ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Multiple pathways progressing to Alzheimer's disease
• A person's diet, acidity of urine may affect susceptibility to UTIs
• Brain scan can predict who responds best to certain treatment for OCD
• Tracking genetic arms race between humans, mosquitoes
• Giant axonal neuropathy: Researchers develop innovative gene transfer-based treatment approach
• Compound in magnolia may combat head and neck cancers
• New approach holds promise for earlier, easier detection of colorectal cancer
• Low scores on memory and thinking tests may signal Alzheimer's 18 years prior to disease
• Stem-like progenitor cell that exclusively forms heart muscle
• Genetic discovery uncovers key tool for morphine production in poppies
• Solving the next step in the mystery of prions
• Smartphone app may prevent dangerous freezing of gait in Parkinson's patients
• Study highlights 'important safety issue' with widely used MRI contrast agents
• Artificial blood to assist in mosquito control research
• Cancer drug makes fruit flies live longer
• What controls blood flow in the brain?
• Calcium uptake by mitochondria makes heart beat harder in fight-or-flight response
• Potential drug lessens neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease model
• Functional class helps predict mortality risk after surgery
• New drug squashes cancer's last-ditch efforts to survive
• New close-up view of key part of ebola virus life cycle
• Scientists pinpoint mutations responsible for ineffectiveness of 2014-2015 flu vaccine
• Analyzing genes according to evolutionary profile
• New class of compounds shrinks pancreatic cancer tumors, prevents regrowth
• microRNA may provide therapy against pancreatic cancer
• Children with severe head injuries are casualties of wars in Iraq, Afghanistan
• E2F4 signature can predict progression of bladder cancer
• Eating in the absence of hunger: A recipe for expanding waistline
• Experimental treatment sends deadly leukemia into remission
• Pilot program in pediatric long-term care facility halves topical antibiotic use
• Infection preventionists may spend more time collecting data than protecting patients
• Therapy affects the brain of people with Tourette Syndrome
• A novel DNA damage alarm
• Thousands of droplets for diagnostics
• New breath test for pneumonia
• Computer vision and mobile technology could help blind people 'see'
• New and innovative approach for successful vaccination against Chlamydia infections
• Fructose produces less rewarding sensations in the brain
• New nanotechnology drug to control blindness
• Drug discovery for Parkinson's disease
• Are your emotional responses normal or abnormal?
• New conductive ink for electronic apparel
• Redrawing the language map of the brain
• Weight loss, combined with vitamin D, reduces inflammation linked to cancer, chronic disease
• Scientists restore normal function in heart muscle cells of diabetic rats
• Supportive close friendship helps boys, girls overcome adversity
• World must drastically accelerate AIDS efforts or face more HIV infections, deaths than five years ago
• Women have up to a fourfold increase in risk of stillbirth following a previous stillbirth
• Investigation examines bitter dispute over e-cigarettes in the public health community
• Medical research not addressing patient, clinician priorities
• As smoking declines, more are likely to quit
• Exploring bystander intervention in cyberbullying

Multiple pathways progressing to Alzheimer's disease Posted: 25 Jun 2015 01:18 PM PDT The amyloid cascade hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) posits that sticky aggregations or plaques of amyloid-beta peptides accumulate over time in the brain, triggering a series of events that ultimately result in the full-blown neurodegenerative disorder. The hypothesis has been a major driver of AD research for more than 20 years. However, in a new study, researchers suggest the picture is not so clear-cut, reporting that early indicators or biomarkers of AD development are not fixed in a specific sequence.

A person's diet, acidity of urine may affect susceptibility to UTIs Posted: 25 Jun 2015 01:16 PM PDT The acidity of urine — as well as the presence of small molecules related to diet — may influence how well bacteria can grow in the urinary tract, a new study shows. The research may have implications for treating urinary tract infections, which are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide.

Brain scan can predict who responds best to certain treatment for OCD Posted: 25 Jun 2015 01:15 PM PDT A certain detail from patients' brain scans could help clinicians identify which people are more likely to relapse after cognitive-behavioral therapy -- and why. Tens of millions of Americans -- an estimated 1 to 2 percent of the population -- will suffer at some point in their lifetimes from obsessive-compulsive disorder, a disorder characterized by recurrent, intrusive, and disturbing thoughts (obsessions), and/or stereotyped recurrent behaviors (compulsions).

Tracking genetic arms race between humans, mosquitoes Posted: 25 Jun 2015 01:15 PM PDT Individual populations of mosquitoes are under strong evolutionary pressure from humans and their environment, a new study shows.

Giant axonal neuropathy: Researchers develop innovative gene transfer-based treatment approach Posted: 25 Jun 2015 11:54 AM PDT Researchers have developed an innovative, experimental gene transfer-based treatment for children with giant axonal neuropathy (GAN). This extremely rare genetic disorder causes children to gradually lose the ability to balance themselves, move their muscles and to feel certain sensations. Most children born with GAN do not survive beyond their early 20s because of progressive impairment of their ability to breath.

Compound in magnolia may combat head and neck cancers Posted: 25 Jun 2015 11:53 AM PDT As one of the compounds in magnolia extract, honokiol has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to treat anxiety and other conditions. More recently, scientists have been revealing its cancer-fighting properties.

New approach holds promise for earlier, easier detection of colorectal cancer Posted: 25 Jun 2015 11:52 AM PDT A new, sensitive electrochemical technique capable of detecting colorectal cancer in tissue samples has been developed by chemists -- a method that could one day be used in clinical settings for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Low scores on memory and thinking tests may signal Alzheimer's 18 years prior to disease Posted: 25 Jun 2015 11:39 AM PDT Errors on memory and thinking tests may signal Alzheimer's up to 18 years before the disease can be diagnosed, a new study suggests.

Stem-like progenitor cell that exclusively forms heart muscle Posted: 25 Jun 2015 11:39 AM PDT Future therapies for failing hearts are likely to include stem-like cells and associated growth factors that regenerate heart muscle. Scientists have just taken an important step towards that future by identifying a stem-like "progenitor" cell that produces only heart muscle cells.

Genetic discovery uncovers key tool for morphine production in poppies Posted: 25 Jun 2015 11:37 AM PDT Scientists have made a key genetic discovery in poppies, paving the way for more effective painkillers.

Solving the next step in the mystery of prions Posted: 25 Jun 2015 11:36 AM PDT Working towards the ultimate goal to develop therapeutics to treat diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and BSE (Mad Cow Disease), scientists are investigating the physical principles underlying the formation of misfolded protein aggregates. The aggregates of misfolded proteins -- proteins that clump together in the 'wrong' structure -- feature prominently in these fatal degenerative diseases.

Smartphone app may prevent dangerous freezing of gait in Parkinson's patients Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:11 AM PDT CuPID is striving to provide personalized rehabilitation for patients with Parkinson's disease who experience gait disturbances. It is a home-based personalized rehabilitation tool in the form of a smartphone app that harnesses wearable sensors, audio biofeedback, and external cuing to provide intense motivational training tailored to each patient.

Study highlights 'important safety issue' with widely used MRI contrast agents Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:11 AM PDT New results in animals highlight a major safety concern regarding a class of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents used in millions of patients each year. The study adds to concerns that repeated use of specific "linear"-type gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) lead to deposits of the heavy-metal element gadolinium in the brain.

Artificial blood to assist in mosquito control research Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:11 AM PDT Scientists continue to advance research on controlling one of the world's most notorious species of pests, the mosquito.

Cancer drug makes fruit flies live longer Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:09 AM PDT Adult fruit flies given a cancer drug live 12 percent longer than average, according to a study researching healthy aging. The drug targets a specific cellular process that occurs in animals, including humans, delaying the onset of age-related deaths by slowing the aging process.

What controls blood flow in the brain? Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:09 AM PDT Scientists present the strongest evidence yet that smooth muscle cells surrounding blood vessels in the brain are the only cells capable of contracting to control blood vessel diameter and thus regulate blood flow. This basic anatomical understanding may also have important implications for phenomena observed in stroke and migraines.

Calcium uptake by mitochondria makes heart beat harder in fight-or-flight response Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:09 AM PDT In a life-threatening situation, the heart beats faster and harder, invigorated by the fight-or-flight response, which instantaneously prepares a person to react or run. Now, a new study shows that the uptick in heart muscle contractility that occurs under acute stress is driven by a flood of calcium into mitochondria -- the cells' energy-producing powerhouses.

Potential drug lessens neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease model Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:03 AM PDT The first test in a mammalian model of a potential new class of drugs to treat Parkinson's disease shows abatement of neurodegeneration in the brains of test rats and no significant toxicities.

Functional class helps predict mortality risk after surgery Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:02 AM PDT Information on functional status—whether or not a person can carry out routine daily tasks independently—improves the ability to predict risk of death in patients undergoing surgery, according to a study.

New drug squashes cancer's last-ditch efforts to survive Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:02 AM PDT As a tumor grows, its cancerous cells ramp up an energy-harvesting process to support its hasty development. This process, called autophagy, is normally used by a cell to recycle damaged organelles and proteins, but is also co-opted by cancer cells to meet their increased energy and metabolic demands. A compound that stops this cellular recycling process has now been developed by scientists.

New close-up view of key part of ebola virus life cycle Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:02 AM PDT A key part of the Ebola virus life cycle has been revealed at a higher resolution than ever before. The research sheds light on how Ebola virus assembles--and how researchers might stop the often-fatal infection.

Scientists pinpoint mutations responsible for ineffectiveness of 2014-2015 flu vaccine Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:02 AM PDT Viruses like influenza have the ability to mutate over time, and given that the flu vaccines administered during the 2014-2015 season were largely ineffective at preventing the spread of the flu, it appears the virus that recently circulated had taken on mutations not accounted for when last year's vaccine was developed. Now, researchers have identified specific mutations that influenza recently acquired to escape the current vaccine design.

Analyzing genes according to evolutionary profile Posted: 25 Jun 2015 10:01 AM PDT Scientists have developed a new Internet tool that will allow any investigator, physician or patient to analyze genes according to their evolutionary profile and find associated genes. The tool combines genomics and informatics to enables the rapid, cost-free identification of genes responsible for diseases, by inputting results from genetic mapping studies concerning suspected genes, and identifying connections to known genes with association to diseases.

New class of compounds shrinks pancreatic cancer tumors, prevents regrowth Posted: 25 Jun 2015 09:59 AM PDT A chemical compound that has reduced the growth of pancreatic cancer tumors by 80 percent in treated mice has been developed by researchers. The compound, called MM41, was designed to block faulty genes. It appears to do this by targeting little knots in their DNA, called quadruplexes, which are very different from normal DNA and which are especially found in faulty genes.

microRNA may provide therapy against pancreatic cancer Posted: 25 Jun 2015 08:31 AM PDT Cancer researchers have found that a particular microRNA may be a potent therapeutic agent against pancreatic cancer. The need for new therapies for pancreatic cancer patients is great as only 7 percent of people with the disease survive more than 5 years after diagnosis. According to the National Cancer Institute, there will be an estimated 48,960 new cases of pancreatic cancer and 40,560 deaths from the disease in 2015.

Children with severe head injuries are casualties of wars in Iraq, Afghanistan Posted: 25 Jun 2015 08:30 AM PDT During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. combat support hospitals treated at least 650 children with severe, combat-related head injuries, according to a new report.

E2F4 signature can predict progression of bladder cancer Posted: 25 Jun 2015 08:29 AM PDT Investigators harnessed genomic data to discover that the previously identified E2F4 signature in breast cancer can be utilized to predict prognosis and response to therapy in bladder cancer.

Eating in the absence of hunger: A recipe for expanding waistline Posted: 25 Jun 2015 08:20 AM PDT Snacking when you're not hungry can cause weight gain as much as overly large portion sizes and energy-rich foods, a researcher reports.

Experimental treatment sends deadly leukemia into remission Posted: 25 Jun 2015 08:13 AM PDT An experimental new treatment approach for a rare, deadly leukemia can send the disease into remission even in patients for whom the standard therapy has failed, a pilot study has found. The study is 'proof of principle' the cutting-edge approach could be used to treat many other cancers as well.

Pilot program in pediatric long-term care facility halves topical antibiotic use Posted: 25 Jun 2015 08:13 AM PDT A pilot antibiotic stewardship program at a pediatric long-term care facility brought about a 59 percent decrease in use of a topical antibiotic and an 83 percent decrease in orders for antibiotics without proper documentation during a six-month period, according to a new study.

Infection preventionists may spend more time collecting data than protecting patients Posted: 25 Jun 2015 08:13 AM PDT Collecting and reporting hospital infection data to federal health agencies takes more than five hours each day, at the expense of time needed to ensure that frontline healthcare personnel are adhering to basic infection prevention practices such as hand hygiene, according to a recent case study.

Therapy affects the brain of people with Tourette Syndrome Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:16 AM PDT In addition to its effect on chronic tics, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can change the brain function of people with Tourette syndrome, new research confirms. Tourette syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disorder mainly characterized by motor and vocal tics in affected people. A tic is generally defined as a semi-voluntary movement or vocalization with no specific purpose.

A novel DNA damage alarm Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:15 AM PDT How does our body keep its DNA intact? Researchers have just found a new piece of this puzzle. They discovered a novel alarm that cells use to signal DNA damage.

Thousands of droplets for diagnostics Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:15 AM PDT A team of scientists has developed a method for dividing a DNA sample into thousands of tiny droplets. What sets it apart from previous methods is above all the fact that it is considerably easier to control and rapidly generates more than 10,000 droplets with a diameter of approximately 120 micrometers each. The entire process takes place on a rotating plastic disk the size of a DVD.

New breath test for pneumonia Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:15 AM PDT An important new approach has been developed to diagnose infections in critically ill patients rapidly and accurately. Researchers have discovered that chemically analysing breath specimens from patients in intensive care can reveal bacterial infection in the lower respiratory tract of ventilated patients at risk of developing pneumonia.

Computer vision and mobile technology could help blind people 'see' Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:15 AM PDT Computer scientists are developing new adaptive mobile technology that could enable blind and visually-impaired people to 'see' through their smartphone or tablet. The team plans to use color and depth sensor technology inside new smartphones and tablets, like the recent Project Tango by Google, to enable 3D mapping and localisation, navigation and object recognition.

New and innovative approach for successful vaccination against Chlamydia infections Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:13 AM PDT Chlamydiae are the most common, sexually transmitted, bacterial pathogens in the world. Every year around 100 million people contract Chlamydia infections, which are one of the main causes of female infertility and ectopic pregnancies and can also lead to blindness – especially in developing countries. Now, for the first time in the world, an international research team has discovered how to stimulate the immune response to Chlamydiae both efficiently and preventively.

Fructose produces less rewarding sensations in the brain Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:13 AM PDT Fructose not only results in a lower level of satiety, it also stimulates the reward system in the brain to a lesser degree than glucose. This may cause excessive consumption accompanied by effects that are a risk to health, report researchers. Various diseases have been attributed to industrial fructose in sugary drinks and ready meals.

New nanotechnology drug to control blindness Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:12 AM PDT A innovative product in the form of droplets, reduces the cost of current medications, scientists say. It is a nanotechnology product, which works with last generation liposomes particles, concentrated in droplets, which function as a conveyor that wraps proteins or antibody fragments and allow its passage into the eye. Once inside, it releases the drugs.

Drug discovery for Parkinson's disease Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:09 AM PDT The progressive loss of neurons in the brain of Parkinson's patients is slow yet inexorable. So far, there are no drugs that can halt this insidious process. Researchers have now managed to grow the types of neurons affected starting from neuronal stem cells in a three-dimensional cell culture system.

Are your emotional responses normal or abnormal? Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:09 AM PDT We all feel emotion, we all get upset, can feel low, angry and overjoyed, but when do these emotional responses become something of a medical concern? When are these feelings inappropriate, too intense, or lasting too long? When is the emotional state you are in classed as depression?

New conductive ink for electronic apparel Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:09 AM PDT Researchers have developed a new ink that can be printed on textiles in a single step to form highly conductive and stretchable connections. This new functional ink will enable electronic apparel such as sportswear and underwear incorporating sensing devices for measuring a range of biological indicators such as heart rate and muscle contraction.

Redrawing the language map of the brain Posted: 25 Jun 2015 05:09 AM PDT For 140 years, scientists' understanding of language comprehension in the brain came from individuals with stroke. But now they have redrawn that brain map based on new research with individuals who have a rare form of dementia that affects language, Primary Progressive Aphasia. Scientists discovered language comprehension is in a different neighborhood, providing a more precise brain target for future therapies to restore language.

Weight loss, combined with vitamin D, reduces inflammation linked to cancer, chronic disease Posted: 24 Jun 2015 06:05 PM PDT For the first time, researchers have found that weight loss, in combination with vitamin D supplementation, has a greater effect on reducing chronic inflammation than weight loss alone. Chronic inflammation is known to contribute to the development and progression of several diseases, including some cancers.

Scientists restore normal function in heart muscle cells of diabetic rats Posted: 24 Jun 2015 06:05 PM PDT Working with heart muscle cells from diabetic rats, scientists have located what they say is the epicenter of mischief wreaked by too much blood sugar and used a sugar-gobbling enzyme to restore normal function in the glucose-damaged cells of animal heart muscles.

Supportive close friendship helps boys, girls overcome adversity Posted: 24 Jun 2015 06:03 PM PDT Young people from low-income areas typically face substantial challenges to good physical health, mental health, academic achievement and employment. A single supportive close friendship can help young people from low-income backgrounds to thrive in challenging circumstances, according to a new study.

World must drastically accelerate AIDS efforts or face more HIV infections, deaths than five years ago Posted: 24 Jun 2015 06:03 PM PDT Countries most affected by HIV must focus on stopping new HIV infections and expanding access to antiretroviral treatment or risk the epidemic rebounding, urges a major new report.

Women have up to a fourfold increase in risk of stillbirth following a previous stillbirth Posted: 24 Jun 2015 06:03 PM PDT Women who have experienced a stillbirth have up to a fourfold increased risk of stillbirth in a second pregnancy compared to those who had an initial live birth, finds a new meta-analysis.

Investigation examines bitter dispute over e-cigarettes in the public health community Posted: 24 Jun 2015 06:03 PM PDT An investigation reveals how the controversial concept of 'harm reduction', embraced enthusiastically by the tobacco industry, has sharply divided the public health community when it comes to the discussion around e-cigarettes.

Medical research not addressing patient, clinician priorities Posted: 24 Jun 2015 06:03 PM PDT Research on treatments for health problems, such as diabetes, stroke and schizophrenia, is not being focused on the treatments considered most important by patients and clinicians, according to a study. The study suggests that current research is instead favoring drug treatments over physical or psychological therapies, or interventions to improve educational approaches or service organization.

As smoking declines, more are likely to quit Posted: 24 Jun 2015 03:27 PM PDT Smokeless tobacco and, more recently, e-cigarettes have been promoted as a harm reduction strategy for smokers who are "unable or unwilling to quit." The strategy, embraced by both industry and some public health advocates, is based on the assumption that as smoking declines overall, only those who cannot quit will remain. A new study has found just the opposite.

Exploring bystander intervention in cyberbullying Posted: 24 Jun 2015 11:33 AM PDT Cyberbullying is drawing increasing attention, with online activity soaring and a larger number of bullying cases resulting in tragedy. A new study reveals specific online conditions under which witnesses to cyberbullying are likely (or unlikely) to intervene in defense of a victim.

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