ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Worldwide study demonstrates accuracy of genetic analyses
• Environmental costs, health risks, and benefits of fracking examined
• No innocent bystander: Cartilage contributes to arthritis
• Brain inflammation dramatically disrupts memory retrieval networks, study finds
• Experts call for massive global response to tackle Ebola
• Protein appears to protect against bone loss in arthritis
• Dendritic cells affect onset, progress of psoriasis
• Potential link between assisted reproduction, autism: No link found
• Nicotine withdrawal reduces response to rewards across species
• A meta-analysis of three types of peer norms and their relation with adolescent sexual behavior
• From worm muscle to spinal discs: An evolutionary surprise
• Anemia: One-minute point-of-care test shows promise in new study
• Sickle cell disease: Attempting to improve transition from child to adult care
• Age, diabetes duration linked to risk of death, macrovascular complications
• Combining gut hormone with insulin proves more effective at controlling type 2 diabetes than other common treatments
• Faster way found to create insulin-producing cells
• Tipping the balance of behavior: Neurons found that control social behavior may have implications for autism
• Many kidney failure patients have concerns about pursuing kidney transplantation
• Fat gene and mitochondria: Surprising cellular connection sheds new light on energy control
• Commensal bacteria help orchestrate immune response in lung
• Inflammation may be key to diabetes-heart disease link
• Few mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease patients suffer from malnutrition, yet almost one third are at risk
• Meditation may mitigate migraine misery
• Elderly who have had serious falls may show symptoms of post-traumatic stress
• New ICD-10 coding system may cloud hospital safety
• Liposome research meets nanotechnology to improve cancer treatment
• Measuring multiple morbidities to improve care of aging population
• Yogic breathing shows promise in reducing symptoms of PTSD
• Evolutionary tools improve prospects for sustainable development
• Novel class of NAMPT activators for neurodegenerative disease discovered
• High protein diets lead to lower blood pressure, study finds
• Compound protects brain cells after traumatic brain injury
• In mice and men, a shared gene of diabetes
• Non-toxic strategy to treat leukemia proposed by researchers
• Genetic mutation linked to melanoma progression
• Proactive monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease therapy could prolong effectiveness
• U.S. military makes progress with sexual assault training, but more can be done
• Improving prognosis for battlefield injuries
• Study reveals profile of patients most likely to delay hospice enrollment until final days of life
• Puerto Ricans who inject drugs, both in the northeast U.S. and in Puerto Rico, among Latinos at highest risk of contracting HIV
• Structure of enzyme seen as target for ALS drugs

Worldwide study demonstrates accuracy of genetic analyses Posted: 12 Sep 2014 09:06 AM PDT Physicians envision a future in which genomic data from patients is heavily used to manage care, but experts have questioned the accuracy and reliability of these analyses. Now, a study by 150 researchers in 12 countries finds real strength and agreement across RNA genomic sequencing techniques and laboratories -- as well as ways to improve what little variability exists to set a new high standard.

Environmental costs, health risks, and benefits of fracking examined Posted: 12 Sep 2014 08:25 AM PDT Rising supplies of natural gas could benefit the environment by replacing coal as a fuel for electricity, but hydraulic fracturing poses dangers for people living near the wells, a new analysis finds.

No innocent bystander: Cartilage contributes to arthritis Posted: 12 Sep 2014 08:25 AM PDT Cartilage plays an active role in the destruction and remodeling of joints seen in rheumatoid arthritis, rather than being an 'innocent bystander' as previously thought, researchers report.

Brain inflammation dramatically disrupts memory retrieval networks, study finds Posted: 12 Sep 2014 08:25 AM PDT Brain inflammation can rapidly disrupt our ability to retrieve complex memories of similar but distinct experiences, according to scientists. The study specifically identifies how immune system signaling molecules, called cytokines, impair communication among neurons in the hippocampus, an area of the brain critical for discrimination memory. The findings offer insight into why cognitive deficits occurs in people undergoing chemotherapy and those with autoimmune or neurodegenerative diseases.

Experts call for massive global response to tackle Ebola Posted: 12 Sep 2014 08:25 AM PDT The current Ebola outbreak now requires a 'rapid response at a massive global scale,' according to experts. The outbreak which began in December 2013 now spans five countries in West Africa and has so far killed nearly 2000 people, with the WHO predicting that 20,000 may become infected.

Protein appears to protect against bone loss in arthritis Posted: 12 Sep 2014 08:24 AM PDT A small protein named GILZ appears to protect against the bone loss that often accompanies arthritis and its treatment, researchers report. Arthritis as well as aging prompt the body to make more fat than bone, and the researchers have previously shown GILZ can restore a more youthful, healthy mix. It also tamps down inflammation, a major factor in arthritis, they say.

Dendritic cells affect onset, progress of psoriasis Posted: 12 Sep 2014 08:24 AM PDT Different types of dendritic cells in human skin have assorted functions in the early and more advanced stages of psoriasis report researchers. The scientists suggest that new strategies to regulate the composition of dendritic cells in psoriatic skin lesions might represent an approach for the future treatment of the disease.

Potential link between assisted reproduction, autism: No link found Posted: 12 Sep 2014 08:22 AM PDT Over the past five years, several studies have focused on infertility treatment, partly because of the coincidental rise in both the diagnosis of autism and the use of assisted reproduction. A recent study examined a potential link, and concluded that there is none.

Nicotine withdrawal reduces response to rewards across species Posted: 12 Sep 2014 05:53 AM PDT While more than half of US smokers try to quit every year, less than 10 percent are able to remain smoke-free, and relapse commonly occurs within 48 hours of smoking cessation. In a first of its kind study on nicotine addiction, scientists measured a behavior that can be similarly quantified across species like humans and rats, the responses to rewards during nicotine withdrawal. Learning about withdrawal and difficulty of quitting can lead to more effective treatments to help smokers quit.

A meta-analysis of three types of peer norms and their relation with adolescent sexual behavior Posted: 12 Sep 2014 05:53 AM PDT Researchers have completed research on adolescent sexual behavior. The goal was to analyze how this behavior is related to adolescents' perceptions of three types of sexual peer norms, including how sexually active their peers are, how much their peers would approve of being sexually active, or how much they feel pressured by their peers to have sex.

From worm muscle to spinal discs: An evolutionary surprise Posted: 12 Sep 2014 05:53 AM PDT Thoughts of the family tree may not be uppermost in the mind of a person suffering from a slipped disc, but those spinal discs provide a window into our evolutionary past. They are remnants of the first vertebrate skeleton, whose origins now appear to be older than had been assumed. Scientists have found that, unexpectedly, this skeleton most likely evolved from a muscle.

Anemia: One-minute point-of-care test shows promise in new study Posted: 12 Sep 2014 05:51 AM PDT A simple point-of-care testing device for anemia could provide more rapid diagnosis of the common blood disorder and allow inexpensive at-home self-monitoring of persons with chronic forms of the disease. About a third of the population is at risk for anemia, which can cause neurocognitive deficits in children, organ failure and less serious effects such as chronic fatigue. Women, children, the elderly and those with chronic conditions such as kidney disease are more likely to suffer from anemia.

Sickle cell disease: Attempting to improve transition from child to adult care Posted: 12 Sep 2014 05:51 AM PDT Sickle cell disease had been considered a pediatric ailment since people with it generally didn't live to adulthood. Pediatricians report that 95% now live to their 20th birthday. Unfortunately, when our patients prepare to leave the pediatric system, a smooth transition to adult healthcare is lacking.

Age, diabetes duration linked to risk of death, macrovascular complications Posted: 11 Sep 2014 06:09 PM PDT Age -- or age at diagnosis -- and duration of diabetes disease are linked to the risk of death and marcovascular complications, whereas only diabetes duration is linked to the risk of microvascular complications, research shows.

Combining gut hormone with insulin proves more effective at controlling type 2 diabetes than other common treatments Posted: 11 Sep 2014 06:09 PM PDT Combined treatment with a drug that mimics the action of a gut hormone and basal insulin is more effective at improving blood sugar control than other anti-diabetic treatments, with similar rates of hypoglycaemia (dangerously low blood sugar levels) and greater weight loss, a systematic review and meta-analysis shows.

Faster way found to create insulin-producing cells Posted: 11 Sep 2014 03:07 PM PDT A study highlighting a protocol to convert stem cells into insulin-producing cells has been published by researchers. The new procedure could be an important step in the fight against type 1 diabetes. The protocol can turn stem cells into reliable, insulin-producing cells in about six weeks, far quicker than the four months it took using previous methods.

Tipping the balance of behavior: Neurons found that control social behavior may have implications for autism Posted: 11 Sep 2014 03:07 PM PDT Antagonistic neuron populations in the mouse amygdala that control whether the animal engages in social behaviors or asocial repetitive self-grooming have been recently discovered by researchers. Dubbed a 'seesaw circuit,' this discovery may have implications for understanding neural circuit dysfunctions that underlie autism in humans.

Many kidney failure patients have concerns about pursuing kidney transplantation Posted: 11 Sep 2014 03:06 PM PDT Among new dialysis patients, the most frequently cited concerns were that patients felt they were doing fine on dialysis and felt uncomfortable asking someone to donate a kidney. Older age was linked with having high health-related or psychosocial concerns, as was being a woman, being less educated, and having more comorbid illnesses, a study shows.

Fat gene and mitochondria: Surprising cellular connection sheds new light on energy control Posted: 11 Sep 2014 01:32 PM PDT An unusual biochemical connection has been discovered by researchers, which has implications for diseases linked to mitochondria, which are the primary sources of energy production within our cells.

Commensal bacteria help orchestrate immune response in lung Posted: 11 Sep 2014 01:32 PM PDT Signals from the bacteria that harmlessly -- and often beneficially -- inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract boost the immune system's ability to kill a major respiratory pathogen, Klebsiella pneumoniae, according to a study conducted on mice.

Inflammation may be key to diabetes-heart disease link Posted: 11 Sep 2014 01:32 PM PDT Inflammation may be the reason high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels, researchers report. Anti-inflammatory medications might someday be used to reduce the risk of blood vessel disease in people with diabetes, they say.

Few mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease patients suffer from malnutrition, yet almost one third are at risk Posted: 11 Sep 2014 01:31 PM PDT Many factors could lead to poor nutrition in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, including motor difficulties with swallowing and chewing (dysphagia), cutting, and bringing food to the mouth. PD-related constipation and depression can also dampen a patient's appetite and change dietary habits. A new report says that some of these patients are therefore at risk of malnutrition.

Meditation may mitigate migraine misery Posted: 11 Sep 2014 01:31 PM PDT Meditation might be a path to migraine relief, according to a new study. "For the approximate 36 million Americans who suffer from migraines, there is big need for non-pharmaceutical treatment strategies, and doctors and patients should know that meditation is a safe intervention that could potentially decrease the impact of migraines," one author said.

Elderly who have had serious falls may show symptoms of post-traumatic stress Posted: 11 Sep 2014 01:31 PM PDT Older adults who experience a serious fall may develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the days following the event, finds a study. Women, people who were unemployed or who had less education were more likely to report post-traumatic stress symptoms, as were those with injuries to the back or chest.

New ICD-10 coding system may cloud hospital safety Posted: 11 Sep 2014 01:31 PM PDT Changes in how medical diagnoses are coded under the latest international disease classification system – better known as the ICD-10 codes – may complicate the assessment of hospital safety, say researchers.

Liposome research meets nanotechnology to improve cancer treatment Posted: 11 Sep 2014 01:31 PM PDT In treating cancer, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are two of the best weapons in a doctor's arsenal. Reports have shown that ideally, both methods would be employed at the same time. But doing so produces levels of toxicity that often are deadly. To reduce the remote toxicity inherent to chemotherapy, the drugs can be administered into solid tumors by using liposomes, which are nanoscale vesicles made from fats and loaded with anti-cancer drugs, researchers report.

Measuring multiple morbidities to improve care of aging population Posted: 11 Sep 2014 01:31 PM PDT A collaborative study has measured multimorbidity — multiple diseases or medical conditions co-occurring in a single patient — and has determined which combinations of medical conditions are more prevalent by age, sex, and race/ethnicity in a geographically-defined American Midwestern population. Investigators say that their findings are valuable in light of the aging population, the need to plan and prioritize health care interventions, and have broad implications for clinical research.

Yogic breathing shows promise in reducing symptoms of PTSD Posted: 11 Sep 2014 12:16 PM PDT New research offers hope for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers there have shown that a breathing-based meditation practice called Sudarshan Kriya Yoga can be an effective treatment for PTSD.

Evolutionary tools improve prospects for sustainable development Posted: 11 Sep 2014 10:54 AM PDT Solving societal challenges in food security, emerging diseases and biodiversity loss will require evolutionary thinking in order to be effective in the long run. Inattention to this will only lead to greater challenges such as short-lived medicines and agricultural treatments, problems that may ultimately hinder sustainable development, argues a new study.

Novel class of NAMPT activators for neurodegenerative disease discovered Posted: 11 Sep 2014 10:53 AM PDT A new collaboration has been announced to advance research and drug development for neurodegenerative disorders caused by the aging and death of nerve cells. Death of nerve cells is the key mechanism in many devastating neurological diseases for which there are currently inadequate treatment options, experts say.

High protein diets lead to lower blood pressure, study finds Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:59 AM PDT Adults who consume a high-protein diet may be at a lower risk for developing high blood pressure, concludes a study that found participants consuming the highest amount of protein -- an average of 100 g protein/day -- had a 40 percent lower risk of having high blood pressure compared to the lowest intake level.

Compound protects brain cells after traumatic brain injury Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:59 AM PDT A new class of compounds, given orally, protects brain cells from the damage caused by blast-induced traumatic brain injury and preserves normal brain functions, even when the compound is given 24 to 36 hours after the injury occurs. The researchers hope that this family of compounds might be developed into a new class of neuroprotective drugs for TBI and other currently untreatable forms of neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer's disease and ALS.

In mice and men, a shared gene of diabetes Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:59 AM PDT By using novel analysis tools, researchers were able to identify a gene involved in the development of type 2 diabetes in mice. Subsequently, further work revealed that this gene is also involved in human diabetes.

Non-toxic strategy to treat leukemia proposed by researchers Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:58 AM PDT A study comparing how blood stem cells and leukemia cells consume nutrients found that cancer cells are far less tolerant to shifts in their energy supply than their normal counterparts. The results suggest that there could be ways to target leukemia metabolism so that cancer cells die but other cell types are undisturbed.

Genetic mutation linked to melanoma progression Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:45 AM PDT The genetic mutation BRAFV600E, frequently found in metastatic melanoma, not only secretes a protein that promotes the growth of melanoma tumor cells, but can also modify the network of normal cells around the tumor to support the disease's progression, researchers report. Targeting this mutation with Vemurafenib reduces this interaction, and suggests possible new treatment options for melanoma therapy, they say.

Proactive monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease therapy could prolong effectiveness Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:42 AM PDT Proactive monitoring and dose adjustment of infliximab, a medication commonly used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), could improve a patient's chances of having a long-term successful response to therapy, a pilot observational study concludes.

U.S. military makes progress with sexual assault training, but more can be done Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:42 AM PDT Sexual assault has been a problem in the military for years, resulting in the Department of Defense in 2005 creating a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. Now experts say that although the U.S. military has made progress by conducting sexual assault training, the effectiveness of those efforts must be questioned.

Improving prognosis for battlefield injuries Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:42 AM PDT A fast-setting splint has been developed that provides improved stabilization from what the Department of Defense currently uses in the battlefield. "The increased protection and support during transport could mean the difference between keeping or losing a limb," one expert says.

Study reveals profile of patients most likely to delay hospice enrollment until final days of life Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:42 AM PDT One in six cancer patients enroll in hospice only during their last three days of life, according to a new study. These findings reveal a profile of patients who may be most at risk of these late admissions.

Puerto Ricans who inject drugs, both in the northeast U.S. and in Puerto Rico, among Latinos at highest risk of contracting HIV Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:42 AM PDT An epidemic is afoot with a high concentration of Puerto Ricans at great risk of contracting HIV. A new study has focused on the availability of HIV prevention and treatment programs in areas where Puerto Ricans live, in order to provide recommendations to reduce HIV in the population.

Structure of enzyme seen as target for ALS drugs Posted: 11 Sep 2014 06:47 AM PDT The first high-resolution structure of an enzyme has been determined that, if partially inhibited, could represent a new way to treat most cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease).

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