الخميس، 14 يناير 2016

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Protein patterns: New tool for studying sepsis

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 11:45 AM PST

Sepsis is a very complicated and precarious condition. Research groups have now developed a way to use mass spectrometry to measure hundreds of proteins in a single blood sample. With the help of protein patterns it is then possible to determine the severity of the condition and which organs have been damaged.

New role for motor neurons discovered

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 11:45 AM PST

The view of the role of motor neurons could be changing, thanks to new research. Motor neurons, which extend from the spinal cord to muscles and other organs, have always been considered passive recipients of signals from interneuronal circuits. Now, however, researchers have demonstrated a new, direct signalling pathway through which motor neurons influence the locomotor circuits that generate rhythmic movements.

Couples' quality of life linked even when one partner dies

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 10:33 AM PST

When one spouse passes away, his or her characteristics continue to be linked with the surviving spouse's well-being, according to new research. The findings also indicate that this link between the deceased spouse and surviving spouse is as strong as that between partners who are both living.

Trauma experts study treatment of pregnant trauma patients to improve neonatal outcomes

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 10:33 AM PST

Expectant mothers who sustain a traumatic injury and receive care at a hospital with a designated trauma center experience better outcomes than those treated at a non-trauma hospital, say researchers.

New microscopy may identify best sperm cells

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 10:33 AM PST

New microscopic technology promises to be a game-changer in the field of reproductive assistance. A team of scientists has devised a new method of microscopy allowing scientists to perform clinical sperm analysis for in vitro fertilization without the use of staining, which can affect the viability of sperm samples.

Experts recommend immediate treatment for severe primary adrenal insufficiency symptoms

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:35 AM PST

A Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) has been issued on the diagnosis and treatment of primary adrenal insufficiency, a condition commonly known as Addison's disease that occurs when the body produces too little of the hormone cortisol.

Common gene mutation bad for liver values, good for blood lipids in children

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:33 AM PST

A common mutation in one gene raises liver values but at the same time improves blood lipid values in healthy children, according to a recent study. Children who carry the gene mutation had higher ALT values, indicative of changes in liver metabolism. At the same time, however, they also had lower blood triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. This finding is in line with earlier research in adults, showing that the gene mutation both predisposes for fatty liver disease and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Is autism hiding in a fold of the brain?

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST

Scientists have identified a cerebral marker specific to autism that can be detected by MRI and is present as from the age of two years. The abnormality thus detected consists in a less deep fold in Broca's area, a region of the brain specialized in language and communication, functions that are impaired in autistic patients. This discovery may assist in the earlier diagnosis and management of these patients.

Physical activity may help keep overweight children fit

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST

High body adiposity, low physical activity, and particularly their combination are related to poorer physical fitness among 6-8 year old children, research shows. These results suggest that physically active overweight children have better fitness compared to their inactive peers.

Antisocial behavior: Understanding influence of genes and the environment

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:11 AM PST

A gene involved in the regulation of emotions and behavior could influence the long-term impact of violence experienced in childhood on antisocial behavior. This is the finding of a longitudinal study carried out by a team of researchers on 327 young men who live in Quebec (Quebec Longitudinal Study of Kindergarten Children), some of whom were exposed to violence as children.

Why do some infections persist? Blame bacterial socialism

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:08 AM PST

New research uses time lapse microscopy to show that bacteria use a hedging strategy to trade off varying degrees of antibiotic resistance even when they are not under threat. This new insight could explain why some infections persist in spite of antibiotic treatment and suggests that a different dosing strategy that would wait out trading off strategy could be effective.

Sunshine vitamin linked to improved fertility in wild animals

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:05 AM PST

High levels of vitamin D are linked to improved fertility and reproductive success, a study of wild sheep has found. Experts hope that further studies will help to determine the relevance of the results for other mammals, including people.

Experimental immunotherapy zaps two most lethal Ebola virus strains

Posted: 13 Jan 2016 07:05 AM PST

The first antibodies that can potently neutralize the two deadliest strains of the virus that causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever has been engineered by scientists. The findings, made in mice, are a significant step toward immunotherapies that are effective against all strains of Ebola virus that cause human disease.

Immigrant kids' diet is different, less nutritious than mom's

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:44 PM PST

The diet of Mexican immigrant children in the US is different from what their mothers eat, according to sociologists, and that may mean kids are trading in the generally healthy diet of their moms for less nutritious American fare.

Lung cell found to act as sensor, regulator of immune response

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:44 PM PST

An uncommon and little-studied type of cell in the lungs has been found to act like a sensor, linking the pulmonary and central nervous systems to regulate immune response in reaction to environmental cues. Until now, their function in a live animal was unknown. A team reports that PNECs are effective sensors seeded in the airway of many animals, including humans.

Concerns over prescribed opioid use among pregnant women

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:44 PM PST

The increase in use of prescribed opioids among women during pregnancy has probably contributed to the rise in neonatal abstinence syndrome, argues an expert. In the US, estimates suggest that 14-22% of pregnant women receive an opioid prescription during their pregnancy, and there has been an increase in the prevalence of opioid use disorders among pregnant women.

Common dementia drug found to improve Parkinson's symptoms

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:44 PM PST

A commonly prescribed dementia drug could hold the key to helping prevent debilitating falls for people with Parkinson's, scientists have discovered. Parkinson's affects approximately seven million worldwide. 70% of people with Parkinson's will fall at least once a year, with over a third experiencing falls repeatedly, resulting in fractures, broken bones and hospital admissions.

Largest-ever study of cornea condition reveals hidden risk factors

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 11:46 AM PST

A large new study reveals previously unknown risk factors associated with an eye condition that causes serious progressive nearsightedness at a relatively young age. The findings, made through the largest-ever clinical study of the condition called keratoconus, could help more people receive newer treatments that can slow the problem and protect their vision.

Researchers further illuminate pathway for treatment of cystic fibrosis

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 11:46 AM PST

New research findings add further clarity to a question that has polarized the cystic fibrosis (CF) research community. It is well established that people with cystic fibrosis have two faulty copies of the CFTR gene, but debate continues on the question of whether certain symptoms of the airway disease are caused by the mutation or if the genetic defect precedes, but does not directly lead to some of the worst symptoms patients face.

Signaling from dysfunctional mitochondria induces cellular senescence with a distinct secretory phenotype

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 09:57 AM PST

A new finding provides alternative explanation for the free-radical theory of aging and suggests new role for mitochondria in affecting physiology.

Kidney failure risk equations show accuracy in geographically diverse patient population

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 09:48 AM PST

Kidney failure risk equations developed in a Canadian population showed accuracy in predicting the two-year and five-year probability of kidney failure in patients with chronic kidney disease from over 30 countries with a wide range of variation in age, sex and race, according to a study.

Frozen vs. fresh fecal transplantation for C. diff. infection shows similar effectiveness

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 09:48 AM PST

Among adults with Clostridium difficile infection that is recurrent or not responsive to treatment, the use of frozen compared with fresh fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) did not result in a significantly lower rate of resolution of diarrhea, indicating that frozen FMT may be a reasonable treatment option for these patients, according to a study.

Mental health conditions common among bariatric surgery patients

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 09:48 AM PST

Mental health conditions, such as depression and binge eating disorder, are common among patients seeking and undergoing bariatric surgery, according to a study. Bariatric surgery is an accepted method of promoting weight loss in severely obese individuals. Mental health conditions may be common among patients seeking bariatric surgery; however, the prevalence of these conditions and whether they are associated with postoperative outcomes has not been known.

Treatment for severe emphysema improves exercise capacity

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 09:48 AM PST

In preliminary research for patients with severe emphysema, a minimally invasive intervention involving the implantation of coils in the lungs with an endoscope resulted in improved exercise capacity at six months, although with high short-term costs, according to a study.

Cancer-killing proteins destroy tumor cells in bloodstream

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 08:36 AM PST

Potent cancer-killing proteins that can travel by white blood cells to kill tumors have been discovered in the bloodstream of mice with metastatic prostate cancer. In the study, prostate cancer cells were implanted into the prostate of male mice to let the tumors grow. The researchers found that secondary tumors were prevented by the treatment and that the primary tumor shrunk in size.

Breast cancer screening recommendations could endanger women

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:35 AM PST

If followed, new U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) breast cancer screening recommendations will result in thousands of unnecessary deaths each year and thousands more women enduring extensive and expensive treatment than if their cancer had been found early by an annual mammogram, argue experts.

More research needed on evaluation of dense breasts

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:35 AM PST

Determinations of breast density can be unreliable, a systematic review of the scientific literature on dense breasts shows, and as many as 19 percent of women are re-categorized as dense rather than non-dense or vice versa from one mammogram to the next, researchers report. Their study also found that supplemental diagnostic screenings for women with dense breasts find additional breast cancers but also greatly increase false positive results.

Breast cancer screening: Making a safe procedure even safer

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:35 AM PST

Breast cancer screening with digital mammography poses only a small risk of radiation-induced breast cancer for most women, a comprehensive modeling study has found. However, the research showed increased risk for women with large breasts or breast implants, who must often receive extra screening views, increasing their radiation exposure.

New pathway to differentiation found, shedding light on some cancers

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:35 AM PST

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of differentiation, as studied in megakaryocytes, the blood cells responsible for platelet production. The ultimate effect of this new pathway is an alternative splicing of messenger RNAs.

Not the weaker sex: Estrogen protects women against the flu, study finds

Posted: 12 Jan 2016 06:34 AM PST

The female sex hormone estrogen has anti-viral effects against the influenza A virus, commonly known as the flu, new research shows. The study supports why the flu may hit men harder than women.
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