ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Surgery may be effective treatment option for older epilepsy patients
• Bug vs. Bug: Benign C. Difficile strains keep fatal strains at bay
• High-dose statins reduce gum inflammation in heart disease patients
• Scientists shed light on body's master energy regulator
• Cost savings for those who need surgery as ACL injury treatment
• Newly identified biomarkers help predict outcome in deadly lung disease
• Red wine chemical, resveratrol, remains effective against cancer after the body converts it
• Robotic approach for gastric cancer treatment
• Specialized intestinal cells cause some cases of Crohn's disease
• Insect repellent: Scientists find insect DEET receptors, develop safe alternatives to DEET
• California's new mental health system helps people live independently
• Technology, not uninsured patients, driving hospital costs
• Researchers identify the neural circuits that modulate REM sleep
• Freedom, choice key to restorative lunch breaks
• Recruiting E. coli to combat hard-to-treat bacterial infections
• Understanding the dangers of the fake marijuana called 'Spice' or 'K2'
• New method allows quantitative nanoscopic imaging through silicon
• Proper diet, exercise to limit diabetes epidemic
• Spinach and nanodiamonds? nanodiamond biosensor for detection of iron-level in blood
• Textured images help tactile recognition for the blind
• New bio bank to resolve legal, ethical issues
• Health insurance exchanges: What we can learn from California
• Out-of-pocket medical spending will drop for many under Affordable Care Act
• New tuberculosis vaccine developed
• It may not 'get better' for bisexual teens
• New genetic discovery could reduce the guess work in drug dosing
• Lactation may be linked to aggressive cancer in Mexican women
• Over-the counter as effective as Rx at managing post-tonsillectomy pain
• Antimicrobial therapies linked to neonatal infection outbreaks
• Listening matters for mothers
• College students face risks, unknown benefits from misuse of prescription stimulants
• Statin may prevent dementia, memory loss with longer use, don't pose short-term cognition problems
• Fecal transplant: Microbial restoration of the inflamed gut
• Depression does not expose someone to a greater risk of cancer
• Sleeping too little, or too much, linked to heart disease, diabetes, obesity
• Gathering information about food not top priority for those with high metabolisms
• New target to fight HIV infection identified
• New strategy in the fight against TB?

Surgery may be effective treatment option for older epilepsy patients Posted: 02 Oct 2013 03:57 PM PDT Surgery may be an effective treatment for epilepsy in older patients, a finding that runs counter to conventional treatment methods. Results showed that 74 percent of patients aged 50 years or older remained free of disabling seizures, compared with 58 percent of patients in a younger group. Among patients aged 60 years or older, 91 percent remained seizure-free.

Bug vs. Bug: Benign C. Difficile strains keep fatal strains at bay Posted: 02 Oct 2013 03:57 PM PDT In a recent study, two different strains of non-toxigenic Clostridium difficile provided protection against both historic and epidemic C. difficile strains.

High-dose statins reduce gum inflammation in heart disease patients Posted: 02 Oct 2013 03:56 PM PDT Statins, commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol, also reduced inflammation associated with gum disease. The study suggests that steps taken to reduce gum disease may also reduce inflammation in the arteries and vice versa.

Scientists shed light on body's master energy regulator Posted: 02 Oct 2013 03:55 PM PDT Scientists have discovered some key features that explain just what turns on a protein that is considered to be a master regulator of how the human body uses and stores energy.

Cost savings for those who need surgery as ACL injury treatment Posted: 02 Oct 2013 11:11 AM PDT To aid in the decision making process, a study offers new information for those considering or needing surgery. For the first time, researchers assessed the economic and societal impact of ACL surgery in relation to the cost of the procedure and confirmed a significant cost savings to society over time.

Newly identified biomarkers help predict outcome in deadly lung disease Posted: 02 Oct 2013 11:11 AM PDT A study has identified a gene expression profile that can predict outcomes and lead to better treatment for one of the most lethal lung diseases, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Red wine chemical, resveratrol, remains effective against cancer after the body converts it Posted: 02 Oct 2013 11:11 AM PDT A chemical found in red wine remains effective at fighting cancer even after the body's metabolism has converted it into other compounds.

Robotic approach for gastric cancer treatment Posted: 02 Oct 2013 10:44 AM PDT Surgeons have performed the region's first robotic gastrectomy, a potentially lifesaving procedure to remove a section of the stomach after a diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Specialized intestinal cells cause some cases of Crohn's disease Posted: 02 Oct 2013 10:14 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that Crohn's disease, the inflammatory bowel disorder, can originate from specialized intestinal cell type called Paneth cells.

Insect repellent: Scientists find insect DEET receptors, develop safe alternatives to DEET Posted: 02 Oct 2013 10:14 AM PDT Researchers have identified DEET-detecting olfactory receptors in insects that cause repellency and three safe compounds that mimic DEET and could one day be used to prevent the transmission of deadly vector-borne diseases. Until now, no one had a clue about which olfactory receptor insects used to avoid DEET. Without the receptors, it was impossible to apply modern technology to design new repellents to improve upon DEET.

California's new mental health system helps people live independently Posted: 02 Oct 2013 09:55 AM PDT A new analysis of California's mental health system finds that comprehensive, community-based mental health programs are helping people with serious mental illness transition to independent living.

Technology, not uninsured patients, driving hospital costs Posted: 02 Oct 2013 09:55 AM PDT Technology, not uninsured patients, likely explains the steep rise in the cost of hospital care in Texas in recent years.

Researchers identify the neural circuits that modulate REM sleep Posted: 02 Oct 2013 09:55 AM PDT Researchers have identified, for the first time, a precise causal link between neuronal activity in the lateral hypothalamus and the state of REM sleep. Using optogenetics, they were able to induce REM sleep in mice and modulate the duration of this sleep phase by activating the neuronal network in this area of the brain.

Freedom, choice key to restorative lunch breaks Posted: 02 Oct 2013 09:55 AM PDT Working through lunch might not be as bad as they say, suggests a new paper on work recovery, but only if employees choose that themselves, and don't feel pressured into it.

Recruiting E. coli to combat hard-to-treat bacterial infections Posted: 02 Oct 2013 09:55 AM PDT The notorious bacteria E. coli is best known for making people sick, but scientists have reprogrammed the microbe -- which also comes in harmless varieties -- to make it seek out and fight other disease-causing pathogens. This new type of E. coli can even kill off slimy groups of bacteria called biofilms that are responsible for many hard-to-treat infections.

Understanding the dangers of the fake marijuana called 'Spice' or 'K2' Posted: 02 Oct 2013 08:24 AM PDT The harmful effects of increasingly popular designer cannabis products called "Spice" or "K2" have puzzled scientists for years, but now a group of researchers is reporting progress toward understanding what makes them so toxic. The study describes development of a method that could someday help physicians diagnose and treat the thousands of young adults and teens who end up in emergency rooms after taking the drugs.

New method allows quantitative nanoscopic imaging through silicon Posted: 02 Oct 2013 08:24 AM PDT Scientists have figured out how to quantitatively observe cellular processes taking place on so-called "lab on a chip" devices in a silicon environment. The new technology will be useful in drug development as well as disease diagnosis, researchers say.

Proper diet, exercise to limit diabetes epidemic Posted: 02 Oct 2013 07:30 AM PDT The number of diabetics worldwide is exploding. In response, the largest study of its kind to date is set to investigate type-2 diabetes prevention through diet, exercise and lifestyle. Eight EU nations, along with New Zealand, Australia and Canada, will participate in the project.

Spinach and nanodiamonds? nanodiamond biosensor for detection of iron-level in blood Posted: 02 Oct 2013 06:22 AM PDT Popeye, the comic book hero, swears by it as do generations of parents who delight their children with spinach. Of course, today it is known that the vegetable is not quite as rich in iron as originally thought, but that iron is nevertheless essential for our physical well-being is undisputed. Lack of iron -- caused by malnutrition -- can lead to anemia while an increased level of iron may signal the presence of an acute inflammatory response. Therefore, the blood iron level is an important medical diagnostic agent. Researchers have now developed a novel biosensor for determination of iron content that is based on nanodiamonds.

Textured images help tactile recognition for the blind Posted: 02 Oct 2013 06:21 AM PDT The use of different materials with varied textures improves the recognition of tactile images by young blind people. This result emphasizes that early, regular use of tactile material by blind children is necessary to improve recognition through touch.

New bio bank to resolve legal, ethical issues Posted: 01 Oct 2013 04:18 PM PDT When researchers collect human tissue in a so-called bio bank, the purpose is usually to learn about various diseases and improve curing of them. But a group of researchers are in the process of creating a bio bank, which will generate knowledge about the legal and ethical aspects of bio banking as well as contributing to medical research.

Health insurance exchanges: What we can learn from California Posted: 01 Oct 2013 04:15 PM PDT Lessons learned from California's health insurance marketplace, similar to the health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act.

Out-of-pocket medical spending will drop for many under Affordable Care Act Posted: 01 Oct 2013 12:11 PM PDT Making health care insurance more affordable is one key goal of the Affordable Care Act. A new study finds that out-of-pocket medical expenses will decline for most consumers who become newly insured or change their source of health insurance under the program.

New tuberculosis vaccine developed Posted: 01 Oct 2013 12:10 PM PDT A new vaccine has been developed to act as a booster to Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG), currently the only TB vaccine available. BCG was developed in the 1920s and has been used worldwide. The new "booster" would reactivate immune elements that over time diminish following BCG vaccination.

It may not 'get better' for bisexual teens Posted: 01 Oct 2013 12:10 PM PDT A new study finds that bisexual teens may be at risk for suicide even into young adulthood.

New genetic discovery could reduce the guess work in drug dosing Posted: 01 Oct 2013 12:10 PM PDT The discovery of genetic differences affecting up to a third of the population could take the guess work out of prescribing the correct dose of 25 percent of drugs currently on the market, researchers say.

Lactation may be linked to aggressive cancer in Mexican women Posted: 01 Oct 2013 12:10 PM PDT Scientific data suggest that a woman reduces her risk of breast cancer by breastfeeding, having multiple children and giving birth at a younger age. A study recently published indicates that women of Mexican descent may not fit that profile. In fact, results suggest that women of Mexican descent with more children and those who breastfeed are more likely to be diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.

Over-the counter as effective as Rx at managing post-tonsillectomy pain Posted: 01 Oct 2013 11:12 AM PDT You may be able to eat all of the ice cream you want after having your tonsils removed, but researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit say you don't necessarily need a prescription to reduce post-operative pain – an over-the-counter pain-reliever is just as effective.

Antimicrobial therapies linked to neonatal infection outbreaks Posted: 01 Oct 2013 08:55 AM PDT Administration of antibiotics may have caused successive outbreaks of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a Greek neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), according to a study.

Listening matters for mothers Posted: 01 Oct 2013 08:54 AM PDT Research shows that mothers with prematurely born babies benefit emotionally and mentally from one-on-one sessions with a hospital nurse. The pilot "listening visits" may provide a framework for helping pre-term infant mothers combat anxiety and depression.

College students face risks, unknown benefits from misuse of prescription stimulants Posted: 01 Oct 2013 08:54 AM PDT Misuse of prescription stimulants by students has become a fact of life on college campuses as some students seek every advantage they can to succeed.

Statin may prevent dementia, memory loss with longer use, don't pose short-term cognition problems Posted: 01 Oct 2013 08:54 AM PDT A review of dozens of studies on the use of statin medications to prevent heart attacks shows that the commonly prescribed drugs pose no threat to short-term memory, and that they may even protect against dementia when taken for more than one year. The researchers who conducted the systematic review say the results should offer more clarity and reassurance to patients and the doctors who prescribe the statin medications.

Fecal transplant: Microbial restoration of the inflamed gut Posted: 01 Oct 2013 07:51 AM PDT Gastroenterologists and microbiologists explored how a treatment called "fecal microbiota transplantation" can be used to support microbial recolonization of the gut of patients with chronic intestinal inflammation (ulcerative colitis). In this unusual alternative therapy the gut microbiota of healthy donors is transmitted to patients.

Depression does not expose someone to a greater risk of cancer Posted: 01 Oct 2013 07:51 AM PDT The impact of depression on a person contracting cancer has long been suspected, without any study having definitely confirmed or rejected this theory. The links have now been investigated by monitoring 14,203 people between 1994 and 2009, including 1119 who developed cancer as diagnosed by a doctor.

Sleeping too little, or too much, linked to heart disease, diabetes, obesity Posted: 01 Oct 2013 07:50 AM PDT A new study links too little sleep (six hours or less) and too much sleep (10 or more hours) with chronic diseases -- including coronary heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and obesity -- in adults age 45 and older. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine encourages patients suffering from these common chronic conditions to speak with a sleep medicine physician who can evaluate their sleep patterns.

Gathering information about food not top priority for those with high metabolisms Posted: 01 Oct 2013 07:49 AM PDT New research has revealed that individuals with the highest metabolic rates within populations should be the least pre-occupied with keeping track of changes in their environments that could lead them to sources of food. Individuals with slower or average metabolisms however should be constantly monitoring their opportunities for higher gain when they are looking for food. The study shows that variation in metabolic rates between individuals can explain dramatic differences in information use when it comes to food.

New target to fight HIV infection identified Posted: 01 Oct 2013 07:49 AM PDT A mutant of an immune cell protein called ADAP (adhesion and degranulation-promoting adaptor protein) is able to block infection by HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus 1), new research reveals.

New strategy in the fight against TB? Posted: 01 Oct 2013 07:48 AM PDT A new approach to combating the tubercle bacillus, the microorganism that kills some 1.5 million people in the world each year, has been developed. The researchers have discovered that an amino acid, aspartate, is essential for the development of the bacillus because it acts as its main source of nitrogen. They have also succeeded in establishing the mechanism by which the bacterium extracts aspartate from its host.

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