الخميس، 1 سبتمبر 2016

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Researchers identify genetic marker for heart failure

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 11:32 AM PDT

A team of scientists has identified powerful predictors of congestive heart failure, a major cause of hospitalization and death in the United States. A mutated gene, SLCO1B1, was found to be associated with high levels of blood fatty acid, which is a strong predictor for the development of future heart failure and the mutation itself has a direct effect on heart failure risk.

Signaling cascade that drives fatty tumors

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 11:30 AM PDT

A common cell signaling pathway that controls differentiation of stem cells may also control the formation of tumor cells in fat, according to a new study.

Accumulation of a product of cell metabolism found to be linked with kidney tumor growth

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 11:29 AM PDT

Researchers have shown that when the metabolite fumarate accumulates in a hereditary form of renal cancer it leads to an epigenetic reprogramming that drives cancer. The tumor growth mechanism seen here could be similar in other cancers, such as lung and bowel cancer, where the enzyme that breaks down fumarate is not present or not fully functional.

ICU patients lose helpful gut bacteria within days of hospital admission

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 11:29 AM PDT

The microbiome of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a hospital differs dramatically from that of healthy patients, according to a new study. Researchers analyzing microbial taxa in ICU patients' guts, mouth and skin reported finding dysbiosis, or a bacterial imbalance, that worsened during a patient's stay in the hospital. Compared to healthy people, ICU patients had depleted populations of commensal, health-promoting microbes and higher counts of bacterial taxa with pathogenic strains.

Researchers use a single molecule to command stem cells to build new bone

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 11:28 AM PDT

An easy and efficient way to coax human pluripotent stem cells to regenerate bone tissue has been identified by researchers: feed them adenosine, a naturally occurring molecule in the body. The stem-cell-derived bone tissue helped repair cranial bone defects in mice without developing tumors or causing infection. The work could lead to regenerative treatments for patients with critical bone defects and soldiers who have suffered traumatic bone injuries.

Forensic DNA analysis checks the origin of cultured cells

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 11:28 AM PDT

Cell lines are cultured cells that are commonly used in medical research. New results show that such cells are not always what they are assumed to be. Using genetic analyses, the researchers showed that a commonly used cell line that was established almost 50 years ago does not originate from the patient it is claimed to stem from.

Stem cell agency spinal cord injury clinical trial passes safety hurdles

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 10:37 AM PDT

A clinical trial using stem cells to treat people with recent spinal cord injuries has cleared two key safety hurdles, and been given approval to expand the therapy to a larger group of patients with a much higher dose of cells.

Body's cellular building blocks arise from genetic tugs of war

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 10:37 AM PDT

Developing blood cells are caught in tugs of war between competing gene regulatory networks before finally deciding what type of cell to become, according to a study. Researchers report that as developing blood cells are triggered by a multitude of genetic signals firing on and off, they are pulled back and forth in fluctuating multi-lineage states before finally becoming specific cell types.

Antibody reduces harmful brain amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's patients

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 10:35 AM PDT

Aducanumab, a new antibody has been shown to trigger a meaningful reduction of harmful beta-amyloid plaques in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. These protein deposits in the brain are a classic sign of Alzheimer's disease and contribute to the progressive degeneration of brain cells. The researchers furthermore demonstrated in an early stage clinical study that, after one year of treatment with Aducanumab, cognitive decline could be significantly slowed in antibody-treated patients as opposed to the placebo group.

New key in fighting Kennedy's disease

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 10:35 AM PDT

If a disease affects motoneurons, cells that control voluntary muscle activity, researchers should focus their efforts on motoneurons to find potential treatments, right? Not always, say scientists.

Weight loss following bariatric surgery sustained long-term

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 10:35 AM PDT

Obese patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) lost much more weight than those who did not and were able to sustain most of this weight loss 10 years after surgery, according to a study.

Connection between chronic pain, anxiety disorders found by researchers

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 10:34 AM PDT

New study results provide insight into a long-observed, but little-understood connection between chronic pain and anxiety and offer a potential target for treatment. Researchers found that increased expression of PACAP -- a peptide neurotransmitter the body releases in response to stress -- is also increased in response to neuropathic pain and contributes to these symptoms.

Feeling heavy, light, or about right? Your genes may be to blame

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 10:31 AM PDT

Do you feel overweight, about right, or too skinny? Your answer to that question may be tied to genes you inherited from your parents, especially if you are a female, according to a new study.

World’s first ciliary stroke motion microrobots

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 08:10 AM PDT

Scientists have developed microrobots with high propulsion efficiency in highly-viscous fluid environments, applying propulsion techniques that mimic the ciliary stroke motion of paramecia.

High rates of suicide and self-harm among transgender youth

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 08:08 AM PDT

In a new study, 30 percent of transgender youth report a history of at least one suicide attempt, and nearly 42 percent report a history of self-injury, such as cutting. The study also discovered a higher frequency of suicide attempts among transgender youth who are dissatisfied with their weight.

Selenium status influence cancer risk

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 08:08 AM PDT

As a nutritional trace element, selenium forms an essential part of our diet. Researchers have been able to show that high blood selenium levels are associated with a decreased risk of developing liver cancer.

CRISPR/Cas9 technology to inactivate cancer mutations, say scientists

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 08:08 AM PDT

As for many other biomedical and biotechnology disciplines, the genome scissor 'CRISPR/Cas9' also opens up completely new possibilities for cancer research. Scientists have shown that mutations that act as cancer drivers can be targeted and repaired. The most relevant mutations could therefore be diagnosed faster, improving personalized therapies.

Researchers peel back another layer of chemistry with 'tender' X-rays

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 07:30 AM PDT

Scientists can now directly probe a previously hard-to-see layer of chemistry thanks to a unique X-ray toolkit. A key breakthrough enabling the latest experiment was in tailoring "tender" X-rays—which have an energy range tuned in a middle ground between the typical high-energy (or "hard") and low-energy (or "soft") X-rays used in research—to focus on chemistry within the double layer of a sample electrochemical system.

Sabotaging bacteria propellers to stop infections

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 07:28 AM PDT

Researchers discovered how to stop bacteria motility and thus how to disrupt bacterial infections.

Bird bugs shed new light on malaria infection

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 07:28 AM PDT

A study into bird malaria could provide important clues about the causes of parasite co-infections in animals, including people, report investigators. They found that not only the bird's habitat but also the interactions between parasites can impact a bird's risk of malaria infection.

Scientists discover noninvasive technique to monitor migraines

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 07:28 AM PDT

New UBC research has found that amplified electroencephalograms can produce diagnostic results of a brainwave associated with migraines and epilepsy that are comparable to the current, more invasive, standard -- a discovery that could lead to better treatment and diagnosis of these conditions.

Pure oxygen in high-pressure chamber relieves symptoms of opiate withdrawal in mice

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 07:27 AM PDT

A pharmacologist gave morphine-addicted mice pure pressurized oxygen before they began withdrawal from the drug. The mice had far less severe withdrawal symptoms than addicted mice that did not receive the treatment.

Major step towards Alzheimer's blood test

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 05:56 AM PDT

A research team has made a significant step towards the development of a simple blood test to predict the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The group studied blood from 292 individuals with the earliest signs of memory impairment and found a set of biomarkers that predicted whether or not a given individual would develop Alzheimer's disease.

Potential new treatment for cocaine addiction

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 05:56 AM PDT

A promising new drug treatment for cocaine addiction has been discovered by researchers. The experimental therapy, which involves administering a drug currently used in cancer therapy trials, treats cocaine addiction by inhibiting memories responsible for cravings.

New research uncovers the first steps of how human organs and tissues develop

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 05:55 AM PDT

For the first time, the precise way individual human organs and tissue develop has been mapped, providing new insight into how genetic disorders can occur during the crucial early phase of development.

Dopamine: Far more than just the 'happy hormone'

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 05:53 AM PDT

Dopamine is a so-called messenger substance or neurotransmitter that conveys signals between neurons. It not only controls mental and emotional responses but also motor reactions. Dopamine is particularly known as being the "happy hormone." It is responsible for our experiencing happiness. Even so-called adrenaline rushes, such as those experienced when playing sport, are based on the same pattern. Adrenaline is a close relative of dopamine. However, serious health problems can arise if too little or too much dopamine is being produced. If too few dopamine molecules are released, Parkinson's disease can develop, while an excess can lead to mania, hallucinations and schizophrenia.

Simple measures cut sepsis deaths nearly in half

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 05:53 AM PDT

Sepsis, commonly called blood poisoning, is a common affliction that can affect people of all ages. A series of simple measures tested at a Norwegian hospital can make a difference in successfully treating sepsis.

New population data provide insight on aging, migration

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 05:50 AM PDT

A new dataset provides a comprehensive look at population dynamics in Europe, including the influence of migration on population growth and the effect of population aging.

Researchers gain new understanding of how neutrophils latch onto vessel walls to protect from infection, clean up injured tissue

Posted: 31 Aug 2016 05:50 AM PDT

As an arm of the innate immune system, white blood cells called neutrophils form the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Neutrophils spend most of their lives racing through the bloodstream, patrolling for bacteria or other foreign particles. Once they arrive at tissues besieged by infectious agents, they halt on a dime and then blast through the vessel wall to reach the inflammatory attack site.

Cognitive behavior therapy could be key for children with autism getting enough sleep

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:22 PM PDT

Experts believe that a family-based cognitive behavioral therapy may be the key for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have problems sleeping.

Stem cell breakthrough unlocks mysteries associated with inherited heart condition

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:21 PM PDT

Using advanced stem cell technology, scientists have created a model of a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) -- an excessive thickening of the heart that is associated with a number of rare and common illnesses, some of which have a strong genetic component.

Neural factors that predict adolescent alcohol use

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:17 PM PDT

Researchers have identified 34 neural factors that predict adolescent alcohol consumption. The list, based upon complex algorithms analyzing data from neuropsychological testing and neuroimaging studies, was significantly more accurate -- approximately 74 percent -- than demographic information alone.

Nationwide study sets benchmarks for 30-day mortality following chemotherapy for breast and lung cancer in England

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:17 PM PDT

For the first time, English national data on 30-day mortality for patients with breast and lung cancer treated with chemotherapy have been collected and analyzed in order to help clinical teams review and improve patient care, and identify groups of patients who may have additional needs.

Smokers more prone to bowel condition relapses, study suggests

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:17 PM PDT

Smoking is strongly linked to relapse of a serious bowel condition, research has confirmed. People with Crohn's disease are more likely to experience a recurrence after surgery if they continue to smoke, the study has found.

Experts urge rethink on health target

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:16 PM PDT

The concept of premature mortality needs to be either abandoned or redefined if it is not to discriminate against older people, according to experts on aging.

'Nudges' help students select healthy lunches

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:18 AM PDT

With back-to-school season in full swing, imagine this: Your child orders lunch via computer and gets a little message saying he or she needs to add more nutritious food groups. That combination helped some youngsters eat healthier meals, a study has shown.

Functional human tissue-engineered liver generated from stem, progenitor cells

Posted: 30 Aug 2016 06:18 AM PDT

A research team has generated functional human and mouse tissue-engineered liver from adult stem and progenitor cells. Tissue-engineered Liver (TELi) was found to contain normal structural components such as hepatocytes, bile ducts and blood vessels.
مرسلة بواسطة في

ليست هناك تعليقات:

إرسال تعليق

الاشتراك في: تعليقات الرسالة (Atom)