ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Excess sitting linked to coronary artery calcification, an early indicator of heart problems Posted: 05 Mar 2015 05:59 PM PST Sitting for many hours per day is associated with increased coronary artery calcification, a marker of subclinical heart disease that can increase the risk of a heart attack, according to research. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in the United States.

Hot flashes at younger age may signal greater cardiovascular risk Posted: 05 Mar 2015 05:59 PM PST Women who experience hot flashes earlier in life appear to have poorer endothelial function -- the earliest sign of cardiovascular disease -- than women who have hot flashes later in life or not at all, according to two new studies.

Women don't get to hospital fast enough during heart attack Posted: 05 Mar 2015 05:59 PM PST Women suffering a heart attack wait much longer than men to call emergency medical services and face significantly longer delays getting to a hospital equipped to care for them, putting women at greater risk for adverse outcomes.

How healthy is genetically modified soybean oil? Posted: 05 Mar 2015 12:21 PM PST Soybean oil accounts for more than 90 percent of all the seed oil production in the United States. Genetically modified soybean oil, made from seeds of GM soybean plants, was recently introduced into the food supply on the premise that it is healthier than conventional soybean oil. But is that premise true? Just barely, say scientists.

Gut microbial mix relates to stages of blood sugar control Posted: 05 Mar 2015 10:30 AM PST The composition of intestinal bacteria and other micro-organisms -- called the gut microbiota -- changes over time in unhealthy ways in black men who are prediabetic, a new study finds.

Oxytocin nasal spray causes men to eat fewer calories Posted: 05 Mar 2015 10:30 AM PST A synthetic nasal formulation of the hormone oxytocin reduced caloric intake in healthy men, particularly consumption of fatty foods, after a single treatment, a new study finds. The results confirm those of animal studies showing oxytocin reduces food intake.

Male partner's healthier lifestyle may help infertile obese female conceive Posted: 05 Mar 2015 10:30 AM PST Male partners of infertile obese females may increase the odds of conceiving a child by improving their own weight and dietary habits, preliminary results from a pilot study suggest.

Abnormal brain rhythms tied to problems with thinking in schizophrenia Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:56 AM PST By studying specially bred mice with specific developmental and cognitive traits resembling those seen in schizophrenia, researchers have provided new evidence that abnormal rhythmic activity in particular brain cells contributes to problems with learning, attention, and decision-making in individuals with that disorder.

Drug to control appetite could also fight anxiety Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:56 AM PST Did you know that our body produces its own marijuana-like compound to protect us against anxiety? A study reveals a new biological pathway that regulates this system and suggests that a drug currently in clinical trials to treat obesity might also provide an attractive way to combat anxiety disorders.

In vivo CRISPR-Cas9 screen sheds light on cancer metastasis, tumor evolution Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:55 AM PST For the first time, CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology has been employed in a whole organism model to systematically target every gene in the genome. A team of scientists has pioneered the use of this technology to 'knock out,' or turn off, all genes across the genome systematically in an animal model of cancer, revealing genes involved in tumor evolution and metastasis and paving the way for similar studies in other cell types and diseases.

From chick to bedside: Removing the Wnt barrier Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:55 AM PST Kick starting a process that might repair the damage done in cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis could begin with disabling a driver that helps block regeneration, say researchers.

Twin copies of gene pair up in embryonic stem cells at critical moment in differentiation Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:54 AM PST The two alleles of Oct4, a gene important in embryonic stem cells, don't remain separate in the nucleus of stem cells but rather pair up, at the developmental point at which stem cells begin their maturation into specific cell types, scientists have discovered.

Phthalates potentially alter levels of a pregnancy hormone that influences sex development Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:54 AM PST Exposure to hormone-altering chemicals called phthalates -- which are found in many plastics, foods and personal care products -- early in pregnancy is associated with a disruption in an essential pregnancy hormone and adversely affects the masculinization of male genitals in the baby, according to new research. The findings focus on the role of the placenta in responding to these chemicals and altering levels of a key pregnancy hormone.

Mutation in APC2 gene causes Sotos features Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:54 AM PST Sotos syndrome is a congenital syndrome that is characterized by varying degrees of mental retardation and a large head circumference etc. It is known that 90 percent of Sotos syndrome patients have mutations in the NSD1 gene. This time, an international research group has revealed that mutation in the APC2 gene causes symptoms of Sotos syndrome related to the nervous system, from analyses of the Apc2-knockout mouse.

Menopausal whales are influential and informative leaders Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:53 AM PST Menopause is a downright bizarre trait among animals. It's also rare. Outside of the human species, only the female members of two whale species outlive their reproductive lives in such a major way. Female killer whales typically become mothers between the ages of 12 and 40, but they can live for more than 90 years. Males rarely make it past 50. Now, researchers have new evidence to explain why.

Molecule found in tree leaves helps female mice combat weight gain; males unaffected Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:53 AM PST A small molecule that binds to a receptor found on muscle cells speeds up energy metabolism -- but only in female mice. Researchers have shown that female mice treated with a molecule found in tree leaves could indulge in high-fat foods without gaining weight or accumulating fat. Males did not enjoy similar benefits, highlighting the need to study both sexes while developing drugs.

Breastfeeding an ideal feeding pattern for infants, experts say Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:51 AM PST Human milk provides the best nutrition for most babies and breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for infants and very young children, according to an updated position paper. The paper also outlines the health risks of not breastfeeding, which include increased rates of infant and maternal morbidity and mortality, increased health care costs and significant economic losses to families and employers.

Autistic features linked to prenatal exposure to commonly found fire retardants, phthalates Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:51 AM PST Exposure during pregnancy to a combination of fire retardant chemicals and phthalate chemicals -- both present in the average home -- can contribute to autistic-like behaviors in the offspring, according to an animal study.

Exposure to endocrine disruptors during pregnancy affects the brain two generations later, rat study shows Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:51 AM PST Prenatal exposure to low doses of the environmental contaminants polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, change the developing brain in an area involved in metabolism, and some effects are apparent even two generations later, a new study finds. Hereditary effects included increased body weight, but only in descendants of females -- and not males -- exposed to PCBs in the womb.

Protein's pivotal role in heart failure discovered Posted: 05 Mar 2015 09:51 AM PST A key piece in the complex molecular puzzle underlying heart failure -- a serious and sometimes life-threatening disorder affecting more than 5 million Americans -- has been identified by researchers. They explored the heart's progression from initial weakening to heart failure, and found that a protein, known as RBFox2, plays a critical role in this process.

Smoking when pregnant increases cancer risk for daughters Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:06 AM PST Women who smoke when pregnant are putting their daughters at a greater risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer later in life, a new study has determined. Findings also demonstrated that mothers who reported smoking most days while pregnant had daughters who had an earlier age of first menstruation, or menarche.

Family interventions reduce smoking rates in children, adolescents Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:06 AM PST A global review into the effectiveness of family-based programs has found these programs can be highly effective in stopping children from taking up smoking. "Preventing children from starting to smoke is important to avoid a lifetime of addiction, poor health, and social and economic consequences," said one expert and investigator.

Hidden hazards found in 'green' products Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:06 AM PST Common consumer products, including those marketed as 'green,' 'all-natural,' 'non-toxic' and 'organic' emit a range of compounds that could harm human health and air quality, researchers have found. But most of these ingredients are not disclosed to the public.

Energetic immune cells vital for fighting disease Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:05 AM PST A good immune system relies on a key 'energy producing' protein in immune cells to develop immunity to vaccines and disease, an international team of scientists has found. The protein, called HuR (human antigen R) is critical for controlling metabolism in B cells, which make antibodies that are essential in fighting infections and in developing long-term immunity after vaccination.

Magnetic material attracts attention for cancer therapy Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:05 AM PST An extraordinary self-regulating heating effect that can be achieved in a particular type of magnetic material may open the doors to a new strategy for hyperthermia cancer treatment, researchers say. "This strong, self-regulated heating effect is unmatched by other materials," an investigator said. "It opens a novel design strategy for realising in vivo hyperthermia therapy."

Neuropathy: Relief for diabetics with painful condition Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:05 AM PST Those with painful diabetic neuropathy who received two low dose rounds of a non-viral gene therapy called VM202 had significant improvement of their pain that lasted for months, researchers report. "Right now there is no medication that can reverse neuropathy," the study's first author said. "Our goal is to develop a treatment. If we can show with more patients that this is a very real phenomenon, then we can show we have not only improved the symptoms of the disease, namely the pain, but we have actually improved function."

Understanding how the stomach responds to injury could help target therapy against gastric damage Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:05 AM PST A better understanding of the stomach's immune response to Helicobater pylori infection could lead to new therapies targeting damage in the stomach, report researchers.

Human brains age less than previously thought Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:04 AM PST Older brains may be more similar to younger brains than previously thought. In a new paper, researchers demonstrate that previously reported changes in the aging brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging may be due to vascular (or blood vessels) changes, rather than changes in neuronal activity itself.

£10 billion GP incentive scheme has no impact on premature deaths Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:04 AM PST There was no link between 10 billion pound pay-for-performance incentive scheme aimed at GP's and a reduction in premature deaths, an English study has concluded. "If this incentive scheme and others like it around the world are to continue, more attention needs to be paid to ensure that the performance indicators are more closely aligned to evidence for mortality reduction," the first author warns.

Semi-veggie diet effectively lowers heart disease, stroke risk Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:04 AM PST A pro-vegetarian diet that emphasizes a higher proportion of plant-based foods compared to animal-based foods may help lower the risks of dying from heart disease and stroke by up to 20 percent, according to a large-scale study. Researchers suggest that substituting some of the meat in your diet with vegetables may be a simple way to lower the risk of heart-related death.

Neuroscientists perform important step towards cell therapy for diseases of the cerebral cortex Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:03 AM PST Researchers at the ULB – IRIBHM and ULB Neuroscience Institute – have tested the therapeutic potential of cortical neurons generated at the laboratory, by transplantation in the brains of adult mice. Their research is published in the journal Neuron1.

Weight loss surgery can be a safe option for obese children, experts say Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:03 AM PST Weight loss surgery does not stunt the growth of obese children when applied within a clinical pathway. It is a safe option to use and provides hope for youngsters who are unable to shed pounds through weight management programs that include counseling and lifestyle changes, experts report.

Simple sideline test shown effective in diagnosing concussion in student athletes as young as 5 years old Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:02 AM PST An easy-to-administer vision test has shown effective in diagnosing concussion in student athletes as young as 5 years old, researchers report.

First-of-its-kind center to diagnose, treat deadly blood clots Posted: 05 Mar 2015 08:02 AM PST The creation of a new multidisciplinary Venous Thromboembolic Disease Center (VTEC) has been announced in New York to treat those with life-threating blood clots.

Antibodies to brain proteins may trigger psychosis Posted: 05 Mar 2015 05:13 AM PST Antibodies defend the body against bacterial, viral, and other invaders. But sometimes the body makes antibodies that attack healthy cells. In these cases, autoimmune disorders develop. Immune abnormalities in patients with psychosis have been recognized for over a century, but it has been only relatively recently that scientists have identified specific immune mechanisms that seem to directly produce symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions.

Cardiovascular disease kills 51% of women in Europe and breast cancer kills 3% Posted: 05 Mar 2015 05:13 AM PST Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills 51% of women in Europe and breast cancer kills 3%, bucking the misperception that CVD is a man’s disease. CVD is the top killer in women and is largely preventable.

'Life-prolonging' research for cystic fibrosis patients underway Posted: 05 Mar 2015 05:13 AM PST Preventing lung infections in childhood could stop later life-threatening infections for people with cystic fibrosis (CF), according to recent research. Scientists are investigating how bacteria found in children with CF can disarm their natural defence mechanisms, making it easier for more virulent bacteria to infect their airways. By the time many CF patients reach adulthood, they have already contracted the chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strain, which can cause extensive and eventually fatal damage to the lungs. The infection is currently extremely difficult to treat effectively.

Semi-artificial chloroplasts to manufacture biotechnologically relevant products Posted: 05 Mar 2015 05:13 AM PST An international research team wants to create semi-artificial chloroplasts for the manufacture of biotechnologically relevant products. For this purpose, they aim to modify the photosynthetic process of natural chloroplasts.

Medical nanoparticles: local treatment of lung cancer Posted: 05 Mar 2015 05:11 AM PST Nanoparticles can function as carriers for medicines to combat lung cancer, scientists say, after developing nanocarriers that site-selectively release medicines/drugs at the tumor site in human and mouse lungs. The scientists report that this approach led to a significant increase in the effectiveness of current cancer medicines in lung tumor tissue.

Biomarker for steatohepatitis (fatty liver disease) identified Posted: 05 Mar 2015 05:11 AM PST Steatohepatitis (fatty liver disease) is a disease that is becoming increasingly more frequent as a result of diabetes and excess weight in an affluent society. Currently, it is not possible to forecast the further course of the disease – right up to cirrhosis and cancer of the liver -- but it is known that it comes with an increased risk of heart attack and kidney damage. Now researchers report that a biomarker for the illness has been identified.

Choice of monitoring method could be key for babies with poor growth in the womb Posted: 04 Mar 2015 06:27 PM PST In some pregnancies, there is an abnormal blood flow from the placenta and the fetus does not grow adequately in the womb, putting it at risk of being stillborn. Babies that grow poorly in the womb could have better outcomes if a method for the timing of delivery was used more widely, a study suggests.

Sun damage causes genetic changes that predispose children and adolescents to melanoma Posted: 04 Mar 2015 06:26 PM PST Melanoma in some adolescent and adult patients involves many of the same genetic alterations and would likely respond to the same therapy, researchers have found. "Until now the genetic basis of pediatric melanoma has been a bit of a mystery," said a co-corresponding author. "With this study, we have established the molecular signatures of the three subtypes of this cancer, signatures that have implications for diagnosis and treatment."

Stigma of mental illness in India linked to poverty Posted: 04 Mar 2015 06:25 PM PST The stigma surrounding people with severe mental illness in India leads to increased poverty among them, especially women, according to new research. "Mental health professionals must incorporate an understanding of multidimensional poverty stressors as well as address family and community dynamics," authors. "Our findings go beyond medical and public health and link mental health to international development."

Longer-term CMV treatment effective for symptomatic babies, study shows Posted: 04 Mar 2015 06:25 PM PST Babies treated for symptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection for six months, instead of the standard six weeks, have better hearing and developmental outcomes, according to a new study. One in 150 babies will be born with CMV, and about one of every five of those children will develop permanent hearing loss or have developmental disabilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CMV is the most common infection passed from a mother to her unborn child, and there is no vaccine or cure for it.

Novel Approach Helps Prevent Early Menopause in Breast Cancer Patients, Study Finds Posted: 04 Mar 2015 06:25 PM PST Early menopause can be prevented and fertility may be preserved in young women with early stage breast cancer, according to a study. A major international clinical trial has found that the risk of sudden onset of menopause can be significantly reduced by adding a drug called goserelin to the chemotherapy regimen. Women who took goserelin and wanted to have children also were more likely to get pregnant and deliver a healthy baby.

Breakthrough to take the pain out of catheters Posted: 04 Mar 2015 06:25 PM PST A new pharmaceutical product that could significantly improve quality of life for catheter users all over the world is to be developed by researchers after it won a national award. 'Uroglide' is a new coating for catheters that aims to make insertion easier, less painful and with reduced risk of inflammation or infection, researchers report.

Breakthrough discovery made in cancer treatment Posted: 04 Mar 2015 04:02 PM PST Supplemental oxygenation could shrink tumors and improve cancer immunotherapy, researchers have discovered. "The anti-tumor effects of supplemental oxygen can be further improved by the natural antagonist of the A2A adenosine receptor, which happens to be the caffeine in your coffee," the lead researcher said. "People drink coffee because caffeine prevents the A2A adenosine receptor in the brain from putting us to sleep."

New protein booster may lead to better DNA vaccines and gene therapy Posted: 04 Mar 2015 04:02 PM PST Scientists have discovered a new way to manipulate how cells function, a finding that might help advance an experimental approach to improving public health: DNA vaccines, which could be more efficient, less expensive and easier to store than traditional vaccines. Their approach improves upon an existing laboratory technique, transfection, widely used to study how cells and viruses work.

Activating genes on demand: Possible? Posted: 04 Mar 2015 04:02 PM PST A new approach can help uncover how tandem gene circuits dictate life processes, such as the healthy development of tissue or the triggering of a particular disease, and can also be used for directing precision stem cell differentiation for regenerative medicine and growing organ transplants, scientists say.

Omega-3 fatty acids appear to protect damaged heart after heart attack Posted: 04 Mar 2015 04:02 PM PST Taking omega-3 fatty acids appeared to lower inflammation and guard against further declines in heart function among recent heart attack survivors already receivingoptimal standard care, according to results from a randomized, controlled trial.

L.A. story: Cleaner air, healthier kids Posted: 04 Mar 2015 04:02 PM PST A 20-year study shows that decreasing air pollution in Los Angeles has led to healthier lungs for millennials when compared to children in the '90s. The gains in lung function paralleled improving air quality in the communities studied, and across the Los Angeles basin, as policies to fight pollution took hold.