الأربعاء، 6 نوفمبر 2013

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

New treatment for African sleeping sickness comes closer

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 04:46 PM PST

Researchers have identified drugs targeting infections of the parasite Trypanosoma brucei and are thereby well on the way to find a cure against African sleeping sickness.

Interactive computer program helps patients talk with physician about depression

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 01:22 PM PST

Patients who used an interactive computer program about depression while waiting to see their primary-care doctor were nearly twice as likely to ask about the condition and significantly more likely to receive a recommendation for antidepressant drugs or a mental-health referral from their physician, according to a new study.

Breakthrough could lead to new treatment for heart attack

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 01:05 PM PST

The stop and start of blood flow to the heart during and after a heart attack causes severe damage to heart cells, reducing their capacity to function and potentially causing their death. But a recent study suggests that it is possible to limit the extent of that damage using a drug. The findings have significant potential for translation into heart attack patients in a clinical setting.

Gene is linked to deadly runaway fungal infection

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 12:32 PM PST

For most people, a fungal infection like athlete's foot means a simple trip to the drugstore and a reminder to bring shower shoes to the gym. But in very rare cases, fungal infections can spread below the skin's surface and onto the lymph nodes, bones, digestive tract or even the brain. Researchers have now discovered a genetic deficiency that allows the fungus to spread in this way, which explains why treatments sometimes do not work.

Clues to how existing heart drugs work

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 12:16 PM PST

Some of the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of heart failure are beta-blockers and nitrates, which help to relax blood vessels and decrease the heart's workload. The drugs were thought to produce those effects through distinct molecular pathways, but according to a new study led by scientists, both types of drugs may help the failing heart by counteracting the effects of an enzyme known as GRK2.

Intestinal bacteria linked to rheumatoid arthritis

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 10:20 AM PST

Researchers have linked a species of intestinal bacteria known as Prevotella copri to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, the first demonstration in humans that the chronic inflammatory joint disease may be mediated in part by specific intestinal bacteria. The new findings add to the growing evidence that the trillions of microbes in our body play an important role in regulating our health.

New research on little-understood brain disease

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 10:20 AM PST

Three recent papers on aging explore the neuropathology behind a little-understood brain disease, hippocampal sclerosis (known to scientists and clinicians as HS-AGING). HS-AGING, much like Alzheimer's disease, causes symptoms of dementia -- cognitive decline and impaired memory -- in aged persons. Although Alzheimer's disease is probably the most recognized cause of dementia, HS-AGING also causes serious cognitive impairment in older adults.

'Pocket' project aims to develop TB sensor that fits in pocket

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 10:19 AM PST

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year there are worldwide 8.8 million new active TB cases and nearly 2 million TB deaths - 5000 every day - mostly in the poorest communities of the developing world. TB has also become the leading cause of death among people with HIV. While most cases of TB occur in developing countries, it is also reemerging as a threat in major urban populations in Europe, due to global travel.

Exercise program in senior centers helps decrease pain, improve mobility of participants

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 10:19 AM PST

A new study shows the benefits of an exercise program offered in senior centers in New York City's Chinatown and in Flushing, Queens.

Experts recommend universal diabetes testing for pregnant women at first prenatal visit

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 10:19 AM PST

The Endocrine Society today issued a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) to help health care professionals provide the best care to pregnant women who have diabetes.

Tool to help GIs manage Hep C patients

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 09:14 AM PST

The American Gastroenterological Association Clinical Decision Tool for the Screening and Evaluation of Hepatitis C (HCV) will help gastroenterologists in the early management of HCV-positive patients, according to new research published. Chronic HCV has a significant impact on the adult population and is a disease for which much progress has been made in its treatment.

New findings could overcome stumbling blocks to tissue cryopreservation

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 09:14 AM PST

Developing an efficient way to freeze and store living tissues could transform many aspects of medical care and research. Ice crystallization often occurs within cells during such cryopreservation procedures, leading to cell death. Researchers have now gained new information about the processes that are responsible for promoting the freezing of cells within tissues. This knowledge may ultimately lead to novel approaches for preventing tissue injury during cryopreservation.

Scientists use light to uncover the cause of sickle cell disease

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 09:14 AM PST

In sickle cell disease, hemoglobin -- the oxygen-carrying component of blood -- forms fibers that stiffen red blood cells and cause life-threatening symptoms. Using light-scattering techniques to study the detailed thermodynamics of this process, researchers have determined the strength of the forces that hold these fibers intact. The information could be used to design therapies that interfere with the sickling process.

Transgender patients have special needs in the ER

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 08:26 AM PST

While approximately one-third of transgender (trans) patients needed emergency care in the previous year, only 71 percent of those with self-reported need indicated they were able to obtain care, which researchers theorize may be due to "perceptions and previous experiences of trans-related discrimination or poor care." These results are from a Canadian study, the first to analyze emergency department avoidance, use and experience by trans people.

Chemists develop new way to kill cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy drug

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 08:25 AM PST

Chemists develop new way to kill cancer cells resistant to the chemotherapy drug cisplatin.

New cancer targeting technique to improve cancer drugs

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 08:25 AM PST

Cancer drugs work because they're toxic, but that's also why they afflict healthy cells, producing side effects that can compromise their efficacy. Researchers may have found a way to get the drugs to selectively target only the cancer cells.

Holograms offer hope in fight against malaria

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 07:36 AM PST

Scientists have developed a 3D filming technique that could help inform research to stem the spread of malaria.

Drug combination therapy causes cancer cells to 'eat themselves'

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 07:36 AM PST

Results from a recent preclinical study have shown that a new drug combination therapy effectively killed colon, liver, lung, kidney, breast and brain cancer cells while having little effect on noncancerous cells. The results lay the foundation for researchers to plan a future phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety of the therapy in a small group of patients.

Play promotes emotional healing in children battling serious illnesses

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 07:36 AM PST

Playing out medical experiences can help chronically ill children, as well as their siblings, express fears and foster hope for recovery.

Machines learn to detect breast cancer

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 07:36 AM PST

Software that can recognize patterns in data is commonly used by scientists and economics. Now, researchers in the US have applied similar algorithms to help them more accurately diagnose breast cancer.

Aortic valve replacement that doesn’t require open heart surgery

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 06:31 AM PST

Researchers are reporting positive results from a landmark clinical trial of an investigational aortic valve that is deployed with a catheter, without open heart surgery.

Higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke in 'food desert'

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:15 AM PST

A study has examined the health impact of developing a grocery store in a low-income urban neighborhood on the east side of Indianapolis. Researchers from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Marion County Public Health Department found that residents of the community have much higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke than in other areas of Marion County.

Access to health care increases prescription opioids, associated abuse

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:15 AM PST

Researchers say one way to gauge the extent of prescription opioid pain reliever abuse in any Indiana county is to count the number of health care providers, particularly dentists and pharmacists. Their research found that access to health care increases the availability of prescription opioids, which is associated with higher rates of opioid abuse and associated consequences.

Microbes in the gut help determine risk of tumors

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:15 AM PST

Transferring the gut microbes from a mouse with colon tumors to germ-free mice makes those mice prone to getting tumors as well, according to the results of a study. The work has implications for human health because it indicates the risk of colorectal cancer may well have a microbial component.

Pleasure, pain brain signals disrupted in fibromyalgia patients

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:15 AM PST

New research indicates that a disruption of brain signals for reward and punishment contributes to increased pain sensitivity, known as hyperalgesia, in fibromyalgia patients. Results suggest that this altered brain processing might contribute to widespread pain and lack of response to opioid therapy in patients with fibromyalgia.

The prevalence of colds and pneumonia in cows can be controlled

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:14 AM PST

Respiratory diseases in cattle are a great threat to animal welfare and lead to financial losses in the cattle industry. The bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is one of the main causes of respiratory disease in cattle. A study of the prevalence and infection distribution of the virus shows that it is possible to control the virus, even though it occurs very frequently.

Hypersensitivity to pain produced by early life stress worsened by later stress exposure

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:13 AM PST

Childhood neglect and abuse, whether physical or psychological, confers a lifetime vulnerability to stress, anxiety, and mood problems. Such early-life stress is also suspected to contribute to the development of chronic pain in adulthood. In fact, there is growing concern that chronic pain syndromes may be a complication of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, this link is particularly challenging to study because many stressful events that produce PTSD also produce physical trauma.

New ligament discovered‬ in the human knee

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:13 AM PST

Two knee surgeons have discovered a previously unknown ligament in the human knee. This ligament appears to play an important role in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.

New discovery could dramatically reduce leishmaniasis treatment doses, side effects

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:12 AM PST

The Amphotericin B (AmB) is the main active ingredient in the most effective drug used to treat leishmaniasis, a disease which in the Western world mainly affects dogs, but in developing countries affects over 12 million people, with more than 70,000 deaths per year. The cost of treating humans with AmB surpasses $5,000 per patient, the treatment is extensive (2-hour sessions every day during 21 days), and the side effects are frequent and many times patients must be hospitalized.

Interaction between two leukemia drugs explained

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:12 AM PST

Currently no treatment option is available for five percent of patients suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia, since they have developed resistance to conventional medications. Researchers have investigated the combined action of two different compounds against this form of leukemia, and can now explain at the atomic level how both substances alter the structure of an enzyme and how their combination potentially can overcome drug resistance.

iPhone app offers individual hearing support

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:12 AM PST

Transmission losses and background noise can considerably impair speech intelligibility when making calls on a cell phone – particularly for people who suffer from hearing loss. Hearing research scientists have now developed an app for the iPhone that improves speech intelligibility for internet phone calls made using Voice over IP technology. In addition to allowing adjustment of loudness and sound settings to meet individual preferences, the app is also able to compensate for hearing loss.

Intelligent training with a fitness shirt and an e-bike

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:12 AM PST

Fabric manufacturers are experiencing a revolution at present: if clothing previously offered protection against the cold, rain, and snow, the trend now is toward intelligent, proactive, high-tech textiles like self-cleaning jackets, gloves that recognize toxins, and ski anoraks with integrated navigational devices to make life easier for those wearing them. Clever clothing like this is being developed.

U. S. citizenship linked to whether foreign-born non-citizens receive mammograms, cancer tests

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:11 AM PST

Citizenship, particularly for non-U.S. natives, largely determines a woman's odds of having a mammogram and being screened for cervical and colorectal cancer.

Increased public health funding works best in low-resource communities

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:11 AM PST

When public health funding increases in a community, its rates of infant mortality and deaths due to preventable diseases decrease over time, with low-income communities experiencing the largest health and economic gains.

Massachusetts health reform law improved racial, ethnic health, yet disparities persist

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:11 AM PST

New research finds improvements in access to care and health outcomes across racial and ethnic groups in Massachusetts since implementation of the state's health reform law in 2007.

Endometriosis risk linked to two pesticides

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:11 AM PST

A study has found that two organochlorine pesticides are associated with an increased risk of endometriosis, a condition that affects up to 10 percent of reproductive-age women.

Non-celiac wheat sensitivity: Is it an allergy?

Posted: 05 Nov 2013 05:11 AM PST

Patients with non-celiac wheat sensitivity and other food sensitivities showed clinical, laboratory and histological characteristics suggesting they may be suffering from a non-IgE-mediated food allergy, according to new research.
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