ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

We're all going to die; DNA strands on the end of our chromosomes hint when Posted: 06 Feb 2015 09:53 AM PST Scientists currently studying the gene mutations that cause people to have unnaturally short telomeres. Recent research finds those mutations are connected to both pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema.

Ebola: New studies model a deadly epidemic Posted: 06 Feb 2015 08:17 AM PST Researchers are trying to better understand the epidemiology and control of Ebola Virus Disease in order to alleviate suffering and prevent future disease outbreaks from reaching the catastrophic proportions of the current crisis.

Another reason to drink wine: It could help you burn fat, study suggests Posted: 06 Feb 2015 08:17 AM PST Drinking red grape juice or wine -- in moderation -- could improve the health of overweight people by helping them burn fat better, a new study indicates. The findings suggest that consuming dark-colored grapes, whether eating them or drinking juice or wine, might help people better manage obesity and related metabolic disorders such as fatty liver.

New study sheds light on cancer stem cell regulation Posted: 06 Feb 2015 08:16 AM PST Researchers identify signaling molecules in intestinal stem cells that can lead to tumors if left unregulated. The findings suggest a new approach to targeting intestinal cancers.

Novel form of experience-dependent plasticity in the adult brain revealed Posted: 06 Feb 2015 05:37 AM PST Scientists have shown an unprecedented degree of connectivity reorganization in newly-generated hippocampal neurons in response to experience, suggesting their direct contribution to the processing of complex information in the adult brain.

Cow immune system inspires potential new therapies Posted: 06 Feb 2015 04:12 AM PST To help people with hormone deficiencies, scientists have developed a potential new therapy based on an unlikely model: immune molecules from cows.

After hospital discharge, deadly heart risks can remain for up to a year Posted: 06 Feb 2015 04:11 AM PST In the month following an older heart patient's hospital discharge, there is a one in five risk of rehospitalization or death, but little is known about how these risks change over time. A new study found that risks remain high for up to a year, but can be addressed with targeted care.

Nano-hydrogels that attack cancer cells Posted: 05 Feb 2015 11:11 AM PST Hydrogels are materials that are commonly used in everyday objects such as contact lenses or diapers, in order to control humidity. However, chemical engineers have now developed a new technology based on thermosensitive nanoparticles (nano-hydrogels) to use these materials in the field of biomedicine, as an alternative to achieve controlled release of anticancer drugs.

Survival of the fittest: Evolution continues despite low mortality and fertility rates in modern world Posted: 05 Feb 2015 09:30 AM PST Charles Darwin's theory on evolution still holds true despite lower mortality and fertility rates in the modern world, according to new research.

Youth hockey brain imaging study suggests early marker for concussion damage Posted: 05 Feb 2015 08:18 AM PST As a pediatric neuropsychiatrist Dr. James Hudziak believes in the benefits of ice hockey and other sports for kids. Athletic activities help build organizational skills, improve motor and emotional control, reduce anxiety and boost confidence. Now, though, he is looking into the potential dangers of ice hockey for young athletes.

Acute psychological stress reduces ability to withstand physical pain Posted: 05 Feb 2015 08:18 AM PST A new study finds that acute psychosocial stress has a dramatically deleterious effect on the body's ability to modulate pain. The researchers found that although pain thresholds and pain tolerance seemed unaffected by stress, there was a significant increase in pain intensification and a decrease in pain inhibition capabilities.

Taking immunosuppressives, anti-cancer drugs may reactivate hepatitis B Posted: 05 Feb 2015 08:16 AM PST Individuals previously infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) who receive chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment may be at risk of reactivating the disease according to recent research. Reactivation of HBV can be fatal and the study authors suggest routine screening of HBV in all patients prior to the start of treatment with immunosuppressives or anti-cancer drugs.

New finding may compromise aging studies Posted: 04 Feb 2015 11:46 AM PST Scientists found that a hormone they were using to selectively activate genes in flies for life span studies was actually extending the lives of mated female flies by 68 percent.