http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress provides the latest news from University of California, San Francisco Raising hopes for cell-based therapies, UC San Francisco researchers have created the first functioning human thymus tissue from embryonic stem cells in the laboratory. The researchers showed that, in mice, the tissue can be used to foster the development of white blood cells the body needs to mount healthy immune responses and to prevent harmful autoimmune reactions. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-stem-cell-based-strategy-boosts-immune-mice.html Immunology Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:03 EST news287923006 Recent public health efforts have focused extensively on reducing the amount of formula babies are given in the hospital after birth. But in the first randomized trial of its kind, researchers at UC San Francisco have found that giving small amounts of formula in the first few days of life to infants experiencing high levels of early weight loss actually can increase the length of time their mothers end up breastfeeding. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-early-formula-mothers-breastfeed-longer.html Pediatrics Mon, 13 May 2013 00:10:06 EST news287589857 (Medical Xpress)—Prostate cancer ranks as the most common internal malignancy diagnosed in men in the United States, but often does not require extensive treatment. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-genetic-prostate-cancer-recurrence.html Cancer Fri, 10 May 2013 06:28:11 EST news287386084 (Medical Xpress)—A new application of an existing medical imaging technology could help predict long-term damage in patients with traumatic brain injury, according to a recent UC San Francisco study. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-imaging-technique-traumatic-brain-injury.html Neuroscience Thu, 09 May 2013 05:54:22 EST news287297653 (Medical Xpress)—A new genomic test for prostate cancer can help predict whether men are more likely to harbor an aggressive form of the disease, according to a new UC San Francisco study. The test, which improves risk assessment when patients are first diagnosed, can also aid in determining which men are suitable for active surveillance – a way of managing the disease without direct treatment. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-prostate-cancer.html Cancer Wed, 08 May 2013 09:22:00 EST news287223712 A key type of human brain cell developed in the laboratory grows seamlessly when transplanted into the brains of mice, UC San Francisco researchers have discovered, raising hope that these cells might one day be used to treat people with Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and possibly even Alzheimer's disease, as well as and complications of spinal cord injury such as chronic pain and spasticity. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-human-brain-cells-lab-mice.html Medical research Wed, 08 May 2013 09:15:46 EST news287223336 UCSF scientists controlled seizures in epileptic mice with a one-time transplantation of medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) cells, which inhibit signaling in overactive nerve circuits, into the hippocampus, a brain region associated with seizures, as well as with learning and memory. Other researchers had previously used different cell types in rodent cell transplantation experiments and failed to stop seizures. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-epilepsy-mice-brain-cells.html Neuroscience Sun, 05 May 2013 13:00:27 EST news286953942 The tick-borne Lone Star virus has been conclusively identified as part of a family of other tick-borne viruses called bunyaviruses, which often cause fever, respiratory problems and bleeding, according to new research led by scientists at UC San Francisco (UCSF). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-tick-borne-lone-star-virus-super-fast.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 02 May 2013 17:21:33 EST news286734052 A research team led by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at the University of California, San Francisco has identified a genetic mutation that is strongly associated with a typical form of migraine. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-genetic-mutation-linked-typical-migraine.html Genetics Wed, 01 May 2013 14:00:01 EST news286625251 (Medical Xpress)—When a baby is born, one of the first things a parent will do is count fingers and toes. New research conducted at UC San Francisco sheds lights on how these specialized digits are formed. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-discovery-reshapes-embryonic.html Medical research Wed, 01 May 2013 06:35:57 EST news286608943 Surgery is often recommended for skin cancers, but older, sicker patients can endure complications as a result and may not live long enough to benefit from the treatment. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-surgery-nonfatal-skin-cancers-elderly.html Cancer Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:55:10 EST news286480504 (Medical Xpress)—UC San Francisco scientists have discovered that muscle repair requires the action of two types of cells better known for causing inflammation and forming fat. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-muscle-injury-fat-forming-cells.html Medical research Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:38:10 EST news285575823 (Medical Xpress)—Smoking tobacco through a hookah is a pastime gaining popularity among the college crowd, but many of them mistakenly believe that using the fragrant water pipe is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-hookah-harmless-alternative-cigarettes.html Health Thu, 18 Apr 2013 06:36:12 EST news285484903 A new UCSF study has found a clear association between certain genes and the development of lymphedema, a painful and chronic condition that often occurs after breast cancer surgery and some other cancer treatments. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-genetic-markers-linked-lymphedema-breast.html Cancer Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:26:13 EST news285351966 A common test that records the heart's electrical activity could predict potentially serious cardiovascular illness, according to a UC San Francisco-led study. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-routine-ekg-heart-problem.html Cardiology Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:35:07 EST news285348900