ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• New predictor of health complications can identify high-risk preemies
• Experimental cancer drug shows therapeutic promise in mouse models of multiple sclerosis
• DNA-based vaccine clears nearly half of precancerous cervical lesions in clinical trial
• Doctors often overtreat with radiation in late-stage lung cancer
• Relationship quality affects siblings' mental health, risky behaviors
• Short, intense exercise bursts can reduce heart risk to teens
• Antipsychotics increase risk of death in people with Parkinson's disease psychosis
• Cognitive-behavioral prevention program for teens at-risk of depression shows benefit
• Placebo power: Depressed people who respond to fake drugs get the most help from real ones
• Psoriasis, risk of depression in the US population
• Training for patients with melanoma and their partners on skin examinations
• Survival rate of combat casualties improves following implementation of golden hour policy
• Children with autism benefit from theatre-based program
• Why do people with schizophrenia misinterpret social cues?
• Human visual cortex holds neurons that selectively respond to intermediate colors
• Online breast cancer risk calculator developed
• Sniffing out cancer with improved 'electronic nose' sensors
• Portable device can quickly test for sickness-causing toxins in shellfish
• Lung disease may increase risk of insulin resistance, diabetes, mouse study suggests
• New portable device counts leukocytes through the skin
• More obesity among the less educated in rich countries
• Researchers show that genetic background regulates tumor differences
• Stress causes infants to resort to habits
• New method reveals real-time death risk of Korean MERS outbreak
• High-volume facilities better for nursing hip fractures
• Study lays groundwork for blood test to aid in the detection and monitoring of myeloma
• Risk factors for prostate cancer
• Primary care doctors are ill-prepared to deal with growing demand for cancer care
• Use of explosive weapons in Syria has disproportionately lethal effects on women and children
• Many nonprofit academic leaders and professors serve on for-profit health-care company boards
• Could 'The Martian's' scientist survive on potatoes alone?
• Arsenic found in many American red wines, but health risks depend on total diet
• Walk the line: NASA studies physical performance after spaceflight
• Primary healthcare providers urged to screen teens for depression, suicide risk
• 'Housing First' approach for homeless people doesn't help obesity
• Home-based counselling strategies alone may not improve neonatal survival in rural Africa
• Brain activity map reveals how infant vision develops
• Annual mammography starting at age 40 still best way to saves lives from breast cancer
• 'Zelda' protein plays flap-open role in early embryo development, researchers find
• How number of sex partners differ by height, body mass
• New test detects all viruses that infect people, animals
• Discrimination is linked with worse health among transgender Americans, study shows
• Identifying youth as 'at risk' for mental problems may be less a stigma than the symptoms
• Reducing our own pain is also reducing empathy for pain in others
• Technology to crowdsource complex triggers of pediatric asthma
• Scientists decode structure at root of muscular disease

New predictor of health complications can identify high-risk preemies Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:14 AM PDT Premature infants have heightened risks of deadly diseases because their organs and immune systems are not fully developed. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a major gastrointestinal disease that causes the intestines to die, is a leading cause of death among these infants and is the most the common disease for babies born before 32 weeks. Now, researchers have found that the early and persistent presence of white blood cells during NEC, known as blood eosinophilia, is a predictor of life-threatening complications for preemies.

Experimental cancer drug shows therapeutic promise in mouse models of multiple sclerosis Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:06 AM PDT An experimental drug originally identified in a National Cancer Institute library of chemical compounds as a potential therapy for brain and basal cell cancers improves the symptoms of mice with a form of the debilitating neurological disorder multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research.

DNA-based vaccine clears nearly half of precancerous cervical lesions in clinical trial Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:06 AM PDT Using a novel synthetic platform for creating vaccines a team of researchers has successfully eradicated precancerous cervical lesions in nearly half of the women who received an investigational vaccine in a clinical trial.

Doctors often overtreat with radiation in late-stage lung cancer Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:06 AM PDT Almost half of patients with advanced lung cancer receive more than the recommended number of radiation treatments to reduce their pain, according to a new study. Radiation therapy that is palliative, or not intended to cure, can reduce the pain from lung tumors and improve quality of life. But unnecessary treatments add to costs and require needless trips to the hospital -- and can lead to radiation toxicity and difficulty in swallowing.

Relationship quality affects siblings' mental health, risky behaviors Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:06 AM PDT The Latino culture, more than others, places a high value on the family unit; yet, little research has examined the dynamics of Latino family relationships and how those dynamics affect children's development. Now, a researcher has found sibling relationship quality in adolescence affects Mexican-origin adolescents' and young adults' later depressive symptoms and their involvement in risky behaviors, including those with sexual risk.

Short, intense exercise bursts can reduce heart risk to teens Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:03 AM PDT Adolescents who perform just eight to ten minutes of high-intensity interval exercise three times a week could be significantly reducing their risk of developing heart conditions, new research has concluded. Even apparently healthy teenagers showed significant improvements in markers which are indicators of cardiovascular health.

Antipsychotics increase risk of death in people with Parkinson's disease psychosis Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:01 AM PDT Antipsychotic drugs may increase the risk of death in people with Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP), according to a new study. PDP affects more than 50 per cent of people with Parkinson's at some point in their condition and antipsychotic drugs are often used to treat this psychosis, yet there is little evidence to support their use.

Cognitive-behavioral prevention program for teens at-risk of depression shows benefit Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:01 AM PDT A cognitive-behavioral prevention program for depression among at-risk youth showed benefit more than 6 years after the implementation of the intervention, according to a new article.

Placebo power: Depressed people who respond to fake drugs get the most help from real ones Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:01 AM PDT When it comes to treating depression, how well a person responds to a fake medicine may determine how well they'll respond to a real one, new research finds. Those who can muster their brain's own chemical forces against depression, it appears, have a head start in overcoming its symptoms with help from a medication. But those whose brain chemistry doesn't react as much to a fake medicine, or placebo, struggle even after getting active drug.

Psoriasis, risk of depression in the US population Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:01 AM PDT The chronic inflammatory skin condition psoriasis was associated with the risk of major depression, although the risk was unrelated to the severity of the disorder, according to a new article.

Training for patients with melanoma and their partners on skin examinations Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:01 AM PDT Training on skin self-examination to aid early detection could be extra beneficial for patients with melanoma and their partners who report having low relationship quality because it gives them activities to do together, according to a new article.

Survival rate of combat casualties improves following implementation of golden hour policy Posted: 30 Sep 2015 11:01 AM PDT A mandate in 2009 that prehospital helicopter transport of critically injured combat casualties occur in 60 minutes or less (golden hour policy) has resulted in a reduction in time between critical injury and definitive care for combat casualties in Afghanistan and an improvement in survival, according to a new study.

Children with autism benefit from theatre-based program Posted: 30 Sep 2015 08:07 AM PDT Children with autism who participated in a 10-week, 40-hour, theatre-based program showed significant differences in social ability compared to a group of children with autism who did not participate, according to a study.

Why do people with schizophrenia misinterpret social cues? Posted: 30 Sep 2015 08:04 AM PDT A new study sheds light on why people with schizophrenia misinterpret social cues in others, often leading to unpleasant paranoid and persecutory thoughts. The study could help develop psychological interventions to assist people with schizophrenia to interpret social cues, which might also improve their symptoms.

Human visual cortex holds neurons that selectively respond to intermediate colors Posted: 30 Sep 2015 08:04 AM PDT Researchers have found the presence of neurons in the human brain which can each selectively respond to an intermediate color; not just neurons of red, green, yellow and blue.

Online breast cancer risk calculator developed Posted: 30 Sep 2015 06:26 AM PDT A biostatistician played a key role in the development of an online tool that combines both breast density and biopsy results to allow physicians to calculate a woman's breast cancer risk. It's the only risk assessment tool that includes BI-RADS breast density, which is used in clinical practice.

Sniffing out cancer with improved 'electronic nose' sensors Posted: 30 Sep 2015 06:25 AM PDT Scientists have been exploring new ways to 'smell' signs of cancer by analyzing what's in patients' breath. In a new study, one team now reports new progress toward this goal. The researchers have developed a small array of flexible sensors, which accurately detect compounds in breath samples that are specific to ovarian cancer.

Portable device can quickly test for sickness-causing toxins in shellfish Posted: 30 Sep 2015 06:25 AM PDT Mussels, oysters, scallops and clams might be ingredients for fine cuisine, but they can also be a recipe for diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP). That's a gastrointestinal illness people can get if those tasty morsels contain marine toxins. Now, researchers are reporting the development of a portable, inexpensive device that can quickly and easily screen freshly caught shellfish for these substances.

Lung disease may increase risk of insulin resistance, diabetes, mouse study suggests Posted: 30 Sep 2015 04:45 AM PDT Numerous studies have identified obesity and poor diet as risk factors for insulin resistance and diabetes. Now, a new study adds another risk factor to the list: inflammatory lung disease.

New portable device counts leukocytes through the skin Posted: 30 Sep 2015 04:44 AM PDT A novel way to count white blood cells without a blood test, simply by applying a small device on the fingertip, is being developed by a team of young bioengineers. The technology, that combines an optical sensor with algorithms, has already three prototypes on the go and is specially designed to be used on chemotherapy patients, who could know their immune system levels in real time.

More obesity among the less educated in rich countries Posted: 30 Sep 2015 04:44 AM PDT In rich countries, obesity is more common among the lower educated, whilst in poor countries, obesity is more common among the higher educated, confirms new research. Previous studies have shown that the number of people with obesity increases with the gross domestic product (GDP) of a country. Previous research has also indicated that education can be an important factor in this context. The aim of this new study was to explore the assumption from previous studies that obesity is linked to GDP and education, and to include new data from several different countries.

Researchers show that genetic background regulates tumor differences Posted: 30 Sep 2015 04:43 AM PDT Researchers have identified both similarities and differences between a single tumor type in multiple dogs breeds; a finding they believe parallels the situation in the cancer of human patients.

Stress causes infants to resort to habits Posted: 30 Sep 2015 04:43 AM PDT Under stress, people are inclined to resort to habits, rather than trying out new things. In a new article, psychologists report that this is true not only for adults, but also for infants.

New method reveals real-time death risk of Korean MERS outbreak Posted: 30 Sep 2015 04:32 AM PDT Researchers have developed a real-time statistical method to estimate death risk (i.e., the probability of death given infection) and identify risk factors of death during an infectious disease outbreak.

High-volume facilities better for nursing hip fractures Posted: 30 Sep 2015 04:32 AM PDT The volume of hip fracture cases seen at a skilled nursing facility in the prior 12 months is a good predictor of whether a facility can successfully discharge patients back home within 30 days, a new study concludes. That information could help families trying to decide where to seek care for an elderly loved one.

Study lays groundwork for blood test to aid in the detection and monitoring of myeloma Posted: 30 Sep 2015 04:31 AM PDT Only 5 percent of myeloma cases are stage I when diagnosed. One reason may be the lack of good routine screening tests to identify patients who will progress to myeloma. A new study has found that abnormal levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) detected in the bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients may also be detectable in peripheral blood, and their measurement may be a way to both mark myeloma onset and track its progression from earlier asymptomatic stages.

Risk factors for prostate cancer Posted: 29 Sep 2015 08:01 PM PDT New research suggests that age, race and family history are the biggest risk factors for a man to develop prostate cancer, although high blood pressure, high cholesterol, vitamin D deficiency, inflammation of prostate, and vasectomy also add to the risk. In contrast, obesity, alcohol abuse, and smoking show a negative association with the disease.

Primary care doctors are ill-prepared to deal with growing demand for cancer care Posted: 29 Sep 2015 08:00 PM PDT Leading primary care professionals and cancer experts warn that primary care doctors will not be able to cope with the rising demand for cancer care in high-income countries -- predicted to double within the next 15 years.

Use of explosive weapons in Syria has disproportionately lethal effects on women and children Posted: 29 Sep 2015 08:00 PM PDT Using explosive weapons in populated areas in Syria has disproportionately lethal effects on women and children and should be urgently prohibited, say a team of international experts.

Many nonprofit academic leaders and professors serve on for-profit health-care company boards Posted: 29 Sep 2015 08:00 PM PDT Nearly one in 10 US for-profit health care company board positions are held by individuals with an academic affiliation, a potential conflict-of-interest not explicitly addressed by national guidelines, a new review reveals for the first time. The analysis found that academically affiliated board members were compensated an average of $193,000 in 2013 for their board memberships.

Could 'The Martian's' scientist survive on potatoes alone? Posted: 29 Sep 2015 03:13 PM PDT In the movie "The Martian," the main character is stranded on Mars and must rely on his own super-science knowledge to survive. Because the crew had packed some potatoes for a Thanksgiving celebration, Watney creates a lab "garden" and is able to survive off the potatoes -- after calculating how many calories he would need to survive until a rescue mission could arrive. However, packing some pinto bean seeds would increase his chances of survival, experts say.

Arsenic found in many American red wines, but health risks depend on total diet Posted: 29 Sep 2015 03:12 PM PDT A new study that tested 65 wines from America's top four wine-producing states -- California, Washington, New York and Oregon -- found all but one have arsenic levels that exceed US drinking water standards. But health risks from that naturally-occurring toxic element depend on how many other high-arsenic foods and beverages, such as apple juice, rice, or cereal bars, an individual person eats.

Walk the line: NASA studies physical performance after spaceflight Posted: 29 Sep 2015 03:12 PM PDT Walking an obstacle course on Earth is relatively easy. Walking an obstacle course after being in space for six months isn't so simple. NASA's Human Research Program is focusing on identifying key physical factors that contribute to a decrease in performance as we prepare for a journey to Mars.

Primary healthcare providers urged to screen teens for depression, suicide risk Posted: 29 Sep 2015 12:06 PM PDT Depression and suicide risk screening can assist healthcare providers in preventing suicides in teens, nursing researchers find. It's estimated that 80 percent of all 13 to 18 year olds are seen in a primary care setting each year, however, often-busy healthcare providers fail to correctly identify those teenagers with a mental health condition. That's because symptoms of depression in teens, such as moodiness, increased sadness or changes in appetite or school attendance, can be easily overlooked as a normal part of puberty.

'Housing First' approach for homeless people doesn't help obesity Posted: 29 Sep 2015 12:06 PM PDT The 'Housing First' approach of giving homeless people with mental illness a place to live without any preconditions such as sobriety or enrollment in a psychiatric treatment program has many benefits. But losing weight isn't one of them.

Home-based counselling strategies alone may not improve neonatal survival in rural Africa Posted: 29 Sep 2015 12:06 PM PDT Implementing a home-based volunteer counselling strategy during pregnancy and the first few days of an infant's life in rural Africa may not be enough to improve neonatal survival, despite improvements in childbirth in health facilities and newborn care practices, according to new research.

Brain activity map reveals how infant vision develops Posted: 29 Sep 2015 12:06 PM PDT Visual functions start to develop soon after birth and continue maturing over time as infants gain experience with the world. However, direct evidence of how this maturation process unfolds in the brain has been lacking. A new study provides a direct window into the maturation of vision-related areas of the cortex in the first weeks of life, showing that the visual brain of 7-week-old babies is surprisingly mature.

Annual mammography starting at age 40 still best way to saves lives from breast cancer Posted: 29 Sep 2015 11:30 AM PDT Experts experienced in breast cancer care continue to recommend that women start getting annual mammograms at age 40. Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of deaths among women in the United States. Deaths are highest among women who are not screened regularly and have their cancers found at later stage.

'Zelda' protein plays flap-open role in early embryo development, researchers find Posted: 29 Sep 2015 11:22 AM PDT Biologists have identified a mechanism that promotes activation of genes critical for the initiation of embryonic development. Our genes are activated by regulatory factors that bind to the control regions of genes called "enhancers" -- a process necessary to turn them on at the right time during development. How they gain access to the enhancer regions when they are wrapped in proteins that form the chromosome structure is of great interest to scientists.

How number of sex partners differ by height, body mass Posted: 29 Sep 2015 11:22 AM PDT New research shows that how many sex partners people have is relative to their height and body mass. The study focused on 60,058 heterosexual men and women asking each to indicate their height, weight, and how many sex partners they have had. The median number of 'sex partners' reported for both men and women ages 30 to 44 was eight partners since they have been sexually active.

New test detects all viruses that infect people, animals Posted: 29 Sep 2015 11:22 AM PDT A new test detects virtually any virus that infects people and animals, according to new research. The new test could be used to detect outbreaks of deadly viruses such as Ebola, Marburg and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), as well as more routine viruses, including rotavirus and norovirus, both of which cause severe gastrointestinal infections.

Discrimination is linked with worse health among transgender Americans, study shows Posted: 29 Sep 2015 11:20 AM PDT Despite a surge in public attention toward the transgender population, transgender adults continue to face both major and daily discrimination that often directly leads to dangerous health consequences, a new study finds.

Identifying youth as 'at risk' for mental problems may be less a stigma than the symptoms Posted: 29 Sep 2015 09:55 AM PDT Little is known about the potential harm inherent in labeling young people at risk for schizophrenia. A study finds that those identified as at clinical risk described feeling stigmatized by the symptoms that led them to seek help to a stronger degree than the risk label. The study is the first to address the separate effects of symptoms and labeling on stigma in young people identified as at clinical high risk for psychotic disorders.

Reducing our own pain is also reducing empathy for pain in others Posted: 29 Sep 2015 08:19 AM PDT The ability to feel the pain of others is based on neurobiological processes which underlie pain experience in oneself. Using innovative methods, an international research team could show that a reduction of self-experienced pain leads to a reduction in empathy for pain in others as well. The researchers assumed that this effect is underpinned by endogenous opioids.

Technology to crowdsource complex triggers of pediatric asthma Posted: 29 Sep 2015 06:31 AM PDT While pollution from cars and other sources is known to trigger asthma in some children, there are a number of lesser-understood factors that also increase their risk – everything from viral infections, to stress, to playing soccer all day. A team of researchers is developing an informatics platform that will make it possible to crowdsource scientific data and, eventually, pinpoint the cause of a child's wheezing.

Scientists decode structure at root of muscular disease Posted: 29 Sep 2015 06:28 AM PDT Researchers have unlocked the structural details of a protein seen as key to treating nemaline myopathy, a neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness.

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