A study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that the quality of life for disabled elderly people is closely tied to their sense of dignity and autonomy. Most participants rated their quality of life as 'fair to very good' on a five-point scale.
A combined public health campaign in Kenya successfully tackled HIV/AIDS, malaria, and diarrhea by distributing bed nets, water filters, condoms, and educational materials. This approach saved over $16,000 per 1,000 people reached, resulting in 16 lives saved and hundreds of years of healthy life.
A UCSF team has identified genes that influence male and female behaviors, such as sex drive and nurturing behavior, which can be manipulated individually. The study suggests complex behaviors like autism may be broken down into component parts to better understand and treat disorders.
Researchers found that systolic blood pressure above 140/90 is associated with increased risk of end-stage renal disease in patients with chronic kidney disease. The study's findings challenge current guidelines, which recommend a systolic pressure of 130/80 or lower.
A team of UCSF researchers argues that sugar is a primary culprit of the global obesity pandemic, contributing to 35 million deaths annually. Limiting sugar consumption requires environmental and community-wide solutions, similar to those for alcohol and tobacco.
A study by UCSF researchers found that vigorous exercise is linked to increased expression of genes thought to prevent cancer progression. The study identified nearly 200 genes in healthy prostate tissue that are more active among men who exercised vigorously for at least three hours a week.
A new molecular test can predict the likelihood of death from early-stage lung cancer with greater accuracy than traditional methods. The test, which measures gene activity in cancerous tissue, has been shown to improve prognosis and guide treatment decisions for patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
A UCSF team has developed methods to reveal a molecular marker in tissue samples from brain tumors that has been linked to better survival odds. Monitoring this marker could provide doctors with a better way to follow their patients after surgery and assess how they respond to recommended treatments.
Researchers at UCSF are sequencing the DNA of 4,000 people with various forms of epilepsy in a bid to identify the genetic causes of the disease. The study, funded by a $25-million grant, will also explore ways to treat people with epilepsy and uncover new patterns of genetics.
Researchers at UCSF have found that neutrophils use mechanical force to transmit tension across their membrane, restricting activity to the leading edge and enabling them to attack invaders. This discovery could lead to new therapies for conditions such as spinal cord injury and cancer.
A study has identified a protein called hepsin that may trigger the spread of breast cancer in certain cases. Hepsin, a protease enzyme, was found to free tumor cells from their native tissue matrix, allowing them to invade other tissues and grow into aggressive tumors.
A study led by UCSF researchers found that drinking releases endorphins in areas of the brain associated with pleasure and reward. This discovery provides a possible approach to improving treatment for alcohol abuse through more effective medications targeting the Mu opioid receptor.
A nationwide tax on sugary drinks could prevent nearly 100,000 cases of heart disease and 26,000 deaths annually. The tax would also generate $13 billion in direct revenue and save the public an additional $17 billion per year in healthcare costs.
A new UCSF analysis of tobacco industry documents reveals that Philip Morris USA manipulated data on the effects of additives in cigarettes, including menthol. The researchers found that hundreds of additives should be eliminated from cigarettes due to their potential to increase health risks for smokers.
Researchers have discovered that flatworms can regenerate without centrosomes, a cellular structure essential for cell division in all animals. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that centrosomes are crucial for cell division.
A UCSF-led study found that children with biliary atresia who received maternal liver grafts had a failure rate of 3.7%, compared to 10.5% for paternal grafts. The researchers believe higher levels of maternal cells may establish tolerance and acceptance of maternal organs.
A comprehensive survey of HIV's interactions with human cells has identified hundreds of connections between viral and human proteins. This research may lead to the development of new drugs to treat HIV/AIDS by disrupting these connections.
A new UCSF study shows a popular antibiotic treatment for trachoma can be administered every six months, reducing treatment costs and potentially treating twice as many patients. Researchers found a significant decrease in trachoma prevalence, even elimination in some villages, regardless of treatment frequency.
A novel study led by UCSF found that mammograms detect slower-growing breast cancers in women over 50, increasing the likelihood of good prognosis without treatment. The research provides a basis for integrating molecular profiling to avoid overtreatment and improve care.
A UCSF-led team has identified the gene PRRT2 as the cause of a rare childhood neurological disorder called PKD/IC. The study may improve diagnosis and shed light on other movement disorders like Parkinson's disease.
A team of researchers at UCSF has discovered that tiny immune cells called macrophages can switch on the brown fat in response to cold temperatures, inducing it to burn energy and produce heat. This finding suggests that the immune system plays a role in thermoregulation, potentially leading to new strategies for enhancing metabolism.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that adolescents with anorexia nervosa who receive high-calorie diets during hospitalization experience significant weight gain and have a shorter stay. The current conservative approach, which starts with low calorie intake, is not effective in preventing refeeding syndrome.
Women who practiced stress reduction and mindful eating had greater reductions in deep belly fat, associated with an elevated risk for heart disease or diabetes. Mindfulness techniques helped prevent weight gain even without dieting.
A recent UCSF study suggests that combining cannabinoids with opiates may lead to greater pain relief for chronic pain patients. The study found that patients who received both treatments experienced significant reductions in pain scores, with some showing a 33% decrease in morphine use.
The study found that the nation's largest for-profit chains operate with significantly lower staffing levels than non-profit and government-owned nursing homes, leading to poorer quality of care. The top 10 chains have a strategy of keeping labor costs low to increase profits, resulting in more deficiencies and serious deficiencies.
UCSF researchers found that tissues can remember and activate T regulatory cells to defend against autoimmune diseases. The discovery may lead to new strategies for fighting autoimmunity and preventing transplant rejection.
A group of researchers at UCSF has discovered why the bite of a small Texas coral snake can be so painful. The venom contains toxic chemicals that bind to acid receptors on human nerve endings, triggering severe pain signals to the brain.
UCSF researchers have discovered the molecular basis for tamoxifen resistance and found a potential way to defeat it. They showed that cells can develop resistance through epigenetic modification, specifically by elevating expression of the 'survival' gene AKT.
The study found that Ocrelizumab led to a 89% reduction in brain lesions and reduced the number of new multiple sclerosis attacks over 24 weeks. This suggests targeting B cells could help treat MS.
A recent clinical trial conducted by the University of California - San Francisco indicates that a vaccine against HPV can effectively reduce anal infections and precancerous lesions, leading to a nearly 75% reduction in cancer precursors among those who had not been previously exposed. The vaccine is expected to prevent anal cancer in...
The UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies will receive funding to tackle two primary goals of the National AIDS Strategy: increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes. The program aims to close gaps in HIV testing, linkage to care, and treatment success among high-risk populations.
A study found that rats given a commonly prescribed antidepressant during development exhibited brain abnormalities and behaviors characteristic of autism spectrum disorders. The researchers suggest that taking SSRIs during pregnancy may contribute to the rise in developmental disorders in children.
A new UCSF-led study reveals that premature infants exposed to steroids after birth have 10% smaller cerebellar volumes, associated with impaired brain growth and motor development. The findings challenge the American Academy of Pediatrics' policy statement on low-dose glucocorticoids.
A UCSF study found significant vision improvement in patients with severe bacterial corneal ulcers who received steroid therapy. Researchers tested 500 participants from the US and India, and results showed no harm but a benefit for those with more serious forms of ulcers.
The Atlas of Malaria-Eliminating Countries highlights countries successfully moving toward eliminating the disease, providing a visual tool to help focus resources. Thirty-six countries are making rapid progress towards malaria elimination, with the atlas showing where pockets of transmission remain and how the disease is concentrated.
A new study found that over half of cancer-free women will experience false-positive results from annual mammograms, leading to unnecessary testing and anxiety. Shifting screening to every other year can lower the risk by a third.
A new study predicts that smoking could cause 18 million more cases of tuberculosis worldwide and 40 million additional deaths over the next 40 years. The research, led by UCSF, found that smoking raises the risk of contracting TB and death, making it a critical factor in population-wide TB rates.
The UCSF MRI technology center has been awarded a $5.5 million NIH grant to advance new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology that can detect cancer's aggressiveness more accurately. The technique, tested in a small pilot study, uses a new instrument to boost the MRI signal and measure enzyme activity in real time.
A new translational research center aims to predict and prevent osteoarthritis in young people and improve care for adults suffering from the disease. The center will integrate imaging, biomechanics, and clinical medicine to develop clinical tools that can assess degeneration and risk factors.
A new study found that nearly one in four Americans must travel farther to a nearest trauma center due to hospital closures, especially affecting African Americans, poor and uninsured residents. The study highlights the need for policy makers to subsidize trauma centers serving vulnerable communities.
Researchers at UCSF Brain Tumor Research Center discovered a protein called NG2 that controls the switch from asymmetric to symmetric cell division in normal cells. This abnormal cell division pattern is associated with oligodendroglioma brain tumors, which may respond to chemotherapy but often recur in resistant forms.
A gene for Lou Gehrig's disease and frontotemporal dementia has been identified by researchers at the University of California - San Francisco. The mutated gene, C9ORF72, is associated with nearly 12% of familial cases and over 22% of sporadic cases of the diseases., Scientists have discovered a genetic mutation that triggers both Lou ...
Researchers at UCSF found that bone marrow cells used to treat human hearts after a heart attack are impaired due to inflammation caused by the attack. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches to improve treatment outcomes for heart attack patients.
A survey of federally funded programs in 57 US states and territories found a need for specific, adapted diabetes treatment guidelines. Current national guidelines may not be optimal within each state's resources, and officials lack scientific evidence to adapt them.
Researchers at UCSF found that mice lacking a specific enzyme are less responsive to nicotine and alcohol, suggesting a promising target for a dual treatment approach. The discovery could lead to medications that reduce reward craving in people struggling with addiction.
Researchers will examine the effectiveness of state and local anti-smoking programs across the US. The study aims to inform government policy decisions and allocate resources efficiently. Tobacco control in California has already saved over $86 billion in health costs.
Scientists at UCSF discover that fetal tissue, called mesenchyme, secretes chemicals essential for mature beta cell formation. This breakthrough may lead to new ways of addressing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, including generating fully functional beta cells from stem cells or increasing beta cell numbers in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Scientists at UCSF have identified a crucial chemical that the malaria parasite produces internally, allowing it to survive in human blood. This insight provides a powerful tool for discovering and designing new treatments.
A common antibiotic has been found to help reduce severe wheezing and acute symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a large multicenter clinical trial. Patients who received the antibiotic experienced a 27% reduction in acute flare-ups compared to those who received a placebo.
A recent UCSF study analyzes the long-term effects of chemotherapy on women's reproductive health, finding that younger women are more likely to experience early menopause and infertility. The research provides new insights for patients and clinicians, enabling more strategic and personalized counseling about fertility preservation.