Researchers at UCSF tested a nitroglycerin patch for treating menopausal women experiencing severe hot flashes. The study found short-term improvements, but benefits did not last past 12 weeks, with some side effects reported.
A new analysis of secret industry documents reveals that the chemical industry knew about the dangers of PFAS but failed to disclose this information to the public and regulators. The study examines how the industry used tactics to delay public awareness and regulations, with devastating consequences for human health and the environment.
A study led by UC San Francisco found that breastfeeding duration increased by an average of 18% among U.S. women during the pandemic, with white and high-income women experiencing the largest gains. The study suggests that a national paid family leave policy could improve breastfeeding rates and reduce health inequities.
A large-scale study published in JAMA Neurology has demonstrated an association between trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure and the development of Parkinson's disease. Researchers compared health data from approximately 160,000 Navy and Marine veterans who served at Camp Lejeune or Camp Pendleton between 1975-1985, where TCE was used for ...
Glioblastoma steals cognitive faculties as it spreads, but its insidious ability to infiltrate neighboring networks may be its undoing. Researchers found neural activity can restructure connections in surrounding tissue, causing decline. The drug gabapentin blocks this growth-causing activity in mice with glioblastoma.
The study found that vaccine type significantly impacts the immune response to COVID-19, with Pfizer and Moderna offering a stronger antibody response than Johnson & Johnson. Age, sex, BMI, and smoking status also affect vaccine effectiveness, with smokers experiencing a 240% lower response.
Researchers discovered that sleep spindles can alleviate anxiety in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), contradicting recent findings. The study found that spindle rate frequency was higher during a stressful visit than a control visit, suggesting non-invasive ways to harness the benefits of this sleep stage for symptom ...
Researchers have created two new drug candidates that mimic ibogaine's impact on serotonin transporters, showing promise in treating addiction and depression. The new compounds replicate ibogaine's desirable effects while avoiding its dangerous side effects.
A first-of-its-kind study has estimated that transgender women taking estrogen are at a higher risk for prostate cancer, with 14 cases per 10,000 people. The study found disparities in diagnosis rates among different racial groups.
A new study found that turning off MRIs overnight reduces their energy use by 25-33% and switching to 'power save' mode decreases energy use by 46-51%. This technique could save U.S. healthcare between $8 million and nearly $11 million annually.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that the sugary drink tax in Oakland reduced purchases by 26.8%, leading to improved health and significant cost savings. The researchers estimated that consuming fewer SSBs added 94 quality-adjusted life-years per 10,000 residents and saved the city over $100,000 in healthcare costs.
Astrocytes tune down overactive neurons during acute stress, helping to regulate attention and perception. This discovery provides new hope for treating attention disorders like ADHD.
Researchers link acute severe hepatitis in children to co-infections with multiple common viruses, including AAV2. The study suggests that getting more than one infection may have made children vulnerable to severe hepatitis.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that taxes on sugary drinks lower the risk of gestational diabetes, unhealthy weight gain, and small-for-gestational-age babies. The study analyzed over 5 million pregnant women and found a significant reduction in these health risks.
Researchers found that immunotherapy can activate tumor-fighting T cells in nearby lymph nodes, potentially boosting efficacy against solid tumors. The study suggests leaving lymph nodes intact until after immunotherapy could improve treatment outcomes for patients with head and neck cancers.
A new study confirms that California's tobacco control program significantly reduces smoking rates and lowers health care expenses. Over three decades, the program resulted in a 10% reduction in smoking prevalence and saved Californians $51.4 billion they would have otherwise spent on cigarettes.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have created the first molecular-level picture of how an odor molecule activates a human odorant receptor, opening doors to creating novel smells. This achievement paves the way for new insights into biological processes, including fragrances and food science.
A 20-year study reveals that recent advances in surgical and clinical care have significantly reduced brain injuries in babies with congenital heart disease. Infants who received higher postoperative blood pressure had a 20% lower risk of brain injury compared to those in earlier stages.
A new study found that sleep medications increase the risk of dementia in white adults. However, the relationship between sleep medications and dementia risk varies by medication type and socio-economic status. The study suggests that patients with poor sleep should consider alternative solutions before taking medications.
A study by UC San Francisco and Stanford Medicine found that removing the oxytocin receptor does not interfere with monogamy or giving birth. Prairie voles bred without receptors for oxytocin showed similar mating, attachment, and parenting behaviors as regular voles.
Scientists developed an AI system, ProGen, that can generate artificial enzymes from scratch, working as well as those found in nature. The AI model learned aspects of evolution and was able to tune its generation for specific effects, creating proteins with unique properties.
A UCSF study suggests people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or non-binary may have a higher risk of stroke at a younger age. Non-traditional stroke risks include HIV and syphilis infections.
Researchers tracked 392 patients with diffuse low-grade glioma over 20 years and found that aggressive surgical removal offered a distinct survival advantage. Smaller tumor sizes were associated with longer survival times, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
A study in California prisons found that recent vaccination and boosters significantly reduced infectiousness of COVID-19, with a 11% decrease per additional dose. Prior infection also provided protection, with a 23% risk of transmission compared to 33% for those who had never been infected.
Researchers at UCSF have developed a novel approach to prevent antibodies from triggering immune rejection of engineered therapeutic and transplant cells. By using a decoy receptor, they can capture the antibodies and take them out of circulation before they can kill the therapeutic cells.
A new gene therapy treatment has shown promising results in a clinical trial for Artemis-SCID patients, improving their immune function and reducing treatment complications. The treatment involves adding a healthy copy of the Artemis gene to the patient's own cells, resulting in improved T-cell and B-cell immunity.
During sleep, brain regions synchronize to create motor memory by reviewing trials and errors of a given action. The study found that the
Scientists at UCSF have engineered T cells to produce a potent anti-cancer cytokine that only activates in tumor cells, eliminating melanoma and pancreatic cancer in mice. The treatment uses IL-2, which supercharges T cells to kill cancer cells while protecting against infection, offering a promising new strategy for fighting hard-to-t...
A new national study found that excessive screen time, especially video gaming and watching videos, is linked to an increased risk of developing OCD in US preteens. The study, led by UCSF researchers, suggests that intrusive thoughts about video game content can develop into obsessions or compulsions.
Researchers at UCSF's Cell Design Institute engineered cells with customized adhesion molecules to form complex multicellular ensembles in predictable ways. The discovery represents a major step toward building tissues and organs through regenerative medicine.
Researchers at UCSF and IBM Research create a predictive model that encodes commands for cells to kill cancer cells. By combining words that guide engineered immune cells, they can predict which elements should be included in a cell to carry out precise behaviors. This advance allows scientists to rapidly design new cellular therapies.
The use of smartwatches to screen for faulty heart rhythms needs more evaluation, according to a cardiologist. Smartwatch detection of AF can often point to cases of the disorder, but substantial work is needed to integrate this consumer-received information into optimized care. Recent studies have reported low rates of irregular heart...
A new UC San Francisco study found that financial stress during pregnancy accelerates cellular aging in white children but not black children. Researchers followed 110 white and 112 black women from age 10 to 40 and their first child to understand the impact of maternal stress on health outcomes.
A low-cost prenatal intervention benefits mothers’ mental health up to eight years later. The eight-week class intervention supported healthier stress responses in their children, and cut their short-term risk of depression and diabetes.
Researchers from UCSF and the San Francisco VA Health Care System found that veterans with PTSD had an 8% increased risk of death and a 9% increased risk of hospitalization compared to those without psychiatric diagnoses. Patients with psychosis had a 58% increased risk of death and a 66% increased risk of hospitalization.
Researchers identified specific immune cells driving deadly heart inflammation in cancer immunotherapy patients, and found that CD8 T cells target the heart muscle. The study's findings have led to investigations into preventing or treating this form of myocarditis, a common but fatal side effect of ICIs.
A recent study reveals that Down syndrome brains develop the same amyloid beta and tau prions as Alzheimer's disease, causing neurological dysfunction. With over 50% of people with Down syndrome developing Alzheimer's by age 40, this discovery offers new insights into the common underlying causes of these two diseases.
Researchers found that exposure to e-cigarettes, marijuana, and tobacco led to increased scarring, decreased blood vessels, and changes in heart nerves, all contributing to an increased risk of arrhythmias. These substances can cause similar harm to the heart as traditional cigarettes.
USCF researchers have developed a new approach called CAR Pooling to compare different re-engineered T cells with varying molecular features. The screen revealed new and surprising receptors that make these therapeutic cells more powerful, promising a better treatment for blood cancers.
A fetus with infantile-onset Pompe disease has been successfully treated in utero using enzyme replacement therapy, resulting in normal cardiac and motor function. The child is now thriving as a toddler, meeting developmental milestones after receiving postnatal enzyme therapy at a pediatric hospital.
A UCSF-led study sheds light on the mechanisms behind sex differences in ICI-induced myocarditis, a potentially fatal side effect of cancer immunotherapy. The research suggests that immune checkpoint inhibitors may interact with sex hormones to cause cardiac toxicity in female patients.
A recent study shows that a third of American women now face excessive travel times to obtain an abortion, with residents in the South facing the biggest jump. The share of women traveling over an hour for care has doubled, exceeding the US government benchmark for reasonable access to primary care. Black and indigenous women are dispr...
Newborn screenings for cystic fibrosis are less effective for non-white babies, leading to delayed diagnosis and worse outcomes. Genetic panels used vary by state, excluding common mutations in non-white populations.
Researchers found that male mice were three times more likely to survive E. coli infection due to sex-biased lipid metabolism, which may hold risks for males in today's high-calorie environment. The study identified a signaling pathway regulating lipids and growth hormone as potential therapeutic targets for fatty liver disease.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and opiate use are associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Cannabis users had a 35% increased likelihood of later developing AF, similar to traditional tobacco use.
New research from UC San Francisco found that senescent cells promote normal repair and healing in damaged tissues, contradicting the long-held view that they are purely detrimental. The study used senolytics to kill senescent cells and found that injuries healed more slowly. However, the researchers also discovered that senescent cell...
Researchers found that participants with long COVID had a lower peak oxygen rate and irregular breathing patterns during exercise tests, indicating reduced exercise capacity. This decline was equivalent to a 40-year-old woman's expected exercise capacity dropping to that of a 50-year-old woman.
Researchers at UCSF discovered a small molecule called ISRIB that can reverse the neural and cognitive effects of concussion in mice, weeks after an injury occurred. The drug blocks the integrated stress response, which became chronically activated in damaged neurons, restoring normal spine dynamics and cognitive function.
Researchers found that cataract surgery patients experienced fewer systemic complications than those undergoing other low-risk procedures, even without anesthesia experts present.
A new study found that fewer Asian, Black, and Hispanic patients qualify for anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatments, which may slow Alzheimer's progression. The treatment's effectiveness depends on the presence of amyloid plaques, with lower incidence in minorities.