ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Dreading pain can be worse than pain itself
• Does obesity reshape our sense of taste?
• How flu evolves to escape immunity
• Two Y genes can replace the entire Y chromosome for assisted reproduction in mice
• First Class 1 evidence for cognitive rehabilitation in MS
• Research sheds light on nerve regeneration following spinal cord injury
• Genomic variant associated with sun sensitivity, freckles identified
• Newborn babies have built-in body awareness ability
• Newly identified brown fat stem cells hold possibilities for treating diabetes, obesity
• Two human proteins found to affect how 'jumping gene' gets around
• Study shows displaying lab costs upfront can save money
• Insight on cell migration, movement of cancer cells
• Stress, isolation take toll on those under 50 with HIV; older people fare better
• Ultrasound, nanoparticles may help diabetics avoid the needle
• New brain cells for Parkinson's and Huntington's patients? Attractants prevent nerve cell migration
• What justifies cellular death?
• New crizotinib side-effect: Reduced measures of kidney function during treatment
• Nut consumption linked to reduced death rate, study suggests
• Tiny antisense molecules increase 'good cholesterol' levels in obese primates
• 'Undruggable' mutation meets its match
• Hormone therapy could enhance therapeutic effect of head, facial bone grafts
• Reducing salt in bread without losing saltiness, thanks to a texture trick
• Mental stress, heart disease: Stronger presence in women under 50
• Smokers who quit cut heart disease risk faster than previous estimates
• Blood vessel tangles in brain best left alone, study suggests
• Top hospitals reduce readmissions by preventing complications
• Introducing solid foods while continuing to breast feed could prevent child allergies
• Cows chomping on fresh grass, red clover produce omega milk
• Rare disease yields clues about broader brain pathology
• Probe measuring immune function can be used to determine nanoparticle dosage for patients
• Two-thirds of women who attempt natural delivery after a c-section are successful
• Size, connectivity of brain region linked to anxiety level in young children
• First breast biopsy system offering real-time monitoring, guidance
• Older people recovering from hip fracture experience barriers for mobility at home
• Amount of iron in blood can be measured using mobile phone
• Researchers suggest China consider national flu vaccination plan with staggered timing
• Bedtime aspirin may reduce risk of morning heart attack
• Younger Hispanic women face higher risk of death from heart attack
• Older sedentary adults reduced injury to heart through moderate physical activity
• Individuals who flush after drinking at higher risk of hypertension
• Frontal-lobe damage from alcohol may occur before general mental status challenges

Dreading pain can be worse than pain itself Posted: 21 Nov 2013 03:42 PM PST Faced with inevitable pain, most people would choose to get it out of the way as soon as possible, according to a new study.

Does obesity reshape our sense of taste? Posted: 21 Nov 2013 12:49 PM PST Obesity may alter the way we taste at the most fundamental level: by changing how our tongues react to different foods. Biologists report that being severely overweight impaired the ability of mice to detect sweets.

How flu evolves to escape immunity Posted: 21 Nov 2013 11:23 AM PST Scientists have identified a potential way to improve future flu vaccines after discovering that seasonal flu typically escapes immunity from vaccines with as little as a single amino acid substitution.

Two Y genes can replace the entire Y chromosome for assisted reproduction in mice Posted: 21 Nov 2013 11:22 AM PST Live mouse offspring can be generated with assisted reproduction using germ cells from males with the Y chromosome contribution limited to only two genes: the testis determinant factor Sry and the spermatogonial proliferation factor Eif2s3y.

First Class 1 evidence for cognitive rehabilitation in MS Posted: 21 Nov 2013 10:56 AM PST Researchers published the results of the MEMREHAB Trial, providing the first Class I evidence for the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.

Research sheds light on nerve regeneration following spinal cord injury Posted: 21 Nov 2013 10:02 AM PST Researchers have discovered how the sea lamprey, an eel-like fish, regrows the neurons that comprise the long nerve "highways" that link the brain to the spinal cord. Findings may guide future efforts to promote recovery in humans who have suffered spinal cord injuries.

Genomic variant associated with sun sensitivity, freckles identified Posted: 21 Nov 2013 10:00 AM PST Researchers have identified a genomic variant strongly associated with sensitivity to the sun, brown hair, blue eyes -- and freckles.

Newborn babies have built-in body awareness ability Posted: 21 Nov 2013 09:58 AM PST The ability to differentiate your own body from others is a fundamental skill, critical for humans' ability to interact with their environments and the people in them. Now, researchers provide some of the first evidence that newborn babies enter the world with the essential mechanisms for this kind of body awareness already in place.

Newly identified brown fat stem cells hold possibilities for treating diabetes, obesity Posted: 21 Nov 2013 09:56 AM PST The recent identification of brown fat stem cells in adult humans may lead to new treatments for heart and endocrine disorders, according to a new study.

Two human proteins found to affect how 'jumping gene' gets around Posted: 21 Nov 2013 09:56 AM PST Using a new method to catch elusive "jumping genes" in the act, researchers have found two human proteins that are used by one type of DNA to replicate itself and move from place to place. The discovery breaks new ground in understanding the arms race between a jumping gene driven to colonize new areas of the human genome and cells working to limit the risk posed by such volatile bits of DNA.

Study shows displaying lab costs upfront can save money Posted: 21 Nov 2013 08:18 AM PST Health care costs continue to go up, and physicians control more than 80 percent of those costs. Could providing physicians with real-time information about the cost of what they order help to restrain excessive testing?

Insight on cell migration, movement of cancer cells Posted: 21 Nov 2013 08:18 AM PST The migration of groups of cells in order to form tissues is common during the development of an organism. Discovering how these multiple movements are achieved is not only crucial to understand the basic principles of development, but provides new information and insights for further research into processes associated with the spread of cancer.

Stress, isolation take toll on those under 50 with HIV; older people fare better Posted: 21 Nov 2013 07:51 AM PST Researchers were surprised to learn that people younger than 50 years old with HIV feel more isolated and stressed than older people with the disease. They expected their study to reveal just the opposite.

Ultrasound, nanoparticles may help diabetics avoid the needle Posted: 21 Nov 2013 07:51 AM PST A new nanotechnology-based technique for regulating blood sugar in diabetics may give patients the ability to release insulin painlessly using a small ultrasound device, allowing them to go days between injections -- rather than using needles to give themselves multiple insulin injections each day.

New brain cells for Parkinson's and Huntington's patients? Attractants prevent nerve cell migration Posted: 21 Nov 2013 06:13 AM PST Medical researchers have been working toward implanting nerve precursor cells in the brains of patients with Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. It was hoped that these cells would assume the function of the cells that have died off. However, the implanted nerve cells frequently did not migrate as hoped, rather they hardly move from the site. Scientists have now discovered an important cause of this: Attractants secreted by the precursor cells prevent the maturing nerve cells from migrating into the brain.

What justifies cellular death? Posted: 21 Nov 2013 06:13 AM PST Science has demonstrated that certain deaths provide advantages to the harmonious development of an organism. The majority of cell death events take place towards the end of fetal life and the beginning of childhood, because its then when neural circuits and mechanisms that were used during gestation and are no longer needed get obliterated.

New crizotinib side-effect: Reduced measures of kidney function during treatment Posted: 21 Nov 2013 06:12 AM PST A study shows that using crizotinib to treat ALK positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) appears to reduce kidney function when assessed by one of the most commonly used clinical methods.

Nut consumption linked to reduced death rate, study suggests Posted: 20 Nov 2013 04:21 PM PST In the largest study of its kind, people who ate a daily handful of nuts were 20 percent less likely to die from any cause over a 30-year period than were those who didn't consume nuts, say scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Harvard School of Public Health

Tiny antisense molecules increase 'good cholesterol' levels in obese primates Posted: 20 Nov 2013 11:37 AM PST A strategy to increase levels of beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has been shown for the first time to be effective in non-human primates. The approach uses tiny antisense sequences to block the action of microRNAs that would otherwise inhibit a protein required for generation of HDL, the "good cholesterol" that helps remove harmful lipids from the body.

'Undruggable' mutation meets its match Posted: 20 Nov 2013 10:34 AM PST Researchers have identified and exploited a newfound "Achilles heel" in K-Ras, the most commonly mutated oncogene in human cancers. K-Ras has earned a reputation as being "undruggable" because scientific researchers have failed to design a drug that successfully targets the mutant gene. The weak point is a newly discovered "pocket," or binding site, identified a team that has designed a chemical compound that fits inside this pocket and inhibits the normal activity of mutant K-Ras, but leaves the normal protein untouched.

Hormone therapy could enhance therapeutic effect of head, facial bone grafts Posted: 20 Nov 2013 08:20 AM PST Bone grafts, which are used to treat head injuries and birth defects, still pose major medical challenges, but scientists are reporting progress toward a new hormone therapy that could improve the outcomes of these surgeries.

Reducing salt in bread without losing saltiness, thanks to a texture trick Posted: 20 Nov 2013 08:20 AM PST Want to make bread taste pleasantly salty without adding more salt? Change the bread's texture so it is less dense, say scientists. They report that simply making the pores, or holes, larger can make people perceive bread as having saltier taste. The process could become a new strategy for reducing salt intake, which is a risk factor for high blood pressure and heart disease.

Mental stress, heart disease: Stronger presence in women under 50 Posted: 20 Nov 2013 08:19 AM PST Researchers have found that women younger than 50 with a recent heart attack are more likely to experience restricted blood flow to the heart (myocardial ischemia) in response to psychological stress.

Smokers who quit cut heart disease risk faster than previous estimates Posted: 20 Nov 2013 08:19 AM PST Certain smokers who quit can reduce their risk of heart disease to the level of never-smokers sooner than previously thought. Some former smokers may reduce their risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death in less than 15 years.

Blood vessel tangles in brain best left alone, study suggests Posted: 20 Nov 2013 07:36 AM PST Patients with a condition that causes blood vessels in the brain to form an abnormal tangle could be helped by the findings of new research.

Top hospitals reduce readmissions by preventing complications Posted: 20 Nov 2013 07:36 AM PST Checking back into the hospital within 30 days of discharge is not only bad news for patients, but also for hospitals, which now face financial penalties for high readmissions. The key to reducing readmissions may be focusing on the whole patient, rather than the specific conditions that caused their hospitalizations, according to a new study.

Introducing solid foods while continuing to breast feed could prevent child allergies Posted: 20 Nov 2013 07:35 AM PST Introducing solid food with breast milk after the 17th week of birth could reduce food allergies in babies, according to research. The research suggests that giving the baby solid food beside breast feeding helps it develop a better, stronger immune system to fight food allergies.

Cows chomping on fresh grass, red clover produce omega milk Posted: 20 Nov 2013 07:04 AM PST Fat is an important ingredient that has a material impact on the nutritional value, texture, taste, shelf-life and producer price of milk. However, milk products are a significant source of saturated fatty acids in the Western diet. How should dairy cattle be fed for their milk to contain more unsaturated fatty acids?

Rare disease yields clues about broader brain pathology Posted: 20 Nov 2013 07:03 AM PST Alexander disease is a devastating brain disease that almost nobody has heard of — unless someone in the family is afflicted with it. Alexander disease strikes young or old, and in children destroys white matter in the front of the brain. Many patients, especially those with early onset, have significant intellectual disabilities.

Probe measuring immune function can be used to determine nanoparticle dosage for patients Posted: 20 Nov 2013 07:03 AM PST The development of a probe to measure the body's immune function could lead to more accurate, individualized doses for cancer patients prescribed nanoparticle-based drugs, according to research.

Two-thirds of women who attempt natural delivery after a c-section are successful Posted: 20 Nov 2013 05:14 AM PST Almost two-thirds of women who attempt a natural delivery after having a caesarean section for their first birth are successful, according to a new study.

Size, connectivity of brain region linked to anxiety level in young children Posted: 20 Nov 2013 05:14 AM PST Researchers have shown that by measuring the size and connectivity of a part of the brain associated with processing emotion -- the amygdala -- they can predict the degree of anxiety a young child is experiencing in daily life.

First breast biopsy system offering real-time monitoring, guidance Posted: 20 Nov 2013 05:14 AM PST Breast cancer is by far the most frequent cancer among women. Just within the European Union, every 2.5 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and every 7.5 minutes a woman dies from the disease. It is estimated that about one in 12 women will develop the disease before the age of 75 years.

Older people recovering from hip fracture experience barriers for mobility at home Posted: 20 Nov 2013 05:13 AM PST About half of hip fracture patients reported barriers for mobility when entering the home or in the outdoor home environment. One year after the fracture, many people still experienced barriers, especially in the outdoor environment.

Amount of iron in blood can be measured using mobile phone Posted: 20 Nov 2013 05:12 AM PST Researchers have developed a smart material which changes color based on the amount of iron in a fluid, whether it be water, wine or blood serum. Afterwards, if the result is photographed with a digital camera such as those on mobile phones, the concentration of this metal can be quantified without the need for chemical analysis. Soon, it could be possible to find out whether a person has a blood iron deficiency or overload with a mere pinch of the finger and a mobile phone.

Researchers suggest China consider national flu vaccination plan with staggered timing Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:39 PM PST China should tailor its influenza vaccination strategies to account for its three distinct flu regions, according to the first comprehensive study of the country's flu patterns conducted by a research team of Chinese and American scientists.

Bedtime aspirin may reduce risk of morning heart attack Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:36 PM PST Taking aspirin at bedtime instead of in the morning might reduce acute heart events, according a new study.

Younger Hispanic women face higher risk of death from heart attack Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:36 PM PST Younger Hispanic women face a higher risk of death in hospitals after a heart attack, are more likely to suffer from co-existing conditions such as diabetes, and are less likely to undergo percutaneous coronary interventions or coronary artery bypass surgery as compared with white women and men, according to research.

Older sedentary adults reduced injury to heart through moderate physical activity Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:36 PM PST Moderate physical activity in sedentary older adults reduced the progression of injury to the heart, according to research.

Individuals who flush after drinking at higher risk of hypertension Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:36 PM PST Excessive drinking is a known risk factor for hypertension. Drinking that results in facial flushing indicates high sensitivity or even intolerance to alcohol. A new study has found that drinking-related hypertension has a higher risk in flushers than in non-flushers, and the risk of hypertension was significantly increased when flushers consumed more than four drinks per week.

Frontal-lobe damage from alcohol may occur before general mental status challenges Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:36 PM PST Executive performance, such as attention and memory, is associated with the frontal lobes. Researchers found specific structural changes in the prefrontal area and left cerebellum can predict executive performance in alcoholics. These volumes may identify executive dysfunctions even when clinical signs of alcohol dependence are absent or mild and a more general mental status appears normal.

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