ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Boosting potency of broccoli-related compound for age-related macular degeneration
• People with anger disorder have decreased connectivity between regions of the brain
• How obesity contributes to, blocks treatment of pancreatic cancer
• Dopamine receptor blockade seen as cause for antipsychotic drug side-effects
• Radiocarbon dating suggests joint cartilage can't renew
• Not blowing smoke: Research finds medical marijuana lowers prescription drug use
• Blood test to detect DNA fragments shed from colon cancers accurately predicts disease recurrence
• ACA's tobacco surcharges reduce smokers' insurance take-up, study finds
• Small molecule keeps new adult neurons from straying, may be tied to schizophrenia
• New consensus guidelines on the management of metastatic colorectal cancer
• New angle for countering severe bacterial infections, sepsis
• Anatomy of a decision: Mapping early development
• Interaction between our two genomes, nuclear and mitochondrial, is the key to healthy aging
• Liraglutide reduces blood sugars in patients taking large amounts of insulin
• New microfluidic device offers means for studying electric field cancer therapy
• Science could help search for the next tennis champions
• Researchers, farmers collaborate to prevent E. coli
• Cells send out stop signs
• 'Omics' data improves breast cancer survival prediction
• HBOT for diabetic foot: Hint of benefit for wound closure
• Benefits from freeze-all embryo strategy in older IVF patients
• Does chronic pain run in families?
• Your kids are what you eat, researchers show
• Zinc lozenges help most patients recover earlier from the common cold
• Moderate and vigorous exercise have comparable effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Combining technologies cracks vaccine chiller issue
• Cell migration: Cadherin-11 provides the right hold
• New type of rare brittle-bone disease discovered
• Computational modelling can predict onset, progression of knee osteoarthritis in overweight people
• Integrated management of childhood illness strategy for children under five: Systematic review
• Theoretical climbing rope could brake falls
• Driving, dementia: Assessing safe driving in high-risk older adults
• For kids with asthma, hospital care is comparable for Medicaid and non-Medicaid patients
• Obese preschoolers have 60 percent higher healthcare costs than healthy weight children
• Artificial intelligence may aid in Alzheimer's diagnosis
• Injured muscles 'shocked' back to health
• Pill organizers could cause adverse effects among elderly
• It's time for NHS England to 'do the right thing' and fund PrEP for HIV prevention, say experts
• Mixing cannabis with tobacco increases dependence risk, suggests study
• New 'game plan' for oncologists reflects rapid advances, need for immediate information
• Increasing number of US adults living with congenital heart defects
• New tool can predict individual's risk of psychotic disorders
• Children make poor dietary choices shortly after advertisements of unhealthy foods and beverages, study shows

Boosting potency of broccoli-related compound for age-related macular degeneration Posted: 06 Jul 2016 02:53 PM PDT Researchers boosted the potency of a broccoli-related compound by 10 times and identified it as a possible treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss affecting more than 10 million older Americans. The research also highlights the role of lipid metabolism in maintaining the health of the retina, reporting that palmitoleic acid also had protective effects on retinal cells in culture and in mice.

People with anger disorder have decreased connectivity between regions of the brain Posted: 06 Jul 2016 02:53 PM PDT People with intermittent explosive disorder (IED), or impulsive aggression, have a weakened connection between regions of the brain associated with sensory input, language processing and social interaction.

How obesity contributes to, blocks treatment of pancreatic cancer Posted: 06 Jul 2016 02:53 PM PDT Investigators have discovered the mechanism by which obesity increases inflammation and desmoplasia -- an accumulation of connective tissue -- in the most common form of pancreatic cancer and also identify a treatment strategy that may inhibit the process.

Dopamine receptor blockade seen as cause for antipsychotic drug side-effects Posted: 06 Jul 2016 02:43 PM PDT Scientists have discovered the key cellular mechanism that underlies the antipsychotic-induced parkinsonism -- which includes involuntary movements, tremors and other severe physical conditions. These studies present evidence that will stimulate a targeted approach for the design of novel antipsychotics without side-effects.

Radiocarbon dating suggests joint cartilage can't renew Posted: 06 Jul 2016 02:20 PM PDT Using radiocarbon dating as a forensic tool, researchers have found that human cartilage rarely renews in adulthood, suggesting that joint diseases may be harder to treat than previously thought.

Not blowing smoke: Research finds medical marijuana lowers prescription drug use Posted: 06 Jul 2016 02:20 PM PDT Medical marijuana is having a positive impact on the bottom line of Medicare's prescription drug benefit program in states that have legalized its use for medicinal purposes, according to new research.The savings, due to lower prescription drug use, were estimated to be $165.2 million in 2013, a year when 17 states and the District of Columbia had implemented medical marijuana laws.

Blood test to detect DNA fragments shed from colon cancers accurately predicts disease recurrence Posted: 06 Jul 2016 02:20 PM PDT Scientists report they have used a genetic test that spots bits of cancer-related DNA circulating in the blood to accurately predict the likelihood of the disease's return in some -- but not all -- of a small group of patients with early-stage colon cancer.

ACA's tobacco surcharges reduce smokers' insurance take-up, study finds Posted: 06 Jul 2016 02:20 PM PDT A new study reveals an unexpected consequence of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) tobacco surcharges: high surcharges resulted in lower rates of insurance enrollment among smokers in the first year of the ACA's implementation, without increasing smoking cessation. These effects are at odds with the ACA's mission of universal coverage.

Small molecule keeps new adult neurons from straying, may be tied to schizophrenia Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:59 AM PDT The microRNA miR-19 helps budding adult brain cells stay on track, new research indicates. The findings pave the way toward a better understanding of how the adult brain controls the growth of new neurons and how it can go wrong.

New consensus guidelines on the management of metastatic colorectal cancer Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:59 AM PDT New consensus guidelines have been released for the management of metastatic colorectal cancer that reflect an increasingly personalized approach to treatment.

New angle for countering severe bacterial infections, sepsis Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:59 AM PDT Bacterial infections that don't respond to antibiotics are of rising concern, as is sepsis -- the immune system's last-ditch, failed attack on infection that ends up being lethal itself. Researchers describe new potential avenues for controlling both sepsis and the runaway bacterial infections that provoke it.

Anatomy of a decision: Mapping early development Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:59 AM PDT A new atlas of gene expression during the earliest stages of life boosts studies of development. Understanding very early points of development is vital to understanding how animals develop and how things go wrong.

Interaction between our two genomes, nuclear and mitochondrial, is the key to healthy aging Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:59 AM PDT Non-pathogenic mitochondrial DNA variants impact metabolism and the way that individuals age, new research shows. The study provides information with important implications for mitochondrial donation therapies, which produce children with three genetic parents.

Liraglutide reduces blood sugars in patients taking large amounts of insulin Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:21 AM PDT A new drug called Liraglutide has several effects on the body: It increases insulin secretion; it reduces hunger; and it decreases glucagon secretion. Insulin and glucagon are molecules produced by the pancreas that have opposing effects, with insulin reducing blood sugar levels and glucagon increasing blood sugar levels. Insulin is secreted by beta cells in the pancreas and glucagon is secreted by alpha cells in the pancreas.

New microfluidic device offers means for studying electric field cancer therapy Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:19 AM PDT A new microfluidic device with implantable electrodes slows tumor progression while leaving healthy cells intact, report researchers. The device, about the size of a U.S. dollar coin, is designed to help scientists narrow in on safe ranges of electric fields to noninvasively treat breast, lung, and other forms of cancer.

Science could help search for the next tennis champions Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:19 AM PDT Grouping young tennis players according to their physical maturity rather than their chronological age could help us develop future tennis champions.

Researchers, farmers collaborate to prevent E. coli Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:19 AM PDT A collaborative study involving microbiologists, epidemiologists, animal scientists, veterinarians, graduate students, undergraduates and farmers could lead to better prevention practices to limit dangerous E. coli bacteria transmissions, say researchers.

Cells send out stop signs Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:14 AM PDT Eph receptors and their partner proteins, the ephrins, are vital for intercellular communication. In the developing brain, they guide young neurons to the right partner cells by repulsion. They also play important roles in cell migration, regeneration, neurodegenerative diseases and the development of cancer. Until recently, scientists assumed that ephrin/Eph signal transmission could only occur through direct cell-cell contact. However, researchers have now shown that cells can also pack and release active ephrins and Eph receptors through extracellular vesicles. Not only does this discovery improve our understanding of this communication system, it may also pave the way for new therapeutic strategies.

'Omics' data improves breast cancer survival prediction Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:14 AM PDT Precise predictions of whether a tumor is likely to spread would help clinicians and patients choose the best course of treatment. But current methods fall short of the precision needed. New research reveals that profiling primary tumor samples using genomic technologies can improve the accuracy of breast cancer survival predictions compared to clinical information alone.

HBOT for diabetic foot: Hint of benefit for wound closure Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:14 AM PDT Diabetic foot wounds can heal better with additional HBOT, report investigators, but no advantages were found for other aspects of treatment.

Benefits from freeze-all embryo strategy in older IVF patients Posted: 06 Jul 2016 10:14 AM PDT Conventional IVF protocols involve the transfer of a fresh embryo to the uterus during the same cycle in which the eggs were collected and freezing extra embryos for future use. A novel approach to improving IVF outcomes has recently emerged in which all embryos generated from an egg collection cycle are electively frozen and transferred in a subsequent cycle.

Does chronic pain run in families? Posted: 06 Jul 2016 08:51 AM PDT Can an increased risk of chronic pain be transmitted from parents to children? Several factors may contribute, including genetics, effects on early development, social learning, and more according to a new report.

Your kids are what you eat, researchers show Posted: 06 Jul 2016 08:50 AM PDT Parent-child diet quality and calories consumed are related in significant ways, research indicates. This discovery could lead to better strategies as the nation works to address the growing public health problems of obesity and related conditions such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Zinc lozenges help most patients recover earlier from the common cold Posted: 06 Jul 2016 08:49 AM PDT Zinc acetate lozenges may reduce the duration of the common cold by nearly 3 days, according to a recent analysis.

Moderate and vigorous exercise have comparable effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Posted: 06 Jul 2016 08:47 AM PDT A brisk walk is just as good as a jog when it comes to fighting nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, researchers finds. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease independent of metabolic risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia.

Combining technologies cracks vaccine chiller issue Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:22 AM PDT Vaccines against killer diseases from polio to hepatitis are fragile and can easily be made useless if they get too hot or too cold. Now scientists and engineers have developed a cost-effective vaccine storage device which perfectly preserves vaccines for an astonishing 35 days using just 30 litres of ice and without needing electricity.

Cell migration: Cadherin-11 provides the right hold Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:22 AM PDT Cadherins are part of the protein family of adhesion molecules. Just like mortar between the bricks in a wall, they ensure that cells stay together, preventing them from breaking away and migrating from a group of cells. Especially in tumor cells, however, cadherin-11 behaves in exactly the opposite way – it triggers the migration of cells – explain researchers.

New type of rare brittle-bone disease discovered Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:17 AM PDT Researchers have discovered the first X-chromosome-inherited type of the congenital disease osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle-bone disease. The new discovery improves the genetic diagnosis of the disease and paves the way to possible improved treatment options for patients.

Computational modelling can predict onset, progression of knee osteoarthritis in overweight people Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:17 AM PDT Computational modelling makes it possible to predict the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis in overweight people, shows a new study. A computational model based on the degradation of the collagen fibril network in the articular cartilage was able to predict the onset and progression of osteoarthritis in overweight people during a four-year follow-up. In normal-weight people, osteoarthritis did not develop within this time span.

Integrated management of childhood illness strategy for children under five: Systematic review Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:17 AM PDT An international review team has published a systematic review that assessed the effects of programs that use the World Health Organization's (WHO) integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) strategy.

Theoretical climbing rope could brake falls Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:16 AM PDT Mathematicians have shown it is theoretically possible to design ideal climbing ropes to safely slow falling rock and mountain climbers like brakes decelerate a car. They hope someone develops a material to turn theory into reality.

Driving, dementia: Assessing safe driving in high-risk older adults Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:16 AM PDT Driving is a very complex process. Today, almost half of all drivers on the roadways are over the age of 65. With the decline of cognitive processes in older adults such as Alzheimer's disease, there is heightened concern for public safety and unsafe driving in this population. Understanding the cognitive factors that inhibit effective driving as well as recognizing older adults who may be at risk for unsafe driving is key.

For kids with asthma, hospital care is comparable for Medicaid and non-Medicaid patients Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:15 AM PDT Children covered by Medicaid and equally sick children not covered by Medicaid received essentially similar asthma treatment in a given pediatric hospital, according to a new study. In a national sample, researchers analyzed hospital practice patterns by comparing inpatient costs, lengths of stay and use of the intensive care unit.

Obese preschoolers have 60 percent higher healthcare costs than healthy weight children Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:15 AM PDT Obese children aged 2-5 years old are two to three times more likely to be admitted to hospital and have 60 percent higher healthcare costs than healthy weight children, a study an Australian research team has found. This is the first study to reveal the higher direct health care costs of obesity in preschool aged children compared with those of normal weight.

Artificial intelligence may aid in Alzheimer's diagnosis Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:14 AM PDT Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence that allows computer programs to learn when exposed to new data without being programmed. Now, researchers have coupled machine learning methods with a special MRI technique that measures the perfusion, or tissue absorption rate, of blood throughout the brain to detect early forms of dementia, such as mild cognitive impairment, according to a new study.

Injured muscles 'shocked' back to health Posted: 06 Jul 2016 06:14 AM PDT A recent study in rats suggests that acoustic shock waves could speed up a muscle's healing process. This technique could help injured athletes to return to training and be able to compete more quickly than just with traditional methods.

Pill organizers could cause adverse effects among elderly Posted: 05 Jul 2016 05:31 PM PDT Switching to use a pill organizer could cause adverse effects among the elderly, new research suggests. The research team say that patients should consult their GP or pharmacist before switching to a pill organizer.

It's time for NHS England to 'do the right thing' and fund PrEP for HIV prevention, say experts Posted: 05 Jul 2016 05:31 PM PDT It is time for NHS England to "do the right thing" and fund pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, argue two senior public health doctors.

Mixing cannabis with tobacco increases dependence risk, suggests study Posted: 05 Jul 2016 01:45 PM PDT People who mix tobacco with cannabis are less motivated to seek help to quit.

New 'game plan' for oncologists reflects rapid advances, need for immediate information Posted: 05 Jul 2016 01:45 PM PDT Getting information to oncologists in an accessible, timely and readable manner at the point of care is crucial, say the authors of a new article. Their report and the ground rules laid out in it are an important step in that direction.

Increasing number of US adults living with congenital heart defects Posted: 05 Jul 2016 01:45 PM PDT More adults are living with congenital heart defects in the United States, creating the need for specialized health services and systems that track this medical condition across all ages. More adults survivors now live with congenital heart defects than children so it is no longer solely a pediatric condition, researchers say.

New tool can predict individual's risk of psychotic disorders Posted: 05 Jul 2016 01:04 PM PDT A new risk calculator can predict an individual's risk of developing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, according to a new study. The research involved collaborators from nine sites and may help researchers test treatments to prevent onset of full psychosis. Psychosis is characterized by hallucinations and delusions.

Children make poor dietary choices shortly after advertisements of unhealthy foods and beverages, study shows Posted: 05 Jul 2016 09:20 AM PDT A study examined 29 trials assessing the effects of unhealthy food and beverage marketing and analyzing caloric intake and dietary preference among more than 6000 children. Researchers found that the marketing increased dietary intake and influenced dietary preference in children during or shortly after exposure to advertisements.

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