Scientists boost gene-editing tools to new heights in human stem cells

Scientists have developed a new TREE method (an acronym short for transient reporter for editing enrichment, or TREE), which allows for bulk enrichment of DNA base-edited cell populations -- and for the first time, high efficiency in human stem cell lines.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130144531.htm

Take-home' exposures are public health hazard

A new review calls for recognition of 'take-home' exposures -- exposures to toxic contaminants inadvertently brought home from a family member's work -- as a public health hazard.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129104727.htm

Modeling study estimates spread of 2019 novel coronavirus

New modeling research estimates that up to 75,800 individuals in the Chinese city of Wuhan may have been infected with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) as of Jan. 25, 2020. The authors caution that given the lack of a robust and detailed timeline of records of suspected, probable, and confirmed cases and close contacts, the true size of the epidemic and its pandemic potential remains unclear.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200131114753.htm

Watching bat coronaviruses with next-generation sequencing

On January 21, the first case of the Wuhan coronavirus, named 2019-nCoV, was diagnosed in the United States. The virus has killed at least 17 people in China and sickened hundreds, primarily in Asian countries. Coronaviruses (CoVs) in bats have been linked to that outbreak, as well as outbreaks of diseases like SARS and MERS. Next-generation sequencing may be used to monitor the virus and how it spreads. This study describes a targeted NGS approach that can increase sensitivity and reduce cost. Researchers say this approach can help them maintain a library of genetic material from emerging CoVs, and track the origin and evolution of CoVs that cause outbreaks.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129131441.htm

Novel coronavirus receptors show similarities to SARS-CoV, according to new analysis

Previous studies have shown how the SARS virus (SARS-CoV) interacts with animal and human hosts in order to infect them. The mechanics of infection by the Wuhan coronavirus appear to be similar.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200131114755.htm

Whole genome of the Wuhan coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, sequenced

The Institut Pasteur has sequenced the whole genome of the coronavirus known as '2019-nCoV', becoming the first institution in Europe to sequence the virus since the start of the outbreak.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200131114748.htm

PrEP May Be Available Without a Doc’s Prescription in Two More States

They would follow the lead of California, which allows pharmacies to dispense a 30-day supply of the HIV prevention pill without a script.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/prep-may-available-without-docs-prescription-two-states

Could resetting our internal clocks help control diabetes?

The circadian clock system allows the organisms to adjust to periodical changes of geophysical time. Today, increasing evidence show that disturbances in our internal clocks stemming from frequent time zone changes, irregular working schedules or ageing, have a significant impact on the development of metabolic diseases including type-2 diabetes. Using a molecule extracted from lemon peel, researchers have succeeded in 'repairing' the disrupted cellular clocks.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200131074205.htm

Common form of heart failure could be treated with already approved anticancer drug

Thanks to new research, a drug capable of reversing a common form of heart failure known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) may soon be available. The researchers show that a drug already approved for the treatment of some forms of cancer can reverse HFpEF symptoms and improve the heart's ability to pump blood in an HFpEF animal model.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129120140.htm

Guardian angel of the eye

The lens of the human eye comprises a highly concentrated protein solution, which lends the lens its great refractive power. Protective proteins prevent these proteins from clumping together throughout a lifetime. A team of scientists has now uncovered the precise structure of the alpha-A-crystallin protein and, in the process, discovered an important additional function.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129104724.htm

New insight into how cannabidiol takes effect in the brains of people with psychosis

Researchers have shown that cannabidiol (CBD) alters the brain activity in people with psychosis during memory tasks, making it more similar to the activation seen in people without psychosis during the same tasks.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091521.htm

Cycling to work? You may live longer

People who cycle to work have a lower risk of dying, a New Zealand study has found.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091508.htm

Give and take: Cancer chromosomes give the game away

As tumors develop, cancer cells gain and lose so-called 'chromosome arms', changing their response to drugs, a finding which may offer better personalized treatments for 17 types of cancer.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091506.htm

Key to beating colorectal cancer hiding in plain sight?

Colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers in the developed world, is intrinsically resistant to many drug therapies. In an attempt to identify novel treatment strategies, researchers examined the contribution of serine racemase (SRR) to colorectal cancer metabolism. The researchers showed that SRR is required for cancer cell proliferation, and that inhibition of SRR in mice halted tumor progression, paving the way for future drug development.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091504.htm

Six patients with rare blood disease are doing well after gene therapy clinical trial

Researchers have reported the use of a stem cell gene therapy to treat nine people with the rare, inherited blood disease known as X-linked chronic granulomatous disease, or X-CGD. Six of those patients are now in remission and have stopped other treatments. Before now, people with X-CGD - which causes recurrent infections, prolonged hospitalizations for treatment, and a shortened lifespan -- had to rely on bone marrow donations for a chance at remission.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091403.htm

On the menu: Study says dining out is a recipe for unhealthy eating for most Americans

Study finds most restaurant meals eaten by Americans are of poor nutritional quality; minimal changes over 14 years.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091401.htm

Missing link in rare inherited skin disease exposed

Hokkaido University scientists are getting closer to understanding how a rare hereditary disease impairs the skin's barrier function, which determines how well the skin is protected.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130104923.htm

A host's genes likely influence the spread of antibiotic resistance

New findings in mSphere suggest that the genetic makeup of the host organism can influence the transfer of plasmids. By identifying the host factors that facilitate or stop plasmid transfer, the researchers hope to identify new ways to stop the spread of antibiotic resistance, which kills tens of thousands of people every year in the United States alone.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129131428.htm

A new treatment strategy against MERS

First identified in 2012, the MERS-coronavirus is capable of causing severe pneumonia. There are no effective treatments for MERS. Researchers have now identified a cellular recycling process known as autophagy as a potential target in the fight against MERS. Autophagy-inducing substances - including licensed drugs - were shown to be capable of reducing the viral replication rate.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129125600.htm

Immune systems not prepared for climate change

Researchers have for the first time found a connection between the immune systems of different bird species, and the various climatic conditions in which they live. The researchers believe that as the climate changes, some birds may be exposed to diseases that they are not equipped to handle.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130144419.htm

If it takes a hike, riders won't go for bike sharing

Even a relatively short walk to find the nearest bicycle is enough to deter many potential users of bike sharing systems, new research suggests.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130144600.htm

The first roadmap for ovarian aging

Infertility likely stems from age-related decline of the ovaries, but the molecular mechanisms that lead to this decline have been unclear. Now, scientists have discovered, in unprecedented detail, how ovaries age in non-human primates. The findings reveal several genes that could be used as biomarkers and point to therapeutic targets for diagnosing and treating female infertility and age-associated ovarian diseases, such as ovarian cancer, in humans.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130144436.htm

Neanderthal ancestry also in African populations

After sequencing the Neanderthal genome, scientists discovered all present day non-African individuals carry some Neanderthal ancestry in their DNA. Now, researchers present evidence of Neanderthal ancestry in African populations too, and its origin provides new insights into human history.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130112000.htm

Wearable health tech gets efficiency upgrade

Engineers have demonstrated a flexible device that harvests the heat energy from the human body to monitor health. The device is more efficient than other flexible harvesters that use body heat as the sole energy source.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130115431.htm

Research team finds possible new approach for sleeping sickness drugs

Using ultra-bright X-ray flashes, a team of researchers has tracked down a potential target for new drugs against sleeping sickness: The scientists have decoded the detailed spatial structure of a vital enzyme of the pathogen, the parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The result provides a possible blueprint for a drug that specifically blocks this enzyme and thus kills the parasite, as the team reports.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130115424.htm

Autonomous microtrap for pathogens

Antibiotics are more efficient when they can act on their target directly at the site of infestation, without dilution. American scientists now describe a synthetic chemical trap that propels itself to its place of action in the body fluid and then lures the bacteria into its interior to poison them. One of the main functionalities of the microdevice is the communication with its target, says the study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130115422.htm

Hundreds of students publish encyclopedia of 1,000 genes linked to organ development

A research team including 245 undergraduates has published an encyclopedia of more than 1,000 genes, including 421 genes whose functions were previously unknown. The research, conducted in fruit flies, should be useful to scientists studying genes involved in sleep, vision, memory and many other processes in humans.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127164329.htm

Movement study could be significant in helping understand brain rehabilitation

A new study could be particularly important for those working in rehabilitation and helping people to recover after neurological conditions.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130091530.htm

Antibiotic-resistance in Tanzania is an environmental problem

WSU study finds that environmental transmission rather than antibiotic use explains the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in people, domestic animals and wildlife.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200130081627.htm

Traditional Chinese medicinal plant yields new insecticide compounds

For hundreds of years, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have used an herb called Stemona sessilifolia as a remedy for parasitic infections, such as those caused by pinworms and lice. Now, researchers have identified 10 compounds that might be responsible for the herb's effectiveness. But there's a twist: The insecticides are produced by symbiotic microbes that live within the plant's cells -- not by S. sessilifolia itself.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091449.htm

Finer particulate matter (PM1) could increase cardiovascular disease risk

In addition to harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, air pollution contains tiny particles that have been linked to health problems, including cardiovascular disease and asthma.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091444.htm

Color-changing bandages sense and treat bacterial infections

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health. Sensing and treating bacterial infections earlier could help improve patients' recovery, as well curb the spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes. Now, researchers have developed color-changing bandages that can sense drug-resistant and drug-sensitive bacteria in wounds and treat them accordingly.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091415.htm

Low-calorie sweeteners do not mean low risk for infants

Researchers discovered consuming low-calorie sweeteners like aspartame and stevia while pregnant increased body fat in their offspring and disrupted their gut microbiota.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129174510.htm

Butt emissions: Study finds even extinguished cigarettes give off toxins

Researchers have discovered that a used cigarette butt - even one that is cold to the touch - can give off the equivalent of 14% of the nicotine that an actively burning cigarette emits. They are calling this newly discovered form of cigarette exposure ''after smoke'' or butt emissions.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129174514.htm

How California Will Invest $15.2M in Harm Reduction and Syringe Services

In that state, and across the nation, accidental overdose is the leading cause of death for people under 50.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/california-will-invest-152m-harm-reduction-syringe-services

Superfast insights into cellular events

Even more detailed insights into the cell will be possible in future with the help of a new development: Scientists have succeeded in accelerating a hundred thousand-fold the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method for investigating RNA.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134753.htm

Researchers discover how cellular senescence leads to neurodegeneration

Although a link has been established between chronic inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, there have been many open questions regarding how cellular senescence, a process whereby cells that stop dividing under stress spew out a mix of inflammatory proteins, affects these pathologies. Researchers report that senescence in astrocytes, the most abundant cell type in the brain, leads to damaging ''excitotoxicity'' in cortical neurons that are involved in memory.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129174540.htm

Gut reaction: How immunity ramps up against incoming threats

A new study has revealed how the gut's protective mechanisms ramp up significantly with food intake, and at times of the day when mealtimes are anticipated based on regular eating habits. Researchers found that eating causes a hormone called VIP to kickstart the activity of immune cells in response to potentially incoming pathogens or 'bad' bacteria. The researchers also found that immunity increased at anticipated mealtimes indicating that maintaining regular eating patterns could be more important than previously thought.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129174520.htm

Identifying factors associated with reports of accidental opioid poisoning in dogs

Dogs that are smaller, younger, non-neutered, or live in US counties with high opioid prescription rates are at higher risk of being the subjects of phone calls about accidental opioid poisoning to a poison control center.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129143334.htm

Scientists discover how malaria parasites import sugar

Researchers have established how sugar is taken up by the malaria parasite, a discovery with the potential to improve the development of antimalarial drugs.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129131533.htm

New injection technique may boost spinal cord injury repair efforts

Researchers describe a new method for delivering neural precursor cells to spinal cord injuries in rats, reducing the risk of further injury and boosting the propagation of potentially reparative cells.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129125606.htm

More than a knee injury: ACL tears cause harmful changes in our brain structure

It's known that some joint function is often permanently lost after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and re-injury is common even with intensive physical therapy, but it's unclear why.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129104731.htm

Potential global spread of new coronavirus

Experts in population mapping have identified cities and provinces within mainland China, and cities and countries worldwide, which are at high-risk from the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091359.htm

New toxic byproducts of disinfecting drinking water

Mixing drinking water with chlorine, the United States' most common method of disinfecting drinking water, creates previously unidentified toxic byproducts.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128142744.htm

Stopping sperm in its tracks: latest progress in the hunt for a male contraceptive

Researchers have developed an unrivaled, fully automated robotic screening system which allows them to rapidly test the effect of drugs and other chemicals on human sperm. The researchers are working towards finding a safe and effective male contraceptive.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128095516.htm

Unhealthy and unhappy: Mental toll of troubled relationships

Some forms of domestic violence double victims' risk of depression and anxiety disorders later in life, according to recent research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129091511.htm

Genetics contributes to mental health risks in adoptees

The adoption of children is a fundamental method of building families. However, adoptees may face subsequent adaptive challenges associated with family stress at the time of birth and during the adoption process.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129104737.htm

Disease-aggravating mutation found in a mouse model of neonatal mitochondrial disease

The new mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variant drastically speeds up the disease progression in a mouse model of GRACILE syndrome. This discovery provides a new tool for studies of mitochondrial diseases.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129104709.htm

Brain networks come 'online' during adolescence to prepare teenagers for adult life

New brain networks come 'online' during adolescence, allowing teenagers to develop more complex adult social skills, but potentially putting them at increased risk of mental illness, according to new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129104705.htm

Fifth Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in the United States

Although this is a serious public health threat, the CDC says the immediate risk to the American public is low.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/fifth-case-coronavirus-confirmed-united-states

“Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli Is Headed to Court, Again

A new lawsuit accuses the imprisoned hedge funder of blocking generic rivals of an AIDS-related drug.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-headed-court

Fifth Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in the United States

Although this is a serious public health threat, the CDC says the immediate risk to the American public is low.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/rh-tue-news

Research offers promise for treating schizophrenia

Psychologists show that targeting one particular symptom of schizophrenia has a positive effect on other symptoms.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128114622.htm

Zinc lozenges did not shorten the duration of colds

Administration of zinc acetate lozenges to common cold patients did not shorten colds in a randomized trial.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128114651.htm

New knowledge on how different brain cell types contribute to our movements

Researchers have mapped how different nerve cells in the brain area striatum process information to plan and execute our movements at just the right time and with the right vigor. The results show that different cell types in the striatum receive signals from completely different parts of the cerebral cortex and thus respond to different types of information.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128114646.htm

Major Asia gene study to help doctors battle disease

'Under-representation of Asian populations in genetic studies has meant that medical relevance for more than half of the human population is reduced,' one researcher said.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128114640.htm

Biomarkers of brain function may lead to clinical tests for hidden hearing loss

A pair of biomarkers of brain function -- one that represents 'listening effort,' and another that measures ability to process rapid changes in frequencies -- may help to explain why a person with normal hearing may struggle to follow conversations in noisy environments. The researchers hoped the study could inform the design of next-generation clinical testing for hidden hearing loss, a condition that cannot currently be measured using standard hearing exams.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128114636.htm

Air pollution impacts can be heart-stopping

There is an increased risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest even from short-term exposure to low concentrations of dangerously small particulate matter PM2.5, an international study has found, noting an association with gaseous pollutants such as those from coal burning, wildfires/bushfires and motor vehicles. The authors call for a tightening of standards worldwide; the findings also point to the need to transition to cleaner energy.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128115421.htm

Artificial intelligence predicts treatment outcome for diabetes-related vision loss

A new approach that uses artificial intelligence to analyze retinal images could one day help doctors select the best treatment for patients with vision loss from diabetic macular edema. This diabetes complication is a major cause of vision loss among working-age adults.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128115419.htm

Nanoparticle chomps away plaques that cause heart attacks

Scientists have invented a nanoparticle that eats away -- from the inside out -- portions of plaques that cause heart attacks.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200128114720.htm

No More Free HIV and STI Testing at the Los Angeles LGBT Center

The county health department cut the funding. Here’s how you can fight to restore it.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/free-hiv-sti-testing-los-angeles-lgbt-center

An egg a day not tied to risk of heart disease

The controversy about whether eggs are good or bad for your heart health may be solved, and about one a day is fine. A team of researchers found the answer by analyzing data from three large, long-term multinational studies.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134727.htm

Study examines prostate cancer treatment decisions

A five-year follow-up study of more than 2,000 US men who received prostate cancer treatment is creating a road map for future patients regarding long-term bowel, bladder and sexual function in order to clarify expectations and enable men to make informed choices about care.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127164323.htm

Parkinson's disease may start before birth

People who develop Parkinson's disease before age 50 may have been born with disordered brain cells that went undetected for decades, according to new research. The research points to a drug that potentially might help correct these disease processes.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134825.htm

Researchers identify opportunities to advance genomic medicine

New study highlights milestones in the history of genetic discoveries; equitable and fair access required to address disparities.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134817.htm

Algae shown to improve gastrointestinal health

A green, single-celled organism called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has served as a model species for topics spanning algae-based biofuels to plant evolution. While algae have been used as dietary nutraceuticals that provide beneficial oils, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and antioxidants, the benefits of consuming C. reinhardtii were previously unexplored. Researchers have now completed the first study in humans demonstrating that C. reinhardtii helps improve human gastrointestinal problems related to irritable bowel syndrome, including diarrhea, gas and bloating.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134813.htm

New look at odd holes involved in taste, Alzheimer's, asthma

Large holes in our cells have been implicated in depression, Alzehimer's disease, asthma, and even taste. Now, we know what two kinds of these pores look like, potentially creating new opportunities to discover effective treatment options.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134835.htm

New gene correction therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne type muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common hereditary muscular disease among children, leaving them wheelchair-bound before the age of twelve and reducing life expectancy. Researchers have developed a gene therapy that may provide permanent relief for those suffering from DMD.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134851.htm

With high fiber diets, more protein may mean more bloating

People who eat high fiber diets are more likely to experience bloating if their high fiber diet is protein-rich as compared to carbohydrate-rich, according to a study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134745.htm

Keto diet works best in small doses

A ketogenic diet -- which provides 99% of calories from fat and only 1% from carbohydrates -- produces health benefits in the short term, but negative effects after about a week, researchers found in a study of mice.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134741.htm

AI to help monitor behavior

Algorithms based on artificial intelligence do better at supporting educational and clinical decision-making, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134740.htm

Children to bear the burden of negative health effects from climate change

The grim effects that climate change will have on pediatric health outcomes was the focus of a recent article.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134736.htm

Discovery sheds new light on how cells move

Through experiments, researchers found that the force each cell applies to the surface beneath it -- in other words, traction -- is the dominant physical factor that controls cell shape and motion as cells travel as a group.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200124124508.htm

Enhancing drug testing with human body-on-chip systems

Scientists have devised a functioning comprehensive multi-Organ-on-a-Chip (Organ Chip) platform that enables effective preclinical drug testing of human drug pharmacology.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134724.htm

Micro-scaled method holds promise as improved cancer diagnostic platform

A new-method analyzes the combination of tumor genetic material (genomics) with deep protein and phosphoprotein characterization (proteomics) using a single-needle core biopsy from a patient's tumor, providing more detailed information about the cancer than conventional approaches.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134720.htm

Recreational fishers catching more sharks and rays

Recreational fishers are increasingly targeting sharks and rays, a situation that is causing concern among researchers.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134718.htm

Unanticipated response to estrogen at the single cell level

Researchers found that not only do individual mammalian cells in a population fail to respond synchronously to estrogen stimulation, neither do individual gene copies, known as alleles.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134716.htm

First-of-its-kind technology lights up lung cancer cells, helps improve patient outcomes

A groundbreaking tumor-highlighting technology -- OTL38 -- enhances the visualization of lung cancer tissue, providing surgeons with a significantly better chance of finding and removing more cancer than previously possible.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127134714.htm

PET/MRI identifies notable breast cancer imaging biomarkers

Researchers have identified several potentially useful breast cancer biomarkers that indicate the presence and risk of malignancy, according to new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200127091029.htm

China Uses HIV Meds to Treat the New Coronavirus

One link between coronaviruses and the HIV drug Kaletra dates back to the 2003 outbreak of SARS.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/china-uses-hiv-meds-treat-new-coronavirus

Veterans Affairs Leaders Want to Improve Linkage to HIV Care

The Veterans Health Administration is the nation’s largest single provider of medical care to people with HIV.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/veterans-affairs-leaders-want-improve-linkage-hiv-care

Shaping the social networks of neurons

Identification of a protein complex that attracts or repels nerve cells during development.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200124124512.htm

Deciphering the sugar code

Like animals and humans, plants possess a kind of immune system. It can e.g. recognize pathogenic fungi by the chitin in their cell walls, triggering disease resistance. Some fungi hide from the immune system by modifying some of the chitin building blocks, converting chitin into chitosan. Researchers now found that plants can react to a certain pattern in this chitosan, stimulating their immune system.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200124104514.htm

TP53 gene variant in people of African descent linked to iron overload, may improve malaria response

A rare, African-specific variant of the TP53 gene called P47S causes iron accumulation in macrophages and other cell types and is associated with poorer response to bacterial infections, along with markers of iron overload in African Americans. Macrophage iron accumulation disrupts their function, resulting in more severe bacterial infections.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200124073908.htm

Liver fibrosis 'off switch' discovered in mice

Researchers identified several genetic switches, or transcription factors, that determine whether or not liver cells produce collagen -- providing a new therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123152553.htm

Novel communication between intestinal microbes and developing immune cells in the thymus

Researchers discover microbes regulate the development of specialized immune cells in the thymus that play a critical role in mucosal tolerance.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123152551.htm

Scanning system in sperm may control rate of human evolution

Maturing sperm cells turn on most of their genes, not to follow their genetic instructions like normal, but instead to repair DNA before passing it to the next generation, a new study finds.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123152518.htm

Scientists discover how a curvy, stomach cancer-causing bacterium maintains its shape

A new study shows how a common stomach bacterium is able to keep its corkscrew-like shape as it grows. Disrupting the shape could point the way for future, more-specialized antibiotics that prevent the bacterium from being harmful.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123152511.htm

Top strategies for successful weight loss maintenance

Some of the most effective behaviors and psychological strategies reported by those maintaining their weight loss included choosing healthy food, tracking what you eat and using positive self-talk, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123095850.htm

Many youth living with undiagnosed chronic fatigue syndrome

Most youth living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) have not been diagnosed, according to a new prevalence study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123152453.htm

Why eating yogurt may help lessen the risk of breast cancer

One of the causes of breast cancer may be inflammation triggered by harmful bacteria suggest researchers. Scientists advise consuming natural yogurt, which contains beneficial bacteria which dampens inflammation and which is similar to the bacteria found in breastfeeding mothers. Their suggestion is that this bacteria is protective because breast feeding reduces the risk of breast cancer. The consumption of yogurt is also associated with a reduction in the risk of breast cancer.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200124073857.htm

Why cells need acidic lysosomes

Little organs within cells called lysosomes digest unwanted material. And like stomachs, they must be acidic to do so. If they aren't, cells stop growing. Researchers wanted to know why.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123152547.htm

West Nile virus triggers brain inflammation by inhibiting protein degradation

West Nile virus (WNV) inhibits autophagy -- an essential system that digests or removes cellular constituents such as proteins -- to induce the aggregation of proteins in infected cells, triggering cell death and brain inflammation (encephalitis), according to researchers.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123152516.htm

Can lithium halt progression of Alzheimer's disease?

In a new study, a team of researchers has shown that, when given in a formulation that facilitates passage to the brain, lithium in doses up to 400 times lower than what is currently being prescribed for mood disorders is capable of both halting signs of advanced Alzheimer's pathology and of recovering lost cognitive abilities.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200125090727.htm

High air pollution exposure in 1-year-olds linked to structural brain changes at age 12

A new study suggests that significant early childhood exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is associated with structural changes in the brain at the age of 12.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200124155107.htm

Opioid dependence found to permanently change brains of rats

Approximately one-quarter of patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them, with five to 10 percent developing an opioid use disorder or addiction. In a new study, researchers found that opioid dependence produced permanent changes in the brains of rats.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200124155116.htm

'Jumping genes' help stabilize DNA folding patterns

The DNA molecule inside the nucleus of any human cell is more than six feet long. To fit into such a small space, it must fold into precise loops that also govern how genes are turned on or off. New research indicates that 'jumping genes' play a surprising role in stabilizing the 3D folding patterns of the DNA molecule inside the cell's nucleus.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200124155114.htm

Early life adversity and opioid addiction

Individuals with a history of early life adversity (ELA) are disproportionately prone to opioid addiction. A new study reveals why. The study examines how early adversities interact with factors such as increased access to opioids to directly influence brain development and function, causing a higher potential for opioid addiction.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200124155103.htm

Weight loss and health improvements with Mediterranean, fasting & Paleo diets

There were some weight loss and health benefits for overweight adults who followed the Mediterranean, Intermittent Fasting and Paleo diets, though adherence to the diets dropped off considerably during the one-year study, new research shows.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123170721.htm

Mapping the cumulative health effects of environmental exposures

The genomics revolution has provided powerful insights into genetic risk factors for human disease while also revealing the limits of genetic determinants, which account for only a fraction of total disease risk. A new article argues that a similar large-scale effort is needed to ensure a more complete picture of disease risk by accounting for the exposome, defined as our cumulative exposure to environmental agents such as chemical pollutants.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123152604.htm

High-protein diets boost artery-clogging plaque, mouse study shows

High-protein diets may help people lose weight and build muscle, but a new study in mice suggests they have a down side: They lead to more plaque in the arteries. Further, the new research shows that high-protein diets spur unstable plaque -- the kind most prone to rupturing and causing blocked arteries. More plaque buildup in the arteries, particularly if it's unstable, increases the risk of heart attack.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123152614.htm

50 Apartments for People With HIV to Be Built in St. Louis

The $7 million campus is being provided by Doorways, an interfaith nonprofit.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/50-apartments-people-hiv-built-st-louis

Drug Company Antitrust Trial Gets 2022 Court Date

Advocates claim Gilead and others unfairly limited competition for HIV combination pills.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/drug-company-antitrust-trial-gets-2022-court-date

Why Does Larry Kramer Hate “Hamilton” So Much?

The ever-angry AIDS activist and gay icon returns with a new novel in his American People series.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/larry-kramer-returns-author-brutality-fact

What Is BG18, and Can It Lead Us to an HIV Vaccine?

An $80,000 grant from The Campbell Foundation will help scientist Natalia Freund continue her HIV vaccine studies.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/bg18-can-lead-us-hiv-vaccine

Hep C Is More Common Among Men and African Americans

A new analysis of hepatitis C statistics also found new evidence of the opioid epidemic’s effects on rising cases in certain states.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/hep-c-common-among-men-african-americans

Why HIV Rates Dropped 71% Among Gay and Bi Men in the U.K.

It’s not just because of PrEP, which isn’t even easily available in England.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/hiv-rates-dropped-71-among-gay-bi-men-uk

Engineered capillaries model traffic in tiny blood vessels

3D microvessels have been created to observe how red blood cells transit ultra-small blood vessels. They squeeze single-file through microvessels to bring oxygen and nutrients. Red cells burdened with malaria stall, blocking the blood vessel. The platform is expected to have other uses in studies of how microvascular damage occurs in diabetes and sickle cell anemia. They might be further developed to supply blood circulation to organ repair patches or to 3D printed transplants.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123152538.htm

In Childhood Cancer, Private Insurance Means Better Survival

Families with Medicaid more likely to face lags in diagnosis, practical obstacles, UCSF study shows.


from Cancer Health RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/childhood-cancer-private-insurance-means-better-survival

Two-drug combo halts the growth of cancer cells

Researchers have discovered a two-drug combo that halts the growth of cancer cells that carry HER2 mutations.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123114658.htm

Teens with obesity and PCOS have more 'unhealthy' bacteria

Teens with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have more 'unhealthy' gut bacteria suggesting the microbiome may play a role in the disorder, according to new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123090342.htm

Researchers regrow damaged nerves with polymer and protein

Researchers have created a biodegradable nerve guide -- a polymer tube -- filled with growth-promoting protein that can regenerate long sections of damaged nerves, without the need for transplanting stem cells or a donor nerve.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122150015.htm

Blood tests can predict timing of final menstrual period

Blood tests could replace menstrual periods as a gauge for when a women is nearing menopause, according to new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122135318.htm

Taking aim at gastric cancer

A novel drug, named 'FerriIridium,' can simultaneously help diagnose and treat gastric cancer. The initially weakly active precursor (prodrug), based on an iridium-containing compound, is selectively activated only after reaching the interior of a tumor cell. This is possible because of the higher amount of iron present there, report scientists. Selective activation reduces undesired side effects.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123114702.htm

Technique reveals whether models of patient risk are accurate

Researchers have developed a method to determine whether a clinical risk model's predictions can be trusted for a given patient. The findings could help doctors avoid ineffective or unnecessarily risky treatments for some patients.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123080720.htm

Vitamin C-B1-steroid combo linked to lower septic shock mortality in kids

Treating septic shock in children with a combination of intravenous vitamin C, vitamin B1 and hydrocortisone (a commonly used steroid) is associated with lower mortality, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122080549.htm

A new blood component revealed

Does the blood we thought to know so well contain elements that had been undetectable until now? The answer is yes, according to a team of researchers which has revealed the presence of whole functional mitochondria in the blood circulation. The discovery may deepen our knowledge of physiology and open up new avenues for treatment.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123134100.htm

New experimental vaccine for African swine fever virus shows promise

Government and academic investigators have developed a vaccine against African swine fever that appears to be far more effective than previously developed vaccines.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123134053.htm

New understanding of condensation could lead to better power plant condenser, de-icing materials

For decades, it's been understood that water repellency is needed for surfaces to shed condensation buildup - like the droplets of water that form in power plant condensers to reduce pressure. New research shows that the necessity of water repellency is unclear and that the slipperiness between the droplets and solid surface appears to be more critical to the clearing of condensation. This development has implications for the costs associated with power generation and technologies like de-icing surfaces for power lines and aircraft.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123115932.htm

Mechanism for how common gene therapy vectors enter cells

Researchers have identified a novel cellular entry factor for adeno-associated virus vector (AAV) types -- the most commonly used viral vectors for in vivo gene therapy. The researchers identified that GPR108, a G protein-coupled receptor, served as a molecular 'lock' to the cell. The discovery could one day enable scientists to better direct AAV gene transfers to specific tissues.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123115925.htm

Missing link in mechanisms underlying fight-or-flight response

We've all felt the effects of an adrenaline rush. Faced with danger, real or perceived, the heart beats faster, breathing quickens and muscles tighten as the body prepares to fight a threat or flee from it.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123115914.htm

A Zika vaccine could save suffering and costs

A new study found that routinely giving the Zika vaccine to women of childbearing age could save money if the risk of Zika is around that of other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123134105.htm

Portable device helps doctors diagnose sepsis faster

Researchers have developed a highly sensitive and portable optical biosensor that stands to accelerate the diagnosis of fatal conditions like sepsis. It could be used by ambulances and hospitals to improve the triage process and save lives.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123095857.htm

Unexpected connection between gliomas, neurodegenerative diseases

New basic science and clinical research identifies TAU, the same protein studied in the development of Alzheimer's, as a biomarker for glioma development.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123090335.htm

Exposure to diesel exhaust particles linked to pneumococcal disease susceptibility

A new study shows that exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) can increase an individual's susceptibility to pneumococcal disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123080716.htm

Skin-to-skin contact do not improve interaction between mother and preterm infant

Following a premature birth it is important that the parents and the infant quickly establish a good relationship. Researchers have studied the relationship between mothers and infants who have continuous skin-to-skin contact during the entire period from birth to discharge from the hospital. The results show that continuous skin-to-skin contact does not lead to better interaction between the mother and the infant.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123095901.htm

Hot flashes impair memory performance

If you're having difficulty identifying the right word to express yourself clearly or remembering a story correctly, you may blame menopause. A new study suggests that physiologic hot flashes are associated with decreased verbal memory and with alterations in brain function during encoding and retrieval of memory, especially in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123095859.htm

Predicting the degradation behavior of advanced medical devices

Polymer materials play a vital role in today's medicine. While many applications demand for long-lasting devices, others benefit from materials that disintegrate once their job is done. The design of such materials largely depends on the capability to predict their degradation behavior. A team of researchers established a method to faster and more reliably predict the degradation of these polymer materials with sophisticated molecular architectures.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123095842.htm

Tension between foreign climbers and Sherpas began over 200 years ago

Recent tragedies on Everest have exposed growing resentment felt by some Sherpas towards foreign climbers and the foreign companies profiting from the mountain. One source of dispute has been Sherpa concern that some climbers are not fit enough to cope with the altitude.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200123095838.htm

Poor mental health 'both cause and effect' of school exclusion

Children with mental health needs require urgent support from primary school onwards to avoid exclusion, which can be both cause and effect of poor mental health, new research concludes.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122194655.htm

Women still face barriers to breastfeed at work

Despite the protections in place to support breastfeeding for employees, the burden still falls on working mothers to advocate for the resources they need, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122080556.htm

Possible Alzheimer's breakthrough suggested

Researchers say they have identified a previously unknown gene and associated protein (which they have named 'aggregatin') which could potentially be suppressed to slow the advance of Alzheimer's disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122080532.htm

Surprise discovery shakes up our understanding of gene expression

A group of scientists has uncovered a previously unknown way that our genes are made into reality. Rather than directions going one-way from DNA to RNA to proteins, the latest study shows that RNA itself modulates how DNA is transcribed -- using a chemical process that is increasingly apparent to be vital to biology. The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of human disease and drug design.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122154327.htm

Mosquito-borne diseases could be prevented by skin cream

A skin cream used to treat warts and skin cancer could help protect people against viral diseases such as Zika and dengue, according to new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122150013.htm

Americans perceive likelihood of nuclear weapons risk as 50/50 toss-up

It has been 30 years since the end of the Cold War, yet on average, Americans still perceive that the odds of a nuclear weapon detonating on U.S. soil is as likely as a coin toss, according to new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122134927.htm

Coronavirus outbreak in China traced to snakes

Emerging viral infections -- from bird flu to Ebola to Zika infections -- pose major threats to global public health, and understanding their origins can help investigators design defensive strategies against future outbreaks. A new study provides important insights on the potential origins of the most recent outbreak of viral pneumonia in China, which started in the middle of December and now is spreading to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and Japan.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122150028.htm

Solving a biological puzzle: How stress causes gray hair

Scientists have found evidence to support long-standing anecdotes that stress causes hair graying. Researchers found that in mice, the type of nerve involved in the fight-or-flight response causes permanent damage to the pigment-regenerating stem cells in the hair follicle. The findings advance knowledge of how stress impacts the body, and are a first step toward blocking its negative effects.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122135313.htm

Preventing, healing tooth decay with a bioactive peptide

Cavities, or dental caries, are the most widespread non-communicable disease globally, according to the World Health Organization. Having a cavity drilled and filled at the dentist's office can be painful, but untreated caries could lead to worse pain, tooth loss, infection, and even illness or death. Now, researchers report a bioactive peptide that coats tooth surfaces, helping prevent new cavities and heal existing ones in lab experiments.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122122113.htm

A heart-healthy protein from bran of cereal crop

Foxtail millet is an annual grass grown widely as a cereal crop in parts of India, China and Southeast Asia. Milling the grain removes the hard outer layer, or bran, from the rest of the seed. Now, researchers have identified a protein in this bran that can help stave off atherosclerosis in mice genetically prone to the disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122080604.htm

Cancer: Faster drug discovery to hit 'undruggable' targets

Medicines made from coiled protein fragments could provide a new handle on hard-to-treat diseases like cancer, but they are difficult to design. But a new technique could change that.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121123949.htm

Melting reveals drug targets in a living organism

Developing new medicines and understanding how they target specific organs often gives a crucial advantage in the fight against human diseases. An international team has developed a technology to systematically identify drug targets in living animals. In their results, the scientists mapped protein-drug interactions in rat organs and blood. Their research opens pathways in drug discovery, fundamental biology, and personalized medicine.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121112955.htm

Autoimmunity may explain why an important immune system is absent in many bacteria

New findings reveal how bacterial immune systems can be harmful for their hosts and explain why they are not found in many bacteria.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122135322.htm

Researchers reverse HIV latency, important scientific step toward cure

Overcoming HIV latency -- induction of HIV in CD4+ T cells that lay dormant throughout the body - is a major step toward creating a cure for HIV. For the first time, scientists have shown that a new approach can expose latent HIV to attack in two different animal model systems with little or no toxicity.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122134912.htm

Concussion risk in youth football

For decades, there's been a widespread assumption among people with an interest in sports-related injury that youth football players are more vulnerable to concussion and other head injuries than their older, bigger counterparts.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121133259.htm

Cultural difference play crucial role in when people would sacrifice one to save group

Cultural differences play a pivotal role in how people in different parts of the world perceive when it is acceptable to sacrifice one person to save a larger group, new research has shown.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121130030.htm

Drug profiling and gene scissors open new avenues in immunotherapy

Researchers have discovered ways to boost CAR T-cell therapy.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121124018.htm

Mosquitoes are drawn to flowers as much as people -- and now scientists know why

Despite their reputation as blood-suckers, mosquitoes actually spent most of their time drinking nectar from flowers. Scientists have identified the chemical cues in flowers that stimulate mosquitoes' sense of smell and draw them in. Their findings show how cues from flowers can stimulate the mosquito brain as much as a warm-blooded host -- information that could help develop less toxic repellents and better traps.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122080547.htm

New roles found for Huntington's disease protein

A research team has identified a new function of a gene called huntingtin, a mutation of which underlies the progressive neurodegenerative disorder known as Huntington's Disease. Using genetic mouse models, they have discovered that neurons in the striatum, a brain area involved in controlling movement, require the huntingtin gene for regulating the body's movements, maintaining cell health during aging, and developing functioning connections between cells.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122080540.htm

Climate change could unlock new microbes and increase heat-related deaths

Scientists warn that global climate change is likely to unlock dangerous new microbes, as well as threaten humans' ability to regulate body temperature.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122122105.htm

Cognitive function in people with mental illness

A study has shown few differences in the profiles of genes that influence cognition between people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and the general population. This surprising finding could provide new insights into therapies designed to improve cognition.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122122101.htm

Our biological clock plays crucial role in healing from surgery

If you have just had knee, shoulder or hip surgery, you may want to take anti-inflammatories in the morning or at noon, but not at night. A new study shows, for the first time, that circadian clock genes are involved in healing from surgery. Indeed, the researchers demonstrated that anti-inflammatory medications are most effective in promoting post-operative healing and recovery when taken during the active periods of our biological clocks.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122100554.htm

Potential way to halt blinding macular degeneration identified

It would be the first treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration and could significantly improve treatment for wet AMD.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122122109.htm

Self-moisturizing smart contact lenses

Researchers have developed a new type of smart contact lenses that can prevent dry eyes. The self-moisturizing system maintains a layer of fluid between the contact lens and the eye using a novel mechanism.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122110451.htm

New Technique to Determine Protein Structures May Solve Biomedical Puzzles

“Experimental evolution” analyses can determine the interactions that proteins use to fold into functional three-dimensional shapes.


from Cancer Health RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/new-technique-determine-protein-structures-may-solve-biomedical-puzzles

New study debunks notion that salt consumption contributes to weight loss

Researchers found that reducing sodium intake in adults with elevated blood pressure or hypertension decreased thirst, urine volume and blood pressure, but did not affect metabolic energy needs. These results support the traditional notion that decreasing sodium intake is critical to managing hypertension -- disputing recent studies.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200122080558.htm

'Ancient' cellular discovery key to new cancer therapies

Researchers have uncovered a metabolic system which could lead to new strategies for therapeutic cancer treatment. A team has found a link between a metabolic system in a yeast, and now mammals, which is critical for the regulation of cell growth and proliferation.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121112926.htm

To reverse engineer dynamics of microbial communities, researchers construct their own

Scientific and public appreciation for microbes -- and the key role their communal actions play in environmental health, food production, and human wellness -- has grown in recent years. While initially considered to be static, uniform entities, microbial communities are highly complex and contain internal chemical swapfests that are in constant flux. Researchers have demonstrated that the dynamics of these communities can be explained and even predicted by examining the variability trait of microbial social interactions.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121133303.htm

Zebrafish teach researchers more about atrial fibrillation

Genetic research in zebrafish has surprised the researchers behind the study. The results have the potential to change the prevalent perception of the cardiac disorder atrial fibrillation.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121130038.htm

New method to enable the production of cheaper, longer-lasting vaccines

A new method to produce vaccines that have a longer shelf-life, are cheaper and can be stored without the need for cooling has been developed.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121130036.htm

Novel composite antimicrobial film could take a bite out of foodborne illnesses

A novel composite film -- created by the bonding of an antimicrobial layer to conventional, clear polyethylene plastic typically used to vacuum-package foods such as meat and fish -- could help to decrease foodborne illness outbreaks, according to researchers.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121130034.htm

New species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in infected wound

A hitherto unknown antibiotic-resistant bacteria species, in the same family as E. coli and Salmonella spp., has been found and classified in Sweden. The proposed taxonomic name of the species -- the first of the new genus -- is Scandinavium goeteborgense, after the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, where the bacterium was isolated and the research was done.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121133321.htm

Maternal depression and atopic dermatitis in children linked

A recent study suggests that maternal depression in the postpartum period, and even beyond, is associated with the development of atopic dermatitis throughout childhood and adolescence.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121133312.htm

Human exposure to aluminum linked to familial Alzheimer's disease

A new study supports a growing body of research that links human exposure to aluminum with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Researchers found significant amounts of aluminum content in brain tissue from donors with familial AD. The study also found a high degree of co-location with the amyloid-beta protein, which leads to early onset of the disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200121112957.htm

Closing Perspective Gaps Between Cancer Patients and Healthcare Providers

The Patient Advocacy Summit examines the patient perspective on delivering value and high-quality care to promote more patient-centric care.


from Cancer Health RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/closing-perspective-gaps-cancer-patients-healthcare-providers

Combined prenatal smoking and drinking greatly increases SIDS risk

Children born to mothers who both drank and smoked beyond the first trimester of pregnancy have a 12-fold increased risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) compared to those unexposed or only exposed in the first trimester of pregnancy, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200120113415.htm

Dozens of non-oncology drugs can kill cancer cells

Researchers tested approximately 4,518 drug compounds on 578 human cancer cell lines and found nearly 50 that have previously unrecognized anti-cancer activity. These drugs have been used to treat conditions such as diabetes, inflammation, alcoholism, and even arthritis in dogs. The findings suggest a possible way to accelerate the development of new cancer drugs or repurpose existing drugs to treat cancer.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200120113130.htm

Becoming less active and gaining weight: Downsides of becoming an adult

Leaving school and getting a job both lead to a drop in the amount of physical activity, while becoming a mother is linked to increased weight gain, conclude two reviews.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200120113424.htm

Ingestible medical devices can be broken down with light

Engineers have developed a light-sensitive material that allows gastrointestinal devices to be triggered to break down inside the body when they are exposed to light from an ingestible LED.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200117162707.htm

Low doses of radiation used in medical imaging lead to mutations in cell cultures

Common medical imaging procedures use low doses of radiation that are believed to be safe. A new study, however, finds that in human cell cultures, these doses create breaks that allow extra bits of DNA to integrate into the chromosome.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116141731.htm

A wearable gas sensor for health and environmental monitoring

A highly sensitive, wearable gas sensor for environmental and human health monitoring may soon become commercially available.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116112546.htm

Human fetal lungs harbor a microbiome signature

The lungs and placentas of fetuses in the womb -- as young as 11 weeks after conception -- already show a bacterial microbiome signature, which suggests that bacteria may colonize the lungs well before birth. This first-time finding deepens the mystery of how the microbes or microbial products reach those organs before birth and what role they play in normal lung and immune system development.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200117123900.htm

Neuron found in mice could have implications for effective diet drugs

A CALCR cell found in mice may stop feeding without subsequential nauseating effects, as well as influence the long term intake of food.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200117122115.htm

Acid reflux drugs may have negative side effects for breast cancer survivors

Acid reflux drugs that are sometimes recommended to ease stomach problems during cancer treatment may have an unintended side effect: impairment of breast cancer survivors' memory and concentration.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200117110840.htm

Activation of a distinct genetic pathway can slow the progress of metastatic breast cancer

Activation of the BMP4 signalling pathway presents a new therapeutic strategy to combat metastatic breast cancer, a disease that has shown no reduction in patient mortality over the past 20 years.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200117104742.htm

Real risks associated with cannabis exposure during pregnancy

A new study has definitively shown that regular exposure to THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, during pregnancy has significant impact on placental and fetal development.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200117104756.htm

Rich rewards: Scientists reveal ADHD medication's effect on the brain

Researchers have identified how certain areas of the human brain respond to methylphenidate -- a stimulant drug which is used to treat symptoms of ADHD. The work may help researchers understand the precise mechanism of the drug and ultimately develop more targeted medicines for the condition.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200117100257.htm

Focus on opioids and cannabis in chronic pain media coverage

New Zealand media reports on chronic pain are focusing on treatments involving opioids and cannabis at the expense of best practice non-drug treatments, researchers have found.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200117094323.htm

Stand Up To Cancer Wants You to Share Your Song

If you have (or have had) cancer, your original song could win a grant for a professional recording—and be featured on an album.


from Cancer Health RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/stand-cancer-wants-share-song

Cheap drug may alleviate treatment-resistance in leukemia

A common and inexpensive drug may be used to counteract treatment resistance in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the most common forms of blood cancer. The researchers will now launch a clinical study to test the new combination treatment in patients.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200117080826.htm

Researchers investigate molecule, VISTA, which keeps immune system quiet against cancer

Researchers are studying a valuable target in regulating the immune response in cancer and autoimmunity. VISTA is a tempering molecule that hinders T cells in the immune system from activating against self-antigens such as cancer cells. Their new publication describes how VISTA controls T-cell responses.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116141724.htm

Sepsis associated with 1 in 5 deaths globally, double previous estimate

Twice as many people as previously believed are dying of sepsis worldwide, according to a new analysis. Among them are a disproportionately high number of children in poor areas.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116121854.htm

Making sense of the self

Interoception is the awareness of our physiological states. But precisely how the brain calculates and reacts to this information remains unclear. Neuroscientists now demonstrate how the insular cortex orchestrates the process. The work represents the first steps toward understanding the neural basis of interoception, which could allow researchers to address key questions in eating disorders, obesity, drug addiction, and a host of other diseases.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116121651.htm

Physicists design 'super-human' red blood cells to deliver drugs to specific targets

A team of physicists from McMaster University has developed a process to modify red blood cells so they can be used to distribute drugs throughout the body, which could specifically target infections or treat catastrophic diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer's.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116112552.htm

Hormone resistance in breast cancer linked to DNA 'rewiring'

Researchers have revealed changes to the 3D arrangement of DNA linked to treatment resistance in ER+ breast cancer.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116093853.htm

Helping patients prep mind and body for surgery pays off

An inexpensive program to help surgery patients get physically and mentally ready for their upcoming operation may help reduce overall costs and get them home faster, according to new research involving hundreds of patients in 21 hospitals.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116155433.htm

A secreted signature of aging cells

Senescent cells undergo an irreversible and permanent arrest of cell division and are hallmarks of both the aging process and multiple chronic diseases. Senescent cells -- and more importantly the factors they secrete, known collectively as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) -- are widely accepted as drivers of aging and multiple age-related diseases.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116141730.htm

Efficacy of drugs against pork tapeworm

Taenia solium -- also called pork tapeworm -- is a parasite which causes disease around the world, particularly in very poor communities with deficient sanitation and where pigs roam free. Researchers have now analyzed the efficacy and adverse effects of three chemotherapeutics against T. solium.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116141726.htm

Improved brain chip for precision medicine

A biomedical research team is reporting an improvement on a microfluidic brain cancer chip. The new chip allows quick assessment of the effectiveness of cancer drugs on brain tumors.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116141133.htm

Study unravels new insights into a Parkinson's disease protein

The new study explores alpha-synuclein's basic properties, with a focus on a section of the protein known as the non-amyloidal component (NAC). The research was done on fruit fly larvae that were genetically engineered to produce both normal and mutated forms of human alpha-synuclein.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116121901.htm

Cancer study may accidentally help researchers create usable blood stem cells

A new study shows that cancer-causing MLL gene may also push pluripotent stem cells to make hematopoietic stem cells, a strong step in the decades-long effort to make personalizable, durable blood stem cells.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116121847.htm

New method detects toxin exposure from harmful algal blooms in human urine

A newly developed method can detect even low-dose human exposure to microcystins and nodularin in human urine. During harmful algal blooms (HABs), species of cyanobacteria release toxic peptides, including microcystins and nodularin into waterways, impacting wildlife and humans living in these marine environments. These findings are the first to report microcystin concentrations directly from exposed residents impacted by cyanobacteria in Florida, and is a critical step in developing and interpreting clinical diagnostic tests for HABs exposure worldwide.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116121839.htm

Bartonella bacteria found in hemangiosarcoma tumors from dogs

Researchers have found a very high prevalence of Bartonella bacteria in tumors and tissues - but not blood samples - taken from dogs with hemangiosarcoma, a cancer of the blood vessels.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116121833.htm

Sleep linked to language skills in neurodevelopmental disorders

New research has discovered that Down's syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and Williams syndrome are all linked to sleep disruption in very young children, and that sleep plays a crucial role in the development of these children's language skills.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116112605.htm

Progress in unraveling the mystery of the genomics of Parkinson's disease

The International Parkinson Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC) has now been in existence for ten years. The consortium now reviews the progress made over the past decade in the genomics of Parkinson's disease (PD) and related disorders including Lewy body diseases, progressive supranuclear palsy, and multiple system atrophy and looks ahead at its future direction and research priorities.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116112558.htm

Lights on for germ-free wound dressings

Infections are a dreaded threat that can have fatal consequences after an operation, in the treatment of wounds, and during tissue engineering. Biomimetic hydrogels with 'built-in' antimicrobial properties can significantly decrease this danger. Scientists have now introduced a gel that is activated by red light to produce reactive oxygen compounds that effectively kill bacteria and fungi.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116112554.htm

Cells protect themselves against stress by keeping together

For the first time, research shows that the contacts between cells, known as cell adhesion, are essential for cells to survive stress. The findings also suggest that impaired cell adhesion may sensitize cancer cells to drugs that damage cell proteins and cause stress.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116112548.htm

Walnuts may be good for the gut and help promote heart health

Researchers found that eating walnuts daily as part of a healthy diet was associated with increases in certain bacteria that can help promote health. Additionally, those changes in gut bacteria were associated with improvements in some risk factors for heart disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116112542.htm

Whooping cough evolving into a superbug

Whooping cough bacteria are becoming smarter at colonizing and feeding off unwitting hosts -- whether they have been vaccinated or not -- strengthening calls for a new vaccine.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116112540.htm

Pulling the plug on calcium pumps -- potential new treatment strategy for pancreatic cancer

UK scientists have identified a new way to kill pancreatic cancer cells by 'pulling the plug' on the energy generator that fuels calcium pumps on their cell surface. The study reports how switching off the cancer's energy supply causes the pancreatic cancer cells to become 'poisoned' by an irreversible build-up of calcium.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116101159.htm

Body's natural signal carriers can help melanoma spread

A new study sheds fresh light on how melanoma cells interact with other cells via extracellular vesicles they secrete. The researchers found that extracellular vesicles secreted by melanoma cells use the so-called hedgehog signalling pathway to intensify the malignant properties of the cells they are targeting. The discovery can help in the development of better treatment and diagnostics for melanoma.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116093850.htm

The Health Care Promises We Cannot Keep

We want to give loved ones who are sick or dying everything we think they want ― but we can’t.


from Cancer Health RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/health-care-promises-keep

Mutations in donors' stem cells may cause problems for cancer patients

A new study suggests that extremely rare, harmful genetic mutations present in healthy donors' stem cells -- though not causing health problems in the donors -- may be passed on to cancer patients receiving stem cell transplants, potentially creating health problems for the recipients. Among the concerns are heart damage, graft-versus-host disease and possible new leukemias.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115191529.htm

Obesity crisis blamed for a rise in fatty liver disease amongst young adults

One in five young people have fatty liver disease (steatosis), with one in 40 having already developed liver scarring (fibrosis), new research has found. The study is the first to attempt to determine the prevalence of fatty liver disease and fibrosis in young healthy adults in the UK.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115191527.htm

Jumping genes threaten egg cell quality

A woman's supply of eggs is finite, so it is crucial that the quality of their genetic material is ensured. New work elucidates a mechanism by which, even before birth, the body tries to eliminate egg cells of the poorest quality.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116080412.htm

Hookah smoke may be associated with increased risk of blood clots

In a new study conducted in mice, researchers found that tobacco smoke from a hookah caused blood to function abnormally and be more likely to clot and quickly form blood clots. The findings provide new evidence that hookah smoking may not be a safe alternative to cigarettes.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200116080410.htm

Women's blood vessels age faster than men's

Many medical experts have long believed that women simply 'catch up' to men in terms of their cardiovascular risk, but new research shows for the first time that women's blood vessels age at a faster rate than men's. The findings could help to explain why women tend to develop different types of cardiovascular disease and with different timing than men.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115191534.htm

Sticky situation inside blood vessels can worsen stroke damage

A stroke appears to create a sticky situation inside the blood vessels of the brain that can worsen damage days, even months later, scientists report.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115191532.htm

Researchers identify gene with functional role in aging of eye

Researchers say a gene known to be a biomarker of age plays a key role in age-associated functional and anatomical aging in mouse retinas, a finding that has direct relevance to age-related eye diseases.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115140506.htm

Glimpses of fatherhood found in non-pair-bonding chimps

Although they have no way of identifying their biological fathers, male chimpanzees form intimate bonds with them, a finding that questions the idea of fatherhood in some of humanity's closest relatives, according to a study of wild chimpanzees in Uganda.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115140504.htm

BPA activates immune response in mice that passes down through generations

Some plastic food and beverage containers still contain bisphenol A (BPA), which can mimic the hormone estrogen. Although experts say that small amounts of BPA detected in foods are unlikely to cause problems, some people worry that constant low-level exposures could have health effects, especially for developing fetuses, infants and children. Now, researchers report that in mice, BPA activates an immune response that persists for at least three generations.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115120632.htm

B-cell enrichment predictive of immunotherapy response in melanoma, sarcoma and kidney cancer

Multiple studies out indicate that a patient's response to immune checkpoint blockade may depend on B cells located in special structures within the tumor.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115132624.htm

Chemicals between us: Surprising effects of oxytocin on cocaine addiction

Researchers have discovered gender-based differences in response to therapeutic oxytocin treatment in cocaine-addicted individuals with a history of childhood trauma. Oxytocin has been shown previously to function as a potential therapeutic in cases of addiction by reducing cravings. This study found that only men with past trauma had a reduction in cravings after oxytocin. Surprisingly, women with past trauma had a greater response to visual drug cues following oxytocin.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115132310.htm

How cells assemble their skeleton

Microtubules, filamentous structures within the cell, are required for many important processes, including cell division and intracellular transport. A research team recently discovered how the spiral-shaped, modular microtubules are formed and how their formation is controlled. These processes were visualized using state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115130444.htm

Scientists breach brain barriers to attack tumors

The brain is a sort of fortress, equipped with barriers designed to keep out dangerous pathogens. But protection comes at a cost: These barriers interfere with the immune system when faced with dire threats such glioblastoma, a deadly brain tumor for which there are few effective treatments. Researchers have found a novel way to circumvent the brain's natural defenses when they're counterproductive by slipping immune system rescuers through the fortresses' drainage system.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115130442.htm

Pig virus is easily transmitted among chickens and turkeys

The first animal study of a pig virus' potential to jump to another species shows that the virus, once introduced to a select group of birds, is easily transmitted to healthy chickens and turkeys.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115130430.htm

Large Study Finds No Strong Link Between Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer

The study isn’t conclusive, but if there is an increased risk, it’s likely to be very small.


from Cancer Health RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/large-study-finds-strong-link-talcum-powder-ovarian-cancer

Drinking 1% rather than 2% milk accounts for 4.5 years of less aging in adults

A new study shows drinking low-fat milk -- both nonfat and 1% milk -- is significantly associated with less aging in adults.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115120634.htm

New algorithm predicts gestational diabetes

Timely prediction may help prevent the condition using nutritional and lifestyle changes.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115120630.htm

Beauty sleep could be real, say body clock biologists

Biologists have explained for the first time why having a good night's sleep really could prepare us for the rigors of the day ahead.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115120626.htm

Biologists make living sperm glow

By applying a novel method, biologists have successfully analyzed the metabolism of intact tissues of the fruit fly using a label-free microscopy technique. They used the natural fluorescence of certain metabolic molecules and found that sperm, compared to other tissues, are highly glycolytic.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115120622.htm

DNA Damage to Breast Cells from chemicals in some cosmetics, sunscreens

A new approach to studying the effects of two common chemicals used in cosmetics and sunscreens found they can cause DNA damage in breast cells at surprisingly low concentrations, while the same dose did not harm cells without estrogen receptors.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115090957.htm

Global warming to increase violent crime in the United States

A new study predicts millions of additional violent crimes in coming decades.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200115093437.htm

Opening up DNA to delete disease

Protein editorial assistants are clearing the way for cut-and-paste DNA editors, like CRISPR, to access previously inaccessible genes of interest. Opening up these areas of the genetic code is critical to improving CRISPR efficiency and moving toward futuristic, genetic-based assaults on disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114173620.htm

Researchers unlock secrets of cell division, define role for protein elevated in cancer

Researchers have successfully recreated a key process involved in cell division in a test tube, uncovering the vital role played by a protein that is elevated in over 25% of all cancers.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114163139.htm

Brain model offers new insights into damage caused by stroke and other injuries

A researcher has developed a computer model of the human brain that more realistically simulates actual patterns of brain impairment than existing methods. The novel advancement creates a digital simulation environment that could help stroke victims and patients with other brain injuries by serving as a testing ground for hypotheses about specific neurological damage.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114160012.htm

Having less sex linked to earlier menopause

Women who engage in sexual activity weekly or monthly have a lower risk of entering menopause early relative to those who report having some form of sex less than monthly, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114224451.htm

Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy may trigger long-term post-traumatic stress

One in six women experience long-term post-traumatic stress following miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114224449.htm

'Coolsculpting' inventors develop new non-surgical method for targeting fat

Researchers are developing a new form 'Coolsculpting' technology that can selectively reduce fat almost anywhere in the body using a safe, injectable ice solution or 'slurry.'

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114123533.htm

Impaired driving -- even once the high wears off

Researchers have discovered that recreational marijuana use affects driving ability even when users are not intoxicated. Cannabis users had more accidents, drove at higher speeds, and drove through more red lights than non-users.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114123521.htm

Elevated leukemia incidence is found in World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers

Responders who worked at the World Trade Center site after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, have an increased overall cancer incidence compared to the general population, particularly in thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, and, for the first time ever reported, leukemia, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114101704.htm

More federal funding needed to increase Americans' active transportation habits

The federal government has allocated only about 2 percent of its transportation funds to encourage walking and cycling, not nearly enough to make a significant difference, according to new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114160004.htm

Racial disparities in heart failure explained

Researchers have uncovered evidence that the higher prevalence of 'malignant' enlargement of the heart among blacks contributes to the higher incidence of heart failure in this population.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114160000.htm

Liver Cancer Funding Bill Introduced in Senate

The LIVER Act would increase funding for liver cancer and hepatitis B research and prevention.


from Cancer Health RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/liver-cancer-funding-bill-introduced-senate

Artificial muscle sheets transform stem cells into bone

Specifically programmed materials can, under specific conditions, encourage stem cells to transform into bone cells. To do this, scientists implemented a so-called shape-memory polymer in stem cell research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200113153332.htm

Potential new treatment for preventing post traumatic stress disorder

Scientists have discovered the first biomarker unique to PTSD patients and they have created a peptide shown in a preclinical trial to treat and even prevent PTSD.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200113165057.htm

Genetic anomaly associated with poor response to common asthma treatment

A new study has uncovered a genetic anomaly associated with poor response to a common asthma treatment. The findings showed that asthmatic patients with the gene variant are less likely to respond to glucocorticoids and often develop severe asthma.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200113153311.htm

Blood-clotting protein and blood platelets promote immune evasion, cancer progression

A new study reveals how a clotting protein and blood platelets can promote cancer progression and suppress immune responses to cancer.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114123519.htm

New strategy for treating advanced, progressing bile duct cancer

A new study shows how resistance to a promising targeted drug develops in patients with a rare, lethal cancer of the bile ducts called cholangiocarcinoma.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114123518.htm

'Swiss cheese' bones could be cause of unexplained low back pain

In experiments with genetically engineered and old mice, researchers say they have added to evidence that the vast majority of low back pain in people may be rooted in an overgrowth of pain-sensing nerves into spinal cartilaginous tissue.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114090954.htm

A controlled phage therapy can target drug-resistant bacteria while sidestepping potential unintended consequences

The fight against drug-resistant pathogens remains an intense one. While the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) 2019 'biggest threats' report reveals an overall decrease in drug-resistant microbe-related deaths as compared to its previous report (2013) the agency also cautions that new forms of drug-resistant pathogens are still emerging.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200113165056.htm

Exosomes promote remarkable recovery in stroke

Scientists present brain-imaging data for a new stroke treatment that supported full recovery in swine, modeled with the same pattern of neurodegeneration as seen in humans with severe stroke.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114125924.htm

Siblings of children with intellectual disabilities score high on empathy and closeness

A new study finds that relationships between children and their siblings with intellectual disabilities are more positive than those between typically developing siblings.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114123525.htm

New strategy in the fight against antibiotic resistance

Bioscience engineers have developed a new antibacterial strategy that weakens bacteria by preventing them from cooperating. Unlike with antibiotics, there is no resistance to this strategy.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114104027.htm

Flame retardants and pesticides overtake heavy metals as biggest contributors to IQ loss

Adverse outcomes from childhood exposures to lead and mercury are on the decline in the United States, likely due to decades of restrictions on the use of heavy metals, a new study finds.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114101724.htm

Reducing the risk of blood clots in artificial heart valves

People with mechanical heart valves need blood thinners on a daily basis, because they have a higher risk of blood clots and stroke. Researchers now identified the root cause of blood turbulence leading to clotting. Design optimization could greatly reduce the risk of clotting and enable these patients to live without life-long medication.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114101722.htm

School indoor air quality cannot be reliably assessed based on pupils' symptoms

The association between indoor air quality of the school building and the pupils' symptoms was so weak that it is not possible to reliably assess the quality of the indoor air based on the amount of reported symptoms.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114101719.htm

Historical housing disparities linked with dangerous climate impacts

Extreme heat kills more people in the United States than any other type of hazardous weather and will likely become even deadlier due to climate change. However, extreme heat does not affect all people equally.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114101715.htm

Silica particles may lead to new treatments for obesity and diabetes

Engineered ingestible molecular traps created from mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) introduced to the gut can have an effect on food efficiency and metabolic risk factors. The results from studies on mice demonstrate the potential to reduce the energy uptake into the body and could lead to new treatments for obesity and diabetes.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114104041.htm

New route for tackling drug resistance in skin cancer cells

Researchers have found that melanoma cells fight anti-cancer drugs by changing their internal skeleton (cytoskeleton) -- opening up a new therapeutic route for combating skin and other cancers that develop resistance to treatment.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114074040.htm

Children's packed lunches lack nutritional quality

Fewer than two in every 100 packed lunches eaten by children in English primary schools meet nutritional standards, according to a major survey. Although the amount of sugary food in lunchboxes declined over 10 years it is still higher than recommended, and there has been a drop in essential vitamins and minerals. Researchers say the lack of fresh food is to blame.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114074042.htm

Decoy molecule neutralizes a range of viruses

The molecule points the way toward treating viruses that cross from animals to humans.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114090952.htm

How to make it easier to turn plant waste into biofuels

Researchers have developed a new process that could make it much cheaper to produce biofuels such as ethanol from plant waste and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Their approach, featuring an ammonia-salt based solvent that rapidly turns plant fibers into sugars needed to make ethanol, works well at close to room temperature, unlike conventional processes, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200114074036.htm

An Oncologist’s Take on Refocusing the Battle Against Cancer

In “The First Cell,” Azra Raza argues that it’s far more effective to attack cancer in its earliest stages.


from Cancer Health RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/oncologists-take-refocusing-battle-cancer

Cancer Films That the Oscars (Somehow) Missed

Awkwafina got a Golden Globes award for “Farewell,” but none of these movies got an Oscar nod.


from Cancer Health RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/cancer-films-Oscars-somehow-missed

Biological clock is key to reducing heart damage from radiation therapy

A new study suggests that the biological clock is involved in heart toxicity from radiation therapy and could be harnessed as part of a preventive strategy. Findings show that after receiving radiation to the heart, mice with disrupted biological clocks had significantly worse heart function than controls. They also demonstrated that Bmal1 -- a protein that drives 24-hour rhythms in the expression of many genes -- plays an important role in protecting the heart from radiation-related damage.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200113153304.htm

Drinking Levels Are High Among Cancer Survivors

This finding from a large study surprised and concerned researchers.


from Cancer Health RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/drinking-levels-high-among-cancer-survivors

Calculated surprise leads to groundbreaking discovery in cognitive control research

To better understand how motivational control processes help maximize performance when faced with task challenges, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and provide fascinating insights into the role of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) as a component network of brain regions that support motivated behavior. They have unified conflicting findings by discovering that the single mechanism of surprise best accounts for activity in dACC during a task requiring motivated control.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200113124511.htm

'Ageotypes' provide window into how individuals age

Stanford scientists have identified specific biological pathways along which individuals age over time.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200113111054.htm

AI can detect low-glucose levels via ECG without fingerprick test

A new technology for detecting low glucose levels via ECG using a noninvasive wearable sensor, which with the latest artificial intelligence can detect hypoglycemic events from raw ECG signals has been made.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200113111156.htm

Risk of lead exposure linked to decreased brain volume in adolescents

In a study using brain scans from nearly 10 thousand adolescents across the country, investigators show that risk of lead exposure is associated with altered brain anatomy and cognitive deficits in children from low income families.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200113111155.htm