ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

---

• Factors affecting prescription pain reliever misuse identified
• Study finds variation in rates of secondary cleft lip, palate surgery
• Regular exposure to death, trauma causes death anxiety in emergency nurses
• Can you actually hear 'inaudible' sound?
• Findings identify receptors modulating macrophage responses to spinal cord injury
• Using garlic to combat antimicrobial resistant urinary tract infections
• Obesity drug has no effect on baby birthweights, study finds
• Cell structure discovery advances understanding of cancer development
• New research allows doctors to image dangerous 'hardening' of the arteries
• Role of microbiota in preventing allergies
• Improved sperm diagnostic test may pinpoint best fertility treatment for couples
• Ancestral diets determine vulnerability to type 2 diabetes
• New guideline puts emphasis on patient care in treating hypoparathyroidism
• Blood stem cells in a rush: Velocity determines quality
• So what exactly is in the air that we breathe?
• New understanding of genetic susceptibility to infections by Candida, Mycobacterium
• Rhythm of cells: Daily changes in human cells
• Cell machinery wears complex coat
• License for cutting: How intracellular signaling regulates growth factor production
• Diet and exercise does not prevent gestational diabetes in obese women
• Strong family bonds reduce anxiety in young people with lived experience of domestic violence
• 'Jumping genes' may drive esophageal cancer
• Risk of COPD may already occur in adolescence
• No need to treat stable meniscus tears during ACL surgery, new research shows
• Treatment of shoulder instability helps return collegiate athletes to playing field
• Surgery may be best treatment option for multidirectional shoulder dislocations
• Electrocardiogram screening may help predict kidney disease patients' risk of dying from heart disease
• A new wrinkle: Geometry of brain's outer surface correlates with genetic heritage
• Nutrition researchers develop healthy beverage index
• Critical genes responsible for brain tumor growth identified
• Towards an HIV vaccine
• Early HIV treatment improves survival in some patients with newly diagnosed TB
• For children with allergies, reading food labels crucial
• Genetic differences may help explain inconsistent effectiveness of anti-HIV drug
• Researchers call for support for data in the cloud to facilitate genomics research
• Researchers identify new spectrum disorder called ALPIM syndrome
• Violent video games provide quick stress relief, but at a price
• Link between inherited DNA sequences, heart disease found
• Aggressive cancer treatment near end of life persists despite rise in advance planning efforts
• Blood pressure levels, prevalence among U.S. children, adolescents declined in past decade
• Promising drug for childhood acute leukemia: Where to next?
• Two-thirds of teen, young adult cancer patients facing end of life use aggressive measures
• Opioids may not spell relief for chronic back pain sufferers with depression, anxiety

Factors affecting prescription pain reliever misuse identified Posted: 10 Jul 2015 09:37 AM PDT People who misuse prescription pain relievers all have one thing in common, researchers have discovered: a history of recent illicit drug use. Researchers also determined that adults aged 50 and above were more likely to acquire pain relievers through more than one doctor, whereas younger individuals were more likely to acquire them from friends, relatives or drug dealers.

Study finds variation in rates of secondary cleft lip, palate surgery Posted: 10 Jul 2015 09:37 AM PDT For children with cleft lip and palate, the chances of undergoing secondary surgery vary depending on the center where they're treated, reports a new study.

Regular exposure to death, trauma causes death anxiety in emergency nurses Posted: 10 Jul 2015 09:36 AM PDT Emergency nurses are highly susceptible to death anxiety and employers must recognize this and put support in place to improve the health of their staff and patient care, states a new article.

Can you actually hear 'inaudible' sound? Posted: 10 Jul 2015 09:35 AM PDT Are wind farms harmful to humans? This controversial topic makes emotions run high. To give the debate more objectivity, an international team of experts dealt with the fundamentals of hearing in the lower limit range of the audible frequency range (i.e., infrasound), but also in the upper limit range (i.e., ultrasound).

Findings identify receptors modulating macrophage responses to spinal cord injury Posted: 10 Jul 2015 08:04 AM PDT A new studysheds light on opportunities to modulate macrophage responses after spinal cord injury, potentially reducing -- or even reversing -- damage and the resulting side effects.

Using garlic to combat antimicrobial resistant urinary tract infections Posted: 10 Jul 2015 07:13 AM PDT Garlic extract may be an effective weapon against multi-drug resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria associated with urinary tract infections (UTI), according to a recent study.

Obesity drug has no effect on baby birthweights, study finds Posted: 10 Jul 2015 06:52 AM PDT Treating obese pregnant women with a diabetes drug does not stop their babies from being born overweight, a study has found. Doctors had hoped that the treatment would help to reduce obesity rates and lower the number of difficult births.

Cell structure discovery advances understanding of cancer development Posted: 10 Jul 2015 06:52 AM PDT A cell structure has been discovered that could help scientists understand why some cancers develop. For the first time, a structure called 'the mesh' has been identified which helps to hold together cells. This discovery changes our understanding of the cell's internal scaffolding.

New research allows doctors to image dangerous 'hardening' of the arteries Posted: 10 Jul 2015 06:52 AM PDT A radioactive agent developed in the 1960s to detect bone cancer can be re-purposed to highlight the build-up of unstable calcium deposits in arteries, a process that can cause heart attack and stroke. The technique could help in the diagnosis of these conditions in at-risk patients and in the development of new medicines.

Role of microbiota in preventing allergies Posted: 10 Jul 2015 06:52 AM PDT The microbiota is involved in many mechanisms, including digestion, vitamin synthesis and host defense. It is well established that a loss of bacterial symbionts promotes the development of allergies. Scientists have succeeded in explaining this phenomenon, and demonstrate how the microbiota acts on the balance of the immune system: the presence of microbes specifically blocks the immune cells responsible for triggering allergies.

Improved sperm diagnostic test may pinpoint best fertility treatment for couples Posted: 10 Jul 2015 06:32 AM PDT The first diagnostic test for sperm RNA based on next-generation sequencing has been developed by scientists. For couples with unexplained infertility, the test may help determine the best infertility treatment for couples having difficulty conceiving.

Ancestral diets determine vulnerability to type 2 diabetes Posted: 10 Jul 2015 06:03 AM PDT The middle classes from developing countries are more susceptible than western Caucasians to obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in today's changing environment. New research reveals this may be a result of the nutrition endured by their ancestors.

New guideline puts emphasis on patient care in treating hypoparathyroidism Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:15 AM PDT Patients with low levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone in their blood should be investigated for chronic hypoparathyroidism to optimize their treatment, according to a new guideline.

Blood stem cells in a rush: Velocity determines quality Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:15 AM PDT Acceleration of the G1 phase transit during cell division makes human blood stem cells more powerful

So what exactly is in the air that we breathe? Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:12 AM PDT We can't see them, but the air that we breathe contains a wealth of biological particles which could damage our health. Scientists have embarked on a three-year project to find new ways of analyzing air samples more quickly and accurately than ever before. The methods developed from the research will offer guidance for addressing public health or major infection outbreaks.

New understanding of genetic susceptibility to infections by Candida, Mycobacterium Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:12 AM PDT The discovery of bi-allelic mutations in RORC in patients with candidiasis and mycobacteriosis revealed the pivotal role of RORC in mucocutaneous immunity to Candida and in systemic immunity to Mycobacterium in humans.

Rhythm of cells: Daily changes in human cells Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:12 AM PDT Life is subject to natural rhythms, such as the light and dark cycle or seasonal variation in temperature. A recent study shows that the composition of human cell membranes varies depending on the time of day. These cyclical changes in cell membranes could have a significant impact on health and disease, scientists say.

Cell machinery wears complex coat Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:12 AM PDT Detailed images have been produced of the intricate protein-coats that surround trafficking vesicles -  the "transport pods" that move material around within biological cells. The study provides a new understanding of the complex machines that make up the cells' logistics network.

License for cutting: How intracellular signaling regulates growth factor production Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:12 AM PDT Cancer cells need life-essential molecules to proliferate. These so-called growth factors are activated by ectodomain shedding of precursor proteins on the outside of the plasma membrane, mainly carried out by three human cleavage enzymes. A pharmaceutical blocking of these enzymes could hinder cancer from growing but would also inhibit other life-essential processes. Now, researchers have shown that the factor-precursor-producing cells themselves determine if and when cleavage may occur. This is decided by intracellular signaling. Interfering with defined signaling in cells producing cancer growth factors could be developed into a new way of cancer treatment.

Diet and exercise does not prevent gestational diabetes in obese women Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:03 AM PDT A diet and exercise regime for high-risk obese pregnant women, whilst effective in promoting a healthy lifestyle, does not prevent gestational diabetes, finds a new study. The research suggests that programs promoting healthy behaviors are unlikely to be effective in preventing diabetes in obese women; instead, resources should be directed towards better screening and treatment, including the use of a more stringent threshold for diagnosis.

Strong family bonds reduce anxiety in young people with lived experience of domestic violence Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:03 AM PDT Strong relationships with other family members can help raise self-esteem and reduce anxiety for some young people who grow up in homes affected by parental domestic violence.

'Jumping genes' may drive esophageal cancer Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:03 AM PDT 'Jumping genes' may add to the genetic chaos behind more than three-quarters of esophageal cancer cases, scientists have discovered. 'Jumping genes', called L1 elements, can uproot themselves and move to new areas in the DNA, sometimes accidentally moving into genes that control the cell's growth.

Risk of COPD may already occur in adolescence Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:03 AM PDT Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of most common causes of death in the world today -- active smoking accounting for approximately 85 percent of all cases. Yet ground-breaking research indicates that accelerated decline of lung function is not a prerequisite for COPD.

No need to treat stable meniscus tears during ACL surgery, new research shows Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:03 AM PDT While athletes undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery often have an additional meniscus injury, treating these tears at the same time may not be necessary. Research shows positive results for meniscal tears that were deemed stable and left alone at the time of ACL reconstruction.

Treatment of shoulder instability helps return collegiate athletes to playing field Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:03 AM PDT Athletes who suffer a shoulder instability injury may return to play more successfully after being treated arthroscopically compared to nonoperative treatment, say researchers.

Surgery may be best treatment option for multidirectional shoulder dislocations Posted: 10 Jul 2015 05:03 AM PDT While multidirectional instability of the shoulder has been traditionally treated without surgery, research shows that surgery is also effective for this type of dislocation.

Electrocardiogram screening may help predict kidney disease patients' risk of dying from heart disease Posted: 09 Jul 2015 03:03 PM PDT Certain electrocardiogram measures helped investigators identify a subgroup of individuals with chronic kidney disease who had substantially elevated risks of dying from heart disease, a new article reports.

A new wrinkle: Geometry of brain's outer surface correlates with genetic heritage Posted: 09 Jul 2015 03:02 PM PDT The three-dimensional shape of the cerebral cortex -- the wrinkled outer layer of the brain controlling many functions of thinking and sensation -- strongly correlates with ancestral background, researchers have found. The study opens the door to more precise studies of brain anatomy going forward and could eventually lead to more personalized medicine approaches for diagnosing and treating brain diseases.

Nutrition researchers develop healthy beverage index Posted: 09 Jul 2015 03:02 PM PDT Researchers have developed a new scoring method for assessing beverage intake, the Healthy Beverage Index (HBI). In a report, they describe how this tool can be used to more accurately evaluate dietary consumption of all types of fluids. They found that higher HBI scores were associated with more favorable lipid profiles, decreased risk of hypertension; and, among men, better C-reactive protein levels.

Critical genes responsible for brain tumor growth identified Posted: 09 Jul 2015 01:24 PM PDT After generating new brain tumor models, scientists have identified the role of a family of genes underlying tumor growth in a wide spectrum of high grade brain tumors.

Towards an HIV vaccine Posted: 09 Jul 2015 11:48 AM PDT Neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) are immune proteins that recognize, bind to, and trigger the elimination of virus before it can establish a chronic infection. How to elicit a potent Nab response capable of protecting against different HIV subtypes and against different modes of infection is critical to the development of an AIDS vaccine. Two new studies provide results on Nabs that could help guide vaccine design.

Early HIV treatment improves survival in some patients with newly diagnosed TB Posted: 09 Jul 2015 11:12 AM PDT Starting anti-HIV treatment within two weeks of the diagnosis of tuberculosis, or TB, improved survival among patients with both infections who had very low immune-cell counts, according to an analysis. Those with strong immune systems, however, might benefit from waiting until after the end of the six-month TB treatment before initiating anti-HIV therapy, they found.

For children with allergies, reading food labels crucial Posted: 09 Jul 2015 10:30 AM PDT It is estimated that one in every 13 children in the U.S. has a food allergy. Food allergy reactions can range from a rash to respiratory distress and even death. The uncertainty of how a child will react when exposed to food allergens is a great concern for parents.

Genetic differences may help explain inconsistent effectiveness of anti-HIV drug Posted: 09 Jul 2015 10:27 AM PDT Research with human tissue and cells suggests that genetic variations, in addition to failure to comply with treatment regimens, may account for some failures of an anti-HIV drug to treat and prevent HIV infection.

Researchers call for support for data in the cloud to facilitate genomics research Posted: 09 Jul 2015 10:27 AM PDT Prominent researchers from Canada, Europe and the US have made a powerful call to major funding agencies, asking them to commit to establishing a global genomic data commons in the cloud that could be easily accessed by authorized researchers worldwide.

Researchers identify new spectrum disorder called ALPIM syndrome Posted: 09 Jul 2015 10:26 AM PDT A high rate of association between panic disorder and four domains of physical illness has been documented by researchers. Their new study could alter how physicians and psychiatrists view the boundaries within and between psychiatric and medical disorders.

Violent video games provide quick stress relief, but at a price Posted: 09 Jul 2015 10:26 AM PDT While playing video games can improve mood, violent games may increase aggressive outcomes, a new study suggests. The participants included 82 undergraduate communication students. Most had little experience with violent video games.

Link between inherited DNA sequences, heart disease found Posted: 09 Jul 2015 10:24 AM PDT The first study of its kind reveals the role of homozygosity and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). CAD is a terminal clinical manifestation of cardiovascular disease. Nearly one in six men and one in ten women die from this complex, multifactorial disorder originating from a complicated interplay of multiple genetic and environmental factors.

Aggressive cancer treatment near end of life persists despite rise in advance planning efforts Posted: 09 Jul 2015 08:42 AM PDT In a review of nearly 2,000 surveys with people whose loved ones died of cancer, researchers say they found a 40 percent increase over a 12-year period in the number of patients with cancer who participated in one form of advance care planning -- designating durable power of attorney privileges to a loved one -- but no corresponding impact on their rates of aggressive medical care received in the last weeks of life.

Blood pressure levels, prevalence among U.S. children, adolescents declined in past decade Posted: 09 Jul 2015 08:31 AM PDT Recent trends in blood pressure levels and prevalence of elevated blood pressure in the United States have been published in a new article. Data shows that blood pressure levels among American youth have declined over the past decade.

Promising drug for childhood acute leukemia: Where to next? Posted: 09 Jul 2015 08:31 AM PDT A recently-developed drug, already used safely in adult leukemia clinical trials, holds great promise for some children with an aggressive form of cancer known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a new study shows.

Two-thirds of teen, young adult cancer patients facing end of life use aggressive measures Posted: 09 Jul 2015 08:31 AM PDT More than two-thirds of adolescents and young adults dying of cancer utilized one or more aggressive interventions in the last month of life, according to a retrospective study. The findings suggest the need for more research into whether patients have been adequately supported to contemplate their end-of-life options or whether the pattern reflects their well-considered wishes.

Opioids may not spell relief for chronic back pain sufferers with depression, anxiety Posted: 09 Jul 2015 07:37 AM PDT Patients who were prescribed opioids to treat chronic lower back pain experienced significantly less pain relief and were more likely to abuse their medication when they had psychiatric disorders, a new study has found.

You are subscribed to email updates from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States