ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• New devices causing 'paradigm shift' in stroke care
• Cross talk between hormone receptors has unexpected effects
• New doubts on Zika as cause of microcephaly
• Green fluorescent protein a potential scaffold for protein assembly
• Common chemical highly toxic to blood cell precursors
• Scientists discover unsuspected bacterial link to bile duct cancer
• 'Ergo Kid' chairs, tables developed for comfort of students
• Parents, especially fathers, play key role in young adults' health
• Relationship quality tied to good health for young adults
• Primary care visits result in more colon cancer screening, better followups
• Beneficial bacteria may protect breasts from cancer
• Regenerative medicine offering new treatment for bronchopleural fistulas
• Researchers offer new theory on how climate affects violence
• Aggressiveness of acute myeloid leukemia elucidated
• New treatment approaches to improve peritoneal dialysis
• Analysis of media reporting reveals new information about snakebites and how and when they occur
• Analysis of genetic repeats suggests role for DNA instability in schizophrenia
• New cancer immunotherapy drugs linked to arthritis in some patients
• People with low birthweight due to genetic factors are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes
• Longevity, human health may be linked to a muscle cell enzyme
• Arsenic accumulates in the nuclei of plants' cells
• Faster detection of pathogens in the lungs
• Molecular scissors help evolutionary investigation
• 3-dimensional prostate model created
• 3-D-printed kidney helps doctors save woman's organ during complicated tumor removal
• Use of non-fit messaging may improve patient choices
• In mice, daughters of overweight dads have altered breast tissue, higher cancer risk
• Overweight and obesity impact on periodontitis
• Development of drugs for local treatment of oral conditions
• Proteins put up with the roar of the crowd
• Effectiveness of SDF in arresting root caries in different fluoridated areas
• Experts off guidance on medical marijuana for pain
• Nanotechnology, math deliver two-in-one punch for cancer therapy resistance
• Salmonella in meat products reduced by 90 percent in new research
• Chemists join forces to develop cheap, complementary method for classic reaction
• Human brain houses diverse populations of neurons, new research shows
• A strategy for 'convergence' research to transform biomedicine
• Easy integration of biological knowledge improves understanding of diseases
• Evaluation of commercially sold rapid rabies tests reveals serious problems with accuracy
• Starving stem cells may enable scientists to build better blood vessels
• Health-care providers do not fully understand cancer risk from CT scans
• WHO'S TB care advice violated standards, researchers say
• Chemical signal can make it easier to personalize medication
• Some viruses could survive on children's toys for hours and cause infection, study finds

New devices causing 'paradigm shift' in stroke care Posted: 24 Jun 2016 12:47 PM PDT New devices called stent retrievers, which effectively reverse strokes, are revolutionizing the treatment of certain stroke patients, report investigators.

Cross talk between hormone receptors has unexpected effects Posted: 24 Jun 2016 12:47 PM PDT Although the estrogen receptor is considered dominant in breast cancer, the progesterone receptor assumes control when both receptors are present and exposed to estrogens and progestins. Then, the progesterone receptor drives estrogen receptor activity. Treating tumor-bearing mice with an estrogen antagonist and a progestin antagonist caused rapid tumor regression, report scientists at the conclusion of their study.

New doubts on Zika as cause of microcephaly Posted: 24 Jun 2016 12:08 PM PDT Brazil's microcephaly epidemic continues to pose a mystery -- if Zika is the culprit, why are there no similar epidemics in other countries also hit hard by the virus? In Brazil, the microcephaly rate soared with more than 1,500 confirmed cases. But in Colombia, a recent study of nearly 12,000 pregnant women infected with Zika found zero microcephaly cases. If Zika is to blame for microcephaly, where are the missing cases?

Green fluorescent protein a potential scaffold for protein assembly Posted: 24 Jun 2016 11:07 AM PDT A protein-scaffolding tool has been developed that paves the way for the assembly of diverse proteins with defined structures and functions.

Common chemical highly toxic to blood cell precursors Posted: 24 Jun 2016 11:07 AM PDT Scientists have provided evidence that a widely used chemical is more toxic to certain blood cell precursors in the bone marrow than to others.

Scientists discover unsuspected bacterial link to bile duct cancer Posted: 24 Jun 2016 11:06 AM PDT Findings of a new study could open up possibilities for more targeted therapies for bile duct cancer. A research team discovered that bile duct tissue harboured a community of diverse bacteria species. Stenotrophomonas species -- previously implicated in bile duct infections -- were found to be preferentially dwelling in tumor tissue (compared to normal tissue) of non-fluke-infected Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients, highlighting their potential role in development of CCA.

'Ergo Kid' chairs, tables developed for comfort of students Posted: 24 Jun 2016 11:05 AM PDT A researcher has developed an adjustable tables where the front portion can be tilted for easy reading and writing in order to minimize the ergonomic health risks among school children.

Parents, especially fathers, play key role in young adults' health Posted: 24 Jun 2016 11:04 AM PDT Parents, and especially fathers, play a vital role in developing healthy behaviors in young adults and helping to prevent obesity in their children. When it came to predicting whether a young male will become overweight or obese, the mother-son relationship mattered far less than the relationship between father and son.

Relationship quality tied to good health for young adults Posted: 24 Jun 2016 10:58 AM PDT For young people entering adulthood, high-quality relationships are associated with better physical and mental health, according to the results of a new study.

Primary care visits result in more colon cancer screening, better followups Posted: 24 Jun 2016 10:58 AM PDT People who visit their primary care physicians are more likely to get potentially life-saving colon cancer screenings and follow up on abnormal stool blood test results -- even in health systems that heavily promote mail-in home stool blood tests that don't require a doctor visit, a study shows.

Beneficial bacteria may protect breasts from cancer Posted: 24 Jun 2016 10:58 AM PDT Bacteria that have the potential to abet breast cancer are present in the breasts of cancer patients, while beneficial bacteria are more abundant in healthy breasts, where they may actually be protecting women from cancer, according a study. These findings may lead ultimately to the use of probiotics to protect women against breast cancer.

Regenerative medicine offering new treatment for bronchopleural fistulas Posted: 24 Jun 2016 09:16 AM PDT For the first time in human application, researchers successfully closed an open wound on the upper chest caused by postoperative complications of lung removal. The protocol and approach were based on an ongoing trial investigating this method to treat anal fistulas in Crohn's disease.

Researchers offer new theory on how climate affects violence Posted: 24 Jun 2016 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have long struggled to explain why some violent crime rates are higher near the equator than other parts of the world. Now, a team of researchers has developed a model that could help explain why.

Aggressiveness of acute myeloid leukemia elucidated Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:47 AM PDT Scientists have discovered why acute leukemias with the same genetic abnormality vary in their aggressiveness based on their cellular origin. They found that the cancer inducing alteration is particularly devastating if it occurs in early hematopoietic stem cells expressing certain genes involved in cell migration and tissue invasion. These findings should now make it possible to classify patients into more clearly defined groups, to adapt treatment, and hopefully also to develop personalized therapeutic strategies for the future.

New treatment approaches to improve peritoneal dialysis Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:47 AM PDT One of the main functions of the kidneys is to filter metabolic products out of the blood. If the kidneys are no longer able to do this, the blood has to be artificially purified and drained of excess fluid. This is the purpose of dialysis. Now researchers are seeking new, better therapeutic approaches for those patients on dialysis.

Analysis of media reporting reveals new information about snakebites and how and when they occur Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:11 AM PDT A new study analyzed media reports of snakebites in the United States. Investigators found that media coverage detailed victim circumstances better than current quantitative data, and that the majority of snakebites may actually be 'legitimate,' meaning they occur by surprise, without intentional contact, in a natural setting.

Analysis of genetic repeats suggests role for DNA instability in schizophrenia Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:11 AM PDT An international research team has revealed extensive genetic variation in patients with schizophrenia. Significantly more copy number variations (CNVs) of genomic DNA were detected in patients than in controls. Patients also showed different disease severity, which appears associated with the CNVs' number and variable expressivity. These findings enabled the researchers to propose a genetic model of schizophrenia in which genomic instability underlies disease development.

New cancer immunotherapy drugs linked to arthritis in some patients Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:10 AM PDT Case reports on 13 cancer patients suggest that a small number of cancer patients taking the immunotherapy drugs ipilimumab and nivolumab may be at some higher-than-normal risk of developing autoimmune joint and tissue diseases, including inflammatory arthritis, according to a preliminary study.

People with low birthweight due to genetic factors are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:08 AM PDT A genetically lowered birthweight increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, new research shows. Since low birthweight represents restricted intrauterine growth (fetal growth), it cannot be ruled out that it is in fact the risk factors for this restricted growth that are causing the low birthweight and in turn causing the type 2 diabetes to develop. Risk factors for restricted intrauterine growth include malnutrition, anemia, infections and placental insufficiency.

Longevity, human health may be linked to a muscle cell enzyme Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:08 AM PDT Exercise and fasting do not change the location of a key enzyme involved in energy production, a study has found.

Arsenic accumulates in the nuclei of plants' cells Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:08 AM PDT Toxic arsenic initially accumulates in the nuclei of plants' cells. This has been revealed by an X-ray examination of the aquatic plant rigid hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) using DESY's X-ray source PETRA III. Even at comparatively low concentrations, the arsenic also floods the vacuole, a liquid-filled cavity which takes up most of the cell. The scientists report their findings in the Journal of Experimental Botany.

Faster detection of pathogens in the lungs Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:08 AM PDT What used to take several weeks is now possible in two days: thanks to new molecular-based methods, mycobacterial pathogens that cause pulmonary infections or tuberculosis can now be detected much more quickly. Time-consuming bacteria cultures no longer need to be taken from the patient samples, meaning that a suitable therapy can be started quickly.

Molecular scissors help evolutionary investigation Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:08 AM PDT Scientists have detected an important mechanism in the evolution of plant genomes: using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model organism, they studied the formation of tandem repeat DNA sequences and found out that these sequences form if both DNA strands are broken at a significant distance from each other. For their experiments, the scientists used CRISPR/Cas system, working like a 'pair of molecular scissors.'

3-dimensional prostate model created Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:02 AM PDT A team of researchers are developing a three-dimensional model for prostate cancer research based on cryogels. The model will be used to reproduce natural processes and above all to examine the development and the progression of tumors.

3-D-printed kidney helps doctors save woman's organ during complicated tumor removal Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:02 AM PDT Doctors and scientists in one case printed and used a 3-D kidney to help save a patient's organ during a complicated tumor-removal procedural.

Use of non-fit messaging may improve patient choices Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:02 AM PDT When it comes to helping patients make the best choices for themselves, sometimes you have to challenge their usual way of dealing with the world, according to new research.

In mice, daughters of overweight dads have altered breast tissue, higher cancer risk Posted: 24 Jun 2016 07:02 AM PDT Obese male mice and normal weight female mice produce female pups that are overweight at birth through childhood, and have delayed development of their breast tissue as well as increased rates of breast cancer. The findings come from one of the first animal studies to examine the impact of paternal obesity on future generations' cancer risk.

Overweight and obesity impact on periodontitis Posted: 23 Jun 2016 01:59 PM PDT Overweight and obesity have been associated with increased periodontitis risk. However, uncertainty persists regarding the causal relationship of such conditions. In this study, participants were followed periodically since their birth. Anthropometric measures and habits were assessed during the life-course.

Development of drugs for local treatment of oral conditions Posted: 23 Jun 2016 01:59 PM PDT Several medications commonly prescribed for oral mucosal administration are actually intended for transdermal application. Many conditions affecting the oral mucosa require frequent or long-term treatments and some treatments are systemically applied. Clinical resistance and patient intolerance of such treatments may develop. There is thus a constant need to address these problems through the development of less side-effect prone drugs.

Proteins put up with the roar of the crowd Posted: 23 Jun 2016 01:59 PM PDT Proteins that activate DNA binding sites appear to have no problems with crowded conditions, according to scientists.

Effectiveness of SDF in arresting root caries in different fluoridated areas Posted: 23 Jun 2016 01:59 PM PDT The objective of this research study was to compare the effectiveness of annual application of silver diammine fluoride (SDF) solution on arresting root caries in community-dwelling elders living in water fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. This study was conducted in a water fluoridated area (Hong Kong) and also in a non-fluoridated area (Guangzhou).

Experts off guidance on medical marijuana for pain Posted: 23 Jun 2016 12:07 PM PDT Marijuana often is used to self treat chronic pain and, with 24 states legalizing medical use of the herb, experts have published guidance for physicians caring for patients who use cannabis. The paper also identified opportunities for future research required to better understand the health effects of cannabinoids.

Nanotechnology, math deliver two-in-one punch for cancer therapy resistance Posted: 23 Jun 2016 12:01 PM PDT Math, biology and nanotechnology are becoming strange, yet effective bed-fellows in the fight against cancer treatment resistance. Researchers have engineered a revolutionary new approach to cancer treatment that pits a lethal combination of drugs together into a single nanoparticle.

Salmonella in meat products reduced by 90 percent in new research Posted: 23 Jun 2016 12:01 PM PDT An old technology that uses natural bacteria predators, called bacteriophages, is the focus of new research. The technique is being used to reduce salmonella bacteria in meat products.

Chemists join forces to develop cheap, complementary method for classic reaction Posted: 23 Jun 2016 12:01 PM PDT Collaboration has enabled the development of a powerful and cost-effective approach to C-N coupling reactions, one of the most heavily used transformations in modern drug development.

Human brain houses diverse populations of neurons, new research shows Posted: 23 Jun 2016 12:01 PM PDT A team of researchers has developed the first scalable method to identify different subtypes of neurons in the human brain. The research lays the groundwork for 'mapping' the gene activity in the human brain and could help provide a better understanding of brain functions and disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia and depression.

A strategy for 'convergence' research to transform biomedicine Posted: 23 Jun 2016 11:59 AM PDT A new report calls for increased support of 'convergence research,' which integrates physical and life sciences for revolutionary advances in biomedical research.

Easy integration of biological knowledge improves understanding of diseases Posted: 23 Jun 2016 11:59 AM PDT Researchers have improved the integration of disparate sources and types of data which will advance scientists' understanding of disease using Wikipathways. This study will help other scientists better utilize open data and will aid the discovery of new therapeutic targets for disease.

Evaluation of commercially sold rapid rabies tests reveals serious problems with accuracy Posted: 23 Jun 2016 11:59 AM PDT Rabies virus (RABV) transmitted by dogs is responsible for an estimated 60,000 human deaths per year, especially in Asia and Africa. A study now reports that six commercially available rapid rabies tests -- which could make testing dogs much easier -- fail to yield accurate results.

Starving stem cells may enable scientists to build better blood vessels Posted: 23 Jun 2016 11:58 AM PDT Researchers have uncovered how changes in metabolism of human embryonic stem cells help coax them to mature into specific cell types -- and may improve their function in engineered organs or tissues, report researchers.

Health-care providers do not fully understand cancer risk from CT scans Posted: 23 Jun 2016 11:58 AM PDT Doctors and other healthcare professionals may not be fully aware of a CT scan's effect on lifetime malignancy risk. A new study surveyed doctors, radiologists, and imaging technologists regarding their beliefs about radiation exposure from CT. The survey found that while most respondents recognized there is an increased risk of cancer from CT, many underestimated the actual radiation dose.

WHO'S TB care advice violated standards, researchers say Posted: 23 Jun 2016 11:58 AM PDT The World Health Organization (WHO) violated sound standards of medical care and human rights by nudging poorer countries to follow less expensive, untested and largely ineffective treatment protocols for tuberculosis patients, a new paper argues.

Chemical signal can make it easier to personalize medication Posted: 23 Jun 2016 09:30 AM PDT An international research team has searched for possible non-genetic causes of common immune diseases and discovered that there is a signal called hydroxymetylcytosine (HMC) in many regions of DNA, with genetic changes associated with several immune diseases.

Some viruses could survive on children's toys for hours and cause infection, study finds Posted: 23 Jun 2016 09:30 AM PDT Certain viruses, such as influenza, could survive on children's toys long enough to result in exposures, placing children at risk for getting infectious diseases, according to researchers.

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