A 51-year-old man with a rare brain disorder, known as 'sagging brain,' was treated at UCSF after initial diagnoses failed to provide relief. Exhaustive neurological scrutiny led to the discovery of a ruptured cyst causing the condition, which was successfully treated through surgery.
A new study by University of California San Francisco researchers has found that HIV patients who feel part of their community and involved in their own care are more likely to take their medication and follow medical advice. In contrast, those feeling detached or depressed are more likely to disregard treatment.
A team of researchers documented a case of transmission of protease-resistant HIV, which is resistant to six of the 11 approved HIV anti-retroviral drugs. The patient was infected through unprotected anal intercourse with a partner who had previously been treated with these drugs, highlighting the need for continued prevention efforts.
A San Francisco study found that 55% of HIV patients who achieved undetectable viral levels experienced a return to detectability within one year, yet remained generally healthy. The study's findings suggest that maintaining undetectable viral load levels may not be necessary for sustaining wellness.
Researchers found that 11% of infected men were long-term nonprogressors at 10 years, but only 2% remained nonprogressors after 18 years. High plasma viral loads are a strong predictor of disease progression. Antiviral therapy is recommended for individuals with rising virus levels and high CD4 counts.
Research finds that voluntary HIV counseling and testing significantly reduce risk behaviors, including unprotected sex, in individuals and couples. The study, conducted in three developing countries, shows a 50% reduction in risk behavior among participants who received counseling and testing compared to those receiving standard healt...
Researchers have developed a new strategy to determine the early stages of HIV infection, allowing for targeted treatment and study. The approach uses a modified enzyme immunoassay test to distinguish between recent and long-term infections, enabling more precise diagnosis and monitoring of disease spread.
A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has found that warfarin, a commonly used blood thinner for older women, does not weaken their bones. The study, which tracked over 6,000 post-menopausal women for two years, found no significant difference in bone thinning or fractures between warfarin users and non-users.
A study in fruit flies reveals a molecular pathway that regulates sensitivity to alcohol, shedding light on why some people are more prone to becoming alcoholics. The researchers hope to find similar genes in humans and link them to alcoholic behaviors.
A study by the University of California - San Francisco found that tobacco industry campaign contributions have a substantial impact on state legislators' voting patterns, particularly in states with varying levels of partisan control. The researchers scored legislators on a scale from pro-tobacco to pro-public health and found that in...
Macrophages may proliferate in response to HIV integration, causing disease through sequential pathogenesis. Researchers identify potential DNA-interacting drugs to treat AIDS dementia.
Researchers developed a model to predict antiviral drug resistance in genital herpes, finding that treating the disease would prevent more cases than developing resistant strains. The study suggests using this methodology for other infectious diseases prone to resistance.
A two-year study on the effects of marijuana in HIV patients is underway, examining its impact on the immune system, virus levels, and interactions with antiviral drugs. The trial, which began last week, will enroll 63 patients over 18 months to assess the safety of THC for HIV/AIDS treatment.
A new UC San Francisco study found that hospitalists may reduce hospital stays and costs without compromising quality or teaching. Patients managed by hospitalists stayed an average of 4.3 days at $7,007 compared to 4.9 days at $7,777 under traditional care.
A new UCSF study investigates whether physician-run managed care groups improve outcomes for physicians and patients. The study found that these groups face similar pressures to traditional managed care organizations, with a focus on primary care physician recruitment and board certification.
UCSF researchers report that the osteoporosis prevention drug raloxifene drastically reduces the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women without increasing the risk of endometrial or uterine cancer. The study found a 70 percent reduction in breast cancer cases among participants taking raloxifene compared to those receiving placebo.
Researchers found that bone marrow transplant significantly improves disease-free survival for children with high-risk neuroblastoma. Additionally, follow-up therapy with high doses of retinoic acid shows promising results, with a three-year event-free survival rate of 55% compared to 16% for those treated with consolidation chemothera...
A phase III clinical trial suggests that suramin offers substantial pain reduction and moderate delay in disease progression for patients with advanced prostate cancer. The study involved 458 patients, who experienced significant pain reduction and a longer period of time compared to those receiving only hydrocortisone and a placebo.
A new study by researchers at UCSF AIDS Research Institute found that a short-course of antiviral drug therapy and high prevalence of HIV-positive women of child-bearing age can produce a cost-effective outcome. If drug prices are lowered to 25% of the industrialized world cost, treatment for 100 women could cost around $1,014.
The center will bring together leading cellular and molecular neuroscientists to focus on addiction from an interdisciplinary approach. It aims to understand how addicting drugs act on receptors and disrupt normal communication between nerve cells in the brain, with the ultimate goal of finding new therapeutic approaches for addiction.
Fetal rat skin cells treated with hormone activators formed a competent barrier earlier than control groups, reducing water loss and increasing enzyme activity. This study suggests that hormone activators could be used to promote skin growth in premature infants.
Researchers at UCSF have identified nine genetic mutations in the P4501 alpha gene that cause hereditary vitamin D-dependent rickets, a condition affecting bone growth and development. The discovery enables prenatal diagnosis and genetic testing of adults to identify carriers of the mutated gene.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a critical gene involved in yeast spore development that may also play a role in human sperm development. The study found that a gene called NDT80 stimulates the synthesis of proteins necessary for DNA division, and its malfunction can cause permanent arrest in sperm development.
Researchers identified a molecular link that enhances cell-mediated antiviral response, which is critical for suppressing HIV replication. The CD86 molecule on macrophages plays a key role in this response, and blocking its interaction with CD8+ cells reduces the immune system's ability to fight the virus.
UCSF researchers have identified a protein essential for forming concentrated urine in mice, which has potential implications for treating fluid retention diseases such as congestive heart failure and cirrhosis. The study shows that inhibiting the water channel with drugs could effectively treat these conditions.
A large-scale clinical trial assessed two types of cardiac pacemakers, finding that both improve health-related quality of life. However, the dual chamber pacemaker offers benefits only in patients with sinus node dysfunction, leading to a reevaluation of treatment options.
A UCSF study reveals that low-income children are at a greater risk of experiencing disability, with 4.4 million US children affected. The study found that poor families, older children, and single-parent households were more likely to have children with disabilities.
A UC San Francisco study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that HHV-8 is a direct cause of Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV-positive homosexual men, with transmission through sexual contact playing a major role. The study showed that infection with HHV-8 increases the risk of developing Kaposi's sarcoma within 10 years.
A UCSF research team has made a striking discovery that mild and intense pain are biologically distinct, involving different neurotransmitters. This knowledge could lead to the development of new drugs targeting these molecules to provide effective pain relief with lower morphine doses.
UCSF researchers are using powerful microscopes to observe the bonding process between tooth enamel and dentin. By analyzing structures as small as two micrometers, they aim to develop methods for creating tighter, more permanent bonds between teeth and plastic-based fillings.
A study by researchers at UCSF found that mild electrical stimulation of the brain region responsible for sound processing can quickly bulk up and reform connections, potentially speeding up stroke recovery. This technique may help patients regain lost brain functions such as speech, accurate hearing, and movement.
Researchers found that bluntness is key to reaching both children and adults through anti-smoking ads, with messages portraying tobacco industry manipulations being effective in kindling viewer responses. Effective ads also targeted concerns over addiction and illustrated the dangers of second-hand smoke.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that smoking in movies has returned to levels comparable to the 1960s, with pro-tobacco portrayals remaining prevalent. The incidence of smoking in films increased dramatically during the 1990s, exceeding real smoking rates and reinforcing misleading images.
Researchers found that a widely used anti-depressant can alter personality traits in healthy individuals, making them more easy-going and cooperative. The study, led by UCSF researchers, suggests that psychopharmaceuticals may affect different aspects of normal personality through distinct neural pathways.
Researchers found that the immune system targets unwanted invaders by introducing mutations in genetic material, increasing antibody diversity. The study identifies Pms2 enzyme as key player in hypermutation process, which may contribute to cancer growth.
A new analysis published by University of California - San Francisco researchers finds that a proposed deal between the tobacco industry and states' attorneys general would be less effective in promoting public health than no federal legislation. The report concludes that granting immunity to the industry and limiting liability would p...
UCSF researchers have discovered a refinement in scientific understanding of specific language impairment, a disorder affecting 10% of children, characterized by difficulty distinguishing individual sounds. Children with the disorder require tones to be about 45 decibels more intense than normal to be heard over masking noise.