ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Choir singing boosts immune system activity in cancer patients and carers, study shows
• New immune-stimulating drug, with chemo, shrinks pancreas tumors
• Mixed results on benefits of antiarrhythmic drugs for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
• No improvements with losmapimod after heart attack
• Device that detects congestion in the lung improves heart failure outcomes
• Two atrial fibrillation ablation techniques equal on efficacy and safety
• New device for heart failure patients fails to improve primary outcomes
• Cancer research shows promise for combating deadly lung cancer
• Stem cell therapy improves outcomes in severe heart failure
• Rate, rhythm control equally effective in post-operative atrial fibrillation
• No benefit from addition of aliskiren to 'gold standard' ACE inhibitor
• Deeper insight needed into nurse-industry relationships
• To treat a leading cause of osteoporosis, surgery is better than widely used medications
• Yelp reviews can enhance government reports on hospital quality, study suggests
• Developing a faster-acting treatment for high-altitude affliction
• Quantifying the environmental benefits of skipping the meat
• Personalized ratings app may improve patient’s choice of nursing home
• Diagnostic tests for heart disease function differently for women, men
• Study links disparities in pain management to racial bias
• 'Game changing' stem cell repair system
• Final stampede results: Glycemic benefits of bariatric surgery persist over time
• Vitamin D improves heart function, study finds
• Immune cell transforms from 'Clark Kent' to 'Superman'
• Brain marker of poor memory in schizophrenia patients identified
• Watch what you eat: The dangers of a bristle in your burger
• Family plays important role in heart health throughout life
• US prediction models for kidney injury following angioplasty hold up in Japan
• With mosquito Y chromosome sequencing, researchers lay groundwork for advanced disease control
• New method pioneered to identify brain cancer patients most likely to benefit from immunotherapy
• New study adds key piece to autism puzzle
• New syndrome named, causes a rare intellectual disability
• Surgery residency program directors believe flexible duty hours improve continuity of care
• Potential new source for pain inhibition found
• 'Deep Learning' used to assist overburdened diagnosticians
• 'Key' to recognizing, immunizing herpes/common cold
• New tool enables scientists to interpret 'dark matter' DNA
• Aging impacts therapeutic response of melanoma cells
• Cell therapy may mend damaged hearts, study says
• Treating myasthenia gravis with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants
• How is the quality of care in a commercial virtual visit?
• Reasons reported by children, youth for being on the streets
• Fentanyl patch prescribing still not safe in 50 percent of prescriptions
• Efmoroctocog alfa for hemophilia A: Added benefit not proven
• Electrical stimulation of deep brain structures to ease chronic pain
• When the oxygen kills
• Control algorithm developed for more accurate lab-on-a-chip devices
• New app improves treatment of atrial fibrillation
• Liraglutide may help nondiabetic overweight and obese adults lose weight and lower risks
• Seeing the light: Chemists create mimic of key vision protein
• Two-year data suggest added health risks of combining mitral-valve repair to bypass surgery with little benefit
• Researchers report successful cardiac transplant outcomes in adult patients with congenital heart disease
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement better for patients with severe aortic stenosis, study finds
• Bone density lower with use of ADHD stimulant medicine
• SSRI antidepressants promote bone loss during lactation
• Few patients use weight-loss medications despite FDA approval
• Twists and turns of life: Patterns of DNA supercoiling
• How ballet training could learn from football and rugby, says report
• For post-operative atrial fibrillation, two common treatments show equal outcomes
• Pituitary insufficiency is prevalent after blast concussion in military veterans
• Anabolic steroid abuse is associated with increased systolic hypertension risk

Choir singing boosts immune system activity in cancer patients and carers, study shows Posted: 04 Apr 2016 07:10 PM PDT Singing in a choir for just one hour boosts levels of immune proteins in people affected by cancer, reduces stress and improves mood, which in turn could have a positive impact on overall health, a new study has found.

New immune-stimulating drug, with chemo, shrinks pancreas tumors Posted: 04 Apr 2016 07:10 PM PDT The results of an early-stage (phase 1b) clinical trial for pancreatic cancer show that an experimental therapy can control tumors well enough to make some patients eligible for surgery, according to new data.

Mixed results on benefits of antiarrhythmic drugs for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:10 PM PDT Paramedics often give heart rhythm stabilizing drugs to patients who are suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest when they fail to regain a stable heart rhythm after electrical shock treatment.

No improvements with losmapimod after heart attack Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:10 PM PDT Patients taking losmapimod, an anti-inflammatory drug currently being developed, for 12 weeks following a heart attack did not show improvements in the trial's primary endpoint, the rate of cardiovascular death, subsequent heart attack or urgent coronary revascularization, which includes placement of a stent or coronary artery bypass surgery, according to new research.

Device that detects congestion in the lung improves heart failure outcomes Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:10 PM PDT In patients with heart failure, use of an investigational device that monitors the accumulation of fluid in the lungs appeared to cut heart failure-related hospitalizations by more than half, meeting the study's primary endpoint, and reduced deaths from any cause by 39 percent per year compared with standard assessment and treatment, researchers reported.

Two atrial fibrillation ablation techniques equal on efficacy and safety Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:10 PM PDT Two established techniques for correcting the root cause of the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation show similar effects and safety outcomes, according to new research.

New device for heart failure patients fails to improve primary outcomes Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:10 PM PDT A new implantable medical device intended to help patients with heart failure by stimulating the vagus nerve did not significantly reduce rates of heart failure-related hospitalization or death from any cause in a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.

Cancer research shows promise for combating deadly lung cancer Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:09 PM PDT Blocking the blood supply of small cell lung cancer tumors may help reduce their growth and delay the regrowth process after treatment, new research indicates. Small cell lung cancer is considered the most lethal of all lung cancers.

Stem cell therapy improves outcomes in severe heart failure Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:09 PM PDT A new stem cell therapy significantly improved long-term health outcomes in patients with severe and end-stage heart failure in a new study.

Rate, rhythm control equally effective in post-operative atrial fibrillation Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:09 PM PDT In the first large randomized trial to directly compare two approaches to preventing a type of abnormal heart rhythm that is the most common complication of heart surgery, the two strategies -- controlling heart rate and controlling heart rhythm -- performed equally well.

No benefit from addition of aliskiren to 'gold standard' ACE inhibitor Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:08 PM PDT In one of the largest trials ever conducted in patients who have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction -- a measure of the heart's ability to pump blood -- the investigational drug aliskiren failed to show superiority over full-dose treatment with the existing 'gold standard' therapy, the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril, researchers reported.

Deeper insight needed into nurse-industry relationships Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:08 PM PDT A new article underscores the need for evidence-based investigation to understand in what ways nurse-industry relationships affect the ethical conduct of nurses, or what is normal and necessary interaction between nurses and industry as part of delivering healthcare.

To treat a leading cause of osteoporosis, surgery is better than widely used medications Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:08 PM PDT A leading cause of the bone-loss disease osteoporosis is hyperparathyroidism. Doctors commonly treat this using a class of prescription drugs called bisphosphonates, which are supposed to strengthen bones. A new study found those drugs actually increase the risk of fracture, meaning that taking them is worse than doing nothing at all. The research also revealed that patients who have surgery to remove the overactive parathyroid glands have fewer subsequent bone fractures.

Yelp reviews can enhance government reports on hospital quality, study suggests Posted: 04 Apr 2016 03:07 PM PDT Yelp reviews of hospitals cover topics not found in the federal government's survey of patients' hospital experiences, according to the results of a new study. The additional information, which the authors say tends to be strongly linked to positive or negative reviews from Yelp contributors, could influence patient decision making on where to receive hospital care, and provide valuable information to hospital administrators, caregivers, and policymakers.

Developing a faster-acting treatment for high-altitude affliction Posted: 04 Apr 2016 02:04 PM PDT Pulmonary edema is a significant risk for anyone spending time at high altitudes, and also affects people with chronic conditions including congestive heart failure. Researchers show an inhalable form of the drug Ambrisentan could offer a faster-acting treatment option for this life-threatening condition.

Quantifying the environmental benefits of skipping the meat Posted: 04 Apr 2016 02:04 PM PDT A new study tracks the emissions associated with 39 vegetarian meat alternatives, finding that producing these foods generates approximately 10 times less greenhouse gas emissions than producing comparable beef-based products.

Personalized ratings app may improve patient’s choice of nursing home Posted: 04 Apr 2016 02:04 PM PDT A new app can improve a patient's choice of a nursing home. This is important, because when rating quality measures for nursing homes, patients and experts at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) usually don't agree on what is best, leading researchers to conclude that patients may benefit from a more personalized approach to choosing a nursing home.

Diagnostic tests for heart disease function differently for women, men Posted: 04 Apr 2016 12:34 PM PDT Tests used to diagnose and assess the severity of coronary artery disease appear to function differently for women and men who have stable symptoms, according to researchers.

Study links disparities in pain management to racial bias Posted: 04 Apr 2016 12:30 PM PDT Disparities in pain management may be attributable in part to bias, a new report suggests. The research has documented that black Americans are systematically undertreated for pain relative to white Americans, likely due to both the over-prescription and over-use of pain medications among white patients and the under-prescription of pain medications for black patients.

'Game changing' stem cell repair system Posted: 04 Apr 2016 12:29 PM PDT Stem cell therapies capable of regenerating any human tissue damaged by injury, disease or ageing could be available within a few years, following landmark research.

Final stampede results: Glycemic benefits of bariatric surgery persist over time Posted: 04 Apr 2016 12:29 PM PDT In the final, five-year follow-up report from the influential STAMPEDE trial, research shows that bariatric surgery's beneficial effects on blood glucose control in mild and moderately obese patients with type 2 diabetes may persist for up to five years, with the advantage over diabetes medications-only approach widening over time.

Vitamin D improves heart function, study finds Posted: 04 Apr 2016 12:29 PM PDT A daily dose of vitamin D3 improves heart function in people with chronic heart failure, a five-year research project has found. The study involved more than 160 patients who were already being treated for their heart failure using proven treatments including beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors and pacemakers.

Immune cell transforms from 'Clark Kent' to 'Superman' Posted: 04 Apr 2016 12:28 PM PDT A previously unknown type of immune cell has been discovered by scientists, opening new avenues in the effort to develop novel therapies for autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes.

Brain marker of poor memory in schizophrenia patients identified Posted: 04 Apr 2016 11:38 AM PDT A pattern of brain activity that may be a sign of memory problems in people with schizophrenia has been identified by researchers. The biomarker, which the researchers believe may be the first of its kind, is an important step toward understanding and treating one of the most devastating symptoms of schizophrenia.

Watch what you eat: The dangers of a bristle in your burger Posted: 04 Apr 2016 11:38 AM PDT Wire-bristle grill brushes, used for cleaning grill grates, may lose bristles when used. These bristles can adhere to the grill, become stuck to food, and then accidentally be ingested. A literature and national database review yielded case reports and documented injuries from ingestion, sometimes requiring surgery.

Family plays important role in heart health throughout life Posted: 04 Apr 2016 11:38 AM PDT Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and the burden is increasing -- much of which could be reduced through modifiable risk factors. A new review examines the role of the family for heart health by focusing on interdependence of the family, shared environment, parenting style, caregiver perceptions and genomics.

US prediction models for kidney injury following angioplasty hold up in Japan Posted: 04 Apr 2016 11:38 AM PDT Models developed by the American College of Cardiology NCDR CathPCI Registry to predict the likelihood of angioplasty patients developing acute kidney injury and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis have proven to be effective among patients in Japan. This finding suggests these models may have international application as a preventive tool, according to a study.

With mosquito Y chromosome sequencing, researchers lay groundwork for advanced disease control Posted: 04 Apr 2016 11:19 AM PDT Ever since the groundbreaking Anopheles gambiae genome sequencing project was published in 2002, efforts have been underway to harness genomics for novel vector-based malaria control strategies. Researchers have assembled a diverse and multinational team of scientists to crack the genetic code of the Y chromosome in malaria mosquitoes for the first time.

New method pioneered to identify brain cancer patients most likely to benefit from immunotherapy Posted: 04 Apr 2016 11:18 AM PDT A promising method has been developed to assess how changes in the immune response can help predict the effectiveness of a new immunotherapy in people with glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and deadly type of brain cancer.

New study adds key piece to autism puzzle Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:42 AM PDT The first study to use eye-tracker technology to monitor eye movement of children with autism spectrum disorder during an interactive conversation shows that children with the developmental disability fixate longer on a speaker's mouth rather than the eyes when the conversation turns emotional.

New syndrome named, causes a rare intellectual disability Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:42 AM PDT Pediatric researchers, using high-speed DNA sequencing tools, have identified a new syndrome that causes intellectual disability. Drawing on knowledge of the causative gene mutation, the scientists' cell studies suggest that an amino acid supplement may offer a targeted treatment for children with this condition.

Surgery residency program directors believe flexible duty hours improve continuity of care Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:42 AM PDT Directors of general surgery residency programs believe that flexible work hour schedules for surgeons in training (residents) improve the continuity of patient care as well as resident training without compromising patient safety.

Potential new source for pain inhibition found Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:42 AM PDT A new neurological mechanism has been found that appears to contribute to a reduction in pain. According to the researchers, the discovery of neuroligin-2 as a cause exacerbating chronic pain is significant for the research community. Although the findings likely won't immediately lead to new pain therapies, the findings offer a potential new therapeutic direction to investigate.

'Deep Learning' used to assist overburdened diagnosticians Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:40 AM PDT A laboratory has developed tools to facilitate computer-assisted diagnosis of X-rays, CTs and MRIs, freeing radiologists to attend to complex cases.

'Key' to recognizing, immunizing herpes/common cold Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:40 AM PDT Prior to this study, it was known that interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3), a protein coding gene, contributed to a first line of defense against viral infection by triggering antiviral activity. However the activation of IRF-3 following infection was not fully understood. The study found that an interaction with the protein S6K1 and the signaling adaptor STING is a fundamental regulatory mechanism for IRF3 and, thus, helps trigger antiviral responses.

New tool enables scientists to interpret 'dark matter' DNA Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:40 AM PDT Scientists have invented a new way to read and interpret the human genome. The computational method, called TargetFinder, can predict where non-coding DNA -- the DNA that does not code for proteins -- interacts with genes. This technology helps researchers connect mutations in the so-called genomic 'dark matter' with the genes they affect, potentially revealing new therapeutic targets for genetic disorders.

Aging impacts therapeutic response of melanoma cells Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:40 AM PDT Aged tumor cells in melanoma behave differently than younger tumor cells, according to study results. New research highlights how vital it is to treat melanoma in an age-appropriate manner, suggesting anti-oxidants may be a more effective treatment for older patients.

Cell therapy may mend damaged hearts, study says Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:39 AM PDT End-stage heart failure patients treated with stem cells harvested from their own bone marrow experienced 37 percent fewer cardiac events -- including deaths and heart failure hospital admissions -- than a placebo-controlled group, according to a new study.

Treating myasthenia gravis with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:39 AM PDT A report on seven cases of severe myasthenia gravis (an autoimmune disease characterized by severe muscle weakness) suggests that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (when a patient's own stem cells are used) may result in long-term remission that is symptom and treatment free, according to an article.

How is the quality of care in a commercial virtual visit? Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:39 AM PDT Quality of care varied among commercial virtual visit companies where patients used websites to request consultations with physicians they have never met via videoconference, telephone or web chat, according to a new study.

Reasons reported by children, youth for being on the streets Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:39 AM PDT Poverty was the most common reason reported by children and youth, globally, for why they were on the streets, according to a new article.

Fentanyl patch prescribing still not safe in 50 percent of prescriptions Posted: 04 Apr 2016 10:39 AM PDT Although prescribing of the fentanyl patch has improved, physicians are still failing to adhere to safe prescribing guidelines, with half of new prescriptions being written for people who have not had the required previous opioid exposure, new research has found.

Efmoroctocog alfa for hemophilia A: Added benefit not proven Posted: 04 Apr 2016 08:15 AM PDT Regarding Efmoroctocog alfa for hemophilia A, reviewers found that no added benefit can be derived. Type A hemophilia is an inherited disorder that impairs blood clotting.

Electrical stimulation of deep brain structures to ease chronic pain Posted: 04 Apr 2016 08:13 AM PDT Electrical stimulation of deep brain structures under the cortex could help ease chronic pain, scientists have demonstrated. This new method provides hope that in the future we will be able to alleviate chronic pain without the side effects of opioid medications.

When the oxygen kills Posted: 04 Apr 2016 08:13 AM PDT An international team of scientists has shown under which conditions a body produces more superoxide -- a dangerous form of oxygen, able to destruct DNA.

Control algorithm developed for more accurate lab-on-a-chip devices Posted: 04 Apr 2016 08:12 AM PDT A novel control algorithm has been developed to resolve critical problems induced from a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller by automatizing the technical tuning process. The team expects that this algorithm has the potential for many applications of lab-on-a-chip devices.

New app improves treatment of atrial fibrillation Posted: 04 Apr 2016 08:12 AM PDT Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke. Treatment with oral anticoagulation reduces this risk but instead increases the risk of bleeding. Now, a new blood test based tool enabling better and more individualized stroke prevention treatment has been developed.

Liraglutide may help nondiabetic overweight and obese adults lose weight and lower risks Posted: 04 Apr 2016 07:32 AM PDT For people with prediabetes who are overweight or obese, adding 3.0 mg of liraglutide for three years to a diet and exercise plan may lead to major health improvements, new industry-sponsored research suggests.

Seeing the light: Chemists create mimic of key vision protein Posted: 04 Apr 2016 07:29 AM PDT An artificial mimic of a key light-sensitive molecule has been made by scientists. It could lead to new ways of building light-sensitive artificial cells, they say in a new report.

Two-year data suggest added health risks of combining mitral-valve repair to bypass surgery with little benefit Posted: 04 Apr 2016 07:07 AM PDT Just released two-year follow up data comparing coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) with combined CABG and mitral-value repair in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) found no significant differences in benefit. The patients with CABG and mitral-valve repair had an early hazard of longer hospital stay post-surgery, a higher incidence of postoperative supraventricular arrhythmias and higher rate of serious neurological events than those with CABG alone.

Researchers report successful cardiac transplant outcomes in adult patients with congenital heart disease Posted: 04 Apr 2016 07:01 AM PDT While there is little data to inform best practices for treating patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), a team of researchers have found that heart transplants can be performed in adult patients with prior corrective surgery for congenital heart disease with excellent outcomes.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement better for patients with severe aortic stenosis, study finds Posted: 04 Apr 2016 07:01 AM PDT For patients at intermediate-risk for open-heart surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the latest generation of balloon-expandable device -- SAPIEN 3 -- is superior to surgery, resulting in better patient outcomes, a new study has concluded.

Bone density lower with use of ADHD stimulant medicine Posted: 04 Apr 2016 06:59 AM PDT Children and teenagers who take stimulant drugs to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have lower bone density than their peers who do not take these medications, a new study finds.

SSRI antidepressants promote bone loss during lactation Posted: 04 Apr 2016 06:59 AM PDT Antidepressant use with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy and breast-feeding causes decreased bone density in mothers that may put them at higher risk of broken bones later in life, a new study suggests.

Few patients use weight-loss medications despite FDA approval Posted: 04 Apr 2016 06:59 AM PDT Despite guidelines that advocate the use of weight loss medications to treat obesity, and the availability of FDA approved medications, very few patients use this treatment option, a new study suggests.

Twists and turns of life: Patterns of DNA supercoiling Posted: 04 Apr 2016 06:59 AM PDT Scientists have elucidated genome-wide patterns in the complex structures formed by the DNA of bacteria in different environmental conditions. These complex structures in DNA could be playing important roles in regulating gene expression.

How ballet training could learn from football and rugby, says report Posted: 04 Apr 2016 06:59 AM PDT A new study points to using biobanding for ballet. The researchers behind the study point to a new approach to training known as 'bio-banding', something that groups individuals by their biological rather than chronological age and is growing in prominence for other sports including football and rugby. The researchers also stress the pivotal role of the teacher at this time and how the provision of further education for dance teachers regarding the implications of puberty upon dance training may be helpful.

For post-operative atrial fibrillation, two common treatments show equal outcomes Posted: 04 Apr 2016 06:59 AM PDT Researchers have found that two common approaches to post-operative atrial fibrillation -- rhythm control and rate control -- are equally safe and effective.

Pituitary insufficiency is prevalent after blast concussion in military veterans Posted: 04 Apr 2016 06:13 AM PDT A study in military veterans finds that explosive blast-related concussions frequently result in hormone changes leading to problems such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression and poor quality of life. The research evaluated hormone levels in 41 male veterans who had been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Anabolic steroid abuse is associated with increased systolic hypertension risk Posted: 04 Apr 2016 06:12 AM PDT Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse is associated with severe blood pressure (BP) increase and hypertension, new research reports.

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