ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia traced from genetic roots to physical defect
• Key proteins identified responsible for electrical communication in heart
• Hang up or hold on?
• Study: Kidney cancer patients preserve kidney function with robot-assisted partial nephrectomy
• Understanding secondary light emission by plasmonic nanostructures may improve medical imaging
• Multiple myeloma study uncovers genetic diversity within tumors
• Autism spectrum disorder: Guide for physicians to help families
• Scientists identify factors that trigger ALT-ernative cancer cell growth
• Researchers investigating how to make PET imaging even sweeter
• Heart attack survivors paint complex picture of adhering to medicine
• One question may gauge severity of unhealthy drug, alcohol use
• Two players produce destructive cascade of diabetic retinopathy
• New hope for migraine sufferers
• A new, more economical sonification prototype to assist the blind
• New horizons in radiotherapy?
• Shoulder replacement eases pain, improves motion in rheumatoid arthritis patients
• Postpartum depression improves with time -- but for many women, depressive symptoms linger
• White parents more likely to use age-appropriate car seats than non-whites, study concludes
• School drug tests don't work, but 'positive climate' might
• Freshwater turtles from wetlands can transmit Salmonella to humans
• Research breakthrough in understanding hereditary emphysema
• Scientific study suggests an association between physical doping and brain doping
• Natural substance studied for future treatment of possibly incurable childhood cancer
• Study discovers chromosome therapy to correct severe chromosome defect
• Solving a 40-year-old mystery, researchers find new route for better brain disorder treatments
• More targeted form of radiation improves survival in patients with head, neck cancers
• Study seeks best way to reduce asthma medication
• New study finds MTV’s '16 and Pregnant,' 'Teen Mom' contributed to record decline in U.S. teen childbearing rate
• Fear of being too skinny may put teen boys at risk for depression, steroid use
• Speaking of psychology - smoking
• Need relief from asthma? Communicating with your allergist is key
• Study identifies population of stem-like cells where HIV persists in spite of treatment
• Immune system development linked to leukaemia: Defences against infection can be weaknesses in causing cancer
• Research uncovers key difference between our bodies' fight against viruses and bacteria
• Tweaking MRI to track creatine may spot heart problems earlier, study suggests
• Mutation discovery may improve treatment for rare brain tumor type

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia traced from genetic roots to physical defect Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:33 AM PST A team of researchers has discovered that a specific gene may play a major role in the development of a life-threatening birth defect called congenital diaphragmatic hernia, or CDH, which affects approximately one out of every 3,000 live births.

Key proteins identified responsible for electrical communication in heart Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:33 AM PST Researchers have found that six proteins – five more than previously thought – are responsible for cell-to-cell communication that regulates the heart and plays a role in limiting the size of heart attacks and strokes. The smallest of these proteins directs the largest in performing its role of coordinating billions of heart cells during each heartbeat. Together, the proteins synchronize the beating heart, the researchers determined.

Hang up or hold on? Posted: 13 Jan 2014 10:13 AM PST A recent study offers a more accurate approach to modeling caller patience than ever before.

Study: Kidney cancer patients preserve kidney function with robot-assisted partial nephrectomy Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:51 AM PST Patients with chronic kidney disease who received robot-assisted partial nephrectomy to treat kidney cancer have minimal loss of kidney function -- a smaller amount even than patients with normal kidney function, according to researchers.

Understanding secondary light emission by plasmonic nanostructures may improve medical imaging Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:51 AM PST Applications in imaging and sensing typically involve the emission of light at a different wavelength than the excitation, or "secondary light emission." The interpretation of resonant secondary light emission in terms of fundamental processes has been controversial for 40 years. In new work, researchers found that resonant electronic Raman scattering and resonant fluorescence may both be useful descriptions of the secondary emission.

Multiple myeloma study uncovers genetic diversity within tumors Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:51 AM PST The most comprehensive genetic study to date of the blood cancer multiple myeloma has revealed that the genetic landscape of the disease may be more complicated than previously thought. Through results published, a team of researchers has shown that an individual patient's tumor can harbor populations of cancer cells equipped with different mutations. These findings could have therapeutic implications for patients in the future.

Autism spectrum disorder: Guide for physicians to help families Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:51 AM PST Increased awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is placing huge demands on health care systems and health care professionals to help children and their families cope with the disorder. A comprehensive evidence-based review aims to help physicians provide appropriate medical support to families of children with ASD, from detection to treatment.

Scientists identify factors that trigger ALT-ernative cancer cell growth Posted: 13 Jan 2014 09:50 AM PST Highly diverse cancers share one trait: the capacity for endless cell division. Unregulated growth is due in large part to the fact that tumor cells can rebuild protective ends of their chromosomes, which are made of repeated DNA sequences and proteins. Normally, cell division halts once these structures, called telomeres, wear down. But cancer cells keep on going by deploying one of two strategies to reconstruct telomeres.

Researchers investigating how to make PET imaging even sweeter Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:48 AM PST An international research team is testing its novel sugar-based tracer contrast agent to be used with positron emission tomography imaging to help in the hunt for dangerous inflammation and high-risk vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque inside vessel walls that causes acute heart attacks and strokes.

Heart attack survivors paint complex picture of adhering to medicine Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:48 AM PST A new study shows that heart attack survivors adhere to their preventative medications differently depending on their gender and race.

One question may gauge severity of unhealthy drug, alcohol use Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:48 AM PST Primary care physicians seeking to determine whether a patient's drug or alcohol use is problematic often have to rely on lengthy questionnaires containing dozens of items with multiple response options. But a new study suggests that a single screening question may not only identify unhealthy use, but can help to determine the level of alcohol and drug dependence just as well -- and sometimes better -- than longer screening tools.

Two players produce destructive cascade of diabetic retinopathy Posted: 13 Jan 2014 08:48 AM PST The retina can be bombarded by reactive oxygen species in diabetes, prompting events that destroy healthy blood vessels, form leaky new ones and ruin vision.

New hope for migraine sufferers Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:48 AM PST A blood pressure drug offers hope to migraine sufferers who currently get no relief from existing treatments.

A new, more economical sonification prototype to assist the blind Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:48 AM PST Researchers have developed an assistive technology system that works by sounds which contributes to the autonomy of persons with visual impairments.

New horizons in radiotherapy? Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:47 AM PST Targeted radiation therapy that is less harmful to healthy cells could see the light of day thanks to a team of researchers. Until now, radiotherapy treatments employed to combat cancer used a wide energy range when irradiating biological tissues. By studying at a fundamental level the behavior of molecules subjected to radiation with a carefully chosen energy, the researchers paved the way for tomorrow's radiotherapy treatments, which would not affect as much surrounding tissue and whose total radiation dose would be considerably reduced.

Shoulder replacement eases pain, improves motion in rheumatoid arthritis patients Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:47 AM PST Shoulder arthritis is a common problem for rheumatoid arthritis patients: pain and difficulty moving their arms can grow so severe that daily tasks and sleep become difficult. If medication and physical therapy aren't enough, shoulder replacement surgery is a common next step. Despite surgical challenges with some rheumatoid arthritis patients, the procedure improves range of motion and reduces pain in nearly all cases, especially for those with intact rotator cuffs, a study shows.

Postpartum depression improves with time -- but for many women, depressive symptoms linger Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:47 AM PST Research evidence shows that symptoms of postpartum depression decrease over time -— but depression remains a long-term problem for 30 to 50 percent of affected women, according to a report.

White parents more likely to use age-appropriate car seats than non-whites, study concludes Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:06 AM PST White parents reported higher use of age-appropriate car seats for one- to seven-year-old children than non-white parents, according to a new study. The race of the parents is a significant predictor of whether a child is placed in the right safety seat for his or her age.

School drug tests don't work, but 'positive climate' might Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:06 AM PST School drug testing does not deter teenagers from smoking marijuana, but creating a "positive school climate" just might, according to research.

Freshwater turtles from wetlands can transmit Salmonella to humans Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:05 AM PST Professors have studied 200 specimens of freshwater turtles from eleven Valencian wetland areas, to determine the prevalence of Salmonella and Campylobacter in these animals, because of their potential risk of transmitting gastrointestinal diseases to humans, especially children. According to the results, 11% of the analyzed specimens of freshwater turtles were found positive for Salmonella. However, Campylobacter was not detected in any of them. This is the first study to rule out terrapins as transmitters of campylobacteriosis to humans.

Research breakthrough in understanding hereditary emphysema Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:04 AM PST Researchers have made an important breakthrough in the understanding and treatment of hereditary emphysema. Their research bridges the research-to-treatment gap. The exciting findings show how the protein Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) plays an important role in controlling inflammation from white blood cells and its importance for good health.

Scientific study suggests an association between physical doping and brain doping Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:04 AM PST Physical doping and brain doping apparently often go hand in hand. A new study has revealed that people who engage in physical doping often also take drugs for brain doping. The study was the first of its kind to survey simultaneously the two categories of doping and brain doping.

Natural substance studied for future treatment of possibly incurable childhood cancer Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:04 AM PST In a recent doctoral thesis, a researcher shows how the substance ellagic acid found in red berries and nuts, for instance, can stop cell division in cultivated cells from the childhood cancer neuroblastoma and induce cell death.

Study discovers chromosome therapy to correct severe chromosome defect Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:02 AM PST A study used stem cells to correct a defective "ring chromosome" with a normal chromosome. Such therapy has the promise to correct chromosome abnormalities that give rise to birth defects and disabilities.

Solving a 40-year-old mystery, researchers find new route for better brain disorder treatments Posted: 13 Jan 2014 07:02 AM PST Scientists have discovered how salt acts as a key regulator for drugs used to treat a variety of brain diseases including chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, and depression.

More targeted form of radiation improves survival in patients with head, neck cancers Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:51 AM PST Patients with cancers of the head and neck who received intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) - a technology designed to more precisely target cancer cells and spare nearby tissue - experienced improved outcomes, as well as reduced toxicities, compared to patients receiving conventional radiation therapy, according to new research.

Study seeks best way to reduce asthma medication Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:51 AM PST An American national study is underway to better understand how to help asthma patients reduce their medications, when appropriate, while controlling the disease and its costs.

New study finds MTV’s '16 and Pregnant,' 'Teen Mom' contributed to record decline in U.S. teen childbearing rate Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:51 AM PST The U.S. teen birth rate fell rapidly between 2008 and 2012. The Great Recession played the biggest role in the decline, explaining more than half of the drop, but a new study shows that that the timing of the introduction of MTV's "16 and Pregnant" also had a significant impact on the staggering drop in teen birth rates.

Fear of being too skinny may put teen boys at risk for depression, steroid use Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:51 AM PST Teenage boys who think they're too skinny when they are actually a healthy weight are at greater risk of being depressed as teens and as adults when compared to other boys, even those who think they are too heavy, according to findings published.

Speaking of psychology - smoking Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:51 AM PST It's been 50 years since the U.S. surgeon general's report on smoking and health spurred one of the largest public health behavior changes success stories of the 20th century. Before and since this groundbreaking report's release, psychology has been at the forefront of smoking cessation efforts. In a new discussion, a researcher speaks on gender differences and smoking. She discusses why women have a harder time kicking the habit and what science can do to help them quit.

Need relief from asthma? Communicating with your allergist is key Posted: 13 Jan 2014 06:51 AM PST Can't find relief from your asthma symptoms? The way you communicate with your allergist can be the root of your problems. According to two papers published, in order for treatment to be effective, asthma sufferers need to ask questions and feel as if they have open communication with their allergist.

Study identifies population of stem-like cells where HIV persists in spite of treatment Posted: 12 Jan 2014 05:47 PM PST Now investigators may have found where HIV persists in the bodyin spite of antiviral treatment -- in a small group of recently identified T cells with stem-cell-like properties.

Immune system development linked to leukaemia: Defences against infection can be weaknesses in causing cancer Posted: 12 Jan 2014 04:08 PM PST Researchers have discovered that a cellular mechanism that fights off infection is a driving force for a type of childhood leukaemia. In these patients a group of proteins that normally produce antibodies run amok, causing DNA rearrangements in genes involved in cancer development, leading to leukaemia.

Research uncovers key difference between our bodies' fight against viruses and bacteria Posted: 12 Jan 2014 04:08 PM PST Scientists have discovered a key difference in the biological mechanisms by which the immune system responds to viral and bacterial pathogens.

Tweaking MRI to track creatine may spot heart problems earlier, study suggests Posted: 12 Jan 2014 04:07 PM PST A new MRI method to map creatine at higher resolutions in the heart may help clinicians and scientists find abnormalities and disorders earlier than traditional diagnostic methods, researchers suggest.

Mutation discovery may improve treatment for rare brain tumor type Posted: 12 Jan 2014 04:07 PM PST Scientists have identified a mutated gene that causes a type of tenacious, benign brain tumor that can have devastating lifelong effects. Currently, the tumor can only be treated with challenging repeated surgeries and radiation.

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