ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Million person study examines long-term effects of blocking inflammation Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:00 PM PST Inflammation -- the body's response to damaging stimuli -- may have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. The finding is one of the outcomes of research using a powerful new genetic tool that mimics the behaviour of certain anti-inflammatory drugs.

Sleeping over 8 hours a day associated with greater risk of stroke Posted: 25 Feb 2015 01:40 PM PST People who sleep for more than eight hours a day have an increased risk of stroke, according to a study -- and this risk doubles for older people who persistently sleep longer than average. However, the researchers say it is unclear why this association exists and call for further research to explore the link.

Helmet add-ons may not lower concussion risk in athletes Posted: 25 Feb 2015 01:39 PM PST Football helmet add-ons such as outer soft-shell layers, spray treatments, helmet pads and fiber sheets may not significantly help lower the risk of concussions in athletes, according to a new study.

Hidden gene gives hope for improving brain function Posted: 25 Feb 2015 12:18 PM PST The mechanism a novel gene uses to affect brain function and elicit behavior related to neuropsychiatric disease has been identified by an international team of researchers. They discovered that a gene called Gomafu might be key to understanding how our brain rapidly responds to stressful experiences.

New compound may lead to development of cheaper anti-cancer drugs Posted: 25 Feb 2015 12:18 PM PST A new compound developed at the University of Toronto Scarborough could play an important role in developing cheaper anti-cancer drugs.

Antifreeze protein from ticks fights frostbite in mice Posted: 25 Feb 2015 12:17 PM PST A protein that protects ticks from freezing temperatures also prevents frostbite when introduced in mice, a new study has found. The research is the first to demonstrate the protein's ability to boost frostbite resistance in an adult mammal.

The body's Transformers: Some proteins alter configuation Posted: 25 Feb 2015 11:25 AM PST Like the shape-shifting robots of 'Transformers' fame, a unique class of proteins in the human body also has the ability to alter their configuration, scientists have discovered.

Plant chemicals may prevent liver damage caused by fat accumulated during menopause Posted: 25 Feb 2015 11:25 AM PST Women going through menopause often struggle with weight gain that results when their estrogen levels drop, and many turn to weight-loss supplements. But those supplements may cause an accumulation of fat in the liver and a potentially life-threatening condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Now researchers have shown in studies of post-menopausal animals that a mix of phytochemicals, along with vitamin D, may help protect the liver against inflammation caused by fat accumulation.

Vaccine hesitancy: Journal collection investigates vaccination decision-making Posted: 25 Feb 2015 11:24 AM PST Vaccines are thought to be one of the most successful public health measures, but some individuals are hesitant to vaccinate their families for a variety of reasons. Researchers explore individuals' confidence or reluctance to vaccinate their families and the associated effects on global health.

How the landscape of the pancreatic cancer genome is coming into view Posted: 25 Feb 2015 11:24 AM PST Scientists have done the most in-depth analysis yet of 100 pancreatic cancer genomes and highlighted 4 subtypes that may help guide future patient treatment.

Epigenetic 'switch' regulates RNA-protein interactions Posted: 25 Feb 2015 11:24 AM PST Epigenetic modifications to mRNA act as a structural 'switch' that allows RNA-binding proteins to recognize and read mRNA regions that would otherwise be inaccessible, a new study has found. The findings provide a new understanding of this emerging field of study.

Consideration of costs can reduce moral objections to human organ sales and other 'repugnant' transactions, says researcher Posted: 25 Feb 2015 11:23 AM PST People might abandon their moral objections to organ selling – and to other transactions in repugnant markets -- when presented with information about the potential advantages of such sales, authors write. "Some people's ideas of what's moral and acceptable may be changed by evidence, once the costs associated with these moral positions are taken into account," says one writer. "People may find the sale of organs less offensive after they have considered data about factors such as waiting lists, those who die while waiting for a transplant, and the savings in long-term medical care that can result from transplants."

Link between inflammation, tissue regeneration and wound repair response Posted: 25 Feb 2015 11:23 AM PST New links between inflammation and regeneration have been found by scientists, including new information on signaling pathways that are activated by a receptor protein called gp130.

Unusual disease that causes acute confusion may be underdiagnosed Posted: 25 Feb 2015 11:23 AM PST An unusual disease called Susac syndrome, which can cause acute confusion and problems with hearing and eyesight, is rare but probably under reported, physicians report.

Quick antibiotics reduce PICU needs and mortality of pediatric cancer patients Posted: 25 Feb 2015 10:21 AM PST A new study shows that pediatric cancer patients who receive antibiotics within 60 minutes of reporting fever and showing neutropenia (low neutrophil count), go on to have decreased intensive care needs and lower mortality compared with patients who receive antibiotics outside the 60-minute window.

Widely used food additives promotes colitis, obesity and metabolic syndrome, shows study of emulsifiers Posted: 25 Feb 2015 10:21 AM PST Emulsifiers, which are added to most processed foods to aid texture and extend shelf life, can alter the gut microbiota composition and localization to induce intestinal inflammation that promotes the development of inflammatory bowel disease and metabolic syndrome, new research shows.

The £180 billion bill for living in a material world: Material lifestyles not making us happier Posted: 25 Feb 2015 09:27 AM PST Our modern material lifestyles are failing to make us happier, damaging our health, are no longer sustainable and cost the overall economy tens of billions of pounds every year.

Parkinson's disease patients have reduced visual contrast acuity Posted: 25 Feb 2015 09:27 AM PST An iPad® application has been developed that can help physicians screen for Parkinson's Disease, report researchers. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often have difficulties with visual acuity in low-contrast images. Because they may have normal high-contrast vision, this is often overlooked during routine eye exams, but this new app can help to identify the problem.

Possible biological trigger for canine bone cancer found Posted: 25 Feb 2015 09:26 AM PST The biological mechanism that may give some cancer cells the ability to form tumors in dogs has been identified by researchers. The recent study uncovered an association between the increased expression of a particular gene in tumor cells and more aggressive behavior in a form of canine bone cancer. It may also have implications for human cancers by detailing a new pathway for tumor formation.

Breakfast habits affect teens' metabolic responses to protein-packed morning meals Posted: 25 Feb 2015 08:44 AM PST A researcher compared young women who habitually skip breakfast to those who routinely eat breakfast and found that their metabolic responses to eating a high-protein breakfast were different. Specifically, the habitual breakfast skippers experienced poorer glucose control throughout the day when they consumed a high-protein breakfast, whereas those who typically ate a high-carbohydrate breakfast had improved glucose control after they ate a high-protein breakfast.

Could an HIV drug beat strep throat, flesh-eating bacteria? Posted: 25 Feb 2015 08:43 AM PST With antibiotic resistance on the rise, scientists are looking for innovative ways to combat bacterial infections. The pathogen that causes conditions from strep throat to flesh-eating disease is among them, but scientists have now found a tool that could help them fight it: a drug approved to treat HIV. Their work could someday lead to new treatments.

Oat breakfast cereals may contain a common mold-related toxin Posted: 25 Feb 2015 08:43 AM PST Oats are often touted for boosting heart health, but scientists warn that the grain and its products might need closer monitoring for potential mold contamination. They report that some oat-based breakfast cereals in the US contain a mold-related toxin called ochratoxin A that's been linked to kidney cancer in animal studies.

Postoperative mortality rates low among patients with HIV prescribed ART Posted: 25 Feb 2015 08:43 AM PST Postoperative mortality rates were low among patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus who are receiving antiretroviral therapy, and those mortality rates were influenced as much by age and poor nutritional status as CD4 cell counts, according to a report.

Cherenkov Effect improves radiation therapy for patients with cancer Posted: 25 Feb 2015 08:41 AM PST The complex parts of the blue light known as the Cherenkov Effect can be measured and used in dosimetry to make therapies safer and more effective, scientists report.

Heart surgery outcomes for pediatric and congenital patients now online Posted: 25 Feb 2015 08:40 AM PST Continuing its commitment to increase public awareness and understanding of cardiothoracic surgical outcomes, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has released the first publicly accessible national report of surgical outcomes from its Congenital Heart Surgery Database (CHSD).

What does the future hold for treating patients with locally advanced breast cancer? Posted: 25 Feb 2015 07:30 AM PST Treating patients with locally advanced inoperable breast cancer is an extremely difficult task. The overwhelming majority of patients treated for this disease suffer relapse and, despite the best multimodal treatment, do not survive. There is a medical need to examine current and potential treatments, researchers say in a new article.

More than two hours of TV a day increases high blood pressure risk in children by 30% Posted: 25 Feb 2015 07:28 AM PST A study on European children concludes that spending more than two hours a day in front of a screen increases the probability of high blood pressure by 30%. The article also points out that doing no daily physical activity or doing less than an hour a day increases this risk by 50%.

Destroying tumor material that 'cloaks' cancer cells could benefit patients Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:44 AM PST Like a stealth jet cloaks itself from radar, cancer cells cloak themselves within tumors by hiding behind a dense layer of cellular material known as stroma. According to a new study, drugs that target and strip away the stroma would pave the way for drugs to reach the cancerous cells within the tumor, which could have a beneficial effect on the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.

Women twice as likely to see pot as risky Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:44 AM PST A study on the perceived risk of using cannabis and characteristics associated with these perceptions found that non-white, low-income women over 50 were most likely to perceive a risk in using the drug. Least likely were those 12 to 25, with a high school diploma or more, and family income above $75,000. The study is the first to describe changes across time in perceived risk of regular cannabis use among those 12 years and older.

Workplace negativity can hurt productivity Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:43 AM PST Employees who point out problems in the office may help the company improve, but could be hurting themselves in the process. Such negative-minded workers are more likely to become mentally fatigued and defensive and experience a drop-off in production, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D may control brain serotonin, affecting behavior and psychiatric disorders Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:41 AM PST Although essential marine omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D have been shown to improve cognitive function and behavior in the context of certain brain disorders, the underlying mechanism has been unclear. In a new paper, serotonin is explained as the possible missing link tying together why vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acids might ameliorate the symptoms associated with a broad array of brain disorders.

Warning on use of drug for children's sleep Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:41 AM PST Sleep researchers are warning doctors and parents not to provide the drug melatonin to children to help control their sleep problems.

Meditation can reduce chronic neck pain, study shows Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:41 AM PST Meditation might be an effective treatment for reducing chronic neck pain, according to research. Chronic neck pain can lead to serious comorbidities like depression. Patients with chronic neck pain frequently experience distress. Meditation has been increasingly used as a supportive treatment for individuals with chronic pain.

Graphene shows potential as novel anti-cancer therapeutic strategy Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:29 AM PST Graphene has been used to target and neutralize cancer stem cells while not harming other cells, investigators report. This new development opens up the possibility of preventing or treating a broad range of cancers, using a non-toxic material, they say.

Flexible nanosensors for wearable devices Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:28 AM PST Scientists will now be able to fabricate optical nanosensors capable of sticking to uneven surfaces and biological surfaces, like human skin. This result can boost the use of wearable devices to monitor parameters such as temperature, breath and heart pressure. This is a low cost technology, as the researchers use materials like standard polycarbonate compact disks, aluminum films and adhesive tapes.

Scientists develop novel method to suppress malaria parasite's virulence genes, break the code of its immune evasion Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:27 AM PST Up to one million people, mostly pregnant woman and young children, are killed each year by thePlasmodium falciparum parasite, which causes the most devastating form of human malaria. Now, researchers have revealed the genetic trickery this deadly parasite deploys to escape attack by the human immune system.

Experts criticize 'inaccurate' view that B Vitamins have no role in Alzheimer's disease prevention Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:27 AM PST Patients in the very early stages of dementia could miss out on a potentially effective treatment after misleading research was published last year, say medical experts.

Using snus doubles the risk of alcohol dependency Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:27 AM PST People who use snus run twice the risk of developing alcohol dependency compared with non-users, and the more one uses snus, the higher the risk, a study shows. "A doubled risk of alcohol dependency can be a seemingly quite moderate risk increase seen from the individual perspective, but if using snus is common in a population, it means that the overall use of snus might have an impact on public health," an author explains.

Novel computer model designed to understand cardiovascular diseases Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:25 AM PST A novel three-dimensional, multiscale and multicomponent model of endothelial cells monolayer, the inner lining of artery, has been developed by researchers to identify the cellular mechanisms involved in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). New research based on the model is able to identify the main cellular pathways involved in the initiation and progression of the disease.

Easy on the eyes: Optimum length of eyelashes is one third width of eye Posted: 24 Feb 2015 04:27 PM PST A new study finds that the optimal eyelash length is one-third the width of the eye for humans and 21 other mammals. Anything shorter or longer increases airflow around the eye and leads to more dust hitting the surface.

'Patchwork' ovarian cancer more deadly Posted: 24 Feb 2015 11:29 AM PST The most common type of ovarian cancer is more deadly if it consists of a patchwork of different groups of cells, according to a new study. Serous ovarian cancers containing a variety of genetically-different cells were more likely to become resistant to treatment and come back again than cancers made of more similar cells. Women with this type of tumor also died sooner than those with less varied tumors.