A combination of two approved cancer medications may slow or reverse Alzheimer's symptoms by reversing gene expression changes in neurons and brain cells. Researchers analyzed public data from deceased donors and found a link between these drugs and reduced risk of developing the disease.
A new study from UC San Francisco challenges the traditional view of how the brain strings sounds together to form words and orchestrates the movements to pronounce them. The brain relies on a wider network of neurons across many brain areas, centered in the middle precentral gyrus, to coordinate speech-motor sequencing.
A new study found that the newer generation of effective diabetes medications are not reaching enough patients. The study analyzed data from over 40,000 records and found that only 20% of patients with type 2 diabetes were taking GLP-1 drugs within a year of diagnosis, and less than 15% were taking SGLT2 drugs.
A new study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that state bans on abortion led to significant increases in travel time, costs, and delays in receiving care. The study, which surveyed 855 people from states with abortion bans, revealed a 17% increase in second-trimester abortions and a 11.3-hour increase in travel time.
A week-long web-based wellbeing intervention boosted participants' happiness through daily micro-acts, including sharing inspiring moments and performing kind acts. The Big Joy Project tested the effectiveness of a simple yet impactful approach to improving well-being.
A comprehensive study found dementia rates were 25% higher in the Southeast compared to the Mid-Atlantic. The Northwest and Rocky Mountains had 23% and 18% higher rates respectively. These differences remained even after accounting for factors like age, race, and cardiovascular disease.
Scientists at UC San Francisco discovered how pancreatic cancer cells metastasize to the lungs or liver using the PCSK9 protein. PCSK9 controls cholesterol acquisition, with low levels favoring the liver and high levels supporting lung adaptation.
A new study found that chronic cannabis use, whether smoked or consumed as edibles, is associated with significant cardiovascular risks. People who regularly used marijuana had reduced blood vessel function comparable to tobacco smokers.
Researchers at UCSF have successfully engineered a shapeshifting protein that can change shape in response to signals, potentially leading to breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and environmental applications. This achievement marks the first step towards creating stable yet dynamic proteins using AI-augmented protein engineering.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that as preteens used more social media, their depressive symptoms increased by 35%. The research team tracked changes over time in each child to accurately assess the link between social media and depression. Experts suggest using digital habits tools to create healthier online behavior...
A new framework for assessing traumatic brain injuries (TBI) will provide more accurate diagnoses and treatments, leading to better patient outcomes. The framework incorporates clinical symptoms, biomarkers, imaging scans, and modifiers to determine the severity of injury and predict recovery.
Researchers at UCSF found that certain gut bacteria can reduce chemotherapy side effects by clearing excess drugs and producing the protective vitamin K2. Patients with more beneficial bacteria had fewer side effects, suggesting that probiotics may help mitigate chemotherapy's impact.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified potential protein markers for frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a form of dementia affecting middle age. The study found changes in RNA regulation and brain connections that could lead to early diagnosis and targeted treatments.
A UC San Francisco-led study found that delivering medicine for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) via the amniotic fluid was safe and helped prevent damage to nerve cells. The therapy used molecules called antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), which can alter gene expression, and was tested in mice and sheep with promising results.
A study by UC San Francisco found that children with ALL living in mixed middle- and low-income neighborhoods have a 30-40% higher risk of death. In contrast, AML hospital treatments are shorter, and outpatient visits fewer, reducing challenges for underserved patients.
Researchers at UCSF found clinically significant improvements in mood, cognition, and motor function after psilocybin therapy for patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that psilocybin could provide relief from multiple symptoms of the disease by reducing inflammation and promoting neuroplasticity.
Researchers at UCSF's AViDD Center have developed a highly bioavailable, covalent molecule that inhibits coronavirus MPro with potent in vivo efficacy. This discovery holds promise for preventing future coronavirus pandemics.
Researchers at UCSF's AViDD Center have developed powerful drug candidates that outperformed Paxlovid in preclinical testing against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS. The compounds could inhibit coronaviruses in general, providing a head start against future pandemics.
A new study from the University of California - San Francisco suggests that telehealth can be an effective treatment option for women experiencing urinary incontinence after giving birth. The research found significant improvements in symptoms, regardless of whether women received physical therapy in-person or via telehealth.
A new study suggests that CT scans could account for 5% of all cancer cases each year, primarily due to radiation exposure. The largest risk is among infants, followed by children and adolescents. To mitigate this risk, reducing the number of scans and doses per scan can help save lives.
Neuro-immunologist Stephen Hauser has won the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his role in identifying the immune system's primary driver of damage to nerve cells in multiple sclerosis. His B-cell theory has led to the development of therapies that have transformed treatment, reducing relapses and improving prognosis.
Researchers discovered a mechanism that harnesses immune cells to produce opioids, potentially alleviating chronic pain. Estrogen and progesterone drive this process, which could lead to more effective treatments for women experiencing pain after menopause.
A study of 733 older female participants found that those with increasing sleepiness had double the risk of stable sleepers. Poor sleep quality in midlife and delayed dream phase are also linked to a higher risk of dementia. The study adds to recent research on the relationship between sleep patterns and dementia.
A new study suggests that hospital rehabilitation for older adults might only be the beginning of a longer journey. While therapy is crucial in mitigating functional decline, only a small minority of patients receiving intensive therapy (14+ hours/week) had a greater likelihood of home discharge.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have enabled a paralyzed man to control a robotic arm through a device that relays signals from his brain to a computer. The device, known as a brain-computer interface (BCI), worked for a record 7 months without needing to be adjusted.
A new study by researchers at UCSF has found that long-acting injectable treatments can be transformative for patients who struggle to take daily HIV pills, resulting in undetectable viral loads and improved health outcomes. The treatment approach could help stop the spread of HIV by keeping more patients from being infectious.
Researchers discovered that females' dormant X chromosome reactivates in late life, expressing genes related to brain development and cognitive health. This phenomenon may explain why women outlive men and retain their cognitive abilities longer.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that human lung tissue contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) capable of producing red blood cells, platelets, and immune cells. The finding suggests the lungs could be a potent source for life-saving stem cell transplants, particularly for patients with leukemia.
Scientists discovered a protective variant of the HAQ-STING gene that prevents COPA Syndrome. This finding opens the door to a new gene therapy for the condition, which currently has no cure.
Scientists found that parts of human chromosomes have evolved rapidly to enable complex brain development in humans. However, this acceleration may also lead to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. The study used artificial neurons derived from human and chimpanzee cell lines.
The FDA has approved a new treatment for Parkinson's disease that can adjust to the individual's brain activity, providing precise stimulation. This technology, known as adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), detects patterns of brain activity and delivers tailored electric pulses to reduce symptoms.
Researchers at UCSF have identified unique, cancer-specific proteins created through mistakes in RNA splicing. These antigens could be used to create potent immunotherapies that recognize and attack hard-to-treat tumors. The discovery offers new hope for glioma patients and expands the number of targets available for cancer therapy.
A new study published in Annals of Neurology found that lower concentrations of vitamin B12 in healthy, older adults led to signs of neurological and cognitive deficiency. These individuals showed slower processing speeds, brain lesions, and delayed responses to visual stimuli compared to those with higher B12 levels.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered how a unique type of virus called a jumbo phage protects itself inside bacteria. The shield works via a set of secret handshakes that allow only useful proteins to pass through, giving the phage an advantage over regular phages when fighting infections.
Researchers at UCSF describe how to curb MYC levels by disrupting the protein assembly line controlled by RBM42. Disrupting RBM42 in pancreatic cancer cells stopped them from growing, suggesting drugs could be developed to do the same for other fast-growing cancers.
Researchers at UCSF used CRISPR gene editing technology to transform ordinary white fat cells into 'beige' fat cells that voraciously consume calories to make heat. Implanted near tumors, these cells outcompeted cancer cells for nutrients, beating back five types of cancer in lab experiments.
A new study by UC San Francisco found a marked increase in advanced prostate cancer rates across California since doctors stopped routine screening, with death rates plateauing in most regions. The study emphasizes the need for screening that can identify fatal tumors without raising false alarms.
A study found that people with delayed REM sleep have higher levels of toxic proteins amyloid and tau, and lower levels of healthy protein BDNF, which can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's. Practicing healthy sleep habits may help mitigate this risk.
A new microdosing approach using low doses of buprenorphine has been tested on patients with opioid use disorder, but most found it ineffective. The study, which included 126 participants, showed that only 34% were able to work up to a full dose of buprenorphine.
UCSF researchers found that when brain cells of female mice express only a maternal X chromosome, their memory and cognitive skills deteriorate faster. This study could explain the variation in brain aging between the sexes and individual women.
UCSF researchers identify a molecular timer controlling mouse birth timing, which could lead to new tests for human preterm labor risk and interventions. DNA packaging during pregnancy plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression, with KDM6B working as a 'timer' that winds down over time.
A new UC San Francisco study found that most 11- and 12-year-olds use TikTok and other social media platforms against the rules, showing signs of addiction. The study also revealed a quarter of children reported elements of addiction while using social media, linked to depression, eating disorders, ADHD, and disruptive behaviors.
A new study by UCSF found that menopause increases the rate of MS progression in women, particularly in walking speed and fine motor skills. The study also suggests that hormone therapy may be beneficial in slowing disease progression, with some participants showing a lower rate of relapse during pregnancy.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a new type of stem cell in the young brain that can form cells found in tumors, shedding light on how adult brain cells grow and develop into deadly brain cancers. The study provides a comprehensive roadmap for understanding healthy brain development, which could lead to better treatments for conditi...
A recent case series suggests that an extended course of Paxlovid may help some patients with long Covid experience sustained improvements in their symptoms. The study, published in Communications Medicine, found that five out of 13 patients experienced significant symptom relief after taking the antiviral drug for 15 days.
A review of 3,000 studies suggests microplastics in the air may cause serious health problems, including colon cancer, poor lung function, and infertility. The tiny plastic particles are believed to contribute to chronic pulmonary inflammation, increasing the risk of lung cancer.
A study by UCSF researchers found that language, education, and age affect someone's ability to engage with digital health tools. Young English speakers are most comfortable using digital health tools, but others face barriers due to limited education or language proficiency.
A new study finds that a blood test using phosphatidylethanol (PEth) can detect liver disease caused by excessive drinking, offering a more reliable alternative to self-reported measures. The test has shown strong correlation with Fibrosis 4, an indicator of liver risk, and could be included in routine blood tests.
UCSF Medical Center has received the highest possible rating for maternity care, reflecting its commitment to clinical excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration. The hospital's maternal care teams include a broad array of expertise, including nurse practitioners, midwives, and obstetrician anesthesiologists.
Researchers combine a precision cancer drug with an antibody and radiation therapy to eliminate tumors without causing side effects. The approach uses the cancer drug as a molecular flag for cancerous cells, allowing immune cells to target them. This method has shown promise in eliminating lung cancer in mice with minimal side effects.