ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Nearly a third of Hispanics in Texas don't have health insurance
• Gauging stem cells for regenerative medicine
• Hybrid immune cells in early-stage lung cancer spur anti-tumor T cells to action
• Over 20 countries environmentally suitable for Ebola transmission by bats
• Pre-stroke risk factors influence long-term future stroke, dementia risk
• Ecologists identify potential new sources of Ebola and other filoviruses
• HIV 'safe houses' identified inside the body
• Novel algorithm predicts drug combinations to treat drug resistant fungal infections
• Dengue virus protein alters blood vessel surface, makes it leaky
• Checkpoint in b cell development discovered with possible implications on vaccine potency
• Ability to turn off genes in brain crucial for learning, memory
• 'Smart' nanoparticle called PEARLs a promising gem to target, treat tumors
• Researchers discover new genetic mutation linked to osteonecrosis of the hip
• Is artificial lighting making us sick? New evidence in mice
• Researchers coax human stem cells to rapidly generate bone, heart muscle
• Scientists trace origin cell of bone, soft tissue tumors, test drug target
• Long noncoding RNA found to quell inflammation
• Animal cancer breakthrough leads to human clinical trials
• Communication breakdown? Mismatch in expectations about prognosis in advanced cancer
• Older women who sustain facial injuries may have increased risk of facial fractures
• Simple method quickly tests hard-to-treat bacteria's susceptibility to different antibiotics
• Moderately reducing calories in non-obese people reduces inflammation
• Team-trained health care staff can reduce patient deaths by 15 percent
• New signaling pathway for programmed cell death identified in leukemia cells
• Self-rated health worth doctors' attention
• Social media sites obstruct children’s moral development, say parents
• Spinal cord stimulation is a safe, effective drug-free treatment for chronic pain, experts say
• Crossing the barriers: Pharmacy researchers improving drug delivery
• Zika experts: Varied neurological complications, virus still detectable after recovery
• New molecules kill multidrug resistant cancer cells
• Negative stereotypes affect female soccer performance
• Promising new insights into ALS
• Bonding to bones strongly
• Corneal transplants, men and women don't see eye to eye
• PrEP can reduce new HIV cases by a third among MSM over next 10 years
• Losing weight lowered levels of proteins associated with tumor growth
• New opioid use in older adults with COPD associated with increased risk of death
• Early preschool bedtimes cut risk of obesity later on
• As overweight and obesity increase, so does risk of dying prematurely: Major study
• Immunotherapy benefits relapsed stem cell transplant recipients
• Alzheimer's gene may show effects on brain starting in childhood
• Study unlocks key mechanisms that determine acquired resistance to immunotherapy in advanced melanoma
• New technique targets gene that causes neurodegenerative disease

Nearly a third of Hispanics in Texas don't have health insurance Posted: 14 Jul 2016 01:33 PM PDT The percentage of Hispanics in Texas without health insurance has dropped by 30 percent since the Affordable Care Act went into effect, but almost one-third of Hispanic Texans ages 18 to 64 remain uninsured, shows a new report.

Gauging stem cells for regenerative medicine Posted: 14 Jul 2016 01:33 PM PDT A new benchmark for generating the most primitive type of stem cell has been described by scientists in a new report. While stem cells--cells that have the potential to differentiate into other types of cells--exist in adult humans, the most useful stem cells are those found in embryos, which are pluripotent, capable of becoming nearly any cell in the body.

Hybrid immune cells in early-stage lung cancer spur anti-tumor T cells to action Posted: 14 Jul 2016 01:33 PM PDT Researchers have identified a unique subset of these cells that exhibit hybrid characteristics of two immune cell types -- neutrophils and antigen-presenting cells -- in samples from early-stage human lung cancers. This is the first study to describe this phenomenon in a human tumor.

Over 20 countries environmentally suitable for Ebola transmission by bats Posted: 14 Jul 2016 01:33 PM PDT Though the West African Ebola outbreak that began in 2013 is now under control, 23 countries remain environmentally suitable for animal-to-human transmission of the Ebola virus. Only seven of these countries have experienced cases of Ebola, leaving the remaining 16 countries potentially unaware of regions of suitability, and therefore underprepared for future outbreaks. A new study reports these findings and more in the journal eLife.

Pre-stroke risk factors influence long-term future stroke, dementia risk Posted: 14 Jul 2016 01:33 PM PDT If you had heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, before your first stoke, your risk of suffering subsequent strokes and dementia long after your initial stroke may be higher. Taking good care of your heart disease risk factors -- even if you have never experienced a stroke -- is not only important to prevent the first stroke, but it can go a long way to prevent a second stroke and dementia, say researchers.

Ecologists identify potential new sources of Ebola and other filoviruses Posted: 14 Jul 2016 12:25 PM PDT An international team of ecologists has identified the bat species with the greatest potential to harbor filoviruses -- a family that includes Ebola virus. The researchers suggest that areas where many of these species overlap, notably in Southeast Asia, should be targeted for disease surveillance and virus discovery efforts.

HIV 'safe houses' identified inside the body Posted: 14 Jul 2016 12:19 PM PDT Researchers have identified cells that provide 'safe houses' for the human immunodeficiency virus during antiretroviral therapy. HIV needs to be "housed" in a cell, a safe haven, so to speak, to live and replicate, explain authors of a new report.

Novel algorithm predicts drug combinations to treat drug resistant fungal infections Posted: 14 Jul 2016 12:14 PM PDT Scientists have created an algorithm that can identify drug combinations to treat fungal infections that have become resistant to current drug treatments. This new study represents a strategy for treating complex diseases and finding new uses for existing drugs.

Dengue virus protein alters blood vessel surface, makes it leaky Posted: 14 Jul 2016 12:14 PM PDT The major symptom of severe dengue disease is leakage of blood plasma out of small blood vessels, which can lead to shock and death. A study now suggests that the dengue virus protein NS1 can disrupt the innermost layer of blood vessels and make them more permeable.

Checkpoint in b cell development discovered with possible implications on vaccine potency Posted: 14 Jul 2016 12:09 PM PDT Researchers report a new quality-control checkpoint function in developing B cells, cells that produce antibodies to protect the body from pathogens.

Ability to turn off genes in brain crucial for learning, memory Posted: 14 Jul 2016 12:09 PM PDT Every time you move around, you are turning on genes in your brain. A study in mice shows that if such genes get stuck in the "on" position, the consequences can include faulty brain wiring that affects learning and memory.

'Smart' nanoparticle called PEARLs a promising gem to target, treat tumors Posted: 14 Jul 2016 10:51 AM PDT A team of biomedical researchers has discovered a 'smart' organic, biodegradable nanoparticle that uses heat and light in a controlled manner to potentially target and ablate tumors with greater precision.

Researchers discover new genetic mutation linked to osteonecrosis of the hip Posted: 14 Jul 2016 10:50 AM PDT Osteonecrosis or 'bone death' of the femoral head is a disease caused by interruption of blood flow in the hip bone. Patients experience pain and the bone and surrounding joint collapse. Many patients are under the age of 25 when diagnosed. Researchers discovered a new genetic mutation that could lead to better treatment and help understand a much more common form of osteonecrosis of the femoral head -- osteonecrosis induced by the use of steroids.

Is artificial lighting making us sick? New evidence in mice Posted: 14 Jul 2016 10:47 AM PDT Along with eating right and exercising, people should consider adding another healthy habit to their list: turning out the lights. That's according to a new study showing many negative health consequences for mice kept under conditions of constant light for a period of months.

Researchers coax human stem cells to rapidly generate bone, heart muscle Posted: 14 Jul 2016 10:47 AM PDT Researchers have mapped out the sets of biological and chemical signals necessary to quickly and efficiently direct human embryonic stem cells to become pure populations of any of 12 cell types, including bone, heart muscle and cartilage.

Scientists trace origin cell of bone, soft tissue tumors, test drug target Posted: 14 Jul 2016 09:09 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a type of cell surrounding blood vessels can also serve as a starting point for sarcoma, a form of cancer that occurs in bones and connective tissues.

Long noncoding RNA found to quell inflammation Posted: 14 Jul 2016 09:06 AM PDT A long non-coding RNA (lincRNA) -- called lincRNA-EPS -- responsible for regulating innate immunity has been identified by a team of scientists. This discovery points to an unrecognized role for lincRNAs in the immune system and may lead to new insights into inflammatory diseases caused by uncontrolled immune responses such as lupus or inflammatory bowel disease.

Animal cancer breakthrough leads to human clinical trials Posted: 14 Jul 2016 09:06 AM PDT Cancer treatment in people could be transformed thanks to a study on treating cancer in animals. Injecting oncolytic viruses (viruses that target cancer cells) intravenously into the spleen allows immune responses to be boosted much more rapidly and to much higher magnitudes than traditional vaccine methods.

Communication breakdown? Mismatch in expectations about prognosis in advanced cancer Posted: 14 Jul 2016 09:06 AM PDT Advanced cancer patients report far more optimistic expectations for survival prognosis than their oncologists, due to patients' misunderstanding of their oncologists' clinical judgment.

Older women who sustain facial injuries may have increased risk of facial fractures Posted: 14 Jul 2016 09:06 AM PDT Older women who sustain facial injuries have greater risk of facial fractures, especially those who are white or Asian, while older black women have decreased risk, according to an article.

Simple method quickly tests hard-to-treat bacteria's susceptibility to different antibiotics Posted: 14 Jul 2016 08:11 AM PDT The recent emergence of bacterial infections that are resistant to many existing antibiotics is driving an urgent need for tools to quickly identify the small number of therapies that are still effective for individual patients. Currently, multi-drug resistant bacteria often must be sent to specialized laboratories for analysis, leading to several days of delay before results can guide therapy. Now investigators have developed a simple and versatile method using inkjet printing technology to test such bacteria for susceptibility to antibiotics in a clinical setting.

Moderately reducing calories in non-obese people reduces inflammation Posted: 14 Jul 2016 08:09 AM PDT Eating less may help us lead longer, healthier lives, according to new results from a large, multicenter study. The paper reveals that a 25 percent reduction in calories can significantly lower markers of chronic inflammation without negatively impacting other parts of the immune system.

Team-trained health care staff can reduce patient deaths by 15 percent Posted: 14 Jul 2016 08:09 AM PDT Team training of health care employees can reduce patient mortality by 15 percent, according to a new study. These study results are encouraging and demonstrate that health care organizations can see moderate to large improvements in their employees' performance and organizational results by participating in a health care team-training program.

New signaling pathway for programmed cell death identified in leukemia cells Posted: 14 Jul 2016 08:09 AM PDT When adults develop blood cancer, they are frequently diagnosed with what is referred to as acute myeloid leukemia. The disease is triggered by pathological alterations of bone marrow cells, in which, in addition, an important mechanism is out of action: these cells do not die when they are damaged. Researchers have now discovered a molecular signaling pathway for self-destruction that is suppressed in leukemia cells.

Self-rated health worth doctors' attention Posted: 14 Jul 2016 08:07 AM PDT Patients' feelings are often a better predictor of illness and death than clinical tests, according to researchers. However, scientists haven't yet identified the channel that gives people a sense of impending illness. One theory is that fatigue is a marker.

Social media sites obstruct children’s moral development, say parents Posted: 14 Jul 2016 07:04 AM PDT A 'parent poll' carried out by a team at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues found that only 15% of parents thought that popular social media sites provided a positive influence on a young person's character.

Spinal cord stimulation is a safe, effective drug-free treatment for chronic pain, experts say Posted: 14 Jul 2016 07:03 AM PDT A new study finds another safe and effective drug-free treatment option for chronic pain sufferers -- spinal cord stimulation (SCS), experts say.

Crossing the barriers: Pharmacy researchers improving drug delivery Posted: 14 Jul 2016 07:02 AM PDT A number of drugs -- from insulin to cancer chemotherapy -- can be delivered only via injections, which are far more difficult for patients than taking a simple tablet or pill. It can also be more expensive, as this type of drug has to be prepared very carefully and sometimes can only be administered in a clinical setting. Now a pharmaceutical sciences team is working on a means around this problem.

Zika experts: Varied neurological complications, virus still detectable after recovery Posted: 14 Jul 2016 06:22 AM PDT The International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases (ICND) just drew to an end in Toronto. Among the many questions addressed there were these: How diverse can the neurological complications after a Zika infection be? How long does the virus survive in the body? How is the spread of the infection developing world-wide.

New molecules kill multidrug resistant cancer cells Posted: 14 Jul 2016 06:22 AM PDT Newly discovered molecules can kill multidrug resistant cancer cells by blocking cells' defenses against cancer drugs, according to a new study. The lead author hopes the findings provide an initial step towards more effective treatments in the future against resistant cancers.

Negative stereotypes affect female soccer performance Posted: 14 Jul 2016 06:22 AM PDT Subjecting female soccer players to a negative stereotype about their abilities reduced their dribbling speed significantly, according to a new study. The results demonstrate the impact negative stereotypes can have on athletic performance. There continues to be a stereotype that women are inferior as soccer players. This view continues regardless of women's success on the field.

Promising new insights into ALS Posted: 14 Jul 2016 06:17 AM PDT Research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has led to interesting and unexpected conclusions. When scientists were investigating the relevance of the higher expression of the IP3R2 protein in blood of ALS patients, the general expectation was that lowering the expression of this protein would have a protective effect on the affected motor neurons. But the exact opposite was true: IP3R2 turned out to be a protector against the negative effects of inflammation during ALS. Even more, the same mechanism may also apply to other diseases, such as stroke and multiple sclerosis, say investigators.

Bonding to bones strongly Posted: 14 Jul 2016 06:17 AM PDT Researchers have developed a new kind of hydrogel that bonds spontaneously and strongly to defected bones, suggesting potential use in the treatments of joint injuries.

Corneal transplants, men and women don't see eye to eye Posted: 14 Jul 2016 06:14 AM PDT A new study of patients undergoing corneal transplants indicates that subtle differences between men and women may lead to poorer outcomes for a woman who has received a cornea from a male donor.

PrEP can reduce new HIV cases by a third among MSM over next 10 years Posted: 14 Jul 2016 06:13 AM PDT A daily pill to prevent HIV infection can reduce new cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) by a third in the US over the next 10 years, according to a new modeling study. The expected significant drop in HIV incidence, however, will depend on clinicians prescribing the medication according to federal guidelines and on patients using it as directed.

Losing weight lowered levels of proteins associated with tumor growth Posted: 14 Jul 2016 06:13 AM PDT Overweight or obese women who lost weight through diet or a combination of diet and exercise also significantly lowered levels of proteins in the blood that help certain tumors grow, according to a study.

New opioid use in older adults with COPD associated with increased risk of death Posted: 14 Jul 2016 06:13 AM PDT Older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who start using opioids have a more than two-fold higher risk of dying from a respiratory-related complication compared to non-opioid users, researchers have found.

Early preschool bedtimes cut risk of obesity later on Posted: 14 Jul 2016 06:13 AM PDT Preschoolers who are regularly tucked into bed by 8 p.m. are far less likely to become obese teenagers than young children who go to sleep later in the evening, new research has found. Bedtimes after 9 p.m. appeared to double the likelihood of obesity later in life, according to a study.

As overweight and obesity increase, so does risk of dying prematurely: Major study Posted: 13 Jul 2016 06:44 PM PDT Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk of dying prematurely than being normal weight -- and the risk increases with additional pounds, according to a large international collaborative study. The findings contradict recent reports that suggest a survival advantage to being overweight -- the so-called 'obesity paradox.'

Immunotherapy benefits relapsed stem cell transplant recipients Posted: 13 Jul 2016 06:44 PM PDT Using repeated doses of an immunotherapy drug can restore a complete remission for some relapsed stem cell transplant recipients, new research indicates.

Alzheimer's gene may show effects on brain starting in childhood Posted: 13 Jul 2016 02:27 PM PDT A gene associated with Alzheimer's disease and recovery after brain injury may show its effects on the brain and thinking skills as early as childhood, according to a new study.

Study unlocks key mechanisms that determine acquired resistance to immunotherapy in advanced melanoma Posted: 13 Jul 2016 02:25 PM PDT For the first time, researchers have identified mechanisms that determine how advanced melanoma can become resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors, a discovery that could lead to the development of new and improved treatments for the deadliest type of skin cancer.

New technique targets gene that causes neurodegenerative disease Posted: 13 Jul 2016 12:21 PM PDT Neuroscientists are studying a unique gene that expresses two proteins, one that is necessary for life and another, that when mutated causes a neurodegenerative disease called spinocerebellar ataxia type 6, have developed a technique to selectively block the disease-causing protein without affecting the other.

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