ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Food packaging chemicals may be harmful to human health over long term
• Despite unprecedented investment in malaria control, most Africans at high risk of contracting deadly malaria
• Whole genome analysis speeds up: 240 full genomes in 50 hours
• Clutter cutter: Computer modeling used to understand how messy cells contribute to cancer
• Does more stress equal more headaches?
• Molecular aberration signals cancer: Role of small non-coding RNAs in protein production, cancer cells
• Brain signals move paralyzed limbs in new experiment
• LGBT youth face greater cancer risks, study shows
• Cell therapy shows remarkable ability to eradicate cancer in clinical study
• Huntington's disease: Hot on the trail of misfolded proteins' toxic modus operandi
• Managing chronic bone, joint pain
• Impact of head movement on fMRI data shown in new study
• Infants with leukemia inherit susceptibility from parents, study indicates
• Switch That Says It's Time to Sleep Identified
• Dangers of ... sitting? Regardless of exercise, too much sedentary time is linked to major disability after 60
• Workings of working memory revealed
• Newly developed chemical restores light perception to blind mice
• Potential solution for feeding, swallowing difficulties in children with digeorge syndrome, autism
• Fresh air: Special air filter blocks small particles called UFPs from getting inside cars
• Making nanoelectronics last longer for medical devices, 'cyborgs'
• Targeted treatment for ovarian cancer discovered
• Afatinib: Added benefit depends on mutation status
• Minor added benefit of indacaterol/glycopyrronium in COPD
• Addicted to tanning? People keep tanning despite known risks
• Protein's role in human memory and learning: Deficiency in SNX27 could explain the learning difficulties in Down's syndrome
• Climate change linked to increase in Australia's suicide rates, study shows
• The nose knows in asthma: Nasal tissue samples may advance personalized medicine for asthma
• Could metabolism play a role in epilepsy?
• Researchers establish benchmark set of human genotypes for genome sequencing
• Understanding heart failure at the cellular level
• Public awareness, use of online physician rating sites studied
• Use of electrical energy studied for treating certain type of atrial fibrillation, in place of medications
• Home-based exercise program improves recovery following rehabilitation for hip fracture
• Antidepressant holds promise in treating Alzheimer's agitation
• Antibiotics don't prevent complications of kids' respiratory infections
• In fight against teen prescription drug abuse, home and school-based programs work in combination
• Specific genetic cue for sudden cardiac death syndrome found
• Nanodiamond-embedded contact lenses may improve glaucoma treatment
• Medicaid's 'tube-tying' polices create roadblocks for low-income women
• Garlic counteracts virulent bacteria
• Fight against Medicare, Medicaid fraud could benefit your health
• Researchers discover how ALS spreads
• Sweet taste receptors act as sentinels in defense against upper airway bacterial infections
• Better way to purify peptide-based drugs by adding atoms to the mix
• Sticky nanoparticles developed to fight heart disease

Food packaging chemicals may be harmful to human health over long term Posted: 19 Feb 2014 05:52 PM PST The synthetic chemicals used in the packaging, storage, and processing of foodstuffs might be harmful to human health over the long term, warn environmental scientists. This is because most of these substances are not inert and can leach into the foods we eat, they say. Despite the fact that some of these chemicals are regulated, people who eat packaged or processed foods are likely to be chronically exposed to low levels of these substances throughout their lives. And far too little is known about their long term impact.

Despite unprecedented investment in malaria control, most Africans at high risk of contracting deadly malaria Posted: 19 Feb 2014 05:51 PM PST Despite unprecedented investment in malaria control in Africa over the past decade, about 57% of the population still live in areas where risk of infection remains moderate to high, according to new research. However, new findings also show that substantial reductions in malaria transmission have been achieved across most of the malaria-endemic countries of Africa between 2000 and 2010, with more than a quarter of the population (around 218 million people) now living in areas with a much lower risk of infection.

Whole genome analysis speeds up: 240 full genomes in 50 hours Posted: 19 Feb 2014 02:31 PM PST Although the time and cost of sequencing the human genome has plummeted, analyzing the 3 billion base pairs of genetic information can take months. Researchers working with Beagle —- one of the world's fastest supercomputers devoted to life sciences —- report they can analyze 240 full genomes in 50 hours.

Clutter cutter: Computer modeling used to understand how messy cells contribute to cancer Posted: 19 Feb 2014 02:31 PM PST In a messy house, people use computers to manage paper and photo clutter; companies use computer systems to track their inventory. Researchers are taking a similar approach to cell-molecular inventory control for cancer. They have created computer models, using their programming framework (PySB), which enable them to explore the complex biochemical processes that drive cancer growth.

Does more stress equal more headaches? Posted: 19 Feb 2014 01:27 PM PST A new study provides evidence for what many people who experience headache have long suspected—having more stress in your life leads to more headaches.

Molecular aberration signals cancer: Role of small non-coding RNAs in protein production, cancer cells Posted: 19 Feb 2014 01:04 PM PST Scientists have made a discovery that strongly links a little understood molecule, which is similar to DNA, to cancer and cancer survival. While RNA is known to be key to our cells' successful creation of proteins, the role of small non-coding RNAs, a newly discovered cousin of the former, has eluded scientific understanding for the most part. Until now, it was only surmised that most of these molecules had nothing to do with protein production. However, scientists have discovered that many non-coding RNAs are perturbed in cancerous human cells, including breast and lung, in a specific way.

Brain signals move paralyzed limbs in new experiment Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:32 AM PST To help people suffering paralysis from injury, stroke or disease, scientists have invented brain-machine interfaces that record electrical signals of neurons in the brain and translate them to movement. Usually, that means the neural signals direct a device, like a robotic arm. Researchers are now bringing brain-machine interfaces to the next level: Instead of signals directing a device, they hope to help paralyzed people move their own limb, just by thinking about it.

LGBT youth face greater cancer risks, study shows Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:26 AM PST A new study has found that youths of same-sex orientation are more likely to engage in behaviors associated with cancer risk than heterosexuals. 12 cancer-risk behaviors included tobacco use, drinking alcohol, early sex, multiple sexual partners, higher body mass index (BMI) and lack of exercise were all studied in a group of young people. The report found that for all 12, sexual minorities were more likely than heterosexuals to engage in the risky behavior.

Cell therapy shows remarkable ability to eradicate cancer in clinical study Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:25 AM PST The largest clinical study ever conducted to date of patients with advanced leukemia found that 88 percent achieved complete remissions after being treated with genetically modified versions of their own immune cells. "These extraordinary results demonstrate that cell therapy is a powerful treatment for patients who have exhausted all conventional therapies," said a senior author. "Our initial findings have held up in a larger cohort of patients, and we are already looking at new clinical studies to advance this novel therapeutic approach in fighting cancer."

Huntington's disease: Hot on the trail of misfolded proteins' toxic modus operandi Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:24 AM PST Proteins are the workhorses of the cell, and their correctly folded three-dimensional structures are critical to cellular functions. Misfolded structures often fail to properly perform these vital jobs, leading to cellular stress and devastating neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease. Researchers are now gaining a better understanding of the relationship between protein misfolding, aggregation and cell toxicity.

Managing chronic bone, joint pain Posted: 19 Feb 2014 10:33 AM PST Musculoskeletal pain of the bone, joint and muscles is one of the most common reasons for primary care visits in the United States. Chronic pain, or pain that persists beyond an expected period of healing, is estimated to affect 100 million Americans. The majority of chronic pain complaints concern the musculoskeletal system, but they also include headaches and abdominal pain. A new article outlines some ways for people to manage this wide-spread problem.

Impact of head movement on fMRI data shown in new study Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST Discarding data from subjects with multiple sclerosis who exhibit head movement during functional magnetic resonance imaging may bias sampling away from subjects with lower cognitive ability, new research has shown. Because head movement during fMRI degrades data quality, data associated with severe movement is frequently discarded as a source of random error, and these authors note that it is important for researchers to be aware of this potential bias.

Infants with leukemia inherit susceptibility from parents, study indicates Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST Babies who develop leukemia during the first year of life appear to inherit an unfortunate combination of genetic variations that may make the infants highly susceptible to the disease, according to a new study. Doctors have long puzzled over why it is that babies just a few months old sometimes develop cancer. As infants, they have not lived long enough to accumulate a critical number of cancer-causing mutations. The babies appear to have inherited rare genetic variants from both parents that by themselves would not cause problems, but in combination put the infants at high risk of leukemia. These variants most often occurred in genes known to be linked to leukemia in children.

Switch That Says It's Time to Sleep Identified Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST The switch in the brain that sends us off to sleep has been identified in a study in fruit flies. The switch works by regulating the activity of a handful of sleep-promoting nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. The neurons fire when we're tired and need sleep, and dampen down when we're fully rested. Although the research was carried out in fruit flies, or Drosophila, the scientists say the sleep mechanism is likely to be relevant to humans.

Dangers of ... sitting? Regardless of exercise, too much sedentary time is linked to major disability after 60 Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST If you're 60 and older, every additional hour a day you spend sitting is linked to doubling the risk of being disabled -- regardless of how much exercise you get, reports a new study. The study is the first to show sedentary behavior is its own risk factor for disability, separate from lack of moderate vigorous physical activity. In fact, sedentary behavior is almost as strong a risk factor for disability as lack of exercise.

Workings of working memory revealed Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST Cognitive scientists have identified specific brain regions that work together to allow us to choose from among the options we store in working memory. Keep this in mind: Scientists say they've learned how your brain plucks information out of working memory when you decide to act. Say you're a busy mom trying to wrap up a work call now that you've arrived home. While you converse on your Bluetooth headset, one kid begs for an unspecified snack, another asks where his homework project has gone, and just then an urgent e-mail from your boss buzzes the phone in your purse. During the call's last few minutes these urgent requests -- snack, homework, boss -- wait in your working memory. When you hang up, you'll pick one and act.

Newly developed chemical restores light perception to blind mice Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST Progressive degeneration of photoreceptors -- the rods and cones of the eyes -- causes blinding diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. While there are currently no available treatments to reverse this degeneration, a newly developed compound allows other cells in the eye to act like photoreceptors. The compound may be a potential drug candidate for treating patients suffering from degenerative retinal disorders.

Potential solution for feeding, swallowing difficulties in children with digeorge syndrome, autism Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:45 AM PST Research reveals new information on the pathogenesis of feeding and swallowing difficulties often found in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and intellectual disability.

Fresh air: Special air filter blocks small particles called UFPs from getting inside cars Posted: 19 Feb 2014 08:34 AM PST While taking in the scenery during long road trips, passengers also may be taking in potentially harmful ultrafine particles that come into the car through outdoor air vents. Closing the vents reduces ultrafine particles, but causes exhaled carbon dioxide to build up. Now, scientists report that installing a newly developed high-efficiency cabin air filter could reduce ultrafine particle exposure by 93 percent and keep carbon dioxide levels low.

Making nanoelectronics last longer for medical devices, 'cyborgs' Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:54 AM PST The debut of cyborgs who are part human and part machine may be a long way off, but researchers say they now may be getting closer. Scientists have now developed a coating that makes nanoelectronics much more stable in conditions mimicking those in the human body. The advance could also aid in the development of very small implanted medical devices for monitoring health and disease.

Targeted treatment for ovarian cancer discovered Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:23 AM PST Researchers have developed a biologic drug that would prevent the production of a protein known to allow ovarian cancer cells to grow aggressively while being resistant to chemotherapy. This would improve treatment and survival rates for some women. "This is a tremendous discovery and could mean the difference between life or death for some women with ovarian cancer. This research is ground-breaking in the area of ovarian cancer." says one chief of obstetrics and gynecology.

Afatinib: Added benefit depends on mutation status Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:23 AM PST In advanced non-small cell lung cancer, the new tyrosine-kinase inhibitor is more effective than combination chemotherapy in patients with certain mutations. Evaluable data were only available for non-pretreated patients in relatively good general condition (ECOG PS 0 or 1). According to the findings, there is an indication of a major added benefit in patients with the EGFR mutation Del19, and a hint of a minor added benefit of afatinib in patients under the age of 65 with L858R mutation. In contrast, the Institute found an indication of lesser benefit versus the comparator therapy in patients with other EGFR mutations. The pharmaceutical company presented no relevant data for pretreated patients.

Minor added benefit of indacaterol/glycopyrronium in COPD Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:23 AM PST Adults with COPD of moderate or severe severity grade with no more than 2 flare-ups per year have fewer breathing difficulties when treated with the drug combination. According to the findings, the drug combination is better at relieving breathing difficulties (dyspnoea) than a combination treatment with tiotropium and formoterol. However, this only applies to patients who do not yet need inhaled corticosteroids because they have no more than 2 acute flare-ups (exacerbations) per year. Furthermore, there is an indication that the severity of the disease may influence the treatment result, and hence is a so-called "effect modifier." Hence overall, there is only a hint of a minor added benefit for patients with COPD grade 2. In contrast, there is an indication of a minor added benefit for patients with COPD grade 3 and no more than 2 exacerbations per year.

Addicted to tanning? People keep tanning despite known risks Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:22 AM PST Some people keep tanning, even after turning a deep brown and experiencing some of the negative consequences. Skin cancer is among the most common, preventable types of the disease, yet many continue to tan to excess. New research shows that some who engage in excessive tanning may also be suffering from obsessive-compulsive (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorders (BDD). Researchers also looked at whether tanning should be classified as an addiction.

Protein's role in human memory and learning: Deficiency in SNX27 could explain the learning difficulties in Down's syndrome Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:55 AM PST Scientists have identified the precise role of the protein, SNX27, in the pathway leading to memory and learning impairment. The study broadens the understanding of the brain's memory function and could be used to explain defects in the cognitive development of those with Down's syndrome. The newly established knowledge could potentially facilitate exploration of strategies to improve memory and learning abilities in Down's syndrome.

Climate change linked to increase in Australia's suicide rates, study shows Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:55 AM PST A researcher is predicting suicide rates will rise as a result of climate change after finding a link between high and varied temperatures and people taking their own life. "Based on Australia's climate the high risk seasons for Brisbane and Sydney are spring and early summer, so it is therefore necessary to strengthen current monitoring systems on attempted suicide especially in areas with high unemployment rates. As global climate change and financial recession continue, it is vital to develop local interventions to reduce suicidal risk," states the lead author of the newly published article.

The nose knows in asthma: Nasal tissue samples may advance personalized medicine for asthma Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:55 AM PST It has become increasingly clear in recent years that asthma comes in several variations, with different causes, different pathologies and different responses to therapy. These subtypes of asthma can be identified by knowing which genes are expressed at higher and lower levels in patients' airways. That information can, in turn, help guide personalized treatment to more effectively manage asthma and inspire research to better understand, manage and possibly prevent asthma. Nasal tissue samples may make genetic profiles of asthmatic patients more a more common and valuable tool to personalize therapy and guide research.

Could metabolism play a role in epilepsy? Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:53 AM PST Researchers are exploring a possible link between metabolic defects and seizures. They determined that diet could influence susceptibility to seizures, and they have identified a common diabetes drug that could be useful in treating disorders such as epilepsy. This connection was made in the lab by measuring fruit fly movement with inexpensive web-cams. While there is no known trigger behind seizures in people with epilepsy, the researchers are using their drug-screening technique to investigate potential metabolic causes—using genetically modified, seizure-prone flies.

Researchers establish benchmark set of human genotypes for genome sequencing Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:52 AM PST Researchers have presented new methods to integrate data from different sequencing platforms, thus producing a reliable set of genotypes to serve as a benchmark for human genome sequencing.

Understanding heart failure at the cellular level Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:51 AM PST Scientists have provided an unprecedented glimpse of what happens to the heart during an "infarction" -- a heart attack -- by looking at how the attack affects electrical activity and calcium release in heart cells.

Public awareness, use of online physician rating sites studied Posted: 18 Feb 2014 01:34 PM PST In a survey of a nationally representative sample of the US population, 65 percent of respondents reported awareness of online physician ratings and about one-fourth reported usage of these sites, according to a study. Survey results are outlined in a new article.

Use of electrical energy studied for treating certain type of atrial fibrillation, in place of medications Posted: 18 Feb 2014 01:34 PM PST Among patients with untreated paroxysmal (intermittent) atrial fibrillation (AF), treatment with electrical energy (radiofrequency ablation) resulted in a lower rate of abnormal atrial rhythms and episodes of AF, according to a study. Arial fibrillation affects approximately 5 million people worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of stroke. Drug treatment is recommended by practice guidelines as a first-line therapy in patients with paroxysmal AF. However, researchers now suggest that radiofrequency ablation is an accepted therapy in patients for whom antiarrhythmic drugs have failed, although its role as a first-line therapy needs further investigation.

Home-based exercise program improves recovery following rehabilitation for hip fracture Posted: 18 Feb 2014 01:34 PM PST Among patients who had completed standard rehabilitation after hip fracture, the use of a home exercise program that included exercises such as standing from a chair or climbing a step resulted in improved physical function, according to a study. More than 250,000 people in the United States fracture their hip each year, with many experiencing severe long-term consequences. Many of these patients are no longer able to independently complete basic functional tasks that they could perform prior to the fracture, such as walking 1 block or climbing 5 steps 2 years after a fracture. The efficacy of a home exercise program with minimal supervision after formal hip fracture rehabilitation ends has not been established. This new study addresses this type of cost-effective program.

Antidepressant holds promise in treating Alzheimer's agitation Posted: 18 Feb 2014 01:30 PM PST The antidepressant drug citalopram, sold under the brand names Celexa and Cipramil and also available as a generic medication, significantly relieved agitation in a group of patients with Alzheimer's disease. In lower doses than those tested, the drug might be safer than antipsychotic drugs currently used to treat the condition, according to results of a clinical trial that included eight academic medical centers in the United States and Canada.

Antibiotics don't prevent complications of kids' respiratory infections Posted: 18 Feb 2014 12:37 PM PST Antibiotics are often prescribed for young children who have upper respiratory tract infections, however, a new evidence review found no evidence to support this practice. The researchers explained that children's immature immune systems leave them vulnerable to many infections. URIs, which are mostly caused by viruses and typically run their course in 2-14 days, usually manifest themselves as coughs, but may also be accompanied by infections of the ears, sinuses or lungs. With this in mind, the researchers suggest that there is no evidence to support the use of antibiotics to prevent bacterial complications from most upper respiratory infections.

In fight against teen prescription drug abuse, home and school-based programs work in combination Posted: 18 Feb 2014 11:34 AM PST Programs that aim to curb teen prescription drug abuse have vastly differing success rates, ranging from big drops in drug abuse to no measurable effect, says a new study. The best results came from pairing a school-based program with a home-based intervention, resulting in a 10 percent decrease in abuse rates. Most school-based programs were ineffective when used by themselves. The six-year study is among the first to measure the success and cost-effectiveness of prescription drug abuse prevention efforts.

Specific genetic cue for sudden cardiac death syndrome found Posted: 18 Feb 2014 11:33 AM PST Researchers have found a specific genetic flaw that is connected to sudden death due to heart arrhythmia -- a leading cause of mortality for adults around the world. While a number of genes have been linked with arrhythmias, new researcher has uncovered that the functional impairment of a gene called KCNE2 underlies a multisystem syndrome that affects both heart rhythm and blood flow and can activate chemical triggers that can cause sudden cardiac death.

Nanodiamond-embedded contact lenses may improve glaucoma treatment Posted: 18 Feb 2014 11:33 AM PST Glaucoma is a pervasive disorder that occurs when there is a buildup of pressure in the eye. If left untreated, this can damage the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss. Bioengineers have developed a nanodiamond-embedded contact lens that may improve glaucoma treatment by localizing and sustaining drug release that can be triggered using tears. The researchers showed that the nanodiamonds even improved lens durability while maintaining wear comfort.

Medicaid's 'tube-tying' polices create roadblocks for low-income women Posted: 18 Feb 2014 09:48 AM PST Tubal ligation -- or having one's "tubes tied" -- is widely used to prevent unintended pregnancies. However, current Medicaid policies create roadblocks for low-income and minority women trying to obtain the procedure in the United States, according to a new study. Under a Medicaid rule enacted in 1978, women must currently wait 30 days after signing a written consent form to obtain a tubal ligation. This requirement is prohibitive for many women who want to receive the procedure after giving birth, the researchers write, and creates a "two-tiered system of access" as women with private insurance are not subject to the same limitation. With the upcoming expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, even more women could be affected by these restrictions.

Garlic counteracts virulent bacteria Posted: 18 Feb 2014 09:45 AM PST Aggressive multi-resistant infections constitute an increasing health problem all over the world. Bacteria are developing resistance at an alarming pace, so new pharmaceuticals that can combat this threat are in great demand. Garlic contains a substance that is particularly effective in encounters with even the hardiest bacterial strains. A young researcher will soon be defending his Ph.D. thesis on the positive properties of the malodorous plant.

Fight against Medicare, Medicaid fraud could benefit your health Posted: 18 Feb 2014 08:43 AM PST Advances in data analysis technology are proving to be effective weapons for controlling the billions of dollars lost to Medicare and Medicaid fraud, research shows. Medicare loses billions of dollars to fraudulent claims every year, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice. Some examples of Medicare fraud provided by these departments include: a health care provider bills Medicare for services you never received; a supplier bills Medicare for equipment you never got; and a company uses false information to mislead you into joining a Medicare plan. Ultimately, the fraud raises health care costs for everyone.

Researchers discover how ALS spreads Posted: 18 Feb 2014 08:43 AM PST The fatal neurodegenerative disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, has been under investigation by researchers, and in particular, how it spreads. New findings suggest that transmission can be blocked, and that misfolded non-mutant SOD1 can be transmitted from region to region in the nervous system, offering a molecular explanation for the progressive nature of the spread. ALS is a disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. There are approximately 140,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide each year.

Sweet taste receptors act as sentinels in defense against upper airway bacterial infections Posted: 18 Feb 2014 08:42 AM PST The body uses mucus as a protective barrier to defend against pathogens, toxins, and allergens in the upper respiratory tract that can lead to such conditions as chronic sinusitis. Aiding in this defense are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), a diverse group of small proteins found in mucus that kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In addition to these known defensive systems, researchers have recently surmised that taste receptors serve "double duty" by also acting as first line sentinels against infection in the upper airway. This study reveals the functional role of sweet taste receptors in the human airway.

Better way to purify peptide-based drugs by adding atoms to the mix Posted: 18 Feb 2014 08:42 AM PST During the production of peptide drugs, amino acids attach to each other in chains, but some of the chains are never completed. To separate these truncated peptides from the good ones, a team of researchers adds a polymerizable group of atoms to the mix. These atoms bind to either the perfect peptides or the unfinished ones, but not to both. The polymerized peptides become insoluble and precipitate out of the solution.

Sticky nanoparticles developed to fight heart disease Posted: 18 Feb 2014 08:07 AM PST Nanoparticles that can deliver drugs targeting damaged arteries have been developed as a non-invasive method to fight heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One of the standard ways to treat clogged and damaged arteries currently is to implant vascular stents, which hold the vessels open and release such drugs as paclitaxel. The researchers of this new study hope their advanced nanoparticles could be used alongside stents or in lieu of them.

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