ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Twitter hashtags associated with diabetes analyzed
• New powerful drug candidate can improve a failing heart’s function
• Severely impaired stroke survivors regain arm function after intensive physical therapy
• Active video gaming compared to unstructured outdoor play
• New vision on amygdala after study on testosterone and fear
• Potential treatment for fatal lung diseases
• Vitamin D shows promise for treating Crohn's disease
• How to manage pain in the ER: Ask the patient
• Study may help to find vets with high-risk of suicide
• Half of veterans who died from opioid overdoses also received benzos
• Researchers discover how the discomfort from dry eye disease originates
• Physical activity decreases over time at all levels of COPD severity, leading to further decline
• Mechanism regulating gene expression linked to bone and joint damage in ankylosing spondylitis
• Novel method identifies children with rheumatic disease eligible for life-saving vaccine
• Ultrasound identifies RA patients in clinical remission who need more intensive treatment
• Mini-breasts grown in petri dishes
• Why obesity predisposes to severe respiratory failure
• Biologics improve productivity and reduce missed workdays in rheumatic disease
• Study links gene to aggressive form of brain cancer
• National screening program has markedly reduced breast cancer mortality
• Interventions among healthy people save the most lives
• Exercise with a physiotherapist helps people with depression
• Major health consequences for individuals with severe dental anxiety
• Autoimmunity: New immunoregulation and biomarker
• Scientists map surface of immune cells
• Recurrent major depressive disorder and use of antidepressants associated with lower bone density
• New, robust and inexpensive technique for protein analysis in tissues
• Older asthma patients at increased risk for treatment failure
• Potential new treatment for osteoporosis
• Unique bacterial fingerprint identified in systemic sclerosis
• Low birth weight and childhood infections predict ankylosing spondylitis
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit ovulation after just 10 days
• Physical trauma associated with onset of psoriatic arthritis among psoriasis patients

Twitter hashtags associated with diabetes analyzed Posted: 12 Jun 2015 03:55 PM PDT An analysis of Twitter hashtag use on the subject of diabetes provides new insights about spreading health information through social media. The study looked at the hashtag #diabetes and its interaction with two Twitter measures of engagement, retweeting and "favoriting."

New powerful drug candidate can improve a failing heart’s function Posted: 12 Jun 2015 03:55 PM PDT An experimental drug improves the ability of heart muscle cells damaged by heart failure to pump blood, according to the results of a new study.

Severely impaired stroke survivors regain arm function after intensive physical therapy Posted: 12 Jun 2015 03:55 PM PDT Time may heal all wounds, but in the case of stroke survivors, the key to better recovery is to spend more time in an intensive physical therapy program, according to a new study.

Active video gaming compared to unstructured outdoor play Posted: 12 Jun 2015 11:36 AM PDT The increasing use of video games is often blamed for children's lack of interest in physical activity, but a new study suggests that active video games may actually be a source of moderate or intense physical activity in children five to eight years old.

New vision on amygdala after study on testosterone and fear Posted: 12 Jun 2015 11:30 AM PDT The activity of the emotion centres in the brain – the amygdalae – is influenced by motivation rather than by the emotions themselves. This can be concluded from research carried out into the hormone testosterone. Testosterone increases amygdala activity in a person who is approaching a socially threatening situation and decreases the activity when such a situation is avoided. It was already known that the amygdala response to images of angry faces was stronger in a person who had received testosterone. This new study shows that this only happens when people approach angry faces and not when they avoid them.

Potential treatment for fatal lung diseases Posted: 12 Jun 2015 10:16 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that the drug triciribine may reverse or halt the progression of pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension, two respiratory diseases that are almost invariably fatal. Pulmonary fibrosis occurs when lung tissue becomes scarred. Pulmonary hypertension involves an increase of blood pressure in the arteries of the lung that can lead to heart failure.

Vitamin D shows promise for treating Crohn's disease Posted: 12 Jun 2015 10:16 AM PDT New research suggests that supplementation with vitamin D may impact on the intestinal barrier dysfunction associated with Crohn's disease, and could have a role in the treatment of the condition.

How to manage pain in the ER: Ask the patient Posted: 12 Jun 2015 08:11 AM PDT Simply asking the question, 'Do you want more pain medication?' resulted in satisfactory pain control in 99 percent of emergency department patients participating in a study of a new evidence-based protocol to treat acute, severe pain in emergency department patients.

Study may help to find vets with high-risk of suicide Posted: 12 Jun 2015 08:11 AM PDT Veterans Affairs health data has been used to identify very small groups of patients with very high, predicted suicide risk -- most of the individuals had not been identified for suicide risk by clinicians. Such methods can help the Veterans Health Administration to target suicide prevention efforts for patients at high risk, and may have more wide-ranging benefits.

Half of veterans who died from opioid overdoses also received benzos Posted: 12 Jun 2015 08:11 AM PDT Nearly half of all veterans who died from drug overdoses while prescribed opioids for pain were also receiving benzodiazepines, or benzos, which are common medications for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and alcohol withdrawal, a study concludes. Veterans prescribed higher doses of benzodiazepines while concurrently receiving opioids were at greater risk of overdose death than those on lower doses of benzodiazepines.

Researchers discover how the discomfort from dry eye disease originates Posted: 12 Jun 2015 08:10 AM PDT A study on the origin of the symptoms of dry eye disease has taken place, and explains the molecular mechanism leading to the discomfort that causes this disease. Dry eye is the most common eye disease in the world, and especially so in elderly people. It is caused by disorders in the quantity and quality of tears, and leads to continuous eye pain and irritation, increased blinking and altered vision, and can potentially cause blindness.

Physical activity decreases over time at all levels of COPD severity, leading to further decline Posted: 12 Jun 2015 08:10 AM PDT Physical activity decreases substantially over time in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at all levels of severity, according to a new study.

Mechanism regulating gene expression linked to bone and joint damage in ankylosing spondylitis Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:18 AM PDT A new study reveals that DNA methylation -- a mechanism that regulates gene expression -- could influence the progression of structural damage to the joints and spine in ankylosing spondylitis. Study findings showed significant associations between a low methylation score and more radiographic progression of the disease, and implicated smoking in worsening of disease outcome.

Novel method identifies children with rheumatic disease eligible for life-saving vaccine Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:18 AM PDT New results have shown that the chickenpox vaccine can be effective and safe even in children with pediatric rheumatic disease receiving immunosuppression treatment. By using a checklist to pre-screen children, the investigators were able to identify diverse patient groups suitable for vaccination, protecting them from a potentially life-threatening infection.

Ultrasound identifies RA patients in clinical remission who need more intensive treatment Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:18 AM PDT Two new studies have shown the importance of using ultrasound to identify those Rheumatoid Arthritis patients in clinical remission who would benefit from more intensive treatment.

Mini-breasts grown in petri dishes Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:15 AM PDT About 70,000 Women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Germany alone. Despite significant progress in the treatment of common types of breast cancer, some aggressive subtypes are poorly understood and remain incurable. A new experimental model opens new avenues for mammary gland biology and basic breast cancer research. Researchers are now able to create three-dimensional organoid-structures that recapitulate normal breast development and function from single patient-derived cells.

Why obesity predisposes to severe respiratory failure Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:15 AM PDT A hormone that regulates blood sugar levels may be the key to reducing the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome in obese patients, a new study suggests.

Biologics improve productivity and reduce missed workdays in rheumatic disease Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:15 AM PDT The results of a systematic review of published studies showed that biologics improve both absenteeism (not showing up for work) and presenteeism (being at work but not functioning fully) in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritides. Rheumatic conditions are the most frequently cited reason for absence from work, and these findings suggest that biologics could significantly reduce the economic burden of these diseases.

Study links gene to aggressive form of brain cancer Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:15 AM PDT Scientists have identified a gene mutation linked to the development of an aggressive form of brain cancer. Researchers found that errors in a gene known as TCF12 -- which plays a key role in the formation of the embryonic brain are associated with more aggressive forms of a disease called anaplastic oligodendroglioma.

National screening program has markedly reduced breast cancer mortality Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:13 AM PDT Under the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program, all women aged 50 to 69 are invited for mammography screening every two years. The program was launched as a pilot project in four counties in 1995/96 and went national in 2004. The purpose of mammography examination is to detect tumors at an early enough stage to begin effective treatment and reduce mortality.

Interventions among healthy people save the most lives Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:13 AM PDT Mortality from coronary heart disease declined in Sweden from 1986 to 2002. The improvement was due mainly to a reduction in risk factors among the healthy population (primary prevention) and, to a lesser extent, treatment of people who already had developed heart disease (secondary prevention). A study explores the reasons for the trend.

Exercise with a physiotherapist helps people with depression Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:13 AM PDT Exercise has a positive effect on depression. A researcher evaluated exercise as add-on therapy to medicating with antidepressants. The experiments showed that people who participated in exercise aimed at increasing their physical fitness clearly improved their mental health compared with the control group.

Major health consequences for individuals with severe dental anxiety Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:13 AM PDT Adults who suffer from severe dental anxiety (DA) are often dissatisfied with their appearance. The dissatisfaction may be associated with poorer oral health, depression and anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) help patients with severe DA, according to new research.

Autoimmunity: New immunoregulation and biomarker Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:13 AM PDT Clinicians have elucidated a mechanism involved in determining the lifespan of antibody-producing cells, and identified a promising new biomarker for monitoring autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus erythematosus.

Scientists map surface of immune cells Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:11 AM PDT The immune system must constantly adapt to its environment in order to protect a body effectively. The so-called T cells are an important example in this regard. One of their functions is to form the immune system's "memory". Researchers recently examined the surface of precursors of these T cells and identified previously unknown proteins there. According to the scientists, the results could lead to new approaches for therapies for asthma and allergies.

Recurrent major depressive disorder and use of antidepressants associated with lower bone density Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:11 AM PDT A recent study shows that recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) in men is associated with lower bone density. The use of antidepressants was also associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD), but this association was dependent on the person's weight and site of bone measurement.

New, robust and inexpensive technique for protein analysis in tissues Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:11 AM PDT A new technique to study proteins, which does not require advanced equipment, specialized labs or expensive reagents, has been developed. The technique could be further developed to be used in point of care devices, for instance for diagnostic purposes.

Older asthma patients at increased risk for treatment failure Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:06 AM PDT Older patients with asthma are at increased risk for treatment failure, particularly those patients being treated with inhaled corticosteroids, according to a new study.

Potential new treatment for osteoporosis Posted: 12 Jun 2015 06:06 AM PDT Scientists have identified a new therapeutic approach that, while still preliminary, could promote the development of new bone-forming cells in patients suffering from bone loss.

Unique bacterial fingerprint identified in systemic sclerosis Posted: 11 Jun 2015 05:22 AM PDT The results of a new study showed that people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have a unique bacterial signature in their colon, when compared with healthy people. These findings suggest that changes in the gut ecology could contribute to the clinical symptoms of SSc, and could be used to diagnose the condition, and in the development of alternative treatments.

Low birth weight and childhood infections predict ankylosing spondylitis Posted: 11 Jun 2015 05:21 AM PDT The results of a new study showed that a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis can be predicted by low birth weight, having older siblings and hospitalization for infection between the ages of 5-16 years. These data suggest that these factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit ovulation after just 10 days Posted: 11 Jun 2015 05:21 AM PDT The results of a new study show that diclofenac, naproxen and etoricoxib significantly inhibit ovulation in women with mild musculoskeletal pain. Of the women receiving NSAIDs, only 6.3 percent (diclofenac), 25 percent (naproxen) and 27.3 percent (etoricoxib) ovulated, compared with 100 percent of the control group.

Physical trauma associated with onset of psoriatic arthritis among psoriasis patients Posted: 11 Jun 2015 05:21 AM PDT The results of a large population study showed an increased risk of developing Psoriatic Arthritis among psoriasis patients exposed to physical trauma, particularly when the trauma involved bone and/or joints.

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