ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Where DNA's copy machine pauses, cancer could be next
• Getting to the root of enamel evolution
• Immune cells outsmart bacterial infection by dying, study shows
• Monitoring RNA levels in blood yields dynamic picture of fetal development, disease
• Focused ultrasound reduces cancer pain
• Wines' fruity flavors fade first, science finds
• Governor signs bill banning extreme-strength alcohol in Maryland
• Nerve damage after hip surgery may be due to inflammation
• Standard test that measures 'everyday task' performance is a good predictor of hospital readmission
• Family-based exposure therapy effective treatment for young children with OCD
• Dementia diagnosis twice as likely if older adult has schizophrenia; Cancer less likely
• Caring for horses eases symptoms of dementia
• Physician practice facilitation ensures key medical care reaches children
• Soy sauce molecule may unlock drug therapy for HIV patients
• Domestic violence victims more likely to take up smoking
• When wine hits the right nerve: Mechanism for appreciation of the barrique character decoded
• Bone marrow-on-a-chip unveiled
• How does stress increase risk for stroke, heart attack?
• Game developers say success hinges on more than just programming skills: Interpersonal skills also key
• Animal hoarding: Lesser-known problem for public health, welfare
• New knowledge about muscular dystrophy uncovered
• Women and PAD: Excellent treatment outcomes in spite of disease severity
• New cause of high blood pressure, heart disease discovered: Phosphate-rich foods
• Fluorescent sensor developed for detecting nitric oxide, a molecule related to many diseases
• Spotting a famous face in the crowd
• Robot caregivers to help the elderly
• World's smallest cardiac pacemaker implanted
• Stimulant drug may help women cope with post-menopausal memory lapses
• Infusion of young blood recharges brains of old mice
• Glutamine ratio is key ovarian cancer indicator
• Dual method to remove precancerous colon polyps may substantially reduce health-care costs
• Few children receive dental care before recommended age of 1 year
• Disease outbreak may not spur parents to have children vaccinated
• Electronic tool helps reduce drug errors among hospitalized children
• Being born 4-6 weeks premature can affect brain structure, function
• Journey between XX, XY: Getting closer to unravelling mystery of sexual ambiguity
• No danger from magnetic fields in electric cars, experts say
• Analyzing living cells quickly, accurately
• New combination therapy for hepatitis C
• What frog courtship can tell us about human small talk
• Number of children treated in U. S. emergency departments for baby gate-related injuries nearly quadrupled since 1990
• Bioinformatics approach helps researchers find new use for old drug
• Tracking proteins in single HIV particle
• Young parents who use e-cigarettes believe devices are safer for those around them, despite any evidence
• Motivational interviewing can positively impact childhood obesity

Where DNA's copy machine pauses, cancer could be next Posted: 05 May 2014 06:14 PM PDT A comprehensive mapping of the 'fragile sites' where chromosomes are more likely to experience breakage shows the damage appears in specific areas of the genome where the DNA copying machinery is slowed or stalled during replication, either by certain sequences of DNA or by structural elements. The study could give insight into the origins of many of the genetic abnormalities seen in solid tumors.

Getting to the root of enamel evolution Posted: 05 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT Thick tooth enamel is one of the features that distinguishes our genus, Homo, from our primate relatives and forebears. A new study offers insight into exactly how evolution shaped our teeth, one gene at a time. By comparing the human genome with those of five other primate species, a team of geneticists and evolutionary anthropologists has identified two segments of DNA where natural selection acted to give modern humans their thick enamel.

Immune cells outsmart bacterial infection by dying, study shows Posted: 05 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT A clearer picture of the delicate arms race between the human immune system and a pathogen that seeks to infect and kill human cells has been painted through new research. The research explores the strategies by which the bacterial pathogen Yersinia, responsible for causing plague and gastrointestinal infections, tries to outsmart immune cell responses and looks at the tactics used by the immune system to fight back.

Monitoring RNA levels in blood yields dynamic picture of fetal development, disease Posted: 05 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT Researchers have moved beyond relying on the static information delivered by DNA sequences in the blood. Instead, they've generated a much more dynamic picture by monitoring changing levels of another genetic material -- RNA -- in the blood. It's the biological difference between a still photo and a video when it comes to figuring out what the body is doing, and why.

Focused ultrasound reduces cancer pain Posted: 05 May 2014 12:51 PM PDT When cancer progresses and spreads to the bone, patients often suffer debilitating pain. Now, a new phase III clinical trial shows that non-invasive magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound treatment that heats the cancer within the bone, relieves pain and improves function for most patients when other treatment options are limited.

Wines' fruity flavors fade first, science finds Posted: 05 May 2014 11:20 AM PDT Testing conventional wisdom with science, recently published research reveals how different flavors 'finish,' or linger, on the palate following a sip of wine. The study is one of the first to look at how different flavor components finish when standing alone or interacting with other compounds in white wines.

Governor signs bill banning extreme-strength alcohol in Maryland Posted: 05 May 2014 11:20 AM PDT Today, Gov. O'Malley signed legislation banning the retail sale of alcohol 190-proof and stronger effective July 1. Maryland joins the ranks of more than a dozen other states that ban the sale of such products, including Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia.

Nerve damage after hip surgery may be due to inflammation Posted: 05 May 2014 11:20 AM PDT A recent article links some nerve damage after hip surgery to inflammatory neuropathy. Historically, nerve damage from hip surgery has been attributed to mechanical factors caused by anesthesiologists or surgeons, such as positioning of the patient during surgery or direct surgical injury of the nerves. In this study, researchers examined patients who developed inflammatory neuropathies, where the immune system attacks the nerves, leading to weakness and pain. Inflammatory neuropathies may be treated with immunotherapy.

Standard test that measures 'everyday task' performance is a good predictor of hospital readmission Posted: 05 May 2014 11:20 AM PDT Patients freshly discharged from acute care hospitals with low scores on a standard test that measures how well they perform such everyday activities as moving from a bed to a chair are far more likely to need readmission to a hospital within 30 days than those who score better, according to new research.

Family-based exposure therapy effective treatment for young children with OCD Posted: 05 May 2014 10:05 AM PDT Family-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is beneficial to young children between the ages of five and eight with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The study found developmentally sensitive family-based CBT that included exposure/response prevention was more effective in reducing OCD symptoms and functional impairment in this age group than a similarly structured relaxation program.

Dementia diagnosis twice as likely if older adult has schizophrenia; Cancer less likely Posted: 05 May 2014 10:05 AM PDT The rate of dementia diagnosis for patients with schizophrenia has been found to be twice as high as for patients without this chronic, severe and disabling brain disorder. Cancer, however, was less likely. These results come from a study that followed over 30,000 older adults for a decade. This study also found that hospital admissions, hospital lengths of stay, nursing home facility use and nursing home length of stay for patients with schizophrenia were significantly greater than for patients without schizophrenia.

Caring for horses eases symptoms of dementia Posted: 05 May 2014 10:01 AM PDT In the first study of its kind, researchers have determined that spending time with horses eases symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia. The small pilot study suggests that equine therapy -- a treatment used today for children and teens who have emotional and developmental disorders -- could work for adults, too, and could supplement more common forms of animal therapy involving dogs or cats and provide a unique way to ease the symptoms of dementia without drugs.

Physician practice facilitation ensures key medical care reaches children Posted: 05 May 2014 08:26 AM PDT The simple act of adding an outside eye could dramatically improve pediatric care, one researcher surmised. Today, a study of more than 16,000 patient visits proves this thesis correct. Children receive, on average, just half the recommended health care they need. This researcher believed a trained practice facilitator could help to make a major, measurable difference in children's treatment.

Soy sauce molecule may unlock drug therapy for HIV patients Posted: 05 May 2014 08:25 AM PDT For HIV patients being treated with anti-AIDS medications, resistance to drug therapy regimens is commonplace. Often, patients develop resistance to first-line drug therapies, such as Tenofovir, and are forced to adopt more potent medications. Virologists now are testing the next generation of medications that stop HIV from spreading, and are using a molecule related to flavor enhancers found in soy sauce, to develop compounds that are more potent than Tenofovir.

Domestic violence victims more likely to take up smoking Posted: 05 May 2014 08:25 AM PDT One-third of women around the world have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of their intimate partners with consequences from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Now, in a new study in 29 low-income and middle-income countries, researchers have identified yet another serious health risk associated with intimate partner violence: smoking.

When wine hits the right nerve: Mechanism for appreciation of the barrique character decoded Posted: 05 May 2014 08:23 AM PDT If wine leaves a bitter, cotton-like coating on the tongue, neither the sense of taste nor the sense of smell is responsible. The traditional oak barrel character, also called barrique character, is perceived via the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for, among other things, pain and temperature perception, researchers report.

Bone marrow-on-a-chip unveiled Posted: 05 May 2014 07:44 AM PDT The first method to reproduce the structure, functions and cellular make-up of bone marrow in the laboratory has been unveiled by researchers. The new device gives scientists a much-needed new method to test the effects on bone marrow of toxic agents and new drugs to prevent lethal radiation poisoning and dangerous side effects of cancer therapies, all without animal testing.

How does stress increase risk for stroke, heart attack? Posted: 05 May 2014 07:44 AM PDT Scientists have shown that anger, anxiety, and depression not only affect the functioning of the heart, but also increase the risk for heart disease. Stroke and heart attacks are the end products of progressive damage to blood vessels supplying the heart and brain, a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis progresses when there are high levels of chemicals in the body called pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is thought that persisting stress increases the risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease by evoking negative emotions that, in turn, raise the levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body.

Game developers say success hinges on more than just programming skills: Interpersonal skills also key Posted: 05 May 2014 07:44 AM PDT Aspiring game developers may want to bone up on their interpersonal skills. A new study finds that game developers need a suite of non-programming skills -- including communication skills -- that are considered less important in other fields of software development.

Animal hoarding: Lesser-known problem for public health, welfare Posted: 05 May 2014 07:43 AM PDT Animal hoarding is a psychiatric disorder that consists of accumulating large numbers of animals at home, usually cats and dogs, without providing them with a minimal standard of care. The first European study to provide data on this disorder has been published, outlining the disorder's largely unknown and negative effects on the health of both the people who suffer from it and the animals involved.

New knowledge about muscular dystrophy uncovered Posted: 05 May 2014 07:43 AM PDT A previously unknown function of a cellular enzyme that can disperse toxic aggregates in the cells of patients with muscular dystrophy has been uncovered by researchers. The most common form of muscular dystrophy among adults is dystrophia myotonica type 1 (DM1), where approximately 1 in every 8000 is affected by the disease. The severity of the disease varies from mild forms to severe congenital forms. It is dominantly inherited and accumulates through generations, gaining increased severity and lowered age of onset.

Women and PAD: Excellent treatment outcomes in spite of disease severity Posted: 05 May 2014 07:43 AM PDT Stakes are higher for women with PAD, a circulation issue that's common among older adults. But women benefit just as much as men from procedures to unclog arteries. A new study demonstrates the need for doctors to ask women about leg discomfort and to screen for peripheral artery disease. PAD happens when fatty deposits build up in arteries outside the heart, usually the arteries supplying fresh oxygen and blood to the arms, legs and feet.

New cause of high blood pressure, heart disease discovered: Phosphate-rich foods Posted: 05 May 2014 07:42 AM PDT Phosphate-rich foods include processed cheese, Parmesan, cola, baking powder and most processed foods. Phosphates are widely used in the food industry as preservatives and pH stabilizers. When large quantities of phosphates are consumed, production of the FGF23 hormone is stimulated, which has a negative effect on the cardiovascular system.  One expert warns that "our phosphate consumption is relevant for our state of health."

Fluorescent sensor developed for detecting nitric oxide, a molecule related to many diseases Posted: 05 May 2014 07:42 AM PDT The detection of certain chemical compounds in our body is essential to prevent many diseases and set out their treatment. Thus, making advances in the development of compounds that can be easily detected is key for the development of medicine. This is the case of nitric oxide, which is a molecule involved in countless cardiovascular, neurological and immune system processes, among others. The detection of nitric oxide may be executed more efficiently and selectively thanks to a new compound recently developed.

Spotting a famous face in the crowd Posted: 05 May 2014 07:42 AM PDT Using faces of Bill Clinton and Mick Jagger, researcher shows what mechanisms interfere with our ability to recognize faces. People can only recognize two faces in a crowd at a time -- even if the faces belong to famous people.

Robot caregivers to help the elderly Posted: 05 May 2014 07:42 AM PDT Our life expectancy lengthens and members of the 'silver generation' make up an ever-larger proportion of the population. Can technologies help us in caring for ourselves, our older relatives and friends? Could we learn to live together with robots while being watched over by sensors? Some people certainly think so.

World's smallest cardiac pacemaker implanted Posted: 05 May 2014 06:50 AM PDT The world's smallest pacemaker has been implanted as part of a global clinical trial. The procedure was the first of its kind in the United States Midwest. One-tenth the size of a conventional pacemaker, and comparable in size to a large vitamin, the Micra TPS pacemaker is delivered directly into the heart through a catheter inserted in the femoral vein.

Stimulant drug may help women cope with post-menopausal memory lapses Posted: 05 May 2014 06:49 AM PDT The psychostimulant drug lisdexamfetamine can aid post-menopausal women by improving attention and concentration, organization, working memory and recall, preliminary evidence from a recent study indicates. The study enrolled 30 women between the ages of 48 and 60 who had experienced a diminished ability to focus and multi-task in their early post-menopausal years. The cohort was made up of successful women -- none of whom were more than five years post-menopause.

Infusion of young blood recharges brains of old mice Posted: 05 May 2014 06:49 AM PDT Something -- or some things -- in the blood of young mice has the ability to restore mental capabilities in old mice, a new study has found. If the same goes for humans, it could spell a new paradigm for recharging our aging brains, and it might mean new therapeutic approaches for treating dementias such as Alzheimer's disease.

Glutamine ratio is key ovarian cancer indicator Posted: 05 May 2014 06:42 AM PDT An analysis of the metabolic profiles of hundreds of ovarian tumors has revealed a new method for tailoring treatments for ovarian cancer and for assessing whether ovarian cancer cells have the potential to metastasize. The research is part of a growing effort among cancer researchers worldwide to create treatments that target the altered metabolism of cancer cells.

Dual method to remove precancerous colon polyps may substantially reduce health-care costs Posted: 05 May 2014 06:42 AM PDT A surgical method combining two techniques for removing precancerous polyps during colonoscopies can substantially reduce the recovery time and the length of hospital stays, potentially saving the health-care system millions of dollars, according to new research.

Few children receive dental care before recommended age of 1 year Posted: 05 May 2014 06:42 AM PDT Fewer than one per cent of healthy urban children surveyed in Toronto had received dental care by the recommended age of 12 months and fewer than two per cent had seen a dentist by the age of 24 months. Children most susceptible to cavities were least likely to receive early dental care, according to the a new study.

Disease outbreak may not spur parents to have children vaccinated Posted: 05 May 2014 06:42 AM PDT Conventional wisdom holds that when the risk of catching a disease is high, people are more likely to get vaccinated to protect themselves. This may not be the case, however, according to a new study.

Electronic tool helps reduce drug errors among hospitalized children Posted: 05 May 2014 06:42 AM PDT When children are admitted to the hospital, sometimes the medications they take at home are lost in the shuffle, or they may be given the wrong dose. Having a system in place at hospital admission to record and review a child's medication history results in fewer errors, potentially avoiding harm to the patient, according to a new study.

Being born 4-6 weeks premature can affect brain structure, function Posted: 05 May 2014 06:41 AM PDT The brains of children who were born just a few weeks early differ from those born on time, and these differences may affect learning and behavior, according to a new study.

Journey between XX, XY: Getting closer to unravelling mystery of sexual ambiguity Posted: 05 May 2014 06:39 AM PDT In both humans and mammals, sexual development is a long process. In most cases, the genetic sex (XX or XY) results in the development of the corresponding gonadal sex (ovaries or testes), which in turn secretes hormones that will masculinize or feminize the fetus. But throughout gonadal development, various accidents may occur, giving rise to a wide range of alterations and ambiguities. Disorders of gonadal development represent a heterogeneous class of sexual ambiguities caused by defects in gonadal development or a failure of testis differentiation.

No danger from magnetic fields in electric cars, experts say Posted: 05 May 2014 06:38 AM PDT Many people are concerned that electric cars produce dangerous magnetic fields. New research shows that this is not the case. Researchers from seven countries have concluded that we can feel safe both in electric-powered cars and in those powered by hydrogen, petrol and diesel. None of them exposes passengers to higher electromagnetic fields than those recommended in international standards. In fact, field intensity is well below the recommended value, experts say.

Analyzing living cells quickly, accurately Posted: 05 May 2014 06:38 AM PDT In order to investigate inflammation, tumors or stem cells, medical practitioners analyze living cells. Non-invasive optical procedures such as Raman spectroscopy accelerate this procedure. Researchers have now developed it to industrial scale, and the technology is being employed on a practical basis by industrial partners. Scientists are working at present on a rapid test for cancer diagnosis, among other endeavors.

New combination therapy for hepatitis C Posted: 05 May 2014 06:38 AM PDT A new combination therapy allows chronic hepatitis C to be treated in a manner that is less aggressive yet equally efficient, new research shows. "This is a revolutionary breakthrough in the treatment of this disease and represents a huge improvement in the quality of life of those affected," says a hepatologist. Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by an infection with the hepatitis C virus. The virus is transmitted mostly via direct contact with contaminated blood or blood products.

What frog courtship can tell us about human small talk Posted: 05 May 2014 06:37 AM PDT If you've ever heard the boisterous courtship sounds being made at night by male frogs gathered around a pond or "watering hole" to attract mates, you may have noticed some communication similarities to those of humans enjoying a loud night out at a cocktail party or bar—that familiar cacophony with everyone essentially shouting over each other to be heard.

Number of children treated in U. S. emergency departments for baby gate-related injuries nearly quadrupled since 1990 Posted: 05 May 2014 06:20 AM PDT If you are a parent, chances are you have used or will use a baby gate at some point. Baby gates are designed to help protect young children from stairs and other dangers around the home. If you use these in your home, take note. A new study has found gates can lead to injury if used incorrectly.

Bioinformatics approach helps researchers find new use for old drug Posted: 05 May 2014 06:20 AM PDT By linking cancer gene expression patterns with drug activity, a research team has found a possible cancer therapy hidden in an antimicrobial agent. Using a novel bioinformatics approach, a team of researchers used a collection of gene expression data from human cancer cells treated with hundreds of small molecule drugs to help in the treatment of patients with advanced kidney cancer.

Tracking proteins in single HIV particle Posted: 04 May 2014 06:10 PM PDT A new technique to examine how proteins interact with each other at the level of a single HIV viral particle has been developed by an interdisciplinary team of scientists. The technique allows scientists to study the life-threatening virus in detail and makes screening potential anti-HIV drugs quicker and more efficient. The technique can also be used to study other diseases.

Young parents who use e-cigarettes believe devices are safer for those around them, despite any evidence Posted: 04 May 2014 06:55 AM PDT Many young parents are using electronic cigarettes, and despite any evidence for safety, the vast majority of young adults who have used the devices believe they are less harmful than regular cigarettes, according to new research.

Motivational interviewing can positively impact childhood obesity Posted: 04 May 2014 06:55 AM PDT Pediatricians and dietitians who used motivational interviewing techniques to counsel families about their young child's weight were successful in reducing children's body mass index percentile 3.1 more points than comparison children over a 2-year period, according to a new study.

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