ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Vaginally administered erectile dysfunction medication may alleviate menstrual cramping, study suggests
• US stroke deaths declining due to improved prevention, treatment
• Proteins' passing phases revealed
• Coffee or beer? The choice could affect your genome
• Added benefit of saxagliptin as monotherapy not proven
• Probiotic therapy alleviates autism-like behaviors in mice
• How mosquitoes are drawn to human skin and breath
• How vision dims: Chemists crack code of cataract creation
• Gene found to be crucial for formation of certain brain circuitry
• New target to treat psoriasis identified
• Priming 'cocktail' shows promise as cardiac stem cell grafting tool
• Studies assess impact of IOM report on nursing reforms
• New guidelines rule out same-day return to play for athletes with concussion
• New vaccination guideline for immunocompromised patients
• Gentler heart surgery remains without signs of dementia
• Pulsatile blood flow unmasks new migraine features
• The oracle of the T cell
• Database tracks toxic side effects of pharmaceuticals
• Not in the mood but want to be? New studies bring women hope
• Origin of Alzheimer's gene mutation discovered
• Telemedicine brings Parkinson's care to 'anyone, anywhere'
• Youthful suicide attempts a marker for lifelong troubles
• Researchers unravel role of Rb tumor suppressor in aggressive breast cancer
• Estrogen: Not just produced by ovaries
• Active component of grape seed extract effective against cancer cells
• Shining light on damage from daily sun exposure: Better sunscreens needed
• Could a vaccine help ward off MS?
• Stomach 'clock' tells us how much to eat
• New understanding of chlamydial disease, host interactions
• Tune in, turn on, power up
• Inflammation linked to obesity in adults may be protective in young children
• Predicting ovarian cancer survival by counting tumor-attacking immune cells
• Structure of key pain-related protein unveiled
• New target identified for preventing bone destruction, such as in arthritis, cancer
• Death of adult son increases depressive symptoms in mothers, but not fathers
• Heart failure after heart attack is driven by immune cells made in spleen
• What a Formula 1 race does to your eardrums
• Carbon monoxide may help shrink tumors, amplify effectiveness of chemotherapy
• Team turns tumor suppressor into anti-cancer target
• Swallowing a diagnostic pill
• Stem cell research field is growing twice as fast as world average
• Ultrathin 'diagnostic skin' allows continuous patient monitoring

Vaginally administered erectile dysfunction medication may alleviate menstrual cramping, study suggests Posted: 05 Dec 2013 02:18 PM PST Women with moderate to severe menstrual cramps may find relief in a class of erectile dysfunction drugs, according to a team of researchers.

US stroke deaths declining due to improved prevention, treatment Posted: 05 Dec 2013 02:17 PM PST Better blood pressure control, stop-smoking programs and faster treatment are a few of the reasons for a dramatic decline in US stroke deaths in recent decades.

Proteins' passing phases revealed Posted: 05 Dec 2013 11:22 AM PST A new method to identify previously hidden details about the structure of proteins may speed the process of novel drug design.

Coffee or beer? The choice could affect your genome Posted: 05 Dec 2013 11:21 AM PST Coffee and beer are polar opposites in the beverage world -- coffee picks you up, and beer winds you down. Now researchers have discovered that the beverages may also have opposite effects on your genome. Working with a kind of yeast that shares many important genetic similarities with humans, the researchers found that caffeine shortens and alcohol lengthens telomeres -- the end points of chromosomal DNA, implicated in aging and cancer.

Added benefit of saxagliptin as monotherapy not proven Posted: 05 Dec 2013 11:19 AM PST Although the drug manufacturer presented studies for an indirect comparison with sulfonylurea, these were unsuitable because they did not investigate the right patient group. The added benefit of saxaglipton as a monotherapy has not been proven.

Probiotic therapy alleviates autism-like behaviors in mice Posted: 05 Dec 2013 11:19 AM PST Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed when individuals exhibit characteristic behaviors, decreased social interactions, and impaired communication. Curiously, many with ASD also suffer from gastrointestinal issues, like abdominal cramps and constipation. Guided by this co-occurrence of brain and gut problems, researchers are investigating a bacterium that alleviates GI and behavioral symptoms in autistic-like mice, introducing a potentially transformative probiotic therapy for autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

How mosquitoes are drawn to human skin and breath Posted: 05 Dec 2013 11:18 AM PST Scientists have found that the very receptors in the mosquito's maxillary palp that detect carbon dioxide are ones that detect skin odors as well, thus explaining why mosquitoes are attracted to skin odor -- smelly socks, worn clothes, bedding -- even in the absence of carbon dioxide. Using a chemical computational method they developed, the researchers identified affordable, safe and pleasant-smelling compounds that could find use in mosquito control.

How vision dims: Chemists crack code of cataract creation Posted: 05 Dec 2013 11:16 AM PST Groundbreaking new findings by chemists about how cataracts form could be used to help prevent the world's leading cause of blindness, which currently affects nearly 20 million people worldwide.

Gene found to be crucial for formation of certain brain circuitry Posted: 05 Dec 2013 11:14 AM PST Using a powerful gene-hunting technique for the first time in mammalian brain cells, researchers report on a gene involved in building the circuitry that relays signals through the brain. The gene is a likely player in the aging process, the researchers say. Additionally, in demonstrating the usefulness of the new method, the discovery paves the way for faster progress toward identifying genes involved in complex mental illnesses such as autism and schizophrenia — as well as potential drugs for such conditions.

New target to treat psoriasis identified Posted: 05 Dec 2013 11:14 AM PST A new study identifies the BTLA inhibitory receptor as a key factor in limiting inflammatory responses, particularly in skin. The research has important implications for psoriasis drug development. By targeting the BTLA receptor, inflammatory responses can be reined to restore immune homeostasis.

Priming 'cocktail' shows promise as cardiac stem cell grafting tool Posted: 05 Dec 2013 09:34 AM PST Researchers have identified a new tool that could help facilitate future stem cell therapy for the more than 700,000 Americans who suffer a heart attack each year.

Studies assess impact of IOM report on nursing reforms Posted: 05 Dec 2013 07:22 AM PST Two new studies examine how well hospitals and other health care facilities are doing when it comes to a call to reform the nursing profession. A 2010 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report warned that the nursing profession must change or it would not be able to meet the growing demands that are emerging as a result of health reform, new technologies and an aging population.

New guidelines rule out same-day return to play for athletes with concussion Posted: 05 Dec 2013 07:21 AM PST Any athlete with concussion symptoms should not be allowed to return to play on the same day, according to the latest consensus statement on sports-related concussion.

New vaccination guideline for immunocompromised patients Posted: 05 Dec 2013 06:29 AM PST A new guideline notes that most people with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to illness and should receive the flu shot and other vaccinations.

Gentler heart surgery remains without signs of dementia Posted: 05 Dec 2013 06:27 AM PST Aortic valve stenosis is the most frequent heart valve defect of older people in Europe. In patients at high and excessive risk, conventional cardiac surgery is often no therapeutic option, leaving only transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) as an option. However, this procedure has major side effects. A long-term study shows that clinicians are able to exclude significant cognitive impairment for the majority of patients undergoing TAVI.

Pulsatile blood flow unmasks new migraine features Posted: 05 Dec 2013 06:22 AM PST With every heartbeat, the blood is sent to all our peripheral tissues, generating changes in pulsatile perfusion. Using these pulsatile changes as a source of information, researchers have developed a new method of 2D mapping of microcirculation, called BPI (Blood Pulsation Imaging). The aim is to use the pulsatile vascular changes detected with BPI for diagnostic purposes.

The oracle of the T cell Posted: 05 Dec 2013 06:22 AM PST A new online platform predicts how the human immune system reacts to foreign substances.

Database tracks toxic side effects of pharmaceuticals Posted: 05 Dec 2013 06:18 AM PST Sometimes the cure can be worse than the disease. Pharmaceutical drugs are known for their potential side effects, and now researchers have updated an extensive toxicology database so that it can be used to track information about therapeutic drugs and their unintentional toxic effects.

Not in the mood but want to be? New studies bring women hope Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:22 PM PST For women, passing midlife can deal a blow to their sex drive. But two new studies just published offer hope to women who want to get their sexual mojo back.

Origin of Alzheimer's gene mutation discovered Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:22 PM PST The age and origin of the E280A gene mutation responsible for early-onset Alzheimer's in a Colombian family with an unusually high incidence of the disease has been traced to a single founder dating from the 16th century.

Telemedicine brings Parkinson's care to 'anyone, anywhere' Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:18 PM PST A new study shows that a neurologist in an office thousands of miles away can deliver effective specialized care to people with Parkinson's disease. For individuals with the condition -- many of whom have never seen a specialist -- these "virtual house calls" could allow them to live independently while effectively manage the symptoms of the disease.

Youthful suicide attempts a marker for lifelong troubles Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:18 PM PST Against a backdrop of rising youth suicide attempts during the global recession, a longitudinal study has found that people who had attempted suicide before age 24 are plagued by more health and psychiatric issues and had more economic difficulties than their peers when they reach their mid-30s. Youthful suicide attempt doesn't cause these problems, but can be a clue to provide more care to these individuals.

Researchers unravel role of Rb tumor suppressor in aggressive breast cancer Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:18 PM PST The retinoblastoma protein plays a critical role in suppressing the multi-step process of cell migration through the bloodstream, lymphovascular invasion and the metastasis of an aggressive type of breast cancer to the lung, researchers have found.

Estrogen: Not just produced by ovaries Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:14 PM PST A research team reports today that the brain can produce and release estrogen — a discovery that may lead to a better understanding of hormonal changes observed from before birth throughout the entire aging process.

Active component of grape seed extract effective against cancer cells Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:12 PM PST Controlled lab studies of grape seed extract (GSE) show anti-cancer activity without toxicity to healthy cells.

Shining light on damage from daily sun exposure: Better sunscreens needed Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:12 PM PST A low level of daily exposure to a common component of sunlight can cause skin damage at the molecular level after just a few days, new research shows. The findings highlight the need for better sunscreens to protect against these damaging rays.

Could a vaccine help ward off MS? Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:12 PM PST A vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis in other parts of the world may help prevent multiple sclerosis (MS) in people who show the beginning signs of the disease, according to a new study published.

Stomach 'clock' tells us how much to eat Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:12 PM PST Researchers have discovered the first evidence that the nerves in the stomach act as a circadian clock, limiting food intake to specific times of the day.

New understanding of chlamydial disease, host interactions Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:12 PM PST Investigators have developed a new technique that can track the activity of a disease-causing microbe and the host cell response to that pathogen simultaneously. Using the new method to examine Chlamydia trachomatis infection, the study team observed how the response of the infected cell contributes to one of the hallmark outcomes of chlamydial disease --tissue scarring.

Tune in, turn on, power up Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:12 PM PST Human beings don't come with power sockets, but a growing numbers of us have medical implants that run off electricity. To keep our bionic body parts from powering down, a group of researchers is developing a safe, noninvasive, and efficient means of wireless power transmission through body tissue.

Inflammation linked to obesity in adults may be protective in young children Posted: 04 Dec 2013 11:29 AM PST The first study of its kind reveals that the same pro-inflammatory proteins linked to obesity and the metabolic syndrome in adults appear to protect children prior to puberty.

Predicting ovarian cancer survival by counting tumor-attacking immune cells Posted: 04 Dec 2013 11:28 AM PST Scientists develop a new method for counting cancer-fighting cells in ovarian cancer patients.

Structure of key pain-related protein unveiled Posted: 04 Dec 2013 10:20 AM PST In a technical tour de force, scientists have determined, at near-atomic resolution, the structure of a protein that plays a central role in the perception of pain and heat.

New target identified for preventing bone destruction, such as in arthritis, cancer Posted: 04 Dec 2013 10:09 AM PST A new paper published announces the characterization of a new potent and selective PI3Kdelta inhibitor, GS-9820. The discovery suggests that selective inhibition of PI3K isoforms offers a new approach for the treatment of inflammatory bone diseases and skeletal metastases.

Death of adult son increases depressive symptoms in mothers, but not fathers Posted: 04 Dec 2013 10:09 AM PST Mothers -- but not fathers -- exhibited more depressive symptoms and experienced a decline in overall health after the death of an adult son, while the death of a daughter had no such effect on either parent, according to one of the first studies to examine the impacts of the death of an adult child on parents aged 65 and older.

Heart failure after heart attack is driven by immune cells made in spleen Posted: 04 Dec 2013 10:09 AM PST Damage to heart muscle caused by a heart attack turns on immune cells in the spleen that accelerate heart failure.

What a Formula 1 race does to your eardrums Posted: 04 Dec 2013 10:09 AM PST An acoustical engineer always wanted to go to a Formula 1 Grand Prix but knew he needed to protect himself from the deafening roar of the engines. The advice he found online varied and the technical papers he read provided assessments of sound levels for NASCAR and other races, but he could find nothing that measured the noise levels or dosage specifically for Formula 1. So he decided to conduct his own test.

Carbon monoxide may help shrink tumors, amplify effectiveness of chemotherapy Posted: 04 Dec 2013 09:37 AM PST In recent years, research has suggested that carbon monoxide, the highly toxic gas emitted from auto exhausts and faulty heating systems, can be used to treat certain inflammatory medical conditions. Now a study shows for the first time that carbon monoxide may also have a role to play in treating cancer.

Team turns tumor suppressor into anti-cancer target Posted: 04 Dec 2013 07:38 AM PST A new study published shows how, in mice, the elimination of the Cdh1 protein -- a sub-unit of the APC/C complex, involved in the control of cell division -- prevents cellular proliferation of rapidly dividing cells.

Swallowing a diagnostic pill Posted: 04 Dec 2013 07:38 AM PST A tiny capsule that can carry out a chemical analysis of the contents of one's stomach could identify the presence of so-called "occult" blood at very low levels. The data is automatically broadcast to an external monitoring device for detection of early stage stomach cancer by one's physician.

Stem cell research field is growing twice as fast as world average Posted: 04 Dec 2013 07:37 AM PST Released today, a new article offers a comprehensive analysis of the growth and development of the stem cell field as a whole, and closely examines the research landscape for embryonic stem (ES) cell, human embryonic stem (hES) cell and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell.

Ultrathin 'diagnostic skin' allows continuous patient monitoring Posted: 04 Dec 2013 07:36 AM PST A multidisciplinary research team has developed an ultrathin membrane that can stick to skin and carry arrays of diagnostic sensors and stimulatory components. The "electronic skin" allows remote patient monitoring and may someday be used to deliver treatments.

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