ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Face cream ingredient found to mimic life-extending effects of a calorie restriction diet
• Women less likely to hold academic medical leadership roles than men with mustaches
• Compound found to trigger innate immunity against viruses
• How brain architecture leads to abstract thought
• Research offers recommendations for use of aspirin to prevent preeclampsia
• When rejection comes from within
• Big moves in protein structure prediction and design
• Devising an inexpensive, quick tuberculosis test for developing areas
• Antibiotics alone can be a safe, effective treatment for children with appendicitis
• Steeping temperature and time may affect antioxidants in tea
• Drug use trends remain stable or decline among teens
• Weight loss through diet changes can improve sleep at any body weight, study finds
• Activating beige fat in humans could combat obesity
• Scientists find new vessel for detecting autism
• Surgery is more effective than drug in hyperparathyroidism post-kidney transplantation
• Researchers find out cause of mutations that are not in genetic material
• Research reveals promising novel strategy to target cancer-causing protein
• The eyes have it: Mutual gaze potentially a vital component in social interactions
• Beyond early adversity: A multidimensional approach linking early experiences to successful aging
• Males and under 30 at greatest risk of hospital admission for drug related poisonings
• Our water pipes crawl with millions of bacteria
• Many unexpected genetic variants hamper personalized medicine
• Low cost, safe and accurate test could help diagnose rare childhood cancers
• Certain antidepressants linked to heightened risk of mania and bipolar disorder
• Active and passive smoking linked to infertility and earlier menopause
• In US, poverty dampens genetic influence on IQ
• Ethnic differences in cystic fibrosis genetic coding not addressed in screening tests for nonwhite patients
• Aging warps our perception of time, study finds
• Patients can safely self-administer long-term IV antibiotics, reducing hospital stays
• Elevated testosterone levels may raise risk of uterine fibroids
• Herpes zoster is linked to increased rates of both stroke and myocardial infarction
• Shingles increases short-term risk of stroke in older adults
• Type of electromagnetic field therapy improves survival for patients with brain tumor
• Interactions between attention-grabbing brain networks weak in ADHD, study says
• Use of nanoparticles administered via hair follicles will combat surgical site infections and wounds
• Cartoon characters bear fruit

Face cream ingredient found to mimic life-extending effects of a calorie restriction diet Posted: 16 Dec 2015 08:12 PM PST A commonly used skin care ingredient is one of several newly identified compounds that can mimic the life-extending effect of a starvation diet, new research has revealed.

Women less likely to hold academic medical leadership roles than men with mustaches Posted: 16 Dec 2015 03:43 PM PST Thirteen percent of department leader positions at top academic medical institutions in the United States are held by women, while nearly 20 percent are held by men with mustaches. The findings of the tongue-in-cheek study, an analysis of more than 1,000 headshots of department leaders at top National Institutes of Health-funded academic medical institutions, provide a new context for examining gender disparities in the field.

Compound found to trigger innate immunity against viruses Posted: 16 Dec 2015 02:38 PM PST A drug-like molecule can activate innate immunity and induce genes to control infection in a range of RNA viruses, including West Nile, dengue, hepatitis C, influenza A, respiratory syncytial, Nipah, Lassa and Ebola, according to new research.

How brain architecture leads to abstract thought Posted: 16 Dec 2015 12:17 PM PST Using 20 years of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from tens of thousands of brain imaging experiments, computational neuroscientists have created a geometry-based method for massive data analysis to reach a new understanding of how thought arises from brain structure.

Research offers recommendations for use of aspirin to prevent preeclampsia Posted: 16 Dec 2015 12:16 PM PST To prevent preeclampsia, new research suggests that low-dose aspirin should be given prophylactically to all women at high risk (those with diabetes or chronic hypertension) and any woman with two or more moderate risk factors (including obesity, multiple gestation and advanced maternal age).

When rejection comes from within Posted: 16 Dec 2015 12:16 PM PST A new cellular structure responsible for previously unexplained rejection of organ transplants has been identified. This discovery could one day revolutionize transplantation practice by modifying risk assessment of rejection in people who receive heart, lung, kidney, or liver transplants.

Big moves in protein structure prediction and design Posted: 16 Dec 2015 11:05 AM PST New reports on the modular construction of certain types of protein molecules are the latest in a series of advances in protein structure prediction and design. Because naturally occurring proteins act as nanomachines to carry out essential functions in living things, researchers are eager to custom-design and synthesize protein molecules that can perform critical tasks in medical, environmental and industrial arenas.

Devising an inexpensive, quick tuberculosis test for developing areas Posted: 16 Dec 2015 10:58 AM PST Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly infectious disease and a major global health problem, especially in countries with developing health care systems. Because there is no fast, easy way to detect TB, the deadly infection can spread quickly through communities. Now, scientists report on the development of a rapid, sensitive and low-cost method for detecting the disease in resource-limited areas.

Antibiotics alone can be a safe, effective treatment for children with appendicitis Posted: 16 Dec 2015 10:44 AM PST Using antibiotics alone to treat children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis is a reasonable alternative to surgery when chosen by the family. A new study has found that three out of four children with uncomplicated appendicitis have been successfully treated with antibiotics alone at one year follow-up. Compared to urgent appendectomy, non-operative management was associated with less recovery time, lower health costs and no difference in the rate of complications at one year.

Steeping temperature and time may affect antioxidants in tea Posted: 16 Dec 2015 09:01 AM PST Tea is the most highly consumed beverage in the world next to water. The methods of preparing the beverage varies throughout the world and also depends on the type of tea. Researchers found that the temperature and length of time tea leaves are steeped affects their antioxidant properties and differs across types of tea.

Drug use trends remain stable or decline among teens Posted: 16 Dec 2015 08:58 AM PST A new American survey shows decreasing use of a number of substances, including cigarettes, alcohol, prescription opioid pain relievers, and synthetic cannabinoids ('synthetic marijuana'). Other drug use remains stable, including marijuana, with continued high rates of daily use reported among 12th graders, and ongoing declines in perception of its harms.

Weight loss through diet changes can improve sleep at any body weight, study finds Posted: 16 Dec 2015 08:02 AM PST Weight loss due to dietary changes can improve sleepiness at any weight, according to a new. The findings offer new insights into how weight fluctuations impact numerous aspects of sleep independent of body weight.

Activating beige fat in humans could combat obesity Posted: 16 Dec 2015 07:57 AM PST The body's ability to harness heat production by converting white fat cells, which store calories, into beige fat cells, which burn energy, could help fight obesity, according to researchers.

Scientists find new vessel for detecting autism Posted: 16 Dec 2015 07:57 AM PST Evidence of autism may be found in the composition and malfunction of the brain's blood vessels, a team of scientists has found. Their research sheds new light on the causes of autism, which previously had pointed to neurological make-up rather than to the vascular system, and identifies a new target for potential therapeutic intervention.

Surgery is more effective than drug in hyperparathyroidism post-kidney transplantation Posted: 16 Dec 2015 07:53 AM PST A new study compared the results of surgery with drug therapy in patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism, i.e., after a kidney transplant.

Researchers find out cause of mutations that are not in genetic material Posted: 16 Dec 2015 07:53 AM PST Proteins are like bricks that form our cells and they are built by the orders given by our genetic material, DNA. In human diseases, eventually DNA alterations modify proteins and they don't do their normal function, either by excess or defect. But recently scientists have started to find alterations of proteins without an obvious damage of the gene that produces them.

Research reveals promising novel strategy to target cancer-causing protein Posted: 16 Dec 2015 07:51 AM PST The mechanism by which tumor cells elevate levels of MDM4, a protein that is highly expressed in cancer cells but not in normal adult tissues, has been revealed by researchers. The team has also found that the mechanism can be interfered with antisense oligonucleotides to suppress cancer growth.

The eyes have it: Mutual gaze potentially a vital component in social interactions Posted: 16 Dec 2015 07:51 AM PST Eye contact synchronizes brain activation to establish connection between individuals; without this, shared attention cannot be attained, new research confirms.

Beyond early adversity: A multidimensional approach linking early experiences to successful aging Posted: 16 Dec 2015 07:51 AM PST Adverse childhood experiences such as poverty, abuse and neglect have been linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes in adulthood, new research shows.

Males and under 30 at greatest risk of hospital admission for drug related poisonings Posted: 16 Dec 2015 07:51 AM PST Poisonings from recreational drug and alcohol use account for 9 percent of all poisoning-related hospital admissions, says a new Australian study revealing that males and people under 30 are at greatest risk.

Our water pipes crawl with millions of bacteria Posted: 16 Dec 2015 05:25 AM PST Our drinking water is to a large extent purified by millions of "good bacteria" found in water pipes and purification plants, Swedish researchers have found. So far, the knowledge about them has been practically non-existent, but this new research is about to change that.

Many unexpected genetic variants hamper personalized medicine Posted: 16 Dec 2015 05:25 AM PST In recent decades much hope has been based on the development of personalized drug treatments, in which genetic tests determine the choice and optimal dose of medication for each individual patient. However, the real breakthrough is still to be seen, and now researchers show in two separate scientific papers that many more gene variants affect how a person responds to medication than previously thought – and thus that today's analytical tools are too coarse.

Low cost, safe and accurate test could help diagnose rare childhood cancers Posted: 16 Dec 2015 05:22 AM PST A non-invasive, low cost blood test that could help doctors diagnose some types of malignant childhood tumor has been developed.

Certain antidepressants linked to heightened risk of mania and bipolar disorder Posted: 16 Dec 2015 05:22 AM PST Taking certain antidepressants for depression is linked to a heightened risk of subsequent mania and bipolar disorder, new research reveals. The strongest association seemed to be for serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs for short, and the dual action antidepressant venlafaxine, the analysis indicated.

Active and passive smoking linked to infertility and earlier menopause Posted: 16 Dec 2015 05:22 AM PST Active and passive smoking are linked to infertility problems and a hastening of the natural menopause before the age of 50, a large study finds.

In US, poverty dampens genetic influence on IQ Posted: 16 Dec 2015 05:21 AM PST The influence of genes on intelligence varies according to people's social class in the US, but not in Western Europe or Australia, an analysis of data gathered from 14 independent studies indicates.

Ethnic differences in cystic fibrosis genetic coding not addressed in screening tests for nonwhite patients Posted: 16 Dec 2015 05:19 AM PST Cystic fibrosis (CF) occurs less frequently in nonwhites than in whites, and nonwhites tend to be diagnosed at a later age. Delaying diagnosis can result in postponed treatment and clinical deterioration. A new study has found that one reason for this ethnic disparity in CF diagnoses is that the variants examined in the most common CF newborn screening panels do not sufficiently include the variants present in nonwhite populations.

Aging warps our perception of time, study finds Posted: 15 Dec 2015 01:06 PM PST A recent study found that seniors have a harder time distinguishing the order of events than younger adults. When researchers presented them with both a light and sound at the same or different times, they found that young and older adults could determine whether they occurred simultaneously with similar accuracy. But when asked to determine which appeared first, the light or the sound, older adults performed much worse.

Patients can safely self-administer long-term IV antibiotics, reducing hospital stays Posted: 15 Dec 2015 01:04 PM PST Uninsured patients can be trained to safely and efficiently self-administer long-term intravenous antibiotics, physicians have found, a result that may have profound implications for patient treatment at public hospitals across the country.

Elevated testosterone levels may raise risk of uterine fibroids Posted: 15 Dec 2015 01:04 PM PST Women who have high levels of both testosterone and estrogen in midlife may face a greater risk of developing benign tumors on the uterus called uterine fibroids than women with low levels of the hormones, according to a new study

Herpes zoster is linked to increased rates of both stroke and myocardial infarction Posted: 15 Dec 2015 01:04 PM PST Herpes zoster (also called 'shingles') is linked to a transient increased risk of stroke and myocardial infarction in the months following initial zoster diagnosis, according to a new study.

Shingles increases short-term risk of stroke in older adults Posted: 15 Dec 2015 10:48 AM PST A new study determined that adults 50 and older are at a 50% increased risk for stroke for 90 days following a shingles episode.

Type of electromagnetic field therapy improves survival for patients with brain tumor Posted: 15 Dec 2015 08:42 AM PST Early research indicates that the use of tumor-treating fields, a type of electromagnetic field therapy, along with chemotherapy in patients with a brain tumor who had completed standard chemoradiation resulted in prolonged progression-free and overall survival, according to a study.

Interactions between attention-grabbing brain networks weak in ADHD, study says Posted: 15 Dec 2015 08:42 AM PST Interactions between three brain networks that help people pay attention are weaker than normal in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a new study.

Use of nanoparticles administered via hair follicles will combat surgical site infections and wounds Posted: 15 Dec 2015 06:43 AM PST Many surgery patients develop infections and are a major source of prolonged illness and significant cause of death. Now, a research project is investigating the use of nanoparticles as a way to disinfect wounds. It could prove to be much more effective than existing techniques because the particles would be tiny enough to enter the skin via hair follicles, ensuring much better penetration of the area affected by surgery.

Cartoon characters bear fruit Posted: 15 Dec 2015 06:39 AM PST Cartoon characters are often used to market so-called junk food to children. However, new research from Italy suggests that the same technique might be used to nudge preschoolers into eating more fresh fruit and vegetables too.

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