ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Cannabis: A new frontier in therapeutics Posted: 15 Feb 2015 04:02 AM PST While debate about recreational marijuana use continues, researchers are investigating the effectiveness of cannabis for treating pain, spasticity, and a host of other medical problems. Experts share their perspectives on the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis and explore the emerging science behind it.

Transgender: Evidence on the biological nature of gender identity Posted: 13 Feb 2015 08:23 AM PST Medical care of transgender patients, including surgical and hormonal treatment, has largely been met with resistance by physicians in favor of psychiatric treatment, owing to misconceptions that gender identity can be changed. There is increasing evidence of a biological basis for gender identity that may change physicians' perspective on transgender medicine and improve health care for these patients.

In silico method to predict effectiveness of cognitive enhancers Posted: 13 Feb 2015 07:47 AM PST Scientists have published new research into personalizing nootropic drugs using in silico prediction methods.

One in four Saudis heading for heart attack in 10 years Posted: 13 Feb 2015 05:16 AM PST One in four adults in Saudi Arabia is set to have a heart attack within the next 10 years, reveals new research.

Diathermy smoke extraction should be compulsory in operations, research shows Posted: 13 Feb 2015 05:15 AM PST The electrical devices that are used to cauterize tissue during surgical operations cause plumes of smoke to arise as intense heat is applied to flesh. Research has shown that these fumes -- known as diathermy smoke -- contain compounds that are potentially harmful to the health of the personnel participating in the operation.

Immune cells commit suicide to prevent allergy Posted: 13 Feb 2015 05:15 AM PST Scientists have demonstrated that the production of type E immunoglobulins (IgE) by B lymphocytes induces a loss in their mobility and the initiation of cell death mechanisms. These antibodies, present in small quantities, are the most powerful "weapons" in the immune system and can trigger extremely violent immune reactions or immediate allergies (asthma, urticaria, allergic shock) as soon as their levels rise, even slightly. These findings thus elucidate how our bodies restrict the production of IgE in order to prevent an allergic reaction.

How mindfulness training affects health Posted: 12 Feb 2015 03:35 PM PST Over the past decade, there have been many encouraging findings suggesting that mindfulness training can improve a broad range of mental and physical health problems. Yet, exactly how mindfulness positively impacts health is not clear. Researchers have developed a model suggesting that mindfulness influences health via stress reduction pathways.

20-year study finds ethnic differences in links between diabetes risk and levels of tyrosine and other amino acids Posted: 12 Feb 2015 03:35 PM PST A study of white European and South Asian men in the UK has found that levels of the amino acid tyrosine, and several other amino acids, are more strongly associated with increased diabetes risk in the South Asian men.

New radiotracer helps avoid neck dissection in patients with early head and neck cancer Posted: 12 Feb 2015 03:34 PM PST A new tracer can enable surgeons to make an accurate identification of the sentinel node -- the lymph node to which cancer spreads first -- and hence spare patients the post-operative complications that may be linked to the removal of a group of lymph nodes in the neck.

Molecular 'switch' that regulates DNA replication and transcription Posted: 12 Feb 2015 12:39 PM PST Researchers have discovered a molecular ‘switch’ that controls replication and transcription of mitochondria DNA, a key finding that could influence the development of targeted therapies for cancer, developmental processes related to fertility and aging.

Nationwide study reports shifts in Americans' use of natural products Posted: 12 Feb 2015 09:23 AM PST A nationally representative survey shows that natural product use in the United States has shifted since 2007, with some products becoming more popular and some falling out of favor. Overall, natural products (dietary supplements other than vitamins and minerals) remain the most common complementary health approach.

U. S. antionwide survey reveals widespread use of mind and body practices Posted: 12 Feb 2015 09:23 AM PST A large nationally representative survey shows that the number of Americans using mind and body approaches to improve health and well-being remains high. Of note is a significant increase in the use of yoga since 2002. In addition, almost as many Americans practice meditation or receive chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation.

Possible mechanism underpinning Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases Posted: 12 Feb 2015 09:23 AM PST Scientists have for the first time discovered a killing mechanism that could underpin a range of the most intractable neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and ALS. The new study revealed the mechanism of toxicity of a misfolded form of the protein that underlies prion diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy ('mad cow disease') and its human equivalent, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Attention runners: Achilles can handle 'ups and downs' better than you think Posted: 12 Feb 2015 09:22 AM PST A new study reveals great news about the Achilles heel: the Achilles tendon is capable of adapting to uphill and downhill running better than previously believed. Their findings show that there is no increased risk for Achilles injury when running at different grades. The research should be of interest to marathon runners, who often face various grades during competition.

Ebola study in macaques provides timeframes for post-mortem viral stability Posted: 12 Feb 2015 09:22 AM PST To determine how long Ebola virus could remain infectious in a body after death, scientists sampled deceased Ebola-infected monkeys and discovered the virus remained viable for at least seven days. They also detected non-infectious viral RNA for up to 70 days post-mortem.

Brain activity can predict increased fat intake following sleep deprivation Posted: 12 Feb 2015 08:42 AM PST Experts have warned for years that insufficient sleep can lead to weight gain. A new study found that not only do we consume more food following a night of total sleep deprivation, but we also we consume more fat and less carbohydrates and a region of the brain known as the salience network is what may lead us to eat more fat.