A UCSF team recommends amending current practices to ensure the safety of patients participating in clinical trials involving embryonic stem cells. The guidelines aim to protect donors' privacy by recontacting them over the years to update their medical records.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that the tobacco industry secretly influenced pesticide regulations at the EPA and World Health Organization. The study analyzed internal tobacco company documents and discovered that the industry hired ex-agents to manipulate decision-making, staged a useless test on phosphine emissions, and conce...
A high-vegetable diet rich in onions, garlic, beans, and yellow vegetables was associated with a 50% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. Fruits were also found to be protective, but to a lesser extent.
A recent study reveals that managed care drug cost-control strategies are failing due to flawed contracts and inadequate information sharing between HMOs and doctors. The survey found widespread dissatisfaction with the current approach, which relies on financial incentives to control prescribing practices. The researchers propose thre...
Research using Kaiser Permanente's ATRIA Study cohort found that women with atrial fibrillation have a higher incidence of ischemic stroke when not taking Warfarin therapy. The study indicates being a woman is an independent risk factor for stroke, influencing treatment options.
Researchers have found that Clioquinol, an old antibiotic, may interrupt the production of mutant huntingtin protein in neurons, reducing its toxic effects and potentially slowing down Huntington's disease progression. The study suggests a new potential treatment for the degenerative brain disorder.
Two 'ephedra-free' supplements, Advantra Z and Xenadrine EFX, increased heart rate by an average of 11-16 beats per minute and blood pressure by 7-12 percent. The study calls for further research on the safety and effectiveness of bitter orange-containing supplements.
A UCSF study has identified a signaling system composed of several genes as crucial for maintaining the stability of the nervous system. The research, led by Graeme Davis and Benjamin Eaton, found that a cytoplasmic enzyme called LIM Kinase1 is essential for stabilizing synaptic connections in fruit flies.
Belatacept demonstrates improved kidney function and reduced toxicity in patients undergoing kidney transplantation. The treatment reduces the need for immunosuppressive medications and minimizes chronic allograft nephropathy.
A randomized, controlled trial found that comprehensive lifestyle changes, including a vegan diet and moderate exercise, can decrease PSA levels and inhibit prostate tumor growth in men with prostate cancer. The study suggests that making lifestyle changes may help prevent or reverse prostate cancer progression.
Researchers found improved rates of optimal treatment after implementing standardized stroke care guidelines, including administration of tPA within three hours and cholesterol-lowering medications at discharge. The study showed a significant increase in the percentage of patients receiving optimal treatment from 44% to 63%.
A new study shows that combining parathyroid hormone and alendronate for a year followed by a year increases bone density significantly more than other treatments, providing sustained gains. The treatment has the potential to offer the largest gains in bone density yet available at a lower cost than using parathyroid hormone alone.
The capacity for assisted living and in-home care nearly doubled between 1990 and 2002, while nursing home beds declined by 7.4% during the same period. The growth of these alternative care options is attributed to shifting long-term care policies and increasing demand for community-based services.
A UCSF study found that limited English proficiency is an independent risk factor for difficulty in understanding medical situations. Respondents who were LEP reported more comprehension problems despite having access to physicians speaking their native language.
Researchers found that omega-6 fatty acids can stimulate cell growth in prostate cancer cells by activating the production of cPLA2 and COX2 enzymes. A diet high in omega-6 fatty acids may contribute to increased risk of prostate cancer, while a new class of drugs targeting cPLA2 could offer a safer alternative to existing treatments.
A study found that 45 out of 500 virtual colonoscopy patients had clinically important extracolonic findings, including kidney cancers and abdominal aortic aneurysms. The study suggests that virtual colonoscopy may be more effective at detecting diseases outside the colon than in the colon.
The UCSF Center will expand its master's and doctoral programs, collaborate with community organizations, and develop leadership skills for graduate students. The new funding aims to meet the growing demand for gerontological nurses and promote the health and independence of America's older adults.
Research by industry faces no high standard, enabling pharmaceuticals, tobacco, and other industries to make claims harder to challenge than government-funded research. The current imbalance can be seen in the FDA's increasing scrutiny, with a focus on
Research discovers T-cell 'traffic control' system that prevents autoimmune disease and rejection of transplanted organs, promising new treatment for multiple sclerosis and transplant rejection. The system is controlled by a fat-like compound called S1P, which can be blocked with experimental drugs to prevent excessive T cell activity.
Researchers discovered six genes linked to chronic lung rejection, potentially leading to an early genetic test and targeted treatments. The study's findings could improve lung transplant patient survival by detecting scarring earlier.
Researchers used a non-invasive MRI technique to distinguish between Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The study successfully differentiated between the two conditions using arterial spin labeling, which measures blood flow in the brain.
Researchers found that the GSTP1 gene is temporarily inactivated through hypermethylation, increasing the risk of prostate cancer in African-Americans compared to Caucasians. The study suggests that GSTP1 hypermethylation may serve as a potential biomarker for prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Gold nanoparticles have shown to detect cancer cells with 600% greater affinity, using a technique that doesn't require expensive equipment or lasers. The method uses an antibody bound to the particles to target cancer cells, allowing for instant detection and non-toxic results.
A new study reveals that Philip Morris aggressively pursued FDA regulation in the early 2000s, reframing tobacco use as an individual choice. The company's efforts were aimed at setting itself apart from other companies and achieving favorable regulation from a Republican-dominated Congress.
A study finds that opioid medications are safe and effective for long-term pain relief in older patients, but pose risks for younger patients. Older patients experience significant relief with minimal dose escalation, while younger patients show no long-term benefit despite high doses.
A new kidney test using protein cystatin is more accurate than the standard test for serum creatinine in predicting risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease, especially among elderly people. The test measures kidney function independently of muscle mass, age, gender, and race.
Researchers discovered a new genetic disease, Nephrogenic Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis (NSIAD), in two infants who were retaining excess fluids and diluting sodium levels in their blood. The condition is caused by mutations in the AVPR2 gene that affects vasopressin binding, leading to inappropriate antidiuresis.
Researchers at UCSF discovered that administering pyruvate along with glucose after a diabetic coma can prevent brain damage and subsequent memory and learning impairment. The therapy was shown to be more effective than treatment with glucose alone, with rats experiencing significant cognitive deficits when given only glucose.
Researchers developed a classification system to treat thrombotic aneurysms, finding that one-third can be treated surgically with conventional clipping. The study also discovered that bypass and occlusion procedures yield more favorable results for unclippable aneurysms.
Scientists found that a small form of APOBEC3G repels HIV, while a large form is ineffective; blocking the small form makes resting cells susceptible to infection. The discovery shifts the paradigm on how HIV infects T cells.
A study found that adult patients with mild persistent asthma fare similarly whether they take inhaled steroids daily or only during symptoms. This suggests a possible cost-saving benefit, as estimated annual medication costs would be $2 billion lower if patients took steroids only when needed.
Steve Finkbeiner, a Gladstone investigator, has won the prestigious Lieberman Award for his groundbreaking research on Huntington's disease. The award includes $150,000 in funding to build on his findings using a custom-designed robotic microscope that tracks changes in cells over long periods.
A trial found that raloxifene, a commonly prescribed drug for osteoporosis, reduced the risk of mild cognitive impairment by 33% in postmenopausal women. The study suggests that estrogen-like effects on the central nervous system may play a role in this finding.
A survey of 580 ethnically diverse Northern California ninth-graders found that teens considered oral sex less risky and socially acceptable than vaginal sex. However, most participants underestimated the risk of sexually transmitted infections due to oral sex.
A recent UCSF study has identified a genetic mutation in the casein kinase1 delta (CK1 delta) gene that is associated with familial advanced sleep phase syndrome (FASPS), a rare sleep disorder. The research, published in Nature, also suggests that circadian rhythm variants may contribute to psychiatric disorders such as depression.
UCSF scientists Joseph DeRisi and Kevan Shokat have made significant contributions to understanding infectious diseases like SARS and malaria, and are now working to develop new treatments. Their research focuses on protein kinases, which play a crucial role in cell signaling and disease development.
A 2001 study commissioned by Philip Morris was cited in at least 19 papers, misleading physicians and researchers about the SIDS risk. The tobacco company paid scientists to challenge the scientific finding that secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
The new version of GenMAPP 2.0 incorporates various features to organize and analyze gene expression data on biological pathways, including a flexible format accepting multiple gene ID systems and species-specific databases. This update complements hierarchical clustering methods and enables convenient display of data on web sites.
A study of over 1.2 million mammograms found that experienced physicians detected cancer with higher accuracy and had lower rates of false positives. The research suggests that raising the minimum annual volume requirements for qualified mammographers could improve the overall quality of screening mammography in the US.
A new diagnostic technique, conformation-dependent immunoassay (CDI), is being considered as the standard approach for brain biopsies of patients suspected of having prion disease. The study found that CDI detected prions in 100% of samples studied, while traditional tests failed to detect them in a high proportion of cases.
A new JAMA study found that brain tumor treatment varies greatly among patients, with inconsistent use of chemotherapy and anti-convulsant medication. The study also highlights the need for improved communication between healthcare providers and patients, as well as increased participation in clinical trials.
Scientists at UCSF's Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center have shown that Ibogaine decreases alcohol consumption in mice and rats by increasing GDNF levels. In separate studies, they demonstrated that GDNF alone also reduces alcohol consumption.
A recent UCSF study found that rates of pregnancy and STIs remained unchanged among young women with increased access to the morning after pill. Despite efforts to make emergency contraception more accessible, only a fraction of women who had unprotected sex used it.
Women who averaged less than six hours of sleep per night had significantly longer labors and were more likely to have cesarean deliveries. The study also found that women who reported having poor sleep quality were more likely to experience these outcomes.
Researchers found that reducing insulin-like molecules in fruit fly brains increases the intoxicating effect of alcohol, mimicking human vulnerabilities. Insulin regulates behavior and may be crucial in determining response to addictive drugs, offering potential therapy for alcoholism.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that the brain can be retrained to process sound in an alternative way, allowing for improved hearing sensitivity. This new system enables neurons to selectively fire at specific volume levels, making it more responsive to subtle changes in loudness.
Chronic stress, even in healthy women, can lead to shorter telomeres and increased oxidative stress, accelerating cellular aging. The study also found that caregivers of chronically ill children experienced more stress and shorter telomeres than controls.
The study found that computer vignettes are more accurate than medical records in measuring physician performance, especially in assessing an individual doctor's strengths and weaknesses. Vignettes were shown to be effective in identifying areas of improvement for physicians within a clinic.
A five-year study of over 2,600 elders found a significant link between the metabolic syndrome and cognitive decline. Elders with both the syndrome and high levels of inflammation showed a higher risk of cognitive decline, highlighting the importance of addressing cardiovascular risk factors to prevent dementia.
The seven-year contract will target non-HIV STIs and include microbicides, vaccines, STI treatments and diagnostic products. Students from international partners can participate in a yearlong program at UCSF for certification and mentoring.