Researchers analyzing blood samples from an anonymous test site in Santos, Brazil found a significant increase in HIV infection rates between 1995 and 1999. The majority of recent infections were among heterosexual women, who were also more likely to report anal sex and a history of sexually transmitted disease.
Scientists at UCSF have identified a molecule, S1P, that guides the union of two primordial heart tubes in zebrafish embryos. This discovery sheds light on the critical role of S1P in human heart development and may provide insights into other cellular processes such as wound healing.
Researchers found that adding interleukin-2 to highly active antiretroviral therapy improves CD4 cell counts in recently infected patients. After 48 weeks of treatment, the average CD4 cell count increased significantly in the early IL-2 group compared to the deferred group.
A multi-institutional study found that adding interleukin-2 to antiretroviral therapy increases CD4 cell counts and decreases detectable virus levels in HIV-infected patients. The study showed significant improvements in immunologic function, with 67% of patients achieving low viral loads.
A study by the San Francisco Department of Public Health found that anonymous HIV screening of jail inmates offers an opportunity to track the epidemic in at-risk groups. The study detected a higher number of STDs than typically picked up in screening programs outside the jail setting.
Researchers use MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect Alzheimer's disease by measuring chemical markers in the brain. The study found that this technique can distinguish patients with Alzheimer's from those without the disease and identify patterns of damage consistent with the disease.
The World Alzheimer Congress will showcase recent discoveries on Alzheimer's disease, including the link between cell suicide and amyloid protein accumulation. Researchers also explored the role of apoE4 in driving brain damage and cognitive decline.
The Bay Area Perinatal AIDS Center's coordinated care model significantly reduces HIV transmission from mother to child. Nurse clinicians focus on the challenges of caring for HIV-infected mothers, implementing interventions such as coordinated medication schedules.
A new study finds that providing female condoms to commercial sex workers in rural South Africa is a highly cost-effective means of preventing HIV transmission. The analysis found that 5.9 cases of HIV, 38 cases of syphilis, and 33 cases of gonorrhea would be averted per year in 1,000 female condom recipients.
Jay Levy, a professor at UCSF, debates that the innate immune system helps prevent HIV infection and progression to disease. He cites cases of HIV patients with few CD4 cells who remain healthy without opportunistic infections or cancer.
A recent UCSF study found that older women experiencing frequent urge incontinence are 26% more likely to fall and 34% more likely to fracture a bone. This increased risk is attributed to the need to frequently urinate at night, leading to trips and falls.
A broad analysis by UC San Francisco researchers found that oral contraceptives generally double the risk of stroke, especially with high estrogen doses. The added risk is miniscule and remains low even when doubled, but caution is advised for smokers and those with high blood pressure.
Researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center have developed a more reliable way to measure physical fitness in elderly people. The new method, called OUES, calculates oxygen uptake efficiency slope and can be completed without requiring maximum effort, making it suitable for patients with heart disease or kidney failure.
A team of scientists at UCSF has identified five proteins that trigger the immune system to attack cancer cells, marking them for swift destruction by NK cells. The discovery increases the number of known targets for drugs or vaccines to boost the immune system's natural cancer-fighting ability.
Scientists at UCSF deciphered a pattern of signals that determine the survival of T cells, the body's natural defense arsenal. The research identifies a new role for chemical messages between the immune system and a steroid hormone signal, which may control stress-induced hormone imbalance and autoimmune diseases.
The Kaposi's sarcoma virus employs a novel strategy to evade the immune system by removing sentries on cell surfaces and shipping them for destruction. Researchers identified two viral genes that reduce MHC-1 proteins at the cell surface, allowing the virus to spread more widely.
Research reveals that child accident victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more frequently than previously thought, with symptoms often overlooked by adults. The study emphasizes the need for better education programs to recognize subtle signs of PTSD in children.
The National Cancer Institute has awarded a grant to UCSF researcher Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable to raise awareness about cancer issues in Latinos, promote more research on the subject and train more Latino investigators. The goal is to address unequal burden of cancer in Latino populations through research, training and public awareness.
A new UC Francisco study reveals a link between chronic use of protease inhibitors and the development of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head in HIV/AIDS patients. Early diagnosis can lead to effective treatment, but high-risk hip replacement surgery is associated with infection risk for these patients.
A nationwide consortium of nine institutions aims to improve treatment outcomes for children with neuroblastoma by testing new therapies and sharing research information. The project has already shown promising results in improving disease-free survival rates and may lead to faster development of effective treatments.
Two studies found that voluntary counseling and testing significantly reduces unprotected intercourse among HIV individuals and couples, with behavior changes maintained over time. The studies also estimate the intervention's cost-effectiveness, finding it averts infections and saves lives at a lower cost than other HIV interventions.
Researchers found that administering low to moderate doses of kappa-opioids in conjunction with naloxone causes profound, prolonged pain relief in both men and women. This discovery provides a significant alternative to morphine with minimal side effects.
A study by UCSF researchers found evidence of faulty DNA repair in some infertile men, similar to those with certain cancers. The study suggests that defective DNA repair may be a reason for male infertility and potentially increase the risk of offspring infertility and cancer.
A new study predicts that anal Pap smear screening every two to three years would detect pre-cancerous lesions among high-risk HIV-negative men and allow for early treatment of anal cancer. The analysis suggests that this simple procedure could save lives at a cost comparable to annual mammography.
Dr. Yoav Horn founded the West Bank Cancer Program in 1978, helping to establish two oncology treatment centers and train Palestinian physicians. The program improved early cancer treatment and saved lives, according to data from a computerized registry of over 7,000 patient records.
Researchers found that estrogen use reduced cognitive decline in women with e2 and e3 ApoE alleles, but not in those with e4 variants. Estrogen also showed protective effects on carotid wall thickening and atherosclerosis.
A Phase II trial found a 40% response rate with low-dose anti-VEGF combination therapy, compared to 24% for high-dose and 17% for chemotherapy alone. Median survival increased by 2 months with the low-dose treatment.
A large clinical trial is underway at UCSF to study a combination drug therapy for osteoporosis, using recombinant human parathyroid hormone (1-84) and alendronate. The trial aims to combine agents that speed up bone formation and resorption with those that slow down resorption, resulting in a net gain of bone strength.
A new study reveals that older Latina women are at a higher risk of having low birth weight infants, contradicting previous assumptions. The research, which analyzed data from over 220,000 Mexican-origin Latina women, found that maternal age was a significant factor in determining infant birth weights.
A new international study found that parents of premature infants expressed strong interest in being involved in treatment and resuscitation decision-making. The majority felt that discussion on therapy was adequate, but suggested improvements could be made through better communication and simpler terminology.
A new UCSF study has analyzed data from 1.5 million births to Mexican-born Latinas, U.S.-born Latinas, and U.S.-born White women, revealing lower rates of tobacco use and medical complications among Mexican-born Latina women.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a region in the telomerase enzyme that could be targeted to kill cancer cells and regenerate damaged cells. The discovery provides new insights into the mechanism of telomerase and its potential as a therapeutic target, as well as its role in regulating cell life span.
Researchers at UCSF found that excessive water consumption during marathons can lead to fatal brain swelling and fluid leakage into the lungs, a condition known as hyponatremia. Intravenous salt treatment has been shown to be effective in treating hyponatremia.
Researchers found that inhibiting triglyceride synthesis, a key step in fat regulation, results in obesity resistance in mice. The study suggests that blocking DGAT-mediated triglyceride synthesis may be a potential strategy for treating obesity.
Research suggests a single drug could silence misfiring immune genes, quelling asthma response. Identical DNA controls of cytokine genes in mice and humans hint at new treatment.
A nerve protein known as the capsaicin receptor triggers pain signals when exposed to heat or noxious chemicals, contributing to pain from tissue injury and inflammation. Blocking this receptor may ease some kinds of pain, such as visceral pain conditions.
A large study of over 13,000 participants found an inverse relationship between blood levels of vitamin C and the prevalence of gallbladder disease in women. Women with higher vitamin C levels had a lower risk of symptomatic gallbladder disease and asymptomatic gallstones.
Two UC San Francisco scholars analyze a 10-year study on second-hand smoke and cancer, finding the tobacco industry launched an unprecedented misinformation campaign to undermine its findings. The campaign was aimed at slowing down smoking restrictions in European markets.
Researchers at UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center identified genetic regions that confer susceptibility and resistance to a human-like skin cancer in mice. The findings suggest that mouse studies may reveal genetic markers of susceptibility and resistance to cancer in humans, which could impact patient-specific treatment modalities.
A team of scientists at UC San Francisco is launching a four-year research project to identify genetic variations that affect how people respond to drugs. The study aims to revolutionize drug design and testing, boost treatment effectiveness, and reduce side effects.
The California Workforce Initiative aims to analyze data on changing workforce dynamics, encourage policy reform, and develop new curricula for health care professionals. The project will also focus on labor costs, ethnic diversity, and re-training government regulation.
A new study by the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and UCSF team found that apoE3 can inhibit memory problems associated with Alzheimer's disease, while apoE4 cannot. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs simulating apoE3's protective quality.
Researchers at UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies are conducting a quality-of-life study to understand challenges faced by HIV-positive individuals. The Unity Project aims to examine the effects of one-on-one interventions on managing healthcare, disclosing status, and dealing with sexuality.
A UCSF study found that offering a small cash incentive to homeless adults improved their adherence rates for TB prevention therapy, compared to traditional methods. The research involved over 100 participants and found that those who received the monetary incentive completed treatment at nearly double the rate of others.
Researchers found that an experimental pain drug, kappa-opioid, provides effective pain relief to female rats, but has no effect on males. The study suggests a fundamental difference in brain responses between genders, which may lead to the development of more effective and non-addictive pain treatments for women.
A new study from the University of California, San Francisco, suggests that stimulating blood vessel growth with VEGF may help repair stubbornly non-healing fractures. Researchers found that injecting VEGF into broken mouse legs promoted bone growth and increased expression of genes necessary for osteoblast formation.
A nationwide clinical trial found that reducing tidal volumes in mechanical ventilation can cut mortality from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) by up to 22%. The study, involving 861 patients and coordinated at Massachusetts General Hospital, used a new technique with smaller oxygen puffs to provide breathing assistance.
The conference features expert speakers discussing attitudinal healing, the importance of spirituality in maintaining good health, and navigating the confusing signals of menopause. Women can learn how to incorporate spiritual practices into their daily lives and make informed choices about their health.
A new UCSF study found that bone density loss during osteoporosis treatment is often a sign of regular medication adherence, not a failure of the medication. Women who lost bone density in the first year may actually gain it back with continued treatment.
A UCSF study compared methadone maintenance with a 180-day detoxification program and found that methadone maintenance resulted in lower heroin use rates and fewer drug-related HIV risk behaviors. The study suggests that pharmacological tools are needed to combat heroin addiction.