Scientists at UCSF have successfully transplanted embryonic neurons into newborn mice brains, defying the prevailing theory on cell death in developing brains. The study suggests that a fraction of cells may die due to unknown 'signals' rather than competition for survival factors.
A Phase I clinical trial demonstrates signs of engraftment and safety at 1 year, with modest gains in neurological function. The study provides encouraging results for the use of transplanted neural stem cells as a potential treatment for severe myelination diseases.
A multi-center team of scientists will focus on identifying causes of resistance in advanced prostate cancer and tailoring therapy for patients. The goal is to revolutionize treatment through personalized medicine, sparing unnecessary treatment.
A recent study confirms indoor tanning significantly increases non-melanoma skin cancer risk, especially among young people. Researchers estimate over 170,000 new cases annually in the US.
A study published in JAIDS found that starting antiretroviral therapy reduces food insecurity and improves physical health among HIV-infected Africans. Food insecurity is linked to higher rates of opportunistic infections, poorer immune responses, and increased risk of death.
A new viral outbreak in Africa has been linked to the Bas-Congo virus, a previously unknown microbe that causes deadly acute hemorrhagic fever. Genetic analysis reveals the virus is distinct from other rhabdoviruses, including those causing rabies.
A new UCSF study reveals a significant uptick in cinematic smoking, with top-grossing films featuring nearly 1,900 tobacco incidents in 2011. The increase in onscreen smoking targeted young audiences, contributing to the risk of starting to smoke and developing tobacco-induced disease.
A new study reveals that secondhand smoke exposure disproportionately affects African Americans, especially black infants, resulting in higher mortality rates. The study found that communities of color experience the greatest losses due to secondhand smoke, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A recent study has confirmed that an association between XMRV and prostate cancer was due to laboratory contamination. The researchers found that the virus was introduced into prostate tissue samples through contact with a different cell line, which had been contaminated with XMRV in the 1990s.
Researchers have identified a calcium-activated chloride channel that holds clues to reducing asthma severity. Blocking this channel has been shown to inhibit airway secretions and smooth muscle contraction, key factors in asthma attacks.
A new study suggests that a simple, structured risk assessment tool can improve the accuracy of clinicians in evaluating the risk of violence among patients with severe mental illnesses. The tool, called HRC-20-C, has been shown to be effective in reducing errors and improving safety for staff and patients in high-risk settings.
Chronic sinusitis may be caused by a loss of normal microbial diversity in the sinuses, which allows a specific bacterium to colonize and cause inflammation. Restoring natural protective bacteria could be an effective way to treat this condition.
A new study suggests a personalized approach to treating mild persistent asthma, where patients take inhaled corticosteroids only when needed. This approach, called 'temporal personalization,' has been shown to reduce medication usage and severity of symptoms without impacting quality of life.
A new study reveals that clathrin protein moonlights as a key player in cell division, shedding light on the process and potential links to cancer. By deleting clathrin from cells, researchers found that it stabilizes centrosomes, which are essential for proper chromosome segregation.
Researchers credit adaptability and flexibility in Sri Lanka's malaria control program with its success in reducing cases by 99.9% since 1999. The program adapted to protect displaced populations and distributed long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, sustaining key prevention and surveillance activities.
A multi-center study of intensive care units (ICUs) led by UCSF faculty aims to better understand the nature of team-based care and patient involvement in ICU settings. The study, funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, is expected to decrease healthcare costs and improve patient safety.
A genetic variant associated with a six-fold higher risk of developing certain brain tumors has been identified by researchers at UCSF and Mayo Clinic. The study found that individuals carrying the 'G' version of the variant have slower-growing gliomas, which could lead to better surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment.
A study by UCSF researchers found that HIV-infected individuals living in San Francisco's urban poor are more likely to visit emergency rooms and have hospital stays if they lack access to sufficient quality and quantity of food. The study found that nearly half of the participants were classified as food insecure.
A novel arenavirus has been identified as the possible cause of inclusion body disease in snakes, a devastating illness that spreads easily among boas and pythons in captivity. The discovery may lead to the development of diagnostic tools and treatments to eradicate the disease from snake collections worldwide.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found an association between depression and peripheral artery disease. The researchers discovered that patients who were depressed at the beginning of the study had a higher likelihood of developing PAD during follow-up. Lifestyle modifications such as being more...
A UCSF study reveals TXNIP's role in amplifying stress in the earliest stages of diabetes, leading to pancreatic cell death and insulin production loss. The molecule is central to the inflammatory process, making it a promising new drug target for preventing or stalling diabetes.
A recent study examines ambulance diversion in California hospitals, finding that minority populations are more likely to be impacted by ER crowding. The researchers discovered that hospitals serving high numbers of minorities were on diversion for 306 hours, compared to 75 hours at hospitals with fewer minority patients.
A new study led by a UCSF researcher shows that poor sleep can significantly reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. The study found that individuals who slept fewer than six hours per night were less likely to mount an antibody response to the vaccine and thus were more likely to be unprotected by the vaccine.
A new telephone-based motivational interviewing technique effectively increased treatment engagement among Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans with mental health diagnoses, reducing marijuana use and stigma. The study found that 62% of participants started treatment after receiving the intervention.
A clinical study in Uganda found that adults with high CD4+ counts can work 30% more hours and have children with higher school enrollment rates compared to those with low CD4+ counts. Early HIV treatment may prevent economic decline, improve education outcomes, and maintain them at levels seen among HIV-negative peers.
A UCSF study found that women with diabetes are more likely to report low overall sexual satisfaction compared to non-diabetic women. Insulin-treated diabetic women were at higher risk for lubrication and orgasm complications, while end-organ complications such as heart disease and peripheral neuropathy also impacted sexual function.
A recent study published by researchers at UCSF found that increasing dopamine levels in the frontal cortex significantly decreased impulsivity in healthy adults. The study used a medication approved for Parkinson's disease to raise dopamine levels and measured its effect on decision-making tasks.
A rural Ugandan parish experienced a substantial decrease in HIV virus levels within one year following two community health campaigns that provided free counseling, testing, and treatment. The SEARCH study found that 55% of HIV-positive individuals had undetectable viral loads, compared to an estimated 20-30% in the US.
New lipid screening guidelines for children are overly aggressive, according to UCSF researchers. The recommendations fail to weigh health benefits against costs and have the potential to label millions of healthy children with so-called dyslipidemia.
A community health campaign in Uganda tested 4,343 people for HIV and offered testing, treatment, and prevention services for malaria, tuberculosis, diabetes, and hypertension. The campaign demonstrated the feasibility of rapid testing and linkage to care in resource-poor settings.
A new analysis by UCSF/SFGH researchers suggests the recommended dose adjustment of efavirenz may not be necessary, especially in non-Caucasian populations. The study found no significant difference in efavirenz levels between patients weighing more than 50 kg and those weighing less than 50 kg.
A clinical study in rural Uganda found that nearly all patients with high CD4+ T cell counts were eager to take antiretroviral drugs, citing health, work, and family reasons. The results suggest a significant demand for early HIV treatment among African patients.
Researchers found high levels of exposure to three antiretroviral medications in the hair samples of HIV uninfected infants at twelve weeks of life. The findings indicate a moderate transfer of efavirenz both in the womb and during breastfeeding, while lopinavir and ritonavir were transferred exclusively in the womb.
A UCSF study reveals that a rare type of liver cancer may develop when one type of liver cell morphs into a totally different type, triggering tumors in mice. The discovery suggests that drugs targeting specific genes may provide a way to treat the deadly cancer.
A new drug candidate, K11777, has shown promising results in treating hookworm infections with a single oral dose. The compound is under development to enter clinical trials and could provide a new solution for treating the disease if it proves safe and effective in humans.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that a human protein called AXL drives resistance to Tarceva, which suggests that blocking the protein may prevent resistance to the cancer drug. This discovery may lead to better treatments involving precision medicines that combine Tarceva with new drugs designed to block AXL.
A study by UCSF found that bacterial vaginosis increases female-to-male HIV transmission risk threefold. Women with the condition are more likely to transmit HIV to their male partners, highlighting the need for better understanding and treatment of the disorder.
A 9-year study by UCSF researchers found that preventing or better managing diabetes can help prevent cognitive decline. The study linked the severity of diabetes to increased risk of cognitive decline and showed that patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels suffered faster declines.
A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that loneliness is independently associated with an increased rate of death and functional decline. Older adults who identified themselves as lonely had a 59% greater risk of decline, and a 45% greater risk of death compared to those who did not experience loneliness.
A new approach to drug design, called the magic shotgun method, promises to help identify future cancer drugs that are more effective and have fewer side effects. This approach sifting through the known universe of chemicals to find special molecules that broadly disrupt the whole disease process.
A new UCSF report highlights the need for improved medical care for elderly inmates, who disproportionately account for escalating medical expenses. The report recommends nine policy areas to promote cost-effective quality care, including screening for dementia and palliative care.
A new method of virtual colonoscopy, administered without laxatives, has been shown to be as accurate as conventional colonoscopy in detecting potentially cancerous polyps. The procedure uses a CT scanner and a tagging agent to identify polyps, and was found to detect clinically significant polyps with 91% accuracy.
A recent UCSF study found that radiation exposure from medical imaging doubled in integrated health care systems (HMOs) between 1996 and 2010, with significant variations between systems. The study, which analyzed millions of patient records, showed a dramatic increase in imaging rates and high radiation doses.
A new computer model has successfully predicted negative side effects in hundreds of current drugs by analyzing their chemical structures and known side-effect molecules. The model identified potential side effects for 151 previously unknown compounds, including a synthetic form of estrogen that causes stomach pain.
A study suggests that women can reduce their breast cancer risk by avoiding unnecessary medical imaging. According to the UCSF analysis of IOM report, radiation exposure from medical imaging is a known risk factor for breast cancer.
Researchers found that standard measures of clinical care for blood pressure are misleading and incomplete, while a new experimental measure provides a clearer picture of patients' needs. The study suggests prioritizing patients most likely to benefit from treatment.
A study found that half of adults over 65 made at least one ED visit in the last month of life. In contrast, those with hospice care lived longer outside the hospital. Hospice care provides symptom relief and support for patients nearing end-of-life, whereas ED visits can be expensive and contribute to high costs of care.
A new medication, abiraterone acetate, has been shown to slow the spread of metastatic prostate cancer while maintaining quality of life in patients. The study involved 1,088 men and demonstrated improved survival and reduced need for chemotherapy and pain medications.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing recommendations for breast cancer trials that would substantially accelerate patient access to new medications. The new regulatory guidelines are based in part on groundbreaking, national breast cancer research led by UCSF.
New UCSF research establishes a stronger causal link between alcohol consumption and serious palpitations in patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation had almost a four and a half times greater chance of having an episode if they were consuming alcohol than if they were not.