ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Above-normal weight alone does not necessarily increase short-term risk of death, U.S. data suggest
• Unsuccessful fertility drug users have reduced breast cancer risk, study suggests
• Keeping the flu away: Synthetic protein activates immune system within two hours
• Algae extract increases good cholesterol levels, research finds
• Patients trust doctors but consult the Internet
• An economical, effective and biocompatible gene therapy strategy promotes cardiac repair
• Zebrafish reveal promising process for healing spinal cord injury
• Zebrafish provide insights into causes and treatment of human diseases
• Physical education mandates not enough in most U.S. states, study finds
• Finding right meditation technique key to user satisfaction
• Loss of protein SPDEF allows prostate cancer cells to gain foothold at possible sites of metastasis
• World's fastest camera used to detect rogue cancer cells
• Possible treatment to reduce scarring discovered
• Epigenetic cause of osteoarthritis identified
• Can you hear me now? New strategy discovered to prevent hearing loss
• Scientists find molecule to starve lung cancer and improve ventilator recovery
• Lung transplant recipient defies all odds: New approach to oxygenation helps patient live long enough for surgery
• Breakthrough malaria drug approved in India will take bite out of malaria, experts say
• Spaceflight may extend the lifespan of microscopic worm
• When anxiety won't go away
• Stop and go: ‘Traffic officer’ protein directs crucial step in cell division
• Immunology: Vaccine hope for virile virus
• Patient-derived stem cells could improve drug research for Parkinson's

Above-normal weight alone does not necessarily increase short-term risk of death, U.S. data suggest Posted: 06 Jul 2012 08:47 PM PDT An evaluation of national U.S. data has found that extra weight is not necessarily linked with a higher risk of death. When compared to those with normal weight, people who were overweight or obese had no increased risk of death during a follow-up period of six years. People who were severely obese did have a higher risk, but only if they also had diabetes or hypertension.

Unsuccessful fertility drug users have reduced breast cancer risk, study suggests Posted: 06 Jul 2012 08:47 PM PDT Women using fertility drugs who did not conceive a 10-plus week pregnancy were at a statistically significant reduced risk of breast cancer compared to nonusers; however, women using the drugs who conceived a 10-plus week pregnancy had a statistically significant increased risk of breast cancer compared to unsuccessfully treated women, but a comparable risk to nonusers, according to a new study.

Keeping the flu away: Synthetic protein activates immune system within two hours Posted: 06 Jul 2012 08:47 PM PDT Researchers may have found the secret to helping the immune system fight off the flu before it gets you sick. A new study finds that EP67, a powerful synthetic protein, is able to activate the innate immune system within just two hours of being administered.

Algae extract increases good cholesterol levels, research finds Posted: 06 Jul 2012 04:49 PM PDT Researchers have found that an extract from algae could become a key to regulating cardiovascular disease. Scientists have found that dietary intake of ProAlgaZyme increased the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in an animal model.

Patients trust doctors but consult the Internet Posted: 06 Jul 2012 03:44 PM PDT Patients look up their illnesses online to become better informed and prepared to play an active role in their care -- not because they mistrust their doctors, a new study suggests. The study surveyed more than 500 people who were members of online support groups and had scheduled appointments with a physician.

An economical, effective and biocompatible gene therapy strategy promotes cardiac repair Posted: 06 Jul 2012 03:44 PM PDT Medical researchers have established a novel hyperbranched poly(amidoamine) nanoparticle based hypoxia regulated vascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy strategy which is an excellent substitute for the current expensive and uncontrollable VEGF gene delivery system. This discovery provides an economical, feasible and biocompatible gene therapy strategy for cardiac repair.

Zebrafish reveal promising process for healing spinal cord injury Posted: 06 Jul 2012 03:43 PM PDT Scientists are studying the mechanisms of spinal cord repair in zebrafish, which unlike humans and other mammals can regenerate their spinal cord following injury. Their findings suggest a family of molecules called fibroblast growth factors could be a therapeutic target for encouraging nerve regeneration.

Zebrafish provide insights into causes and treatment of human diseases Posted: 06 Jul 2012 03:43 PM PDT Zebrafish, popular as an aquarium fish, have an important place in research labs as a model organism for studying human diseases. They enable scientists to examine the basic biological mechanisms underlying human disorders and identify potential treatment approaches for an array of organ and systemic diseases.

Physical education mandates not enough in most U.S. states, study finds Posted: 06 Jul 2012 01:55 PM PDT Children need quality physical education to combat obesity and lead healthy lives. Georgia elementary schools make the grade when it comes to providing that education, but middle and high schools in the state don't even come close, according to a new study.

Finding right meditation technique key to user satisfaction Posted: 06 Jul 2012 01:55 PM PDT A new study highlights the importance of ensuring those new to meditation select the most comfortable, rather than the most popular, method. The results show the value of providing new practitioners simpler, more accessible methods while also emphasizing no one technique is best for everyone.

Loss of protein SPDEF allows prostate cancer cells to gain foothold at possible sites of metastasis Posted: 06 Jul 2012 01:44 PM PDT Prostate cancer kills only by metastasis to other tissues. A new study shows likely mechanism required for this metastasis: cells' loss of protein SPDEF. The presence of SPDEF could be used to recognize prostate cancers that can't kill and so don't require treatment. Adding SPDEF back to cancer cells that have lost it may remove cells' ability to metastasize.

World's fastest camera used to detect rogue cancer cells Posted: 06 Jul 2012 01:44 PM PDT Researchers report integrating the world's fastest camera with advanced microfluidics and real-time image processing to classify cells in blood samples. The new blood screening technology boasts a throughput of 100,000 cells per second which is approximately 100 times higher than conventional imaging-based blood analyzers. The technology performs real-time detection of extremely rare cells in a large sample of normal cells with high sensitivity and statistical accuracy in a short period of time.

Possible treatment to reduce scarring discovered Posted: 06 Jul 2012 01:44 PM PDT Ugly scars can affect body and mind, and new research offers a new strategy to reduce or eliminate scars on the skin. Scientists describe how agents that block receptors for adenosine (a molecule generated from ATP which is used by the body to provide energy to muscles) can be applied topically to healing wounds to reduce scar size, yielding skin that feels more like the original, unscarred skin.

Epigenetic cause of osteoarthritis identified Posted: 06 Jul 2012 01:43 PM PDT In breakthrough research, scientists discovered that osteoarthritis sufferers have a signature epigenetic change responsible for switching on and off a gene that produces a destructive enzyme. MMP13 contributes to the destruction of joint cartilage, making it and the epigenetic changes causing its increased levels, targets for drug development. This research also shows how epigenetic changes play a role in diseases outside of cancer.

Can you hear me now? New strategy discovered to prevent hearing loss Posted: 06 Jul 2012 01:43 PM PDT Concerned about hearing loss because of noise exposure? New research may help. Scientists show that AMPK activates a channel protein in the cell membrane allowing potassium to leave the cell. This protects inner ear sensory cells from permanent damage following acoustic noise exposure. This may result in therapies to treat trauma resulting from extreme noise, especially in people with AMPK gene variants that may make them more vulnerable.

Scientists find molecule to starve lung cancer and improve ventilator recovery Posted: 06 Jul 2012 01:43 PM PDT New research reveals a connection between sugar, cancer, and dependence on breathing machines -- microRNA-320a. Scientists show microRNA-320a as responsible for aiding glycolysis. Glycolysis, the process of converting sugar into energy, fuels some cancers and contributes to the wasting of unused muscles when people are using ventilators. Identifying ways to use microRNA-320a to starve tumors and keep unused muscles strong represents a therapeutic leap for numerous health conditions.

Lung transplant recipient defies all odds: New approach to oxygenation helps patient live long enough for surgery Posted: 06 Jul 2012 12:19 PM PDT Meara Schmidt, 28, almost died a few weeks ago. But a double lung transplant, a new approach to oxygenation, and her strong will to live pulled her through.

Breakthrough malaria drug approved in India will take bite out of malaria, experts say Posted: 06 Jul 2012 12:19 PM PDT The new drug, SynriamTM, is considered a breakthrough, as traditional drugs are proving increasingly ineffective against the deadly malarial parasite because of acquired resistance to available drugs. Taken as a tablet once a day for three days, it's more effective, cheaper, has fewer side effects and does not have to be taken with food.

Spaceflight may extend the lifespan of microscopic worm Posted: 06 Jul 2012 07:55 AM PDT The effect of spaceflight on a microscopic worm -- Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) -- could help it live longer. The discovery was made by scientists studying the loss of bone and muscle mass experienced by astronauts after extended flights in space.

When anxiety won't go away Posted: 06 Jul 2012 07:54 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a mechanism which stops the process of forgetting anxiety after a stress event. In experiments they showed that feelings of anxiety don't subside if too little dynorphin is released into the brain. The results can help open up new paths in the treatment of trauma patients.

Stop and go: ‘Traffic officer’ protein directs crucial step in cell division Posted: 06 Jul 2012 07:54 AM PDT A traffic officer standing at a busy intersection directing the flow of vehicles may be a rare sight these days, but a similar scene appears to still frequently play out in our cells. A protein called Lem4 directs a crucial step of cell division by preventing the progress of one molecule while waving another through, scientists have found.

Immunology: Vaccine hope for virile virus Posted: 05 Jul 2012 10:33 AM PDT Exploiting the early immune response in Chikungunya fever promises to provide protection.

Patient-derived stem cells could improve drug research for Parkinson's Posted: 04 Jul 2012 03:21 PM PDT Researchers have taken a step toward personalized medicine for Parkinson's disease by investigating signs of the disease in patient-derived cells and testing how the cells respond to drug treatments.

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