ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Girls with disabilities are vulnerable to abuse by carers and partners because of their isolation and incapacity, research says
• Experimental drug may repair nerve damage in multiple sclerosis
• Pain-free blood tests
• New treatment for common digestive condition Barrett's esophagus
• Infectious ants become antisocial
• Healthcare professionals must recognize importance of human rights to improve healthcare for women, experts say
• Intrauterine exposure to maternal gestational diabetes linked with risk of autism
• How gum disease treatment can prevent heart disease
• Recruiting the entire immune system to attack cancer
• Wristband that measures rest, activity schedule may help predict response to antidepressants
• Detecting Cryptosporidium in China
• Inactive tumor suppressor gene discovered in lung cancer
• New insight into public interest in medicine research
• How does bench angle affect upper body muscle activation during bench press exercise?
• After lung transplantation: Go back to work and feel better
• Civic engagement may stave off brain atrophy, improve memory
• Genetically engineered Salmonella promising as anti-cancer therapy
• Stem cell injection may soon reverse vision loss caused by age-related macular degeneration
• High fidelity: Researcher finds keys to genome
• New tool for understanding ALS: Patients' brain cells
• New WHO statement on public reporting of clinical trial results
• E-cigarette use is not risk-free
• Stronger muscles make for healthier bone development
• New biomarker for uterine cancer discovered
• People less focused on recurrent bad feelings when taking probiotics
• A bulky catalyst induces pinpoint targeting on benzene to create bioactive molecules
• Model for a perfect human pyramid, six tiers high
• Advancements in retinal detachment research pave the road to better visual recovery
• UK research cash for dementia, stroke still way too low, experts say
• Ebola analysis finds virus hasn't become deadlier, yet
• Mechanism outlined by which inadequate vitamin E can cause brain damage
• Gold by special delivery intensifies cancer-killing radiation
• Emergency departments may help address opioid overdose, education
• Cellular signals for pain fine tune neurons' sensitivity to opiods
• New method to characterize structure of a protein that promotes tumor growth
• New recommendations for designing, measuring and recognizing comprehensive workplace wellness programs
• Weighing evidence on diabetes screening
• Researchers find new gene involved in blood-forming stem cells
• Study finds 1. 2 percent of preschoolers on Medicaid use psychotropic drugs
• Scientists uncover gene 'architects' responsible for body's blueprint
• Smartphone-based device could provide rapid, low-cost molecular tumor diagnosis
• Molecular signature for outcomes of triple negative breast cancer
• More salt doesn't mean better performance for endurance athletes

Girls with disabilities are vulnerable to abuse by carers and partners because of their isolation and incapacity, research says Posted: 14 Apr 2015 06:21 PM PDT In some cases the abuse took place in special education institutions, the British Sociological Association's annual conference in Glasgow was told today [Wednesday 15 April 2015].

Experimental drug may repair nerve damage in multiple sclerosis Posted: 14 Apr 2015 06:19 PM PDT A new study suggests that an investigational drug for multiple sclerosis (MS) may repair myelin, the fatty material that protects nerves and is damaged in MS, according to a new study.

Pain-free blood tests Posted: 14 Apr 2015 06:19 PM PDT Researchers want to make blood sampling less painful and more convenient. They are perfecting a device the size of a pingpong ball that extracts a small sample while held against the skin for two minutes.

New treatment for common digestive condition Barrett's esophagus Posted: 14 Apr 2015 10:25 AM PDT New research could transform treatments and diagnosis for a common digestive condition which affects thousands of patients.

Infectious ants become antisocial Posted: 14 Apr 2015 10:05 AM PDT Combining experiments and epidemiological modeling, scientists explore how cleaning behavior affects disease spread in societies.

Healthcare professionals must recognize importance of human rights to improve healthcare for women, experts say Posted: 14 Apr 2015 10:05 AM PDT Women's human rights need to be addressed globally in order to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, says an expert.

Intrauterine exposure to maternal gestational diabetes linked with risk of autism Posted: 14 Apr 2015 09:57 AM PDT Among a group of more than 320,000 children, intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosed by 26 weeks' gestation was associated with risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), according to a new study. Maternal pre-existing type 2 diabetes was not significantly associated with risk of ASD in offspring.

How gum disease treatment can prevent heart disease Posted: 14 Apr 2015 08:04 AM PDT A new study is helping to shed more light on the important connection between the mouth and heart. According to research, scientists have demonstrated that using an oral topical remedy to reduce inflammation associated with periodontitis, more commonly known as gum disease, also results in the prevention of vascular inflammation and can lower the risk of heart attack.

Recruiting the entire immune system to attack cancer Posted: 14 Apr 2015 08:04 AM PDT Stimulating both major branches of the immune system halts tumor growth more effectively, new research shows. Orchestrating a successful immune attack against tumors has proven difficult so far, but the new study suggests that such therapies could be improved by simultaneously activating both arms of the immune system. Until now, most researchers have focused on one of two strategies: attacking tumors with antibodies, which activate the innate immune system, or stimulating T cells, which form the backbone of the adaptive immune system.

Wristband that measures rest, activity schedule may help predict response to antidepressants Posted: 14 Apr 2015 08:04 AM PDT A wristband that records motion throughout a 24-hour cycle may be an inexpensive, safe way to determine which patients with major depressive disorder will respond best to commonly prescribed drugs such as Prozac, a researcher suggests.

Detecting Cryptosporidium in China Posted: 14 Apr 2015 08:03 AM PDT For a healthy individual, an infection of Cryptosporidium parvum may mean nothing more than a few days of bad diarrhea. For someone with a compromised immune system, it can mean death, following an excruciating, protracted bout of watery diarrhea. Recently, researchers developed a lab-on-a-chip device that can rapidly diagnose cryptosporidium infections from just a finger prick -- potentially bringing point-of-care diagnosis to at-risk areas in rural China in order to improve treatment outcomes.

Inactive tumor suppressor gene discovered in lung cancer Posted: 14 Apr 2015 07:09 AM PDT The PARD3 gene has been identified by researchers as a tumor suppressor that is inactivated in lung cancer squamous type. PARD3 gene encodes a protein that regulates cell polarization and cell junctions. When the gene is inactivated, errors occur in this cell orientation and in contact with neighboring cells. "Any change affecting this structure promotes tumor development," said a researcher.

New insight into public interest in medicine research Posted: 14 Apr 2015 07:09 AM PDT Data has been published for the first time about public knowledge of and interest in the process of medicines research and development. By providing an extensive insight into people's knowledge and interests, the researchers hope the data will help drive public involvement in medicines R&D.

How does bench angle affect upper body muscle activation during bench press exercise? Posted: 14 Apr 2015 07:08 AM PDT Muscular activation during exercise is the key to developing muscle mass and strength and the bench press exercise is a popular and widely used method of building upper body strength. In a new study, researchers set out to discover the effects on muscle activation during free weight barbell bench press at 0°, 30°, 45° and –15° bench angles. If greater or lesser angles enhance muscle activation, the results can be used to plan successful upper body exercise programs.

After lung transplantation: Go back to work and feel better Posted: 14 Apr 2015 07:08 AM PDT Returning to everyday life and resuming work in one's regular occupation are common goals of transplant patients, yet not all who undergo lung transplantation can go back to work. In a new article, researchers report the findings of the first study ever performed in Germany on the percentage of lung-transplant patients who resume employment after transplantation and the reasons that keep the others from going back to work.

Civic engagement may stave off brain atrophy, improve memory Posted: 14 Apr 2015 07:08 AM PDT Instead of shrinking as expected, as part of the normal aging process, the memory center in the brains of seniors maintained their size and, in men, grew modestly after two years in a program that engaged them in meaningful and social activities, new research suggests.

Genetically engineered Salmonella promising as anti-cancer therapy Posted: 14 Apr 2015 06:41 AM PDT Genetically modified Salmonella can be used to kill cancer cells, scientists report. For years, researchers have known that certain strains of bacteria, including Salmonella enterica, can kill cancer cells. Specifically Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium has been shown to not only colonize solid tumors, but also to exhibit an intrinsic antitumor effect. However, in order to use Salmonella as a weapon against cancer in humans, researchers must find a balance between allowing it to kill the cancer and be safe for the patient. This bacteria, commonly known for causing severe food poisoning, can lead to sepsis and death in humans.

Stem cell injection may soon reverse vision loss caused by age-related macular degeneration Posted: 14 Apr 2015 06:35 AM PDT An injection of stem cells into the eye may soon slow or reverse the effects of early-stage age-related macular degeneration, according to new research. Currently, there is no treatment that slows the progression of the disease, which is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 65.

High fidelity: Researcher finds keys to genome Posted: 14 Apr 2015 06:35 AM PDT Lesions in DNA can occur as often as 100,000 times per cell per day. They can be the result of normal metabolic activities, like free radicals, as well as exposure to environmental factors such as UV radiation, X-rays and chemical compounds. Researchers share a discovery that explains how cells use a process called replication fork reversal in order to deal with these roadblocks and transmit accurate genetic data.

New tool for understanding ALS: Patients' brain cells Posted: 14 Apr 2015 06:35 AM PDT Researchers have transformed skin cells from patients with Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), into brain cells affected by the progressive, fatal disease and deposited those human-made cells into the first public ALS cell library, enabling scientists to better study the disease.

New WHO statement on public reporting of clinical trial results Posted: 14 Apr 2015 05:53 AM PDT The WHO have announced a new statement on the public disclosure of clinical trial results which updates and expands a previous statement that noted the 'the registration of all interventional trials is a scientific, ethical, and moral responsibility.' The new statement includes timelines by which researchers are expected to report clinical trials results.

E-cigarette use is not risk-free Posted: 14 Apr 2015 05:37 AM PDT E-cigarettes are not without health risks for people who vape or for bystanders, researchers report. The report has only considered e-cigarettes with nicotine since there has been very little research about e-cigarettes without nicotine, they note.

Stronger muscles make for healthier bone development Posted: 14 Apr 2015 05:37 AM PDT Higher muscle mass is strongly linked with healthier bone development in children, researchers report. Researchers also found no relationship between fat mass and bone development, indicating it is not an important factor in childhood skeletal strength.

New biomarker for uterine cancer discovered Posted: 14 Apr 2015 05:37 AM PDT A new biomarker has been discovered that makes it possible to identify women with uterine cancer who have a high risk of recurrence. Endometrial cancer of the uterus is the most common form of gynecologic cancer in Europe and North America. The treatment primarily consists of removing the uterus and in some cases offering chemotherapy if the risk of recurrence is deemed high.

People less focused on recurrent bad feelings when taking probiotics Posted: 14 Apr 2015 05:37 AM PDT People focus less on bad feelings and experiences from the past (i.e. rumination) after four weeks of probiotics administration.

A bulky catalyst induces pinpoint targeting on benzene to create bioactive molecules Posted: 14 Apr 2015 05:37 AM PDT Tuning the para position of benzene moieties is significant for creating biologically active compounds and optoelectronic materials. Yet, attaching a functional handle specifically at the para position of benzene has been challenging due to multiple reactive sites on the ring. Chemists have developed a novel iridium catalyst that enables highly para-selective borylation on benzene, leading to the rapid synthesis of drug derivatives for treating Parkinson's disease.

Model for a perfect human pyramid, six tiers high Posted: 14 Apr 2015 05:37 AM PDT Student study suggests that the perfect human pyramid consists of men, women and children and could achieve six 'tiers' in height.

Advancements in retinal detachment research pave the road to better visual recovery Posted: 14 Apr 2015 05:35 AM PDT Age, disease and even playing certain sports like basketball can increase a person's risk of developing a detached retina. While surgery is typically used to treat the condition, subsequent scarring and damage to the retina can cause permanent vision problems or even blindness. New research is exploring the biochemical processes that lead to retinal scarring in the hopes of developing the first ever drug intervention to help improve the way retinas heal.

UK research cash for dementia, stroke still way too low, experts say Posted: 13 Apr 2015 06:32 PM PDT The amount of government money pumped into dementia and stroke research in the UK has risen significantly in recent years, but it is still way too low when compared with the economic and personal impact these conditions have, experts argue.

Ebola analysis finds virus hasn't become deadlier, yet Posted: 13 Apr 2015 06:31 PM PDT Research using cutting edge computer analysis reveals that despite mutating, Ebola hasn't evolved to become deadlier since the first outbreak 40 years ago. The surprising results demonstrate that whilst a high number of genetic changes have been recorded in the virus, it hasn't changed at a functional level to become more or less virulent.

Mechanism outlined by which inadequate vitamin E can cause brain damage Posted: 13 Apr 2015 03:42 PM PDT Researchers have discovered how vitamin E deficiency may cause neurological damage by interrupting a supply line of specific nutrients and robbing the brain of the 'building blocks' it needs to maintain neuronal health. They found that nutrients needed to build and maintain the brain can be cut by more than half, with possible implications for an elevated risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Gold by special delivery intensifies cancer-killing radiation Posted: 13 Apr 2015 03:42 PM PDT Researchers have demonstrated what could become a more precise method for targeting cancer cells for radiation. The method would use cancer-seeking peptides to ferry nanoparticles of gold to the site. The gold then helps focus radiation on the cancer cells.

Emergency departments may help address opioid overdose, education Posted: 13 Apr 2015 03:42 PM PDT Emergency departments provide a promising venue to address opioid deaths with education on both overdose prevention and appropriate actions in a witnessed overdose. In addition, emergency departments have the potential to equip patients with nasal naloxone rescue kits as part of this effort, authors of a new study suggest.

Cellular signals for pain fine tune neurons' sensitivity to opiods Posted: 13 Apr 2015 03:42 PM PDT At the cellular level, pain and pain relief are caused by two different signaling pathways. But the two pathways aren't necessarily independent of one another, according to a study. The researchers determined the mechanism by which cellular signals for pain fine-tunes neurons' sensitivity to opioids, medications that relieve pain. The finding could help researchers better understand pain and addiction.

New method to characterize structure of a protein that promotes tumor growth Posted: 13 Apr 2015 03:41 PM PDT A new method has been developed to identify a previously unknown structure in a protein called MDMX. MDMX is a crucial regulatory protein that controls p53 -- one of the most commonly mutated genes in cancer.

New recommendations for designing, measuring and recognizing comprehensive workplace wellness programs Posted: 13 Apr 2015 03:41 PM PDT New recommendations have been released by experts to address gaps in common standards around comprehensive workplace wellness programs. The recommendations improve the design, measurement and recognition of comprehensive workplace wellness programs, and, if adopted by employers, could significantly impact efforts to improve the cardiovascular health of the American workforce.

Weighing evidence on diabetes screening Posted: 13 Apr 2015 03:41 PM PDT Researchers have completed a systematic evidence review to inform an upcoming update of Task Force recommendations on screening asymptomatic, nonpregnant adults for type 2 diabetes.

Researchers find new gene involved in blood-forming stem cells Posted: 13 Apr 2015 03:37 PM PDT A gene critical to controlling the body's ability to create blood cells and immune cells from blood-forming stem cells -- known as hematopoietic stem cells -- has been discovered by researchers. Along with helping scientists better understand the body's basic processes, the discovery opens new lines of inquiry about the gene's potential role in cancers known to involve other members of the same gene family, like leukemia, or those where the gene might be highly expressed or mutated.

Study finds 1. 2 percent of preschoolers on Medicaid use psychotropic drugs Posted: 13 Apr 2015 03:37 PM PDT 1.2 percent of American preschool children on Medicaid are using psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers and medications for attention-deficit disorder. Using 2000-2003 Medicaid Analytic Extract data from 36 states, a group of researchers found preschoolers are receiving psychotropic medications despite limited evidence supporting safety or efficacy.

Scientists uncover gene 'architects' responsible for body's blueprint Posted: 13 Apr 2015 01:15 PM PDT Researchers have identified two key proteins that act as genetic 'architects', creating the blueprint needed by embryos during the earliest stages of their development. Previous work by the research team showed that the protein MOZ could relay external 'messages' to the developing embryo, revealing a mechanism for how the environment could affect development in very early pregnancy.

Smartphone-based device could provide rapid, low-cost molecular tumor diagnosis Posted: 13 Apr 2015 01:15 PM PDT A new device may bring rapid, accurate molecular diagnosis of tumors and other diseases to locations lacking the latest medical technology. The devise is a smartphone-based device that uses the kind of technology used to make holograms to collect detailed microscopic images for digital analysis of the molecular composition of cells and tissues.

Molecular signature for outcomes of triple negative breast cancer Posted: 13 Apr 2015 01:13 PM PDT Compared to other types of breast cancer, triple negative breast cancers are often more aggressive and have fewer treatment options. Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that triple negative breast cancer cells use to survive and grow, and say that if this result is validated in clinical trials, certain women may be identified at high risk for recurrence early, and could be treated more aggressively.

More salt doesn't mean better performance for endurance athletes Posted: 13 Apr 2015 01:13 PM PDT A new study cast doubts on the popular idea that salt consumption can help endurance athletes during competition. "While moderate sodium consumption is perfectly reasonable and should be encouraged, high sodium intake is associated with health concerns, like hypertension," an author said. "Many Americans already consume too much salt on a daily basis."

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