ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Obesity: A new appetite-increasing mechanism discovered
• Less toxic metabolites, more chemical product
• Male birth defect weakly linked to pesticide exposure
• Canadian discoveries pivotal to science of toxins, illness associated with E. coli
• Pregnant rats exposed to obesity hormone lose birth's protective effect on breast cancer
• Surviving -- then thriving
• Impact of education, information on hand hygiene compliance
• How a metamaterial might improve a depression treatment
• One in 10 older teens misuse painkillers, sedatives
• Evaluation of hospital infection prevention policies can identify opportunities for improvement
• MRSA declines in veteran's hospitals nationwide
• Optometrists raise alert on potential risk of colored contact lenses
• Vet researcher's thyroid project sheds light on molecular processes related to cystic fibrosis
• Significant cardiac treatment imbalance nationally
• New drug to help common bowel disease
• How fat could help solve part of the diabetes problem
• Geneticists map human resistance to AIDS
• Microbiome in gut, mouth, skin of low birth weight infants differentiate weeks after birth
• Enterocystoplasty in children with genitourinary abnormalities is safe, effective
• Test of manhood
• Study on neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal exposure to paracetamol
• New statistic model forecasts effect of tobacco consumption on childhood asthma
• Listeria’s resistance to disinfectants
• Child sexual abuse via the Internet on the rise
• Increased ED reimbursements after ACA insurance coverage expansions
• A potential new class of fast-acting antidepressant
• High blood sugar makes Alzheimer’s plaque more toxic to the brain
• DIY, gardening can cut heart attack/stroke risk by 30 percent, prolong life for seniors
• Insight into breast cancer cell migration
• Researchers detail possible resistance mechanisms of colorectal cancer to bevacizumab (avastin)
• New technology shows promise in taking the guesswork out of vaccine development
• VIP treatment for jet lag
• 3D vision goggles improve surgeon's view in minimally invasive lung surgery
• Five commonly performed tests, treatments in pulmonary medicine may not be necessary
• Model virus structure shows why there's no cure for common cold
• Drowsy driving an increasing hazard
• High rate of lower back injuries reported in young athletes
• Smokers worldwide more likely to think about kicking their habit on Mondays
• Poverty in early childhood appears associated with brain development
• Heart disease risk appears associated with breast cancer radiation
• Study examines expedited FDA drug approvals, safety questions remain
• Pregnant women with hepatitis C may pass heartier viral strain to newborns
• Overlooked lymph nodes in rib cage have prognostic power for mesothelioma patients
• Dermatologists identify five skin health treatments, procedures that consumers may not need
• Unique nano carrier to target drug delivery to cancer cells
• Excess omega-3 fatty acids could lead to negative health effects
• First ever study of 'moral distress' among nurses in burn unit
• Untangling Alzheimer's disease
• Reproductive biologists move in vitro fertilization knowledge forward
• Researchers discover how cancer hides
• Fewer patients with brain injury being declared 'brain dead'

Obesity: A new appetite-increasing mechanism discovered Posted: 29 Oct 2013 10:37 AM PDT Despite their efforts, many morbidly obese people continue to consume too much food (hyperphagia) compared to their reserves and their needs. And yet, the hunger hormone, called ghrelin, is most frequently found at a normal or even lower level in these patients. Research can now explain this mechanism causing this paradoxical hyperphagia. Certain antibodies have a greater affinity for ghrelin in obese patients, leading to extended appetite stimulation.

Less toxic metabolites, more chemical product Posted: 29 Oct 2013 10:35 AM PDT By preventing the build-up of toxic metabolites in engineered microbes, a dynamic regulatory system can help boost production of an advanced biofuel, a therapeutic drug, or other valuable chemical products. The system has already been used to double the production in E. coli of amorphadiene, a precursor to the premier antimalarial drug artemisinin.

Male birth defect weakly linked to pesticide exposure Posted: 29 Oct 2013 10:35 AM PDT A study of several hundred chemicals used in commercial pesticides has found only weak evidence that any of them are associated with a common birth defect in male infants.

Canadian discoveries pivotal to science of toxins, illness associated with E. coli Posted: 29 Oct 2013 10:35 AM PDT Many Canadian scientists and clinicians were unsung heroes during the early years (1977–1983) of research unfolding around verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC). In an article published today, a clinician and medical microbiologist documents the history of this area of study, focusing on the key discoveries and major contributions made by Canadians to the science of what many people refer to as "hamburger disease."

Pregnant rats exposed to obesity hormone lose birth's protective effect on breast cancer Posted: 29 Oct 2013 10:35 AM PDT Like humans, young rats that give birth have a reduced risk of breast cancer later in life. But a new study shows that this protective effect in animals is negated if they're exposed to an obesity-linked hormone during pregnancy.

Surviving -- then thriving Posted: 29 Oct 2013 08:13 AM PDT Modern medicine usually considers trauma -- both the physical and the psychological kinds -- as unequivocally damaging. Now researchers are lending support to a more philosophical view of suffering, finding that trauma, however terrible, may have distinct psychological benefits.

Impact of education, information on hand hygiene compliance Posted: 29 Oct 2013 08:13 AM PDT How often do you clean your hands? One observed hospital staff on 161,526 occasions to monitor how often they cleaned their hands (i.e., hand hygiene) between July 2008 to Dec. 2012 and found that hand hygiene compliance improved from 60 percent to 89 percent over that time period.

How a metamaterial might improve a depression treatment Posted: 29 Oct 2013 07:44 AM PDT A brain stimulation technique that is used to treat tough cases of depression could be considerably improved with a new headpiece, experts say.

One in 10 older teens misuse painkillers, sedatives Posted: 29 Oct 2013 07:44 AM PDT With prescription drug abuse at epidemic levels nationwide, and overdoses killing more people than auto accidents in many states, a new study provides striking new data about the misuse of potent prescription painkillers and sedatives by teens and young adults. In all, 10.4 percent of the teens and young adults treated in the emergency room for any reason admitted to misusing a prescription painkiller or sedative at least once in the last year.

Evaluation of hospital infection prevention policies can identify opportunities for improvement Posted: 29 Oct 2013 07:44 AM PDT Identifying gaps in infection prevention practices may yield opportunities for improved patient safety, according to a survey published.

MRSA declines in veteran's hospitals nationwide Posted: 29 Oct 2013 07:44 AM PDT Five years after implementing a national initiative to reduce MRSA rates in Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, cases have continued to decline, according to a study.

Optometrists raise alert on potential risk of colored contact lenses Posted: 29 Oct 2013 07:43 AM PDT Researchers have recently conducted a study on 15 brands of colored contact lenses available from various sources. Results showed that most of these cosmetic contact lenses have surface colored pigments which can easily come off when using a standardized lab-based rub-off test.

Vet researcher's thyroid project sheds light on molecular processes related to cystic fibrosis Posted: 29 Oct 2013 07:42 AM PDT Veterinary medicine research is leading to a better understanding of the molecular interactions in the thyroid gland related to cystic fibrosis.

Significant cardiac treatment imbalance nationally Posted: 29 Oct 2013 07:15 AM PDT A multi-center team has published a first-of-its-kind study that examines unequal growth in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centers relative to population and heart attack prevalence across the United States.

New drug to help common bowel disease Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:20 AM PDT An international team has identified the mechanism of pain relief of a new drug for treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation, based on nonclinical studies, and quantified its effectiveness in pain relief in human trials.

How fat could help solve part of the diabetes problem Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:20 AM PDT The pancreas is a large organ that wraps around our gut, and produces the exact amount of insulin our bodies need when we eat -- except when we start to develop diabetes, and insulin production slows down. Scientists describe how a fat recycling system within pancreatic "beta cells" determines the amount of insulin they secrete, and so may provide a target for future diabetes therapies.

Geneticists map human resistance to AIDS Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:20 AM PDT The key to future HIV treatment could be hidden right in our own genes. Everyone who becomes infected deploys defense strategies, and some even manage to hold the virus at bay without any therapy at all. Scientists retraced the entire chain of events in these battles, from the genome of the virus to the genome of the victim, and have published their results.

Microbiome in gut, mouth, skin of low birth weight infants differentiate weeks after birth Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:20 AM PDT Low birth weight infants are host to numerous microorganisms immediately after birth, and the microbiomes of their mouths and gut start out very similar but differentiate significantly by day 15 according to a study published.

Enterocystoplasty in children with genitourinary abnormalities is safe, effective Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:10 AM PDT Enterocystoplasty is a good surgical option with a low rate of severe complications in the treatment of children who were born with developmental abnormalities of the genitourinary system, according to a new study.

Test of manhood Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:10 AM PDT The implications of prostate cancer get men thinking about what it means to be a man, according to a Norwegian doctoral thesis.

Study on neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal exposure to paracetamol Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:05 AM PDT Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the most commonly used medicine in pregnancy, yet there are very few studies that have investigated the possible long-term consequences for the child. A new study suggests that long-term use of paracetamol during pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse effects on child development.

New statistic model forecasts effect of tobacco consumption on childhood asthma Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:05 AM PDT A scientific study recently published states that tobacco consumption must be decreased by 15% in Spain, particularly at home, in order to reduce the number of childhood asthma cases.

Listeria’s resistance to disinfectants Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:05 AM PDT Listeria poses a significant risk to human health. The bacterium is frequently transmitted via dairy products, so it is important to disinfect dairies regularly. Unfortunately, listeria is developing resistance to the most frequently used compounds, including benzalkonium chloride.

Child sexual abuse via the Internet on the rise Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:05 AM PDT Sexual abuse of children and adolescents can have serious health consequences for victims. Early studies have revealed that child sexual abuse is associated with an increased risk of later mental and physical health problems and risk-taking behavior. Studies have discovered that sexual abuse is alarmingly widespread in a representative sample of more than 6,000 9th grade students in Switzerland.

Increased ED reimbursements after ACA insurance coverage expansions Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT Researchers have found that outpatient emergency department encounters could reimburse considerably more after implementation of the insurance coverage expansions of the Affordable Care Act.

A potential new class of fast-acting antidepressant Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT More than 1 in 10 Americans take antidepressants, but these medications can take weeks — and for some patients, months — before they begin to alleviate symptoms. Now, scientists have discovered that selectively blocking a serotonin receptor subtype induces fast-acting antidepressant effects in mice, indicating a potential new class of therapeutics for depression.

High blood sugar makes Alzheimer’s plaque more toxic to the brain Posted: 29 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT High blood-sugar levels, such as those linked with Type 2 diabetes, make beta amyloid protein associated with Alzheimer's disease dramatically more toxic to cells lining blood vessels in the brain, according to a new study.

DIY, gardening can cut heart attack/stroke risk by 30 percent, prolong life for seniors Posted: 28 Oct 2013 03:49 PM PDT A spot of DIY or gardening can cut the risk of a heart attack/stroke and prolong life by as much as 30 per cent among the 60+ age group, indicates research published.

Insight into breast cancer cell migration Posted: 28 Oct 2013 03:48 PM PDT A new study shows that a specific protein may assist breast cancer cells in metastasizing.

Researchers detail possible resistance mechanisms of colorectal cancer to bevacizumab (avastin) Posted: 28 Oct 2013 03:48 PM PDT A study published shows that when colorectal cancer is targeted by the drug bevacizumab (Avastin), tumors may switch dependence from VEGF-A, which is targeted by the drug, to related growth factors in including VEGF-C, VEGF-D and placental growth factor. This change to new growth-factor dependence may allow colorectal cancer to push past bevacizumab's blockage of VEGF-A to continue to drive tumor growth.

New technology shows promise in taking the guesswork out of vaccine development Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:28 PM PDT Scientists have developed a comprehensive, microchip-based technology, called immunosignature diagnosis, which can rapidly and comprehensively measure an individual's vaccine response, promising to take much of the initial guesswork out of predicting effective vaccines.

VIP treatment for jet lag Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:28 PM PDT A small molecule called VIP, known to synchronize time-keeping neurons in the brain's biological clock, has the startling effect of desynchronizing them at higher dosages, says a research team. Neurons knocked for a loop by a burst of VIP are better able to re-synchronize to abrupt shifts in the light-dark cycle like those that make jet lag or shift work so miserable.

3D vision goggles improve surgeon's view in minimally invasive lung surgery Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:26 PM PDT For the first time in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, 3D goggles are giving surgeons a natural, three-dimensional view inside the human body.

Five commonly performed tests, treatments in pulmonary medicine may not be necessary Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:24 PM PDT A list released today identified five commonly performed tests and procedures in pulmonary medicine that may not always be necessary. The list, part of the ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely® campaign, was produced by a collaborative task force.

Model virus structure shows why there's no cure for common cold Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:23 PM PDT In a pair of landmark studies that exploit the genetic sequencing of the "missing link" cold virus, rhinovirus C, scientists have constructed a three-dimensional model of the pathogen that shows why there is no cure yet for the common cold.

Drowsy driving an increasing hazard Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:20 PM PDT Sleep deprivation and darkness can cause drivers to doze when they believe they are alert, increasing hazards on the road.

High rate of lower back injuries reported in young athletes Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:20 PM PDT Lower back injuries are the third most common injuries suffered in athletes under age 18. Many injuries are severe enough to sideline young athletes for one-to-six months, and put them at future risk for long-term back problems, a study has found.

Smokers worldwide more likely to think about kicking their habit on Mondays Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:20 PM PDT Forget New Year's; a study published today has found that Mondays are when smokers are most likely to think about quitting.

Poverty in early childhood appears associated with brain development Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:20 PM PDT Poverty in early childhood appears to be associated with smaller brain volumes measured through imaging at school age and early adolescence.

Heart disease risk appears associated with breast cancer radiation Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:20 PM PDT Among patients with early stages of breast cancer, those whose hearts were more directly irradiated with radiation treatments on the left side in a facing-up position had higher risk of heart disease, according to research.

Study examines expedited FDA drug approvals, safety questions remain Posted: 28 Oct 2013 01:20 PM PDT Fewer patients were studied as part of expedited reviews of new drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008, and some safety questions remain unanswered, according to a study published.

Pregnant women with hepatitis C may pass heartier viral strain to newborns Posted: 28 Oct 2013 11:15 AM PDT Infants who get hepatitis C from their mothers during childbirth may inherit a viral strain that replicates more quickly than strains found in non-pregnant hosts, according to a new study.

Overlooked lymph nodes in rib cage have prognostic power for mesothelioma patients Posted: 28 Oct 2013 11:15 AM PDT For the first time, researchers have shown the predictive power of a group of overlooked lymph nodes that could serve as a better tool to stage and ultimately treat patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Dermatologists identify five skin health treatments, procedures that consumers may not need Posted: 28 Oct 2013 11:14 AM PDT The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) today released its list of specific treatments and procedures related to skin health and care that are not always necessary. The Academy developed its list as part of Choosing Wisely®, an initiative to help patients talk with their doctors about medical tests and treatments that may be unnecessary to effectively care for their condition.

Unique nano carrier to target drug delivery to cancer cells Posted: 28 Oct 2013 10:50 AM PDT Researchers have developed a unique nanostructure that can, because of its dual-surface structure, serve as an improved "all-in-one tool" against cancer.

Excess omega-3 fatty acids could lead to negative health effects Posted: 28 Oct 2013 10:50 AM PDT A new review suggests that omega-3 fatty acids taken in excess could have unintended health consequences in certain situations, and that dietary standards based on the best available evidence need to be established.

First ever study of 'moral distress' among nurses in burn unit Posted: 28 Oct 2013 10:50 AM PDT Researchers have published the first ever study of emotional and psychological anguish, known as "moral distress," experienced by nurses in an intensive care unit for burn patients.

Untangling Alzheimer's disease Posted: 28 Oct 2013 10:50 AM PDT A team of researchers has identified a specific set of microRNA molecules that detrimentally regulate protein levels in the brains of mice with Alzheimer's disease. By targeting these molecules, they hope to move closer toward earlier detection and better treatment of the debilitating condition.

Reproductive biologists move in vitro fertilization knowledge forward Posted: 28 Oct 2013 10:49 AM PDT A "pill for men" may be a long way down the road, but a new fundamental knowledge of how sperm acquire the ability to fertilize an egg, letting scientists either block or enhance the process, is at the heart of being able to control it.

Researchers discover how cancer hides Posted: 28 Oct 2013 10:49 AM PDT Researchers have discovered how a lipid secreted by cancer tumors prevents the immune system from mounting an immune response against it. When lysophosphatidic acid binds to killer T cells, it acts almost like an "invisibility cloak," preventing T cells from recognizing and attacking nascent tumors.

Fewer patients with brain injury being declared 'brain dead' Posted: 28 Oct 2013 10:49 AM PDT Fewer patients with brain injury are being declared "brain dead," perhaps reflecting better injury prevention and improved care, according to a new study. However, the main source of organ donations for transplants is patients with neurologic death, so this finding may explain the declining rates of organ donation in some regions.

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