ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Heart attacks continue notable 15-year decline in Northern California
• Leaky calcium triggers brainstem blackout that results in sudden cardiac death
• Patients with non-functional adrenal tumors at increased risk of diabetes
• 'Generic' biologic drugs appear comparable to brand-name counterparts
• Potential new way to sway the immune system
• Why is cocaine so addictive? Study using animal model provides clues
• Replacing ill workers with healthy ones accelerates some epidemics
• Effectiveness of new anti-HIV medication to protect women and infants demonstrated
• No platelets, no immune response
• Coordinated response cuts time to treatment for deadly heart attacks
• Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, may aid healing after heart attack
• Big trash pickup for cells
• Excessive alcohol consumption impacts breathing
• New approach for treating skin cancer
• Protein critical to toxoplasmosis regulation: CD4 T-Cell and Blimp-1
• New silicon structures could make better biointerfaces
• Iron catalysts can modify amino acids, peptides to create new drug candidates
• Antioxidant therapies may help in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases
• New lipid-lowering drugs help patients reduce LDL cholesterol
• Are bounce houses as dangerous as hot cars?
• One of the most common viruses in humans may promote breast cancer development
• Mechanistic finding may help develop treatment for Ice Bucket Challenge disease
• Cheaper, faster, more accurate method to quantify water in solid pharmaceutical drugs
• New strategy to treat some instances of preterm labor
• Autism genes identified using new approach
• Higher BMI not associated with increased risk of heart attack or early death, twin study shows
• DNA's dynamic nature makes it well-suited to serve as the blueprint of life
• Handheld device takes high-resolution images of children's retinas
• Study examines symptom spikes in kids after concussion
• High animal protein intake associated with higher, plant protein with lower mortality rate
• New rare congenital heart disease disorders found in children
• Novel study method identifies 15 genomic regions associated with depression
• FAMIN or feast? Newly discovered mechanism influences how immune cells 'eat' invaders
• Mechanism for inducing memory B cell differentiation elucidated
• Here's why the epidemic strain of C. difficile is so deadly -- and a way to stop it
• New areas of the brain identified where ALS gene is active
• Heating the exterior of suitcases may decrease the spread of bed bugs through luggage
• Combining medications could offer better results for ADHD patients
• Meat consumption contributing to global obesity
• Over 750 biomarkers identified as potentials for early cancer screening test
• New vibrations in old tools allow surgeons to feel what they can't touch
• New framework for human nutrition
• Origins of the female orgasm explained

Heart attacks continue notable 15-year decline in Northern California Posted: 01 Aug 2016 04:09 PM PDT Heart attack rates among an ethnically diverse population of more than 3.8 million Kaiser Permanente members in Northern California fell 23 percent from 2008 to 2014, as reported today.

Leaky calcium triggers brainstem blackout that results in sudden cardiac death Posted: 01 Aug 2016 04:09 PM PDT Researchers report how a mutation in a gene involved in the regulation of calcium inside brain cells can help trigger blackouts of the brainstem, the center that controls heartbeat and breathing, and increase the risk of sudden unexpected death.

Patients with non-functional adrenal tumors at increased risk of diabetes Posted: 01 Aug 2016 04:09 PM PDT Researchers have found that 'non-functional' adrenal tumors can increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

'Generic' biologic drugs appear comparable to brand-name counterparts Posted: 01 Aug 2016 04:09 PM PDT Generic forms of a biologic drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis appear to be as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts, a new analysis suggests.

Potential new way to sway the immune system Posted: 01 Aug 2016 01:50 PM PDT A new international collaboration opens a door to influencing the immune system, which would be useful to boost the effectiveness of vaccines or to counter autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Why is cocaine so addictive? Study using animal model provides clues Posted: 01 Aug 2016 01:39 PM PDT Scientists are one step closer to understanding what causes cocaine to be so addictive. Using an animal model, researchers have discovered that cocaine leaves a long-lasting imprint on the dopamine system that is activated by re-exposure to cocaine. This 'priming effect,' which may be permanent, may contribute to the severity of relapse episodes in cocaine addicts.

Replacing ill workers with healthy ones accelerates some epidemics Posted: 01 Aug 2016 01:39 PM PDT When disease outbreaks occur, people with essential roles -- healthcare workers, first responders, and teachers, for example -- are typically up close and personal with infected people. As these front-line workers become infected, healthy individuals take their places. Based on network models of this 'human exchange,' researchers find that replacing sick individuals with healthy ones can actually accelerate the spread of infection.

Effectiveness of new anti-HIV medication to protect women and infants demonstrated Posted: 01 Aug 2016 01:39 PM PDT Each year, 1.5 million women living with HIV become pregnant. Without effective treatment, up to 45 percent of HIV-infected mothers will transmit the virus to their child, usually through breastfeeding. In an effort to prevent HIV transmission to women and their children, researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of a new anti-HIV medication, EFdA, in pre-clinical animal models.

No platelets, no immune response Posted: 01 Aug 2016 01:38 PM PDT When a virus attacks our organism, an inflammation appears on the affected area. White blood cells move quickly to the inflamed area. Up until now, it was proved that neutrophils were the first defenders to arrive but today, researchers now discovered that their recruitment onsite depend on a group of patrolling monocytes, referred to as 'residents,' and also on a protein called CCN1, produced by the platelets and by the endothelium.

Coordinated response cuts time to treatment for deadly heart attacks Posted: 01 Aug 2016 01:38 PM PDT The largest nationwide demonstration project aimed at reducing time to treatment for people suffering ST segment elevation myocardial infarction suggests a coordinated response results in more people getting life-saving treatment sooner. Treatment response times improved the most when patients were taken by EMS directly to hospitals that could perform the procedure to open blocked heart arteries. The AHA's Mission: Lifeline STEMI Systems Accelerator model can help standardize and coordinate emergency medical systems and hospital-based care for STEMI patients, researchers said.

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, may aid healing after heart attack Posted: 01 Aug 2016 01:38 PM PDT Taking a high dose of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil daily for six months after a heart attack improved the function of the heart and reduced scarring in the undamaged muscle, according to a new study.

Big trash pickup for cells Posted: 01 Aug 2016 11:20 AM PDT Autophagy (self eating) has long been considered a kind of indiscriminate Pac-man like process of waste disposal. Now scientists have shown that apart from conditions of cell starvation, it is carefully regulated: both in plants and yeast and most likely in people. The finding is relevant to aggregation-prone pathologies, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Excessive alcohol consumption impacts breathing Posted: 01 Aug 2016 11:20 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a potential new health concern related to excessive alcohol consumption. Adults who drink excessively were found to have less nitric oxide in their exhaled breath than adults who don't drink. Nitric oxide helps protect against certain harmful bacteria.

New approach for treating skin cancer Posted: 01 Aug 2016 11:20 AM PDT Using new and innovative immune-therapeutic approaches to silence 'don't eat me' signaling proteins recognized by specialized cells of the immune system, molecular biologists have identified an effective way to combat metastatic melanoma.

Protein critical to toxoplasmosis regulation: CD4 T-Cell and Blimp-1 Posted: 01 Aug 2016 11:20 AM PDT Researchers are finding a way to regulate chronic toxoplasmosis, one of the most common parasitic diseases worldwide. This research also has important implications for cancer.

New silicon structures could make better biointerfaces Posted: 01 Aug 2016 10:12 AM PDT A team of researchers have engineered silicon particles one-fiftieth the width of a human hair, which could lead to "biointerface" systems designed to make nerve cells fire and heart cells beat.

Iron catalysts can modify amino acids, peptides to create new drug candidates Posted: 01 Aug 2016 10:12 AM PDT For medicinal chemists, making tweaks to peptide structures is key to developing new drug candidates. Now, researchers have demonstrated that two iron-containing small-molecule catalysts can help turn certain types of amino acids -- the building blocks of peptides and proteins -- into an array of potential new forms, even when part of a larger peptide, while preserving a crucial aspect of their chemistry: chirality, or "handedness."

Antioxidant therapies may help in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases Posted: 01 Aug 2016 10:10 AM PDT A new review examines the potential of antioxidant approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis.

New lipid-lowering drugs help patients reduce LDL cholesterol Posted: 01 Aug 2016 10:10 AM PDT A recent analysis indicates that adding new therapies called anti-PCSK9 antibodies to other lipid-lowering treatments can help patients lower their LDL cholesterol levels.

Are bounce houses as dangerous as hot cars? Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:42 AM PDT Heat safety issues in bounce houses can put children in danger, according to a new study.

One of the most common viruses in humans may promote breast cancer development Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:40 AM PDT New research reveals that infection with the Epstein-Barr virus may put some women at increased risk for developing breast cancer. The findings may have important implications for breast cancer screening and prevention.

Mechanistic finding may help develop treatment for Ice Bucket Challenge disease Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:38 AM PDT Motor neuron diseases rob patients of their ability to walk, eat, talk or breathe since they affect the motor neurons controlling the muscles. Young patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) have a shortage of the survival motor neuron protein. Revealing clues about SMA, scientists have shown that fruit flies develop motor neuron disease symptoms when they blocked the construction of the cell's machine that cuts and pastes genetic instructions.

Cheaper, faster, more accurate method to quantify water in solid pharmaceutical drugs Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:38 AM PDT Chemists have invented a method to quantify water content in solid pharmaceutical drugs that is faster, cheaper, more accurate and more precise than Karl Fischer titration, the method currently recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration and widely used worldwide.

New strategy to treat some instances of preterm labor Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:38 AM PDT A new research report reveals a potentially new therapeutic target for preventing or stopping preterm labor.

Autism genes identified using new approach Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:38 AM PDT Researchers have developed a machine-learning approach that for the first time analyzes the entire human genome to predict which genes may cause autism spectrum disorder, raising the number of genes that could be linked to the disorder from 65 to 2,500.

Higher BMI not associated with increased risk of heart attack or early death, twin study shows Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:38 AM PDT A study of 4,046 genetically identical twin pairs with different amounts of body fat shows that twin siblings with a higher body mass index, as a measure of obesity, do not have an increased risk of heart attack or mortality. The study also shows that a higher BMI is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

DNA's dynamic nature makes it well-suited to serve as the blueprint of life Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:38 AM PDT A new study could explain why DNA and not RNA, its older chemical cousin, is the repository of genetic information. The DNA double helix is a more forgiving molecule that can contort itself into different shapes to absorb chemical damage to the basic building blocks -- A, G, C and T -- of genetic code. In contrast, when RNA is in the form of a double helix, it is so rigid that rather than accommodating damaged bases, it falls apart.

Handheld device takes high-resolution images of children's retinas Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:37 AM PDT Engineers and physicians have developed a handheld device capable of capturing images of a retina with cellular resolution. The new probe will allow researchers to gather detailed structural information about the eyes of infants and toddlers for the first time.

Study examines symptom spikes in kids after concussion Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:36 AM PDT Symptom exacerbations after concussion appeared to be common in a secondary analysis of a clinical trial that included 63 children studied for 10 days after injury, according to a new article.

High animal protein intake associated with higher, plant protein with lower mortality rate Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:36 AM PDT The largest study to examine the effects of different sources of dietary protein found that a high intake of proteins from animal sources -- particularly processed and unprocessed red meats -- was associated with a higher mortality rate, while a high intake of protein from plant sources was associated with a lower risk of death.

New rare congenital heart disease disorders found in children Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:36 AM PDT In one of the largest international genetic studies of congenital heart disease, researchers have discovered gene mutations linked to three new rare congenital heart disorders. The researchers also found the first clear evidence of genetic differences between two forms of the disease, and that one form can be traced back to healthy parents.

Novel study method identifies 15 genomic regions associated with depression Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:36 AM PDT A genomic study using a novel method of enrolling participants has identified for the first time 15 regions of the genome that appear to be associated with depression in individuals of European ancestry.

FAMIN or feast? Newly discovered mechanism influences how immune cells 'eat' invaders Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:36 AM PDT A new mechanism that affects how our immune cells perform -- and hence their ability to prevent disease -- has been discovered by an international team of researchers.

Mechanism for inducing memory B cell differentiation elucidated Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:05 AM PDT Scientists have clarified the mechanism for inducing germinal-center B cells' differentiation into memory B cells, immune cells that remember antigens, at the molecular level.

Here's why the epidemic strain of C. difficile is so deadly -- and a way to stop it Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:02 AM PDT A new, epidemic strain of C. difficile is proving alarmingly deadly, and new research not only explains why but also suggests a way to stop it.

New areas of the brain identified where ALS gene is active Posted: 01 Aug 2016 08:01 AM PDT For the first time novel expression sites in the brain have been identified for a gene which is associated with motor neuron disease and frontotemporal dementia.

Heating the exterior of suitcases may decrease the spread of bed bugs through luggage Posted: 01 Aug 2016 06:32 AM PDT New research indicates that brief heat treatment is a promising way to decrease the spread of bed bugs being transported on the outer surface of luggage.

Combining medications could offer better results for ADHD patients Posted: 01 Aug 2016 06:32 AM PDT Three studies report that combining two standard medications could lead to greater clinical improvements for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than either ADHD therapy alone. At present, studies show that the use of several ADHD medications result in significant reductions in ADHD symptoms. However, so far there is no conclusive evidence that these standard drug treatments also improve long-term academic, social, and clinical outcomes.

Meat consumption contributing to global obesity Posted: 01 Aug 2016 06:30 AM PDT Should we be warning consumers about over-consumption of meat as well as sugar?

Over 750 biomarkers identified as potentials for early cancer screening test Posted: 01 Aug 2016 06:30 AM PDT Researchers have identified 788 biomarkers in blood that could be used to develop an early stage cancer screening test for the general population.

New vibrations in old tools allow surgeons to feel what they can't touch Posted: 01 Aug 2016 06:29 AM PDT A small vibrating device added to surgical tools could improve surgeons' sensitivity to different shapes and textures inside their patients' bodies. Engineers have designed the small vibrating device to attach to any existing hand-held surgical tool and be used instantly, without requiring extra training for doctors.

New framework for human nutrition Posted: 01 Aug 2016 06:29 AM PDT Existing models for measuring health impacts of the human diet are limiting our capacity to solve obesity and its related health problems, nutritional scientists say.

Origins of the female orgasm explained Posted: 01 Aug 2016 06:29 AM PDT Female orgasm seems to be a happy afterthought of our evolutionary past when it helped stimulate ovulation, a new study of mammals shows.

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