ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• 'Fitness and fatness': Not all obese people have the same prognosis; second study sheds light on 'obesity paradox'
• Longer CPR attempts might benefit some patients, research finds
• Rare genetic disease offers insight into common cancers
• Scientists design molecule that reverses some fragile X syndrome defects
• 'Benign' malaria key driver of human evolution in Asia-Pacific
• Increased mortality in HIV-positive South African men versus women is unrelated to HIV/AIDS
• Health-care costs hit the elderly hard, diminish financial wellbeing
• Healing cuts for Medicare
• Use of biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis not significantly associated with increased risk of malignancy
• Cardiac study evaluates prevalence of unrecognized heart attacks among older adults
• Stiffening of aortic wall linked with increased risk of high blood pressure
• Medicare kidney spending reaches crucial moment
• Introducing decision aids may lower surgery for arthritis
• Vitamin D supplement fails to lower cholesterol in short term
• Black women face more violence under 'prison nation', book says
• Study points to new target for cancers resistant to Iressa and Herceptin
• Preeclampsia poses a significant long-term health risk, study finds
• With no West Nile vaccine in sight, self-protection is key
• A blueprint for 'affective' aggression
• Repeated exposure to traumatic images may be harmful to health
• Pretreatment PET/CT imaging of lymph nodes predicts recurrence in breast cancer patients
• Realizing the promise of RNA nanotechnology for new drug development
• Reduced brain connections seen in people with generalized anxiety disorder
• Experts propose 'cyber war' on cancer: Universities aim to break cancer's codes for social networking
• Simple tool may help inexperienced psychiatrists better predict violence risk in patients
• Potential drug discovered for deadly brain cancer
• Ovarian cancer cells hijack surrounding tissues to enhance tumor growth
• Canada should remove section of Criminal Code that permits physical punishment of children, expert argues
• PharmaNet system dramatically reduced inappropriate prescriptions of potentially addictive drugs
• New gene variants raise risk of neuroblastoma, influence tumor progression
• New genetic clues to why most bone marrow transplant patients develop graft-versus-host disease
• Some evidence for 'chemo brain' in breast cancer survivors, large review finds
• Binding sites for LIN28 protein found in thousands of human genes
• Genes associated with primary angle closure glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in Chinese people
• Reducing pressure on children to eat may help prevent obesity
• Increase in respiratory symptoms following volcanic eruption
• Smoking and natural disasters: Christchurch residents increase tobacco consumption post-earthquake
• Swallowed magnets in children need quick evaluation and treatment
• Research finds heart remodeling rapidly follows cardiac injury
• Does gallows humor among physicians encourage accusations of murder and euthanasia?
• Sleep apnea linked with increased risk of cancer death
• A new molecule with anti-cancer and anti-metastatic properties
• Rapid response in cases of smoke poisoning
• Anchoring proteins influence glucose metabolism and insulin release
• Even in normal range, high blood sugar linked to brain shrinkage
• Using RNA nanotechnology to treat cancers and viral infections: New study shows promise
• HIV treatment use increases in the U.S.
• 'Magic carpet' could help prevent falls
• Targeting inflammation to treat depression
• Study examines association between Parkinson disease, cancer
• Possible association between cardiovascular disease, chemical exposure, study suggests
• Study details bullying involvement for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
• Prenatal maternal smoking associated with increased risk of adolescent obesity
• Little evidence of health benefits from organic foods, study finds
• Cholesterol inhibitors block lymphatic vessel growth
• The eyes have it: Men and women do see things differently, study of brain's visual centers finds
• Plain packaging reduces the appeal of smoking
• New long-term antimicrobial catheter developed
• TB outbreaks could be 'solved' by DNA tracking, scientists say
• Smoking history can predict survival time in COPD

'Fitness and fatness': Not all obese people have the same prognosis; second study sheds light on 'obesity paradox' Posted: 04 Sep 2012 04:30 PM PDT People can be obese but metabolically healthy and fit, with no greater risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer than normal weight people, according to the largest study ever to have investigated this seeming paradox.

Longer CPR attempts might benefit some patients, research finds Posted: 04 Sep 2012 03:39 PM PDT There isn't a hard and fast rule for how long doctors should perform CPR, but new research shows longer attempts might be beneficial for some patients.

Rare genetic disease offers insight into common cancers Posted: 04 Sep 2012 02:09 PM PDT Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic condition in which cells lose the ability to repair DNA. Fanconi cells are super-sensitive to a common class of cancer drugs, nixing their use. A new study explores resveratrol as chemopreventive in Fanconi anemia patients.

Scientists design molecule that reverses some fragile X syndrome defects Posted: 04 Sep 2012 02:09 PM PDT Scientists have designed a compound that shows promise as a potential therapy for one of the diseases closely linked to fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that causes mental retardation, infertility, and memory impairment, and is the only known single-gene cause of autism.

'Benign' malaria key driver of human evolution in Asia-Pacific Posted: 04 Sep 2012 02:09 PM PDT The malaria species rampant in the Asia-Pacific region has been a significant driver of evolution of the human genome, a new study has shown. An international team of researchers has shown that Plasmodium vivax malaria, the most prevalent malaria species in the Asia-Pacific, is a significant cause of genetic evolution that provides protection against malaria.

Increased mortality in HIV-positive South African men versus women is unrelated to HIV/AIDS Posted: 04 Sep 2012 02:09 PM PDT In South Africa, HIV-infected men who are receiving treatment with anti-HIV drugs (antiretroviral therapy) are almost a third more likely to die than HIV-positive women who are receiving similar treatment: however, these differences are likely to be due to gender differences in death rates in the general population rather than related to HIV, according to a study by a team of international researchers.

Health-care costs hit the elderly hard, diminish financial wellbeing Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:26 PM PDT The protection of the savings of the elderly -- one of the primary goals of Medicare -- is under threat from a combination of spiraling health-care costs and increased longevity. As the government attempts to reduce Medicare costs, one suggestion is that the elderly could pay a larger proportion of the costs of their health care. But exactly how much would this be and what impact would it have on their finances?

Healing cuts for Medicare Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:25 PM PDT Medicare payment reforms mandated in the Affordable Care Act for post-acute care have great potential to lower costs without harming patients. Researchers caution that policymakers will need to be vigilant to ensure that these cuts don't result in one-time savings that revert to rising costs.

Use of biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis not significantly associated with increased risk of malignancy Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:25 PM PDT Although there are concerns regarding the potential development of malignancies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are receiving treatment with biologic response modifiers (BRMs), pooled results from more than 60 randomized controlled trials did not find a statistically significant increased risk of any type of cancer with use of BRMs for at least 6 months compared with traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or with placebo.

Cardiac study evaluates prevalence of unrecognized heart attacks among older adults Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:25 PM PDT Using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging among older adults in Iceland, researchers estimated the prevalence of unrecognized heart attacks, which was associated with an increased risk of death.

Stiffening of aortic wall linked with increased risk of high blood pressure Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:25 PM PDT An analysis of the relationship between several vascular function measures and blood pressure levels finds that certain measures including higher aortic stiffness were associated with a higher risk of new hypertension; however, initial blood pressure was not independently associated with risk of progressive aortic stiffening, suggesting that vascular stiffness may be a precursor rather than the result of hypertension.

Medicare kidney spending reaches crucial moment Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:25 PM PDT Medicare has covered treatment for anyone with end-stage renal disease since 1972. The coverage is very expensive and the program has struggled since for 40 years to contain costs without compromising quality. In a new paper that chronicles that history, the authors argue that Medicare's latest attempt -- bundled payments and pay-for-performance -- could become a broader model for the program if it succeeds.

Introducing decision aids may lower surgery for arthritis Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:25 PM PDT After Group Health introduced video "decision aids" for people with knee and hip arthritis, rates of knee and hip replacement surgeries dropped sharply: By 38 and 26 percent, respectively, over six months. Costs of caring for those patients also declined: By 12 percent to 21 percent, according to a new article. Decision aids are balanced sources of information, used in shared decision making, which present evidence-based pros and cons of treatment options.

Vitamin D supplement fails to lower cholesterol in short term Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:21 PM PDT Taking vitamin D supplements to compensate for vitamin D deficiency didn't improve cholesterol — at least in the short term, according to new research.

Black women face more violence under 'prison nation', book says Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT Black women in poor neighborhoods have faced increasing violence because public policy has focused on unconditional punishment, not prevention, according to a new book by a public policy expert.

Study points to new target for cancers resistant to Iressa and Herceptin Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT A more-sensitive method to analyze protein interactions has uncovered a new way that cancer cells may use the cell-surface molecule HER3 to drive tumor progression following treatment with HER1 and HER2 inhibitors. This study shows that HER3 could be up to 10 times more effective than HER2 in recruiting the proteins that drive the spread of cancer.

Preeclampsia poses a significant long-term health risk, study finds Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:16 PM PDT In a new study, researchers found patients with preeclampsia had significantly higher rates of chronic hypertension diagnosed after pregnancy. Patients with preeclampsia were also more likely to be hospitalized at least once. Exposed women had .28 hospitalization per patient rate, while the non-exposed patients had a lower .23 hospitalization per patient rate.

With no West Nile vaccine in sight, self-protection is key Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:16 PM PDT As this year's threat from the West Nile virus continues, one infectious diseases expert says a vaccine is not in our near future, so people need to protect themselves.

A blueprint for 'affective' aggression Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:01 PM PDT Researchers have created a roadmap to areas of the brain associated with affective aggression in mice. This roadmap may be the first step toward finding therapies for humans suffering from affective aggression disorders that lead to impulsive violent acts.

Repeated exposure to traumatic images may be harmful to health Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:01 PM PDT Repeated exposure to violent images from the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the Iraq War led to an increase in physical and psychological ailments in a nationally representative sample of US adults, according to a new study.

Pretreatment PET/CT imaging of lymph nodes predicts recurrence in breast cancer patients Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:00 PM PDT Disease-free survival for invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC) patients may be easier to predict with the help of F-18-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scans, according to researchers. New data show that high maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of F-18-FDG in the lymph nodes prior to treatment could be an independent indicator of disease recurrence.

Realizing the promise of RNA nanotechnology for new drug development Posted: 04 Sep 2012 11:48 AM PDT The use of RNA in nanotechnology applications is highly promising for many applications, including the development of new therapeutic compounds. Key technical challenges remain, though, and the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of RNA molecules in nanotechnology approaches are presented in a review article.

Reduced brain connections seen in people with generalized anxiety disorder Posted: 04 Sep 2012 10:48 AM PDT A new imaging study shows the brains of people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have weaker connections between a brain structure that controls emotional response and the amygdala, which suggests the brain's "panic button" may stay on due to lack of regulation.

Experts propose 'cyber war' on cancer: Universities aim to break cancer's codes for social networking Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:17 AM PDT Mounting evidence of intricate social cooperation among cancer cells has led researchers to suggest a new strategy for outsmarting cancer through its own social intelligence. The researchers call for a "cyber war" to co-opt the communications systems that allow cancer cells to work together to sense danger and avoid attacks by the immune system and chemotherapy drugs.

Simple tool may help inexperienced psychiatrists better predict violence risk in patients Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:17 AM PDT Inexperienced psychiatrists are less likely than their veteran peers to accurately predict violence by their patients, but a simple assessment checklist might help bridge that accuracy gap, according to new research.

Potential drug discovered for deadly brain cancer Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:14 AM PDT Scientists in Singapore have identified a biomarker of the most lethal form of brain tumors in adults -- glioblastoma multiforme. The scientists found that by targeting this biomarker and depleting it with a potential drug, they were able to prevent the progression and relapse of the brain tumor.

Ovarian cancer cells hijack surrounding tissues to enhance tumor growth Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:14 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that ovarian cancer cells activate the HOXA9 gene to compel stromal cells to create an environment that supports tumor growth.

Canada should remove section of Criminal Code that permits physical punishment of children, expert argues Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:14 AM PDT To promote good parenting, Canada should remove section 43 of its Criminal Code because it sends the wrong message that using physical punishment to discipline children is acceptable, argues Dr. John Fletcher, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Medical Association Journal, in an editorial.

PharmaNet system dramatically reduced inappropriate prescriptions of potentially addictive drugs Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:14 AM PDT A centralized prescription network providing real-time information to pharmacists in British Columbia, Canada, resulted in dramatic reductions in inappropriate prescriptions for opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines, widely used and potentially addictive drugs.

New gene variants raise risk of neuroblastoma, influence tumor progression Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:11 AM PDT Researchers have discovered two gene variants that raise the risk of the pediatric cancer neuroblastoma, as well as contributing to a tumor's progression. The findings may suggest future targets for new therapies.

New genetic clues to why most bone marrow transplant patients develop graft-versus-host disease Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:11 AM PDT A team of scientists has shed new light on why most bone marrow transplant patients who receive tissue-matched cells from unrelated donors still suffer acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The answer appears to lie in the discovery of previously undetected genetic differences in the DNA of patients and unrelated marrow donors.

Some evidence for 'chemo brain' in breast cancer survivors, large review finds Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:11 AM PDT A large meta-analysis has concluded that breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are at risk for mild cognitive deficits after treatment. The meta-analysis found that study participants on average had mild impairments in verbal abilities (such as difficulty choosing words) and visuospatial abilities (such as getting lost more easily). The study noted that cognitive functioning varies across survivors, with some reporting no impairments and others reporting more severe or pervasive deficits.

Binding sites for LIN28 protein found in thousands of human genes Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:11 AM PDT A new study looks at an important RNA binding protein called LIN28, which is implicated in pluripotency and reprogramming as well as in cancer and other diseases.

Genes associated with primary angle closure glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in Chinese people Posted: 04 Sep 2012 08:18 AM PDT Singapore scientists have identified three new genes associated with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), a leading cause of blindness in Chinese people. PACG affects 15 million people worldwide, 80 percent of whom live in Asia.

Reducing pressure on children to eat may help prevent obesity Posted: 04 Sep 2012 08:06 AM PDT An educational program for parents helps to reduce pressure on children to eat—which may reduce the child's risk of obesity, according to a new study.

Increase in respiratory symptoms following volcanic eruption Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:08 AM PDT Exposure to volcanic ash can increase respiratory symptoms such as an extreme cough, or phlegm, according to a new study.

Smoking and natural disasters: Christchurch residents increase tobacco consumption post-earthquake Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:08 AM PDT The prevalence of smoking in Christchurch, New Zealand, increased following the 2010 earthquake, according to a new study.

Swallowed magnets in children need quick evaluation and treatment Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:08 AM PDT Children who swallow powerful neodymium magnets are at risk of serious complications, requiring emergency evaluation and possible treatment. That's the message of a new clinical algorithm published in the September issue of The Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.

Research finds heart remodeling rapidly follows cardiac injury Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:04 AM PDT Cardiac injury leads to significant structural changes in the heart, including enlargement, excess formation of fibrous growth tissue, and abnormalities of the coronary vasculature. Most previous studies have investigated these changes after six days of injury. However, advanced stages of remodeling have already begun by day seven following injury. New research reveals that morphological changes in response to cardiac injury occur rapidly, with implications for the development of therapeutic strategies.

Does gallows humor among physicians encourage accusations of murder and euthanasia? Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:04 AM PDT In a recent survey of palliative care medicine practitioners, nearly three quarters of the sample reported having been "humorously" accused of promoting death; For example, being called "Dr. Death." The survey found that a third of investigations into accusations of murder or euthanasia against physicians are instigated by fellow members of the health care team.

Sleep apnea linked with increased risk of cancer death Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:01 AM PDT Sleep apnea severity has been associated with increased cancer mortality in a new study.

A new molecule with anti-cancer and anti-metastatic properties Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:00 AM PDT A new molecule with anti-cancer and anti-metastatic properties has been discovered by an international team of researchers. This anticancer drug acts on cells resistant to conventional chemotherapy thanks to an entirely novel action mechanism. It targets not only the multiplication of cells but also their mobility and thus could prevent the formation of metastases. The results obtained in vitro and on animals could, in the medium term, lead to the development of alternative anti-cancer treatments.

Rapid response in cases of smoke poisoning Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:00 AM PDT Smoke poisoning can be caused by a number of things, including cyanides, the salts of hydrocyanic acid. Because the quick diagnosis and treatment of victims with cyanide poisoning is critical and often lifesaving, it is very surprising that a cyanide test for emergency situations is not yet available. Now, chemists have developed a simple and reliable procedure to detect blood cyanide in less than two minutes.

Anchoring proteins influence glucose metabolism and insulin release Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:00 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a new control point that could be important as a drug target for the treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases. A-kinase anchoring proteins or AKAPs are known to influence the spatial distribution of kinases within the cell, crucial enzymes that control important molecular events related to the regulation of glucose levels in the blood.

Even in normal range, high blood sugar linked to brain shrinkage Posted: 04 Sep 2012 06:58 AM PDT People whose blood sugar is on the high end of the normal range may be at greater risk of brain shrinkage that occurs with aging and diseases such as dementia, according to new research,

Using RNA nanotechnology to treat cancers and viral infections: New study shows promise Posted: 04 Sep 2012 06:58 AM PDT A new study shows promise for developing ultrastable RNA nanoparticles that may help treat cancer and viral infections by regulating cell function and binding to cancers without harming surrounding tissue.

HIV treatment use increases in the U.S. Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT Between 2000 and 2008, the proportion of HIV-infected patients in the U.S. receiving effective treatment known as highly active antiretroviral therapy increased, and HIV-infected patients appeared to be less infectious and have healthier immune systems at death.

'Magic carpet' could help prevent falls Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT A 'magic carpet' can immediately detect when someone has fallen and can help to predict mobility problems.

Targeting inflammation to treat depression Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT Researchers have found that a biologic drug that inhibits inflammation may offer new hope for people with difficult-to-treat depression.

Study examines association between Parkinson disease, cancer Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT A study that used a Utah genealogic database and a statewide cancer registry to examine the relationship between Parkinson disease and cancer suggests an increased risk of prostate cancer and melanoma in patients with PD and their relatives.

Possible association between cardiovascular disease, chemical exposure, study suggests Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid, a manmade chemical used in the manufacture of some common household products, appears to be associated with cardiovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease in a study of 1,216 individuals.

Study details bullying involvement for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT A study based on information collected from 920 parents suggests an estimated 46.3 percent of adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder were the victims of bullying

Prenatal maternal smoking associated with increased risk of adolescent obesity Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT Prenatal exposure to maternal cigarette smoking appears associated with an increased risk for adolescent obesity, and is possibly related to subtle structural variations in the brain that create a preference for eating fatty foods.

Little evidence of health benefits from organic foods, study finds Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT Researchers have carried out the most comprehensive meta-analysis to date of existing studies comparing organic and conventional foods. They did not find strong evidence that organic foods are more nutritious or carry fewer health risks than conventional alternatives, though consumption of organic foods can reduce the risk of pesticide exposure.

Cholesterol inhibitors block lymphatic vessel growth Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT One of the world's top selling drugs potentially also acts against the growth of new lymphatic vessels, with potential implications for cancer therapy. This surprising finding was brought forward by researchers with their newly developed three-dimensional cell culture system.

The eyes have it: Men and women do see things differently, study of brain's visual centers finds Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT The way that the visual centers of men and women's brains works is different, finds new research. Men have greater sensitivity to fine detail and rapidly moving stimuli, but women are better at discriminating between colors.

Plain packaging reduces the appeal of smoking Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT While Australia has recently passed legislation to ban logos from cigarette packages and to make plain packaging mandatory, other countries are still considering whether or not to take similar measures. New research provides a report on the appeal of plain cigarette packs, compared to branded packs, among women in Brazil, and finds that plain packs reduce the appeal of their contents.

New long-term antimicrobial catheter developed Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT A novel antimicrobial catheter that remains infection-free for up to twelve weeks could dramatically improve the lives of long-term catheter users.

TB outbreaks could be 'solved' by DNA tracking, scientists say Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT Reconstructing the spread of killer diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) from person to person using DNA sequencing quickly identifies the origin and movement of pathogens. This approach is directly informing public health strategies to control infectious disease outbreaks, scientists say.

Smoking history can predict survival time in COPD Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT Identifying an individual's the smoking history could help doctors to predict survival time in people with COPD.

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