ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• People will live longer than official estimates predict, UK study shows
• Traumatic events, financial struggles may threaten women's heart health
• Novel approach blocks amyloid production in Alzheimer's mouse model
• Illuminating the dark zone: Discoveries about a specific protein and its effects on final step of cell division
• Toxic combination of air pollution and poverty lowers child IQ
• Rociletinib shows promising activity against treatment-resistant EGFR-mutated lung cancer
• Low health literacy linked to heart failure deaths after hospitalization
• Calling 911 in rural areas leads to faster heart attack care
• Friends, social networks valued by heart failure patients and health care providers
• Left ventricular assist devices may lead to declines in health, cognitive thinking in some heart failure patients
• Silica dust in small-scale gold mining linked to silicosis, TB epidemic
• Challenging work tasks may have an upside for the brain
• Uncovering new functions of a gene implicated in cancer growth opens new therapeutic possibilities
• Prevent type 2 diabetes blood-sugar spikes by eating more protein for breakfast, experts say
• Three secrets to healthier eating
• Locally sourced drugs can be effective for treating multidrug-resistant TB
• Novel rapid method for typing of Clostridium difficile could limit outbreaks
• High costs of dental care leave many with too little money for basic necessities
• Medical education risks becoming two-tiered unless strong research focus is preserved, argue medical leaders
• How babies' lives were saved by 3-D printing
• Urine profiles provide clues to how obesity causes disease
• Parents describe arduous journey to pediatric epileptic surgery when their child's disease becomes resistant to anti-seizure meds
• Researchers closer to being able to change blood types
• Quenching the thirst for clean, safe water
• Brain circuitry for positive vs. negative memories discovered in mice
• Combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy shows promise for advanced prostate cancers
• Why do obese men get bariatric surgery far less than women?
• Young adults born preterm may live with lungs of elderly
• Discovery may change cancer treatment
• Five-year survivors of esophageal cancer still face low but constant risks
• Your brain on drugs: Functional differences in brain communication in cocaine users
• Brain-injured patients need therapies based on cognitive neuroscience
• Gene therapy clips out heart failure causing gene mutations
• Durable benefits seen for lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema
• Giving to charity: Feeling love means doing more for distant strangers
• Stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma: New data did not change conclusion
• Drug resistant bacteria common for nursing home residents with dementia
• Medical education: Guiding professional identity to prevent burnout
• Chromosome-folding theory shows promise
• Cytokine may play major role in multiple sclerosis
• Economic instability could contribute to low fertility rates, finds new research
• New technologies will help prevent preterm labor, provide safer labor process
• Gene variants show potential in predicting rheumatoid arthritis disease outcomes
• Research prompts rethink of enzyme evolution
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increases the risk of sudden cardiac death
• Improving the effect of HIV drugs by the use of a vaccine
• Brain tumor patients should be screened for depression
• An apple a day brings more apples your way
• Two-thirds of bowel cancer patients aren't advised to exercise despite health benefits
• Potential new treatments for Toxoplasma-induced pneumonia and cystic fibrosis
• Most people eager to know the secrets of their genetics
• Scientists uncover surprising new details of potential Alzheimer's treatment
• Pneumonectomy or lobectomy? Study shows that surgeon's experience may be a contributing factor for non-small cell lung cancer patients
• Simple, active, post-discharge intervention program after major thoracic surgery reduces ER visits, saves money
• Researchers detail role of silica and lung cancer
• Make calorie labels compulsory on all alcoholic drinks, says public health expert
• Uk coalition government derailed efforts to reduce salt in food

People will live longer than official estimates predict, UK study shows Posted: 29 Apr 2015 08:48 PM PDT A new study forecasting how life expectancy will change in England and Wales has predicted people will live longer than current estimates. They predict that life expectancy nationally will increase for men from 79.5 years in 2012 to 85.7 in 2030, and for women from 83.3 in 2012 to 87.6 in 2030.

Traumatic events, financial struggles may threaten women's heart health Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT Traumatic life events such as losing a child or a spouse increased the chances of a heart attack by more than 65 percent among middle-aged and older women regardless of heart disease risk factors or socioeconomic status. A history of financial struggle was associated with a two-fold higher risk for heart attack among middle-aged and elderly women.

Novel approach blocks amyloid production in Alzheimer's mouse model Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT Offering a potential early intervention for Alzheimer's disease (AD), researchers have identified compounds that block the production of beta amyloid peptides in mice. The build-up of beta amyloid plaques is widely believed to cause irreversible brain damage, resulting in a host of cognitive and motor impairments broadly associated with AD, which accounts for about 60 to 80 percent of all cases of dementia in the United States.

Illuminating the dark zone: Discoveries about a specific protein and its effects on final step of cell division Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT The human body is a cross between a factory and a construction zone -- at least on the cellular level. Certain proteins act as project managers, which direct a wide variety of processes and determine the fate of the cell as a whole. A new study reveals a novel function for WDR5, a protein known for its critical role in gene expression.

Toxic combination of air pollution and poverty lowers child IQ Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT Children born to mothers experiencing economic hardship, who were also exposed during pregnancy to high levels of PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), scored significantly lower on IQ tests at age 5 compared with children born to mothers with greater economic security and less exposure to the pollutants.

Rociletinib shows promising activity against treatment-resistant EGFR-mutated lung cancer Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT A new targeted therapy drug against EGFR-mutation driven lung tumors that have become resistant to current therapies shows activity against the most common resistance mutation, significantly improving outcomes for patients.

Low health literacy linked to heart failure deaths after hospitalization Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT Acute heart failure patients are more likely to die within two years of hospitalization if they have trouble understanding and using health information. Living with heart failure can be complex, so patients need to let their healthcare providers know if they don't understand their instructions.

Calling 911 in rural areas leads to faster heart attack care Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT Fifty-two percent of patients in rural areas with severe heart attacks drove themselves to the hospital or were driven in instead of calling 911. However, patients who called 911 got to the hospital faster and received lifesaving care more quickly.

Friends, social networks valued by heart failure patients and health care providers Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT Most patients consult family first in assessing their heart failure symptoms. Meanwhile, healthcare providers say a network allowing physicians to share and consult is valuable.

Left ventricular assist devices may lead to declines in health, cognitive thinking in some heart failure patients Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:24 PM PDT Left ventricular assist devices are life-prolonging devices for patients with advanced heart failure but they also may leave some patients in poor health with declines in brain function. Risk factors for cognitive decline included older age and having devices placed as permanent therapy.

Silica dust in small-scale gold mining linked to silicosis, TB epidemic Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:21 PM PDT Silica dust hazards in large gold mines have been well documented, but the situation is far worse in small-scale gold mining according to a new study. This is the first ever study to measure silica exposures in small-scale gold mining operations.

Challenging work tasks may have an upside for the brain Posted: 29 Apr 2015 03:21 PM PDT Professionals whose jobs require more speaking, developing strategies, conflict resolution and managerial tasks may experience better protection against memory and thinking decline in old age than their co-workers, according to a new study.

Uncovering new functions of a gene implicated in cancer growth opens new therapeutic possibilities Posted: 29 Apr 2015 11:54 AM PDT For the first time, researchers have shown that a gene previously implicated in blood vessel formation during embryonic development and tumor growth also induces immune suppression during tumor development. This finding opens the door for new therapeutic approaches and vaccine development in treating patients with melanoma and other advanced-staged cancers.

Prevent type 2 diabetes blood-sugar spikes by eating more protein for breakfast, experts say Posted: 29 Apr 2015 11:54 AM PDT Individuals with type 2 diabetes have difficulty regulating their glucose -- or blood sugar -- levels, particularly after meals. Now, researchers have found that type 2 diabetics can eat more protein at breakfast to help reduce glucose spikes at both breakfast and lunch.

Three secrets to healthier eating Posted: 29 Apr 2015 11:54 AM PDT A new study analyzed 112 studies that collected information about healthy eating behaviors and found that most healthy eaters did so because a restaurant, grocery store, school cafeteria, or spouse made foods like fruits and vegetables visible and easy to reach (convenient), enticingly displayed (attractive), and appear like an obvious choice (normal).

Locally sourced drugs can be effective for treating multidrug-resistant TB Posted: 29 Apr 2015 11:54 AM PDT Locally sourced antibiotics can be as effective as 'internationally quality-assured' antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Pakistan, and may help avoid delays in starting treatment while programs wait for drugs to arrive from overseas, according to new research.

Novel rapid method for typing of Clostridium difficile could limit outbreaks Posted: 29 Apr 2015 11:54 AM PDT A method of typing has been been developed that can allow laboratories to faster establish the presence of hospital outbreaks of the intestinal bacterium Clostridium difficile, scientists report.

High costs of dental care leave many with too little money for basic necessities Posted: 29 Apr 2015 11:54 AM PDT Having to pay for dental health care can put a considerable strain on household finances in many countries, according to an international study. The assessed the extent of household 'catastrophic dental health expenditure' in 41 low and middle income countries. Expenditure was defined as catastrophic if it was equal to or higher than 40% of the household's capacity to pay.

Medical education risks becoming two-tiered unless strong research focus is preserved, argue medical leaders Posted: 29 Apr 2015 11:53 AM PDT For more than 100 years, exposing students to basic and clinical research has been an essential component of a medical school education in the United States. However, today, new models of medical education in which research plays a minimal role are likely to create a two-tiered system of education, decrease the physician-scientist pipeline and diminish the application of scientific advances to patient care.

How babies' lives were saved by 3-D printing Posted: 29 Apr 2015 11:53 AM PDT A new study reports outcomes for three boys who became among the first in the world to benefit from 3D printed devices that saved their lives.

Urine profiles provide clues to how obesity causes disease Posted: 29 Apr 2015 11:06 AM PDT Being overweight or obese is associated with higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer, but the mechanisms connecting body fat and disease are not well understood. Scientists have identified chemical markers in urine associated with body mass, providing insights into how obesity causes disease.

Parents describe arduous journey to pediatric epileptic surgery when their child's disease becomes resistant to anti-seizure meds Posted: 29 Apr 2015 11:06 AM PDT Now, parents share their arduous and "circuitous" journey to get referrals for pediatric epilepsy surgery once their child's disease stops responding to anti-seizure medications. The study sheds light on the difficulties parents face obtaining specialty and sub-specialty care for their children during an already stressful time.

Researchers closer to being able to change blood types Posted: 29 Apr 2015 10:29 AM PDT What do you do when a patient needs a blood transfusion but you don't have their blood type in the blood bank? It's a problem that scientists have been trying to solve for years but haven't been able to find an economic solution -- until now.

Quenching the thirst for clean, safe water Posted: 29 Apr 2015 10:29 AM PDT It is estimated that one in nine people globally lack access to safe water. Researchers are looking to fill that critical need and provide safe drinking water to the most remote locations in the world with a new foam water filter that significantly reduces dangerous pathogens in drinking water.

Brain circuitry for positive vs. negative memories discovered in mice Posted: 29 Apr 2015 10:29 AM PDT Neuroscientists have discovered brain circuitry for encoding positive and negative learned associations in mice. After finding that two circuits showed opposite activity following fear and reward learning, the researchers proved that this divergent activity causes either avoidance or reward-driven behaviors. They used cutting-edge optical-genetic tools to pinpoint these mechanisms critical to survival, which are also implicated in mental illness.

Combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy shows promise for advanced prostate cancers Posted: 29 Apr 2015 10:27 AM PDT Blocking or removing immune-suppressing cells allows a special type of chemotherapy — and the immune cells it activates — to destroy prostate tumors, researchers report. This novel combination therapy, termed chemoimmunotherapy, achieved near complete remission in mouse models of advanced prostate cancer.

Why do obese men get bariatric surgery far less than women? Posted: 29 Apr 2015 09:56 AM PDT Demographic, socioeconomic and cultural factors contribute to a major gender disparity among US men and women undergoing weight loss surgeries. Men undergo the surgeries in far lower numbers than women, researchers report.

Young adults born preterm may live with lungs of elderly Posted: 29 Apr 2015 09:56 AM PDT Adult survivors of preterm births may have a lung capacity that resembles the healthy elderly or casual smokers by the time they reach their early 20s, according to a new study.

Discovery may change cancer treatment Posted: 29 Apr 2015 09:56 AM PDT A discovery has been made that may change the principles for treating certain types of cancer. The discovery relates to the so-called telomeres that constitute the ends of human chromosomes. Short telomeres are related to unhealthy lifestyles, old age and the male gender -- all of which are risk factors in terms of high mortality. Up until now, the assumption has been that short telomeres are related to ill health. The challenge for researchers worldwide has therefore been to find out whether or not the short telomeres were indeed a signifier or an indirect cause of increased mortality.

Five-year survivors of esophageal cancer still face low but constant risks Posted: 29 Apr 2015 09:54 AM PDT According to the American Cancer Society, in 2015 about 17,000 new cases of esophageal cancer will be diagnosed, and about 15,600 people will die from the disease. While the 5-year survival rate in the 1960s and 1970s was only about 5%, improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and management have led to improved survival. However, information is lacking about what happens to long-term survivors of esophageal cancer. New research shows that while five-year survival is up to 39%, these patients still face many health risks and should be monitored for 10 years or more.

Your brain on drugs: Functional differences in brain communication in cocaine users Posted: 29 Apr 2015 08:32 AM PDT The brain function of people addicted to cocaine is different from that of people who are not addicted, and is often linked to highly impulsive behavior, according to a new scientific study.

Brain-injured patients need therapies based on cognitive neuroscience Posted: 29 Apr 2015 08:32 AM PDT Patients with traumatic brain injuries are not benefiting from recent advances in cognitive neuroscience research -- and they should be, scientists report. Now, cognitive neuroscientists have identified dozens of brain networks, each of which engages a specific set of brain structures to perform particular tasks. This information, researchers say, should factor into the therapies that these patients receive.

Gene therapy clips out heart failure causing gene mutations Posted: 29 Apr 2015 08:32 AM PDT Cardiomyopathies are diseases of weakened heart muscle, which can lead to heart enlargement and heart failure. The conditions are often genetically inherited. Gene therapy can clip out genetic material linked to heart failure and replace it with the normal gene in human cardiac cells, according to a study.

Durable benefits seen for lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema Posted: 29 Apr 2015 08:26 AM PDT The National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) was a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing the efficacy of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) plus medical management with rehabilitation to medical management plus rehabilitation in patients with severe emphysema. In 2003, the results of NETT demonstrated that LVRS could improve lung function in patients with emphysema, and that the procedure led to improved survival. Yet, adoption of LVRS has been very slow with concerns expressed regarding safety and long-term efficacy. Now researchers present the results of ten years of' experience with LVRS for emphysema.

Giving to charity: Feeling love means doing more for distant strangers Posted: 29 Apr 2015 07:48 AM PDT Marketers often use positive emotions such as hope, pride, love, and compassion interchangeably to encourage people to donate to charitable causes. But these distinct emotions can lead to different results, and love alone has the power to inspire giving to those with whom the giver has no connection, according to a new study.

Stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma: New data did not change conclusion Posted: 29 Apr 2015 07:11 AM PDT After an update search, reviewers were able to include further studies in the assessment. The evidence base remained insufficient, however, and results of large studies remain unpublished.

Drug resistant bacteria common for nursing home residents with dementia Posted: 29 Apr 2015 07:10 AM PDT One in five nursing home residents with advanced dementia harbor strains of drug-resistant bacteria and more than 10 percent of the drug-resistant bacteria are resistant to four or more antibiotic classes, new research has found.

Medical education: Guiding professional identity to prevent burnout Posted: 29 Apr 2015 07:10 AM PDT Medical educators and students, through new articles, discuss how guided reflection, coursework and mentoring can foster the 'professional identity formation' process needed for doctors to become and remain committed, ethical, and humanist physicians during a career with many challenges and stresses.

Chromosome-folding theory shows promise Posted: 29 Apr 2015 07:10 AM PDT Biophysicists are working toward an energy-landscape theory for chromosomes. The theory could help scientists understand the genomic roots of gene regulation, DNA replication and cell differentiation.

Cytokine may play major role in multiple sclerosis Posted: 29 Apr 2015 07:10 AM PDT Multiple sclerosis (MS) is caused by immune cells that activate a cascade of chemicals in the brain, attacking and degrading the insulation that keeps neuronal signals moving. These chemicals, called cytokines, drive the inflammation in the brain, attracting more immune cells, and causing the debilitating disease marked by loss of neurological function. Researchers have now discovered the role of a major cytokine in multiple sclerosis that could be a target for new therapy against the disease.

Economic instability could contribute to low fertility rates, finds new research Posted: 29 Apr 2015 07:09 AM PDT Environmental factors like economic downturn and high mortality rates could contribute to changing fertility desires, new research finds. The number of women in the United States who are childless is at an all-time high, and this research suggests it may be due to the country's economic downturn.

New technologies will help prevent preterm labor, provide safer labor process Posted: 29 Apr 2015 07:09 AM PDT Preventing preterm labor with light and inducing labor using a side effect-free drug are two new technologies based research that is heading to the marketplace.

Gene variants show potential in predicting rheumatoid arthritis disease outcomes Posted: 29 Apr 2015 06:29 AM PDT Scientists have identified a new way in which genotyping can be used to predict disease outcomes among sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis.

Research prompts rethink of enzyme evolution Posted: 29 Apr 2015 06:01 AM PDT There is a need for a fundamental rethink of the evolutionary path of enzymes, the proteins vital to all life on Earth, new research suggests. Enzymes catalyze a vast array of biologically relevant chemical reactions even in the simplest living cells. Scientists have generally thought of their evolution as events occurring at the molecular level; a smooth and steady trajectory, from barely functional primordial catalysts to the highly active and specific enzymes. However the reality may be quite different.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increases the risk of sudden cardiac death Posted: 29 Apr 2015 06:01 AM PDT People suffering from the common lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), according to new research. The large study of 15,000 people is the first to show that COPD is associated with an increased risk of SCD in the general population.

Improving the effect of HIV drugs by the use of a vaccine Posted: 29 Apr 2015 06:01 AM PDT A vaccine containing a protein necessary for virus replication can boost an HIV-infected patient's immune system, according to clinical research. This boost can result in increased effectiveness of antiretroviral drugs.

Brain tumor patients should be screened for depression Posted: 29 Apr 2015 06:01 AM PDT Because depression in brain cancer patients is a common but often overlooked condition, oncologists should regularly screen tumor patients for depression, according to a new article. The authors also propose that more studies be completed to explore the efficacy of anti-depression treatments, as well as the value of depression biomarkers for future brain tumor research.

An apple a day brings more apples your way Posted: 29 Apr 2015 06:01 AM PDT Individuals who ate an apple sample before shopping bought 25 percent more fruits and vegetables than those who did not eat a sample, new research shows. For consumers, the researchers recommend having a small healthy snack like a piece of fruit before shopping. Not only will it help decrease hunger, it may also nudge you to select healthier items, they say.

Two-thirds of bowel cancer patients aren't advised to exercise despite health benefits Posted: 29 Apr 2015 05:54 AM PDT More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of bowel cancer patients say they weren't advised to exercise regularly after their diagnosis – despite evidence that brisk physical activity is linked to better survival in bowel cancer, according to a study. The research is the largest study of its kind: more than 15,000 bowel cancer patients were asked about their current level of physical activity and whether they were advised to be more active after their diagnosis.

Potential new treatments for Toxoplasma-induced pneumonia and cystic fibrosis Posted: 29 Apr 2015 05:54 AM PDT New research has discovered a link between a vital pumping system that does not function correctly in people with cystic fibrosis and the parasite Toxoplasma. This is the first time a causal relationship has been proven between infection of the Toxoplasma gondii infection and a defect in the chloride pumping system being linked to diseases such as cystic fibrosis. The new knowledge from these research findings paves the way for the development of new drugs to treat respiratory diseases.

Most people eager to know the secrets of their genetics Posted: 29 Apr 2015 05:51 AM PDT 98 per cent of people want to be told about indicators of a serious preventable or treatable disease found by researchers using their genomic data, according to a survey of nearly 7,000 people. Currently, a lot of the information in our personal genomes is of uncertain clinical significance. As genetic research advances and more can be learned from sequence data, this survey will help researchers and health policy makers to plan accordingly.

Scientists uncover surprising new details of potential Alzheimer's treatment Posted: 29 Apr 2015 05:48 AM PDT Some surprising details have been uncovered by scientists about a group of compounds that have shown significant potential in stimulating the growth of brain cells and memory restoration in animal models that mimic Alzheimer's disease.

Pneumonectomy or lobectomy? Study shows that surgeon's experience may be a contributing factor for non-small cell lung cancer patients Posted: 29 Apr 2015 05:48 AM PDT For patients in the early stage of non-small cell lung cancer, surgical resection yields optimal outcomes. Prior investigations have shown that different resection procedures have very different outcomes, with pneumonectomy associated with three-fold higher mortality than other resection types. While it is understandable that pathological and physiological factors influence a surgeon's choice of surgery for a particular patient, the results presented in this study suggest that physician discomfort with the operative complexities of a procedure may lead to selection of a technique associated with less favorable outcomes.

Simple, active, post-discharge intervention program after major thoracic surgery reduces ER visits, saves money Posted: 29 Apr 2015 05:48 AM PDT Hospital readmission rates after major thoracic surgery can run as high as 10-17%. Alarmingly, readmission after pulmonary resection for lung cancer has been associated with worse outcomes, including higher mortality. Thus, reducing readmissions after thoracic surgery can both save lives and reduce healthcare costs. Studies in internal medicine and cardiology have shown that programs that improve the transition from hospital to post-discharge care can be effective in decreasing emergency room visits and re-hospitalization.

Researchers detail role of silica and lung cancer Posted: 29 Apr 2015 05:48 AM PDT Researchers have detailed a critical connection associated with a major environmental cause of silicosis and a form of lung cancer. Exposure to crystalline silica (CS) is common to a variety of industrial operations including mining, quarrying, sandblasting, rock drilling, road construction, pottery making, stone masonry, and tunneling operations. Chronic silica exposure causes severe health complications eventually leading to the irreversible, debilitating disease silicosis. Approximately 2 million U.S. workers potentially are exposed to breathable crystalline silica.

Make calorie labels compulsory on all alcoholic drinks, says public health expert Posted: 28 Apr 2015 04:06 PM PDT Calorie counts should be mandatory on all alcoholic drinks as a matter of urgency, argues a leading public health doctor. She explains that, since 2011, packaged foods in the European Union have been subject to regulation requiring labelling with their ingredients and nutritional information, including energy content (calories). But drinks that contain more than 1.2% alcohol by volume are exempt and consumers do not know what is in them.

Uk coalition government derailed efforts to reduce salt in food Posted: 28 Apr 2015 04:06 PM PDT A poor diet is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Large amounts of salt, for example, are added to food by industry and eating too much can raise blood pressure, a major factor associated with strokes, heart failure and heart attacks. The UK coalition government derailed a successful program that reduced salt content added to foods by industry, argue experts in a new article.

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