ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• How the media influence perceptions of obesity
• New method can assess quality of centers performing colonoscopies
• For older adults, serious depression symptoms increase risk for stroke and heart disease
• Infectious diseases cause significant emergency visits, hospitalizations for older adults
• Uncovering the financial ties of advocates for cancer drug approval
• Most vaccine-related posts on Pinterest are anti-vaccine, reveals research
• Targeting upper motor neurons to treat ALS
• Insulin-like growth factor linked to hippocampal hyperactivity in Alzheimer's disease
• Imagining positive outcomes may bring pleasure now but pain later
• Heart attack: Gender matters in predicting outcomes
• Study links irregular sleep schedules to adverse metabolic health in women
• Piecing together the cells elevator-like mechanism for sodium
• New MRI technique offers faster diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
• Delivering genes across the blood-brain barrier
• Curing disease by repairing faulty genes
• Abnormal gene is a triple threat in driving pediatric brain tumors
• Greater weight loss during aging associated with increased risk for mild cognitive impairment
• Viral gene editing system corrects genetic liver disease in newborn mice
• No link found between subcortical brain volumes, genetic risk for schizophrenia
• Genetic cause identified in rare pediatric brain tumor
• Blood pressure medicine improves conversational skills of individuals with autism
• Study strengthens evidence linking autism to maternal obesity-diabetes
• Basic science disappearing from medical journals
• Competition between mothers starts in the womb, new study suggests
• Lung health study helps determine to prevalance of lung disease in adults in Malawi
• Physical parameters matter in terms of cancer cells' metastatic ability
• When food alters gene function
• Appalachia continues to have higher cancer rates than the rest of US, but gap is narrowing
• 'BPA-free' plastic accelerates embryonic development, disrupts reproductive system
• More efficient DNA technology for targeted disease detection, treatment
• Vaginal microbes can be partially restored to c-section babies
• Olfactory receptors in the blood respond to Sandalore
• Future help for stroke patients with language problems
• Bio-inspired biomimetics can outperform natural coenzymes
• Cells chat via cannabinoids, about your future diabetes
• Ring- and arc-shaped pores drive stressed cells to a programmed death
• Do asthma and COPD truly exist?
• The dose makes the poison: Opioid overdose study supports call for caution in Rx levels
• Teen suicide: ADHD medication as prevention
• Scientists discover stem cells capable of repairing skull, face bones
• Team-based treatment for first episode psychosis found to be high value
• Higher dietary fiber intake in young women may reduce breast cancer risk
• Higher fitness linked to reduced risk of death after first heart attack
• Community lifestyle intervention reduces cardiovascular disease risk in diabetes patients
• Lab keeps cancer treatment radiation machines honest
• Biology: Energy use linked to aging
• Neural networks adapt to the presence of a toxic HIV protein

How the media influence perceptions of obesity Posted: 01 Feb 2016 11:19 AM PST New work on how news media coverage shapes perceptions of obesity, has been published by investigators. They examined how perspectives on obesity portrayed in news articles affect people's support for different obesity-related public policies and their prejudice towards fat men and women.

New method can assess quality of centers performing colonoscopies Posted: 01 Feb 2016 11:19 AM PST Colonoscopies are now a routine preventive diagnostic test for millions each year. While rates are low, complications like perforation, bleeding, and anesthesia-related heart failure can occur. Researchers have now developed a quality measure that uses follow-up hospital visits to track the variation in colonoscopy quality among outpatient facilities.

For older adults, serious depression symptoms increase risk for stroke and heart disease Posted: 01 Feb 2016 11:17 AM PST Adults 65-years-old and older who had high levels of depressive symptoms had a greater risk for experiencing heart disease or stroke events over the 10 years of a study, scientists report. As a result, the researchers concluded that depression could be a risk factor for heart disease or stroke.

Infectious diseases cause significant emergency visits, hospitalizations for older adults Posted: 01 Feb 2016 11:17 AM PST In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers calculated that infectious diseases account for 13.5 percent of emergency room (ER) visits involving older adults -- a higher percentage than ER visits for heart attacks and congestive heart failure combined. Infectious diseases are those that can be passed from person-to-person and caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites.

Uncovering the financial ties of advocates for cancer drug approval Posted: 01 Feb 2016 10:09 AM PST Speakers who nominally represent cancer patients at advisory meetings on new drugs often have financial ties with the company seeking marketing approval. And those ties aren't always disclosed, according to an analysis.

Most vaccine-related posts on Pinterest are anti-vaccine, reveals research Posted: 01 Feb 2016 10:09 AM PST 75 percent of the vaccine-related posts on Pinterest are negative towards vaccination, according to new research.

Targeting upper motor neurons to treat ALS Posted: 01 Feb 2016 10:09 AM PST Scientists have demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to specifically modify gene expression in diseased upper motor neurons, brain cells that break down in ALS. The study provides evidence that lays a foundation for developing future gene replacement therapies to treat patients with the fatal neuromuscular disorder.

Insulin-like growth factor linked to hippocampal hyperactivity in Alzheimer's disease Posted: 01 Feb 2016 10:08 AM PST The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), the 'master' lifespan regulator, plays a vital role in directly regulating hippocampal hyperactivity in the brain, report scientists. The researchers hope their findings can be used to indicate a new direction for therapy used to treat patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Imagining positive outcomes may bring pleasure now but pain later Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:55 AM PST Positive fantasies about how future events will turn out can boost your mood in the here and now, but they may actually lead to increased depressive symptoms in the long run, according to new research.

Heart attack: Gender matters in predicting outcomes Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:55 AM PST Sex (biological and physiological characteristics) differences are increasingly being studied to assess symptoms, risk factors and outcomes for various diseases. Now, a new pan-Canadian study suggests that gender rather than sex is associated with the risk of recurrence of cardiovascular events in adults. Gender, the researchers explain, refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people.

Study links irregular sleep schedules to adverse metabolic health in women Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:55 AM PST Frequent shifts in sleep timing may be related to adverse metabolic health among non-shift working, midlife women, new research shows. Results show that greater variability in bedtime and greater bedtime delay were associated with higher insulin resistance, and greater bedtime advance was associated with higher body mass index (BMI).

Piecing together the cells elevator-like mechanism for sodium Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:55 AM PST Researchers have pieced together how sodium is transported into and out of our cells. This could be a potential benefit for the development of novel treatments against some forms of cancer and hypertension.

New MRI technique offers faster diagnosis of multiple sclerosis Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:55 AM PST A new way of using MRI scanners to look for evidence of multiple sclerosis in the brain has been successfully tested by researchers. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is notoriously difficult to diagnose as it has many symptoms but not all sufferers experience all of them and the disease can progress at different rates. MRI scans have been used as a diagnostic tool to detect white matter lesions in the brain but these are not always an indicator of the disease.

Delivering genes across the blood-brain barrier Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:47 AM PST Biologists have modified a harmless virus in such a way that it can successfully enter the adult mouse brain through the bloodstream and deliver genes to cells of the nervous system. The virus could help researchers map the intricacies of the brain and holds promise for the delivery of novel therapeutics to address diseases such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's.

Curing disease by repairing faulty genes Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:47 AM PST The genome-editing technique known as CRISPR allows scientists to clip a specific DNA sequence and replace it with a new one, offering the potential to cure diseases caused by defective genes. For this potential to be realized, however, scientists must find a way to safely deliver the CRISPR machinery and a corrected copy of the DNA into the diseased cells. A new study shows that this delivery method boosts efficiency of the CRISPR genome-editing system, researchers have found.

Abnormal gene is a triple threat in driving pediatric brain tumors Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:47 AM PST An abnormal fused gene that drives pediatric brain tumors poses a triple threat, operating simultaneously through three distinct biological mechanisms -- the first such example in cancer biology. This finding potentially offers triple benefits as well -- more accurate diagnoses, clues for more effective treatments and new insights into molecular processes underlying other types of cancer.

Greater weight loss during aging associated with increased risk for mild cognitive impairment Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:30 AM PST Increasing weight loss per decade as people age from midlife to late life was associated with an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a new article.

Viral gene editing system corrects genetic liver disease in newborn mice Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:28 AM PST For the first time, researchers have treated an animal model of a genetic disorder using a viral vector to deliver genome-editing components in which the disease- causing mutation has been corrected. Delivery of the vector to newborn mice improved their survival while treatment of adult animals, unexpectedly, made them worse.

No link found between subcortical brain volumes, genetic risk for schizophrenia Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:28 AM PST A new study evaluated the relationship between common genetic variants implicated in schizophrenia and those associated with subcortical brain volumes, and found no evidence of genetic overlap between schizophrenia risk and subcortical volume measures.

Genetic cause identified in rare pediatric brain tumor Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:28 AM PST Researchers found a way of differentiating angiocentric gliomas from other low-grade pediatric brain tumors and developed a pathological test that will help children avoid unnecessary and potentially damaging additional therapies.

Blood pressure medicine improves conversational skills of individuals with autism Posted: 01 Feb 2016 09:28 AM PST An estimated one in 68 children in the United States has autism. The neurodevelopmental disorder, which impairs communication and social interaction skills, can be treated with medications and behavioral therapies, though there is no cure. Now, researchers have found that a medication commonly used to treat high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats may have the potential to improve some social functions of individuals with autism.

Study strengthens evidence linking autism to maternal obesity-diabetes Posted: 01 Feb 2016 07:40 AM PST Scientists show they can use electronic medical records and birth information to verify and strengthen an already suspected link between autistic children and pregnant mothers with obesity and diabetes.

Basic science disappearing from medical journals Posted: 01 Feb 2016 07:39 AM PST A new study has found a steep decline in the number of scholarly papers about basic science published in leading medical journals in the last 20 years.

Competition between mothers starts in the womb, new study suggests Posted: 01 Feb 2016 07:39 AM PST Female mammals, including humans, may try to outcompete one another by producing bigger babies, ground-breaking research has suggested. A 13-year-long study, the first of its kind to use ultrasound, found that female mongooses respond to reproductive competition by producing bigger pups.

Lung health study helps determine to prevalance of lung disease in adults in Malawi Posted: 01 Feb 2016 07:35 AM PST A lung health study has helped to determine the prevalence of lung disease among adults in Malawi. The work highlights the extent to which people living in Malawi are exposed to smoke from household burning of biomass (crop residues, wood, charcoal) for their day-to-day cooking needs. Around the world four million people die every year as a result of inhalation of this smoke which increases the risk of heart and lung diseases.

Physical parameters matter in terms of cancer cells' metastatic ability Posted: 01 Feb 2016 07:35 AM PST The micro-environment surrounding cancer cells is just as important as genes in regulating tumor progression. Scientists have therefore examined the biophysical and biochemical cues occurring in the vicinity of cancer cells. This represents a departure from the traditional measurement of secreted molecules, called biomarkers.

When food alters gene function Posted: 01 Feb 2016 07:35 AM PST The maternal diet influences fat and glucose metabolism of offspring through epigenetic alterations, new research shows. As the study shows, a high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation leads to epigenetic changes in the offspring.

Appalachia continues to have higher cancer rates than the rest of US, but gap is narrowing Posted: 01 Feb 2016 07:35 AM PST Men and women in Appalachia continue to have higher cancer incidence rates compared with those in the rest of the United States regardless of race or location. The disparity is attributed in part to high tobacco use, potential differences in socioeconomic status, and patient health care utilization.

'BPA-free' plastic accelerates embryonic development, disrupts reproductive system Posted: 01 Feb 2016 07:35 AM PST Companies advertise 'BPA-free' as a safer version of plastic products ranging from water bottles to sippy cups to toys. Yet a new study demonstrates that BPS, a common replacement for BPA, speeds up embryonic development and disrupts the reproductive system. The research is the first to examine the effects of BPA and BPS on key brain cells and genes that control organs involved in reproduction.

More efficient DNA technology for targeted disease detection, treatment Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:56 AM PST A more efficient DNA technology to detect and treat infectious diseases and cancer has been developed by researchers.

Vaginal microbes can be partially restored to c-section babies Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:53 AM PST A simple swab to transfer vaginal microbes from a mother to her C-section-delivered newborn can alter the baby's microbial makeup (microbiome) in a way that more closely resembles the microbiome of a vaginally delivered baby, a small pilot study has demonstrated.

Olfactory receptors in the blood respond to Sandalore Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:50 AM PST Human blood cells have olfactory receptors that respond to Sandalore. This could provide a starting point for new leukemia therapies, as researchers report.

Future help for stroke patients with language problems Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:50 AM PST A new method of analysis to distinguish between stroke patients with language problem has been developed by a brain researcher. The result may be individualized treatment for each patient.

Bio-inspired biomimetics can outperform natural coenzymes Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:50 AM PST Researchers have developed a range of synthetic biomimetic compounds to replace the relatively expensive natural NADH and NADPH coenzymes in enzymatic conversions of industrial relevance. They show that some of the compounds even outperform their natural counterparts.

Cells chat via cannabinoids, about your future diabetes Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:50 AM PST The level of glucose in human blood depends on the continuous cooperation between two types of cells in the pancreas. Alpha cells secrete glucagon hormone that increases glucose in blood, while the beta cells secrete insulin, the hormone decreasing glucose concentration. Scientists have recently discovered that the alpha and beta cells communicate with each other, and the central role in this communication is played by cannabinoids – organic compounds that occur in nature also in inflorescences of cannabis. In recent studies it has also been shown that cannabinoids have an impact on the identity of the beta cells, and in human embryos they may lead to significant changes in the architecture of a forming pancreatic islets.

Ring- and arc-shaped pores drive stressed cells to a programmed death Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:48 AM PST Damaged cells can commit suicide by a process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. If this mechanism fails to work properly, the cell can become cancerous. Scientists are helping to explain important steps in the process of apoptosis. They know from previous studies that apoptosis begins with the activation of what are known as Bax proteins. If a cell is under stress, Bax proteins deposit on the surface of mitochondria in symmetrical pairs. The researchers then observed that the otherwise impermeable shell of the mitochondria becomes permeable – letting through cytochrome c. Once that happens, the process of cellular death cannot be reversed. But what happened in between was a mystery which for a long time puzzled apoptosis researchers. Now Ana García-Sáez and her team have been able to use a supermicroscope to watch how Bax proteins form pores in the mitochondrial shell, making it permeable.

Do asthma and COPD truly exist? Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:44 AM PST Defining a patient's symptoms using the historical diagnostic labels of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an outdated approach to understanding an individual's condition, according to experts.

The dose makes the poison: Opioid overdose study supports call for caution in Rx levels Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:44 AM PST When it comes to prescription painkillers, the difference between controlling pain and dying from an overdose may come down to how strong a prescription the doctor wrote, according to a new study in veterans. And the threshold for safe prescribing may be lower than most people think -- or than most guidelines recommend.

Teen suicide: ADHD medication as prevention Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:44 AM PST Black-box warnings about the dangers of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications are confusing and could have serious consequences for the risk of youth suicide, according to researchers.

Scientists discover stem cells capable of repairing skull, face bones Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:44 AM PST Scientists have, for the first time, identified and isolated a stem cell population capable of skull formation and craniofacial bone repair in mice -- achieving an important step toward using stem cells for bone reconstruction of the face and head in the future, according to a new article.

Team-based treatment for first episode psychosis found to be high value Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:43 AM PST Coordinated specialty care for first episode psychosis is a cost-effective treatment compared to typical community care, say experts. While the team-based coordinated specialty care (CSC) approach has modestly higher costs than typical care, it produces better clinical and quality of life outcomes, making the CSC treatment program a better value.

Higher dietary fiber intake in young women may reduce breast cancer risk Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:43 AM PST Women who eat more high-fiber foods during adolescence and young adulthood--especially lots of fruits and vegetables--may have significantly lower breast cancer risk than those who eat less dietary fiber when young, according to a new large-scale study.

Higher fitness linked to reduced risk of death after first heart attack Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:43 AM PST Higher levels of physical fitness may not only reduce risk of heart attacks and death from all causes, but also possibly improve the chances of survival after a first attack, new evidence indicates.

Community lifestyle intervention reduces cardiovascular disease risk in diabetes patients Posted: 01 Feb 2016 05:43 AM PST It took just 16 two-hour classes on the basics of a healthy lifestyle to substantially reduce cardiovascular risks associated with type 2 diabetes and elevated fasting blood glucose levels for 110 patients, according to a study.

Lab keeps cancer treatment radiation machines honest Posted: 30 Jan 2016 03:23 PM PST As radiation sources used to map disease and attack cancer grow in number and complexity, experts continue to offer the last word on accurate radiation doses. A lab fine-tunes instruments used by clinics to measure radiation doses from X-ray machines, CAT scanners and medical linear accelerators used to treat cancer.

Biology: Energy use linked to aging Posted: 29 Jan 2016 02:15 PM PST Why does a Great Dane have a shorter lifespan than a pug? The answer lies in a complex relationship between energy usage and lifespan. That relationship is quickly being unraveled through the use of numerical modeling.

Neural networks adapt to the presence of a toxic HIV protein Posted: 29 Jan 2016 02:05 PM PST Nearly half of HIV infected patients suffer from impaired neurocognitive function. The HIV protein transactivator of transcription (Tat) is an important contributor to HIV neuropathogenesis because it is a potent neurotoxin that continues to be produced despite treatment with antiretroviral therapy, report researchers.

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