Saturday, May 30, 2020

Scientists develop method to help epidemiologists map spread of COVID-19

Scientists have developed a method they believe will help epidemiologists more efficiently predict the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their new study outlines a solution to the SIR epidemic model, which is commonly used to predict how many people are susceptible to, infected by, and recovered from viral epidemics.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529190734.htm

COVID-19 patients who undergo surgery are at increased risk of postoperative death

Patients undergoing surgery after contracting coronavirus are at greatly increased risk of postoperative death, a new global study reveals. Researchers found that amongst SARS-CoV-2 infected patients who underwent surgery, mortality rates approach those of the sickest patients admitted to intensive care after contracting the virus in the community.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529190739.htm

How the coronavirus could be prevented from invading a host cell

How might the novel coronavirus be prevented from entering a host cell in an effort to thwart infection? A team of biomedical scientists has made a discovery that points to a solution. The scientists report that two proteases -- enzymes that break down proteins -- located on the surface of host cells and responsible for processing viral entry could be inhibited.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529190737.htm

The fight goes on: Clinical trial shows promising new treatment for rare blood cancer

Although lymphoma is one of the most common types of blood cancer, it has a rare subtype for which no effective treatment regimens are known. For the first time, researchers have conducted clinical trials for a new treatment protocol and report it to be quite promising.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200530113632.htm

Key player in hepatitis A virus infection

Researchers designed experiments using gene-editing tools to discover how molecules called gangliosides serve as de facto gatekeepers to allow the virus entry into liver cells and trigger disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529161301.htm

Adolescent exposure to anesthetics may cause alcohol use disorder, new research shows

Early exposure to anesthetics may make adolescents more susceptible to developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529161258.htm

Study charts developmental map of inner ear sound sensor in mice

A team of researchers has generated a developmental map of a key sound-sensing structure in the mouse inner ear. Scientists analyzed data from 30,000 cells from mouse cochlea, the snail-shaped structure of the inner ear. The results provide insights into the genetic programs that drive the formation of cells important for detecting sounds and the underlying causes for some forms of inner ear hearing loss.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150647.htm

Friday, May 29, 2020

How toxic protein spreads in Alzheimer's disease

Toxic versions of the protein tau are believed to cause death of neurons of the brain in Alzheimer's disease. A new study shows that the spread of toxic tau in the human brain in elderly individuals may occur via connected neurons. The researchers could see that beta-amyloid facilitates the spread of toxic tau.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150623.htm

Anesthesia's effect on consciousness solved, settling century-old scientific debate

How does general anesthesia cause loss of consciousness? Despite its 175-year-history of use by the U.S. medical system, science has been unable to definitively answer that question, until now. The lipid-based answer could open other brain mysteries.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150619.htm

Solution to century-old math problem could predict transmission of infectious diseases

An academic has achieved a milestone in statistical/mathematical physics by solving a 100-year-old physics problem -- the discrete diffusion equation in finite space.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150617.htm

New method to map cholesterol metabolism in brain

Researchers have developed new technology to monitor cholesterol in brain tissue which could uncover its relation to neurodegenerative disease and pave the way for the development of new treatments.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150612.htm

Wildfires can alter Arctic watersheds for 50 years

Climate change has contributed to the increase in the number of wildfires in the Arctic and can dramatically shift stream chemistry. Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have found that some of the aftereffects, like decreased carbon and increased nitrogen, can last up to five decades and could have major implications on vital waterways like the Yenisei River and the Arctic Ocean

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528161101.htm

New technology enables fast protein synthesis

Chemists have developed a protocol to rapidly produce protein chains up to 164 amino acids long. The flow-based technology could speed up drug development and allow scientists to design novel protein variants incorporating amino acids that don't occur naturally in cells.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528161057.htm

Gold mining with mercury poses health threats for miles downstream

Small-scale gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon poses a health hazard not only to the miners and communities near where mercury is used to extract gold from ore, but also to downstream communities hundreds of kilometers away where people eat mercury-contaminated river fish as part of their diet. Downstream children under 12 with the highest levels of mercury in their bodies were found to have lost IQ points and become anemic.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528161056.htm

Researchers identify mechanisms that make skin a protective barrier

A research team has identified one of the mechanisms that establish the skin as a protective barrier, a breakthrough that is critical to understanding and treating common skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160538.htm

An imbalance of electrons in the liver may be a common risk factor for disease

Researchers have uncovered an unexpected connection between an imbalance of electrons in liver cells and many metabolic problems that increase the risk for conditions such as cardiovascular disease and fatty liver disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160519.htm

As hospitals walk the tightrope of patient data-sharing, one system offers a new balance

Every major medical center in America sits on a gold mine of patient data that could be worth millions of dollars to companies that could use it to develop new treatments and technologies. A new framework could help them do so more responsibly, going beyond the minimum legal requirements and respecting patients by giving them more say in how their individual data may be used.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528115837.htm

Evolution of pandemic coronavirus outlines path from animals to humans

A team of scientists studying the origin of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic, found that it was especially well-suited to jump from animals to humans by shapeshifting as it gained the ability to infect human cells.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529161221.htm

Using brain imaging to demonstrate weaker neural suppression for those with autism

A new study shows the differences in visual motion perception in autism spectrum disorder are accompanied by weaker neural suppression in the visual cortex of the brain.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150710.htm

Breaking up is hard to do (especially for sex chromosomes)

A team of scientists has discovered how the X and Y chromosomes find one another, break, and recombine during meiosis even though they have little in common.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160557.htm

Imaging reveals unexpected contractions in the human placenta

High-resolution imaging of the human placenta provides new insights into blood circulation patterns that are crucial for fetal development, according to a new study. These findings improve our understanding of the functioning of this understudied organ, both in healthy pregnancies and in serious medical conditions such as pre-eclampsia.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160541.htm

Combination therapy well-tolerated and highly effective for patients with IDH1-mutated AML

A combination therapy of ivosenidib (IVO) plus venetoclax (VEN) with or without azacitidine (AZA) was found to be effective against a specific genetic subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a Phase Ib/II trial.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160528.htm

Immune landscape of multiple brain cancers charted

A new study has profiled, in a sweeping comparative analysis, the distinct immune landscapes of tumors that arise in the brain, or gliomas, and those that metastasize to the organ from the lungs, breast and skin.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160526.htm

Paid sick leave mandates hold promise in containing COVID-19

Mandates like those found in the federal government's Families First Coronavirus Response Act may be helping to slow the pandemic.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150714.htm

Older men worry less than others about COVID-19

Older men may be at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 because they worry less about catching or dying from it, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150712.htm

When COVID-19 meets flu season

As if the COVID-19 pandemic isn't scary enough, the flu season is not far away. How severe will the flu season be as it converges with the COVID-19 outbreak? What can we do to prepare?

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150651.htm

Researchers develop experimental rapid COVID-19 test using nanoparticle technique

Scientists have developed an experimental diagnostic test for COVID-19 that can visually detect the presence of the virus in 10 minutes. It uses a simple assay containing plasmonic gold nanoparticles to detect a color change when the virus is present.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150643.htm

Using riboflavin, UV light reduces SARS-CoV-2 pathogens in plasma, whole blood

Researchers used existing technologies to show that exposing the coronavirus to riboflavin and ultraviolet light reduces blood-borne pathogens in human plasma and whole-blood products.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150641.htm

Growing evidence that minority ethnic groups in England may be at higher risk of COVID-19

Evidence available to date suggests that minority ethnic groups in England, particularly black and south Asian people, may be at increased risk of testing positive for Covid-19, compared to people from white British backgrounds, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150634.htm

'Watcher' tracks coronavirus in Cincinnati and beyond

As cases of COVID-19 soar, two University of Cincinnati students develop an interactive dashboard that shows cases and deaths related to the novel coronavirus throughout the nation.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150609.htm

New model predicts the peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers describe a single function that accurately describes all existing available data on active COVID-19 cases and deaths -- and predicts forthcoming peaks.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529150605.htm

R.I.P. Ron Simmons, PhD, Empowering AIDS Advocate for Black Gay Men

An academic, community leader and astute fundraiser, Simmons also led the DC-based nonprofit Us Helping Us, People Into Living.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/rip-ron-simmons-phd-empowering-aids-advocate-gay-black-men

New gut-brain link: How gut mucus could help treat brain disorders

Gut bacterial imbalance is linked with many neurological disorders. Now researchers have identified a common thread: changes in gut mucus. It's a new gut-brain connection that opens fresh paths for scientists searching for ways to treat brain disorders by targeting our 'second brain' -- the gut.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200529093129.htm

Survey identifies learning opportunities related to health impacts of climate change

An international survey of Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) membership found that the majority of members -- health professions schools and programs, including medical, nursing, and public health -- offer learning opportunities related to the health impacts of climate change, yet many also encountered challenges in instituting or developing curricula. The results of the survey provide a baseline assessment of the state of climate-health education internationally among health professions institutions.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160521.htm

Restoring nerve-muscle communication in ALS

A new study finds that restoring the protein SV2 in a genetic form of ALS can correct abnormalities in transmission and even prevent cells from dying, providing a new target for future therapies.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160517.htm

Molecular effects of exercise detailed

A simple blood test may be able to determine how physically fit you are, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528115826.htm

Beyond the garnish: Will a new type of produce get the microgreen light?

Microgreens. They're leafy green vegetables that are relatively new to the dining room, but a new study indicates that they will be welcome company at the table.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528115813.htm

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Key components of proteins are twisted to boost reactions useful to medicine

In proteins, amino acids are held together by amide bonds. These bonds are long-lived and are robust against changes in temperature, acidity or alkalinity. Certain medicines make use of reactions involving amide bonds, but the bonds are so strong they actually slow down reactions, impeding the effectiveness of the medicines. Researchers devised a way to modify amide bonds with a twist to their chemical structure that speeds up reactions by 14 times.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528115809.htm

Impact of major life events on wellbeing

Researchers examined the effect of 18 major life events on wellbeing.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528115808.htm

Exploiting viruses to attack cancer cells

Scientists have made an adenovirus that specifically replicates inside and kills cancer cells by employing special RNA-stabilizing elements.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528115806.htm

Using electrical stimulus to regulate genes

A team of researchers has succeeded in using an electric current to directly control gene expression for the first time. Their work provides the basis for medical implants that can be switched on and off using electronic devices outside the body.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528161059.htm

Heart surgery stalled as COVID-19 spread

Two recent journal articles explore how hospitals worldwide scaled back on heart surgeries as the pandemic hit, and how they can resume those operations in a world still plagued by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160555.htm

gnomAD Consortium releases its first major studies of human genetic variation

For the last eight years, the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) Consortium (and its predecessor, the Exome Aggregation Consortium, or ExAC), has been working with geneticists around the world to compile and study more than 125,000 exomes and 15,000 whole genomes from populations around the world. Now, in seven articles, gnomAD Consortium scientists describe their first set of discoveries from the database, showing the power of this vast collection of data.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160503.htm

Autism severity can change substantially during early childhood

A new study found that around 30 percent of young children with autism have less severe autism symptoms at age 6 than they did at age 3, with some children losing their autism diagnoses entirely. It also found that girls tend to show greater reduction and less rise in their autism symptom severity than boys with autism. Children with higher IQs were more likely to show a reduction in their symptoms.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528160501.htm

How Coronavirus Shutdowns Could Cause an Uptick in HIV Cases

Experts also predict a rise in sexually transmitted infections.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/coronavirus-shutdowns-cause-uptick-hiv-cases

Tackling airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors

Preventing airborne transmission of Covid-19 should be the next front of the battle against the virus, argue experts in a new article.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528115750.htm

Researchers flag similarities between COVID-19 deaths and severe rheumatic illnesses

Rheumatologists are flagging similarities between the deaths of some COVID-19 patients and those with rheumatic illnesses, and are testing proven rheumatic treatments to see whether they help against the pandemic virus.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528094627.htm

HLH research points to treatment for COVID-19 cytokine storms

A transgenic mouse developed to model the deadly childhood immune disease HLH (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) may play a key role in saving lives during the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528092132.htm

COVID-19 vaccine development: New guidelines for ethical approach to infecting trial volunteers

Allowing consenting volunteers to be deliberately infected with COVID-19 for the purposes of developing a vaccine could be done ethically and potentially speed up its development, a University of Warwick researcher has argued in new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527190329.htm

Low vaccination rates and 'measles parties' fueled 2019 measles outbreak in NYC

An analysis of the 2018-2019 measles outbreak in New York City identifies factors that made the outbreak so severe: delayed vaccination of young children combined with increased contact among this age group, likely through 'measles parties' designed to purposely infect children.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527181329.htm

Domestic violence reports on the rise as COVID-19 keeps people at home, study shows

Researchers have found an increase in domestic violence reports in Los Angeles and Indianapolis since the stay-at-home restrictions were implemented in March.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527181318.htm

Sugars could be the key to an earlier, more accurate test for prostate cancer

A new type of test that uses complex sugars to detect prostate cancer earlier and with greater accuracy.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528115749.htm

New technique offers higher resolution molecular imaging and analysis

A new approach could help researchers understand more complicated biomolecular interactions and characterize cells and diseases at the single-molecule level.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528094624.htm

The death marker protein cleans up your muscles after exercise

Researchers have demonstrated that physical activity prompts a clean-up of muscles as the protein ubiquitin tags onto worn-out proteins, causing them to be degraded. This prevents the accumulation of damaged proteins and helps keep muscles healthy.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200528082552.htm

Human growth hormone treatment after ACL injury may prevent loss of muscle strength

A new study finds the use of HGH treatment in patients that have undergone ACL reconstructive surgery may prevent the loss of muscle strength and weakness.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527181322.htm

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Exposure to 'good bacteria' during pregnancy buffers risk of autism-like syndrome

Giving beneficial bacteria to stressed mothers during the equivalent of the third trimester of pregnancy prevents an autism-like disorder in their offspring, according to a new animal study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526173818.htm

Answers to Common Questions About Radiofrequency Ablation For Cancer

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure that relies on electrical energy to kill cancer cells without removing them with surgery. According to Cancer.Org, this technique is most effective in patients with small tumors, or when a cancer patient is not an ideal candidate for surgery. 

Here are some of the most common questions about radiofrequency ablation for cancer:

 

1. How does radiofrequency ablation work? 

A radiologist inserts a thin needle through an incision in the skin near the cancer tissue, guided by a piece of imaging equipment, such as an ultrasound or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This thin needle is charged with high-frequency energy that heats up and kills the cancer cells.

Because it is a minimally invasive procedure, the cancer patient may not need to stay in the facility or clinic although, for some individuals, the RFA might be done in the operating room where the patient is given general anesthesia.

2. What type of cancer is most commonly treated with RFA?

Radiofrequency ablation works best against liver cancer as well as colon cancer with liver metastasis. In general, however, RFA is best for tumors with a diameter of less than one and a half inches.

Doctors usually consider RFA as an option if the patient’s tumor is quite difficult to reach with surgery or if the patient has a medical condition that will make surgery a significant risk. If a patient with liver tumors has had chemotherapy without good results, and it’s not possible to remove the tumors surgically, then an RFA may also be undertaken.

 

3. What can a patient expect to feel during and after the procedure?

There’s a slight pinch on the needle insertion site and the patient may feel some pressure during the insertion of the catheter in the artery or vein. The patient may also feel some discomfort on the site of the incision, but this may be dulled with an anesthetic. 

However, if the doctor decides to sedate the patient, then he or she won’t feel any discomfort. Doctors may need to attach other equipment to your body to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. 

After the procedure, the patient may experience some pain in the IV or injection site, which can be managed with pain medications. Patients will have to be in the recovery room for a few hours, as they may experience nausea when the effect of the anesthesia is wearing off.

At Dr. William’s Atlanta Cancer Institute, patients are carefully screened and assessed to make sure that they are good candidates for the procedure. Our doctors also encourage patients to ask any questions they might have to clear their doubts and ensure full cooperation.

 

Learn more about radiofrequency ablation for cancer at William’s Cancer Institute

Dr. Jason Williams’ approach combines interventional radiology expertise with a high level of knowledge about the science of immunology, cancer, and cancer immunotherapy.

If you are looking for the most advanced and efficient form of cancer treatment, look no further. Dr. Williams is an award-winning and world-renowned physician whose contributions to the cancer field have yielded very promising results.

If you or a loved one have any more questions or need further information about radiofrequency ablation or immunotherapy for cancer, give us a call at Atlanta Cancer Institute

 

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

The post Answers to Common Questions About Radiofrequency Ablation For Cancer appeared first on Williams Cancer Institute.



source https://williamscancerinstitute.com/answers-to-common-questions-about-radiofrequency-ablation-for-cancer/

New understanding of RNA movements can be used to treat cancer

New research shows that an RNA molecule involved in preventing tumor formation can change its structure and thereby control protein production in the cell. The finding can have important clinical implications as it opens for new strategies to treat different types of cancer.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527133149.htm

How do we disconnect from the environment during sleep and under anesthesia?

A series of new studies finds, among other important discoveries, that noradrenaline, a neurotransmitter secreted in response to stress, lies at the heart of our ability to ''shut off'' our sensory responses and sleep soundly.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527105059.htm

Optimal time to treat Huntington's disease identified

The earliest brain changes due to Huntington's disease can be detected 24 years before clinical symptoms show, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526203602.htm

Ear infections discovered in remains of humans living in Levant 15,000 years ago

Researchers have discovered evidence of ear infections in the skull remains of humans living in the Levant some 15,000 years ago.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527150202.htm

More effective human antibodies possible with chicken cells

Antibodies for potential use as medicines can be made rapidly in chicken cells grown in laboratories. Researchers refer to their technique as the human ADLib system, short for autonomously diversifying libraries. The technique automatically builds vast numbers, or libraries, of diverse antibodies using chicken immune system cells' natural method for shuffling their genes.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526145314.htm

Female Gulf War combat veterans have persistent symptoms more than 25 years later

More than a quarter century after the Gulf War, female veterans who saw combat have nearly a twofold risk of reporting more than 20 total medical symptoms, like cognition and respiratory troubles, than their fellow female veterans who were not deployed, investigators report.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526091406.htm

Surgeons study guidelines for treating cancer patients during pandemic

New research provides guidance on clinical decision-making in regards to treating pancreatic cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527133130.htm

Genomic analysis in samples of Neanderthals and modern humans shows a decrease in ADHD-associated genetic variants

The frequency of genetic variants associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has decreased progressively in the evolutionary human lineage from the Paleolithic to the present day, according to new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527123344.htm

Taking inventory of which drugs the world is using to treat COVID-19

New research catalogued every COVID treatment documented in medical literature so far and found physicians have reported on the use of more than 100 different off-label and experimental treatments.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527123339.htm

Mouse model mimics SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans

A mouse model of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reproduces features observed in human patients, researchers report.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527123332.htm

Simple and readily available saline solution can reliably transport COVID-19 samples to testing labs

In the face of dwindling supplies of virus transport media, cheap and readily available phosphate buffered saline can be used to safely store and transport coronavirus samples for up to 18 hours, researchers report.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527123328.htm

Clues to COVID-19 in the brain uncovered in new study

A study reviewing neuroimaging and neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19 may shed light on the virus's impact on the central nervous system.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200527105049.htm

R.I.P. Larry Kramer, 84, Author and AIDS Activist

The playwright and novelist was a cofounder of GMHC and ACT UP.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/rip-larry-kramer-84-author-aids-activist

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Patient notes could offer solution to the 'missing' coronavirus diagnoses

GP's notes currently unavailable to medical researchers could provide clues to help manage major health crises -- like COVID-19. And according to a 'citizens' jury' study at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), the main thing stopping the use of such information -- concerns over patient privacy -- could be overcome.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526145312.htm

Evidence shows cloth masks may help against COVID-19

Researchers examined a century of evidence including recent data, and found strong evidence showing that cloth and cloth masks can reduce contamination of air and surfaces.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526115044.htm

Remdesivir for COVID-19 improves time to recovery, peer-reviewed data shows

Remdesivir is superior to the standard of care for the treatment of COVID-19, according to a preliminary analysis based on data from a randomized, controlled trial. Researchers found that the antiviral was most beneficial for hospitalized patients with severe disease who required supplemental oxygen.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526111257.htm

Public disclosure of COVID-19 cases is more effective than lockdowns, study shows

New research shows South Korea's tech and privacy laws effectively protect the vulnerable while preserving economic stability during the pandemic.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526091413.htm

Dementia gene raises risk of severe COVID-19

Having a faulty gene linked to dementia doubles the risk of developing severe COVID-19, according to a large-scale study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526091412.htm

Beware of false negatives in diagnostic testing of COVID-19

Researchers have found that the chance of a false negative result -- when a virus is not detected in a person who actually is, or recently has been, infected -- is greater than 1 in 5 and, at times, far higher.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526173832.htm

Countering COVID-19 impacts on children from low-income households

The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the social, educational and health care disparities already plaguing the nearly 40 million Americans the US Census Bureau estimates are living in poverty. Perhaps the hardest hit members of that population, say pediatricians, are children from low-income households.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526173830.htm

New drug combination being tested to conquer COVID-19

Researchers hope giving Remdesivir along with a powerful anti-inflammatory could be the key to treating the most severe COVID-19 cases.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526161127.htm

High-strain exercise linked to very early pregnancy loss

In women with a history of miscarriage, higher levels of physical activity were associated with a greater risk of subclinical, or very early, pregnancy loss, according to new research. Among women with confirmed pregnancy, physical activity and miscarriage risk were unrelated.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526161115.htm

Unique insight into development of the human brain: Model of the early embryonic brain

Stem cell researchers have designed a model of an early embryonic brain. The model will increase our understanding of how the human brain develops and can thereby help to accelerate the development of stem cell treatments for brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and dementia.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200525115702.htm

Women with Neanderthal gene give birth to more children

One in three women in Europe inherited the receptor for progesterone from Neanderthals -- a gene variant associated with increased fertility, fewer bleedings during early pregnancy and fewer miscarriages.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526151738.htm

Immune molecule's complex role in Huntington's disease

Knocking out the immune cytokine IL-6 exacerbates symptoms in HD model mice and affects neural connection genes, a new study finds.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526145319.htm

How a protein can inhibit cancer development in mice

In a new study, researchers have discovered how the protein PP2A can inhibit tumor growth in mice. The protein turns off an enzyme that stimulates cell growth, thus inhibiting the development of cancer.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526145316.htm

Novel electric impulses relieve the pain

Chronic pain can be reduced by stimulating the vagus nerve in the ear with electrodes. In a microanatomic study, the human ear has now been analyzed on a micrometer scale. A computer model was created, allowing scientists to find optimal spots and optimal pulse shapes for electric stimulation. The results have now been successfully tested on patients.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526145302.htm

A new law in laser physics could make eye surgery simpler

Revisiting simple soliton lasers and their relationship to light dispersion has allowed scientists to ramp up their power. They hope these quartic-soliton lasers could have uses in eye and heart surgery and in the engineering of delicate materials.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200525115651.htm

Increased usability and precision in vascular imaging

Researchers have developed a new X-ray contrast agent. The contrast agent is easier to use and distributes into all blood vessels more reliably, increasing the precision of vascular imaging. This reduces the number of animals required in research experiments.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526131533.htm

Even natural products can be harmful for the unborn child

Plant products ingested by pregnant women through their diet are broken down by the intestinal microbiota into chemical substances, some of which can cross the placental barrier and reach the fetus. These foreign substances can harm the unborn child, even if they are of 'natural origin'.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526124040.htm

New approach to some mental disorders

Depression, anxiety and PTSD might not be disorders at all, according to biological anthropologists. In the paper, the researchers propose a new approach to mental illness that would be informed by human evolution, noting that modern psychology, and in particular its use of drugs like antidepressants, has largely failed to reduce the prevalence of mental disorders.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526124034.htm

Rejuvenated fibroblasts can recover the ability to contract

A recent study has shown that rejuvenated fibroblasts can recover their ability to self-contract. This encouraging discovery holds great potential for applications in regenerative medicine and stem cell engineering.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526124032.htm

New method reveals where DNA is at risk in the cell

Researchers have developed a new sequencing method that makes it possible to map how DNA is spatially organized in the cell nucleus -- revealing which genomic regions are at higher risk of mutation and DNA damage.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526115038.htm

Inexpensive retinal diagnostics via smartphone

Retinal damage due to diabetes is now considered the most common cause of blindness in working-age adults. In low- and middle-income countries, an eye examination via smartphone could help to detect changes at an early stage.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526111301.htm

Babies know when you imitate them -- and like it

Six-month old infants recognize when adults imitate them, and perceive imitators as more friendly, according to a new study. The babies looked and smiled longer at an adult who imitated them, as opposed to when the adult responded in other ways. Babies also approached them more, and engaged in imitating games.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200526111251.htm

Gilead Mailers Violated HIV Customers’ Privacy, Claims Lawsuit

Envelopes were sent to people in the pharma giant’s patient assistance program for PrEP.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/gilead-mailers-violated-hiv-customers-privacy-claims-lawsuit

Monday, May 25, 2020

Problems with alcohol? 29 gene variants may explain why

A genome-wide analysis of more than 435,000 people has identified 29 genetic variants linked to problematic drinking, researchers report.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200525115653.htm

New double-contrast technique picks up small tumors on MRI

Early detection of tumors is extremely important in treating cancer. A new technique offers a significant advance in using magnetic resonance imaging to pick out even very small tumors from normal tissue.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200525115642.htm

Study reveals first evidence inherited genetics can drive cancer's spread

Scientists have long struggled to understand what drives a tumor to seed itself elsewhere in the body. New research implicates own pre-existing genetics.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200525115641.htm

Immunity to coronaviruses: What do we know so far?

A new article discusses the existing knowledge about immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, and how this could be used to inform virus control strategies.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521112613.htm

Sunday, May 24, 2020

High doses of vitamin D supplementation has no current benefit in preventing or treating COVID-19

Scientists have published a vitamin D consensus paper warning against high doses of vitamin D supplementation as current research shows it has no benefit in preventing or treating Covid-19. Scientists advise that the population adhere to Public Health England guidance on supplementation.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521104641.htm

Higher fiber saves lives, but food processing may remove benefits

Eating more fiber can improve life expectancy for those with diabetes, researchers say. Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, is associated with serious medical complications, and increases the risk of dying from COVID-19.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522113826.htm

No evidence blanket 'do-not-resuscitate' orders for COVID-19 patients are necessary; investigators urge caution

It's inappropriate to consider blanket do-not-resuscitate orders for COVID-19 patients because adequate data is not yet available on US survival rates for in-hospital resuscitation of COVID-19 patients and data from China may not relate to US patients, according to a new article.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522105757.htm

New technology can detect anti-virus antibody in 20 minutes

Researchers have succeeded in detecting anti-avian influenza virus antibody in blood serum within 20 minutes, using a portable analyzer they have developed to conduct rapid on-site bio tests. If a suitable reagent is developed, this technology could be used to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus of COVID-19.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522095506.htm

High stress related to coronavirus is the new normal for many parents, says new APA survey

Nearly half of parents of children under age 18 say their stress levels related to the coronavirus pandemic are high, with managing their kids' online learning a significant source of stress for many, according to a new survey by the American Psychological Association.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521151919.htm

Social isolation linked to more severe COVID-19 outbreaks

Regions of Italy with higher family fragmentation and a high number of residential nursing homes experienced the highest rate of COVID-19 infections in people over age 80, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521151904.htm

Patients with COVID-19 may develop thyroid infection

COVID-19 infection may cause subacute thyroiditis, according to a new case study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521151902.htm

Stroke rates among COVID-19 patients are low, but cases are more severe

The rate of strokes in COVID-19 patients appears relatively low, but a higher proportion of those strokes are presenting in younger people and are often more severe compared to strokes in people who do not have the novel coronavirus, while globally rates for stroke hospitalizations and treatments are significantly lower than for the first part of 2019, according to new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521124648.htm

A replaceable, more efficient filter for N95 masks

Researchers have developed a membrane that can be attached to a regular N95 mask and replaced when needed. The filter has a smaller pore size than normal N95 masks, potentially blocking more virus particles.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521124646.htm

Blood flow recovers faster than brain in micro strokes

Neurobiologists show that increased blood flow to the brain is not an accurate indicator of neuronal recovery after a microscopic stroke.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522145144.htm

Cell reproduction dogma challenged

Meiosis is essential to sexual reproduction. For almost 15 years, it has been commonly held that retinoic acid, a molecule derived from vitamin A, triggers meiosis in mammalian germ cells. Yet new research demonstrates that meiosis in mice begins and proceeds normally even in the absence of retinoic acid. These findings set the stage for new research in the field of reproductive biology.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522145142.htm

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Towable sensor free-falls to measure vertical slices of ocean conditions

Towable sensor free-falls to measure vertical slices of ocean conditions.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521161223.htm

Friday, May 22, 2020

Glucose levels linked to maternal mortality even in non-diabetic women

An elevated pre-pregnancy hemoglobin A1c -- which measures average blood glucose concentration -- is associated with a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes even in women without known diabetes, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522105751.htm

Scientists identify chemicals in noxious weed that 'disarm' deadly bacteria

Scientists have identified specific compounds from the Brazilian peppertree -- a weedy, invasive shrub in Florida -- that reduce the virulence of antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria. This research demonstrates that triterpenoid acids in the red berries of the plant ''disarm'' dangerous staph bacteria by blocking its ability to produce toxins.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521151855.htm

Implantable biosensor operates without batteries

Researchers have revealed their new biodegradable motion sensor -- paving the way for implanted nanotechnology that could help future sports professionals better monitor their movements to aid rapid improvements, or help caregivers remotely monitor people living with dementia.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521115644.htm

Blood pressure lowering reduces risk of developing dementia

Research has shown that lowering blood pressure by taking blood pressure medications reduces the risk of developing dementia and cognitive impairment by 7%.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521112610.htm

A 'switch' that turns autoimmunity drugs into powerful anti-cancer treatments

Scientists have discovered a way to transform antibody drugs previously developed to treat autoimmunity into antibodies with powerful anti-cancer activity through a simple molecular 'switch'.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521112607.htm

Sex bias in pain research

Most pain research remains overwhelmingly based on the study of male rodents, continuing to test hypotheses derived from earlier experiments on males. This points to an important blind spot in pain research, particularly as it relates to advancing research into new pain medications.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521112552.htm

New urine testing method holds promise for kidney stone sufferers

An improved urine-testing system for people suffering from kidney stones inspired by nature may enable patients to receive results within 30 minutes instead of the current turnaround time of a week or more.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522145149.htm

New mobile health tool measures hemoglobin without drawing blood

Researchers have developed a way to use smartphone images of a person's eyelids to assess blood hemoglobin levels. The ability to perform one of the most common clinical lab tests without a blood draw could help reduce the need for in-person clinic visits, make it easier to monitor patients who are in critical condition, and improve care in low- and middle-income countries where access to testing laboratories is limited.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521102110.htm

Scientists find evidence of link between diesel exhaust, risk of Parkinson's

A new study in zebrafish identified the process by which air pollution can damage brain cells, potentially contributing to Parkinson's disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521102104.htm

The self-synthesizing ribosome

As the cell's protein factory, the ribosome is the only natural machine that manufactures its own parts. That is why understanding how the machine, itself, is made, could unlock the door to everything from understanding how life develops to designing new methods of drug production.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521102052.htm

Unconscious: 'Sniff test' predicts recovery of consciousness

If an unconscious person responds to smell through a slight change in their nasal airflow pattern -- they are likely to regain consciousness. This is the conclusion from a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521101947.htm

New insight into allergies could improve diagnosis and treatment

Results from a new study may help to improve the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, pointing to a potential marker of these conditions and a new therapeutic strategy.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520191431.htm

T-cells could be made into better cancer killers by increasing their protein production

Researchers have developed a technique to quantify protein production in immune cells known as T-cells, which typically target and kill cancer cells. However, when near a tumor, most T cells produce little protein and lose their cancer-fighting ability, and the new technique could help clarify why. Interventions could then be developed to restore protein production and allow T cells in the vicinity of tumors to become better cancer killers.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520191419.htm

Placentas from COVID-19-positive pregnant women show injury

In the largest study to examine health of placentas in women who tested positive for COVID-19, findings show placentas from 16 women who tested positive for COVID-19 while pregnant showed evidence of injury, according to pathological exams completed directly following birth.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522113714.htm

No evidence of benefit for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients, study finds

A new study finds that the use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine is linked to increased rates of mortality and heart arrhythmias among hospital patients with COVID-19. The authors suggest that these drug regimens should not be used to treat COVID-19 outside of clinical trials and urgent confirmation from randomised clinical trials is needed.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522113712.htm

First human trial of COVID-19 vaccine finds it is safe and induces rapid immune response

A study of 108 adults finds that the vaccine produced neutralizing antibodies and T-cell response against SARS-CoV-2, but further research is needed to confirm whether the vaccine protects against SARS-COV-2 infection.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522113708.htm

Algal genome provides insights into first land plants

Cornell researchers have sequenced and analyzed the genome of a single-celled alga that belongs to the closest lineage to terrestrial plants and provides many clues to how aquatic plants first colonized land.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200522105746.htm

Brain's 'updating mechanisms' may create false memories

New research is one of the first comprehensive characterizations of poorly formed memories and may offer a framework to explore different therapeutic approaches to fear, memory and anxiety disorders. It may also have implications for accuracy of some witness testimony.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521151837.htm

State Law Allows HIV Disclosure of Recently Deceased

Oklahoma’s governor signed the bill despite objections from LGBT advocates.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/state-law-allows-hiv-disclosure-recently-deceased

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Preventing 'cytokine storm' may ease severe COVID-19 symptoms

A clinical trial in people with the new coronavirus is testing a drug that may halt an overactive immune response before it ramps up.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521165706.htm

Epigenetic mechanisms of blood cell differentiation

In the bone marrow, blood stem cells via precursor cells give rise to a variety of blood cell types with various functions: white blood cells, red blood cells, or blood platelets. In which cell type a cell develops depends on various factors. The correct dosage of the enzyme MOF at the right time triggers developmental programs in blood stem cells and precursor cells, and the cells differentiate into red blood cells.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520151253.htm

Drug combination could eliminate side effects of once-popular diabetes treatment

A new study shows how an effective but largely abandoned treatment for Type 2 diabetes could be used again in combination with another drug to eliminate problematic side effects.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520151248.htm

Family environment affects adolescent brain development

Childhood environment and socioeconomic status affect cognitive ability and brain development during adolescence independently of genetic factors, researchers report. The study demonstrates how important the family environment is, not just during early infancy but also throughout adolescence.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520131330.htm

Heating poppy seeds, but not baking them in muffins, reduces opiate levels

You might have heard the advice to avoid eating a poppy seed bagel or muffin before a drug screen, lest you test positive for opiates. This urban legend is rooted in truth because the tiny black seeds contain small amounts of morphine and codeine that can show up in a drug test. Now, researchers have studied how different treatments affect levels of opiates in poppy seeds.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520125010.htm

Inspiring stories from women like themselves helped these moms improve their diet

When researchers asked prospective study participants who they would like to see in videos promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, the answer was unequivocal: They wanted to see themselves -- that is, other mothers living in low-income households who were overweight or obese. The researchers obliged. And the intervention they designed produced the desired results when it came to improving participants' diet.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520124943.htm

Obesity not related to how close you live to fast food or gyms

A new study has shown no correlation between obesity and how close you live to fast food restaurants or gyms. Studies from other countries have previously indicated that these factors may be important in adult obesity.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520124936.htm

Got Vitamin D? It May Mean Less Severe COVID-19

The “sunshine” vitamin may help the immune system fight the virus and avoid severe respiratory distress.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/vitamin-D-protects-COVID-19-illness

Measuring blood damage

Red blood cells sometimes rupture when blood is sent through faulty equipment, such as a dialysis machine. This is called hemolysis. Hemolysis also can occur during blood work when blood is drawn too quickly through a needle, leading to defective laboratory samples. Researchers have now developed a method to monitor blood damage in real-time.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521124644.htm

Adding a blend of spices to a meal may help lower inflammation

Researchers found that adding six grams of spices to a meal high in fat and carbohydrates resulted in lower inflammation markers hours later.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521115627.htm

Legal cannabis hemp oil effectively treats chronic neuropathic pain

Researchers examine the effectiveness of consuming hemp oil extracted from the whole cannabis plant using a chronic neuropathic pain animal model. Researchers showed that legal cannabis hemp oil reduced mechanical pain sensitivity 10-fold for several hours in mice with chronic post-operative neuropathic pain.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520131325.htm

R.I.P. Nita Pippins, a Mother to Many Dealing With AIDS

She moved to New York in 1987 to care for a dying son. Read a touching 2007 tribute by a former POZ staffer.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/rip-nita-pippins-mother-many-dealing-aids

Scientists identify gene linked to thinness that may help resist weight gain

Researchers used a genetic database of more than 47,000 people in Estonia to identify a gene linked to thinness that may play a role in resisting weight gain in metabolically healthy thin people. They show that knocking out this gene results in thinner flies and mice and find that expression of it in the brain may be involved in regulating energy expenditure.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521112617.htm

Environmental contaminants alter gut microbiome, health

The microbes that inhabit our bodies are influenced by what we eat, drink, breathe and absorb through our skin, and most of us are chronically exposed to natural and human-made environmental contaminants. Scientists review the research linking dozens of environmental chemicals to changes in the gut microbiome and associated health challenges.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521112605.htm

Genetic barcodes can ensure authentic DNA fingerprints

Engineers have demonstrated a method for ensuring that an increasingly popular method of genetic identification called ''DNA fingerprinting'' remains secure against inadvertent mistakes or malicious attacks in the field. The technique relies on introducing genetic ''barcodes'' to DNA samples as they are collected and securely sending information crucial to identifying these barcodes to technicians in the laboratory.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200521112554.htm

Not all multiple sclerosis-like diseases are alike

Scientists say some myelin-damaging disorders have a distinctive pathology that groups them into a unique disease entity.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519093412.htm

Climate change will bring bigger swings in European summer temperatures

Global average temperatures are set to increase under climate change, but temperature deviations in relation to this average will not be affected in the same way. Instead, hotter or colder deviations will become more or less likely in different regions in different seasons. This study fills in some of the gaps about how climate change will affect summer and winter temperatures in the northern hemisphere.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144924.htm

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Nanobowls serve up chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells

For decades, scientists have explored the use of liposomes -- hollow spheres made of lipid bilayers -- to deliver chemotherapy drugs to tumor cells. But drugs can sometimes leak out of liposomes before they reach their destination, reducing the dose received by the tumor and causing side effects in healthy tissues. Now, researchers report a way to stabilize liposomes by embedding a stiff nanobowl in their inner cavity.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520084129.htm

RNA molecules in maternal blood may predict pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia

Researchers have identified small molecules in the blood of asymptomatic pregnant women that may predict risk for preeclampsia, responsible for a significant proportion of maternal and neonatal deaths, low birth weight and is a primary cause of premature birth.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519144404.htm

Simple question can lead to remedy for older adults' dizziness and impaired balance

Does lying down or turning over in bed make you feel dizzy? This simple question effectively identifies whether a person suffers from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which is harmless and treatable, recent research shows.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520120730.htm

Exercise improves memory, boosts blood flow to brain

Scientists have collected plenty of evidence linking exercise to brain health, with some research suggesting fitness may even improve memory. But what happens during exercise to trigger these benefits?

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520084123.htm

Replacing time spent sitting with sleep or light activity may improve your mood

New research found that substituting prolonged sedentary time with sleep was associated with lower stress, better mood and lower body mass index (BMI), and substituting light physical activity was associated with improved mood and lower BMI across the next year.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200520124958.htm

Lab engineers 3D-functional bone tissues

Scientists have developed a highly printable bioink as a platform to generate anatomical-scale functional tissues.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519140407.htm

Emerging viral diseases causing serious issues in west Africa

In a new study, researchers call attention to the emergence of mosquito-borne viral outbreaks in West Africa, such as dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519140401.htm

Image analysis technique provides better understanding of heart cell defects

Many patients with heart disease face limited treatment options. Fortunately, stem cell biology has enabled researchers to produce large numbers of cardiomyocytes, which may be used in drug screens and cell-based therapies. However, current image analysis techniques don't allow researchers to analyze heterogeneous, multidirectional, striated myofibrils typical of immature cells. Researchers showcase an algorithm that combines gradient methods with fast Fourier transforms to quantify myofibril structures in heart cells.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519114231.htm

Potential drug treatment targets for alcohol-related liver disease

A team of researchers has uncovered key molecular step stones in ALD that may provide targets for drug therapy development.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519165855.htm

Landmark recommendations on development of artificial intelligence and the future of global health

A landmark review of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of global health calls on the global health community to establish guidelines for development and deployment of new technologies and to develop a human-centered research agenda to facilitate equitable and ethical use of AI.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519165844.htm

Scientists eliminate drug side effects by manipulating molecular chirality

Scientists have developed a novel technique that can produce pure therapeutic drugs without the associated side effects.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519101320.htm

Looking for Updated Info on HIV Crime Cases and Laws?

The HIV Justice Network revamped its website to include a Global HIV Criminalization Database.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/looking-updated-info-hiv-crime-cases-laws

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Subcellular chatter regulates longevity

As people get older, they often feel less energetic, mobile or active. This may be due in part to a decline in mitochondria, the tiny powerhouses inside of our cells, which provide energy and regulate metabolism. In fact, mitochondria decline with age not only in humans, but in many species. Why they do so is not well understood. Scientists set out to understand how mitochondrial function is diminished with age and to find factors that prevent this process. They found that communication between mitochondria and other parts of the cell plays a key role.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519140427.htm

How to improve the pneumococcus vaccine

Pneumococcus kills 1 million children annually according to the World Health Organization. The key to the pathogen's virulence is its thick sugar capsule, which is also the active ingredient in vaccines. Different strains have different capsules. Researchers just identified a new capsule for the pneumococcus -- the 100th to be found after more than a century of research on the pathogen.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519090310.htm

Dairy-rich diet linked to lower risks of diabetes and high blood pressure

Eating at least two daily servings of dairy is linked to lower risks of diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as the cluster of factors that heighten cardiovascular disease risk (metabolic syndrome), finds a large international study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518184910.htm

Location, location, location: The cell membrane facilitates RAS protein interactions

Many cancer medications fail to effectively target the most commonly mutated cancer genes in humans, called RAS. Now, scientists have uncovered details into how normal RAS interacts with mutated RAS and other proteins in living cells for the first time. The findings could aid in the development of better RAS-targeted cancer therapeutics.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518184906.htm

Cavity-causing bacteria assemble an army of protective microbes on human teeth

It's not just the presence of bacteria that can lead to disease; their spatial arrangement also matters. When scientists examined the bacteria that causes tooth decay, they found it 'shields' itself under blankets of sugars and other bacteria in a crown-like arrangement, helping it evade antimicrobials and concentrate its tooth-damaging acids.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518154937.htm

Early visual experience drives precise alignment of cortical networks for binocular vision

Researchers identify three distinct cortical representations that develop independent of visual experience but undergo experience-dependent reshaping, an essential part of cortical network alignment and maturation.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144951.htm

Protein shapes matter in Alzheimer's research

Even a small change may cause long-term consequences. For amyloid beta peptides, a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, a common chemical modification at a particular location on the molecule has a butterfly effect that leads to protein misfolding, aggregation and cellular toxicity.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519165853.htm

South Asia faces increased threat of extreme heat, extreme pollution, study shows

Scientists know that extreme heat has a negative impact on the human body -- causing distress in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems -- and they know that extreme air pollution can also have serious effects. But as climate change impacts continue globally, how often will humans be threatened by both of those extremes when they occur simultaneously?

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144930.htm

Mindfulness training shows promise for people with MS

New research suggests mindfulness training may help multiple sclerosis patients in two very different ways: regulating negative emotions and improving processing speed. People with MS who underwent the four-week mindfulness training not only improved more compared to those who did nothing - they also improved compared to those who tried another treatment, called adaptive cognitive training.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144912.htm

Cancer researchers locate drivers of tumor resistance

How do tumors change their behavior and resist anticancer therapies? Cancer biologists have documented genetic signals that promote the conversion of cancer cells into those that resist therapy.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144906.htm

Is your job killing you? Stress, lack of autonomy, ability can lead to depression, death

A new study finds that our mental health and mortality have a strong correlation with the amount of autonomy we have at our job, our workload and job demands, and our cognitive ability to deal with those demands.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200519165842.htm

A deeper connection to hyaline fibromatosis syndrome

Scientists have uncovered the molecular biology behind Hyaline Fibromatosis Syndrome, a severe genetic disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518111737.htm

Genome study links DNA changes to the risks of specific breast cancer subtypes

An analysis of genetic studies covering 266,000 women has revealed 32 new sites on the human genome where variations in DNA appear to alter the risks of getting breast cancer.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144849.htm

Maintaining heart health may protect against cognitive decline

People with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease have increased cognitive decline, including an increase in typical markers of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that monitoring and controlling for heart disease may be key to maintaining and improving cognitive health later in life.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144842.htm

COVID-19: Study reports 'staggering' death rate in U.S. among those infected who show symptoms

A new study finds the national U.S. rate of death among people infected with the novel coronavirus -- SARS-CoV-2 -- that causes COVID-19 and who show symptoms is 1.3 percent, the study found. The comparable rate of death for the seasonal flu is 0.1 percent.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144915.htm

Technology makes brain and other tissues elastic and lasting for easier imaging

By making brain and other tissues reversibly stretchable or compressible, a new technology called 'ELAST' allows labeling probes to infuse more quickly.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518111632.htm

Climate change threatens progress in cancer control

Climate change threatens prospects for further progress in cancer prevention and control, increasing exposure to cancer risk factors and impacting access to cancer care, according to a new commentary.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518090017.htm

National Hepatitis Testing Day 2020

Be #HepAware2020 and learn the ABCs of viral hepatitis.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/national-hepatitis-testing-day-2020

National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2020

#NAPIHAAD hopes to break down one of the biggest barriers to discussing HIV among these communities: stigma.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/national-asian-pacific-islander-hivaids-awareness-day-2020

Monday, May 18, 2020

Aluminum may affect lead levels in drinking water

Until recently, researchers have not inspected the interplay between three common chemicals found in drinking water. Research has now found they all affect each other and a closer look is needed.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518162633.htm

Scientists inject proteins into eukaryontic cells

When bacteria such as Salmonella or Yersinia cause fever, diarrhea or abdominal pain, tiny "injection needles" are at work: their type 3 secretion system, or T3SS for short, shoots bacterial virulence proteins directly into the eukaryotic host cells. Researchers have thought of using bacterial injection devices to introduce proteins into eukaryotic cells. A research team has now succeeded in controlling the injection system optogenetically, i.e. with light. In the future this will enable to use the system in biotechnological or medical applications.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518111634.htm

Brain-to-gut connections traced

Using rabies virus injected into the stomach of rats, researchers trace the nerves back to the brain and find distinct 'fight or flight' and 'rest and digest' circuits. These results explain how mental states can affect the gut, and present new ways to treat gastrointestinal problems.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518154939.htm

Releasing molecular 'brake' kick-starts immune cell function

The immune system's ability to marshal specialized cells to fight off infection relies in part on tiny molecules called microRNAs, which act as a release for the 'brakes' that keep cells dormant until needed, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144928.htm

A new tool to map the flow of info within living cells

Researchers created a way to study the intricacies of intercellular signaling -- when, where, and how tiny parts of cells communicate -- to make cells move. The work provides insights into the movement mechanisms in healthy cells and what these change might look like disease states, such as cancer metastasis.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144917.htm

Scientists find brain center that 'profoundly' shuts down pain

A research team has found a small area of the brain in mice that can profoundly control the animals' sense of pain. Somewhat unexpectedly, this brain center turns pain off, not on. It's located in an area where few people would have thought to look for an anti-pain center, the amygdala, which is often considered the home of negative emotions and responses, like the fight or flight response and general anxiety.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518145008.htm

Engineers develop low-cost, high-accuracy GPS-like system for flexible medical robots

Roboticists have developed an affordable, easy to use system to track the location of flexible surgical robots inside the human body. The system performs as well as current state of the art methods, but is much less expensive. Many current methods also require exposure to radiation, while this system does not.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518111721.htm

Aging neurons accumulate DNA damage

Neuroscientists have discovered that an enzyme called HDAC1 is critical for repairing age-related DNA damage to genes involved in memory and other cognitive functions. HDAC1 is often diminished in both Alzheimer's patients and in normally aging adults, and the study suggests restoring it could have positive benefits for both groups.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518090030.htm

Yes, COVID-19 Causes Symptoms Besides Fever and Cough

The updated symptom list includes muscle pain, sore throat and loss of taste or smell.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/yes-covid19-causes-symptoms-besides-fever-cough

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day 2020 [VIDEO]

Anthony Fauci has a few words on the topic. Plus, how COVID-19 has affected HIV vaccine research.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/hiv-vaccine-awareness-day-2020-video

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Foolproof new test to track the fats we eat

A team of researchers has developed a reliable and accurate blood test to track individual fat intake, a tool that could guide public health policy on healthy eating.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515115643.htm

Binge drinkers beware, Drunkorexia is calling

Mojito, appletini or a simple glass of fizz -- they may take the edge off a busy day, but if you find yourself bingeing on more than a few, you could be putting your physical and mental health at risk according new research.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515103916.htm

Retinal texture could provide early biomarker of Alzheimer's disease

Biomedical engineers have devised a new imaging device capable of measuring both the thickness and texture of the various layers of the retina. The advance could be used to detect a biomarker of Alzheimer's disease, potentially offering a widespread early warning system for the disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514164254.htm

Designing vaccines from artificial proteins

Scientists have developed a new computational approach to create artificial proteins, which showed promising results in vivo as functional vaccines. This approach opens the possibility to engineer safer and more effective vaccines.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514143540.htm

'Metabolic signature' can determine adherence to Mediterranean diet, help predict CVD risk

A newly identified 'metabolic signature' can evaluate an individual's adherence and metabolic response to the Mediterranean diet and help predict future risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514143535.htm

New research into stem cell mutations could improve regenerative medicine

Research has given new insight into the cause of mutations in pluripotent stem cells and potential ways of stopping these mutations from occurring.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514143533.htm

Decoding the massively complex gut microbiome

For something that has evolved with us over millions of years, and remains part of our physiology over our entire lives, our gut microbiome, oddly, remains somewhat of a mystery. Comprised of trillions of microbes of at least a thousand different species, this community of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi in our gastrointestinal tracts is unique to each individual and has been found to be intimately connected to various fundamental aspects of our fitness, from our immunity to our metabolism and mental health.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115847.htm

Proper synaptic joint will get you good night’s sleep

A research team has reported in vivo findings that a certain presynaptic cell adhesion molecule named is crucial for the development of synapses in the developing brain.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115832.htm

Repurposed drug helps obese mice lose weight, improve metabolic function

An off-label experiment in mice using disulfiram, which has been used to treat alcohol use disorder for more than 50 years, consistently normalized body weight and reversed metabolic damage in obese middle-aged mice of both sexes.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115817.htm

One-two punch may help fight against Salmonella

Researchers found that dephostatin does not kill Salmonella or stop it from growing. Instead, dephostatin prevents Salmonella from causing infection in two ways: it blocks its ability to resist being killed by immune cells and it enhances its sensitivity to colistin.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115815.htm

Vitamin B3 revitalizes energy metabolism in muscle disease

Scientists have reported that vitamin B3, niacin, has therapeutic effect in progressive muscle disease. Niacin delayed disease progression in patients with mitochondrial myopathy, a progressive disease with no previous curative treatments.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115802.htm

Minimum legal age for cannabis use should be 19, study suggests

The optimal minimum legal age for non-medical cannabis use is 19 years of age, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200513200400.htm

Designing flexible and stretchable single crystal electronic systems

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in collaboration with a Purdue team have discovered that certain crystals are more flexible and stretchable compared to current materials used for electronic applications. These new materials could therefore be used for making sensors and in robotics.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200513171136.htm

Friday, May 15, 2020

Further evidence does not support hydroxychloroquine for patients with COVID-19

The anti-inflammatory drug hydroxychloroquine does not significantly reduce admission to intensive care or death in patients hospitalized with pneumonia due to COVID-19, finds a study from France. And a randomized clinical trial from China shows that hospitalized patients with mild to moderate persistent covid-19 who received hydroxychloroquine did not clear the virus more quickly than those receiving standard care.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515174441.htm

Quantifying the impact of interventions in COVID-19 pandemic

Since the beginning of March, public life in Germany has been severely restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Following the encouraging decline in the number of new cases of COVID-19, the debate on the effectiveness of interventions taken to date and on further relaxation of the restrictions is meanwhile gaining momentum.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515103918.htm

Detailed analysis of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 bodes well for COVID-19 vaccine

A new study documents a robust antiviral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in a group of 20 adults who had recovered from COVID-19. The findings show that the body's immune system is able to recognize SARS-CoV-2 in many ways, dispelling fears that the virus may elude ongoing efforts to create an effective vaccine.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515092007.htm

Global spread of the multi-resistant pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Researchers have found a remarkable global spread of strains of a multi-resistant bacterium that can cause severe infections -- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The study provides for the first time a systematic understanding of the global phylogeny of S. maltophilia strains and shows ways to efficiently monitor the pathogen using a genomic classification system.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115736.htm

Model of critical infrastructures reveals vulnerabilities

Researchers developed a computer simulation that revealed beef supply chain vulnerabilities that need safeguarding -- a realistic concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515115648.htm

Social good creates economic boost

As unemployment rates skyrocket around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study out of Australia and Sweden has found social venture start-ups not only alleviate social problems but are also much more important for job creation than previously thought.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515103922.htm

COVID-19 infection control, radiographer protection in CT exam areas

Radiologists from Shanghai discuss modifying exam process and disinfecting exam room, while outlining personal protection measures during the coronavirus disease outbreak.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515135407.htm

Blood clotting abnormalities reveal COVID-19 patients at risk for thrombotic events

A new article highlights early research on blood clotting evaluation work that may help identify and treat dangerous complications of the infection.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515131909.htm

Heart attacks, heart failure, stroke: COVID-19's dangerous cardiovascular complications

A new guide from emergency medicine doctors details the potentially deadly cardiovascular complications COVID-19 can cause.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515115644.htm

Antiviral drug can speed up recovery of COVID-19 patients, study shows

Research shows for the first time that interferon-alpha2b improves virus clearance and decreases levels of inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200515103925.htm

SARS lessons for COVID-19 vaccine design

Important lessons learned from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2002-2003 could inform and guide vaccine design for COVID-19, according to a new article.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115834.htm

$350K in Grants for 16 Trans-Led Groups Fighting HIV

Gilead Sciences provides the funds through its TRANScend initiative; Destination Tomorrow in the Bronx distributes them.


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/350k-grants-16-transled-groups-fighting-hiv

Malaria parasite ticks to its own internal clock

Researchers have long known that all of the millions of malaria parasites within an infected person's body move through their cell cycle at the same time. They multiply in sync inside red blood cells, then burst out in unison every few days. But how the parasites keep time was unclear. Now, a study finds that malaria has its own internal clock that causes thousands of genes to ramp up and down at regular intervals.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514143538.htm

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Advantages of Intratumoral Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment

Intratumoral immunotherapy is a revolutionary cancer treatment that makes use of sophisticated antibodies, which are directly injected into the cancer tumors, instead of intravenously.

This new cancer treatment immunotherapy can dramatically improve a cancer patient’s response rate, along with many other advantages.

 

Tumor against itself

The word itself, intratumoral, means within a tumor. Experts think that the best way to cure cancer is to use what’s already in the patient’s body, which means using cancer against itself. 

A cancer patient’s immune system may target cancer cells and kill them before they overrun the body. However, the immune system sometimes needs a little nudge and this is where intratumoral immunotherapy could help. 

According to experts, intratumoral immunotherapy optimizes cancer cells to work like a vaccine. It also inhibits the growth of the tumor as the tumor cells are injected with antibodies.

This process allows the patient to have cancer treatments with few side effects, unlike other methods. This also cuts the cost of expensive cancer treatments, while giving patients higher chances of survival and longer life.

 

How Does Intratumoral Immunotherapy Work? 

After the ablation of the tumor deposits either by heating or freezing, any non-viable cells that remain in the patient’s body may be used to stimulate the immune system with intratumoral immunotherapy. Doctors will use an -OX40 agonist combined with other types of cancer medication or vaccine — such as CpG, ipilimumab, and ketorolac — for the therapy, as in the case of stage 4 breast cancer patient with two liver metastases. 

In this case, following the therapy, a CT scan was performed on the patient six weeks after the procedure, and a positron emission tomography (PET) scan with a CT scan was also done 12 weeks after the therapy. The results showed that the cancer tumors were no longer found in the body, and the liver metastases had rescinded. 

 

Can Intratumoral Immunotherapy Work With Other Therapies?

Patients who are undergoing intravenous immunotherapy may consider intratumoral immunotherapy to enhance their treatments or add this to their radiation treatments or chemotherapy. According to experts, combination treatments are actually helpful, cost-effective, and safer for cancer patients since the therapy is more targeted. Furthermore, the effects of immunotherapy and ablation, when combined, are synergistic.

Cancer treatments, in general, open different challenges both in the clinical and economic sense. Some patients also respond better to specific therapies than other patients. We strongly encourage patients to discuss their options thoroughly with our doctors at Williams Cancer Institute before proceeding with the treatments.

Learn more about intratumoral immunotherapy at Williams Cancer Institute

Dr. Jason Williams’ approach combines interventional radiology expertise with a high level of knowledge about the science of immunology, cancer, and cancer immunotherapy.

If you are looking for the most advanced and efficient form of cancer treatment, look no further. Our new cancer treatment immunotherapy has yielded very promising results.

If you or a loved one have any more questions or need information about this new cancer treatment, immunotherapy for cancer, OX40 cancer immunotherapy, or cd40 cancer immunotherapy, give us a call at Williams Cancer Institute. 

 

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

The post Advantages of Intratumoral Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment appeared first on Williams Cancer Institute.



source https://williamscancerinstitute.com/advantages-of-intratumoral-immunotherapy-in-cancer-treatment/

Misleading information in 1 in 4 most viewed YouTube COVID-19 videos in English, study finds

More than one in four of the most viewed COVID-19 videos on YouTube in spoken English contains misleading or inaccurate information, reveals the first study of its kind.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200513200408.htm

Infecting the mind: Burnout in health care workers during COVID-19

Doctors and nurses across the country are experiencing occupational burnout and fatigue from the increased stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A team of researchers and medical professionals are working together to fight two afflictions: COVID-19 and the mental strain experienced by medical professionals.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200513143749.htm

In victory over polio, hope for the battle against COVID-19

Medicine's great triumph over polio holds out hope we can do the same for COVID-19, two researchers say.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200513135507.htm

People With COVID-19 Unite to Document Recovery

Four key findings mined from patient-led research by the Body Politic COVID-19 Support Group


from POZ RSS - Categories https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/people-covid19-unite-document-recovery

Researchers discover potential targets for COVID-19 therapy

Researchers were able to observe how human cells change upon infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19 in people. The scientists tested a series of compounds in laboratory models and found some which slowed down or stopped virus reproduction. These results now enable the search for an active substance to be narrowed down to a small number of already approved drugs.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115411.htm

Lack of COVID-19 preparedness in line with previous findings, economists find

The threat of a catastrophic pandemic in 2014 -- the West African Ebola outbreak -- did little to change the perception of US citizens regarding the importance of preparing for future outbreaks, say experts.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115734.htm

Newly emerged coronavirus did not spill over from scaly anteaters, researchers say

Mammals known as scaly anteaters are natural hosts of coronaviruses, but are not likely the direct source of the recent outbreak in humans, according to a new study.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514143546.htm

Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and major diseases at the same time

Researchers, politicians and funding bodies find themselves in front of a unique situation: The mounting pressure to accelerate and intensify efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic while handling the growing threat from all other diseases endangering our society. This balancing and how well the scientific community will respond to it will define health across the globe for years to come, argue scientists in a new commentary.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514143524.htm

Study tracks COVID-19 spread in pediatric dialysis unit

As COVID-19 continues its sweep around the globe, dialysis units have continued to be hotspots for the virus' spread. Researchers hope to combat that threat, through a novel study that used antibody testing on patients, doctors, nurses and staff within the unit to track symptomatic and asymptomatic spread in a confined space.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514143519.htm

Surplus antioxidants are pathogenic for hearts and skeletal muscle

Oxidative stress can be pathological. Now researchers report that the other end of the redox spectrum, reductive stress, is also pathological. Reductive stress causes pathological heart enlargement and diastolic dysfunction in a mouse model.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514143510.htm

Discovery of malaria parasite's clock could pave way to new treatments

The parasite that causes malaria has its own internal clock, explaining the disease's rhythmic fevers and opening new pathways for therapeutics.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514143537.htm

The exposome: When our environment drives health and disease

The exposome is the sum of all the environmental drivers of health and diseases: a combination of external factors such as chemicals contained in the air, water or food, and of internal components produced by our organism in response to various stress factors. This very complex set of elements is continually evolving, and to map it fully is a challenging undertaking.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115742.htm

New guidance related to COVID-19 and stroke care

Researchers have published more than 40 new recommendations for evaluating and treating stroke patients based on international research examining the link between stroke and novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514131731.htm

Unlocking the gate to the millisecond CT

Researchers have developed a new multi-beam method for conducting CT scans that improve image quality whilst drastically cutting the required time to one millisecond.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514131725.htm

Can COVID-19 spread through fecal matter?

Early studies show evidence of COVID-19 genetic material in fecal matter, but more work is needed to determine if the virus can be spread through stool, according to a new review paper.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514131710.htm

Study confirms cats can become infected with and may transmit COVID-19 to other cats

Scientists report that in the laboratory, cats can readily become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and may be able to pass the virus to other cats.

from Health & Medicine News -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200514115836.htm