ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Gene found to foster synapse formation in the brain
• Critical gene in retinal development and motion sensing identified
• Most detailed picture yet of key AIDS protein
• Stem cell scarring aids recovery from spinal cord injury
• Lefties more likely to have psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia
• Houston we have a problem: Microgravity accelerates biological aging
• Incomplete protein digestion is useful for some bacteria
• HIV antibody infusions show promise for treating SHIV-infected monkeys
• Patient in 'vegetative state' not just aware, but paying attention, study suggests
• New knowledge about the body's fight against HIV
• Early rehospitalization after kidney transplant caused by complexity of condition, not poor quality of care
• Pizza perfect! A nutritional overhaul of 'junk food,' ready-meals is possible
• Monster mash: Protein folding gone wrong
• Seeing in the dark: Most people can see their body's movement in the absence of light
• Exposure to cortisol-like medications before birth may contribute to emotional problems, brain changes
• High protein diet, meal replacements can reduce rebound weight gain
• Hospital volume linked to outcomes for aortic valve replacement
• Fresher blood donations may be better for recipients
• Better inventory management systems can reduce operating room costs
• New test to determine the severity of coronary artery disease
• Conservative approach to revascularization is safe
• Drug for artery disease showing promise
• Old drug may teach new tricks in treating infectious diseases, cancer
• Absence of the SMG1 protein could contribute to Parkinson's, other neurological disorders
• Research shows ability to do next-generation sequencing for patients with advanced cancers
• One of the oldest cases of tuberculosis discovered
• Scientists identify molecular signals that rouse dormant HIV infection
• Silent victims -- an epidemic of childhood exposure to domestic violence
• Paper guides physicians' disclosure of colleagues' errors
• Early HIV antiviral treatment found to be cost-effective in South Africa, India
• How internet affects young people at risk of self-harm, suicide
• Scientists call for action to tackle cervical cancer in Kenya
• Medical students taught meditation techniques to prevent burnout, improve care
• Risk of osteoporosis drug's side effects not significant
• Brain connectivity can predict epilepsy surgery outcomes
• Is medical education in a bubble market?
• Bacteria and fat: A 'perfect storm' for inflammation
• Study evaluates early stem cell transplants for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Research finding may help accelerate diabetic wound healing
• Public insurance fills health coverage gap
• Half of prostate cancer patients in NC do not receive multidisciplinary care
• Compact delivery system for microbeam radiation therapy developed using nanotechnology
• Staph infections & eczema: What’s the connection?
• Monoclonal antibodies show promise as effective HIV therapy
• HPV vaccination rates alarmingly low among young women in Southern US
• Testosterone production study challenges 25-year-old scientific dogma
• Low thyroid levels may signal heightened risk of death in hospitalized patients
• Testing technique could lengthen lifespan of dialysis patients
• Better use of lighting in hospital rooms may improve patients' health

Gene found to foster synapse formation in the brain Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:26 AM PDT Researchers say they have found that a gene already implicated in human speech disorders and epilepsy is also needed for vocalizations and synapse formation in mice. The finding, they say, adds to scientific understanding of how language develops, as well as the way synapses — the connections among brain cells that enable us to think — are formed.

Critical gene in retinal development and motion sensing identified Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:26 AM PDT Our vision depends on exquisitely organized layers of cells within the eye's retina, each with a distinct role in perception. Researchers say they have taken an important step toward understanding how those cells are organized to produce what the brain "sees." Specifically, they report identification of a gene that guides the separation of two types of motion-sensing cells, offering insight into how cellular layering develops in the retina, with possible implications for the brain's cerebral cortex.

Most detailed picture yet of key AIDS protein Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:26 AM PDT Scientists have determined the first atomic-level structure of the tripartite HIV envelope protein—long considered one of the most difficult targets in structural biology and of great value for medical science.

Stem cell scarring aids recovery from spinal cord injury Posted: 31 Oct 2013 11:06 AM PDT The scar tissue formed by stem cells after a spinal cord injury does not impair recovery; in fact, stem cell scarring confines the damage,according to new research. The findings indicate that scar tissue prevents the lesion from expanding and helps injured nerve cells survive. Spinal cord injuries sever nerve fibers that conduct signals between the brain and the rest of the body, causing various degrees of paralysis depending on the site and extent of the injury. Functional impairment is often permanent, since the cut nerve fibers do not grow back. The lack of regeneration had previously been attributed to a blockage from scar tissue that forms at the lesion.

Lefties more likely to have psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:53 AM PDT Being left-handed has been linked to many mental disorders, but now scientists have found that among those with mental illnesses, people with psychotic disorders like schizophrenia are much more likely to be left-handed than those with mood disorders like depression or bipolar syndrome. The new study is published in the Oct.-Dec. 2013 issue of the journal SAGE Open.

Houston we have a problem: Microgravity accelerates biological aging Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:53 AM PDT As nations strive to put humans farther into space for longer periods of time, the real loser in this new space race could be the astronauts themselves. That's because experiments conducted on the International Space Station show that microgravity accelerates cardiovascular disease and the biological aging of these cells.

Incomplete protein digestion is useful for some bacteria Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:53 AM PDT Protein degradation by energy-dependent proteases normally results in the complete destruction of target proteins. However, under particularly harsh artificial conditions in the test tube, these proteases can stall on certain targets. But until recent experiments, such an effect had never been seen inside a living bacterial cell.

HIV antibody infusions show promise for treating SHIV-infected monkeys Posted: 31 Oct 2013 09:52 AM PDT Two teams are reporting results from experiments in which they infused powerful anti-HIV antibodies into monkeys infected with an HIV-like virus, rapidly reducing the amount of virus, or viral load, to undetectable levels, where it remained for extended periods. Both teams worked with monkeys infected with simian human immunodeficiency virus, or SHIV, which can cause AIDS in monkeys.

Patient in 'vegetative state' not just aware, but paying attention, study suggests Posted: 31 Oct 2013 08:05 AM PDT A patient in a seemingly vegetative state, unable to move or speak, showed signs of attentive awareness that had not been detected before, a new study reveals.

New knowledge about the body's fight against HIV Posted: 31 Oct 2013 08:05 AM PDT A study of the body's reactions to the HIV virus has led to new understanding of the immune system's fight against HIV. The discovery is an important step on the road towards the future development of new methods for treating HIV.

Early rehospitalization after kidney transplant caused by complexity of condition, not poor quality of care Posted: 31 Oct 2013 08:05 AM PDT A study of over 750 kidney transplant patients over a five-year period has found that 90 percent of early rehospitalizations (within 30 days of surgery) were caused by complex medical factors related to the transplantation process. Only nine percent of rehospitalizations – which occurred among only three percent of the entire group of patients – were categorized as potentially preventable.

Pizza perfect! A nutritional overhaul of 'junk food,' ready-meals is possible Posted: 31 Oct 2013 07:33 AM PDT Pizza is widely regarded as a fully-paid up member of the junk food gang -- maybe even the leader -- at least the versions found on supermarket shelves or delivered to your door by scooter.

Monster mash: Protein folding gone wrong Posted: 31 Oct 2013 07:30 AM PDT Imagine a 1950s horror movie monster —- a creeping, gluey tangle of gunk that strangles everything around it. That's what amyloid plaques are like when they form in body tissues. These gooey protein clumps are associated with many chronic and debilitating disorders, and scientists have made enormous strides in understanding how these structures play roles in disease.

Seeing in the dark: Most people can see their body's movement in the absence of light Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:04 AM PDT With the help of computerized eye trackers, a new cognitive science study finds that at least 50 percent of people can see the movement of their own hand even in the absence of all light.

Exposure to cortisol-like medications before birth may contribute to emotional problems, brain changes Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT Neonatologists seem to perform miracles in the fight to support the survival of babies born prematurely. To promote their survival, cortisol-like drugs called glucocorticoids are administered frequently to women in preterm labor to accelerate their babies' lung maturation prior to birth, a substance naturally released by the body when stressed. But the levels of glucocorticoids administered to promote lung development are higher than that achieved with typical stress, similar to the body's reaction to extreme stresses.

High protein diet, meal replacements can reduce rebound weight gain Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:03 AM PDT New research shows that there are several effective strategies available to people wanting to avoid regaining weight after a successful diet. Anti-obesity drugs, meal replacements and a high protein diet can help weight loss maintenance.

Hospital volume linked to outcomes for aortic valve replacement Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:00 AM PDT High risk patients have better outcomes when undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) at hospitals that perform high volumes of the procedure.

Fresher blood donations may be better for recipients Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:00 AM PDT Although clinical evidence is lacking on the relationship between the storage time of red blood cells and outcomes in transfused patients, these authors are advocating for a modernized blood management system — similar to inventory management systems seen in the retail sector — to potentially reduce patient complications.

Better inventory management systems can reduce operating room costs Posted: 31 Oct 2013 06:00 AM PDT Health-care supply chain researchers conducted a major study of three hospitals and found that adoption of advanced inventory management systems can significantly reduce costs associated with medical and surgical items used in operating rooms.

New test to determine the severity of coronary artery disease Posted: 30 Oct 2013 04:00 PM PDT A new study supports the use of instantaneous wave-free ratio, to simplify assessment and determine the severity of coronary artery disease.

Conservative approach to revascularization is safe Posted: 30 Oct 2013 04:00 PM PDT A new study shows that a conservative approach to revascularization for patients with intermediate coronary lesions determined by angiographic diameter stenosis is safe and non-inferior to an aggressive approach.

Drug for artery disease showing promise Posted: 30 Oct 2013 04:00 PM PDT The first clinical trial in the United States to study the use of drug coated balloons for femoropopliteal artery disease found the procedure is promising for safety and efficacy at six months.

Old drug may teach new tricks in treating infectious diseases, cancer Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:59 PM PDT Meclizine, an over-the-counter drug used for decades to treat nausea and motion sickness, has the potential for new uses to treat certain infectious diseases and some forms of cancer.

Absence of the SMG1 protein could contribute to Parkinson's, other neurological disorders Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:59 PM PDT The absence of a protein called SMG1 could be a contributing factor in the development of Parkinson's disease and other related neurological disorders, according to a study.

Research shows ability to do next-generation sequencing for patients with advanced cancers Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:59 PM PDT A pilot study shows that, even for patients with advanced and rapidly transforming cancer, researchers can find potential therapeutic targets using the latest advances in genomic sequencing. Sequencing spells out, or decodes, the billions of letters of DNA and other genomic data so that clinicians can discover what genetic changes might lead to cancer.

One of the oldest cases of tuberculosis discovered Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:59 PM PDT Scientists verify the presence of tuberculosis from 7,000 years ago.

Scientists identify molecular signals that rouse dormant HIV infection Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:59 PM PDT Perhaps the single greatest barrier to curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS is the dormant, or "latent," reservoir of virus, which is out of reach of even the most potent medications. But now, scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have uncovered new clues that may help researchers awaken HIV from its slumber -- laying the foundation for purging all trace of the virus, and for one day finding a cure for the more than 34 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS.

Silent victims -- an epidemic of childhood exposure to domestic violence Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:57 PM PDT Over 15 million children are exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) each year, and the health consequences of this exposure are well-documented. The Institute of Medicine and the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommend routine screening for intimate partner violence in women of childbearing age. These recommendations represent an important step forward in improving the health of women affected by IPV. In discussions about healthcare providers' role in IPV screening, however, the significant impact of IPV on child health is often missing.

Paper guides physicians' disclosure of colleagues' errors Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:57 PM PDT A position paper published gives guidance to clinicians about broaching potential medical mistakes made by co-workers. The authors attempt to reframe the meaning of "colleague."

Early HIV antiviral treatment found to be cost-effective in South Africa, India Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:57 PM PDT "Treatment as prevention" -- early initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected individuals with uninfected sexual partners to prevent viral transmission -- appears to make economic sense, along with meeting its clinical goals of helping infected patients stay healthy and reducing transmission.

How internet affects young people at risk of self-harm, suicide Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:57 PM PDT Researchers have found internet forums provide a support network for socially isolated young people. However, they also conclude that the internet is linked to an increased risk of suicide and self-harm among vulnerable adolescents. Following what is thought to be the biggest review of existing studies into internet use and young people, the researchers suggest that in future, clinical assessments of such young people should include questions about the online content they have viewed.

Scientists call for action to tackle cervical cancer in Kenya Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:55 PM PDT Less than seven percent of cervical cancer patients in Kenya are getting the optimum treatment needed to eradicate the disease, leading to unnecessary deaths.

Medical students taught meditation techniques to prevent burnout, improve care Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:54 PM PDT Doctors commonly tell patients that stress can be harmful to their health. Yet when it comes to reducing their own stress levels, physicians don't always heed their own advice.

Risk of osteoporosis drug's side effects not significant Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:53 PM PDT The risks of developing kidney failure and a calcium deficiency from the popular osteoporosis drug zoledronic acid are extremely rare, according to researchers.

Brain connectivity can predict epilepsy surgery outcomes Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:51 PM PDT A discovery could provide epilepsy patients invaluable advance guidance about their chances to improve symptoms through surgery.

Is medical education in a bubble market? Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:51 PM PDT The currently high costs of medical education – which at some schools rise above $60,000 per year – are sustainable only if physician salaries remain high, which authors say is less likely because of efforts to reduce health care costs.

Bacteria and fat: A 'perfect storm' for inflammation Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:51 PM PDT Using immortalized fat cells, researchers show that bacterial toxins trigger fat cells to produce pro-inflammatory molecules. The findings suggest that by promoting chronic inflammation through their effect on fat cells, bacterial toxins may play a role in the development of diabetes.

Study evaluates early stem cell transplants for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Posted: 30 Oct 2013 03:51 PM PDT Early stem cell transplants for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma do not improve overall survival in high-risk patients. But early transplantation does appear to benefit very high-risk patients.

Research finding may help accelerate diabetic wound healing Posted: 30 Oct 2013 12:29 PM PDT Researchers have, for the first time, identified the enzymes that are detrimental to diabetic wound healing and those that are beneficial to repair the wound.

Public insurance fills health coverage gap Posted: 30 Oct 2013 12:29 PM PDT In the years leading up to implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the percentage of Californians who received their health insurance through public programs continued to rise, likely in direct response to the loss of job-based coverage in the state.

Half of prostate cancer patients in NC do not receive multidisciplinary care Posted: 30 Oct 2013 11:24 AM PDT Only half of the men who receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in North Carolina consult with more than one type of physician before deciding on a course of treatment, according to research.

Compact delivery system for microbeam radiation therapy developed using nanotechnology Posted: 30 Oct 2013 11:24 AM PDT Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) provides tremendous promise for cancer patients through its ability to destroy tumor cells while protecting surrounding healthy tissue. Yet research into its clinical use has been limited by the sheer size of the technology required to generate the beams. Now, a new microbeam emitter has been developed that scales down the technology, opening the doors for clinical research.

Staph infections & eczema: What’s the connection? Posted: 30 Oct 2013 11:24 AM PDT For the millions of people suffering from the intensely red, horribly itchy skin condition known as eczema, the only thing more maddening than their disease is the lack of understanding of what causes it, or makes it flare up from time to time. Now, a new finding may bring that understanding closer – and could help lead to better treatments.

Monoclonal antibodies show promise as effective HIV therapy Posted: 30 Oct 2013 11:24 AM PDT A research team has demonstrated that a group of recently discovered antibodies may be a highly effective therapy for the treatment of HIV.

HPV vaccination rates alarmingly low among young women in Southern US Posted: 30 Oct 2013 10:28 AM PDT Initiation and completion rates for the human papillomavirus vaccine series are significantly lower in the Southern US than any other geographic region, according to a new study. The new findings are especially disconcerting because cervical cancer -- which is caused almost exclusively by HPV -- is more prevalent in the South than in any other region.

Testosterone production study challenges 25-year-old scientific dogma Posted: 30 Oct 2013 10:27 AM PDT New research refutes the scientific community's long-held belief that the body needs a specific protein to produce steroid hormones like testosterone.

Low thyroid levels may signal heightened risk of death in hospitalized patients Posted: 30 Oct 2013 10:27 AM PDT Older individuals hospitalized with a serious condition may face a slimmer risk of surviving if their thyroid hormone levels are low, according to a recent study.

Testing technique could lengthen lifespan of dialysis patients Posted: 30 Oct 2013 10:27 AM PDT A new testing method can better detect potentially fatal hormone imbalances in patients with end-stage kidney disease, according to a recent study.

Better use of lighting in hospital rooms may improve patients' health Posted: 30 Oct 2013 09:55 AM PDT A new study suggests that changing the lighting patterns in hospital rooms so that they're more aligned with normal sleep-wake cycles could help patients feel better with less fatigue and pain. The findings point to a simple and inexpensive way to potentially improve patient care.

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