ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Gene mutations that lead to more aggressive colorectal cancer in African American patients discovered
• New model could help improve prediction of outbreaks of Ebola and Lassa fever
• Placenta in females, muscle mass in males: Dual heritage of a virus
• 3-D graphene has promise for bio applications
• Rural Nepal: Despite evidence that hospital births are safer, poverty keeps women home
• New knowledge about the building blocks of life
• No longer lost in the blink of an eye
• Wearable tracker keeps tabs on patients, soldiers
• Osteoporosis: Antibody crystallized
• Hereditary diseases are the price of protection against infections
• Living with dementia: Life story work proves successful
• Controlling amounts of heparan sulphate, a carbohydrate needed for fetal development
• Trauma patient deaths peak at two weeks
• Immune cells as biomarkers for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• Genetic cause of severe nerve damage in older adults with inability to walk deciphered
• X chromosome: The structure makes the difference
• Important signalling pathway for leukemia cells discovered
• Extreme preemies must watch blood sugars and weight
• Decision-making tool may help doctors cut unnecessary antibiotic prescribing
• Longer survival of advanced cancer patients given methylnaltrexone for constipation suggests role for mu opiate receptor in cancer progression
• Climate, air travel maps identify countries in Africa, Asia at greatest risk of Zika virus
• Intensified, multifaceted treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, known vascular damage extends life by around 8 years
• Implanted device successfully treats central sleep apnea, study finds
• Young children's antibiotic exposure associated with higher food allergy risk
• Helping doctors manage certain pancreatic lesions more effectively
• Are promises made to living kidney donors being upheld?
• Genetic intersection of neurodevelopmental disorders, shared medical conditions
• Patient care can improve with technology in nursing homes
• Politics affect views on healthcare quality, but not on personal experience with care
• Blood cancer treatment may age immune cells as much as 30 years
• Dengue vaccine could increase or worsen dengue in some settings
• Location, location, location: Cellular hotspots for tumors and regeneration
• Engineers develop a plastic clothing material that cools the skin
• Bacterial membrane vesicles can cause preterm birth
• Of dogs, foxes, cows, camels, and men: The fight against rabies in Northern China
• Insight into radioactive isotope could lead to cancer breakthrough
• Address systemic issues to change toxic health care environment, commentary says
• Findings about protein could open door to new class of antibiotics
• Sign language may be helpful for children with rare speech disorder
• Life and death: Team finds hospital readmissions sometimes save lives
• Elotuzumab in multiple myeloma: Added benefit not proven
• CrossFitters need rest too, study finds
• Why does dying cost more for people of color? New study takes a deeper look
• Painful reality: Care providers tend to underestimate pain during pediatric burn dressing changes

Gene mutations that lead to more aggressive colorectal cancer in African American patients discovered Posted: 02 Sep 2016 01:18 PM PDT Scientists who last year identified new gene mutations unique to colon cancers in African Americans, have now found that tumors with these mutations are highly aggressive and more likely to recur and metastasize.

New model could help improve prediction of outbreaks of Ebola and Lassa fever Posted: 02 Sep 2016 12:20 PM PDT Potential outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola and Lassa fever may be more accurately predicted thanks to a new mathematical model. This could in turn help inform public health messages to prevent outbreaks spreading more widely.

Placenta in females, muscle mass in males: Dual heritage of a virus Posted: 02 Sep 2016 11:22 AM PDT It was already known that genes inherited from ancient retroviruses are essential to the placenta in mammals. Scientists have now revealed a new chapter in this astonishing story: these genes of viral origin may also be responsible for the more developed muscle mass seen in males.

3-D graphene has promise for bio applications Posted: 02 Sep 2016 11:21 AM PDT Graphene oxide flakes can be welded together into solid materials that may be suitable for bone implants, according to an international study.

Rural Nepal: Despite evidence that hospital births are safer, poverty keeps women home Posted: 02 Sep 2016 09:53 AM PDT Encouraging hospital births are an important component of reducing maternal mortality in low-resource settings. Now, new research shows certain factors, including age and income, determine whether women living in rural Nepal have home births or hospital deliveries.

New knowledge about the building blocks of life Posted: 02 Sep 2016 09:52 AM PDT A study of an enzyme that helps build and repair DNA in living organisms increases our understanding of how these processes are controlled and how we can use this to combat infections.

No longer lost in the blink of an eye Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:16 AM PDT Researchers have re-invented the eye drop with technology that can deliver medicine much more efficiently, making life easier for patients. They have created microscopic packets of medicine that lodge themselves imperceptibly in the base of the tear film that makes up the wet surface of the eye.

Wearable tracker keeps tabs on patients, soldiers Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:16 AM PDT Wearable sensing device tracks movements, ambient environment, bio-signals and more.

Osteoporosis: Antibody crystallized Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:14 AM PDT Inhibiting a protein called sclerostin could probably help treating the bone-loss disease osteoporosis.

Hereditary diseases are the price of protection against infections Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:14 AM PDT Balancing selection is responsible for helping us fend off pathogens, but also for the occurrence of mutations in our genome that predispose us to hereditary diseases.

Living with dementia: Life story work proves successful Posted: 02 Sep 2016 08:14 AM PDT Life story work has the potential to help people with dementia, a pioneering study has demonstrated. Life story work involves helping people to record aspects of their past and present lives along with future hopes and wishes, often in a book or folder or, increasingly, in music, film and multi-media formats.

Controlling amounts of heparan sulphate, a carbohydrate needed for fetal development Posted: 02 Sep 2016 05:26 AM PDT Heparan sulphate occurs as carbohydrate chains which are very important for human body cells both for normal fetal development and during the course of various diseases. All new molecular knowledge concerning these chains is therefore important. Researchers can now show that the same enzyme which determines the charge pattern of the chains also determines their length.

Trauma patient deaths peak at two weeks Posted: 02 Sep 2016 05:26 AM PDT Lower severity trauma patients could be more likely to die after two to three weeks, new research indicates. Using data from the largest trauma database in Europe, the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) database, researchers used 165,559 trauma cases to conduct the research, among them 19,289 cases with unknown outcome.

Immune cells as biomarkers for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Posted: 02 Sep 2016 05:25 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) is increased in the blood of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The higher the number of MDSC, the more limited the lung function, they note.

Genetic cause of severe nerve damage in older adults with inability to walk deciphered Posted: 02 Sep 2016 05:25 AM PDT Congenital gene mutations lead to afflicted persons of advanced age developing severe nerve damage (polyneuropathy) with paralysis, loss of sensation and pain. The illness can advance rapidly and lead up to the inability to walk with wheelchair dependency. The affected gene has now been identified by an international team of researchers.

X chromosome: The structure makes the difference Posted: 02 Sep 2016 05:25 AM PDT In male cells of the fruit fly Drosophila, the X chromosome is twice as active as in female cells. Researchers have now discovered how the enzyme responsible recognizes the chromosome.

Important signalling pathway for leukemia cells discovered Posted: 02 Sep 2016 05:25 AM PDT Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive form of blood cancer. A research group has now uncovered a new mechanism that enhances the viability of cancerous T-cells and promotes their reproduction.

Extreme preemies must watch blood sugars and weight Posted: 02 Sep 2016 05:24 AM PDT Extremely low birth weight babies are four times more likely to develop dysglycemia, or abnormal blood glucose, than their normal birth weight (NBW) peers and more likely than their peer group to have higher body fat and lower lean mass in adulthood, although both groups have a similar (BMI), new research indicates.

Decision-making tool may help doctors cut unnecessary antibiotic prescribing Posted: 01 Sep 2016 06:13 PM PDT Respiratory tract infections (RTI) with cough are the most common reason children are prescribed antibiotics by their doctors, but up to a third of prescriptions may be unnecessary. A new study of over 8,000 children has identified seven key predictors which could help general practitioners (GPs) and nurses in primary care identify low risk children who are less likely to need antibiotics, according to new research.

Longer survival of advanced cancer patients given methylnaltrexone for constipation suggests role for mu opiate receptor in cancer progression Posted: 01 Sep 2016 06:13 PM PDT Opioid painkillers and their receptor in cells -- the mu opiate receptor -- could be involved in cancer progression, and could thus be a target for treatments, a study of advanced cancer patients suggests.

Climate, air travel maps identify countries in Africa, Asia at greatest risk of Zika virus Posted: 01 Sep 2016 06:13 PM PDT Many countries across Africa and Asia-Pacific may be vulnerable to Zika virus outbreaks, with India, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Bangladesh expected to be at greatest risk of Zika virus transmission due to a combination of high travel volumes from Zika affected areas in the Americas, local presence of mosquitoes capable of transmitting Zika virus, according to a new modelling study.

Intensified, multifaceted treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, known vascular damage extends life by around 8 years Posted: 01 Sep 2016 06:13 PM PDT Intensified and multifaceted treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes and a common complication microalbuminuria extends median lifetime by eight years, a long-term Danish follow-up study shows.

Implanted device successfully treats central sleep apnea, study finds Posted: 01 Sep 2016 03:40 PM PDT An implanted nerve stimulator significantly improves symptoms in those with central sleep apnea, without causing serious side effects, results from an international, randomized study show.

Young children's antibiotic exposure associated with higher food allergy risk Posted: 01 Sep 2016 03:37 PM PDT Antibiotic treatment within the first year of life may wipe out more than an unwanted infection: exposure to the drugs is associated with an increase in food allergy diagnosis, new research suggests.

Helping doctors manage certain pancreatic lesions more effectively Posted: 01 Sep 2016 03:37 PM PDT An endoscopic procedure can improve the outlook for patients with a fairly common type of pancreatic lesion that is challenging to manage and that, if left untreated, can progress to cancer, according to a study.

Are promises made to living kidney donors being upheld? Posted: 01 Sep 2016 03:37 PM PDT Most prior living kidney donors in the United States who later need a transplant receive one quickly, but some are not readily given the priority they were promised when they donated.

Genetic intersection of neurodevelopmental disorders, shared medical conditions Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:21 PM PDT Researchers have analyzed current gene-disease findings to understand why people with neurodevelopmental and mental illness often have physical disorders.

Patient care can improve with technology in nursing homes Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:21 PM PDT Increases in information technology sophistication can lead to potential improvements in health care quality measures, researchers report in a new article.

Politics affect views on healthcare quality, but not on personal experience with care Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:21 PM PDT What do you think about the quality of healthcare in the United States? Your opinion may depend on your politics, with Democrats perceiving more problems in the healthcare system compared to Republicans, reports a new study.

Blood cancer treatment may age immune cells as much as 30 years Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:21 PM PDT Researchers, by tracking a molecular marker that has been shown to increase in white blood cells as people age, have uncovered clues that suggest that stem cell transplant is linked to a marked increase in the 'molecular age' of these immune cells in a group of patients with blood cancer.

Dengue vaccine could increase or worsen dengue in some settings Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:21 PM PDT The only approved vaccine for dengue may actually increase the incidence of dengue infections requiring hospitalization rather than preventing the disease if health officials aren't careful about where they vaccinate, new public health research suggests.

Location, location, location: Cellular hotspots for tumors and regeneration Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:19 PM PDT Two recent studies identify Drosophila larva cells with unique properties. In one case, the cells are resistant to irradiation or drug-induced cell death and can move to damaged tissue and initiate regeneration. The second study reports that, upon inactivation of a tumor suppressor gene, these cells take a first step towards becoming aggressive tumors. Both sets of authors discuss potential implications for human tumors.

Engineers develop a plastic clothing material that cools the skin Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:19 PM PDT Researchers have engineered a low-cost plastic material that could become the basis for clothing that cools the wearer, reducing the need for energy-consuming air conditioning.

Bacterial membrane vesicles can cause preterm birth Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:19 PM PDT A new study reports that GBS produces membrane-bound vesicles containing bacterial factors that can attack the host tissue. In mice, the study shows, these vesicles can move from the vagina to the uterus and cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the fetus. When injected directly into the amniotic cavity of mice, these vesicles can induce preterm and still births.

Of dogs, foxes, cows, camels, and men: The fight against rabies in Northern China Posted: 01 Sep 2016 12:19 PM PDT China has the second highest number of reported rabies cases in the world, but numbers of human deaths have been decreasing. According to WHO, the Chinese authorities are forecasting national rabies elimination by 2025. Most of the cases are reported from the country's Southeastern provinces. A study reports on ongoing transmission of rabies in Northwestern China, highlighting challenges and opportunities pertinent to the elimination efforts.

Insight into radioactive isotope could lead to cancer breakthrough Posted: 01 Sep 2016 11:04 AM PDT Research uncovers the true properties of rare radioactive metal that could provide key to targeted cancer drugs, report scientists.

Address systemic issues to change toxic health care environment, commentary says Posted: 01 Sep 2016 10:55 AM PDT A recent commentary urges taking a multipronged approach to improve the mental health of medical school students, which ultimately impacts physician burnout and the care patients receive.

Findings about protein could open door to new class of antibiotics Posted: 01 Sep 2016 10:55 AM PDT Researchers have made the first-ever detailed, atomic-level images of a peroxiredoxin, which has revealed a peculiar characteristic of this protein that might form the foundation for an entirely new class of antibiotics.

Sign language may be helpful for children with rare speech disorder Posted: 01 Sep 2016 09:59 AM PDT Using sign language with intensive speech therapy may be an effective treatment for children with a rare speech disorder called apraxia of speech, according researchers.

Life and death: Team finds hospital readmissions sometimes save lives Posted: 01 Sep 2016 09:54 AM PDT A group of physicians and researchers suggests that data on mortality and hospital readmission used by the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid suggest a potentially problematic relationship.

Elotuzumab in multiple myeloma: Added benefit not proven Posted: 01 Sep 2016 09:52 AM PDT The monoclonal antibody elotuzumab has been approved in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone since May 2016 for further treatment of multiple myeloma in adults who have received at least one previous treatment. In an early benefit assessment, researchers have now examined whether these patients benefit from this new combination.

CrossFitters need rest too, study finds Posted: 01 Sep 2016 09:48 AM PDT Are you a fitness enthusiast? If so, moderation and appropriate rest periods may be the key to healthier exercise, as consecutive CrossFit-style workouts could impair the immune system by affecting inflammatory proteins.

Why does dying cost more for people of color? New study takes a deeper look Posted: 01 Sep 2016 09:48 AM PDT Dying in America is an expensive process, with about 1 in 4 Medicare dollars going to care for people in their last year of life. But for African Americans and Hispanics, the cost of dying is far higher than for whites. A new study tries to get to the bottom of this expensive mystery.

Painful reality: Care providers tend to underestimate pain during pediatric burn dressing changes Posted: 01 Sep 2016 07:35 AM PDT Pediatric burn pain assessment can vary not only based on patient pain intensity, but also nurse clinical experience, new research indicates.

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