ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• A thousand years ago, Central Europeans digested milk as well as us today
• Are developing heart valves sensitive to environmental chemicals?
• Depression symptoms, emotional support impact PTSD treatment progress, study finds
• Doctors implant first new valve device in heart patient after FDA approval
• Gap in life expectancy between rural, urban residents is growing
• Scientists identify key to body's use of free calcium
• Moderate doses of radiation therapy to unaffected breast may prevent second breast cancers
• National plan for preventing healthcare-associated infections shows progress
• Potential drug targets for early onset glaucoma
• New genes spring, spread from non-coding DNA
• Donors should have access to their own raw data provided to biobanks
• Genome of longest-living cancer: 11,000-year-old living dog cancer reveals its origin, evolution
• Salmonella infection mitigates asthma
• Researchers discover origin of unusual glands in the body
• More benefits emerging for one type of omega-3 fatty acid: DHA
• Scientists map gene changes driving tumors in common pediatric soft-tissue cancer
• Two proteins compete for one port on a growth factor; one promotes metastasis, the other blocks it
• Obesity in mothers alters babies' weight through brain rewiring
• Detecting sickness by smell
• Insulin-producing beta cells from stem cells
• Female students anticipate lower salaries than male counterparts
• Long-term spinal cord stimulation stalls symptoms of parkinson's-like disease
• Computer simulation of blood vessel growth
• World's dangerous neighborhoods produce aggressive children
• Concern about femoral neck fractures in long-necked modular implants
• Unprecedented structural insights: NMDA receptors can be blocked to limit neurotoxicity
• Toward fixing damaged hearts through tissue engineering
• Drug alternatives to antibiotics may not be perfect, study shows
• New gene for severe childhood epilepsy identified
• Many rare mutations contribute to schizophrenia risk, new study concludes
• Exposure to cold temperatures can help boost weight loss
• Last-resort therapy saving lives during flu epidemic
• Researchers develop risk calculator to predict survival in heart failure patients
• New study examines patterns of cancer screening in Appalachian women
• Scientific first allows doctors to 'see' radiation treatment in body
• Hearing loss linked to accelerated brain tissue loss
• Who’s to blame for obesity? Policy makers, the food industry, or individuals?
• Half of hospitalized adults over 65 need surrogate decision-makers
• Injectable material could enable targeted drug delivery, biosensors
• Olive oil component investigated for breast cancer prevention
• New poll finds diabetes top health concern for Latino families

A thousand years ago, Central Europeans digested milk as well as us today Posted: 23 Jan 2014 07:19 PM PST Back in the Middle Ages, Central Europeans were already capable of digesting milk, yogurt and cheese just as well as most people of European descent are today. Researchers have discovered that the population of the medieval town of Dalheim had a similar genetic predisposition for milk digestion to present-day Germans and Austrians. Moreover, the study reveals that lactose tolerance was more widespread than previously believed.

Are developing heart valves sensitive to environmental chemicals? Posted: 23 Jan 2014 01:18 PM PST Exposure to environmental endocrine disrupters, such as bisphenol A, which mimic estrogen, is associated with adverse health effects. Bisphenol A is commonly found in plastic bottles and plastic food containers. New research from on the effects of these chemicals on zebrafish shows that embryonic heart valves could be particularly in danger.

Depression symptoms, emotional support impact PTSD treatment progress, study finds Posted: 23 Jan 2014 12:48 PM PST Researchers found that during PTSD treatments, rapid improvements in depression symptoms are associated with better outcomes.

Doctors implant first new valve device in heart patient after FDA approval Posted: 23 Jan 2014 12:47 PM PST American doctors yesterday became the first to use a new minimally invasive medical device since it received FDA approval last week. The device treats patients with severely damaged aortic heart valves who are too ill or frail to have their aortic valves replaced through traditional open-heart surgery.

Gap in life expectancy between rural, urban residents is growing Posted: 23 Jan 2014 12:47 PM PST A new study finds that rural American residents have experienced smaller gains in life expectancy than their urban counterparts and the gap continues to grow.

Scientists identify key to body's use of free calcium Posted: 23 Jan 2014 11:20 AM PST Scientists report they have figured out a key step in how "free" calcium -- the kind not contained in bones -- is managed in the body, a finding that could aid in the development of new treatments for a variety of neurological disorders that include Parkinson's disease.

Moderate doses of radiation therapy to unaffected breast may prevent second breast cancers Posted: 23 Jan 2014 11:20 AM PST Survivors of breast cancer have a one in six chance of developing breast cancer in the other breast. But a study conducted in mice suggests that survivors can dramatically reduce that risk through treatment with moderate doses of radiation to the unaffected breast at the same time that they receive radiation therapy to their affected breast. The treatment, if it works as well in humans as in mice, could prevent tens of thousands of second breast cancers.

National plan for preventing healthcare-associated infections shows progress Posted: 23 Jan 2014 11:20 AM PST Independent evaluators have found that measurable progress in reducing the rates of some targeted HAIs has been achieved under the umbrella of a national plan to prevent HAIs that was developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Potential drug targets for early onset glaucoma Posted: 23 Jan 2014 11:20 AM PST Using a novel high-throughput screening process, scientists have for the first time identified molecules with the potential to block the accumulation of a toxic eye protein that can lead to early onset of glaucoma.

New genes spring, spread from non-coding DNA Posted: 23 Jan 2014 11:20 AM PST "Where do new genes come from?" is a long-standing question in genetics and evolutionary biology. A new study shows that new genes can spring from non-coding DNA more rapidly than expected.

Donors should have access to their own raw data provided to biobanks Posted: 23 Jan 2014 11:20 AM PST Scientists have called for data held in biobanks to be made accessible to the people donating material and data to them.

Genome of longest-living cancer: 11,000-year-old living dog cancer reveals its origin, evolution Posted: 23 Jan 2014 11:17 AM PST A cancer normally lives and dies with a person, however this is not the case with a sexually transmitted cancer in dogs. In a new study, researchers have described the genome and evolution of this cancer that has continued living within the dog population for the past 11,000 years.

Salmonella infection mitigates asthma Posted: 23 Jan 2014 09:59 AM PST Researchers have identified the mechanism by which Salmonella infections can reduce the incidence of asthma in mice. The research opens up new avenues of research that could lead to treatments.

Researchers discover origin of unusual glands in the body Posted: 23 Jan 2014 09:59 AM PST The thymus gland is a critical component of the human immune system that is responsible for the development of T-lymphocytes, or T-cells, which help organize and lead the body's fighting forces against harmful organisms like bacteria and viruses.

More benefits emerging for one type of omega-3 fatty acid: DHA Posted: 23 Jan 2014 09:59 AM PST A study of the metabolic effects of omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, concludes that these compounds may have an even wider range of biological impacts than previously considered. They could be of significant value in the prevention of fatty liver disease, but that may also be just the beginning.

Scientists map gene changes driving tumors in common pediatric soft-tissue cancer Posted: 23 Jan 2014 09:59 AM PST Scientists have mapped the genetic changes that drive tumors in rhabdomyosarcoma, a pediatric soft-tissue cancer, and found that the disease is characterized by two distinct genotypes. The genetic alterations identified in this malignancy could be useful in developing targeted diagnostic tools and treatments for children with the disease.

Two proteins compete for one port on a growth factor; one promotes metastasis, the other blocks it Posted: 23 Jan 2014 09:58 AM PST Consider two drivers, each with a key that fits the same car. Driver 1 wants simply to turn on the ignition and leave the vehicle idling, ready and waiting to roll. Driver 2 wants to take it on a destructive joy ride. New cancer researchers have discovered that the same happens in our bodies between two proteins.

Obesity in mothers alters babies' weight through brain rewiring Posted: 23 Jan 2014 09:55 AM PST Obese mothers are more likely to have children with metabolic disorders, but the underlying reasons for this effect have been unclear. A new study reveals that the offspring of mouse mothers on a high-fat diet are predisposed to obesity and diabetes because of abnormal neuronal circuits in the hypothalamus. The findings suggest that mothers who consume a large amount of fat during the third trimester may be putting their children at risk for lifelong obesity.

Detecting sickness by smell Posted: 23 Jan 2014 07:27 AM PST Humans are able to smell sickness in someone whose immune system is highly active within just a few hours of exposure to a toxin, according to new research published.

Insulin-producing beta cells from stem cells Posted: 23 Jan 2014 07:27 AM PST The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway and microRNA 335 are instrumental in helping form differentiated progenitor cells from stem cells. These are organized in germ layers and are thus the origin of different tissue types, including the pancreas and its insulin-producing beta cells. With these findings, scientists have discovered key molecular functions of stem cell differentiation which could be used for beta cell replacement therapy in diabetes.

Female students anticipate lower salaries than male counterparts Posted: 23 Jan 2014 04:56 AM PST University students have remained optimistic about their job prospects throughout the economic downturn. But earnings expectations vary, with female students anticipating lower salaries than male counterparts – a reflection of a "gender pay gap" that exists in the labor market – while ethnic minorities expect a higher income.  Also, work placements undertaken during a course lead to an expectation of higher salaries.

Long-term spinal cord stimulation stalls symptoms of parkinson's-like disease Posted: 23 Jan 2014 04:54 AM PST Researchers have shown that continuing spinal cord stimulation appears to produce improvements in symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and may protect critical neurons from injury or deterioration.

Computer simulation of blood vessel growth Posted: 22 Jan 2014 05:20 PM PST Bioengineers showed that tiny blood vessels grow better in the laboratory if the tissue surrounding them is less dense. Then the researchers created a computer simulation to predict such growth accurately – an early step toward treatments to provide blood supply to tissues damaged by diabetes and heart attacks and to skin grafts and implanted ligaments and tendons.

World's dangerous neighborhoods produce aggressive children Posted: 22 Jan 2014 02:06 PM PST Across the globe, children growing up in dangerous neighborhoods exhibit more aggressive behavior, says a new study that is the first to examine the topic across a wide range of countries. The effect may be indirect: dangerous neighborhoods may influence parents' behavior, and harsh parenting practices may in turn promote aggressive behavior in children.

Concern about femoral neck fractures in long-necked modular implants Posted: 22 Jan 2014 12:39 PM PST Modularity and long femoral neck length are the common denominators among cited cases for femoral neck fractures. Research identifies indicate a real risk of fracture that should be discussed with patients.

Unprecedented structural insights: NMDA receptors can be blocked to limit neurotoxicity Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:42 AM PST Structural biologists have obtained important scientific results likely to advance efforts to develop new drugs targeting NMDA receptors in the brain.

Toward fixing damaged hearts through tissue engineering Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:41 AM PST In the US, someone suffers a heart attack every 34 seconds -- their heart is starved of oxygen and suffers irreparable damage. Engineering new heart tissue in the laboratory that could eventually be implanted into patients could help, and scientists are reporting a promising approach tested with rat cells.

Drug alternatives to antibiotics may not be perfect, study shows Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:40 AM PST New types of drug intended for use in place of antibiotics have been given a cautious welcome by scientists.

New gene for severe childhood epilepsy identified Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:40 AM PST Using a novel combination of technologies, the EuroEPINOMICS RES consortium found mutations in CHD2 responsible for a subset of epilepsy patients with symptoms similar to Dravet syndrome -- a severe form of childhood epilepsy that is in many patients resistant to currently available anti-epileptic drugs. The discovery of CHD2's role in epilepsy offers new diagnostic tools for families and clinicians.

Many rare mutations contribute to schizophrenia risk, new study concludes Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:38 AM PST Researchers have taken a closer look at the human genome to learn more about the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia. Scientists analyzed the exomes, or protein-coding regions, of people with schizophrenia and their healthy counterparts, pinpointing the sites of mutations and identifying patterns that reveal clues about the biology underlying the disorder.

Exposure to cold temperatures can help boost weight loss Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:38 AM PST Regular exposure to mild cold may be a healthy and sustainable way to help people lose weight, according to researchers. On the flip side, that means our warm and cozy homes and offices might be partly responsible for our expanding waistlines.

Last-resort therapy saving lives during flu epidemic Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:36 AM PST Physicians are employing a technology known as ECMO as a last-resort therapy for extremely severe cases of influenza. ECMO is a sort of portable heart/lung bypass machine.

Researchers develop risk calculator to predict survival in heart failure patients Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:36 AM PST A team has developed an easy-to-use "risk calculator" that helps predict heart failure patients' chances of survival for up to five years and can assist doctors in determining whether more or less aggressive treatment is appropriate.

New study examines patterns of cancer screening in Appalachian women Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:34 AM PST A new study shows that women who never or rarely screen for breast cancer are also unlikely to receive screening for cervical cancer. The study also identified four key barriers independently associated with the lack of these cancer screenings in Appalachian women.

Scientific first allows doctors to 'see' radiation treatment in body Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:34 AM PST A scientific breakthrough may give the field of radiation oncology new tools to increase the precision and safety of radiation treatment in cancer patients by helping doctors "see" the powerful beams of a linear accelerator as they enter or exit the body.

Hearing loss linked to accelerated brain tissue loss Posted: 22 Jan 2014 10:34 AM PST Although the brain becomes smaller with age, the shrinkage seems to be fast-tracked in older adults with hearing loss, according to the results of a study. The findings add to a growing list of health consequences associated with hearing loss, including increased risk of dementia, falls, hospitalizations, and diminished physical and mental health overall.

Who’s to blame for obesity? Policy makers, the food industry, or individuals? Posted: 22 Jan 2014 08:24 AM PST Fast food restaurants take a lot of heat for the rise in obesity in the United States, but is it really their fault? A research survey revealed that most people believe individuals are to blame for their own obesity – not restaurants, grocery stores, farmers, or government policies. One implication from this research is that creating and enforcing public policies to help reduce obesity and/or encourage healthier food choices may not be as effective as policy makers would like.

Half of hospitalized adults over 65 need surrogate decision-makers Posted: 22 Jan 2014 08:24 AM PST Nearly half of hospitalized American adults age 65 and older require decision-making assistance from family members or other surrogates because the patient is too impaired to make decisions independently, according to a new study.

Injectable material could enable targeted drug delivery, biosensors Posted: 22 Jan 2014 08:24 AM PST A new injectable material designed to deliver drug therapies and sensor technology to targeted areas within the human body is being developed by a biomedical engineer who says the system can lock its payload in place and control how it is released.

Olive oil component investigated for breast cancer prevention Posted: 22 Jan 2014 08:24 AM PST A major component of olive oil, hydroxytyrosol, is the subject of a study of women who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer.

New poll finds diabetes top health concern for Latino families Posted: 22 Jan 2014 07:41 AM PST A new poll was released recently on the views of Latinos in America about their health and health care, communities, financial situation, and discrimination in their lives.

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