ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Researchers find brain circuit that controls binge drinking
• Strengths and weaknesses of global health networks
• Technique measures 'postural sway' to diagnose neuromuscular disorders
• Retroviral DNA needs time to find its home, but insertion happens in a blink
• Teenage e-cigarette use 'clustered' in certain schools, study finds
• Reducing waste while improving snack nutrition
• Cholesterol levels, not statins, influence colorectal cancer risk
• Quick mapping of our microbiomes and metabolomes
• Child homicide: Speaking of the unspeakable
• New hepatocellular carcinoma prognostic model improves prediction of patient survival
• Scientists reveal secrets of a deadly virus family
• Minimally invasive colitis screening using infrared technology could offer fast, simple test
• Study on fragile X syndrome uses fruitfly's point of view to identify new treatments
• How breast cancer cells slide to metastasis
• Answer to antibiotic-resistant infections could already be on the market
• Powerful new data on the aging brain and traumatic brain injury
• Gender differences, relationship power could be key in preventing HIV in South African adolescents
• MicroRNA pathway could lead to new avenues for leukemia treatment
• Poor understandability of notifications sent to women regarding breast density
• Breast density, outcomes of supplemental breast cancer screening
• Outcomes of immunotherapy tablet for house dust mite allergy-related asthma
• Increased risk of coronary heart disease seen among women who work rotating night shifts
• Excessive tests don't benefit patient, do increase cost in age-related immune disorder
• It takes more than peer pressure to make large microgels fit in
• Scientists provide new insights into gene regulation
• Sulfur behavior in Venus atmosphere explained
• The older you get, the more difficult it may become to 'smell' through your mouth
• How can regulators know which of the 80,000 manufactured chemicals pose risks?
• First small molecule targeted therapy to mitigate hearing loss in usher syndrome type 3
• Hybrid forms of the common house mosquito may serve as vectors between birds, humans
• First ever vaccine for deadly parasitic infection may help prevent another global outbreak
• Sensitive people more vulnerable to online dating scams
• Abnormally low blood flow indicates damage to NFL players' brains
• Unique head restraint, car seat system could reduce whiplash injuries
• Type 2 diabetes patients 'let down' over delayed treatment
• Immuno-psychiatry: When your body makes its own 'angel dust'
• New light shed on causes of movement disorders in Parkinson's disease
• Light-activated nerve cells: Understanding the causes of anxiety, depression
• Vaccinations are more effective when administered in the morning
• Threat of novel swine flu viruses in pigs, humans
• Psychedelic drugs may reduce domestic violence
• Does frequent sex lead to better relationships? Depends on how you ask
• Trabecular bone score validated as standalone predictor of fracture risk
• Radiant zinc fireworks reveal human egg quality
• Chernobyl, three decades on
• Nutrient supplements can give antidepressants a boost
• Despite efforts, childhood obesity remains on the rise
• How a cell's 'fuel gauge' promotes healthy development
• Medicare patients have low adherence to biologic drug therapy for psoriasis
• Changes in 'microbiome' during canine atopic dermatitis could lead to antibiotic-free therapies for human, canine disease
• Survival rates for patients at high risk of relapse of childhood leukemia improve with high doses of chemotherapy drug
• Gastrointestinal problems in autism may originate in genes, study suggests
• No change found in antibody levels associated with food allergy

Researchers find brain circuit that controls binge drinking Posted: 26 Apr 2016 01:25 PM PDT Researchers have identified a circuit between two brain regions that controls alcohol binge drinking, offering a more complete picture on what drives a behavior that costs the United States more than $170 billion annually and how it can be treated.

Strengths and weaknesses of global health networks Posted: 26 Apr 2016 12:30 PM PDT Tuberculosis, childhood pneumonia, maternal death in childbirth, tobacco-related illnesses: how do global health networks select issues and seek to address these public health challenges that affect the world's poorest countries? How do these networks arise and garner resources? How adaptable are they to changing conditions, national governments, and shifting coalitions and interests? Why are some conditions targeted while others, equally widespread and serious, are not? And finally, are global networks useful at all?

Technique measures 'postural sway' to diagnose neuromuscular disorders Posted: 26 Apr 2016 12:00 PM PDT A new technique might be used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders such as multiple sclerosis or impairment from concussions by detecting and measuring subtle oscillations in a person's standing posture.

Retroviral DNA needs time to find its home, but insertion happens in a blink Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:49 AM PDT Retroviruses such as HIV must insert their viral DNA into host-cell DNA. A new study reveals details about the viral DNA's search for an insertion point. The findings could help improve treatments for HIV infection and gene therapy.

Teenage e-cigarette use 'clustered' in certain schools, study finds Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:49 AM PDT Since 2011, the prevalence of adolescent electronic cigarette use has drastically increased in the U.S. Certain school environments have an impact on electronic cigarette use among teenagers, a new study concludes.

Reducing waste while improving snack nutrition Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:47 AM PDT Food scientists have discovered how to add carrot pomace -- the pulpy leftover from juicing the veggies -- to cornstarch, increasing the nutrition and 'puffiness' of snack foods.

Cholesterol levels, not statins, influence colorectal cancer risk Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:47 AM PDT Long-term use of the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins does not appear to decrease a patient's risk of colorectal cancer, suggests a new, large case-control study.

Quick mapping of our microbiomes and metabolomes Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:44 AM PDT While technological advances have made it easier to map our microbiomes and metabolomes, these studies typically take too long for that data to be medically useful. Researchers have now used the 2016 San Diego Fermentation Festival as a test case for a novel rapid response system. The team collected samples, analyzed data and reported conclusions in an unprecedented 48 hours.

Child homicide: Speaking of the unspeakable Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:44 AM PDT New estimates suggest that homicide could be responsible for just over 1 percent of all neonatal deaths in South Africa. Together with other studies reporting on child homicide from other countries, these findings emphasize the importance of child protection, and highlight a need for cross-sector services to support vulnerable mothers.

New hepatocellular carcinoma prognostic model improves prediction of patient survival Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:44 AM PDT The ITA.LI.CA prognostic system, a model integrating tumor staging, liver function, functional status, and alpha-fetoprotein level, builds on previous models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis and shows superior survival prediction in Italian and Taiwanese cohorts, according to a new study.

Scientists reveal secrets of a deadly virus family Posted: 26 Apr 2016 10:01 AM PDT Scientists have solved the structure of the biological machinery used by a common virus to recognize and attack human host cells. The new structure gives scientists the first view of the glycoprotein of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), present on every continent except Antarctica. The research reveals important traits in LCMV and points to possible drug targets on LCMV's close relative: Lassa virus.

Minimally invasive colitis screening using infrared technology could offer fast, simple test Posted: 26 Apr 2016 10:01 AM PDT A minimally invasive screening for ulcerative colitis, a debilitating gastrointestinal tract disorder, using emerging infrared technology could be a rapid and cost-effective method for detecting disease that eliminates the need for biopsies and intrusive testing of the human body, according to researchers.

Study on fragile X syndrome uses fruitfly's point of view to identify new treatments Posted: 26 Apr 2016 10:01 AM PDT The hormone insulin - usually associated with diabetes -- is involved in the daily activity patterns and cognitive deficits in the fruitfly model of FXS. Results reveal a metabolic pathway that can be targeted by new and already approved drugs to treat fragile X patients. This syndrome is the most common genetically inherited cause of intellectual disability in humans.

How breast cancer cells slide to metastasis Posted: 26 Apr 2016 10:01 AM PDT The spreading of cancer cells from one part of the body to another, a process known as metastasis, is the leading cause of death among cancer patients. A study now reveals why some cancer cells may be more metastatic than others. The findings show that breast cancer cells spread to other parts of the body by sliding around other cells blocking their escape route out of the original tumor.

Answer to antibiotic-resistant infections could already be on the market Posted: 26 Apr 2016 09:01 AM PDT The rise of antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens is an increasingly global threat to public health. In the United States alone, antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens kill thousands every year. But non-antibiotic therapeutic drugs already approved for other purposes in people could be effective in fighting the antibiotic-resistant pathogens, according to a new study.

Powerful new data on the aging brain and traumatic brain injury Posted: 26 Apr 2016 09:01 AM PDT The Allen Institute for Brain Science has announced major updates to its online resources available at brain-map.org, including a new resource on Aging, Dementia and Traumatic Brain Injury. The resource is the first of its kind to collect and share a wide variety of data modalities on a large sample of aged brains, complete with mental health histories and clinical diagnoses.

Gender differences, relationship power could be key in preventing HIV in South African adolescents Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:55 AM PDT Millions of those infected with HIV worldwide are young women, ages 15-24, according to the World Health Organization. Because the HIV epidemic overlaps with an epidemic of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women and girls, researchers have suspected a correlation between inequities in relationship power and the risky sexual behavior that can lead to HIV transmission.

MicroRNA pathway could lead to new avenues for leukemia treatment Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:55 AM PDT A particular signaling route in microRNA (miR-22) has been identified that could lead to targets for acute myeloid leukemia, the most common type of fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

Poor understandability of notifications sent to women regarding breast density Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:55 AM PDT The content, readability, and understandability of dense breast notifications sent to women following screening mammography have been examined by a team of researchers.

Breast density, outcomes of supplemental breast cancer screening Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:55 AM PDT The screening performance of digital mammography combined with tomosynthesis (a type of imaging) has been compared to digital mammography alone for women with varying levels of breast density.

Outcomes of immunotherapy tablet for house dust mite allergy-related asthma Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:55 AM PDT The addition of a house dust mite (HDM) sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet to maintenance medications improved time to first moderate or severe asthma exacerbation during a period of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) reduction among adults with HDM allergy-related asthma not well controlled by ICS, according to a study.

Increased risk of coronary heart disease seen among women who work rotating night shifts Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:55 AM PDT Women who work more than 10 years of rotating night shift work had a 15 to 18 percent increased risk of developing coronary heart disease, the most common type of heart disease, as compared with women who did not work rotating night shifts, new research indicates.

Excessive tests don't benefit patient, do increase cost in age-related immune disorder Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:08 AM PDT A series of tests physicians routinely order to help diagnose and follow their patients with an elevated antibody level that is a marker for cancer risk, often do not benefit the patient but do increase health care costs, pathologists report.

It takes more than peer pressure to make large microgels fit in Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:08 AM PDT Researchers believe they've solved the mystery of how oversized microgels shrink to fit colloidal crystals, and what they've learned could also have implications for biological systems made up of soft organic particles not unlike the polymer microgels.

Scientists provide new insights into gene regulation Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:06 AM PDT Researchers have solved the three-dimensional structure of a gene repression complex that is known to play a role in cancer. The study focuses on three protein components which make up the core of the NuRD complex: MTA1, RBBP4 and HDAC1.

Sulfur behavior in Venus atmosphere explained Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:06 AM PDT The beautiful dark stripes on ultraviolet images of Venus's disc are in no way connected with the crystalline sulfur particles in its atmosphere -- the ultraviolet is absorbed by another substance. This has been proven by data obtained from the first ever model of the distribution of sulfur in Venus's gaseous envelope.

The older you get, the more difficult it may become to 'smell' through your mouth Posted: 26 Apr 2016 08:06 AM PDT You not only pick up aromas through your nose, but also through your mouth while you chew your food. Some people simply can smell better than others and those may enjoy an enhanced flavor of foods.

How can regulators know which of the 80,000 manufactured chemicals pose risks? Posted: 26 Apr 2016 07:16 AM PDT A new pilot study defines an approach that can help EPA and other government regulators decide which among the more than 80,000 chemicals in commerce and the environment, many poorly understood, should receive priority attention.

First small molecule targeted therapy to mitigate hearing loss in usher syndrome type 3 Posted: 26 Apr 2016 07:16 AM PDT The first small molecule targeted therapy for progressive hearing loss has been developed in a mouse model of USH3, an USH classified by progressive loss of hearing and vision starting in the first few decades of life along with variable balance disorder.

Hybrid forms of the common house mosquito may serve as vectors between birds, humans Posted: 26 Apr 2016 07:12 AM PDT Researchers, for the first time, collected hybrid forms of two species of the house mosquito in eastern Austria. The reproductive hybrid feeds the blood of both birds and humans. Hybrid mosquitoes could therefore serve as a vector for the transmission of avian diseases to people. Identification of the three forms is only possible through molecular biology. Morphologically they are indistinct.

First ever vaccine for deadly parasitic infection may help prevent another global outbreak Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:24 AM PDT As the threat of the Zika virus rips through the Americas and news headlines, another more deadly tropical disease is also on the move: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection that currently endangers an estimated 350 million people around the world. By combining two decades of research, ancient tribal medicine and the latest in gene editing technology – a team of scientists is creating what could be the first ever live-attenuated vaccine to prevent Leishmaniasis both here and abroad.

Sensitive people more vulnerable to online dating scams Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:22 AM PDT Sensitive and less emotionally intelligent people are more likely to be vulnerable to online dating scams, new research concludes. Over 90 victims of dating scams took part in questionnaires relating to their personality, how they relate to other people, self-esteem and emotional intelligence.

Abnormally low blood flow indicates damage to NFL players' brains Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:22 AM PDT The discovery of brain pathology through autopsy in former National Football League (NFL) players called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has raised substantial concern among players, medical professionals, and the general public about the impact of repetitive head trauma. Using sophisticated neuroimaging and analytics, researchers have now identified abnormal areas of low blood flow in living professional football players. These findings raises the potential for better diagnosis and treatment for persons with football related head trauma.

Unique head restraint, car seat system could reduce whiplash injuries Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:21 AM PDT A reactive head restraint and car seat system designed to reduce whiplash in rear-end vehicle collisions has been unveiled by British engineers. The unique concept has been brought to life using linkage analysis which demonstrates how the head restraint and car seat react simultaneously, when the body of the occupant begins to push against the seat back during a rear-end collision.

Type 2 diabetes patients 'let down' over delayed treatment Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:21 AM PDT 'Clinical inertia' is preventing tight control of blood sugar levels, a new report suggests. Research has shown the average waiting time for increased treatment for Type 2 diabetes from the start of insulin is 3.7 years.

Immuno-psychiatry: When your body makes its own 'angel dust' Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:19 AM PDT A new study reports structural brain damage from an autoimmune encephalitis that impairs behavior in ways that are somewhat similar to the effects of "angel dust". The body sometimes makes substances that have effects on the brain in ways that resemble the effects of illicit drugs.

New light shed on causes of movement disorders in Parkinson's disease Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:19 AM PDT A possible cause has been found for the disrupted communication between brain cells exhibited by Parkinson's patients. Researchers have discovered that this group of patients have increased concentrations of a certain type of protein.

Light-activated nerve cells: Understanding the causes of anxiety, depression Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:19 AM PDT Anxiety and depression are two of the most frequently occurring mental disorders worldwide. Light-activated nerve cells may indicate how they are formed, report scientists.

Vaccinations are more effective when administered in the morning Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:18 AM PDT New research has shown that flu vaccinations are more effective when administered in the morning. The findings suggest administering vaccinations in the morning, rather than the afternoon, could induce greater, and thus more protective, antibody responses.

Threat of novel swine flu viruses in pigs, humans Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:17 AM PDT The wide diversity of flu in pigs across multiple continents, mostly introduced from humans, highlights the significant potential of new swine flu strains emerging, according to a study.

Psychedelic drugs may reduce domestic violence Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:17 AM PDT Psychedelic drugs may help curb domestic violence committed by men with substance abuse problems, according to a new study. The study found that 42 percent of US adult male inmates who did not take psychedelic drugs were arrested within six years for domestic battery after their release, compared to a rate of 27 percent for those who had taken drugs such as LSD, psilocybin (commonly known as magic mushrooms) and MDMA (ecstasy).

Does frequent sex lead to better relationships? Depends on how you ask Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:17 AM PDT Newlywed couples who have a lot of sex don't report being any more satisfied with their relationships than those who have sex less often, but their automatic behavioral responses tell a different story, according to new research.

Trabecular bone score validated as standalone predictor of fracture risk Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:17 AM PDT A team of international researchers has now validated the predictive ability of Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) using individual-level data of 17,809 men and women from 14 studies worldwide.

Radiant zinc fireworks reveal human egg quality Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:17 AM PDT A stunning explosion of zinc fireworks occurs when a human egg is activated by a sperm enzyme, and the size of these 'sparks' is a direct measure of the quality of the egg and its ability to develop into an embryo. The discovery has potential to help doctors choose the best eggs to transfer during in vitro fertilization.

Chernobyl, three decades on Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:17 AM PDT The Chernobyl disaster struck 30 years ago today. The devastating radiation spill created a huge radio-ecological laboratory where scientists have been studying the effects of radiation on free-living organisms since 2000. In addition to cataloging a range of harmful effects that even low doses of radiation have on life, the scientists recently published a meta-analysis examining how a specific pathway, oxidative stress, is a key component of the damage.

Nutrient supplements can give antidepressants a boost Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:17 AM PDT Certain nutritional supplements can increase the effectiveness of antidepressants for people with clinical depression, an international evidence review has found. Omega 3 fish oils, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), methylfolate (bioactive form of folate) and Vitamin D, were all found to boost the effects of medication.

Despite efforts, childhood obesity remains on the rise Posted: 26 Apr 2016 06:17 AM PDT The alarming increase in American childhood obesity rates that began nearly 30 years ago continues unabated, with the biggest increases in severe obesity, according to a new study.

How a cell's 'fuel gauge' promotes healthy development Posted: 25 Apr 2016 04:28 PM PDT An unexpected link between cellular metabolic and recycling processes points to new cancer therapies. This cellular fuel gauge is a protein complex called AMPK that oversees energy input and output to keep the cell running smoothly. If the cell's fuel supply--nutrients--is scarce, AMPK slows down cell growth and changes its metabolism, the scientists report.

Medicare patients have low adherence to biologic drug therapy for psoriasis Posted: 25 Apr 2016 04:28 PM PDT About half of Medicare patients who start taking biologic therapies for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis stop within a year, according to a new study. Previous studies have found similar results among the privately insured in the United States. The new study is the first to explore this issue among the elderly and disabled who are covered under Medicare. Lack of data in this population has been a major research gap, given that such patients are often underrepresented in clinical trials.

Changes in 'microbiome' during canine atopic dermatitis could lead to antibiotic-free therapies for human, canine disease Posted: 25 Apr 2016 04:28 PM PDT How atopic dermatitis (AD) arises isn't yet fully understood, but a new study has uncovered important insights about the association of AD in dogs compared to humans.

Survival rates for patients at high risk of relapse of childhood leukemia improve with high doses of chemotherapy drug Posted: 25 Apr 2016 01:17 PM PDT Up to 20 percent of patients with high risk of relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are not cured. That could change with the results from a clinical trial that shows giving high doses of a commonly-used chemotherapy drug increases survival rates.

Gastrointestinal problems in autism may originate in genes, study suggests Posted: 25 Apr 2016 01:17 PM PDT For some types of autism, gastrointestinal problems may originate from the same genetic changes that lead to the behavioral and social characteristics of the condition, report researchers after having found evidence in mice.

No change found in antibody levels associated with food allergy Posted: 25 Apr 2016 01:13 PM PDT A new study using 5,000 stored blood samples found no increase in the presence of food-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) -- a blood marker associated with food allergy -- in children's blood between the 1980s and the 2000s.

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