ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Pretreatment snack improves uptake of schistosomiasis treatment in schoolchildren
• Human learning altered by electrical stimulation of dopamine neurons
• Novel protein fragments may protect against Alzheimer's
• Strategies that reduce early hospital readmissions
• Stem cell technology points to early indicators of schizophrenia
• Preschool teacher depression linked to behavioral problems in children: Unhealthy classroom climate is contributing factor
• Cause of many preterm births discovered: Premature aging of placenta from oxidative stress
• New implanted devices may reshape medicine: Researchers create transistors that wrap around tissues
• Letting it go: Take responsibility, make amends, forgive yourself
• Achieving patient-centered care across the spectrum
• Molecule blocks cancer growth in mice: New drug candidate disrupts key interaction of two proteins by mimicking one to trick the other
• MEMS nanoinjector for genetic modification of cells
• Dangerous nitrogen pollution could be halved
• Humans and companion animals harbor the same types of MRSA infections
• New agent may enhance effectiveness of radiotherapy
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder questionnaire may give clues to other mental health problems
• Breakthrough in controlling T cell activation
• Low-value care in Medicare studied, may reflect broad overuse
• Living near foreclosed property linked to higher blood pressure
• Screening 'not effective' in fight against domestic violence, researchers conclude
• Intensive insulin provides survival benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes after heart attack
• Brain may never fully recover from exposure to paint, glue, degreasers
• Multilayer nanofiber face mask helps to combat pollution
• Worse health, more problems, higher costs among Medicaid patients, study shows
• Try this allergy test: Three little-known facts about indoor allergies
• Birth by c-section, early antibiotic use put kids at risk for allergic esophagitis
• Graphene and painkiller receptor combined into scalable chemical sensor
• Inactive yeast to preserve aroma of young wines
• Young people in developing countries need specially customized suicide prevention programs
• Analyzing sperm cells to learn about animal infidelity, evolution
• Drug therapy for allergy moves forward
• Noninvasive monitoring of HIV-induced peripheral neuropathy may be possible
• Why exercise may not help obese shed much weight: Exercise can elevate stress response and make it more difficult to become slim
• U.S. cervical cancer rates higher than previously reported, especially among older women, African-American women
• Human microbiome studies should include wider diversity of populations, experts warn
• Men from ethnic minorities take longer to recover from mental illness, study finds

Pretreatment snack improves uptake of schistosomiasis treatment in schoolchildren Posted: 13 May 2014 02:52 PM PDT Provision of a snack before mass treatment of schistosomiasis with praziquantel leads to increased uptake of treatment in school-aged children in Uganda, according to a new study. Scientists found that 93.9 percent of children reported taking praziquantel in schools that offered a snack before treatment compared with 78.7 percent of children in schools that did not offer a snack.

Human learning altered by electrical stimulation of dopamine neurons Posted: 13 May 2014 02:50 PM PDT Stimulation of a certain population of neurons within the brain can alter the learning process, according to a team of neuroscientists and neurosurgeons. A new report describes for the first time that human learning can be modified by stimulation of dopamine-containing neurons in a deep brain structure known as the substantia nigra.

Novel protein fragments may protect against Alzheimer's Posted: 13 May 2014 12:29 PM PDT Alzheimer's research has centered on trying to understand the protective or regenerative properties of brain cells as an avenue for treating the widespread disease. Now a researcher has discovered novel protein fragments that have proven protective properties for cognitive functioning. Her findings have the potential to serve as a pipeline for new drug candidates to treat the disease.

Strategies that reduce early hospital readmissions Posted: 13 May 2014 12:29 PM PDT 30-day readmissions can be reduced by almost 20 percent when specific efforts are taken to prevent them, a review has found. Key among these are interventions to help patients deal with the work passed on to them at discharge. "Effective approaches often are multifaceted and proactively seek to understand the complete patient context, often including in-person visits to the patient's home after discharge," says the lead author.

Stem cell technology points to early indicators of schizophrenia Posted: 13 May 2014 11:20 AM PDT Using new stem cell technology, scientists have shown that neurons generated from the skin cells of people with schizophrenia behave strangely in early developmental stages, providing a hint as to ways to detect and potentially treat the disease early. "This study aims to investigate the earliest detectable changes in the brain that lead to schizophrenia," says one researcher. "We were surprised at how early in the developmental process that defects in neural function could be detected."

Preschool teacher depression linked to behavioral problems in children: Unhealthy classroom climate is contributing factor Posted: 13 May 2014 11:20 AM PDT Depression in preschool teachers is associated with behavioral problems ranging from aggression to sadness in children under the teachers' care, new research suggests.

Cause of many preterm births discovered: Premature aging of placenta from oxidative stress Posted: 13 May 2014 10:27 AM PDT A new study is the first to show that premature aging of the placenta due to oxidative stress is the cause of many preterm births.

New implanted devices may reshape medicine: Researchers create transistors that wrap around tissues Posted: 13 May 2014 10:27 AM PDT Scientists have create flexible transistors that can grip large tissues, nerves and blood vessels without losing their electronic properties. These biologically adaptive, flexible transistors might one day help doctors learn more about what is happening inside the body, and stimulate the body for treatments.

Letting it go: Take responsibility, make amends, forgive yourself Posted: 13 May 2014 10:26 AM PDT Forgiving ourselves for hurting another is easier if we first make amends, giving our inner selves a 'moral OK,' according to research. The study is significant because previous studies show that inability to self-forgive can be a factor in depression, anxiety and weakened immunity.

Achieving patient-centered care across the spectrum Posted: 13 May 2014 10:26 AM PDT Providing patient-centered care consistently in clinical practice requires practitioners who are able to recognize that different clinical situations require different approaches and are skilled enough to adapt. Researchers note that practitioners could use or integrate two methods: shared decision making and motivational interviewing when discussing options for treatment with patients.

Molecule blocks cancer growth in mice: New drug candidate disrupts key interaction of two proteins by mimicking one to trick the other Posted: 13 May 2014 08:36 AM PDT Scientists have developed a small molecule that interferes with cancer progression with minimal side effects. The new cancer-fighting drug prevents two critical proteins from interacting by mimicking the surface topography of one protein -- like wearing a mask -- which tricks the other protein into binding with it.

MEMS nanoinjector for genetic modification of cells Posted: 13 May 2014 08:32 AM PDT The ability to transfer a gene or DNA sequence from one animal into the genome of another plays a critical role in a wide range of medical research—including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes. But the traditional method of transferring genetic material into a new cell, called "microinjection," has a serious downside. It involves using a small glass pipette to pump a solution containing DNA into the nucleus of an egg cell, but the extra fluid can cause the cell to swell and destroy it -- resulting in a 25 to 40 percent cell death rate.

Dangerous nitrogen pollution could be halved Posted: 13 May 2014 06:25 AM PDT The most important fertilizer for producing food is, at the same time, one of the most important risks for human health: nitrogen. Chemical compounds containing reactive nitrogen are major drivers of air and water pollution worldwide, and hence of diseases like asthma or cancer. If no action is taken, nitrogen pollution could rise by 20 percent by 2050 in a middle-of-the-road scenario, according to a new study.

Humans and companion animals harbor the same types of MRSA infections Posted: 13 May 2014 06:25 AM PDT A shared population of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria circulates both in humans and companion animals, according to a new study. Researchers also observed that samples from the same veterinary hospitals clustered together genetically, suggesting that as in human hospitals, MRSA can be readily transmitted in veterinary hospital settings.

New agent may enhance effectiveness of radiotherapy Posted: 13 May 2014 06:23 AM PDT The potential of a drug to improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy in stopping tumor growth has been demonstrated by scientists. There is increasing interest in using the body's own immune system to attack tumor cells – a strategy that can be very effective without the side effects associated with conventional chemotherapy. Skin cancers, for instance, have been successfully treated using a topical cream, imiquimod, which recruits immune cells through a molecule known as toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), a protein that recognizes foreign and potentially harmful material.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder questionnaire may give clues to other mental health problems Posted: 13 May 2014 06:14 AM PDT A shortened version of a questionnaire used by psychologists to assess risk factors for obsessive-compulsive disorder also may help determine the risk of depression and anxiety, according to a study. Given the brevity of the revised Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire -- and its potential for patients -- it could become a useful tool for research as well as treatment of patients and intervention for those who are predisposed toward a number of mental health disorders, a researcher notes.

Breakthrough in controlling T cell activation Posted: 13 May 2014 06:11 AM PDT The discovery of a crucial mechanism that controls the activation of T cells, a blood cell whose primary job is to fight infection in the body, may enable the development of new drugs to treat autoimmune disease, transplant rejection, and similar disorders in which T cells play a major role.

Low-value care in Medicare studied, may reflect broad overuse Posted: 12 May 2014 06:41 PM PDT A substantial number of Medicare beneficiaries receive low-value medical services that provide little or no benefit to patients, such as some cancer screenings, imaging, cardiovascular, diagnostic and preoperative testing, and this may reflect a broader overuse of services while accounting for a modest proportion of overall spending.

Living near foreclosed property linked to higher blood pressure Posted: 12 May 2014 06:40 PM PDT This study provides the first evidence that foreclosed properties may increase neighbors' blood pressure. Neighborhood environment is an important social determinant of cardiovascular health, including blood pressure. The scale of the recent U.S. housing crisis has prompted the public health community to seek a better understanding of how foreclosure activity might impact health. The number of foreclosures spiked in the United States in 2007-10 when more than 6 million homeowners fell behind on their mortgages and banks took ownership of the homes, or foreclosed.

Screening 'not effective' in fight against domestic violence, researchers conclude Posted: 12 May 2014 06:40 PM PDT One in three women around the world has experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner. Although domestic violence is associated with a range of adverse health impacts, even after the abuse has ended, it is not easily identified by health care professionals, prompting some countries, notably the United States, to introduce screening programs in healthcare settings. A new study has found no evidence to support domestic violence screening.

Intensive insulin provides survival benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes after heart attack Posted: 12 May 2014 06:38 PM PDT Intensive insulin treatment prolonged life by more than 2 years in patients with diabetes after a heart attack, compared with standard treatment for diabetes, a long term follow-up trial has shown. The trial, involving 620 patients with type 2 diabetes, began in 1990. Patients who were admitted to hospital with a suspected heart attack received either intensive insulin treatment, or standard glucose-lowering treatment for one year. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the difference in treatment affected all-cause mortality in the long-term.

Brain may never fully recover from exposure to paint, glue, degreasers Posted: 12 May 2014 06:37 PM PDT People who are exposed to paint, glue or degreaser fumes at work may experience memory and thinking problems in retirement, decades after their exposure, according to a new study. Researchers assessed the workers' lifetime exposure to chlorinated solvents, petroleum solvents, and benzene, including the timing of last exposure and lifetime dosage. Benzene is used to make plastics, rubber, dye, detergents and other synthetic materials. Chlorinated solvents can be found in dry cleaning solutions, engine cleaners, paint removers and degreasers. Petroleum solvents are used in carpet glue, furniture polishes, paint, paint thinner and varnish.

Multilayer nanofiber face mask helps to combat pollution Posted: 12 May 2014 11:22 AM PDT Researchers have developed a ground-breaking filter technology that guards against the finest pollutants in the air. Haze is usually composed of pollutants in the form of tiny suspended particles or fine mists/droplets emitted from vehicles, coal-burning power plants and factories. Continued exposure increases the risk of developing respiratory problems, heart diseases and lung cancer. Can we avoid the unhealthy air?

Worse health, more problems, higher costs among Medicaid patients, study shows Posted: 12 May 2014 10:48 AM PDT Surgery patients covered by Medicaid come into their operations with worse health, do worse afterward, stay in the hospital longer and find themselves back in the hospital more often than those covered by private insurance, a new analysis shows. In fact, people with Medicaid coverage were twice as likely as other patients to have certain health risk factors before they had surgery, the researchers report.

Try this allergy test: Three little-known facts about indoor allergies Posted: 12 May 2014 10:48 AM PDT Outdoor pollen might have you running for cover behind closed windows and doors, but allergists say indoor allergens are just as much trouble. One expert discusses 3 allergy misconceptions that could be making things worse.

Birth by c-section, early antibiotic use put kids at risk for allergic esophagitis Posted: 12 May 2014 09:41 AM PDT Children delivered by cesarean section and those given antibiotics during early infancy appear more prone to developing allergic inflammation of the esophagus — the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach — according to results of a study. Eosinophilic esophagitis, or EoE, is an emerging allergic disease, the causes of which remain unclear. While still relatively rare, EoE appears to be on the rise in both children and adults, research shows.

Graphene and painkiller receptor combined into scalable chemical sensor Posted: 12 May 2014 08:25 AM PDT Researchers have created an artificial chemical sensor based on one of the human body's most important receptors, one that is critical in the action of painkillers and anesthetics. In these devices, the receptors' activation produces an electrical response rather than a biochemical one, allowing that response to be read out by a computer.

Inactive yeast to preserve aroma of young wines Posted: 12 May 2014 07:15 AM PDT The usage of inactive yeast preparations rich in glutathione can preserve the aroma of young wines during their storage, research has shown. The fresh, fruity and floral aroma of young wines (white and rosé) can quickly disappear during their storage because of the oxidation process. Additionally, young wines can change their color due to the formation of polymers producing orange and brown color tones. Apart from the loss of pleasant aromas, this process can produce unpleasant aromas similar to some aged wines.

Young people in developing countries need specially customized suicide prevention programs Posted: 12 May 2014 07:15 AM PDT It is vital that both cultural and gender differences are taken into account when drawing up programs aimed at preventing suicide among young people in low- to middle-income countries. "Suicide among young people is a global health problem. There is a lack of knowledge and understanding about the factors that affect the risk of suicide and about the importance of different suicidal expressions in many low and middle-income countries. In order to implement effective preventative measures it is necessary to study the differences in suicidal expressions between different countries," says the author.

Analyzing sperm cells to learn about animal infidelity, evolution Posted: 12 May 2014 07:15 AM PDT The analyzing of sperm cells to learn more about bird evolution and behavior is a new area of research. "To understand sexual infidelity in species, interpreting DNA is not enough. We also need to look at the shape and behavior of the sperm cells. Sperm research has opened up a completely new world to us," says one researcher.

Drug therapy for allergy moves forward Posted: 12 May 2014 07:15 AM PDT Several target molecules that are suitable for the development of new allergy drugs have been identified by researchers. Immediate allergic reactions and allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and urticaria are extremely widespread across the population. Traditionally, drug therapy for allergy is based on the use of non-sedative antihistamines, i.e. blocking of the histamine H1 receptors, but sometimes additional help is obtained from blockers of the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor-1.

Noninvasive monitoring of HIV-induced peripheral neuropathy may be possible Posted: 12 May 2014 07:14 AM PDT Corneal nerve fiber assessment has great potential as a tool to diagnose and monitor peripheral neuropathy induced by HIV, say scientists. Although corneal nerve assessments have shown increasingly valuable as a replacement for epidermal nerve fiber evaluation in diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the evaluation of corneal alterations in tracking HIV-induced neuropathy has yet to be explored.

Why exercise may not help obese shed much weight: Exercise can elevate stress response and make it more difficult to become slim Posted: 12 May 2014 07:14 AM PDT The obese are advised to do physical exercise. But this can increase their physiological stress responses, and thereby make it more difficult to slim, according to a new study. This research may provide an explanation for the difficulties which many people encounter in losing weight despite energetic keep-fit efforts.

U.S. cervical cancer rates higher than previously reported, especially among older women, African-American women Posted: 12 May 2014 07:13 AM PDT Cervical cancer rates in the United States are higher than previously believed, particularly among 65- to 69-year-old women and African-American women, according to a study. Current U.S. cervical cancer screening guidelines do not recommend routine Pap smears for women over 65 if their prior test results have been normal.

Human microbiome studies should include wider diversity of populations, experts warn Posted: 11 May 2014 06:48 PM PDT Microbial samples taken from populations living in the US and Tanzania reveal that the microbiome of the human hand is more varied than previously thought, according to new research. These findings suggest that the 'standard' hand microbiome varies depending on location and lifestyle. Results compared the microbes on the hands of women in the U.S. and Tanzania and found that organisms that have commonly been identified in prior human skin microbiome studies were highly abundant on U.S. hands, while the most abundant bacterial species on Tanzanian hands were associated with the environment, particularly soil.

Men from ethnic minorities take longer to recover from mental illness, study finds Posted: 11 May 2014 06:48 PM PDT Men from minority ethnic groups experiencing mental health problems in the UK take longer to recover than white men as they are more reluctant to seek professional help, according to research. The study, which analyzed the experiences of twelve groups of men with poor mental health from African-Caribbean, African, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Chinese communities in London and the West Midlands, found that black and minority ethnic men's ability to talk openly about feeling vulnerable was affected by masculine identity.

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