ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Oral bacteria linked to risk of stroke
• Cytokine plays dual role in regulating inflammatory bowel disease, study finds
• 'Beiging' white fat cells to fight diabetes
• New RNA letter regulates gene expression
• Compound in green tea found to block rheumatoid arthritis
• Necessity, the mother of participation
• Overcrowding linked to violence and falls on psychiatric wards
• 'Ecologically diverse' breast cancers more likely to be deadly
• Trouble sleeping associated with behavioral problems in children with autism
• Slight change to antibacterial drug may improve TB treatments
• Engineers use network science to predict how ligaments fail
• Scientists discover genetic changes linked to a major risk factor for blinding trachoma
• Care, disease management and sociobehavioral interventions in China and Australia
• Are we losing the fight against antibiotic resistance?
• Brain structural effects of psychopharmacological treatment in bipolar disorder
• Researchers highlight brain region as 'ground zero' of Alzheimer's disease
• Scientists show how cancerous cells evade a potent targeted therapy
• Adderall misuse rising among young adults
• Improve winter road safety in Canada to decrease number of deaths
• Running helps mice slow cancer growth
• Functional biomarker for age-related macular degeneration found
• A penny for our thoughts? Copper influx key to brain cell development
• Newly identified genes impact how transplanted stem cells give rise to blood cells
• Aerobic fitness may protect liver against chronic alcohol use
• Observing brain diseases in real time
• Chewing sugar free gum could save millions a year
• Gene could help identify psychosis risk in cannabis users
• Good survival of 'blue babies,' children with congenital heart defects
• Making cancer-fighting cells in the lab
• New anti-biofilm compounds show promise against drug-resistant bacteria linked to hospital infections
• There are always bacteria lurking in dental equipment, suggests research
• Male cancer survivors less likely to reproduce
• Forever young: How stem cells resist change
• New protocol to detect three species of Legionella in just eight hours
• How do children around the world feel about their lives?
• Peer review system for awarding NIH grants is flawed, analysis suggests
• Immune response to flu vaccine linked to recipients' ethnic background
• Predicting if young men will live with their kids
• Electronic health records can help catch undiagnosed cases of Type 2 diabetes
• Wide and stubborn variations in longevity across Europe over past 20 years
• Tailored acupuncture lessens pain intensity in chronic pain (fibromyalgia)
• Membership of social/community groups after retirement linked to longer life
• Delirium, muscle weakness among overlooked symptoms of sepsis
• Genetic variation shown in patients with severe vascular complications of infection
• Readmission rates at children's hospitals influenced by patients' characteristics
• Childhood obesity, rapid growth linked to pregnant moms eating lots of fish

Oral bacteria linked to risk of stroke Posted: 16 Feb 2016 03:17 PM PST In a study of patients entering the hospital for acute stroke, researchers have increased their understanding of an association between certain types of stroke and the presence of the oral bacteria (cnm-positive Streptococcus mutans).

Cytokine plays dual role in regulating inflammatory bowel disease, study finds Posted: 16 Feb 2016 03:17 PM PST Small proteins that affect communication between cells play an important role in regulating inflammation that occurs during inflammatory bowel disease, according to researchers.

'Beiging' white fat cells to fight diabetes Posted: 16 Feb 2016 03:17 PM PST Researchers are getting closer to learning how to turn white fat cells into brown fat cells, in a process called 'beiging,' to bring down blood sugar levels and fight diabetes. The work suggests that activation of the mTOR pathway plays a critical role in this process. Induction of beige fat cells is considered a promising strategy to combat obesity because of this cell type's ability to metabolize glucose and lipids, dissipating the resulting energy as heat.

New RNA letter regulates gene expression Posted: 16 Feb 2016 03:14 PM PST A new study finds that RNA, considered the DNA template for protein translation, often appears with an extra letter -- and this letter is the regulatory key for control of gene expression. The discovery offers insight into different RNA functions in cellular processes and contributions to the development of disease.

Compound in green tea found to block rheumatoid arthritis Posted: 16 Feb 2016 03:14 PM PST Researchers have identified a potential new approach to combating the joint pain, inflammation and tissue damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Necessity, the mother of participation Posted: 16 Feb 2016 03:02 PM PST A mother's positive attitude to involvement in everyday activities and a sense of competency in the performance of parental tasks accounts for a significant proportion the successful participation of autistic children in day-to-day activities, new research concludes.

Overcrowding linked to violence and falls on psychiatric wards Posted: 16 Feb 2016 12:20 PM PST Overcrowding is a common problem in Israeli inpatient psychiatric wards, and appears to contribute to higher rates of problem incidents -- including falls and aggressive behavior, reports a new study.

'Ecologically diverse' breast cancers more likely to be deadly Posted: 16 Feb 2016 12:20 PM PST Breast cancers that are particularly complex and diverse, as judged by a test used in ecology to analyze species of animals and plants, are particularly likely to progress and lead to death, a new study shows. The test could be used in the clinic to assess how likely women's breast cancers are to be aggressive, and to help tailor treatment accordingly.

Trouble sleeping associated with behavioral problems in children with autism Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:39 AM PST Associations between trouble sleeping and behavioral problems in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been noted by researchers. Children who weren't sleeping well had greater problems with aggression, irritability and paying attention during the day, the researchers say.

Slight change to antibacterial drug may improve TB treatments Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:34 AM PST One small chemical change to an existing antibacterial drug results in a compound that is more effective against its target enzyme in tuberculosis, researchers report.

Engineers use network science to predict how ligaments fail Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:34 AM PST Researchers are using network science to gain new insights into 'subfailure' ligament injuries, which can lead to pain and dysfunction despite the lack of obvious physical evidence.

Scientists discover genetic changes linked to a major risk factor for blinding trachoma Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:31 AM PST Another clue to the workings of trachoma - the world's leading infectious cause of blindness -- has been revealed in a new study. Researchers identified markers of genetic regulation present in the early stages of infection that could predispose children to developing the condition in its long-term, severe form.

Care, disease management and sociobehavioral interventions in China and Australia Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:31 AM PST Australia and China share a number of similar health policy challenges. Both countries are working to reduce gaps in health services accessibility and in health outcomes between rich and poor, urban and rural and indigenous and nonindigenous people, say researchers.

Are we losing the fight against antibiotic resistance? Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:30 AM PST There is new evidence that antibiotic resistance breaks through environmental and clinical boundaries. The authors of a new study say the data highlights the importance of reducing antibiotic use across all sectors if we are to reduce global antibiotic resistance.

Brain structural effects of psychopharmacological treatment in bipolar disorder Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:28 AM PST Bipolar disorder is associated with subtle neuroanatomical deficits. This review considers evidence that lithium, mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medication and antidepressant medications are associated with neuroanatomical variation.

Researchers highlight brain region as 'ground zero' of Alzheimer's disease Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:28 AM PST A critical but vulnerable region in the brain appears to be the first place affected by late onset Alzheimer's disease and may be more important for maintaining cognitive function in later life than previously appreciated, according to a new review of the scientific literature.

Scientists show how cancerous cells evade a potent targeted therapy Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:28 AM PST Researchers have discovered how STAT3 behaves in immature myeloid cells known as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and they believe they have found the basis for a much more effective method of using STAT3 inhibitors to stop cancer progression in its tracks.

Adderall misuse rising among young adults Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:28 AM PST While the number of prescriptions for the stimulant Adderall has remained unchanged among young adults, misuse and emergency room visits related to the drug have risen dramatically in this group, new research suggests.

Improve winter road safety in Canada to decrease number of deaths Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:28 AM PST The annual deaths that occur each winter in Canada due to poor road conditions can be reduced with a multipronged strategy, argues a new article.

Running helps mice slow cancer growth Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:28 AM PST Here's one more benefit of exercise: mice who spent their free time on a running wheel were better able to shrink tumors (a 50 percent reduction in tumor size) compared to their less active counterparts. Researchers found that the surge of adrenaline that comes with a high-intensity workout helped to move cancer-killing immune (NK) cells toward lung, liver, or skin tumors implanted into the mice.

Functional biomarker for age-related macular degeneration found Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:04 AM PST Adults whose eyes are slow to adjust to the dark have a greater risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, researchers report.

A penny for our thoughts? Copper influx key to brain cell development Posted: 16 Feb 2016 11:03 AM PST A precision sensor has been used in a chicken embryo to find dramatic differences in the use of copper between developing and fully mature neurons. The investigators say their findings reveal how brain cells quickly adjust copper allocation from a predominant use in energy production and defense against free radicals to a use in activating enzymes that make neurons neurons.

Newly identified genes impact how transplanted stem cells give rise to blood cells Posted: 16 Feb 2016 10:56 AM PST Scientists have identified crucial genes needed for successful transplantation of blood-forming stem cells. The new research offers opportunities to study further the development of therapeutic interventions.

Aerobic fitness may protect liver against chronic alcohol use Posted: 16 Feb 2016 09:34 AM PST Excessive alcohol use is responsible for more than 80,000 deaths in the United States each year. Over time, excessive drinking can lead to several chronic conditions, such as fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. Now, a study shows that aerobic exercise may protect the liver against alcohol-related inflammation and injury.

Observing brain diseases in real time Posted: 16 Feb 2016 08:14 AM PST An innovative tool allows researchers to observe protein aggregation throughout the life of a worm. The development of these aggregates, which play a role in the onset of a number of neurodegenerative diseases, can now be monitored automatically and in real time. This breakthrough was made possible by isolating worms in tiny microfluidic chambers.

Chewing sugar free gum could save millions a year Posted: 16 Feb 2016 08:14 AM PST The NHS in England could save £8.2 million a year on dental treatments -- the equivalent to 364,000 dental check-ups -- if all 12-year-olds across the UK chewed sugar free gum after eating or drinking, thanks to the role it plays in helping to prevent tooth decay.

Gene could help identify psychosis risk in cannabis users Posted: 16 Feb 2016 08:13 AM PST A gene that can be used to predict how susceptible a young person is to the mind-altering effects of smoking cannabis has been identified by a group of researchers. The finding could help identify otherwise healthy users who are most at risk of developing psychosis.

Good survival of 'blue babies,' children with congenital heart defects Posted: 16 Feb 2016 07:48 AM PST Over 90 percent of those operated on for congenital heart defects as children, for example, due to blue baby syndrome, are alive 20 years post-surgery. A new doctoral thesis has explored the issue.

Making cancer-fighting cells in the lab Posted: 16 Feb 2016 07:45 AM PST Scientists have reprogrammed human invariant natural killer T cells to induced pluripotent stem cells, which were then differentiated back to iNKT cells that showed stronger activity than the original iNKT cells. This study shows iPS cell technology can be used to recover immune cells that have weakened immune activity.

New anti-biofilm compounds show promise against drug-resistant bacteria linked to hospital infections Posted: 16 Feb 2016 06:11 AM PST A new class of anti-biofilm compounds derived from marine microorganisms has been discovered by researchers who report that these show promise against a drug-resistant bacterium commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections.

There are always bacteria lurking in dental equipment, suggests research Posted: 16 Feb 2016 06:08 AM PST No disinfectants tested completely remove bacterial biofilms from water lines.

Male cancer survivors less likely to reproduce Posted: 16 Feb 2016 06:08 AM PST Young male cancer survivors are three times as likely to turn to assisted fertilization to have children as males without a cancer diagnosis. This knowledge makes it possible to develop concrete treatment protocols, which affect fertility to a lesser degree, say authors of a new report.

Forever young: How stem cells resist change Posted: 16 Feb 2016 06:03 AM PST A new research finding could have implications for cancer treatment and regenerative medicine, as well as more fundamental research, say researchers, who found that a microRNA suppresses a gene that can turn cells into tumor cells, and blocks two chain reactions that have also been linked to cancer.

New protocol to detect three species of Legionella in just eight hours Posted: 16 Feb 2016 06:03 AM PST An innovative protocol for the detection of the three most prevalent Legionella species has been developed, enabling the source of the infection to be located in just eight hours. The breakthrough lies in the combined use of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (Multiplex PCR) and pre-treatment with propidium monoazide (PMA).

How do children around the world feel about their lives? Posted: 16 Feb 2016 06:03 AM PST A major international study has provided a fresh perspective on how children around the world feel about their lives. The Children's Worlds study asked children about all key aspects of their lives including their family and home life, friendships, money and possessions, school life, local area, time use, personal well-being, views on children's rights, and their overall happiness. Most children aged eight in all 16 countries were happy with their lives as a whole but a minority (around 6 per cent of children) had low well-being.

Peer review system for awarding NIH grants is flawed, analysis suggests Posted: 16 Feb 2016 06:01 AM PST The mechanism used by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to allocate government research funds to scientists whose grants receive its top scores works essentially no better than distributing those dollars at random, new research suggests.

Immune response to flu vaccine linked to recipients' ethnic background Posted: 16 Feb 2016 06:01 AM PST How well a flu shot protects you from the virus can depend on your ethnic background and other inherited factors, report scientists. Results suggest future "universal" vaccines could be tailored to individuals and populations.

Predicting if young men will live with their kids Posted: 16 Feb 2016 06:01 AM PST In one of the first reproductive health studies to focus on young men and fatherhood, a research team has found an adolescent male's attitude toward risky sex, pregnancy and birth control can predict whether or not he will end up living with his future offspring.

Electronic health records can help catch undiagnosed cases of Type 2 diabetes Posted: 16 Feb 2016 06:01 AM PST By mining electronic health records, big data experts have develop a screening algorithm with the potential to vastly increase the number of correct diagnoses of the disease by refining the pool of candidates who are put forward for screening. They also uncovered several previously unknown risk factors for diabetes, including a history of sexual and gender identity disorders, intestinal infections and a category of illnesses that includes such sexually transmitted diseases as chlamydia.

Wide and stubborn variations in longevity across Europe over past 20 years Posted: 15 Feb 2016 06:07 PM PST Wide and stubborn variations in longevity have persisted across Europe over the past 20 years, indicates research. People can expect to live to a ripe old age in northern Spain, north eastern Italy, and in southern and western France, but not so much in parts of The Netherlands, Scandinavia, and the UK, the figures show.

Tailored acupuncture lessens pain intensity in chronic pain (fibromyalgia) Posted: 15 Feb 2016 06:07 PM PST Nine weekly sessions of individually tailored acupuncture lessen perceived pain intensity, and improve functional capacity and quality of life, in people with the chronic pain condition, fibromyalgia, finds new research.

Membership of social/community groups after retirement linked to longer life Posted: 15 Feb 2016 06:07 PM PST Membership of social groups, such as book clubs or church groups, after retirement is linked to a longer life, with the impact on health and wellbeing similar to that of regular exercise, suggests new research.

Delirium, muscle weakness among overlooked symptoms of sepsis Posted: 15 Feb 2016 02:21 PM PST Delirium, muscle weakness and other neurological complications of sepsis often are overlooked and poorly understood, according to a study. Sepsis is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States and it's responsible for 7 percent of all childhood deaths. Incidence is highest among infants and the elderly, African Americans and males.

Genetic variation shown in patients with severe vascular complications of infection Posted: 15 Feb 2016 12:46 PM PST Major infections such as influenza and bacterial sepsis kill millions of people each year, often resulting from dangerous complications that impair the body's blood vessels. But the reasons why some patients experience these dramatic responses to infections -- and others don't -- have been unclear. Now, researchers find that the Tie2 gene plays a role.

Readmission rates at children's hospitals influenced by patients' characteristics Posted: 15 Feb 2016 08:40 AM PST Hospitals serving children may face financial penalties for patient readmissions due to factors beyond the control of the hospital, a team of researchers from children's hospitals across the country has found.

Childhood obesity, rapid growth linked to pregnant moms eating lots of fish Posted: 15 Feb 2016 08:39 AM PST Eating fish more than three times a week during pregnancy was associated with mothers giving birth to babies at increased risk of rapid growth in infancy and of childhood obesity, according to a new article.

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