ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Ebola epidemic in Guinea may have led to 74,000 extra untreated cases of malaria in 2014
• What's the impact of marijuana on driving?
• Autistic children improved reading, brain activity after 10-week reading intervention
• Nanoparticle 'wrapper' delivers chemical that stops fatty buildup in rodent arteries
• Bionic eye clinical trial results show long-term safety, efficacy vision-restoring implant
• Study identifies multiple genetic changes linked to increased pancreatic cancer risk
• UVA fertilization discovery may lead to male contraceptive
• Nanowire implants offer remote-controlled drug delivery
• Study predicts variation in illness severity in a population
• No change detected in quality of care with overnight hospital supervision
• Annual low-dose CT screening safe, reliable for identifying pre-cancers
• Multidrug-resistant TB appears less transmissible in households than drug-susceptible TB
• Generic heart disease medications offer promise for Ebola treatment
• Pet ownership and its potential benefits for older adults
• Promising new drug combo offers hope for people battling melanoma
• Potential treatment target identified for rare form of diabetes, other disorders
• Reinforced cylinder leads to fewer repeat surgeries for children born with heart defect
• Researchers identify new class of antifungal agents
• Unauthorized immigrants prolong the life of Medicare Trust Fund, study suggests
• When inflammation occurs, kidneys work to protect themselves, researchers find
• Uninterrupted vitamin K antagonists recommended during ablation, device implantation
• How Huntington's disease proteins spread from cell to cell
• Diabetes medication reduces dementia risk
• Big data analysis platform to unveil gene interactions in cancer
• Many doctors misunderstand key facets of opioid abuse, study shows
• Trial could impact older myelodysplastic syndrome population's access to bone marrow transplants
• Dietary guidelines for Americans shouldn't place limits on total fat intake
• Medical marijuana 'edibles' mostly mislabeled: Many too weak, some surprisingly strong
• Mixed findings regarding quality of evidence supporting benefit of medical marijuana
• Benefit of early screening for vascular disorder among extremely preterm infants
• Fewer than one in 10 older heart patients get life-saving defibrillators
• Erectile dysfunction drugs unlikely to cause melanoma, researchers conclude
• Patient-initiated workplace violence affects counselors, treatment and outcomes
• New mechanism that regulates tumor initiation, invasion in skin basal cell carcinoma
• Robot controlled remotely with thoughts
• Parkinson's disease may begin in the gut
• New light shed on how neurons control muscle movement
• Adolescents uncertain about risks of marijuana, e-cigarettes, study finds
• 'Smarter' ordering of breast biomarker tests could save millions in health care dollars
• Climate change threatens to undermine the last half century of health gains
• Researchers identify gene mutation that can cause key-hole shape defect in eye
• Whooping cough: New findings on pertussis pathogen
• Researchers develop new breath test to diagnose oesophageal, gastric cancer
• 'Fitness' foods may cause consumers to eat more, exercise less
• Telomere G-tail: Useful marker of endothelial dysfunction, stroke and dementia
• New family of bioinspired antibiotic compounds developed
• Getting children to embrace healthy food
• Current blood cancer drug prices not justified, study finds
• Medication may stop drug, alcohol addiction
• CT allows nonsurgical management of some lung nodules
• Cocktail of common chemicals may trigger cancer
• Study shows importance of cause of kidney failure when planning future treatment
• Resiliency training program helps teens deal with today's stresses
• Rapid skin improvement seen after treating systemic sclerosis patients with fresolimumab
• How can health professionals enhance cognitive health in older adults?

Ebola epidemic in Guinea may have led to 74,000 extra untreated cases of malaria in 2014 Posted: 23 Jun 2015 05:00 PM PDT Around 74,000 fewer malaria cases than expected were seen at health facilities in Guinea in 2014 compared with pre-Ebola years, new research has found. This has led to a rising number of malaria deaths which is likely to greatly exceed the total number of deaths caused by Ebola itself (2,444 in Guinea by June 14, 2015).

What's the impact of marijuana on driving? Posted: 23 Jun 2015 03:04 PM PDT Drivers who use alcohol and marijuana together weave more on a virtual roadway than drivers who use either substance independently, a new study has found. However, the cocktail of alcohol and marijuana does not double the effect of the impairment.

Autistic children improved reading, brain activity after 10-week reading intervention Posted: 23 Jun 2015 03:04 PM PDT Ten weeks of intensive reading intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder was enough to strengthen the activity of loosely connected areas of their brains that work together to comprehend reading, researchers have found.

Nanoparticle 'wrapper' delivers chemical that stops fatty buildup in rodent arteries Posted: 23 Jun 2015 03:03 PM PDT In what may be a major leap forward in the quest for new treatments of the most common form of cardiovascular disease, scientists report they have found a way to halt and reverse the progression of atherosclerosis in rodents by loading microscopic nanoparticles with a chemical that restores the animals' ability to properly handle cholesterol.

Bionic eye clinical trial results show long-term safety, efficacy vision-restoring implant Posted: 23 Jun 2015 03:03 PM PDT The three-year clinical trial results of the retinal implant popularly known as the 'bionic eye,' have proven the long-term efficacy, safety and reliability of the device that restores vision in those blinded by a rare, degenerative eye disease. The findings show that the Argus II significantly improves visual function and quality of life for people blinded by retinitis pigmentosa.

Study identifies multiple genetic changes linked to increased pancreatic cancer risk Posted: 23 Jun 2015 03:03 PM PDT In a genome-wide association study believed to be the largest of its kind, researchers have uncovered four regions in the human genome where changes may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

UVA fertilization discovery may lead to male contraceptive Posted: 23 Jun 2015 03:03 PM PDT Groundbreaking new reproductive research has identified key molecular events that could be playing a critical role as sperm and egg fuse to create new life. The findings might one day lead to the creation of a male contraceptive.

Nanowire implants offer remote-controlled drug delivery Posted: 23 Jun 2015 01:11 PM PDT A new implantable drug-delivery system has been developed using nanowires that can be wirelessly controlled. The nanowires respond to an electromagnetic field generated by a separate device, which can be used to control the release of a preloaded drug. The system was tested in mice with spinal cord injuries.

Study predicts variation in illness severity in a population Posted: 23 Jun 2015 01:11 PM PDT When individual random quantities, such as reactions in the body, are instead correlated, and multiplied, the process gives rise to the ubiquitous, highly skewed pattern, and that this pattern is more accurately called a Weibull distribution, scientists explain.

No change detected in quality of care with overnight hospital supervision Posted: 23 Jun 2015 01:10 PM PDT With the implementation of an on-site attending-level physician supervising the overnight medical residents, one study has not seen any significant impact on important clinical outcomes, according to medical researchers.

Annual low-dose CT screening safe, reliable for identifying pre-cancers Posted: 23 Jun 2015 01:10 PM PDT An annual exam using a key imaging technology could spare patients with lung nodules from unnecessary tests and surgery. The study authors found the imaging technology, called low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), to be a safe and effective screening tool to monitor those with nonsolid lung nodules, which in some cases are precursors to cancer. Lung nodules are small tissue masses in the lungs that can be benign or cancerous.

Multidrug-resistant TB appears less transmissible in households than drug-susceptible TB Posted: 23 Jun 2015 01:10 PM PDT Some strains of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) may have a lower fitness (be less capable of spreading) than drug-susceptible tuberculosis bacteria, according to a new study. The study compared new tuberculosis cases among household contacts of tuberculosis patients in South Lima and Callao, Peru, to determine the relative fitness of MDRTB vs. drug-susceptible tuberculosis.

Generic heart disease medications offer promise for Ebola treatment Posted: 23 Jun 2015 11:19 AM PDT Generic medications used frequently in the management of heart disease patients also have the potential to bolster the immune systems of patients with Ebola virus and some other life-threatening illnesses, researchers report.

Pet ownership and its potential benefits for older adults Posted: 23 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT New research calls for increased understanding about older adults, the relationship between pet ownership and health, and the current barriers which limit older adults' chances to own a pet. The stud goes into detail about physical and financial risks for older adult pet ownership and how it can be diminished.

Promising new drug combo offers hope for people battling melanoma Posted: 23 Jun 2015 11:13 AM PDT Summer inspires many people to think about their vacation plans, however, it makes one medical oncologist think about melanoma. He hopes to be able to offer a new treatment for melanoma patients in the near future.

Potential treatment target identified for rare form of diabetes, other disorders Posted: 23 Jun 2015 11:13 AM PDT Scientists working to find treatments for a rare and severe form of diabetes known as Wolfram syndrome have identified a gatekeeper in cells that prevents harmful molecules from spilling and triggering cell death. The researchers also have found that the gatekeeper — an enzyme — may be a good treatment target not only for diabetes but for heart problems, Parkinson's disease and other disorders.

Reinforced cylinder leads to fewer repeat surgeries for children born with heart defect Posted: 23 Jun 2015 10:20 AM PDT Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a congenital defect in which the left side of the heart does not develop properly, impairing normal circulation. A series of surgeries can help restore heart function. A new study has found use of a ring-reinforced cylinder instead of the usual non-reinforced conduit improved survival, reduced need for re-interventions, and induced physiological changes that may make patients better candidates for recovery after future surgeries.

Researchers identify new class of antifungal agents Posted: 23 Jun 2015 10:19 AM PDT A new class of antifungals has been identified, potentially useful to treat the more than 300 million people worldwide who develop serious fungal infections. Fungal infections are most commonly found in individuals with medical conditions that compromise the immune system, such as AIDS, or individuals who are being treated with immunosuppressives, such as those battling cancer. The three classes of antifungal drugs currently available--azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins--are far from optimal.

Unauthorized immigrants prolong the life of Medicare Trust Fund, study suggests Posted: 23 Jun 2015 10:19 AM PDT Unauthorized immigrants pay billions more into Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund each year than they withdraw in health benefits. In 2011 alone, unauthorized immigrants paid in $3.5 billion more than they utilized in care. Unauthorized immigrants generated an average surplus of $316 per capita to the Trust Fund, while other Americans generated a deficit of $106 per capita. The authors conclude that reducing unauthorized immigration would worsen Medicare's financial health.

When inflammation occurs, kidneys work to protect themselves, researchers find Posted: 23 Jun 2015 10:17 AM PDT In an apparent effort to help themselves, inflamed kidney cells produce one of the same inflammation-suppressing enzymes fetuses use to survive, researchers report.

Uninterrupted vitamin K antagonists recommended during ablation, device implantation Posted: 23 Jun 2015 10:17 AM PDT Experts have recommended uninterrupted anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists during ablation and device implantation. Dramatic changes in the field during the last five years demanded a revision, they say.

How Huntington's disease proteins spread from cell to cell Posted: 23 Jun 2015 10:16 AM PDT By identifying in spinal fluid how the characteristic mutant proteins of Huntington's disease spread from cell to cell, scientists and colleagues have created a new method to quickly and accurately track the presence and proliferation of these neuron-damaging compounds -- a discovery that may accelerate the development of new drugs to treat this incurable disease.

Diabetes medication reduces dementia risk Posted: 23 Jun 2015 08:40 AM PDT Treating people with type 2 diabetes, also known as 'age-related diabetes' with antidiabetics reduces their risk for Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. The risk is most significantly reduced by the drug pioglitazone. Researchers draw this conclusion from an analysis of health insurance data.

Big data analysis platform to unveil gene interactions in cancer Posted: 23 Jun 2015 08:40 AM PDT A breakthrough in cancer genomics has been achieved by developing a novel big data analysis platform for analyzing the interactions among genes. The analysis platform unveils the unregulated patterns of gene network in cancer and discovers potential diagnostic and therapeutic target genes, Nucleophosmin (NPM1) and its associated genes, in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).

Many doctors misunderstand key facets of opioid abuse, study shows Posted: 23 Jun 2015 08:33 AM PDT Many primary care physicians -- the top prescribers of prescription pain pills in the United States -- don't understand basic facts about how people may abuse the drugs or how addictive different formulations of the medications can be, new research suggests.

Trial could impact older myelodysplastic syndrome population's access to bone marrow transplants Posted: 23 Jun 2015 08:33 AM PDT An America-wide clinical trial analyzes outcomes after two common treatments: bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy. The results could lead to wider access to transplants, researchers say.

Dietary guidelines for Americans shouldn't place limits on total fat intake Posted: 23 Jun 2015 08:31 AM PDT Researchers call on the American federal government to drop restrictions on total fat consumption in the forthcoming 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Medical marijuana 'edibles' mostly mislabeled: Many too weak, some surprisingly strong Posted: 23 Jun 2015 08:31 AM PDT The vast majority of edible cannabis products sold in a small sample of medical marijuana dispensaries carried labels that overstated or understated the amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a proof-of-concept study shows. Though the scope of the study was small, the researchers say, the results of the study suggest some medical cannabis patients could be unintentionally overdosing or are being cheated by mislabeled products.

Mixed findings regarding quality of evidence supporting benefit of medical marijuana Posted: 23 Jun 2015 08:31 AM PDT In an analysis of the findings of nearly 80 randomized trials that included about 6,500 participants, there was moderate-quality evidence to support the use of cannabinoids (chemical compounds that are the active principles in cannabis or marijuana) for the treatment of chronic pain and lower-quality evidence suggesting that cannabinoids were associated with improvements in nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, sleep disorders, and Tourette syndrome.

Benefit of early screening for vascular disorder among extremely preterm infants Posted: 23 Jun 2015 08:31 AM PDT Among extremely preterm infants, early screening for the vascular disorder patent ductus arteriosus before day three of life was associated with a lower risk of in-hospital death and pulmonary hemorrhage, but not with differences in other severe complications, according to a study.

Fewer than one in 10 older heart patients get life-saving defibrillators Posted: 23 Jun 2015 08:31 AM PDT Heart attack patients age 65 and older who have reduced heart function might still benefit from implanted defibrillators, according to a study. But fewer than 1 in 10 eligible patients actually get a defibrillator within a year of their heart attacks, a study has found.

Erectile dysfunction drugs unlikely to cause melanoma, researchers conclude Posted: 23 Jun 2015 08:31 AM PDT A rigorous analysis of more than 20,000 medical records concludes that erectile dysfunction drugs are not a cause of melanoma, an often deadly form of skin cancer, despite the higher risk for the disease among users of these drugs. For the study, researchers matched and analyzed the medical records of men whose care was being monitored in Sweden, one of the few countries in the world taking a population-wide approach to battling melanoma and other types of cancer, and for which no comparable North American data source exists.

Patient-initiated workplace violence affects counselors, treatment and outcomes Posted: 23 Jun 2015 07:37 AM PDT More than four out of five counselors who treat patients for substance abuse have experienced some form of patient-initiated workplace violence according to the first national study to examine the issue.

New mechanism that regulates tumor initiation, invasion in skin basal cell carcinoma Posted: 23 Jun 2015 07:36 AM PDT Researchers have uncovered a new mechanism that regulates tumor initiation and invasion in skin basal cell carcinoma. asal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer found in human with several million of new patients affected every year around the world. The mechanisms that control BCC initiation and invasion are poorly known.

Robot controlled remotely with thoughts Posted: 23 Jun 2015 07:36 AM PDT For someone suffering from paralysis or limited mobility, visiting with other people is extremely difficult. Scientists have been working on a revolutionary brain-machine approach in order to restore a sense of independence to the disabled. The idea is to remotely control a robot from home with one's thoughts. The research, involving numerous subjects located in different countries, produced excellent results in both human and technical terms.

Parkinson's disease may begin in the gut Posted: 23 Jun 2015 07:36 AM PDT A major epidemiological registry-based study indicates that Parkinson's disease begins in the gastrointestinal tract. The study is the largest in the field so far.

New light shed on how neurons control muscle movement Posted: 23 Jun 2015 06:55 AM PDT Researchers studying how the brain controls movement in people with paralysis, related to their diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's disease, have found that groups of neurons work together, firing in complex rhythms to signal muscles about when and where to move.

Adolescents uncertain about risks of marijuana, e-cigarettes, study finds Posted: 23 Jun 2015 06:55 AM PDT Teenagers are very familiar with the risks of smoking cigarettes, but are much less sure whether marijuana or e-cigarettes are harmful, according to a new study. The researchers compared teens' knowledge of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and marijuana because they heard from teachers, parents and youth that anti-smoking efforts needed to address more than just conventional cigarettes.

'Smarter' ordering of breast biomarker tests could save millions in health care dollars Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:32 AM PDT A review of medical records for almost 200 patients with breast cancer suggests that more selective use of biomarker testing for such patients has the potential to save millions of dollars in health care spending without compromising care.

Climate change threatens to undermine the last half century of health gains Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:29 AM PDT The threat to human health from climate change is so great that it could undermine the last fifty years of gains in development and global health, according to a major new Commission.

Researchers identify gene mutation that can cause key-hole shape defect in eye Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:29 AM PDT A scientific collaboration has pinpointed the genetic cause of a rare form of blindness, which can present itself as a key-hole shaped defect in the eye in newborn babies.

Whooping cough: New findings on pertussis pathogen Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:29 AM PDT The worldwide spreading of the whooping cough, also known as pertussis, has substantially increased since 2010. Researchers have investigated structure and function of an important membrane protein of the bacterium causing pertussis. They discovered that the protein structure differs from a previously postulated model. Their findings may provide a basis for new treatment approaches for the infection.

Researchers develop new breath test to diagnose oesophageal, gastric cancer Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:29 AM PDT A breath test that can help doctors diagnose the early signs of esophageal and gastric cancer in minutes has been developed by researchers. Researchers analysed breath samples of 210 patients using the test. They found that the test can discriminate between malignant and benign esophageal cancer in patients for the first time.

'Fitness' foods may cause consumers to eat more, exercise less Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:24 AM PDT Weight-conscious consumers are often drawn to foods such as Clif Bars and Wheaties, whose packaging suggests that they promote fitness. But according to a new study, such "fitness branding" encourages consumers to eat more of those foods and to exercise less, potentially undermining their efforts to lose or control their weight.

Telomere G-tail: Useful marker of endothelial dysfunction, stroke and dementia Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:24 AM PDT A promising biomarker for the severity of age-related white matter changes (ARWMCs) and endothelial function was recently evaluated. The researchers investigated the association between the telomere G-tail length of leukocytes and vascular risk, ARWMCs, and endothelial function. They suggested that the telomere G-tail might be a useful marker of endothelial dysfunction, as well as stroke and dementia.

New family of bioinspired antibiotic compounds developed Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:24 AM PDT The first results of a study of a new antibacterial compound based on natural peptides capable of selectively killing resistant pathogens have been released by scientists. The study has proved that these compounds are highly active against clinically relevant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In vitro and in vivo tests have showed compounds' low toxicity.

Getting children to embrace healthy food Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:24 AM PDT If the packaging has an appealing design, primary school children also reach for healthy foods, a study shows. The method developed in the study can be used, the researchers say, to investigate how the appeal of school milk or whole-grain sandwiches can be increased.

Current blood cancer drug prices not justified, study finds Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:22 AM PDT The costs associated with cancer drug prices have risen dramatically over the past 15 years, which is of concern to many top oncologists. In a new analysis, researchers concluded that the majority of existing treatments for hematologic, or blood, cancers are currently priced too high to be considered cost-effective in the United States.

Medication may stop drug, alcohol addiction Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:22 AM PDT Researchers have successfully stopped cocaine and alcohol addiction in experiments using a drug already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat high blood pressure.

CT allows nonsurgical management of some lung nodules Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:22 AM PDT People who have nonsolid lung nodules can be safely monitored with annual low-dose computed tomography screening, according to a new study. Researchers said the findings could help spare patients from unnecessary surgery and additional imaging.

Cocktail of common chemicals may trigger cancer Posted: 23 Jun 2015 04:22 AM PDT A global taskforce of 174 scientists from leading research centers across 28 countries studied the link between mixtures of commonly encountered chemicals and the development of cancer. The study selected 85 chemicals not considered carcinogenic to humans and found 50 supported key cancer-related mechanisms at exposures found in the environment today.

Study shows importance of cause of kidney failure when planning future treatment Posted: 22 Jun 2015 03:25 PM PDT Researchers used big data to determine that mortality rates for patients whose kidney failure was attributed to glomerulonephritis vary significantly according to which subtype of the disease they had. These results suggest that treatment plans should vary according to root causes of kidney failure.

Resiliency training program helps teens deal with today's stresses Posted: 22 Jun 2015 03:24 PM PDT Amid reports that rank today's teens as the most stressed generation in the country, a new study offers hope for helping them effectively manage stress and build long-term resiliency. A pilot study describes how a stress-reduction/resiliency-building curriculum helped a group of Boston-area high school students significantly reduce their anxiety levels, increase productivity and effectively manage stress over time.

Rapid skin improvement seen after treating systemic sclerosis patients with fresolimumab Posted: 22 Jun 2015 03:18 PM PDT A major treatment breakthrough for total body scarring of the skin that occurs in patients with systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, may soon be available for the estimated 300,000 Americans who suffer with this condition. Currently, no treatment is available.

How can health professionals enhance cognitive health in older adults? Posted: 22 Jun 2015 03:18 PM PDT An expert panel has clarified the cognitive aging process by making a distinction from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and provided recommendations to enhance cognitive health in older adults. Now a new article highlights key points of that report and serves as a guide for health care professionals seeking to improve the quality of life of older adults by maintaining brain health.

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