ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Breakthroughs made in ovarian cancer research
• How we form habits, change existing ones
• Mystery of brain cell growth unraveled by scientists
• Down syndrome: Behind the scenes of genetics, leukemia
• What does 'diversity' mean to you? The answer may depend on your race
• Lipids boost the brain, study finds
• Hybrid-motor helps cells push their way through tissues
• Phthalate compounds contaminating your glass of wine
• Work-related stress a risk factor for type 2 diabetes
• Pictures in five seconds: Digital x-ray imaging
• Best way to brush teeth? Even dentists, dental associations don't agree
• Stem cells show promise for stroke in pilot study
• Most misdiagnosed form of dementia leaves patients, doctors unprepared
• Diabetes education improves health, quality of life
• Few juvenile suspects exercise constitutional rights during interrogations
• Parents part of problem in distracted teen driving, study finds
• Musical training offsets some academic achievement gaps, research says
• Sleep deficiency and sleep medication use in astronauts
• Type 2 diabetics can live longer than people without the disease
• Animal therapy reduces need for pain medication after joint-replacement surgery
• New Test Predicts Individual's Risk of Second Kidney Stone
• Slowing brain functions linked to increased risk of stroke, death
• Neck manipulation may be associated with stroke
• New treatment successful for rare, disabling movement disorder, the Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS)
• Laparoscopic Surgical Removal of Gallbladder in Pediatric Patients is Safe
• New way to more accurately detect cervical cancer in women
• To eat or not to eat: New disposable biosensor may help physicians determine which patients can safely be fed following surgery
• Cell signaling pathway linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes
• Wild sheep show benefits of putting up with parasites
• Elderly with depression, mild cognitive impairment more vulnerable to accelerated brain aging
• Gut microbes browse along gene buffet
• Dynamics of microbes, nitrate revealed by study
• Newsroom journalists at increased risk of PTSD, depression from images of extreme violence
• Mutations in gene essential for cell regulation cause kidney cancer in children
• Gut microbiome analysis improved noninvasive colorectal cancer screening
• Pancreatic cancer survival rates at standstill for four decades

Breakthroughs made in ovarian cancer research Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:19 AM PDT New clues to early detection and personalized treatment of ovarian cancer have been made by researchers. Ovarian cancer is currently one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose early due to the lack of symptoms that are unique to the illness. Successful treatment is difficult at this late stage, resulting in high mortality rates.

How we form habits, change existing ones Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:19 AM PDT About 40 percent of people's daily activities are performed each day in almost the same situations, studies show. Habits emerge through associative learning. 'We find patterns of behavior that allow us to reach goals. We repeat what works, and when actions are repeated in a stable context, we form associations between cues and response,' a researcher explains.

Mystery of brain cell growth unraveled by scientists Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:19 AM PDT Scientists have discovered how a single protein can exert both a push and a pull force to nudge a neuron in the desired direction, helping neurons navigate to their assigned places in the developing brain.

Down syndrome: Behind the scenes of genetics, leukemia Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:17 AM PDT A group of geneticists have focused for many years on the genetic characteristics of Down syndrome. They have sequenced the exome, a specific part of our genome, in a cohort of patients affected both by Down Syndrome and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a type of cancer relative to the cells of the immune system in the bone marrow.

What does 'diversity' mean to you? The answer may depend on your race Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:17 AM PDT Researchers have studied how whites, Asian-Americans, and African-Americans evaluate diversity. The research included three studies, and participants were asked to rate the diversity of various groups of people that were presented as a team at work.

Lipids boost the brain, study finds Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:08 AM PDT Consuming oils with high polyunsaturated fatty acid content, in particular those containing omega-3s, is beneficial for the health. But the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly known. Researchers have investigated the effect of lipids bearing polyunsaturated chains when they are integrated into cell membranes. Their work shows that the presence of these lipids makes the membranes more malleable and therefore more sensitive to deformation and fission by proteins.

Hybrid-motor helps cells push their way through tissues Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:07 AM PDT Research has uncovered how two cellular motors, previously thought to compete with each other, can actually work together to help cells squeezing through a crowded mass of cells. The study provides fresh understanding of how cells can combine accurate steering with a brute force mechanism in order to push through our body, essential when cells of our immune defense need to reach sites of inflammation, but detrimental during tumor metastasis or parasitic infection.

Phthalate compounds contaminating your glass of wine Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:07 AM PDT Alcohol may be even more damaging to your health then you first thought, researchers report. Phthalate compounds are extremely widespread in our environment, and have major potential as hormone disruptors. The use of phthalates is regulated on an international level and includes those likely to come into contact with food and drink packaging. A study has analysed phthalate concentrations in a variety of French wines and spirits.

Work-related stress a risk factor for type 2 diabetes Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:07 AM PDT Workplace stress can have a range of adverse effects on health with an increased risk of cardio-vascular diseases in the first line. However, to date, convincing evidence for a strong association between work stress and incident Type 2 diabetes mellitus is missing. Researchers have now discovered that individuals who are under a high level of pressure at work face an about 45 percent higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who are subjected to less stress at their workplace.

Pictures in five seconds: Digital x-ray imaging Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:07 AM PDT Wanting to replace the medical equipment for taking X-rays, experts in Mexico have created a system of digital x-ray imaging, which replaces the traditional plaque by a solid detector, which delivers results in five seconds. Analog equipment take six minutes to develop the traditional film.

Best way to brush teeth? Even dentists, dental associations don't agree Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:07 AM PDT Advice on how we should brush our teeth from dental associations and toothpaste companies is 'unacceptably inconsistent', finds new research. "The public needs to have sound information on the best method to brush their teeth," says the senior author of the study. "If people hear one thing from a dental association, another from a toothbrush company and something else from their dentist, no wonder they are confused about how to brush. In this study we found an unacceptably inconsistent array of advice from different sources.

Stem cells show promise for stroke in pilot study Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:07 AM PDT A stroke therapy using stem cells extracted from patients' bone marrow has shown promising results in the first trial of its kind in humans. The therapy uses a type of cell called CD34+ cells, a set of stem cells in the bone marrow that give rise to blood cells and blood vessel lining cells. Rather than developing into brain cells themselves, the cells are thought to release chemicals that trigger the growth of new brain tissue and new blood vessels in the area damaged by stroke.

Most misdiagnosed form of dementia leaves patients, doctors unprepared Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:06 AM PDT Even though Lewy body dementia is second only to Alzheimer's disease as the most common cause of progressive dementia, affecting 1.3 million Americans, the symptoms of LBD are not well recognized by many physicians, especially primary care physicians and other general practitioners. Unfortunately, then, most people are not diagnosed until they are at moderate or severe states, leaving their caregivers unprepared and the patient vulnerable to potentially deadly medication side effects.

Diabetes education improves health, quality of life Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:06 AM PDT Diabetes education significantly improves outcomes among people with the condition, leading to reduced blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The patients in a recent study worked with diabetes educators as part of their care through a holistic patient-centered medical home approach, including coordination of care between providers and culturally competent communication. More than 29 million Americans – nearly one in 10 – have diabetes, a disorder in which the body doesn't effectively process glucose, which provides the body fuel for energy and growth.

Few juvenile suspects exercise constitutional rights during interrogations Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:00 AM PDT Even when not under arrest, juvenile suspects being interrogated for a crime may be strikingly unaware of their constitutional rights and confess without legal counsel or even a parent present, according to research.

Parents part of problem in distracted teen driving, study finds Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:00 AM PDT Parents play a direct role in distracted teen driving, with more than half of teens talking on cellphones with their mother or father while driving, according to new research. "Teens said parents expect to be able to reach them, that parents get mad if they don't answer their phone and they have to tell parents where they are," said one investigator.

Musical training offsets some academic achievement gaps, research says Posted: 08 Aug 2014 08:00 AM PDT Learning to play a musical instrument or to sing can help disadvantaged children strengthen their reading and language skills, according to research. The findings, which involved hundreds of kids participating in musical training programs, highlight the role learning music can have on the brains of youth in impoverished areas.

Sleep deficiency and sleep medication use in astronauts Posted: 07 Aug 2014 06:58 PM PDT In an extensive study of sleep monitoring and sleeping pill use in astronauts, researchers found that astronauts suffer considerable sleep deficiency in the weeks leading up to and during space flight. The research also highlights widespread use of sleeping medication use among astronauts.

Type 2 diabetics can live longer than people without the disease Posted: 07 Aug 2014 06:55 PM PDT A commonly prescribed diabetes drug could offer surprising health benefits to non-diabetics. metformin, used to control glucose levels in the body and already known to exhibit anticancer properties, could offer prognostic and prophylactic benefits to people without diabetes, researchers report in a new article.

Animal therapy reduces need for pain medication after joint-replacement surgery Posted: 07 Aug 2014 03:03 PM PDT Patients recovering from total joint replacement surgery who receive animal-assisted therapy (AAT) require less pain medication than those who do not experience this type of therapy. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been used in a variety of health-care settings to improve quality of life and physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive health for patients.

New Test Predicts Individual's Risk of Second Kidney Stone Posted: 07 Aug 2014 03:03 PM PDT A new tool uses 11 questions to accurately calculate the probability that a patient will have another symptomatic kidney stone at 2, 5, or 10 years after the first stone. Kidney stones are common and affect approximately 6% to 9% of the population. The greatest concern of patients who have experienced a kidney stone is whether this excruciating painful event will ever happen again. Certain dietary recommendations and medications can help prevent another kidney stone from forming, but these can be burdensome, expensive, or cause side effects.

Slowing brain functions linked to increased risk of stroke, death Posted: 07 Aug 2014 01:36 PM PDT Cognitive abilities such as memory and attention are not only important after a stroke but also before; according to researchers, declining memory and cognitive ability may increase the risk of stroke in adults over age 65. After stroke, cognitive function declined almost twice as fast. Stroke and cognitive decline increased the risk of death in older adults.

Neck manipulation may be associated with stroke Posted: 07 Aug 2014 01:36 PM PDT Manipulating the neck has been associated with cervical dissection, a type of arterial tear that can lead to stroke. Although a direct cause-and-effect link has not been established between neck manipulation and the risk of stroke, healthcare providers should inform patients of the association before they undergo neck manipulation.

New treatment successful for rare, disabling movement disorder, the Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) Posted: 07 Aug 2014 01:35 PM PDT People who suffer from a rare illness, the Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS), now have a chance for full recovery thanks to treatment. People often feel a sensation of movement, called Mal de Debarquement, after they have finished boating, surfing or a sea voyage. The symptoms usually disappear within hours, but in some people, symptoms can continue for months or years, causing fatigue, insomnia, headaches, poor coordination, anxiety, depression and an inability to work.

Laparoscopic Surgical Removal of Gallbladder in Pediatric Patients is Safe Posted: 07 Aug 2014 12:40 PM PDT Laparoscopic cholecystectomies (surgical removal of the gallbladder) has been recommended by experts for pediatric patients suffering from gallstones and other gallbladder diseases. "We are refining our surgical techniques and are now performing all pediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomies using a small incision through the belly button. However, further studies are required to elucidate which pediatric patients will benefit the most from gallbladder removal," explains one expert.

New way to more accurately detect cervical cancer in women Posted: 07 Aug 2014 12:40 PM PDT A clinical trial is underway to detect the strains of HPV that lead to cervical cancer. Newer Pap tests and HPV screening more accurately identify pre-cancerous cellular changes that potentially develop into cervical cancer. When treated early, the chances of effectively treating and curing cervical cancer increase dramatically. HPV is present in more than 99% of women who develop cervical cancer.

To eat or not to eat: New disposable biosensor may help physicians determine which patients can safely be fed following surgery Posted: 07 Aug 2014 12:40 PM PDT A disposal, plastic listening device that attaches to the abdomen may help doctors definitively determine which post-operative patients should be fed and which should not, an invention that may improve outcomes, decrease healthcare costs and shorten hospital stays, according to a study. The device could also be used to help diagnose irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, in addition to helping obese people learn by the sounds from their gut when they should or shouldn't eat to help them lose weight.

Cell signaling pathway linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes Posted: 07 Aug 2014 11:59 AM PDT Notch signaling, a key biological pathway tied to development and cell communication, also plays an important role in the onset of obesity and type 2 diabetes, a discovery that offers new targets for treatment, researchers report. "This finding opens up a whole new avenue to understanding how fat is controlled at the molecular level," the lead investigator said. "Now that we know Notch signaling and obesity are linked in this way, we can work on developing new therapeutics."

Wild sheep show benefits of putting up with parasites Posted: 07 Aug 2014 11:59 AM PDT In the first evidence that natural selection favors an individual's infection tolerance, researchers have found that an animal's ability to endure an internal parasite strongly influences its reproductive success. The finding could provide the groundwork for boosting the resilience of humans and livestock to infection.

Elderly with depression, mild cognitive impairment more vulnerable to accelerated brain aging Posted: 07 Aug 2014 11:59 AM PDT People who develop depression and mild cognitive impairment after age 65 are more likely to have biological and brain imaging markers that reflect a greater vulnerability for accelerated brain aging, according to a study. Older adults with major depression have double the risk of developing dementia in the future compared with those who have never had the mood disorder, said a senior investigator.

Gut microbes browse along gene buffet Posted: 07 Aug 2014 11:57 AM PDT A detailed examination of gene expression in the guts of mice raised under three different microbial conditions shows that the host organism controls which genes are made available to gut microbes at various portions of the intestine. Usage of particular genes is regulated by the microbes, but access to the genes is determined by the host.

Dynamics of microbes, nitrate revealed by study Posted: 07 Aug 2014 11:57 AM PDT Though we know that the environmental microbiome plays a key role in mediating the persistence of biologically usable nitrogen in the environment and that microbes can perform critically different chemistry in the process, the complexity of this environmental dynamic has prevented science from clearly defining the conditions steering microbial nitrogen mediation. A new set of controlled experiments using recently developed genomic technologies have provided conclusive evidence that three critical factors steer this hugely important environmental process.

Newsroom journalists at increased risk of PTSD, depression from images of extreme violence Posted: 07 Aug 2014 07:54 AM PDT Journalists working with images of extreme violence submitted to newsrooms by the public are at increased risk of adverse psychological consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder. "Given that good journalism depends on healthy journalists, news organizations will need to look anew at what can be done to offset the risks inherent in viewing material. Reducing the frequency of exposure may be one way to go," authors say.

Mutations in gene essential for cell regulation cause kidney cancer in children Posted: 07 Aug 2014 07:52 AM PDT Mutations in a gene that helps regulate when genes are switched on and off in cells have been found to cause rare cases of Wilms tumor, the most common kidney cancer occurring in children. Wilms tumour affects around one in 10,000 children and usually develops before the age of five years. Treatment of Wilms tumour is very successful, with 90 per cent of children being cured.

Gut microbiome analysis improved noninvasive colorectal cancer screening Posted: 07 Aug 2014 07:52 AM PDT Analysis of the gut microbiome more successfully distinguished healthy individuals from those with precancerous adenomatous polyps and those with invasive colorectal cancer compared with assessment of clinical risk factors and fecal occult blood testing, according to data. "If our results are confirmed in larger groups of people, adding gut microbiome analysis to other fecal tests may provide an improved, noninvasive way to screen for colorectal cancer," researchers explained.

Pancreatic cancer survival rates at standstill for four decades Posted: 07 Aug 2014 07:51 AM PDT Long term survival from pancreatic cancer has failed to improve in 40 years – with the outlook remaining the lowest of the 21 most common cancers, according to new figures. Today just over three per cent of pancreatic cancer patients survive for at least five years, only a fraction more than the two per cent who survived that long in the early 1970s.

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