UCSF News Office

Stem cells’ “suspended” state preserved by key step, scientists report

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:14:27 -0800

Scientists have identified a gene that is essential for embryonic stem cells to maintain their all-purpose, pluripotent state. Exploiting the finding may lead to a greater understanding of how cells acquire their specialized states and provide a strategy to efficientlyreprogram mature cells back into the pluripotent state, an elusive step in stem cell research but one crucial to a range of potential clinical treatments.

Study finds job programs protect public health during periods of recession

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:40:03 -0800

A rapid rise in unemployment can be linked to an increase in suicides, homicides, and alcohol abuse, but job programs can successfully mitigate these rates, according to a new study reported in the “Lancet” medical journal.

Study identifies how tamoxifen stimulates uterine cell growth & cancer

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:07:19 -0800

UCSF researchers have identified a new “feed-forward” pathway linking estrogen receptors in the membrane of the uterus to a process that increases local estrogen levels and promotes cell growth.

Perfect pitch study offers window into influences of nature and nurture

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:31:05 -0800

Practice, practice, practice might get you to Carnegie Hall, but for aspiring musicians, there’s new evidence that genes may influence one’s ability to get there, as well.

MS study offers theory for why repair of brain’s wiring fails

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:30:04 -0800

Scientists have uncovered new evidence suggesting that damage to nerve cells in people with multiple sclerosis accumulates because the body’s natural mechanism for repair of the nerve coating called “myelin” stalls out.

Early heart attack therapy with bone marrow extract improves cardiac function

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:05:27 -0800

A UCSF study for the treatment of heart failure after heart attack found that the extract derived from bone marrow cells is as effective as therapy using bone marrow stem cells for improving cardiac function, decreasing the formation of scar tissue and improving cardiac pumping capacity after heart attack.

New biomarker method could increase the number of diagnostic tests for cancer

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:32:31 -0800

A team of researchers, including several from UCSF, has demonstrated that a new method for detecting and quantifying protein biomarkers in body fluids may ultimately make it possible to screen multiple biomarkers in hundreds of patient samples, thus ensuring that only the strongest biomarker candidates will advance down the development pipeline. The researchers have developed a method to increase accuracy in detecting real cancer biomarkers that is highly reproducible across laboratories and a variety of instruments so that cancer can be detected in its earliest stages.

Mercy Medical Center and UCSF collaborate to improve cancer care

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:43:49 -0800

Mercy Medical Center Redding in Redding, Calif., and UCSF Medical Center have signed a letter of intent formalizing a collaboration that aims to improve cancer-related care for Mercy’s patient population in the far northern region of California.

Stress and burnout found among nation’s immigration judges

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:12:37 -0800

A new study finds that many immigration judges adjudicating cases of asylum seekers are suffering from significant symptoms of secondary traumatic stress and job burnout, which, according to the researchers, may shape their judicial decision-making processes.

UCSF commentators call for health reform to revitalize primary care

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:08:40 -0800

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco Center for Excellence in Primary Care, as lead authors on commentaries in two of the nation’s leading medical journals this week, call for a national effort to revive primary care as part of health care reform legislation.

Women’s sexual activity in later years influenced by partner issues, UCSF study shows

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:52:37 -0800

As a woman gets older, physical problems are less likely to influence whether she is sexually active than her partner’s health or interest in sex, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco and Kaiser Permanente.

UCSF Children’s Hospital ranked among best nationwide in nine pediatric specialties

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:01:40 -0800

UCSF Children’s Hospital has been ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals in nine pediatric specialties, making it one of the top-ranked facilities in California, according to the new 2009 “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” survey conducted by “U.S. News & World Report.”

UCSF partners with NFL to offer spine treatment to retired players

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:03:30 -0800

The NFL selected the UCSF Spine Center as one of five treatment programs across the country to offer spine care to retired players. Comprised of an orthopaedic spine surgeon, a neurosurgeon and a physiatrist, UCSF was selected for its expertise, high-quality service and stellar reputation.

UCSF and Abbott launch viral discovery center at Mission Bay

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:31:49 -0800

The University of California, San Francisco, has partnered with Abbott, a global health care company, to launch a first-of-its kind, non-profit viral diagnostics center near the UCSF Mission Bay campus to help identify unknown viruses from around the world.

Memories may be formed throughout the day, not just while sleeping

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:01:50 -0800

Scientists have long thought that processes occurring during sleep were responsible for cementing the salient experiences of the day into long-term memories. Now, however, a study of scampering rats suggests that the mechanisms at work during sleep are also active while the animals are awake -- and that they encode events more accurately.

Prostate cancer test improves prediction of disease course

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:08:43 -0800

A new prostate cancer risk assessment test, developed by a UCSF team, gives patients and their doctors a better way of gauging long-term risks and pinpointing high risk cases.

Kickoff event: UCSF Children’s Hospital partners with SF botanical garden

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:38:26 -0800

Sacramento forum to focus on impact of global health on California

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:21:08 -0800

Enzyme is culprit in neuronal death after stroke and brain trauma

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:00:23 -0800

The death of neurons in stroke and brain trauma is caused by the malfunctioning of a cell signaling system that normally plays a part in laying down memories, according to a study by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco.

HIV cardiovascular risk equal to risk from diabetes, study finds

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:42:10 -0800

HIV infection increases the risk of atherosclerosis – hardening and thickening of the arteries from plaque – by the same amount that traditional risk factors such as diabetes or smoking do, according to a study led by researchers from the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco.

UCSF celebrates grand opening of Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Building at Mission Bay

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:58:53 -0800

UCSF officially opened the Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Building on its Mission Bay campus today with a ribbon-cutting and open house highlighting a new vision for cancer research, treatment, and prevention.

I-SPY trial offers key insights into locally advanced breast cancer

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:39:01 -0800

Scientists are reporting two findings that could influence the way researchers screen for, treat and assess prognosis for women with locally advanced breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. One finding offers a critical message regarding treatment strategy, they say.

Cancer research partnership between UCSF, MMRF to drive drug development

Thu, 28 May 2009 14:16:30 -0800

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) have established the Stephen and Nancy Grand Multiple Myeloma Translational Initiative, a research collaboration dedicated to translating basic science discoveries into new candidate drugs for testing in clinical trials.

UCSF discovers new glucose-regulating protein linked with diabetes

Thu, 28 May 2009 10:41:41 -0800

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, and collaborators at Harvard Medical School have linked a specialized protein in human muscles to the process that clears glucose out of the bloodstream, shedding light on what goes wrong in type 2 diabetes on a cellular level.

MAY 30 seminar educates families with inherited heart rhythm disorders

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:32:47 -0800

A special seminar at UCSF on Saturday, May 30, will focus on educating patients and families with inherited heart rhythm disorders about advancements in genetic research and treatment and the potential risks to these patients posed by certain medications and athletic activity.

Mobile technology forum explores solutions for global health

Tue, 19 May 2009 15:40:58 -0800

UCSF Global Health Sciences, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation & Vodafone Foundation Technology Partnership, is hosting a partnership forum for leaders in global health, philanthropy and technology to explore the use of mobile technology to solve global health problems.

Quality measures improve outcomes more than hospital volume alone

Tue, 19 May 2009 15:15:42 -0800

A new study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco and Baystate Medical Center at Tufts University in Massachusetts concludes that patients facing coronary artery bypass surgery should, as a first priority, select a medical facility that has the highest adherence to quality standards.

UCSF creates fast, affordable tool for finding gene ‘on-off’ switches

Mon, 18 May 2009 16:28:40 -0800

UCSF scientists have created a method of quickly identifying large numbers of the genetic material known as short hairpin RNA — also called shRNA – that turns genes on and off.

Clinical trial launched to improve diabetes management in Chinese Americans

Mon, 18 May 2009 16:07:04 -0800

A news conference will announce the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of culturally specific programs for Type 2 diabetes in Chinese Americans.

Omega-3 fatty acids from plants are unlikely prostate cancer risk, study finds

Tue, 12 May 2009 10:30:59 -0800

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid found in plants, appears unlikely to be a cause of prostate cancer, contrary to some previous findings, according to a research review and meta-analysis by investigators at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco.

UCSF hosts public forum on next decade of NIH women’s health research

Fri, 08 May 2009 14:46:58 -0800

The University of California, San Francisco is hosting a public forum and scientific workshop May 27-29 to discuss emerging issues of importance for the National Institutes of Health research agenda for women’s health in the coming decade.

Susan Desmond-Hellmann named UC San Francisco chancellor

Thu, 07 May 2009 14:04:00 -0800

Susan Desmond-Hellmann, a physician, pioneering cancer researcher and biotechnology industry executive who most recently served as president of product development for Genentech, today (May 7) was named chancellor of the University of California, San Francisco campus by the University of California Board of Regents.

UCSF study shows asthma self-management programs improve drug adherence, disease control

Wed, 06 May 2009 13:04:16 -0800

Asthma patients who spend as little as 30 minutes with a health care professional to develop a personalized self-management plan show improved adherence to medications and better disease control, according to a new study by a team of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco.

UCSF study shows attitudes toward tobacco industry linked to smoking behavior

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:42:19 -0800

A new study by UCSF researchers concludes that media campaigns that portray the tobacco industry in a negative light and that appeal to young adults may be a powerful intervention to decrease young adult smoking.

UCSF neurologist, former Congressman Gephardt to discuss issues at health care forum

Tue, 05 May 2009 10:03:08 -0800

Stephen Hauser, MD, chairman of the UCSF Department of Neurology and a leading multiple sclerosis researcher, will host leaders of business, labor, health care and government for a discussion on what needs to be done to overhaul America’s healthcare system.

Children with acid reflux more likely to have poor dental health

Mon, 04 May 2009 06:00:57 -0800

Children who have symptoms of chronic acid reflux are significantly more likely to have dental erosions than those without reflux symptoms, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco.

Five UCSF scientists elected to National Academy of Sciences

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:23:20 -0800

Five UCSF faculty scientists are among the 72 new members and 18 foreign associates from 15 countries elected recently to the National Academy of Sciences, the Academy has announced.

UC President announces recommended candidates for Chancellors of UC Davis, UC San Francisco

Fri, 01 May 2009 10:29:15 -0800

University of California President Mark G. Yudof will bring the names of two candidates to serve as chancellors of UC Davis and UC San Francisco to next week’s meeting of the UC Board of Regents, the university announced today (May 1). Both appointments are subject to approval of the Board of Regents and, if approved, would take effect this summer.

Biography of Susan Desmond-Hellmann

Fri, 01 May 2009 10:20:22 -0800

Cancer-causing virus associated with higher risk of new HIV infection

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:48:39 -0800

Infection with anal human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can cause anal and cervical cancers, is associated with a higher risk of new HIV infection in previously HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM), according to new UCSF research.

Glutamate identified as predictor of disease progression in multiple sclerosis

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:01:48 -0800

UCSF researchers have identified a correlation between higher levels of glutamate, which occurs naturally in the brain as a byproduct of metabolism, and greater disease burden in multiple sclerosis patients. The study is the first to measure glutamate toxicity in the brain over time and suggests an improved method for tracking the disease and predicting its course.

New therapy based on magnetic stimulation shows promise for non-drug treatment for migraine

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:00:52 -0800

A new UCSF study examining the mechanism of a novel therapy that uses magnetic pulses to treat chronic migraine sufferers showed the treatment to be a promising alternative to medication.

Firefly project features live dramatic reading of letters between patients and teenage pen pals

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:03:25 -0800

Members of the public are invited to attend the Firefly Project’s live reading of letters that were exchanged this year between critically ill patients being treated at UCSF Medical Center and teenage pen pals who attend San Francisco Bay Area high schools.

Global health experts release new guidance on malaria elimination

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:59:13 -0800

Countries and policy leaders gain new guidance today on how and when to eliminate malaria, paving the way for the potential global eradication of the deadly disease. The announcement is being made on behalf of the Malaria Elimination Group, a global body of researchers, policy experts and country program managers, by the Global Health Group of UCSF Global Health Sciences.

UCSF HIV/AIDS training program successfully promotes diversity

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:19:29 -0800

The Visiting Professor Program at UCSF is described as a national model for research training that promotes the success of scientists conducting innovative research in minority communities in a paper appearing in the April 2009 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

Play to explore experiences of chronically ill and hospitalized teens

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:50:10 -0800

UCSF Children's Hospital will present “Tomorrow....A Better Day,” a performance piece based on teens’ experiences with chronic illness and hospitalization. The play is a compilation of writings by current and former teen patients at UCSF, adapted for the stage by teachers and students at the arts-focused Northwest School in Seattle. Healthy teens from the Northwest School will travel to San Francisco to perform the piece, which captures the many facets of how teens experience healthcare, and shows how creativity and artistic expression marshal the healing process.

UCSF ranks fifth in new “U.S. News” survey on best medical schools

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:45:48 -0800

The UCSF School of Medicine ranks fifth among all medical schools in the nation in a new survey on “America’s Best Graduate Schools” conducted by “U.S. News & World Report.”

Pelosi to tour UCSF Mission Bay and Gladstone Institutes, to speak at press conference April 17

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:30:38 -0800

San Francisco – Speaker Nancy Pelosi will tour the University of California, San Francisco’s Mission Bay Campus and the J. David Gladstone Institutes.

Worms control lifespan at high temperatures, UCSF study finds

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:16:22 -0800

The common research worm, C. elegans, is able to use heat-sensing nerve cells to not only regulate its response to hotter environments, but also to control the pace of its aging as a result of that heat, according to new research at the University of California, San Francisco

UCSF, Stanford study reveals neural networks targeted in brain diseases

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:01:25 -0800

Scientists are reporting the strongest evidence to date that neurodegenerative diseases target and progress along distinct neural networks that normally support healthy brain function. The discovery could lead to earlier diagnoses, novel treatment-monitoring strategies, and, possibly, recognition of a common disease process among all forms of neurodegeneration.