ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Heart attacks in young women -- not all have chest pain
• MicroRNA molecule found to be potent tumor-suppressor in lung cancer
• Arginine therapy shows promise for sickle cell pain
• Copper bracelets, magnetic wrist straps fail to help rheumatoid arthritis
• Rare gene variant linked to macular degeneration
• Study: Improving sex life through yoga
• Young women with breast cancer overestimate the benefit of having second breast removed
• Varenicline helps smokers with depression quit smoking
• Lifestyle changes may lengthen telomeres, a measure of cell aging
• Immune system marker tied to improved bone marrow transplant outcomes
• 'Vicious cycle' shields, spreads cancer cells
• Fewer cases of antibiotic-resistant MRSA infection in the US in 2011
• Sex differences in presentation of acute coronary syndrome
• Economic impact of childhood food allergies estimated
• Binge drinking: Five or more drinks common for high school seniors, some drink more
• Socio-economic status influences risk of violence against aboriginal women
• New target for melanoma treatment
• Extremely potent, improved derivatives of successful anticancer drug created
• TV drug ads: The whole truth?
• Novel biomarker identified for diabetes risk
• Risk of birth defects among women who take antihistamines in pregnancy
• Women can lower their risk for gynecologic cancers
• Gut microbes closely linked to proper immune function, other health issues
• High debt load anticipated by medical students; African-Americans most affected
• Cold sore linked to mutation in gene
• Use of cognitive enhancers discouraged in some patients
• Prescription drug expenses in Canada are a health-care barrier
• Hospital study finds connection between dementia, delirium and declining health
• Feeling small: Fingers can detect nano-scale wrinkles even on a seemingly smooth surface
• Tracking drug's ability to prevent type 1 diabetes
• White blood cell levels tied to meal time
• High rate of spinal injuries among troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan
• Studying dating abuse in the Internet age
• Specific sugar molecule causes growth of cancer cells
• Chemistry magic promises better medicine with fewer side-effects
• Potential treatment for a specific kind of pancreatic cancer
• Diet is associated with risk of depression
• Automated telephone calls improve blood pressure control
• When technology merges with healthcare: Mobile diagnostics and image analysis for antibiotic resistance
• Score system to predict likelihood of diabetes remission after weight-loss surgery
• Exposure to pig farms and manure fertilizers associated with MRSA infections
• Obese stomachs tell us diets are doomed to fail
• Birds appear to lack important anti-inflammatory protein
• Diminishing fear vicariously by watching others
• Sharp rise in opioid drugs prescribed for non-cancer pain
• Projected climate change in West Africa not likely to worsen malaria situation
• Superconductivity to meet humanity's greatest challenges
• Driven to clean: Nesting instinct among pregnant women has an evolutionary backstory
• Functional genetic variation in humans: Comprehensive map published

Heart attacks in young women -- not all have chest pain Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:47 PM PDT Chest pain is recognized as a symptom of heart troubles, but one out of five women aged 55 years or less having a heart attack do not experience this symptom. The research findings are the first to describe this phenomenon in young women.

MicroRNA molecule found to be potent tumor-suppressor in lung cancer Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:47 PM PDT New research shows that microRNA-486 is a potent tumor-suppressor molecule in lung cancer, and that the it helps regulate the proliferation and migration of lung-cancer cells, and the induction of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, in those cells.

Arginine therapy shows promise for sickle cell pain Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:47 PM PDT Arginine therapy may be a safe and inexpensive treatment for acute pain episodes in patients with sickle cell disease, according to results of a recent clinical study.

Copper bracelets, magnetic wrist straps fail to help rheumatoid arthritis Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:42 PM PDT Copper bracelets and magnet wrist straps have no real effect on pain, swelling, or disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis, according to new findings.

Rare gene variant linked to macular degeneration Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:42 PM PDT An international team of researchers has identified a gene mutation linked to age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Americans over age 50.

Study: Improving sex life through yoga Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:39 PM PDT Partner yoga may help couples who are struggling with sexual dysfunction, according to sexual wellness experts.

Young women with breast cancer overestimate the benefit of having second breast removed Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:39 PM PDT A survey of young women with breast cancer found that many often overestimate the odds that cancer will occur in their other, healthy breast, and decide to have the healthy breast surgically removed even though most understood that removing both breasts does not extend their survival.

Varenicline helps smokers with depression quit smoking Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:39 PM PDT About half of smokers seeking treatment for smoking cessation have a history of depression. Compared with smokers who are not depressed, those who suffer from a major depressive disorder have greater difficulty quitting.

Lifestyle changes may lengthen telomeres, a measure of cell aging Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:39 PM PDT A small pilot study shows for the first time that changes in diet, exercise, stress management and social support may result in longer telomeres, the parts of chromosomes that affect aging.

Immune system marker tied to improved bone marrow transplant outcomes Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:20 PM PDT The risk of death following bone marrow transplantation can be reduced about 60 percent using a new technique to identify bone marrow donors who make the most potent cancer-fighting immune cells.

'Vicious cycle' shields, spreads cancer cells Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:20 PM PDT A "vicious cycle" produces mucus that protects uterine and pancreatic cancer cells and promotes their proliferation, according to research.

Fewer cases of antibiotic-resistant MRSA infection in the US in 2011 Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:17 PM PDT An estimated 30,800 fewer invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections occurred in the United States in 2011 compared to 2005, according to a new study.

Sex differences in presentation of acute coronary syndrome Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:17 PM PDT A higher proportion of women than men 55 years and younger did not have chest pain in acute coronary syndromes (ACS, such as heart attacks or unstable angina), although chest pain was the most common symptom for both sexes, according to a new study.

Economic impact of childhood food allergies estimated Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:17 PM PDT The overall cost of childhood food allergies was estimated at nearly $25 billion annually in a study of caregivers that quantified medical, out-of-pocket, lost work productivity and other expenses, according to a new report.

Binge drinking: Five or more drinks common for high school seniors, some drink more Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:17 PM PDT Consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in a row is common among high school seniors, with some students engaging in extreme binge drinking of as many as 15 or more drinks, according to a new study.

Socio-economic status influences risk of violence against aboriginal women Posted: 16 Sep 2013 11:32 AM PDT If aboriginal women had the same income and education levels as non-aboriginal women, their risk of being abused by a partner could drop by 40 percent, according to a new study.

New target for melanoma treatment Posted: 16 Sep 2013 11:32 AM PDT The PDK1 gene, known to regulate many cell functions such as metabolism and survival, is now identified as a key regulator in melanoma development and metastasis, offering new opportunities to interfere with cancer progression.

Extremely potent, improved derivatives of successful anticancer drug created Posted: 16 Sep 2013 11:05 AM PDT Scientists have found a way to make dramatic improvements to the cancer cell-killing power of vinblastine, one of the most successful chemotherapy drugs of the past few decades. The team's modified versions of vinblastine showed 10 to 200 times greater potency than the clinical drug.

TV drug ads: The whole truth? Posted: 16 Sep 2013 11:04 AM PDT Consumers should be wary when watching those advertisements for pharmaceuticals on the nightly TV news, as six out of 10 claims could potentially mislead the viewer, say researchers.

Novel biomarker identified for diabetes risk Posted: 16 Sep 2013 10:11 AM PDT Researchers have identified a biomarker that can predict diabetes risk up to 10 years before onset of the disease.

Risk of birth defects among women who take antihistamines in pregnancy Posted: 16 Sep 2013 10:11 AM PDT Antihistamines are a group of medications that are used to treat various conditions, including allergies and nausea and vomiting. Some antihistamines require a prescription, but most are available over-the-counter, and both prescription and OTC antihistamines are often used by women during pregnancy. Until recently, little information was available to women and their health care providers on the possible risks and relative safety of these medications in pregnancy, particularly when it came to specific birth defects.

Women can lower their risk for gynecologic cancers Posted: 16 Sep 2013 10:10 AM PDT From losing weight to knowing their family history, there are several things women can do to lower their risk of developing certain types of cancer, and improve their chances for survival if they do develop one of them.

Gut microbes closely linked to proper immune function, other health issues Posted: 16 Sep 2013 09:22 AM PDT A new understanding of the essential role of gut microbes in the immune system may hold the key to dealing with some of the more significant health problems facing people in the world today, researchers say in a new analysis.

High debt load anticipated by medical students; African-Americans most affected Posted: 16 Sep 2013 09:21 AM PDT The cost of a medical school education continues to rise. However, increases in the student debt burden may not be assumed equally. Researchers analyzed data from a sample of US medical students and found that 77.3 percent of black students anticipated owing more than $150,000 and 57.2 percent of Hispanics/Latinos predicted having debt in excess of $150,000. Asian students, at 50.2 percent, expected the lowest levels of debt.

Cold sore linked to mutation in gene Posted: 16 Sep 2013 09:20 AM PDT Why some people are troubled by cold sores while others are not has finally been explained by scientists. Cold sores affect around one in five people but, until now, no one has been sure why some are more prone to the virus that causes them.

Use of cognitive enhancers discouraged in some patients Posted: 16 Sep 2013 09:20 AM PDT Cognitive enhancers -- drugs taken to enhance concentration, memory, alertness and moods -- do not improve cognition or function in people with mild cognitive impairment in the long term, according to a new study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital.

Prescription drug expenses in Canada are a health-care barrier Posted: 16 Sep 2013 09:20 AM PDT High drug expenses in Canada are a substantial barrier for people to access prescription drugs outside of hospital, states an analysis in CMAJ.

Hospital study finds connection between dementia, delirium and declining health Posted: 16 Sep 2013 08:10 AM PDT More than half of all patients with pre-existing dementia will experience delirium while hospitalized. Failing to detect and treat their delirium early leads to a faster decline of both their physical and mental health, according to health researchers.

Feeling small: Fingers can detect nano-scale wrinkles even on a seemingly smooth surface Posted: 16 Sep 2013 08:08 AM PDT In a ground-breaking study, Swedish scientists have shown that people can detect nano-scale wrinkles while running their fingers upon a seemingly smooth surface. The findings could lead such advances as touch screens for the visually impaired and other products.

Tracking drug's ability to prevent type 1 diabetes Posted: 16 Sep 2013 08:08 AM PDT Researchers will examine the ability of the drug abatacept to prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D), observing the effects of the drug in people at high risk to develop T1D.

White blood cell levels tied to meal time Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:36 AM PDT A new link between meal times and daily changes in the immune system has been identified, and has led them to question assumptions about the roles of specific immune cells in infection and allergy.

High rate of spinal injuries among troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:36 AM PDT Spinal injuries are present in 1 out of 9 US military personnel sustaining combat injuries in Iraq or Afghanistan -- a much higher rate than in previous wars.

Studying dating abuse in the Internet age Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:36 AM PDT Non-physical abuse by a dating partner such as threats, controlling behavior and harassing text messages can have a serious effect on a teenager's health and well-being, finds new research.

Specific sugar molecule causes growth of cancer cells Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:36 AM PDT The process of glycosylation, where sugar molecules are attached to proteins, has long been of interest to scientists, particularly because certain sugar molecules are present in very high numbers in cancer cells. It now turns out that these sugar molecules are not only present but actually aid the growth of the malignant cells. In the long term this discovery is an important step towards a cure that can stop the growth of cancer cells.

Chemistry magic promises better medicine with fewer side-effects Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:36 AM PDT A gentler new chemistry promises cleaner and subsequently far safer pharmaceuticals.

Potential treatment for a specific kind of pancreatic cancer Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:35 AM PDT Researchers have identified a potentially treatable subtype of pancreatic cancer, which accounts for about 2 percent of new cases. This subtype expresses high levels of the HER2 gene. HER2-amplified breast and gastric cancers are currently treated with Herceptin.

Diet is associated with risk of depression Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:35 AM PDT A healthy diet may reduce the risk of severe depression, according to a prospective follow-up study of more than 2,000 men. In addition, weight loss in the context of a lifestyle intervention was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms.

Automated telephone calls improve blood pressure control Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:35 AM PDT Patients who received automated telephone calls inviting them to get their blood pressure checked at a walk-in clinic were more likely to have controlled hypertension than patients who did not receive calls, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published today in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.

When technology merges with healthcare: Mobile diagnostics and image analysis for antibiotic resistance Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:34 AM PDT Two examples of the merging of technology and healthcare have been demonstrated, including a mobile wireless system that monitors the health of elderly people in their own homes, using miniature sensors, and a novel optical system for detecting antibiotic resistance, which can determine in just two hours if bacteria react to a specific antibiotic.

Score system to predict likelihood of diabetes remission after weight-loss surgery Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:33 AM PDT Researchers have developed a simple scoring system, based on four readily available preoperative patient characteristics, that can predict which candidates for gastric bypass surgery are likely to achieve type 2 diabetes remission within 5 years. A predictive model is likely to help patients and clinicians better manage the disease and could even save lives.

Exposure to pig farms and manure fertilizers associated with MRSA infections Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:33 AM PDT Researchers have for the first time found an association between living in proximity to high-density livestock production and community-acquired infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA.

Obese stomachs tell us diets are doomed to fail Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:33 AM PDT The way the stomach detects and tells our brains how full we are becomes damaged in obese people but does not return to normal once they lose weight, according to new research.

Birds appear to lack important anti-inflammatory protein Posted: 16 Sep 2013 07:33 AM PDT Bird diseases can have a vast impact on humans, so understanding their immune systems can be a benefit for people. An important element in the immune system of many animals is the protein TTP, which plays an anti-inflammatory role, yet researchers have been unable to find it in birds. New research suggests birds are an anomaly.

Diminishing fear vicariously by watching others Posted: 16 Sep 2013 06:12 AM PDT Phobias -- whether it's fear of spiders, clowns, or small spaces -- are common and can be difficult to treat. New research suggests that watching someone else safely interact with the supposedly harmful object can help to extinguish these conditioned fear responses, and prevent them from resurfacing later on.

Sharp rise in opioid drugs prescribed for non-cancer pain Posted: 16 Sep 2013 06:12 AM PDT Prescribing of strong opioid medications for non-cancer pain in the United States has nearly doubled over the past decade.

Projected climate change in West Africa not likely to worsen malaria situation Posted: 16 Sep 2013 06:12 AM PDT A new model of malaria transmission combined with global forecasts for temperature and rainfall results in improved predictions of malaria with climate change.

Superconductivity to meet humanity's greatest challenges Posted: 16 Sep 2013 06:11 AM PDT The stage is now set for superconductivity to branch out and meet some of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. A new article explains how superconducting technologies can move out of laboratories and hospitals and address wider issues such as water purification, earthquake monitoring and the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Driven to clean: Nesting instinct among pregnant women has an evolutionary backstory Posted: 16 Sep 2013 06:04 AM PDT The overwhelming urge that drives many pregnant women to clean, organize and get life in order -— otherwise known as nesting —- is not irrational, but an adaptive behavior stemming from humans' evolutionary past.

Functional genetic variation in humans: Comprehensive map published Posted: 15 Sep 2013 10:43 AM PDT Scientists have presented a map that points to the genetic causes of differences between people. The study offers the largest-ever dataset linking human genomes to gene activity at the level of RNA.

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