ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

---

• Pain diaries may slow patient recovery, study shows
• New insights into survival outcomes of Asian Americans diagnosed with cancer
• Report reveals alarming lack of water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities
• Smoking in front of your kids may increase their risk of heart disease as adults
• Experiments reveal key components of the body's machinery for battling deadly tularemia
• Along with antiretroviral medications, doctors may prescribe exercise for people with HIV
• Zinc deficiency linked to immune system response, particularly in older adults
• High-definition scans suggest effects of smoking may be seen in unborn babies
• Favorable 15-year survival outcomes for older prostate cancer patients with low-risk disease
• Potential for ALS treatment found in three proteins
• Scientists use DNA sequencing to trace the spread of drug-resistant TB
• Association between migraine, carpal tunnel syndrome found
• Number of births may affect mom's future heart health, cardiologists find
• Pregnancy complications in women with sickle cell disease
• Access to clean water: Question of lifestyle and fairness
• Research into brain's ability to heal itself offers hope for novel treatment of traumatic brain injury
• Genomewide screen of learning in zebrafish identifies enzyme important in neural circuit
• Spontaneous coronary artery disease identified as inherited
• Suggestions for Nudging Children toward Healthier Food Choices
• Statistician helps resolve dispute about how gene expression is controlled
• Rush to crush risks medicine effectiveness
• Blood thinning drug helps in understanding a natural HIV barrier
• Stress granules ease the way for cancer metastasis
• Profound, debiliating fatigue found to be a major issue for autoimmune disease patients in new national survey
• Majority of new pediatricians satisfied with first jobs; work matches lifestyle, family and career goals
• Research identifies novel steps in Dementia progression
• South Pole telescope expands cosmic search
• Exercise linked to improved erectile, sexual function in men
• Sweeping prostate cancer review upends widely held view on radiation
• Blood test for patients on acne medication deemed unnecessary
• Stress management techniques improve long-term mood and quality of life for women with breast cancer
• Breakthrough identification of important protein
• Expanding Medicaid under ACA helped to identify 23 percent more people with previously undiagnosed diabetes
• Prostate screening: Combining MRI with conventional prostate surveillance effective, study suggests
• New potential for personalized treatments in bowel cancer
• Experts warn of potential upsurge in mosquito and tick-borne diseases as UK climate gets warmer
• Hunger versus reward: How do anorexics control their appetite?
• From blue pill to blue light

Pain diaries may slow patient recovery, study shows Posted: 23 Mar 2015 03:25 PM PDT A study is calling into question the worth of pain diaries, showing that patients who kept daily pain diaries following a serious back injury reported a significantly slower recovery than those who didn't record their symptoms.

New insights into survival outcomes of Asian Americans diagnosed with cancer Posted: 23 Mar 2015 03:25 PM PDT Numerous studies have documented racial differences in deaths from cancer among non-Hispanic whites and African Americans, but little has been known about survival outcomes for Asian Americans who have been diagnosed with cancer, until now. A new study examined cancer patients in eight different Asian American subgroups and found their cancer-specific mortality was substantially lower than that of non-Hispanic white patients.

Report reveals alarming lack of water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities Posted: 23 Mar 2015 03:25 PM PDT The World Health Organization and UNICEF have commissioned the first comprehensive, multi-country analysis on water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) services in health care facilities, calling for global action to push toward 100 percent coverage of these services through new policies, collaboration, monitoring and training.

Smoking in front of your kids may increase their risk of heart disease as adults Posted: 23 Mar 2015 03:25 PM PDT Kids exposed to their parents' smoking had a higher risk of developing clogged arteries in adulthood than those with non-smoking parents. Researchers stressed that parents should not smoke if they want to provide the best long-term cardiovascular health for their children.

Experiments reveal key components of the body's machinery for battling deadly tularemia Posted: 23 Mar 2015 01:24 PM PDT Key molecules that trigger the immune system to launch an attack on the bacterium that causes tularemia have been discovered by researchers. Tularemia is a highly infectious disease that kills more than 30 percent of those infected, if left untreated. It can be readily transmitted by air, insect bites or through contaminated food or water.

Along with antiretroviral medications, doctors may prescribe exercise for people with HIV Posted: 23 Mar 2015 11:28 AM PDT In addition to antiretroviral medications, people with HIV may soon begin receiving a home exercise plan from their doctors, according to a researcher. An estimated 1.2 million people in the United States live with HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Zinc deficiency linked to immune system response, particularly in older adults Posted: 23 Mar 2015 11:28 AM PDT Zinc, an important mineral in human health, appears to affect how the immune system responds to stimulation, especially inflammation, new research shows. Zinc deficiency could play a role in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes that involve inflammation. Such diseases often show up in older adults, who are more at risk for zinc deficiency.

High-definition scans suggest effects of smoking may be seen in unborn babies Posted: 23 Mar 2015 11:28 AM PDT The harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy may be reflected in the facial movements of mothers' unborn babies, new research has suggested. The researchers say that the reason for this might be that the fetal central nervous system, which controls movements in general and facial movements in particular did not develop at the same rate and in the same manner as in fetuses of mothers who did not smoke during pregnancy.

Favorable 15-year survival outcomes for older prostate cancer patients with low-risk disease Posted: 23 Mar 2015 11:28 AM PDT Results from a population-based study show favorable survival outcomes among patients with low-risk prostate cancer treated with conservative management initially. The study, which examined men 65 and older, extends previous data examination by the team an additional five years.

Potential for ALS treatment found in three proteins Posted: 23 Mar 2015 10:10 AM PDT Where ALS comes from and how it progresses are mysteries that continue to vex medical science. But recent research has found three proteins that could shed some light on the mechanisms behind this deadly disease.

Scientists use DNA sequencing to trace the spread of drug-resistant TB Posted: 23 Mar 2015 10:10 AM PDT Scientists have for the first time used DNA sequencing to trace the fatal spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis between patients in the UK. TB is spread by inhaling tiny airborne droplets from an infected person. The bacteria can survive in the lungs for long periods without causing symptoms -- known as latent infection.

Association between migraine, carpal tunnel syndrome found Posted: 23 Mar 2015 10:08 AM PDT Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome are more than twice as likely to have migraine headaches, reports a new study. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have symptoms such as hand numbness and weakness, resulting from pressure on the median nerve in the wrist.

Number of births may affect mom's future heart health, cardiologists find Posted: 23 Mar 2015 10:08 AM PDT Women who give birth to four or more children are more likely to have cardiovascular changes that can be early indicators of heart disease than women who have fewer children, new research finds.

Pregnancy complications in women with sickle cell disease Posted: 23 Mar 2015 08:18 AM PDT When compared to healthy pregnant women, pregnant women with a severe form of sickle cell disease are six times more likely to die during or following pregnancy and have an increased risk for stillbirth, high blood pressure, and preterm delivery, a new study reports. New research is the first to estimate several health risks facing pregnant women with SCD and identify those who are at highest risk of complications.

Access to clean water: Question of lifestyle and fairness Posted: 23 Mar 2015 08:18 AM PDT eThekwini is a municipality in South Africa, where the town of Durban is located. eThekwini is pointed out as being a good example with regard to the distribution of water to all inhabitants and in 2014, eThekwini was given the Stockholm Industry Water Award. However, many residents feel the system is unfair. For some, getting hold of clean water is a daily battle while others have swimming pools.

Research into brain's ability to heal itself offers hope for novel treatment of traumatic brain injury Posted: 23 Mar 2015 08:16 AM PDT Innovative angles of attack in research that focus on how the human brain protects and repairs itself will help develop treatments for one of the most common, costly, deadly and scientifically frustrating medical conditions worldwide: traumatic brain injury.

Genomewide screen of learning in zebrafish identifies enzyme important in neural circuit Posted: 23 Mar 2015 08:16 AM PDT Researchers describe the first set of genes important in learning in a zebrafish model. Using an in-depth analysis of one of these genes they found an important relevant signaling pathway. The proteins in this pathway could provide new insights into the development of novel pharmacological targets.

Spontaneous coronary artery disease identified as inherited Posted: 23 Mar 2015 08:16 AM PDT A familial association in spontaneous coronary artery dissection, a type of heart attack that most commonly affects younger women, has been identified by researchers, suggesting a genetic predisposition to the condition.

Suggestions for Nudging Children toward Healthier Food Choices Posted: 23 Mar 2015 08:16 AM PDT Strategies aimed at reducing childhood obesity should acknowledge individuals' rational taste preferences and apply insights from behavioral economics to design choice architecture that increases their likelihood of success, say two physician-scientists.

Statistician helps resolve dispute about how gene expression is controlled Posted: 23 Mar 2015 08:00 AM PDT Perhaps surprisingly, a new article outlines that transcription is the dominant step that determines protein abundance. The researchers conclude that more accurate measurement and analysis methods are needed for gene expression to be accurately modeled by scientists.

Rush to crush risks medicine effectiveness Posted: 23 Mar 2015 08:00 AM PDT People who take more than four doses of medicine a day appear more likely to crush tablets or open capsules potentially reducing their effectiveness, research has found. Also most of those who modified medication dosage forms didn't seek advice from healthcare professionals, instead turning to family and friends.

Blood thinning drug helps in understanding a natural HIV barrier Posted: 23 Mar 2015 07:57 AM PDT A blood thinning agent is helping researchers understand more about the body's natural barriers to HIV. New research reveals how the protein langerin, which is present in genital mucous and acts as a natural HIV barrier during the first stages of contamination, interacts with the drug heparin.

Stress granules ease the way for cancer metastasis Posted: 23 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT Tumors that produce more stress granules are more likely to metastasize, according to researchers. The results suggest that drugs to inhibit the formation of these structures might rein in cancer metastasis.

Profound, debiliating fatigue found to be a major issue for autoimmune disease patients in new national survey Posted: 23 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT Fatigue is a major component of autoimmune disease research team has found. Fatigue described as "profound," "debilitating," and "preventing them from doing the simplest everyday tasks," is a major issue for autoimmune disease (AD) patients, impacting nearly every aspect of their lives.

Majority of new pediatricians satisfied with first jobs; work matches lifestyle, family and career goals Posted: 23 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PDT Despite reports indicating job dissatisfaction among some physicians, at least one group of doctors seems to be starting their careers on the right note. The majority of new general pediatricians say the most important factor in their top choice for their first job was lifestyle, spouses or family -- and more than two- thirds believe their current jobs are consistent with their career goals, a new study says.

Research identifies novel steps in Dementia progression Posted: 23 Mar 2015 06:17 AM PDT Research by biologists has identified new mechanisms potentially driving progression of an aggressive form of dementia. The researchers studied how synapses -- the connections between neurons -- are affected by changes in the protein CHMP2B that are linked to Frontotemporal Dementia. They uncovered mechanisms that controlled growth in synapses causing them to overgrow. These signals are normally involved in immune reactions and have not been seen to function in synapse growth previously.

South Pole telescope expands cosmic search Posted: 23 Mar 2015 06:15 AM PDT The 10-meter SPT, which maps the cosmic microwave background, is the largest telescope ever to make its way to the South Pole. A major upgrade will help scientists to determine the masses of neutrinos and further study cosmic inflation.

Exercise linked to improved erectile, sexual function in men Posted: 23 Mar 2015 06:15 AM PDT Men who exercise more have better erectile and sexual function, regardless of race, according to a recent study. "This study is the first to link the benefits of exercise in relation to improved erectile and sexual function in a racially diverse group of patients," said the senior author of the study.

Sweeping prostate cancer review upends widely held view on radiation Posted: 23 Mar 2015 06:15 AM PDT Two new studies have upended the widely held view that it's best to delay radiation treatment as long as possible after the removal of the prostate in order to prevent unwanted side effects. The findings inject hard facts into a debate that has long divided the medical community, with many radiation oncologists preferring adjuvant therapy -- radiation given soon after prostate removal to kill off any remaining cancer cells -- and many urologists preferring salvage therapy -- radiation given later, when prostate-specific antigen tests suggest it's needed.

Blood test for patients on acne medication deemed unnecessary Posted: 23 Mar 2015 04:59 AM PDT For young, healthy women taking spironolactone to treat hormonal acne, frequent office visits and blood draws are an unnecessary health care expense, researchers report. For the approximately 1,000 patients studied, blood tests to monitor potassium levels did not change the course of treatment, but the tests cumulatively totaled up to $80,000.

Stress management techniques improve long-term mood and quality of life for women with breast cancer Posted: 23 Mar 2015 04:59 AM PDT A new study shows that providing women with skills to manage stress early in their breast cancer treatment can improve their mood and quality of life many years later.

Breakthrough identification of important protein Posted: 23 Mar 2015 04:59 AM PDT Danish researchers are the first in the world to develop a secure way of measuring the important protein apo-M. This could prove relevant for research into diseases such as diabetes, arteriosclerosis and sclerosis, they say.

Expanding Medicaid under ACA helped to identify 23 percent more people with previously undiagnosed diabetes Posted: 23 Mar 2015 04:59 AM PDT States that have expanded their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act are capturing an increased number of people with previously undiagnosed diabetes, allowing them to begin treatment earlier, potentially reducing complications and other negative outcomes, according to a study.

Prostate screening: Combining MRI with conventional prostate surveillance effective, study suggests Posted: 23 Mar 2015 04:57 AM PDT Initial results from a randomized screening trial indicates that using MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) alongside conventional prostate cancer screening seems to offer improved cancer detection and can help avoid unnecessary biopsies.

New potential for personalized treatments in bowel cancer Posted: 23 Mar 2015 04:57 AM PDT Genetic changes in bowel tumors are linked to the way the body's immune system responds to the cancer, according to new research. From this research, scientists can now start looking at what causes a weak immune response and in the future, could target drugs to switch off the immune suppression associated with certain genetic mutations, authors say.

Experts warn of potential upsurge in mosquito and tick-borne diseases as UK climate gets warmer Posted: 23 Mar 2015 04:57 AM PDT Vector-borne diseases, which are transmitted by insects such as mosquitoes and ticks, are on the rise and have spread into new territories across Europe over the past decade (eg, malaria in Greece, West Nile virus in eastern Europe, chikungunya in Italy and France). Authors of a new study say that disease-carrying mosquitoes could also become widespread across large parts of Britain within the next few decades as the climate becomes increasingly mild. More rainfall and warmer temperatures could provide ideal conditions for the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which spreads the viruses that cause dengue and chikungunya, to breed and expand into the UK, particularly southern England.

Hunger versus reward: How do anorexics control their appetite? Posted: 23 Mar 2015 04:57 AM PDT Many adults, regardless of their weight, resolve to avoid fatty foods and unhealthy desserts. But despite one's best intentions, when the moment for decision comes, that chocolate lava cake is often too enticing and self-control vanishes. This behavior is normal because hunger increases the intensity of food rewards. Yet, individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), despite their state of starvation, are able to ignore such food-related rewards. A new study sheds new light on the brain mechanisms that may contribute to the disturbed eating patterns of anorexia.

From blue pill to blue light Posted: 23 Mar 2015 04:54 AM PDT Erectile dysfunction is a taboo subject among men. No one likes to talk about it. But the fact is that as men age, an increasing number will suffer from erectile dysfunction. From the age of 30, the number of men who have unsatisfactory erections or none at all increases. In the over-60 age group, more than half of all men have been affected by erectile dysfunction.

You are subscribed to email updates from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States