الخميس، 29 سبتمبر 2016

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Depression in pregnancy increases risk of mental health problems in children

Posted: 28 Sep 2016 07:11 AM PDT

Depression in pregnancy increases the risk of behavioral and emotional problems in children, says a new review.

Americas declared free of measles

Posted: 28 Sep 2016 06:35 AM PDT

The Region of the Americas is the first in the world to have eliminated measles, a viral disease that can cause severe health problems, including pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and even death. This achievement culminates a 22-year effort involving mass vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella throughout the Americas.

Cystic Fibrosis: Ensuring adequate nutrition

Posted: 28 Sep 2016 05:30 AM PDT

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) need help to ensure they are getting correct nutrition and the right amount of enzymes. They also need constant reminders. Researchers are now developing a digital support device to promote autonomy, but are finding that this is no easy task.

Antibiotics developed in 1960s show promise for TB therapy

Posted: 28 Sep 2016 05:30 AM PDT

First generation cephalosporins—antibiotics introduced as a treatment against bacterial infections in 1963—now show promise for tuberculosis (TB) therapy, according to new research. Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is the most deadly infectious disease in the world. Standard TB therapy takes at least six months and patients infected with multi-drug resistant (MDR) or extensively drug resistant (XDR) strains undergo treatments that are even longer (up to 24 months). Treatment is often associated with severe side effects. Studies indicate that the cost of developing a new drug has soared to $2.6 billion.

Antibiotic resistance can occur naturally in soil bacteria

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 12:15 PM PDT

Scientists have found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in prairie soils that had little or no exposure to human or animal activity.

92% of the world’s population exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 11:42 AM PDT

A new WHO air quality model confirms that 92% of the world's population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO limits. Some 3 million deaths a year are linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution can be just as deadly. In 2012, an estimated 6.5 million deaths (11.6% of all global deaths) were associated with indoor and outdoor air pollution together.

Have more than eight dental fillings? It could increase the mercury levels in your blood

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 11:30 AM PDT

Dental surface restorations composed of dental amalgam, a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and other metals, significantly contribute to prolonged mercury levels in the body, according to new research.

Volcano emissions linked to increases in asthma attacks

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 10:56 AM PDT

A new study from the active volcano K?lauea, which is on the big island of Hawaii, reports that people -- especially children -- with asthma are at greater risk of having serious asthma attacks if they live in a community with high levels of the volcanic gas sulfur dioxide than if they live upwind of the volcano.

Artificial blood vessels developed in the lab can grow with the recipient

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 10:48 AM PDT

Biomedical engineers, artificial blood vessels bioengineered in the lab and implanted in young lambs are capable of growth within the recipient, a groundbreaking new study demonstrates. If confirmed in humans, these new vessel grafts would prevent the need for repeated surgeries in some children with congenital heart defects.

Interval exercise training improves blood vessel function in older adults

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 10:48 AM PDT

Researchers have found that interval exercise training (resistance-based and cardiovascular) improves endothelial function in older adults. Resistance interval training in particular could help reduce the risk of heart disease in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Fertility genes required for sperm stem cells

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 10:40 AM PDT

The underlying cause of male infertility is unknown for 30 percent of cases. In a pair of new studies, researchers have determined that the reproductive homeobox (RHOX) family of transcription factors -- regulatory proteins that activate some genes and inactivate others -- drive the development of stem cells in the testes in mice. The investigators also linked RHOX gene mutations to male infertility in humans.

Suffering from headaches? You may be at increased risk for a thyroid condition

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 08:46 AM PDT

Sufferers of migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches or other headache disorders are at greater risk of developing a thyroid condition called hypothyroidism, according to a new study.

Surprising findings on deadly diarrhea suggest ways to save children's lives

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 08:44 AM PDT

New research offers unprecedented insights into the causes of childhood diarrhea, the second-leading cause of death of children worldwide, and suggests that the role of pathogens has been vastly underestimated.

Experimental imaging agent reveals concussion-linked brain disease in living brain

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 08:44 AM PDT

A protein tracer shows a distinctive pattern of brain protein deposition specific to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a disease typically confirmed after death. A link between brain injury and long-term health has been gaining attention in recent years.

Study compares CV risk reduction of statin vs nonstatin therapies used for lowering LDL-C

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 08:16 AM PDT

Scientists evaluated the association between lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and relative cardiovascular risk reduction across different statin and nonstatin therapies.

Earlier treatment with surgery to remove blood clot linked with less disability following stroke

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 08:16 AM PDT

In an analysis that included nearly 1,300 patients with large-vessel ischemic stroke, earlier treatment with endovascular thrombectomy (intra-arterial use of a micro-catheter or other device to remove a blood clot) plus medical therapy (use of a clot dissolving agent) compared with medical therapy alone was associated with less disability at 3 months, according to a study.

Young people need help in understanding a parent's suicide

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 08:14 AM PDT

Talking about suicide is associated with such strong stigma that young people whose parents have taken their own life must turn to strangers, for example people they meet on the internet, to ventilate their grief, a new doctoral thesis concludes.

Researchers uncover the skin barrier

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 08:14 AM PDT

Researchers can now explain how the properties of the skin change depending on the environment. The new findings explain, among other things, why people don't dehydrate in dry air. The research results can also be used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry to make substances penetrate the skin more effectively.

New switch decides between genome repair, death of cells

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 08:14 AM PDT

The genetic information of every cell is encoded in the sequence of the DNA double helix. Double strand breaks in the DNA, which can be induced by radiation, are a dangerous threat to the cells, and if not properly repaired can lead to cancer. Damaged cells need to decide whether the breaks can be fixed or whether they should be removed by a cellular suicide program called "apoptosis" before initiating cancer.

New therapeutic treatment helps people lose more weight and keep it off

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 05:33 AM PDT

A new approach to weight loss called Acceptance-Based Behavioral Treatment (ABT) helped people lose more weight and keep it off longer than those who received only Standard Behavioral Treatment (SBT) according to a new randomized controlled clinical.

Help needed to identify post-stroke visual impairments

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 05:29 AM PDT

A review of the methods available to screen for post-stroke visual impairments has found there is an urgent demand for the development of a tool.

'Missing link' found in the development of bioelectronic medicines

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 05:29 AM PDT

A nanoscale device, called a memristor, could be the 'missing link' in the development of implants that use electrical signals from the brain to help treat medical conditions, researchers have found.

Crosstalk analysis of biological networks for improved pathway annotation

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 05:29 AM PDT

A new computer algorithm for analyzing gene function called BinoX has been developed by researchers. The method associates experimentally derived gene lists and known pathways. It does this in a new way, by employing a large gene network and determining if a gene list and a pathway has more network links than expected, using the binomial distribution. This is a significant advance over previous methods, and as a result BinoX yields substantially better accuracy.

Skin cancer: Drug combination could improve immunotherapy

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 05:27 AM PDT

The results of studies show that the effect of immunotherapy on malignant melanoma (black skin cancer) can be improved by combining it with other cancer treatments. However, the results also show that this combination can lead to an increase in side-effects. Researchers are therefore now looking for ways to improve the side-effect profile and is testing these approaches in two upcoming studies.

Blood pressure drug may boost effectiveness of lung cancer treatment

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 05:27 AM PDT

A blood pressure drug may make a type of lung cancer treatment more effective, suggests a new study. Almost 2 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year worldwide and it is the top international cancer killer. The team studied a lung cancer drug called erlotinib which can be used to treat between 10 and 30 per cent of lung cancer patients.

Vigilin, the lock keeper

Posted: 27 Sep 2016 05:27 AM PDT

A molecule in liver cells that controls the release of fat into the bloodstream has now been discovered by researchers. This "lock keeper" is present in large quantities in overweight people and leads indirectly to vascular narrowing.

The spice of life: Cinnamon cools your stomach

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 07:23 PM PDT

Adding cinnamon to your diet can cool your body by up to two degrees, according to research. And the spice may also contribute to a general improvement in overall health, say authors of a new report.

How statins aid the immune system

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 07:20 PM PDT

Statins protect against cardiovascular disease in more ways than previously thought. In a new study, researchers are able to show the immunological effects of statins, and present a new hypothesis on why satins are effective at preventing heart attacks.

Teen girls with a family history of breast cancer do not experience increased depression or anxiety

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 07:16 PM PDT

More and more girls are expected to have to confront breast cancer fears as modern genomics technology makes it easier to detect strong risk factors such as inherited BRCA1/2 mutations. But a new study shows that adolescent girls in families with a history of breast cancer or a high-risk BRCA1/2 mutation do not experience negative psychological effects, on average, and even seem to have higher self-esteem than their peers.

How 'hair-of-the-dog' approach works to treat allergies, mouse study shows

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 07:14 PM PDT

Using mice as the models, a new study describes the cellular processes that occur during "rush desensitization." The approach involves giving a small dose of the allergy trigger -- peanuts or bee poison or even chemotherapy -- to the susceptible patient in small, yet increasing doses over a short period.

Measurement helps craniofacial surgeons better evaluate children with skull deformity

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 07:14 PM PDT

A baby's skull is made of several plates of bone that fuse together over time to form a single structure. Previous research has shown that approximately one in 2,000 babies have plates that fuse too early — a condition called craniosynostosis — causing cranial deformities that can lead to learning impairments and other neurodevelopmental problems. Craniofacial surgeons across the country differ on when surgical intervention is needed for some abnormalities. Now, researchers are recommending a new method to help determine when surgery is needed.

Scientists put a new twist on artificial muscles

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 07:14 PM PDT

A high-tech twist has been put on the ancient art of fiber spinning, using modern materials to create ultra-strong, powerful, shape-shifting yarns. A new report describes the path to developing a new class of artificial muscles made from highly twisted fibers of various materials, ranging from exotic carbon nanotubes to ordinary nylon thread and polymer fishing line.

Big data analysis shows weak link between badgers and cattle for TB transmission

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 07:12 PM PDT

The largest simulation to date of the numbers of cattle and badgers infected with tuberculosis (TB) casts serious doubts about the extent to which badgers cause TB in cattle, according to research.

Manuka honey curbs activity, growth of bacteria even at low dilutions

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 07:12 PM PDT

Even low dilutions of Manuka honey can curb the activity and growth of bacterial biofilms - the thin but resilient layer of microbes that build up on, and stick to, any surface including plastic, according to new research.

Rural employers failing to meet needs of working breastfeeding mothers

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 11:30 AM PDT

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers of more than 50 employees to provide sufficient space and time for mothers to breastfeed during the first year of their babies' lives. Researchers conducted an analysis of ACA's requirement to determine if any barriers exist for women living in rural areas; they found a lack of compliance with the law, inadequate breastfeeding information for mothers and lack of support from co-workers and supervisors.

The 'worm' holds the key to treating epilepsy

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 11:30 AM PDT

Current methods to control epilepsy are not only inefficient, but haven't improved in more than 150 years when the first anticonvulsant drug was developed. Researchers have opened up the possibilities for rapid drug screens to treat seizures in the near future by developing the smallest whole-animal electroconvulsive seizure model using a microscopic nematode worm.

Shortened Radiation Therapy Offers Similar Quality of Life for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 11:30 AM PDT

Low-risk prostate cancer patients may be able to undergo a shortened course of radiation therapy that cuts treatment by weeks and offers comparable outcomes and quality of life results as those who undergo longer treatment courses.

Fatty diet activates oldest branch of immune system, causing intestinal tumors

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 09:51 AM PDT

A high-fat-diet-induced immune reaction causes inflammation leading to intestinal cancer in a mouse model – even among animals that are not obese.

Nanoparticle injections may be future of osteoarthritis treatment

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 09:51 AM PDT

Researchers have shown that they can inject nanoparticles into an injured joint and suppress inflammation immediately following an injury, reducing the destruction of cartilage and lowering the risk for osteoarthritis.

Lights, camera, action: New catheter lets doctors see inside arteries for first time

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 09:51 AM PDT

Removing plaque from clogged arteries is a common procedure that can save and improve lives. This treatment approach was recently made even safer and more effective with a new, high-tech catheter that allows cardiologists to see inside the arteries for the first time, cutting out only the diseased tissue.

Radiation therapy, radical prostatectomy further explored for initial diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 08:55 AM PDT

A database study examining surgical removal of the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy) or a form of radiation therapy known as IMRT to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) shows an association between each of these treatments and improved overall survival.

Gene regulation in brain may explain repetitive behaviors in Rett Syndrome patients

Posted: 26 Sep 2016 08:55 AM PDT

Rett syndrome is a rare, debilitating disease in which patients progressively lose brain function and the ability to walk. Relatively little is known about the neuronal causes of Rett syndrome, but scientists have now identified a process in the brains of mice that might explain the repetitive actions – research that could be a key step in developing treatments to eliminate symptoms that drastically impair the quality of life in Rett patients.
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