ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Causal pathway may link job stress, sleep disturbances
• Does radiation from X-rays and CT scans really cause cancer?
• Hospital-wide program for delirium, alcohol withdrawal and suicide/harm impacts readmission rates
• Protein's impact on colorectal cancer is dappled
• Folate biomarkers determined
• Targeting mistreatment of women during childbirth
• Innovative imaging study shows that the spinal cord learns on its own
• Women's faces get redder at ovulation, but human eyes can't pick up on it
• Osteopathic manipulative therapy significantly improves low back pain in postpartum women
• High-fat diet may alleviate mitochondrial disease
• Eye color may be linked to alcohol dependence
• Should drinking water be centralized or decentralized?
• Atomic force microscope advance leads to new breast cancer research
• Cardiac survival rates around 6 percent for those occurring outside of a hospital
• For women with bipolar disorder, sleep quality affects mood
• Healthy diet linked to lower death rates among low-income residents in Southeastern USA
• Similarities between embryos, breast tumors identified
• Alcohol sensitizes brain response to food aromas, increases food intake in women
• To shed weight, go vegan
• Research reveals new insights into a key antibiotic target in the fight against TB
• July 4: Short-term spike in particulate matter in US
• Hantaviruses are highly dependent on cell membrane cholesterol to infect humans
• Human urine helps prevent bacteria from sticking to bladder cells
• Omega-3 supplements, antioxidants may help with preclinical Alzheimer's disease
• Cheek muscles hold up better than leg muscles in space
• Sialic acid: Key to unlocking brain disorders
• Vitamin A supplementation may cause immune system to 'forget' past infections
• Pinaverium shows promising results for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
• Spouses, relatives of celiac disease patients at risk for autoimmune diseases
• New cardiac arrest recommendations: Increased CPR/AED training will improve survival rates
• Chitosan coated, chemotherapy packed nanoparticles may target cancer stem cells
• Repeated courses of antibiotics may profoundly alter children's development
• How small genetic change in Yersinia pestis changed human history
• Researchers repurpose technology to reduce psychological and physical scars of burn injuries
• Platelet-like particles boost clotting, slow bleeding
• Patients with recurrent depression have smaller hippocampi
• Smell fingerprints? Each person may have a unique sense of smell
• Colon cancer: Taking a step back to move forward
• Virus-carrying mosquitoes are more widespread than ever, and spreading
• Minor heart feature may mean trouble at high altitude
• Efficacy of topical benzoyl peroxide on the reduction of propionibacterium acnes during shoulder surgery
• The riddle of Celiac disease solved?
• Organic food to have longer 'life' with superchilling technique
• Medical tourism: Implications for patients, health systems
• New genetic form of obesity, diabetes discovered
• Small RNAs found to play important roles in memory formation
• What effect does marijuana really have on weight gain?
• Improving rice flour to aid food poverty
• License plate decals don't seem to curb learner driver crash rates
• Understanding why animals are healthy offers path to precision medicine
• After Ebola, understanding health care needs among rural Liberians
• Severe asthma fails to respond to mainstay treatment, study shows
• Hepatitis C: Life-threatening barriers in access to breakthrough drugs in US
• Hope for patients with chronic wounds
• PTSD, traumatic experiences may raise heart attack, stroke risk in women

Causal pathway may link job stress, sleep disturbances Posted: 30 Jun 2015 05:20 PM PDT There may be a reciprocal, causal pathway between job strain and disturbed sleep, implying that interventions to treat sleep problems may improve work satisfaction, researchers have learned.

Does radiation from X-rays and CT scans really cause cancer? Posted: 30 Jun 2015 05:20 PM PDT In recent years, there has been widespread media coverage of studies purporting to show that radiation from X-rays, CT scans and other medical imaging causes cancer. But such studies have serious flaws, including their reliance on an unproven statistical model, according to a recent article.

Hospital-wide program for delirium, alcohol withdrawal and suicide/harm impacts readmission rates Posted: 30 Jun 2015 12:52 PM PDT In a new report, clinicians describe the implementation and effectiveness of a hospital-wide clinical improvement initiative for acute care patients at risk for delirium, alcohol withdrawal and suicide harm and demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing readmission rates.

Protein's impact on colorectal cancer is dappled Posted: 30 Jun 2015 12:52 PM PDT Researchers have discovered a cell signaling pathway that appears to exert some control over initiation and progression of colorectal cancer, the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. A key protein in the pathway also appears to be predictive of cancer survival rates.

Folate biomarkers determined Posted: 30 Jun 2015 12:15 PM PDT An international paper on folate biomarkers is part of an initiative to provide evidence-based guidance for the global nutrition and public health community. The comprehensive study on folate, an essential B vitamin required for DNA synthesis and normal growth and development, represents a consensus of the top folate scientists globally. A major birth defect affecting the spinal cord -- spina bifida, for example -- and brain can be prevented by maternal consumption of sufficient folate prior to and during the very early stages of fetal development.

Targeting mistreatment of women during childbirth Posted: 30 Jun 2015 12:14 PM PDT Scientists have synthesized qualitative and quantitative evidence to form a clearer picture of the extent and types of mistreatment that occurs during childbirth in health facilities. Such initiatives are key to developing policies to reduce and ultimately eliminate this inhumane and degrading phenomenon.

Innovative imaging study shows that the spinal cord learns on its own Posted: 30 Jun 2015 12:14 PM PDT The spinal cord engages in its own learning of motor tasks independent of the brain, according to an innovative imaging study. The results of the study may offer new opportunities for rehabilitation after spinal cord injury.

Women's faces get redder at ovulation, but human eyes can't pick up on it Posted: 30 Jun 2015 12:14 PM PDT Past research shows men find female faces more attractive at peak fertility. A new study shows an increased redness of women's face skin at the most fertile point of ovulatory cycle, but just under the threshold for detectability, ruling out skin coloration as a driver of the attractiveness effect.

Osteopathic manipulative therapy significantly improves low back pain in postpartum women Posted: 30 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT Osteopathic manipulative therapy decreased postpartum low back pain by over 70 percent in women who had given birth at least three months before beginning treatment, according to a new study.

High-fat diet may alleviate mitochondrial disease Posted: 30 Jun 2015 10:53 AM PDT Mice that have a genetic version of mitochondrial disease can easily be mistaken for much older animals by the time they are nine months old: they have thinning grey hair, osteoporosis, poor hearing, infertility, heart problems and have lost weight. Dietary fat, coupled with a natural hormone, can relieve symptoms in these mice, researchers have found.

Eye color may be linked to alcohol dependence Posted: 30 Jun 2015 10:52 AM PDT People with blue eyes might have a greater chance of becoming alcoholics, according to a unique new study by genetic researchers.

Should drinking water be centralized or decentralized? Posted: 30 Jun 2015 10:51 AM PDT A Canadian civil engineering graduate evaluates claims that more centralized US-style regulation of drinking water would improve outcomes for Canadians. The paper finds limited support for these claims but suggests they reflect deeply held Canadian political and cultural values.

Atomic force microscope advance leads to new breast cancer research Posted: 30 Jun 2015 10:51 AM PDT Researchers who developed a high-speed form of atomic force microscopy have shown how to image the physical properties of live breast cancer cells, for the first time revealing details about how deactivation of a key protein may lead to metastasis.

Cardiac survival rates around 6 percent for those occurring outside of a hospital Posted: 30 Jun 2015 10:51 AM PDT Cardiac arrest strikes almost 600,000 people each year, killing the vast majority of those individuals, says a new report. Following a cardiac arrest, each minute without treatment decreases the likelihood of surviving without disability, and survival rates depend greatly on where the cardiac arrest occurs, said the committee that carried out the study and wrote the report.

For women with bipolar disorder, sleep quality affects mood Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:24 AM PDT Poor sleep is associated with negative mood in women with bipolar disorder, according to researchers. Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. The condition is marked by extreme mood episodes characterized as manic (highs), depressive (lows) or mixed.

Healthy diet linked to lower death rates among low-income residents in Southeastern USA Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:24 AM PDT Eating a healthy diet was linked with a lower risk of dying from heart disease, stroke, cancer or other diseases among a population of low-income individuals living in the Southeastern U.S., according to investigators. Nearly two-thirds of the participants in the study were African-American.

Similarities between embryos, breast tumors identified Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:24 AM PDT It may seem incredulous, but breast tumors may have something in common with embryos, at least in mice, say researchers. Tumors that resemble six-day-old mouse embryos are more prone to metastasize than those that look like tissues from adult mice, researchers discovered. Specifically, they noticed that the same genes that are turned on in developing mice are also present in metastatic tumors.

Alcohol sensitizes brain response to food aromas, increases food intake in women Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:22 AM PDT The first study of its kind measuring the brain's role in mediating caloric intake following alcohol consumption among women shows that alcohol exposure sensitizes the brain's response to food aromas and increases caloric intake.

To shed weight, go vegan Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:18 AM PDT People on a vegetarian diet, and especially those following a vegan one that includes no animal products, see better results than dieters on other weight-reducing plans. In fact, they can lose around two kilograms more on the short term, say researchers after reviewing the results of twelve diet trials.

Research reveals new insights into a key antibiotic target in the fight against TB Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:17 AM PDT A key process in the bacterium that causes tuberculosis has been unraveled by researchers, potentially paving the way for new antibiotics to fight the disease. TB is one of the world's top infectious killers, causing 1.5 million deaths every year. The TB bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is estimated to be present in up to a third of the world's population, although active TB only develops in around one in 10 cases.

July 4: Short-term spike in particulate matter in US Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:17 AM PDT From the founding of America, the Fourth of July has been synonymous with fireworks. A new study quantifies the surge in fine particulate matter -- particles that are two and one half microns in diameter (PM2.5) -- on July 4, using observations from the 315 US air quality monitoring sites that operated from 1999 to 2013. While scientists have known that fireworks displays produce a surge in fine particulates, the new study is the first nationwide quantitative analysis of the effects.

Hantaviruses are highly dependent on cell membrane cholesterol to infect humans Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:17 AM PDT Hantaviruses use cholesterol in cell walls to gain access into cells and infect humans, according to laboratory research. Multiple genes involved in cholesterol sensing, regulation and production, including key components to a chemical pathway called SREBP (sterol response element binding protein), are critical to hantaviruses gaining entry, the researchers found.

Human urine helps prevent bacteria from sticking to bladder cells Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:16 AM PDT Human urine contains factors that prevent a common culprit in urinary tract infections (UTIs), uropathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria, from properly attaching to bladder cells, a necessary step for infection. The research reveals a weakness that could be exploited to develop more effective, non-antibiotic treatments for UTIs.

Omega-3 supplements, antioxidants may help with preclinical Alzheimer's disease Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:16 AM PDT Here's more evidence that fish oil supplementation and antioxidants might be beneficial for at least some people facing Alzheimer's disease: A new report describes the findings of a very small study in which people with mild clinical impairment, such as those in the very early stages of the disease, saw clearance of the hallmark amyloid-beta protein and reduced inflammation in neurological tissues.

Cheek muscles hold up better than leg muscles in space Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:14 AM PDT Muscles need gravity to maintain optimal health, and when they do not have it, they deteriorate. A new report, however, suggests that this might not be true for all muscles, offering hope that there may be ways to preserve muscle mass and strength for individuals in low-resistance environments, whether it be the microgravity of space, extended periods in a hospital bed, or a 9-5 job behind a desk.

Sialic acid: Key to unlocking brain disorders Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:14 AM PDT A common molecule found in higher animals, including humans, affects brain structure, researchers report. They found that mice that had altered sialic acid attachment had significant neurological problems when compared to normal mice.

Vitamin A supplementation may cause immune system to 'forget' past infections Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:14 AM PDT Although vitamin A supplementation can have profound health benefits when someone is deficient, new evidence is emerging to show that vitamin A supplementation above and beyond normal levels may have negative health consequences. A new research report may help to explain why too much vitamin A can be harmful.

Pinaverium shows promising results for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:14 AM PDT Pinaverium offers quick and effective relief of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, according to clinical trial results. Pinaverium bromide (pinaverium), an antispasmodic, is used widely in many countries around the world, including European countries, Canada and Mexico. However, original clinical studies on pinaverium are scarce and there has been no convincing evidence for its effectiveness and safety.

Spouses, relatives of celiac disease patients at risk for autoimmune diseases Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:14 AM PDT Both spouses and first-degree relatives of patients with celiac disease are at increased risk of nonceliac autoimmune disease, according to a study. While the excess risk found in celiac first-degree relatives can be explained by genetics, the higher risk in spouses points to the impact of environmental factors. It is also possible that spouses share microbiome characteristics with their husband/wife, which might impact the risk of developing and diagnosing other autoimmune diseases.

New cardiac arrest recommendations: Increased CPR/AED training will improve survival rates Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:14 AM PDT In response to a new Institute of Medicine report on improving cardiac arrest survival rates, the Red Cross is taking a key first step in convening those who can make a significant difference in strengthening the entire system of response to cardiac arrest. The new collaborative will establish common goals, promote public education and training opportunities for CPR and defibrillation, and develop national accreditation standards for hospitals and health care systems.

Chitosan coated, chemotherapy packed nanoparticles may target cancer stem cells Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:12 AM PDT Nanoparticles packed with a clinically used chemotherapy drug and coated with an oligosaccharide derived from the carapace of crustaceans might effectively target and kill cancer stem-like cells, according to a recent study.

Repeated courses of antibiotics may profoundly alter children's development Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:12 AM PDT A new animal study adds to growing evidence that multiple courses of commonly used antibiotics may have a significant impact on children's development. Female mice treated with two classes of widely used childhood antibiotics, including amoxicillin, gained more weight and developed larger bones than untreated mice. Both of the antibiotics also disrupted the gut microbiome, the trillions of microbes that inhabit the intestinal tract.

How small genetic change in Yersinia pestis changed human history Posted: 30 Jun 2015 09:12 AM PDT While studying Yersinia pestis, the bacteria responsible for epidemics of plague such as the Black Death, scientists found a single small genetic change that fundamentally influenced the evolution of the deadly pathogen, and thus the course of human history. They demonstrated how the acquisition of a single gene caused the shift of Y. pestis from causing a primarily gastrointestinal infection to a more serious and often fatal respiratory disease and how later modifications lead to infections associated with the bubonic plague.

Researchers repurpose technology to reduce psychological and physical scars of burn injuries Posted: 30 Jun 2015 07:08 AM PDT It's the season for backyard grilling, campfires, fireworks – and burn injuries. Over the next few months, U.S. burn centers will see thousands of severe burns requiring painful skin grafts and lengthy treatment. Researchers are developing new ways to use already approved therapies to help alleviate the anxiety and pain of burn treatments – as well as improve outcomes.

Platelet-like particles boost clotting, slow bleeding Posted: 30 Jun 2015 07:08 AM PDT Tiny gel particles that can perform the same essential functions as platelets have been developed by researchers. The particles could one day be used to control excessive bleeding following traumatic injury or in individuals with impaired clotting due to an inherited condition or as a result of certain medications or chemotherapy.

Patients with recurrent depression have smaller hippocampi Posted: 30 Jun 2015 07:05 AM PDT The brains of people with recurrent depression have a significantly smaller hippocampus -- the part of the brain most associated with forming new memories -- than healthy individuals, a new global study of nearly 9,000 people reveals.

Smell fingerprints? Each person may have a unique sense of smell Posted: 30 Jun 2015 07:05 AM PDT Scientists have developed an 'olfactory fingerprint' test that may do more than just identify individuals.

Colon cancer: Taking a step back to move forward Posted: 30 Jun 2015 07:05 AM PDT Recent studies are revealing a complex picture of cancer progression in which certain genes that drive tumor growth in the earlier stages get suppressed in later stages -- taking a step back to move forward.

Virus-carrying mosquitoes are more widespread than ever, and spreading Posted: 30 Jun 2015 07:05 AM PDT Scientists behind the first global distribution maps of two species of dengue and chikungunya-carrying mosquitoes warn they are spreading to new areas where they could cause disease.

Minor heart feature may mean trouble at high altitude Posted: 30 Jun 2015 07:04 AM PDT A common heart feature long thought to have negligible effects on human health and performance may be problematic at high altitude. That's a key finding from a study that looked at the effects of a condition known as patent foramen ovale in a high-altitude Bolivian setting.

Efficacy of topical benzoyl peroxide on the reduction of propionibacterium acnes during shoulder surgery Posted: 30 Jun 2015 05:05 AM PDT The effect that topical benzoyl peroxide (BPO), with chlorhexidine skin preparation, has on the presence of Propionibacterium acnes cultured at the time of shoulder surgery has been the focus of recent study. The authors hypothesized that adding topical BPO, the active ingredient in Clearasil, to the pre-operative skin preparation would reduce the number of positive P. acnes cultures identified during surgery. P. acnes infection is a significant problem after shoulder surgery. Residual P. acnes is found on the skin up to 29% of the time immediately after surgical skin preparation and in 70% of dermal biopsy specimens. These residual bacteria may be a source for infection. Identifying more ideal skin preparation may help reduce the risk of infection.

The riddle of Celiac disease solved? Posted: 30 Jun 2015 05:04 AM PDT The cause of celiac disease has been found, researchers claim. Experts estimate that 1% of people have celiac disease. This is a partly hereditary disease that may place considerable strain on patients and their families. The immune system of patients with celiac disease reacts to gluten proteins from cereal grains, causing inflammation of the mucous membrane of the small intestine. This reaction to gluten causes the immune system of celiac patients to attack their own body.

Organic food to have longer 'life' with superchilling technique Posted: 30 Jun 2015 05:04 AM PDT A new method keeps salmon fresh for a whole month, without the use of chemicals. The technology is called superchilling, and it lies somewhere between freezing the fish and cooling it down. Now it is about to provide useful help to organic food producers.

Medical tourism: Implications for patients, health systems Posted: 30 Jun 2015 05:04 AM PDT Patients who travel abroad for medical treatment risk returning with complications or infections that require costly treatment, and is one of the issues highlighted in a new handbook exploring medical tourism.

New genetic form of obesity, diabetes discovered Posted: 30 Jun 2015 05:01 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a new inherited form of obesity and type 2 diabetes in humans. Researchers discovered the new defect by sequencing the DNA of an extremely obese young woman and members of her family. In addition to an increased appetite leading to severe weight problems from childhood, she had type 2 diabetes, learning difficulties, and reproductive problems.

Small RNAs found to play important roles in memory formation Posted: 30 Jun 2015 05:01 AM PDT A type of genetic material called "microRNA" plays surprisingly different roles in the formation of memory in animal models, researchers have found. In some cases, these RNAs increase memory, while others decrease it.

What effect does marijuana really have on weight gain? Posted: 30 Jun 2015 05:01 AM PDT While cannabis alters the functions of neurobiological circuits controlling appetite, its effect on weight gain is complex since several factors appear to be involved. The main finding of the study shows that long-term cannabis use indeed influences weight gain, although its effects may differ by gender.

Improving rice flour to aid food poverty Posted: 29 Jun 2015 06:06 PM PDT A new, high-quality rice flour could help towards aiding global food poverty. 'This rice flour serves not only as an alternative to wheat flour for those with wheat intolerance, but could also help to overcome the global food problem in the future,' says one of the researchers behind this work.

License plate decals don't seem to curb learner driver crash rates Posted: 29 Jun 2015 06:06 PM PDT The use of license plate decals for drivers with learner permits doesn't seem to have reduced their crash rate in New Jersey, the first US state to introduce the regulation, finds research.

Understanding why animals are healthy offers path to precision medicine Posted: 29 Jun 2015 03:01 PM PDT Researchers have identified a mechanism that explains why some mutations can be disease-causing in one genome but benign in another. The researchers compared thousands of human disease-causing mutations with the analogous sequences of some 100 animal species. They discovered non-human genomes carrying mutations that cause severe disease in humans, yet were benign in the animals.

After Ebola, understanding health care needs among rural Liberians Posted: 29 Jun 2015 03:01 PM PDT As Liberia rebuilds a health care system decimated by the 2014 Ebola outbreak, understanding precisely how far citizens live from health facilities and its impact on seeking care can help shape new strategies to improve health care delivery and reduce geographic disparities.

Severe asthma fails to respond to mainstay treatment, study shows Posted: 29 Jun 2015 03:00 PM PDT The immune response that occurs in patients with severe asthma is markedly different than what occurs in milder forms of the lung condition, according to researchers. People with severe asthma, in which the airways become inflamed and constrict to impair breathing, do not get better even with high doses of corticosteroids, the mainstay of treatment for typical asthma.

Hepatitis C: Life-threatening barriers in access to breakthrough drugs in US Posted: 29 Jun 2015 03:00 PM PDT Most states violate federal Medicaid law because they deny coverage for sofosbuvir, a new and highly effective treatment to cure hepatitis C. According to a team of researchers who examined Medicaid policies for hepatitis C virus treatment using sofosbuvir, more commonly known as Solvadi, most should change policy to improve access to the treatment.

Hope for patients with chronic wounds Posted: 29 Jun 2015 03:00 PM PDT Most wounds clear up by themselves, but some fail to heal and become chronic. An international team of researchers has now unveiled the important role of so-called microRNAs in regulating skin wound healing, pointing to new therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds.

PTSD, traumatic experiences may raise heart attack, stroke risk in women Posted: 29 Jun 2015 02:59 PM PDT Women with severe PTSD or traumatic events may have a 60 percent higher lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease. The study is the first to examine trauma exposure, PTSD, and onset of cardiovascular disease exclusively in women. Researchers suggest physicians ask women about traumatic events and PTSD symptoms and then monitor them for cardiovascular issues.

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