ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• New protein to treat damaged bones uncovered
• Spin and bias in published studies of breast cancer trials
• Mussels inspire innovative new adhesive for surgery
• Protective communities may reduce risk of drinking in teens
• Variation found in foot strike patterns in predominantly barefoot runners
• Sickle cells show potential to attack aggressive cancer tumors
• Measuring genomic response to infection leads to earlier, accurate diagnoses
• Stem cells may hold promise for Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
• Study shows promise of molecular screening for gynecologic cancers, commentary writers state
• High fiber diet prevents prostate cancer progression, study shows
• New research method to identify brain tumors could enhance neurosurgery
• Microscopic blood in urine unreliable indicator of urinary tract cancer
• Flooding preparedness needs to include infection prevention and control strategies
• Unnecessary antimicrobial use increases risk of recurrent infectious diarrhea
• A history lesson from genes: Using DNA to tell us how populations change
• A rapid test for fungus that caused injection deaths
• Scientists use Pap test fluid to detect ovarian, endometrial cancers
• Researchers foresee new treatments and diagnostics for deadly fibrotic diseases of the lung, liver, and kidney
• Dimmer switch for regulating cell's read of DNA code
• Drug resistance in E. coli: 'Baby steps' can pay off big
• First image of insulin 'docking' could lead to better diabetes treatments
• Scientists unlock how insulin interacts with cells
• Drug-resistant melanoma tumors shrink when therapy is interrupted
• Americans have worse health than people in other high-income countries
• Smaller radiation fields can spare brain when treating tumors, research finds
• Sensory hair cells regenerated, hearing restored in noise-damaged mammal ear
• Newly found 'volume control' in brain promotes learning, memory
• Scientists discover new gene that affects clearance of hepatitis C virus
• Bench to bedside: How to fast track targeted cancer drugs with radiation into the clinic
• Used coffee grounds are a rich source of healthful antioxidants
• Making whole wheat bread taste and smell more appetizing
• Passive smoking increases risk of severe dementia, according to study in China
• Researchers reveal most effective treatment for common kidney disorder
• New study identifies significance of co-infection in disease control
• Multiple sclerosis drug may one day treat colorectal cancer
• Not all stem cells are equally efficient for use in regenerative medicine
• Treating the most feared and devastating strokes
• Poll of psychologists cites emotions as top obstacle to successful weight loss
• BPA linked to potential adverse effects on heart and kidneys in children and adolescents
• E-games boost physical activity in children; Might be a weapon in the battle against obesity
• How the brain stays receptive: Researchers examine the role of channel protein in learning
• Effects of antibiotics on gut flora analyzed
• Innovative system for the rehabilitation of people with brain damage
• Disappearing bacterium may protect against stroke

New protein to treat damaged bones uncovered Posted: 09 Jan 2013 06:53 PM PST Researchers believe that the 'DJ-1 protein' can be used to promote the formation of new bone tissue in patients suffering from osteoporosis by improving communication between bone making cells (osteoblasts) and blood vessel (endothelial) cells.

Spin and bias in published studies of breast cancer trials Posted: 09 Jan 2013 06:52 PM PST Spin and bias exist in a high proportion of published studies of the outcomes and adverse side-effects of phase III clinical trials of breast cancer treatments, according to new research.

Mussels inspire innovative new adhesive for surgery Posted: 09 Jan 2013 03:59 PM PST Mussels can be a mouthwatering meal, but the chemistry that lets mussels stick to underwater surfaces may also provide a highly adhesive wound closure and more effective healing from surgery.

Protective communities may reduce risk of drinking in teens Posted: 09 Jan 2013 03:59 PM PST Living in a caring community may help curb teenage alcohol use, while hanging out with antisocial peers can have the opposite effect, according to researchers studying substance abuse patterns.

Variation found in foot strike patterns in predominantly barefoot runners Posted: 09 Jan 2013 03:58 PM PST A recently paper shows that the running foot strike patterns vary among habitually barefoot people in Kenya due to speed and other factors such as running habits and the hardness of the ground. These results are counter to the belief that barefoot people prefer one specific style of running.

Sickle cells show potential to attack aggressive cancer tumors Posted: 09 Jan 2013 03:58 PM PST By harnessing the very qualities that make sickle cell disease a lethal blood disorder, a research team has developed a way to deploy the misshapen red blood cells to fight cancer tumors.

Measuring genomic response to infection leads to earlier, accurate diagnoses Posted: 09 Jan 2013 03:58 PM PST Researchers are looking to genomic technologies -- not the isolation of bacteria or viruses -- to quickly detect and diagnose infectious diseases such as the flu and staph.

Stem cells may hold promise for Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) Posted: 09 Jan 2013 03:56 PM PST Apparent stem cell transplant success in mice may hold promise for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, according to results of a new study.

Study shows promise of molecular screening for gynecologic cancers, commentary writers state Posted: 09 Jan 2013 03:56 PM PST A new study that proposes a three-in-one test for gynecologic cancers underscores the promise of molecular screening for early detection of endometrial and ovarian cancers, but also suggests that such tests are not yet ready for clinical use. Andrea Myers, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a co-author of the commentary on the study, says the test is an important step in that direction.

High fiber diet prevents prostate cancer progression, study shows Posted: 09 Jan 2013 01:20 PM PST The rate of prostate cancer occurrence in Asian cultures is similar to the rate in Western cultures, but in the West, prostate cancer tends to progress, whereas in Asian cultures it does not. Why? A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the January 2013 issue of the journal Cancer Prevention Research shows that the answer may be a high-fiber diet.

New research method to identify brain tumors could enhance neurosurgery Posted: 09 Jan 2013 01:09 PM PST The use of a new brain tumor-targeting contrast agent that differentiates between normal and cancer cells in conjunction with a high-powered microscopy system could potentially lead to a method of more precise neurosurgery for brain tumors, according to research paper. The contrast agent adheres to a molecular marker of medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer, and can be seen by the optical microscope system, also developed by the research team.

Microscopic blood in urine unreliable indicator of urinary tract cancer Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:12 PM PST Microscopic amounts of blood in urine have been considered a risk factor for urinary tract malignant tumors. However, only a small proportion of patients referred for investigation are subsequently found to have cancer. A new study reports on the development and testing of a Hematuria Risk Index to predict cancer risk. This could potentially lead to significant reductions in the number of unnecessary evaluations.

Flooding preparedness needs to include infection prevention and control strategies Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:12 PM PST Clinical investigators report key findings and recommendations related to the closure and re-opening of hospitals impacted by black-water floods. The guidance builds on lessons learned from Thailand and the United States. The findings come as many flood-damaged healthcare facilities in New York and New Jersey look to reopen in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Unnecessary antimicrobial use increases risk of recurrent infectious diarrhea Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:12 PM PST A new study found that many patients with Clostridium difficile infection are prescribed unnecessary antibiotics, increasing their risk of recurrence of the deadly infection. The retrospective report shows that unnecessary antibiotics use is alarmingly common in this vulnerable patient population.

A history lesson from genes: Using DNA to tell us how populations change Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:11 PM PST Researchers have developed a software model that can infer population history from modern DNA.

A rapid test for fungus that caused injection deaths Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:11 PM PST A rapid detection assay has been developed to Exserhilum rostratum, the fungus primarily responsible for 39 deaths among patients injected last year with a contaminated steroid medication. The test can be used both for patient samples and for detection of contamination in lots of medication.

Scientists use Pap test fluid to detect ovarian, endometrial cancers Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:11 PM PST Using cervical fluid obtained during routine Pap tests, scientists have developed a test to detect ovarian and endometrial cancers. In a pilot study, the "PapGene" test, which relies on genomic sequencing of cancer-specific mutations, accurately detected all 24 (100 percent) endometrial cancers and nine of 22 (41 percent) ovarian cancers.

Researchers foresee new treatments and diagnostics for deadly fibrotic diseases of the lung, liver, and kidney Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:11 PM PST A team of scientists has developed a playbook for ending the devastating impact of fibrotic diseases of the liver, lung, kidney, and other organs, which are responsible for as many as 45 percent of all deaths in the industrialized world.

Dimmer switch for regulating cell's read of DNA code Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:11 PM PST Researchers have been studying the epigenetics enzyme HDAC3 for several years. They discovered that its activity requires interaction with a specific region on another protein called the Deacetylase Activating Domain. This "nuts and bolts" discovery on the epigenetic control of a person's genome has implications for cancer and neurological treatments.

Drug resistance in E. coli: 'Baby steps' can pay off big Posted: 09 Jan 2013 10:15 AM PST Scientists have found that mutations of seemingly small consequence can turn out to be game changers in the bacterial fight against antibiotic drugs. The discovery came during an exhaustive, three-year effort to create a mathematical model that could accurately predict how specific mutations would allow E. coli to ward off attacks by the antibiotic minocycline.

First image of insulin 'docking' could lead to better diabetes treatments Posted: 09 Jan 2013 10:15 AM PST A landmark discovery about how insulin docks on cells could help in the development of improved types of insulin for treating both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. For the first time, researchers have captured the intricate way in which insulin uses the insulin receptor to bind to the surface of cells. This binding is necessary for the cells to take up sugar from the blood as energy.

Scientists unlock how insulin interacts with cells Posted: 09 Jan 2013 10:15 AM PST An international research group has described how insulin binds to the cell to allow the cell to transform sugar into energy —- and also how the insulin itself changes shape as a result of this connection. This discovery could lead to dramatic improvements in the lives of people managing diabetes.

Drug-resistant melanoma tumors shrink when therapy is interrupted Posted: 09 Jan 2013 10:14 AM PST Researchers have discovered that melanomas that develop resistance to the anti-cancer drug vemurafenib (marketed as Zelboraf), also develop addiction to the drug, an observation that may have important implications for the lives of patients with late-stage disease. Surprisingly, intermittent dosing with vemurafenib prolonged the lives of mice with drug-resistant melanoma tumors, researchers said.

Americans have worse health than people in other high-income countries Posted: 09 Jan 2013 09:42 AM PST On average, Americans die sooner and experience higher rates of disease and injury than people in other high-income countries.

Smaller radiation fields can spare brain when treating tumors, research finds Posted: 09 Jan 2013 09:42 AM PST New research shows that patients suffering from aggressive brain tumors can be effectively treated with smaller radiation fields to spare the rest of the brain and preserve cognition.

Sensory hair cells regenerated, hearing restored in noise-damaged mammal ear Posted: 09 Jan 2013 09:42 AM PST Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that hair cells can be regenerated in an adult mammalian ear by using a drug to stimulate resident cells to become new hair cells, resulting in partial recovery of hearing in mouse ears damaged by noise trauma. This finding holds great potential for future therapeutic application that may someday reverse deafness in humans.

Newly found 'volume control' in brain promotes learning, memory Posted: 09 Jan 2013 09:41 AM PST Researchers report synapses that act as "volume control" for nerve cell activity in the brain's hippocampus, the epicenter for learning and memory. Too much synaptic communication between neurons can trigger a seizure, and too little impairs information processing, promoting neurodegeneration. The finding describes how synapses that link two different groups of nerve cells in the hippocampus keep neuronal activity throughout that region at a steady, optimal level.

Scientists discover new gene that affects clearance of hepatitis C virus Posted: 09 Jan 2013 09:41 AM PST Scientists have discovered a gene that interferes with the clearance of hepatitis C virus infection. They also identified an inherited variant within this gene, Interferon Lambda 4 (IFNL4), that predicts how people respond to treatment for hepatitis C infection.

Bench to bedside: How to fast track targeted cancer drugs with radiation into the clinic Posted: 09 Jan 2013 09:40 AM PST Researchers from the translational research program of the National Cancer Institute and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Therapy Group have developed new guidelines to help fast track the clinical development of targeted cancer drugs in combination with radiation therapy.

Used coffee grounds are a rich source of healthful antioxidants Posted: 09 Jan 2013 08:00 AM PST To plant food, insect repellant and other homespun uses for spent coffee grounds, scientists are adding an application that could make the gunk left over from brewing coffee a valuable resource for production of dietary supplements. A new report concludes that used coffee grounds are a rich source of healthful antioxidant substances.

Making whole wheat bread taste and smell more appetizing Posted: 09 Jan 2013 08:00 AM PST The key to giving whole wheat bread a more appetizing aroma and taste may lie in controlling the amounts of a single chemical compound that appears in the bread, which nutritionists regard as more healthful than its refined white counterpart. That's the finding of a new study which opens the door to making whole wheat bakery products more appealing to millions of people.

Passive smoking increases risk of severe dementia, according to study in China Posted: 09 Jan 2013 08:00 AM PST Scientists have found a link between passive smoking and syndromes of dementia. The study of nearly 6,000 people in five provinces in China reveals that people exposed to passive smoking have a significantly increased risk of severe dementia syndromes.

Researchers reveal most effective treatment for common kidney disorder Posted: 09 Jan 2013 07:59 AM PST The results of a pioneering UK-wide clinical trial that compared treatments for patients with a common type of kidney disease has found one to be significantly more effective. The results of the study will be recommended to clinicians worldwide as the most effective approach to treating the condition.

New study identifies significance of co-infection in disease control Posted: 09 Jan 2013 07:59 AM PST Becoming infected with one parasite could change your chances of becoming infected with another according to new research. The new study analyses data from school aged children in Tanzania infected with the most common forms of worms.

Multiple sclerosis drug may one day treat colorectal cancer Posted: 09 Jan 2013 07:59 AM PST After uncovering a mechanism that promotes chronic intestinal inflammation and the development of colorectal cancer, scientists have found that fingolimod, a drug currently approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, could potentially eliminate or reduce the progression of colitis-associated cancer.

Not all stem cells are equally efficient for use in regenerative medicine Posted: 09 Jan 2013 07:58 AM PST Scientists at the University of Granada and Alcalá de Henares University have found out that not all isolated stem cells are equally valid in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. In a new paper, the researchers report that, contrary to what was thought, only a specific group of cord blood stem cells (CB-SC) maintained in culture are useful for therapeutic purposes.

Treating the most feared and devastating strokes Posted: 09 Jan 2013 07:57 AM PST Among the most feared and devastating strokes are ones caused by blockages in the brain's critical basilar artery system. They can cause head-to-toe paralysis called "locked-in syndrome. However, a minority of patients can have good outcomes, especially with new MRI technologies and time-sensitive treatments. These treatments include the clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and various new-generation neurothrombectomy devices, according to a review article.

Poll of psychologists cites emotions as top obstacle to successful weight loss Posted: 09 Jan 2013 07:57 AM PST When it comes to losing weight, a popular New Year's resolution for many, people often focus on eating less and exercising more. But results of a new survey of psychologists suggest dieters should pay attention to the role emotions play in weight gain and loss if they hope to succeed.

BPA linked to potential adverse effects on heart and kidneys in children and adolescents Posted: 09 Jan 2013 07:57 AM PST Exposure to a chemical once used widely in plastic bottles and still found in aluminum cans appears to be associated with a biomarker for higher risk of heart and kidney disease in children and adolescents, according to an analysis of national survey data.

E-games boost physical activity in children; Might be a weapon in the battle against obesity Posted: 09 Jan 2013 07:57 AM PST Video games have been blamed for contributing to the epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States. But a new study by researchers suggests that certain blood-pumping video games can boost energy expenditures among children who are at high risk for unhealthy weight gain.

How the brain stays receptive: Researchers examine the role of channel protein in learning Posted: 09 Jan 2013 05:11 AM PST The channel protein Pannexin1 keeps nerve cells flexible and thus the brain receptive for new knowledge. In a new study, mice comprising no Pannexin1 in memory-related brain structures displayed symptoms similar to autism. Their nerve cells lacked synaptic plasticity, i.e. the ability to form new synaptic contacts or give up old contacts based on the level of usage.

Effects of antibiotics on gut flora analyzed Posted: 09 Jan 2013 05:11 AM PST A new study reveals that antibiotics produce changes in the microbial and metabolic patterns of the gut. The researchers that have analyzed for the first time the bacteria, genes, enzymes and molecules that form the gut microbiota of patients treated with antibiotics.

Innovative system for the rehabilitation of people with brain damage Posted: 09 Jan 2013 05:11 AM PST Scientists are developing an innovative rehabilitation system to improve the quality of life of people who have suffered brain damage. This system will allow home rehabilitation and improve patient's autonomy.

Disappearing bacterium may protect against stroke Posted: 09 Jan 2013 05:08 AM PST An especially virulent strain of the gut bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) isn't implicated in the overall death rate of the U.S. population, and may even protect against stroke and some cancers.

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