Older adults do not accurately predict their own life expectancy, contrary to common wisdom that they overestimate. A study found that 54.7% of participants had similar estimates to objective calculations, while 32.7% underestimated and 11.5% overestimated.
Researchers found that people tend to choose mates with similar genomic ancestries, leading to stronger assortative mating patterns. This phenomenon may have implications for genetic disease perpetuation and health benefits.
UCSF scientists call on hospitals to oppose the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture, citing concerns about human health and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Experts say switching to antibiotic-free meat could create a market and drive down prices.
A UCSF study found that online ads about indoor tanning and skin cancer were effective in reaching a large audience, with one ad viewed by almost 200,000 users and generating a click-through rate of 1.04%. The researchers believe this approach could be used for other major public health issues.
A UCSF-led study reveals that gay and bisexual men are up to six times more likely to engage in indoor tanning and twice as likely to report a history of skin cancer compared to heterosexual men. The study suggests increased education and screening may reduce skin cancer rates among at-risk men.
A new study led by UC San Francisco physician Robert Rodriguez demonstrates that nearly all major and minor injuries from blunt trauma can be detected with fewer chest CT scans. The study developed decision-making tools based on clinical criteria to avoid unnecessary diagnostic imaging, reducing radiation exposure and medical costs.
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics calls for increased efforts to prevent exposure to toxic chemicals, linked to reproductive issues such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and cancer. The group advocates for policies to protect patients and communities from involuntary chemical exposure.
A new study led by UCSF scientist Neal Benowitz found that reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes can substantially decrease tobacco dependence without increasing inhalation. Smokers who reduced cigarette intake reported attempts to quit twice as often and had lower cravings compared to those smoking regular cigarettes.
Researchers developed a real-time DNA sequencing test that can detect multiple pathogens, including Ebola, Chikungunya, and hepatitis C, using nanopore sequencing technology. The test can be used in scarce lab environments and provides rapid results, cutting the time required for diagnosis to just minutes.
Researchers have identified a unique group of stem cells in the human brain that generate most neurons, expanding the cortex by 1,000-fold. These stem cells, called outer radial glia (oRGs), exhibit remarkable generative capacity and self-renewal properties.
Researchers have developed a molecular 'on switch' to control T cell actions in cancer therapy, allowing for sharper reduction of severe side effects. The innovation enables doctors to precisely manage immune responses using a controller drug that flips cells into an active status.
Scientists from UC San Francisco capture and study individual metastatic breast cancer cells, finding they express genes similar to mammary stem cells, which could lead to targeted therapies. The research suggests a new approach to understanding how cancer spreads and developing effective treatments.
Researchers have successfully isolated human muscle stem cells that can robustly replicate and repair damaged muscles when grafted onto an injured site. The findings hold promise for patients with severe muscle injury, paralysis, or genetic diseases like muscular dystrophy.
A review of 54 studies from 20 countries found that people in addiction treatment have a much higher smoking rate, 84% vs 31%, for the general population. The study suggests that addressing tobacco use is crucial to improve substance treatment outcomes.
Involving parents in the treatment of adolescents with bulimia nervosa is more effective than treating the patient individually. Family-based therapy achieved higher abstinence rates from bingeing and purging compared to cognitive behavioral therapy, according to a randomized clinical trial.
A new UC San Francisco study reveals that video game warnings fall short in rating tobacco content, exposing adolescents to more tobacco imagery than thought. The researchers found that only 8% of games received tobacco warnings, despite 42% containing actual tobacco content.
The project aims to create an online cache of molecular data to validate current cancer models and make predictions about the disease. This will enable a collaborative approach to cancer treatment and potentially reduce animal testing in research.
Researchers at UC San Francisco show that early humans' tool use led to changes in their shoulders, which helped the emergence of human-specific traits like high-speed throwing. The study's findings suggest that the common ancestor of modern humans and African apes looked more like a chimp or gorilla.
A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that privately insured pregnant women with 24-hour OB coverage and midwife care had lower C-section rates compared to those with traditional care. The study, which tracked data from 2011-2014, showed a significant decrease in C-sections among these patients.
Researchers at UCSF are studying a molecular pathway that underlies many cancers, with the goal of improving diagnosis and treatment. The grant will integrate data from preclinical studies and precision medicine technologies to generate high-resolution molecular information on NF1-associated tumors.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that smoke-free zones reduce the odds of teens starting to smoke by one-third, while tax hikes lead to a 3% drop in smoking initiation. The researchers also found that current smokers smoked fewer days per month under smoke-free laws.
A study found voriconazole significantly increases risk for skin cancer and death in lung transplant recipients, with a 73% greater risk for skin cancer. Physicians are advised to counsel patients on skin cancer risk and consider patient-specific factors when prescribing the drug.
A recent study by UC San Francisco found that bicycle accidents among riders older than 45 have increased significantly, resulting in more hospitalizations. The study showed a 66% increase in hospital admissions to older riders and an 81% rise in injuries occurring to riders above age 45.
Researchers have created a technique to build tiny models of human tissues, called organoids, using a process that turns human cells into biological equivalents of LEGO bricks. These mini-tissues can be used to study how structural features affect normal growth or go awry in cancer.
Researchers have identified a new type of prion causing Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a neurodegenerative disorder with similarities to Parkinson's disease. The discovery raises concerns about treatments and research involving contact with brain tissue from MSA patients.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that people who sleep six hours a night or less are four times more likely to catch a cold compared to those who spend more than seven hours in slumber. The study used objective sleep measures and found that short sleep was the most significant factor in predicting illness.
Researchers at UC San Francisco discovered that the adaptive immune system plays a role in guiding the normal development of mammary glands in mice. The immune system puts brakes on cell growth to fine-tune structure, a process that may also apply to other organs such as the prostate gland and skin.
A new study found that childhood cancer survivors have double the risk of suffering a second stroke compared to non-cancer stroke survivors. Cranial radiation therapy, hypertension, and older age at first stroke are key predictors of recurrent stroke.
Researchers at UCSF have developed a method to precisely control embryonic stem cell differentiation with beams of light, revealing an internal timer within stem cells that lets them tune out extraneous biological noise. The technique enables stem cells to transform into neurons in response to a precise external cue.
A new study led by UCSF researchers found that individuals with higher blood levels of growth factor proteins GDF11 and myostatin have a lower risk of cardiovascular problems and death from these events. This association suggests the possibility of using drugs to increase GDF11 levels as a treatment for heart disease.
Participants in an agricultural intervention showed improved HIV outcomes, including increased CD4 cell counts and viral suppression rates. The program addressed food insecurity, poverty, and empowerment, demonstrating a potential solution to combat the intertwined issues of HIV/AIDS and food insecurity.
Researchers updated their breast cancer risk model to include benign biopsy results, revealing a 300% increase in five-year risk for women with proliferative findings. The revised model enables more accurate identification of women at high risk who may benefit from chemoprevention.
Researchers discovered that blocking a specific ion channel in medulloblastoma can impede tumor cells from proliferating and spreading. The development of targeted treatments could improve outcomes for patients with this disease, which is a common cause of death in children.
A California study found that not-for-profit hospitals provided an average of 1.9% of operating costs for charity care, while for-profits spent 4.4% on bad debt and uncompensated care. The disparity highlights the need for clearer guidelines to ensure hospitals fulfill their community obligations.
Cholinesterase inhibitors used to treat dementia can lead to significant weight loss in older adults. Clinicians should monitor patients for weight loss and consider discontinuing these medications if necessary, according to a new study.
Two California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine projects aim to treat pediatric cancer with genetic analysis and diagnose acute infections using DNA sequencing. The projects, led by UCSF researchers, have the potential to deliver precision medicine tests and therapies within 18-24 months.
Researchers have discovered a neurological mechanism that explains how songbirds refine and alter their songs as adults, shedding light on the human brain's learning complex motor skills. The finding may have long-term implications for treating neurological conditions.
A new study estimates the cost of implementing revised physician board recertification requirements will be a significant burden on physicians and patients. The study found that most costs arise from the time required for physicians to fulfill requirements, rather than fees payable to the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Researchers found that mild hypothermia in deceased organ donors significantly reduces delayed graft function in kidney transplant recipients by nearly 40%. This intervention could lead to an increase in the availability of kidneys for transplant and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers have made significant progress in editing human T cells using CRISPR/Cas9, opening doors to potential therapies for autoimmune diseases, AIDS, and cancer. By disabling key proteins such as CXCR4 and PD-1, scientists hope to develop new treatments for various health problems.
Researchers found that men with low-risk prostate cancer are increasingly opting for active surveillance, while those with higher-risk tumors are receiving more aggressive treatments. This shift aims to reduce overtreatment and improve outcomes for patients.
A two-year study by UCSF researchers found that smokers who switched to low-nicotine cigarettes were unable to quit smoking in the long term. Despite initial drops in nicotine levels, participants' smoking habits rebounded when they returned to regular cigarettes.
A study published in Menopause found that postmenopausal women with comorbid depression or urinary incontinence experience greater negative impacts from vaginal symptoms, affecting daily living, emotional well-being, self-concept, and body image. Regular sexual activity may protect against these effects.
A new analysis finds that only a fifth of global health aid went toward research on diseases disproportionately affecting the poor and outbreak preparedness. The study recommends increasing funding for these critical global health functions to address growing threats like drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Researchers at UCSF found that frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are associated with heart failure incidents and increased mortality. PVCs can be prevented through medical or ablation therapy, suggesting they may be a modifiable risk factor for congestive heart failure and death.
A blood-borne molecule called beta-2 microglobulin increases with age and blocks brain cell regeneration, leading to cognitive decline. Administering the molecule to young mice reverses this effect, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for age-related cognitive diseases.
Researchers used imaging and computation to unravel a complex neural mystery, discovering three simple rules that govern the visual system of the humble fruit fly. The findings have implications for understanding human brain development and could lead to new approaches to decoding complex biological systems.
A new study finds that as smoking declines overall, remaining smokers are actually less likely to smoke and more likely to quit. The study challenges the need to promote e-cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy, suggesting that current tobacco control policies have been successful in reducing smoking prevalence.
Severely obese individuals undergoing weight-loss surgery experience substantial improvements in urinary incontinence, with a majority achieving remission three years after bariatric surgery. The more weight lost, the higher the chances of improvement, and those who were older or had severe walking limitations showed less improvement.
Current monitoring of pacemakers and defibrillators may underestimate device problems, according to a new study. The researchers found that device concerns were identified in exactly half of the 22 sudden deaths - four pacemakers and seven defibrillators.