ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Male general practitioners more likely to consider heart disease a 'man’s issue'
• New view of brain development: Striking differences between adult and newborn mouse brain
• Eliminating blood test may increase availability of donor hearts
• In doctors we trust, especially when they admit to bias
• Improving key diagnostic measures for gastrointestinal disorders
• Researchers explore epigenetic influences of chronic pain
• New model predicts complication risks in surgery for spinal cord compression
• Primary care physicians primed to help patients be more active
• Scientists use CRISPR to discover Zika, dengue weaknesses
• Itchy inflammation of mosquito bites helps viruses replicate
• CAR T cell therapy can now target solid tumors: Mouse study
• Mice fed more fiber have less severe food allergies
• Overweight, obese type 2 patients show improvements with structured nutrition therapy
• Harsh parenting, food insecurity predicts obesity for young women
• Medicare ACOs have achieved savings in providing care to patients with multiple conditions
• Certain leisure activities may reduce post-surgical delirium among older adults
• Mandatory treatment not effective at reducing drug use, violates human rights, researchers say
• Children's nutrition influenced by local neighborhoods
• Pilot study successfully uses DNA sequencing to diagnose brain infections
• Assisted dying for psychiatric disorders: Serious public health impact
• Some plant-based therapies associated with modest improvement in menopausal symptoms
• Protein-based risk score may help predict cardiovascular events among patients with heart disease
• Improvement seen in US diet
• New link found between diabetes, Alzheimer's disease
• Experts take strong stance on testosterone deficiency, treatment
• Drones could be cheaper alternative to delivering vaccines in developing world
• Pollen allergies have increased among Swedish adults
• Patients with inflammation more likely to develop diabetes after transplant
• Existing diabetes drug shows effectiveness against chronic liver disease
• Core proteins exert control over DNA function
• Highly efficient agent against Wilson disease
• Insulin-sensitive fat leads to obesity
• Nearly 10 Million Adults Found to Be Severely Nearsighted in the United States
• ‘Get children playing outdoors’ to improve academic success and reduce obesity
• Low maternal thyroid hormone during pregnancy increases risk for schizophrenia in offspring
• Low breast density worsens prognosis in breast cancer
• New radiotherapy regime for prostate cancer could save NHS tens of millions per year
• Precision medicine introduced to psychiatry
• Fossil fuel combustion endangers children's health in two significant ways: Scientist reviews the evidence
• More gay men than ever getting tested for HIV
• Twin birth defect risk may be higher among moms not on fertility treatment
• Third to half of UK population lives with chronic pain
• High levels of education linked to heightened brain tumor risk
• Microbiota affect the rate of transplant acceptance and rejection
• Made-to-order nanocages open possibilities of shipping cargo into living cells, building small chemical reactors
• Illuminating detection of deep cancers
• Surgery can lengthen survival of metastatic kidney cancer patients, study finds
• Aspirin versus blood thinners in atrial fibrillation patients with stroke risk
• Shared decision-making allows some athletes with heart condition to compete
• New enzyme with structure found that could explain how heart can beat optimally
• Sharing treatment decisions challenges doctors, parents of young children with autism
• Patient navigators improve comprehensive cancer screening rates, study finds

Male general practitioners more likely to consider heart disease a 'man’s issue' Posted: 21 Jun 2016 04:31 PM PDT Male general practitioners (GPs) are more likely to consider heart disease a "man's issue" and neglect to assess cardiovascular risk in female patients, reports a study of 52 GPs and more than 2200 patients.

New view of brain development: Striking differences between adult and newborn mouse brain Posted: 21 Jun 2016 04:31 PM PDT Spikes in neuronal activity in young mice do not spur corresponding boosts in blood flow -- a discovery that stands in stark contrast to the adult mouse brain. This new study raises questions about how the growing human brain meets its energy needs, as well as how best to track brain development with fMRI, which relies on blood-flow changes to map neuronal activity. The research could also provide critical insights for improving care for infants.

Eliminating blood test may increase availability of donor hearts Posted: 21 Jun 2016 04:30 PM PDT A blood test that results in donor hearts being rejected may be unnecessary in predicting the success or failure of heart transplants. If transplant centers placed less emphasis on the test, more hearts would be available to treat patients with end-stage heart failure. Currently, only one in three donor hearts are accepted for transplant, say authors of a new report.

In doctors we trust, especially when they admit to bias Posted: 21 Jun 2016 12:52 PM PDT A doctor's guidance may reassure us more than we realize -- especially if they are likely to recommend treatment in their field of expertise, known as "specialty bias."

Improving key diagnostic measures for gastrointestinal disorders Posted: 21 Jun 2016 12:50 PM PDT Diagnostic criteria questionnaires for functional GI disorders, which affect millions of people worldwide, have now been amended by researchers.

Researchers explore epigenetic influences of chronic pain Posted: 21 Jun 2016 12:50 PM PDT New research shows how the DNA-binding protein MeCP2 can regulate the expression of a large number of genes that modulate pain. This study is a first step in identifying new, non-opioid drugs for treating the condition, say the scientists involved.

New model predicts complication risks in surgery for spinal cord compression Posted: 21 Jun 2016 12:50 PM PDT A simple model consisting of four risk factors can help surgeons to predict the risk of complications after surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy -- a common condition causing compression of the spinal cord in the neck, reports a new study.

Primary care physicians primed to help patients be more active Posted: 21 Jun 2016 10:25 AM PDT Exercise plays a crucial role in being healthy and preventing disease. Because of their close relationship to patients, primary care physicians (PCPs) can act as a catalyst to help people be more active through physical activity counseling; however, doctors often encounter barriers to being able to properly address inactivity. A new paper offers PCPs implementable strategies to break down those barriers and help their patients get more exercise.

Scientists use CRISPR to discover Zika, dengue weaknesses Posted: 21 Jun 2016 10:25 AM PDT Scientists have performed the first CRISPR/Cas9 screen to discover human proteins that Zika virus needs for replication. This work reveals new leads that may be useful for halting Zika, dengue and other emerging viral infections.

Itchy inflammation of mosquito bites helps viruses replicate Posted: 21 Jun 2016 10:25 AM PDT University of Leeds study has found that inflammation where a mosquito has bitten not only helps a virus such as Zika or dengue establish an infection in the body more quickly, but that it also helps it to spread around the body, increasing the likelihood of severe illness.

CAR T cell therapy can now target solid tumors: Mouse study Posted: 21 Jun 2016 10:25 AM PDT Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, which edits a cancer patient's T cells to recognize their tumors, has successfully helped patients with blood cancers but has yet to show the ability to treat solid tumors. To overcome this hurdle, researchers genetically engineered human T cells to produce a CAR protein that recognizes a glycopeptide found on cancer cells but not normal cells, and then demonstrated its effectiveness in mice with leukemia and pancreatic cancer.

Mice fed more fiber have less severe food allergies Posted: 21 Jun 2016 09:17 AM PDT The development of food allergies in mice can be linked to what their gut bacteria are being fed, reports a new study. Rodents that received a diet with average calories, sugar, and fiber content had more severe peanut allergies than those that received a high-fiber diet. The researchers show that gut bacteria release a specific fatty acid in response to fiber intake, which eventually impacts allergic responses via changes to the immune system.

Overweight, obese type 2 patients show improvements with structured nutrition therapy Posted: 21 Jun 2016 09:16 AM PDT The results of a new study may change how nutrition therapy is delivered to overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The "Nutrition Pathway Study" compared three models of nutrition therapy and found that a highly structured nutrition plan provides the most significant impact on A1C, body weight and lipid profiles.

Harsh parenting, food insecurity predicts obesity for young women Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:58 AM PDT The adolescent years can be full of changes. A new study now suggests that when these years include prolonged periods of food insecurity coupled with harsh parenting practices, females are prone to obesity in early adulthood.

Medicare ACOs have achieved savings in providing care to patients with multiple conditions Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:57 AM PDT There are now over 700 Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) in place across the country, making them one of the largest health care payment and delivery reforms underway in the United States. Until recently, little has been known about the effect of Medicare ACOs on overall spending. A new study found that Medicare ACOs are making modest, yet increasing, gains in these areas, particularly when it comes to treating patients with multiple conditions.

Certain leisure activities may reduce post-surgical delirium among older adults Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:56 AM PDT Older adults who engage in leisure activities more than 20 times a week are far less likely to experience delirium following certain types of surgery than those who engage in fewer weekly leisure activities, new research suggests. Each additional day of participation in a leisure activity reduced post-operative delirium by 8 percent, researchers found at the end of a new study. According to the researchers, maintaining leisure activities later in life could be an important way to lessen the chances of developing delirium following surgery.

Mandatory treatment not effective at reducing drug use, violates human rights, researchers say Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:56 AM PDT Clinician researchers assessed current global evidence and found that mandatory treatment for people with substance use disorders is not effective in reducing their drug use.

Children's nutrition influenced by local neighborhoods Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:56 AM PDT In an innovative study, researchers used GPS technology to provide evidence that adolescents' exposure to junk food outlets during trips to and from school affects their likelihood of making a junk food purchase.

Pilot study successfully uses DNA sequencing to diagnose brain infections Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:56 AM PDT In a proof-of-principle study, a team of physicians and bioinformatics experts reports they were able to diagnose or rule out suspected brain infections using so called next-generation genetic sequencing of brain tissue samples.

Assisted dying for psychiatric disorders: Serious public health impact Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:56 AM PDT Offering medical assistance in dying to people in Canada on the basis of psychiatric illnesses could put vulnerable people at risk, argues a new Canadian commentary.

Some plant-based therapies associated with modest improvement in menopausal symptoms Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:54 AM PDT An analysis of more than 60 studies suggests that some plant-based therapies are associated with modest reductions in the frequency of hot flashes and vaginal dryness but no significant reduction in night sweats, according to a study.

Protein-based risk score may help predict cardiovascular events among patients with heart disease Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:54 AM PDT A new study was conducted to develop and validate a score to predict risk of cardiovascular outcomes among patients with coronary heart disease using analysis of circulating proteins.

Improvement seen in US diet Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:54 AM PDT In nationally representative surveys conducted between 1999 and 2012 in the United States, several improvements in self-reported dietary habits were identified, such as increased consumption of whole grains, with additional findings suggesting persistent or worsening disparities based on race/ethnicity and education and income level, report researchers.

New link found between diabetes, Alzheimer's disease Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:21 AM PDT Drugs used to treat diabetes could also be used to treat Alzheimer's disease, and vice versa, according to new research. This is also the first study of its kind to show that Alzheimer's disease can lead to diabetes, as opposed to diabetes occurring first as was previously thought.

Experts take strong stance on testosterone deficiency, treatment Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:21 AM PDT In an effort to address widespread concerns related to testosterone deficiency (TD) and its treatment with testosterone therapy, a group of international experts has developed a set of resolutions and conclusions to provide clarity for physicians and patients.

Drones could be cheaper alternative to delivering vaccines in developing world Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:21 AM PDT Using unmanned drones to deliver vaccines in low- and middle-income countries may save money and improve vaccination rates, new research suggests.

Pollen allergies have increased among Swedish adults Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:20 AM PDT The prevalence of pollen allergies among adults in Sweden has increased. However, the prevalence of allergies to furred animals, mites or mold has not, new research shows.

Patients with inflammation more likely to develop diabetes after transplant Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:20 AM PDT Up to 30 percent of people who receive organ transplants will develop diabetes, but researchers are unsure why. A new study in kidney transplant recipients suggests that patients with more inflammation prior to surgery are more likely to develop diabetes than those with less overall inflammation, and that a patient's fat stores also play a role.

Existing diabetes drug shows effectiveness against chronic liver disease Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:15 AM PDT Researchers have found that an existing diabetes drug can be used to halt progression of another disease that is a leading cause of liver transplants.

Core proteins exert control over DNA function Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:15 AM PDT Histone proteins at the core of nucleosomes and their tails exert control over the exposure of genes for binding, as demonstrated in simulations researchers.

Highly efficient agent against Wilson disease Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:12 AM PDT Scientists describe a small peptide that very efficiently binds excess copper from liver cells. This molecule comes from a bacterium's bag of tricks and could be suitable for treating Wilson disease. In an experimental model it has already proven superior to conventional medicines.

Insulin-sensitive fat leads to obesity Posted: 21 Jun 2016 08:12 AM PDT SORLA is a protein that influences the balance of metabolic processes in adipose tissue, a particular form of fat. Too much of it makes fat cells overly sensitive to insulin, which leads them to break down less fat. SORLA was previously known for its protective role in Alzheimer's disease.

Nearly 10 Million Adults Found to Be Severely Nearsighted in the United States Posted: 21 Jun 2016 06:57 AM PDT About 9.6 million U.S. adults are severely nearsighted, a new study shows. Researchers also found that 41,000 suffer a rare complication that can cause blindness, with the prevalence rate among women double that of men.

‘Get children playing outdoors’ to improve academic success and reduce obesity Posted: 21 Jun 2016 06:55 AM PDT Campaigns to promote physical activity and reduce obesity among children should focus more on active outdoor play, according to a new study.

Low maternal thyroid hormone during pregnancy increases risk for schizophrenia in offspring Posted: 21 Jun 2016 06:42 AM PDT A new study reveals a new link between low levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine during pregnancy and risk of schizophrenia in the offspring.

Low breast density worsens prognosis in breast cancer Posted: 21 Jun 2016 06:42 AM PDT Even though dense breast tissue is a risk factor for breast cancer, very low mammographic breast density is associated with a worse prognosis in breast cancer patients. Patient survival is affected only when low breast density is combined with an abundance of hyaluronan in the tumor, shows recent research.

New radiotherapy regime for prostate cancer could save NHS tens of millions per year Posted: 21 Jun 2016 06:10 AM PDT A shorter course of prostate cancer radiotherapy, involving fewer hospital visits and higher individual doses of radiotherapy, is as effective as the current standard treatment for both survival and quality of life, a major new study reports.

Precision medicine introduced to psychiatry Posted: 21 Jun 2016 06:10 AM PDT New research is highlighting the potential merits of using precision medicine in prescribing antidepressants. Eleven percent of Americans 12 years and older have been prescribed antidepressant medication, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2005-2008. These medications are regularly prescribed in psychiatric, pediatric, adolescent, family and general medicine clinics nationwide.

Fossil fuel combustion endangers children's health in two significant ways: Scientist reviews the evidence Posted: 21 Jun 2016 06:10 AM PDT Fossil fuel combustion and associated air pollution and carbon dioxide has been identified as the root cause of much of the ill health of children today. Because of their inherent biological vulnerability, children now bear a disproportionate burden of disease from both pollution and climate change.

More gay men than ever getting tested for HIV Posted: 20 Jun 2016 07:18 PM PDT More gay and bisexual men than ever are getting tested for HIV, according to new data from the National Gay Men's Sex Survey in England. The survey is the largest of its kind in the UK and sheds light on the sexual health of men who have sex with men.

Twin birth defect risk may be higher among moms not on fertility treatment Posted: 20 Jun 2016 07:18 PM PDT The risk of birth defects among twins may be higher among mums who haven't used fertility treatment -- which is known to increase the chances of a twin birth -- than among those who have used it, finds US research.

Third to half of UK population lives with chronic pain Posted: 20 Jun 2016 07:18 PM PDT Between a third and half (43 percent) of the UK population -- roughly 28 million adults -- lives with chronic pain, finds an analysis of the available evidence.

High levels of education linked to heightened brain tumor risk Posted: 20 Jun 2016 07:17 PM PDT A university degree is linked to a heightened risk of developing a brain tumor, suggests a large observational study. Gliomas, in particular, were more common among people who had studied at university for at least three years than they were among those who didn't go on to higher education, the data show.

Microbiota affect the rate of transplant acceptance and rejection Posted: 20 Jun 2016 04:17 PM PDT Microbiota--the bacteria, viruses and other microbes living on the skin and in the digestive system--play an important role in the body's ability to accept transplanted skin and other organs, scientists have demonstrated.

Made-to-order nanocages open possibilities of shipping cargo into living cells, building small chemical reactors Posted: 20 Jun 2016 04:14 PM PDT Researchers have designed and produced a self-assembling protein shell shaped like an icosahedron -- similar to those that encapsulate viruses. The achievement may open new avenues for engineering cargo-containing nano-cages to package and deliver drugs and vaccines directly into cells, or building small reactors to catalyze biochemical reactions. The shell is also amenable to genetic fusion, such as the addition of fluorescent proteins.

Illuminating detection of deep cancers Posted: 20 Jun 2016 04:14 PM PDT A new bioluminescence imaging system has been developed to improve detection sensitivity of targets in deep tissues. This allows markedly higher target-detection sensitivity, even at very low concentrations.

Surgery can lengthen survival of metastatic kidney cancer patients, study finds Posted: 20 Jun 2016 04:14 PM PDT Cytoreductive nephrectomy may offer an overall survival benefit to patients with metastatic kidney cancer who are treated with targeted therapies, researchers have found.

Aspirin versus blood thinners in atrial fibrillation patients with stroke risk Posted: 20 Jun 2016 01:11 PM PDT More than one in three atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at intermediate to high risk for stroke are treated with aspirin alone, despite previous data showing this therapy to be inferior to blood thinners, new research suggests.

Shared decision-making allows some athletes with heart condition to compete Posted: 20 Jun 2016 01:11 PM PDT People with a rare genetic heart condition who are currently disqualified from most sports due to a risk of sudden cardiac death may be able to safely participate in athletics as long as they are well treated and well informed, according to a study.

New enzyme with structure found that could explain how heart can beat optimally Posted: 20 Jun 2016 01:02 PM PDT The heart is the only muscle that contracts and relaxes continuously over a lifetime to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body's organs. Researchers now have identified a previously unrecognized enzyme that could optimize contraction and lead to new strategies to treat heart failure.

Sharing treatment decisions challenges doctors, parents of young children with autism Posted: 20 Jun 2016 11:13 AM PDT Parents of young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience significant difficulties in discussing treatment options with the child's pediatrician, according to new research. Among the barriers are problems with communication, physicians' lack of knowledge about specific ASD treatments and community resources, and uncertainty about the pediatrician's role in making treatment recommendations for a child with ASD.

Patient navigators improve comprehensive cancer screening rates, study finds Posted: 20 Jun 2016 11:09 AM PDT The use of patient navigators -- individuals who assist patients in receiving health care services -- may improve comprehensive cancer screening rates among patient populations not likely to receive recommended screenings, a clinical trial has found.

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