ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Predicting the next eye pathogen: Analysis of a novel adenovirus
• First objective measure of pain discovered in brain scan patterns
• Scientists use nature against nature to develop an antibiotic with reduced resistance
• How Seattle Cancer Care Alliance implemented Washington's Death with Dignity Act
• High levels of lead detected in rice imported from certain countries
• Relationships: Team women versus distant men
• Biofilm helps Salmonella survive hostile conditions
• Researchers engineer 'protein switch' to dissect role of cancer's key players
• Naturally-occurring substance proves effective against deadly skin cancer in test tube and mice studies
• Distracted driving: Habits of San Diego drivers revealed
• Single best practice to prevent DVT reduces hospital costs by more than $1.5 million annually
• Subconscious mental categories help brain sort through everyday experiences
• In sales, confidence and charisma may not seal the deal
• New way to clear cholesterol from the blood
• Signature of circulating breast tumor cells that spread to the brain found
• Benefits of cognitive pain relief methods
• Rx target for HPV, Hep C and related cancers revealed
• One in five seniors on risky meds; more in US South
• Alcohol use, anxiety predict Facebook use by college students
• Surprising ability of blood stem cells to respond to emergencies
• Neurodegenerative disease advance: Study details how brain enzyme interacts with drug-like lead compound for Huntington's
• Team unravels central mystery of Alzheimer's
• Adaptable leaders may have best brains for the job
• Fighting disease from within the mosquito: New techniques to help halt the spread of disease
• Overcoming a major barrier to medical and other uses of 'microrockets' and 'micromotors'
• Clinging to crevices, E. coli thrive
• Cardiopoietic 'smart' stem cells show promise in heart failure patients
• Doctors not informed of harmful effects of medicines during sales visits
• Effect of medication is affected by copies of genetic information
• Metagenomics used to identify organisms in outbreaks of serious infectious disease
• Spring cleaning in your brain's stem cells?
• Some lung cancers linked to common virus
• Adult generations of today are less healthy than their counterparts of previous generations
• Some types of papilloma virus might prevent cervical cancer
• 'Unknown' neurological disorder often incorrectly diagnosed
• New therapy for fragile X chromosome syndrome discovered
• People who normally practice sport have a better attention span than those with bad physical health
• Modest population-wide weight loss could result in reductions in Type 2 diabetes and cardio disease
• Gene linked to nearly twice Alzheimer's risk in African-Americans

Predicting the next eye pathogen: Analysis of a novel adenovirus Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:19 PM PDT Researchers used a combined genomic, bioinformatics and biological analysis to identify a unique deletion in a key protein of the viral capsid and further suggested the potential of the virus to cause severe ocular infection. The results point toward a possible approach for predicting pathogenicity for newly identified and recently emergent human pathogens.

First objective measure of pain discovered in brain scan patterns Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:18 PM PDT For the first time, scientists have been able to predict how much pain people are feeling by looking at images of their brains, according to a new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder.

Scientists use nature against nature to develop an antibiotic with reduced resistance Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:18 PM PDT A new broad range antibiotic has been found to kill a wide range of bacteria, including drug-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) bacteria that do not respond to traditional drugs, in mice. The antibiotic, Epimerox, targets weaknesses in bacteria that have long been exploited by viruses that attack them, known as phage, and promises to avoid the problem of resistance that plagues other antibiotics.

How Seattle Cancer Care Alliance implemented Washington's Death with Dignity Act Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:18 PM PDT Because several states are considering similar Death with Dignity laws, and because such legislation disproportionately affects cancer patients and their families, SCCA conducted a study to describe the institution's implementation of the Washington state law and its experience with patients who chose to participate.

High levels of lead detected in rice imported from certain countries Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:18 PM PDT Rice imported from certain countries contains high levels of lead that could pose health risks, particularly for infants and children, who are especially sensitive to lead's effects, and adults of Asian heritage who consume large amounts of rice, scientists say.

Relationships: Team women versus distant men Posted: 10 Apr 2013 04:28 PM PDT Women immerse themselves in their romantic relationships, while men place their best friendships and romantic partners on an equal but distant footing.

Biofilm helps Salmonella survive hostile conditions Posted: 10 Apr 2013 12:49 PM PDT Scientists have provided new evidence that biofilms — bacteria that adhere to surfaces and build protective coatings — are at work in the survival of the human pathogen Salmonella.

Researchers engineer 'protein switch' to dissect role of cancer's key players Posted: 10 Apr 2013 12:49 PM PDT Researchers have "rationally rewired" some of the cell's smallest components to create proteins that can be switched on or off by command. These "protein switches" can be used to interrogate the inner workings of each cell, helping scientists uncover the molecular mechanisms of human health and disease.

Naturally-occurring substance proves effective against deadly skin cancer in test tube and mice studies Posted: 10 Apr 2013 12:46 PM PDT For the first time, scientists have demonstrated the mechanism of action of gossypin, a naturally-occurring substance found in fruits and vegetables, as a treatment for melanoma, which causes the majority of deaths from skin cancer.

Distracted driving: Habits of San Diego drivers revealed Posted: 10 Apr 2013 12:46 PM PDT There were approximately 3,300 deaths and 400,000 injuries nationwide in the US in 2011 due to collisions involving distracted driving. With April being national distracted driving awareness month, a team of researchers released survey results that reveal the habits of San Diego County drivers who use their cell phone while behind the wheel.

Single best practice to prevent DVT reduces hospital costs by more than $1.5 million annually Posted: 10 Apr 2013 11:15 AM PDT Researchers report success in using a concept called "value-based analysis," which simultaneously measures quality and cost and addresses inefficiencies in care. The researchers applied a value-based analysis approach to implementing a single best practice for preventing deep vein thrombosis in surgical patients and were able to reduce hospital costs in excess of $1.5 million per year.

Subconscious mental categories help brain sort through everyday experiences Posted: 10 Apr 2013 11:15 AM PDT Researchers found that the brain breaks experiences into the "events," or related groups that help us mentally organize the day's many situations, using subconscious mental categories it creates. These categories are based on how the brain considers people, objects and actions are related in terms of how they tend to — or tend not to — pop up near one another at specific times.

In sales, confidence and charisma may not seal the deal Posted: 10 Apr 2013 11:15 AM PDT Think of a stereotypical salesperson and you're likely to conjure up someone who's extraverted, gregarious, and assertive. But a new study reveals that "ambiverts," people who are neither introverted nor extraverted but who fall somewhere in between, tend to be the most effective salespeople.

New way to clear cholesterol from the blood Posted: 10 Apr 2013 11:15 AM PDT Researchers have identified a new potential therapeutic target for lowering cholesterol that could be an alternative or complementary therapy to statins.

Signature of circulating breast tumor cells that spread to the brain found Posted: 10 Apr 2013 11:15 AM PDT Some breast tumor circulating cells in the bloodstream are marked by a constellation of biomarkers that identify them as those destined to seed the brain with a deadly spread of cancer, said researchers.

Benefits of cognitive pain relief methods Posted: 10 Apr 2013 11:13 AM PDT Those who accept their pain condition are best able to tolerate pain, while distraction can be the way to lower pain intensity, according to new research.

Rx target for HPV, Hep C and related cancers revealed Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:15 AM PDT New discoveries for the first time reveal the inner workings of a master regulator that controls functions as diverse as the ability of nerve cells to "rewire" themselves in response to external stimuli and the mechanism by which certain viruses hijack normal cellular processes to facilitate their replication that can ultimately lead to cancer.

One in five seniors on risky meds; more in US South Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:13 AM PDT A study of more than six million seniors in Medicare Advantage plans in 2009 found that 21 percent received a prescription for at least one potentially harmful "high risk medication." Nearly 5 percent received at least two. Questionable prescriptions are more common in the South and among people who live in poor areas.

Alcohol use, anxiety predict Facebook use by college students Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:13 AM PDT Anxiety and alcohol use significantly predict emotional connectedness to Facebook, a new study suggests. According to one of the researchers, alcohol use is generally viewed as normative, or socially acceptable, among college students, so increased alcohol use may cause an increase in emotional connectedness to Facebook. Researchers also found that marijuana use predicted the opposite: a lack of emotional connectedness with Facebook.

Surprising ability of blood stem cells to respond to emergencies Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:12 AM PDT Scientists have revealed an unexpected role for hematopoietic stem cells: They do not merely ensure the continuous renewal of our blood cells; in emergencies they are capable of producing white blood cells "on demand" that help the body deal with inflammation or infection. This property could be used to protect against infections in patients undergoing bone marrow transplants, while their immune system reconstitutes itself.

Neurodegenerative disease advance: Study details how brain enzyme interacts with drug-like lead compound for Huntington's Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:12 AM PDT A significant breakthrough has been made towards developing an effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Researchers have detailed how an enzyme in the brain interacts with a promising drug-like lead compound for Huntington's disease to inhibit its activity. Their findings demonstrate that it can be developed as an effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.

Team unravels central mystery of Alzheimer's Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:11 AM PDT Scientists have shed light on one of the major toxic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease. The discoveries could lead to a much better understanding of the Alzheimer's process and how to prevent it.

Adaptable leaders may have best brains for the job Posted: 10 Apr 2013 08:21 AM PDT Effective leaders' brains may be physically "wired" to lead, offering the promise of more precise identification and training, according to new studies.

Fighting disease from within the mosquito: New techniques to help halt the spread of disease Posted: 10 Apr 2013 07:39 AM PDT Scientists have revealed a new technique to introduce disease-blocking bacteria into mosquitoes, with promising results that may halt the spread of diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and potentially malaria.

Overcoming a major barrier to medical and other uses of 'microrockets' and 'micromotors' Posted: 10 Apr 2013 07:39 AM PDT An advance in micromotor technology akin to the invention of cars that fuel themselves from the pavement or air is opening the door to new medical and industrial uses for these tiny devices, scientists say. Their update on development of the motors -- so small that thousands would fit inside this "o" -- was part of a recent conference presentation.

Clinging to crevices, E. coli thrive Posted: 10 Apr 2013 07:33 AM PDT New research helps to explain how waterborne bacteria can colonize rough surfaces —- even those that have been designed to resist water.

Cardiopoietic 'smart' stem cells show promise in heart failure patients Posted: 10 Apr 2013 07:33 AM PDT Therapy with cardiopoietic (cardiogenically-instructed) or "smart" stem cells can improve heart health for people suffering from heart failure. This is the first application in patients of lineage-guided stem cells for targeted regeneration of a failing organ, paving the way to development of next generation regenerative medicine solutions.

Doctors not informed of harmful effects of medicines during sales visits Posted: 10 Apr 2013 06:43 AM PDT The majority of family doctors receive little or no information about harmful effects of medicines when visited by drug company representatives, according to a new study.

Effect of medication is affected by copies of genetic information Posted: 10 Apr 2013 06:41 AM PDT The number of copies of the complete genetic information found in human cells can have a decisive effect on the properties of these cells. The results may help to explain why certain medications have strong side effects on sperm and eggs, and why certain organisms remain unaffected by environmental changes.

Metagenomics used to identify organisms in outbreaks of serious infectious disease Posted: 10 Apr 2013 06:41 AM PDT Researchers have been able to reconstruct the genome sequence of an outbreak strain of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), which caused over 50 deaths in Germany, using an approach known as metagenomics which bypasses the need for growing bacteria in the lab.

Spring cleaning in your brain's stem cells? Posted: 10 Apr 2013 06:41 AM PDT Deep inside your brain, a legion of stem cells lies ready to turn into new brain and nerve cells when you need them. New research shows the vital role of a type of internal "spring cleaning" that both clears out garbage inside the cells, and keeps them in their perpetual stem-cell state.

Some lung cancers linked to common virus Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:27 AM PDT A common virus known to cause cervical and head and neck cancers may also trigger some cases of lung cancer, according to new research.

Adult generations of today are less healthy than their counterparts of previous generations Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:24 AM PDT Despite their greater life expectancy, the adults of today are less "metabolically" healthy than their counterparts of previous generations. That's the conclusion of a large cohort study which compared generational shifts in a range of well established metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Assessing the trends, the investigators concluded that "the more recently born generations are doing worse", and warn "that the prevalence of metabolic risk factors and the lifelong exposure to them have increased and probably will continue to increase."

Some types of papilloma virus might prevent cervical cancer Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:24 AM PDT Certain types of papilloma virus might actually prevent cervical cancer, according to a new study.

'Unknown' neurological disorder often incorrectly diagnosed Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:24 AM PDT The very serious hereditary disease HDLS was discovered in 1984 in Sweden. Many HDLS patients are still incorrectly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, MS or Parkinson's disease, but researchers have now developed a more certain diagnosis method - and are seeking to find a treatment for the "unknown" neurological disorder.

New therapy for fragile X chromosome syndrome discovered Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:24 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a new therapy for the fragile X chromosome syndrome. This new therapy proposes the modulation of the cerebral endocannabinoid system in order to ameliorate the symptoms of the disease.

People who normally practice sport have a better attention span than those with bad physical health Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:21 AM PDT Good physical health is related to a better functioning of both the central nervous system (CNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), according to new research.

Modest population-wide weight loss could result in reductions in Type 2 diabetes and cardio disease Posted: 09 Apr 2013 06:19 PM PDT A new article suggests a strong association between population-wide weight change and risk of death from Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Gene linked to nearly twice Alzheimer's risk in African-Americans Posted: 09 Apr 2013 02:32 PM PDT African-Americans with a variant of the ABCA7 gene have almost double the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease compared with African-Americans who lack the variant.

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