ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Bacteria attack lignin with enzymatic tag team
• Flu virus hijacking tactics revealed by scientists, paving way for new treatments
• High-fidelity CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases have no detectable off-target mutations
• Higher risk of leukemia linked to low sunlight, vitamin D
• Using nanoparticles to combat arteriosclerosis
• Antibiotics pave way for C. diff infections by killing bile acid-altering bacteria
• New details linking stress, fat metabolism revealed
• Why low oxygen levels soon after birth may raise risk for learning and behavioral disorders
• Generous mothers are nagged less
• New technology to provide insights into the health of students
• Less prostate cancer screening may delay treatment for earlier onset cancers
• High rate of symptoms, hospitalization following gastric bypass surgery for obesity
• First clinical practice guidelines call for lifelong maintenance of restored teeth
• Do no harm: Examining the impact of medical students' short-term international study
• Cancer drug shows promise for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• How three genes you’ve never heard of may influence human fertility
• Over 400 conditions co-occur with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, study finds
• People face subconscious urges to over-eat in winter, research shows
• Monitoring chicken flock behaviour could help combat leading cause of food poisoning
• The waiter's weight: Heavy waiters mean heavier meals
• New strategy aims to enhance efficacy, safety of bone repair treatment
• Insulin-producing pancreatic cells created from human skin cells
• Link between stress, unhealthy microbiomes discovered
• Defect in retinal computation linked to congenital nystagmus
• Adhesion ABC: Integrin clusters are the universal units of cell adhesion
• No increased risk of autism, ADHD with prenatal antidepressant exposure, study indicates
• Commensal bacteria regulate immune cells in lungs to produce proteins for host defense
• Heavy users of mental health care have substantially different patterns of health care use
• Premium-based financial incentives did not motivate obese employees to lose weight
• Lipoprotein nanoplatelets shed new light on biological molecules and cells
• Genetic changes in birds could throw light on human mitochondrial diseases
• Sharing of research data and findings should be the norm in public health emergencies
• A stronger ethical culture within the US military health care environment is needed, experts urge.
• HIV/AIDS management: Trial shows importance of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in malaria-endemic regions
• MIND diet repeatedly ranked among best
• Twin study estimates familial risks of 23 different cancers

Bacteria attack lignin with enzymatic tag team Posted: 06 Jan 2016 11:30 AM PST New research shows how bacterial enzymes team up to attack lignin. The findings could lead to more efficient processes for creating biofuels from wood, grass and agricultural waste, say scientists.

Flu virus hijacking tactics revealed by scientists, paving way for new treatments Posted: 06 Jan 2016 11:30 AM PST Scientists have discovered how flu viruses 'hijack' cell machinery when they infect the body. The findings may pave the way for more effective antiviral treatments for pandemics and for seasonal flu, which infects over 800 million people worldwide every year.

High-fidelity CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases have no detectable off-target mutations Posted: 06 Jan 2016 11:30 AM PST A new engineered version of the gene-editing CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease appears to robustly abolish the unwanted, off-target DNA breaks that are a significant current limitation of the technology, reducing them to undetectable levels.

Higher risk of leukemia linked to low sunlight, vitamin D Posted: 06 Jan 2016 09:52 AM PST Persons residing at higher latitudes, with lower sunlight/ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and greater prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, are at least two times at greater risk of developing leukemia than equatorial populations, new research has found.

Using nanoparticles to combat arteriosclerosis Posted: 06 Jan 2016 09:52 AM PST In industrialized countries, a high number of people suffer from arteriosclerosis -- with fatal consequences: Deposits in the arteries lead to strokes and heart attacks. Researchers have now developed a method for guiding replacement cells to diseased vascular segments using nanoparticles. They demonstrated in mice that the fresh cells actually exert their curative effect in these segments. However, much research remains to be done prior to use in humans.

Antibiotics pave way for C. diff infections by killing bile acid-altering bacteria Posted: 06 Jan 2016 09:51 AM PST Bile acids, which are altered by bacteria normally living in the large intestine, inhibit the growth of Clostridium difficile, new research indicates. The work sheds light on the ways in which some commonly used antibiotics can promote C. diff infections by killing off the bile acid-altering microbes.

New details linking stress, fat metabolism revealed Posted: 06 Jan 2016 09:50 AM PST If you're under constant stress and can't lose weight, there might be a protein to blame. Researchers have discovered that chronic stress stimulates production of betatrophin, a protein that then goes on to inhibit an enzyme involved in fat metabolism.

Why low oxygen levels soon after birth may raise risk for learning and behavioral disorders Posted: 06 Jan 2016 09:50 AM PST New research shows that the development of white matter in the mouse brains is delayed when they are exposed to chronic low oxygen levels shortly after birth. If true in humans, this may help explain why infants born with cyanotic heart disease, prematurity and/or severe lung disease often exhibit developmental disabilities that effect learning during childhood, years after the low-oxygen exposure.

Generous mothers are nagged less Posted: 06 Jan 2016 09:50 AM PST For the first time, scientists have identified specific genetic variations in offspring that lead to preferential maternal treatment, which in turn improves offspring fitness.

New technology to provide insights into the health of students Posted: 06 Jan 2016 08:48 AM PST Researchers used the centrality of cellphones in college students' lives to delve deep into students' usage habits and how their social networks affect their everyday lives. Next, the researchers will apps and wearable devices to study whether social circles influence fitness.

Less prostate cancer screening may delay treatment for earlier onset cancers Posted: 06 Jan 2016 08:47 AM PST The USPSTF recommendation against regular prostate specific antigen screening for prostate cancer has been in place for 2.5 years. Although the number of prostate needle biopsies (PNB) has been reduced, patients who undergo PNB are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with high risk disease, and detection of intermediate risk, potentially curable PCa has likely decreased. While 'over diagnosis' and 'overtreatment' may have been impacted, there is concern that diagnosis of treatable cancers will be delayed.

High rate of symptoms, hospitalization following gastric bypass surgery for obesity Posted: 06 Jan 2016 08:47 AM PST Although the vast majority of patients reported improved well-being after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, the prevalence of symptoms such as abdominal pain and fatigue were high and nearly one-third of patients were hospitalized, according to a study.

First clinical practice guidelines call for lifelong maintenance of restored teeth Posted: 06 Jan 2016 07:25 AM PST The first American clinical practice guidelines for caring for patients with teeth restorations such as crowns, bridges, veneers and implants has been published.

Do no harm: Examining the impact of medical students' short-term international study Posted: 06 Jan 2016 07:10 AM PST International study experiences are a valuable and increasingly expected part of medical students' academic experience, but authors of a new article say not all programs leave patients and communities better off. They have recommendations for choosing effective programs and also for shifting the focus to ensure the programs are beneficial for all.

Cancer drug shows promise for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy Posted: 06 Jan 2016 07:10 AM PST A drug commonly used to treat leukemia is showing potential as a treatment that could slow the progression of the muscle-wasting condition, Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

How three genes you’ve never heard of may influence human fertility Posted: 06 Jan 2016 06:20 AM PST Variation in egg-coat and sperm expressed genes influences fertility in diverse organisms, from sea stars to mice to humans.

Over 400 conditions co-occur with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, study finds Posted: 06 Jan 2016 06:18 AM PST 428 distinct disease conditions have been identified that co-occur in people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), in the most comprehensive review of its kind.

People face subconscious urges to over-eat in winter, research shows Posted: 06 Jan 2016 06:18 AM PST People have evolved to have subconscious urges to over-eat, and limited ability to avoid becoming obese, especially in winter, a new study has found.

Monitoring chicken flock behaviour could help combat leading cause of food poisoning Posted: 06 Jan 2016 06:18 AM PST A new technique that monitors the movement of chickens can be used to predict which flocks are at risk of becoming infected with Campylobacter -- the most common bacterial source of food poisoning in humans in the UK.

The waiter's weight: Heavy waiters mean heavier meals Posted: 06 Jan 2016 06:17 AM PST Whether you order a dessert or a drink might depend on your waiter. And it's not what they say; it's how much they weigh.

New strategy aims to enhance efficacy, safety of bone repair treatment Posted: 06 Jan 2016 06:17 AM PST Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) is used clinically to promote bone repair. However, the high BMP2 concentrations required to stimulate bone growth in humans may produce life-threatening adverse effects, a problem that prompted an FDA warning in 2008. Now, a team of clinicians and engineers has shown that adding the protein kinase C-binding protein NELL-1 (Nel-like molecule-1) to BMP2 therapy may allow clinicians to achieve better results at lower -- and safer -- BMP2 doses.

Insulin-producing pancreatic cells created from human skin cells Posted: 06 Jan 2016 06:17 AM PST Scientists have successfully converted human skin cells into fully-functional pancreatic cells. The new cells produced insulin in response to changes in glucose levels, and, when transplanted into mice, the cells protected the animals from developing diabetes in a mouse model of the disease.

Link between stress, unhealthy microbiomes discovered Posted: 06 Jan 2016 06:17 AM PST Red squirrels living in a low-stress environment harbor healthier communities of micro-organisms, a result that might hold implications for human health, according to a new study.

Defect in retinal computation linked to congenital nystagmus Posted: 06 Jan 2016 06:15 AM PST A clearly defined neuron type has been identified, along with its circuit in the retina in the pathophysiology of idiopathic congenital nystagmus. In a mouse model of the disease, which shows similar clinical symptoms as patients, a defect in starburst cells elicited by dysfunctional FRMD7 leads to the loss of the horizontal optokinetic reflex.

Adhesion ABC: Integrin clusters are the universal units of cell adhesion Posted: 06 Jan 2016 06:14 AM PST Scientists from the Mechanobiology Institute, Singapore (MBI) at the National University of Singapore have discovered the universal building blocks that cells use to form initial connections with the surrounding environment. These early adhesions have a consistent size of 100 nanometres, are made up of a cluster of around 50 integrin proteins and are the same even when the surrounding surface is hard or soft. Deciphering the universal nature of adhesion formation may reveal how tumour cells sense and migrate on surfaces of different rigidity, which is a hallmark of metastasis, the devastating ability of cancer to spread throughout the body.

No increased risk of autism, ADHD with prenatal antidepressant exposure, study indicates Posted: 05 Jan 2016 07:35 PM PST An analysis of medical records data from three health care systems finds no evidence that prenatal exposure to antidepressants increases the risk for autism and related disorders or for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Commensal bacteria regulate immune cells in lungs to produce proteins for host defense Posted: 05 Jan 2016 07:35 PM PST The human body contains approximately ten times as many bacterial cells as human cells. Known as commensal bacteria, they exist in a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship with their human hosts, helping with a diverse range of functions that are only beginning to be understood. Now researchers report that microbiota regulate the ability of lung dendritic cells to generate immune responses.

Heavy users of mental health care have substantially different patterns of health care use Posted: 05 Jan 2016 07:34 PM PST While a small number of people account for a disproportionately large portion of health services use, heavy users of mental health care have substantially different patterns of health care use than other heavy users of health care, according to new Canadian research. The study is one of the first to look at heavy users of mental health care specifically.

Premium-based financial incentives did not motivate obese employees to lose weight Posted: 05 Jan 2016 07:34 PM PST Employers around the nation are increasingly searching for ways to help their employees make healthy lifestyle choices including encouraging obese employees to lose weight, often by offering financial incentives in the form of reduced health insurance premiums to help encourage success. But these programs are likely to fail, according to new research.

Lipoprotein nanoplatelets shed new light on biological molecules and cells Posted: 05 Jan 2016 12:09 PM PST A new material composite derived from quantum dots has been created by a team of researchers These lipoprotein nanoplatelets are rapidly taken up by cells and retain their fluorescence, making them particularly well-suited for imaging cells and understanding disease mechanisms.

Genetic changes in birds could throw light on human mitochondrial diseases Posted: 05 Jan 2016 12:09 PM PST A rare observation of rapid evolution in action in the wild has been captured by researchers, documenting the spread of a newly arisen genetic mutation in invasive starlings, which could shed light on mitochondrial disease in humans.

Sharing of research data and findings should be the norm in public health emergencies Posted: 05 Jan 2016 12:09 PM PST Opting in to data sharing should be the default practice during public health emergencies, such as the recent Ebola epidemic, and barriers to sharing data and findings should be removed to ensure those responding to the emergency have the best available evidence at hand, according to experts.

A stronger ethical culture within the US military health care environment is needed, experts urge. Posted: 05 Jan 2016 12:09 PM PST The health professional community should urge the United States Secretary of Defense to adopt and implement the recent recommendations of the Defense Health Board, and in addition rescind directives authorizing participation of health professionals in interrogation and force-feeding because they are inconsistent with professional ethics, according to experts.

HIV/AIDS management: Trial shows importance of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in malaria-endemic regions Posted: 05 Jan 2016 12:08 PM PST Cotrimoxazole (CTX) discontinuation is inferior to CTX continuation among ART-treated, immune-reconstituted HIV-infected adults living in a malaria-endemic region, according to results of a recent trial. These trial findings were important for December 2014 WHO guidelines recommending that CTX prophylaxis be continued regardless of CD4 cell count or HIV/AIDS clinical stage in settings where malaria is endemic and/or severe bacterial infections are common.

MIND diet repeatedly ranked among best Posted: 05 Jan 2016 10:41 AM PST A diet proven to lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease by as much as 53 percent in participants who adhered to the diet rigorously has also been ranked as the easiest diet to follow by U.S. News & World Report.

Twin study estimates familial risks of 23 different cancers Posted: 05 Jan 2016 10:29 AM PST A large new study of twins has found that having a twin sibling diagnosed with cancer poses an excess risk for the other twin to develop any form of cancer.

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