ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Positive, negative effects of smartphone use and exercise
• Study matches infant stiff-joint syndromes to possible genetic origins
• New insight into inflammatory bowel disease may lead to better treatments
• Economic burden of cancer extends into survivorship
• Long-term depression may double stroke risk despite treatment
• Testing hand-grip strength could be a simple, low-cost way to predict heart attack and stroke risk
• Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy achieves better overall survival than surgery for early lung cancer
• Device may allow sensations in prosthetic hands
• Medical marijuana pill may not be effective in treating behavioral symptoms of dementia
• When it comes to testosterone, more isn't always better
• Ancient skeleton shows leprosy may have spread to Britain from Scandinavia
• Infant antibiotic use linked to adult diseases
• Persistence yields progress in AIDS vaccine research
• Highly competitive geographic areas have a higher annual number of liver transplants
• No difference in post-op complications for pregnant women undergoing general surgery
• The infant gut microbiome: New studies on its origins and how it's knocked out of balance
• Scientists identify interferon beta as likely culprit in persistent viral infections
• Potential obesity treatment targets the two sides of appetite: Hunger and feeling full
• How used coffee grounds could make some food more healthful
• Depression intensifies anger in veterans with PTSD
• Playing games can shift attitudes, study shows
• Novel biomarkers may provide guide to personalized hepatitis C therapy
• 'Extreme' exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke causes mild intoxication
• Spores for thought: Study provides new insights into Clostridium spores
• Androgen deprivation therapy may lead to cognitive impairment in prostate cancer patients
• Fracking may affect air quality, human health
• Drug perks up old muscles and aging brains
• Childhood obesity influenced by how kids are fed, not just what they eat
• Brains of smokers who quit successfully might be wired for success
• Bacteria shown to suppress their antibiotic-resistant cousins
• Can diet and exercise prevent muscle loss in old age? Maybe not
• New insights into the male bias of autism
• Research finds differences in the brains and behavior of girls and boys with autism
• Stainless staining provides a new tool for clinicians and researchers
• Taking immortality away from cancer
• New test could identify resistant tuberculosis faster
• Older patients receive less evidence-based cardiac care than younger patients
• Revolutionary discovery could help tackle skin, heart conditions
• Scientists discover new molecules that kill cancer cells and protect healthy cells
• Metaphors of the heart: Two physicians examine heart disease through a literary lens
• Starving cancer instead of feeding it poison
• Men benefit from vaccinating girls against HPV but remain at risk of some cancers
• Debate: Is the long term use of psychiatric drugs harmful?
• Molecular switch that promotes heart cell maturation discovered
• Public health advisories linked with reduction of codeine dispensing to postpartum women

Positive, negative effects of smartphone use and exercise Posted: 13 May 2015 06:20 PM PDT Researchers assessed how common smartphone uses -- texting and talking -- interfere with treadmill exercise.The researchers found that when individuals use their smartphones during exercise for texting or talking, it causes a reduction in exercise intensity.

Study matches infant stiff-joint syndromes to possible genetic origins Posted: 13 May 2015 06:20 PM PDT For the first time, a study has matched dozens of infantile diseases and syndromes involving muscle weakness and stiff joints to their likely genetic origins. The study's goal is to better enable physicians and geneticists to advance new treatments that might help these children.

New insight into inflammatory bowel disease may lead to better treatments Posted: 13 May 2015 06:20 PM PDT A newly discovered link between bacteria and immune cells sheds light on inflammatory bowel disease, an autoimmune condition that affects 1.6 million people in the United States, according to researchers. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common forms of IBD, an autoimmune condition that is thought to develop based on genetic and environmental factors.

Economic burden of cancer extends into survivorship Posted: 13 May 2015 06:11 PM PDT The economic burden of cancer extends beyond diagnosis and treatment, and concludes that cancer survivors face thousands of dollars of excess medical expenses every year, a new study concludes. Researchers found the total annual economic burden per nonelderly cancer survivor was $20,238 for colorectal, $14,202 for breast, and $9,278 for prostate cancer. Elderly cancer survivors also bear significant total economic burden (colorectal: $18,860; breast: $14,351; prostate: $16,851).

Long-term depression may double stroke risk despite treatment Posted: 13 May 2015 06:07 PM PDT Long-term depression may double the risk of stroke for middle-aged adults, research suggests. The scientists add that reducing symptoms of depression may not immediately reduce the elevated stroke risk.

Testing hand-grip strength could be a simple, low-cost way to predict heart attack and stroke risk Posted: 13 May 2015 06:01 PM PDT Weak grip strength is linked with shorter survival and a greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke, according to an international study involving almost 140,000 adults from 17 culturally and economically diverse countries.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy achieves better overall survival than surgery for early lung cancer Posted: 13 May 2015 06:00 PM PDT Patients with operable stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) could achieve better overall survival rates if treated with Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) rather than the current standard of care – invasive surgery – according to research from a phase III randomized international study.

Device may allow sensations in prosthetic hands Posted: 13 May 2015 01:39 PM PDT A team of engineers and researchers is working to allow those with upper limb prosthetics to feel hot and cold and the sense of touch through their prosthetic hands.

Medical marijuana pill may not be effective in treating behavioral symptoms of dementia Posted: 13 May 2015 01:39 PM PDT Medical marijuana pills may not help treat behavioral symptoms of dementia, such as aggression, pacing and wandering, a new study concludes. However, researchers did find that the drug dosage used in the clinical trial was safe and well-tolerated.

When it comes to testosterone, more isn't always better Posted: 13 May 2015 11:58 AM PDT Increased diabetes risk has been connected to higher levels of testosterone to prostate enlargement, a new study reports. A new study anthropologists suggests that the hormone testosterone -- specifically, an unnatural overabundance thereof -- may be a prime culprit. Building on previous research they conducted with the Tsimane, an isolated indigenous population in central Bolivia, researchers examined the prevalence of BPH among a group of approximately 350 adult males.

Ancient skeleton shows leprosy may have spread to Britain from Scandinavia Posted: 13 May 2015 11:55 AM PDT Archaeologists have found evidence suggesting leprosy may have spread to Britain from Scandinavia. The team examined a 1500 year old male skeleton, excavated at Great Chesterford in Essex, England during the 1950s.

Infant antibiotic use linked to adult diseases Posted: 13 May 2015 11:09 AM PDT A new study has found a three-way link among antibiotic use in infants, changes in the gut bacteria, and disease later in life.

Persistence yields progress in AIDS vaccine research Posted: 13 May 2015 10:25 AM PDT After 30 years of working on AIDS research, an American lab has developed new vaccine candidates that appear promising enough to consider advancing into clinical trials within the next two years.

Highly competitive geographic areas have a higher annual number of liver transplants Posted: 13 May 2015 09:51 AM PDT The annual number of liver transplantation operations increases when transplantation centers are concentrated in geographic areas that are highly competitive, according to findings from a new study. The study is believed to be the first one to demonstrate a link between the volume of liver transplantation and competition for organs and geographic density.

No difference in post-op complications for pregnant women undergoing general surgery Posted: 13 May 2015 09:51 AM PDT Pregnant women who undergo general surgical procedures appear to have no significant difference in postoperative complications compared with women who are not pregnant, according to a report. Historical data show that about 1 in 500 pregnant women require nonobstetric surgery.

The infant gut microbiome: New studies on its origins and how it's knocked out of balance Posted: 13 May 2015 09:51 AM PDT A fecal sample analysis of 98 Swedish infants over the first year of life found a connection between the development of a child's gut microbiome and the way he or she is delivered. Babies born via C-section had gut bacteria that showed significantly less resemblance to their mothers compared to those that were delivered vaginally.

Scientists identify interferon beta as likely culprit in persistent viral infections Posted: 13 May 2015 09:49 AM PDT Interferon proteins are normally considered virus-fighters, but scientists have found evidence that one of them, interferon beta, has an immune-suppressing effect that can help some viruses establish persistent infections.

Potential obesity treatment targets the two sides of appetite: Hunger and feeling full Posted: 13 May 2015 08:20 AM PDT Our bodies' hormones work together to tell us when to eat and when to stop. But for many people who are obese, this system is off-balance. Now scientists have designed a hormone-like compound to suppress hunger and boost satiety, or a full feeling, at the same time. Obese mice given the compound for 14 days had a tendency to eat less than the other groups.

How used coffee grounds could make some food more healthful Posted: 13 May 2015 08:20 AM PDT Coffee has gone from dietary foe to friend in recent years, partly due to the revelation that it's rich in antioxidants. Now even spent coffee grounds are gaining attention for being chock-full of these compounds, which have potential health benefits. Researchers now explain how to extract antioxidants from the grounds. They then determined just how concentrated the antioxidants are.

Depression intensifies anger in veterans with PTSD Posted: 13 May 2015 08:18 AM PDT The tendency for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder to lash out in anger can be significantly amplified if they are also depressed, according to new research.

Playing games can shift attitudes, study shows Posted: 13 May 2015 07:29 AM PDT A research laboratory is working to quantify the effects of playing games. In a study, researchers found that attitudes toward public health issues shift to be more accepting and understanding after playing a game they developed called RePlay Health.

Novel biomarkers may provide guide to personalized hepatitis C therapy Posted: 13 May 2015 07:29 AM PDT A simple blood test can be used to predict which chronic hepatitis C patients will respond to interferon-based therapy, according to a report. Hepatitis C chronically infects about 160 million people worldwide, and is a major cause of illness and death from hepatocellular carcinoma and end-stage liver disease.

'Extreme' exposure to secondhand cannabis smoke causes mild intoxication Posted: 13 May 2015 07:29 AM PDT Secondhand exposure to cannabis smoke under 'extreme conditions,' such as an unventilated room or enclosed vehicle, can cause nonsmokers to feel the effects of the drug, have minor problems with memory and coordination, and in some cases test positive for the drug in a urinalysis, a new study concludes.

Spores for thought: Study provides new insights into Clostridium spores Posted: 13 May 2015 07:27 AM PDT Researchers have established how clostridia bacteria emerge from spores. This could help them understand how these bacteria germinate and go on to produce the deadly toxin responsible for botulism, a lethal form of food poisoning, or cause food spoilage.

Androgen deprivation therapy may lead to cognitive impairment in prostate cancer patients Posted: 13 May 2015 07:26 AM PDT Cognitive impairment can occur in cancer patients who are treated with a variety of therapies, including radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. After chemotherapy treatment it is commonly called "chemo brain." Signs of cognitive impairment include forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, problems recalling information, trouble multi-tasking and becoming slower at processing information. The number of people who experience cognitive problems following cancer therapy is broad, with an estimate range of 15 to 70 percent.

Fracking may affect air quality, human health Posted: 13 May 2015 06:36 AM PDT People living or working near active natural gas wells may be exposed to certain pollutants at higher levels than the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe for lifetime exposure. Air pollution from fracking operations may pose an under-recognized health hazard to people living near them, the researchers concluded.

Drug perks up old muscles and aging brains Posted: 13 May 2015 06:36 AM PDT We age, in part, because the adult stem cells in our tissues are surrounded by chemicals that prevent them from replacing damaged cells. One of these chemicals is TGF-beta1, known to depress stem cell activity. A new study shows that a drug that blocks TGF-beta1, which is now being tested for its anticancer properties, makes brain and muscle tissue more youthful. This is a step toward a drug cocktail that could rejuvenate aging tissue.

Childhood obesity influenced by how kids are fed, not just what they eat Posted: 13 May 2015 06:33 AM PDT As the childhood obesity epidemic increases, researchers are discovering that the way caregivers feed their kids may be just as important as what they give them to eat. A new study reviews how a mother's body mass index (BMI), ethnicity and personal eating habits may influence how she feeds her child.

Brains of smokers who quit successfully might be wired for success Posted: 13 May 2015 06:33 AM PDT Smokers who are able to quit might actually be hard-wired for success. The study showed greater connectivity among certain brain regions in people who successfully quit smoking compared to those who tried and failed.

Bacteria shown to suppress their antibiotic-resistant cousins Posted: 13 May 2015 05:38 AM PDT Researchers studying a dangerous type of bacteria have discovered that the bacteria have the ability to block both their own growth and the growth of their antibiotic-resistant mutants. The discovery might lead to better ways to fight a class of bacteria that have contributed to a growing public health crisis by becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotic treatments.

Can diet and exercise prevent muscle loss in old age? Maybe not Posted: 13 May 2015 05:38 AM PDT Between the ages of 40 and 80, an estimated 30 to 50 per cent of muscle mass is lost, resulting in lower strength and less ability to carry out everyday tasks. This process -- known as sarcopenia -- is common and clearly linked to frailty and poorer health in older people. Although some studies find diet can enhance the effects of exercise to prevent muscle loss in later life, current evidence about what works is inconsistent, new research shows.

New insights into the male bias of autism Posted: 13 May 2015 05:37 AM PDT Male toddlers with autism have significant structural differences in their brains compared to females with the condition, according to research. The new work is looking at the links between sex/gender and autism, which reveal additional insights into the role of prenatal sex hormones and the 'female protective effect'.

Research finds differences in the brains and behavior of girls and boys with autism Posted: 13 May 2015 05:37 AM PDT Differences in the underlying biology of children's brains and behavior has been identified through a study on a large cohort of preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. The findings may help explain how the condition affects a little-studied and poorly understood population of children: girls.

Stainless staining provides a new tool for clinicians and researchers Posted: 13 May 2015 05:37 AM PDT A new technique promises to overturn the standard workflow in pathologic assessments of tissue by adding molecular information to standard optical imaging. The study relies on computation, instead of staining to provide images.

Taking immortality away from cancer Posted: 13 May 2015 05:37 AM PDT Researchers report that they have blocked the shelterin protein TRF1 in cancer cells, disrupting telomere protection and preventing immortal proliferation of cancer cells. Their work shows for the first time that telomeres -- the structures protecting the ends of the chromosomes -- may represent an effective anti-cancer target: by blocking the TRF1 gene, which is essential for the telomeres, they have shown dramatic improvements in mice with lung cancer.

New test could identify resistant tuberculosis faster Posted: 13 May 2015 05:37 AM PDT The time needed to genetically sequence the bacteria causing tuberculosis (Mtb) from patient samples has been reduced from weeks to days using a new technique. This could help health service providers to better treat disease, control transmission of this infection, and monitor outbreaks, researchers say.

Older patients receive less evidence-based cardiac care than younger patients Posted: 13 May 2015 05:35 AM PDT People in their 80s and 90s are more likely to develop acute coronary syndrome than their younger counterparts. Despite this, they receive less therapy and diagnostic procedures, a Swedish expert says.

Revolutionary discovery could help tackle skin, heart conditions Posted: 13 May 2015 05:35 AM PDT An important discovery about how certain cells stick to each other to form tissue has been made by scientists. The team studied how cells in the skin and heart are bound together through structures called desmosomes. They wanted to understand how these junctions between the cells in the tissue are so strong.

Scientists discover new molecules that kill cancer cells and protect healthy cells Posted: 13 May 2015 05:32 AM PDT Molecules could treat cervical, breast, ovarian, and lung cancers, new research in mice suggests. Scientists have found a new family of molecules that kill cancer cells and protect healthy cells, which could be used to treat a number of different cancers. Research shows that as well as targeting and killing cancer cells, the molecules generate a protective effect against toxic chemicals in healthy cells.

Metaphors of the heart: Two physicians examine heart disease through a literary lens Posted: 13 May 2015 05:28 AM PDT Heart disease has topped mortality charts as the number one killer of men and women for many decades, but a novel analysis of American literary fiction by two physicians finds the disorder's presence in great novels has remained relatively modest.

Starving cancer instead of feeding it poison Posted: 13 May 2015 05:28 AM PDT An enzyme drug can remove asparagine, an essential nutrient for some cancers, but it also degrades glutamine, necessary for all human cells. But an induced mutation in the drug permits it to reduce asparagine without affecting glutamine, scientists report.

Men benefit from vaccinating girls against HPV but remain at risk of some cancers Posted: 12 May 2015 03:50 PM PDT Men benefit indirectly from vaccinating girls against human papillomavirus, but remain at risk of cancers associated with the virus, finds a study. Human papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and many countries vaccinate girls to protect them against cervical cancer in later life.

Debate: Is the long term use of psychiatric drugs harmful? Posted: 12 May 2015 03:50 PM PDT The benefits of psychiatric drugs have been exaggerated and the harms underplayed due to poor trial designs, argues an expert in a new article. But another expert and a patient contend that the evidence supports the use of these drugs.

Molecular switch that promotes heart cell maturation discovered Posted: 12 May 2015 01:45 PM PDT The difficulty in getting stem cells to mature into more adult-like heart cells has hindered the search for regenerative treatments for hearts damaged by disease. A molecular switch has now been discovered that appears to help embryonic heart cells switch from a glucose to fatty acid based metabolism, becoming larger, stronger, and acting like more mature heart cells. This discovery may lead to lab methods to grow heart cells that function more like those in adult hearts, scientists say.

Public health advisories linked with reduction of codeine dispensing to postpartum women Posted: 12 May 2015 09:39 AM PDT Public health advisories from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada were associated with significant reductions in the rate of dispensing of codeine to postpartum women, according to a study.

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