ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

---

• Race, Hospital, Insurance Status All Factors in How Lung Cancer Is Treated
• Bed bugs can transmit parasite that causes chagas disease
• Credit score can also describe health status
• The 'dirty' side of soap: Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice
• Scientists Reveal Weak Spots in Ebola's Defenses
• Advances in electron microscopy reveal secrets of HIV and other viruses
• Reprogramming cells, long term
• Smoking study: Financial incentives double quit rates
• TNF inhibitors may increase cancer risk in the eye, researchers report
• Gene found in kidney may play role in high blood pressure in male mice
• Readying the neural network: Brain discovery opens more questions on role of cell death
• Second protein associated with common cause of kidney failure identified
• Side effects of possible anti-cancer strategy discovered
• Links between mentoring, doctors' wellbeing explored
• A new genetic cause for a progressive form of epilepsy identified
• The secret life of anti-cancer drugs
• Caffeine to Viagra: Medications saving preemies may surprise you
• Women's fertility linked to detox element in diet
• 74 Percent of Parents Would Remove Their Kids From Daycare if Other Children Are Unvaccinated
• Where will big neuroscience take us?
• Metabolic 'reprogramming' by p53 gene family leads to tumor regression
• Gene Mutations and Process for How Kidney Tumors Develop identified
• New type of neuron that plays key role in nicotine addiction found
• Chemical disguise transforms RNAi drug delivery
• Calorie-restricting diets slow aging, study finds
• Hip replacement an excellent option for young juvenile arthritis patients
• Rheumatoid arthritis patients' BMI linked to ability to stay in remission
• Improvement in heart disease risk factors shown in project results
• Chlamydia knock out body's own cancer defense
• Infection-fighting B cells go with the flow
• Drug lowers high potassium levels associated with potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmias
• Drugs that prevent blood clots may protect organs during transplantation
• Datasets used by policymakers, scientists for public health analyses inconsistent
• Young children take but often barely touch healthy school cafeteria food options
• Home cooking a main ingredient in healthier diet, study shows
• Racial disparities in ear infection treatment may contribute to antibiotic overuse
• New approach to fighting chronic myeloid leukemia
• Automated reminders improve medication adherence, cholesterol control
• Creating trust in the time of Ebola
• Should health systems send patients abroad to save money?
• Up to 80 million bacteria sealed with a kiss
• 'Not just a flavoring: Menthol, Nicotine, Combined Desensitize Airway Receptors
• Half of STEMI heart attack patients may have additional clogged arteries
• High Mortality Associated with STEMI Heart Attacks That Occur in Hospitalized Patients
• What brain studies reveal about risk of adolescent alcohol use, abuse
• Secondhand marijuana smoke may damage blood vessels as much as tobacco smoke
• Mentally stressed young women with heart disease more likely to have reduced blood flow to heart
• Active asthma may significantly raise risk of heart attack
• Poison control data show energy drinks and young kids don't mix
• Running does not lead to knee osteoarthritis, may protect people from developing disease, experts say
• Exercise, manual therapy improve pain, function in osteoarthritis
• Danger of repeat head injuries: Brain's inability to tap energy source
• Chronic kidney disease: Exercise provides clear benefits
• Weight loss surgery may improve kidney function
• Most U.S. adults cannot donate a kidney due to preventable health problems, potential loss of income
• Scientists uncover novel looping mechanism that controls the fitness of cells, impacting aging and disease
• Teens with earlier school start times have higher motor vehicle crash rates
• New online calculator estimates cardiovascular disease risk
• Genetic testing for personalized nutrition leads to better outcomes
• Poor-quality weight loss advice often appears first in an online search

Race, Hospital, Insurance Status All Factors in How Lung Cancer Is Treated Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:43 PM PST African Americans, Hispanics, and those who receive care at a community hospital are all significantly less likely than other patients to receive treatment for early stage non-small cell lung cancer, according to a report. The study is the largest to date looking at treatment received by patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer, an early stage of lung cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes and is characterized by a small nodules in the lung tissue. Treatment during this early stage offers the best chance for long-term survival.

Bed bugs can transmit parasite that causes chagas disease Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:43 PM PST Bed bugs, like the triatomines, can transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in the Americas, research has confirmed.

Credit score can also describe health status Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:41 PM PST A credit score also says something about a person's health status, according to a new analysis from a long-term study of the physical and mental health of more than 1,000 New Zealanders. An international team of researchers has found a strong relationship between low credit scores and poor cardiovascular health. They conclude that personal attributes leading to poor credit scores can also contribute to poor health.

The 'dirty' side of soap: Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice Posted: 17 Nov 2014 12:46 PM PST Triclosan is an antimicrobial commonly found in soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and many other household items. Despite its widespread use, researchers report potentially serious consequences of long-term exposure to the chemical.

Scientists Reveal Weak Spots in Ebola's Defenses Posted: 17 Nov 2014 12:46 PM PST Scientists have identified weak spots on the surface of Ebola virus that are targeted by the antibodies in ZMapp, the experimental drug cocktail administered to several patients during the recent Ebola outbreak.

Advances in electron microscopy reveal secrets of HIV and other viruses Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:24 AM PST Researchers are getting a new look at the workings of HIV and other viruses thanks to new techniques in electron microscopy. Making a vaccine against HIV has always been difficult, at least partly because the proteins on the surface of the virus change so rapidly. Better understanding the structure of the gp120/Env trimer could help in finding less-variable areas of these proteins, not usually exposed to the immune system, which might be targets for a vaccine.

Reprogramming cells, long term Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:08 AM PST Researchers have demonstrated that adult cells, reprogrammed into another cell type in a living animal, can remain functional over a long period. The work is an important advance in the effort to develop cell-based therapies for tissue repair, and specifically in the effort to develop improved treatment for diabetes.

Smoking study: Financial incentives double quit rates Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:08 AM PST Offering small financial incentives doubles smoking cessation rates among socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers, according to research. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

TNF inhibitors may increase cancer risk in the eye, researchers report Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:07 AM PST One of the family of drugs prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions is called tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. They act by dampening part of the immune system called tumor necrosis factor. In one of the balancing acts of medicine, the anti-inflammatory action of the drug also increases the risk for other conditions, in this case, a rare form of eye cancer, uveal melanoma.

Gene found in kidney may play role in high blood pressure in male mice Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:07 AM PST A gene abundant in the kidneys may actually play a role in the regulation of blood pressure and hypertension in experimental male mouse models, scientists have discovered. The gene, a kidney androgen-regulated protein (KAP) that is abundantly and exclusively found in the kidney proximal tubule, is stimulated by an androgen hormone such as testosterone.

Readying the neural network: Brain discovery opens more questions on role of cell death Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:17 AM PST Researchers illuminate a new purpose for a receptor known to trigger cell death. For years, neuroscientists thought only the synapse could contain receptors, the neurotransmitter catching-mitts on neurons. But when they applied a neurotransmitter called NMDA to the area around the synapse they realized that they could trigger different responses.

Second protein associated with common cause of kidney failure identified Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:16 AM PST A protein that turns a person's immune system against itself in a form of kidney disease called membranous nephropathy has been identified by researchers. Membranous nephropathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the kidney that filter wastes from the blood are damaged by circulating autoantibodies. As a result, proteins leak from the damaged blood vessels into the urine.

Side effects of possible anti-cancer strategy discovered Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:16 AM PST The Malt1 protein is one of the most important control centers in human immune cells and a real all-rounder. Genetic defects in it can lead to the development of lymphatic cancer (lymphoma). A possible therapeutic approach is therefore to specifically block certain functions of Malt1, thus destroying the cancer cells. Now, however, scientists have shown in a mouse model that such a blockade can cause serious side effects.

Links between mentoring, doctors' wellbeing explored Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST A new research project looking at how mentoring may lead to improvements in doctors' health and wellbeing has received a grant from the British Medical Association.

A new genetic cause for a progressive form of epilepsy identified Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST An international research consortium has discovered a new gene underlying progressive myoclonus epilepsy, one of the most devastating forms of epilepsy. The study showed that a single mutation in a potassium ion channel gene underlies a substantial proportion of unsolved cases. It is estimated that the mutation is carried by hundreds of patients worldwide. The study utilized modern DNA sequencing technologies, which have revolutionized genetic research of rare, severe diseases.

The secret life of anti-cancer drugs Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST The public is bombarded with news of exciting developments in cancer research every day, with new anti-cancer drugs greeted with excitement. But what happens to these drugs? When do they become accessible to cancer patients – if at all?

Caffeine to Viagra: Medications saving preemies may surprise you Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:10 AM PST This month is Prematurity Awareness Month and today is World Prematurity Day. What many people may not know is part of the comprehensive care for the tiniest babies includes medications such as Sildenafil and caffeine. Most babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) receive caffeine as they are coming off a ventilator and learning to breathe on their own.

Women's fertility linked to detox element in diet Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:10 AM PST For the first time, research has shown how much of a critical role the natural antioxidant selenium plays at the earliest stages of a woman's fertility. "Selenium is an essential trace element found in protein-rich foods like red meat, seafood and nuts. It is important for many biological functions, such as immune response, thyroid hormone production, and acts as an antioxidant, helping to detoxify damaging chemicals in the body," one researcher says.

74 Percent of Parents Would Remove Their Kids From Daycare if Other Children Are Unvaccinated Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST In an American national sample of parents of child 0-5 years, most indicate that daycare providers should review children's immunization status every year to ensure they are up-to-date (52 percent strongly agree, 22 percent agree).

Where will big neuroscience take us? Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST The U.S., Europe and Asia have launched big brain research projects. What impact will they have? Scientists integral to three projects share their insights ahead of a special session hosted by the Society for Neuroscience.

Metabolic 'reprogramming' by p53 gene family leads to tumor regression Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST Altering members of the p53 gene family, known as tumor suppressor genes, causes rapid regression of tumors that are deficient in or totally missing p53, scientists have found. The investigation showed that, in vivo, the genes p63 and p73 can be manipulated to upregulate or increase levels of IAPP, a protein important for the body's ability to metabolize glucose. IAPP is found in some diabetes drugs already on the market.

Gene Mutations and Process for How Kidney Tumors Develop identified Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST Using next generation gene sequencing techniques, cancer researchers have identified more than 3,000 new mutations involved in certain kidney cancers, findings that help explain the diversity of cancer behaviors.

New type of neuron that plays key role in nicotine addiction found Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST The brain's reward and stress systems are actually linked, scientists have discovered. Their findings show that in the core of the brain's reward system specific neurons are active both with use of and withdrawal from nicotine.

Chemical disguise transforms RNAi drug delivery Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST Researchers have developed a way to chemically disguise RNAi drugs so that they are able to enter cells. Once inside, cellular machinery converts these disguised drug precursors — called siRNNs — into active RNAi drugs.

Calorie-restricting diets slow aging, study finds Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST Neuroscientists have shown that calorie-reduced diets stop the normal rise and fall in activity levels of close to 900 different genes linked to aging and memory formation in the brain.

Hip replacement an excellent option for young juvenile arthritis patients Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST Total hip replacement is an excellent option for patients under age 35 when conservative treatments fail to provide pain relief, researchers have found. The implant lasted at least 10 years in 85 percent of patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients' BMI linked to ability to stay in remission Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who were significantly underweight or overweight were the least likely to remain in remission in a recent study. This study presents evidence that BMI is among the modifiable risk factors for poor RA outcomes.

Improvement in heart disease risk factors shown in project results Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST The Heart of New Ulm is a 10-year community intervention aimed at reducing the rate of modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors in a rural community through interventions delivered through clinical, worksite, and broader community settings with goals of improving lifestyle changes, clinical care, and the environment where community members work and play. Interventions include heart health screenings, health coaching, worksite health improvement, improving the food environment with restaurants and farmers markets, and increasing physical activity.

Chlamydia knock out body's own cancer defense Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST By breaking down the cancer-suppressing protein p53, Chlamydia prevent programmed cell death and thereby favor the process of cancer development, scientists report.

Infection-fighting B cells go with the flow Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST Newly formed B cells take the easy way out when it comes to exiting the bone marrow, according to researchers. Why immune cells use different exit strategies in different organs is not completely clear. But the authors suggest that the go-with-the-flow strategy of the bone marrow may be due to its role in the production of red blood cells, which do not express molecules required for active crawling.

Drug lowers high potassium levels associated with potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmias Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of the drug zirconium cyclosilicate in patients with hyperkalemia -- higher than normal potassium levels. Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disorder which can cause potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and is associated with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus.

Drugs that prevent blood clots may protect organs during transplantation Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Organs can become significantly damaged during transplantation, but a new article offers a protective strategy that could keep them safe and allow them to function optimally after the procedure.

Datasets used by policymakers, scientists for public health analyses inconsistent Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Commercially available datasets containing a wealth of information about food and alcohol establishments differ significantly, raising concerns about their reliability as sources of information that could be used to set public policy or conduct scientific research, according to an investigation.

Young children take but often barely touch healthy school cafeteria food options Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST You can offer young children healthier food choices in the elementary school cafeteria, but will they actually put it on their trays and eat it? Probably not, suggests a new study.

Home cooking a main ingredient in healthier diet, study shows Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST People who frequently cook meals at home eat healthier and consume fewer calories than those who cook less, according to new research. The findings also suggest that those who frequently cooked at home -- six-to-seven nights a week -- also consumed fewer calories on the occasions when they ate out.

Racial disparities in ear infection treatment may contribute to antibiotic overuse Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Black children are less likely to be diagnosed with and less likely to receive broad-spectrum antibiotics for ear infections than white children are, a new study has found. But the discrepancy in prescribing fewer broad-spectrum antibiotics means black children actually are more likely to receive care that aligns with the recommended guidelines for treating ear infections.

New approach to fighting chronic myeloid leukemia Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Chronic myeloid leukemia is caused by the hyperactivity of a mutated enzyme. Scientists have discovered an indirect way to regulate this enzyme that could prove more effective than current therapies.

Automated reminders improve medication adherence, cholesterol control Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST People who received automated reminders were more likely to refill their blood pressure and cholesterol medications, according to a study. According to a recent federal report, Americans with chronic conditions take their medications as prescribed about 50 to 60 percent of the time. The report estimates that this phenomenon, known as poor adherence, costs the health care system $100 billion to $300 billion each year, and results in about 125,000 deaths.

Creating trust in the time of Ebola Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST One of the key reasons the Ebola outbreak got out of control in West Africa in the early days of the crisis was a lack of trust among community members, frontline health workers and the broader health system, suggests new research.

Should health systems send patients abroad to save money? Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:46 AM PST While various options can be explored to rationalize resources in the health sector, delegating certain medical services to foreign hospitals should be assessed in an interdisciplinary context, one health law expert. The concept of "medical tourism" should be thoroughly analyzed to assess which avenues may – or may not – be beneficial and in which legal, ethical, political, and economic frameworks, she states.

Up to 80 million bacteria sealed with a kiss Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:10 PM PST As many as 80 million bacteria are transferred during a 10 second kiss, according to new research. The study also found that partners who kiss each other at least nine times a day share similar communities of oral bacteria.

'Not just a flavoring: Menthol, Nicotine, Combined Desensitize Airway Receptors Posted: 16 Nov 2014 10:20 AM PST Menthol doesn't just act as a flavoring, but has a pharmacologic impact, a new study suggests. The researchers say menthol acts in combination with nicotine to desensitize receptors in lungs' airways that are responsible for nicotine's irritation. Though not a focus of the work, the findings are important as FDA is considering restrictions on menthol cigarettes.

Half of STEMI heart attack patients may have additional clogged arteries Posted: 16 Nov 2014 10:19 AM PST A blocked artery causes a deadly kind of heart attack known as STEMI, and a rapid response to clear the blockage saves lives. But in more than half of cases studied, one or both of the patient's other arteries were also obstructed, raising questions about whether and when additional procedures might be undertaken.

High Mortality Associated with STEMI Heart Attacks That Occur in Hospitalized Patients Posted: 16 Nov 2014 10:19 AM PST Researchers have confirmed their surprising earlier finding: Patients who suffer a STEMI heart attack while while in the hospital for something else are more likely to die than patients who have the same type of heart attack outside the hospital.

What brain studies reveal about risk of adolescent alcohol use, abuse Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:43 AM PST What are the brain factors and behaviors that put teens at risk of alcohol use and abuse before they start drinking? Researchers explore this question in four new abstracts. One provides new evidence that adolescents at higher risk of alcoholism have reduced connections in key brain networks; another links impaired brain connections to impulsivity; and two examine impulsivity in relation to intake of sugar and DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid.

Secondhand marijuana smoke may damage blood vessels as much as tobacco smoke Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:43 AM PST Secondhand marijuana smoke may have similar cardiovascular effects as tobacco smoke. Lab rats exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke had a 70 percent drop in blood vessel function.

Mentally stressed young women with heart disease more likely to have reduced blood flow to heart Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:43 AM PST Young women with stable coronary heart disease are more likely than men of the same age to develop reduced blood flow to the heart if they're under emotional stress. Women 55 years and younger under mental stress had three times greater reduction in blood flow to the heart than men.

Active asthma may significantly raise risk of heart attack Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:43 AM PST People with asthma may be at significantly higher risk of heart attack, researchers report.

Poison control data show energy drinks and young kids don't mix Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:43 AM PST More than 40 percent of reports to the National Poison Data System for 'energy drink exposure' in a three-year span involved children under age 6. The effects of energy drinks in the reported cases included abnormal heart rhythms and seizures. Researchers call for better labeling of energy drink's high caffeine content and subsequent health consequences.

Running does not lead to knee osteoarthritis, may protect people from developing disease, experts say Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:40 AM PST Running as a habitual exercise at any stage in life not only does not increase a person's risk of developing knee osteoarthritis and may even help protect a person from developing the painful disease, according to new research findings.

Exercise, manual therapy improve pain, function in osteoarthritis Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:40 AM PST Patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis may improve their pain, stiffness and physical function with sustained physical exercise, manual therapy or both, according to new research findings.

Danger of repeat head injuries: Brain's inability to tap energy source Posted: 16 Nov 2014 06:40 AM PST Two or more serious hits to the head within days of each other can interfere with the brain's ability to use sugar – its primary energy source – to repair cells damaged by the injuries, new research suggests.

Chronic kidney disease: Exercise provides clear benefits Posted: 15 Nov 2014 05:31 AM PST Simple exercises can help improve the health of patients with kidney disease, experts say. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Because exercise capacity is significantly reduced in CKD patients, experts examined the effect of 12 months of exercise training on kidney function and measures of heart disease risk in patients with progressive CKD stages 3-4.

Weight loss surgery may improve kidney function Posted: 15 Nov 2014 05:31 AM PST In addition to helping patients shed pounds, weight loss surgery may also improve kidney function, researchers say. "Bariatric surgery serves as a good model to examine the effects of weight loss on kidney function. Our findings suggest a beneficial impact on kidney function in patients with and without baseline kidney disease," said one investigator.

Most U.S. adults cannot donate a kidney due to preventable health problems, potential loss of income Posted: 15 Nov 2014 05:31 AM PST The majority of individuals in the United States are not eligible to donate a kidney, even if they wanted to, a study shows.

Scientists uncover novel looping mechanism that controls the fitness of cells, impacting aging and disease Posted: 15 Nov 2014 05:31 AM PST A novel looping mechanism that involves the end caps of DNA may help explain the aging of cells and how they initiate and transmit disease, according to new research.

Teens with earlier school start times have higher motor vehicle crash rates Posted: 14 Nov 2014 03:11 PM PST Teen drivers who start class earlier in the morning are involved in significantly more motor vehicle accidents than peers with a later high school start time, a study shows. The results underscore the importance of the 'Awake at the Wheel' campaign of the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project.

New online calculator estimates cardiovascular disease risk Posted: 14 Nov 2014 03:11 PM PST The new Healthy Heart Score gives individuals an easy method to estimate their 20-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease based on simple lifestyle habits.

Genetic testing for personalized nutrition leads to better outcomes Posted: 14 Nov 2014 03:11 PM PST Personalized dietary advice based on a person's genetic makeup improves eating habits compared to current 'one-size-fits-all' dietary recommendations, researchers report. Nutrigenomics is a field of research that aims to understand why some people respond differently than others to the same foods. Personalized nutrition, a branch of personalized medicine, is an application of nutrigenomics that helps tailor dietary recommendations to a person's DNA.

Poor-quality weight loss advice often appears first in an online search Posted: 14 Nov 2014 11:09 AM PST More than 40 percent of U.S. Internet users use online search engines to seek guidance on weight loss and physical activity. A new study finds that high-quality weight loss information often appears after the first page of search engine results.

You are subscribed to email updates from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States