ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Study raises concern of significant under-reporting of child abuse within US Army
• Studies of vulnerable populations get a 'bootstrapped' boost from statisticians
• Researchers identify biochemical mechanism behind a rare, painful genetic disease
• Scientists unravel mechanism fueling growth of aggressive Rhabdoid tumors
• Researchers find bacterial protein that boosts insulin-producing cells in zebrafish
• New technique switches key biomolecules on and off
• Pessimists, you aren't alone in feeling down
• Laboratory-on-a-chip technique simplifies detection of cancer DNA biomarkers
• Therapy response in brain tumor cells is linked to disease prognosis
• Women with more social connections have higher breast cancer survival, study shows
• American death rate from drugs, alcohol, and mental disorders nearly triples since 1980
• Mutations acquired trans-Pacific may be key to changes in Zika severity
• Drug for narcolepsy could help food addicts lose weight
• Using herpes drugs to slow down Alzheimer's disease could become reality
• Topical skin cream for treatment of basal cell carcinoma shows promise as an alternative to surgery
• Faster (cheaper) method for making big bioactive ring molecules
• Squeezing life from DNA's double helix
• Cholesterol-fighting drugs lower risk of Alzheimer's disease
• Study first to demonstrate role of parkin gene in eye lens free radical formation and cell survival
• Forming a second line of plant defense: Capturing disease-resistant DNA
• New wheat crops as an alternative to a gluten-free diet
• Drugs from nature: Big effects of multiple compounds in small amounts
• Bacterial 'sabotage' handicaps ability to resolve devastating lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis
• Rare obesity syndrome therapeutic target identified
• Breast cancer update: Sentinel node biopsy guidelines encourage 'less is more' approach
• Mutations in life's 'essential genes' tied to autism
• Teen use of any illicit drug other than marijuana at new low, same true for alcohol
• Immunotherapy drug gives non-small-cell lung cancer patients extra four months of life with fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy
• Yoga can have social benefits for children in care, says a new study
• New epilepsy gene network identified by scientists
• New X-ray technique could improve bomb detection and breast cancer treatment
• Optical tractor beam traps bacteria
• Brain shrinkage in multiple sclerosis associated with leaked protein in blood
• Study offers approach to treating pain
• Promising approach for prognosis, treatment in mastocytosis
• Mystery molecule is a key to inhibiting colon cancer
• Neurons paralyze us during REM sleep
• Nanorockets now available with brakes and a steering wheel

Study raises concern of significant under-reporting of child abuse within US Army Posted: 13 Dec 2016 01:11 PM PST Only 20 percent of medically diagnosed child abuse and neglect cases in US Army dependent children had a substantiated report with the Army's Family Advocacy Program, which investigates and treats child abuse. This rate is less than half of the rate of medically diagnosed child abuse cases substantiated by civilian Child Protective Services. Researchers say this contrast raises questions about the Army-reported rates of child abuse.

Studies of vulnerable populations get a 'bootstrapped' boost from statisticians Posted: 13 Dec 2016 01:11 PM PST Researchers report on a statistical approach called 'tree bootstrapping' can help social scientists study hard-to-reach populations like drug users.

Researchers identify biochemical mechanism behind a rare, painful genetic disease Posted: 13 Dec 2016 01:11 PM PST A team of researchers has uncovered a possible biochemical mechanism behind a rare, painful genetic disorder called ACDC disease, which causes calcium buildup in the arteries. The finding could lead to the first effective treatment for the potentially debilitating condition and might provide insight into other vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, the researchers say.

Scientists unravel mechanism fueling growth of aggressive Rhabdoid tumors Posted: 13 Dec 2016 01:10 PM PST Rhabdoid tumors are among the most recalcitrant childhood cancers, and scientists have long sought ways to understand what drives their resilience and makes them impervious to treatment. Now researchers have uncovered a molecular chain of events that interferes with a key mechanism that regulates cell behavior and controls tumor formation.

Researchers find bacterial protein that boosts insulin-producing cells in zebrafish Posted: 13 Dec 2016 10:06 AM PST A newly discovered bacterial protein produced in the zebrafish gut triggers insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas to multiply during early larval development, say researchers. The research potentially has human health implications. The findings, which could someday lead to new diabetes treatments, highlight the important role of resident microbes in development of the pancreas,

New technique switches key biomolecules on and off Posted: 13 Dec 2016 10:06 AM PST A new technique that will allow scientists to determine the effects of turning on and off a set of molecules involved in almost every cellular pathway, determine their downstream effects, and uncover new drug targets has been developed by researchers.

Pessimists, you aren't alone in feeling down Posted: 13 Dec 2016 10:05 AM PST There are no differences between optimists and pessimists when it comes to potential bad news, suggests a new report.

Laboratory-on-a-chip technique simplifies detection of cancer DNA biomarkers Posted: 13 Dec 2016 09:53 AM PST Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S., making early, reliable diagnosis and treatment a priority. Miniaturized lab-on-chip approaches are prime candidates for developing viable diagnostic tests and instruments because they are small, need only limited test volumes, and can be cost-effective. Researchers have developed just such an approach capable of processing biomolecular samples from blood.

Therapy response in brain tumor cells is linked to disease prognosis Posted: 13 Dec 2016 09:51 AM PST The brain tumor form glioblastoma is difficult to treat and has very poor prognosis. In a new study, scientists show that a type of stem cell in the tumor is present in different states, with different response to drugs and radiation. The results may open an avenue towards development of new treatment strategies designed to reverse therapy resistant cell states to more sensitive states.

Women with more social connections have higher breast cancer survival, study shows Posted: 13 Dec 2016 08:50 AM PST In a large study of women with invasive breast cancer, socially integrated women -- those with the most social ties, such as spouses, community ties, friendships and family members -- were shown to have significantly lower breast cancer death rates and disease recurrence than socially isolated women.

American death rate from drugs, alcohol, and mental disorders nearly triples since 1980 Posted: 13 Dec 2016 08:32 AM PST A new study examines deaths in 21 cause groups, ranging from chronic illnesses like diabetes and other endocrine diseases, to infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, to accidents, including traffic fatalities. It explores mortality rates and how they have changed in every US county between 1980 and 2014, creating the most comprehensive view to date of how Americans die.

Mutations acquired trans-Pacific may be key to changes in Zika severity Posted: 13 Dec 2016 08:32 AM PST Though Zika has been known for 70 years, in many ways the virus is still poorly understood. A new phylogenetic and geographic analysis of Zika's collected genetic sequences provides the most complete study of the virus's history to date. The analysis reveals indications of a surprisingly complex global background including an under-recorded ancestry in Asia. Further, the analysis identifies specific mutations in the Pacific transit that suggest possible explanations for Zika's recent virulence.

Drug for narcolepsy could help food addicts lose weight Posted: 13 Dec 2016 08:19 AM PST Overweight people could be given help with the discovery that a drug used for sleep disorder could also reduce the impulse for food, report scientists.

Using herpes drugs to slow down Alzheimer's disease could become reality Posted: 13 Dec 2016 08:19 AM PST The first clinical study to investigate if herpes virus drugs can have an effect on fundamental Alzheimer's disease processes has been launched. The research group has previously demonstrated a correlation between herpes virus infection and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Topical skin cream for treatment of basal cell carcinoma shows promise as an alternative to surgery Posted: 13 Dec 2016 08:19 AM PST For basal cell carcinoma, an initial treatment success has been realized with imiquimod, which appears to be sustained over a five-year period, report researchers.

Faster (cheaper) method for making big bioactive ring molecules Posted: 13 Dec 2016 06:31 AM PST A pair of chemists has developed a faster, cheaper method for synthesizing ring molecules called cyclic depsipeptides found in antibiotics, anti-retrovirals and pesticides.

Squeezing life from DNA's double helix Posted: 13 Dec 2016 06:31 AM PST DNA replication begins when the double helix, caught in a vice of proteins, melts, scientists have discovered.

Cholesterol-fighting drugs lower risk of Alzheimer's disease Posted: 13 Dec 2016 06:31 AM PST Medicare patients who took statins for two years or more showed a reduced risk of the memory-robbing disease, a new study found.

Study first to demonstrate role of parkin gene in eye lens free radical formation and cell survival Posted: 13 Dec 2016 06:24 AM PST A new study is the first to show that the Parkin gene is turned on when cells are exposed to environmental insults that cause free radical formation and cataract formation. Researchers have discovered that through the removal of mitochondria that are damaged by these environmental insults, Parkin prevents free radical formation in lens cells and increases the ability of the cells to survive exposure to conditions that are associated with aging and the development of many degenerative diseases.

Forming a second line of plant defense: Capturing disease-resistant DNA Posted: 13 Dec 2016 06:23 AM PST Scientists have developed a new improved method for capturing longer DNA fragments, doubling the size up to 7,000 DNA bases that can be analyzed for novel genes which provide plants with immunity to disease.

New wheat crops as an alternative to a gluten-free diet Posted: 13 Dec 2016 06:23 AM PST Wheat, one of the most widely consumed grains in the world, contains gluten, a mixture of proteins that can be toxic for people with celiac disease. A new study that analyzed the toxic components of these proteins in various varieties of wheat makes the first step forward towards developing wheat-based products that are safe for celiacs.

Drugs from nature: Big effects of multiple compounds in small amounts Posted: 13 Dec 2016 06:23 AM PST A research group has discovered a whole class of new peptides with which bacteria are able to kill insect larvae.

Bacterial 'sabotage' handicaps ability to resolve devastating lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis Posted: 13 Dec 2016 05:30 AM PST The chronic lung inflammation that is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis, has, for the first time, been linked to a new class of bacterial enzymes that hijack the patient's immune response and prevent the body from calling off runaway inflammation, according to a laboratory investigation.

Rare obesity syndrome therapeutic target identified Posted: 13 Dec 2016 05:30 AM PST An enzyme deficiency in the brain is linked to Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic condition that causes extreme hunger and severe obesity beginning in childhood, scientists have discovered.

Breast cancer update: Sentinel node biopsy guidelines encourage 'less is more' approach Posted: 13 Dec 2016 05:30 AM PST New recommendations from breast cancer experts on sentinel lymph node biopsy reinforce the most recent "less-is-more" guidelines for early-stage disease. But a researcher who helped create the guidelines said many surgeons still perform full lymph node dissection routinely.

Mutations in life's 'essential genes' tied to autism Posted: 13 Dec 2016 05:30 AM PST Genes known to be essential to life—the ones humans need to survive and thrive in the womb—also play a critical role in the development of autism spectrum disorder, suggests a new study

Teen use of any illicit drug other than marijuana at new low, same true for alcohol Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:45 AM PST Teenagers' use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco declined significantly in 2016 at rates that are at their lowest since the 1990s, a new national study showed.

Immunotherapy drug gives non-small-cell lung cancer patients extra four months of life with fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:43 AM PST Patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer survive four months longer with fewer side effects on an immunotherapy drug called atezolizumab compared to chemotherapy, according to a phase 3 clinical trial.

Yoga can have social benefits for children in care, says a new study Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:43 AM PST A certain type of yoga could potentially help to improve the health and psychological wellbeing of children in care, a new study suggests.

New epilepsy gene network identified by scientists Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:42 AM PST Scientists have discovered a gene network in the brain associated with epilepsy. The team believes the discovery may lead to more treatments for the condition.

New X-ray technique could improve bomb detection and breast cancer treatment Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:42 AM PST An exciting X-ray imaging technology has been successfully developed to the point where it is now ready for translation into all kinds of beneficial applications, including potentially life-saving uses in security and healthcare.

Optical tractor beam traps bacteria Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:42 AM PST Up to now, if scientists wanted to study blood cells, algae, or bacteria under the microscope, they had to mount these cells on a substrate such as a glass slide. Physicists have now developed a method that traps biological cells with a laser beam enabling them to study them at very high resolutions. In science fiction books and films, the principle is known as the 'tractor beam'. Using this procedure, the physicists have obtained superresolution images of the DNA in single bacteria.

Brain shrinkage in multiple sclerosis associated with leaked protein in blood Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:41 AM PST A leak of a protein called haemoglobin from damaged red blood cells may be associated with brain shrinkage in multiple sclerosis, report scientists.

Study offers approach to treating pain Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:41 AM PST For many patients with chronic pain, any light touch – even just their clothes touching their skin – can be agony. Scientists have found a possible new avenue for producing painkillers that specifically treat this kind of pain. They discovered how the stiffness of our nerve cells influences sensitivity to touch and pain.

Promising approach for prognosis, treatment in mastocytosis Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:40 AM PST Systemic mastocytosis is a rare, incurable disease that affects approximately one in every 10,000 people. It is a haematological tumor disease, similar to leukemia, in which the bone marrow and other organs, such as the bowel, liver or spleen, are infiltrated by mast cells. In the animal model, researchers have now discovered a new prognostic and therapeutic approach that could at least help to prevent rapid progression of the disease.

Mystery molecule is a key to inhibiting colon cancer Posted: 12 Dec 2016 12:24 PM PST Scientists tracking the protective role of the protein called NLRC3 have discovered multiple targets for drugs to switch on the cell's machinery to thwart colon cancer, outlines a new report.

Neurons paralyze us during REM sleep Posted: 12 Dec 2016 12:24 PM PST During REM sleep, the brain inhibits the motor system, which makes the sleeper completely immobile. Researchers have identified a population of neurons that is responsible for this transient muscle paralysis. The animal model created will shed light on the origin of some paradoxical sleep disorders, and more particularly the condition that prevents this paralysis. It will also be most useful in the study of Parkinson's disease, since these pathologies are related.

Nanorockets now available with brakes and a steering wheel Posted: 12 Dec 2016 10:34 AM PST Tiny machines like nanorockets are ideal candidates for drug delivery in the human body. Chemists now demonstrate the first complete movement regulation of a nanorocket, by providing temperature responsive brakes. An interesting feature for practical applications, since temperature sensitivity enables the rocket to stop in diseased tissues where temperatures are higher.

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