ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• First real-life trial finds oral cholera vaccine protects against endemic disease, could speed up global control efforts
• Mothers who smoke, give birth preterm more than triple their CVD risk
• A little jolt helps the brain get back on track
• Cost of low-risk childbirth varies widely among hospitals
• New psoriasis drug is more effective than current treatment
• Phthalates: 'Safer' replacements for harmful chemical in plastics may be as risky to human health
• Long-term effects of type 2 diabetes on the brain, thinking
• Why social workers aren't discussing religion, spirituality with clients
• Disrupting cells' 'powerhouses' can lead to tumor growth, study finds
• Gene therapy restores hearing in deaf mice
• Deaths attributed to low levels of education: Lack of education as deadly as smoking
• Targeting bacteria in the gut might help burn, trauma patients
• Drug candidate significantly reduces HIV reactivation rate
• Panel outlines new diagnostic criteria for central nervous system disorder
• Blood test could identify diabetes decades before it develops
• Treating breast cancer with progesterone could aid survival
• Bonelike 3-D silicon synthesized for potential use with medical devices
• Brain activity changes after cognitive rehabilitation, TBI study shows
• Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy linked to liver cancer, other diseases later in life
• Lymphoma: How the tumor escapes the immune response
• Reform to resident physicians' work hours does not improve surgical patient safety
• Glimmer of hope for patients with leukodystrophies
• Hybrid cells cause chaos around cancers
• Army suicide attempts, risk profiles for enlisted soldiers, officers
• Medication could improve gastric bypass results, study suggests
• Production of iPS cells: Discovery of the fifth element
• Impact of smoking on California's economy in decline at $18.1 billion per year
• Peppermint oil and cinnamon could help treat and heal chronic wounds
• 3-D views reveal intricacies in intestines that could lead to discoveries for IBD
• Vaccines: Practices, hesitancy among general physicians in France
• New method to develop more efficient drugs
• Think twice before ordering your next steak
• Potential treatment identified for a rare but deadly form of lymphoma in HIV patients
• Nanometer catalyst cleans up bad cigarette smoke in smoking room
• Cost-effective conservation helps species bounce back
• Online program helps people with chronic pain
• 3D model to help researchers study pelvic floor disorder linked to childbirth
• Faster weight gain can be safe for hospitalized anorexia patients
• Hospital readmissions for sepsis are highly common, extremely costly
• Cutting health care costs isn't easy
• Scientists develop free, online genetic research tool
• The artificial enzyme that 'acts' natural
• Strategies to prevent stillbirth examined
• Healthy diets for youth with type 1 diabetes can be hard for parents to obtain
• High levels of dopamine may lead to increased risk-taking
• As Medicaid turns 50, scholar examines payment reforms
• 'Beyond aid' in health care: Is it time for scrutiny?
• Nursing home care for minorities improves, study suggests
• Medicaid: No longer the welfare medicine afterthought
• Mammography benefits overestimated, researchers say
• Sensor technology can improve accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis, research shows
• Heightened ability to imagine odors linked to higher body weight
• Mother's diet affects offspring alcohol and nicotine use in lab animal study
• Kids' brain responses to food depend on their body composition
• High fat diet changes gut microbe populations and brain's ability to recognize fullness
• Anorexia susceptibility may be linked to stress-coping strategy and mom's stress levels during pregnancy

First real-life trial finds oral cholera vaccine protects against endemic disease, could speed up global control efforts Posted: 08 Jul 2015 05:55 PM PDT An oral cholera vaccine (Shanchol) given as part of routine health services is safe and protects against severe cholera in children and adults in urban Bangladesh where the disease is endemic, according to the first real-life trial of this vaccine. The findings lend support to the use of the vaccine in routine mass vaccination programs to help to control cholera in endemic countries.

Mothers who smoke, give birth preterm more than triple their CVD risk Posted: 08 Jul 2015 05:55 PM PDT Mothers who smoke and have a preterm birth more than triple their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to research in more than 900,000 mothers. The researchers also discovered that CVD risk was even greater in smoking mothers with more severe or recurrent preterm births.

A little jolt helps the brain get back on track Posted: 08 Jul 2015 03:18 PM PDT Applying mild electrical stimulation to an area of the brain associated with cognitive control helps people with schizophrenia recognize errors and adjust their behavior to avoid them.

Cost of low-risk childbirth varies widely among hospitals Posted: 08 Jul 2015 03:17 PM PDT The cost of having a baby can vary by almost $10,000 in the United States, depending on which hospital is chosen, researchers have found. Childbirth is the leading cause of hospital admission in the United States.

New psoriasis drug is more effective than current treatment Posted: 08 Jul 2015 03:17 PM PDT A phase II clinical trial shows that a new psoriasis drug called guselkumab has greater efficacy than the current standard of care for the chronic skin condition. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that causes itchy, dry and red skin. It also increases a patient's risk for depression, heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions. The disease affects nearly 3 percent of the world's population.

Phthalates: 'Safer' replacements for harmful chemical in plastics may be as risky to human health Posted: 08 Jul 2015 01:05 PM PDT According to a new series of studies, two chemicals increasingly used during manufacturing to strengthen plastic wrap, soap, cosmetics, and processed food containers have been linked to a rise in risk of high blood pressure and diabetes in children and adolescents.

Long-term effects of type 2 diabetes on the brain, thinking Posted: 08 Jul 2015 01:05 PM PDT In just two years, people with type 2 diabetes experienced negative changes in their ability to regulate blood flow in the brain, which was associated with lower scores on tests of cognition skills and their ability to perform their daily activities, according to a new study.

Why social workers aren't discussing religion, spirituality with clients Posted: 08 Jul 2015 01:04 PM PDT Licensed clinical social workers, who account for the largest number of clinically trained helping professionals, believe that discussions about their clients' religion and spirituality can often lead to improved health and mental health, but practitioners are not integrating these conversations into their counseling sessions.

Disrupting cells' 'powerhouses' can lead to tumor growth, study finds Posted: 08 Jul 2015 12:12 PM PDT A study implicates defects in mitochondria, the energy-production centers of cells, as playing a key role in the transition from normal to cancerous. In their report, researchers note that looking for defects in cytochrome oxidase C could be a biomarker for cancer screening.

Gene therapy restores hearing in deaf mice Posted: 08 Jul 2015 12:10 PM PDT Using gene therapy, researchers have restored hearing in mice with a genetic form of deafness. More than 70 different genes are known to cause deafness when mutated. The scientists focused on a gene called TMC1 because it is a common cause of genetic deafness, accounting for 4 to 8 percent of cases, and encodes a protein that plays a central role in hearing, helping convert sound into electrical signals that travel to the brain.

Deaths attributed to low levels of education: Lack of education as deadly as smoking Posted: 08 Jul 2015 11:15 AM PDT A new study estimates the number of deaths that can be linked to differences in education, and finds that variation in the risk of death across education levels has widened considerably.

Targeting bacteria in the gut might help burn, trauma patients Posted: 08 Jul 2015 11:15 AM PDT Burn patients experience dramatic changes in the 100 trillion bacteria inside the gastrointestinal tract, research shows. The findings of a new study has now shown that there was an increase in potentially harmful bacteria, and decrease in beneficial bacteria. The findings suggest that burn patients might benefit from treatment with probiotics.

Drug candidate significantly reduces HIV reactivation rate Posted: 08 Jul 2015 11:14 AM PDT Unlike other antiretroviral therapies, a natural compound called Cortistatin A reduces residual levels of HIV virus from infected dormant cells, establishing a near-permanent state of latency and greatly diminishing the virus' capacity for reactivation, scientists report.

Panel outlines new diagnostic criteria for central nervous system disorder Posted: 08 Jul 2015 10:16 AM PDT New diagnostic criteria have been introduced for neuromyelitis optica, now called neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, which is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that is sometimes mistaken for multiple sclerosis.

Blood test could identify diabetes decades before it develops Posted: 08 Jul 2015 10:16 AM PDT Scientists show for the first time that a small molecule circulates in the blood of people who are in the early stages of type 1 diabetes. A simple blood test could detect this biological marker years, maybe decades, before symptoms develop.

Treating breast cancer with progesterone could aid survival Posted: 08 Jul 2015 10:16 AM PDT A special technique where breast cancer cells are "rescued" for research has been developed by researchers. Coupled with advanced scientific technologies, this has provided a unique insight into the hormone regulation of breast cancers, which is expected to lead to new treatments for the disease.

Bonelike 3-D silicon synthesized for potential use with medical devices Posted: 08 Jul 2015 10:14 AM PDT A new approach for better integrating medical devices with biological systems has been developed by scientists with the first skeleton-like silicon spicules ever prepared via chemical processes.

Brain activity changes after cognitive rehabilitation, TBI study shows Posted: 08 Jul 2015 10:14 AM PDT Results of a trail demonstrate for the first time significant changes in cerebral activation after memory retraining in individuals with TBI.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy linked to liver cancer, other diseases later in life Posted: 08 Jul 2015 09:41 AM PDT In a new study of more than 125,000 pregnant women, researchers found that the risk of hepatobiliary cancer and immune-mediated and cardiovascular diseases later in life is higher in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) than in women without this condition.

Lymphoma: How the tumor escapes the immune response Posted: 08 Jul 2015 09:33 AM PDT Natural killer cells of the immune system can fend off malignant lymphoma cells and thus are considered a promising therapeutic approach. However, in the direct vicinity of the tumor they lose their effect. Scientists have now elucidated which mechanisms block the natural killer cells and how this blockade could be lifted.

Reform to resident physicians' work hours does not improve surgical patient safety Posted: 08 Jul 2015 09:33 AM PDT Work-hour restrictions for resident physicians, revised nationally four years ago largely to protect patients against physician trainees' fatigue-related errors, have not had the desired effect of lowering postoperative complication rates in several common surgical specialties, according to new study results.

Glimmer of hope for patients with leukodystrophies Posted: 08 Jul 2015 09:33 AM PDT Leukodystrophies are deadly neurodegenerative diseases that affect one in 7,000 children and remain incurable. These genetic diseases attack myelin or the 'insulating rubber sheath' surrounding neurons, which leads to deteriorating health for affected children. Today, nearly 20 types of leukodystrophies have been characterized, but many other forms remain undefined, leaving nearly 40 percent of families awaiting a diagnosis. Montreal researchers discovered a new crucial gene associated with these orphan diseases.

Hybrid cells cause chaos around cancers Posted: 08 Jul 2015 09:33 AM PDT Like all cells, those in tumors need access to the body's fine network of blood vessels to bring them oxygen and carry away waste. Tumors have learned to game the process called angiogenesis in which new vessels sprout from existing ones, like branches from a tree. Now, researchers have built a simulation to understand how cancerous tumors manipulate blood-vessel growth.

Army suicide attempts, risk profiles for enlisted soldiers, officers Posted: 08 Jul 2015 09:33 AM PDT A new analysis of US Army data details rates of suicide attempts during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and researchers have identified risk factors for suicide attempts by enlisted soldiers and officers, according to an article.

Medication could improve gastric bypass results, study suggests Posted: 08 Jul 2015 08:12 AM PDT New findings about the mechanisms involved -- or not involved -- in the effects of the most common form of bariatric surgery suggest that combining surgery with a specific type of medication could augment the benefits of the procedure.

Production of iPS cells: Discovery of the fifth element Posted: 08 Jul 2015 08:12 AM PDT Since 2006, research has succeeded in generating, from specialized adult cells, induced pluripotent cells (iPS cells), with huge potential applications, particularly for regenerative medicine. However, the process has still not been completely mastered. Now a molecule that may favor the production of these induced stem cells has been discovered by researchers.

Impact of smoking on California's economy in decline at $18.1 billion per year Posted: 08 Jul 2015 08:10 AM PDT Results of a study on the cost of smoking in California, one of the first US states to implement a comprehensive tobacco control program, have been released. Researchers estimated expenditures for smoking-attributable costs (healthcare, lost productivity from illness, and lost productivity from premature mortality) for the year 2009. The total cost came to $18.1 billion, amounting to $487 per California resident and $4,603 per smoker.

Peppermint oil and cinnamon could help treat and heal chronic wounds Posted: 08 Jul 2015 08:10 AM PDT Infectious colonies of bacteria called biofilms that develop on chronic wounds and medical devices can cause serious health problems and are tough to treat. But now scientists have found a way to package antimicrobial compounds from peppermint and cinnamon in tiny capsules that can both kill biofilms and actively promote healing. The researchers say the new material could be used as a topical antibacterial treatment and disinfectant.

3-D views reveal intricacies in intestines that could lead to discoveries for IBD Posted: 08 Jul 2015 08:10 AM PDT A technology whose roots date to the 1800s has the potential to offer an extraordinary new advantage to modern-day medicine. Scientists detail how stereomicroscopy can provide physicians an invaluable diagnostic tool in assessing issues within the gastrointestinal tract.

Vaccines: Practices, hesitancy among general physicians in France Posted: 08 Jul 2015 08:10 AM PDT Authors present and analyze the attitudes and practices of over 1,500 general physicians in France, in a context of distrust toward vaccines.

New method to develop more efficient drugs Posted: 08 Jul 2015 07:07 AM PDT A new approach to develop highly-potent drugs has been uncovered by researchers, which could overcome current shortcomings of low drug efficacy and multi-drug resistance in the treatment of cancer as well as viral and bacterial infections, a new report suggests.

Think twice before ordering your next steak Posted: 08 Jul 2015 07:07 AM PDT High consumption of livestock products could have serious consequences for people and the environment, according to a recent article. The article emphasizes that the demand for livestock-based foods has soared over the last few decades. The article's authors emphasize that, if left unchecked, worldwide meat consumption and production could lead to species loss, climate risks, poverty, and even social breakdown as large meat-producing companies continue to displace small-scale farmers.

Potential treatment identified for a rare but deadly form of lymphoma in HIV patients Posted: 08 Jul 2015 07:06 AM PDT A potential treatment for a rare but previously incurable form of lymphoma that is observed primarily in patients with HIV/AIDS infection has been identified by researchers.

Nanometer catalyst cleans up bad cigarette smoke in smoking room Posted: 08 Jul 2015 07:06 AM PDT A nano-catalyst for air cleaning in a smoking room has been developed that can remove 100 percent of acetaldehyde which accounts for the largest portion of the gaseous substances present in cigarette smoke.

Cost-effective conservation helps species bounce back Posted: 08 Jul 2015 07:06 AM PDT Researchers have developed a way to help ecosystems bounce back after human disturbances such as shipping, oil exploration or fishing, and have applied it to a coral reef fish species.

Online program helps people with chronic pain Posted: 08 Jul 2015 07:06 AM PDT People can manage chronic pain and reduce their reliance on opioids through an Internet-based program that teaches non-medical alternatives like increased physical activity, thinking more positively and dealing with emotions, a new report suggests.

3D model to help researchers study pelvic floor disorder linked to childbirth Posted: 08 Jul 2015 06:10 AM PDT Researchers have developed the first-ever 3D complete computer model to help study treatment for pelvic organ prolapse, a mysterious condition often linked to childbirth that causes distress and discomfort and requires surgery for more than 200,000 women a year.

Faster weight gain can be safe for hospitalized anorexia patients Posted: 08 Jul 2015 06:10 AM PDT A new study of patients hospitalized with anorexia nervosa shows that a faster weight gain during inpatient treatment — well beyond what national standards recommend — is safe and effective.

Hospital readmissions for sepsis are highly common, extremely costly Posted: 08 Jul 2015 06:08 AM PDT The Affordable Care Act created several national initiatives aimed at reducing hospital readmission rates for heart attacks, congestive heart failure and other common high-risk conditions. But there is still no national program to address sepsis, a potentially life-threatening illness caused by infection. New research finds that sepsis accounts for roughly the same percentage of hospital readmissions in California as heart attacks and congestive heart failure -- and costs the health-care system more than both combined.

Cutting health care costs isn't easy Posted: 08 Jul 2015 04:29 AM PDT A new study is the first to evaluate the relationship between receiving care at federally qualified health centers and the rate of hospital stays and emergency department visits for potentially preventable conditions among individuals who receive both Medicare and Medicaid.

Scientists develop free, online genetic research tool Posted: 08 Jul 2015 04:29 AM PDT For most genetic scientists, the lack of access to computer servers and programs can hinder genetic advancements. Now, a group of scientists has introduced a game changer in the world of biological research. The online, free service, RNAMiner, has been developed to handle large data sets which could lead to faster medical results.

The artificial enzyme that 'acts' natural Posted: 08 Jul 2015 04:25 AM PDT Certain genetic diseases arise from a deficit of specific genes. An enzyme that amplifies gene transcription could be a viable therapy in these cases, as long as genes are not stimulated to work on the wrong part of the body. Scientists have created synthetic "intelligent" enzymes which are able to differentiate between active and inactive genes and selectively stimulate the former ones.

Strategies to prevent stillbirth examined Posted: 08 Jul 2015 04:21 AM PDT Reducing the risk of stillbirth calls for better monitoring of women during their pregnancy to help find those whose babies' lives could be saved by early delivery, a new report suggests.

Healthy diets for youth with type 1 diabetes can be hard for parents to obtain Posted: 08 Jul 2015 04:21 AM PDT Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) often need to modify their eating habits, but many youths with T1DM do not consume a healthful diet. To learn more about the challenges their parents may face in providing them with a more healthful diet, researchers set out to discover the availability of healthier food options and the price difference of the food items at stores frequented by families in northeastern Kansas and western Missouri.

High levels of dopamine may lead to increased risk-taking Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:32 PM PDT Boosting levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine can lead to increased risk-taking, according to research. Dopamine is involved in reward learning, and previous research has linked dopamine drugs such as L-DOPA with compulsive gambling problems in people with Parkinson's disease. This study found that increasing dopamine levels in healthy adults led participants to choose more risky options in a gambling task.

As Medicaid turns 50, scholar examines payment reforms Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:31 PM PDT A scholar has critically examined the efforts to improve Medicaid value for dollar. According to the article, there isn't strong empirical evidence for the approach embodied by Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Initiatives.

'Beyond aid' in health care: Is it time for scrutiny? Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:31 PM PDT The UK government's investments in private hospital chains in developing countries, in the form of 'beyond aid' approaches, could actually be hindering inclusive development and need greater scrutiny, argue experts.

Nursing home care for minorities improves, study suggests Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:31 PM PDT A new study of nursing homes has found that, while disparities continue to exist, the quality of care in homes with higher concentrations of racial and ethnic minority residents has improved and that this progress appears to be linked to increases in Medicaid payments.

Medicaid: No longer the welfare medicine afterthought Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:25 PM PDT July 30, 2015, marks the 50th anniversary of Medicaid, which transformed the lives of millions of Americans who previously were unable to afford healthcare coverage. To commemorate its 50-year milestone, an expert documents Medicaid's accomplishments and challenges, calling attention to its pivotal role in the transformation underway in the US health-care system.

Mammography benefits overestimated, researchers say Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:25 PM PDT An in-depth review of randomized trials on screening for breast, colorectal, cervical, prostate and lung cancers shows that the benefits of mammographic screening are likely to have been overestimated.

Sensor technology can improve accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis, research shows Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:25 PM PDT New research has shown how a smart sensor chip, able to pick up on subtle differences in glycoprotein molecules, can improve the accuracy and efficiency of prostate cancer diagnosis.

Heightened ability to imagine odors linked to higher body weight Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:25 PM PDT Researchers have revealed that the ability to vividly imagine the smell of popcorn, freshly baked cookies and even non-food odors is greater in obese adults.

Mother's diet affects offspring alcohol and nicotine use in lab animal study Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:24 PM PDT A study in rats suggests that a mother's consumption of a fat-rich diet during pregnancy increases her offspring's risk of a combined alcohol and nicotine abuse in adolescence.

Kids' brain responses to food depend on their body composition Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:24 PM PDT Research using brain-imaging technology has revealed a brain response pattern in children that might represent a step along the path to childhood obesity.

High fat diet changes gut microbe populations and brain's ability to recognize fullness Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:24 PM PDT Have you ever wondered why eating one good-tasting French fry may lead you to eat the whole batch and leave you wanting more?

Anorexia susceptibility may be linked to stress-coping strategy and mom's stress levels during pregnancy Posted: 07 Jul 2015 06:24 PM PDT Researchers have found that offspring born to mother rats stressed during pregnancy lost weight faster and failed to turn on appropriate brain hunger signals in response to exercise and food restriction, compared to offspring from non-stressed mothers.

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