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• Nearly half of Hispanics unaware they have high cholesterol; less than a third treated
• Cystic fibrosis deadlier for Hispanic than non-Hispanic patients, study finds
• In ERs, UTIs and STIs in women misdiagnosed, even mixed up nearly half the time
• Patient outcomes could improve by preparing nursing homes for health information exchange
• DNA shed from head and neck tumors detected in blood, saliva
• Got acne? Lay off the B12
• Targeting telomeres, the timekeepers of cells, could improve chemotherapy
• Three Ebola virus variants identified in Guinea
• Color of urine to be valid gauge for hydration in children, researcher finds
• Diabetic blindness: Best source of stem cells to block vision loss
• Tiny particles in blood useful for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
• What's new in contact lenses? Prescribing trends reflect new lens materials, designs
• Geography is destiny in deaths from kidney failure, study shows
• Reenergizing antibiotics in the war against infections
• Future physicians more inclined to embrace genomic medicine than practicing physicians
• Study examines Cesarean section delivery, autism spectrum disorder
• For vitiligo patient, arthritis drug restores skin color
• Women's sport participation and gender equality: African women in the beautiful game
• Oh, to have Dr. Facebook on call
• Low-grade brain tumor diagnosis redefined
• Study identifies characteristics of patients likely to have a potential living liver donor
• Consensus paper on patient preferences for arrhythmias management published
• First ESC recommendations for arrhythmias, chronic kidney disease published
• Low-field synchronized transcranial magnetic stimulation effective for major depressive disorder
• Girls at higher risk for overuse injuries in high school sports
• Atlas of older brains could help diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
• Eavesdropping on the body: New device tracks chemical signals within cells
• Inflaming the drive for suicide: Analysis reveals link between suicide, inflammation
• Unemployed are in poorer health than they say they are
• New colon cancer culprit found in gut microbiome
• Childhood adversities, including witnessing parental domestic violence, linked to later migraines
• Whooping cough resurgence due to vaccinated people not knowing they're infectious?
• Uninterrupted NOAC therapy during AF ablation appears safe
• Could 'virtual reality' treat alcoholism?
• Road traffic noise linked to deaths, increased strokes

Nearly half of Hispanics unaware they have high cholesterol; less than a third treated Posted: 24 Jun 2015 03:24 PM PDT About half of Hispanics were not aware that they had high cholesterol, a study has shown. Of those who were aware, less than a third were treated. Younger adults, women, the uninsured, those with lower income, and more recent immigrants were less likely to have their high cholesterol controlled.

Cystic fibrosis deadlier for Hispanic than non-Hispanic patients, study finds Posted: 24 Jun 2015 01:25 PM PDT Cystic fibrosis is more deadly for Hispanic than non-Hispanic patients, a disparity that is not explained by differences in their access to health care, according to a new study.

In ERs, UTIs and STIs in women misdiagnosed, even mixed up nearly half the time Posted: 24 Jun 2015 12:55 PM PDT Urinary tract and sexually transmitted infections in women are misdiagnosed by emergency departments nearly half the time, according to research. These misdiagnoses result in overuse of antibiotics, and increased antibiotic resistance, the authors say.

Patient outcomes could improve by preparing nursing homes for health information exchange Posted: 24 Jun 2015 12:55 PM PDT When older adults transfer between nursing homes and hospitals, inefficient and unclear communication between the organizations can hinder patient care. Now, a team of researchers is working to improve patients' health outcomes by increasing efficient, secure communication between nursing homes and hospitals using an electronic communication system called a health information exchange.

DNA shed from head and neck tumors detected in blood, saliva Posted: 24 Jun 2015 11:32 AM PDT On the hunt for better cancer screening tests, scientists led a proof of principle study that successfully identified tumor DNA shed into the blood and saliva of 93 patients with head and neck cancer.

Got acne? Lay off the B12 Posted: 24 Jun 2015 11:31 AM PDT Vitamin B12 tweaks how genes behave in the facial bacteria of some people who normally enjoy clear skin, leading to pimples, new research suggests.

Targeting telomeres, the timekeepers of cells, could improve chemotherapy Posted: 24 Jun 2015 11:02 AM PDT Telomeres, specialized ends of our chromosomes that dictate how long cells can continue to duplicate themselves, have long been studied for their links to the aging process and cancer. In an unexpected finding, researchers show how disabling telomere protection during cell division prompts cell death.

Three Ebola virus variants identified in Guinea Posted: 24 Jun 2015 11:02 AM PDT Sequencing the genome of Ebola virus strains circulating in Guinea has allowed scientists to retrace the spread of the virus and monitor its evolution in the country where the outbreak started. Characterization of the genetic variations of the virus is crucial to ensure the continued efficacy of diagnostic tools and for the development of effective treatments and vaccines.

Color of urine to be valid gauge for hydration in children, researcher finds Posted: 24 Jun 2015 11:01 AM PDT More than half of American children are dehydrated, and a researcher has found an easy way for children to gauge hydration using established protocols already in place for athletes. The research also shows that children can accurately self-assess hydration levels using established methods. Mild dehydration in children has been linked to reduced cognitive functioning and is associated with poorer school performance in children.

Diabetic blindness: Best source of stem cells to block vision loss Posted: 24 Jun 2015 10:26 AM PDT Stem cells taken from donors are more likely to be more effective at battling diabetic retinopathy than cells taken from patients' own bodies, a new study concludes. The work is a critical step toward the goal of injecting stem cells into patients' eyes to stop or even reverse the vision loss. The findings also establish a crucial framework for evaluating stem cells to be used in potential future treatments for diabetic retinopathy.

Tiny particles in blood useful for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer Posted: 24 Jun 2015 10:24 AM PDT A protein encoded by the gene glypican-1 (GPC1) present on cancer exosomes may be used as part of a potential non-invasive diagnostic and screening tool to detect early pancreatic cancer, potentially at a stage amenable to surgical treatment, according to a new study.

What's new in contact lenses? Prescribing trends reflect new lens materials, designs Posted: 24 Jun 2015 08:56 AM PDT More Americans are using soft contact lenses—especially daily disposable lenses—and taking advantage of new designs targeting vision problems that were difficult to correct with previous contact lenses, reports a new article.

Geography is destiny in deaths from kidney failure, study shows Posted: 24 Jun 2015 08:56 AM PDT The notion that geography often shapes economic and political destiny has long informed the work of economists and political scholars. Now a study led by medical scientists reveals how geography also appears to affect the very survival of people with end-stage kidney disease in need of dialysis.

Reenergizing antibiotics in the war against infections Posted: 24 Jun 2015 08:54 AM PDT In principle, antibiotics suppress infections either by killing the bacteria, which is called a bactericidal effect or by merely inhibiting their growth, by what is called a bacteriostatic effect. After the treatment has been stopped, growth-inhibited bacteria, however, can re-emerge from their dormancy to start multiplying again with latent infections relapsing back into full-blown attacks. A critical differentiator that separates the effects of bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics has been identified by researchers: cellular respiration.

Future physicians more inclined to embrace genomic medicine than practicing physicians Posted: 24 Jun 2015 08:54 AM PDT Medical students showed a greater acceptance of using approaches in genomic medicine, a key element in the practice of precision medicine, to treat patients as compared to physicians currently in practice according to a study.

Study examines Cesarean section delivery, autism spectrum disorder Posted: 24 Jun 2015 08:54 AM PDT The initial results of a study suggested that children born by Cesarean section were 21 percent more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder but that association did not hold up in further analysis of sibling pairs, implying the initial association was not causal and was more likely due to unknown genetic or environmental factors.

For vitiligo patient, arthritis drug restores skin color Posted: 24 Jun 2015 08:54 AM PDT A medication for treating rheumatoid arthritis has restored skin color in a patient suffering from vitiligo, according to dermatologists. The disfiguring condition is best known as the disease that plagued late pop star Michael Jackson.

Women's sport participation and gender equality: African women in the beautiful game Posted: 24 Jun 2015 08:02 AM PDT Despite a notably high percentage of women in political positions, South Africa has high rates of rape and domestic violence, suggesting poor gender equality, widespread discrimination and male dominance in (South) Africa. New research examines women's involvement in sport, specifically soccer and its impact on balance of gender power in South Africa on National, community and personal levels.

Oh, to have Dr. Facebook on call Posted: 24 Jun 2015 08:01 AM PDT If it were up to Internet-savvy Americans, more of them would be emailing or sending Facebook messages to their doctors to chat about their health. That's the result of a national survey that was sent to more than 4,500 customers of a retail pharmacy. Respondents tended to be well educated, in good health, and frequent users of Facebook.

Low-grade brain tumor diagnosis redefined Posted: 24 Jun 2015 08:01 AM PDT A group of patients have made important contributions to an American cancer study that proposes a change in how some brain tumors are classified and ultimately treated. The study reveals that a tumor's DNA is key to determining if a lower-grade malignant brain tumor may rapidly progress to glioblastoma.

Study identifies characteristics of patients likely to have a potential living liver donor Posted: 24 Jun 2015 07:03 AM PDT Younger patients, those who are married, and those with Child-Pugh C disease—the most severe measure of liver disease—are more likely immigrants, divorced patients and those at the lowest income levels were less likely to have a potential live donor volunteer for liver donation, researchers report.With a limited supply of deceased donor organs, livers from living donors provide a much needed, life-saving option for those with end-stage liver disease. Despite evidence suggesting that the 5-year recipient survival from the time of wait listing is estimated to be 20% higher with a live donor compared with deceased donor, living donor liver transplantation accounts for only a few percent in many Western countries.

Consensus paper on patient preferences for arrhythmias management published Posted: 24 Jun 2015 07:02 AM PDT A unique consensus paper on patient preferences for arrhythmias management has been published. Cardiac arrhythmias can have a big impact on quality of life. Patients with ventricular arrhythmias, for example, may be banned from sports and driving. Those with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) need to weigh the longevity they would gain with the device against the potential for a protracted death from progressive heart failure when deciding whether or not to have it switched off towards the end of life.

First ESC recommendations for arrhythmias, chronic kidney disease published Posted: 24 Jun 2015 07:02 AM PDT Significant interactions occur between the heart and kidney, and even mild kidney disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Sudden cardiac death is the most common cause of death in dialysis patients including children, accounting for 50% of cardiac deaths and 25% of all deaths. Now experts have released recommendations for patients with cardiac arrhythmias and chronic kidney disease.

Low-field synchronized transcranial magnetic stimulation effective for major depressive disorder Posted: 24 Jun 2015 07:02 AM PDT The results of a study assessing safety and efficacy of sTMS therapy with the NEST device in adult patients with Major Depressive Disorder have been published.

Girls at higher risk for overuse injuries in high school sports Posted: 24 Jun 2015 06:07 AM PDT When it comes to overuse injuries in high school sports, girls are at a much higher risk than boys, a new study shows. Overuse injuries include stress fractures, tendonitis and joint pain, and occur when athletes are required to perform the same motion repeatedly.

Atlas of older brains could help diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease Posted: 24 Jun 2015 06:06 AM PDT A digital map of the aging brain could aid the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders in older people, a study suggests. The atlas created using images from MRI scans of older people could aid diagnosis by comparing the patients' scans with a detailed map of the healthy aging brain.

Eavesdropping on the body: New device tracks chemical signals within cells Posted: 24 Jun 2015 06:06 AM PDT A new device that more quickly and accurately 'listens in' on the chemical messages that tell our cells how to multiply has been invested by scientists. The tool improves our understanding of how cancerous growth begins, and could identify new targets for cancer medications.

Inflaming the drive for suicide: Analysis reveals link between suicide, inflammation Posted: 24 Jun 2015 05:01 AM PDT One American dies from suicide every 12.8 minutes, making suicide the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. There is consensus that if we could better predict who was at risk for suicide, then we could more effectively intervene to reduce this terrible burden on individuals, families and public health.

Unemployed are in poorer health than they say they are Posted: 24 Jun 2015 05:00 AM PDT In an international context, Norway stands as an egalitarian country with only small class and income disparities, in which everyone basically has equal access to universal health care. Yet research on self-reported health and mortality data has shown that Norway has social inequalities on par with many other countries in Western Europe.

New colon cancer culprit found in gut microbiome Posted: 24 Jun 2015 04:10 AM PDT Changes in the gut bacteria of colon cancer patients indicate that some virulent bacteria could be linked to the progression of the disease, according to research. The findings could eventually be used to identify a virulence signature in these cancers and help doctors predict how bacterial changes in patients' guts could affect their prognosis.

Childhood adversities, including witnessing parental domestic violence, linked to later migraines Posted: 24 Jun 2015 04:10 AM PDT Adults who were exposed to childhood adversity, including witnessing parental domestic violence, childhood physical and sexual abuse have higher odds of experiencing migraine headaches in adulthood, according to a new study.

Whooping cough resurgence due to vaccinated people not knowing they're infectious? Posted: 24 Jun 2015 04:10 AM PDT The dramatic resurgence of whooping cough is due, in large part, to vaccinated people who are infectious but who do not display the symptoms, suggests a new study.

Uninterrupted NOAC therapy during AF ablation appears safe Posted: 24 Jun 2015 04:10 AM PDT Uninterrupted treatment with novel oral anticoagulants during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is safe, suggests new research. Continuation of NOAC therapy was not associated with periprocedural bleeding or thromboembolic complications.

Could 'virtual reality' treat alcoholism? Posted: 24 Jun 2015 04:10 AM PDT A form of 'virtual-reality' therapy may help people with alcohol dependence reduce their craving for alcohol, a new study suggests. The findings come from a small study of just 10 patients. But researchers said they are optimistic about the potential for virtual reality as a therapy for alcohol use disorders.

Road traffic noise linked to deaths, increased strokes Posted: 23 Jun 2015 05:01 PM PDT Living in an area with noisy road traffic may reduce life expectancy. Research has found a link between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and deaths, as well as a greater risk of stroke, particularly in the elderly.

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