ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Salmonella-infected mice that were given antibiotics became superspreaders
• Mental rest and reflection boost learning, study suggests
• Untangling the biological effects of blue light
• Measuring on ice: Researchers create 'smart' ice skating blade
• Three people infected with Ebola predicted to fly from West Africa every month if no exit screening takes place
• See-through sensors open new window into the brain
• Scientists restore hearing in noise-deafened mice, pointing way to new therapies
• Positive subliminal messages on aging improve physical functioning in elderly
• Obesity link to increased risk for orthopedic conditions, surgical complications
• New study charts the fate of chemicals affecting health, environment
• Siblings of children with autism can show signs at 18 months
• Patients treated with radiation therapy who have tumors in left breast have comparable overall survival to those with tumors in right breast
• New study examines web-based biosurveillance systems in identifying disease outbreaks
• See-through, one-atom-thick, carbon electrodes powerful tool to study brain disorders
• With three first-in-human trials, therapeutic stem cell science takes a bold step
• Fish tale: New study evaluates antibiotic content in farm-raised fish
• Children who drink non-cow's milk are twice as likely to have low vitamin D
• Sport in old age can stimulate brain fitness, but effect decreases with advancing age
• User-friendly electronic 'Eyecane' enhances navigational abilities for blind
• Selenium effective treatment against breast cancer, study suggests
• Why your brain makes you reach for junk food
• Brain activity provides evidence for internal 'calorie counter'
• Biomarkers uPA/PAI-1 in breast cancer: Benefit, harm of test unclear
• No added benefit proven for umeclidinium/vilanterol in COPD
• Winning the war against Human parainfluenza virus
• New antidepressant: Rapid agent restores pleasure-seeking ahead of other antidepressant action
• Design of micro, nanoparticles to improve treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
• New class of drugs shows promise in treating chronic diarrhea
• Cold sores increase risk of dementia, research suggests
• Over-organizing repair cells set the stage for fibrosis
• Advances in creating treatment for common childhood blood cancer
• Head injury causes immune system to attack brain, new study finds
• Viagra protects the heart beyond the bedroom, study finds
• Metabolic genetics research paves way to treating diabetes, obesity
• Blind cave fish may provide insight on eye disease, other human health issues
• American Alzheimer's plan milestones must be strengthened to meet goal by 2025, experts say
• Heart rate may predict survival, brain function in comatose cardiac arrest survivors
• Aspirin shown to benefit schizophrenia treatment
• Fish intake associated with boost to antidepressant response
• Panic attacks associated with fear of bright daylight
• Group B streptococcus incidence rises significantly among newborns despite widespread adoption of prevention initiatives
• Work to improve children's health should start before mother becomes pregnant
• Pediatric allergology: Fresh milk keeps infections at bay
• New test to help brain injury victims recover
• Novel solutions developed to fight obesity gene
• Structure of an iron-transport protein revealed
• New molecule from herb discovered, potential for drug development
• Roman Gladiators ate a mostly vegetarian diet and drank a tonic of ashes after training
• Earlier unknown molecular-level mechanism may contribute to growth rate of breast cancer
• Mummy remains refute antiquity of ankylosing spondylitis
• Medication frequently, unintentionally given incorrectly to young children
• Genetic variant protects some Latina women from breast cancer
• Irritable bowel syndrome: Males report more social stress than females
• 3-D printed facial prosthesis offers new hope for eye cancer patients following surgery
• iPad screenings effective for detecting early signs of glaucoma in underserved, high-risk populations

Salmonella-infected mice that were given antibiotics became superspreaders Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:29 PM PDT Some people infected with pathogens spread their germs to others while remaining symptom-free themselves. Now, investigators believe they may know why. In a new study, Salmonella-infected mice that were given antibiotics became sicker and began shedding far more bacteria in their feces than they had before.

Mental rest and reflection boost learning, study suggests Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:27 PM PDT A new study, which may have implications for approaches to education, finds that brain mechanisms engaged when people allow their minds to rest and reflect on things they've learned before may boost later learning.

Untangling the biological effects of blue light Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:27 PM PDT Blue light can both set the mood and set in motion important biological responses. Researchers have teased apart the separate biological responses of the human eye to blue light, revealing an unexpected contest for control.

Measuring on ice: Researchers create 'smart' ice skating blade Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:25 PM PDT An ice skating blade that informs figure skaters of the stresses they are imposing on their joints has been developed by a group of researchers in the US.

Three people infected with Ebola predicted to fly from West Africa every month if no exit screening takes place Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:24 PM PDT Three Ebola-infected travelers are predicted to depart on an international flight every month from any of the three countries in West Africa currently experiencing widespread Ebola virus outbreaks (Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone), if no exit screening were to take place, according to new modeling research.

See-through sensors open new window into the brain Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:23 PM PDT Developing invisible implantable medical sensor arrays, a team of engineers has overcome a major technological hurdle in researchers' efforts to understand the brain. The team has now described its technology, which has applications in fields ranging from neuroscience to cardiac care and even contact lenses.

Scientists restore hearing in noise-deafened mice, pointing way to new therapies Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:23 PM PDT Scientists have restored the hearing of mice partly deafened by noise, using advanced tools to boost the production of a key protein in their ears. By demonstrating the importance of the protein, called NT3, in maintaining communication between the ears and brain, these new findings pave the way for research in humans that could improve treatment of hearing loss caused by noise exposure and normal aging.

Positive subliminal messages on aging improve physical functioning in elderly Posted: 20 Oct 2014 11:52 AM PDT Older individuals who are subliminally exposed to positive stereotypes about aging showed improved physical functioning that can last for several weeks, a new study.

Obesity link to increased risk for orthopedic conditions, surgical complications Posted: 20 Oct 2014 11:52 AM PDT Obesity affects individual patient care, the healthcare system and nearly every organ in the body. People with obesity often have other health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, certain tumors and cancers, and psychiatric disorders. However, the role of obesity in orthopedic conditions and their treatment is less well-publicized.

New study charts the fate of chemicals affecting health, environment Posted: 20 Oct 2014 11:52 AM PDT The trajectory of chemicals appearing as emergent threats to human or environmental health has been recently studied through a meta-analysis of 143,000 peer-reviewed research papers. The work tracks the progress of these chemicals of emerging concern, revealing patters of emergence from obscurity to peak concern and eventual decline, over a span of 30 years.

Siblings of children with autism can show signs at 18 months Posted: 20 Oct 2014 11:52 AM PDT About 20 percent of younger siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder will develop the condition by age 3. A new study has found that 57 percent of these younger siblings who later develop the condition already showed symptoms at age 18 months.

Patients treated with radiation therapy who have tumors in left breast have comparable overall survival to those with tumors in right breast Posted: 20 Oct 2014 11:51 AM PDT Tumor laterality (left-side vs. right-side) does not impact overall survival in breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant external beam radiation therapy, according to a study.

New study examines web-based biosurveillance systems in identifying disease outbreaks Posted: 20 Oct 2014 11:51 AM PDT Little quantitative evidence exists to show that electronic event-based biosurveillance systems that gather near real-time information to identify infectious disease outbreaks have led to specific health policy actions, decisions or outcomes, according a new study.

See-through, one-atom-thick, carbon electrodes powerful tool to study brain disorders Posted: 20 Oct 2014 11:15 AM PDT A graphene, one-atom-thick microelectrode now solves a major problem for investigators looking at brain circuitry. Pinning down the details of how individual neural circuits operate in epilepsy and other brain disorders requires real-time observation of their locations, firing patterns, and other factors.

With three first-in-human trials, therapeutic stem cell science takes a bold step Posted: 20 Oct 2014 11:15 AM PDT Therapeutic stem cell-based science is stepping out of the laboratory and closer to real-world medical applications. The unprecedented trials involve potential therapies for spinal cord injuries, Type 1 diabetes and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Fish tale: New study evaluates antibiotic content in farm-raised fish Posted: 20 Oct 2014 10:49 AM PDT Antibiotic use in the rapidly expanding world of global aquaculture has been examined in a new study. Results of the research evaluated the presence of antibiotics in shrimp, salmon, catfish, trout, tilapia and swai, originating from 11 countries. Data showed traces of 5 of the 47 antibiotics evaluated.

Children who drink non-cow's milk are twice as likely to have low vitamin D Posted: 20 Oct 2014 10:49 AM PDT Children who drink non-cow's milk such as rice, almond, soy or goat's milk, have lower levels of vitamin D in their blood than those who drink cow's milk, according to a new study.

Sport in old age can stimulate brain fitness, but effect decreases with advancing age Posted: 20 Oct 2014 10:49 AM PDT Physical exercise in old age can improve brain perfusion as well as certain memory skills, say neuroscientists who studied men and women aged between 60 and 77. In younger individuals regular training on a treadmill tended to improve cerebral blood flow and visual memory. However, trial participants who were older than 70 years of age tended to show no benefit of exercise.

User-friendly electronic 'Eyecane' enhances navigational abilities for blind Posted: 20 Oct 2014 09:14 AM PDT White Canes provide low-tech assistance to the visually impaired, but some blind people object to their use because they are cumbersome, fail to detect elevated obstacles, or require long training periods to master. Electronic travel aids (ETAs) have the potential to improve navigation for the blind, but early versions had disadvantages that limited widespread adoption. A new ETA, the "EyeCane," expands the world of its users, allowing them to better estimate distance, navigate their environment, and avoid obstacles, according to a new study

Selenium effective treatment against breast cancer, study suggests Posted: 20 Oct 2014 09:14 AM PDT Selenium, when attached to a monoclonal antibody presently used to treat breast cancer, has shown greater success in destroying cancer cells in a patient who has developed resistance to the chemotherapy, research demonstrates. Almost a quarter of a million people were diagnosed with breast cancer this year, while another 3 million are living with the disease.

Why your brain makes you reach for junk food Posted: 20 Oct 2014 08:12 AM PDT Will that be a pizza for you or will you go for a salad? Choosing what you eat is not simply a matter of taste, conclude scientists in a new study. As you glance over a menu or peruse the shelves in a supermarket, your brain is making decisions based more on a food's caloric content.

Brain activity provides evidence for internal 'calorie counter' Posted: 20 Oct 2014 07:55 AM PDT As you think about how a food will taste and whether it's nutritious, an internal calorie counter of sorts is also evaluating each food based on its caloric density, according to findings from a new neuroimaging study.

Biomarkers uPA/PAI-1 in breast cancer: Benefit, harm of test unclear Posted: 20 Oct 2014 07:53 AM PDT Since studies are lacking, it remains unclear whether certain patients have a benefit if the decision for or against adjuvant chemotherapy is based on the concentration of uPA and PAI-1, a new report states.

No added benefit proven for umeclidinium/vilanterol in COPD Posted: 20 Oct 2014 07:50 AM PDT There are hardly any evaluable data for patients with moderate COPD severity and for patients with few exacerbations; for higher severity grades with more exacerbations, evaluable data are lacking completely, studies show.

Winning the war against Human parainfluenza virus Posted: 20 Oct 2014 07:50 AM PDT Researchers have moved a step closer to identifying a treatment for the dreaded Human parainfluenza virus. These highly-infectious viruses are the leading cause of upper and lower respiratory tract disease in young children, including Croup, responsible for thousands of hospitalizations in the developed world, and hundreds of thousands of deaths each year in developing countries.

New antidepressant: Rapid agent restores pleasure-seeking ahead of other antidepressant action Posted: 20 Oct 2014 07:50 AM PDT A drug being studied as a fast-acting mood-lifter restored pleasure-seeking behavior independent of -- and ahead of -- its other antidepressant effects. Within 40 minutes after a single infusion of ketamine, treatment-resistant depressed bipolar disorder patients experienced a reversal of a key symptom -- loss of interest in pleasurable activities -- which lasted up to 14 days. Brain scans traced the agent's action to boosted activity in areas at the front and deep in the right hemisphere of the brain.

Design of micro, nanoparticles to improve treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Posted: 20 Oct 2014 07:49 AM PDT Techniques are being developed to deliver correctly and effectively certain drugs to treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Both disorders affect the neurones: their structure and function is lost, and this in turn leads to the deterioration in the patient's motor, cognitive, sensory and emotional functions.

New class of drugs shows promise in treating chronic diarrhea Posted: 20 Oct 2014 07:49 AM PDT A pilot study testing a new type of drug in patients with chronic diarrhea has shown promising effects on reducing their symptoms. Bile acid diarrhea (BAD) is a common cause of chronic diarrhea that is estimated to affect one in 100 adults in western countries, but is often mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by doctors. Many patients are not diagnosed correctly and undergo repeated unnecessary tests.

Cold sores increase risk of dementia, research suggests Posted: 20 Oct 2014 07:49 AM PDT Infection with herpes simplex virus increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, researchers claim. "Our results clearly show that there is a link between infections of herpes simplex virus and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. This also means that we have new opportunities to develop treatment forms to stop the disease," says one of the researchers behind the study.

Over-organizing repair cells set the stage for fibrosis Posted: 20 Oct 2014 07:47 AM PDT The excessive activity of repair cells in the early stages of tissue recovery sets the stage for fibrosis by priming the activation of an important growth factor, according to a new study.

Advances in creating treatment for common childhood blood cancer Posted: 20 Oct 2014 07:47 AM PDT A new drug in development may offer first alternative to standard chemotherapy for T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, scientists report. An estimated quarter of the 500 U.S. adolescents and young adults diagnosed each year with this aggressive disease fail to respond to standard chemotherapy drugs that target cancer cells.

Head injury causes immune system to attack brain, new study finds Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:04 AM PDT Scientists have uncovered a surprising way to reduce the brain damage caused by head injuries -- stopping the body's immune system from killing brain cells. A new study showed that in experiments on mice, an immune-based treatment reduced the size of brain lesions. The authors suggest that if the findings apply to humans, this could help prevent brain damage from accidents, and protect players of contact sports like football, rugby and boxing.

Viagra protects the heart beyond the bedroom, study finds Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:04 AM PDT Viagra could be used as a safe treatment for heart disease, finds new research. The study reveals that long-term daily treatment of Viagra can provide protection for the heart at different stages of heart disease, with few side effects.

Metabolic genetics research paves way to treating diabetes, obesity Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:04 AM PDT Breaking down complex conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes and obesity into the specific metabolic proteins and processes that underlie them offers a new approach to studying the genetics of these diseases and how they are interrelated, according to research.

Blind cave fish may provide insight on eye disease, other human health issues Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:04 AM PDT Blind cave fish may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to understanding human sight, but recent research indicates they may have quite a bit to teach us about the causes of many human ailments, including those that result in loss of sight. A team of researchers is looking to the tiny eyeless fish for clues about the underpinnings of degenerative eye disease and more.

American Alzheimer's plan milestones must be strengthened to meet goal by 2025, experts say Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:03 AM PDT The research milestones in the US Government's National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease must be broadened in scope, increased in scale, and adequately funded in order to successfully achieve this goal, a workgroup of nearly 40 Alzheimer's researchers and scientists says.

Heart rate may predict survival, brain function in comatose cardiac arrest survivors Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:03 AM PDT Patients with sinus bradycardia during therapeutic hypothermia had a 50 to 60 percent lower mortality rate at 180 days than those with no sinus bradycardia, a study has found. The same research also found that sinus bradycardia was directly associated with a better neurological status 180 days after the arrest.

Aspirin shown to benefit schizophrenia treatment Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:01 AM PDT Some anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin, estrogen, and Fluimucil, can improve the efficacy of existing schizophrenia treatments, new research suggests. Research has shown that the immune system is linked to certain psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Research has shown that "antioxidants and anti-inflammatory drugs could not only reduce symptoms associated with the disorders but also prevent the appearance of neurobiological abnormalities and transition to psychosis if given early during brain development," experts say.

Fish intake associated with boost to antidepressant response Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:01 AM PDT Up to half of patients who suffer from major depression do not respond to treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Now a group of researchers has carried out a study that shows that increasing fatty fish intake appears to increase the response rate in patients who do not respond to antidepressants.

Panic attacks associated with fear of bright daylight Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:01 AM PDT Fear of bright daylight is associated with panic disorder, according to new research. Panic disorder is where a person has recurring and regular panic attacks. It appears to be about twice as common in women as it is in men. Previous studies have shown that there is a strong seasonal component in panic disorder, but this is the first study to look specifically at panic disorder patients' reactions to light.

Group B streptococcus incidence rises significantly among newborns despite widespread adoption of prevention initiatives Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:01 AM PDT Group B streptococcus, a major cause of serious infectious diseases including sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia, has increased by about 60% among infants younger than 3 months in the Netherlands over the past 25 years despite the widespread use of prevention strategies, new research has found.

Work to improve children's health should start before mother becomes pregnant Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:01 AM PDT The key to making future generations healthier could lie before the mother becomes pregnant, researchers believe. In a new article, they say that a greater understanding is needed of the role of maternal nutrition in preconception and its impact on the child, adding that while the evidence published to date provides useful ways to improve the health of children, it also raises many questions.

Pediatric allergology: Fresh milk keeps infections at bay Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT Infants fed on fresh rather than UHT cow's milk are less prone to infection, new research suggests. The authors recommend the use of alternative processing methods to preserve the protectants found in the natural product.

New test to help brain injury victims recover Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT A new assessment can help patients suffering from traumatic brain injury, aneurism, dementia, stroke and more between ages 18-74, experts say. The test is suitable for measuring concentration, memory retention, motor performance, language skills and spatial awareness in patients.

Novel solutions developed to fight obesity gene Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT Individuals who are genetically predisposed to obesity may soon have a therapeutic solution to combat their condition. A research team has identified several potent inhibitors that selectively target FTO, the common fat mass and obesity-associated gene. These FTO-specific inhibitors pave the way for the development of novel anti-obesity drugs and treatments.

Structure of an iron-transport protein revealed Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT Iron is the most abundant trace element in humans. As a cofactor of certain proteins, it plays an essential role in oxygen transport and metabolism. Due to the major importance of iron in a wide variety of cellular processes, and the harm caused by its uncontrolled accumulation in the body, its uptake and storage is strictly regulated. In mammals, iron is imported into cells by the membrane transport protein DMT1. Mutations of DMT1, which affect its transport properties, lead to iron-related metabolic disorders such as anemia and the iron storage disease hemochromatosis.

New molecule from herb discovered, potential for drug development Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT A new molecule that can join together chains of amino acids -- the building blocks of protein -- has been discovered by researchers. Only three other known molecules have been discovered to be able to perform this function, which is an important process in the development of new drugs. The new molecule is able to do the same process 10,000 times faster than the other three and "cleanly" without leaving any residue behind, scientists report.

Roman Gladiators ate a mostly vegetarian diet and drank a tonic of ashes after training Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT Roman gladiators ate a mostly vegetarian diet and drank ashes after training as a tonic. These are the findings of anthropological investigations carried out on bones of warriors found during excavations in the ancient city of Ephesos.

Earlier unknown molecular-level mechanism may contribute to growth rate of breast cancer Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT A previously unknown molecular-level mechanism that may partly explain the increased growth of cancer cells has been discovered by researchers. The study showed that high levels of miRNA-378a-5p molecule cause cell division anomalies. This renders the number of chromosomes in cancer cells abnormal, which is known to promote growth and the spread of cancer.

Mummy remains refute antiquity of ankylosing spondylitis Posted: 20 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease that causes inflammation in the spinal joints and was thought to have affected members of the ancient Egyptian royal families. Now a new study refutes that claim, finding instead a degenerative spinal condition called diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in royal Egyptian mummies from the 18th to early 20th Dynasties.

Medication frequently, unintentionally given incorrectly to young children Posted: 20 Oct 2014 05:51 AM PDT A new study shows how often adults make mistakes when giving medication to children. The study found that medication errors occur in a child every eight minutes in the United States, on average, and the numbers are increasing.

Genetic variant protects some Latina women from breast cancer Posted: 20 Oct 2014 05:51 AM PDT A genetic variant common in Latina women protects against breast cancer, an international research collaboration has found. The variant, a difference in just one of the three billion "letters" in the human genome known as a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), originates from indigenous Americans and confers significant protection from breast cancer, particularly the more aggressive estrogen receptor-negative forms of the disease, which generally have a worse prognosis.

Irritable bowel syndrome: Males report more social stress than females Posted: 20 Oct 2014 05:51 AM PDT One of the few studies to examine gender differences among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has found that males with the condition experience more interpersonal difficulties than do females with the condition. "Our findings underscore the significance of studying gender-based differences in how people experience the same disease or condition," says one expert.

3-D printed facial prosthesis offers new hope for eye cancer patients following surgery Posted: 20 Oct 2014 05:51 AM PDT A fast and inexpensive way to make facial prostheses for eye cancer patients has been developed using facial scanning software and 3-D printing, according to researchers. Their novel process can create more affordable prosthetics for any patients who have hollow sockets resulting from eye surgery following cancer or congenital deformities.

iPad screenings effective for detecting early signs of glaucoma in underserved, high-risk populations Posted: 20 Oct 2014 05:47 AM PDT Using a tablet screening app could prove to be an effective method to aid in the effort to reduce the incidence of avoidable blindness in populations at high-risk for glaucoma with limited access to health care, according to a study. In this study, researchers used a free peripheral vision assessment app to screen approximately 200 patients in Nepal for glaucoma using an iPad®. The results show promise for screening populations that have limited or no access to traditional eye care.

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