ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Breath Analysis Offers Non-invasive Method to Detect Early Lung Cancer
• Consuming high-protein breakfasts helps women maintain glucose control, study finds
• Prematurity linked to altered lung function during exercise, high blood pressure in adults
• Heat regulation dysfunction may stop MS patients from exercising
• Don't like the food? Try paying more
• Information technology can simplify weight-loss efforts; social support still important for success
• Saving crops, people with inexpensive bug sensors
• Declines in large wildlife lead to increases in disease risk
• Chronic stress heightens vulnerability to diet-related metabolic risk
• 'Feel good' factor higher when you own, not just use, luxury items
• Immunogenic mutations in tumor genomes correlate with increased patient survival
• Brain tumor cells penetrated by tiny, degradable particles carrying genetic instructions
• Medicare patients with dementia 20 percent more likely to be readmitted
• People rely on what they hear themselves say to know what they're saying
• Anti-bullying policy must focus on all of society
• Mother's diet affects the 'silencing' of her child's genes
• Molecular secrets behind resveratrol's health benefits revealed
• Label-free, sequence-specific, inexpensive fluorescent DNA sensors
• Women's employment, caregiving workloads, effort, health profiled by researchers
• Take a trip down Memory Lane to the gym: Using memories to motivate
• Depression detectable in the blood: Platelet serotonin transporter function
• Facial transplantation: Almost a decade out, surgeons prepare for burgeoning demand
• Girls make higher grades than boys in all school subjects, analysis finds
• Risk-assessment approach recommended for biomarker-driven cancer clinical trials
• Coral reefs provide potent new anti-HIV proteins
• Talking to kids about money: Study highlights importance of parents discussing financial matters with children
• Microfluidic technology reveals potential biomarker for early pancreatic cancer
• Snobby staff can boost luxury retail sales
• When harm done can never be balanced: Vicarious revenge and the death of Osama bin Laden
• Overlap in genes altered in schizophrenia, autism, intellectual disability
• Low cholesterol in immune cells tied to slow progression of HIV
• Diabetes duration, severity associated with brain atrophy
• E-games for kids: How to avoid the dangers
• 'Tell-tail' MRI image diagnosis for Parkinson's: Healthy state of brain cells may be an accurate test
• Race, risk and behaviors: Type 2 diabetes update
• I don’t deserve to be this happy: Dampening of positive feelings found to predict postpartum depressive symptoms
• New goals set for global health research, training
• Simply being called 'fat' makes young girls more likely to become obese: Trying to be thin is like trying to be tall
• Pancreatic tumor-induced gene may prove beneficial as a drug marker
• Road to fountain of youth paved with fast food ... and sneakers? Exercise may prevent or delay fundamental process of aging
• Ready, set, hot!: Does warm weather play a role in football concussions?
• Naked mole rats and the secret to longevity
• Cyberspace scholarship nets higher grades, better thinking for class Facebook group
• Precise brain mapping can improve response to deep brain stimulation in depression
• Oxytocin promotes social behavior in infant rhesus monkeys
• Fluorescent-based tool reveals how medical nanoparticles biodegrade in real time
• Antibodies against deadly emerging disease mers discovered
• Potential drug targets for preeclampsia patients identified
• Higher calcium intake may reduce body fat, mitigating genetic risk for diabetes
• Risk of cesarean delivery 12 percent lower with labor induction

Breath Analysis Offers Non-invasive Method to Detect Early Lung Cancer Posted: 29 Apr 2014 03:46 PM PDT Researchers are using breath analysis to detect the presence of lung cancer. Preliminary data indicate that this promising noninvasive tool offers the sensitivity of PET scanning, and has almost twice the specificity of PET for distinguishing patients with benign lung disease from those with early stage cancer.

Consuming high-protein breakfasts helps women maintain glucose control, study finds Posted: 29 Apr 2014 01:21 PM PDT Previous research has shown that extreme increases in glucose and insulin in the blood can lead to poor glucose control and increase an individual's risk of developing diabetes over time. Now, a researcher has found that when women consumed high-protein breakfasts, they maintained better glucose and insulin control than they did with lower-protein or no-protein meals.

Prematurity linked to altered lung function during exercise, high blood pressure in adults Posted: 29 Apr 2014 01:16 PM PDT Some preterm babies have lungs that develop abnormally. While long-term health effects of prematurity are still unclear, researchers have found that adults who were born early may have problems handling the pulmonary demands of exercise. "Healthy young humans have lungs designed to easily handle the increased blood flow from the heart during exercise. However, adults born extremely to very preterm have abnormally developed lungs, which may result in lungs that are unable to handle the demands of exercise," they conclude.

Heat regulation dysfunction may stop MS patients from exercising Posted: 29 Apr 2014 01:16 PM PDT Exercise-induced body temperature increases can make symptoms worse for some patients with multiple sclerosis. Researchers have explored the underlying causes of the temperature regulation problems so MS patients can better reap the benefits of exercise. In the study, researchers found that sweating took longer to start and sweat rate was lower during exercise-induced body temperature increases in MS patients compared to healthy control subjects.

Don't like the food? Try paying more Posted: 29 Apr 2014 01:16 PM PDT Customers paying more at a restaurant buffet perceive the food as tastier than the same food offered at a lower price, suggesting taste perception can be manipulated by price alone. Researchers in nutrition, economics and consumer behavior often assume that taste is a given -- a person naturally either likes or dislikes a food. But a new study suggests taste perception, as well as feelings of overeating and guilt, can be manipulated by price alone.

Information technology can simplify weight-loss efforts; social support still important for success Posted: 29 Apr 2014 12:37 PM PDT According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 69 percent of adults in the United States are currently overweight or obese, which puts these individuals at increased risk for chronic health problems. Although weight loss decreases this risk, statistics show that dieters often fail multiple times before meeting their goals. Now, researchers have found that information technology, such as smartphone applications, can help dieters integrate healthy behavior changes into their daily lives.

Saving crops, people with inexpensive bug sensors Posted: 29 Apr 2014 12:37 PM PDT A method that can classify different species of insects with up to 99 percent accuracy has been created by researchers, a development that could help farmers protect their crops from insect damage and limit the spread of insect-borne diseases, such as malaria and Dengue fever. For hundreds of years humans have attempted to kill unwanted insects. While some blanket methods have been successful, they can be costly and create environmental problems. The sensor developed by these researchers aims to change that by counting and classifying the insects so that the substance used to eradicate the harmful insects can be applied on a precision targeted level.

Declines in large wildlife lead to increases in disease risk Posted: 29 Apr 2014 11:22 AM PDT In the Middle Ages, fleas carried by rats were responsible for spreading the Black Plague. Today in East Africa, they remain important vectors of plague and many other diseases, including Bartonellosis, a potentially dangerous human pathogen. The researchers concluded that the "spike in disease risk results from explosions in the number of rodents that benefit from the removal of the larger animals."

Chronic stress heightens vulnerability to diet-related metabolic risk Posted: 29 Apr 2014 11:21 AM PDT Highly stressed people who eat a lot of high-fat, high-sugar food are more prone to health risks than low-stress people who eat the same amount of unhealthy food, new research finds for the first time. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of abnormalities -- increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels -- that occur together, increasing a person's risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

'Feel good' factor higher when you own, not just use, luxury items Posted: 29 Apr 2014 10:38 AM PDT It means more to people to own a luxury product or brand than to have the privilege of simply using one. Just using an affordable luxury item you don't own can, in fact, dampen the feel good factor that normally surrounds such products, suggests new research.

Immunogenic mutations in tumor genomes correlate with increased patient survival Posted: 29 Apr 2014 10:38 AM PDT Developing immunotherapies for cancer is challenging because of significant variability among tumors and diversity in human immune types. In a new study, researchers examined the largest collection of tumor samples to date to predict patient-specific tumor mutations that may activate the patient's immune system, paving the way for more successful, personalized cancer immunotherapy.

Brain tumor cells penetrated by tiny, degradable particles carrying genetic instructions Posted: 29 Apr 2014 09:58 AM PDT Tiny, biodegradable 'nanoparticles' able to carry DNA to brain cancer cells in mice have been developed by engineers and neurosurgeons working together. The team says the results of their proof of principle experiment suggest that such particles loaded with 'death genes' might one day be given to brain cancer patients during neurosurgery to selectively kill off any remaining tumor cells without damaging normal brain tissue.

Medicare patients with dementia 20 percent more likely to be readmitted Posted: 29 Apr 2014 09:58 AM PDT A review of more than 25,000 admissions of Medicare beneficiaries to Rhode Island hospitals has found that patients with a documented diagnosis of dementia are nearly 20 percent more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than those without dementia. "Because dementia often goes undiagnosed, or is not documented in a patient's medical record, we believe that the current findings may underestimate readmission rates and risks in this population," the lead author noted.

People rely on what they hear themselves say to know what they're saying Posted: 29 Apr 2014 09:57 AM PDT You know what you're going to say before you say it, right? Not necessarily, research suggests. A new study shows that auditory feedback plays an important role in helping us determine what we're saying as we speak. Theories about how we produce speech often assume that we start with a clear, preverbal idea of what to say that goes through different levels of encoding to finally become an utterance. But the findings from this study support an alternative model.

Anti-bullying policy must focus on all of society Posted: 29 Apr 2014 09:57 AM PDT Policy to reduce bullying in the schoolyard needs to span all levels of society, say researchers, who warn that socioeconomic status is not a reliable indicator of whether a child is likely to become a bully. Up to one third of children are involved in bullying, and a growing body of evidence has shown that bullying is a significant public health concern, which can cause long lasting health and social problems.

Mother's diet affects the 'silencing' of her child's genes Posted: 29 Apr 2014 09:57 AM PDT A unique 'experiment of nature' that took place in The Gambia has now revealed that a mother's diet before she conceives has a permanent effect on her offspring's genetics. This is the first time the effect has been seen in humans, and is regarded as a major contribution to the field of 'epigenetics.'

Molecular secrets behind resveratrol's health benefits revealed Posted: 29 Apr 2014 09:55 AM PDT Resveratrol has been much in the news as the component of grapes and red wine associated with reducing "bad cholesterol," heart disease and some types of cancer. Also found in blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, peanuts and pistachios, resveratrol is associated with beneficial health effects in aging, inflammation and metabolism.

Label-free, sequence-specific, inexpensive fluorescent DNA sensors Posted: 29 Apr 2014 09:55 AM PDT Using principles of energy transfer more commonly applied to designing solar cells, scientists have developed a new highly sensitive way to detect specific sequences of DNA, the genetic material unique to every living thing. The method is considerably less costly than other DNA assays and has widespread potential for applications in forensics, medical diagnostics, and the detection of bioterror agents.

Women's employment, caregiving workloads, effort, health profiled by researchers Posted: 29 Apr 2014 07:51 AM PDT A profile of women with the dual responsibilities of full-time paid work and unpaid care for an elderly family member has been developed by researchers. The study is similar to how industry measures the impact of workload (including the time and difficulty of the tasks) and effort (the perceived energy it takes to do the work), researchers said. The results richly described the experiences of 46 women caregivers who work full-time and participated in the researchers' larger mixed-methods study in 2012.

Take a trip down Memory Lane to the gym: Using memories to motivate Posted: 29 Apr 2014 07:50 AM PDT We all know that thinking about exercise isn't the same as doing it. But researchers have confirmed what may be the next best thing: just thinking about a past exercise experience can motivate us to actually do it.

Depression detectable in the blood: Platelet serotonin transporter function Posted: 29 Apr 2014 07:50 AM PDT The possibility of using a blood test to detect depression has been demonstrated by researchers. While blood tests for mental illnesses have until recently been regarded as impossible, a recent study clearly indicates that, in principle, depression can in fact be diagnosed in this way and this could become reality in the not too distant future.

Facial transplantation: Almost a decade out, surgeons prepare for burgeoning demand Posted: 29 Apr 2014 07:49 AM PDT Plastic and reconstructive surgeons leading the first retrospective study of all known facial transplants worldwide conclude that the procedure is relatively safe, increasingly feasible, and a clear life-changer that can and should be offered to far more carefully selected patients. The review team noted that the transplants still pose lifelong risks and complications from infection and sometimes toxic immunosuppressive drugs, but also are highly effective at restoring people to fully functioning lives after physically disfiguring and socially debilitating facial injuries.

Girls make higher grades than boys in all school subjects, analysis finds Posted: 29 Apr 2014 07:49 AM PDT Despite the stereotype that boys do better in math and science, girls have made higher grades than boys throughout their school years for nearly a century, according to a new analysis. "School marks reflect learning in the larger social context of the classroom and require effort and persistence over long periods of time, whereas standardized tests assess basic or specialized academic abilities and aptitudes at one point in time without social influences," said lead study author.

Risk-assessment approach recommended for biomarker-driven cancer clinical trials Posted: 29 Apr 2014 06:26 AM PDT A practical, risk-management approach has been outlined by experts for effective integration of biomarkers into cancer clinical trials. This work provides the international community with a set of common principles by which biomarkers can be integrated into clinical trials, exchange of data can be facilitated, quality promoted, and research accelerated while simultaneously respecting local approaches and legislation.

Coral reefs provide potent new anti-HIV proteins Posted: 29 Apr 2014 06:26 AM PDT A new class of proteins capable of blocking the HIV virus from penetrating T-cells has been discovered. The proteins, found in a coral from Australia's northern coast, could be well-suited for use in gels or sexual lubricants to provide a potent barrier against HIV infection, potentially filling a pressing need for a female-applied anti-HIV microbicide that doesn't rely on a man's willingness to use a condom.

Talking to kids about money: Study highlights importance of parents discussing financial matters with children Posted: 29 Apr 2014 06:25 AM PDT A new study finds that children pay close attention to issues related to money, and that parents should make an effort to talk with their children to ensure that kids don't develop misconceptions about finance. The children reported that some subjects were largely "off-limits," including family finances, parental income, investments and debt.

Microfluidic technology reveals potential biomarker for early pancreatic cancer Posted: 29 Apr 2014 06:25 AM PDT The detection of pancreas cells in the blood may be an early sign of cancer, new research demonstrates. The findings suggest that circulating pancreas cells (CPCs) seed the bloodstream before tumors can be detected using current clinical tests such as CT and MRI scans, and that the detection of pancreas cells in the blood may be an early sign of cancer.

Snobby staff can boost luxury retail sales Posted: 29 Apr 2014 05:56 AM PDT When it comes to luxury brands, the ruder the sales staff the better the sales, according to new research. The study reveals that consumers who get the brush-off at a high-end retailer can become more willing to purchase and wear pricey togs. "It appears that snobbiness might actually be a qualification worth considering for luxury brands like Louis Vuitton or Gucci," says one marketing professor. "Our research indicates they can end up having a similar effect to an 'in-group' in high school that others aspire to join."

When harm done can never be balanced: Vicarious revenge and the death of Osama bin Laden Posted: 29 Apr 2014 05:56 AM PDT Friday will mark the third anniversary of Osama bin Laden's assassination, a day when President Barack Obama famously stated 'Justice has been done.' But has it? A new study has questioned whether this instance of vicarious revenge led to feelings of satisfaction and reestablished justice within the American public, including whether bin Laden's assassination ignited craving for more revenge.

Overlap in genes altered in schizophrenia, autism, intellectual disability Posted: 29 Apr 2014 05:56 AM PDT New evidence supporting the theory that in at least some cases of schizophrenia, autism and intellectual disability, malfunctions in some of the same genes are contributing to pathology has been released. Schizophrenia is thought to be caused in many instances by gene mutations passed from parents to children, the effects of which may be enhanced by adverse environmental factors. In contrast, de novo mutations, or DNMs, are gene defects in offspring that neither parent possesses. Researchers used these differences as their focus in the new study.

Low cholesterol in immune cells tied to slow progression of HIV Posted: 29 Apr 2014 05:55 AM PDT People infected with HIV whose immune cells have low cholesterol levels experience much slower disease progression, even without medication, according research that could lead to new strategies to control infection. The researchers found that low cholesterol in certain cells, which is likely an inherited trait, affects the ability of the body to transmit the virus to other cells.

Diabetes duration, severity associated with brain atrophy Posted: 29 Apr 2014 05:55 AM PDT Type 2 diabetes may be associated with brain degeneration, according to a new multi-center study. The study also found that, contrary to common clinical belief, diabetes may not be directly associated with small vessel ischemic disease, where the brain does not receive enough oxygenated blood.

E-games for kids: How to avoid the dangers Posted: 29 Apr 2014 05:53 AM PDT Children's access to e-games has increased exponentially in recent years. Diversification of platform; tablets, handheld games consoles, and smartphones give kids opportunity for exposure almost all the time in any setting.  In developed countries kids spend a shocking 4-8 hours per day using screen based electronic media.  What are the risks attached to such high usage?  Are there any benefits? What should parents, health and education professionals and the industry be doing about it?

'Tell-tail' MRI image diagnosis for Parkinson's: Healthy state of brain cells may be an accurate test Posted: 29 Apr 2014 05:53 AM PDT An image similar in shape to a Swallow's tail has been identified as a new and accurate test for Parkinson's disease. The image, which depicts the healthy state of a group of cells in the sub-region of the human brain, was singled out using 3T MRI scanning technology – standard equipment in clinical settings today.

Race, risk and behaviors: Type 2 diabetes update Posted: 29 Apr 2014 05:53 AM PDT The behavioral issues associated with patients' self-management of type 2 diabetes is the special focus of a recent journal release. "Diabetes, perhaps more so than any other chronic disease, requires people to significantly modify their behaviors -— sometimes in ways that are contrary to their cultural norms and backgrounds -— even when they don't 'feel' sick or experience symptoms of the disease," said one expert. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder affecting about 24 million people in the United States.

I don’t deserve to be this happy: Dampening of positive feelings found to predict postpartum depressive symptoms Posted: 29 Apr 2014 05:52 AM PDT For the first time, research shows that the dampening or suppression of positive emotions plays an important role in the development of postpartum depression. This has implications for the treatment of depressed mothers. The researchers are currently working to develop a treatment method focused specifically on counteracting dampening. Existing methods, such as mindfulness, may also have a positive effect on dampening they say.

New goals set for global health research, training Posted: 29 Apr 2014 05:51 AM PDT Global health research and training efforts should focus on combating the growing epidemic of noncommunicable diseases, better incorporating information technology into research and training, and more effectively converting scientific discoveries into practice in low-resource settings, according a new strategic plan for a global health research group.

Simply being called 'fat' makes young girls more likely to become obese: Trying to be thin is like trying to be tall Posted: 28 Apr 2014 01:41 PM PDT Girls who are told by a parent, sibling, friend, classmate or teacher that they are too fat at age 10 are more likely to be obese at age 19, a new study by psychologists shows.

Pancreatic tumor-induced gene may prove beneficial as a drug marker Posted: 28 Apr 2014 01:36 PM PDT A new mouse model helps scientists better understand the progression of pancreatic cancer and may provide new avenues for the development of therapies, researchers report. Cancer of the pancreas, with a 5% survival rate within five years of diagnosis, is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths. The main reason behind such high morbidity is poor early detection capabilities as well as inability of currently employed drugs to alleviate cancer progression.

Road to fountain of youth paved with fast food ... and sneakers? Exercise may prevent or delay fundamental process of aging Posted: 28 Apr 2014 01:36 PM PDT Unhealthy lifestyle habits can accelerate the process of senescence (cell death) and the release of damaging substances from dying cells. Researchers for the first time demonstrate that exercise can prevent or delay this fundamental process of aging, and that lifestyle choices do play a major role in cell aging and that exercise may help protect against aging by interfering with cell senescence.

Ready, set, hot!: Does warm weather play a role in football concussions? Posted: 28 Apr 2014 01:36 PM PDT Heat and dehydration can cause a "perfect storm" of risk factors for concussion among competitive football players. Researchers looked at the effects of extreme temperature on concussion rates during NCAA football games. A loss of just two percent of the body's water volume to dehydration -- a feat easily achieved during prolonged exercise in hot weather -- can lead to a significant reduction in the amount of cerebrospinal (CSF) fluid that a person has.

Naked mole rats and the secret to longevity Posted: 28 Apr 2014 01:36 PM PDT With lifespans of up to 31 years, naked mole rats live decades longer than would be expected based on their size. By comparison, mice live at most four years. A new study links their remarkable lifespans to high levels of a quality-control protein, offering new insights on age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Cyberspace scholarship nets higher grades, better thinking for class Facebook group Posted: 28 Apr 2014 12:58 PM PDT University students who used a Facebook group as part of a large sociology class did better on course assignments and felt a stronger sense of belonging, researchers have found. The study has implications for the challenge of teaching large classes, a growing concern for higher education. "Although some teachers may worry that social media distracts students from legitimate learning, we found that our Facebook group helped transform students from anonymous spectators into a community of active learners -- and this has important consequences for student performance," said a co-author of the study.

Precise brain mapping can improve response to deep brain stimulation in depression Posted: 28 Apr 2014 12:58 PM PDT Precisely defining white matter connections in the brain can help physicians choose optimal target sites for stimulation and significantly improve outcomes in deep brain stimulation for depression, a new study shows. Previous experimental studies have shown that deep brain stimulation (DBS) within the subcallosal cingulate (SCC) white matter of the brain is an effective treatment for many patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Oxytocin promotes social behavior in infant rhesus monkeys Posted: 28 Apr 2014 12:58 PM PDT The hormone oxytocin appears to increase social behaviors in newborn rhesus monkeys, according to a study. The findings indicate that oxytocin is a promising candidate for new treatments for developmental disorders affecting social skills and bonding. Oxytocin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, is involved in labor and birth and in the production of breast milk. Studies have shown that oxytocin also plays a role in parental bonding, mating, and in social dynamics.

Fluorescent-based tool reveals how medical nanoparticles biodegrade in real time Posted: 28 Apr 2014 12:48 PM PDT A unique, noninvasive method measures the disassembly of biodegradable nanoparticles that can be used to deliver medicines to patients. The technique is a necessary stop in translating nanoparticles into clinical use. "Nanoparticles could be formulated with contrast agents for diagnostic imaging, or could deliver anticancer drugs to a tumor," one researcher said. "Our measuring tool can help researchers to develop and optimize their nanomedicine formulations for a range of medical uses."

Antibodies against deadly emerging disease mers discovered Posted: 28 Apr 2014 12:48 PM PDT Antibodies against the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) have been discovered that could lead to prevention/treatment for the virus with a 40% mortality rate. Currently there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for MERS, a severe respiratory disease that was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

Potential drug targets for preeclampsia patients identified Posted: 28 Apr 2014 12:48 PM PDT Preeclampsia patients have an overabundance of molecules that send detrimental signals, researchers have found. They also documented poor health outcomes in babies born to moms with the syndrome. "Preeclampsia is a multifaceted complication found uniquely in the pregnant patient and one that has puzzled scientists for years," says the leader of the study. It affects about 5 percent of expectant moms, usually in the second half of pregnancy.

Higher calcium intake may reduce body fat, mitigating genetic risk for diabetes Posted: 28 Apr 2014 12:48 PM PDT Many African-American children do not get the recommended amount of calcium in their diet. A new study shows African American children with a genetic predisposition to diabetes may mitigate their risk by getting more calcium. An estimated 25 million people in the United States have diabetes, or about 1 in 12 people. African Americans are at especially high risk, and the trajectory for the disease is often set in childhood.

Risk of cesarean delivery 12 percent lower with labor induction Posted: 28 Apr 2014 10:40 AM PDT The risk of a cesarean delivery was 12 percent lower in women whose labor was induced compared with women who were managed with a 'wait-and-see' approach (expectant management), according to a research paper. Labor is induced in about 20% of all births for a variety of reasons such as preeclampsia, diabetes, preterm rupture of the membranes, overdue pregnancy and fetal distress. Induction is often thought to be associated with increased risk of cesarean deliveries despite evidence indicating a lower risk.

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