ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Virus-cutting enzyme helps bacteria remember a threat Posted: 20 Feb 2015 11:26 AM PST Bacteria may not have brains, but they do have memories, at least when it comes to viruses that attack them. Many bacteria have a molecular immune system which allows these microbes to capture and retain pieces of viral DNA that they have encountered in the past, in order to recognize and destroy it when it shows up again.

Keeping the heart's engine in sync: Study shows contractions rely on critical protein for efficient function Posted: 20 Feb 2015 11:26 AM PST A remarkable protein that helps choreograph the highly specific series of events that ensure the heart beats consistently and accurately has been discovered by researchers. Called myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C), this protein performs its masterpiece inside the sarcomere, a part of the heart muscle tissue that is one-fiftieth the diameter of a human hair. Trillions or more sarcomeres must contract simultaneously in order for the heart to maintain its beat. Problems with this protein can cause sudden death via a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Genome's tale of 'conquer and enslave' Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST Scientists have uncovered how viral remnants helped shape control of our genes. In their latest paper conducted the first systematic study of the largest group of human transcription factors, called C2H2-ZF.

Protein linked to development of asthma Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST Researchers have linked a specific protein, CCL28, to the development of post-viral infection asthma, which is the first step in generating a novel type of asthma therapy designed to prevent development of post-viral asthma in young children.

Dental researcher demonstrates how T cells cause inflammation during infections Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST A dental researcher has discovered a new way to model how infection-fighting T cells cause inflammation in mice. She believes the process could lead to identifying and testing new drugs to replace antifungal medicines that have become ineffective as the fungi develop a resistance to them.

Diabetes, depression predict dementia risk in people with slowing minds Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST People with mild cognitive impairment are at higher risk of developing dementia if they have diabetes or psychiatric symptoms such as depression, finds a new review. Mild cognitive impairment is a state between normal aging and dementia, where someone's mind is functioning less well than would be expected for their age.

Palbociclib shows promise in patients with hormone-resistant breast cancer Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:33 AM PST Palbociclib, an investigational oral medication that works by blocking molecules responsible for cancer cell growth, is well tolerated and extends progression-free survival in newly diagnosed, advanced breast cancer patients, including those whose disease has stopped responding to traditional endocrine treatments.

Independent home living or healthcare facility? Web tool to speed data collection Posted: 20 Feb 2015 08:08 AM PST By 2030, one in five Americans will be age 65 or older. To understand the role neighborhoods play in seniors' ability to 'age in place' -- living safely and independently in one's home of choice rather than in a healthcare facility -- researchers created a web application that speeds up researchers' data collection.

Safety, life-saving efficacy of statins have been exaggerated, says scientist Posted: 20 Feb 2015 08:08 AM PST Statins, the cholesterol-lowering drugs prescribed to prevent heart attacks, are not as effective nor as safe as we have been led to believe, researchers say. Statins produce a dramatic reduction in cholesterol levels, but have failed to substantially improve cardiovascular outcomes, they add, stating that 'statistical deception' has been used to inflate claims about their effectiveness.

Want pizza, chocolate, French fries? Highly processed foods linked to addictive eating Posted: 20 Feb 2015 08:01 AM PST A new study confirms what has long been suspected: highly processed foods like chocolate, pizza and French fries are among the most addictive.

Simoctocog alfa for haemophilia A: No suitable data Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:15 AM PST No added benefit can be derived from the dossier after the study of the use of Simoctocog alfa for haemophilia A. The duration of the direct comparative studies was too short and the study pool on one-arm studies with the comparator therapy was incomplete, experts say.

Immune cells: Learning from experience Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:15 AM PST Immunologists have shown that our immune cells can learn on the job. Even better, some cells remember what they have learned, and can apply it in response to future challenges. The research focused on T-helper cells, a type of T cell that helps other immune cells by releasing messenger substances or cytokines.

Reducing energy efficiency boosts calorie burning in muscle Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:15 AM PST A targeted approach that overrides muscles' intrinsic energy efficiency and allows muscle to burn more energy, even during low to moderate exercise, has been developed by scientists. The new findings might provide the basis of a therapy that could help people get a head start on losing weight by helping to overcome the body's natural resistance to weight loss.

Diabetes drug could protect against low blood sugar Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:14 AM PST DPP-4 inhibitors are a group of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes that lower high blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin production in the body. Researchers have now discovered that DPP-4 inhibitors are also effective against low blood sugar levels. The study was carried out on mice.

Key indicator for successful treatment of infertile couples Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:14 AM PST A study determines if follicle stimulating hormone and estrogen at the upper limits of normal could predict treatment success as measured in live birth rates. The essential question was: should women with higher levels of FSH and estrogen be "fast-tracked" to in vitro fertilization (IVF), bypassing the conventional treatment trajectory?

Powerful dengue neutralizing antibody found Posted: 20 Feb 2015 06:48 AM PST A super-potent antibody that requires a minute amount to neutralize the dengue virus has been identified by researchers. The study showed how a newly identified antibody 5J7, is highly effective in killing dengue virus whereby only 10-9 g of antibody is needed to stop the infection of dengue serotype 3 virus. This new finding gives hope for the development of effective dengue treatments.

Gene that pushes normal pancreas cells to change shape identified Posted: 20 Feb 2015 06:48 AM PST A molecule that pushes normal pancreatic cells to transform their shape, laying the groundwork for development of pancreatic cancer -- one of the most difficult tumors to treat -- has been identified by researchers.

Differing GP approach to sick notes between mental, physical illness Posted: 20 Feb 2015 06:48 AM PST A study which has for the first time investigated in 'real time' how GPs approach the negotiation of sick notes, has found doctors taking a differing stance with patients who have mental health problems compared with those who present with physical illness.

Postmenopausal women with VVA report improved satisfaction with VagiCap Posted: 20 Feb 2015 06:48 AM PST Newly released patient satisfaction survey results from a study of a novel investigational vaginal estrogen treatment show promise for improving quality of life and satisfaction for postmenopausal women who experience pain during sex and other symptoms associated with vulvar and vaginal atrophy.

Women back idea of more breast screens for those at high risk of cancer Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:39 AM PST Most women (85 percent) would back the idea of more frequent breast screening if they are at higher genetic risk of developing breast cancer, according to research.

Mammography screening: Patient pamphlets do not affect willingness to participate Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:39 AM PST Researchers report on a study in which they determined how well the prospective subjects understood the information presented in leaflets about mammography screening and whether this information influenced their willingness to undergo screening.

Bacterial Memories: Host influences bacterial metabolism Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:37 AM PST Bacteria are masters in adapting to their environment. This adaptability contributes to the bacteria's survival inside their host. Researchers have now demonstrated that the bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes adapts its metabolism specifically to the host genotype. The bacterial metabolic fingerprint correlated with the susceptibility of the infected mouse strain.

Large amounts of mitochondrial toxic agents cross placenta barrier Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:37 AM PST Ten years' worth of scientific studies on mitochondrial toxicity in pregnant women has been reviewed, including exposure to toxic agents such as viruses, certain drugs, pesticides, alcohol and tobacco. These all cause mitochondrial diseases about which very little is known, and which are transmitted from the mother to the fetus. Mitochondria can suffer from two types of disease: genetic or acquired, researchers say.

Powder vs. Crack: Study identifies arrest risk disparity for cocaine use Posted: 20 Feb 2015 05:34 AM PST Crack users are much more likely to experience arrest than powder cocaine users, and being poor is the true overwhelming correlate, not being black or a minority, a new study concludes.

New target for prostate cancer treatment discovered Posted: 19 Feb 2015 06:19 PM PST A promising new therapeutic target for prostate cancer has been found by researchers, offering evidence that a newly discovered member of a family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors promotes prostate cancer cell growth.