ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• 93 percent of advanced leukemia patients in remission after immunotherapy
• Faith-based health promotion program successful with older Latinas
• Analysis of dog genome will provide insight into human disease
• Influenza in the tropics shows variable seasonality
• Experimental drug cancels effect from key intellectual disability gene in mice
• Nanoparticles hold promise as double-edged sword against genital herpes
• Coal-tar based sealcoats on driveways, parking lots far more toxic than suspected
• 'Walk-DMC' aims to improve surgery outcomes for children with cerebral palsy
• Exercise genes? Study suggests certain people with depression may benefit from exercise
• Probiotics stop menopause-like bone loss in mice
• Decoding Zika to fight future outbreaks
• Beach buoys deployed to detect beach contamination
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy linked to reduced depressive relapse risk
• Breast cancer progression: the devil is in the details
• Got good fat?
• Even a little air pollution may have long-term health effects on developing fetus
• No time to get fit? Think again
• Scientists teaching machines to make clinical trials more successful
• Vessel damage may precede diabetic retinopathy, researchers find
• Expert panel evaluates role of osteoporosis medications in fracture healing
• Bored people reach for the chips
• Scientists pioneer synthetic derivatives of 'game-changing' new antibiotic which could hold key to tackling drug resistant bacteria
• 'Grand vision' to regulate allergies in food
• Early detection of allergies, especially in children
• Culture, crowding and social influence all tied to aggressive driving behavior
• Who gets hooked on drugs? Rat study finds genetic markers that influence addiction
• Origins, spread of potentially deadly Valley Fever tracked
• Food allergies of low-income kids are poorly managed
• No need to fast before a cholesterol test
• Nearly one in four babies in NICUs receive acid suppressing medication
• Women have problems sticking to cardiac rehab programs
• Zika present in Americas longer than previously thought
• Breakthrough in vaccine development
• Yoga may have health benefits for people with asthma
• We share molecular armor with coral reefs
• Young gay, bisexual men six times more likely to attempt suicide than older counterparts
• Remaining in the EU is vital to maintaining the UK's global strength in cancer research and care, say leading oncologists
• China pays price of western lifestyle with soaring childhood obesity
• Titanium dioxide exposure increases risk of bacterial infection
• Tamping down neurons' energy use could treat neurodegeneration
• Study may explain gene's role in major psychiatric disorders
• New pathways that control skin tanning, lightening
• Weighing the pros and cons of mental-health apps
• Team restores memory formation following sleep deprivation in mice
• A fatty liver may result in a broken heart

93 percent of advanced leukemia patients in remission after immunotherapy Posted: 27 Apr 2016 07:12 PM PDT Twenty-seven of 29 patients with an advanced type of leukemia that had proved resistant to multiple other forms of therapy went into remission after their T cells (disease-fighting immune cells) were genetically engineered to fight their cancers. This study is the first CAR T-cell trial to infuse patients with an even mixture of two types of T cells (helper and killer cells, which work together to kill cancer).

Faith-based health promotion program successful with older Latinas Posted: 27 Apr 2016 01:53 PM PDT Abuelas en Accion, a faith-based program that connects healthy behaviors with lives of Catholic saints, successful at helping older Latinas eat healthier and exercise, say researchers.

Analysis of dog genome will provide insight into human disease Posted: 27 Apr 2016 01:41 PM PDT An important model in studying human disease, the non-coding RNA of the canine genome is an essential starting point for evolutionary and biomedical studies, according to a new study.

Influenza in the tropics shows variable seasonality Posted: 27 Apr 2016 01:41 PM PDT Whilst countries in the tropics and subtropics exhibit diverse patterns of seasonal flu activity, they can be grouped into eight geographical zones to optimise vaccine formulation and delivery timing, according to a new study.

Experimental drug cancels effect from key intellectual disability gene in mice Posted: 27 Apr 2016 12:16 PM PDT A researcher who studies the most common genetic intellectual disability has used an experimental drug to reverse -- in mice -- damage from the mutation that causes the syndrome. The condition, called fragile X, has devastating effects on intellectual abilities.

Nanoparticles hold promise as double-edged sword against genital herpes Posted: 27 Apr 2016 12:10 PM PDT An effective vaccine against the virus that causes genital herpes has evaded researchers for decades. But now, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago working with scientists from Germany have shown that zinc-oxide nanoparticles shaped like jacks can prevent the virus from entering cells, and help natural immunity to develop.

Coal-tar based sealcoats on driveways, parking lots far more toxic than suspected Posted: 27 Apr 2016 12:10 PM PDT The pavement sealcoat products used widely around the nation on thousands of asphalt driveways and parking lots are significantly more toxic and mutagenic than previously suspected, according to a new article.

'Walk-DMC' aims to improve surgery outcomes for children with cerebral palsy Posted: 27 Apr 2016 12:10 PM PDT A mechanical engineer has developed a new assessment of motor control in children with cerebral palsy which could help predict which patients are -- or are not -- likely to benefit from invasive surgical interventions.

Exercise genes? Study suggests certain people with depression may benefit from exercise Posted: 27 Apr 2016 12:09 PM PDT Call it personalized medicine for depression -- but the prescription in this case is exercise, which researchers have found helps people with certain genetic traits.

Probiotics stop menopause-like bone loss in mice Posted: 27 Apr 2016 12:06 PM PDT Probiotic supplements protected female mice from the loss of bone density that occurs after having their ovaries removed, researchers have shown. The findings suggest that probiotic bacteria may have potential as an inexpensive treatment for post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Decoding Zika to fight future outbreaks Posted: 27 Apr 2016 12:06 PM PDT Zika virus has been associated to several cases of neurological disorders and has raised worldwide public health alerts. Now due to the urgency, researchers are detailing the characteristics of the virus to find solutions.

Beach buoys deployed to detect beach contamination Posted: 27 Apr 2016 12:05 PM PDT Beachgoers may soon be able to know in a timely manner if the water is clean enough for swimming, thanks to some new technology. Sensors in new buoys gather information, everything from temperature to how clear the water is. Using a cellular modem on board the buoy, the data are uploaded to a land-based server.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy linked to reduced depressive relapse risk Posted: 27 Apr 2016 12:03 PM PDT The largest meta-analysis so far of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for recurrent depression has found that MBCT is an effective treatment option that can help prevent the recurrence of major depression. The study used anonymised individual patient data from nine randomized trials of MBCT.

Breast cancer progression: the devil is in the details Posted: 27 Apr 2016 07:36 AM PDT Researchers describe how breast cancer cells challenged with a small-molecule inhibitor targeting specific invasive properties switch to an alternative mode-of-action, rendering them even more aggressive. The results may impair future therapeutic approaches in the TGF-beta pathway.

Got good fat? Posted: 27 Apr 2016 07:36 AM PDT Brown fat cells can burn fat to generate heat. Researchers have discovered a new method to measure the activity of brown fat cells in humans and mice. The researchers showed that microRNA-92a can be used as an indirect measure for the activity of energy consuming brown fat cells. They showed that a small blood sample was sufficient.

Even a little air pollution may have long-term health effects on developing fetus Posted: 27 Apr 2016 06:52 AM PDT Even small amounts of air pollution appear to raise the risk of a condition in pregnant women linked to premature births and lifelong neurological and respiratory disorders in their children, new research suggests.

No time to get fit? Think again Posted: 27 Apr 2016 06:52 AM PDT A single minute of very intense exercise produces health benefits similar to longer, traditional endurance training, new research indicates. The findings put to rest the common excuse for not getting in shape: there is not enough time.

Scientists teaching machines to make clinical trials more successful Posted: 27 Apr 2016 06:50 AM PDT Scientists are teaching computers to figure out why people accept or decline invitations to participate in clinical trials. Recruiting sufficient numbers of participants is a current challenge in medical research that can compromise results or stop some studies altogether. Researchers are using so-called "machine learning" technologies to predict whether patients will participate.

Vessel damage may precede diabetic retinopathy, researchers find Posted: 27 Apr 2016 06:47 AM PDT For many years, scientists believed patients developed retinopathy and, as a result of the damage to the blood vessels, later developed neuropathy. In a new study, however, researchers discovered that the sequence of events occurring in the retina due to diabetes is just the opposite of these long-held beliefs.

Expert panel evaluates role of osteoporosis medications in fracture healing Posted: 27 Apr 2016 06:47 AM PDT Using a structured expert-opinion process, an expert panel has written a consensus report on the use of osteoporosis medications in patients with recent fracture and the potential role of these medications in promoting fracture healing. The report will help set the scene for both improved patient care and good clinical study design for future research.

Bored people reach for the chips Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:17 AM PDT People crave fatty and sugary foods when they are bored.

Scientists pioneer synthetic derivatives of 'game-changing' new antibiotic which could hold key to tackling drug resistant bacteria Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:15 AM PDT Scientists have successfully produced two synthetic derivatives of Teixobactin – the world's first known antibiotic capable of destroying 'drug resistant' bacteria.

'Grand vision' to regulate allergies in food Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:13 AM PDT A new review of allergen analysis aims to improve the situation for those living with food allergies -- preventing food fraud and protecting consumers. Food allergies are a rapidly growing problem in the developed world, affecting up to 10% of children and 2-3% of adults, yet allergens remain challenging to analyze accurately, making it difficult to legislate and manage risk.

Early detection of allergies, especially in children Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:13 AM PDT People can become allergically sensitized straight from birth. The importance of early screening is therefore important to detect allergies early for the purposes of preventing serious illness. Therefore, true to the slogan for this 2016 action week, "Close the Immunization Gap" the aim is essentially to close gaps in the provision of immunization. However, a prerequisite for providing protective immunization against allergies is to have an accurate allergy diagnosis in the first place.

Culture, crowding and social influence all tied to aggressive driving behavior Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:09 AM PDT A study of angry, competitive and aggressive driving suggests that these dangerous behaviors are becoming a worldwide phenomenon of almost epidemic proportions, and are a reflection of a person's surrounding culture, both on the road and on a broader social level.

Who gets hooked on drugs? Rat study finds genetic markers that influence addiction Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:09 AM PDT Why does addiction vulnerability differ from individual to individual? For the first time, scientists have shown in selectively bred animals that the propensity for addiction is linked to differences in expression of genes for specific molecules in a specific brain region. It's also the first demonstration that a DNA tag called an epigenetic marker can predispose an individual to addiction and relapse.

Origins, spread of potentially deadly Valley Fever tracked Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:07 AM PDT Scientists have tracked the likely origins and dispersal of the fungus that causes Valley Fever. In a story that spans 2 million years and includes the effects of glaciation and the pre-historic movements of animal hosts, the study sets the stage for tracking future outbreaks of this potentially deadly dust-bound disease as it spreads across arid regions of North and South America.

Food allergies of low-income kids are poorly managed Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:07 AM PDT Low-income families of children with food allergies spend 2.5 times more on emergency department and hospitalization costs nationally. They are less likely to see an allergist who would counsel them on prevention, get epinephrine or have access to allergen-free foods.

No need to fast before a cholesterol test Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:07 AM PDT Patients do not need to check their cholesterol levels on an empty stomach, new research from Denmark, Canada and the US involving more than 300,000 individuals suggests. So far fasting has been required before cholesterol and triglyceride measurement in all countries except Denmark, where non-fasting blood sampling has been used since 2009.

Nearly one in four babies in NICUs receive acid suppressing medication Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:07 AM PDT Though not approved for use in newborns, doctors prescribe the drugs to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to help with other conditions diagnosed in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). However, several published studies have associated the use of some acid suppression medications in hospitalized high-risk babies with infections, necrotizing enterocolitis and increased risk of death. From January 2006 through March 2013, 28,989 of 122,002 of babies, or 23.8 percent, received a histamine-2 receptor antagonist or proton pump inhibitor.

Women have problems sticking to cardiac rehab programs Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:07 AM PDT Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of disability globally. Participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs is associated with significantly lower death, but evidence suggests that women are significantly less likely to stick to a cardiac rehabilitation program than men.

Zika present in Americas longer than previously thought Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:54 PM PDT The Zika virus was present in Haiti several months before the first Zika cases were identified in Brazil, according to new research by infectious-disease specialists.

Breakthrough in vaccine development Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:54 PM PDT A simple technique that makes it possible to quickly and easily develop a new type of vaccines has been developed by researchers. The simple and effective technique will pave the way for effective vaccines against not only infectious diseases but also cancer and other chronic diseases.

Yoga may have health benefits for people with asthma Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:54 PM PDT A new review suggests that yoga may have a beneficial effect on symptoms and quality of life in people with asthma, but effects on lung function and medication use are uncertain.

We share molecular armor with coral reefs Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:54 PM PDT A new study has found that one particular molecule found in reef ecosystems plays a similar immunological role in corals as it does in humans. From an evolutionary standpoint, this suggests the molecule's immune function dates back at least 550 million years.

Young gay, bisexual men six times more likely to attempt suicide than older counterparts Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:54 PM PDT Young gay and bisexual men are at significantly greater risk of poor mental health than older men in that group, according to new research. The study is the first to examine the mental health differences within gay and bisexual men in the UK.

Remaining in the EU is vital to maintaining the UK's global strength in cancer research and care, say leading oncologists Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:54 PM PDT Leading oncologists from the UK and EU express their support for the UK remaining in Europe. In doing so, they join many other scientists and clinicians who have publically declared their support for remaining in the EU when Britain votes in the referendum on June 23, 2016.

China pays price of western lifestyle with soaring childhood obesity Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:53 PM PDT Less than one percent of children were obese in 1985 compared to 17 percent of boys and 9 percent of girls in 2014, a study from China concludes. Boys may be more overweight than girls because of societal preference for sons, say the authors.

Titanium dioxide exposure increases risk of bacterial infection Posted: 26 Apr 2016 01:29 PM PDT When human cells are exposed to titanium dioxide without the presence of UV light from the sun, the risk for bacterial infection more than doubles, scientists have discovered.

Tamping down neurons' energy use could treat neurodegeneration Posted: 26 Apr 2016 01:26 PM PDT A drug that slows protein production may help neurons affected by a genetic disease, report scientists. Rapamycin has been shown to extend lifespan and reduce symptoms in a broad range of diseases and, at the cellular level, is known to slow down the rate at which proteins are made. But the new research suggests that rapamycin could also target the neural damage associated with Leigh syndrome, a rare genetic disease, and potentially other forms of neurodegeneration as well.

Study may explain gene's role in major psychiatric disorders Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:47 AM PDT A new study shows the death of newborn brain cells may be linked to a genetic risk factor for five major psychiatric diseases, and at the same time shows a compound currently being developed for use in humans may have therapeutic value for these diseases by preventing the cells from dying.

New pathways that control skin tanning, lightening Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:47 AM PDT New research has uncovered cellular pathways in skin pigment cells that are activated by estrogen and progesterone, and also identified synthetic hormone derivatives that specifically influence the pigment producing pathway. Together, the findings provide critical information that could lead to the development of new products that change skin tone without exposure to UV radiation or toxic bleaching agents.

Weighing the pros and cons of mental-health apps Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:45 AM PDT There are more than 165,000 mobile applications available for health care, with the largest category for people with mental-health disorders, managing everything from addiction to depression and schizophrenia. Although in wide use, the efficacy of most of these programs -- software designed for use with a mobile device -- has not undergone rigorous scientific review, say experts.

Team restores memory formation following sleep deprivation in mice Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:45 AM PDT Sleep deprivation is tied to an impairment of protein production in the hippocampus, a brain region thought to be central to memory, report researchers. By experimentally increasing the expression of a gene involved in regulating protein synthesis in mice, they were able to prevent these deficits.

A fatty liver may result in a broken heart Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:44 AM PDT The extent to which NAFLD itself, rather than associated conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or atherogenic dyslipidemia, is responsible for increased cardiovascular death has been a matter of debate. In a new study conclude that NAFLD is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and therefore CVD. Their findings recommend strict monitoring of cardiovascular health and metabolic complications in patients with NAFLD.

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