Researchers at University of California - San Francisco have developed a new cancer immunotherapy that manipulates the thymus gland to alter its activity, allowing specialized immune cells to battle cancer cells. The treatment has been shown to be effective in treating deadly melanoma skin cancers in mice.
A gene variant linked to longevity may also improve learning and memory, according to a new study. Researchers found that individuals carrying the KL-VS variant of the KLOTHO gene performed better on cognitive tests.
A new study identifies three potential drug candidates for treating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. The researchers used genome analysis to target a specific molecule within immune cells that drives these diseases.
Researchers found that chronically stressed women who consume high-fat, high-sugar foods are more prone to metabolic risks such as increased waistlines, insulin resistance, and oxidative damage. The study suggests a stress pathway that influences biology through diet, highlighting the importance of treating chronic stress.
Researchers discovered specialized astrocyte functions support specific neurons, contributing to neurodegenerative disorders like ALS. The study also found potential links to developmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
A new study published in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery found that a specialized yoga program can improve urinary incontinence in women by up to 70%. The six-week program helped women strengthen their pelvic floor muscles and reduce stress-related urine leakage.
A new study from UCSF found that codeine is frequently prescribed to children in US emergency rooms, with up to 877,000 prescriptions per year. The researchers recommend using safer alternatives like ibuprofen or hydrocodone, and changing prescribing patterns to reduce codeine use.
The Brain Health Registry aims to create a ready pool of research subjects for studies on neurological diseases, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Volunteers will provide personal history and take online neuropsychological tests, helping scientists analyze brain functions over time.
Researchers from the University of California - San Francisco, led by Margaret Tempero, are part of a national 'dream team' working to accelerate treatment and discoveries for pancreatic cancer. The team aims to turn the deadly disease into a treatable one through targeted approaches and collaborative research.
The I-SPY 2 trial found that neratinib-based treatment improved outcomes for women with newly diagnosed, high-risk breast cancer. The adaptive randomization algorithm successfully identified patient subgroups likely to benefit from the regimen.
A review of scientific literature suggests that routine mammograms for women over 75 may not be beneficial and could lead to unnecessary treatment. The authors conclude that doctors should consider life expectancy when making screening decisions for this age group.
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.