ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Cancer Researchers Discover Pre-Leukemic Stem Cell at Root of AML, Relapse
• Help for a scarred heart: Scarring cells turned to beating muscle
• Investigating the fiber of our being: How our gut bacteria metabolizes complex carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables
• New pathway for fear discovered deep within brain
• Skin reactions during radiation therapy preventable
• Double mastectomy halves death risk for women with BRCA-related breast cancer
• Prostate cancer advance could improve treatment options
• Helping preserve independent living for seniors
• Healthy habits pay off in long term
• Growing impact of lethal 'legal highs:' U.K. Deaths report
• Smoking cessation may improve mental health
• New imaging technique can diagnose common heart condition
• Potential route to bladder cancer diagnostics, treatments
• Fifty-five genes linked to powerful tumor suppressor predict breast cancer survival
• Four years on, ICU patients with kidney injury show high mortality and elevated urinary protein
• Study challenges a close link between recent weight gain and diabetes
• Change in guidelines for type 2 diabetes screening tests may lead to under-diagnosis in children
• Potential for targeting aggressive breast cancers
• What makes memories last? Prion-like proteins help create long-term memories
• Hospital readmission rates after inpatient rehabilitation studied
• Slim pickings for two weight-loss drugs?
• Legislative challenges to school immunization mandates examined
• Preterm infants more likely to have elevated insulin levels in early childhood
• Three doses of HPV vaccine recommended against genital warts
• 'Growth charts' for cognitive development may lead to earlier diagnosis, treatment for children with risk for psychosis
• Kidney failure risk for organ donors 'extremely low'
• New standards for kids' medicine, aiming to reduce medication errors
• Antibody treatment used by researchers to protect humanized mice from HIV
• Tech products can turn 'uncool' when they become too popular
• First global evidence that foreign aid boosts public opinion
• I smoke, but I’m not a smoker: Why some 'non-identifying smokers' face risks while denying behavior
• Data on today's youth reveal childhood clues for later risk of STDs
• Dark chocolate, red wine will keep your honey heart-healthy this Valentine's day, expert says
• Game changer: Biomarker identified for noncancerous pancreatic cysts
• First observation of a human HAT, key proteins in numerous pathologies
• Gold and silica nanostars imitate the two faces of the god Janus
• Weakness exposed in most common cancer gene
• Study finds three-fold increase in pregnancy among young girls with mental illness

Cancer Researchers Discover Pre-Leukemic Stem Cell at Root of AML, Relapse Posted: 12 Feb 2014 11:45 AM PST Cancer researchers led by stem cell scientist Dr. John Dick have discovered a pre-leukemic stem cell that may be the first step in initiating disease and also the culprit that evades therapy and triggers relapse in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Help for a scarred heart: Scarring cells turned to beating muscle Posted: 12 Feb 2014 10:29 AM PST Poets and physicians know that a scarred heart cannot beat the way it used to, but the science of reprogramming cells offers hope -- for the physical heart, at least.

Investigating the fiber of our being: How our gut bacteria metabolizes complex carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables Posted: 12 Feb 2014 10:28 AM PST New research begins to uncover how our gut bacteria metabolize the complex dietary carbohydrates found in fruits and vegetables.

New pathway for fear discovered deep within brain Posted: 12 Feb 2014 10:28 AM PST Fear is primal. In the wild, it serves as a protective mechanism, but for humans, fear is more complex. A normal amount keeps us safe. But too much fear, like PTSD, can prevent people from living healthy lives. Researchers are working to understand how the brain translates fear into action. Today, scientists announce the discovery of a new neural circuit that links the site of fear memory with a brain area that controls behavior.

Skin reactions during radiation therapy preventable Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:28 AM PST Severe skin reactions during radiation therapy could be prevented by applying a thin transparent silicone dressing to the skin from the first day of treatment, a clinical trial shows.

Double mastectomy halves death risk for women with BRCA-related breast cancer Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:28 AM PST Women with BRCA-related breast cancer who have a double mastectomy are nearly 50 percent less likely to die of breast cancer within 20 years of diagnosis compared to women who have a single mastectomy, according to a new study.

Prostate cancer advance could improve treatment options Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:27 AM PST Researchers have made an important advance in understanding genetic changes associated with terminal prostate cancer. The research highlights why relapses could happen in some men following hormone therapy. And it could help identify those patients that will develop fatal prostate cancer much earlier for life-extending therapy.

Helping preserve independent living for seniors Posted: 12 Feb 2014 05:19 AM PST Single seniors lead a risky life: after a fall, they often lie on the floor several hours before their awkward predicament is discovered. A sensor system detects these emergency situations automatically and sends an emergency signal.

Healthy habits pay off in long term Posted: 12 Feb 2014 04:49 AM PST Can initial modes of behavior be used to predict how fit and healthy a person will be 18 years later? This question was in the focus of studies performed by researchers. A basic survey covered about 500 adults over a longer term. The result: Initial habits determine physical fitness and health in the long term.

Growing impact of lethal 'legal highs:' U.K. Deaths report Posted: 11 Feb 2014 06:11 PM PST The deadly risk of so-called 'legal highs' and other designer drugs, such as the notorious 'meow meow', has been confirmed by a huge leap in their links to drug-related deaths in the UK.

Smoking cessation may improve mental health Posted: 11 Feb 2014 06:11 PM PST Although many health professionals who treat people with psychiatric problems overlook their patients' smoking habits, new research shows that people who struggle with mood problems or addiction can safely quit smoking and that kicking the habit is associated with improved mental health.

New imaging technique can diagnose common heart condition Posted: 11 Feb 2014 02:48 PM PST A new imaging technique for measuring blood flow in the heart and vessels can diagnose a common congenital heart abnormality, bicuspid aortic valve, and may lead to better prediction of complications. The study revealed a previously unknown relationship between heart valve abnormalities, blood flow changes in the heart and aortic disease.

Potential route to bladder cancer diagnostics, treatments Posted: 11 Feb 2014 02:48 PM PST Researchers conducted a genetic analysis of invasive bladder cancer tumors to discover that the disease shares genetic similarities with two forms of breast cancer.

Fifty-five genes linked to powerful tumor suppressor predict breast cancer survival Posted: 11 Feb 2014 02:47 PM PST A panel of 55 genes, almost all of which are impacted by the loss of a particular protein, appears to predict if breast cancer will become invasive, leading to poorer survival.

Four years on, ICU patients with kidney injury show high mortality and elevated urinary protein Posted: 11 Feb 2014 02:47 PM PST In four years of follow up of 1464 participants in the randomized controlled trial Randomised Evaluation of Normal vs. Augmented Levels of RRT (RENAL) study, medical researchers found that patients with acute kidney injury in an intensive care unit who require renal replacement therapy (RRT; hemodialysis combined with hemofiltration) do not benefit from higher intensity RRT.

Study challenges a close link between recent weight gain and diabetes Posted: 11 Feb 2014 02:47 PM PST It is a common notion that type 2 diabetes is precipitated by substantial progressive weight gain, but a new study suggests that this might not be true.

Change in guidelines for type 2 diabetes screening tests may lead to under-diagnosis in children Posted: 11 Feb 2014 02:46 PM PST New guidelines for type 2 diabetes screening in children are less effective and more costly than previous screening methods, and may result in an under-diagnosis for children, research shows.

Potential for targeting aggressive breast cancers Posted: 11 Feb 2014 02:46 PM PST A new study shows that targeting Twist, a nuclear protein that is an accelerant of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program in human cells, may provide an effective approach for treating triple-negative breast cancer.

What makes memories last? Prion-like proteins help create long-term memories Posted: 11 Feb 2014 02:46 PM PST Prions can be notoriously destructive, spurring proteins to misfold and interfere with cellular function as they spread without control. New research reveals that certain prion-like proteins, however, can be precisely controlled so that they are generated only in a specific time and place. These prion-like proteins are not involved in disease processes; rather, they are essential for creating and maintaining long-term memories.

Hospital readmission rates after inpatient rehabilitation studied Posted: 11 Feb 2014 01:26 PM PST Nearly 12 percent of Medicare patients who receive inpatient rehabilitation following discharge from acute-care hospitalization are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after discharge from the rehabilitataion facility according to new research published. Before now, there was a lack of research on the frequency and causes of patients returning to hospital after rehabilitation.

Slim pickings for two weight-loss drugs? Posted: 11 Feb 2014 01:26 PM PST Many medications for weight loss have been proposed or are under development. The Federal Drug Administration has approved few drugs for long-term weight loss, and some are no longer marketed because of safety issues, researchers of a new study have reported. In 2012, though, the FDA approved two drugs for long-term weight loss, lorcaserin hydrochloride (Belviq; Eisai Inc) and phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia; Vivus Inc). But Dartmouth researchers question how safe these two drugs are based on the FDA approval after one-year trials?

Legislative challenges to school immunization mandates examined Posted: 11 Feb 2014 01:26 PM PST From 2009-2012, 36 bills introduced in 18 states sought to modify school immunization mandates, with the majority seeking to expand exemptions although none of the bills passed, according to a study.

Preterm infants more likely to have elevated insulin levels in early childhood Posted: 11 Feb 2014 01:26 PM PST Researchers have found that preterm infants are more likely to have elevated insulin levels at birth and in early childhood compared to full-term infants, findings that provide additional evidence that preterm birth may be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, according to a study.

Three doses of HPV vaccine recommended against genital warts Posted: 11 Feb 2014 01:25 PM PST Two doses of vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) provide good protection against genital warts, but three doses is better according to an extensive register study.

'Growth charts' for cognitive development may lead to earlier diagnosis, treatment for children with risk for psychosis Posted: 11 Feb 2014 01:25 PM PST Researchers have developed a better way to assess and diagnose psychosis in young children. By "growth charting" cognitive development alongside the presentation of psychotic symptoms, they have demonstrated that the most significant lags in cognitive development correlate with the most severe cases of psychosis.

Kidney failure risk for organ donors 'extremely low' Posted: 11 Feb 2014 01:25 PM PST The risk of a kidney donor developing kidney failure in the remaining organ is much lower than in the population at large, even when compared with people who have two kidneys, according to results of new research.

New standards for kids' medicine, aiming to reduce medication errors Posted: 11 Feb 2014 12:35 PM PST A lack of standardization of compounded pediatric oral liquids has posed significant safety risks to patients. New guidelines have been released in Michigan to reduce medication errors in children's medications.

Antibody treatment used by researchers to protect humanized mice from HIV Posted: 11 Feb 2014 11:11 AM PST Scientists have shown that boosting the production of certain broadly neutralizing antibodies can protect humanized mice from both intravenous and vaginal infection with HIV. Humanized mice have immune systems genetically modified to resemble those of humans, making it possible for them to become HIV-infected.

Tech products can turn 'uncool' when they become too popular Posted: 11 Feb 2014 11:11 AM PST In the tech world, coolness takes more than just good looks. Technology users must consider a product attractive, original and edgy before they label those products as cool, according to researchers.

First global evidence that foreign aid boosts public opinion Posted: 11 Feb 2014 10:30 AM PST A new study provides the first empirical evidence using data from a variety of countries that foreign aid can greatly improve foreign public opinion of donor countries.

I smoke, but I’m not a smoker: Why some 'non-identifying smokers' face risks while denying behavior Posted: 11 Feb 2014 10:30 AM PST While smoking among California adults has dramatically declined in recent decades, researchers report there is a surprisingly large number of people who say they use cigarettes, but don't consider themselves to be "smokers."

Data on today's youth reveal childhood clues for later risk of STDs Posted: 11 Feb 2014 10:29 AM PST Here's yet another reason to focus on kids' early years. Children who grow up in well-managed households, enjoy school, and have friends who stay out of trouble report fewer sexually transmitted diseases in young adulthood, according to a new analysis.

Dark chocolate, red wine will keep your honey heart-healthy this Valentine's day, expert says Posted: 11 Feb 2014 09:17 AM PST Forget the oysters and the champagne this Valentine's Day. If you want to keep your true love's heart beating strong, the real foods of love are dark chocolate and red wine, said Loyola University Health System preventive heart specialist Sara Sirna, MD.

Game changer: Biomarker identified for noncancerous pancreatic cysts Posted: 11 Feb 2014 09:17 AM PST Researchers have discovered a test to identify benign pancreatic cysts which could spare patients years of unnecessary tests and potential surgery.

First observation of a human HAT, key proteins in numerous pathologies Posted: 11 Feb 2014 08:38 AM PST A study published this week has revealed the first structure of one of the eight human HATs. HAT amino acid transporters are involved in pathologies such as aminoacidurias, cancer, viral infections and cocaine addiction. This breakthrough paves the way for further research into the functions of the other seven HATs and the resolution of their structures. Moreover, it provides the first sufficiently detailed structural data to tackle their inhibition through drugs.

Gold and silica nanostars imitate the two faces of the god Janus Posted: 11 Feb 2014 05:39 AM PST Researchers have designed nanoparticles with one half formed of gold branches and the other of silicon oxide. They are a kind of Janus particle, so-called in honor of the Roman god with two faces, which could be used in phototherapy in the future to treat tumors.

Weakness exposed in most common cancer gene Posted: 10 Feb 2014 10:58 AM PST Researchers have found a biological weakness in the workings of the most commonly mutated gene involved in human cancers, known as mutant K-Ras, which they say can be exploited by drug chemotherapies to thwart tumor growth.

Study finds three-fold increase in pregnancy among young girls with mental illness Posted: 10 Feb 2014 08:45 AM PST Young girls with mental illness are three times more likely to become teenage parents than those without a major mental illness, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

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