ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Artificial blood vessel lets researchers better assess clot removal devices
• Bacterial flora of remote tribespeople carries antibiotic resistance genes
• New lab technique reveals structure and function of proteins critical in DNA repair
• Fruit fly studies shed light on adaptability of nerve cells
• Mouth, as well as gut, could hold key to liver disease flare-ups
• New genetic mutation could signal start of malaria drug resistance in Africa
• Text messages a good way to support mothers with postpartum depression
• Two drugs reduce teacher-rated anxiety, in addition to ADHD, aggression
• DNA blood test detects lung cancer mutations
• One in four advanced lung cancer patients tested for EGFR mutations started on first-line treatment before test results available
• Diabetes perceptions vary according to risk factors, researchers find
• Smoking and mother's genetics combine to increase likelihood of twins
• New studies about endovascular therapy for stroke represent paradigm shift
• Droperidol is safe for agitated ER patients, despite black box warning, experts say
• To fight nasty digestive bugs, scientists set out to build a better gut – using stem cells
• How to develop healthy eating habits in a child: Start early and eat your vegetables
• Effectiveness of new stroke treatment confirmed
• Young women objectify themselves more browsing Facebook, magazines than media types
• Smokers underestimate risks of a few cigarettes
• Evidence grows that melanoma drugs benefit some lung cancer patients
• Experts warn Ebola epidemic could return with a vengeance unless lessons about medical trials are learned
• Cognitive problems are common after cardiac arrest
• Nothing beats a good night's sleep for helping people absorb new information, new research reveals
• Cardiorespiratory fitness reduces disease risk among smokers
• Game-changer for stroke treatment: Better function after stroke if clots removed
• Should they stay or should they go? Study finds no harm from hospital policies that let families observe CPR
• Epilepsy drug may preserve eyesight for people with multiple sclerosis
• Importance of counselling in those affected by infertility
• Half of older adults in US now taking aspirin, survey shows
• Research identifies barriers in tracking meals and what foodies want

Artificial blood vessel lets researchers better assess clot removal devices Posted: 17 Apr 2015 11:50 AM PDT An in vitro, live-cell artificial vessel has been created that can be used to study both the application and effects of devices used to extract life-threatening blood clots in the brain. The artificial vessel could have significant implications for future development of endovascular technologies, including reducing the need for animal models to test new devices or approaches.

Bacterial flora of remote tribespeople carries antibiotic resistance genes Posted: 17 Apr 2015 11:50 AM PDT Scientists have found antibiotic resistance genes in the bacterial flora of a South American tribe that never before had been exposed to antibiotic drugs. The findings suggest that bacteria in the human body have had the ability to resist antibiotics since long before such drugs were ever used to treat disease.

New lab technique reveals structure and function of proteins critical in DNA repair Posted: 17 Apr 2015 10:07 AM PDT By combining two highly innovative experimental techniques, scientists have for the first time simultaneously observed the structure and the correlated function of specific proteins critical in the repair of DNA, providing definitive answers to some highly debated questions, and opening up new avenues of inquiry and exciting new possibilities for biological engineering.

Fruit fly studies shed light on adaptability of nerve cells Posted: 17 Apr 2015 10:07 AM PDT Neurons in the eye change on the molecular level when they are exposed to prolonged light, new research demonstrates. The researchers could identify that a feedback signalling mechanism is responsible for these changes. The innate neuronal property might be utilized to protect neurons from degeneration or cell death in the future.

Mouth, as well as gut, could hold key to liver disease flare-ups Posted: 17 Apr 2015 10:07 AM PDT In a recent study, researchers predicted which cirrhosis patients would suffer inflammations and require hospitalization by analyzing their saliva, revealing a new target for research into a disease that accounts for more than 30,000 deaths in the United States each year.

New genetic mutation could signal start of malaria drug resistance in Africa Posted: 17 Apr 2015 10:07 AM PDT Early indicators of the malaria parasite in Africa developing resistance to the most effective drug available have been confirmed, according to new research. Investigators found Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites with a mutation to the gene Ap2mu were less sensitive to the antimalarial drug artemisinin.

Text messages a good way to support mothers with postpartum depression Posted: 17 Apr 2015 09:19 AM PDT New research explores the feasibility of helping low-income mothers through postpartum depression using text messages. The objective of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of sending supportive text messages to low-income mothers of racial and ethnic minority backgrounds with postpartum depression and gauge the perception of receiving such message for depression.

Two drugs reduce teacher-rated anxiety, in addition to ADHD, aggression Posted: 17 Apr 2015 09:18 AM PDT The addition of risperidone to parent training and a stimulant also improves teachers' assessments of anxiety and social avoidance, new research shows. Improvement in teacher-rated anxiety and social withdrawal also contributed to improvements in parent-rated disruptive behavior. Children who showed reduced anxiety also showed less disruptive behavior.

DNA blood test detects lung cancer mutations Posted: 17 Apr 2015 08:13 AM PDT Cancer DNA circulating in the bloodstream of lung cancer patients can provide doctors with vital mutation information that can help optimize treatment when tumor tissue is not available, an international group of researchers has reported.

One in four advanced lung cancer patients tested for EGFR mutations started on first-line treatment before test results available Posted: 17 Apr 2015 08:11 AM PDT Lack of test results may impact treatment effectiveness and survival, survey in Europe, Asia and US reveals.

Diabetes perceptions vary according to risk factors, researchers find Posted: 17 Apr 2015 08:06 AM PDT Differing perceptions among adult populations at-risk for diabetes have been uncovered by researchers, which may offer new approaches to diabetes education and prevention. Illness perceptions, the organized cognitive representations and beliefs that people hold about a condition, are recognized as important determinants of self-care behaviors and outcomes in patients. The way that people mentally represent their conditions has a concrete effect on the way that they manage these conditions and therefore on their prognoses.

Smoking and mother's genetics combine to increase likelihood of twins Posted: 17 Apr 2015 07:37 AM PDT African American mothers who smoke and have a genetic profile that includes a single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP, of the TP53 gene have an increased likelihood of having twins, concluded a team of researchers.

New studies about endovascular therapy for stroke represent paradigm shift Posted: 17 Apr 2015 07:37 AM PDT An expert who writes an accompanying editorial for five studies about endovascular stroke therapy published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine says these randomized clinical trials represent a breakthrough in showing the benefits of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic strokes.

Droperidol is safe for agitated ER patients, despite black box warning, experts say Posted: 17 Apr 2015 07:35 AM PDT Droperidol is safe and effective for calming violent and aggressive emergency patients, and the negative effects that garnered a black box warning from the Food and Drug Administration are actually quite rare. A new study supports the safe use of the once ubiquitous, now scarce, sedating agent in emergency rooms.

To fight nasty digestive bugs, scientists set out to build a better gut – using stem cells Posted: 17 Apr 2015 07:34 AM PDT If you've ever been hit with an 'intestinal bug', you've felt the effects of infectious microbes on your digestive system. But scientists don't fully understand what's going on in gut infections like that – or in far more serious ones. Now, a team of scientists will tackle that issue in a new way.

How to develop healthy eating habits in a child: Start early and eat your vegetables Posted: 17 Apr 2015 07:34 AM PDT A healthy diet promotes success in life -- better concentration and alertness, better physical health that translates into good mental and emotional health.

Effectiveness of new stroke treatment confirmed Posted: 17 Apr 2015 05:54 AM PDT A research paper confirms earlier findings that a procedure called endovascular therapy for ischemic stroke is the best treatment option for many patients by reducing the incidents of disability. This is the fourth research paper published this year that confirms the efficacy of the treatment.

Young women objectify themselves more browsing Facebook, magazines than media types Posted: 17 Apr 2015 05:54 AM PDT Though it is widely believed that the media objectifies women, women further diminish themselves by constantly comparing their bodies to others. Regardless of how much time young women devote to viewing television, music videos and using the internet, they will compare their appearances more frequently to photos in magazines and on Facebook, finds a new article.

Smokers underestimate risks of a few cigarettes Posted: 17 Apr 2015 05:54 AM PDT Many people still dangerously underestimate the health risks associated with smoking even a few cigarettes a day, despite decades of public health campaigning, researchers report. "People who smoke very much tend to underestimate their risks," an investigator said, "and it makes me think that 'denial' is still prevalent. As an oncologist and tobacco control advocate, it amazes me and strikes me as so unfortunate that such lack of knowledge is so prevalent."

Evidence grows that melanoma drugs benefit some lung cancer patients Posted: 17 Apr 2015 05:54 AM PDT A subset of lung cancer patients can derive important clinical benefits from drugs that are more commonly used to treat melanoma, the authors of a new academic clinical trial in Europe have reported.

Experts warn Ebola epidemic could return with a vengeance unless lessons about medical trials are learned Posted: 17 Apr 2015 05:53 AM PDT Health experts have warned that a greater flexibility must be brought to medical trials to combat diseases like Ebola to avoid facing another nightmare outbreak. The rapidity and spread of the Ebola outbreak and the urgency of a response led to many challenges not least of which was to advise those managing people on the ground of the best way to treat the illness and which treatments might be effective.

Cognitive problems are common after cardiac arrest Posted: 17 Apr 2015 05:52 AM PDT Half of all patients who survive a cardiac arrest experience problems with cognitive functions such as memory and attention, a major international study shows. Surprisingly, however, a control group comprising heart attack patients had largely the same level of problems. This suggests that it is not only the cardiac arrest and the consequent lack of oxygen to the brain that is the cause of the patients' difficulties.

Nothing beats a good night's sleep for helping people absorb new information, new research reveals Posted: 17 Apr 2015 05:52 AM PDT Researchers have found that successful long-term learning happens after classroom teaching, after the learners have slept on the new material.

Cardiorespiratory fitness reduces disease risk among smokers Posted: 17 Apr 2015 05:50 AM PDT Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with reduced metabolic syndrome risk among smokers, according to researchers. Smoking is estimated to cause 443,000 deaths each year in the United States, primarily from cancer, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Game-changer for stroke treatment: Better function after stroke if clots removed Posted: 17 Apr 2015 05:50 AM PDT Patients with severe strokes had far better outcomes when they were treated using not only a drug to dissolve the blood clot causing the stroke, but also with a procedure to grab, dislodge and remove the clot, according to an international study.

Should they stay or should they go? Study finds no harm from hospital policies that let families observe CPR Posted: 17 Apr 2015 05:50 AM PDT When a hospital patient's heart stops, the drama starts, as doctors and nurses work furiously at resuscitation. Some hospitals allow family members to watch, while the majority do not. Now, a study has shown for the first time on a national scale that patients do just as well after a cardiac arrest either way.

Epilepsy drug may preserve eyesight for people with multiple sclerosis Posted: 16 Apr 2015 04:25 PM PDT A drug commonly taken to prevent seizures in epilepsy may surprisingly protect the eyesight of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study.

Importance of counselling in those affected by infertility Posted: 16 Apr 2015 10:26 AM PDT The psychological impact and private agony of infertility must be carefully considered by healthcare professionals, suggests a new review. At present, the counseling role occupies a unique and diverse position within the infertility field, including that of patient advocate, gatekeeper, researcher, educator, supportive resource to colleagues, confidante and point of liaison, authors say.

Half of older adults in US now taking aspirin, survey shows Posted: 16 Apr 2015 10:26 AM PDT Slightly more than half of the older adults in the United States are now taking a daily dose of aspirin, even though its use is not recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for most people who have not yet had a heart attack or stroke, a national survey suggests. The findings suggest that tens of millions of Americans have reviewed the issues involved, often discussed it with their doctors, say they know what they are doing -- and decided to use aspirin.

Research identifies barriers in tracking meals and what foodies want Posted: 16 Apr 2015 08:28 AM PDT Researchers studied how mobile-based food journals integrate into everyday life and specific challenges when using food journaling technology. Their research suggests how future designs might make it easier and more effective.

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