ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Bioscavengers: New discoveries could help neutralize chemical weapons
• Quantum theory reveals puzzling pattern in how people respond to some surveys
• How our brains store recent memories, cell by single cell
• In managing boundaries between work, home, technology can be both 'friend' and 'foe'
• Embryonic stem cells offer new treatment for multiple sclerosis
• Cellular signalling for kidney regeneration discovered
• Tugging on the 'malignant' switch in breast cancer
• Sensor in eye could track pressure changes, monitor for glaucoma
• Cryoprobes better than traditional forceps for obtaining certain lung biopsies
• Signaling pathway may explain the body clock's link to mental illness
• Gluten-free diet relieves 'brain fog' in patients with Celiac disease
• High-altitude weight loss may have an evolutionary advantage
• New method to reduce disease-causing inflammation discovered
• Long-term follow-up of diabetes prevention program shows continued reduction in diabetes development
• Diabetes distress vs. depression: Are people with type 2 being misdiagnosed?
• Allergic kids and the classroom
• Cover the bases: Sports physicals no substitute for comprehensive checkups
• Most prostate cancer specialists don't recommend active surveillance for low-risk patients
• Sacral nerve stimulation gives pediatric patients hope
• Many overestimate exercise intensity, study shows
• Common blood pressure medication may pose risk to older adults
• Cellular force that drives allergy, asthma can be blocked by interferon, immunologists find
• E-cigarettes far less harmful than cigarettes, says researcher
• Effective drugs for Parkinson's reduce symptoms of Rett syndrome in mice
• Lipids help to fight leukemia, study demonstrates
• Children in low-income homes fare better in kindergarten if moms work when they are babies
• Broccoli sprout beverage enhances detoxification of air pollutants in clinical trial
• Delinquent youth -- especially girls -- more likely to die violently as adults
• Bacteria evade human immune system with a burst of mutations during initial infection
• Bionic pancreas controls blood sugar levels in adults, adolescents with type 1 diabetes
• Nanoscale composites improve MRI: Magnetic particles merged to detect, fight disease
• Caffeine affects boys, girls differently after puberty, study finds
• Prental stress can increase risk of overweight in adulthood
• Investing in cancer research boosts economy as well as health, experts say
• Nanoparticles aid microscopic detection of protein relevant for cancer
• Anxious children have bigger 'fear centers' in the brain
• Genetic influence on pulmonary function: six further genes identified
• Smart treatment predictions for brain trauma with use of computer model
• Glucose monitoring for diabetes made easy with a blood-less method
• Hunting down trigger for Parkinson's: Failing dopamine pump damages brain cells
• Growth hormone linked to signs of aging
• Delivering the difficult news of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis
• How food marketing creates false sense of health

Bioscavengers: New discoveries could help neutralize chemical weapons Posted: 16 Jun 2014 12:15 PM PDT Researchers are a step closer to creating a prophylactic drug that would neutralize the deadly effects of the chemical weapons used in Syria and elsewhere. Scientists are trying to engineer enzymes -- called bioscavengers -- so they work more efficiently against chemical weapons.

Quantum theory reveals puzzling pattern in how people respond to some surveys Posted: 16 Jun 2014 12:13 PM PDT Researchers used quantum theory -- usually invoked to describe the actions of subatomic particles -- to identify an unexpected and strange pattern in how people respond to survey questions.

How our brains store recent memories, cell by single cell Posted: 16 Jun 2014 12:13 PM PDT Confirming what neurocomputational theorists have long suspected, researchers report that the human brain locks down episodic memories in the hippocampus, committing each recollection to a distinct, distributed fraction of individual cells.

In managing boundaries between work, home, technology can be both 'friend' and 'foe' Posted: 16 Jun 2014 11:15 AM PDT When it comes to managing boundaries between work and home life, technology is neither all good nor all bad, according to ongoing research. Technology, specifically mobile technology, can be alternately used to maintain, erase or manage home and work boundaries along a spectrum, researchers report.

Embryonic stem cells offer new treatment for multiple sclerosis Posted: 16 Jun 2014 11:15 AM PDT A novel approach to treating multiple sclerosis using human embryonic stem cells appears to offer better treatment results than stem cells derived from human adult bone marrow, scientists say. An advantage of human embryonic stem cells is that they can be propagated indefinitely in lab cultures and provide an unlimited source of high quality mesenchymal stem cells -- the kind of stem cell needed for treatment of MS.

Cellular signalling for kidney regeneration discovered Posted: 16 Jun 2014 11:15 AM PDT The precise cellular signalling responsible for kidney regeneration and exposing the multi-layered nature of kidney growth has been pinpointed in a new study. The research paves the way for novel cellular and molecular therapeutics to achieve human kidney regeneration and alleviate the shortage of kidney organs for transplantation.

Tugging on the 'malignant' switch in breast cancer Posted: 16 Jun 2014 11:14 AM PDT A possible mechanism by which normal cells turn malignant in mammary epithelial tissues, the tissues frequently involved in breast cancer, has been discovered by researchers. Dense mammary tissue has long been recognized as a strong indicator of risk for breast cancer. This is why regular breast examinations are considered essential to early detection. Until now, however, the significance of that tissue density has been poorly understood.

Sensor in eye could track pressure changes, monitor for glaucoma Posted: 16 Jun 2014 11:13 AM PDT Engineers have designed a low-power sensor that could be placed permanently in a person's eye to track hard-to-measure changes in eye pressure. The sensor would be embedded with an artificial lens during cataract surgery and would detect pressure changes instantaneously, then transmit the data wirelessly using radio frequency waves.

Cryoprobes better than traditional forceps for obtaining certain lung biopsies Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:41 AM PDT Cryoprobes, which are tools that apply extreme cold to tissues, are better than conventional forceps for performing so-called transbronchial lung biopsies in patients who are being assessed for certain lung conditions, a randomized controlled trial has found. Cryoprobes allowed for improved diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases because they collected larger sized samples that were of higher quality.

Signaling pathway may explain the body clock's link to mental illness Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:41 AM PDT Alterations in a cellular signaling pathway called cAMP–CREB may help explain why the body clocks of people with bipolar disease are out of sync, according to a new study.

Gluten-free diet relieves 'brain fog' in patients with Celiac disease Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:41 AM PDT Individuals with celiac disease often experience 'brain fog' in addition to intestinal problems, but a new study shows that adhering to a gluten-free diet can lead to improvements in cognition that correlate with the extent of intestinal healing. The findings indicate that ridding the diet of gluten may help address problems that celiac disease patients can experience related to attention, memory, and other mental tasks.

High-altitude weight loss may have an evolutionary advantage Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:09 AM PDT Weight loss at high altitudes -- something universally experienced by climbers and people who move to higher terrain -- may not be a detrimental effect, but rather is likely an evolutionarily-programmed adaptation, according to a new article.

New method to reduce disease-causing inflammation discovered Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:09 AM PDT An enzyme known as Tumor Progression Locus 2, or Tpl2, plays a key role in directing and regulating several important components of the body's immune system, researchers report. Their discovery may one day lead to new treatments for many common autoimmune diseases. "This is an emerging field," one researcher said. "We have a lot of work to do, but many of our preliminary results are promising."

Long-term follow-up of diabetes prevention program shows continued reduction in diabetes development Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:08 AM PDT Treatments used to decrease the development of type 2 diabetes continue to be effective an average of 15 years later, according to the latest findings of the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study. The study's two interventions, a lifestyle program designed to reduce weight and increase activity levels and the diabetes medicine metformin, decreased the development of type 2 diabetes in a diverse group of people, all of whom were at high risk for the disease, compared with a group taking placebo.

Diabetes distress vs. depression: Are people with type 2 being misdiagnosed? Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:08 AM PDT Researchers have long understood there is a strong association between diabetes and depression. But new research shows that symptoms of depression in people with type 2 diabetes can be significantly reduced through interventions for 'diabetes distress,' suggesting that much of what is being labeled as depression may not be a co-morbid psychiatric disorder after all, but rather a reaction to living with a stressful, complex disease that is often difficult to manage.

Allergic kids and the classroom Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:04 AM PDT For parents of kids who have asthma and allergies, getting them ready to head back to school means a lot more planning and preparation than buying new folders and figuring out who their new teachers will be. It sometimes requires meetings with school administrators, teachers and nurses to develop a plan to ensure avoidance of triggers, and safe studying and eating.

Cover the bases: Sports physicals no substitute for comprehensive checkups Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:03 AM PDT Nearly half of parents say any qualified health care provider – not just a child's usual provider – can do a sports physical, according to a new poll in the United States. However, sports physicals don't have to cover all health concerns if a child is seeing his or her regular provider for regular checkups.

Most prostate cancer specialists don't recommend active surveillance for low-risk patients Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:03 AM PDT Specialists who treat prostate cancer agree that active surveillance is an effective option -- yet most don't recommend it when appropriate for their own patients, according to a study. Rather, urologists are more likely to recommend surgery and radiation oncologists are more likely to recommend radiation therapy -- the treatments provided by their own specialties.

Sacral nerve stimulation gives pediatric patients hope Posted: 16 Jun 2014 10:03 AM PDT Sacral nerve stimulation, sometimes called sacral neuromodulation, is used to help patients desperate to control their bowels or bladder, when other treatment options have failed. During the procedure, surgeons implant a device that addresses communication problems between the brain and the nerves that control bowel and bladder function. If the nerves are not communicating properly, the muscles may not function properly, which leads to incontinence.

Many overestimate exercise intensity, study shows Posted: 16 Jun 2014 08:11 AM PDT Do you work out for health benefits and feel you are exercising more than enough? You might be among the many who overrate how hard they work out or underestimate what moderate intensity exercise means, according to a recent study. "This is worrisome both for personal and public health and well-being," remarks one expert.

Common blood pressure medication may pose risk to older adults Posted: 16 Jun 2014 08:10 AM PDT Adults over 65 who have recently begun thiazide diuretics are at a greater risk for developing metabolic-related adverse events, researchers have found. More than two-thirds of older adults have high blood pressure in the United States and thiazide diuretics are often recommended as the initial medication for these hypertensive patients. While the risks of this medication are well known, the risks are not well quantified in real-world clinical practice, where older adults who are treated may have a number of other illnesses.

Cellular force that drives allergy, asthma can be blocked by interferon, immunologists find Posted: 16 Jun 2014 08:10 AM PDT A mechanism that could underlie the development of cells that drive asthma and allergies has been uncovered by immunology researchers. Asthma and allergies are both driven by an inappropriate activation of the immune system, primarily a subtype of white blood cells known as T helper 2 cells, or Th2 cells. These cells are normally responsible for defense against parasites, but are also the main culprits behind the symptoms of asthma and allergies.

E-cigarettes far less harmful than cigarettes, says researcher Posted: 16 Jun 2014 07:28 AM PDT A researcher examining the public and private dangers of drugs argues against demonizing e-cigarettes. He also calls on public officials to recognize that alcohol causes greater harm than other recreational drugs and more public attention should be paid to controlling its harmful effects.

Effective drugs for Parkinson's reduce symptoms of Rett syndrome in mice Posted: 16 Jun 2014 07:28 AM PDT A combination of effective drugs for Parkinson's disease in mice that are used as a model of human Rett syndrome reduces some of the symptoms associated with this disease. Rett syndrome is the second most common cause of mental retardation in women, after Down syndrome. It is a neurodevelopmental disease whose clinical picture begins to appear 6-18 months after birth and involves a loss of intellectual, social and motor skills, accompanied by autistic behaviors, such as repetitive movements of the hands.

Lipids help to fight leukemia, study demonstrates Posted: 16 Jun 2014 07:24 AM PDT T cells use a novel mechanism to fight leukemia. They may recognize unique lipids produced by cancer cells and kill tumor cells expressing these lipid molecules. A study now shows that a tumor-associated lipid stimulates specific T cells, which efficiently kill leukemia cells both in vitro and in animal models.

Children in low-income homes fare better in kindergarten if moms work when they are babies Posted: 16 Jun 2014 07:24 AM PDT Kindergarteners from lower-income families who were babies when their mothers went to work outside the home fare as well as or even better than children who had stay-at-home moms, according to new research. Time, stress and money were the main factors the researchers examined to determine the effects of mothers' employment on children.

Broccoli sprout beverage enhances detoxification of air pollutants in clinical trial Posted: 16 Jun 2014 07:24 AM PDT Daily consumption of a half cup of broccoli sprout beverage produced rapid, significant and sustained higher levels of excretion of benzene, a known human carcinogen, and acrolein, a lung irritant, in a trial involving nearly 300 Chinese men and women living in one of China's most polluted regions.

Delinquent youth -- especially girls -- more likely to die violently as adults Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:36 AM PDT Delinquency in youth predicts a significantly higher rate of violent death in adulthood -- nearly twice the rate of combat troops in wartime Iraq and Afghanistan. Delinquent females -- among the most vulnerable -- died violently at nearly five times the rate of those in the general population, while delinquent males died at three times the rate. This is the first large-scale study to look at death rates in delinquent females and adds new data on Hispanics.

Bacteria evade human immune system with a burst of mutations during initial infection Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:36 AM PDT Bacteria that cause ulcers launch a burst of mutations during the initial stages of infection, allowing them to evade the human immune system, new research reveals. The study shows, for the first time, and in real-time, the interplay between the human immune system and invading bacteria that allows the bacteria to counter the immune response by quickly evolving.

Bionic pancreas controls blood sugar levels in adults, adolescents with type 1 diabetes Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:36 AM PDT The latest version of a bionic pancreas device has been successfully tested in two five-day clinical trials -- one in adults, the other in adolescents -- that imposed minimal restrictions on patient activities.

Nanoscale composites improve MRI: Magnetic particles merged to detect, fight disease Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:36 AM PDT Submicrometer particles that contain even smaller particles of iron oxide could make magnetic resonance imaging a far more powerful tool to detect and fight disease. Medical researchers are creating composite particles that can be injected into patients and guided by magnetic fields. Once in position, the particles may be heated to kill malignant tissues or trigger the release of drugs at the site. The "nanoconstructs" should fully degrade and leave the body within a few days, they reported.

Caffeine affects boys, girls differently after puberty, study finds Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:33 AM PDT Caffeine intake by children and adolescents has been rising for decades, due in large part to the popularity of caffeinated sodas and energy drinks, which now are marketed to children as young as four. Despite this, there is little research on the effects of caffeine on young people. Following a recent study, one researcher remarked: "We found an interaction between gender and caffeine dose, with boys having a greater response to caffeine than girls."

Prental stress can increase risk of overweight in adulthood Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:33 AM PDT There are indications that unborn children who are exposed to severe stress levels, have an increased risk of becoming overweight or developing obesity as adults, researchers report. The researchers have previously shown that severe stress experienced by pregnant women can lead to weight problems for children between 10 and 13 years; however, a correlation between the mother's level of stress during pregnancy and the risk of developing overweight or obesity as an adult is new.

Investing in cancer research boosts economy as well as health, experts say Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:32 AM PDT Money invested in cancer research generates a continuous stream of benefits, according to a report by three leading research institutions. Some of the greatest economic benefit was from efforts to reduce smoking rates, investment in breast cancer treatments, such as tamoxifen, and the cervical screening program.

Nanoparticles aid microscopic detection of protein relevant for cancer Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:32 AM PDT Assemblies of proteins have important functions in cells. But because they are very small, their composition from subunits can only be determined indirectly or with extreme time-effort. Scientists are currently developing a novel microscopy technology for the direct detection of such individual subunits of protein complexes in the cell membrane of intact cells. The methodology is applied to investigate a protein complex acting as a calcium channel in the cell membrane. The channel plays an important role in prostate cancer.

Anxious children have bigger 'fear centers' in the brain Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:32 AM PDT The amygdala is a key "fear center" in the brain. Alterations in the development of the amygdala during childhood may have an important influence on the development of anxiety problems, reports a new study. Researchers recruited 76 children, 7 to 9 years of age, a period when anxiety-related traits and symptoms can first be reliably identified. Using non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of brain structure and function, the researchers found that children with high levels of anxiety had enlarged amygdala volume.

Genetic influence on pulmonary function: six further genes identified Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:31 AM PDT In an analysis of several genome-wide association studies, an international team of scientists has identified six novel gene regions that are associated with the function of the lungs. In their investigations or so-called genome-wide association studies, the team of researchers compared the genetic profile of study participants to the forced vital capacity (FVC), a volume parameter of lung function.

Smart treatment predictions for brain trauma with use of computer model Posted: 16 Jun 2014 05:21 AM PDT Most people who suffer a severe brain injury take years to recover – if they recover at all. But the right treatment in the crucial hours following an accident can make all the difference. Now a new project is building sophisticated new computer models potentially able to improve diagnosis and predict the outcome of treatments.

Glucose monitoring for diabetes made easy with a blood-less method Posted: 16 Jun 2014 05:21 AM PDT Treating diabetes – a major scourge of humanity bothering millions of people – requires a constant monitoring of the human blood for glucose concentrations. While current schemes employ electrochemical methods, they require extraction of blood samples. By using glucose-sensitive dyes and a nano-plasmonic interferometer, a research team has shown how to achieve much higher sensitivities in real-time measurements while using only saliva instead of blood.

Hunting down trigger for Parkinson's: Failing dopamine pump damages brain cells Posted: 16 Jun 2014 05:21 AM PDT The function of an intracellular dopamine pump in Parkinson's patients has been compared to a healthy test group in a new study. Researchers found out that this pump is less effective at pumping out dopamine and storing it in the brain cells of Parkinson's sufferers. If dopamine is not stored correctly, however, it can cause self-destruction of the affected nerve cells.

Growth hormone linked to signs of aging Posted: 16 Jun 2014 05:21 AM PDT The decreased production of growth hormone is caused by a physiological process known as somatopause, which practically affects the entire body, since it's involved in body composition, metabolism, bone mineral density and cardiovascular function, researchers report. it is from the fourth decade of life that levels of growth hormone secreted naturally by the body begin to decline, which may manifest in signs of aging, such as narrowing of the spine and lack of dynamism.

Delivering the difficult news of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis Posted: 16 Jun 2014 05:20 AM PDT Delivering a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis is difficult: patients may be surprised, yet need to understand the diagnosis and its significance. With more than 86 million Americans at risk, these conversations are increasingly important. Now, some advice is offered to help clinicians deliver the news.

How food marketing creates false sense of health Posted: 13 Jun 2014 10:07 AM PDT Health-related buzzwords, such as 'antioxidant,' 'gluten-free' and 'whole grain,' lull consumers into thinking packaged food products labeled with those words are healthier than they actually are, according to a new research study. That "false sense of health," as well as a failure to understand the information presented in nutrition facts panels on packaged food, may be contributing to the obesity epidemic in the United States, researchers say.

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