ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Almond joy: Eating just a handful a day boosts diet health, study shows
• New theorem helps reveal tuberculosis' secret
• Bat 'super immunity' could help protect people
• Researchers use Botox-like injection to treat runners, cyclists with knee pain
• Toddler screening essential for autism detection despite national task force's reservation
• Graphic images may not scare smokers off cigarettes, says study
• Phase 2 clinical trial to treat rare hereditary muscle disease shows promise
• Dried plums provide protection from bone loss due to radiation, study shows
• New surgical technique improves biological hip joint replacement
• Spanish conquest left its imprint on men's genes in Panama
• Zebrafish embryos exposed to atrazine pass on health problems to their young
• One drug used to prevent HIV transmission during pregnancy shows evidence of developmental effects
• Differences found in pain coping between black, white Americans
• Low-carbon policies could prevent up to 175,000 US deaths by 2030
• Meningitis A nearly eliminated in Africa through vaccination, reaching over 235 million people
• Seeing cancer in 3-D
• Little diet pain, big health gain
• Worm study may resolve discrepancies in research on aging
• Supply of GPs, detection of hypertension in England associated with premature mortality rates
• Crafting a better T cell for immunotherapy
• Researchers uncover potential target for treating autoimmune disease
• Scientists pave way for new generation of superbug drugs
• Newly discovered HIV genome modification may put a twist on vaccine and drug design
• Home health care, post-acute care in a facility infrequent for hospitalized kids
• The Charlie Sheen effect on HIV prevention
• Atmospheric sulfate particles reduced, but as acidic as ever
• Promising respiratory drug focus of new clinical trial for parkinson's disease
• Uninsured children most at risk for insufficient health care experiences
• New genetic cause of gastric, prostate cancer identified
• Squirm with purpose: Fidgeting is helpful for ADHD patients, study shows
• Individual macromolecule motion in a crowded living cell
• Researchers pinpoint potential enzyme for T-cell leukemia treatment
• Significant new study shows importance of help for childhood sexual abuse victims
• Couples' lifestyle choices impact on obesity risk, study finds
• Breakthrough improves method for synthesizing cyanohydrins as pharmaceutical precursors
• Accelerating genome analysis
• New inhalers to treat lung diseases
• Precise conservation of the dynamics of embryonic regulatory circuits plays key role in maintaining morphological similarity between species
• Parents rate flu vaccine less important, effective, safe than other childhood vaccines
• Superbug review warns we ignore wildlife at our peril
• Using sugar to detect malignant tumors
• Granddad of his own free will
• Insulin-secreting cells report on insulin resistance
• Benefits of taking the natural pigment astaxanthin
• Patients with no schooling benefit least from blood thinning medications
• Experiencing financial stress may lead to physical pain
• Portable device for rapid, highly sensitive diagnostics
• Weight and height during adolescence may impact future risk of developing Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Almond joy: Eating just a handful a day boosts diet health, study shows Posted: 22 Feb 2016 07:08 PM PST Just add a handful of almonds: a University of Florida study suggests that improving one's diet can be as simple as that.

New theorem helps reveal tuberculosis' secret Posted: 22 Feb 2016 12:57 PM PST Researchers seek to streamline the analysis of complex biochemical networks and to reveal inconsistencies in biological data. Their theorem helps to uncover hidden drivers of non-monotonic responses to monotonic stimuli in tuberculosis bacteria.

Bat 'super immunity' could help protect people Posted: 22 Feb 2016 12:56 PM PST For the first time, researchers have uncovered a unique ability in bats which allows them to carry but remain unaffected by lethal diseases.

Researchers use Botox-like injection to treat runners, cyclists with knee pain Posted: 22 Feb 2016 12:18 PM PST A painful knee condition that affects more than one in eight active people has been treated effectively with a botulinum toxin injection and physiotherapy.

Toddler screening essential for autism detection despite national task force's reservation Posted: 22 Feb 2016 12:16 PM PST Given that earlier diagnoses have been found to be more beneficial for treating children on the autism spectrum, a team of researchers believes that universal screening in 18-24 month-old children remains essential, despite a federal task force deciding there is insufficient evidence to recommend it.

Graphic images may not scare smokers off cigarettes, says study Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:45 AM PST Images of disease and suffering should move smokers to kick the habit – at least, that's the thinking behind graphic warning labels used on cigarette packages in much of the world, and maybe someday in the U.S.

Phase 2 clinical trial to treat rare hereditary muscle disease shows promise Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:43 AM PST Researchers present the first clinical study that provides evidence that an extended-release sialic acid supplement may stabilize muscle strength in patients with GNE myopathy (GNEM), a rare hereditary, progressive, adult-onset muscle disease.

Dried plums provide protection from bone loss due to radiation, study shows Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:43 AM PST Dried plums are effective in protecting from bone loss due to iodized radiation, a new study shows. The study showed consuming dried plums can protect from ionizing radiation that increases oxidative damage in skeletal tissues and results in an imbalance in bone remodeling.

New surgical technique improves biological hip joint replacement Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:43 AM PST Traditional hip replacement procedures reduce pain and restore mobility. However, for younger, more active patients, an artificial hip has a limited lifetime and usually requires restricted activity. Now, researchers have tested a new biological technique that may provide better and longer-lasting joint function.

Spanish conquest left its imprint on men's genes in Panama Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:28 AM PST European men who chose indigenous women as the mothers of their children left their mark on men in the New World. Only 22 percent of Panamanian men have Y-chromosomes of native origin, even though most Panamanians are of female indigenous ancestry.

Zebrafish embryos exposed to atrazine pass on health problems to their young Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:28 AM PST Atrazine exposure during embryonic development could cause later reproductive problems for female zebrafish, as well as physical deformations in their offspring, according to new research. Atrazine, an agricultural herbicide, is a suspected endocrine-disrupting chemical. It is used to kill broadleaf and grassy weeds in crops, such as corn, especially in the Midwest, and it often contaminates water supplies.

One drug used to prevent HIV transmission during pregnancy shows evidence of developmental effects Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:28 AM PST The antiretroviral drug atazanavir -- sometimes included in treatments to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission during pregnancy -- may have small but significant effects on infant development, reports a new study.

Differences found in pain coping between black, white Americans Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:13 AM PST Black and white Americans cope with pain differently. A new review and analysis of 19 studies is the first to examine the entire published literature and quantify the relationship between race and the use of pain-coping strategies.

Low-carbon policies could prevent up to 175,000 US deaths by 2030 Posted: 22 Feb 2016 11:13 AM PST Reducing US emissions to the levels needed to avoid a 2-degree C warming could prevent up to 175,000 premature deaths by 2030 and yield near-term national benefits of about $250 billion a year, according to a study. When longer-term global impacts are figured in, benefits could be 5 to 10 times larger than the estimated costs of implementing emissions reductions. However, this would require greater reductions than those targeted in current legislation or regulations.

Meningitis A nearly eliminated in Africa through vaccination, reaching over 235 million people Posted: 22 Feb 2016 10:41 AM PST Global vaccine experts and officials from all 26 African 'meningitis belt' countries have convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to celebrate one of Africa's biggest public health achievements -- the introduction of a vaccine designed, developed, and produced for use in Africa, that in five years of use has nearly eliminated serogroup A meningococcal disease from meningitis belt countries and is now being integrated into routine national immunization programs.

Seeing cancer in 3-D Posted: 22 Feb 2016 10:41 AM PST Cancer cells don't live on glass slides, yet the vast majority of images related to cancer biology come from the cells being photographed on flat, two-dimensional surfaces. A new high-resolution microscope now makes it possible to visualize cancer cells in 3-D and record how they are signaling to other parts of their environment, revealing the previously unappreciated biology of how cancer cells functions within living things.

Little diet pain, big health gain Posted: 22 Feb 2016 10:40 AM PST Those who struggle with obesity, take heart. Losing as little as 5 percent of your body weight is enough to reap significant health benefits, according to a study. The randomized controlled trial of 40 obese men and women compared, for the first time, the health outcomes of 5 percent, 10 percent, and 15 percent weight loss. While additional weight loss further improved metabolic health, 5 percent weight loss was sufficient to reduce multiple risk factors for type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Worm study may resolve discrepancies in research on aging Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:51 AM PST Researchers may have discovered what's responsible for discrepant findings between dozens of fundamental studies of the biology of aging. A drug commonly used in research with C. elegans worms, they report, has had unanticipated effects on lifespan.

Supply of GPs, detection of hypertension in England associated with premature mortality rates Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:51 AM PST The associations between mortality under 75 years and general practice characteristics have been examined by researchers in England. The team set out to investigate whether a conceptual model representing some of the proposed mechanisms of primary care could explain variations in premature mortality in general practice populations, taking particular account of deprivation among population characteristics.

Crafting a better T cell for immunotherapy Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:51 AM PST T-cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy, involves engineering the patient's T cells in the laboratory to carry new proteins that guide the immune cells directly to tumor cells, allowing the engineered T cells to attack and kill the cancer. Now, a group of researchers has devised a new approach that could speed and improve this process, using a special, small protein tag that can be used to purify and track the T cells once they have been engineered in the laboratory.

Researchers uncover potential target for treating autoimmune disease Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:49 AM PST A molecule that appears to be a cause of autoimmune diseases such as lupus has been identified by a group of researchers. Elevated levels of the molecule allow self-reactive immune cells to escape into the blood stream and attack the body's own tissues.

Scientists pave way for new generation of superbug drugs Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:49 AM PST Scientists are getting closer to solving the problem of antibiotic resistance. New research reveals the mechanism by which drug-resistant bacterial cells maintain a defensive barrier. The findings pave the way for a new wave of drugs that kill superbugs by bringing down their defensive walls rather than attacking the bacteria itself.

Newly discovered HIV genome modification may put a twist on vaccine and drug design Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:49 AM PST HIV infection of human immune cells triggers a massive increase in methylation, a chemical modification, to both human and viral RNA, aiding replication of the virus. A new study identifies a new mechanism for controlling HIV replication and its interaction with the host immune system.

Home health care, post-acute care in a facility infrequent for hospitalized kids Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:49 AM PST Hospitalized children infrequently used home health care (HHC) and facility-based post-acute care (PAC) after they were discharged, according to a new article.

The Charlie Sheen effect on HIV prevention Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:49 AM PST For some time scientists and advocates have recognized the importance of celebrity in public health. Could Sheen's disclosure, albeit tragic, generate renewed national attention for HIV and HIV prevention, providing an important public health benefit? A new study finds that Charlie Sheen's HIV disclosure corresponded with record levels of public engagement with HIV and HIV prevention.

Atmospheric sulfate particles reduced, but as acidic as ever Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:49 AM PST Tough emission controls have dramatically reduced the amount of toxic sulfate particles in air, but at least in the Southeast United States, they haven't reduced the acidity of the health-threatening particles.

Promising respiratory drug focus of new clinical trial for parkinson's disease Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:26 AM PST A medication approved to treat various respiratory diseases and that has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in preclinical studies is the focus of a new clinical trial for Parkinson's disease.

Uninsured children most at risk for insufficient health care experiences Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:13 AM PST Researchers examined medical home trends in children's primary care from 2003 to 2012 and found that while this specific healthcare model has improved children's primary care overall, certain aspects of children's patient care experience have worsened. Moreover, upon analyzing various at-risk profiles, the team found that uninsured children were subject to more insufficient levels of care.

New genetic cause of gastric, prostate cancer identified Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:12 AM PST Researchers have opened the door to finding a new class of cancer-causing genetic variations. Using a combination of pre-existing electronic databases and their own experiments with cancerous and healthy cells, researchers linked stomach (gastric) and prostate cancer to a specific type of DNA called transcribed-ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs). This approach will likely reveal more links between T-UCRs and other cancers in the future.

Squirm with purpose: Fidgeting is helpful for ADHD patients, study shows Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:11 AM PST Children often fidget or move when they are trying to solve a problem, and that movement may have a positive effect on children with ADHD, new research confirms.

Individual macromolecule motion in a crowded living cell Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:10 AM PST New research article embraces the status of the experimental situation and touches obstacles that still hinder the applications of single molecules in the cellular environment.

Researchers pinpoint potential enzyme for T-cell leukemia treatment Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:10 AM PST For the first time, researchers have shown that T-cell leukemia cells use a particular cycle, called the TCA or Kreb cycle, to support their growth and survival.

Significant new study shows importance of help for childhood sexual abuse victims Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:10 AM PST While the sexual abuse of children is currently an issue at the forefront of public life, concern has focused on the protection of children and the identification of perpetrators. However, a new study hopes to refocus attention on what can be done to help the victims of childhood sexual abuse.

Couples' lifestyle choices impact on obesity risk, study finds Posted: 22 Feb 2016 08:10 AM PST The lifestyle a person shares with their partner has a greater influence on their chances of becoming obese than their upbringing, research suggests.

Breakthrough improves method for synthesizing cyanohydrins as pharmaceutical precursors Posted: 22 Feb 2016 07:55 AM PST A new method of chemically modifying ketones has been developed in a way that ensures that optically active cyanohydrins are obtained, enabling efficient production of pharmaceutical precursors at a high yield and with good selectivity.

Accelerating genome analysis Posted: 22 Feb 2016 07:55 AM PST Genome sequencing has been instrumental in improving knowledge of human diseases, by allowing scientists to understand their underlying biological mechanisms. New software called SIFT 4G (SIFT for Genomes) can lead to faster genome analysis, report scientists.

New inhalers to treat lung diseases Posted: 22 Feb 2016 07:55 AM PST Scientists are working to develop advanced dry powder inhalers to treat and prevent pulmonary diseases.

Precise conservation of the dynamics of embryonic regulatory circuits plays key role in maintaining morphological similarity between species Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:15 AM PST A new study sheds light on one of the biological mechanisms involved in the evolution of species: The precise conservation of the dynamics of gene expression in embryonic regulatory circuits plays a key role in maintaining morphological similarity between similar species.

Parents rate flu vaccine less important, effective, safe than other childhood vaccines Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:15 AM PST Parents who do not get their children flu shots rate flu vaccine less favorably than other childhood vaccines, a national poll finds. Fifty-nine percent of parents whose child did not receive the flu vaccine this season say it is less important than other childhood vaccines -- compared to only 14 percent of parents whose child got a flu shot, according to a new report.

Superbug review warns we ignore wildlife at our peril Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:11 AM PST Governments and researchers need to pay greater attention to the spread of antimicrobial resistance – or so-called superbugs – in wildlife and the natural environment, according to a new study.

Using sugar to detect malignant tumors Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:10 AM PST Ordinary sugar could become a contrast agent of the future for use in magnetic resonance tomography examinations of tumors, as malignant tumors show higher sugar consumption than surrounding tissue, report scientists.

Granddad of his own free will Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:10 AM PST The number of families in which both parents work is increasing. But who looks after the children when the nursery school is closed? Female child minders and surrogate grandmas are very popular, but is childcare an appealing activity for men too? New research is examining the phenomenon of "surrogate granddads".

Insulin-secreting cells report on insulin resistance Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:09 AM PST A novel technique that makes it possible to monitor insulin resistance in a non-invasive manner over time in mice has been developed by diabetes researchers. The new method can be used to assess insulin resistance during progression and intervention of metabolic diseases.

Benefits of taking the natural pigment astaxanthin Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:08 AM PST With the recent rise in popularity of naturally-derived supplements to maintain a healthy body, there has been a great deal of attention toward development of the so-called "brain foods", which can enhance brain function. Of particular importance is the natural red pigment astaxanthin (ASX) abundant in both salmon and in crustaceans such as shrimp and crab. ASX has a powerful antioxidant effect, and is capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier, entering the brain, where it acts directly on nerve cells. ASX is also known to have a neuroprotective effect. However, there are many unanswered questions as to the effects of ASX on hippocampal function, especially whether or not it can increase the neuroplasticity of the hippocampus.

Patients with no schooling benefit least from blood thinning medications Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:07 AM PST Patients with no schooling benefit least from blood thinning medications, reveals a recent survey. The poll of more than 1,100 patients with atrial fibrillation found those with no schooling missed treatment targets more often, were less aware of bleeding risks, and did not know they could continue normal daily activities.

Experiencing financial stress may lead to physical pain Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:06 AM PST People who feel that their financial outlook is shaky may actually experience more physical pain than those who feel financially secure, according to new research. The findings indicate that the link may be driven, at least in part, by feeling a lack of control over one's life.

Portable device for rapid, highly sensitive diagnostics Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:06 AM PST A portable and low-cost diagnostic device has been developed. This microfluidic tool, which has been tested with Ebola, requires no bulky equipment, and is thus ideally suited for use in remote regions.

Weight and height during adolescence may impact future risk of developing Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Posted: 22 Feb 2016 06:06 AM PST A new analysis indicates that higher body weight and taller stature during adolescence increase the risk of developing Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer of the lymphatic system.

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