ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• malaria parasite transmission to mosquitos: Protein discovered as essential
• Skin cells transformed into functioning liver cells in mouse study
• 'Microbial Pompeii:' 1,000 year old plaque preserves bacteria, microscopic particles of food on skeleton teeth, creating mineral tomb for microbiomes
• Baby food puree could be made even safer with new processing technique
• Studies show how traceability can work across entire food supply chain
• Selenium, vitamin E supplements can increase risk of prostate cancer in some men
• Antibody may be detectable in blood years before MS symptoms appear
• Sauces and marinades address consumers' desire for ethnic flavors
• Promising cervical cancer study: Combining drugs, chemo to extend life
• Chemical transport in plants likened to that of humans
• Air force aircraft returned from Vietnam identified as postwar source of agent orange contamination
• Genetic screening can identify men with advanced prostate cancer

malaria parasite transmission to mosquitos: Protein discovered as essential Posted: 23 Feb 2014 10:17 AM PST Scientists studying the sexual transformation of the malaria parasite have solved a long-standing mystery in parasite biology. Two research teams have independently discovered that a single protein acts as the master genetic switch that triggers the development of male and female sexual forms of the malaria parasite. The research also gives important clues for identifying the underlying mechanisms that control this developmental fate, determining whether or not a malaria parasite will be able to transmit the disease. The discovery has important implications for human health.

Skin cells transformed into functioning liver cells in mouse study Posted: 23 Feb 2014 10:17 AM PST An important breakthrough has been made that could affect patients waiting for liver transplants. Scientists have discovered a way to transform skin cells into mature, fully functioning liver cells that flourish on their own, even after being transplanted into laboratory animals modified to mimic liver failure. In previous studies on liver-cell reprogramming, scientists had difficulty getting stem cell-derived liver cells to survive once being transplanted into existing liver tissue. But this team figured out a way to solve this problem, and have revealed a new cellular reprogramming method that transforms human skin cells into liver cells that are virtually indistinguishable from the cells that make up native liver tissue.

'Microbial Pompeii:' 1,000 year old plaque preserves bacteria, microscopic particles of food on skeleton teeth, creating mineral tomb for microbiomes Posted: 23 Feb 2014 10:16 AM PST A 'microbial Pompeii' has been discovered, preserved on the teeth of skeletons around 1,000 years old. The research team discovered that the ancient human oral cavity carries numerous opportunistic pathogens and that periodontal disease is caused by the same bacteria today as in the past, despite major changes in human diet and hygiene. "The study of ancient microbiomes helps us understand the evolutionary history of human health and disease," says a senior author of the study. "It informs modern medicine."

Baby food puree could be made even safer with new processing technique Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST Although levels of furan—a carcinogen resulting from heat treatment techniques, such as canning and jarring—are far below of what would cause harmful effect as determined by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), a team of food scientists found that treatment of baby food puree with high pressure thermal sterilization (HPTS) instead of conventional thermal processing showed a reduction of furan.

Studies show how traceability can work across entire food supply chain Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST Recent developments across the globe have put an increasing focus on the traceability of foods. Complicated supply chains of hundreds of ingredients that are used to make a food product make food product tracing a daunting task. In an effort to better protect public health from foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls, governments across the world are in the process of implementing new regulations around food traceability.

Selenium, vitamin E supplements can increase risk of prostate cancer in some men Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST High-dose supplementation with both the trace element selenium and vitamin E increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. But importantly, this risk depends upon a man's selenium status before taking the supplements. "Men using these supplements should stop, period. Neither selenium nor vitamin E supplementation confers any known benefits -- only risks," the lead author stated. "While there appear to be no risks from taking a standard multivitamin, the effects of high-dose single supplements are unpredictable, complex and often harmful. There are optimal levels, and these are often the levels obtained from a healthful diet, but either below or above the levels there are risks."

Antibody may be detectable in blood years before MS symptoms appear Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST An antibody found in the blood of people with multiple sclerosis may be present long before the onset of the disease and its symptoms, according to a study. For the study, 16 healthy blood donors who were later diagnosed with MS were compared to 16 healthy blood donors of the same age and sex who did not develop MS. Scientists looked for a specific antibody to KIR4.1. Samples were collected between two and nine months before the first symptoms of MS appeared. KIR4.1 antibodies were found in the people with pre-clinical MS several years before the first clinical attack.

Sauces and marinades address consumers' desire for ethnic flavors Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:45 PM PST Sauces and marinades are an easy way for consumers cooking at home to infuse distinctive flavors into all kinds of different foods. New consumer trends and a growing interest in international/ethnic flavor preferences regarding sauces and marinades are the subject of a new article.

Promising cervical cancer study: Combining drugs, chemo to extend life Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:04 PM PST New research has revealed that women with advanced cervical cancer live about four months longer with the combined use of bevacizumab (Avastin®) and chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. Women who combined bevacizumab with chemotherapy lived an average of 17 months after diagnosis, while those who received chemotherapy alone lived 13.3 months. The multi-site research project is expected to change the standard of care in advanced cervical cancer.

Chemical transport in plants likened to that of humans Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:04 PM PST Plant roots and certain human membrane systems resist chemical transport in much the same way, say researchers. This similarity could make it easier to assess chemical risks for both people and plants, and may even lead to a new approach to testing medications. "A plant's root is similar to the blood-brain barrier and intestine of humans," say the researchers. "It's amazing when you think about it -- plants and animals evolved separately but somehow developed comparable structures to control transport of water and dissolved chemicals."

Air force aircraft returned from Vietnam identified as postwar source of agent orange contamination Posted: 21 Feb 2014 08:40 AM PST From 1971-1982 Air Force reservists, who flew in about 34 dioxin-contaminated aircraft used to spray Agent Orange and returned to the US following discontinuation of the herbicide spraying operations in the Vietnam War, were exposed greater levels of dioxin than previously acknowledged, according to a study. The new evidence is contrary to current position held by Air Force and VA. "These findings are important because they describe a previously unrecognized source of exposure to dioxin that has health significance to those who engaged in the transport work using these aircraft," says the lead investigator, an environmental engineer with many years of experience evaluating environmental exposures in the Air Force.

Genetic screening can identify men with advanced prostate cancer Posted: 20 Feb 2014 04:35 PM PST Screening men with a family history of prostate cancer for a range of gene mutations can identify those who are at high risk of aggressive forms of the disease and in need of lifelong monitoring, a new study has shown. The findings are important because they demonstrate not only that some men have a genetic profile that puts them at higher risk of prostate cancer, but that particular genetic profiles match to a higher risk of advanced, invasive disease. A big challenge facing prostate cancer researchers is to find ways of predicting which men will have life-threatening forms of the disease, to allow treatment to be tailored more effectively.

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