ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Body's response to spicy foods guides design of new pain relief drugs
• Cellular mechanism for how the body regulates glucose transport discovered
• Many experiments for the price of one: Breakthrough in the study of gene regulation
• Study links brain inflammation triggered by chronic pain to anxiety and depression
• Early intervention improves long-term outcomes for children with autism
• First live birth after transplantation of ovarian tissue removed and frozen during childhood
• Two large trials provide further evidence that one dose of HPV vaccine could prevent the majority of cervical cancers
• Low glycemic index diet reduces symptoms of autism in mice
• Social media helps young adults quit smoking
• Chemo may be preferred option for some with advanced prostate cancer
• For safer care, simple steps yield substantial improvements in colorectal surgery
• Study redefines role of estrogen in cervical cancer
• Early support vital for success in breastfeeding
• Discovering a new force driving cell contraction during development, organogenesis
• Roadside bomb blasts may cause more brain damage than previously recognized
• Stem cell discovery paves way for targeted treatment for osteoarthritis
• Mean light timing may influence body mass index, body fat
• Insomnia leads to decreased empathy in health care workers
• Keep calm and carry on, for the sake of your long-term health
• How a gut feeling for infection programs our immune response
• Current BMI tests underestimate obesity in teens with disabilities
• Molecular docking site of a bacterial toxin identified
• Physicists develop ultrasensitive nanomechanical biosensor
• No waiting game: Immediate birth control implant more cost-effective
• 'Alzheimer's protein' plays role in maintaining eye health, muscle strength
• Are the data underlying the U.S. dietary guidelines flawed?
• Examination of gastroenteritis hospitalization rates following use of rotavirus vaccine
• MCAT predicts differently for students who test with extra time
• Control system shows potential for improving function of powered prosthetic leg
• Overall rate of traumatic spinal cord injury remains stable in U.S.
• Images reveal structure of heart cells that may hold heart attack clues
• Earlier surgical intervention for mitral valve disease is better for most patients
• Nasal filter more than halves symptoms of hay fever
• Gut hormone-based medications alter how the brain responds to food
• Are offspring of obese moms pre-programmed for obesity and metabolic disease?
• Can not having enough to eat lead to poor diabetes management?
• Improvements for 'care transitions' in hospitals suggested
• Small molecules change biological clock rhythm
• fMRI memory detectors can be easily fooled, scientists show
• Researchers identify unique marker on mom's chromosomes in early embryo
• Physician waivers to prescribe buprenorphine increases potential access to treatment
• Researchers isolate smallest unit of sleep to date
• Clinicians reluctant to prescribe medication that counteracts effects of opioid overdose
• Step towards Type 1 Diabetes vaccine by using nanotherapy
• Non-invasive accupoint stimulation may be a new bioelectronics approach to Crohn’s Disease
• Relief of dystonia symptoms is sustained in pediatric patients undergoing deep brain stimulation
• The food-waste paradox
• Computer game reduces issues associated with ADHD in children
• Diabetic researchers pinpoint gene key to reactivating insulin-producing beta cells
• Scientists identify new drug target to treat ALS
• Sex differences aren't specific to autism
• Poor sleep quality linked to reduced resilience among veterans

Body's response to spicy foods guides design of new pain relief drugs Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:34 PM PDT The molecular interactions that allow capsaicin to activate the body's primary receptor for sensing heat and pain have been identified by scientists, paving the way for the design of more selective and effective drugs to relieve pain.

Cellular mechanism for how the body regulates glucose transport discovered Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:33 PM PDT Scientists have gleaned a key cellular mechanism of how the body adjusts glucose levels, an important process that when abnormal can promote diabetes, cancer, and rare genetic diseases.

Many experiments for the price of one: Breakthrough in the study of gene regulation Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:33 PM PDT Inside every cell that makes up a diminutive fruit fly is a vast, dynamic network of information -- the genome whose 15,000 genes allow that cell to function. In a new study, computer scientists and molecular biologists demonstrated the utility of a novel approach to deciphering how networks of genes are regulated.

Study links brain inflammation triggered by chronic pain to anxiety and depression Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:33 PM PDT Brain inflammation caused by chronic nerve pain alters activity in regions that regulate mood and motivation, suggesting for the first time that a direct biophysical link exists between long-term pain and the depression, anxiety and substance abuse seen in more than half of these patients, researchers report.

Early intervention improves long-term outcomes for children with autism Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:33 PM PDT Early intervention for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder helps improve their intellectual ability and reduces autism symptoms years after originally getting treatment, a new study shows.

First live birth after transplantation of ovarian tissue removed and frozen during childhood Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:29 PM PDT A young woman has become the first in the world to give birth to a healthy child after doctors restored her fertility by transplanting ovarian tissue that had been removed and frozen while she was a child.

Two large trials provide further evidence that one dose of HPV vaccine could prevent the majority of cervical cancers Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:29 PM PDT A single dose of the bivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Cervarix®, GlaxoSmithKline group of companies) may offer a similar level of protection against HPV-16/18 infections, which cause about 70% of cervical cancers, as the current two- and three-dose schedules, according to new research combining data from two large phase 3 trials.

Low glycemic index diet reduces symptoms of autism in mice Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT The number of people diagnosed with autism -- a spectrum of disorders characterized by social avoidance, repetitive behaviors and difficulty communicating -- has risen dramatically over the past two decades for reasons that are unclear. A diet recommended for diabetics ameliorated signs of autism in mice, researchers have found. Although preliminary and not yet tested in humans, the findings might offer clues to understanding one potential cause of autism.

Social media helps young adults quit smoking Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT Young adults who use social media to quit smoking are twice as successful in their efforts as those who use a more traditional method, according to new research. The study compared the success of the social media-based campaign Break It Off with Smokers' Helpline, a telephone hotline for young adults looking to quit smoking.

Chemo may be preferred option for some with advanced prostate cancer Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT In a small clinical trial, scientists found that men with advanced prostate cancer and detection of androgen receptor splice variant-7 respond to chemotherapy just as well as men who lack the variant.

For safer care, simple steps yield substantial improvements in colorectal surgery Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT Simple steps that include the consistent use of experienced medical teams for a single type of surgery, preemptive antibiotics before the procedure, less reliance on potent opioids during recovery and urging patients to get out of bed and move around sooner can not only prevent infections, blood clots and other serious complications in people undergoing colorectal operations, but can also accelerate recovery and reduce cost of care, according to results of an ongoing program.

Study redefines role of estrogen in cervical cancer Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:16 AM PDT Scientists have prior evidence that the hormone estrogen is a major driver in the growth of cervical cancer, but a new study examining genetic profiles of 128 clinical cases reached a surprising conclusion: Estrogen receptors all but vanish in cervical cancer tumors.

Early support vital for success in breastfeeding Posted: 09 Jun 2015 11:15 AM PDT Most women understand the benefits of breastfeeding their infants, but there are physical and emotional roadblocks that can make it a challenge for moms. During the first weeks of a baby's life it is vital for mom to be able to focus on caring for herself and nursing her infant.

Discovering a new force driving cell contraction during development, organogenesis Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:45 AM PDT Scientists describe a new mechanism shaping cells and generating cell contractile forces during development and organogenesis. The new mechanism includes strategies shared with programmed cell death but which have not previously been directly associated with force generation.

Roadside bomb blasts may cause more brain damage than previously recognized Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:45 AM PDT Engineers seeking to improve helmet design for the nation's troops test how concussive explosions affect the brain's blood vessels. They discover that the interface between blood vessels and brain tissue contributes to significantly greater strain and shear for a soldier hit by an improvised explosive device IED.

Stem cell discovery paves way for targeted treatment for osteoarthritis Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:45 AM PDT Scientists have made a significant advance that could make cell-based treatments for arthritis less of a lottery. Researchers have identified individual stem cells that can regenerate tissue, cartilage and bone.

Mean light timing may influence body mass index, body fat Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT The timing of exposure to moderate levels of light may influence body mass index and body fat, a new study suggests. Results show that people with more exposure to moderate or higher intensity light earlier in the day had lower body mass index and percent body fat than those with more of their moderate or higher intensity light exposure later in the day.

Insomnia leads to decreased empathy in health care workers Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT Insomnia decreases empathy in health care workers and may lead to adverse clinical outcomes and medical errors, a new study suggests. Results show that subjects with an Insomnia Severity Index ISI of greater than 8, scored significantly higher across all four subscales of empathy.

Keep calm and carry on, for the sake of your long-term health Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT Reacting positively to stressful situations may play a key role in long-term health, according to researchers. Adults who fail to maintain positive moods such as cheerfulness or calm when faced with the minor stressors of everyday life appear to have elevated levels of inflammation. Furthermore, women can be at heightened risk, the researchers say.

How a gut feeling for infection programs our immune response Posted: 09 Jun 2015 09:19 AM PDT An unexpected finding by an international team of scientists has shed new light on how immune cells are programmed to either repair or protect the body. It's hoped the discovery will inform the development of better treatments for a range of conditions from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) to certain cancers.

Current BMI tests underestimate obesity in teens with disabilities Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:39 AM PDT New approaches, based on body mass index (BMI) or other simple measures, are needed to improve assessment of obesity in adolescents with physical disabilities, report experts. Obesity is a major problem in children and adolescents with mobility limitations, but standard assessments tend to underestimate it, according to the new research.

Molecular docking site of a bacterial toxin identified Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:39 AM PDT A team of pharmacologists and toxicologists have identified the molecular docking site that is responsible for the Clostridium difficile toxin's being able to bind to its receptor on the membrane of the intestinal epithelium. This docking site functions like an elevator, transporting the toxins into the cell's interior, they report.

Physicists develop ultrasensitive nanomechanical biosensor Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:38 AM PDT Two young researchers have developed an ultracompact highly sensitive nanomechanical sensor for analyzing the chemical composition of substances and detecting biological objects, such as viral disease markers, which appear when the immune system responds to incurable or hard-to-cure diseases, including HIV, hepatitis, herpes, and many others. The sensor will enable doctors to identify tumor markers, whose presence in the body signals the emergence and growth of cancerous tumors.

No waiting game: Immediate birth control implant more cost-effective Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:38 AM PDT Women who have just given birth are often motivated to prevent a rapid, repeat pregnancy. For those who prefer a contraceptive implant, getting the procedure in the hospital immediately after giving birth is more cost-effective than delaying insertion to a six-eight week postpartum visit, according to a new study.

'Alzheimer's protein' plays role in maintaining eye health, muscle strength Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:38 AM PDT Amyloid precursor protein (APP), a key protein implicated in the development Alzheimer's disease, may play an important role in eye and muscle health. In a new report, scientists say they have discovered that when proteins that bind to the APP, called FE65 and FE65L1, are deleted, they cause cataracts and muscle weakness in mice.

Are the data underlying the U.S. dietary guidelines flawed? Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:37 AM PDT U.S. government-issued dietary recommendations continue to evolve over time. In a new article, an obesity theorist and cardiovascular health researchers claim that the main source of dietary information used by the U.S. Government's 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) is scientifically flawed because the underlying data are primarily informed by memory-based dietary assessment methods (M-BMs) (eg, interviews and surveys).

Examination of gastroenteritis hospitalization rates following use of rotavirus vaccine Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:36 AM PDT Following implementation of rotavirus vaccination in 2006, all-cause acute gastroenteritis hospitalization rates among U.S. children younger than 5 years of age declined by 31 percent - 55 percent in each of the post-vaccine years from 2008 through 2012, according to a study.

MCAT predicts differently for students who test with extra time Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:36 AM PDT Among applicants to U.S. medical schools, those with disabilities who obtained extra test administration time for the Medical College Admission Test in use from 1991 to January 2015 had no significant difference in rate of medical school admission but had lower rates of passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step examinations and of medical school graduation, according to a study.

Control system shows potential for improving function of powered prosthetic leg Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:36 AM PDT A control system that incorporated electrical signals generated during muscle contractions and gait information resulted in improved real-time control of a powered prosthetic leg for different modes of walking (such as on level ground or descending stairs), according to a study.

Overall rate of traumatic spinal cord injury remains stable in U.S. Posted: 09 Jun 2015 08:36 AM PDT Between 1993 and 2012, the incidence rate of acute traumatic spinal cord injury remained relatively stable in the U.S., although there was an increase among older adults, mostly associated with an increase in falls, according to a study.

Images reveal structure of heart cells that may hold heart attack clues Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT Newly released images revealing the 'bicycle spoke' structure of a heart cell may hold key clues to reducing damage from a heart attack. Using a novel type of electron microscopy, researchers produced 3D images of a healthy heart cell at nanoscopic scale which shows part of their structure is arranged like spokes on a wheel.

Earlier surgical intervention for mitral valve disease is better for most patients Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT A more aggressive approach to treating degenerative mitral valve disease, using earlier surgical intervention and less invasive techniques, is more beneficial to the patient than 'watchful waiting,' according to a new study.

Nasal filter more than halves symptoms of hay fever Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT The use of a mini filter prevents pollen inhalation and results in significantly fewer symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes and drowsiness, clinical trials now show. In addition, nasal filters appeared to reduce drowsiness.

Gut hormone-based medications alter how the brain responds to food Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT Gut hormone-based medications used to treat diabetes, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have also been shown to reduce body weight. Researchers have been working to understand how. A new study sheds light on how GLP-1 receptor agonists alter the brain's response to food, possibly reducing cravings and increasing satisfaction while eating.

Are offspring of obese moms pre-programmed for obesity and metabolic disease? Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT The evidence is clear that the children of obese parents are prone to obesity themselves, placing them at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, but how and why this occurs remains under investigation. A study has found evidence suggesting that the in utero environment in obese mothers may program a child's cells to accumulate extra fat or develop differences in metabolism that could lead to insulin resistance.

Can not having enough to eat lead to poor diabetes management? Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:26 AM PDT Latinos who worry about having enough food to eat -- so-called food insecurity -- report having a poorer diet and exhibit worse glycemic control than those who aren't worried about having sufficient food to survive, according to a study. The findings suggest that food insecurity should be a factor considered in overall diabetes management.

Improvements for 'care transitions' in hospitals suggested Posted: 09 Jun 2015 07:24 AM PDT Shift changes and movements of patients between different parts of a hospital are vulnerable times when mistakes are made, and a new study offers suggestions to offset the risk.

Small molecules change biological clock rhythm Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT Our biological clock regulates various daily rhythms, such as sleep/wake rhythm, body temperature, and metabolism. Disruption of the circadian rhythm may lead to sleep disorders, cancer and other diseases. Chemists and biologists have come together to discover for the first time, a rhythm-changing molecule with period-shortening activities that targets the clock protein, CRY, which open doors to molecule-based solutions for circadian-related diseases and improving food production in animals.

fMRI memory detectors can be easily fooled, scientists show Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT Real-time brain scans coupled with a machine-learning algorithm can reveal whether a person has memory of a particular subject. Now, scientists have shown that, with a little bit of concentration, people can easily hide their memories from the computer.

Researchers identify unique marker on mom's chromosomes in early embryo Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT Researchers are visually capturing the first process of chromosome alignment and separation at the beginning of mouse development. The findings could lead to answers to questions concerning the mechanisms leading to birth defects and chromosome instability in cancer cells.

Physician waivers to prescribe buprenorphine increases potential access to treatment Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT In the past, many people living in rural counties have had no practical way to get treatment for opioid addiction. This study shows that the increased number and geographic distribution of physicians obtaining waivers to prescribe buprenorphine has widened potential access to effective treatment for those with addiction to heroin or prescription painkillers.

Researchers isolate smallest unit of sleep to date Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT Scientists have grown a tiny group of brain cells that can be induced to fall asleep, wake up and even show rebound sleep after 'staying up late.' The study -- the first to document that sleep originates in small neural networks -- opens the door to deeper understanding of the genetic, molecular and electrical aspects underlying sleep disorders.

Clinicians reluctant to prescribe medication that counteracts effects of opioid overdose Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:30 AM PDT A variety of factors including questions about risk and reluctance to offend patients limits clinician willingness to prescribe a potentially life-saving medication that counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose, according to a study.

Step towards Type 1 Diabetes vaccine by using nanotherapy Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:29 AM PDT For the first time, liposomes that imitate cells in the process of natural death have been used to treat diabetes. The next steps are to confirm the efficacy in vivo with cells from patients and to carry out clinical trials to prevent the disease and to cure it.

Non-invasive accupoint stimulation may be a new bioelectronics approach to Crohn’s Disease Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:28 AM PDT Researchers have begun a controlled clinical trial in Crohn's disease using surface electrodes daily to stimulate an acupuncture point on the stomach meridian that was shown to reduce vagal imbalance in preclinical studies. Restoring vagal balance is known to reduce intestinal inflammation.

Relief of dystonia symptoms is sustained in pediatric patients undergoing deep brain stimulation Posted: 09 Jun 2015 06:27 AM PDT Children and adolescents who received deep brain stimulation for generalized dystonia maintained significant symptom relief for up to eight years, according to a study. The results reinforce the observation that patients with a shorter duration of symptoms, and a younger age at implantation, experience better outcomes, researchers say.

The food-waste paradox Posted: 09 Jun 2015 03:56 AM PDT Food wasted means money wasted which can be an expensive problem especially in homes with financial constraints. A new study shows that the top causes of food waste in such homes include buying too much, preparing in abundance, unwillingness to consume leftovers, and improper food storage.

Computer game reduces issues associated with ADHD in children Posted: 09 Jun 2015 03:56 AM PDT Children diagnosed with ADHD can improve their behavior and social interactions in the classroom by playing a computer game that exercises their concentration, finds new research.

Diabetic researchers pinpoint gene key to reactivating insulin-producing beta cells Posted: 08 Jun 2015 06:31 PM PDT Four students with diabetes are investigating the molecular pathways that can activate the replication of beta cells. Beta cells are insulin-producing pancreas cells that are attacked and destroyed by the immune system of those with Type 1 diabetes.

Scientists identify new drug target to treat ALS Posted: 08 Jun 2015 06:31 PM PDT A cellular mechanism that can be targeted to treat ALS has been discovered by scientists. The researchers revealed that increasing levels of a certain key protein successfully protected against cell death in both genetic and sporadic versions of the disease. What's more, treating this pathway may also have implications for frontotemporal dementia because many of the same proteins are involved.

Sex differences aren't specific to autism Posted: 08 Jun 2015 06:31 PM PDT Behaviors relevant to autism are more frequently observed in boys than in girls, whether they're at risk of autism or not, new research concludes. The study followed a large sample of boys and girls at high-risk for the disorder and other children at low risk beginning before 18 months of age. One in four high-risk boys were identified with the disorder at three years, compared to one in 10 high-risk girls. The researchers asked how this difference in male-to-female risk of autism spectrum disorder emerged.

Poor sleep quality linked to reduced resilience among veterans Posted: 08 Jun 2015 06:31 PM PDT Poor sleep quality is associated with reduced resilience among veterans and returning military personnel, a new study suggests. Findings suggest that appraisal of sleep quality may contribute to resilience scores more than self-reported sleep efficiency.

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