ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• First prospective trial shows molecular profiling timely for tailoring therapy
• Long-term outcomes in patients with advanced coronary artery disease are better than expected
• Sugar-sweetened beverages associated with increased kidney stone risk
• Malaria infected mosquitoes more attracted to human odor than uninfected mosquitoes
• Jekyll into Hyde: Breathing auto emissions turns HDL cholesterol from 'good' to 'bad'
• Brain rewires itself after damage or injury, life scientists discover
• Getting fit in middle age can reduce heart failure risk
• Repeat brain injury raises soldiers' suicide risk
• Cholesterol-lowering drug may reduce exercise benefits for obese adults
• Four genes identified that influence levels of 'bad' cholesterol
• No idle chatter: Malaria parasites 'talk' to each other
• Human skin cells converted into embryonic stem cells: First time human stem cells have been produced via nuclear transfer
• Despite new recommendations, women in 40s continue to get routine mammograms at same rate
• Novel brain training device to reconnect brain and paralyzed limb after stroke
• Intestinal bacterium Akkermansia curbs obesity
• Long-term use of prescription painkillers for back pain linked to erectile dysfunction in men
• 'Good vibrations:' Brain ultrasound improves mood
• Political motivations may have evolutionary links to physical strength
• Body fat hardens arteries after middle age
• Marijuana users have better blood sugar control
• Benefit of cycle helmet laws to reduce head injuries still uncertain
• New study explores providers' perceptions of parental concerns about HPV vaccination

First prospective trial shows molecular profiling timely for tailoring therapy Posted: 15 May 2013 05:30 PM PDT CUSTOM is the first completed prospective clinical trial that used genetic analysis alone to assign cancer treatment for patients with one of three different cancers. Findings suggest patients, and their physicians, are eager to jump into next-era cancer care -- analysis of an individual's tumor to find and target genetic mutations that drive the cancer.

Long-term outcomes in patients with advanced coronary artery disease are better than expected Posted: 15 May 2013 02:45 PM PDT Death rates associated with patients with refractory angina, or chronic chest pain, are lower than previously considered; therefore, physicians should focus on relieving the chest pain symptoms and improving the quality of life in these patients according to a new article.

Sugar-sweetened beverages associated with increased kidney stone risk Posted: 15 May 2013 02:44 PM PDT Researchers found that the consumption of sugar sweetened soda and punch is associated with a higher risk of kidney stone formation.

Malaria infected mosquitoes more attracted to human odor than uninfected mosquitoes Posted: 15 May 2013 02:44 PM PDT Female mosquitoes infected with malaria parasites are significantly more attracted to human odor than uninfected mosquitoes, according to new research. Scientists will now attempt to find out how malaria parasites manipulate their mosquito hosts.

Jekyll into Hyde: Breathing auto emissions turns HDL cholesterol from 'good' to 'bad' Posted: 15 May 2013 02:40 PM PDT Academic researchers have found that breathing motor vehicle emissions triggers a change in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, altering its cardiovascular protective qualities so that it actually contributes to clogged arteries. The finding, shown in mice, reveals how car emissions activate the early cell and tissue damage called oxidation that causes inflammation leading to hardening of the arteries and HDL cholesterol may play a key role.

Brain rewires itself after damage or injury, life scientists discover Posted: 15 May 2013 01:50 PM PDT The brain forms complex new circuits after damage to compensate for lost function, often far from the damaged region, life scientists report. The new study identified the exact regions of the brain that take over when the brain's hippocampus is damaged, and is the first demonstration of such neural circuit plasticity.

Getting fit in middle age can reduce heart failure risk Posted: 15 May 2013 01:50 PM PDT Already being fit or getting into shape during middle age can reduce future heart failure risk. Low fitness is an independent, modifiable risk factor for heart failure.

Repeat brain injury raises soldiers' suicide risk Posted: 15 May 2013 01:39 PM PDT Suicide risk is higher among military personnel with more lifetime TBIs, even after controlling for clinical symptom severity. Results of the study show that multiple TBIs, which are common among military personnel, may contribute to increased risk for suicide.

Cholesterol-lowering drug may reduce exercise benefits for obese adults Posted: 15 May 2013 12:19 PM PDT Researchers found that simvastatin, a generic type of drug typically prescribed to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease, hindered the positive effects of exercise for obese and overweight adults.

Four genes identified that influence levels of 'bad' cholesterol Posted: 15 May 2013 10:14 AM PDT Scientists have identified four genes in baboons that influence levels of "bad" cholesterol. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to reduce the risk of heart disease.

No idle chatter: Malaria parasites 'talk' to each other Posted: 15 May 2013 09:50 AM PDT Scientists have made the surprise discovery that malaria parasites can 'talk' to each other -- a social behavior to ensure the parasite's survival and improve its chances of being transmitted to other humans. The finding could provide a niche for developing antimalarial drugs and vaccines that prevent or treat the disease by cutting these communication networks.

Human skin cells converted into embryonic stem cells: First time human stem cells have been produced via nuclear transfer Posted: 15 May 2013 09:50 AM PDT Scientists have successfully reprogrammed human skin cells to become embryonic stem cells capable of transforming into any other cell type in the body. It is believed that stem cell therapies hold the promise of replacing cells damaged through injury or illness. Diseases or conditions that might be treated through stem cell therapy include Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, cardiac disease and spinal cord injuries.

Despite new recommendations, women in 40s continue to get routine mammograms at same rate Posted: 15 May 2013 09:49 AM PDT Women in their 40s continue to undergo routine breast cancer screenings despite national guidelines recommending otherwise, according to new research.

Novel brain training device to reconnect brain and paralyzed limb after stroke Posted: 15 May 2013 09:48 AM PDT The world's first Brain Training Device has given a ray of new hope to the recovery of survivors after stroke. This novel device can detect brainwave and control the movement of paralyzed limbs.

Intestinal bacterium Akkermansia curbs obesity Posted: 15 May 2013 08:37 AM PDT A dominant and useful bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila is present in the intestinal system of all humans, from babies to the elderly. This microorganism is found in the intestinal mucus layer that protects against intruders. Even more remarkable is that this bacterium has a favorable effect on the disrupted metabolism associated with obesity.

Long-term use of prescription painkillers for back pain linked to erectile dysfunction in men Posted: 15 May 2013 06:49 AM PDT Regularly taking prescription painkillers, also known as opioids, is associated with a higher risk of erectile dysfunction in men.

'Good vibrations:' Brain ultrasound improves mood Posted: 15 May 2013 06:48 AM PDT Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques aimed at mental and neurological conditions include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression, and transcranial direct current (electrical) stimulation (tDCS), have been shown to improve memory. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) has also shown promise.

Political motivations may have evolutionary links to physical strength Posted: 15 May 2013 05:55 AM PDT Men's upper-body strength predicts their political opinions on economic redistribution, according to new research. The researchers collected data on bicep size, socioeconomic status, and support for economic redistribution from hundreds of people in the United States, Argentina, and Denmark. In line with their hypotheses, the data revealed that wealthy men with high upper-body strength were less likely to support redistribution of wealth, while less wealthy men of the same strength were more likely to support it.

Body fat hardens arteries after middle age Posted: 15 May 2013 05:53 AM PDT Having too much body fat makes arteries become stiff after middle age, a new study has revealed.

Marijuana users have better blood sugar control Posted: 15 May 2013 05:52 AM PDT Regular marijuana use is associated with favorable indices related to diabetic control, say investigators. They found that current marijuana users had significantly lower fasting insulin and were less likely to be insulin resistant, even after excluding patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

Benefit of cycle helmet laws to reduce head injuries still uncertain Posted: 14 May 2013 06:31 PM PDT The benefit of helmet legislation to reduce admissions to hospital for head injuries is "substantially uncertain," concludes a new study.

New study explores providers' perceptions of parental concerns about HPV vaccination Posted: 14 May 2013 10:54 AM PDT A new study has found that low-income and minority parents may be more receptive to vaccinating their daughters against Human Papillomavirus, while white, middle-class parents are more likely to defer the vaccination.

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