الثلاثاء، 7 أبريل 2015

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Sound separates cancer cells from blood samples

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 01:54 PM PDT

Separating circulating cancer cells from blood cells for diagnostic, prognostic and treatment purposes may become much easier using an acoustic separation method and an inexpensive, disposable chip, according to a team of engineers.

New test measures deadly protein in Huntington's disease patients' spinal fluid

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 01:54 PM PDT

A new test has been able to measure for the first time the build-up of a harmful mutant protein in the nervous system of patients during the progression of Huntington's disease (HD). HD is a genetic neurodegenerative disease that usually develops in adulthood and causes abnormal involuntary movements, psychiatric symptoms, and dementia. It is caused by a single gene mutation that results in the production of mutant huntingtin protein. The mutated gene was identified in 1993 but until now it has not been possible to quantify the mutant protein in the nervous system of living HD patients.

Characteristic pattern of protein deposits in brains of retired NFL players who suffered concussions

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 01:51 PM PDT

A new study takes another step toward the early understanding of a degenerative brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, which affects athletes in contact sports who are exposed to repetitive brain injuries. Using a new imaging tool, researchers found a strikingly similar pattern of abnormal protein deposits in the brains of retired NFL players who suffered from concussions.

Common antidepressant increased coronary atherosclerosis in animal model

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 01:51 PM PDT

A commonly prescribed antidepressant caused up to a six-fold increase in atherosclerosis plaque in the coronary arteries of non-human primates, according to a study. Coronary artery atherosclerosis is the primary cause of heart attacks.

A third of breast cancer patients concerned about genetic risk

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 01:51 PM PDT

Many women diagnosed with breast cancer are concerned about the genetic risk of developing other cancers themselves or of a loved one developing cancer, a new study confirms. Overall, 35 percent of women with breast cancer expressed a strong desire for genetic testing, but 43 percent of those women did not have a relevant discussion with a health care professional. The study also found that racial minority patients with a strong desire for testing were less likely than white patients to discuss it with a professional, even though studies show that minority patients are not at lower risk for these mutations.

Middle-aged athletes at low risk for sudden cardiac arrest while exercising

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 01:51 PM PDT

Middle-aged athletes are at low risk for having a sudden cardiac arrest while playing sports, and those who do have a greater chance of surviving the usually-fatal condition, shows a new study.

Computers that mimic the function of the brain

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 12:30 PM PDT

A team researchers used a promising new material to build more functional memristors, bringing us closer to brain-like computing. Both academic and industrial laboratories are working to develop computers that operate more like the human brain. Instead of operating like a conventional, digital system, these new devices could potentially function more like a network of neurons.

Mechanism that drives melanoma to metastasize identified

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 12:28 PM PDT

In a unique partnership demonstrating excellence in "team science," investigators identified a role for the molecule CXCR3 (widely known to regulate the migration of immune cells) as a key mediator of melanoma metastasis. The significance of this work is its descriptions of alternative mechanisms by which tumors move and settle in new locations.

Near-death brain signaling accelerates demise of the heart

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 12:28 PM PDT

What happens in the moments just before death is widely believed to be a slowdown of the body's systems as the heart stops beating and blood flow ends. But there's a brainstorm happening, strongly synchronized with heart rhythm. Blocking this brain outflow may change the odds of survival for those who suffer cardiac arrest.

Researchers track protein 'hitchhiker' in fluorescent worms

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 11:46 AM PDT

A new mechanism that ensures proper cell division in worms has been identified by researchers. They believe that same process may also be happening in humans and understanding healthy cell division could have implications for cancer patients and embryos.

Better sensors for medical imaging, contraband detection

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 11:46 AM PDT

A new, ultrasensitive magnetic-field detector has been developed that is 1,000 times more energy-efficient than its predecessors. It could lead to miniaturized, battery-powered devices for medical and materials imaging, contraband detection, and even geological exploration.

Facebook use linked to depressive symptoms

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 11:46 AM PDT

The social media site, Facebook, can be an effective tool for connecting with new and old friends. However, some users may find themselves spending quite a bit of time viewing Facebook and may inevitably begin comparing what's happening in their lives to the activities and accomplishments of their friends.

Stress and obesity: Your family can make your fat

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 10:36 AM PDT

A new study suggests a relationship between long-term exposure to three specific types of family stressors and children becoming obese by the time they turn 18.

Consequences of driving drunk are paying off

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 10:36 AM PDT

Punishments for drivers whose blood alcohol content is measured above legal thresholds for impairment have reduced the likelihood of repeat offenses, says an economist. To further discourage drunk driving, the researcher suggests lowering the thresholds and instituting harsher penalties based on blood alcohol content.

Origin of cancer wasting identified in fruit flies

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 10:36 AM PDT

The progressive wasting of muscle and fat tissue throughout the body is one of the most visible and heartbreaking manifestations of cancer, yet little is known about how tumors cause distant tissues to degenerate. Two studies reveal that a tumor-secreted molecule drives the loss of fat and muscle tissue in fly cancer models that replicate key features of tumor-induced wasting in humans. The findings could lead to much-needed therapies for wasting.

Pomegranate-date cocktail a day keeps the doctor away

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 10:35 AM PDT

Pomegranates and dates are delicious, increasingly trendy, and healthy to boot. As it turns out, when consumed together they are a winning combination in the war against heart disease. The researchers conclude that people at high risk for cardiovascular diseases, as well as healthy individuals, could benefit from consuming the combination of half a glass of pomegranate juice (4 ounces), together with 3 dates. Ideally, the pits should be ground up into a paste and eaten as well, but even without the pits, the combination is better than either fruit alone.

How do you feel? Video of your face may tell all

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 09:14 AM PDT

Researchers are developing a touch-free system that monitors patients' vital signs via video while compensating for skin tone, lighting and movement.

Multiple sclerosis patients could benefit from brain boost study

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 09:14 AM PDT

Multiple sclerosis patients could one day benefit from treatments that boost their brain function, a study suggests. Increasing the activity of neurons could be beneficial in people with the disease, researchers say. It could stimulate the production of a substance that protects nerve fibres, the researchers say.

Inning limits don't prevent MLB pitching injuries

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 09:13 AM PDT

Restricting the number of innings young Major League Baseball pitchers throw does not prevent injuries, according to new research. The study also found that gradually increasing the total number of innings pitched per season has no effect on young MLB pitchers' risk of future injury.

New target for anticancer drugs: RNA

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 09:13 AM PDT

Messenger RNAs -- the working copies of genes that are used to assemble proteins -- have typically been ignored as drug targets because they all look about the same. But researchers have found that a subset of mRNAs -- many of which have been linked to cancer -- have unique tags. These short RNA tags bind to a protein, eIF3, that regulates translation at the ribosome, making the binding site a promising target for anticancer drugs.

Engineers gain control of gene activity by synthetically creating key component of epigenome

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 09:10 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a new method to activate genes by synthetically creating a key component of the epigenome that controls how our genes are expressed. The new technology allows researchers to turn on specific gene promoters and enhancers -- pieces of our genomes that control our gene activity -- by chemically manipulating proteins that package our DNA.

Working up a sweat: It could save your life

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 09:10 AM PDT

Physical activity that makes you puff and sweat is key to avoiding an early death, a large study of middle-aged and older adults has found. The researchers followed 204,542 people for more than six years, and compared those who engaged in only moderate activity (such as gentle swimming, social tennis, or household chores) with those who included at least some vigorous activity (such as jogging, aerobics or competitive tennis).

Researchers put safety of magic anti-cancer bullet to test

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 07:10 AM PDT

The first systematic study has been carried out analyzing the safety of so-called upconversion nanoparticles that may be used to treat skin cancer and other skin diseases. This study is one of the most important steps on the path to new, safe and effective methods to diagnose and treat cancer.

Common cancers highjack powerhouses of cells

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 07:10 AM PDT

In a breakthrough in the understanding of how cancer does its deadly work, researchers have shown that many cancers -- including nearly all pancreatic cancers -- enslave and deform mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, to create an environment more conducive to tumor growth.

Erythropoietin combined with radiation therapy does not improve local-regional control in anemic patients with head and neck cancer

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 07:10 AM PDT

Long-term analysis of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9903 demonstrates that the addition of erythropoietin did not improve local-regional control for anemic patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who receive radiation therapy or chemoradiation, according to a study.

Providers have mixed feelings about prescribing HIV prevention

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 07:09 AM PDT

People at substantial ongoing risk for HIV have a prevention option in addition to practicing safer sex: pre-exposure prophylaxis. Proactively taking a regimen of an HIV antiviral medication helps prevent HIV from establishing itself in the body. But for patients and providers, the US Public Health Service's PrEP guidelines may still be too well-kept a secret. Researchers found many US health care providers hesitate to prescribe PrEP to some patients.

New advancements in 3-D designs for neural tissue engineering

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 07:09 AM PDT

Several new designs for 3-D neural tissue constructs are described using stem cells grown on nanofiber scaffolding within a supportive hydrogel.

HIV linked to age-accelerating cellular changes

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 07:08 AM PDT

HIV induces age-associated changes to the DNA, which in turn lead to earlier onset of age-related illnesses such as some cancers, renal and kidney disease, frailty, osteoporosis and neurocognitive diseases by more than 14 years, new research demonstrates.

Antipsychotic use may increase the risk for diabetes in some children, new Medicaid data show

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 07:08 AM PDT

In the largest study to date documenting the significant risks to children's health associated with prescription antipsychotics, results suggest that initiating antipsychotics may elevate a child's risk not only for significant weight gain, but also for Type II diabetes by nearly 50 percent.

New look at language delay in children with autism

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 07:07 AM PDT

A new study by a linguistics professor sheds light on a well-known linguistic characteristic of autistic children — their reluctance to use pronouns — paving the way for more accurate diagnostics.

New genetic clues emerge on origin of Hirschsprung's disease

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 07:06 AM PDT

Genetic studies in humans, zebrafish and mice have revealed how two different types of genetic variations team up to cause a rare condition called Hirschsprung's disease. The findings add to an increasingly clear picture of how flaws in early nerve development lead to poor colon function, which must often be surgically corrected. The study also provides a window into normal nerve development and the genes that direct it.

Saving lives by making malaria drugs more affordable

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 05:29 AM PDT

The 'shelf life' of malaria-fighting drugs plays a significant role in how donors should subsidize the medicine in order to ensure better affordability for patients, a new report suggests. Forty percent of all malaria-caused deaths in sub-Saharan Africa occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria, according to the World Health Organization. The private sector "supply chain" manages 74% of the drug volume in Congo and 98% in Nigeria where malaria-stricken patients rely on "drug shops" and other for-profit retail outlets to get life-saving medicine.

New blood signature analysis may help diagnose Parkinson’s disease earlier

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 05:27 AM PDT

A new blood test may more accurately identify blood signatures, or biomarkers, for Parkinson's disease, according to a new study. While biomarkers -- such as bad cholesterol level in the case of heart disease -- hasten diagnoses by offering accurate measures of disease progression, there are currently no fully validated biomarkers for Parkinson's disease.

Cow milk is added to some breast milk, sold to parents online, study finds

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 04:10 AM PDT

A study on the safety of human breast milk bought over the Internet found that 10 percent of samples contained added cow's milk. The discovery that purchased samples of human milk may be purposely 'topped off' with cow's milk or infant formula confirms a danger for the large number of babies receiving the purchased milk due to medical conditions.

New treatment for dementia discovered: Deep brain stimulation

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 04:10 AM PDT

New brain cells can be formed through deep brain stimulation, improving memory retention, researchers report. For decades, scientists have been finding ways to generate brain cells to boost memory and learning, but more importantly, to also treat brain trauma and injury, and age-related diseases such as dementia. By stimulating the front part of the brain known as the prefrontal cortex, they have no discovered that new brain cells are formed in the hippocampus although it had not been directly stimulated.

Malignant melanoma: Pensioners seven times more likely to get deadly skin cancer than 40 years ago

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 04:10 AM PDT

Pensioners are seven times more likely to get malignant melanoma than 40 years ago, a study confirms. While age is one of the biggest risk factors for melanoma the huge increase in pensioners being diagnosed with the disease is likely to be linked to the cheap package holiday boom dating from the 1960s, and the desirability of having a tanned appearance even at the expense of painful sunburn.

Young guns: High rate of firearm violence found in high-risk youth after assault injury

Posted: 06 Apr 2015 04:09 AM PDT

Two young men sit in an inner-city ER. One is getting care for injuries he suffered in a fight, the other, for a sore throat. After getting care, both head back out to an environment of violence and poverty. But, a new study finds, the one who had been in a fight will have a 60% chance of involvement in a violent incident involving a firearm within the next two years.
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