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UCSF Health

@ucsfhealth.bsky.social

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A world leader in health care, we're proud to rank among the nation's top hospitals. Follow our children's hospitals @ucsfchildrens

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UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 3d

A novel immunotherapy combination can reprogram the immune environment of colon cancer tumors that spread to the liver, a UCSF study finds. This is a "step forward in our understanding of the underlying makeup of these liver metastases," Dr. Ajay Maker says. https://ucsfh.org/4h2yvBV

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 3d

Varying state, federal & regional guidelines for this year's COVID vaccine are causing confusion. Drs. Deborah Yokoe & Rahmat Balogun, who guide our COVID policy, answer some common questions & help untangle confusion regarding the timing & efficacy of the current vaccine. https://ucsfh.org/3KIWDxp

Who Can Get a COVID-19 Vaccine, and When Is the Best Time?

With the CDC, FDA, and states providing different guidance on COVID-19 vaccines, UCSF physicians weigh in about who should get the shot, when, and what insurance covers.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 4d

Pairing a drug that blocks fat metabolism with a high-fat keto diet “starves" pancreatic cancer of its energy, a study finds. It's firm evidence that "diet might be used alongside pre-existing cancer therapies to precisely eliminate a cancer," UCSF's Davide Ruggero says. https://ucsfh.org/476N7fk

Starve Tumors? How to Kill Cancer by Cutting Off Its Energy Supply

Thanks to funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), UC San Francisco researchers are revolutionizing what we thought we knew about how cancer spreads, opening new paths to cures.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 5d

A pharmaceutical type of LSD can help reduce symptoms in people w/ moderate-to-severe generalized anxiety disorder, a study finds. “That’s quite significant & enough to reclassify moderate generalized anxiety disorder as mild in some cases,” UCSF’s Jennifer Mitchell says. https://ucsfh.org/4pX3vay

Could This Novel Therapy Calm Anxiety for Millions of Americans?

Generalized anxiety disorder affects 1 in 20 U.S. adults. Those with serious symptoms may isolate themselves to the point that they rarely leave their home.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 5d

Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among women, but men can get it too. Our experts offer the highest quality care, working as a team to heal the whole person, both physically and emotionally. Learn more about treatment and where to find care: https://ucsfh.org/3VSPbSW

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 6d

Too much sun can increase your risk for skin cancer and lead to premature skin aging at any time of year. Learn more about sun safety, the importance of SPF and where to get care. https://ucsfh.org/3VSzNpt

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 6d

Turf toe is a football injury that got its name because it happened on artificial grass called Astroturf, but it isn't limited to one surface. Dr. Nirav Pandya, Dr. Brian Feeley & Dr. Drew Lansdown break down turf toe & PCL injuries on the 6-8 Weeks podcast. https://ucsfh.org/3ILrHMu

Turf Toe and PCL Injuries: What Do You Do??? | 6-8 Weeks: Perspectives on Sports Medicine

A lot of 49ers injuries this week including Nick Bosa, Mac Jones, and Brock Purdy. Listen to our 2nd 49ers podcast of the week as we break down the treatment of turf toe and PCL injuries.

peds-ortho.simplecast.com

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 8d

Did you know that 6 UCSF scientists have won Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine? Ahead of the 2025 Nobel Prize announcements (Oct. 6-13), look back with us at the prize-winning UCSF discoveries that changed the world: https://ucsfh.org/4nGmbtJ

A Nobel Legacy: 5 Decades of Astounding Prize-winning Discoveries

Ahead of the 2025 Nobel Prize announcements, we take a look back at UCSF's Nobel laureates, their discoveries, and the UCSF research building on their work today.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 9d

Chronic back pain affects ~1 in 4 Americans, and treating it can be tricky. Why? "Chronic pain becomes built into the nervous system” Dr. Prasad Shirvalkar says. “The brain’s wiring can actually change.” He discusses his research, treatments and the benefits of exercise. https://ucsfh.org/4o0GHoB

Is the Holy Grail for Treating Chronic Back Pain Within Reach?

UCSF neurologist Dr. Shirvalkar studies nerve-to-brain connections to find new ways to treat chronic back pain.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 9d

Meet the "technical diplomats" in our IT department! “We can translate what’s complex into simple terms to allow the technology to be a tool to do your job more effectively,” supervisor Greg Taylor says. Follow along with IT Service Desk staff through a day in their lives: https://ucsfh.org/488Xwcs

Get to Know the Talented ‘Technical Diplomats’ That Keep UCSF Humming

For most people, IT is the place they call when their computer or Wi-Fi stops working. But, there’s more to it than meets the eye.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 10d

There are ~30 medications for epilepsy, but about 1 out of 3 patients still experience seizures. Dr. Vikram Rao discusses surgical options, as well as ongoing research that may offer relief. “Seizure freedom opens a world of possibilities,” he says. https://ucsfh.org/3KjFWIR

If Anti-Seizure Meds Don't Work for Epilepsy, Can Surgery Help?

Vikram Rao, director of the UCSF Epilepsy Center, discusses why a third of seizure patients don't respond to medication and the promising new surgical and technological treatments available.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 10d

UCSF researchers have developed a new way to measure gait performance in Parkinson's patients and used AI to tailor deep brain stimulation to each person. The study "highlights the promise of personalized neuromodulation for... neurological disorders," Dr. Doris Wang says. https://ucsfh.org/4pJY0w5

Tailored Deep Brain Stimulation Improves Walking in Parkinson’s Disease - UCSF MedConnection

UCSF researchers develop first-of-its-kind measure of gait performance, allowing researchers to fine tune electrical pulses to the neural network.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 11d

Microplastics are everywhere and absorbing them can have effects on our health. On 1A, UCSF's Tracey Woodruff talks about ways to lower your exposure. https://ucsfh.org/3IKcwmG

The big problems with microplastics

Plastic production worldwide is expected to triple by 2060.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 12d

Fibroblasts are cells that help the body heal, and a new study reveals they also play an important role after a brain injury. “These overlooked cells seem adept at solving the common challenge of balancing healing and inflammation,” Dr. Ari Molofsky says. https://ucsfh.org/3W6iSQh

These Cells Have Hidden Powers That Could Heal Brain Injuries

UCSF scientists discovered that an overlooked cell type in the brain plays a central role in healing traumatic brain injury. Understanding how it does this will lead to treatments for injuries that cu...

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 12d

We're proud to receive a $12M SPORE grant from the National Cancer Institute! The grant will support the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center's research on meningioma (a type of brain tumor), prostate cancer and breast cancer. https://ucsfh.org/47PUCJs

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 12d

In a UCSF first, a diabetes patient has received pancreatic islets derived from stem cells instead of from a deceased donor. "The patient is doing well & there is some preliminary evidence that the islets are already helping with glucose control,” Dr. Andrew Posselt says. https://ucsfh.org/3VycwZP

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 13d

Atreya Day's research on the human genome could lead to improved treatments for diseases like cancer and Down syndrome. In his Postdoc Slam-winning presentation, "The Theory of 100,000 Grandmas," he used the story of his own grandma's knitting to help explain his findings. https://ucsfh.org/3VrMqaX

How 100,000 Grandmas Fight Cancer in Every Human Cell

A TED Talk-style presentation on the effects of tangled DNA strands took first place at this year's Postdoc Slam competition, which is held in celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 16d

Want to reduce your risk of developing chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD? Avoid inhaling cannabis smoke, experts advise. “The message about smoking tobacco being bad for you has gotten out there, but for cannabis, it’s much less clear,” Dr. Alison Rustagi says. https://ucsfh.org/46GC4cx

Inhaling Cannabis May Greatly Increase Your Risk of Lung Disease

Researchers found smoking marijuana was associated with significantly increased risk of asthma, including among people who have never used tobacco cigarettes, and may also be associated with chronic l...

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 17d

Why are "kissing bugs" all over the internet? They can spread Chagas disease, and public health experts say there is an ongoing presence of it in the U.S. Still, the risk to most people is low. “Most Americans should not be worried at all,” Dr. Caryn Bern says. https://ucsfh.org/3K8EfOt

What to Know About the ‘Kissing Bug' Disease

Though some researchers believe it should be labeled endemic in the United States, most Americans don't need to worry about getting sick.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 25d

We're proud to rank among the nation’s top hospitals for patient care for the fourth consecutive year, according to healthcare performance company Vizient, Inc.! Thank you to our outstanding care teams for making this achievement possible! 👏
https://ucsfh.org/3VmO2md

Vizient Gives UCSF Health High Marks for Patient Care Excellence

UCSF Health has been recognized as a top performer in the 2025 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Ranking by Vizient, Inc., one of the nation’s largest provider-driven health care performance...

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 26d

Scientists used an old diabetes drug to boost CAR T cell therapy, helping the treatment destroy stubborn bladder cancer tumors. "These preclinical results lay the groundwork for further CAR T cell development in bladder cancer," Dr. Jonathan Chou says. https://ucsfh.org/4mnqnwR

Repurposing a diabetes medication to prime CAR T cancer targets

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the second most common genitourinary cancer, leading to over 16,000 deaths a year in the United States. Despite recent advances, the 5-year survival rate for metastatic UC remains about 5% to 10%.

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 27d

Back pain, especially in men older than 50, often goes misdiagnosed. In this video, Dr. Peter I-Kung Wu explains how to identify & manage diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), a common but often-overlooked cause of spinal stiffness & fractures. https://ucsfh.org/45mL9Ip

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis: A Common Cause of Spinal Pain - UCSF MedConnection

This practical presentation from physical and pain medicine specialist Peter I-Kung Wu, MD, PhD, MPH, takes a deep dive into diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), a problem that particularl...

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 27d

Older adults often have complex health needs that pose challenges in the primary care setting. In this video, Dr. Maki Nakazato explains how geriatricians provide personalized evaluations & support well-being to help seniors preserve independence & quality of life. https://ucsfh.org/4e0yWew

Keeping a Luster in the Golden Years: What Geriatricians Bring to Aging Patients - UCSF MedConnection

The complex and broad-ranging needs of older adults can be difficult to meet in the primary care setting – or by specialists seeing them for a single disorder

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · 29d

Breast cancer rates are up, especially in women younger than 50. In this video, Dr. Elham Vosoughi breaks down how to tailor screening strategies based on individual risk factors—from genetics to breast density—and reviews both standard and advanced imaging options. https://ucsfh.org/4kSUKeP

High Risk for Breast Cancer: Methods and Schedules to Ensure Optimal Screening - UCSF MedConnection

Hematologist-oncologist Elham Vosoughi, MD, starts with an update on breast cancer stats, noting that incidence in the United States is increasing by 1% every year – with an even sharper rise for wome...

UCSF Health @ucsfhealth.bsky.social · Sep 12

"When you smile, it’s often the first thing that someone sees." UCSF dental student Belle Lao-Ngo is transforming oral health in SF’s Chinatown! Inspired by her family’s journey, her award-winning work empowers immigrant families through dental care and social connection. https://ucsfh.org/3Ibe7B

The UCSF Dental Student Empowering San Francisco’s Chinatown With a Smile

Community is everything to Belle Lao-Ngo, a third-year student in the UCSF School of Dentistry. As a daughter and granddaughter of Asian immigrants, Belle’s dedication to oral health was inspired by h...