamless data sharing.
A new polygenic hazard score test combines 31 genetic variants and APOE E4 to predict Alzheimer's risk in cognitively normal older adults, outperforming traditional APOE E4 testing. The test identifies high-risk individuals with early cognitive decline and higher amyloid plaque levels.
Researchers identified specific gut microbes associated with multiple sclerosis, suggesting they play a role in regulating immune responses and potentially contributing to disease progression. The study found that certain bacteria can trigger pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory responses in the immune system.
A research team has developed a method using modified CRISPR to find gene activators associated with autoimmune disorders. By targeting specific regions of the genome, they identified fundamental circuitry of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease, providing new insights into their mechanisms.
A study published by UC San Francisco researchers has identified specific groups of neurons in the brain's temporal cortex that distinguish speaker, phonetics, and intonation. These neurons respond to changes in vocal pitch and help convey meaning and emotion in spoken language.