ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Ebola's secret weapon revealed
• Link between heart, blood, and skeletal muscle
• 'Oil for the joints' offers hope for osteoarthritis sufferers
• Increases in heart disease risk factors may decrease brain function
• Seven simple lifestyle steps may decrease risk of blood clots
• New target for personalized cancer therapy
• Tick-borne lone star virus identified through new super-fast gene sequencing
• Making cancer less cancerous
• Researchers plot locations where AEDs could save more lives
• Heart cells change stem cell behavior
• Increased risk of heart attack and death with progressive coronary artery calcium buildup
• Dieting youth show greater brain reward activity in response to food
• 'Dark genome' is involved in Rett Syndrome
• Muscle adaptation of transition to minimalist running
• Turning human stem cells into brain cells sheds light on neural development
• Botox used to find new wrinkle in brain communication
• Stem cell discovery could aid research into new treatments
• Gene variant appears to predict weight loss after gastric bypass
• Kids with conduct problems may have brains that under-react to painful images: May increase risk of adult psychopathy
• Genetic factor predicts success of weight-loss surgery
• Scientists revolutionize creation of genetically altered mice to model human disease
• Adult cells transformed into early-stage nerve cells, bypassing the pluripotent stem cell stage
• Gene mutations associated with nearsightedness identified
• Focus on STD, not cancer prevention, to promote HPV vaccine use
• Seat belt research aims to increase child safety on the road
• Mechanism for how grapes reduce heart failure associated with hypertension identified
• New, more accurate way of imaging lung cancer tumors
• Regular, moderate exercise does not worsen pain in people with fibromyalgia
• Persistent pain after stressful events may have a neurobiological basis
• Protecting hospitals from 'new' terrorist threats
• Driving with the dog not a good idea for seniors
• World-first study predicts epilepsy seizures in humans
• Unethical advertising at launch of new antidepressants in Sweden
• Five 'sudden symptoms' of stroke: Recognizing these could save a life – even a young life
• Key protein for firing up central nervous system inflammation identified
• One bad gene: Mutation that causes rare sleep disorder linked to migraines
• Taking cholesterol-lowering drugs may also reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer
• Weight loss surgery safe and effective for an expanded group of patients
• Poison lips? Troubling levels of toxic metals found in cosmetics
• Investigating devastating childhood diseases just got easier
• Brilliant dye to probe the brain
• Exercise proves to be ineffective against care home depression
• Newly-discovered human fat cell opens up new opportunities for future treatment of obesity
• Bigger birth weight babies at greater risk of autism
• Exposure to everyday noise influences heart rate variability
• Dehydration is a problem in combat sports
• New imaging technique to visualize bio-metals and molecules simultaneously
• Dustless chalk may cause allergy and asthma symptoms in students with milk allergy, study finds
• 'Slippery slope' fears for legal euthanasia of very sick newborns unfounded, experts say
• Study identifies genes, pathways altered during relaxation response practice
• Diet, 'anti-aging' supplements may help reverse blood vessel abnormality
• Vitamin D: More may not be better
• Protein complex found in human breast milk can help reverse antibiotic resistance in superbugs

Ebola's secret weapon revealed Posted: 02 May 2013 04:22 PM PDT Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind one of the Ebola virus' most dangerous attributes: its ability to disarm the adaptive immune system.

Link between heart, blood, and skeletal muscle Posted: 02 May 2013 03:54 PM PDT New research has shown that by turning on just a single gene, Mesp1, different cell types including the heart, blood and muscle can be created from stem cells.

'Oil for the joints' offers hope for osteoarthritis sufferers Posted: 02 May 2013 03:54 PM PDT Researchers have developed a new polymer that promises longer relief for osteoarthritis sufferers than current treatment.

Increases in heart disease risk factors may decrease brain function Posted: 02 May 2013 03:54 PM PDT Increases in heart disease risk factors may decrease brain function. The association between the two was noted in young and middle-age adults as well as the elderly. Smoking and diabetes were especially linked with reduced brain function.

Seven simple lifestyle steps may decrease risk of blood clots Posted: 02 May 2013 03:54 PM PDT Blood clots in the legs or lungs (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) kill an American about every 5 minutes. Adopting seven simple lifestyle steps could help reduce your risk of these potentially deadly blood clots, according to new research.

New target for personalized cancer therapy Posted: 02 May 2013 03:52 PM PDT A common cancer pathway causing tumor growth is now being targeted by a number of new cancer drugs and shows promising results. A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have developed a novel method to disrupt this growth signaling pathway, with findings that suggest a new treatment for breast, colon, melanoma and other cancers.

Tick-borne lone star virus identified through new super-fast gene sequencing Posted: 02 May 2013 03:52 PM PDT The tick-borne Lone Star virus has been conclusively identified as part of a family of other tick-borne viruses called bunyaviruses, which often cause fever, respiratory problems and bleeding, according to new research.

Making cancer less cancerous Posted: 02 May 2013 03:52 PM PDT Researchers have identified a gene that, when repressed in tumor cells, puts a halt to cell growth and a range of processes needed for tumors to enlarge and spread to distant sites. The researchers hope that this so-called "master regulator" gene may be the key to developing a new treatment for tumors resistant to current drugs.

Researchers plot locations where AEDs could save more lives Posted: 02 May 2013 11:27 AM PDT Prompt use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, can greatly increase the survival rates of people who suffer a cardiac arrest. Yet a new study has found that publicly registered AEDs in Toronto are not in the best positions to help victims of cardiac arrest. In fact, less than one in four of all cardiac arrests had an AED close by (within 100 meters is the required distance).

Heart cells change stem cell behavior Posted: 02 May 2013 11:27 AM PDT Stem cells drawn from the amniotic fluid of pregnant women change their behavior when near heart cells, but do not become heart cells.

Increased risk of heart attack and death with progressive coronary artery calcium buildup Posted: 02 May 2013 11:26 AM PDT Patients with increasing buildups of coronary artery calcium face a six-fold increase in risk of heart attack or death from heart disease.

Dieting youth show greater brain reward activity in response to food Posted: 02 May 2013 11:26 AM PDT Research results imply that dieting characterized by meal skipping and fasting would be less successful than weight loss efforts characterized by intake of low energy dense healthy foods.

'Dark genome' is involved in Rett Syndrome Posted: 02 May 2013 11:26 AM PDT Researchers have described alterations in noncoding long chain RNA sequences in Rett syndrome.

Muscle adaptation of transition to minimalist running Posted: 02 May 2013 11:24 AM PDT As barefoot and minimalist running become increasingly popular, a new study is looking at how muscles are affected by the transition from traditional footwear.

Turning human stem cells into brain cells sheds light on neural development Posted: 02 May 2013 10:19 AM PDT Medical researchers have manipulated human stem cells into producing types of brain cells known to play important roles in neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism. The new model cell system allows neuroscientists to investigate normal brain development, as well as to identify specific disruptions in biological signals that may contribute to neuropsychiatric diseases.

Botox used to find new wrinkle in brain communication Posted: 02 May 2013 10:19 AM PDT Researchers have used the popular anti-wrinkle agent Botox to discover a new and important role for a group of molecules that nerve cells use to quickly send messages. This novel role for the molecules, called SNARES, may be a missing piece that scientists have been searching for to fully understand how brain cells communicate under normal and disease conditions.

Stem cell discovery could aid research into new treatments Posted: 02 May 2013 10:19 AM PDT Scientists have made a fundamental discovery about how the properties of embryonic stem cells are controlled. Researchers have found that a protein, which switches on genes to allow embryonic stem cells to self-renew, works better when the natural occurring level of the protein is reduced.

Gene variant appears to predict weight loss after gastric bypass Posted: 02 May 2013 10:19 AM PDT Researchers have identified a gene variant that helps predict how much weight an individual will lose after gastric bypass surgery, a finding with the potential both to guide treatment planning and to facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches to treating obesity and related conditions like diabetes.

Kids with conduct problems may have brains that under-react to painful images: May increase risk of adult psychopathy Posted: 02 May 2013 10:18 AM PDT When children with conduct problems see images of others in pain, key parts of their brains don't react in the way they do in most people. This pattern of reduced brain activity upon witnessing pain may serve as a neurobiological risk factor for later adult psychopathy, say researchers.

Genetic factor predicts success of weight-loss surgery Posted: 02 May 2013 10:18 AM PDT A genome-wide association study reveals that the amount of weight loss after gastric bypass surgery can be predicted in part by a DNA sequence variation found on chromosome 15. The findings explain why the success of gastric bypass surgery varies so widely and could help clinicians identify those who would benefit the most from this type of surgery.

Scientists revolutionize creation of genetically altered mice to model human disease Posted: 02 May 2013 10:17 AM PDT Scientists have efficiently created mouse models with multiple gene mutations in a matter of weeks. Because the method does not require embryonic stem cells, the approach also could allow any animal to become a model organism.

Adult cells transformed into early-stage nerve cells, bypassing the pluripotent stem cell stage Posted: 02 May 2013 10:17 AM PDT Scientists have converted skin cells from people and monkeys into a cell that can form a wide variety of nervous-system cells — without passing through the do-it-all stage called the induced pluripotent stem cell, or iPSC.

Gene mutations associated with nearsightedness identified Posted: 02 May 2013 10:17 AM PDT Mutations in a gene that helps regulate copper and oxygen levels in eye tissue are associated with a severe form of nearsightedness, according to a new study.

Focus on STD, not cancer prevention, to promote HPV vaccine use Posted: 02 May 2013 09:04 AM PDT The HPV vaccine can prevent both cervical cancer and a nasty sexually transmitted disease in women. But emphasizing the STD prevention will persuade more young women to get the vaccine.

Seat belt research aims to increase child safety on the road Posted: 02 May 2013 09:03 AM PDT Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury among children. Researchers have found the most effective strategy to prevent injury and death among children is to use age- and size-appropriate seat belt restraints.

Mechanism for how grapes reduce heart failure associated with hypertension identified Posted: 02 May 2013 09:02 AM PDT Grapes are able to reduce heart failure associated with hypertension by increasing the activity of several genes responsible for antioxidant defense in the heart tissue, new research shows.

New, more accurate way of imaging lung cancer tumors Posted: 02 May 2013 08:55 AM PDT Scientists have devised a new computational method for assessing lung cancer tumors using CT, PET or MRI diagnostic technologies. The method, called single click ensemble segmentation (SCES), uses a new computer algorithm developed by the researchers to help segment and extract features of a tumor. The new approach not only improves diagnosis and prognosis assessments, but also saves time and health care dollars.

Regular, moderate exercise does not worsen pain in people with fibromyalgia Posted: 02 May 2013 08:55 AM PDT For many people who have fibromyalgia, even the thought of exercising is painful. Yet a new study shows that exercise does not worsen the pain associated with the disorder and may even lessen it over time.

Persistent pain after stressful events may have a neurobiological basis Posted: 02 May 2013 08:55 AM PDT A new study is the first to identify a genetic risk factor for persistent pain after traumatic events such as motor vehicle collision and sexual assault. The study also contributes further evidence that persistent pain after stressful events has a specific biological basis.

Protecting hospitals from 'new' terrorist threats Posted: 02 May 2013 07:45 AM PDT Health care facilities play a vital role in the UK's terrorism contingency plans, but a new study provides a timely warning to managers, regulatory bodies and government that crucial services such as hospitals are also potential targets for malevolent actions.

Driving with the dog not a good idea for seniors Posted: 02 May 2013 07:45 AM PDT Senior drivers who always take a pet in the car are at increased risk for being involved in a motor vehicle collision, said researchers. The research team said both overall and at-fault crash rates for drivers 70 years of age or older were higher for those whose pet habitually rode with them.

World-first study predicts epilepsy seizures in humans Posted: 02 May 2013 06:48 AM PDT A small device implanted in the brain has accurately predicted epilepsy seizures in humans in a world-first study.

Unethical advertising at launch of new antidepressants in Sweden Posted: 02 May 2013 06:36 AM PDT The new feature of the antidepressant drugs of the 1990s was that they had milder side-effects than their predecessors. Combined with aggressive marketing, this meant that annual sales in Sweden increased from just under EUR 18 million to over EUR 100 million in the space of just a few years.

Five 'sudden symptoms' of stroke: Recognizing these could save a life – even a young life Posted: 02 May 2013 06:35 AM PDT Quickly recognizing the signs of stroke and seeking immediate medical care from stroke specialists can minimize the effects of the disease or even save a life. Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and the No. 1 cause of adult disability. Nearly 20 percent of strokes occur in people younger than age 55.

Key protein for firing up central nervous system inflammation identified Posted: 02 May 2013 06:35 AM PDT Researchers identify Peli1 as pivotal actor in animal model of multiple sclerosis.

One bad gene: Mutation that causes rare sleep disorder linked to migraines Posted: 02 May 2013 06:35 AM PDT A gene mutation associated with a rare sleep disorder surprisingly also contributes to debilitating migraines, a new discovery that could change the treatment of migraines by allowing development of drugs specifically designed to treat the chronic headaches.

Taking cholesterol-lowering drugs may also reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer Posted: 02 May 2013 06:35 AM PDT Men with prostate cancer who take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins are significantly less likely to die from their cancer than men who don't take such medication, according to new study.

Weight loss surgery safe and effective for an expanded group of patients Posted: 02 May 2013 05:22 AM PDT The LAP-BAND® weight loss procedure is safe and effective in an expanded group of patients, not just in people who are morbidly obese. The findings indicate that the procedure may help to intervene before obesity becomes life threatening to patients.

Poison lips? Troubling levels of toxic metals found in cosmetics Posted: 02 May 2013 05:22 AM PDT Researchers found lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum and five other metals in a sample of 32 different lipsticks and lip glosses commonly found in drugstores and department stores. Some of the metals were detected at levels that could raise potential health concerns.

Investigating devastating childhood diseases just got easier Posted: 02 May 2013 05:18 AM PDT Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPScs) from the skin of patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) show Dravet-like functional impairment when they are converted into neurons, finds new research. This method provides a non-invasive way to investigate diseases which affect the nervous system of humans.

Brilliant dye to probe the brain Posted: 02 May 2013 05:17 AM PDT To obtain very-high-resolution 3D images of the cerebral vascular system, a dye is used that fluoresces in the near infrared and can pass through the skin.

Exercise proves to be ineffective against care home depression Posted: 02 May 2013 05:17 AM PDT Researchers have shown that exercise is not effective in reducing burden of depression among elderly care home residents.

Newly-discovered human fat cell opens up new opportunities for future treatment of obesity Posted: 02 May 2013 05:17 AM PDT The body's brown fat cells play a key role in the development of obesity and diabetes. Researchers have now discovered that we humans have two different kinds of brown fat cells and not one kind as previously thought. This discovery opens up new opportunities for future medicines that exploit the brown fat cells' ability to consume calories.

Bigger birth weight babies at greater risk of autism Posted: 02 May 2013 05:17 AM PDT The biggest study of fetal growth and autism to date has reported that babies whose growth is at either extreme in the womb, either very big or very small, are at greater risk of developing autism.

Exposure to everyday noise influences heart rate variability Posted: 02 May 2013 05:17 AM PDT Exposure to noise, for example from road traffic, may adversely affect the cardiovascular system. Until now, underlying mechanisms linking noise to elevated cardiovascular risk have rarely been explored in epidemiological studies. Scientists have now shown that exposure to noise during everyday life influences heart rate variability, i.e. the ability of the heart to adjust the rate at which it beats to acute events.

Dehydration is a problem in combat sports Posted: 02 May 2013 05:17 AM PDT Athletes in combat sports often try to shed body weight in order to compete against lighter and smaller opponents. A new doctoral thesis points to the human body's limited ability to quickly recover following extensive short-term weight loss. Almost half of the studied athletes were severely dehydrated on the morning of their matches. Nevertheless, the athletes seem to focus on the mental advantages of the method.

New imaging technique to visualize bio-metals and molecules simultaneously Posted: 02 May 2013 05:17 AM PDT Metal elements and molecules interact in the body but visualizing them together has always been a challenge. Researchers have now developed a new molecular imaging technology that enables them to visualize bio-metals and bio-molecules simultaneously in a live mouse. This new technology will enable researchers to study the complex interactions between metal elements and molecules in living organisms.

Dustless chalk may cause allergy and asthma symptoms in students with milk allergy, study finds Posted: 02 May 2013 05:01 AM PDT Many of today's schools and school teachers opt for dustless chalk to keep hands and classrooms clean. But according to a new study, this choice in chalk may cause allergy and asthma symptoms in students that have a milk allergy.

'Slippery slope' fears for legal euthanasia of very sick newborns unfounded, experts say Posted: 01 May 2013 04:32 PM PDT Fears that legalizing euthanasia for very sick newborns would prompt the start of a "slippery slope" and lead to abuse of the option have proved groundless, say experts.

Study identifies genes, pathways altered during relaxation response practice Posted: 01 May 2013 04:32 PM PDT A new study finds that elicitation of the relaxation response -- a physiologic state of deep rest induced by practices such as meditation, deep breathing and prayer -- produces immediate changes in the expression of genes involved in immune function, energy metabolism and insulin secretion.

Diet, 'anti-aging' supplements may help reverse blood vessel abnormality Posted: 01 May 2013 04:31 PM PDT A diet low in grains, beans and certain vegetables -- combined with "anti-aging" supplements -- improved blood vessel function, in a new study.

Vitamin D: More may not be better Posted: 01 May 2013 04:29 PM PDT In recent years, healthy people have been bombarded by stories in the media and on health websites warning about the dangers of too-low vitamin D levels, and urging high doses of supplements to protect against everything from hypertension to hardening of the arteries to diabetes.

Protein complex found in human breast milk can help reverse antibiotic resistance in superbugs Posted: 01 May 2013 04:29 PM PDT A protein complex found in human breast milk can help reverse the antibiotic resistance of bacterial species that cause dangerous pneumonia and staph infections, according to new research.

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