ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

---

• Mindfulness meditation provides opioid-free pain relief, study finds
• Smartphones could improve skin cancer detection in developing countries
• Scientists discover microbiome that may be responsible for male reproductive disorders
• The sounds of eating may reduce how much you eat
• Scientists identify molecular markers of kidney transplant rejection
• Reduced immunosuppression drug dose may be best for kidney transplant outcomes, study suggests
• Paving the way for metastasis
• Certain plant extracts may keep you young -- and alive
• Psychologists explore pain in Hispanic Americans
• Digging deeper: Study improves permafrost models, reduces uncertainties
• What incentives work best to get a team to exercise more?
• Misleading p-values showing up more often in biomedical journal articles
• The next step in preventing diabetes
• Reduction in dietary diversity impacts richness of human gut microbiota
• New way to harvest stem cells better for donors
• Novel blood test for Alzheimer's diagnosis
• Magnetic nanoparticles show promise in biomedical applications
• Insect wings inspire antibacterial surfaces for corneal transplants, other medical devices
• New technique could more accurately measure cannabinoid dosage in marijuana munchies
• How a pill could improve breast cancer diagnoses
• Researchers identify when Parkinson’s proteins become toxic to brain cells
• Shining light on how to improve cancer immunotherapy
• First-line anti-staph drug oxacillin safer than nafcillin
• Cyborg cardiac patch may treat the diseased heart
• Broccoli ingredient has positive influence on drug efficacy
• Include 'added sugars' in overhaul of Canada's food labels
• How-to guide to prescribing exercise for chronic health conditions
• Games for rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy
• Study finds kidney transplant donation rates vary widely across Europe
• Study shows patients prefer iPads to doctors when discussing surgery
• Active surveillance for prostate cancer can give men good quality of life

Mindfulness meditation provides opioid-free pain relief, study finds Posted: 15 Mar 2016 03:27 PM PDT Everyone knows that stubbing your toe hurts. What makes it stop hurting is the body's main pain-blocking process -- the natural production of opioids.

Smartphones could improve skin cancer detection in developing countries Posted: 15 Mar 2016 12:35 PM PDT Smartphone microscopy could enhance the detection of skin cancer in developing countries, new research suggests. When it comes to the diagnosis of cancer, smartphone microscopes are reasonably accurate, according to a study.

Scientists discover microbiome that may be responsible for male reproductive disorders Posted: 15 Mar 2016 10:19 AM PDT Research shows that bacteria can be beneficial to body processes such as digestion; however, some bacteria housed in the human body may cause disease. These specialized communities of bacteria in the body are known as microbiomes. Now, researchers have discovered a microbiome in the male reproductive tract in mice that harbors harmful bacteria. In fathers, some bacteria may initiate diseases, such as prostatitis, that can result in later prostate cancer.

The sounds of eating may reduce how much you eat Posted: 15 Mar 2016 10:19 AM PDT New doctor's orders: No earbuds, no music, and no watching TV while eating. Researchers have found that the noise your food makes while you're eating can have a significant effect on how much food you eat.

Scientists identify molecular markers of kidney transplant rejection Posted: 15 Mar 2016 10:18 AM PDT Genome-wide molecular profiling of kidney biopsies may be a key to catching organ rejection before it's too late, new research demonstrates.

Reduced immunosuppression drug dose may be best for kidney transplant outcomes, study suggests Posted: 15 Mar 2016 09:11 AM PDT Four immunosuppression strategies have been investigated by researchers who have found that many patients might benefit from a lower-than-standard dose of calcineurin inhibitors.

Paving the way for metastasis Posted: 15 Mar 2016 09:10 AM PDT Cancer cells remodel their environment to make it easier to reach nearby blood vessels, new research has found. Studying mice, the researchers found that cancer cells with a particular version of the Mena protein, called MenaINV (invasive), are able to remodel their environment to make it easier for them to migrate into blood vessels and spread through the body.

Certain plant extracts may keep you young -- and alive Posted: 15 Mar 2016 09:10 AM PDT A new study may have uncovered the fountain of youth: plant extracts containing the six best groups of anti-aging molecules ever seen.

Psychologists explore pain in Hispanic Americans Posted: 15 Mar 2016 09:09 AM PDT Hispanic Americans report fewer pain conditions compared with non-Hispanic white or black Americans, according to a critical review and analysis of more than 100 studies on pain experience and pain management among Hispanic Americans.

Digging deeper: Study improves permafrost models, reduces uncertainties Posted: 15 Mar 2016 09:09 AM PDT Scientists report they have found a way to improve predictions of permafrost area and stability in the northern high latitudes. Their improved model finds that the rate of permafrost decline in recent decades is slower than previously thought.

What incentives work best to get a team to exercise more? Posted: 15 Mar 2016 09:09 AM PDT Does it help to reward people if you want them to exercise more? Yes, but try a combination of individual and team incentives. The study also showed how smartphones can be a hassle-free way to monitor people's exercise programs.

Misleading p-values showing up more often in biomedical journal articles Posted: 15 Mar 2016 09:05 AM PDT A review of p-values in the biomedical literature from 1990 to 2015 shows that these widely misunderstood statistics are being used increasingly, instead of better metrics of effect size or uncertainty.

The next step in preventing diabetes Posted: 15 Mar 2016 07:42 AM PDT Scientists have shown in a preclinical model that specifically modified insulin mimetopes may lead to an immune tolerance. The results may be a step to improved prevention of type 1 diabetes.

Reduction in dietary diversity impacts richness of human gut microbiota Posted: 15 Mar 2016 07:42 AM PDT Changes in farming practices over the last 50 years have resulted in decreased agro-diversity which, in turn, has resulted in decreased dietary diversity. The significant impact of this change in dietary richness on human health is an emerging topic for discussion.

New way to harvest stem cells better for donors Posted: 15 Mar 2016 07:36 AM PDT Australian scientists have developed a new method for harvesting stem cells, which is less invasive and reduces side effects for donors.

Novel blood test for Alzheimer's diagnosis Posted: 15 Mar 2016 07:36 AM PDT Today, Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed too late. Scientists have now developed a blood test that may potentially facilitate detection of Alzheimer's at an early stage. It is based on an immuno-chemical analysis using an infrared sensor.

Magnetic nanoparticles show promise in biomedical applications Posted: 15 Mar 2016 06:06 AM PDT Recent developments and research related to iron oxide nanoparticles confirm their potential in biomedical applications – such as targeted drug delivery – and the necessity for further studies.

Insect wings inspire antibacterial surfaces for corneal transplants, other medical devices Posted: 15 Mar 2016 05:56 AM PDT Someday, cicadas and dragonflies might save your sight. The key to this power lies in their wings, which are coated with a forest of tiny pointed pillars that impale and kill bacterial cells unlucky enough to land on them. Now, scientists report they have replicated these antibacterial nanopillars on synthetic polymers that are being developed to restore vision.

New technique could more accurately measure cannabinoid dosage in marijuana munchies Posted: 15 Mar 2016 05:56 AM PDT As more states decriminalize recreational use of marijuana and expand its medical applications, concern is growing about inaccurate dosage information listed on edible products. So, scientists have developed a technique that can more precisely measure cannabis compounds in gummy bears, chocolates and other foods made with marijuana. They say this new method could help ensure product safety.

How a pill could improve breast cancer diagnoses Posted: 15 Mar 2016 05:56 AM PDT The ongoing debate about breast cancer diagnostics has left many women confused -- particularly over what age they should get mammograms and who needs treatment. An issue with current methods is that they often identify lumps but cannot conclusively pinpoint which ones are cancerous. So, researchers have developed a pill that could improve imaging, lighting up only cancerous tumors.

Researchers identify when Parkinson’s proteins become toxic to brain cells Posted: 14 Mar 2016 12:17 PM PDT Researchers have used a non-invasive method of observing how the process leading to Parkinson's disease takes place at the nanoscale, and identified the point in the process at which proteins in the brain become toxic, eventually leading to the death of brain cells.

Shining light on how to improve cancer immunotherapy Posted: 14 Mar 2016 12:17 PM PDT Researchers today report on a strategy to make a major advance in cancer treatment even better, and a means to test and refine this new type of immunotherapy.

First-line anti-staph drug oxacillin safer than nafcillin Posted: 14 Mar 2016 12:16 PM PDT Nafcillin and oxacillin, two antibiotics commonly prescribed in hospitals, have been used without preference for one over the other. Costs and effectiveness are similar for both. But a new study suggests that oxacillin is significantly safer than nafcillin.

Cyborg cardiac patch may treat the diseased heart Posted: 14 Mar 2016 11:07 AM PDT A new engineering innovation is poised to revolutionize the treatment of heart disease. The 'cyborg heart patch' combines organic and engineered parts, and its capabilities surpass those of human tissue alone.

Broccoli ingredient has positive influence on drug efficacy Posted: 14 Mar 2016 11:01 AM PDT Colon cancer cells that are pretreated with an ingredient found in cruciferous vegetables are more likely to be killed by a cancer drug that is currently in development, found scientists. This is one of only a few examples of a food ingredient that, in moderate amounts, has a positive influence on the efficacy of a cancer drug.

Include 'added sugars' in overhaul of Canada's food labels Posted: 14 Mar 2016 10:59 AM PDT Canada's overhaul of food labels should include a separate 'added sugar' column to help Canadians manage their sugar intake and be in line with US standards, states a commentary.

How-to guide to prescribing exercise for chronic health conditions Posted: 14 Mar 2016 10:59 AM PDT Exercise helps to alleviate the symptoms of many chronic health conditions such as knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, heart disease and more, yet it is often overlooked as a treatment. A new review aims to provide an easy-to-use how-to guide for health care professionals to prescribe exercise for specific chronic diseases.

Games for rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy Posted: 14 Mar 2016 07:18 AM PDT Researchers have created a platform made up of diverse games that will allow children with neurological disorders to rehabilitate orofacial disorders.

Study finds kidney transplant donation rates vary widely across Europe Posted: 14 Mar 2016 05:50 AM PDT A new Europe-wide survey shows significant country-to-country differences in rates of kidney transplant donors. The survey shows for example within the EU, there is a x5 variation in the number of kidney donors per country (per head of population). This variation is probably due to different legal and social standards across Europe.

Study shows patients prefer iPads to doctors when discussing surgery Posted: 14 Mar 2016 05:50 AM PDT Often patients undergo procedures without real informed consent being achieved due to technical language, jargon and time pressure, with up to half of patients finding it difficult to understand what their doctor tells them. Now a group of Australian doctors has prepared patients for surgery using iPads, and found that patients' understanding was much better than after a face-to-face consultation.

Active surveillance for prostate cancer can give men good quality of life Posted: 14 Mar 2016 05:50 AM PDT Choosing ongoing monitoring instead of immediate curative treatment (surgery or radiotherapy) leads to a better overall quality of life for men with low-risk prostate cancer. In fact, the quality of life (QoL) is about the same as for men who do not have cancer. These are the findings of a new long-term study comparing Active Surveillance, immediate curative treatment, and a reference group of men without cancer.

You are subscribed to email updates from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States