ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Is a 'buttery' molecule behind cystic fibrosis flare-ups?
• Fruit-loving lemurs score higher on spatial memory tests
• Reducing Hep C infections for injection drug users
• MS cognitive rehabilitation: Task meaningfulness influences learning, memory, research finds
• If you think you have Alzheimer's, you just might be right, study suggests
• Schizophrenics at greater risk of getting diseases
• Team sport compensates for estrogen loss
• Developmental gene influences sperm formation, fruit fly model demonstrates
• Early warning system for epidemics: Risk map correlates environmental, health data
• Some employers find excuses to fire pregnant employees
• Physical therapy intervention reduces injury in custodial workers
• Significant increase in overdoses involving heroin in Kentucky, research finds
• Immune cells regulate blood stem cells, research shows
• Optimizing custody is child's play for physicists
• The parasite that escaped out of Africa: Tracing origins of malaria parasite
• Greece's deepening health crisis a result of continued healthcare budget cuts, says study
• Biopsies before transplantation do not determine success of donated kidneys
• Many kidney disease patients experience hazardous events related to their medical care
• Peer pressured to 'sext:' Study shows that teens who sext are influenced by peer dynamics
• Developing countries face 'leading medical scourge of developed countries'
• Gene therapy a promising tool for cardiac regeneration
• Sodabriety: Teens at risk for obesity switch from sugared drinks to water with peer intervention
• Long-term daily multivitamin supplement use decreases cataract risk in men, study finds
• Multilevel approach to coping with stigmas may help relieve many health issues
• Concussion researchers document pre-injury 'normal'
• Changing view of bone marrow cells
• Neuron-generating brain region could hold promise for neurodegenerative therapies
• Younger people, men, those without children more likely to drop out of HIV care in South Africa
• Surprising culprit found in cell recycling defect: Protein ends up in the wrong place
• Some ancient mysteries of leprosy uncovered
• Drug resistance mechanism could impact development of two antibiotic drug candidates
• Cortisol: Stress hormone linked to frailty
• Active thyroid may raise risk of depression in older individuals
• Shift away from glycemic control in diabetes treatment detailed

Is a 'buttery' molecule behind cystic fibrosis flare-ups? Posted: 21 Feb 2014 03:48 PM PST A lung-damaging molecule has been discovered in higher concentrations in cystic fibrosis patients during symptom flare-ups. This molecule, which has a buttery flavor and is the main ingredient in microwave popcorn flavoring, is toxic and has been implicated in damaging the lungs of popcorn factory workers. Results of the new research indicate that it might play an important role in microbial infections of the lung suffered by people with cystic fibrosis.

Fruit-loving lemurs score higher on spatial memory tests Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:04 PM PST Food-finding tests in five lemur species show fruit-eaters may have better spatial memory than lemurs with a more varied diet. The results support the idea that relying on foods that are seasonally available and far-flung gives a competitive edge to individuals with certain cognitive abilities -- such as remembering where the goodies are.

Reducing Hep C infections for injection drug users Posted: 21 Feb 2014 09:57 AM PST Researchers are focusing on intervention strategies that highlight the lesser-known dangers of HCV transmission through the sharing of other injection equipment such as cookers, filters, drug-dilution water and water containers. Their research explores the feasibility and efficacy of their "Staying Safe Intervention," a strengths-based social/behavioral intervention conducted with small groups of people who inject drugs, designed to facilitate long-term prevention of HIV and HCV.

MS cognitive rehabilitation: Task meaningfulness influences learning, memory, research finds Posted: 21 Feb 2014 08:41 AM PST In multiple sclerosis, self-generation in cognitive rehabilitation may be influenced by task meaningfulness and type during learning and memory. These results of this study have implications for the design of effective strategies for cognitive rehabilitation in MS.

If you think you have Alzheimer's, you just might be right, study suggests Posted: 21 Feb 2014 08:41 AM PST A correlation between self-reported incidence of memory loss and development of cognitive memory impairment later in life has been identified through a new study. The results are meaningful because it might help identify people who are at risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease sooner. "If the memory and thinking lapses people notice themselves could be early markers of risk for Alzheimer's disease, we might eventually be able to intervene earlier in the aging process to postpone and/or reduce the effects of cognitive memory impairment," the authors note.

Schizophrenics at greater risk of getting diseases Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:39 AM PST People suffering from schizophrenia have an increased risk of contracting autoimmune diseases, especially if they have suffered from a severe infection, new research based on data sets covering the majority of the Danish population shows. With the aid of these large data sets, the researchers have been able to show certain correlations with great statistical certainty, but the study does not provide a definitive explanation for why schizophrenics have such an increased risk of contracting these diseases, except to suggest that lifestyle, genetics and the disease itself may contribute to the complicated situation.

Team sport compensates for estrogen loss Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:39 AM PST When women enter menopause, their estrogen levels taper. This increases their risk of cardiovascular disease. New research shows that interval-based team sport can make up for this estrogen loss as it improves their conditions, reduces blood pressure and thereby protects the cardiovascular system.

Developmental gene influences sperm formation, fruit fly model demonstrates Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:38 AM PST The basic regulatory mechanisms of stem cell differentiation have been under investigation using the Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly as a model organism. Researchers were able to show how a special developmental gene from the Hox family influences germline stem cells. These cells are responsible for sperm formation. The scientists found that impairment of Hox gene function resulted in prematurely aged sperms.

Early warning system for epidemics: Risk map correlates environmental, health data Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:38 AM PST The environment has an impact on our health. Preventing epidemics relies on activating the right counter-measures, and scientists are now trying to find out how better use of forecasting can help. The EU's EO2HEAVEN project developed a risk map for correlating environmental and health data in order to identify where a disease may break out next.

Some employers find excuses to fire pregnant employees Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:37 AM PST The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 makes it illegal in the United States for a woman to be fired just because she is pregnant. But that doesn't stop it from happening, according to new research by two sociologists. What employers do to get around the law is vilify pregnant women as poor performers and tardy employees while also pointing to seemingly fair attendance policies and financial costs, their research shows. Pregnancy discrimination only compounds other gender-based employment inequalities women face in the workplace in areas such as hiring, wages and harassment, the authors argue.

Physical therapy intervention reduces injury in custodial workers Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:37 AM PST An intervention to help minimize workplace injury for custodial workers, and decrease the costs associated, has been developed by a doctoral student. Repetitive motion injuries are a growing problem in the US, resulting in an average of 23 days away from work – three times the number of days from other injuries. Shoulder injuries are the most common repetitive motion injury reported and the second most frequent injury experienced by janitors and custodial workers. The program, which includes employers, occupational health, physical therapy, and the employee, are expected to make an impact and save costs while reducing personal injury.

Significant increase in overdoses involving heroin in Kentucky, research finds Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:37 AM PST Emergency department overdose visits involving heroin climbed 197 percent, and heroin-related deaths climbed 207 percent in Kentucky in 2012, while benzodiazepines were associated with the highest number of emergency department visits and hospitalizations, according to new analysis. The spike in drug abuse and overdoses involving heroin is not unique to Kentucky. According to American data, the number of heroin users increased by up to 80 percent from 2007 to 2012. Many experts suspect a connection between increased heroin use and decreasing non-medical prescription opiate abuse.

Immune cells regulate blood stem cells, research shows Posted: 21 Feb 2014 04:38 AM PST During an infection, the blood stem cells must complete two tasks: they must first recognize that more blood cells have to be produced and, secondly, they must recognize what kind are required. Immune cells control the blood stem cells in the bone marrow and therefore also the body's own defenses, new research shows. The findings could lead the way to new forms of therapy, such as for bone marrow diseases like leukemia.

Optimizing custody is child's play for physicists Posted: 21 Feb 2014 04:38 AM PST Ensuring that parents in recomposed families see their children regularly is a complex network problem, according to a new study. The lead researcher set out to resolve one of his real-life problems: finding a suitable weekend for both partners in his recomposed family to see all their children at the same time. He then joined forces with a mathematician and a complex systems expert. The answer they came up with is that such an agreement is not possible, in general.

The parasite that escaped out of Africa: Tracing origins of malaria parasite Posted: 21 Feb 2014 04:37 AM PST An international team has traced the origin of the second-worst malaria parasite of humans to Africa. The closest genetic relatives of human Plasmodium vivax were found only in Asian macaques, leading researchers to believe that P. vivax originated in Asia. This study overturns that, finding that wild-living apes in central Africa are widely infected with parasites that, genetically, are nearly identical to human P. vivax.

Greece's deepening health crisis a result of continued healthcare budget cuts, says study Posted: 20 Feb 2014 04:34 PM PST Greece's health crisis is worsening as a result of continued healthcare budget cuts, says a new study. Researchers say the harmful effects of austerity are linked to the increasing inability of patients to access the health system, large rises in the incidence of infectious disease, and a deterioration in the overall mental health of Greek people.

Biopsies before transplantation do not determine success of donated kidneys Posted: 20 Feb 2014 04:33 PM PST Biopsy-detected injury in donated kidneys was modestly associated with a delay in organ function in the first week after transplantation, but only for donor kidneys already known to be at high risk. Donor kidney biopsies frequently underreported kidney injury with substantial variability. The study also showed that there was a large degree of overlap between the results of biopsies from kidneys that were deemed unsuitable for transplantation and kidneys that were approved for transplantation. The quality of biopsies used in acceptance decisions was low.

Many kidney disease patients experience hazardous events related to their medical care Posted: 20 Feb 2014 04:33 PM PST In a study of 267 patients with chronic kidney disease, 69% of participants experienced at least one hazardous event related to their outpatient care. Hypoglycemia (in patients with diabetes) and falling or severe dizziness (in patients without diabetes) were most frequently paired with other complications of medical care. "Disease-specific adverse safety event events are strikingly common in CKD," concludes the lead author.

Peer pressured to 'sext:' Study shows that teens who sext are influenced by peer dynamics Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:56 PM PST Are adolescents today "sexting" for popularity? Mobile phones are fully integrated into the social lives of today's teenagers, and offer a sense of autonomy for those looking to hide from adult supervision. Concerns have risen over the use of the mobile phone as an instrument to download, produce, and distribute sexual imagery and a growing number of studies on adolescent mobile communication report that the consumption and distribution of pornographic imagery via mobile phones is common in adolescent peer groups. Though very few studies have asked "why" adolescents choose to participate in sexting or the use of mobile porn, those that have asked "why" continually point to the influence of peer group dynamics.

Developing countries face 'leading medical scourge of developed countries' Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:13 PM PST Chronic illness, already a major and expensive problem in developed countries, is rapidly increasing in developing countries, adding to the longstanding burden caused by high rates of infectious diseases. However, poor countries will not be able to afford the costly medical technologies that wealthy countries use to treat chronic conditions, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, pulmonary disease, and diabetes, while also .

Gene therapy a promising tool for cardiac regeneration Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:12 PM PST After a heart attack, there is often permanent damage to a portion of the heart. This happens, in part, because cardiac muscle cells are terminally differentiated and cannot proliferate after blood flow is blocked off to the heart. This partial healing can be attributed to heart disease being one of the leading causes of death. What if the cells could be stimulated to divide and the heart could be induced to repair itself? Gene therapy, new research shows, can elicit a regenerative response in pig hearts and potentially do exactly that -- repair a heart.

Sodabriety: Teens at risk for obesity switch from sugared drinks to water with peer intervention Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:12 PM PST Kids growing up in Appalachia are the nation's largest consumers of sugary drinks. With deaths in Appalachia related to obesity, cancer, diabetes and heart disease on the rise, local teens are working with researchers to lead a successful program helping peers quit sugary drinks for good. Dubbed "Sodabriety," the 30-day project asked groups of teens from two southern Ohio high schools to develop and then lead educational campaigns designed to convince their peers to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and tea, and to drink more unsweetened beverages. By the end of the program, not only did some teens completely give up sugared drinks, but water consumption nearly doubled.

Long-term daily multivitamin supplement use decreases cataract risk in men, study finds Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:12 PM PST Long-term daily multivitamin supplement use may lower cataract risk in men, according to a study of nearly 15,000 male physicians. Half took a common daily multivitamin, as well as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene supplements. The other half took a placebo. The researchers followed the participants to identify how many participants in each group developed new cases of two common eye diseases: cataract and age-related macular degeneration. Results showed a 9 percent decrease in risk for those that took the supplements.

Multilevel approach to coping with stigmas may help relieve many health issues Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:17 AM PST Socially stigmatized groups have poorer health than non-stigmatized groups, but a team of researchers believes that more emphasis on two-way and multidisciplinary interventions will have a greater and more successful impact on relieving many health issues. Stigma results when a negative stereotype becomes attached to a particular characteristic in societal consciousness. People with this specific characteristic come to be seen as lower in status than others and therefore separate. Once separate, these groups become a target for discrimination. Stigma can affect interactions, the availability of resources and the way people think and feel, leading to social exclusion -- which is associated with an increased risk of mortality.

Concussion researchers document pre-injury 'normal' Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:16 AM PST Protecting student-athletes who sustain head injuries requires more than just a law. A sports concussion protocol that includes a neuro-cognitive assessment tool called ImPACT, balance testing and quality-of-life measures has now been developed at an American university. These valuable pre-injury baseline measurements are taken free of charge to those organizations that have a concussion policy and compliance officer in place. This helps coaches, parents and administrators tools that a trained medical professional can use to track the athlete's recovery.

Changing view of bone marrow cells Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:24 AM PST Using a novel microfluidic technique, researchers have shown that blood stem cells might be more actively involved in battles against infection. Rather than simply replenishing immune cells after they become depleted, new research shows that blood stem cells sense danger signals directly and quickly produce new immune cells to join the fight.

Neuron-generating brain region could hold promise for neurodegenerative therapies Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:21 AM PST Adult humans continuously produce new neurons in the striatum and these neurons could play an important role in possibly finding new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, according to a study. To detect the birth of new neurons in the striatum, the authors used a method that measures carbon-14 found in human DNA as a result of above-ground nuclear testing. The discovery may open up new avenues to treat diseases and disorders that affect the striatum.

Younger people, men, those without children more likely to drop out of HIV care in South Africa Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:20 AM PST Younger people, men and those without children are more likely to stop attending clinics for HIV treatment in South Africa, analysis shows. This presents many problems, one of which is that medication for HIV is only given to those who are most unwell, and they need to attend clinics regularly to get it. Failing to attend is a problem for both the health of these individuals and for the health of others whom they may put at risk of HIV infection.

Surprising culprit found in cell recycling defect: Protein ends up in the wrong place Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:20 AM PST To remain healthy, the body's cells must properly manage their waste recycling centers. Problems with these compartments, known as lysosomes, lead to a number of debilitating and sometimes lethal conditions. An unusual cause of the lysosomal storage disorder called mucolipidosis III, has been identified, at least in a subset of patients. Unlike most genetic diseases that involve dysfunctional or missing proteins, the culprit is a normal protein that ends up in the wrong place.

Some ancient mysteries of leprosy uncovered Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:20 AM PST Research is finally unearthing some of the ancient mysteries behind leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, which has plagued humankind throughout history. The new research findings suggest that the disease might be the oldest human-specific infection, with roots that likely stem back millions of years. There are still hundreds of thousands of new cases of leprosy worldwide each year, but the disease is rare in the United States, with 100-200 new cases annually. Leprosy is known for attacking a patient's skin and nerves. Effective antimicrobial treatments exist today. However, when misdiagnosed or untreated, the disease can lead to extensive skin lesions, deformities in the patient's face and extremities, disabilities, and even death. Leprosy carries a social stigma and diagnosis is frequently and notoriously delayed.

Drug resistance mechanism could impact development of two antibiotic drug candidates Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:13 AM PST The use of antibiotics is often considered among the most important advances in the treatment of human disease. Unfortunately, bacteria are finding ways to make a comeback. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than two million people come down with antibiotic-resistant infections annually, and at least 23,000 die because their treatment can't stop the infection. A mechanism of drug resistance has now been uncovered by researchers, and could have a major impact on the development of a pair of highly potent new antibiotic drug candidates.

Cortisol: Stress hormone linked to frailty Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:13 AM PST Lower morning and higher evening cortisol levels contribute to frailty in older individuals, according to new research. Frailty confers a high risk for institutionalization and increased risk of mortality and is characterized by unintentional weight loss, feelings of exhaustion and fatigue, physical inactivity, slow gait speed and low grip strength. Neuroendocrine function, including cortisol secretion, is thought to be involved in the etiology of frailty, but until now the underlying biological mechanisms have not been well understood.

Active thyroid may raise risk of depression in older individuals Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:13 AM PST When older individuals' thyroid glands are more active than average, it may be a risk factor for depression, according to new research. Beyond its role in regulating the body's metabolism, the thyroid gland also can influence mental health. Past research has found links between an increased risk of depression and both over- and underactive thyroid glands. This study is the first to find an association between depression and thyroid activity variations within the normal range.

Shift away from glycemic control in diabetes treatment detailed Posted: 20 Feb 2014 08:24 AM PST A new editorial proposes a simple way for physicians to communicate to patients about the best treatments for diabetes. The "lending a hand" illustration reprioritizes treatment goals, based on research on mortality reduction, to convey that glycemic control is no longer the primary intervention. The "lending a hand" illustration uses the fingers of an open hand to depict diabetes interventions from thumb to pinky in descending order of benefit, relative to complications and mortality.

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