ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Zinc: The Goldilocks metal for bioabsorbable stents?
• Neon exposes hidden ALS cells
• Psychological trauma after miscarriage is more likely in women using assisted reproduction
• HRT improves muscle function
• HIV-infected children: Less-used regimen is more effective for children in low-resource settings
• Scientists find mutation driving pediatric brain tumors
• The right amount of vitamin D for babies: 400 IU daily dose for suggested for infants under one year of age
• Weekend binge drinking could leave lasting liver damage
• Discovery helps explain how children develop rare, fatal disease
• Economics influence fertility rates more than other factors
• T cells rely on 'rheostat' to help ensure that the immune response matches the threat
• Electron-beam pasteurization of raw oysters may reduce viral food poisoning
• Mast cells give clues in diagnosis, treatment of dengue
• A text message a day keeps the asthma attack away
• How some cancers 'poison the soil' to block metastasis
• Nerve transfer can help repair brachial plexus injuries, help restore elbow functions
• No more reflux: New surgery in fight against reflux for patients whose medication no longer works
• ‘Catastrophic’ malpractice payouts add little to health care’s rising costs
• Cell response to new coronavirus unveils possible paths to treatments
• The many faces of the bacterial defense system
• Researchers pinpoint upper safe limit of vitamin D blood levels, study suggests
• Synthetic derivatives of THC may weaken HIV-1 infection to enhance antiviral therapies
• Zebrafish study suggests that vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is an antidote to cyanide poisoning
• Mild iodine deficiency in womb associated with lower scores on children's literacy tests
• Secondhand smoke presents greater threat to teen girls than boys
• Gastric bypass surgery alters hormones to relieve diabetes symptoms
• Targeted screening for C. difficile upon hospital admission could potentially identify most colonized patients
• Women who drink before pregnancy less likely to take multivitamins
• Bone marrow stromal cell treatment improves functional outcome, helps repair biostructural damage from traumatic brain injury
• What triggers those late-night snack cravings?
• Pathogen fighting 'innate' cells could revolutionize immunizations
• Tiny worm sheds light on giant mystery about neuron
• Identification of stem cells’ two separate roles raises possibility of therapies that could inhibit fat formation, promote muscle repair
• Shedding light on the long shadow of childhood adversity
• Neurodevelopmental outcomes for children born extremely preterm
• Study examines effects of genetic variants for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome
• Study compares effectiveness of two vs. Three doses of HPV vaccine for girls and young women
• Over-diagnosis and over-treatment of depression is common in the U. S.
• Researchers successfully treat autism in infants: Playing games that infants prefer can lessen severity of symptoms
• Tactics of new Middle East virus suggest treating by altering lung cells' response to infection
• Protein improves efficacy of tumor-killing enzyme
• Step toward medicines to help combat a range of diseases currently considered 'undruggable'
• Be alert to blind cord strangulation risk, parents of young children warned
• Obesity in early 20s curbs chances of reaching middle age

Zinc: The Goldilocks metal for bioabsorbable stents? Posted: 30 Apr 2013 04:44 PM PDT Stents can be lifesavers, propping open blood vessels to allow for healthy blood flow. But the longer a stent is in the body, the greater the risk of side effects such as inflammation and clotting. Designing a stent that will dissolve harmlessly after the artery has healed has been a challenge. Now scientistsare experimenting with a novel material that may lead to a new generation of bioabsorbable stents: zinc.

Neon exposes hidden ALS cells Posted: 30 Apr 2013 04:43 PM PDT A small group of neurons in the cortex play a big role in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a fatal disease. But the neurons have been difficult to study because they look so similar to others in the cortex. New research has isolated the brain's motor neurons that die in ALS and dressed them in a green fluorescent jacket. Now scientists can easily find them to study why they die and how to save them.

Psychological trauma after miscarriage is more likely in women using assisted reproduction Posted: 30 Apr 2013 04:43 PM PDT Subfertile women who conceive through assisted reproduction are more likely to experience a greater traumatic impact following early pregnancy loss compared with women who conceive naturally, suggests a new study.

HRT improves muscle function Posted: 30 Apr 2013 04:43 PM PDT Hormone replacement therapy significantly improves muscle function -- down to the muscle fiber level -- in postmenopausal women, a new study.

HIV-infected children: Less-used regimen is more effective for children in low-resource settings Posted: 30 Apr 2013 04:40 PM PDT Researchers find better outcomes for efavirenz over nevirapine in children over age 3.

Scientists find mutation driving pediatric brain tumors Posted: 30 Apr 2013 04:40 PM PDT A type of low-grade but sometimes lethal brain tumor in children has been found in many cases to contain an unusual mutation that may help to classify, diagnose and guide the treatment of the tumors, report scientists.

The right amount of vitamin D for babies: 400 IU daily dose for suggested for infants under one year of age Posted: 30 Apr 2013 04:40 PM PDT Vitamin D is crucial to the growth of healthy bones. It is especially important that babies get enough of it during the first twelve months of their lives when their bones are growing rapidly. This is why health care providers frequently recommend that parents give their babies a daily vitamin D supplement. But how much vitamin D should babies be given?

Weekend binge drinking could leave lasting liver damage Posted: 30 Apr 2013 04:40 PM PDT Long after a hangover, a night of bad decisions might take a bigger toll on the body than previously understood. A new study has revealed a unique connection between binge drinking and the risk for developing alcoholic liver disease and a variety of other health problems.

Discovery helps explain how children develop rare, fatal disease Posted: 30 Apr 2013 01:19 PM PDT Biochemistry researchers have published conclusive scientific evidence that the gene ATP7A is essential for the dietary absorption of the nutrient copper. Their work with laboratory mice also provides a greater understanding of how this gene impacts Menkes disease as scientists search for a treatment.

Economics influence fertility rates more than other factors Posted: 30 Apr 2013 01:19 PM PDT Based on a recent study by an anthropologist, economic changes have the greatest impact on reducing family size, and thus slowing population growth, compared to other factors. Understanding the causes of declining birth rates may lead to improved policies designed to influence fertility and result in reduced competition for food, water, land and wealth.

T cells rely on 'rheostat' to help ensure that the immune response matches the threat Posted: 30 Apr 2013 01:19 PM PDT A properly functioning immune system is a lesson in balance, providing protection against disease without attacking healthy tissue. Scientists have identified a mechanism that helps T cells find that sweet spot where the strength of the immune response matches the threat.

Electron-beam pasteurization of raw oysters may reduce viral food poisoning Posted: 30 Apr 2013 12:16 PM PDT Researchers have studied how electron-beam pasteurization of raw oysters may reduce the possibility of food poisoning through virus.

Mast cells give clues in diagnosis, treatment of dengue Posted: 30 Apr 2013 12:15 PM PDT A protein produced by mast cells in the immune system may predict which people infected with dengue virus will develop life-threatening complications, according to researchers.

A text message a day keeps the asthma attack away Posted: 30 Apr 2013 11:21 AM PDT Simply sending children with asthma a text message each day asking about their symptoms and providing knowledge about their condition can lead to improved health outcomes.

How some cancers 'poison the soil' to block metastasis Posted: 30 Apr 2013 11:21 AM PDT Cancer spread or metastasis can strike unprecedented fear in the minds of cancer patients. The "seed and the soil" hypothesis proposed by Stephen Paget in 1889 is now widely accepted to explain how cancer cells (seeds) are able to generate fertile soil (the microenvironment) in distant organs that promotes cancer's spread. However, this concept does not explain why some tumors do not spread or metastasize.

Nerve transfer can help repair brachial plexus injuries, help restore elbow functions Posted: 30 Apr 2013 11:20 AM PDT Results highlight the effective use of nerve transfer in patients suffering from brachial plexus injuries for reconstruction of elbow flexion to help improve their quality of life.

No more reflux: New surgery in fight against reflux for patients whose medication no longer works Posted: 30 Apr 2013 11:20 AM PDT A new procedure involving a magnetic ring of beads that fits around your pinky has been shown to stop GERD in people whose medication stopped working.

‘Catastrophic’ malpractice payouts add little to health care’s rising costs Posted: 30 Apr 2013 11:20 AM PDT Efforts to lower health care costs in the United States have focused at times on demands to reform the medical malpractice system, with some researchers asserting that large, headline-grabbing and "frivolous" payouts are among the heaviest drains on health care resources. But a new review of malpractice claims suggests such assertions are wrong.

Cell response to new coronavirus unveils possible paths to treatments Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:16 AM PDT Scientists have used lab-grown human lung cells to study the cells' response to infection by a novel human coronavirus (called nCoV) and compiled information about which genes are significantly disrupted in early and late stages of infection. The information about host response to nCoV allowed the researchers to predict drugs that might be used to inhibit either the virus itself or the deleterious responses that host cells make in reaction to infection.

The many faces of the bacterial defense system Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:16 AM PDT Even bacteria have a kind of "immune system" they use to defend themselves against unwanted intruders -- in their case, viruses. Scientists were now able to show that this defense system is much more diverse than previously thought and that it comes in multiple versions.

Researchers pinpoint upper safe limit of vitamin D blood levels, study suggests Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:16 AM PDT Researchers claim to have calculated, for the first time, the upper safe limit of vitamin D levels, above which the associated risk for cardiovascular events or death raises significantly, according to a recent study.

Synthetic derivatives of THC may weaken HIV-1 infection to enhance antiviral therapies Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:15 AM PDT A new research report shows that compounds that stimulate the cannabinoid type 2 receptor in white blood cells, specifically macrophages, appear to weaken HIV-1 infection.

Zebrafish study suggests that vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is an antidote to cyanide poisoning Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:15 AM PDT With the remains of a recent lottery winner having been exhumed for foul play related to cyanide poisoning, future winners might wonder how they can avoid the same fate. A new report involving zebrafish suggests that riboflavin may mitigate cyanide's toxic effects.

Mild iodine deficiency in womb associated with lower scores on children's literacy tests Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:14 AM PDT Children who did not receive enough iodine in the womb performed worse on literacy tests as 9-year-olds than their peers, according to a recent study.

Secondhand smoke presents greater threat to teen girls than boys Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:14 AM PDT When teenage girls are exposed to secondhand smoke at home, they tend to have lower levels of the "good" form of cholesterol that reduces heart disease risk, according to a recent study.

Gastric bypass surgery alters hormones to relieve diabetes symptoms Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:14 AM PDT Gastric bypass surgery alters the hormones and amino acids produced during digestion, hinting at the mechanisms through which the surgery eliminates symptoms of type 2 diabetes, according to a recent study.

Targeted screening for C. difficile upon hospital admission could potentially identify most colonized patients Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:13 AM PDT Testing patients with just three risk factors upon hospital admission has potential to identify nearly three out of four asymptomatic carriers of C. difficile, according to a new study.

Women who drink before pregnancy less likely to take multivitamins Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:11 AM PDT Researchers have found a link between multivitamin use and alcohol consumption before pregnancy, uncovering a need for education about the importance of vitamin supplementation, particularly among women who drink alcohol during their childbearing years.

Bone marrow stromal cell treatment improves functional outcome, helps repair biostructural damage from traumatic brain injury Posted: 30 Apr 2013 10:11 AM PDT Results show positive impact that bone marrow stromal cell therapy can have for those suffering from certain types of traumatic brain injuries.

What triggers those late-night snack cravings? Posted: 30 Apr 2013 08:03 AM PDT The circadian system increases hunger and cravings for sweet, starchy and salty foods in the evenings, according to new research. Eating higher-calorie foods in the evening can be counterproductive if weight loss is a goal since the human body handles nutrients differently depending on the time of day.

Pathogen fighting 'innate' cells could revolutionize immunizations Posted: 30 Apr 2013 07:59 AM PDT New research shows that small populations of preprogrammed immune cells can fight specific pathogens that they have never encountered. The findings have the potential to revolutionize how and when people are immunized, and potentially transforming our approach to preventing infectious disease.

Tiny worm sheds light on giant mystery about neuron Posted: 30 Apr 2013 07:59 AM PDT Scientists studying neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans have found a gene, unc-16, that serves as a gatekeeper, restricting the flow of specific membrane-enclosed organelles from the cell body to the axon. Organelles clogging the axon could potentially interfere with neuronal signaling or cause the axon to degenerate, leading to neurodegenerative disorders.

Identification of stem cells’ two separate roles raises possibility of therapies that could inhibit fat formation, promote muscle repair Posted: 30 Apr 2013 07:57 AM PDT Many diseases – obesity, Type 2 diabetes, muscular dystrophy – are associated with fat accumulation in muscle. In essence, fat replacement causes the muscles to weaken and degenerate. Scientists have discovered the biological mechanism involved in this process, which could point the way to potential therapies.

Shedding light on the long shadow of childhood adversity Posted: 30 Apr 2013 07:57 AM PDT Childhood adversity can lead to chronic physical and mental disability in adult life and have an effect on the next generation, underscoring the importance of research, practice and policy in addressing this issue, according to a new article.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes for children born extremely preterm Posted: 30 Apr 2013 07:57 AM PDT Scientists conducted a study to assess neurological and developmental outcome in extremely preterm (less than 27 gestational weeks) children at 2.5 years.

Study examines effects of genetic variants for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome Posted: 30 Apr 2013 07:57 AM PDT Among infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS; caused by in utero opioid exposure), variants in certain genes were associated with a shorter length of hospital stay and less need for treatment, preliminary findings that may provide insight into the mechanisms underlying NAS.

Study compares effectiveness of two vs. Three doses of HPV vaccine for girls and young women Posted: 30 Apr 2013 07:57 AM PDT With the number of doses and cost of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines a barrier to global implementation, researchers have found that girls who received two doses of HPV vaccine had immune responses to HPV-16 and HPV-18 infection that were not worse than the responses for young women who received three doses, according to a new study.

Over-diagnosis and over-treatment of depression is common in the U. S. Posted: 30 Apr 2013 07:57 AM PDT A new study finds when assessed for major depressive episodes using a structured interview, only 38.4 percent of adults with clinician-identified depression met a 12-month criteria for depression, despite the majority of participants being prescribed and using psychiatric medications.

Researchers successfully treat autism in infants: Playing games that infants prefer can lessen severity of symptoms Posted: 30 Apr 2013 06:25 AM PDT Most infants respond to a game of peek-a-boo with smiles at the very least, and, for those who find the activity particularly entertaining, gales of laughter. For infants with autism spectrum disorders, however, the game can be distressing rather than pleasant, and they'll do their best to tune out all aspects of it -- and that includes the people playing with them.

Tactics of new Middle East virus suggest treating by altering lung cells' response to infection Posted: 30 Apr 2013 06:25 AM PDT The deadly Human Coronavirus-Erasmus Medical Center, which first appeared April 2012 in the Middle East, is revealing its stronghold tactics. The virus dysregulates 207 lung cell genes to turn RNA levels up and down. The dysregulation makes it harder for cells to recognize the virus and also creates an environment for the virus to multiply. Currently available drugs are predicted to treat the infection by altering the infected cells' response, rather than killing the virus directly.

Protein improves efficacy of tumor-killing enzyme Posted: 30 Apr 2013 06:24 AM PDT Scientists have devised a method for delivering tumor cell-killing enzymes in a way that protects the enzyme until it can do its work inside the cell. In their study researchers assembled microscopic protein packages that can deliver an enzyme called PEIII to the insides of cells.

Step toward medicines to help combat a range of diseases currently considered 'undruggable' Posted: 30 Apr 2013 06:16 AM PDT Scientists have made a further step towards the potential future development of medicines to help combat a range of diseases currently considered "undruggable".

Be alert to blind cord strangulation risk, parents of young children warned Posted: 29 Apr 2013 06:09 PM PDT Window blind cords pose a particular risk of accidental strangulation for young children, doctors have warned.

Obesity in early 20s curbs chances of reaching middle age Posted: 29 Apr 2013 06:09 PM PDT Young men who are obese in their early 20s are significantly more likely to develop serious ill health by the time they reach middle age, or not even make it that far, suggests research.

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