الأربعاء، 5 مارس 2014

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Passive smoking causes irreversible damage to children's arteries

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:54 PM PST

Exposure to passive smoking in childhood causes irreversible damage to the structure of children's arteries, according to a study. The study is the first to follow children through to adulthood in order to examine the association between exposure to parental smoking and increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) -- a measurement of the thickness of the innermost two layers of the arterial wall -- in adulthood. It adds further strength to the arguments for banning smoking in areas where children may be present, such as cars.

Mother's diet linked to premature birth: fruits, vegetables linked to reduced risk of preterm delivery

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:01 PM PST

Pregnant women who eat a 'prudent' diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and who drink water have a significantly reduced risk of preterm delivery, suggests a study. A "traditional" dietary pattern of boiled potatoes, fish and cooked vegetables was also linked to a significantly lower risk. Although these findings cannot establish causality, they support dietary advice to pregnant women to eat a balanced diet including vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and fish and to drink water.

How sexual contacts with outsiders contribute to HIV infections within communities

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 02:33 PM PST

While a number of strategies can prevent and control HIV transmission and spread, their effective use depends on understanding the sexual networks within and between communities. A new article reports a detailed analysis with surprising results from the Rakai district in Uganda, one of the most studied areas of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.

Study examines gap in federal oversight of clinical trials

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST

An analysis of nearly 24,000 active human research clinical trials found that between 5 percent and 16 percent fall into a regulatory gap and are not covered by two major federal regulations. These trials studied interventions other than drugs or devices (e.g., behavioral, surgical). The authors write that their analysis provides the first quantitative estimate of the size of the gap in regulatory coverage, and also documents a large number of studies that are subject to both sets of regulations.

Opening a casino linked with lower rate of overweight children in that community

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST

The opening or expansion of a casino in a community is associated with increased family income, decreased poverty rates and a decreased risk of childhood overweight or obesity, according to a study. The authors speculate that the association found in this study between casinos and childhood overweight/obesity may be from both increased family/individual and community economic resources, but emphasize that further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying this association.

Moving out of high poverty appears to affect the mental health of boys, girls differently

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST

For families who moved out of high-poverty neighborhoods, boys experienced an increase and girls a decrease in rates of depression and conduct disorder, according to a study. The authors speculate that the sex differences found in this study "were due to girls profiting more than boys from moving to better neighborhoods because of sex differences in both neighborhood experiences and in the social skills needed to capitalize on the new opportunities presented by their improved neighborhoods."

Cholesterol study suggests new diagnostic, treatment approach for prostate cancer

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST

A link between prostate cancer aggressiveness and the accumulation of a compound produced when cholesterol is metabolized in cells has been discovered, findings that could bring new diagnostic and treatment methods. Findings also suggest that a class of drugs previously developed to treat atherosclerosis might be repurposed for treatment of advanced prostate cancer. The research involved analysis of clinical samples harvested from prostate cancer patients, specialized cell lines and mice.

Imprint of chemotherapy linked to inflammation in breast cancer survivors

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST

Chemotherapy can leave a long-lasting epigenetic imprint in the DNA of breast cancer patients' blood cells. That imprint is associated with biological signs of inflammation up to six months after the completion of treatment, and many breast cancer survivors experience fatigue and other debilitating symptoms that persist months to years after their course of treatment has ended. Now researchers have found clues that may explain how these symptoms can linger.

First look at how Staphylococcus cells adhere to nanostructures could help fight infections

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST

A team of researchers has explored, for the first time, how individual Staphylococcus cells glom onto metallic nanostructures of various shapes and sizes that are not much bigger than the cells themselves. Their work could lead to a more nuanced understanding of what makes a surface less inviting to bacteria. A Staph infection can't start unless Staphylococcus cells first cling to a surface, which is why scientists are hard at work exploring bacteria-resistant materials as a line of defense.

Female fertility: What's testosterone got to do with it? Research shows male hormones may enhance IVF therapy

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST

The use of testosterone to improve outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization is taking hold across the country, but data on its use is slim and mixed. A new study suggests that the male hormone might actually be doing something good by helping drive the development of follicles -- structures that contain and ultimately release an egg that can be fertilized by a man's sperm. The authors believe the study provides potential biological targets to enhance fertility in women with diminished ovarian reserve, who produce few or no follicles in response to IVF drugs designed to boost follicle development.

Silk-based surgical implants could offer a better way to repair broken bones

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST

Using pure silk protein derived from silkworm cocoons, investigators have developed surgical plates and screws that offer improved remodeling following injury and can be absorbed by the body over time. When a person suffers a broken bone, current treatment calls for the surgeon to insert screws and plates to help bond the broken sections and enable the fracture to heal. These "fixation devices" are usually made of metal alloys. But metal devices may have disadvantages: Because they are stiff and unyielding, they can cause stress to underlying bone, among other problems.

New markers for acute kidney injury reported

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST

Two new markers for acute kidney injury have been determined, thanks to new research. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been difficult to diagnose and treat early because current markers for it don't show up until several hours after it has begun. The research group, however, validated two new markers -- tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) -- in urine that, when assessed together, give clinicians the ability to detect and begin treating AKI much earlier than the current standards.

Off with your glasses: Visual crowding linked to retina, brain processing

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST

Middle-aged adults who suddenly need reading glasses, patients with traumatic brain injuries, and people with visual disorders such as "lazy eye" may have one thing in common -- "visual crowding," an inability to recognize individual items surrounded by multiple objects. Visual crowding makes it impossible to read, as single letters within words are rendered illegible. And basic cognitive functions such as facial recognition can also be significantly hampered. New evidence has been found that correlates visual crowding in a small part of the retina to the brain's processing speed. These findings could greatly alter earlier models of visual crowding, and for many adults lost without reading glasses, this could improve vision significantly.

key protein identified that helps prevent lung cancer tumors from being destroyed

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST

A protein, Mcl-1, has been discovered that helps enable one of the most common and deadly types of cancer to survive radiation and drug treatments. In a new laboratory study, investigators found that the protein helps enable TWEAK-Fn14, which in turn helps protect NSCLC tumors from being destroyed by radiation and drugs.

Key structure in heart cells that helps regulate heart contractions illuminated by research

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST

The structure of potassium ion channels that regulate contractions in the heart has been illuminated by research. For years, scientists have debated how many KCNE1 proteins are required to build a potassium ion channel, theorizing anywhere between one and 14. Now, researchers found that these channels are built with two E1s. Understanding the construction of this channel is key to understanding life-threatening heart conditions, such as arrhythmias, and developing drugs to threat those conditions.

New evidence confirms link between IQ, brain cortex

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST

Rate of change in the thickness of the brain's cortex is an important factor associated with a person's change in IQ, according to a collaborative study by scientists in five countries. The cortex is the thin, outermost layer of nerve cell tissue of the brain, typically measuring a few millimeters in thickness. The cortex contains nerve cell bodies and is critical for cognitive functions such as perception, language, memory and consciousness. The cortex begins to thin after the age of five or six as part of the normal aging process. This study is the first to show the association between cortical thickness and development in full scale IQ, and has potentially wide-ranging implications for the pedagogical world and for judicial cases in which the defendant's IQ score could play a role in determining the severity of the sentence.

Rats, frosting helping find genetic causes of binge-eating

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST

Two strains of rats, cans of vanilla frosting and a theory have brought science a step closer to finding the genetic causes of binge eating and eventually a treatment. Females are primarily effected by eating disorders with a ratio of only one male for every ten women. These disorders can last for years. During this timeframe, effective treatment is critical since eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. And if it doesn't kill, the damage it wreaks can be irreversible. By using different types of female rats, the scientists have effectively reduced the high number of genes that could be implicated in a binge eating disorder, and dramatically narrowed the areas for further research.

New genetic syndrome identified that includes allergy, immune deficiency, neurocognitive impairment

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST

A new genetic syndrome has been identified, characterized by a constellation of health problems, including severe allergy, immune deficiency, autoimmunity and motor and neurocognitive impairment. The researchers observed that the syndrome's diverse symptoms are the result of mutations in a single gene associated with sugar metabolism.

Research benefits surgeons making decisions on how to help their patients breathe easier

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST

Computer simulations have been developed for aircraft design to improve treatment of human airways. Computational Fluid Dynamics, or CFD, uses computer algorithms to solve the flow of air or fluids for various applications. These algorithms are typically applied toward the design of aircraft. While designing an aircraft, CFD is often considered both an accurate and less expensive approach before investing in building models and testing in air tunnels. But over the past decade or so, the application of CFD to biological flows to study medically-related problems, including respiratory disorders has gained a great deal of interest. The computer simulations traditionally used for aircraft design found use in treating health conditions such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, sleep apnea and snoring.

Behavioral measures of product use didn't measure up in VOICE HIV prevention trial

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST

A new analysis from the NIH-funded Microbicide Trials Network confirms what they and others had already assumed: The behavioral measures used for assessing adherence in the VOICE study -- an HIV prevention trial involving more than 5,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa -- did not provide accurate information about women's use and nonuse of the products being tested. In fact, these tools were not much better than chance at being able to predict adherence to product use.

Combination ARV vaginal ring to prevent HIV safe in trial but 1 ARV carries the weight, study suggests

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST

An early phase clinical trial of a vaginal ring containing the antiretroviral (ARV) drugs dapivirine and maraviroc found the ring was safe in women who wore it for 28 days and evidence of dapivirine in cervical tissue and blood. In addition, laboratory tests of tissue samples showed that dapivirine was able to block HIV infection, though levels of maraviroc were not sufficient to have a similar effect, report researchers.

Meat and cheese may be as bad for you as smoking

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:56 AM PST

A high-protein diet during middle age makes you nearly twice as likely to die and four times more likely to die of cancer, but moderate protein intake is good for you after 65. But how much protein we should eat has long been a controversial topic -- muddled by the popularity of protein-heavy diets such as Paleo and Atkins. Before this study, researchers had never shown a definitive correlation between high protein consumption and mortality risk.

IVF the next step in live-donor uterus transplant project

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:55 AM PST

In the spring of 2013, a team of researchers and doctors performed the last of nine planned uterus transplants. The six-month follow up shows that live-donor uterus transplantation has a low risk despite extended surgery duration. In the next phase of the world-unique research project researchers will help seven of the women become pregnant through IVF treatment. The project is the world's first systematic and research-based attempt to find a treatment for women with uterine infertility. Several medical, psychological and quality of life-related parameters are monitored among the women, which will be of great help for further progress in the field.

Range of electrical frequencies that help heal chronic wounds tested by researchers

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 08:35 AM PST

Hard-to-heal wounds, like diabetic ulcers, fester because of insufficient blood supply at the wound site. However, the application of an electrical stimulus can promote the growth of blood vessels, and new research examines the best stimulus parameters -- such as frequency and magnitude -- for successful therapy.

Research tests which nano system works best in killing cancer cells

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 08:35 AM PST

Four iron-oxide nanoparticle systems were tested by scientists to see which, when heated, would likely work best as a tool for targeting cancer cells. In systematically studying the distinct magnetized nanoparticle systems with different structural and magnetic properties, the research team found that an unconfined nanoparticle system, which used an electromagnetic field to generate heat, was best able to transfer heat absorbed by cancer cells.

Screening does not shift breast cancer to earlier stages

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 08:34 AM PST

New research suggests that screening for breast cancer results in increased diagnoses of early stage cancer -- but without a similarly sized decrease in the more serious and aggressive cases. "The idea of screening is that the cancer should be detected as early as possible so that the woman can be treated and cured. So when you introduce screening women should be transferred from having cancer in advanced stages to having cancer in an early stage. That is, if the screening works according to plan," says the lead author.

Prevalence of allergies the same, regardless of where you live

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 07:21 AM PST

In the largest, most comprehensive, American nationwide study to examine the prevalence of allergies from early childhood to old age, scientists report that allergy prevalence is the same across different regions of the United States, except in children 5 years and younger.

Quality of life improves with minimally invasive surgery for low back pain

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:51 AM PST

Patients who have a low back surgery called minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, end up better off in many ways than patients who have more invasive surgery to alleviate debilitating pain. Quality of life improvements include smaller incisions, and reduced chronic low back pain, hospital stays, complications and scarring. The minimally invasive surgery can also can lower costs and infection rates compared with more invasive, open procedures.

Hot on the trail of cellular metabolism, early detection of disease

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:12 AM PST

Cells have a metabolism that can be altered according to its function and requirements. If cellular metabolism is disturbed, it can lead to disease of the entire organism. Researchers have discovered that the uncoupling proteins UCP2 and UPC4 are involved in different types of cellular metabolism. The proteins provide information about the condition of cells. As a result, cell alterations can now be detected much earlier than was thus far possible.

Gene transfer optimization for treating genetic disorders

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:12 AM PST

Controlled gene transfer into different target cells by means of specific surface markers is significantly more efficient than gene transfer without this assistance. Gene therapies using lentiviral transfer of genetic information can thus be optimized. Lentiviruses, which belong to the family of retroviruses, are used as vectors to exchange genetic material in cells and can be used to replace a defective gene as defined by gene therapy. Increasing the efficiency of such a treatment poses a major medical challenge: the virus should specifically track the target cells, but the number of virus used should be as low as possible.

New school meal standards significantly increase fruit, vegetable consumption

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:10 AM PST

New federal standards launched in 2012 that require schools to offer healthier meals have led to increased fruit and vegetable consumption, according to a new study. The study, the first to examine school food consumption both before and after the standards went into effect, contradicts criticisms that the new standards have increased food waste. "There is a push from some organizations and lawmakers to weaken the new standards. We hope the findings, which show that students are consuming more fruits and vegetables, will discourage those efforts," said the lead author.

Protein 'switch' central to heart cell division

Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:10 AM PST

In a study that began in a pair of infant siblings with a rare heart defect, researchers say they have identified a key molecular switch that regulates heart cell division and normally turns the process off around the time of birth. Their research, they report, could advance efforts to turn the process back on and regenerate heart tissue damaged by heart attacks or disease.

BPA linked to prostate cancer, study shows

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 06:14 PM PST

Levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in men's urine could be a marker of prostate cancer, and low levels of BPA exposure can cause cellular changes in both non-malignant and malignant prostate cells. This research provides the first evidence that urinary BPA levels may help predict prostate cancer and that disruption of a cell duplication cycle through exposure to low-dose BPA may cause cancer development in the prostate. BPA, an environmental pollutant with estrogen activity, is used to make hard, clear plastic and is common in many food product containers. It has been linked to neurological defects, diabetes and a number of cancers, including breast and prostate.

Outbursts of anger linked to greater risk of heart attacks and strokes

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 06:13 PM PST

Outbursts of anger may trigger heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems in the two hours immediately afterwards, according to the first study to systematically evaluate previous research into the link between the extreme emotion and all cardiovascular outcomes. The researchers conclude: conclude: "Given the lessons we have learned from trying to treat depression after MI, treating anger in isolation is unlikely to be impactful. Instead, a broader and more comprehensive approach to treating acute and chronic mental stress, and its associated psychological stressors, is likely to be needed to heal a hostile heart."

Blasts may cause brain injury even without symptoms: Veteran study

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 06:12 PM PST

Veterans exposed to explosions who do not report symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) may still have damage to the brain's white matter comparable to veterans with TBI, according to researchers. Veterans of recent military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan often have a history of exposure to explosive forces from bombs, grenades and other devices, although relatively little is known about whether this injures the brain. However, evidence is building – particularly among professional athletes – that subconcussive events have an effect on the brain.

Female doctors spend more time than male doctors on parenting, household tasks

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 06:12 PM PST

A new study finds gender differences in parenting and household labor persist among a group of highly motivated physician-researchers in the early stages of their career. The finding could shed light on why female academic physicians in general do not have the same career success as their male colleagues. "We are seeing a growing appreciation of the need to facilitate work-life balance for both men and women, but it is important to recognize how this continues to challenge women more than men in our society," the lead author states.

How ACA affects vulnerable Americans living with HIV/AIDS

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 01:36 PM PST

A series of papers recently published examines how the Affordable Care Act could affect two sectors of the most vulnerable Americans -- those living with HIV/AIDS and people who have recently cycled through jail.

International research project: The more available alcohol is, the more likely that people will drink heavily

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 01:36 PM PST

The bulk of knowledge about alcohol consumption and problems comes from high-income countries. The International Alcohol Control study was established to collect and compare data from both high- and middle/low-income countries. New results focused on New Zealand show that heavy-drinking in this country tends to be influenced by drinkers that buy cheaper, off-premise alcohol, and purchase it at later times.

Largest-ever study of mental health risk, resilience in army personnel releases findings

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 01:31 PM PST

Most mental health disorders and suicidal ideation among U.S. Army soldiers start before enlistment, according to findings of the largest-ever study of mental health risk in army personnel. Three new articles address the issues of suicide, mental health and death predictors in army personnel. The authors concludes that enhanced screening of applicants and expanded interventions to help new soldiers with mental disorders hold promise for reducing the high suicide rate in the U.S. Army.

Do bedroom televisions contribute to youth obesity?

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 01:31 PM PST

Does having a television in the bedroom contribute to youth weight gain? In a recent American national study, researchers found that having a bedroom television was a significant predictor of adolescent weight gain. "This study suggests that removing bedroom TVs is an important step in our nation's fight against child obesity. We found that adolescents with a TV in their bedroom gained about 1 extra pound a year, compared to those without one, even after accounting for hours of TV watched each day and socioeconomic factors," said study's first author.

Antibody-targeted treatment developed for recurrent small-cell lung cancer

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 01:31 PM PST

An antibody has been found that may be used in future treatments for recurrent small-cell lung cancer, which currently has no effective therapy. The mouse monoclonal antibody they have developed, MAG-1, targets the ProAVP surface marker. When given alone, it significantly slows the growth of tumor xenografts of human recurrent small-cell lung cancer in mice.

Yoga regulates stress hormones, improves quality of life for women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 01:31 PM PST

For women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy, yoga offers unique benefits beyond fighting fatigue, according to research. Researchers found that while simple stretching exercises counteracted fatigue, patients who participated in yoga exercises that incorporated controlled breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques into their treatment plan experienced improved ability to engage in their daily activities, better general health and better regulation of cortisol (stress hormone). Women in the yoga group were also better equipped to find meaning in the illness experience, which declined over time for the women in the other two groups.

Affordable Care Act brings crucial health coverage to jail population

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 01:31 PM PST

Under the Affordable Care Act, an estimated 4 million people who have spent time in jail will have better access to health coverage for conditions that might -— if left untreated -— result in higher health care costs and an increased risk of recidivism. Jails, unlike prisons, typically house offenders who have been detained or arrested by the police -- often for misdemeanors or nonviolent crimes. In many cases, people who are mentally ill, have substance use problems or are homeless and picked up and sent to jail for a short period and then quickly released back into the community. Without follow-up care or treatment they are at risk of another arrest and the cycle repeats, according to the authors of the new report.

Immune system-based therapy produces lasting remissions in melanoma patients, study reports

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 01:31 PM PST

Nivolumab, a drug that unleashes the immune system to attack cancer, has shown to produce lasting remissions and hold the disease in check – for more than two years, in some cases – in many patients with advanced melanoma, according to a new study. The clinical trial involved 107 patients with advanced melanoma that no longer responded to other treatments. They received nivolumab intravenously every other week for up to 96 weeks. After one year, 62 percent of the patients were alive. After two years, 43 percent were alive. "These are striking results for patients with metastatic melanoma," said the study's senior author.

Experimental stroke drug also shows promise for people with Lou Gehrig's disease

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:41 PM PST

Neuroscientists have found that early muscle impairment related to Lou Gehrig's disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in mice is proportional to the degree of damage to the blood-spinal cord barrier, which protects the central nervous system from toxins. Repairing damage to and restoring the blood-spinal cord barrier's integrity with an experimental neurovascular medicine being studied in human stroke patients appears to delay disease progression.

New discovery solves problem of anti-inflammatory substance

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:40 PM PST

There have been great expectations regarding the production of a drug to block the enzyme LTA4 hydrolase, which plays a key role in the body's inflammatory response. However, in clinical trials, such molecules have proven to be only moderately effective. Now, researchers have successfully refined their understanding of why previous substances have been less effective –- and in so doing have produced a molecule that gets around the problem.

Texas hunger initiative releases Texas school breakfast report card for school year 2012-2013

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:39 PM PST

Not every student who receives free and reduced-price lunch at the school cafeteria eats a solid breakfast before boarding the bus. In Texas, where 27.6 percent of children are considered food-insecure, the public school system is a primary infrastructure for reigning in childhood hunger. The report catalogues two sets of data intended to help Texas school officials understand the state of school breakfast in their districts and the potential for growth. The first table frames school breakfast participation over the previous three years. The other is a projection of the impact in terms of what student participation and additional federal funding might look like if 70 percent of children eligible for free and reduced-price lunch ate breakfast at school.

Yeast model reveals alzheimer's drug candidate and its mechanism of action

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:39 PM PST

A yeast cell-based drug screen has been used by researchers to identify a class of molecules that target the amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The U.S. National Institute on Aging estimates that 5.1 million Americans may have AD, the most common form of dementia, which progressively robs patients of their memories, thinking, and reasoning skills.

Researchers identify 'carbohydrates in a coal mine' for cancer detection

Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:39 PM PST

Carbohydrates serve as identifiers for cancer cells, researchers have discovered. Their findings show how these molecules may serve as signals for cancer and explain what's going on inside these cells, pointing to new ways in which sugars function as a looking glass into the workings of their underlying structures. "Carbohydrates can tell us a lot about what's going on inside of a cell, so they are potentially good markers for disease," the lead author notes.
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