Nursing home residents with low nurse staffing have higher incidence of health problems, including urinary catheter use, skin care, and malnutrition. Experts recommend increased staffing, education, and training to improve quality care.
A preliminary study found that 38% of HIV-positive people in low-income hotels took over 90% of their medication, adhering well to combination anti-viral therapy. The researchers also discovered a close relationship between medication adherence and viral suppression, with levels of HIV doubling for every 10% of missed pills.
The UCSF Women's Health 2000 event explores risk factors for breast cancer, including genetic predisposition and hormonal influences. The conference also delves into the unique health concerns of lesbian women, such as cervical cancer and mental health issues.
Researchers found that a brief deprivation of vitamin A in developing chicken embryos can generate severe craniofacial deformities, which could be reversed with targeted protein treatments. The study suggests that carefully timed protein therapies in human fetuses might repair cleft palate and other birth defects.
A recent study by UCSF researchers has found a strong genetic link between early stage, non-invasive breast cancer cells and disease recurrences. The study suggests that second tumors are caused by residual cells left over from the primary lesion, highlighting the importance of wide surgical margins to prevent recurrence.
A new study aims to reduce sexual behaviors that lead to HIV transmission by decreasing isolation of HIV-positive men and engaging them in primary prevention. The 'Bay Men' study, funded by the CDC, uses a support group format with social interaction to provide a safe environment for discussion and learning from each other.
The University of California, San Francisco is set to conduct a pioneering study on liver and kidney transplantation in HIV-infected patients. The research aims to determine the safety and efficacy of these procedures in individuals with end-stage liver and kidney disease, which are often fatal due to co-infection with hepatitis C virus.
A new UCSF study reveals that working conditions and job type significantly influence a person's decision to continue working or leave the workforce after developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Women are more likely to make changes to their work situation due to poorer support at home and greater fatigue following diagnosis.
A study by UCSF researcher Shelley Adler found that only a third of women with breast cancer disclose using alternative treatments to their medical doctors. The main reasons for remaining silent were attitudes toward physicians and the perception that disclosure was not relevant to the doctor-patient relationship. Women tend to discuss...
A University of California, San Francisco study found that screening mammography in elderly women aged 66-79 reduced their risk of developing metastatic breast cancer by 43% compared to those who were not screened. This is the first evidence that mammography is beneficial for these women.
A new model predicts that expanding potent HIV therapies will limit infections and AIDS deaths, even with increased risk behavior and drug resistance. The model shows that treating more HIV-infected men will reduce infection rates and deaths below what they would be without treatment.
A UCSF study reveals that many California communities face a significant dentist shortage, particularly in rural and urban areas. The report highlights the need for increased access to dental care, especially for vulnerable populations.
Researchers at UCSF discovered that prions, known for being deadly to cattle and humans, might serve a beneficial role in some organisms, including humans. They found evidence of prion-forming proteins in yeast species spanning 300 million years of evolution, suggesting prions aid survival.
A new study led by UCSF scientists found that giving patients more oxygen during and after anesthesia can cut the rate of surgical wound infections in half. The increased oxygen improves immune cells' ability to fight infections, reducing hospitalization time and costs.
The new guidelines take into account the availability of new antiretroviral drugs and expanded therapy choices, recommending individualized treatment plans with a focus on convenience and adherence. Most patients with HIV infection can now live fully active lives with carefully monitored therapy and regimen changes.
A new study from the University of California, San Francisco found that certain types of managed care plans do not offer greater access to preventive medical services compared to non-managed care plans. Traditional group/staff managed care plans still provide more preventive services than non-managed care in most cases.
A new study found that primary care clinics serving low-income populations maintained their traditional market share of Medi-Cal patients despite a decline in total Medi-Cal beneficiaries. However, these clinics still face significant financial challenges due to cost control measures under managed care.
A UCSF study reveals that anti-smoking programs can immediately generate significant health care savings by reducing low birth weight babies and heart disease cases. The research estimates that a one percent drop in smoking rates could save up to $572 million in direct medical costs.
Researchers at UCSF and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have found that the protein angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) can restore leaky vessels to normal, block leakage effects of substances, and complement VEGF's growth-promoting action. This discovery holds strong promise for treating chronic inflammatory diseases and promoting healthy blood vessel gr...
Researchers discovered that mouse embryos have an organizational structure in the inner cell mass, predicting spatial patterning later on. This finding provides a new understanding of how mammals develop their bodies and may lead to advances in regulating embryonic stem cell differentiation.
A clinical study found that adefovir reduced viral load by an average of 60% in patients, but also caused kidney problems in about 60% of those taking the drug beyond 24 weeks. The drug is useful as an additional medication for building effective treatment combinations, but should be used with close monitoring.
Researchers establish direct link between prions causing mad cow disease and new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, challenging the species barrier theory. The study used transgenic mice to demonstrate that the strain of prion responsible for mad cow disease also causes new-variant CJD.
The UCSF Department of Psychiatry is using a $7.9 million grant to study creative ways to treat complex, substance-abusing patients in community settings. The research will focus on four areas, including computer-based interventions for smokers and HIV-positive heroin addicts.
The UCSF School of Medicine has received a $3.8 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support biomedical research and recruit top young scientists. The grant will also fund renovations and equipment for older labs, enabling researchers to set up new facilities.
Researchers have figured out how kinesin motors separate chromosomes, distribute embryonic material, and transport precious cargo in organisms. The discovery reveals a crucial leapfrog motion that allows the motors to move along microtubules, generating force to haul objects up to a thousand times their own size.
Researchers at UCSF found that reducing a worm's ability to perceive its environment through smell or taste extends its lifespan by more than a third, from two weeks to three or four weeks. This suggests that chemical signals from the environment, possibly pheromones or food smells, influence aging in C. elegans.
A new UCSF study reveals that gay men are more likely to smoke than the general male population, with 48% of participants in the research survey smoking compared to 27% of U.S. men. The study also found correlations between smoking and HIV status, heavy drinking, and frequenting gay bars.
Researchers found a gene, gata5, that can reprogram embryonic cells to become beating heart cells. The discovery suggests using this technique to cultivate and transplant genetically modified heart cells into people with failing hearts.
A new study by UCSF researchers suggests that screening for breast cancer in elderly women may not be worth the cost, citing a small increase in life expectancy. The study also highlights the potential downsides of mammograms, including false positives and anxiety caused by abnormal results.
Researchers link myxoma poxvirus to HIV-like immune deficiency in rabbits, supporting a new theory on the origins of HIV resistance. The discovery strengthens the hypothesis that smallpox may have imposed selective pressure for the CCR5 receptor mutation to persist.
Research at UCSF found that MRI can provide more information on fetal abnormalities than ultrasound, leading to changes in treatment plans and improved outcomes. In two cases, MRI-based diagnosis led to treatments that saved the children's lives.
Researchers found that women smokers are three times more likely to have the K-ras mutation and nearly four times more likely to die from lung cancer if they have it. The study suggests a link between estrogen and the initiation of K-ras mutant cells in lung tumors.
The UCSF AIDS Research Institute is hosting a symposium to discuss strategies for preventing the second HIV epidemic. Experts will cover topics such as vaccine development, drug resistance, and post-exposure prevention.
The University of California, San Francisco is part of a national study evaluating medications that duplicate glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for treating knee osteoarthritis. The four-year trial aims to assess efficacy, safety, and side effects in over 1,000 patients.
A large-scale study found no clear evidence that name-based HIV reporting improves public health outcomes or increases timely medical care. Despite controversy, advocates argue the system helps notify partners and access healthcare, while opponents fear it deters testing.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a new chemical pathway in the brain involved in regulating mood, which may improve treatment for depression. The study found that popular antidepressants like Prozac and Zoloft increase the synthesis of a key neurosteroid, potentially providing a new target for mood-regulating drugs.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that participants in a therapeutic community-based treatment program made positive changes in drug injection use and high-risk sex. The longer the time spent in treatment, the less likelihood of engaging in high-risk behaviors such as needle sharing.
A study published in Lancet suggests a genetic mutation in two genes, TEL and AML1, occurs during fetal development, leading to a potentially oncogenic protein. The fusion of these genes is not inherited but rather occurs during pregnancy, possibly due to a developmental accident.
A study found that an HIV prevention program targeting young gay men through social networks and peer support significantly reduced unprotected anal intercourse. Participants reported increased enjoyment of safe sex and better communication with friends about safer sex practices.
Researchers found that providing more oxygen during and after surgery can cut in half the number of patients experiencing nausea. This simple procedure is effective, risk-free, and inexpensive, offering a promising alternative to expensive anti-nausea medications.
A UCSF study found that physicians who ask victims of domestic violence if they are being physically abused can provide the first step towards helping them find a way out. The study showed that a validating and gentle approach, rather than seeking a yes or no answer, is more effective in identifying victims and providing support.
Researchers have identified an enzyme, PKCe, that could be a target for treating alcoholism. Mice genetically engineered to lack the enzyme were less likely to drink and showed increased sensitivity to alcohol and benzodiazepines in the brain.
A randomized clinical trial showed that combining bone marrow transplant and high-dose chemoradiotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival in children with neuroblastoma. The addition of vitamin A-derivative treatment further increases survival rates by nearly three-fold.
Lung cancer treatment disparities between blacks and whites are attributed to racial attitudes and biases, affecting surgical resection rates and survival outcomes. UCSF specialists emphasize the importance of addressing these inequities through improved communication, screening tests, and clinical trials.
Researchers found that risedronate significantly reduced the incidence of new spinal fractures by 41% and non-vertebral fractures by 39% among postmenopausal women. After one year, risedronate also showed a 65% reduction in new spinal fractures compared to placebo.
A recent report from UC San Francisco reveals a decline in tobacco industry influence in California, with decreasing campaign contributions and revenue. The report finds that Republicans received 81% of tobacco money in the 1997-1998 election cycle, despite Democrats controlling both houses of the Legislature.
Researchers have developed a model to study viral evasion and co-option of cellular defense strategies, revealing that persistent infection is achieved by suppressing cell suicide. Physiological changes occur, including slower growth and reduced virus infectivity over time.
The new HIVWatch database, developed at UC San Francisco, tracks real-world treatment outcomes for patients with HIV disease. Preliminary data show an increase in CD4 cells among patients at their first clinic meeting, but a stable viral load, suggesting further analysis is needed.
A clinical trial is underway at UCSF to test the effectiveness of traditional Tibetan medicine as a sole therapy for advanced breast cancer. The trial, led by Yeshi Dhonden and Dr. Debu Tripathy, aims to evaluate the impact of individualized herbal therapies on tumor size in women with stage IV breast cancer.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered how Mycobacterium tuberculosis outsmarts the immune system to cause disease. The microbe disrupts a protein called STAT1, blocking macrophages' ability to respond to interferon gamma, allowing it to survive and infect other cells.