ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Upper endoscopy is overused in patients with heartburn, study suggests
• Declining air pollution levels continue to improve life expectancy in U.S.
• U.S. Medicare Advantage: Managing care and competition
• Emigration of children to urban areas can protect parents against depression
• Biophysicists unravel cellular 'traffic jams' in active transport
• Why some teenagers more prone to binge drinking
• Why older adults become fraud victims more often
• Arthritis research: Mouse model of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis discovered
• New target for Alzheimer's drug development
• Baby's health is tied to mother's value for family
• Mercury released into air contaminates ocean fish
• Women with sleep apnea have higher degree of brain damage than men, study shows
• Listen up, doc: Empathy raises patients' pain tolerance
• Multitasking plasmonic nanobubbles kill diseased cells, modify others
• Alzheimer's researcher reveals a protein's dual destructiveness and therapeutic potential
• Research shows iron's importance in infection, suggests new therapies
• Study shows BPA exposure in fetal livers
• Happy face tattoo does serious work
• Iron deficiency and cognitive development: New insights from piglets
• Research explores markers of depression from childhood to adulthood
• Prostate cancer drug shows promise in triple-negative and estrogen-positive breast cancer
• Risk of blood clots two-fold for women with polycystic ovary syndrome taking combined oral contraceptives, study finds
• Rules limiting aggression should reduce hockey injuries, study suggests
• Stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons rescue motor defects in Parkinsonian monkeys
• Lithium restores cognitive function in Down syndrome mice
• Experts urge rapid evaluation for swallowing and voice problems after surgery for benign brain tumors
• Imaging study identifies relationship between stress and seizures
• Do antidepressants improve mood and/or lessen seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy?
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: Study describes 68 CTE cases in veterans, high school, college and pro athletes
• Genes link growth in the womb with adult metabolism and disease
• Research opens new pathway for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
• Shifting the safety balance for overnight workers
• New 'pipeline' device offers new option for difficult-to-treat aneurysms, study suggests
• Less wait for travel could reduce drinking and driving in people with 'urgency' personality trait
• 'Junk DNA' drives embryonic development
• Stopping the flow of cancer cells promotes the spread of tumours
• Promising new approach in therapy of pain
• Malaria parasite's 'masquerade ball' could come to an end
• Key pathological mechanism found in plague bacterium
• 'Pinocchio effect' confirmed: When you lie, your nose temperature rises
• Surprising results from study of non-epileptic seizures
• Dichlorophenol-containing pesticides linked to food allergies, study finds; Chemical also used to chlorinate tap water
• Common diabetes drug may treat ovarian cancer
• From rats to people: Gaming platform used to compare memory impairments of rodents and humans with epilepsy

Upper endoscopy is overused in patients with heartburn, study suggests Posted: 03 Dec 2012 03:33 PM PST Heartburn is one of the most common reasons for people to see a doctor, and some physicians often use upper endoscopy to diagnose and manage gastroesophageal reflux disease. But most patients do not require the procedure unless other serious symptoms are present, according to a new evidence-based clinical policy paper.

Declining air pollution levels continue to improve life expectancy in U.S. Posted: 03 Dec 2012 01:35 PM PST A new study has found an association between reductions in fine particulate matter and improved life expectancy in 545 counties in the US from 2000 to 2007.

U.S. Medicare Advantage: Managing care and competition Posted: 03 Dec 2012 01:35 PM PST Enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans show lower and likely more appropriate use of services than those in traditional Medicare, suggesting potential for more efficient care and significant cost savings. In addition, measures implemented in the mid 2000s have revamped payment in Medicare Advantage substantially by making it more difficult for health plans to compete by attracting favorable risks instead of managing medical risk successfully.

Emigration of children to urban areas can protect parents against depression Posted: 03 Dec 2012 01:35 PM PST Parents whose children move far away from home are less likely to become depressed than parents with children living nearby, according to a new study of rural districts in Thailand. The study suggests that children who migrate to urban areas are more likely to financially support their parents, which may be a factor for lower levels of depression.

Biophysicists unravel cellular 'traffic jams' in active transport Posted: 03 Dec 2012 01:35 PM PST Biophysicists have greatly advanced our understanding of how active transport proceeds smoothly, particularly in long cells such as neurons where it is vital to their survival.

Why some teenagers more prone to binge drinking Posted: 03 Dec 2012 01:34 PM PST New research helps explain why some teenagers are more prone to drinking alcohol than others. The study provides the most detailed understanding yet of the brain processes involved in teenage alcohol abuse.

Why older adults become fraud victims more often Posted: 03 Dec 2012 01:34 PM PST Why are older people especially vulnerable to becoming victims of fraud? A new study indicates an important brain region may influence the ability to discern who is honest and who is trying to deceive us.

Arthritis research: Mouse model of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis discovered Posted: 03 Dec 2012 12:00 PM PST Researchers have made a breakthrough that could lead to a better understanding of the second most common form of arthritis that, until now, has eluded scientists. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis or DISH, is a form of degenerative arthritis characterized by the formation of excessive mineral deposits along the sides of the vertebrae in the neck and back, causing severe pain. The researchers have discovered the first-ever mouse model of this disease.

New target for Alzheimer's drug development Posted: 03 Dec 2012 12:00 PM PST Researchers have developed a synthetic compound that, in a mouse model, successfully prevents the neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Baby's health is tied to mother's value for family Posted: 03 Dec 2012 12:00 PM PST The value that an expectant mother places on family -- regardless of the reality of her own family situation -- predicts the birthweight of her baby and whether the child will develop asthma symptoms three years later, according to new research.

Mercury released into air contaminates ocean fish Posted: 03 Dec 2012 12:00 PM PST Mercury released into the air and then deposited into oceans contaminates seafood commonly eaten by people in the US and globally, new research shows.

Women with sleep apnea have higher degree of brain damage than men, study shows Posted: 03 Dec 2012 12:00 PM PST Women suffering from sleep apnea have, on the whole, a higher degree of brain damage than that found in men with a similar sleep disorder, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

Listen up, doc: Empathy raises patients' pain tolerance Posted: 03 Dec 2012 11:59 AM PST A doctor-patient relationship built on trust and empathy doesn't just put patients at ease -- it actually changes the brain's response to stress and increases pain tolerance, according to new findings.

Multitasking plasmonic nanobubbles kill diseased cells, modify others Posted: 03 Dec 2012 11:59 AM PST Researchers have found a way to kill some diseased cells and treat others in the same sample at the same time. The process activated by a pulse of laser light leaves neighboring healthy cells untouched.

Alzheimer's researcher reveals a protein's dual destructiveness and therapeutic potential Posted: 03 Dec 2012 11:59 AM PST A scientist has identified the molecule that controls a scissor-like protein responsible for the production of plaques – the telltale sign of Alzheimer's disease.

Research shows iron's importance in infection, suggests new therapies Posted: 03 Dec 2012 10:17 AM PST A research team has resolved a 40-year-old debate on the role of iron acquisition in bacterial invasion of animal tissues. The findings suggest new approaches against bacterial disease and new strategies for antibiotic development.

Study shows BPA exposure in fetal livers Posted: 03 Dec 2012 10:16 AM PST New research found BPA, or bisphenol A, in fetal liver tissue, demonstrating that there is considerable exposure to the chemical during pregnancy.

Happy face tattoo does serious work Posted: 03 Dec 2012 10:11 AM PST A medical sensor that attaches to the skin like a temporary tattoo could make it easier for doctors to detect metabolic problems in patients and for coaches to fine-tune athletes' training routines. And the entire sensor comes in a thin, flexible package shaped like a smiley face.

Iron deficiency and cognitive development: New insights from piglets Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:53 AM PST Researchers have developed a model that uses neonatal piglets for studying infant brain development and its effect on learning and memory. To determine if the model is nutrient-sensitive, they have looked at how pigs fed iron-deficient diets perform in a maze.

Research explores markers of depression from childhood to adulthood Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:16 AM PST Although several studies have followed the course of depression throughout the lifespan, the characteristics of depression at different developmental stages haven't been clearly identified. New research presents a unique longitudinal investigation of depression across four critical developmental periods from childhood to adulthood.

Prostate cancer drug shows promise in triple-negative and estrogen-positive breast cancer Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:16 AM PST Long known to drive prostate cancer, androgen receptors are a new target in breast cancer treatment. This week, a promising clinical trial at the University of Colorado Cancer Center flips from Phase I (proving safety) to Phase II (proving effectiveness).

Risk of blood clots two-fold for women with polycystic ovary syndrome taking combined oral contraceptives, study finds Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:16 AM PST Women with polycystic ovary syndrome who are taking combined oral contraceptives have a two-fold risk of blood clots compared with women without the disorder who take contraceptives, according to a new study.

Rules limiting aggression should reduce hockey injuries, study suggests Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:16 AM PST Instituting and enforcing rules that limit aggressive acts like bodychecking in ice hockey should help reduce injuries for young players, including serious brain and spine injuries, according to a new study.

Stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons rescue motor defects in Parkinsonian monkeys Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:16 AM PST Researchers have derived dopaminergic neurons from bone marrow stem cells in monkeys.

Lithium restores cognitive function in Down syndrome mice Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:16 AM PST Researchers report that lithium, a drug commonly used for the treatment of mood disorders in humans, restores neurogenesis in the hippocampus, a part of the brain strongly associated with learning and memory.

Experts urge rapid evaluation for swallowing and voice problems after surgery for benign brain tumors Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:14 AM PST Experts are recommending early post-surgical assessment -- preferably within 24 hours -- for trouble chewing and swallowing food, or speaking normally, among patients who have had benign tumors removed from the base of the brain.

Imaging study identifies relationship between stress and seizures Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:14 AM PST Many epilepsy patients believe that stress is a factor in their seizure control, while many other epilepsy patients do not have this perception. To better understand the potential role of stress among these patients, researchers conducted a functional neuroimaging study of patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy under imposed psychosocial stress.

Do antidepressants improve mood and/or lessen seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy? Posted: 03 Dec 2012 09:14 AM PST Epilepsy and depression are common co-morbidities. Concern for the potential of certain antidepressants to induce seizures has led to under-treating depression and anxiety disorders in epilepsy patients. Research suggests that antidepressants in normal dosage may have a positive impact on both mood and seizure frequency.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: Study describes 68 CTE cases in veterans, high school, college and pro athletes Posted: 03 Dec 2012 08:28 AM PST A new study describes 68 cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) among deceased athletes and military veterans whose brain and spinal cords were donated to the Veterans Affairs CSTE Brain Bank. Of the 68 cases, 34 were former professional football players, nine had played only college football, and six had played only high school football. The results represent the largest case series of CTE published to date, doubling the number of published CTE cases internationally.

Genes link growth in the womb with adult metabolism and disease Posted: 03 Dec 2012 08:28 AM PST Researchers have identified four new genetic regions that influence birth weight, providing further evidence that genes as well as maternal nutrition are important for growth in the womb. Three of the regions are also linked to adult metabolism, helping to explain why smaller babies have higher rates of chronic diseases later in life.

Research opens new pathway for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease Posted: 03 Dec 2012 08:24 AM PST Scientists in Belgium have discovered a new target molecule for the development of a treatment against Alzheimer's disease. There is currently no cure for this disease. Many candidate drugs fail because they also target proteins essential to life. This discovery could form a target for a treatment against Alzheimer's disease with fewer side effects and that suppresses the very first symptoms of the disease.

Shifting the safety balance for overnight workers Posted: 03 Dec 2012 06:38 AM PST Sleep researchers have developed the world's first screening tool to help reduce workplace accidents and illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, caused by shift work.

New 'pipeline' device offers new option for difficult-to-treat aneurysms, study suggests Posted: 03 Dec 2012 06:36 AM PST A new technology called the Pipeline embolization device (PED) shows encouraging results in patients with certain types of difficult-to-treat brain aneurysms.

Less wait for travel could reduce drinking and driving in people with 'urgency' personality trait Posted: 03 Dec 2012 06:16 AM PST Saving bar patrons' time on their commute home could save lives. Psychologists have found that people who reported drinking and driving also exhibited "urgency," or a lack of emotional self-control, especially while drinking. This suggests that some people when intoxicated may be more likely to choose the convenience of driving themselves home instead of waiting for a taxi.

'Junk DNA' drives embryonic development Posted: 03 Dec 2012 06:15 AM PST Researchers have discovered that microRNAs play an important role in embryonic development. The study pinpoints two microRNA families that direct the allocation of cells into the three germ layers -- ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm -- that give rise to all tissues and organs in the body.

Stopping the flow of cancer cells promotes the spread of tumours Posted: 03 Dec 2012 06:14 AM PST Researchers have discovered that the cellular component Prrx1 prevents cancer cells from lodging in other organs and, therefore, generating new focuses of cancer. Metastasis is the cause of more than 90% of cancer deaths. The cancer cells break away from the original tumor and spread through the body anchoring to other organs and forming new tumors called metastases. For a focus of cancer to spread to other organs, its cells undergo a process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) which makes them mobile and invasive, and they begin to travel through the bloodstream. However, to re-anchor to a new organ or tissue they must first recover their initial characteristics, i.e. lose mobility.

Promising new approach in therapy of pain Posted: 03 Dec 2012 05:20 AM PST The treatment of inflammatory pain can be improved by endogenous opioid peptides acting directly in injured tissue. Scientists have shown that pain can be successfully treated by targeting immune and nerve cells outside the brain or spinal cord.

Malaria parasite's 'masquerade ball' could come to an end Posted: 03 Dec 2012 05:20 AM PST More than a million people die each year of malaria caused by different strains of the Plasmodiumparasite transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. The medical world has yet to find an effective vaccine against the deadly parasite, which mainly affects pregnant women and children under the age of five. By figuring out how the most dangerous strain evades the watchful eye of the immune system, researchers have now paved the way for the development of new approaches to cure this acute infection.

Key pathological mechanism found in plague bacterium Posted: 03 Dec 2012 05:20 AM PST A more than 50-year-old question has now been answered. Chemists and microbiologists are now able to describe in detail the role of calcium in the ability of the plague bacterium Yersinias to cause disease.

'Pinocchio effect' confirmed: When you lie, your nose temperature rises Posted: 03 Dec 2012 05:18 AM PST When a person lies, he or she experiences a "Pinocchio effect", which is an increase in the temperature around the nose and in the orbital muscle in the inner corner of the eye. In addition, when we perform a considerable mental effort our face temperature drops, and when we have an anxiety attack our face temperature rises, according to a pioneering study that has introduced new applications of thermography.

Surprising results from study of non-epileptic seizures Posted: 03 Dec 2012 05:16 AM PST A neurologist is reporting surprising results of a study of patients who experience both epileptic and non-epileptic seizures.

Dichlorophenol-containing pesticides linked to food allergies, study finds; Chemical also used to chlorinate tap water Posted: 03 Dec 2012 05:16 AM PST A new study finds that high levels of dichlorophenols, a chemical used in pesticides and to chlorinate water, when found in the human body, are associated with food allergies.

Common diabetes drug may treat ovarian cancer Posted: 03 Dec 2012 05:16 AM PST Diabetic patients with ovarian cancer who took the drug metformin for their diabetes had a better survival rate than patients who did not take it, a new shows. The findings may play an important role for researchers as they study the use of existing medications to treat different or new diseases.

From rats to people: Gaming platform used to compare memory impairments of rodents and humans with epilepsy Posted: 03 Dec 2012 05:16 AM PST A behavioral test widely used on rodents to study spatial learning and memory, the Morris water maze (MWM), was recreated using software developed to create custom video game environments. By creating a virtual reality analogue for humans, it was possible to obtain a direct comparison between the results of studies on a rodent model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), whose spatial memory performance was found to be severely impaired, and patients with TLE.

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