ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Catering to needs of in-store, online customers boosts marketing effectiveness, revenue
• Nothing fishy about health benefits of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid
• How phthalate exposure impacts pregnancy
• Race, Hospital, Insurance Status All Factors in How Lung Cancer Is Treated
• Physicians prescribe less brand name drugs when electronic health record default settings show generics first
• Need to encourage patients to screen for colon cancer? Try a lottery
• Bed bugs can transmit parasite that causes chagas disease
• Symmetrical knees linked to jamaican sprinting prowess
• Investigational oral drug combo shows promise for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
• Finding 'lost' languages in the brain: Far-reaching implications for unconscious role of infant experiences
• No racial disparities in development of atrial fibrillation among heart failure patients
• Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on postconcussion symptoms in military members
• Small fraction of students attended schools with USDA nutrition components
• Young vessels rejuvenate aged insulin-producing beta cells
• State-of-the-art integrated imaging system allows mapping of brain cells responsible for memory
• Credit score can also describe health status
• The 'dirty' side of soap: Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice
• Scientists Reveal Weak Spots in Ebola's Defenses
• Advances in electron microscopy reveal secrets of HIV and other viruses
• Recommendations by other customers significantly influence Internet purchasing behavior
• Reprogramming cells, long term
• Smoking study: Financial incentives double quit rates
• TNF inhibitors may increase cancer risk in the eye, researchers report
• Gene found in kidney may play role in high blood pressure in male mice
• Readying the neural network: Brain discovery opens more questions on role of cell death
• Second protein associated with common cause of kidney failure identified
• One firm's loss is another's gain
• Side effects of possible anti-cancer strategy discovered
• Family ties that bind: Having the right surname sets you up for life
• Links between mentoring, doctors' wellbeing explored
• A new genetic cause for a progressive form of epilepsy identified
• The secret life of anti-cancer drugs
• Young bar patrons more likely to smoke and use multiple tobacco products
• Returning West Africa researcher says distrust of health workers made ebola worse
• More HPV legislation may not result in greater HPV vaccine uptake
• Caffeine to Viagra: Medications saving preemies may surprise you
• Women's fertility linked to detox element in diet
• 74 Percent of Parents Would Remove Their Kids From Daycare if Other Children Are Unvaccinated
• Americans sorting themselves into politically similar counties
• Where will big neuroscience take us?
• Metabolic 'reprogramming' by p53 gene family leads to tumor regression
• Gene Mutations and Process for How Kidney Tumors Develop identified
• New type of neuron that plays key role in nicotine addiction found
• Chemical disguise transforms RNAi drug delivery
• Calorie-restricting diets slow aging, study finds
• Hip replacement an excellent option for young juvenile arthritis patients
• Rheumatoid arthritis patients' BMI linked to ability to stay in remission
• Improvement in heart disease risk factors shown in project results
• Chlamydia knock out body's own cancer defense
• Infection-fighting B cells go with the flow
• Drug lowers high potassium levels associated with potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmias
• Drugs that prevent blood clots may protect organs during transplantation
• Datasets used by policymakers, scientists for public health analyses inconsistent
• Young children take but often barely touch healthy school cafeteria food options
• Home cooking a main ingredient in healthier diet, study shows
• Racial disparities in ear infection treatment may contribute to antibiotic overuse
• New approach to fighting chronic myeloid leukemia
• Automated reminders improve medication adherence, cholesterol control
• Creating trust in the time of Ebola
• Should health systems send patients abroad to save money?

Catering to needs of in-store, online customers boosts marketing effectiveness, revenue Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:45 PM PST A University of Missouri researcher found that consumers' preferences differ when they are shopping in a physical store compared to shopping online. Catering to shoppers' online and in-store preferences can increase the effectiveness of traditional marketing tactics such as direct marketing and enhanced customer service, the researcher found.

Nothing fishy about health benefits of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:45 PM PST Increasing the amount of omega-3s in your diet, whether from fish or flax, will likely decrease your risk of getting heart disease, according to nutritionists. A substantial amount of evidence exists supporting the heart-health benefits of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA and DHA), marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids. However, much less evidence exists to demonstrate the positive effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.

How phthalate exposure impacts pregnancy Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:43 PM PST In recent years, scientists have linked chemicals known as phthalates with complications of pregnancy and fetal development. Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastic materials more flexible and can also be found in personal care products such as perfumes, deodorants and lotions. They can enter the human body by being ingested, inhaled or through the skin. Most often phthalates are metabolized and excreted quickly, but constant contact with them means that nearly everyone in the United States is exposed, some more than others.

Race, Hospital, Insurance Status All Factors in How Lung Cancer Is Treated Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:43 PM PST African Americans, Hispanics, and those who receive care at a community hospital are all significantly less likely than other patients to receive treatment for early stage non-small cell lung cancer, according to a report. The study is the largest to date looking at treatment received by patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer, an early stage of lung cancer that has not spread to the lymph nodes and is characterized by a small nodules in the lung tissue. Treatment during this early stage offers the best chance for long-term survival.

Physicians prescribe less brand name drugs when electronic health record default settings show generics first Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:43 PM PST Programming electronic health records to make generic drugs the default choice when physicians write prescriptions may offer one way to reduce unnecessary spending and improve health care value in the face of spiraling U.S. health expenditures, according to a new study.

Need to encourage patients to screen for colon cancer? Try a lottery Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:43 PM PST Convincing patients to do an often dreaded colon cancer screening test could just take a little extra nudge – like a chance to win $50. Patients who were told they had a 1-in-10 chance of winning $50 were more likely to complete home stool blood tests that help screen for colon cancer, according to a new study.

Bed bugs can transmit parasite that causes chagas disease Posted: 17 Nov 2014 02:43 PM PST Bed bugs, like the triatomines, can transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in the Americas, research has confirmed.

Symmetrical knees linked to jamaican sprinting prowess Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:44 PM PST Why is tiny Jamaica home to so many elite sprinters? One researcher thinks it may all be in the knees. For their study, the researchers measured the knees of 74 elite Jamaican sprinters and a control group of 116 non-sprinting Jamaicans of the same age and sex and similar in size and weight. They discovered that the sprinters' knees were much more symmetrical than the knees of people in the control group.

Investigational oral drug combo shows promise for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:44 PM PST The investigational drug ixazomib taken orally in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone shows promise in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, according to the results of a phase 1/2 study. "The all-oral combination of weekly ixazomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone was generally well tolerated and appeared active in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma," the lead author says. "Our results support the development of a phase 3 trial studying this combination for multiple myeloma."

Finding 'lost' languages in the brain: Far-reaching implications for unconscious role of infant experiences Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:43 PM PST An infant's mother tongue creates neural patterns that the unconscious brain retains years later even if the child totally stops using the language, as can happen in cases of international adoption, according to a new joint study. The study offers the first neural evidence that traces of the "lost" language remain in the brain.

No racial disparities in development of atrial fibrillation among heart failure patients Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:43 PM PST Black patients who have been diagnosed with heart failure are no less likely than white patients to get atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia), according to a new study. These findings run counter to previous studies, which have found that black patients with heart failure tend to have less atrial fibrillation problems than white patients.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on postconcussion symptoms in military members Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:43 PM PST A clinical trial testing hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on persistent postconcussion symptoms in US military service members showed no benefits over a sham procedure in an air-filled chamber, but symptoms did improve in both the HBO and sham treatment groups compared with a group of patients who received no supplemental air chamber treatment, according to a report.

Small fraction of students attended schools with USDA nutrition components Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:42 PM PST If the latest US Department of Agriculture standards for school meals and food sold in other venues such as vending machines and snack bars are fully implemented, there is potential to substantially improve school nutrition because only a small fraction of students attended schools with five USDA healthy nutritional components in place from 2008 through 2012, according to a study.

Young vessels rejuvenate aged insulin-producing beta cells Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:42 PM PST Young capillary vessels rejuvenate aged pancreatic islets, a new study has found. The finding challenges prevailing views on the causes of age-dependent impaired glucose balance regulation, a condition that often develops into diabetes type 2. The international research team behind the study now suggests that targeting inflammation and fibrosis in the small blood vessels of the pancreatic islets may offer a new way of treatment for age-dependent dysregulation of blood glucose levels.

State-of-the-art integrated imaging system allows mapping of brain cells responsible for memory Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:42 PM PST Scientists have developed an advanced imaging system to identify cells responsible for storing memory within a tiny worm. Their study not only offers a new way to identify molecular substrates of memory but may also one day lead to understanding how memory loss occurs in humans.

Credit score can also describe health status Posted: 17 Nov 2014 01:41 PM PST A credit score also says something about a person's health status, according to a new analysis from a long-term study of the physical and mental health of more than 1,000 New Zealanders. An international team of researchers has found a strong relationship between low credit scores and poor cardiovascular health. They conclude that personal attributes leading to poor credit scores can also contribute to poor health.

The 'dirty' side of soap: Triclosan, a common antimicrobial in personal hygiene products, causes liver fibrosis and cancer in mice Posted: 17 Nov 2014 12:46 PM PST Triclosan is an antimicrobial commonly found in soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and many other household items. Despite its widespread use, researchers report potentially serious consequences of long-term exposure to the chemical.

Scientists Reveal Weak Spots in Ebola's Defenses Posted: 17 Nov 2014 12:46 PM PST Scientists have identified weak spots on the surface of Ebola virus that are targeted by the antibodies in ZMapp, the experimental drug cocktail administered to several patients during the recent Ebola outbreak.

Advances in electron microscopy reveal secrets of HIV and other viruses Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:24 AM PST Researchers are getting a new look at the workings of HIV and other viruses thanks to new techniques in electron microscopy. Making a vaccine against HIV has always been difficult, at least partly because the proteins on the surface of the virus change so rapidly. Better understanding the structure of the gp120/Env trimer could help in finding less-variable areas of these proteins, not usually exposed to the immune system, which might be targets for a vaccine.

Recommendations by other customers significantly influence Internet purchasing behavior Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:24 AM PST The online purchasing behavior of private individuals shopping in their leisure time is heavily influenced by recommendations made by other customers. Customer endorsements, in the form of Facebook 'Likes' for example, have a particularly marked influence on online buying behavior when consumers shop in the afternoon, evening, or at the weekend. There are certain economic theories concerning consumer attitudes to purchasing that, in the view of the researchers, can help explain this phenomenon.

Reprogramming cells, long term Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:08 AM PST Researchers have demonstrated that adult cells, reprogrammed into another cell type in a living animal, can remain functional over a long period. The work is an important advance in the effort to develop cell-based therapies for tissue repair, and specifically in the effort to develop improved treatment for diabetes.

Smoking study: Financial incentives double quit rates Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:08 AM PST Offering small financial incentives doubles smoking cessation rates among socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers, according to research. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

TNF inhibitors may increase cancer risk in the eye, researchers report Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:07 AM PST One of the family of drugs prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions is called tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. They act by dampening part of the immune system called tumor necrosis factor. In one of the balancing acts of medicine, the anti-inflammatory action of the drug also increases the risk for other conditions, in this case, a rare form of eye cancer, uveal melanoma.

Gene found in kidney may play role in high blood pressure in male mice Posted: 17 Nov 2014 10:07 AM PST A gene abundant in the kidneys may actually play a role in the regulation of blood pressure and hypertension in experimental male mouse models, scientists have discovered. The gene, a kidney androgen-regulated protein (KAP) that is abundantly and exclusively found in the kidney proximal tubule, is stimulated by an androgen hormone such as testosterone.

Readying the neural network: Brain discovery opens more questions on role of cell death Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:17 AM PST Researchers illuminate a new purpose for a receptor known to trigger cell death. For years, neuroscientists thought only the synapse could contain receptors, the neurotransmitter catching-mitts on neurons. But when they applied a neurotransmitter called NMDA to the area around the synapse they realized that they could trigger different responses.

Second protein associated with common cause of kidney failure identified Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:16 AM PST A protein that turns a person's immune system against itself in a form of kidney disease called membranous nephropathy has been identified by researchers. Membranous nephropathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the kidney that filter wastes from the blood are damaged by circulating autoantibodies. As a result, proteins leak from the damaged blood vessels into the urine.

One firm's loss is another's gain Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:16 AM PST Good news for savvy businesses: customers who walk through your doors unhappy with another firm's service can be won back with simple gestures of goodwill.

Side effects of possible anti-cancer strategy discovered Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:16 AM PST The Malt1 protein is one of the most important control centers in human immune cells and a real all-rounder. Genetic defects in it can lead to the development of lymphatic cancer (lymphoma). A possible therapeutic approach is therefore to specifically block certain functions of Malt1, thus destroying the cancer cells. Now, however, scientists have shown in a mouse model that such a blockade can cause serious side effects.

Family ties that bind: Having the right surname sets you up for life Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST "Laws of inheritance" govern social status across generations, according to new research. If your surname reveals that you descended from the "in" crowd in the England of 1066 -- the Norman Conquerors -- then even now you are more likely than the average Brit to be upper class. To a surprising degree, the social status of your ancestors many generations in the past still exerts an influence on your life chances, according to new research.

Links between mentoring, doctors' wellbeing explored Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST A new research project looking at how mentoring may lead to improvements in doctors' health and wellbeing has received a grant from the British Medical Association.

A new genetic cause for a progressive form of epilepsy identified Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST An international research consortium has discovered a new gene underlying progressive myoclonus epilepsy, one of the most devastating forms of epilepsy. The study showed that a single mutation in a potassium ion channel gene underlies a substantial proportion of unsolved cases. It is estimated that the mutation is carried by hundreds of patients worldwide. The study utilized modern DNA sequencing technologies, which have revolutionized genetic research of rare, severe diseases.

The secret life of anti-cancer drugs Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:13 AM PST The public is bombarded with news of exciting developments in cancer research every day, with new anti-cancer drugs greeted with excitement. But what happens to these drugs? When do they become accessible to cancer patients – if at all?

Young bar patrons more likely to smoke and use multiple tobacco products Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:12 AM PST Smoking prevalence among young adults who frequent bars is at least twice the rate of smoking found among young adults in the general population, according to new research.

Returning West Africa researcher says distrust of health workers made ebola worse Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:10 AM PST For "rational and logical reasons," residents of rural Guinea often did not cooperate with volunteers and health care workers to stop the spread of Ebola, according to new research.

More HPV legislation may not result in greater HPV vaccine uptake Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:10 AM PST The presence of legislation that encourages HPV vaccine uptake does not correlate with increased vaccination among young men or women, according to new research.

Caffeine to Viagra: Medications saving preemies may surprise you Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:10 AM PST This month is Prematurity Awareness Month and today is World Prematurity Day. What many people may not know is part of the comprehensive care for the tiniest babies includes medications such as Sildenafil and caffeine. Most babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) receive caffeine as they are coming off a ventilator and learning to breathe on their own.

Women's fertility linked to detox element in diet Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:10 AM PST For the first time, research has shown how much of a critical role the natural antioxidant selenium plays at the earliest stages of a woman's fertility. "Selenium is an essential trace element found in protein-rich foods like red meat, seafood and nuts. It is important for many biological functions, such as immune response, thyroid hormone production, and acts as an antioxidant, helping to detoxify damaging chemicals in the body," one researcher says.

74 Percent of Parents Would Remove Their Kids From Daycare if Other Children Are Unvaccinated Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST In an American national sample of parents of child 0-5 years, most indicate that daycare providers should review children's immunization status every year to ensure they are up-to-date (52 percent strongly agree, 22 percent agree).

Americans sorting themselves into politically similar counties Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST Researchers have analyzed almost 40 years of election data and relocation patterns around the United States and found that Americans are increasingly sorting themselves into politically homogeneous communities. But it hasn't happened in the way they expected.

Where will big neuroscience take us? Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST The U.S., Europe and Asia have launched big brain research projects. What impact will they have? Scientists integral to three projects share their insights ahead of a special session hosted by the Society for Neuroscience.

Metabolic 'reprogramming' by p53 gene family leads to tumor regression Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:07 AM PST Altering members of the p53 gene family, known as tumor suppressor genes, causes rapid regression of tumors that are deficient in or totally missing p53, scientists have found. The investigation showed that, in vivo, the genes p63 and p73 can be manipulated to upregulate or increase levels of IAPP, a protein important for the body's ability to metabolize glucose. IAPP is found in some diabetes drugs already on the market.

Gene Mutations and Process for How Kidney Tumors Develop identified Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST Using next generation gene sequencing techniques, cancer researchers have identified more than 3,000 new mutations involved in certain kidney cancers, findings that help explain the diversity of cancer behaviors.

New type of neuron that plays key role in nicotine addiction found Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST The brain's reward and stress systems are actually linked, scientists have discovered. Their findings show that in the core of the brain's reward system specific neurons are active both with use of and withdrawal from nicotine.

Chemical disguise transforms RNAi drug delivery Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST Researchers have developed a way to chemically disguise RNAi drugs so that they are able to enter cells. Once inside, cellular machinery converts these disguised drug precursors — called siRNNs — into active RNAi drugs.

Calorie-restricting diets slow aging, study finds Posted: 17 Nov 2014 08:06 AM PST Neuroscientists have shown that calorie-reduced diets stop the normal rise and fall in activity levels of close to 900 different genes linked to aging and memory formation in the brain.

Hip replacement an excellent option for young juvenile arthritis patients Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST Total hip replacement is an excellent option for patients under age 35 when conservative treatments fail to provide pain relief, researchers have found. The implant lasted at least 10 years in 85 percent of patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients' BMI linked to ability to stay in remission Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who were significantly underweight or overweight were the least likely to remain in remission in a recent study. This study presents evidence that BMI is among the modifiable risk factors for poor RA outcomes.

Improvement in heart disease risk factors shown in project results Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST The Heart of New Ulm is a 10-year community intervention aimed at reducing the rate of modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors in a rural community through interventions delivered through clinical, worksite, and broader community settings with goals of improving lifestyle changes, clinical care, and the environment where community members work and play. Interventions include heart health screenings, health coaching, worksite health improvement, improving the food environment with restaurants and farmers markets, and increasing physical activity.

Chlamydia knock out body's own cancer defense Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST By breaking down the cancer-suppressing protein p53, Chlamydia prevent programmed cell death and thereby favor the process of cancer development, scientists report.

Infection-fighting B cells go with the flow Posted: 17 Nov 2014 06:33 AM PST Newly formed B cells take the easy way out when it comes to exiting the bone marrow, according to researchers. Why immune cells use different exit strategies in different organs is not completely clear. But the authors suggest that the go-with-the-flow strategy of the bone marrow may be due to its role in the production of red blood cells, which do not express molecules required for active crawling.

Drug lowers high potassium levels associated with potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmias Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of the drug zirconium cyclosilicate in patients with hyperkalemia -- higher than normal potassium levels. Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disorder which can cause potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and is associated with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus.

Drugs that prevent blood clots may protect organs during transplantation Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Organs can become significantly damaged during transplantation, but a new article offers a protective strategy that could keep them safe and allow them to function optimally after the procedure.

Datasets used by policymakers, scientists for public health analyses inconsistent Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Commercially available datasets containing a wealth of information about food and alcohol establishments differ significantly, raising concerns about their reliability as sources of information that could be used to set public policy or conduct scientific research, according to an investigation.

Young children take but often barely touch healthy school cafeteria food options Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST You can offer young children healthier food choices in the elementary school cafeteria, but will they actually put it on their trays and eat it? Probably not, suggests a new study.

Home cooking a main ingredient in healthier diet, study shows Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST People who frequently cook meals at home eat healthier and consume fewer calories than those who cook less, according to new research. The findings also suggest that those who frequently cooked at home -- six-to-seven nights a week -- also consumed fewer calories on the occasions when they ate out.

Racial disparities in ear infection treatment may contribute to antibiotic overuse Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Black children are less likely to be diagnosed with and less likely to receive broad-spectrum antibiotics for ear infections than white children are, a new study has found. But the discrepancy in prescribing fewer broad-spectrum antibiotics means black children actually are more likely to receive care that aligns with the recommended guidelines for treating ear infections.

New approach to fighting chronic myeloid leukemia Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST Chronic myeloid leukemia is caused by the hyperactivity of a mutated enzyme. Scientists have discovered an indirect way to regulate this enzyme that could prove more effective than current therapies.

Automated reminders improve medication adherence, cholesterol control Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST People who received automated reminders were more likely to refill their blood pressure and cholesterol medications, according to a study. According to a recent federal report, Americans with chronic conditions take their medications as prescribed about 50 to 60 percent of the time. The report estimates that this phenomenon, known as poor adherence, costs the health care system $100 billion to $300 billion each year, and results in about 125,000 deaths.

Creating trust in the time of Ebola Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:47 AM PST One of the key reasons the Ebola outbreak got out of control in West Africa in the early days of the crisis was a lack of trust among community members, frontline health workers and the broader health system, suggests new research.

Should health systems send patients abroad to save money? Posted: 17 Nov 2014 05:46 AM PST While various options can be explored to rationalize resources in the health sector, delegating certain medical services to foreign hospitals should be assessed in an interdisciplinary context, one health law expert. The concept of "medical tourism" should be thoroughly analyzed to assess which avenues may – or may not – be beneficial and in which legal, ethical, political, and economic frameworks, she states.

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