ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Man walks again after years of paralysis
• Liquid crystals show potential for detection of neuro-degenerative disease
• Babies time their smiles to make their moms smile in return
• Drug disarms deadly C. difficile bacteria without destroying healthy gut flora
• New data on risks of labor anesthesia in women with low platelet counts
• Many patients prefer online postoperative care to in-person care
• Physiologists uncover a new code at the heart of biology
• Potential source of insulin-producing cells found in adult human pancreas
• Ultrafast lasers offer 3-D micropatterning of biocompatible hydrogels
• In terminally ill patients, some types of delirium are a sign of 'imminent death'
• Exergaming improves physical mental fitness in children with autism spectrum disorders
• Viruses join fight against harmful bacteria
• Ringing in the ears and chronic pain enter by the same gate
• Adolescent brain may be especially sensitive to new memories, social stress, and drug use
• The final word on STAP
• How flu viruses gain the ability to spread
• Metastatic breast cancer cells turn on stem cell genes
• Enamel evolved in the skin and colonized the teeth much later
• New cancer genes identified, opening door to targeted treatments
• Negative spiritual beliefs associated with more pain and worse physical, mental health
• Antimicrobial film for future implants
• Almost one-third of families of children with cancer have unmet basic needs during treatment
• Potential benefit of telehealth visits for postoperative care observed
• Early testing can predict stroke patients who will develop upper limb spasticity
• New sports technology provides a GPS alternative
• Emergency department visit provides opportunity to reduce underage drinking
• Dangerous swelling in babies linked to mutated gene
• If you’re sitting down, don’t sit still, new research suggests
• Human muscle stem cells isolated
• New technique negotiates neuron jungle to target source of Parkinson's disease
• Restricting access at known 'suicide hotspots' reduces the number of suicides by more than 90 percent, study shows
• Not all trans fatty acids are bad for you, new research suggests
• No link between coffee consumption, common type of irregular heartbeat
• Increased activity in older brains may point to new avenues for treating memory loss
• Researchers identify possible physiological cause of brain deficits with aging
• Possible contributor to the virulence of the 1918 flu pandemic discovered
• New clues on the history of the smallpox vaccine virus
• New method to measure artery stiffness in the human brain
• Around the world, those treated for addiction far more likely to smoke
• Fudging the facts on 'healthy' products is tempting, but is it worth it?
• Scientists identify key morphine regulator that may reduce risk of pain-killer abuse
• Genetic analysis supports prediction that spontaneous rare mutations cause half of autism
• Researchers find biomarker for autism that may aid diagnostics
• New cell type may help explain why some people have dangerous food allergies
• Transitioning through electronic health records
• Germany: East-west divide in life expectancy almost overcome
• National school-based mental health intervention improves outcomes for at-risk students
• Researcher finds novel way to monitor serious blood disorder using a smart phone
• Old vaccine trains immune system

Man walks again after years of paralysis Posted: 23 Sep 2015 06:39 PM PDT The ability to walk has been restored following a spinal cord injury, using one's own brain power, according to research. The preliminary proof-of-concept study shows that it is possible to use direct brain control to get a person's legs to walk again.

Liquid crystals show potential for detection of neuro-degenerative disease Posted: 23 Sep 2015 12:14 PM PDT Liquid crystals are familiar to most of us as the somewhat humdrum stuff used to make computer displays and TVs. Even for scientists, it has not been easy to find other ways of using them. Now a group of researchers is putting liquid crystals to work in a completely unexpected realm: as detectors for the protein fibers implicated in the development of neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Babies time their smiles to make their moms smile in return Posted: 23 Sep 2015 12:14 PM PDT Why do babies smile when they interact with their parents? Could their smiles have a purpose? A team of computer scientists, roboticists and developmental psychologists confirm what most parents already suspect: when babies smile, they do so with a purpose -- to make the person they interact with smile in return. To verify their findings, researchers programmed a toddler-like robot to behave like the babies they studied and had the robot interact with undergraduate students.

Drug disarms deadly C. difficile bacteria without destroying healthy gut flora Posted: 23 Sep 2015 12:14 PM PDT Scientists have successfully defeated a dangerous intestinal pathogen, Clostridium difficile, with a drug targeting its toxins rather than its life. C. difficile is responsible for more than 250,000 hospitalizations and 15,000 deaths per year in the United States, costing the country more than $4 billion in health-care expenses, said the study's senior author.

New data on risks of labor anesthesia in women with low platelet counts Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:44 AM PDT Can women with low platelet counts safely undergo epidural/spinal anesthesia during labor? Available evidence suggests a low rate of complications related to abnormal blood clotting for this large group of patients.

Many patients prefer online postoperative care to in-person care Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:42 AM PDT The majority of patients who undergo routine, uncomplicated operations prefer online postoperative consultations to in-person visits, according to results from a new study.

Physiologists uncover a new code at the heart of biology Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:42 AM PDT Physiologists trying to understand the genetic code have found a previously unknown code that helps explain which protein should be created to form a particular type of cell.

Potential source of insulin-producing cells found in adult human pancreas Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:42 AM PDT Cells that express neurogenin 3 may one day be harnessed to create a plentiful supply of insulin-producing beta cells for the treatment of diabetes, a study suggests.

Ultrafast lasers offer 3-D micropatterning of biocompatible hydrogels Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:42 AM PDT Low-energy, ultrafast laser technology is able to make high-resolution, 3-D structures in transparent silk protein hydrogels to support cell growth and allow cells to penetrate deep within the material. The work represents a new approach to customized engineering of tissue and biomedical implants. Its efficacy was shown in vivo and in vitro.

In terminally ill patients, some types of delirium are a sign of 'imminent death' Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:41 AM PDT In cancer patients nearing the end of life, certain subtypes of delirium -- specifically, hypoactive and 'mixed' delirium -- are a strong indicator that death will come soon, reports a new study.

Exergaming improves physical mental fitness in children with autism spectrum disorders Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:41 AM PDT Games used for exercising can improve physical and mental fitness in children with autism spectrum disorders, a new study concludes. As a way to combat a lack of physical activity, researchers investigated the use of the Makoto arena, a triangular shaped arena with pillars at each point, each with lights and sounds at various levels of the pillars. Those playing the game must hit the correct spots as they light up on different pillars.

Viruses join fight against harmful bacteria Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:41 AM PDT Biological engineers have devised a new mix-and-match system to genetically engineer viruses that target specific bacteria. The approach could generate new weapons against bacteria for which there are no effective antibiotics.

Ringing in the ears and chronic pain enter by the same gate Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:41 AM PDT Tinnitus and chronic pain have more in common than their ability to afflict millions with the very real experience of 'phantom' sensations. Homing in on their structural and functional bases in the brain, researchers have identified a central gatekeeping system implicated in both disorders.

Adolescent brain may be especially sensitive to new memories, social stress, and drug use Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:35 AM PDT Adolescence, like infancy, has been said to include distinct sensitive periods during which brain plasticity is heightened; but in a review of the neuroscience literature saw little evidence for this claim. However, a small number of studies do support that memory formation, social stress, and drug use are processed differently in the adolescent brain compared to other periods of life.

The final word on STAP Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:35 AM PDT Tremendous controversy erupted in early 2014 when two papers published in Nature described how a technique called 'stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency,' or STAP, could quickly and efficiently turn ordinary cells into pluripotent stem cells, that is, stem cells capable of developing into all the tissues in the body. The simplicity of the approach -- subjecting the cells to particular stresses like mild acid exposure -- seemed too good to be true. And it was.

How flu viruses gain the ability to spread Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:35 AM PDT A new study reveals the soft palate is a key site for evolution of airborne transmissibility. Scientists made the surprising finding while examining the H1N1 flu strain, which caused a 2009 pandemic that killed more than 250,000 people.

Metastatic breast cancer cells turn on stem cell genes Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:35 AM PDT Scientists describe capturing and studying individual metastatic cells from human breast cancer tumors implanted into mice as the cells escaped into the blood stream and began to form tumors elsewhere in the body.

Enamel evolved in the skin and colonized the teeth much later Posted: 23 Sep 2015 10:34 AM PDT When did the enamel that covers our teeth evolve? And where in the body did this tissue first appear? In a new study, researchers combined data from two very different research fields -- paleontology and genomics -- to arrive at a clear but unexpected answer to this question: enamel originated in the skin and colonized the teeth much later.

New cancer genes identified, opening door to targeted treatments Posted: 23 Sep 2015 09:53 AM PDT Researchers have identified two new cancer-causing gene mutations – mutations that may be particularly susceptible to cancer-fighting drugs already approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration. One of the gene mutations also may play a key role in early menopause.

Negative spiritual beliefs associated with more pain and worse physical, mental health Posted: 23 Sep 2015 09:53 AM PDT Individuals who blame karma for their poor health have more pain and worse physical and mental health, according to a new study. Targeted interventions to counteract negative spiritual beliefs could help some individuals decrease pain and improve their overall health, the researchers said.

Antimicrobial film for future implants Posted: 23 Sep 2015 08:52 AM PDT The implantation of medical devices is not without risks. Bacterial or fungal infections can occur and the body's strong immune response may lead to the rejection of the implant. Researchers have succeeded in creating a biofilm with antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Almost one-third of families of children with cancer have unmet basic needs during treatment Posted: 23 Sep 2015 08:52 AM PDT Almost one-third of families whose children were being treated for cancer faced food, housing or energy insecurity and one-quarter lost more than 40 percent of household income, according to a new American study. The study follows emerging research in pediatric oncology finding that low-income status predicts poor adherence to oral chemotherapy and decreased overall survival.

Potential benefit of telehealth visits for postoperative care observed Posted: 23 Sep 2015 08:52 AM PDT Most veterans undergoing general surgical operations of low complexity preferred telehealth (video or telephone) follow-up than visiting a clinic, and data suggested that telehealth visits may help identify veterans requiring in-person assessment or further care, according to a study.

Early testing can predict stroke patients who will develop upper limb spasticity Posted: 23 Sep 2015 07:34 AM PDT Many stroke patients suffer from spasticity of the arm that cause pain and impaired sensorimotor function. But there are ways of identifying such patients ahead of time so that they can obtain the earliest possible treatment, scientists say.

New sports technology provides a GPS alternative Posted: 23 Sep 2015 07:33 AM PDT When it comes to recording accurate performance data for elite athletes, GPS technology can't keep up, a researcher claims. Instead researchers have developed SABEL Sense, an alternative to GPS for tracking running speeds and distances and which is set to be a game changer in the sports performance and wearable technology industries.

Emergency department visit provides opportunity to reduce underage drinking Posted: 23 Sep 2015 05:39 AM PDT Giving youth in the emergency department a short intervention during their visit decreased their alcohol consumption and problems related to drinking over the following year, the results of a five-year trial indicate.

Dangerous swelling in babies linked to mutated gene Posted: 23 Sep 2015 05:34 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a new gene mutation that causes potentially fatal swelling in unborn and newborn babies. Identifying the gene is the first step toward a future diagnostic test and targeted treatment for this condition.

If you’re sitting down, don’t sit still, new research suggests Posted: 23 Sep 2015 05:34 AM PDT New research suggests that the movements involved in fidgeting may counteract the adverse health impacts of sitting for long periods.

Human muscle stem cells isolated Posted: 22 Sep 2015 07:14 PM PDT Researchers have successfully isolated human muscle stem cells and shown that the cells could robustly replicate and repair damaged muscles when grafted onto an injured site.

New technique negotiates neuron jungle to target source of Parkinson's disease Posted: 22 Sep 2015 07:12 PM PDT Researchers believe they have found a potential new way to target cells of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease. The new technique is relatively non-invasive and has worked to improve symptoms of the disease in rats.

Restricting access at known 'suicide hotspots' reduces the number of suicides by more than 90 percent, study shows Posted: 22 Sep 2015 07:12 PM PDT Blocking the means of suicide (e.g., installing barriers and safety nets) at suicide hotspots like high bridges and cliffs can reduce the number of deaths at these sites by more than 90 percent, new research has found.

Not all trans fatty acids are bad for you, new research suggests Posted: 22 Sep 2015 07:12 PM PDT New evidence suggests that low levels of trans fatty acids may not be as harmful to human health as previously thought, even if industrially produced, and may even be beneficial if they occur naturally in foods such as dairy and meat products, according to a study.

No link between coffee consumption, common type of irregular heartbeat Posted: 22 Sep 2015 07:12 PM PDT There is no association between coffee consumption and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, according to research. The research includes a meta-analysis of four other studies, making it the largest study its kind, involving nearly 250,000 individuals over the course of 12 years.

Increased activity in older brains may point to new avenues for treating memory loss Posted: 22 Sep 2015 03:48 PM PDT Scientists have examined activity in a little-studied part of the brain associated with memory and found for the first time the reason that neurons there become more active in old age, findings that may suggest a new target for future therapies to combat memory loss in aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers identify possible physiological cause of brain deficits with aging Posted: 22 Sep 2015 03:47 PM PDT Like scratchy-sounding old radio dials that interfere with reception, circuits in the brain that grow noisier over time may be responsible for ways in which we slow mentally as we grow old, according to the results of new studies from UC San Francisco on young and older adults.

Possible contributor to the virulence of the 1918 flu pandemic discovered Posted: 22 Sep 2015 02:07 PM PDT A novel mechanism for one 1918 flu virus protein has been discovered that may help explain the virulence of that unusually deadly pandemic. That outbreak killed 50 million to 100 million people.

New clues on the history of the smallpox vaccine virus Posted: 22 Sep 2015 02:06 PM PDT Given the fear that the variola virus could be reintroduced to humans in weaponized form, new generations of smallpox vaccines are highly needed. A new study provides fresh insights on the relationship among the vaccinia strains used to eradicate smallpox in the world and indicates that differently than previously thought, the Dryvax virus that led to the second-generation of smallpox vaccine in the USA is closely related to the Brazilian strain and might as well have come from the French and not the British.

New method to measure artery stiffness in the human brain Posted: 22 Sep 2015 01:34 PM PDT A non-invasive method to measure vascular compliance, or how stiff an artery is, in the human brain has been revealed by scientists. This finding may have ramifications for preventing stroke and the early diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease.

Around the world, those treated for addiction far more likely to smoke Posted: 22 Sep 2015 01:33 PM PDT A review of studies from 20 countries indicates that tobacco use is not addressed in substance abuse treatment programs. The results agree with an earlier review that found that the median smoking rate among people in addiction treatment was 76.3 percent, in contrast with the smoking rate in the general U.S. population, which is now estimated at less than 18 percent.

Fudging the facts on 'healthy' products is tempting, but is it worth it? Posted: 22 Sep 2015 12:18 PM PDT A new study analyzes what happens to the sales of popular consumer products after federal regulators order manufacturers to stop making misleading health claims.

Scientists identify key morphine regulator that may reduce risk of pain-killer abuse Posted: 22 Sep 2015 12:16 PM PDT A specific molecule controls morphine receptor signaling in a small group of brain cells, a new study has demonstrated. The findings could lead to a new drug target for developing less-addictive pain medications and even offer a clue to the genetic predisposition of patients to addition before treatment.

Genetic analysis supports prediction that spontaneous rare mutations cause half of autism Posted: 22 Sep 2015 12:02 PM PDT A new analysis of data on the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been released by experts. One commonly held theory is that autism results from chance combinations of commonly occurring gene mutations. But the study provides support for a different theory: that devastating 'ultra-rare' mutations of genes that they classify as "vulnerable" play a causal role in roughly half of all ASD cases. The vulnerable genes to which they refer harbor what they call an LGD, or likely gene disruption.

Researchers find biomarker for autism that may aid diagnostics Posted: 22 Sep 2015 12:02 PM PDT By identifying a key signaling defect within a specific membrane structure in all cells, researchers believe they have found both a possible reliable biomarker for diagnosing certain forms of autism and a potential therapeutic target.

New cell type may help explain why some people have dangerous food allergies Posted: 22 Sep 2015 12:02 PM PDT Researchers have discovered a new cell type that appears to drive life-threatening food allergies and may help explain why some people get severe allergic reactions and others do not. They say their findings in mice should also provide insights into new therapeutic strategies and diagnostics for food allergies and anaphylactic shock triggered by the immune antibody IgE (immunoglobulin E).

Transitioning through electronic health records Posted: 22 Sep 2015 12:00 PM PDT Even after emergency physicians had acclimated to a new commercial electronic health record, they increased their tasks performed per minute by nearly 12 percent, increasing the potential for patient safety hazards. These are the results of a study of one hospital's transition from a homegrown EHR to a commercial EHR.

Germany: East-west divide in life expectancy almost overcome Posted: 22 Sep 2015 12:00 PM PDT Twenty-five years after reunification, the once considerable differences between life expectancy in eastern and western Germany have almost disappeared for women, a new study has discovered. East German men have also benefited strongly from unification, but they still lag behind western men. A clear south-north gradient has developed throughout Germany, which reverses the historical north-south gradient that existed in the early twentieth century. Individual regions are lagging further and further behind.

National school-based mental health intervention improves outcomes for at-risk students Posted: 22 Sep 2015 12:00 PM PDT A national school-based mental health program that is now reaching almost one quarter of all elementary school students in Chile appears to have produced significant improvements in both behavioral and academic outcomes, such as attention problems and school attendance, among participating students.

Researcher finds novel way to monitor serious blood disorder using a smart phone Posted: 22 Sep 2015 09:10 AM PDT A researcher will develop a portable smart sensor and a phone application for patients with sickle cell disease to analyze and store the results of their blood tests on a smart phone, states a new report.

Old vaccine trains immune system Posted: 22 Sep 2015 09:05 AM PDT Not only the acquired immune system but also the innate immune system has a memory. And the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis can stimulate this memory, researchers report. After a BCG vaccination, the innate immune system responds better to a wide range of other infections, they say.

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