A new study found that black and Hispanic patients are less likely to receive strong pain drugs in emergency rooms, despite increased opioid use. Non-opioid pain relievers were prescribed more often to non-whites than whites.
Researchers identified brain regions that fire up more when people make impulsive decisions, a key finding linking thinking patterns to addiction. The study suggests raising dopamine levels may be an effective treatment for addiction, offering new approach to therapy and potential subtypes of alcoholics.
Scientists have found that natural variation is a built-in mechanism to allow the nervous system to explore and maintain motor skills, even in highly practiced skills like those seen in top athletes and musicians. This discovery has implications for rehabilitating patients following strokes and other damage to the nervous system.
A large-scale study found that patients cared for by hospitalists had shorter hospital stays and lower treatment costs, with modestly lower mortality rates compared to general internists and family physicians. The study's findings support the benefits of hospitalist care and highlight its potential to improve healthcare efficiency.
A new drug has been found safe and effective at reducing levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol by up to 40 percent, a promising approach for treating high cholesterol and related conditions. The drug accelerates the natural process of ridding the body of LDL, offering an alternative to statins and potentially complementing their use.
Researchers found that newly HIV-infected men in the US dramatically shifted their behavior to choosing only unprotected sex with other infected individuals. This change reflects a systematic shift among men, mostly gay, to protect their partners from HIV infection.
A new study found that up to 37% of males and 44% of females will be obese when they turn 35 years old, leading to increased heart attacks, chronic chest pain, and deaths. The study projects over 100,000 extra cases of heart disease by 2035.
The Global Health Group, led by Sir Richard Feachem, will focus on malaria eradication and private sector strengthening in developing countries. The team aims to overcome current bottlenecks and test new approaches on a large scale.
Scientists report a breakthrough strategy to reduce smokers' nicotine dependence while allowing them to continue smoking. By gradually decreasing nicotine content in cigarettes, most smokers cut their daily cigarette consumption by 40% and experienced comparable reductions in nicotine intake.
A study led by UCSF researchers identified p16 and COX-2 biomarkers as predictors of future tumor formation in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The findings suggest that these biomarkers can help determine the best treatment option for DCIS patients.
Researchers have identified a potential new way of fighting against HIV infection by targeting human endogenous retroviruses (HERV). A vaccine containing HERV antigens could stimulate T-cells that target cells expressing HERV, potentially protecting people from becoming infected or limiting damage caused by HIV.
A study found that the brains of term infants with congenital heart disease are more similar to those of premature newborns than normal term infants, indicating impaired brain development before birth. The research suggests abnormal fetal circulation and lower oxygen levels may contribute to these impairments.
The NIH has awarded $15 million over the next five years to the UCSF-GIVI Center for AIDS Research, doubling its previous support. The center provides strategic services and infrastructure to HIV/AIDS researchers, focusing on translational research and collaborations across disciplines.
The MacArthur Foundation is funding Pathfinder International to implement a range of interventions, including the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment, to treat postpartum hemorrhaging in developing countries. The program aims to reduce maternal mortality by addressing the leading cause of maternal death, postpartum hemorrhage.
A molecular pathway that plays a critical role in blood vessel growth has been identified by researchers. The finding suggests a potential target for inhibiting the growth of blood vessels that fuel cancers, diabetic eye complications, and atherosclerosis. The study used zebrafish as a model organism to discover the pathway.
Scientists at UCSF have identified naturally occurring processes that allow multiple genes to slow aging and protect against cancer in the C. elegans roundworm. The study suggests that cellular changes leading to longevity antagonize tumor cell growth and highlights a deep evolutionary connection between lifespan and cancer.
The NIH grant will support innovative research into HIV transmission and early infection, with a focus on understanding the interactions between HIV and the immune systems of newly infected patients. The study aims to provide new clues for developing a vaccine and improving therapeutic outcomes.
A new study by the University of California, San Francisco, found that exposure to on-screen smoking in movies is strongly correlated with beginning or becoming established smokers among young adults aged 18-25. The research team also identified positive expectations about smoking and exposure to friends and relatives who smoke as key ...
A new communication tool, VMS, improves the effectiveness of medication instructions and reduces complications among patients taking warfarin. The study found that VMS worked especially well among Spanish-speaking patients, correcting misunderstandings within 28 days.
UCSF researchers have developed a new method to generate embryonic stem cells, eliminating the need for a foreign 'drug resistance' gene. This breakthrough accelerates research on disease development and patient-specific therapies.
A specific gene mutation, BRAF V600E, is associated with increased risk of recurrence and death in thyroid cancer patients. The mutation can help guide treatment options and follow-up care, including aggressive surgery and radioiodine therapy.
Scientists discovered that gap junctions play a crucial role in neuronal migration, and their adhesion function may also contribute to cancer spread. The discovery highlights the potential for gap junctions as a therapeutic target in brain tumors.
A study found that fat on the chest and upper back is associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance, a condition that can lead to type 2 diabetes. The researchers also discovered that each type of fat contributes independently to insulin resistance, regardless of its presence.
A new study reveals that pharmacy disparities disproportionately impact elderly African-American patients with multiple medications for chronic diseases. Despite seeking a close relationship with pharmacists, many participants felt uncomfortable initiating discussions due to lack of knowledge or perceived busyness.
Researchers found that bursts of waves drive immune system 'soldiers' toward invaders, using a signaling protein to direct cell movement. The discovery may lead to strategies to block cancer growth and treat heart disease.
A nationwide study led by UCSF provides evidence that inhaled nitric oxide is safe and effective in preventing chronic lung disease in very premature infants. The study found no adverse effects of inhaled nitric oxide on surfactant production or function, suggesting a potential beneficial effect.
Two large-scale genomic studies reveal new genetic variations in multiple sclerosis and suggest a link to other autoimmune diseases. The IL-7R receptor is identified as a critical factor in the disease's pathogenesis.
Women who experienced cognitive decline were more likely to have disturbed sleep patterns, according to a study. The researchers found that it's not the total amount of sleep that matters, but rather how well it's quality, suggesting a potential link between poor sleep and cognitive decline.
A clinical trial involving 5,045 women in South Africa and Zimbabwe found no statistical difference in the rate of new HIV infections between those who used a diaphragm with lubricant and male condoms versus only male condoms. The study found an overall HIV incidence rate of 4.0 percent, with no additional protective benefit from addin...
A recent study published in BMC Health Services Research found that larger HIV prevention programs in low and middle-income countries can reduce unit costs of prevention services by up to a third. By rapidly scaling up well-run existing programs, the study suggests that more HIV infections may be averted.
Adult neural stem cells give rise to three major brain cell types, but are specified to produce specific subtypes of neurons. The discovery suggests that creating specific neuron types may require replacing combinations of different neuronal types for effective reestablishment of neural function.
A new study by UCSF researchers suggests that pre-kindergarten tuberculosis skin testing is not a cost-effective way to spend healthcare dollars. The test would only be beneficial if at least 7% of children tested positive, which is now less than 1%. Instead, finding and treating adults with TB would be a more effective approach.
A team of scientists, led by UCSF's Brian Shoichet, successfully translated the structure of an enzyme into its function. By modifying a molecular docking technique, they predicted the natural molecule that triggers enzyme action, confirming the approach's potential to determine how key enzymes work in the body.
A study found that recovering alcoholics who smoked showed lower improvement in tests of memory, reasoning, judgment, and visual/spatial coordination compared to non-smokers. Smokers demonstrated inferior performance in auditory/verbal learning and memory, cognitive efficiency, executive skills, processing speed, and working memory.
A new study compares primary care practice in the US, Australia, and New Zealand, finding that patients receive significantly less time with their physicians. The US averages just 15-16 minutes per visit, while Australia and New Zealand average 14.9-15 minutes.
A simple test combines medical history, cognitive testing, and physical examination to predict dementia risk within six years. The 14-point index is accurate in predicting dementia with 87 percent accuracy.
Researchers at UCSF develop a model describing how simple chemical interactions can lead to natural selection on a micro scale, potentially explaining how life emerged. The model focuses on enzymes and chemical catalysts, suggesting that simple principles of chemical interactions can give rise to complex arrangements.
A new bacterium, Bartonella rochalimae, has been discovered and isolated from a patient who suffered symptoms similar to malaria or typhoid fever. The bacterium is genetically similar to one spread by body lice in World War I trenches, causing trench fever.
A study of nearly 200 statin-drug comparisons found that funding source greatly impacts results, with industry-funded trials more likely to favor the test drug. The analysis also revealed a lack of clinical measures of outcome, such as heart attacks or mortality, in many trials.
Scientists have identified the TRPM8 receptor as responsible for sensing cold, which also mediates pain perception. The study provides a target for treating acute and chronic pain.
A smokeless cannabis-vaporizing device delivers the same level of active therapeutic chemical and produces the same biological effect as smoking cannabis, but without the harmful toxins. The study found that vaporization produced comparable levels of THC with minimal exposure to combustion-generated toxins.
Michael Weiner, a pioneering brain imaging researcher at San Francisco VA Medical Center, has received the 2006 William S. Middleton Award for his outstanding achievements in biomedical research. The award recognizes his contributions to clinical magnetic resonance imaging and his leadership in nationwide clinical trials.
The Immune Tolerance Network, a seven-year-old international consortium, has secured significant NIAID funding to develop new therapies for autoimmune diseases. The network's focus on immune tolerance and biological markers aims to create individually targeted treatments.
A new study has found that a once-a-year treatment for osteoporosis can be as effective as monthly or weekly regimens at reducing bone fractures. The treatment, zoledronic acid, was shown to reduce the risk of spinal fractures by 70% and hip fractures by 40% over three years.
The cost of treating arthritis in the US has more than doubled between 1998 and 2003 due to the increasing number of people with the disease and inflation-adjusted prescription costs. Total medical care expenditures for arthritis patients increased by $88 billion annually, with estimated incremental costs reaching $81 billion.
A new study found that adjustable-height chairs with ergonomically curved seats can significantly reduce neck and shoulder pain in garment workers. The custom-designed chair, tested in a four-month trial, provided more benefit than traditional flat-seat pan chairs, particularly for thin workers and those with high hand-arm workloads.
Researchers found that a specific class of PCB causes significant developmental abnormalities in rat pups whose mothers were exposed to the toxicant during pregnancy and early nursing. The study suggests that non-coplanar PCBs may be particularly hazardous due to their stability and prevalence in environmental samples.
A study of pharmaceutical sales visits found that almost half led to doctors intending to increase gabapentin prescriptions. Nearly 40% of visits discussed off-label uses not approved by the FDA.
A study by Ugandan researchers found that interruptions in antiretroviral medication supply due to financial or logistical issues led to the development of drug resistance in HIV-infected patients. Despite near-perfect adherence, treatment interruptions created opportunities for resistance to develop.
UCSF scientists have discovered that chitin triggers an allergic inflammatory response in the lungs of mice, leading to increased production of the anti-chitin enzyme. The researchers suggest that people with less-effective versions of this enzyme may be more prone to asthma due to their inability to control exposure to inhaled chitin.