A University of California, San Francisco researcher found that taxpayer subsidies for films depicting smoking promote thousands of new teen smokers every year. In California, 70% of subsidized PG-13 movies depict smoking, highlighting the need to modernize the rating system and end subsidies for films promoting smoking.
Scientists at UCSF have discovered two distinct pools of vesicles in neurons, each with unique proteins that determine their behavior. The finding sheds new light on neurotransmitter packaging, transport, and release from neurons, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treating neurological diseases like Parkinson's.
A pilot study at UCSF found the highest levels ever reported of banned flame retardants among pregnant women worldwide, with high levels associated with thyroid hormone disruption. The chemicals were linked to liver, thyroid, and neurodevelopmental toxicity, highlighting concerns over exposure in lower-income populations.
Elderly women with sleep apnea are twice as likely to develop dementia in five years, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Oxygen deprivation may be the key factor leading to diminished cognition.
Scientists have found a heat-detecting molecule called TRPV1 on the noses of vampire bats, which helps guide their bites to veins. This discovery highlights how small genetic changes can lead to major evolutionary adaptations.
A new UCSF study reveals that brain surgery can completely cure two-thirds of people with severe and untreatable epilepsy, highlighting the importance of accurate brain mapping in achieving successful outcomes. The study's findings also underscore the need for further research into developing new methods to pinpoint seizure sources.
A study by Deborah Barnes found that low education, smoking, physical inactivity, depression, mid-life hypertension, diabetes, and mid-life obesity are associated with up to 51% of Alzheimer's cases worldwide. Lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and quitting smoking could potentially prevent some cases.
The UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute has received $112 million to expand its work, making it the country's second-largest clinical and translational science institute. The funding validates the success of CTSI in creating a framework for scientists to collaborate on promising research.
A novel virus spread through a California monkey colony in late 2009, infecting over a third of the monkeys and causing devastating respiratory illness. The virus also infected two human researchers and family members, demonstrating its ability to jump between species.
A team of researchers led by UCSF and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute aim to eradicate HIV from the body using a combination regimen. They will define HIV's reservoir, understand its creation and maintenance, and test potential treatments.
Researchers found that genetic mutations cause rare human diseases by disrupting a protein called Tectonic1, which forms a crucial collar around the base of cilia. This discovery provides new targets for diagnostics and treatments.
A study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that developing countries suffer more deaths and disability from stroke than heart disease. The analysis linked the two diseases to national income, with higher mortality rates for stroke in poorer nations.
A new study by UCSF researchers reveals that complex mutations in genes like TP53 occur earlier in skin and ovarian cancers than previously thought. The findings could help doctors develop new diagnostics for early cancer detection.
A genetic biomarker has been identified that can predict the likelihood of successful restoration of blood flow after leg bypass surgery. Patients who inherit a specific DNA variation are 2.5 times more likely to maintain adequate blood flow through their surgically repaired blood vessels.
A new study found that US Medicaid's Preferred Drug Lists vary widely from state to state, ignoring international guidelines for safe and effective medications. The WHO Essential Medicines List is not used as a basis for state lists, resulting in patients receiving more expensive and less effective treatments.
Robert Blelloch's groundbreaking research on microRNAs in embryonic stem cells and cancer has shed light on the molecular mechanisms regulating cell fate transitions. His work holds promise for developing new therapeutic strategies, including inducing adult cells to de-differentiate into pluripotent stem cells.
A new study links heart attack death rates to ambulance diversion, revealing that overtaxed emergency rooms lead to worse patient outcomes. For every 100 patients with acute myocardial infarction, there are three potentially avoidable deaths when ambulances are diverted for long periods.
A study found that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who visited a VA integrated care clinic were more likely to undergo initial mental health and social work evaluations than those visiting standard clinics. The integrated care model increased the rate of initial mental health evaluations, especially for women veterans, younger veterans, ...
Researchers tracked 27 unique viruses affecting honey bees, including four unknown strains and six species of bacteria and fungi. The study provides a baseline measurement of pathogens in healthy hives, shedding light on the causes of colony collapse.
A new glioblastoma vaccine has demonstrated safety and effectiveness in a Phase 2 clinical trial, extending median survival to 11 months for patients with recurrent brain cancer. The vaccine was found to induce an immune response against tumor-specific targets, suggesting potential for improved treatment outcomes.
A new study calls for an overhaul of current practices to ensure seriously ill prisoners are identified and released. The researchers propose standardized national guidelines and a recall mechanism to address inequities faced by illiterate, cognitively impaired, or unsupported prisoners.
A new UCSF study finds no evidence of a mouse virus in human blood, contradicting previous claims that it caused Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The study suggests the virus was detected in contaminated laboratory samples, and scientists need to continue searching for the real cause of the illness.
African Americans with multiple sclerosis have lower vitamin D levels than those without the disease. The study suggests low vitamin D may be a risk factor for developing multiple sclerosis, but other factors such as genes and environmental triggers also play a role in disease severity.
Two new studies by UCSF researchers found that nearly one in six visits to doctors' offices for asthma complaints resulted in antibiotic prescriptions. The findings highlight the need for pediatricians to prescribe antibiotics more judiciously to prevent drug resistance. Additionally, researchers are investigating whether targeted anti...
A study of 1,455 U.S. men with early-stage prostate cancer found that brisk walking lowers the risk of prostate cancer progression by nearly 60%. Regular physical activity can improve prognosis, and walking must be brisk for benefits to occur.
A study led by the University of California, San Francisco found that childhood cancer survivors have a significantly higher risk of developing gastrointestinal complications later in life. Over 40% of cancer survivors reported experiencing some type of GI complication within 20 years after treatment.
Researchers at UCSF have identified BCL6, a protein that leukemia cells use to survive treatment, as the basis for drug resistance. Targeting this protein may lead to more powerful cancer drugs and improved cure rates for children with leukemia.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a novel way genes are expressed in different tissues throughout life, using a mutant mouse with extra ribs. This finding has broad implications for understanding developmental diseases and may lead to new cancer therapies.
Researchers found shorter telomere length in adults with PTSD and a history of childhood trauma, associated with increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases. The study suggests that childhood trauma may contribute to the development of PTSD and accelerated aging.
A team at UCSF has identified the right hemisphere's pregenual anterior cingulate cortex as crucial for embarrassment. The study found that people with neurological damage in this region responded less emotionally to criticism, suggesting a potential diagnostic tool for neurodegenerative diseases.
A UCSF study reveals a possible early sign of dementia: the inability to detect sarcasm and lies. Researchers mapped brain activity in older adults with neurodegenerative diseases and found associations between deteriorating brain regions and this ability. This finding could help diagnose dementia earlier, enabling timely intervention.
A new study by the University of California, San Francisco suggests that treating HIV-infected adults as soon as they are diagnosed can significantly reduce the rate of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men in San Francisco. This approach is expected to cut new infections by almost 60% over five years.
A new MRI device guides surgeons during electrode implantation, potentially cutting surgery time in half and making the procedure faster and more comfortable for patients. The device was developed by a team of UCSF neurosurgeons and radiologists to improve deep brain stimulation outcomes for Parkinson's disease patients.
A UCSF study has found a link between chronic brain inflammation and memory decline in older adults. The study, which examined the effects of C-reactive protein on memory, showed that high levels of this protein correlate with poorer verbal recall and smaller medial temporal lobes.
A multicenter study found that older adults at risk for stroke have increased risk of verbal fluency decline and difficulty ignoring irrelevant information. The research suggests treating stroke risk factors may decrease executive function decline in otherwise healthy patients.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a link between inflammation and the early formation of pancreatic cancer. They found that two molecular signals produced in the pancreas during inflammation can help initiate the early stages of cancer, while another protein may be a clinical indicator of cancer stage.
Researchers at UCSF found that older adults have difficulty switching between tasks due to brain network inefficiencies, affecting working memory and multitasking abilities. The study suggests that attention and memory interaction plays a crucial role in this process.
A new study from UCSF found that arthroplasty, a newer surgery for cervical disc disease, can restore range of motion and reduce repeat surgeries in younger patients. For people under 50 with the condition, arthroplasty is a viable option.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found no association between frailty and an increased risk of adverse drug reactions among elderly patients. Instead, researchers discovered that the greatest risk factor for adverse reactions was the number of new medications recently added to a patient's regimen.
A new study found that long-term depression is associated with premature aging of immune cells, potentially leading to increased susceptibility to other illnesses. Researchers also discovered a link between telomere shortening and oxidative stress in depressed individuals.
Studies found that exercise prevents telomere stress and cell aging, suggesting a link between physical activity and healthier cells. Telomeres measure cell age and health, with shorter lengths linked to diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
A UCSF research team has made a breakthrough in predicting breast cancer survival by analyzing the immune profile of tumors. By identifying specific patterns of immune cells, they were able to develop a treatment strategy that slows tumor growth and improves patient outcomes.
Researchers identified a potential new treatment for juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare form of childhood leukemia. The experimental drug, known as a MEK inhibitor, alleviated symptoms and delayed disease progression in mouse models.
Researchers estimate that airport backscatter scanners emit extremely low levels of radiation, comparable to natural exposure from the sun and earth. The analysis suggests that these devices do not significantly increase the lifetime risk of cancer for travelers, even frequent flyers.
The UCSF team identified a few dozen chemical compounds that alter fat storage in worms, which may be useful for understanding metabolism in other organisms. The discovery demonstrates the value of worm screening as a way to find new targets for human diseases.
A new UCSF study forecasts a far worse-than-expected cholera epidemic in Haiti, predicting nearly twice the number of cases as the United Nations' initial projections. The study suggests that extending access to antibiotics could save thousands of lives and prevent widespread fatalities.
A UCSF team has developed a new model for how inherited genes contribute to frontotemporal lobar degeneration, a neurodegenerative disease. The study suggests that progranulin regulates the speed of dying cells being cleared from the brain.
A new study at UCSF reveals that brain implant surgeries can dramatically improve life for people with severe cervical dystonia. The procedure targets a previously untested part of the brain, showing promise in reducing pain and spasms while improving quality of life.
UCSF researchers have discovered a crucial hormone pathway that contributes to the development of fatty liver disease. By disrupting this pathway, they found that fat accumulation in the liver can occur even without alcohol consumption. The study's findings may lead to the development of new therapeutic drugs targeting this pathway.
A multinational study found that a single gene mutation in the HMGA1 gene is responsible for type 2 diabetes in nearly 10 percent of patients of white European ancestry. This defect leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, providing a potential test to predict disease risk and identify effective treatment options.