ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Pumping iron: A hydrogel actuator with mussel tone
• New structure in dogs' eye linked to blinding retinal diseases
• Inventive new way to profile immune cells in blood
• Drug therapy could eventually reverse memory decline in seniors
• Biomarkers of cell death in Alzheimer's reverse course after symptom onset
• New program for students with autism offers hope after high school
• Bioinspired, sponge-like shrinking gel steers tooth, tissue formation
• Guidance for optimal quality, safety of HDR brachytherapy
• Key enzyme found in disease-causing bacteria responsible for heart valve disease
• Some metallic toys, low-cost jewelry present health risks for young children
• Experiential avoidance increases PTSD risk following child maltreatment
• Hop leaves -- discarded in beer brewing -- have substances that could fight dental diseases
• A wristband for a different kind of cause ... environmental health
• All work and no play for children: Losing their childhood and their happiness?
• Newly engineered molecules doom proteins with kiss of death
• B-cells aggravate autoimmune diseases
• Patients' stories used to improve care on hospital wards
• The birds and the bees of proteins
• Sharper view gained of osteoporosis development: Intracellular protein discovered
• New findings on neurogenesis in spinal cord
• Intimate partner violence in men who have sex with men is linked to adverse health effects
• Warfarin for a-fib does not worsen outcomes for patients with kidney disease
• Common cancers evade detection by silencing parts of immune system cells
• More genetic signals found linking weight, heart health risk factors
• Experiences of racism associated with weight gain in African American women, study shows
• HIV/STI prevention program in Haiti is changing and saving lives
• Pediatric surgeons develop standards for children's surgical care in United States
• Hungry for 'likes': Anxiety over Facebook photos linked to eating disorders
• New therapy helps improve audio, visual perception in stroke patients
• Carotid artery MRI helps predict likelihood of strokes, heart attacks

Pumping iron: A hydrogel actuator with mussel tone Posted: 05 Mar 2014 04:15 PM PST Using iron ions and chemistry found in the adhesive proteins of a certain mollusk, scientists have developed a hydrogel actuator that moves when its pH is raised. Hydrogels are soft networks of polymers with high water content, like jello. Because of their soft, gentle texture, they have the potential to interact safely with living tissues and have applications in a number of medical areas, including tissue engineering. The hydrogel moved on its own, bending like an inchworm where the ions had been deposited.

New structure in dogs' eye linked to blinding retinal diseases Posted: 05 Mar 2014 04:15 PM PST Vision scientists report that dogs have an area of their retina that strongly resembles the human fovea. What's more, this retinal region is susceptible to genetic blinding diseases in dogs just as it is in humans.

Inventive new way to profile immune cells in blood Posted: 05 Mar 2014 11:47 AM PST The specific proportions of immune cells in a blood sample form a profile that can indicate disease or exposure to a toxicant. A new epigenetic technique provides a reliable way to detect such profiles, even in archived blood where whole cells may no longer be intact. All the current means of counting immune cells in a blood sample require whole cells, but the new system relies on something far less ephemeral: DNA. Its use of hardy strands of genetic material allows it to handle even archived samples where cells have lost their physical integrity.

Drug therapy could eventually reverse memory decline in seniors Posted: 05 Mar 2014 11:47 AM PST It may seem normal: As we age, we misplace car keys, or can't remember a name we just learned or a meal we just ordered. But researchers say memory trouble doesn't have to be inevitable, and they've found a drug therapy that could potentially reverse this type of memory decline. The drug can't yet be used in humans, but the researchers are pursuing compounds that could someday help the population of aging adults who don't have Alzheimer's or other dementias but still have trouble remembering day-to-day items.

Biomarkers of cell death in Alzheimer's reverse course after symptom onset Posted: 05 Mar 2014 11:47 AM PST Three promising biomarkers being studied to detect Alzheimer's disease in its early stages appear to undergo a surprising shift as patients develop symptoms of dementia, researchers report. Scientists found in a recent study that the levels of markers of neuronal injury increase in the spinal fluid for a decade or more before the onset of dementia. But in a new twist, the research shows for the first time that they later reverse course, decreasing as symptoms of memory loss and mental decline appear.

New program for students with autism offers hope after high school Posted: 05 Mar 2014 10:24 AM PST The Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (CSESA) developed its approach from research in several fields. Because of the complex educational needs of many students with autism, it was important to develop a comprehensive program for high schools. CSESA focuses on understanding emotions, developing friendships, and social problem-solving -- and it draws from new research in implementation science so that schools can put the program into place quickly and effectively.

Bioinspired, sponge-like shrinking gel steers tooth, tissue formation Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST A new bioinspired sponge-like gel shrinks single-handedly, squeezing unspecialized cells inside it and turning them into cells that begin to form teeth. The new material was inspired by the embryo's power to shape organs, and it could enable engineering of new teeth, bone, or other tissues, scientists report.

Guidance for optimal quality, safety of HDR brachytherapy Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST A new white paper has been issued that recommends specific guidance to follow in the delivery of high-dose-rate brachytherapy to improve quality and patient safety. To ensure correct actions are followed for a specific brachytherapy procedure, the white paper recommends the use of a quality management program, including checklists and forms to maintain quality and prevent errors. Also, due to the multidisciplinary nature of HDR brachytherapy treatment, the modality requires coordination among several clinicians to treat the patient accurately and safely.

Key enzyme found in disease-causing bacteria responsible for heart valve disease Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST A disease-causing bacterium found in the mouth needs manganese, a trace mineral, in order to cause a serious heart infection, according to a preclinical study. Researchers have been studying the bacterium Streptococcus sanguinis to understand its role in infective endocarditis, a heart valve disease. The infection is hard to treat and can be deadly, killing more than 20 percent of the people who contract it. The findings, which may solve a longstanding mystery of why some bacteria need manganese to cause disease, provide possible new targets for antibiotics.

Some metallic toys, low-cost jewelry present health risks for young children Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST We know that babies and young children often put non-food items in their mouths, a behavior that occasionally leads to swallowing of foreign objects. Metallic toys and low-cost jewelry often contain toxic substances such as lead and cadmium. Do these objects present a health risk for young children? "We observed that cadmium and lead contamination, both very toxic metals, are a major problem, especially when it comes to metallic jewelry and toys. Copper, nickel, arsenic and antimony were also present in some samples," explains the author of a new article.

Experiential avoidance increases PTSD risk following child maltreatment Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST Child abuse is a reliable predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder, but not all maltreated children suffer from it, according researchers, who examined why some maltreated children develop PTSD and some do not. The research team found that adolescent girls who experienced maltreatment in the past year and were willing to talk about their painful experiences and their thoughts and emotions, were less likely to have PTSD symptoms one year later. Those who tried to avoid painful thoughts and emotions were significantly more likely to exhibit PTSD symptoms down the road.

Hop leaves -- discarded in beer brewing -- have substances that could fight dental diseases Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:51 AM PST Beer drinkers know that hops are what gives the drink its bitterness and aroma. Recently, scientists reported that the part of hops that isn't used for making beer contains healthful antioxidants and could be used to battle cavities and gum disease. Researchers say that they've identified some of the substances that could be responsible for these healthful effects.

A wristband for a different kind of cause ... environmental health Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:51 AM PST From 'Livestrong' to 'Purple Paws,' trendy wristbands have come to represent causes from cancer to ending cruelty to animals. Add a new wristband of a different sort: one that could close the loop on determining the potential disease risks of exposure to substances like pesticides.

All work and no play for children: Losing their childhood and their happiness? Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:51 AM PST A UK Department for Health-commissioned survey in 2004 concluded that 1 in 10 British children aged 5-16 are diagnosed with mental disorders. Childhood stress, psychological problems and self-abuse are increasing. Gone are the hazy days when kids could run free all day and play. Through play "children develop… an emergent sense of competence … feelings of 'belonging', 'usefulness', and subsequent well-being". When deprived of play, children lack social connectivity and have less 'mental wellness'.

Newly engineered molecules doom proteins with kiss of death Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:49 AM PST Like mobsters following strict orders, newly engineered molecules called "ubiquibodies" can mark specific proteins inside a cell for destruction -- a molecular kiss of death that is paving the way for new drug therapies and powerful research tools. For instance, in a cancer cell in which a certain protein has been identified as contributing to the disease, the ubiquibody could reduce or eliminate the protein from within by targeting that specific protein only, the authors suggest.

B-cells aggravate autoimmune diseases Posted: 05 Mar 2014 08:10 AM PST Scientists may have discovered a fundamental aggravating factor in autoimmune diseases. If B-lymphocytes lack the protein PTP1B, the cells will become hyperactive for stimulatory signals and can thus promote an autoimmune attack. This study offers an additional explanation to how B-cells regulate an immune response.

Patients' stories used to improve care on hospital wards Posted: 05 Mar 2014 08:10 AM PST A research project is showing how patient experiences can be used to improve healthcare -- not through targets and surveys, but by getting doctors, nurses and patients talking together about care on the ward. Videos of patients talking about care they received at various hospitals are used to trigger a discussion between staff, managers, patients and family members about the ward where they are. Ideas for change are prioritized and staff and patients work together as partners to introduce them.

The birds and the bees of proteins Posted: 05 Mar 2014 07:59 AM PST A split-second snapshot of an early stage of protein formation could someday lead to more effective antibiotics. Proteins are the worker bees of cells. They get rid of waste, transmit cellular signals and carry out the chemical reactions that enable the human body to function. Without proteins, cells would be unable to function, replicate, and die. Viruses, bacteria and cancer cells also need proteins to reproduce. Using computer modelling, researchers examined the role of one specific protein, and its ultimate effect on health.

Sharper view gained of osteoporosis development: Intracellular protein discovered Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:46 AM PST In the bones supporting our bodies, calcium regulation occurs by balancing the activities of osteoclasts, which are groups of cells that increase the calcium concentration in blood by destroying bone tissue, and osteoblasts, which are another groups of cells that absorb calcium in blood to store in the bones. This process, called bone metabolism, is largely regulated by hormones, but more recently, the involvement of an intracellular protein named CNOT has been discovered. CNOTs are known for their role in mRNA degradation, in which CNOTs eliminate excess messenger RNA (mRNA) and inhibit overproduction of proteins in cells. Various studies have been undertaken to investigate whether a deficiency of each CNOT can cause disease.

New findings on neurogenesis in spinal cord Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:46 AM PST The expression of the so called MYC gene is important and necessary for neurogenesis in the spinal cord, new research suggests. The MYC gene encodes the protein with the same name, and has an important role in many cellular processes such as proliferation, metabolism, cell death and the potential of differentiation from immature stem cells to different types of specialized cells. Importantly it is also one of the most frequently activated genes in human cancer.

Intimate partner violence in men who have sex with men is linked to adverse health effects Posted: 04 Mar 2014 02:33 PM PST Intimate partner violence among men who have sex with men (MSM) is linked to greater risk of mental and physical health symptoms, substance misuse, and sexually transmitted infections, according to a new research article.

Warfarin for a-fib does not worsen outcomes for patients with kidney disease Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST Although some research has suggested that the use of the anticoagulant warfarin for atrial fibrillation among patients with chronic kidney disease would increase the risk of death or stroke, a study that included more than 24,000 patients found a lower one-year risk of the combined outcomes of death, heart attack or stroke without a higher risk of bleeding.

Common cancers evade detection by silencing parts of immune system cells Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:45 PM PST A set of genes has been identified that appear to predict which tumors can evade detection by the body's immune system, a step that may enable them to eventually target only the patients most likely to respond best to a new class of treatment. A team says it has identified genes that have been repressed through so-called epigenetic changes — modifications that alter the way genes function without changing their DNA sequence — which help the cells to evade the immune system. The researchers were able to reverse these epigenetic changes with the use of an FDA-approved drug, forcing the cancer cells out of hiding and potentially making them better targets for the same immune therapy that in the past may have failed.

More genetic signals found linking weight, heart health risk factors Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Two recent genetic studies expand the list of genes involved with body fat and body mass index, and their connection to major Western health problems: heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. One study showed that higher body mass index caused harmful effects on the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and inflammation, while another study found gene signals linked to higher levels of body fat metrics, without showing causality.

Experiences of racism associated with weight gain in African American women, study shows Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Frequent experiences of racism were associated with a higher risk of obesity among African American women, findings from a recent study have demonstrated. These results suggest that the relationship between racism and obesity was strongest among women who reported consistently high experiences of racism over a 12-year period. The lead author suggests that work-place- and community-based programs to combat racism and interventions to reduce racism-induced stress could be an important component of strategies for prevention of obesity, especially in communities at high risk.

HIV/STI prevention program in Haiti is changing and saving lives Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:54 AM PST A little training can go a long way in a desperate situation, a professor working in Haiti has recently demonstrated. She visited Leogane, Haiti, six times between 2011-2012 training eight displaced women living in tents to become health workers. These eight health workers helped implement the program with help from 200 other displaced women. The educational sessions took a holistic approach that addressed sexual and mental health, healthy relationships and coping with trauma. Results showed a marked decrease in depression, and an increase in sexual health awareness.

Pediatric surgeons develop standards for children's surgical care in United States Posted: 04 Mar 2014 08:35 AM PST The American College of Surgeons has published new comprehensive guidelines that define the resources the nation's surgical facilities need to perform operations effectively and safely in infants and children. Millions of children undergo surgical procedures in this country every year according to the authors. "There are still children today who receive surgical care in environments not matched to their needs," the task force said. "This scenario can affect how children fare after an operation."

Hungry for 'likes': Anxiety over Facebook photos linked to eating disorders Posted: 04 Mar 2014 07:24 AM PST There is a positive correlation between an increased use of social media and decreased body image in young women, reveals a study. Facebook has become a global phenomenon and an active space for social comparison. "Facebook merges powerful peer influences with broader societal messages that focus on the importance of women's appearance into a single platform that women carry with them throughout the day. As researchers and clinicians attempt to understand and address risk factors for eating disorders, greater attention is needed to the emerging role of social media in young people's lives," researchers state.

New therapy helps improve audio, visual perception in stroke patients Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:45 AM PST Stroke is one of the most common neurological disorders worldwide. Many stroke survivors are left with serious health problems. Some patients, for example, find themselves unable to perceive one side of their body and can have problems seeing, hearing and feeling on that side. The situation is made more complicated by the fact that most of these patients are unable to assess their own state of health or even deny that there is a problem at all. A team of neuropsychologists has now developed a new technique that is helping to restore patients' perception of sounds and images.

Carotid artery MRI helps predict likelihood of strokes, heart attacks Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:15 AM PST Noninvasive imaging of carotid artery plaque with MRI can accurately predict future cardiovascular events like strokes and heart attacks in people without a history of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. Researchers have long known that some arterial plaque is more dangerous because of its vulnerability to rupture. MRI can discern features of vulnerable plaque, such as a lipid core with a thin fibrous cap. This ability makes MRI a potentially valuable tool for identifying patients at risk for subsequent cardiovascular events.

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