Research at UCSF links smoking during pregnancy to increased risk of acute asthma symptoms in teens. The study found a significant association between maternal smoking and asthma severity in African-American and Latino children.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that rhesus macaques with more Th17 cells in their gut are better able to control SIV and live longer after infection. This finding may shed light on why some people infected with HIV live longer and have fewer health problems than others.
Researchers emphasize the need for standard bone age measurement to interpret growth status and improve treatment outcomes for children with Crohn's disease. Up to 80% of patients exhibit compromised growth, and bone age is crucial for predicting remaining growth potential and guiding therapeutic decisions.
Researchers at UCSF have successfully treated chronic neuropathic pain in mice by transplanting immature embryonic nerve cells into the spinal cord. The transplanted cells integrated into the nerve circuitry, forming synapses and signaling pathways with neighboring neurons, leading to a significant reduction in pain hypersensitivity.
A team of researchers from UCSF and UC San Diego has identified an approved arthritis drug, auranofin, that is effective against amoebas in lab and animal studies, suggesting it could offer a low-dose, low-cost treatment for dysentery worldwide. The drug has been shown to be 10 times more potent than the current treatment and could be ...
Researchers found that a key brain structure acts as a learning hub, receiving information from other regions to improve its song, even when not directly controlling the action. This finding may help treat neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.
A new article by UCSF researchers outlines a 10-year plan to fight depression, emphasizing the need for routine access to prevention interventions. The authors suggest identifying high-risk individuals and reducing new cases of depression by half.
Researchers conducted a 10-year retrospective study on HIV patients in San Francisco, finding that they suffered sudden cardiac death at a rate four times higher than the general population. The study suggests that HIV changes the electrophysiology of the heart, increasing the risk of conduction abnormalities and sudden death.
A study reevaluating the long-term effects of alendronate on bone fractures found that patients with low bone density at high risk of spine fractures can benefit from continuing therapy. However, for other types of fractures, there is limited data on continued treatment benefits.
A new UCSF study questions the previous analysis of varenicline's safety, finding no clinically or statistically significant increase in serious adverse cardiovascular events. The researchers analyzed data from 22 trials with over 9,200 participants, concluding that the risk difference is only 0.27 percent.
UCSF researchers identified brain activity patterns in rats that play a role in memory formation and decision-making. These patterns, known as sharp-wave ripples, are critical for recalling past experiences and making informed decisions.
A study found that varenicline significantly reduced average number of drinks per week by 36% in participants assigned to take the drug. The effects on drinking behavior were separate from its effects on smoking.
Scientists at UCSF used a pioneering imaging technique to study the interaction between breast cancer and the immune system in mice. They found that activated immune cells are headed off at the pass by healthy cells forming a 'thin red line' around tumors.
A study of over 20,000 older patients with non-small-cell lung cancer found that younger patients were more likely to receive treatment than their older counterparts. The research suggests that age alone is not a reliable indicator for cancer treatment decisions, and other health factors should be considered.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that addressing subsistence needs is crucial for improving the health of HIV-infected individuals living in poverty. The research, conducted by UCSF scientists, revealed that unmet basic needs like housing and food significantly undermine the benefits of HIV medication delivery.
A groundbreaking study found that effective HIV treatment and transmission reduction are thwarted by patients' unmet basic living needs such as housing, food, and hygiene. The research suggests that addressing these subsistence needs is crucial to improving public health outcomes.
A new study links malaria resurgence to funding cuts, with 91% of episodes tied to weakened control programs. The research highlights the need for sustained financial support to maintain gains in malaria control.
A study of nearly 20,000 cases of routine appendicitis at 289 hospitals and medical centers in California found significant discrepancies in hospital charges, ranging from $1,529 to $183,000. The median charge was $33,611, with county hospital charges being 37% lower than nonprofit hospital charges.
A new study from UCSF found that brain surgery for epilepsy has not increased in the decade since a landmark clinical trial demonstrated its effectiveness. Despite this, thousands of Americans suffer from uncontrolled seizures each year, highlighting disparities by race and insurance status.
Scientists from UCSF used brain recordings to decode which speaker a subject was listening to, even when multiple voices were present. The study sheds light on the human brain's ability to focus on one voice in noisy environments, with implications for language learning disorders and neuroprosthetic devices.
A recent survey conducted by UCSF researchers found that half of young adult tobacco smokers also use marijuana, with usage highest among Caucasians and rural residents. The study suggests that smoking cessation programs should take into account the effect of marijuana use in their treatment plans.
A study of Vietnam-era veterans found that those who experienced more combat-related killing had twice the likelihood of reporting suicidal thoughts. The relationship held even after adjusting for PTSD, depression, and other factors.
A new brain cancer vaccine tailored to individual patients has proven effective in a multicenter phase 2 clinical trial, extending their lives by several months. The vaccine combined with the drug Avastin showed promise in treating recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain cancer that kills thousands of Americans every year.
A new study by UCSF doctors suggests that publicly available overall readmission rates may overestimate unplanned readmissions by up to 25 percent. The team found that 'all cause' readmission rates do not distinguish between planned and unplanned surgeries, potentially leading to misinformation about hospital quality.
Researchers have discovered that activating mutations in the FLT3 gene play a crucial role in acute myeloid leukemia, making it an attractive target for new treatments. The study identifies drug-resistant mutations in FLT3 and suggests that therapies involving combinations of multiple drugs could suppress these mutated forms.
The UCSF project provides a large publicly available resource to help researchers determine the importance of genes in mice. The resource includes 162 gene-disrupting vectors, 64 new stem cell lines, and 46 new strains of mice with missing microRNAs.
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) chancellor is urging patient advocates to work with policymakers to develop regulations for a data network that integrates research and clinical care. The goal is to accelerate medical advances through 'precision medicine,' which tailors treatment to individual patients.
A new MRI technique uses computer modeling to predict the rate and physical path of degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia. The study supports the idea that these diseases spread through the brain along specific neuronal pathways, similar to prion diseases.
Researchers found that EKG abnormalities in healthy elderly individuals increased the risk of heart attack. The study, which followed 2,192 adults aged 70 and older for eight years, suggests that EKGs could be used to detect heart disease earlier in patients without chest pain or symptoms.
A study of nearly 1,000 patients with cardiovascular disease found a direct correlation between lifetime traumatic stress exposure and elevated levels of inflammatory markers. The researchers also discovered that this relationship remained even after adjusting for psychiatric diagnoses, suggesting a long-term negative impact on health.
Researchers at UCSF find hidden genetic code layer influencing protein synthesis rates, even in 'silent' mutations. The discovery challenges long-held assumptions and may accelerate industrial protein production for biofuels and medicines.
A UCSF-led study finds that meditation significantly reduces destructive emotions and improves social and emotional behavior in female schoolteachers. The study's findings suggest increased awareness of mental processes can influence emotional behavior, leading to better relationships and overall well-being.
A decline in industry-sponsored funding of accredited continuing medical education (CME) is seen as an opportunity to make CME more relevant, cost-effective, and less biased. Interactive forms of medical education, such as online learning and practice improvement activities, are gaining traction.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's disease and other dementias spread within nerve networks by moving directly between connected neurons. The study used magnetic resonance imaging research to predict the course of dementias based on a nerve region's connectivity to a disease hot spot.
A study led by Salomeh Keyhani found no evidence to support the notion that higher regional healthcare costs indicate inappropriate care. The researchers reviewed 114,830 peer-reviewed articles and concluded that there is a lack of scientific evidence to design policies that reduce unnecessary care.
Research from UCSF and Harvard Medical School finds that trauma significantly contributes to the HIV epidemic among women. Women with HIV are exposed to trauma at higher rates than the general population, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and poor treatment outcomes.
A study led by UCSF researchers found that women with mild retinopathy are more likely to experience cognitive decline and related brain changes. The findings suggest retinopathy could serve as a simple eye screening tool for detecting early stages of vascular disease.
Researchers found that male fruit flies drink more alcohol after being rejected by females due to a molecular trigger called neuropeptide F. This discovery may help shed light on the brain mechanisms underlying social interaction and addiction in humans.
Researchers call for ob-gyns to evaluate patients' exposure to environmental chemicals, provide education, and advocate for policy change to reduce toxic exposures. The human reproductive system is vulnerable to biological changes caused by chemicals during critical periods of development.
Scientists at UCSF have identified a protein called PRDM16 that can convert ordinary white fat cells into brown fat cells, which burn calories. This discovery makes PRDM16 a possible target for future obesity treatments.
A new study from UCSF identifies a broad number of evidence-based recommendations for young adult preventive care. The transition to young adulthood is associated with increased engagement in health-damaging behaviors and preventable health problems. Primary care visits present an opportunity to improve the health of this population.
A study of patients infected with both HIV and hepatitis shows how interferon boosts the human body's natural immunity to fight the virus. The drug, once used to alleviate symptoms, works by mediating the action of restriction factors that combat HIV.
A study published in Neuron found that intensive computerized cognitive training exercises can improve complex cognitive functions and social cognition in people with schizophrenia. The training improved the ability to distinguish internal thoughts from reality, coinciding with increased activation in the medial prefrontal cortex.
Scientists at UCSF found simultaneous targeting of two molecules can effectively shrink tumors, block invasion, and stop metastasis in mice. The approach may improve combination treatments, including drugs like Avastin, for various cancer types.
Patients with heart disease who took cholesterol-lowering statins were significantly less likely to develop depression than those who did not. Statin users experienced a 38% lower risk of developing depression compared to non-statin users.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a new class of drugs that target the mTOR protein, which is hyperactive in many forms of cancer. The new drugs block mTOR more completely than previous ones, effectively hobbles cancer cells and prevents metastasis.
A study by UCSF researchers found that anticipating stressful situations accelerates cellular aging, leading to shorter telomeres and increased risk for chronic diseases. Caregivers who anticipated more threat showed signs of accelerated cellular aging.
A new study by neurologists at UCSF reveals that mothers who suffer from migraine headaches are more than twice as likely to have babies with colic. The research suggests a possible link between colic and childhood periodic syndromes, which may be precursors to migraine headaches later in life.
A nationwide study has shown that injecting anticonvulsant medication into the thigh muscle using an autoinjector is as safe and more effective than traditional intravenous administration. The method resulted in 73% of patients being seizure-free upon arrival at the hospital, compared to 63% for those receiving IV treatment.
A UCSF stem cell study conducted in mice suggests a novel strategy for treating damaged cardiac tissue after a heart attack. The approach potentially improves cardiac function, minimizes scar size, and avoids tissue rejection.