ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• A protein that can mean life or death for cells
• Death and disability from air pollution down 35 percent in the US
• Why kids breathe easier in summer
• What a pain in the… groin
• Predicting who will have chronic pain
• Red grapes, blueberries may enhance immune function
• New insight into reducing racial, ethnic disparities in diabetes
• Information conveyed to urologists regarding laser fiber diameter is incorrect
• Speeding up cancer diagnosis during surgery
• Dementia, stoicism among barriers to pain management in long-term care
• New technology for bioseparation
• New class of drug targets heart disease
• In patients with acute cholecystitis, surgery should be performed immediately
• Host genome controls skin microbiota and inflammation
• Pancreatic stem cells isolated from mice
• Memory problems, emotional stress result in early readmissions of heart patients
• Researchers help people in remote Africa respond to diarrheal disease
• Digestive disorder reaches record levels in Scottish children
• Patient-specific cure discovered for dangerous heart rhythm disorder
• Racism linked to depression and anxiety in youth
• Brain is hard-wired for chronic pain
• Osteoarthritis and the (not so) painful step toward a cure
• Link between oil spill exposure and hematologic, hepatic toxicity
• Self-referral spurs unnecessary MRI exams for patients
• Portable, low-cost early-warning test for osteoporosis
• Financial incentives motivate sedentary adults to exercise
• New marker identified for early diagnosis of lung cancer
• Why do young adults start smoking?
• Accurate computer model of RNA tetraloop
• Decline in hospitalizations for serious heart infection
• Cost-effectiveness analysis aopplied to state breast cancer screening program
• Whole DNA sequencing reveals mutations, new gene for blinding disease
• Vaccinating cattle against E. coli could cut human cases of infection by 85 percent
• Biologists develop new method for discovering antibiotics
• Thyroid hormone key part in the vascular regulation of body temperature
• Depletion of 'traitor' immune cells slows cancer growth in mice
• Elimination of Medicare three-day rule could reduce risks costs of unnecessary hospitalizations

A protein that can mean life or death for cells Posted: 17 Sep 2013 10:23 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that the protein Mitofusin 2 plays a crucial role in correctly measuring stress levels, and also makes sure the pathways of cell repair or cell death are effective.

Death and disability from air pollution down 35 percent in the US Posted: 17 Sep 2013 09:50 AM PDT Improvements in US air quality since 1990 have sparked a 35 percent reduction in deaths and disability specifically attributable to air pollution.

Why kids breathe easier in summer Posted: 17 Sep 2013 09:50 AM PDT Until now, researchers believed that asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections contributed to disorders that affect children's breathing during sleep. Now a new study demonstrates that, contrary to this belief, viruses alone may be responsible for the seasonal variation seen in children.

What a pain in the… groin Posted: 17 Sep 2013 09:50 AM PDT She wasn't born this way, but even Lady Gaga experienced groin pain -- typically a symptom of hip disease such as arthritis of the hip -- or, in her case, a hip labral tear. Groin pain is a common health complaint; one in four people develop hip arthritis -- damage to the surfaces in the hip joint.

Predicting who will have chronic pain Posted: 17 Sep 2013 09:50 AM PDT Abnormalities in the structure of the brain predispose people to develop chronic pain after a lower back injury, according to new research. The findings could lead to changes in the way physicians treat patients' pain by treating it aggressively with medication early on to prevent the pain from becoming chronic. Most scientists have assumed chronic back pain stems from the injury site.

Red grapes, blueberries may enhance immune function Posted: 17 Sep 2013 09:50 AM PDT In an analysis of 446 compounds for their the ability to boost the innate immune system in humans, researchers discovered just two that stood out from the crowd -- the resveratrol found in red grapes and a compound called pterostilbene from blueberries.

New insight into reducing racial, ethnic disparities in diabetes Posted: 17 Sep 2013 09:50 AM PDT Despite higher rates of diabetes in black and Hispanic women, the rate at which women die of diabetes-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer is the same for all postmenopausal women, regardless of race or ethnicity, according to a new study.

Information conveyed to urologists regarding laser fiber diameter is incorrect Posted: 17 Sep 2013 09:48 AM PDT Neither the total nor the core diameters of laser fibers correspond to the advertised laser fiber diameter, revealed a new study investigating lasers used for urological surgery. Furthermore, there are serious differences between manufacturers of fibers with a supposedly equal diameter.

Speeding up cancer diagnosis during surgery Posted: 17 Sep 2013 09:48 AM PDT Experts have developed a highly accurate prototype technique which can produce a detailed 'spectroscopic fingerprint' of each tissue layer removed during surgery. This technique — which can produce detailed maps of the tissue rich in information at the molecular level — has the potential to speed up and improve the diagnosis of cancer tissue during the operation as well as reduce unnecessary surgery.

Dementia, stoicism among barriers to pain management in long-term care Posted: 17 Sep 2013 09:48 AM PDT Patients' inability to communicate because of sensory or cognitive impairment can be a significant barrier to pain management, according to researchers.

New technology for bioseparation Posted: 17 Sep 2013 09:39 AM PDT Researchers have developed a simple new technique that is capable of separating tiny amounts of the target molecules from mixed solutions by single motion of magnet under a microchannel. Their technique may make pipettes and test tubes a thing of the past in some diagnostic applications and increase the accuracy and sensitivity of disease detection.

New class of drug targets heart disease Posted: 17 Sep 2013 08:33 AM PDT Researchers have created a drug that replaces key peptide linked with heart failure, diabetes and high blood pressure.

In patients with acute cholecystitis, surgery should be performed immediately Posted: 17 Sep 2013 08:33 AM PDT Patients suffering from acute cholecystitis should be operated on immediately. There are no advantages to delaying surgery until antibiotic therapy has been administered for several weeks. After undergoing surgery performed within 24 hours of diagnosis, the patients have fewer complications, are back on their feet earlier, and can leave the hospital more quickly.

Host genome controls skin microbiota and inflammation Posted: 17 Sep 2013 08:30 AM PDT Numerous studies have linked gut microbiota with various diseases such as obesity or diabetes. Little is known, however, on how gut and skin microbiota composition is controlled. In a recent study, researchers show that composition of skin microbiota is controlled by the host genome and that skin bacteria may have a greater influence on inflammatory diseases than previously thought. Their landmark findings will open the door to identify gene variants controlling skin microbiota and to define their link to various diseases such as skin inflammatory disorders.

Pancreatic stem cells isolated from mice Posted: 17 Sep 2013 08:30 AM PDT Scientists have succeeded in growing stem cells that have the ability to develop into two different types of cells that make up a healthy pancreas. The research team has isolated and grown stem cells from the pancreases of mice using a 3-D culture system previously developed by the scientists. The results could eventually lead to ways to repair damaged insulin-producing beta cells or pancreatic duct cells.

Memory problems, emotional stress result in early readmissions of heart patients Posted: 17 Sep 2013 08:29 AM PDT Heart patients' mental state and thinking abilities may help predict whether costly and potentially dangerous early hospital readmission will follow their release after treatment, according to the results of a significant new study.

Researchers help people in remote Africa respond to diarrheal disease Posted: 17 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT Researchers have undertaken a study of diarrheal disease outbreaks in Botswana that relied only on the use of a simple questionnaire and existing hospital staff and infrastructure. The approach can give immediate insight into public health threats and disease outbreaks where this type of information otherwise would not be acquired.

Digestive disorder reaches record levels in Scottish children Posted: 17 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT More children than ever before are living with a debilitating digestive disease, called Coeliac disease, research has shown.

Patient-specific cure discovered for dangerous heart rhythm disorder Posted: 17 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT A research team has successfully and completely reversed the effects of the hERG (human ether-a-go-go-related gene) mutation in long QT syndrome 2 in patient-specific heart cells, scoring a world's first. This novel experiment paves the way for the better understanding on how drugs affect cell and intra-cell disordered function and allows safe testing of new compounds on patients' own cells, without the risk of side effects to the patients themselves.

Racism linked to depression and anxiety in youth Posted: 17 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT An international review has found children and young people experience poor mental health, depression and anxiety following experiences of racism.

Brain is hard-wired for chronic pain Posted: 17 Sep 2013 06:39 AM PDT Researchers used brain scans to show that the structure of the brain may predict whether a person will suffer chronic low back pain. The results support the growing idea that the brain plays a critical role in chronic pain, a concept that may lead to changes in the way doctors treat patients.

Osteoarthritis and the (not so) painful step toward a cure Posted: 17 Sep 2013 06:38 AM PDT A novel technique for imaging muscle function while in motion has been developed. Research in this area could uncover the root of musculoskeletal disorders, such as the development of osteoarthritis following ACL surgery.

Link between oil spill exposure and hematologic, hepatic toxicity Posted: 17 Sep 2013 06:03 AM PDT A new study reports that workers exposed to crude oil and dispersants used during the Gulf oil spill cleanup display significantly altered blood profiles, liver enzymes, and somatic symptoms compared to an unexposed control group. Investigators found that platelet counts were significantly decreased in the exposed group, while both hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were notably increased. Their findings suggest that oil spill cleanup workers are at risk for developing hepatic or blood-related disorders.

Self-referral spurs unnecessary MRI exams for patients Posted: 17 Sep 2013 06:03 AM PDT Patients having knee MRI examinations are significantly more likely to receive a negative finding if referred by physicians who have a financial interest in the imaging equipment being used, according to a study.

Portable, low-cost early-warning test for osteoporosis Posted: 17 Sep 2013 06:02 AM PDT A handheld device for diagnosing the early signs of osteoporosis could be available for clinical use within five years.

Financial incentives motivate sedentary adults to exercise Posted: 17 Sep 2013 05:56 AM PDT A review study finds that financial incentives – as modest as $5 per week – can increase the amount of exercise people do.

New marker identified for early diagnosis of lung cancer Posted: 17 Sep 2013 05:56 AM PDT A protein called isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) is present at high levels in lung cancers and can be detected in the blood, making it a noninvasive diagnostic marker for lung cancers.

Why do young adults start smoking? Posted: 17 Sep 2013 05:56 AM PDT The risk of becoming a smoker among young adults who have never smoked is high: 14% will become smokers between the ages of 18 and 24, and three factors predict this behaviour.

Accurate computer model of RNA tetraloop Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:39 PM PDT A computational model accurately simulates the complex twists of a short sequence of RNA as it folds into a critical hairpin structure known as a "tetraloop."

Decline in hospitalizations for serious heart infection Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:20 PM PDT Hospitalizations for endocarditis, a deadly heart infection that disproportionately affects older heart patients, have declined in recent years despite recommendations for limited use of antibiotics to prevent the illness.

Cost-effectiveness analysis aopplied to state breast cancer screening program Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:20 PM PDT When public health budgets are constrained, mammography screening should begin later and occur less frequently, a cost-effectiveness analysis program concludes.

Whole DNA sequencing reveals mutations, new gene for blinding disease Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:20 PM PDT Researchers have tested DNA with the use of whole genome sequencing, a technique that takes into account all variants from both the coding and noncoding regions of the human genome. With this approach the authors report a number of unique RP mutations, a previously undescribed disease gene called NEK2 that involves the retinal photoreceptors, and structural DNA rearrangements originating in introns.

Vaccinating cattle against E. coli could cut human cases of infection by 85 percent Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:20 PM PDT Vaccinating cattle against the E. coli O157 bacterium could cut the number of human cases of the disease by 85 percent, according to scientists.

Biologists develop new method for discovering antibiotics Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:20 PM PDT Biologists have developed a revolutionary new method for identifying and characterizing antibiotics, an advance that could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics to treat antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Thyroid hormone key part in the vascular regulation of body temperature Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:17 PM PDT Researchers have discovered a reason why people with disorders of the thyroid gland may be more sensitive to environmental temperature. According to the study, a previously unknown link has been found between the effects of thyroid hormone on blood vessels, and how this in turn affects body temperature.

Depletion of 'traitor' immune cells slows cancer growth in mice Posted: 16 Sep 2013 01:15 PM PDT Scientists have developed a strategy to slow tumor growth and prolong survival in mice with cancer by targeting and destroying a type of cell that dampens the body's immune response to cancer.

Elimination of Medicare three-day rule could reduce risks costs of unnecessary hospitalizations Posted: 16 Sep 2013 11:32 AM PDT Elimination of a Medicare rule that mandates a three-night hospital stay as a precondition for skilled nursing rehabilitation coverage could reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and improve patient care without increasing costs to the patient or the federal government.

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