ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Elective surgery is associated with lower risk of death than drugs for ulcerative colitis treatment
• Liquid biopsy identifies mutations in colorectal cancer undetected in tissue biopsy
• Gene fuels age-related obesity and diabetes
• Young adults who survive cancer hospitalized more often than the general population
• Stem cells provide lasting pain relief in mice
• Aerosolized vaccine protects primates against Ebola
• Lung cancer patients who stop smoking live longer
• Chemotherapeutic coatings enhance tumor-frying nanoparticles
• Cancer discovery links experimental vaccine and biological treatment
• Is upward mobility bad for your health?
• Nutrients turn on key tumor signaling molecule, fueling resistance to cancer therapy
• Fat fish illuminate human obesity
• Lung simulation could improve respiratory treatment
• Drug-resistant bacteria possess natural ability to become vulnerable to antibiotics
• Antioxidants help treat skin-picking disorder in mice
• First-responders' role in end-of-life calls
• Consumers should seek a variety of fiber sources to get the maximum health benefits
• Algae, quinoa, legumes top list of alternative protein choices
• Scientist works on taste, texture and color of lab-produced hamburger
• How opium poppies synthesize morphine
• Cancers caught during screening colonoscopy are more survivable
• Leisure time sitting linked to higher risk of specific cancers
• Online registry improves clinical research study participation
• New compounds may treat depression rapidly with few side effects
• New drug combo could make cancer more sensitive to chemo
• Eating wild, foraged mushrooms can result in liver failure or death as misidentification is common
• New approach to treating B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia shows promise
• Lynchpin molecule for the spread of cancer found
• Kidney, bladder stones do not increase postmenopausal women's risk of osteoporosis
• 'Biosimilars' for children with IBD need more research
• From sticks to balls: The shape of bacteria is evolving to better adapt to the throat
• New cell division mechanism discovered
• Stopping or reducing cocaine use associated with lower cardiovascular risk marker levels
• Plump cartoon characters provoke indulgent eating in kids, says study
• Novel disease gene causing neurodegenerative disorders identified
• Treatment of patients with haemophilia
• Genetic alterations in development of skin cancer uncovered
• Brain study reveals insights into genetic basis of autism
• Scientists gain new insights into 'antenna' of human cells
• Troubleshooting the gene targeting process
• Heading the ball, player-to-player contact and concussions in high school soccer
• Environmentally friendly lignin nanoparticle 'greens' silver nanobullet to battle bacteria
• Skin cancer marker plays critical role in tumor growth
• New applications of drug fingolimod to improve cognitive deficits in Huntington's disease
• Stopping or reducing cocaine use associated with lower cardiovascular risk marker levels
• Important step in breast cancer research
• New surgical technique preserves kidney function following tumor removal
• Adverse effects of clinical trial data transparency: Should we worry?
• Scientists find molecular switch that creates long-term immunity
• Teaching reflection to doctors to improve physician-patient interactions
• New Alzheimer's study reveals how spouse-caregivers sustain relationships
• Found: A likely new contributor to age-related hearing loss
• Nixoncare vs. Obamacare: Comparing the rhetoric and reality of two health plans
• Cancer survivors may face unique challenges when trying to adopt
• Immune cell journey has bloody consequences
• Documentation of hospital patients' malnutrition helps maximize care and reimbursement

Elective surgery is associated with lower risk of death than drugs for ulcerative colitis treatment Posted: 13 Jul 2015 05:57 PM PDT Patients over 50 with ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic disease of the colon, who undergo surgery to treat their condition live longer than those who are treated with medications, according to a new study.

Liquid biopsy identifies mutations in colorectal cancer undetected in tissue biopsy Posted: 13 Jul 2015 05:54 PM PDT The CORRECT study is one of the largest trials to date comparing data provided by liquid versus tissue biopsy in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. According to the study, liquid biopsy (BEAMing technology) could become an essential tool for analyzing tumor genotypes in real time, and identifying significant mutations that occur during the course of disease and are not detected by tissue biopsy.

Gene fuels age-related obesity and diabetes Posted: 13 Jul 2015 02:22 PM PDT Practically everyone gets fatter as they get older, but some people can blame their genes for the extra padding. Researchers have shown that two different mutations in a gene called ankyrin-B cause cells to suck up glucose faster than normal, fattening them up and eventually leading to the type of diabetes linked to obesity.

Young adults who survive cancer hospitalized more often than the general population Posted: 13 Jul 2015 02:22 PM PDT Up to 20 years after people in the 20-44 age group are declared cancer-free, they still have more hospitalizations than the general public, new research has found.

Stem cells provide lasting pain relief in mice Posted: 13 Jul 2015 02:22 PM PDT Researchers have identified a promising stem cell based-therapy to address the chronic pain that affects more than one-third of the US adult population. In mice, bone marrow stromal cells were found to provide lasting relief for chronic pain caused by nerve damage. The findings also may advance cell-based therapies in chronic pain conditions, lower back pain and spinal cord injuries.

Aerosolized vaccine protects primates against Ebola Posted: 13 Jul 2015 02:22 PM PDT Scientists have developed an inhalable vaccine that protects primates against Ebola.

Lung cancer patients who stop smoking live longer Posted: 13 Jul 2015 01:15 PM PDT Tobacco cessation provided significant survival benefit for lung cancer patients who quit smoking shortly before or after diagnosis, despite the severity of the disease.

Chemotherapeutic coatings enhance tumor-frying nanoparticles Posted: 13 Jul 2015 01:14 PM PDT In a move akin to adding chemical weapons to a firebomb, researchers have devised a method to deposit a thin layer of hydrogels on the surface of nanoshells designed to absorb infrared light and generate heat to destroy tumors. When heated by the nanoshells, these special hydrogels lose their water content and any drugs trapped within, creating a formidable one-two punch.

Cancer discovery links experimental vaccine and biological treatment Posted: 13 Jul 2015 01:14 PM PDT A new study has linked two seemingly unrelated cancer treatments that are both now being tested in clinical trials. One treatment is a vaccine that targets a structure on the outside of cancer cells, while the other is an altered enzyme that breaks apart RNA and causes the cell to commit suicide. The new understanding could help both approaches.

Is upward mobility bad for your health? Posted: 13 Jul 2015 01:14 PM PDT Youth from low-income families who succeed academically and socially may actually pay a price -- with their health -- according to a new study.

Nutrients turn on key tumor signaling molecule, fueling resistance to cancer therapy Posted: 13 Jul 2015 01:14 PM PDT Tumors can leverage glucose and another nutrient, acetate, to resist targeted therapies directed at specific cellular molecules, according to Ludwig Cancer Research scientists studying glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer. The findings demonstrate that nutrients can strongly affect the signaling molecules that drive tumors.

Fat fish illuminate human obesity Posted: 13 Jul 2015 01:14 PM PDT Blind cavefish that have adapted to annual cycles of starvation and binge-eating have mutations in the gene MC4R, the same gene that is mutated in certain obese people with insatiable appetites, according to a new study.

Lung simulation could improve respiratory treatment Posted: 13 Jul 2015 01:14 PM PDT The first computer model that predicts the flow of liquid medication in human lungs is providing new insight into the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Drug-resistant bacteria possess natural ability to become vulnerable to antibiotics Posted: 13 Jul 2015 12:12 PM PDT Infections with one of the most troublesome and least understood antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" are increasing. But now scientists have shown the bacteria, A. baumannii, can naturally relinquish its defenses against antibiotics.

Antioxidants help treat skin-picking disorder in mice Posted: 13 Jul 2015 12:08 PM PDT Two antioxidant supplements are effective in treating skin-picking disorder in mice, according to a new study.

First-responders' role in end-of-life calls Posted: 13 Jul 2015 12:08 PM PDT Paramedics and emergency medical technicians are trained to save lives. But they sometimes enter situations where a dying patient's end-of-life wishes contradict their professional code.

Consumers should seek a variety of fiber sources to get the maximum health benefits Posted: 13 Jul 2015 11:41 AM PDT Consumers who get fiber from many sources -- both naturally occurring and added in manufacturing -- may benefit more than people who limit their intake to a single type, according to an expert.

Algae, quinoa, legumes top list of alternative protein choices Posted: 13 Jul 2015 11:41 AM PDT Algae is evolving as the next new alternative protein source consumers are anxious to bite into as an ingredient in crackers, snack bars, cereals and breads, according to an expert.

Scientist works on taste, texture and color of lab-produced hamburger Posted: 13 Jul 2015 11:41 AM PDT A researcher is confident his recipe for his $300,000 cultured hamburger will not only come down in price but someday make it to market.

How opium poppies synthesize morphine Posted: 13 Jul 2015 11:36 AM PDT After years of leading research on the opium poppy scientists have characterized a novel gene that encodes the gateway enzyme in the formation of morphine -- which is to say, they've begun to understand how poppies synthesize the pain killing enzymes. The discovery opens the door to alternative production systems, aside from the plant itself.

Cancers caught during screening colonoscopy are more survivable Posted: 13 Jul 2015 11:36 AM PDT Patients whose colorectal cancer is detected during a screening colonoscopy are likely to survive longer than those who wait until they have symptoms before having the test.

Leisure time sitting linked to higher risk of specific cancers Posted: 13 Jul 2015 10:14 AM PDT Spending more leisure time sitting was associated with a higher risk of total cancer risk in women, and specifically with multiple myeloma, breast, and ovarian cancers, according a new study.

Online registry improves clinical research study participation Posted: 13 Jul 2015 10:14 AM PDT Research for Her, an online registry that matches women with research studies and clinical trials, enrolled study participants more quickly when compared with traditional paper-based registries, according to new research.

New compounds may treat depression rapidly with few side effects Posted: 13 Jul 2015 10:13 AM PDT A new study has identified promising compounds that could successfully treat depression in less than 24 hours with few side effects. The compounds could offer significant advantages over current antidepressant medications.

New drug combo could make cancer more sensitive to chemo Posted: 13 Jul 2015 10:13 AM PDT Combining chemotherapy with new drugs that target a protein that helps cancer cells to withstand chemotherapy could drastically improve treatment, according to new research.

Eating wild, foraged mushrooms can result in liver failure or death as misidentification is common Posted: 13 Jul 2015 10:13 AM PDT Foraging and eating wild mushrooms can result in liver failure and even death because mistaking toxic mushrooms for edible varieties is common, illustrates a recent case.

New approach to treating B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia shows promise Posted: 13 Jul 2015 10:13 AM PDT A new compound that locks a disease-related protein into an inactive position stifled the growth of an aggressive form of leukemia in laboratory and animal tests, researchers report.

Lynchpin molecule for the spread of cancer found Posted: 13 Jul 2015 09:23 AM PDT A single molecule called DNA-PKcs may drive metastatic processes that turn cancer from a slowly growing relatively benign disease to a killer.

Kidney, bladder stones do not increase postmenopausal women's risk of osteoporosis Posted: 13 Jul 2015 09:20 AM PDT Postmenopausal women with kidney or bladder stones are not at increased risk for osteoporosis, but they do have about a 15 percent increased risk of another painful stone, physician-scientists report.

'Biosimilars' for children with IBD need more research Posted: 13 Jul 2015 09:20 AM PDT Children with inflammatory bowel disease who are doing well on specific biological medications should not be switched to recently approved 'biosimilar' products, concludes an expert consensus statement of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

From sticks to balls: The shape of bacteria is evolving to better adapt to the throat Posted: 13 Jul 2015 09:20 AM PDT It's no coincidence that the earthworm's slender shape makes it perfect for weaving through narrow tunnels. Evolution molds the shapes of living creatures according to the benefits they offer. At the microscopic level, do the various shapes of bacteria also contribute to their survival? Does a spherical bacterium (coccus) have a better chance of infecting its host than its stick-shaped neighbor (bacillus)?

New cell division mechanism discovered Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:34 AM PDT Chromosomes play an active role in animal cell division, reports an international team of researchers. This occurs at a precise stage – cytokinesis – when the cell splits into two new daughter cells, say the scientists.

Stopping or reducing cocaine use associated with lower cardiovascular risk marker levels Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:33 AM PDT For people who use cocaine, stopping or reducing cocaine use is associated with decreased levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) -- a protein that plays a key role in the development of coronary artery disease.

Plump cartoon characters provoke indulgent eating in kids, says study Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:33 AM PDT Children consume more low-nutrition, high-calorie food such as cookies and candy after observing seemingly overweight cartoon characters, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

Novel disease gene causing neurodegenerative disorders identified Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:33 AM PDT Researchers have discovered and characterized a previously unknown disease gene linked to the degeneration of optic and peripheral nerve fibers.

Treatment of patients with haemophilia Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:33 AM PDT For patients with severe haemophilia A, studies provide both hints and an indication of an added benefit of prophylactic versus on-demand treatment with factor concentrates.

Genetic alterations in development of skin cancer uncovered Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:33 AM PDT Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is one of the most frequent cancers in humans affecting more than half million new persons every year in the world. Transformation of a normal cell to a cancer cell is caused by accumulation of genetic abnormalities in progeny of single cells. SCC arising from various organs are induced by carcinogens, such as tobacco and UV exposure.

Brain study reveals insights into genetic basis of autism Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:33 AM PDT A link between autism and genetic changes in some segments of DNA that are responsible for switching on genes in the brain has been uncovered by researchers. The finding is the result of a world-first study of the human brain that identified more than 100 of these DNA segments, known as enhancers, which are thought to play a vital role in normal development by controlling gene activity in the brain.

Scientists gain new insights into 'antenna' of human cells Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:33 AM PDT The most comprehensive list yet of genes implicated in a group of common inherited diseases has been revealed by researchers. The research means that these disorders, known as ciliopathies, can be diagnosed more quickly and could lead to new treatments for patients. Ciliopathies are caused by defects in cilia, finger-like projections from cells that act as microscopic "antenna" to detect and respond to chemical changes or fluid flow outside the cell.

Troubleshooting the gene targeting process Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:32 AM PDT Researchers have developed a new, straightforward software program for predicting the best RNAs to direct Cas9 to gene targets, eliminating trial-and-error process.

Heading the ball, player-to-player contact and concussions in high school soccer Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:32 AM PDT Contact with another player was the most common way boys and girls sustained concussions in a study of US high school soccer players, while heading the ball was the most common soccer-specific activity during which about one-third of boys and one-quarter of girls sustained concussions.

Environmentally friendly lignin nanoparticle 'greens' silver nanobullet to battle bacteria Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:32 AM PDT Researchers have developed an effective and environmentally benign method to combat bacteria by engineering nanoscale particles that add the antimicrobial potency of silver to a core of lignin, a ubiquitous substance found in all plant cells. The findings introduce ideas for better, greener and safer nanotechnology and could lead to enhanced efficiency of antimicrobial products used in agriculture and personal care.

Skin cancer marker plays critical role in tumor growth Posted: 13 Jul 2015 08:32 AM PDT The protein keratin 17 -- the presence of which is used in the lab to detect and stage various types of cancers -- is not just a biomarker for the disease, but may play a critical role in tumor growth, scientists suggest.

New applications of drug fingolimod to improve cognitive deficits in Huntington's disease Posted: 13 Jul 2015 07:36 AM PDT Fingolimod, a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis, restores hippocampal synaptic plasticity and improves memory function. This is the main conclusion of a study in a mouse model of Huntington disease.

Stopping or reducing cocaine use associated with lower cardiovascular risk marker levels Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:57 AM PDT For people who use cocaine, stopping or reducing cocaine use is associated with decreased levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1)—a protein that plays a key role in the development of coronary artery disease, reports a study.

Important step in breast cancer research Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:53 AM PDT Scientists have been working for some time on a new technique to detect breast cancer. The technique based on the physical principle of photoacoustics, has been christened PAMmography. It uses short bursts of light that cause ultrasonic waves to be generated in places with high density of blood vessels, such as in the vicinity of malignant tumors. The scientists show that breast tumors have specific manifestations and forms in images made using their technique.

New surgical technique preserves kidney function following tumor removal Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:53 AM PDT Renal cell carcinomas are one of the most common types of cancer. In order to preserve its wide range of functions, every effort is made not to remove the entire kidney, but rather just a portion of it. A surgical method that preserves long-term renal function has now been carried out successfully.

Adverse effects of clinical trial data transparency: Should we worry? Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:53 AM PDT New legislation forces drug developers to disclose most of their clinical trials data when applying for approval of a new drug. Many will probably think that this is a good idea. However, too much transparency in drug development might be problematic, according to a new report. The report warns that the new regulations might make it difficult for companies to patent new medical uses for known drugs. Without sufficient alternatives, this may inhibit the full development of new medical uses towards market approval.

Scientists find molecular switch that creates long-term immunity Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:51 AM PDT Researchers have identified a protein responsible for preserving the antibody-producing cells that lead to long-term immunity after infection or vaccination.

Teaching reflection to doctors to improve physician-patient interactions Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:51 AM PDT The results of a year-long project have been released in which medical residents reflected on their interactions with patients as a way of understanding the meaning of both their patient's, and their own, communication.

New Alzheimer's study reveals how spouse-caregivers sustain relationships Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:51 AM PDT When a spouse is cognitively impaired, marital communication is impaired. As Alzheimer's disease (AD) progresses, language problems increase in frequency -- such as searching for the right word or asking the same question over and over. As a result of the decline in communication, married couples affected by AD suffer isolation, depression and estrangement. Limited research has existed on communication in couples affected by AD and existing research primarily focuses on identifying communication deficits -- until now.

Found: A likely new contributor to age-related hearing loss Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:51 AM PDT Conventional wisdom has long blamed age-related hearing loss almost entirely on the death of sensory hair cells in the inner ear, but research from neuroscientists has provided new information about the workings of nerve cells that suggests otherwise.

Nixoncare vs. Obamacare: Comparing the rhetoric and reality of two health plans Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:51 AM PDT Few people today would dare call President Richard Nixon a radical liberal. But 44 years ago, he proposed a health plan that went far beyond what today's Affordable Care Act includes. After the first plan failed, he did it again three years later. A new paper compares the reality -- and rhetoric -- of both Nixon's plans and the current law.

Cancer survivors may face unique challenges when trying to adopt Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:51 AM PDT A new study has found that cancer survivors' options for adoption may be limited by adoption agencies' policies.

Immune cell journey has bloody consequences Posted: 13 Jul 2015 06:51 AM PDT Immune cells that creep across blood vessels trigger potentially fatal bleeding in platelet-deficient mice, according to a new report. If the same is true in humans, blocking the passage of these cells could prevent dangerous complications in patients undergoing transplants or chemotherapy.

Documentation of hospital patients' malnutrition helps maximize care and reimbursement Posted: 12 Jul 2015 05:38 PM PDT Nutrition support professionals who are well-versed in proper documentation of malnutrition diagnoses in hospital patients can help ensure that hospitals receive maximum funding for patient care according to a new review.

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