A new UCSF study reveals that older men with high-risk prostate cancer are frequently under-treated, leading to higher mortality rates. The researchers argue that age should not be a barrier to more aggressive treatments that could lead to potential cures.
Researchers developed a method to stabilize living lung tissue for imaging, allowing observation of live cell interactions and immune responses to lung injury. This breakthrough impacts disease research by enabling scientists to look deeper into physiological aspects of injury and diseases.
Researchers found that cystatin C is more accurate than creatinine in predicting serious complications of kidney disease, including death and cardiovascular disease. A new test using cystatin C may be used to confirm or stage chronic kidney disease.
A UCSF team found that the human fetal immune system arises from a different source than the adult immune system and is more tolerant of foreign substances. This discovery may help explain why many infants born to HIV-positive mothers are not infected with the disease.
A study by the University of California, San Francisco found that increased BPA exposure in women can lead to a 50% decline in fertilized eggs during IVF treatment. The researchers recommend reducing BPA levels through lifestyle and dietary modifications to minimize reproductive health risks.
Researchers at UCSF have identified that oligodendroglioma brain tumors arise from progenitor cells rather than neural stem cells. This distinction explains why these tumors are more responsive to therapy, unlike other brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme.
Researchers have identified an existing medication, lenalidomide, that can restore key elements of the immune system decreasing production during aging and rebalance cytokine levels. This discovery could lead to a daily pill boosting immunity in the elderly.
A team of UCSF researchers has engineered E. coli with the key molecular circuitry that enables genetic engineers to program cells to communicate and perform computations. This system can be harnessed to turn cells into miniature computers, enabling intricate functions for various purposes such as agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
A new technology uses metabolic imaging to rapidly assess prostate tumor presence and aggressiveness in real-time. The initial results validate preclinical research linking tumor metabolism speed to growth aggressiveness.
US women who stopped hormone therapy showed significant declines in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive breast cancer. The study of over 2 million mammogram screenings found a direct link between reduced hormone therapy and decreased breast cancer incidence.
A major study demonstrates the effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in reducing HIV infection risk in high-risk individuals. The iPrEx study found that PrEP reduced HIV infections by an average of 43.8% in participants who received the medication, with consistent use providing even greater protection.
Scientists discovered that blocking a molecule's function decreased bone hardness, causing hearing loss, while reactivating it restored the bone's hardness and hearing. The study reveals a molecular pathway regulating bone matrix properties, which may explain rare hearing disorders and connect to conditions like osteoporosis.
Researchers found that cutting back on salt in teenagers' diets by just one-half teaspoon per day could reduce the number of young adults with high blood pressure by 44-63 percent. Lowering dietary salt can also have numerous benefits, including reducing incidents of coronary heart disease and strokes.
The study reveals the discovery of superficial interneurons, a type of inhibitory neuron that blocks communication about large stimuli, allowing small prey to be detected. The findings provide insights into the neural basis of tracking prey and offer new perspectives on brain function.
Researchers have discovered two new compounds that target neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype α3β4* to treat both alcohol and nicotine dependence. The compounds significantly decreased alcohol consumption in rodents without affecting their sucrose intake.
A new survey conducted by researchers at UCSF and UC Merced found that half of teens who have oral sex during the ninth grade will have intercourse by the end of the 11th grade. The study also suggests that oral sex can influence the onset of riskier sexual behavior, highlighting the need for comprehensive sex education programs.
Researchers have linked anti-inflammatory arthritis drugs to preventing cognitive decline after surgery by targeting a specific inflammatory response in the brain. The findings suggest that these therapies could lead to human clinical trials within 12 months.
Researchers at UCSF are advancing human embryonic stem cell-based strategies to treat neurological diseases and liver failure. They will investigate novel strategies using embryonic neurons to inhibit hyperactivity in the nervous system and develop therapeutically effective liver cells from human embryonic stem cells.
A UCSF study confirms that a woman's race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status impact whether healthcare providers recommend the most effective form of contraception. The interaction between these factors also plays a role in clinicians' decisions.
A new study found that Latino patients with limited English skills have poor blood sugar control if seen by non-Spanish speaking doctors, even with available interpreter services. Direct communication with a Spanish-speaking doctor can improve health outcomes.
A new clinical trial found that 96% of patients with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma survived for three years after receiving reduced chemotherapy doses. The study, led by Katherine Matthay at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, aimed to minimize the toxic effects of cancer drugs on young children.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that breast cancer survivors with physical limitations are more likely to die from other diseases due to poorer health. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence and improve survival rates.
The UCSF Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology will investigate fundamental design principles of adaptation in cells using forward engineering and comparative genomics. The center's findings may lead to new therapeutic tools and the development of synthetic circuits that can trigger desired cellular responses.
Researchers found that high-dose intravenous aspirin significantly reduced pain in patients with severe withdrawal headaches caused by medication overuse. The study showed that 25% of participants experienced a significant reduction in pain, while 40% reported a modest pain reduction.
A study found that a widely used simplified heart-risk guideline may over- or underestimate risk for millions of Americans, with 5.7 million people misclassified into different risk groups using the point-based model versus the original Framingham model.
The UCSF team will receive two grants totaling $15.1 million over five years to expand their research into how genes affect medication response. The goal is to pave the way for personalized medication, allowing for safer and more effective treatment.
Researchers found that ezlopitant, a compound known for suppressing alcohol craving, also decreases consumption of sweetened water in rodents, suggesting a link between addiction and compulsive eating. The study suggests that the NK1 receptor may be a target for addressing pathological food addiction.
A joint project of UCSF and KEMRI has received a 5-year grant to expand its care and support for people affected by HIV/AIDS in Kenya. The grant will allow the project to serve at least 80% of HIV patients needing care within its service areas.
Health risks from Gulf Coast oil spill include toxic vapors, oil slicks, tar balls, and contaminated seafood posing respiratory problems, skin irritation, mental health concerns, and neurological impairment. The risk factors are improving as the oil leak has been stopped.
A UCSF-led team discovered a key reason why blood stem cells are prone to developing genetic mutations that can lead to adult leukemia. They found that quiescent blood stem cells use an error-prone DNA repair mechanism, which can result in chromosomal instability and contribute to hematopoietic abnormalities.
A new study finds that obesity rates have declined or stabilized among some adolescent groups, while increasing among others. The disparities in obesity trends by race and ethnicity highlight the need for tailored intervention programs and policies.
Researchers identified a mutation in the unc-79 gene that makes mice more sensitive to alcohol, suggesting a potential link between the gene and human susceptibility. The study found that the mutated mice consumed more alcohol than normal mice when offered a choice.
Researchers have discovered that common soluble proteins can become insoluble and form aggregates as a normal part of aging. The presence of these aggregates may influence both lifespan and neurodegenerative disease progression.
A UCSF-led team has discovered a direct link between an inherited genetic mutation, developmental abnormalities, and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a rare form of childhood cancer. The study found that germline CBL mutations are inherited in nearly half the families affected by JMML.
A new study led by researchers at UCSF found that surgery is more effective than radiation and hormone therapies for men with high-risk prostate cancer. The study analyzed data from 7,538 men with localized disease and found a significant difference in survival rates between surgical removal of the prostate and other treatment options.
Researchers at UCSF have successfully purified one type of human embryonic stem cell using a novel, high-throughput strategy that avoids genetic engineering. The technique links two existing technologies and enables the separation of pure stem cells from teratoma-forming cells at a rate of about 25,000 cells per second.
A 20-year study found that young adults with even modestly elevated cholesterol levels are more likely to develop coronary artery calcium and atherosclerosis. Cholesterol levels found in the majority of young adults in their 20s and 30s are associated with damage to coronary arteries, which can accumulate over time.
A new analysis reveals that avoiding lowest-volume hospitals and maximizing adherence to quality care processes can significantly reduce costs associated with coronary bypass surgery. Patients receiving all quality of care measures had shorter hospital stays and lower costs.
Researchers found that intensive auditory training improved sound perception and processing in aging rats, reversing aspects of normal cognitive decline. The study suggests that specially designed mental exercises may benefit people experiencing age-related cognitive decline.
A brain fitness program has been shown to improve visual memory in older adults by up to 10%, leading to increased accuracy and a link to changes in neural activity. This study's findings suggest that focused training can lead to plasticity in the brain, improving cognitive function in aging populations.
A new study found that overweight and obese women with hot flashes can reduce their symptoms by losing weight through diet or exercise. Half of the participants reported improvements in hot flashes after six months, with those in the active weight loss group twice as likely to see an improvement compared to the control group.
A study found that genetic ancestry data correlates to physiologic measures, providing new evidence for personalized medicine. The research used genetic tools to estimate individual genetic ancestry and found a significant association between ancestry and lung function.
A new study found that high concentrations of cocoa flavanols decrease blood pressure and improve the health of blood vessels in patients with heart disease. Flavanols, found in foods like cocoa products, tea, and fruits, have a cardio-protective benefit for heart disease patients.
Researchers at UCSF have found a link between serotonin, a neurotransmitter, and gestational diabetes, suggesting that high protein diets may trigger the condition. The study's findings offer new insights into possible ways to reverse non-gestational diabetes and provide potential therapeutic solutions.
Two new UCSF studies detail the wide reach of the tobacco industry and its influence on young people, military veterans, and national healthcare reform. The analyses reveal industry 'youth smoking prevention' tactics and efforts to defeat healthcare reform under President Clinton.
A new study from UCSF reveals that vigorous physical activity can protect individuals from the effects of stress by reducing its impact on telomere length. The researchers found that even moderate amounts of exercise can provide critical protection for telomeres.
Researchers have discovered a new stem cell in the developing human brain that produces nerve cells forming the neocortex, the site of higher cognitive function. The study sheds light on developmental diseases such as autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease, and could lead to novel therapies.
HIV-infected patients have altered balance between Th17 and Treg cells, leading to endless cycle of inflammation and viral persistence. Pharmacological inhibitors of IDO1 may lead to new therapeutic approaches for controlling HIV disease.
Researchers at UCSF have created a transgenic mouse model that displays the earliest signs of Parkinson's disease, including constipation and gastrointestinal problems. The model is significant as it validates a theory suggesting the neurological component of Parkinson's is a late-stage effect of a larger systemic problem.
A new method has been developed to predict which women with DCIS are at high risk of developing more invasive tumors. The study found that two factors - the method of detection and biomarker expression - can identify patients who are most likely to develop invasive cancer within eight years.