الخميس، 4 سبتمبر 2014

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Global epidemic of diabetes threatens to jeopardize further progress in tuberculosis control

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 05:38 PM PDT

15% of adult TB cases worldwide are already attributable to diabetes, studies show. These diabetes-associated cases correspond to over 1 million cases a year, with more than 40% occurring in India and China alone. If diabetes rates continue to rise out of control, the present downward trajectory in global TB cases could be offset by 8% (ie, 8% less reduction) or more by 2035, warn the authors of a new article.

Healthy sleep duration linked to less sick time from work

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 01:36 PM PDT

Sleeping 7 to 8 hours per night is associated with the lowest risk of absence from work due to sickness, a study concludes. The results underscore the importance of the 'Sleep Well, Be Well' campaign of the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project, a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Sleep Research Society and other partners.

Bariatric surgical center accreditation improves patient survival, postop complications

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 01:35 PM PDT

Patients who underwent weight loss operations in recent years, when most bariatric surgical centers were accredited, had fewer postoperative complications and were 2.3 times less likely to die in the hospital than patients who had bariatric procedures performed before a national movement toward facility accreditation was taking place, according to new study findings.

Insights into severe form of dwarfism

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 09:19 AM PDT

A better understanding of the pathology of a severe form of dwarfism as well as a possible window of treatment have been discovered by researchers. Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) is a disorder that affects the cells in the growth plate, resulting in dwarfism, limb deformities, joint pain and early onset osteoarthritis. Children with PSACH show no signs of it at birth. Slowing of the long bone growth begins around age 2 and the cellular damage becomes extensive by age 4.

Number of Texans without health insurance drops under Affordable Care Act, survey shows

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 09:19 AM PDT

The percentage of Texans without health insurance dropped after the first enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act, according to a report. Even with nearly 400,000 newly uninsured adults, the report estimates Texas has now surpassed California to become the state with the highest number of uninsured residents. The report found the majority of the remaining uninsured adult Texans are Hispanic and low-income. Half of those uninsured are employed.

Exposure of pregnant women to certain phenols may disrupt growth of boys during fetal development and first years of life

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 09:18 AM PDT

Medical researchers have found that exposure to certain common phenols during pregnancy, especially parabens and triclosan, may disrupt growth of boys during fetal growth and the first years of life. Parabens are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics and healthcare products and triclosan are an antibacterial agent and pesticide found in some toothpastes and soaps.

Drug therapies, parent training help children with ADHD, severe aggression

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 09:17 AM PDT

Prescribing both a stimulant and an antipsychotic drug to children with physical aggression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), along with teaching parents to use behavior management techniques, reduces aggressive and serious behavioral problems in children, according to a study.

New discovery could help turn antibiotic into antimalarial drug

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 07:58 AM PDT

Researchers are making progress towards new antimalarial drugs, after revealing how an antibiotic called emetine blocks the molecular machinery that produces the proteins required for malaria parasite survival.

'Drink responsibly' messages in alcohol ads promote products, not public health

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 07:53 AM PDT

Alcohol industry magazine ads reminding consumers to "drink responsibly" or "enjoy in moderation" fail to convey basic public health information, according to a new study. Federal regulations do not require "responsibility" statements in alcohol advertising, and while the alcohol industry's voluntary codes for marketing and promotion emphasize responsibility, they provide no definition for "responsible drinking."

Stillbirth gap closing between indigenous, non-indigenous women, shows Australian study

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:22 AM PDT

The gap in stillbirth rates between indigenous and non-indigenous women in Queensland, Australia, is closing, however indigenous women are still at risk of stillbirth due to preventable causes, find researchers.

Scientists discover how to 'switch off' autoimmune diseases

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:21 AM PDT

Scientists have made an important breakthrough in the fight against debilitating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis by revealing how to stop cells attacking healthy body tissue. Rather than the body's immune system destroying its own tissue by mistake, researchers have discovered how cells convert from being aggressive to actually protecting against disease.

Estrogen increases cannabis sensitivity, study shows

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:21 AM PDT

Smoking today's concentrated pot might be risky business for women, according to new research. Thanks to their estrogen levels, female rats are at least 30 percent more sensitive than males to the pain-relieving qualities of THC -- the key active ingredient in cannabis, research shows. Females also develop tolerance to THC more quickly. These sensitivities could increase vulnerability to negative side effects like anxiety, paranoia and addiction.

Unplanned births out-of-hospital increases risk of infant mortality

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:21 AM PDT

Unplanned births out-of-hospital in Norway are associated with higher infant mortality, new research reveals. The findings indicate that young women who have given birth at least once before and those living in remote areas are more likely to have unplanned deliveries, which may increase the risk of death in newborns.

How much may German beers be contaminated by microplastics?

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:19 AM PDT

If you're going to Oktoberfest next month to enjoy the delights of German beer, you might get more than you bargained for. New research has revealed the extent to which German beers may be contaminated by foreign substances, most notably, microplastics.

Why HIV patients develop dementia

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:19 AM PDT

Since the introduction of the combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) in the mid-90s, the life expectancy of HIV patients has significantly improved. As a result, long-term complications are becoming more relevant: almost every second HIV patient is affected by neurocognitive disorders, which can lead to dementia. Researchers have now successfully identified mechanisms how infected cells can activate brain-specific immune cells which subsequently display harmful behaviour and lead to the destruction of neurons.

Central biobank for drug research

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:17 AM PDT

For the development of new drugs it is crucial to work with stem cells, as these allow scientists to study the effects of new active pharmaceutical ingredients. But it has always been difficult to derive enough stem cells of the right quality and in the right timeframe. A central biobank is about to remedy the situation.

Ethanol fireplaces: The underestimated risk

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:17 AM PDT

Ethanol fireplaces are becoming more and more popular. However, they are not only  highly combustible -- in the past, severe accents have occurred repeatedly with decorative fireplaces. The devices also pollute the air in the rooms.

Allergic reaction to antibiotic residues in foods? You may have to watch what your fruits and veggies eat

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:14 AM PDT

People with food allergies always have to watch what they eat. Now, they may have to watch what their fruits and vegetables eat, as it seems it's possible to have an allergic reaction to antibiotic residues in food.

For kids with both asthma and obesity, which came first?

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 06:14 AM PDT

The premise that obesity contributes to childhood asthma -- rather than the other way around -- is the focus of a new study.

Protein in plasma may one day change transfusions

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 05:53 PM PDT

When someone is bleeding, a blood clot is a positive response -- the body forms the clot as a plug to stop bleeding. But when blood clots form in the absence of an injury, those clots can be life-threatening. Excessive blood clots in arteries and the brain are the main cause of heart attack and stroke. Researchers found that fibronectin can actually switch its function from stopping bleeding to stopping overactive blood clots.

New treatment options for staph infections, inflammatory diseases

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 05:51 PM PDT

Biochemists have discovered a family of proteins that could lead to better treatments for Staphylococcus aureus, a pathogenic bacterium that can cause more than 60,000 potentially life-threatening infections each year.

Enzyme controlling metastasis of breast cancer identified

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 05:51 PM PDT

An enzyme that controls the spread of breast cancer has been identified by researchers. The findings offer hope for the leading cause of breast cancer mortality worldwide.

Mirabegron for overactive bladder: Added benefit not proven

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 12:12 PM PDT

Mirabegron has been approved since December 2012 for the treatment of adults with overactive bladder. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products, experts examined whether this new drug offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy specified by the Federal Joint Committee. No added benefit has been proven.

Teens, young adults who abuse prescription at high risk for overdose: NYC study

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 12:12 PM PDT

Overdose-related knowledge and experiences of young adult nonmedical prescription opioid users has been studied for the first time to better understand how prescription opioid use relates to the likelihood and experience of overdose.

Activity restriction in pregnancy: New paper outlines physician recommendations on bed rest

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 12:11 PM PDT

Physicians recommend against the routine use of activity restriction or bed rest, and in a new article outline their recommendations on its use.

Time to take notice and tackle heart failure

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 11:42 AM PDT

Experts have sounded a call to action for policy makers at local, national, and international levels to promote heart failure prevention, improve heart failure awareness among healthcare professionals, ensure equity of care for all patients with heart failure, support and empower patients and their caregivers, and promote heart failure research.

In pro baseball pitchers, weak core linked to more missed days

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 11:40 AM PDT

Professional baseball pitchers with poor core stability are more likely to miss 30 or more days in a single season because of injury than are pitchers who have good control of muscles in their lower back and pelvis, research shows.

Potential for 'in body' muscle regeneration, rodent study suggests

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 11:32 AM PDT

What if repairing large segments of damaged muscle tissue was as simple as mobilizing the body's stem cells to the site of the injury? New research in mice and rats suggests that "in body" regeneration of muscle tissue might be possible by harnessing the body's natural healing powers.

Scientists make diseased cells synthesize their own drug

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 11:32 AM PDT

In a new study that could lead to many new medicines, scientists have adapted a chemical approach to turn diseased cells into unique manufacturing sites for molecules that can treat a form of muscular dystrophy.

One-two punch for brain tumors? New clinical trial opens

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 11:32 AM PDT

Doctors have started testing a unique new approach to fighting brain tumors -- one that delivers a one-two punch designed to knock out the most dangerous brain cancer. The experimental approach delivers two different genes directly into the brains of patients following the operation to remove the bulk of their tumors.

Key to first cell differentiation in mammals found

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 08:49 AM PDT

The key to the appearance of the first differentiated cell types in mammalian embryos has been uncovered by researchers. This differentiation event occurs even before the formation of the embryo proper, during the developmental stage known as the blastocyst.

Family conflicts, other non-physical worries before cancer surgery raise patients' complication risk

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 08:44 AM PDT

Meeting non-medical needs and improving quality of life ahead of operations can aid recovery and cut health care costs, a new study suggests. Quality of life as measured in the study is about more than happiness and how well people feel physically, a researcher says. It also includes the financial, spiritual, emotional, mental and social aspects of their lives and whether their needs are being met.

So ... do you know what's in your water?

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 08:42 AM PDT

Fifty percent of the population taste threshold for manganese II in water, the simplest ionic manganese oxide, is estimated to be more than 1000 times the current EPA allowable level. With this knowledge, researchers are now looking into possible secondary pollution issues with the release of manganese in air through its use in humidifiers.

Yoga relieves multiple sclerosis symptoms, study shows

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 08:40 AM PDT

A specialized yoga program is beneficial to everyday living for those with multiple sclerosis, a study concludes. After an eight-week trial, the researchers found that participants had better balance, fine motor coordination, an improved quality of life and a decrease in pain and fatigue.

Can data motivate hospital leaders to improve care transitions?

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 08:40 AM PDT

Implementing guidelines can improve hospitals' communication during patient care transitions, a new study shows. The researchers found that auditing hospitals' adherence to the standards and providing staff with periodic reports comparing their facility's performance to the group's -- a quality improvement technique called audit and feedback -- significantly increased the frequency with which hospital staff communicated necessary information to outpatients' primary care physicians.
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