ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Digital assay of circulating tumor cells may improve diagnosis, monitoring of liver cancer
• Time to put TB on a diet
• In Alzheimer's, excess tau protein damages brain's GPS
• Curb your immune enthusiasm
• Researchers identify mechanism of oncogene action in lung cancer
• Roots of related genetic diseases found in cell powerhouses
• New method could turbocharge drug discovery, protein research
• Affordable Care Act made cancer screening more accessible for millions, study finds
• The type, not just the amount, of sugar consumption matters in risk of health problems
• Advances in imaging detect blunt cerebrovascular injury more frequently in trauma patients
• What causes sleepiness when sickness strikes
• Insecticides mimic melatonin, creating higher risk for diabetes
• Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening's Popularity on the Rise
• One percent of Cambodian children live in orphanages yet have a living parent
• Research team develops new diagnostic tool to identify tinnitus in animals
• Teenagers who access mental health services see significant improvements, study shows
• Statins could halt vein blood clots, research suggests
• Quality control inside the cell: How rescue proteins dispose of harmful messages
• Precision medicine advances pediatric brain tumor diagnosis and treatment
• Lap band surgery benefits very obese adolescents
• Public reporting of lung cancer surgery outcomes provides valuable information about quality of patient care
• Great differences in the view of withdrawing futile intensive care
• Eco-HAB: New quality in research on neuronal basis of social behavior
• More than half of atrial fibrillation patients become asymptomatic after catheter ablation
• Protein complex prevents genome instability
• Raw materials for meatballs, falafel from mealworms and crickets
• Molecule flash mob
• Structure of atypical cancer protein paves way for drug development
• Mapping brain in preemies may predict later disability
• New guidelines seek to promote family-centered care in the ICU
• Gene that enables memories, sense of direction produces schizophrenia-like symptoms when mutated
• Blood-repellent materials: A new approach to medical implants
• How estrogen modulates fear learning
• Changes in blood-brain barrier, intestinal permeability found in individuals with autism
• Experts slash opioid use while improving pain scores, study finds
• Experts urge for wider prescription of statins in treatment, prevention

Digital assay of circulating tumor cells may improve diagnosis, monitoring of liver cancer Posted: 19 Jan 2017 11:34 AM PST Use of an advanced form of the commonly used polymerase chain reaction method to analyze circulating tumor cells may greatly increase the ability to diagnose early-stage cancer, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.

Time to put TB on a diet Posted: 19 Jan 2017 11:33 AM PST The tuberculosis bacillus is growing resistant to antibiotics. For this reason, biochemists are attempting to identify the mechanisms that enable the bacterium to reproduce, spread and survive in latent form in our macrophages. The scientists have discovered that the bacterium has the ability to 'reprogram' the cell it infects so that it can feed on its lipids. This results will pave the way for treatment opportunities based on starving and weakening the bacterium.

In Alzheimer's, excess tau protein damages brain's GPS Posted: 19 Jan 2017 10:46 AM PST Researchers have linked excess tau protein in the brain to the spatial disorientation that leads to wandering in many Alzheimer's disease patients. The findings, in mice, could lead to early diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's and point to treatments for this common and troubling symptom.

Curb your immune enthusiasm Posted: 19 Jan 2017 10:45 AM PST Scientists have discovered how to prevent undesirable immune attacks on therapeutic viruses.

Researchers identify mechanism of oncogene action in lung cancer Posted: 19 Jan 2017 10:45 AM PST Researchers have identified a genetic promoter of cancer that drives a major form of lung cancer. In a new paper, researchers provide genetic evidence that Ect2 drives lung adenocarcinoma tumor formation.

Roots of related genetic diseases found in cell powerhouses Posted: 19 Jan 2017 09:56 AM PST Scientists have discovered the mechanisms behind a genetic change known to cause a set of related diseases.

New method could turbocharge drug discovery, protein research Posted: 19 Jan 2017 09:54 AM PST A team led by scientists has developed a versatile new method that should enhance the discovery of new drugs and the study of proteins.

Affordable Care Act made cancer screening more accessible for millions, study finds Posted: 19 Jan 2017 09:04 AM PST The Affordable Care Act helped make recommended cancer screening more affordable and accessible for millions of Americans, according to new research.

The type, not just the amount, of sugar consumption matters in risk of health problems Posted: 19 Jan 2017 09:04 AM PST The type of sugar you eat—and not just calorie count—may determine your risk for chronic disease. A new study is the first of its kind to compare the effects of two types of sugar on metabolic and vascular function.

Advances in imaging detect blunt cerebrovascular injury more frequently in trauma patients Posted: 19 Jan 2017 09:02 AM PST Advances in diagnostic imaging technology have meant that more trauma patients are being diagnosed with blunt cerebrovascular injuries, and as a result, stroke and related death rates in these patients have declined significantly over the past 30 years. These changes are due to the evolution of imaging technology, namely CT-scanning, and its wide availability in hospitals large and small, according to a new study.

What causes sleepiness when sickness strikes Posted: 19 Jan 2017 09:02 AM PST It's well known that humans and other animals are fatigued and sleepy when sick, but it's a microscopic roundworm that's providing an explanation of how that occurs.

Insecticides mimic melatonin, creating higher risk for diabetes Posted: 19 Jan 2017 09:02 AM PST Synthetic chemicals commonly found in insecticides and garden products bind to the receptors that govern our biological clocks researchers have found.

Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening's Popularity on the Rise Posted: 19 Jan 2017 08:13 AM PST Genetic counselors are playing a greater role in areas of medicine in the wake of advancement in genomic technology. In the last decade, genetic testing has improved dramatically, enabling medical professionals the ability to screen for common genetic conditions like Down syndrome more accurately beginning at 10 weeks gestation.

One percent of Cambodian children live in orphanages yet have a living parent Posted: 19 Jan 2017 08:09 AM PST Nearly 80 percent of adolescents living in Cambodia's orphanages have one or more living parents, according to a study. This is the first research of its kind to assess the literacy and health of children living outside of family care in Cambodia.

Research team develops new diagnostic tool to identify tinnitus in animals Posted: 19 Jan 2017 08:09 AM PST A behavioral tool has been developed that may significantly aid in understanding the underlying mechanisms of tinnitus, ultimately leading to new drugs and treatment methods, report scientists.

Teenagers who access mental health services see significant improvements, study shows Posted: 19 Jan 2017 07:02 AM PST Young people with mental health problems who have contact with mental health services are significantly less likely to suffer from clinical depression later in their adolescence than those with equivalent difficulties who do not receive treatment, according to new research.

Statins could halt vein blood clots, research suggests Posted: 19 Jan 2017 07:02 AM PST Statins could hold the key to eradicating one of the most preventable causes of hospital deaths after researchers uncovered a new role for the cholesterol-lowering pill.

Quality control inside the cell: How rescue proteins dispose of harmful messages Posted: 19 Jan 2017 07:02 AM PST The ability to dispose of proteins that are either aberrant or (in the worst case) toxic is fundamental to a cell's survival. Researchers have been able to demonstrate the manner in which two specific proteins recognize defective messenger RNAs (molecules that carry the 'assembly instructions' for protein synthesis) and trigger their destruction.

Precision medicine advances pediatric brain tumor diagnosis and treatment Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:46 AM PST In the largest clinical study to date of genetic abnormalities in pediatric brain tumors, researchers performed clinical testing on more than 200 tumor samples and found that a majority had genetic irregularities that could influence how the disease was diagnosed and/or treated with approved drugs or agents being evaluated in clinical trials.

Lap band surgery benefits very obese adolescents Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:41 AM PST Lap band surgery has significant benefits for severely obese teenagers and, despite its controversial nature, should still be considered as a first option to manage obesity during adolescence, a new study has found.

Public reporting of lung cancer surgery outcomes provides valuable information about quality of patient care Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:40 AM PST The first publicly accessible national report of outcomes from lobectomy has now been released by experts.

Great differences in the view of withdrawing futile intensive care Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:38 AM PST The views among physicians and the general public when it comes to deciding whether to withhold or withdraw treatment of terminally ill patients differ greatly. However, in a hypothetical case study of a clearly hopeless medical case, great unanimity among physicians' and the public's assessments could be seen with regards to cancelling treatment or offering relief at the final stages of life.

Eco-HAB: New quality in research on neuronal basis of social behavior Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:35 AM PST How the brain controls social behaviors and what exactly the neuronal impairments causing its pathologies are, is yet to be determined. To better understand mechanisms in play, scientists perform thousands of tests of social interactions, usually conducted in mice. However, such assays are highly irreproducible, which significantly impedes making new discoveries. To address this issue scientists have built a murine "Big Brother": a computerized system called Eco-HAB, designed to screen mice for impairments of social behavior.

More than half of atrial fibrillation patients become asymptomatic after catheter ablation Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:35 AM PST More than half of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) become asymptomatic after catheter ablation, reports the largest study of the procedure.

Protein complex prevents genome instability Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:35 AM PST An international research collaboration is investigating the repair process of a serious form of DNA damage that can lead to instability of genetic material and tumor formation. The researchers are studying the roles of groups of proteins that control the repair of double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in DNA that occur from internal or external sources, such as UV irradiation.

Raw materials for meatballs, falafel from mealworms and crickets Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:35 AM PST A research team has developed food ingredients from mealworms and crickets which, due to their promising structure and flavor, have the potential to be used in the manufacture of foods such as meatballs and falafel. EU legislation will change in the coming years, and the farming of insects and their processing for consumption will become a business activity also in Europe, they say.

Molecule flash mob Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:35 AM PST Neurotransmitter transporters are some of the most popular transport proteins in research as they play a major role in the processing of signals in the brain. A new study has now successfully demonstrated for the first time the structural impact of membrane lipids on medically relevant serotonin transporters.

Structure of atypical cancer protein paves way for drug development Posted: 18 Jan 2017 03:20 PM PST The elusive structure of a cancer cell receptor protein has been uncovered by researchers. This protein can be leveraged to fight disease progression, say investigators.

Mapping brain in preemies may predict later disability Posted: 18 Jan 2017 03:19 PM PST Scanning a premature infant's brain shortly after birth to map the location and volume of lesions, small areas of injury in the brain's white matter, may help doctors better predict whether the baby will have disabilities later, according to a new study.

New guidelines seek to promote family-centered care in the ICU Posted: 18 Jan 2017 03:17 PM PST Critical illness is a stressful and traumatic experience that may have lasting effects on the health of patients and families, even months after discharge from the intensive care unit. A new set of guidelines aims to promote family-centered care in neonatal, pediatric, and adult ICUs.

Gene that enables memories, sense of direction produces schizophrenia-like symptoms when mutated Posted: 18 Jan 2017 01:37 PM PST Mutations in a gene that should enable memories and a sense of direction instead can result in imprecise communication between neurons that contributes to symptoms of schizophrenia, scientists report.

Blood-repellent materials: A new approach to medical implants Posted: 18 Jan 2017 01:37 PM PST Medical implants like stents, catheters and tubing introduce risk for blood clotting and infection -- a perpetual problem for many patients. Engineers now offer a potential solution: A specially grown, 'superhemophobic' titanium surface that's extremely repellent to blood. The material could form the basis for surgical implants with lower risk of rejection by the body.

How estrogen modulates fear learning Posted: 18 Jan 2017 01:37 PM PST Low estrogen levels may make women more susceptible to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while high estrogen levels may be protective. New research provides insight into how estrogen changes gene activity in the brain to achieve its protective effects.

Changes in blood-brain barrier, intestinal permeability found in individuals with autism Posted: 18 Jan 2017 11:59 AM PST A new study finds reduced expression of genes involved in integrity of the blood-brain barrier, intestinal barrier in those with autism spectrum disorder.

Experts slash opioid use while improving pain scores, study finds Posted: 18 Jan 2017 06:19 AM PST A study of more than 100,000 surgical cases found patients' pain scores improved even as doctors gave fewer opioids. As health officials across the U.S. look for ways to combat a opioid addiction crisis, the researchers believe their findings highlight one way to address the problem.

Experts urge for wider prescription of statins in treatment, prevention Posted: 18 Jan 2017 05:34 AM PST Researchers address the possible but unproven link between statins and diabetes, as well as the implications of prescription of statins for clinicians and their patients. They emphasize that the risk of diabetes, even if real, pales in comparison to the benefits of statins in both the treatment and primary prevention of heart attacks and strokes.

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