ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• A chip placed under the skin for more precise medicine
• Cocaine addiction, craving and relapse
• Study links better 'good cholesterol' function with lower risk of later heart disease
• Investigational immunotherapy treatment shows durable response in patients with metastatic melanoma
• Changing diagnosis codes will challenge emergency medicine
• Future vaccine may help lower blood pressure long-term
• Moderate drinking in later years may damage heart
• Study identifies possible role for carbon monoxide in treating hemorrhagic stroke
• Breakthrough measures Parkinson's progression in brain
• On-demand X-rays at synchrotron light sources
• Study suggests using excess stress to kill therapy resistant breast cancer
• New foam technology to lead advances in medical devices and protective equipment
• New chip makes testing for antibiotic-resistant bacteria faster, easier
• Labor analgesia in low-income countries: Experience from Ghana
• Clinical trial reduces stress of cancer caregivers
• Infusions of donor bone marrow cells help children with inherited skin blistering
• New findings about mechanisms underlying chronic pain reveal novel therapeutic strategies
• A push to open doors to care for the homebound
• New urine test could reduce need for blood samples
• ER doctors stress need for good communications with police
• Genomic data reveals emergence in Africa of drug resistant strain of typhoid
• Neuroscientists reveals autism's 'noisy' secret: 3-D simulator reveals inner workings of the autistic brain
• Soy supplements don't improve asthma, study concludes
• Better fine motor skills with delayed cord clamping
• New technique speeds nanoMRI imaging
• Hospice use linked to fewer depressive symptoms for surviving spouses
• Study finds association between exposure to aflatoxin and gallbladder cancer
• Study examines association of genetic variants with cognitive impairment
• Subclinical hyperthyroidism associated with an increased risk of hip and other fractures
• Tiny heart, big promise: Understanding how cells become coronary vessels may lead to advances in repairing heart damage
• Nanotechnology identifies brain tumor types through MRI 'virtual biopsy' in animal studies
• How DNA is organized in our cells
• Therapy-resistant breast cancer mechanism revealed
• Nearly indestructible virus yields tool to treat diseases
• Study identifies Ebola virus's Achilles' heel
• Herpes offers big insights on coughing -- and potential new remedies
• Two new, very large classes of RNAs found to be linked to cancer biomark
• Communication made easier for children with cerebral palsy
• 'Decoder ring' powers found in micro RNA
• Anti-pollution rules have uncertain effects
• Can a little loving kindness improve our mental health?
• Ozone antiseptic shows potential for treating severe gum infections
• Oldest old less likely to be investigated or aggressively treated after surgery
• Road traffic noise linked to heightened risk of midriff bulge
• Very overweight teens may double their risk of bowel cancer in middle age
• Motherhood permanently alters brain and its response to hormone therapy later in life
• Measuring arm circumference is a more reliable indicator of malnutrition
• Surgical skills lab and dissection curricula train neurosurgical residents
• The first fraction of ejaculate is the most effective for conception
• New insights could result in changes to the therapeutic strategy to combat Alzheimer's, reduce animal testing
• New UK research 'challenges the assumption that arthritis patients take their medication regularly'
• Mutated gene leads to insensitivity to pain with drastic consequences
• Scientists reverse aging in human cell lines and give theory of aging a new lease of life
• You’re driving yourself to burnout, literally
• Cannabis use can be prevented, reduced or delayed
• E-cigarette vapor, even when nicotine-free, found to damage lung cells
• A new use for statins: Asthma
• Attitudes about complementary and alternative medicine predict use among cancer patients
• Obese male mice produce more disease-promoting immune cells than females

A chip placed under the skin for more precise medicine Posted: 26 May 2015 06:50 PM PDT It's only a centimeter long, it's placed under your skin, it's powered by a patch on the surface of your skin and it communicates with your mobile phone. The new biosensor chip is capable of simultaneously monitoring the concentration of a number of molecules, such as glucose and cholesterol, and certain drugs.

Cocaine addiction, craving and relapse Posted: 26 May 2015 06:50 PM PDT One of the major challenges of cocaine addiction is the high rate of relapse after periods of withdrawal and abstinence. But new research reveals that changes in our DNA during drug withdrawal may offer promising ways of developing more effective treatments for addiction. Withdrawal from drug use results in reprogramming of the genes in the brain that lead to addictive personality, say researchers.

Study links better 'good cholesterol' function with lower risk of later heart disease Posted: 26 May 2015 06:50 PM PDT HDL, the 'good cholesterol' helps remove fat from artery walls, reversing the process that leads to heart disease. Yet recent drug trials and genetic studies suggest that pushing HDL levels higher doesn't reduce the risk of heart disease. Now, an epidemiological study shows that a person's HDL function -- the efficiency of HDL molecules at removing cholesterol -- may be a better measure of coronary heart disease risk and target for heart-protecting drugs.

Investigational immunotherapy treatment shows durable response in patients with metastatic melanoma Posted: 26 May 2015 02:19 PM PDT Advanced-stage melanoma patients have significant improvement in durable response rate when treated with a genetically-modified form of a herpes virus, whose native form causes the common cold sore, new research shows.

Changing diagnosis codes will challenge emergency medicine Posted: 26 May 2015 02:19 PM PDT Emergency medicine faces special challenges during this fall's changeover in how medical diagnoses are coded. Nearly a quarter of all ER clinical encounters could pose difficulties, authors of a new report state.

Future vaccine may help lower blood pressure long-term Posted: 26 May 2015 01:42 PM PDT A DNA vaccine helped lower blood pressure for up to six months, reduced tissue damage to the heart and blood vessels associated with hypertension in rats, investigators report. If future research shows the vaccine is a viable treatment option in humans, it could improve high blood pressure levels.

Moderate drinking in later years may damage heart Posted: 26 May 2015 01:42 PM PDT Moderate to heavy alcohol intake later in life may be associated with subtle changes in the structure and efficiency of the heart. Women may be particularly vulnerable to negative cardiac effects of alcohol at moderate to higher levels of consumption.

Study identifies possible role for carbon monoxide in treating hemorrhagic stroke Posted: 26 May 2015 01:41 PM PDT Carbon monoxide is typically associated with brain injury and neurological symptoms. But a new study suggests that when administered in small, carefully controlled amounts, CO may actually protect the brain from damage following hemorrhagic stroke.

Breakthrough measures Parkinson's progression in brain Posted: 26 May 2015 12:57 PM PDT A biomarker that shows the progression of Parkinson's disease in the brain has been identified by researchers, opening the door to better diagnosis and treatment of the degenerative disease.

On-demand X-rays at synchrotron light sources Posted: 26 May 2015 11:48 AM PDT Researchers have developed an 'X-rays on demand' technique in which ALS users can have access to the X-ray beams they want without affecting beams for other users.

Study suggests using excess stress to kill therapy resistant breast cancer Posted: 26 May 2015 11:48 AM PDT Maxing out the inherently stressed nature of treatment-resistant breast cancer cells thwarts their adaptive ability to evolve genetic workarounds to treatment, according to a study. Looking at tumor progression as essentially an evolutionary process, researchers highlight the feasibility of maximizing cell stress by inhibiting adaptive pathways to cause cell death.

New foam technology to lead advances in medical devices and protective equipment Posted: 26 May 2015 11:48 AM PDT A unique, high performance foam has been developed that can be used to make safer athletic gear and medical equipment, among other things. The developers anticipate an immediate benefit to the medical device and protective equipment industries while the collaborative project for the development of the new prosthetic sock is underway.

New chip makes testing for antibiotic-resistant bacteria faster, easier Posted: 26 May 2015 11:06 AM PDT We live in fear of 'superbugs': infectious bacteria that don't respond to treatment by antibiotics, and can turn a routine hospital stay into a nightmare. Now, researchers have designed a diagnostic chip to reduce testing time of antibiotics from days to one hour, allowing doctors to pick the right antibiotic the first time.

Labor analgesia in low-income countries: Experience from Ghana Posted: 26 May 2015 11:05 AM PDT A program to improve pain control during labor at one of Ghana's largest maternity units greatly increased the use of safe and effective spinal analgesia for women undergoing cesarean section, reports a new article.

Clinical trial reduces stress of cancer caregivers Posted: 26 May 2015 10:24 AM PDT A randomized control trial demonstrates an intervention that successfully reduces the stress of caregivers in the context of cancer patients treated with stem cell transplantation. The study enrolled 148 caregivers of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (Allo-HSCT) patients.

Infusions of donor bone marrow cells help children with inherited skin blistering Posted: 26 May 2015 10:23 AM PDT Promising results from a trial of a new stem-cell based therapy for a rare and debilitating skin condition suggest that the therapy, involving infusions of stem cells, provide pain relief and to reduce the severity of this skin condition for which no cure currently exists.

New findings about mechanisms underlying chronic pain reveal novel therapeutic strategies Posted: 26 May 2015 10:23 AM PDT A critical role for a class of cells present in the brain and spinal cord, called microglia, has been discovered for those in pain. Researchers have found microglia to neuron signaling to be crucial in the development of pain hypersensitivity after injury, but also for one of the paradoxical effects morphine and other opioids sometimes produce, called hyperalgesia, which is an increase in pain sensitivity.

A push to open doors to care for the homebound Posted: 26 May 2015 10:22 AM PDT A new study examines a nearly invisible population of shut-ins for ways to treat the infirm, assist the rest. Researchers looked at the community-dwelling Medicare population, which they estimate to be about 2 million people in the United States. They explain that most older adults want to age at home, but with the ability to come and go as they wish. Being homebound means being trapped, unable to leave without considerable help.

New urine test could reduce need for blood samples Posted: 26 May 2015 09:49 AM PDT If you've been to the doctor, you probably know what to do when you're handed a plastic cup and shown to the bathroom. Most patients hand over the sample and give little thought to what happens when it's shipped to the lab for analysis. Researchers have developed a new testing method that they believe will reduce costs, get faster results and lower the volume of urine needed for a sample.

ER doctors stress need for good communications with police Posted: 26 May 2015 09:49 AM PDT Not surprisingly, differences of opinion arise from time to time over a health care worker's duty to protect patient privacy and the police need to conduct a criminal investigation. A good working relationship with police is therefore essential for the smooth operation of a busy Emergency Department, experts say.

Genomic data reveals emergence in Africa of drug resistant strain of typhoid Posted: 26 May 2015 09:48 AM PDT The emergence of a novel strain of Typhoid fever in Malawi, Africa has been revealed by scientists. Research suggests that the H58-strain, which is likely to have emerged in Asia approximately thirty years ago, is now rapidly spreading across Africa, where it has been introduced on several separate occasions. A key feature of this strain appears to be its ability to acquire resistance to commonly available antibiotics.

Neuroscientists reveals autism's 'noisy' secret: 3-D simulator reveals inner workings of the autistic brain Posted: 26 May 2015 09:48 AM PDT Strapped into a motion-enabled simulator and wearing 3-D glasses, 36 adolescent volunteers recently experienced what it was like to 'travel' through a field of virtual stars. The experiments provided new and convention-busting data about how sensory stimuli are processed by the brains of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Soy supplements don't improve asthma, study concludes Posted: 26 May 2015 09:48 AM PDT Despite previous findings suggesting a link between soy intake and decreased asthma severity, a new placebo-controlled study shows soy supplements do not improve lung function for patients with asthma. The paper highlights the importance of focusing on overall health -- not just one food -- to manage disease and the importance of performing well-designed studies.

Better fine motor skills with delayed cord clamping Posted: 26 May 2015 09:47 AM PDT The importance of the umbilical cord for both the fetus and for newborn infants was demonstrated by researchers several years ago, in a study that received great international acclaim. In a follow-up study, the researchers have now been able to show an association between delayed cord clamping (DCC) and children's fine motor skills at the age of four years, especially in boys.

New technique speeds nanoMRI imaging Posted: 26 May 2015 09:47 AM PDT NanoMRI is a scanning technique that produces nondestructive, high-resolution 3-D images of nanoscale objects, and it promises to become a powerful tool for researchers and companies exploring the shape and function of biological materials such as viruses and cells in much the same way as clinical MRI today enables investigation of whole tissues in the human body.

Hospice use linked to fewer depressive symptoms for surviving spouses Posted: 26 May 2015 09:45 AM PDT Spouses of patients receiving hospice for three or more days more frequently reported reduced depression symptoms, compared to surviving spouses of patients who did not receive hospice, a new report concludes.

Study finds association between exposure to aflatoxin and gallbladder cancer Posted: 26 May 2015 09:38 AM PDT In a small study in Chile that included patients with gallbladder cancer, exposure to aflatoxin (a toxin produced by mold) was associated with an increased risk of gallbladder cancer. In Chile, gallbladder cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women. Exposure to aflatoxin, a liver carcinogen, is associated with gallbladder cancer in primates.

Study examines association of genetic variants with cognitive impairment Posted: 26 May 2015 09:38 AM PDT Individually rare but collectively common intermediate-size copy number variations may be negatively associated with educational attainment, according to a study. Copy number variations (CNVs) are regions of the genome that differ in the number of segments of DNA.

Subclinical hyperthyroidism associated with an increased risk of hip and other fractures Posted: 26 May 2015 09:38 AM PDT In an analysis that included more than 70,000 participants from 13 studies, subclinical hyperthyroidism was associated with an increased risk for hip and other fractures including spine. Subclinical hyperthyroidism is a low serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration in a person without clinical symptoms and normal thyroid hormone concentrations on blood tests.

Tiny heart, big promise: Understanding how cells become coronary vessels may lead to advances in repairing heart damage Posted: 26 May 2015 09:38 AM PDT Studying zebrafish, investigators have discovered a new source for cells that can develop into coronary vessels and have identified the signaling protein, a chemokine called CXCL12, which guides this process.

Nanotechnology identifies brain tumor types through MRI 'virtual biopsy' in animal studies Posted: 26 May 2015 08:06 AM PDT A tiny drug-delivery system has been invented that can identify cancer cell types in the brain through 'virtual biopsies' and then attack the molecular structure of the disease. The results could be used to deliver nano-scale drugs that can distinguish and fight tumor cells in the brain without resorting to surgery, the authors say.

How DNA is organized in our cells Posted: 26 May 2015 08:06 AM PDT A critical role for two proteins in chromatin structure has been uncovered by researchers. Their breakthrough helps explain how DNA is organized in our cells. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of what causes certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma.

Therapy-resistant breast cancer mechanism revealed Posted: 26 May 2015 08:05 AM PDT A cluster of defined, non-coding RNAs are mechanistically involved in endocrine therapy resistance in human breast cancer cells, new research has revealed. Furthermore, resveratrol, a kind of polyphenol, was found to repress these RNAs and inhibit the proliferative activity of breast cancer cells which had acquired resistance.

Nearly indestructible virus yields tool to treat diseases Posted: 26 May 2015 08:05 AM PDT By unlocking the secrets of a bizarre virus that survives in nearly boiling acid, scientists have found a blueprint for battling human disease using DNA clad in near-indestructible armor.

Study identifies Ebola virus's Achilles' heel Posted: 26 May 2015 07:09 AM PDT The molecular "lock" that the deadly Ebola virus must pick to gain entry to cells has been identified by researchers. The findings, made in mice, suggest that drugs blocking entry to this lock could protect against Ebola infection.

Herpes offers big insights on coughing -- and potential new remedies Posted: 26 May 2015 06:36 AM PDT Cough treatments could change dramatically after the herpes virus helped researchers discover that the respiratory tract links to two different parts of the nervous system.

Two new, very large classes of RNAs found to be linked to cancer biomark Posted: 26 May 2015 06:36 AM PDT Two new classes of RNAs have been identified that are closely associated with a protein known to be a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer and could play a role in progression of prostate cancer.

Communication made easier for children with cerebral palsy Posted: 26 May 2015 06:35 AM PDT A European initiative has developed a new brain-computer interface system to enhance communication skills of people with cerebral palsy from childhood, improving the relationship with their environment and the expression of emotions.

'Decoder ring' powers found in micro RNA Posted: 26 May 2015 06:34 AM PDT MicroRNA can serve as a "decoder ring" for understanding complex biological processes, a team of chemists has found. Their study points to a new method for decrypting the biological functions of enzymes and identifying those that drive diseases.

Anti-pollution rules have uncertain effects Posted: 26 May 2015 06:34 AM PDT Air pollution regulations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are estimated to save thousands of lives annually. A new study, however, says these estimates are more uncertain than commonly believed.

Can a little loving kindness improve our mental health? Posted: 26 May 2015 06:32 AM PDT Mindfulness - an ancient Buddhist approach to meditation - is attracting increasing attention in the 21st century as a non-invasive treatment for stress and depression. But can it improve mental well-being in young people?

Ozone antiseptic shows potential for treating severe gum infections Posted: 26 May 2015 06:32 AM PDT A powerful new antiseptic agent, called ozone nanobubble water, holds promise for the treatment of periodontitis, or severe gum infections, according to new research.

Oldest old less likely to be investigated or aggressively treated after surgery Posted: 26 May 2015 05:57 AM PDT Patients aged 80 and above are significantly less likely to be investigated or aggressively treated after surgery than their younger counterparts, reveals a national audit of hospital deaths.

Road traffic noise linked to heightened risk of midriff bulge Posted: 26 May 2015 05:57 AM PDT Road traffic noise is linked to a heightened risk of developing a mid-riff bulge, indicates new research.

Very overweight teens may double their risk of bowel cancer in middle age Posted: 26 May 2015 05:57 AM PDT Being very overweight in your teens may double the risk of developing bowel cancer by the time you are middle aged, suggests new research.

Motherhood permanently alters brain and its response to hormone therapy later in life Posted: 26 May 2015 05:55 AM PDT The form of estrogens used in Hormone Therapy (HT) and previous motherhood are critical to explain why HT has variable effects on cognitive functions, new research suggests. In a recent study, estradiol had beneficial effects while estrone did not, researchers explain, adding that the effects of estrone also depended on the experience of motherhood.

Measuring arm circumference is a more reliable indicator of malnutrition Posted: 26 May 2015 05:55 AM PDT The World Health Organization's current weight-based guidelines for assessing malnutrition in children with diarrhea are not as reliable as measuring the child's upper arm circumference, new research suggests.

Surgical skills lab and dissection curricula train neurosurgical residents Posted: 26 May 2015 05:55 AM PDT A surgical skills laboratory and corresponding dissection curricula were established in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic in the 2011-2012 academic year. The authors describe how this came about and what it has meant for neurosurgical resident training and assessment of residents' surgical skills.

The first fraction of ejaculate is the most effective for conception Posted: 26 May 2015 05:53 AM PDT Sperm in the first fraction of ejaculate are more numerous, move more and present better quality DNA than those lagging behind. This is the conclusion of a study that confirms that while the objective of the first fraction is to fertilize the egg, the second phase is so that no sperm from any other male has a chance to fertilize it.

New insights could result in changes to the therapeutic strategy to combat Alzheimer's, reduce animal testing Posted: 26 May 2015 05:53 AM PDT A typical characteristic of the brain of an Alzheimer sufferer is the presence of insoluble Tau protein aggregates. Scientists have demonstrated that the distribution of these aggregates through the brain is facilitated by synaptic connections between brain cells. This news is highly significant because the focus is increasingly on repairing synaptic connections as a therapeutic strategy in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. In fact, it is generally accepted that a loss of synaptic connections leads to a loss in cognitive skills.

New UK research 'challenges the assumption that arthritis patients take their medication regularly' Posted: 26 May 2015 05:53 AM PDT 40% of UK arthritis patients scored low on an adherence questionnaire at least once during their time in a recent study, indicating that they might not be taking their expensive biological therapies as regularly as prescribed.

Mutated gene leads to insensitivity to pain with drastic consequences Posted: 26 May 2015 05:51 AM PDT A rare congenital genetic mutation means that those affected do not feel pain. However, what seems, at first sight, to be a blessing, can have serious consequences. It means that injuries or diseases can go undetected for a long time.

Scientists reverse aging in human cell lines and give theory of aging a new lease of life Posted: 26 May 2015 05:51 AM PDT Can the process of aging be delayed or even reversed? Research has shown that, in human cell lines at least, it can. They also found that the regulation of two genes involved with the production of glycine, the smallest and simplest amino acid, is partly responsible for some of the characteristics of aging.

You’re driving yourself to burnout, literally Posted: 26 May 2015 05:51 AM PDT Commuting length, distance, and means are stress factors that can lead to burnout, reports a new study. The research offers no surprises: the bigger the city, the more stressful the commute, at least for people travelling by car. However, people commuting towards rural areas are not entirely spared: those who take long trips in public transit feel less effective in the workplace.

Cannabis use can be prevented, reduced or delayed Posted: 26 May 2015 05:49 AM PDT Contrary to some popular beliefs, marijuana is harmful to adolescent brains. Researchers have found that targeting at-risk youth through school programs can limit their use of this drug.

E-cigarette vapor, even when nicotine-free, found to damage lung cells Posted: 26 May 2015 05:49 AM PDT With the use of e-cigarettes on the rise, especially among young people, research to uncover the health effects of e-cigs is becoming increasingly important. In a new study, researchers find that e-cig solution and vapors—even those that are nicotine-free—damage lung health.

A new use for statins: Asthma Posted: 26 May 2015 05:49 AM PDT Statins inhaled as a spray can treat symptoms of asthma, researchers report. The findings support that statins should be explored as a new class of inhaler therapy for asthma. According to the researchers, while a number of studies have supported that statins may be an effective asthma therapy, this new study addresses one of the obstacles in translating the findings into patient use: how to deliver the drug.

Attitudes about complementary and alternative medicine predict use among cancer patients Posted: 26 May 2015 05:49 AM PDT Attitudes and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) were found to be a better predictor of CAM usage than socio-demographic factors alone – such as race, sex, or education – which are often used to describe CAM users but stop short of fully explaining what drives people to use them.

Obese male mice produce more disease-promoting immune cells than females Posted: 26 May 2015 05:49 AM PDT Obesity may be tougher on male immune systems than females, a new study in mice suggests. With the risk for obesity-associated diseases significantly higher for men than women, researchers compared how mice from each sex reacted to high-fat diets. They found that the difference may lie in the tendency of males to produce higher levels of white blood cells that encourage inflammation, which contributes to the negative health consequences of obesity such as insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.

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