University Of California, San Francisco

Microplastics in air linked to health issues including lung, colon cancers, and infertility. Tires and degrading garbage shed tiny plastic particles, contributing to air pollution. Researchers urge regulatory action to prevent exposures.

Non-heterosexual women report better sexual functioning during midlife, with 2.2 times more likely to be sexually active and 12% reporting pain vs. 48% of heterosexual women. They also experience fewer vaginal symptoms.

New study snapshot & updated ethics/regulatory docs available for I CAN DO Surgical ACP trial. Transitioning to implementation phase, investigators reviewed initial consultation minutes. Testing system-based approach for older adults' advance care planning in elective surgery. Supported by NIH & led by UCSF & UMN researchers.

A new blood test for phosphatidylethanol (PEth) can indicate liver damage from alcohol consumption, offering a more accurate measure than self-reports. PEth levels closely correlate with liver disease scores, suggesting it should be part of routine blood tests to manage liver fibrosis.

UCSF scientists repurposed KRAS G12C inhibitor sotorasib to target radioactive antibodies for patient-specific radiation therapies, eliminating tumors in mice with minimal side effects. The approach could improve inhibitor monotherapy and reclaim efficacy in cases of resistance, potentially leading to new treatment paradigms.

UCSF researchers developed a 'zip code' system for CAR T cells to target brain tumors with precision, minimizing collateral damage. This two-factor authentication-like mechanism uses brevican to activate a 'killing receptor' for tumor cells, showing promise in treating glioblastoma, CNS disorders, and metastases. Preclinical trials demonstrated specificity, durability, and potential for long-term immune memory, with plans for human trials starting in 2025.

The Chemical Biology Discussion Group End-of-Year Symposium, on May 28, 2025, features keynote speakers Christina Schroeder, PhD, and Jack Taunton, PhD, and showcases junior researchers' innovative work. The event focuses on bridging chemistry and biology to develop tools for probing cellular processes and uncovering therapeutic strategies, covering topics like chemical probes, drug design, and molecular therapeutics.

Opus Genetics will host a virtual KOL event on Dec 11, 2024, to discuss 6-month efficacy and safety data on OPGx-LCA5, an AAV-based gene therapy for LCA5-associated IRD. Presenters include Jean Bennett, Tomas Aleman, Christine Kay, and Arshad Khanani, who will highlight the unmet need, development steps, and therapeutic potential. A live Q&A will follow.

Eating ultra-processed foods linked to increased thigh muscle fat, raising arthritis risk in knees, according to a study presented at the Radiological Society of North America meeting.

Josh LaBaer, director of Biodesign's Center for Personalized Diagnostics, focuses on developing advanced diagnostic tools for earlier, more accurate disease diagnosis using personalized medicine. His work aims to treat patients with greater precision, leveraging the human genome project's insights. LaBaer's interdisciplinary team collaborates across various scientific fields to innovate health solutions, exemplified by their rapid COVID-19 testing response.