ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Unusual drug target, drug generate exciting preclinical results in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer
• Scientists identify protein interaction that defines an aggressive brain tumor subtype
• Study examines the downside of larger families
• People seeking treatment for depression may not be getting all the information they want
• Legal barriers to adolescent participation in HIV, STI research need to be removed
• Two-in-one packaging may increase drug efficacy and reduce side effects
• Stage increase in lung cancer more frequent after open vs. closed thoracic surgery
• Painkiller tapped to become future cancer-killer
• Linking gene expression, DNA methylation in single cells
• Exercise associated with prevention of low back pain
• You can't fool this activity tracker
• Study reveals potential therapy targets for triple-negative breast cancer
• Turning back the cellular clock
• Three glaucoma-related genes discovered
• How blue and green clays kill bacteria
• Research raises concerns over long-term use of chromium diet pills
• Even after anti-androgen therapy, docetaxel remains useful in prostate cancer
• One hookah tobacco smoking session delivers 25 times the tar of a single cigarette
• Researchers closer to better treatment for leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea
• Playing american football may be a risk factor for hypertension, researchers suggest
• Potential heart disorder cause, treatment identified
• Transcendental Meditation may reduce PTSD symptoms, medication use in active-duty personnel
• High folic acid intake in aged mice causes a lowered immune response
• Diabetes self-management, support improve health outcomes in underserved communities
• Blood test that monitors dead cancer cell DNA better at tracking spread of melanoma
• New anti-inflammatory agents can control inflammatory responses to fungal infection
• Robotic glove helps patients restore hand movements
• New coronary congenital disease classification aids identification of secondary defects
• Higher fat variation of DASH diet lowers blood pressure, triglycerides, study shows
• Could a cholesterol-lowering drug be a potential treatment for Parkinson's?
• Preschoolers who eat their veggies just as likely to eat junk food
• Survey finds 73 percent unaware of stroke symptoms

Unusual drug target, drug generate exciting preclinical results in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer Posted: 11 Jan 2016 12:32 PM PST A doctor treating a patient with a potentially fatal metastatic breast tumor would be very pleased to find, after administering a round of treatment, that the primary tumor had undergone a change in character – from aggressive to static, and no longer shedding cells that can colonize distant organs of the body. Indeed, most patients with breast and other forms of cancer who succumb to the illness do so because of the cancer's unstoppable spread.

Scientists identify protein interaction that defines an aggressive brain tumor subtype Posted: 11 Jan 2016 12:28 PM PST Researchers show how the interaction of two proteins leads to medulloblastoma subtype with the worst prognosis. They also report that they have discovered a possible treatment strategy.

Study examines the downside of larger families Posted: 11 Jan 2016 10:57 AM PST Large families often capture the public's attention, from 'The Brady Bunch' to '19 Kids and Counting.' But new research by economists offers strong evidence that children in larger families are more likely to fall behind in cognitive achievement and have behavioral and other problems.

People seeking treatment for depression may not be getting all the information they want Posted: 11 Jan 2016 10:57 AM PST More than 15 million American adults seek treatment for depression each year. However, a first-of-its-kind study reveals an eye-opening disconnect between the priorities of patients and clinicians when it comes to the information needed to make decisions about treatment options.

Legal barriers to adolescent participation in HIV, STI research need to be removed Posted: 11 Jan 2016 10:56 AM PST Parental permission for adolescent participation in research on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not required ethically and may undermine public health interests, according to a new paper.

Two-in-one packaging may increase drug efficacy and reduce side effects Posted: 11 Jan 2016 10:56 AM PST Researchers have developed a speedy, controllable way to get two or more ingredients into the same tiny capsule and only have them mix when triggered by a signal like vibrations or heat.

Stage increase in lung cancer more frequent after open vs. closed thoracic surgery Posted: 11 Jan 2016 10:56 AM PST An increase in the stage of non-small cell lung cancer due to cancer positive lymph node discovery was more common following open chest surgery for lung lobe removal of early stage lung cancer compared to the closed chest procedure known as video assisted thoracic surgery, report scientists.

Painkiller tapped to become future cancer-killer Posted: 11 Jan 2016 10:52 AM PST Diclofenac, a common painkiller, has significant anti-cancer properties, according to researchers. Like other drugs examined by the ReDO project, diclofenac is cheap and readily accessible -- and as it's already present in many medicine cabinets, it has been carefully tested.

Linking gene expression, DNA methylation in single cells Posted: 11 Jan 2016 10:52 AM PST A new single-cell genomics protocol allows researchers to study links between DNA modifications (methylation) and the activity of a gene. The method is the first to enable parallel profiling of the transcriptome and epigenome of a single cell. The researchers used the method to reveal new epigenome-transcriptome associations relevant to the regulation of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells; The method is potentially transformative for epigenetics research, as it reveals unprecedented detail of the epigenetic control of genes.

Exercise associated with prevention of low back pain Posted: 11 Jan 2016 10:50 AM PST Exercise, alone or in combination with education, may reduce the risk of low back pain, a review of medical literature suggests. The authors report that moderate-quality evidence suggests exercise combined with education reduces the risk of an episode of low back pain and low- to very low-quality evidence suggests exercise alone may reduce the risk of both a low back pain episode and the use of sick leave.

You can't fool this activity tracker Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:27 AM PST No more faking out your smartphone or bracelet activity tracker. Scientists have designed a way to train activity trackers to spot the difference between fake and real activity. The new method detects, for example, when a cheater shakes the phone while lounging on the couch, so the tracker will think he's on a brisk walk. Health care providers and insurance companies are increasingly relying on smartphone and wearable activity trackers to reward active individuals for healthy behavior or to monitor patients.

Study reveals potential therapy targets for triple-negative breast cancer Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:26 AM PST In cancer, cell signaling pathways are the critical chain of events that can either quash or quicken disease progression. A new study has revealed new information about how molecules called long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) interact with HIF-1, a signaling pathway that is overexpressed in many cancers. HIF-1 has been shown to regulate breast cancer progression.

Turning back the cellular clock Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:26 AM PST We do not yet have the whole story about how fertilized eggs produce the many different types of cell that make up our adult bodies, research suggests. It is widely accepted that an enzyme called Tet plays an important role, but something else seems to be at play, according to a new study.

Three glaucoma-related genes discovered Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:26 AM PST Three genes that contribute to the most common type of glaucoma have been discovered by researchers. The study increases the total number of such genes to 15.

How blue and green clays kill bacteria Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:14 AM PST Since prehistoric times, clays have been used by people for medicinal purposes. Whether by eating it, soaking in a mud bath, or using it to stop bleeding from wounds, clay has long been part of keeping humans healthy. Now scientists have discovered the two key ingredients that give some natural clays the power to kill even antibiotic-resistant microbes.

Research raises concerns over long-term use of chromium diet pills Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:14 AM PST Chromium is partially converted into a carcinogenic form when it enters cells, with increased risk associated with taking the nutritional supplement in high doses or in the long term, researchers have discovered.

Even after anti-androgen therapy, docetaxel remains useful in prostate cancer Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:14 AM PST 40 percent of patients with castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with docetaxel following abiraterone had at least 50 percent reduction in prostate specific antigen (PSA), demonstrating the activity of this drug sequencing.

One hookah tobacco smoking session delivers 25 times the tar of a single cigarette Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:14 AM PST As cigarette smoking rates fall, more people are smoking tobacco from hookahs: communal pipes that enable users to draw tobacco smoke through water. A new meta-analysis shows that hookah smokers are inhaling a large load of toxicants.

Researchers closer to better treatment for leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:14 AM PST Researchers have obtained the crystal structure of a toxin from the bacterium Clostridium difficile ('C. diff') -- the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea in the United States. They also found that zinc is required to unleash the toxin's damaging effects in the colon. The discoveries are aiding efforts to develop vaccines and other novel therapies to prevent the potentially fatal consequences of C. diff infection.

Playing american football may be a risk factor for hypertension, researchers suggest Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:13 AM PST As National Football League playoff games are underway, a new article suggests that the toll the sport takes on players' bodies extends beyond head trauma and damage to limbs and joints. The trauma and damage associated with football participation may also be linked to elevations in blood pressure through immune system activation and inflammation.

Potential heart disorder cause, treatment identified Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:13 AM PST A novel therapy tested scientists for treating a fatal heart disorder in dogs might ultimately help in diagnosing and treating heart disease in humans. The team also identified potential causes of inherited dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or "weak heart."

Transcendental Meditation may reduce PTSD symptoms, medication use in active-duty personnel Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:13 AM PST Regular practice of Transcendental Meditation enables some active duty service members battling post-traumatic stress disorder to reduce or even eliminate their psychotropic medication and get better control of their often-debilitating symptoms, researchers report.

High folic acid intake in aged mice causes a lowered immune response Posted: 11 Jan 2016 09:13 AM PST A study in aged mice shows that excess folic acid intake causes lowered immune function because important immune cells, called natural killer cells, are less effective. These results build upon the findings of a previous study in 2005 by the same lab that found that 78 percent of healthy postmenopausal women had unmetabolized folic acid in their blood plasma, which is indicative of excess folic acid intake.

Diabetes self-management, support improve health outcomes in underserved communities Posted: 11 Jan 2016 06:28 AM PST Evaluations of Bristol-Myers-Squibb-funded diabetes education and intervention efforts in five underserved communities showed improved clinical outcomes for participants.

Blood test that monitors dead cancer cell DNA better at tracking spread of melanoma Posted: 11 Jan 2016 06:28 AM PST A blood test that monitors blood levels of DNA fragments from dead cancer cells does a better job than the current standard test at tracking the severity and potential spread of metastatic melanoma, shows a new study.

New anti-inflammatory agents can control inflammatory responses to fungal infection Posted: 11 Jan 2016 06:26 AM PST The most frequent fungal threat to humans, Candida albicans, is a common cause oral and genital infection. The fungal infections are often worsened by overwhelming inflammatory responses in the body and cause high mortality among risk groups. New research has discovered two novel anti-inflammatory agents, an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory molecule, which could be used to control the hyper-inflammatory responses to the fungal infection.

Robotic glove helps patients restore hand movements Posted: 11 Jan 2016 06:26 AM PST Patients who have lost their hand functions due to injuries or nerve-related conditions, such as stroke and muscular dystrophy, now have a chance of restoring their hand movements by using a new lightweight and smart rehabilitation device called EsoGlove.

New coronary congenital disease classification aids identification of secondary defects Posted: 11 Jan 2016 06:24 AM PST A new classification of coronary congenital diseases is set to help surgeons identify secondary defects in the operating theater. Clinical cardiologists will also know what to look for on cardiovascular images.

Higher fat variation of DASH diet lowers blood pressure, triglycerides, study shows Posted: 11 Jan 2016 06:24 AM PST A higher fat DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet lowered blood pressure to the same extent as the DASH diet, but also reduced triglycerides and did not significantly raise LDL cholesterol, scientists report at the conclusion of their study.

Could a cholesterol-lowering drug be a potential treatment for Parkinson's? Posted: 11 Jan 2016 06:24 AM PST A clinical trial using cholesterol-lowering treatment Simvastatin in people living with Parkinson's is getting underway in centers across England -- with the hope that it could become one of a number of effective treatments available to treat Parkinson's.

Preschoolers who eat their veggies just as likely to eat junk food Posted: 11 Jan 2016 06:24 AM PST Public-health experts have long expected that kids who eat more carrots and apples are less likely to eat a lot of candy and fries, but new research is calling that into question.

Survey finds 73 percent unaware of stroke symptoms Posted: 11 Jan 2016 06:23 AM PST People under the age of 45 were asked what they would do in the first three hours of experiencing symptoms of a stroke. A staggering 73 percent said they would put off going to the hospital and would instead likely wait to see if they felt better.

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