ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Impulsivity linked to binge eating
• Melanoma rates dramatically increasing in children and young adults
• Nivolumab treatment in melanoma patients has manageable safety profile
• Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib has promising efficacy
• Scientists retrieve lost memories using optogenetics
• Vulnerability found in some drug-resistant bacteria
• New rapid-deployment plasma protocol effectively treats trauma patients quicker in the ER
• Ancient DNA sheds light on how past environments affected ancient populations
• Protecting women from multiple sclerosis
• Metformin use associated with reduced risk of developing open-angle glaucoma
• Estimating the global burden of cancer in 2013; 14.9 million new cases worldwide
• Brain circuit that controls decisions that induce high anxiety identified
• New tool to study an important anti-cancer, immunosuppressive target
• Long life: Balancing protein and carb intake may work as well as calorie restriction
• Controlling typhoid bacterium key to prevent gallbladder cancer in India and Pakistan
• Scientists discover key to what causes immune cell migration to wounds
• Health factors influence ex-prisoners' chances of returning to jail
• Wastewater treatment may be creating new antibiotics
• Sleep quality influences cognitive performance of autistic, neurotypical children
• New target for treating drug-resistant melanoma found
• Researchers unravel a link between a genetic mutation and autistic behaviors, then find a way to undo it
• Bladder cells regurgitate bacteria to prevent UTIs
• High rates of MRSA transmission found between nursing home residents, healthcare workers
• Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/r in hepatitis C: Indication of added benefit in certain patients
• Study cites federal policy as key to primary care access and nurse practitioner workforce development
• Treatment for genetically caused emphysema effective, experts say
• Roadside air can be more charged than under a high-voltage power line
• A sight for sore eyes: Visually training medical students to better identify melanomas
• Large but unexplained variations in paracetamol-induced liver failure among European countries
• Unexpected brain structures tied to creativity, and to stifling it
• Allergies: Europe's ragweed pollen counts to quadruple by 2050?
• Earning a college degree before, but not after, getting married protects against obesity
• Wide variability in organ donation rates across United States: Midwest leads nation in highest rates of lifesaving donations
• Changing activity in the aging brain
• Tattoos may come with long-term medical risks, physicians warn
• Better understanding of links between pain, anxiety reveals treatment opportunities
• Molecules involved in Alzheimer's have a role in weakening of connections between neurons
• US Healthcare: Medication data provides insights into who is covered by ACA
• Pathway identified that may cause seizures, shorten survival for patients with severe brain tumors
• Trial creates six percent weight loss after breast cancer treatment
• Stress triggers key molecule to halt transcription of cell's genetic code
• Novel use of 3D imaging technique for precise measurement of injectable wrinkle reducers
• Weak electric current to the brain may improve thinking in people with schizophrenia
• Starting antiretroviral treatment early improves outcomes for HIV-infected individuals
• Machine-learning breakthrough paves way for medical screening, prevention and treatment
• Charcot foot, a crippling diabetes complication, is increasing

Impulsivity linked to binge eating Posted: 28 May 2015 01:31 PM PDT Do you get impulsive when you're upset? If so, this could be putting you at risk for binge eating. The more impulsive you are, the more likely it is you'll binge eat when experiencing negative feelings.

Melanoma rates dramatically increasing in children and young adults Posted: 28 May 2015 01:30 PM PDT The incidence of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, has increased by more than 250% among children, adolescents and young adults since 1973, according to new research.

Nivolumab treatment in melanoma patients has manageable safety profile Posted: 28 May 2015 12:35 PM PDT The monoclonal antibody nivolumab has shown promise as a therapeutic agent, particularly by improving the survival rates of melanoma patients. Medical researchers have presented data from a retrospective analysis of the safety of nivolumab in 4 ongoing phase I-III studies in melanoma patients.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib has promising efficacy Posted: 28 May 2015 11:52 AM PDT Scientists are reporting on the first phase 1 study of the JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib in CMML patients.

Scientists retrieve lost memories using optogenetics Posted: 28 May 2015 11:28 AM PDT Researchers have found that memories that have been 'lost' as a result of amnesia can be recalled by activating brain cells with light. They reactivated memories that could not otherwise be retrieved, using a technology known as optogenetics.

Vulnerability found in some drug-resistant bacteria Posted: 28 May 2015 11:01 AM PDT A new study analyzing the physical dynamics of all currently mapped structures in an important group of antibiotic-destroying enzymes has found a common structural feature: the physical coordination of a set of flexible components. The apparently universal nature of this complex structural dynamic implies that it is critical to the antibiotic destroying properties of the enzyme and points to the possibility of finding a way to chemically disable the enzymes and bacterial antibiotic resistance, experts say.

New rapid-deployment plasma protocol effectively treats trauma patients quicker in the ER Posted: 28 May 2015 11:01 AM PDT Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death among people under age 45, but if trauma physicians could deliver plasma to these injury victims within minutes of their arrival in the emergency room, more of them would stand a better chance of survival.

Ancient DNA sheds light on how past environments affected ancient populations Posted: 28 May 2015 09:45 AM PDT For the first time, a study shows that epigenetic marks on DNA can be detected in a large number of ancient human remains, which may lead to further understanding about the effects of famine and disease in the ancient world.

Protecting women from multiple sclerosis Posted: 28 May 2015 09:45 AM PDT An innocent mistake made by a graduate student in a lab who accidentally used male mice instead of female mice during an experiment, has led scientists to a novel discovery that offers new insight into why women are more likely than men to develop autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Metformin use associated with reduced risk of developing open-angle glaucoma Posted: 28 May 2015 09:44 AM PDT Taking the medication metformin hydrochloride was associated with reduced risk of developing the sight-threatening disease open-angle glaucoma in people with diabetes, according to a study.

Estimating the global burden of cancer in 2013; 14.9 million new cases worldwide Posted: 28 May 2015 09:44 AM PDT Researchers from around the world have worked together to try to measure the global burden of cancer and they estimate there were 14.9 million new cases of cancer, 8.2 million deaths and 196.3 million years of a healthy life lost in 2013, according to new research.

Brain circuit that controls decisions that induce high anxiety identified Posted: 28 May 2015 09:44 AM PDT Some decisions arouse far more anxiety than others. Among the most anxiety-provoking are those that involve options with both positive and negative elements, such choosing to take a higher-paying job in a city far from family and friends, versus choosing to stay put with less pay.

New tool to study an important anti-cancer, immunosuppressive target Posted: 28 May 2015 09:42 AM PDT The chemical rapamycin is used clinically as an immunosuppressant and as an anti-cancer agent that works by inactivating a protein named TOR (Target Of Rapamycin). This protein is essential for the growth of normal cells, but is hyperactive in tumor cells. To be able to carry out its various growth-related tasks, TOR needs to assemble into one of two larger protein complexes named TORC1 and TORC2. Curiously, whereas TORC1 is inhibited by rapamycin.

Long life: Balancing protein and carb intake may work as well as calorie restriction Posted: 28 May 2015 09:42 AM PDT Cutting calories through dietary restriction has been shown to lower cholesterol, improve insulin sensitivity, and even prolong life in mammals. Now, new research shows that, at least in mice, low protein, high carbohydrate diets can provide benefits similar to those obtained with calorie restriction.

Controlling typhoid bacterium key to prevent gallbladder cancer in India and Pakistan Posted: 28 May 2015 09:41 AM PDT Controlling bacterial infections responsible for typhoid fever could dramatically reduce the risk of gallbladder cancer in India and Pakistan, according to study. The findings establish the causal link between bacterial infection and gallbladder cancer, explaining why this type of cancer is rare in the West but common in India and Pakistan, where typhoid fever is endemic. Public policy changes inspired by this research could have an immediate impact, experts say.

Scientists discover key to what causes immune cell migration to wounds Posted: 28 May 2015 09:41 AM PDT Immune cells play an important role in the upkeep and repair of our bodies, helping us to defend against infection and disease. Until now, how these cells detect a wounded or damaged site has largely remained a mystery. New research has identified the triggers which lead these cells to react and respond in cell repair.

Health factors influence ex-prisoners' chances of returning to jail Posted: 28 May 2015 09:40 AM PDT Ex-prisoners with a history of risky drug use, mental illness or poverty are more likely to end up back behind bars. Those who are obese, are chronically ill or have attempted suicide are more likely to remain in the community. These are some of the findings from an exploratory study into health-related factors that could be used to predict whether a person released from prison will end up in custody again.

Wastewater treatment may be creating new antibiotics Posted: 28 May 2015 09:38 AM PDT For years, scientists have been aware of the potential problems of antibiotics being present in wastewater, and new research is showing that treatments to clean wastewater may actually be creating new antibiotics and further contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance in the environment.

Sleep quality influences cognitive performance of autistic, neurotypical children Posted: 28 May 2015 09:38 AM PDT One night of poor sleep significantly decreases performance on intelligence tests in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and also in neurotypical children (without ASD). The researchers observed the EEG measures of 13 autistic children and 13 neurotypical children (children with a mean age of 10 years old without an intellectual deficiency or sleep problem and who were not on medication) and found that disruptions in protective brain waves during sleep are associated with lower results on verbal IQ tests.

New target for treating drug-resistant melanoma found Posted: 28 May 2015 09:38 AM PDT A new study explains why some melanoma tumors are resistant to BRAF inhibitor treatment. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, killing more than 8,000 people in the U.S. each year. Approximately 50 percent of melanoma tumors are driven by mutations in the BRAF gene, and patients with these tumors are prescribed BRAF inhibitors.

Researchers unravel a link between a genetic mutation and autistic behaviors, then find a way to undo it Posted: 28 May 2015 09:38 AM PDT The mechanisms behind a genetic mutation that produces certain autistic behaviors in mice has been identified by researchers, as well as therapeutic strategies to restore normal behaviors.

Bladder cells regurgitate bacteria to prevent UTIs Posted: 28 May 2015 09:38 AM PDT Bladder cells have a highly effective way to combat E. coli bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), researchers have found. They do to the bacteria what we could do to having indigestion problems: vomiting to rid the stomach of harmful substances.

High rates of MRSA transmission found between nursing home residents, healthcare workers Posted: 28 May 2015 08:11 AM PDT Healthcare workers frequently contaminate their gloves and gowns during every day care of nursing homes residents with drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, according to a new study.

Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/r in hepatitis C: Indication of added benefit in certain patients Posted: 28 May 2015 07:41 AM PDT The new drug combination showed an advantage in three of a total of 16 patient groups, particularly regarding virologic response. The extent of added benefit remains unclear, however.

Study cites federal policy as key to primary care access and nurse practitioner workforce development Posted: 28 May 2015 07:39 AM PDT With demand for primary care expected to increase sharply over the next five years– due to passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), population growth and aging – the role of advanced-practice nurses or nurse practitioners (NPs) is also increasing. But a new study illustrates how federal policies influence the NP workforce and practice, and how misalignment of those policies with state mandates can affect workforce supply and patient access to care.

Treatment for genetically caused emphysema effective, experts say Posted: 28 May 2015 07:39 AM PDT A landmark clinical study provides convincing evidence that a frequently overlooked therapy for genetically-caused emphysema is effective and slows the progression of lung disease. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that can cause emphysema even without exposure to tobacco smoke.

Roadside air can be more charged than under a high-voltage power line Posted: 28 May 2015 06:26 AM PDT More charged particles in urban environments come from motor vehicle emissions than anything else which makes living beside a busy road with lots of diesel-driven vehicles worse for your health than living under high voltage power lines, experts say.

A sight for sore eyes: Visually training medical students to better identify melanomas Posted: 28 May 2015 06:26 AM PDT New research is helping to improve the ability of medical students and health professionals to detect early forms of skin cancer. The study concludes that traditional teaching methods can be improved substantially by training health professionals to put a greater focus on the visual aspects of the task, as opposed to an emphasis on learning the physiology and anatomy of skin lesions.

Large but unexplained variations in paracetamol-induced liver failure among European countries Posted: 28 May 2015 05:42 AM PDT A 50-fold between-country difference in rates of paracetamol-induced acute liver failure that leads to liver transplant has been revealed by a study that compared patient data from seven countries at the request of the European Medicines Agency: France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and the UK.

Unexpected brain structures tied to creativity, and to stifling it Posted: 28 May 2015 05:41 AM PDT A surprising link has been found between creative problem-solving and heightened activity in the cerebellum, a structure located in the back of the brain and more typically thought of as the body's movement-coordination center.

Allergies: Europe's ragweed pollen counts to quadruple by 2050? Posted: 28 May 2015 05:36 AM PDT Airborne concentrations of common ragweed pollen, a potent allergen, could increase fourfold in Europe by 2050. Researchers believe climate change will be responsible for two thirds of this increase, while the remainder will be due to the plant's spread, as a result of human activity. These estimates show that it is now necessary to implement coordinated management of this invasive plant on the European level, through long-term pollen monitoring and mapping of the weed's distribution.

Earning a college degree before, but not after, getting married protects against obesity Posted: 28 May 2015 05:30 AM PDT People who earn a college degree before getting married are much less likely to become obese than those who graduate from college after getting married, according to a new study.

Wide variability in organ donation rates across United States: Midwest leads nation in highest rates of lifesaving donations Posted: 28 May 2015 05:30 AM PDT More than 123,000 Americans are currently waiting for lifesaving organ transplants, but 21 patients die each day because there aren't enough organs to go around. New research shows wide variation in the number of eligible organ donors whose loved ones consent to organ donation across the country. Donation consent rates are highest in the Midwest and lowest in New York State, according to a study.

Changing activity in the aging brain Posted: 28 May 2015 05:20 AM PDT Normal aging affects our ability to carry out complex cognitive tasks. But exactly how our brain functions change during this process is largely unknown. Now, researchers have demonstrated that aging changes the activity patterns in specific brain regions involved in memory and cognition.

Tattoos may come with long-term medical risks, physicians warn Posted: 27 May 2015 06:36 PM PDT In what they believe to be the first survey of its kind in the United States, researchers have found that as many as 6 percent of adult New Yorkers who get "inked" -- in other words, those who get a tattoo -- have experienced some form of tattoo-related rash, severe itching or swelling that lasted longer than four months and, in some cases, for many years.

Better understanding of links between pain, anxiety reveals treatment opportunities Posted: 27 May 2015 04:16 PM PDT Anxiety is common in people suffering from chronic pain, and people with anxiety are more likely to suffer from chronic pain. Now researchers have found the biological basis for this link in the connections between neurons in a brain region known as the anterior cingulate cortex. Better yet, they have identified a molecule that can reduce chronic pain-related anxiety.

Molecules involved in Alzheimer's have a role in weakening of connections between neurons Posted: 27 May 2015 04:16 PM PDT Molecules that are strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease are important players in a process called long-term depression (LTD), researchers have discovered. LTD is a process through which the strength of synapses, the connections between neurons, is selectively reduced. This new research suggests improperly regulated LTD could cause the degeneration of the connections between neurons that is a core feature of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

US Healthcare: Medication data provides insights into who is covered by ACA Posted: 27 May 2015 03:09 PM PDT As the US Supreme Court considers the legality of tax subsidies to buy health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), an investigation provides an unprecedented look at prescription data gleaned from over a million initial enrollees.

Pathway identified that may cause seizures, shorten survival for patients with severe brain tumors Posted: 27 May 2015 03:03 PM PDT A chemical pathway that may be associated with seizures and shorter patient survival in some patients with malignant glioma, the most common and deadly form of brain tumor, has been identified by researchers. The group suggests that a transporter known as SXC is responsible for boosting levels of glutamate in the brains of some glioma patients.

Trial creates six percent weight loss after breast cancer treatment Posted: 27 May 2015 03:03 PM PDT Obesity is a risk factor for breast cancer. A new study shows that female breast cancer survivors are able to lose weight through modest lifestyle changes.

Stress triggers key molecule to halt transcription of cell's genetic code Posted: 27 May 2015 03:02 PM PDT When cells are normal and unstressed, the molecule keeps transcription moving so that genes are "expressed" and RNA is jotted down more quickly. When cells are stressed and transcription runs into a glitch caused by damage to the DNA, it marks the machinery to be disassembled. Now, scientists and their collaborators have discovered how the molecule morphs between these two alternate identities, one as facilitator and the other as destroyer.

Novel use of 3D imaging technique for precise measurement of injectable wrinkle reducers Posted: 27 May 2015 03:01 PM PDT A three-dimensional imaging technique often used in the automotive and aerospace industries for accurate measurement may be useful to measure the efficacy of injectable wrinkle reducers such as Botox and Dysport, according to new research.

Weak electric current to the brain may improve thinking in people with schizophrenia Posted: 27 May 2015 03:01 PM PDT Lightly stimulating the brain with electricity may improve short-term memory in people with schizophrenia, according to a new study. The procedure, known as transcranial direct current stimulation, involves placing sponge-covered electrodes on the head and passing a weak electrical current between them. It is widely regarded as safe, and the procedure is being studied as a treatment for depression and Alzheimer's-related memory loss, and to enhance recovery following strokes.

Starting antiretroviral treatment early improves outcomes for HIV-infected individuals Posted: 27 May 2015 12:16 PM PDT HIV-infected individuals have a considerably lower risk of developing AIDS or other serious illnesses if they start taking antiretroviral drugs sooner, when their CD4+ T-cell count--a key measure of immune system health -- is higher, instead of waiting until the CD4+ cell count drops to lower levels, a study concludes.

Machine-learning breakthrough paves way for medical screening, prevention and treatment Posted: 27 May 2015 12:11 PM PDT A breakthrough in machine learning has also brought about a 'game changer' for the science of metabolomics -- and will hasten the development of diagnostic and predictive tests for Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes and numerous other conditions, leading to improved prevention and treatment.

Charcot foot, a crippling diabetes complication, is increasing Posted: 27 May 2015 10:39 AM PDT A growing number of diabetics are being diagnosed with a debilitating foot deformity called Charcot foot. Charcot foot often confines patients to wheelchairs, and in severe cases can require amputation. But a surgical technique that involves an external fixation device enables most patients to walk normally again.

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