ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Adults wtih disabilities screened for cancer less often Posted: 26 Feb 2015 03:35 PM PST Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are much less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer, research shows. "As individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live longer, their risk of developing chronic conditions like cancer increases. Suboptimal screening may contribute to a greater cancer burden in this population," says one researcher.

Poor response to cholesterol drugs may indicate blocked arteries Posted: 26 Feb 2015 03:35 PM PST Patients whose bad cholesterol levels don't respond to cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may have more artery blockages than those whose cholesterol levels drop with treatment, scientists report.

Statin use associated with reduced risk of liver cancer among those in the uk Posted: 26 Feb 2015 03:35 PM PST In a nested-case control study of individuals living in the UK, a part of the world with a relatively low incidence of liver cancer, statin use is associated with a decreased risk of liver cancer, according to a new study.

Urine test predicts heart failure patients' risk of kidney injury Posted: 26 Feb 2015 03:34 PM PST Urinary angiotensinogen levels at the time of hospital admission predicted acute decompensated heart failure patients' risk of developing acute kidney injury with considerable accuracy, scientists report. Patients' urinary angiotensinogen level at the time of admission also helped clinicians predict patients' risk of being rehospitalized or dying within one year.

Levodopa-Carbidopa intestinal gel may prove more effective for long-term treatment of Parkinson's disease than standard Levodopa Posted: 26 Feb 2015 01:33 PM PST Data from one-year trial on long-term safety, efficacy, and quality of life in advanced Parkinson's disease patients using levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel has been released by researchers, suggesting that it may be an effective long term treatment for the illness.

Study successfully screens for diabetes at dental visits using oral blood Posted: 26 Feb 2015 01:32 PM PST Using gingival crevicular blood (GCB) for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing produced values that were nearly identical to those obtained using finger stick blood (FSB), with a correlation of .991 between the two blood samples of 408 dental patients. Testing HbA1c is promoted by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for diabetes diagnostic purposes and glycemic control monitoring.

Can coffee reduce your risk of MS? Posted: 26 Feb 2015 01:32 PM PST Drinking coffee may be associated with a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study.

Why debunked autism treatment fads persist Posted: 26 Feb 2015 12:46 PM PST The communication struggles of children with autism spectrum disorder can drive parents and educators to try anything to understand their thoughts, needs and wants. Authors describe a litany of treatments for autism that have been attempted with little or no success over the years, including gluten- and casein-free diets, antifungal interventions, chelation therapy, magnetic shoe inserts, hyperbaric oxygen sessions, weighted vests, bleach enemas, sheep-stem-cell injections and many more.

Malaria transmission linked to mosquitoes' sexual biology Posted: 26 Feb 2015 12:46 PM PST Sexual biology may be the key to uncovering why Anopheles mosquitoes are unique in their ability to transmit malaria to humans, according to researchers. "Our study is the first to reveal the evolutionary dynamics between the sexes that are likely responsible for shaping the ability of Anopheles mosquitoes to transmit malaria to humans," said the study's senior author.

Strong connection between violence, mental illness in Guatemala during civil war lessens in postwar period Posted: 26 Feb 2015 12:45 PM PST Violence during the civil war in Guatemala from 1960 to 1996 resulted in the development of significant mental health problems and conditions for the county’s people, according to a new multi-institution study. It continues to say that the mental health consequences resulting from violent events decreased in the postwar period, suggesting a nation in recovery.

Novel gene variants discovered in a difficult childhood immune disorder Posted: 26 Feb 2015 12:45 PM PST Genomics researchers analyzing common variable immunodeficiency disease (CVID) in children have discovered links to a gene crucial to the body's defense against infections. The finding may represent an inviting target for drug treatment.

People with disabilities experience unrecognized health disparities, new research shows Posted: 26 Feb 2015 11:49 AM PST People with disabilities have unmet medical needs and poorer overall health throughout their lives, and as a result should be recognized as a health disparity group so more attention can be directed to improving their quality of life, a team of policy researchers has found.

Role of specialized protein affirmed in assuring normal cell development Posted: 26 Feb 2015 11:49 AM PST A specialized DNA-binding protein called CTCF is essential for the precise expression of genes that control the body plan of a developing embryo, scientists have demonstrated. The findings focus on mouse brain cells that work to manage an animal's movements. The results add important details to how so-called Hox genes help cells keep their positions straight and in the right positions back to front.

Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease reversed in rats Posted: 26 Feb 2015 11:49 AM PST A controlled-release oral therapy has been developed by scientists that reversed type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease in rats, according to a study. "Given these promising results in animal models of NAFLD/NASH and type 2 diabetes we are pursuing additional preclinical safety studies to take this mitochondrial protonophore approach to the clinic" said the researchers.

Minipool technology to prepare immunoglobulins to fight viral infections in developing countries Posted: 26 Feb 2015 11:49 AM PST Researchers have described a new, pragmatic, method for the production of immunoglobulin G from human plasma in developing countries.

Hospitals face growing active shooter threat in United States Posted: 26 Feb 2015 11:14 AM PST The number of active shooter incidents in US hospitals has increased over the last decade to a frequency of more than one a month. In a new article, authors suggest that hospitals examine their security plans.

Living in genetic comfort zone: How to avoid influence of genetic variation Posted: 26 Feb 2015 11:14 AM PST The phenotype of organisms is shaped by the interaction between environmental factors and their genetic constitution. A recent study by a team of population geneticists shows that fruit flies live in a sort of genetic comfort zone at a specific temperature. The scientists found that, despite their underlying genetic differences, two separate strains of flies had a very similar gene expression pattern at 18°C. This effect of 'canalization', which has also been described in humans, allows organisms to continue to grow and develop stable even in the face of genetic and environmental stress.

African Americans who fled the South during great migration led shorter lives Posted: 26 Feb 2015 11:14 AM PST Millions of African Americans moved from the South in the early 20th century to seek better job opportunities and higher wages, but a new study on the historic Great Migration shows that with improved economic conditions came a greater risk of mortality.

Asian Herb Holds Promise as Treatment for Ebola Virus Disease Posted: 26 Feb 2015 11:13 AM PST New research focuses on the mechanism by which Ebola virus infects a cell and the discovery of a promising drug therapy candidate. A small molecule called Tetrandrine derived from an Asian herb has shown to be a potent small molecule inhibiting infection of human white blood cells in vitro or petri dish experiments and prevented Ebola virus disease in mice.

Method for mapping neuron clusters developed Posted: 26 Feb 2015 10:20 AM PST A method for identifying clusters of neurons that work in concert to guide the behavior has been developed by researchers. Their findings address a long-standing mystery about the organization of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) -- one of the most recently evolved parts of the primate brain that underlies complex cognitive functions.

GLP-1 secretion is reduced in overweight, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes Posted: 26 Feb 2015 10:20 AM PST The world's largest study looking at the secretion of the gut hormone GLP-1 has found that the secretion is reduced among overweight and obese people, people with pre-diabetes and newly diagnosed people with type 2 diabetes.

Small molecule helps get stem cells to sites of disease, damage Posted: 26 Feb 2015 10:19 AM PST Bioengineers have identified small molecules that can be used to program stem cells to home in on sites of damage, disease and inflammation. The techniques used to find and test these small molecules may represent important tools in advancing cell-based therapy, offering a new strategy for delivering cells to the right locations in the body.

Moffitt researchers identify protein pathway involved in brain tumor stem cell growth Posted: 26 Feb 2015 09:24 AM PST Glioblastomas are a highly aggressive type of brain tumor, with few effective treatment options. Researchers are one step closer to understanding glioblastoma development following the identification of a key protein signaling pathway involved in brain tumor stem cell growth and survival. Brain tumor stem cells are believed to play an important role in glioblastoma development and may be possible therapeutic targets.

Skeleton of cells controls cell multiplication Posted: 26 Feb 2015 09:23 AM PST A research team has discovered that the cell’s skeleton can trigger the multiplication of cells through the action of proteins that control cellular rigidity. During this process genes that promote cancer – oncogenes – become activated, leading to tumor formation in living organisms.

Could squirmy livestock dent africa's protein deficit? Posted: 26 Feb 2015 09:23 AM PST Two graduate students are working to introduce highly productive kits for farming mealworms to regions such as sub-Saharan Africa where eating insects is already culturally palatable. They are just practicing what they are beginning to preach: insects, and mealworms in particular, are an overlooked, healthful, economically viable and sustainable source of nutrition for people.

Chemo before breast cancer operation increases likelihood of breast-preserving procedure Posted: 26 Feb 2015 08:04 AM PST Patients with larger malignant tumors of the breast who undergo chemotherapy before a breast cancer operation are more likely to opt for a breast-preserving procedure and forgo a mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast), according to a new study.

Persistent Insomnia, Increased Mortality Risk: Link found by researchers Posted: 26 Feb 2015 08:04 AM PST A connection between persistent insomnia and increased inflammation and mortality has been identified by a group of researchers. Their study found that people who suffer from persistent insomnia are at greater risk than those who experience intermittent insomnia.

Many people with congenital heart disease living longer Posted: 26 Feb 2015 08:03 AM PST At one time, many children born with congenital heart disease (CHD) suffered from issues that carried fatal prognoses. But that's changing, thanks to technological advancements.

New report on pediatric cardiac surgery outcomes Posted: 26 Feb 2015 08:03 AM PST A first-of-its-kind report has been released on pediatric and congenital heart surgery. The report provides the public with volume and in-hospital mortality data on nine widely-performed heart surgeries. The data reported was provided to PHC4 by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and covers the four-year period of 2009-2012, the most recent data available.

Twin study lends new insights into link between back pain and depression Posted: 26 Feb 2015 08:03 AM PST Genetic factors help to explain the commonly found association between low back pain and depression, suggests a large study of twins. Genetic factors affecting both conditions may be involved in the association between back pain and depression, according to the report.

Emergency doctors and paramedics commonly misinterpret documents for end-of-life care choices, study finds Posted: 26 Feb 2015 08:03 AM PST Emergency care providers vary in their understanding of a type of medical order intended to communicate seriously ill patients' choices for life-sustaining treatments, according to a pair of studies recently published.

Optogenetic stimulation of the brain to control pain demonstrated in study Posted: 26 Feb 2015 07:16 AM PST New research reveals for the first time how a small area of the brain can be optically stimulated to control pain. Researchers found that by using specific frequency of light to modulate a very small region of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, or ACC, they could considerably lessen pain in laboratory mice.

Team approach boosts human and environmental wellbeing, researcher says Posted: 26 Feb 2015 07:16 AM PST Even seemingly intractable problems such as the antibiotic crisis and the obesity epidemic could be resolved by treating human health and society as an integral part of an ecosystem, researchers say. "The problem now faced is that ecosystems have been plundered in such an anthropocentric fashion that their sustainability is precarious and our health with it," one author states.

Pancreatic cancer patients who benefit from personalized treatment identified Posted: 26 Feb 2015 07:16 AM PST About 15 percent of people with pancreatic cancer may benefit from therapy targeting a newly identified gene signature, scientists say. This sub-group of pancreatic cancer patients who possess a strong angiogenic gene signature could benefit from personalized therapies that cut off the pathways that feed the cancer's growth, they note.

Marshaling the body's own weapons against psoriasis Posted: 26 Feb 2015 07:16 AM PST A three-character code brings relief to patients with psoriasis and sheds light on complex immunoregulation processes: IL-4, an abbreviation for the endogenous signaling molecule Interleukin 4. The substance's ability to inhibit inflammation is well known, but its mechanism of action was not fully understood. Scientists have now shown in an animal model and in a study on patients how IL-4 helps against psoriasis at the molecular level.

Criminologist's study shows lack of mental health care for prisoners Posted: 26 Feb 2015 05:49 AM PST A substantial number of prison inmates have not received treatment for mental health conditions, a expert claims. The study recommends that prisons prioritize the use of validated screening procedures for mental health disorders plus treatment.

Research cracks code governing infections single-stranded RNA viruses Posted: 26 Feb 2015 05:48 AM PST Researchers have cracked a code that governs infections caused by simple, single-stranded RNA viruses similar in many respects to viruses that cause the common cold, polio and the winter vomiting norovirus infections.

Early signs in young children predict type 1 diabetes Posted: 26 Feb 2015 05:47 AM PST It is possible to predict the development of type 1 diabetes, new research indicates. By measuring the presence of autoantibodies in the blood, it is possible to detect whether the immune system has begun to break down the body’s own insulin cells.

New evidence helps health workers in the fight against Ebola Posted: 26 Feb 2015 05:47 AM PST One year after the first Ebola cases started to surface in Guinea, the latest findings from a Cochrane review show new ways of hydrating patients in critical care environments across the world. The study will give health workers vital new evidence in one of their toughest areas of care, keeping seriously ill patients hydrated.

Sticky protein hails new approach for treating Parkinson's Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:01 PM PST UK scientists have developed a peptide that sticks to the protein that causes Parkinson's disease, stopping it from killing brain cells. The research highlights a potential new route for slowing the progress of this incurable disease.

Hospital design has little effect on patient satisfaction, study finds Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:01 PM PST Contrary to previous reports, a new study found that patients' satisfaction scores only modestly improved based on the newly remodeled design of a hospital.

Sewage provides insight into human microbiome Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:01 PM PST Sewage is an effective means to sample the fecal bacteria from millions of people, a new study has indicated. Researchers say the information gleaned from the work provides a unique opportunity to monitor, through gut microbes, the public health of a large population without compromising the privacy of individuals.

Electronic alerts may do more harm than good for kidney patients Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:00 PM PST Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious condition that can lead to dialysis and even death in hospitalized patients. To prevent these adverse outcomes, some hospital systems have proposed using electronic alerts to detect the condition at an early stage. However, the use of electronic alerts by hospitals treating patients with acute kidney injury may increase interventions without improving care, a study has found.

One in 3 women could potentially be spared chronic pain after breast cancer surgery Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:00 PM PST One in every three women undergoing a mastectomy could potentially be spared chronic post-operative pain if anesthesiologists used a regional anesthetic technique in combination with standard care, according to a new study.

Should smoking be banned in UK parks? Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:59 PM PST Should smoking be banned in UK parks? Extending anti-smoking legislation in the UK to encompass a ban in parks and squares "is an opportunity to celebrate the great beacon of healthy living, clean air, and physical activity our green spaces are designed for," researchers write. "And, crucially, it is an opportunity to support our population -- young and old -- to make healthier lifestyle choices easier."

Sharp rise in experimental animal research in US Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:59 PM PST The use of animals in experimental research has soared at leading US laboratories in recent years, finds new research. This is despite growing public opposition to animal experimentation, mounting evidence that animal studies often do not faithfully translate to people, and the development of new research technologies that supplant animal use.

Bariatric surgery affects risk of pregnancy complications Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:59 PM PST Bariatric surgery has both a positive and negative influence on the risk of complications during subsequent pregnancy and delivery, concludes a new study. The results indicate that maternal health services should regard such cases as risk pregnancies.

People with ADHD are twice as likely to die prematurely, often due to accidents Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:58 PM PST People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a lower life expectancy and are more than twice as likely to die prematurely as those without the disorder, according to new research. Accidents are the most common cause of death in people with ADHD, and the relative risk of dying is much higher for women than men with ADHD and individuals diagnosed in adulthood. The study is the first to shed light on the role of ADHD in premature death.

Many transplant surgeons in U.S. suffer burnout, research suggests Posted: 25 Feb 2015 01:40 PM PST Despite saving thousands of lives yearly, nearly half of organ transplant surgeons report a low sense of personal accomplishment and 40% feel emotionally exhausted, according to an American national study on transplant surgeon burnout.

One minute test predicts how well a patient may recover after an operation Posted: 25 Feb 2015 01:40 PM PST Frailty has been used to predict how well a patient may recover from a major operation. Because frailty assessments are not routinely utilized in busy surgical practices, surgeons have discovered that a short, approximately one-minute assessment can accurately determine how likely a patient is to have complications after an operation.