ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Rare disease of the inner ear: New insights
• Research reveals what your sleeping position says about your relationship
• Functional brain imaging reliably predicts which vegetative patients have potential to recover consciousness
• Antibiotics improve growth in children in developing countries
• Prolonged, heavy bleeding during menopause is common
• New standards proposed for gauging muscle decline in older adults
• Brain anatomy differences between deaf, hearing depend on first language learned
• Mouse model would have predicted toxicity of drug that killed 5 in 1993 clinical trial
• Neuroscientists disprove important idea about brain-eye coordination
• Chrono, the last piece of the circadian clock puzzle?
• Brain changes associated with casual marijuana use in young adults: More 'joints' equal more damage
• Blacks with financial worries have lower health scores
• Potent, puzzling and (now less) toxic: Team discovers how antifungal drug works
• Changes in processing, handling could reduce commercial fishing injuries
• Pre-diabetes, diabetes nearly double over the past two decades
• SSRI use during pregnancy linked to autism and developmental delays in boys
• Real-time audio of corporal punishment shows kids misbehave within 10 minutes of spanking
• Breaking bad mitochondria: How hepatitis C survives for so long
• Kids' earliest memories might be earlier than they think
• Cultivating happiness often misunderstood
• Lifestyle determines gut microbes: Study with modern hunter-gatherers tells tale of bacteria co-evolution
• How mothers help children explore right and wrong
• Osteoporosis risk heightened among sleep apnea patients
• Genetic pre-disposition toward exercise, mental development may be linked
• More should be done for female parolees, experts say
• New method of screening children for autism spectrum disorders works at 9 months old
• Targeting cancer with a triple threat: New nanoparticles can deliver three drugs at once
• Rethink education to fuel bioeconomy, says report
• New method isolates immune cells to study how they ward off oral diseases
• Key to easy asthma diagnosis is in the blood
• Researchers help Boston Marathon organizers plan for 2014 race
• Regenerated esophagus transplanted in rats
• Charitable donation discrepancies: Why are some countries more generous than others?
• When identity marketing backfires: Consumers don't like to be told what they like
• Unexpected protein partnership has implications for cancer treatment
• New insight into SIDS deaths points to lack of oxygen
• Vitamin D deficiency, cognition appear to be linked in older adults
• Hair from infants gives clues about life in womb
• Whooping cough bacterium evolving in Australia, research shows
• Outgoing behavior makes for happier humans: Across cultures, extroverts have more fun
• MRI pinpoints region of brain injury in some concussion patients
• New therapy helps to improve stereoscopic vision in stroke patients
• Obesity: Are lipids hard drugs for the brain?
• Exams in cold auditoriums? Better memory at ideal temperature
• Intelligent prosthetic liners could ease pain for lower limb amputees
• Nanocrystalline cellulose modified into efficient viral inhibitor
• Outcome of stroke worse for people with infection
• Experimental blood test spots recurrent breast cancers, monitors response to treatment
• Fiber-optic microscope will help physicians detect cancer, diseases at early stages
• Awareness campaign shows signs of delaying onset of drug-resistant gonorrhea in UK
• Gene variant puts women at higher risk of Alzheimer's than it does men, study finds
• New management, return-to-play guidelines for Female Athlete Triad examined
• Physical therapy instructional video may be as good as an in-person visit for shoulder rehabilitation exercises
• Which obesity measure best predicts lower extremity injury risk?
• Brand/type of helmet, mouthguard may not significantly reduce risk of sport-related concussion in high school football players
• Nano shake-up: Routine handling can affect nano drug carriers

Rare disease of the inner ear: New insights Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:38 PM PDT In the most comprehensive study of Ménière's Disease to date, researchers have been able to suggest what goes wrong in the body when people develop the disease, and provide an insight into factors that lead to its development. The analysis also showed that Ménière's patients were more likely to suffer falls and mental health problems, such as depression, than people without the condition.

Research reveals what your sleeping position says about your relationship Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:37 PM PDT Scientists have discovered what people's preferred sleeping position reveals about their relationships and personality. The research revealed the most popular sleep positions for couples, with 42% sleeping back to back, 31% sleeping facing the same direction and just 4% spending the night facing one another. In addition, 12% of couples spend the night less than an inch apart whilst 2% sleep over 30 inches apart.

Functional brain imaging reliably predicts which vegetative patients have potential to recover consciousness Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:37 PM PDT A functional brain imaging technique known as positron emission tomography is a promising tool for determining which severely brain damaged individuals in vegetative states have the potential to recover consciousness, according to new research.

Antibiotics improve growth in children in developing countries Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:36 PM PDT Antibiotics improve growth in children at risk of undernourishment in low and middle income countries, according to researchers who have just conducted a research literature review on the subject. Their results suggest that the youngest children from the most vulnerable populations benefit most and show significant improvements toward expected growth for their age and sex, particularly for weight.

Prolonged, heavy bleeding during menopause is common Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:36 PM PDT Women going through menopause most likely think of it as the time for an end to predictable monthly periods. Researchers say it's normal, however, for the majority of them to experience an increase in the amount and duration of bleeding episodes, which may occur at various times throughout the menopausal transition.

New standards proposed for gauging muscle decline in older adults Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:14 PM PDT Sarcopenia -- the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength -- may put up to 50 percent of seniors at greater risk for disability, yet there is no consensus within the medical community for how this condition should be measured. However, a new collection of articles lays out an empirically derived set of criteria for diagnosing sarcopenia.

Brain anatomy differences between deaf, hearing depend on first language learned Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:13 PM PDT In the first known study of its kind, researchers have shown that the language we learn as children affects brain structure, as does hearing status. 'What we've learned to date about differences in brain anatomy in hearing and deaf populations hasn't taken into account the diverse language experiences among people who are deaf,' says one of the authors.

Mouse model would have predicted toxicity of drug that killed 5 in 1993 clinical trial Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:13 PM PDT Over 20 years after the fatal fialuridine trial, a new study demonstrates that mice with humanized livers recapitulate the drug's toxicity. The work suggests that this mouse model should be added to the repertoire of tools used in preclinical screening of drugs for liver toxicity before they are given to human participants in clinical trials.

Neuroscientists disprove important idea about brain-eye coordination Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:12 PM PDT By predicting our eye movements, our brain creates a stable world for us. Researchers used to think that those predictions had so much influence that they could cause us to make errors in estimating the position of objects. Neuroscientists have now shown this to be incorrect. These new findings challenge fundamental knowledge regarding coordination between brain and eyes.

Chrono, the last piece of the circadian clock puzzle? Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:11 PM PDT All organisms, from mammals to fungi, have daily cycles controlled by a tightly regulated internal clock, called the circadian clock. The whole-body circadian clock, influenced by the exposure to light, dictates the wake-sleep cycle. At the cellular level, the clock is controlled by a complex network of genes and proteins that switch each other on and off based on cues from their environment.

Brain changes associated with casual marijuana use in young adults: More 'joints' equal more damage Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:11 PM PDT The size and shape of two brain regions involved in emotion and motivation may differ in young adults who smoke marijuana at least once a week, according to a new study. The findings suggest that recreational marijuana use may lead to previously unidentified brain changes, and highlight the importance of research aimed at understanding the long-term effects of low to moderate marijuana use on the brain.

Blacks with financial worries have lower health scores Posted: 15 Apr 2014 03:11 PM PDT Black adults who reported feeling more financial strain also rated their health more poorly than those with less financial strain, finds a new study. While lower income and education among minorities have been linked to poor health for decades, this study focused just on the connection between financial worries and poor health.

Potent, puzzling and (now less) toxic: Team discovers how antifungal drug works Posted: 15 Apr 2014 12:38 PM PDT Scientists have solved a decades-old medical mystery -- and in the process have found a potentially less toxic way to fight invasive fungal infections, which kill about 1.5 million people a year. The researchers say they now understand the mechanism of action of amphotericin, an antifungal drug that has been in use for more than 50 years -- even though it is nearly as toxic to human cells as it is to the microbes it attacks.

Changes in processing, handling could reduce commercial fishing injuries Posted: 15 Apr 2014 12:38 PM PDT Handling frozen fish caused nearly half of all injuries aboard commercial freezer-trawlers and about a quarter of the injuries on freezer-longliner vessels operating off the coast of Alaska. Many injuries could be prevented with the right interventions. Researchers are hoping to build from this research and explore other fishing-related injuries and prevention strategies. The Dungeness crab industry is one area that may be explored and another is land-based fish-processing, researchers said.

Pre-diabetes, diabetes nearly double over the past two decades Posted: 15 Apr 2014 12:37 PM PDT Cases of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the United States have nearly doubled since 1988, suggests new research, with obesity apparently to blame for the surge. The researchers also found that the burden of the disease has not hit all groups equally, with alarming increases in diabetes in blacks, Hispanics and the elderly.

SSRI use during pregnancy linked to autism and developmental delays in boys Posted: 15 Apr 2014 12:37 PM PDT In a study of nearly 1,000 mother-child pairs, researchers found that prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a frequently prescribed treatment for depression, anxiety and other disorders, was associated with autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays in boys.

Real-time audio of corporal punishment shows kids misbehave within 10 minutes of spanking Posted: 15 Apr 2014 11:40 AM PDT Real-time audio recordings of children being spanked showed parents responded impulsively or emotionally, rather than being intentional with their discipline, says a psychologist and parenting expert. Researchers discovered that spanking was more common than parents admit, that children were hit for trivial misdeeds, and that children misbehaved within 10 minutes of punishment.

Breaking bad mitochondria: How hepatitis C survives for so long Posted: 15 Apr 2014 11:39 AM PDT A mechanism has been discovered that explains why people with the hepatitis C virus get liver disease and why the virus is able to persist in the body for so long. The hard-to-kill pathogen, which infects an estimated 200 million people worldwide, attacks the liver cells' energy centers -- the mitochondria -- dismantling the cell's innate ability to fight infection. It does this by altering cells mitochondrial dynamics.

Kids' earliest memories might be earlier than they think Posted: 15 Apr 2014 11:27 AM PDT The very earliest childhood memories might begin even earlier than anyone realized -- including the one remembering, his or her parents and memory researchers. Four- to 13-year-olds in upstate New York and Newfoundland, Canada, probed their memories when researchers asked: "You know, some kids can remember things that happened to them when they were very little. What is the first thing you can remember? How old were you at that time?" The researchers then returned a year or two later to ask again about earliest memories -- and at what age the children were when the events occurred.

Cultivating happiness often misunderstood Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:39 AM PDT The concept of maximizing happiness has been explored by researchers, who have found that pursuing concrete 'giving' goals rather than abstract ones leads to greater satisfaction. One path to happiness is through concrete, specific goals of benevolence -- like making someone smile or increasing recycling -- instead of following similar but more abstract goals -- like making someone happy or saving the environment.

Lifestyle determines gut microbes: Study with modern hunter-gatherers tells tale of bacteria co-evolution Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:39 AM PDT The intestinal bacteria of present-day hunter-gatherers has for the first time been deciphered by an international team of researchers. Bacterial populations have co-evolved with humans over millions of years, and have the potential to help us adapt to new environments and foods. Studies of the Hadza offer an especially rare opportunity for scientists to learn how humans survive by hunting and gathering, in the same environment and using similar foods as our ancestors did.

How mothers help children explore right and wrong Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:39 AM PDT Moms want their kids to grow up to be good people -- but how do they actually help their offspring sort out different types of moral issues? A new study shows many moms talk to their kids in ways that help them understand moral missteps. The study also shows that the nature of the maternal role develops along with the children, as parents evolve from gentle teachers for youngsters to sounding boards for teenagers.

Osteoporosis risk heightened among sleep apnea patients Posted: 15 Apr 2014 10:38 AM PDT A diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea may raise the risk of osteoporosis, particularly among women or older individuals, according to a new study. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes brief interruptions in breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, occurs when a person's airway becomes blocked during sleep. If sleep apnea goes untreated, it can raise the risk for stroke, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

Genetic pre-disposition toward exercise, mental development may be linked Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:56 AM PDT A potential link between the genetic pre-disposition for high levels of exercise motivation and the speed at which mental maturation occurs has been found by researchers. These scientists studied the brains of the rats and found much higher levels of neural maturation in the brains of the active rats than in the brains of the lazy rats.

More should be done for female parolees, experts say Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:55 AM PDT As the female prison population grows, a new study says more should be done to help women probationers and parolees in poor urban areas remain crime-free. Probation and parole officers, case managers and others should help the women find housing in safer areas and provide access to resources to help them stay clean, sober and stable. That could be something as simple as transportation to a mental health or substance abuse treatment meeting, said the lead author on the study.

New method of screening children for autism spectrum disorders works at 9 months old Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:55 AM PDT Researchers have identified head circumference and head tilting reflex as two reliable biomarkers in the identification of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children that are between 9 and 12 months of age. ASD is identifiable as early as two years old, although most children are not identified until after the age of four. While a number of studies have reported that parents of children with ASD notice developmental problems in children before their first birthday, there has yet to be a screening tool to identify those children.

Targeting cancer with a triple threat: New nanoparticles can deliver three drugs at once Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:55 AM PDT Chemists have designed nanoparticles that can deliver three cancer drugs at a time. Such particles could be designed to carry even more drugs, allowing researchers to develop new treatment regimens that could better kill cancer cells while avoiding the side effects of traditional chemotherapy. "We think it's the first example of a nanoparticle that carries a precise ratio of three drugs and can release those drugs in response to three distinct triggering mechanisms," says the lead researcher and author.

Rethink education to fuel bioeconomy, says report Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:55 AM PDT Microbes can be highly efficient, versatile and sophisticated manufacturing tools, and have the potential to form the basis of a vibrant economic sector. In order to take full advantage of the opportunity microbial-based industry can offer, though, educators need to rethink how future microbiologists are trained, according to a report.

New method isolates immune cells to study how they ward off oral diseases Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:53 AM PDT Dental researchers have found a less invasive way to extract single rare immune cells from the mouth to study how the mouth's natural defenses ward off infection and inflammation. By isolating some specialized immune cells (white blood cells known as "leukocytes") to study how they fight diseases in the mouth -- or reject foreign tissues, such as in failed organ transplants -- researchers hope to learn more about treating and preventing such health issues as oral cancers, cardiovascular disease, AIDS and other infectious diseases.

Key to easy asthma diagnosis is in the blood Posted: 15 Apr 2014 09:53 AM PDT Using just a single drop of blood, a team of researchers has developed a faster, cheaper and more accurate tool for diagnosing even mild cases of asthma. This handheld technology — which takes advantage of a previously unknown correlation between asthmatic patients and the most abundant type of white blood cells in the body — means doctors could diagnose asthma even if their patients are not experiencing symptoms during their visit to the clinic.

Researchers help Boston Marathon organizers plan for 2014 race Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:24 AM PDT After experiencing a tragic and truncated end to the 2013 Boston Marathon, race organizers were faced not only with grief but with hundreds of administrative decisions, including plans for the 2014 race -- an event beloved by Bostonians and people around the world.

Regenerated esophagus transplanted in rats Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:23 AM PDT Tissue engineering has been used to construct natural esophagi, which in combination with bone marrow stem cells have been safely and effectively transplanted in rats. The study shows that the transplanted organs remain patent and display regeneration of nerves, muscles, epithelial cells and blood vessels.

Charitable donation discrepancies: Why are some countries more generous than others? Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:22 AM PDT When it comes to charitable giving, some countries open their collective wallets more than others. According to a new study, people who live in countries that promote equality in power and wealth are more likely to donate money than those who live in societies that expect and accept inequality.

When identity marketing backfires: Consumers don't like to be told what they like Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:22 AM PDT When choosy moms choose Jif peanut butter and sports fans who call themselves sports fans subscribe to DirecTV, identity marketing is hard at work. But what happens when this type of advertising misses the mark? According to a new study, when a person's sense of ownership and freedom is threatened they are less likely to respond positively to identity marketing campaigns.

Unexpected protein partnership has implications for cancer treatment Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:13 AM PDT Two unlikely partners in a type of immune cell called a macrophage that work together in response to cancer drugs have been found by researchers. This partnership increases inflammation in a way that may alter tumor growth.

New insight into SIDS deaths points to lack of oxygen Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:13 AM PDT Researchers have shed new light onto the possible causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which could help to prevent future loss of children's lives. In a world-first study, researchers have found that telltale signs in the brains of babies that have died of SIDS are remarkably similar to those of children who died of accidental asphyxiation.

Vitamin D deficiency, cognition appear to be linked in older adults Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:13 AM PDT A study that looks at Vitamin D deficiency and cognition relationship in older adults adds to the existing literature on the subject. "This study provides increasing evidence that suggests there is an association between low vitamin D levels and cognitive decline over time," said the lead author. "Although this study cannot establish a direct cause and effect relationship, it would have a huge public health implication if vitamin D supplementation could be shown to improve cognitive performance over time because deficiency is so common in the population."

Hair from infants gives clues about life in womb Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:13 AM PDT Like rings of a tree, hair can reveal a lot of information about the past. And, as a team of researchers show in a study of rhesus monkeys, it can also reveal the womb environment in which an infant formed. It's the first time researchers have used infant hair to examine the hormonal environment to which the fetus was exposed during development and it promises to yield a wealth of new information. The findings have significant implications for several fields, from neonatology to psychology, social science to neurology.

Whooping cough bacterium evolving in Australia, research shows Posted: 15 Apr 2014 06:44 AM PDT The bacterium that causes whooping cough, Bordetella pertussis, has changed in Australia -- most likely in response to the vaccine used to prevent the disease -- with a possible reduced effectiveness of the vaccine as a result. A team of researchers analyzed strains of Bordetella pertussis from across Australia and found that many strains no longer produce a key surface protein called pertactin.

Outgoing behavior makes for happier humans: Across cultures, extroverts have more fun Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:45 AM PDT Happy is as happy does, apparently -- for human beings all over the world. Not only does acting extroverted lead to more positive feelings across several cultures, but people also report more upbeat behavior when they feel free to be themselves.

MRI pinpoints region of brain injury in some concussion patients Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:45 AM PDT Researchers using information provided by a magnetic resonance imaging technique have identified regional white matter damage in the brains of people who experience chronic dizziness and other symptoms after concussion. The findings suggest that information provided by MRI can speed the onset of effective treatments for concussion patients.

New therapy helps to improve stereoscopic vision in stroke patients Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:44 AM PDT Humans view the world through two eyes, but it is our brain that combines the images from each eye to form a single composite picture. If this function becomes damaged, impaired sight can be the result. Such loss of visual function can be observed in patients who have suffered a stroke or traumatic brain injury or when the oxygen supply to the brain has been reduced (cerebral hypoxia). Those affected by this condition experience blurred vision or can start to see double after only a short period of visual effort.

Obesity: Are lipids hard drugs for the brain? Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:42 AM PDT Why can we get up for a piece of chocolate, but never because we fancy a carrot? Research has demonstrated part of the answer: triglycerides, fatty substances from food, may act in our brains directly on the reward circuit, the same circuit that is involved in drug addiction. These results show a strong link in mice between fluctuations in triglyceride concentration and brain reward development. Identifying the action of nutritional lipids on motivation and the search for pleasure in dietary intake will help us better understand the causes of some compulsive behaviors and obesity.

Exams in cold auditoriums? Better memory at ideal temperature Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:41 AM PDT People's working memory functions better if they are working in an ambient temperature where they feel most comfortable. The conjecture is that working in one's preferred temperature counteracts 'ego depletion': sources of energy necessary to be able to carry out mental tasks get used up less quickly.

Intelligent prosthetic liners could ease pain for lower limb amputees Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:41 AM PDT A new device could help to relieve the pain and discomfort experienced by thousands of amputees as a result of poorly fitting replacement lower limbs. Researchers are developing a prototype of the world's first prosthetic 'intelligent' liner with integrated pressure sensors, which could be available in as little as three years. The sensors for the device measure the pressure and pulling forces at the interface between a patient's stump and socket of their prosthesis. In excess these pressures in excess can cause tissue damage, leading to painful sores.

Nanocrystalline cellulose modified into efficient viral inhibitor Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:41 AM PDT Researchers have succeeded in creating a surface on nano-sized cellulose crystals that imitates a biological structure. The surface adsorbs viruses and disables them. The results can prove useful in the development of antiviral ointments and surfaces, for instance. 'It would be possible to provide protection against viruses, spread by mosquitoes, by applying ointment containing nanocrystalline cellulose onto the skin. Nanocrystalline cellulose applied on hospital door handles could kill viruses and prevent them from spreading. However, we first need to ascertain if the compounds will remain effective in a non-liquid form and how they work in animal tests,' one researcher suggested.

Outcome of stroke worse for people with infection Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:41 AM PDT Infection is bad news for all of us - but it can be really serious to people who have had a stroke. Evidence is mounting that infection makes things much worse after a stroke. The researchers show that rodents with pneumonia fared worse after having a stroke than those without the bacterial infection. This study builds on previous research demonstrating that an anti-inflammatory drug, called 'interleukin-1 receptor antagonist', could dramatically limit the amount of brain damage in experimental stroke.

Experimental blood test spots recurrent breast cancers, monitors response to treatment Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:39 AM PDT A blood test that accurately detects the presence of advanced breast cancer and also holds promise for precisely monitoring response to cancer treatment has been designed by researchers. The test, called the cMethDNA assay, accurately detected the presence of cancer DNA in the blood of patients with metastatic breast cancers up to 95 percent of the time in laboratory studies.

Fiber-optic microscope will help physicians detect cancer, diseases at early stages Posted: 15 Apr 2014 05:39 AM PDT An inexpensive, portable and re-usable endoscopic microscope has been developed that will help clinicians detect and diagnose early-stage disease, primarily cancer. An endoscopic microscope is a tool or technique that obtains histological images from inside the human body in real-time. Some clinicians consider it an optical biopsy.

Awareness campaign shows signs of delaying onset of drug-resistant gonorrhea in UK Posted: 14 Apr 2014 04:14 PM PDT Gonorrhea threatens to become resistant to all antibiotics used to treat it. Campaigns in the UK to raise awareness of drug resistance have shown some success in slowing onset of treatment failure, a new study shows. The authors provide guidance for safer sex practices to help with the control of STIs.

Gene variant puts women at higher risk of Alzheimer's than it does men, study finds Posted: 14 Apr 2014 04:14 PM PDT Carrying a copy of a gene variant called ApoE4 confers a substantially greater risk for Alzheimer's disease on women than it does on men, according to a new study. The scientists arrived at their findings by analyzing data on large numbers of older individuals who were tracked over time and noting whether they had progressed from good health to mild cognitive impairment -- from which most move on to develop Alzheimer's disease within a few years -- or to Alzheimer's disease itself.

New management, return-to-play guidelines for Female Athlete Triad examined Posted: 14 Apr 2014 02:21 PM PDT New evidence-based guidelines on management and return to play of the Female Athlete Triad was recently reviewed by experts. The Female Athlete Triad is a medical condition often observed in physically active girls and women, and involves three components: low energy availability with or without disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction and low bone mineral density.

Physical therapy instructional video may be as good as an in-person visit for shoulder rehabilitation exercises Posted: 14 Apr 2014 02:21 PM PDT A rehab video may get the same results as an in-person visit for shoulder rehabilitation exercises, a new study suggests. "These results are significant for two reasons," said the lead researcher. "First, having an additional tool to augment what the patient learns at an initial physical therapy visit may help with exercise accuracy and hopefully therefore improve outcomes. Additionally as access to physical therapy becomes more limited due either to cost or insurance, identifying new tools to better help out patients will be essential."

Which obesity measure best predicts lower extremity injury risk? Posted: 14 Apr 2014 02:21 PM PDT Obesity and musculoskeletal injuries are huge health problems in America, including the military. In the civilian setting these injuries are certainly very costly. But in the military, injuries can also slow down or halt the valiant men and women who defend our country. In a new study, those who were classified as obese were at a greater risk for developing lower extremity injuries. Using BMI and abdominal circumference in a combined approach predicted injury risk better than either measure alone.

Brand/type of helmet, mouthguard may not significantly reduce risk of sport-related concussion in high school football players Posted: 14 Apr 2014 02:21 PM PDT A sports medicine physician has concluded the the brand or type of helmet or mouthguard does not significantly reduce concussion risk among high school football players. While helmet brand or age did not significantly affect the incidence or severity of sport-related concussion, prior concussion and the use of specialized or custom mouthguards were associated with an increased incidence of the injury. This is in contrast to manufacturers' claims that a specific brand of helmet or type of mouthguard can significantly reduce the risk of concussion.

Nano shake-up: Routine handling can affect nano drug carriers Posted: 14 Apr 2014 12:44 PM PDT Routine processing can affect the size of nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery, new research shows. Nanotechnology has unlocked new pathways for targeted drug delivery, including the use of nanocarriers, or capsules, that can transport cargoes of small-molecule therapeutics to specific locations in the body. The catch? These carriers are tiny, and it matters just how tiny they are. Change the size from 10 nanometers to 100 nanometers, and the drugs can end up in the wrong cells or organs and thereby damage healthy tissues.

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