Researchers at UCSF have found a way to stimulate the natural surveillance system of immune cells to eliminate senescent cells, which contribute to aging and chronic diseases. This discovery offers an alternative to existing senolytic therapies and may lead to new treatments for age-related chronic diseases.
A new study by UCSF found that 9 out of 10 clinicians support using telehealth for outpatient care, despite concerns about diagnostic accuracy. Clinicians reported challenges with speech, hearing, and cognitive barriers, as well as limited internet access and language barriers.
A new UCSF study reports that cancer patients experience a deep sense of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 53% of participants classified as lonely. The study also found higher levels of depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance among lonely patients.
Researchers at UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences developed novel neurostimulation devices that monitor brain activity for months, pairing brain recordings with wearable monitors of movement. They identified patterns of brain activity corresponding to specific movement abnormalities associated with Parkinson's disease and demonstra...
Researchers at UCSF have engineered smart immune cells effective against solid tumors, overcoming hurdles for immunotherapies. The new approach may be ready for clinical trials in the near future, offering hope for patients with previously untouchable cancers.
A new study found that short-term exposure to hazardous air quality from wildfire smoke can harm skin health, particularly for those with eczema. The research, conducted during the Camp Fire in 2018, saw a significant increase in patients visiting clinics with concerns of eczema and general itch.
A comprehensive review of US fatalities linked to methylene chloride paint strippers reveals more deaths than expected, with 85 reported between 1980 and 2018, most in occupational settings. Safer alternatives are available, and experts urge the EPA to limit use and prevent further deaths.
Scientists have developed a novel CRISPR-based tool called CRISPRoff, which allows for the silencing of almost any gene in human cells without making DNA edits. This technology has significant therapeutic potential, particularly for rare genetic disorders that are caused by a single damaged copy of a gene.
A new study led by UCSF reveals that maintaining physical activity during young adulthood, especially at higher levels than previously recommended, is crucial in preventing hypertension. Among the four groups, Black men were found to be the most active in early adulthood but saw significant declines in exercise intake by age 60, mirror...
A recent study by the University of California - San Francisco found that nearly one-fifth of emergency department staff were at elevated risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to COVID-19. Regular testing for COVID-19 helped reduce stress among emergency personnel, particularly those with previous positive antibody results.
Cells from depressed individuals have higher rates of methylation at specific DNA sites, accelerating their cellular age by approximately two years compared to healthy controls. This accelerated aging is linked to increased mortality risk, as measured by the GrimAge clock.
A clinical trial combining CRISPR technology with UCLA and UCSF expertise aims to directly correct the sickle mutation in blood stem cells, addressing the underlying cause of debilitating sickle cell disease. The goal is to out-compete native sickle cells by correcting 20% of genes.
A recent study published in eLife reveals that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, can independently promote longer or deeper sleep in mice by manipulating slow-wave activity. The findings suggest that targeting astrocytes could lead to new insights into sleep disorders and brain diseases linked to sleep disturbances.
A large study of 11,679 nine- and ten-year-old children found potentially life-threatening brain abnormalities in 1 in 500 children and minor abnormalities in 1 out of 25. The study aims to save lives by reviewing MRI scans for incidental findings.
A computer simulation found that rapid SARS-CoV-2 tests detected almost 90% of infectious travelers at the airport, while a five-day quarantine was effective in preventing importation of infections. The study suggests standardized testing and quarantine policy could minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission during air travel.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that approximately 5 million Americans, or 42% of those with mobility constraints, lacked essential devices such as grab bars and shower seats. The research emphasizes the importance of affordable and accessible assistive devices to improve quality of life for elderly individuals.
A new study from UC San Francisco found that tweets with the hashtag #chinesevirus were more likely to pair it with racist hashtags compared to those using #covid19. The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, highlights the stigmatizing effect of naming a disease after a place or group.
A recent study published by the University of California - San Francisco detected 109 chemicals in pregnant women, including 55 new ones, which may be derived from consumer products or industrial sources. The researchers used high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify man-made chemicals in people.
A new study by researchers at UCSF found that fatal police violence near a pregnant woman's home increases the risk of preterm birth. The study analyzed records of 3.8 million pregnant women and found that deaths due to police violence, particularly among Black victims, were strongly associated with moderate or late preterm delivery.
A new study suggests that child abuse cases surged during the pandemic, despite initial declines in ER visits and hospital admissions. Researchers found little difference in the severity of injuries compared to pre-pandemic years, suggesting physical abuse may have decreased across all severity levels.
A recent study suggests that targeting a specific protein called eIF4E can reduce weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. The researchers found that these mice stored less fat and had improved liver health compared to their counterparts. Additionally, the modified mice showed enhanced lipid metabolism, allowing them to burn more fat.
Inherited genetic variation plays a role in who responds best to checkpoint inhibitors, which release the immune system's brakes. The study identified 22 regions or genes with significant effects on the immune system's response to cancer.
A new study by UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley scientists has identified a crucial biological link between autism risk genes and the process of prenatal neurogenesis. The research also highlights the protective role of estrogen in preventing disruption to this process, which can steer the brain on a normal course of development.
A recent study found that non-white patients are disproportionately excluded from receiving the latest precision medicines for cystic fibrosis due to genetic test limitations. The drug trials were primarily conducted on non-Hispanic white patients, leading to a lack of representation in the patient registry.
A UCSF clinical study found that alcohol has an immediate effect on the heart in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), reducing the time needed for certain heart muscle cells to recover. The study suggests that moderate drinking may help prevent AFib, a condition affecting 12 million Americans and leading to 158,000 deaths annually.
Scientists at UCSF have developed a personalized neuromodulation approach that targets individual patients' distinctive symptoms, providing relief from severe depression within minutes. The approach uses stereo-EEG to map brain regions and identify optimal stimulation sites.
A massive community-based testing blitz in San Francisco found that COVID-19 infections disproportionately affect the city's Latinx low-income workforce, with 79% of positive results coming from this demographic. The study emphasizes the need for targeted strategies to address the ongoing pandemic and support vulnerable communities.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a new method to control immune responses using CD47-expressing hypoimmune stem cells. These cells can silence natural killer cells via the SIRPα checkpoint, paving the way for novel cell therapies and tissue implants that can evade immune rejection.
A recent study by UCSF-led researchers highlights the devastating impact of the pandemic on 4.3 million older adults with cognitive impairment living alone. These individuals experience extreme isolation, misinformation, and barriers to accessing medical care, leading to increased distress and negative health outcomes.
Researchers have identified brain cells most susceptible to Alzheimer's disease, which could lead to targeted treatments to boost the brain's resilience. The study found that RORB-expressing neurons are among the first to die in the disease, accumulating tau tangles earlier than neighboring cells.
A new study by researchers at UCSF and Columbia University highlights the role of frailty in the gender gap in mortality rates for women waiting for liver transplants. Women awaiting liver transplants are found to be more likely to become too ill to undergo surgery or die before receiving a liver, with frailty being a significant risk ...
A systematic review by UC San Francisco researchers found that e-cigarette use has no appreciable effect on participants' ability to quit, regardless of frequency or motivation. However, certain e-cigarette devices treated like medicine in clinical trials showed a more significant impact on quitting smoking.
A UCSF clinical psychologist has taken aim at the NFL for using race norms to deny payouts to Black players diagnosed with dementia. She advocates for a more nuanced approach that accounts for social determinants of brain health, such as language and occupation, to provide fair compensation.
Researchers found that while lockdowns lowered excess deaths for many Californians, they had little impact on Latino residents and those without a high school degree. These groups faced increased risk due to crowded living conditions and essential work, leading to higher excess death rates during the pandemic.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in predicting epilepsy seizures using brain implant data, identifying weekly-to-monthly cycles of 'brain irritability' that predict higher likelihood of seizures. The study's findings could enable patients to plan their lives around high or low seizure risk, avoiding potentially dangerous situations.
A smart ring wearable sensor detected COVID-19 symptoms in participants with subtle or unreported symptoms, suggesting its potential for early illness detection. The device's continuous temperature data and contextualized readings may lead to earlier isolation and testing, curbing infectious disease spread.
A recent study by UC San Francisco researchers reveals that ticks possess an antibiotic gene called dae2, which protects them from contracting pathogens, including Staphylococcus bacteria. This discovery provides new insights into the complex interactions between ticks and human skin microbiota.
Researchers developed a new test that measures patients' immune response for accurate COVID-19 diagnosis. The test detects distinctive patterns of gene expression in infected individuals, which may help identify false negatives and false positives.
A new study found that children with dyslexia exhibit greater emotional reactivity than their peers, which is correlated with stronger brain connectivity in the salience network. This suggests that dyslexia may be associated with both cognitive and social strengths, but also vulnerability to anxiety and depression.
Researchers have discovered an experimental drug called ISRIB that can reverse age-related declines in memory and mental flexibility in mice. The study suggests that a
A new study found that air pollution in neighborhoods is associated with an increased likelihood of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that exposure to microscopic airborne particles may be implicated in tens of thousands of cases of the disease.
Researchers combine machine learning with cell engineering to create living medicines that selectively kill cancer cells while leaving normal tissue unscathed. By analyzing massive databases of proteins, they assemble a catalog of combinations that can precisely target tumors, overcoming the limitations of current treatments.
A study led by UCSF researchers found that teens with migraines who started school after 8:30 a.m. experienced an average of 4.8 headache days per month, compared to 7.7 days for those who started earlier. The difference remained significant even when adjusting for risk factors.
Researchers have found that gut immune cells express an antibody called IgA, which helps protect against harmful bacteria and may help bring flare-ups under control. This discovery opens up new lines of research for therapeutics and suggests a potential new player in managing MS symptoms.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that California's Black and Hispanic communities received less benefit from regionalized heart attack care protocols. Despite improved access to PCI-capable hospitals, survival rates remained unchanged for minority groups, whereas whites in non-minority communities showed better outcomes.
A single clinical laboratory test has been developed to detect any infection from any body fluid, without special handling or processing. The test employs powerful DNA-sequencing technology and relies on specially developed analytical software to compare DNA sequences in the sample to massive genomic databases.
A new report from UCSF links climate change to a significant increase in global cancer rates, particularly lung, skin, and gastrointestinal cancers. The study highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate climate change and reduce air pollution to prevent cancer cases and deaths.
Residents in states with a Hillary Clinton majority experienced increased stress and depression following the 2016 general election, according to a UCSF-Duke study. The study found that Clinton's margin of victory was predictive of mental health change.
A study by University of California - San Francisco researchers found that over a three-year period, more than a dozen ICE detention centers experienced large, repeated outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses, including influenza, chickenpox, and mumps. The Centers reported nearly half of the infections occurred in two facilities.
A UCSF-CHOP study found that patients under 25 with pediatric cancer were more likely to remain on private insurance for longer durations compared to their older peers. Brief disruptions in insurance have been associated with harmful health consequences, highlighting the importance of the ACA's dependent coverage provision.