UCSF researchers found that breast tissue stiffening in cancer development leads to tumor progression, triggering the production of a molecule associated with worse clinical outcomes. The discovery may lead to more accurate prognosis and new treatment strategies targeting structural changes in breast cancers.
UCSF physicians advocate for stricter regulation of modified medical devices, citing risks to patient health and deaths due to untested modifications. The FDA should collect post-marketing clinical data on device modifications to identify potential benefits and risks.
Depression is the leading cause of pediatric primary mental health admissions, accounting for $1.33 billion in annual hospital charges. The study also found that bipolar disorder and psychosis are common and expensive diagnoses, emphasizing the need for prevention and wellness measures.
Injured patients who live near closed trauma centers are at a higher risk of dying due to increased travel time to other hospitals. A study analyzing over 270,000 patients found that those with decreased access to trauma care had 21% higher odds of in-hospital death.
Researchers at UCSF found a specialized brain circuit that fires more strongly in response to movement, allowing the visual system to work better while walking or running. This discovery could have implications for human vision and navigation.
A new study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that heart scans are only useful in prescribing statins to patients at high risk of coronary heart disease who are taking expensive statin therapy. The CAC test can save money on statin costs but may not prevent as many heart attacks, the researchers concluded.
Researchers have developed a novel treatment strategy that targets transplanted tissue, allowing over 70% of mice to accept transplants without lifelong immunosuppressive drugs. The approach also shows promise in treating autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes.
A new UC San Francisco study found that e-cigarettes are likely to be gateway devices for nicotine addiction among youth, opening up a new market for tobacco. The study of nearly 40,000 US teens discovered that e-cigarette use among middle and high school students doubled between 2011 and 2012.
Pharmacies sell cigarettes despite being a leading cause of preventable death; CVS Caremark's decision aims to reduce smoking prevalence through eliminating tobacco product sales. The move aligns with efforts to strengthen the role of pharmacies in promoting health and could spark other retailers to follow suit.
A study led by UCSF breast cancer expert Laura J. Esserman recommends biennial mammography screening for women aged 50-74 to save $4.3 billion in healthcare costs. This approach is equally effective as annual screening while reducing false positive results and improving women's well-being.
The study found that brain regions in the superior temporal gyrus respond to broader acoustic features rather than individual phonemes, enabling more accurate speech recognition. This discovery may contribute to a better understanding of language disorders such as dyslexia and reading difficulties.
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has received a $50 million gift from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to establish its first dedicated women's hospital at Mission Bay. The new hospital will offer integrated care for women, including cancer treatment and reproductive care.
The UCSF team will use the funding to expand clinical testing of the Smart Diaphragm, a wireless monitoring system that detects early signs of preterm birth. The device aims to prevent or delay preterm labor by tracking microscopic changes in cervical tissue.
Researchers found that fetal surgery activates a mother's T cells, which normally reject foreign organs. In mice, this activation leads to preterm labor and fetal death. The study provides possible clues to the high rate of preterm labor after human fetal surgery.
A new analysis of 63 animal studies found that industry-sponsored studies had less favorable results than non-industry funded studies. This highlights the role of selective reporting and methodological problems in communicating research findings.
A meta-analysis published in Annals of Internal Medicine finds that access to firearms is a significant risk factor for men committing suicide and for women being victims of homicide. Firearms play a major role in both suicide and homicide, accounting for over half of all suicide deaths and two-thirds of homicide deaths.
A UCSF study found significant variations in hospital charges for uncomplicated vaginal deliveries and C-sections, with estimated discounts ranging from 37% to $71,000. The study highlights the opacity of healthcare pricing in the US, affecting both uninsured and insured patients.
Exposures to some phthalates have decreased since the 2008 federal ban, while others are rising due to industry replacement. The study found significant decreases in exposure to banned phthalates like BBzP and DEHP, but increases in alternative chemicals like DiNP.
Scientists have discovered that insulin-producing beta cells may fail due to oxygen deprivation, leading to type 2 diabetes. A second study reveals that acinar cells can be converted into functional beta cells, offering a promising new approach for treating the disease.
Researchers developed a new way to study bone disorders and bone growth using stem cells from patients with a rare genetic bone disease. The approach identified a cellular mechanism driving abnormal bone growth and found chemicals that can slow it, potentially guiding future drug development.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that animal cells use cytonemes to transmit signals over long distances through physical contact. This challenges the standard understanding of cell communication and highlights a new mechanism for signal transfer in tissues.
A new study suggests that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages in California could lead to significant reductions in diabetes and heart disease rates. The analysis predicts that one in 20,000 Californians would avoid diabetes, with the health benefits greatest for poor and minority communities.
Researchers found that exposure to dog dust reduces asthma risk in children and protects against respiratory infections by targeting a specific bacterial species. The study suggests that manipulating the gut microbiome with Lactobacillus johnsonii may prevent or treat asthma and allergies.
A new UCSF-led study reveals that body mass index significantly increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, even before other obesity-related diseases emerge. Healthy kidneys play a vital role in various bodily functions, and the research emphasizes the importance of intervening early in life with obese patients.
The UCSF Global Health Group will conduct research on community-based strategies to identify and clear the last remaining malaria parasites in areas close to elimination. The goal is to determine risk factors associated with malaria transmission and explore effective interventions for high-risk groups.
Researchers have determined the structure of TRPV1, a protein that plays a central role in pain perception and heat sensation, at near-atomic resolution using electron cryo-microscopy. This breakthrough offers fresh insights to drug designers searching for new pain treatments and sheds light on the protein's unique properties.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that patients with more premature atrial contractions have a substantially higher risk for developing atrial fibrillation. The researchers used a 24-hour Holter monitor to detect PACs and compared the results with an established prediction model from the Framingham Heart Study.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that e-cigarette use is associated with heavier cigarette smoking and lower quit rates among Korean youth. The study suggests that e-cigarettes may be creating a new route to nicotine addiction for kids.
A study led by UCSF scientists pinpointed the disruption of a single cell type in the prefrontal cortex during fetal development as a significant factor in autism emergence. The finding suggests that though hundreds of genes contribute to autism, the underlying biological mechanisms will be far fewer.
The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of treating precancerous lesions in reducing the incidence of anal cancer in HIV-infected men and women. The project will enroll 5,058 participants and follow them for up to five years to determine the incidence of cancer.
Researchers at UCSF have developed a new strategy to block the mutated ras protein, which drives three out of ten cancers, including lung and colon cancers. The small molecules efficiently kill ras-driven cancer cells in human lung cancer cell cultures.
A UCSF scientist suggests that complex gene expression mechanisms in humans may have evolved to counter viral infections, rather than for overall organism development. This idea challenges conventional wisdom about the evolution of eukaryotic cells.
Researchers at UCSF advocate empowering all team members to care for a large number of patients based on their training and abilities. They recommend expanding the scope of practice for registered nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, and medical assistants to provide care for uncomplicated medical problems.
New research shows glial cells and neurons work together to protect the brain from oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and other dangers. The study reveals a precise calibration system between neurons and astrocytes that ensures protective measures are only taken when needed.
A UC San Francisco researcher recommends prioritizing dietary calcium intake over supplements to prevent osteoporosis and fractures. The recommended daily dose is 1,200 mg per day, with foods like dairy products, kale, broccoli, and Bok Choy providing essential calcium.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a new way to target cancer by controlling cell growth and boosting protein production during the S phase of the cell cycle. This study has implications for the development of new cancer therapies.
Researchers found that white race is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation, with non-Hispanic whites having a higher likelihood of developing the condition. In contrast, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans had lower risks compared to whites.
A study published in Cancer Cell identified a previously unknown vulnerability in triple-negative breast cancers, which can be effectively treated with an FDA-approved drug. The researcher found that targeting the cystine transporter xCT significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice and cell culture.
Researchers found a novel hepatitis virus that was mistakenly believed to be a genuine disease-causing agent. The team used next-generation DNA sequencing and data mining to track down the true source of the contamination, which was traced back to tiny oceanic algae called diatoms.
A study published by UC San Francisco researchers found that levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in pregnant women's blood have declined by two-thirds since the chemicals were banned in California. This decline suggests that regulations can impact people's everyday lives.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that higher-calorie diets result in twice the rate of weight gain compared to lower-calorie diets for adolescents hospitalized with anorexia nervosa. This approach also shortens hospital stays without increasing the risk of refeeding syndrome.
The University of California, San Francisco will conduct multidisciplinary research to inform the FDA's regulation of tobacco products. The UCSF center will focus on seven areas, including risk perceptions and cardiovascular effects, to develop evidence-based policies to curb the global tobacco epidemic.
A pilot study shows that comprehensive lifestyle changes can increase telomere length by up to 10%, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The study, conducted over five years, involved 35 men with prostate cancer who followed a plant-based diet and engaged in moderate exercise, stress reduction, and social support.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a link between meal times and daily changes in the immune system. Eosinophils, previously thought to fight parasitic diseases, may actually help invaders, according to the study. This discovery could lead to new strategies for fighting chronic parasitic infection and allergies.
A new study published in JAMA found that a 'pay for performance' program rewarding doctors on quality of care yields better health outcomes than traditional fee-for-service models. The program improved blood pressure control rates among patients with diabetes, with significant benefits observed in high-risk populations.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a new way to manipulate the immune system that may keep it from attacking the body's own molecules in autoimmune diseases. The study discovered a distinctive type of immune cell called eTAC, which puts a damper on immune responses and prevents autoimmune diabetes in mice.
The study found that measuring cystatin C in the blood strengthens the association between kidney function and risks of death and end-stage renal disease. Kidney function stages categorized by cystatin C were better at reflecting future risk than those based on creatinine estimates.
A specially designed 3-D video game has been shown to improve cognitive performance in healthy older adults. The game, NeuroRacer, enhances cognitive control and reverses some of the negative effects of aging on the brain.
Researchers have discovered that the protein Parkin plays a key role in fighting tuberculosis, triggering the destruction of bacteria by immune cells. This finding suggests that strategies already being explored to combat Parkinson's disease may also be effective against tuberculosis.
Researchers at UC San Francisco discovered a potential epilepsy drug in zebrafish bred to mimic Dravet Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Clemizole, an antihistamine, showed efficacy in preventing seizures in the fish, offering a glimmer of hope for families affected by this debilitating disease.