Daily Health News

Ritalin boosts learning by increasing brain plasticity

Doctors treat millions of children with Ritalin every year to improve their ability to focus on tasks, but scientists now report that Ritalin also directly enhances the speed of

Most early-stage breast cancer patients may not need radiation after mastectomy

Breast cancer patients with early stage disease that has spread to only one lymph node may not benefit from radiation after mastectomy, because of the low present-day risk of recurrence following modern surgery and systemic therapy, a finding that could one day change the course of treatment for thousands of women diagnosed each year, according to

Predicting the fate of stem cells: New method decodes cell movements, accurately predicts how cells will divide

Researchers have discovered a new method for predicting -- with up to 99 percent accuracy -- the fate of stem cells. Using advanced computer vision technology to detect subtle cell movements that are impossible to discern with the human eye, scientists can successfully forecast how a stem cell will split and what key characteristics the daughter cells will

Food allergy-related disorder linked to master allergy gene

Scientists have identified a region of a human chromosome that is associated with eosinophilic esophagitis, a recently recognized allergic disease. People with EoE frequently have difficulty eating or may be allergic to one or more foods. This study further suggests that a suspected so-called master allergy gene may play a role in the development of this rare but debilitating

An improved method for calculating tumor growth

When treating cancer, it is an advantage to know the rate of growth of the cancer tumor. The standard method currently used to determine tumor growth, however, is erroneous, according to researchers who have developed a new

Intestinal bacteria drive obesity and metabolic disease in immune-altered mice

Mice lacking a gene called TLR5 have an altered ability to recognize and control bacteria in their intestines, leading them to develop obesity and insulin resistance, which is often referred to as "pre-diabetes." The bacteria appear to influence appetite and metabolism rather than how well calories are absorbed. Obesity and insulin resistance can be transferred from TLR5-deficient mice via intestinal

Electromagnetic pulses provide pain relief for osteoarthritis, study suggests

Electromagnetic pulses significantly decrease pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, according to new research. In the double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study, 34 patients used a portable battery-operated device that emits a low-intensity pulsating electromagnetic frequency and experienced more than 40 percent pain relief on their first

3-D hand movement reconstructed using brain signals: Future portable prosthetic devices for movement-impaired

Researchers have successfully reconstructed 3-D hand motions from brain signals recorded in a non-invasive way. This finding uses a technique that may open new doors for portable brain-computer interface systems. Such a non-invasive system could potentially operate a robotic arm or motorized wheelchair -- a huge advance for people with disabilities or

Why do physicians order costly CTs? Ultrasound yields better diagnosis, safer, less costly, expert argues

In an eye-opening editorial, a leading expert urges the medical community to use ultrasound instead of computed tomography as the first-line imaging test for better diagnosis capability in the evaluation of acute female pelvic and lower abdominal

Major depression more than doubles risk of dementia among adults with diabetes

Adults with both depression and diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those with diabetes alone. Earlier studies have shown that depression alone is a risk factor for dementia, and that diabetes itself is a dementia risk factor. Researchers found even greater risk of dementia in people with both conditions. The mechanisms behind this increased risk are not yet clear. The researchers suggest that physicians screen and treat their diabetes patients for depression, which is common in people with

Genome-wide study of alcohol dependence points to chromosome 11

Both genetic and environmental factors affect susceptibility to alcohol dependence (AD). To date, researchers have identified several genes associated with AD. Findings from a new genome-wide association study support an association between AD and a cluster of genes on chromosome

New basis for drug development: Structure determination of biomolecules in their natural environment

Scientists in Germany have developed a new strategy allowing them to determine the spatial structure of biomolecules in solution. The method is flexible and generally applicable to obtaining structural information for signal forwarding pathways in the cell or in the regulation of gene

Trial launched to test new treatment for pre-invasive breast cancer

Can a drug that has been used to treat malaria for years possibly be used to treat breast cancer before it becomes invasive? That's what researchers are now trying to

Virus infections may be contributing factor in onset of gluten intolerance

Recent research findings indicate a possible connection between virus infections, the immune system and the onset of gluten intolerance, also known as celiac

Vitamins stored in bathrooms, kitchens may become less effective

High humidity present in bathrooms and kitchens could be degrading the vitamins and health supplements stored in those rooms, even if the lids are on tight, a new study shows. Crystalline substances are prone to a process called deliquescence, in which humidity causes a water-soluble solid to dissolve. Keeping vitamins and supplements away from warm, humid environments can help ensure their

Personalized medicine in warfarin therapy

Researchers have developed a rapid, multiplexed genotyping method to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect warfarin

Canine health may parallel community health

The family dog may not only be a friendly companion but also a reflection of community

Studies on nutrients, gene expression could lead to tailored diets for disease prevention

A new research article examines the potential for nutrigenomics, a field that studies the effects of food on gene expression. The researchers discussed the possibility of using food to prevent an individual's genes from expressing disease. They said nutrigenomics could completely change the future of public health and the food and culinary

Icecold calculations: How much cold can we actually tolerate without it affecting our performance?

Researchers in Norway are gathering physiological data on how we react to cold. These data will give scientists the expertise they need to develop what they call "advanced protection" for persons who operate in our most severe climate zones, such as Siberia and the

New strategy develops two prototype drugs against cancer, retinal diseases

A comprehensive drug development strategy that starts with extensive screening of potential targeting peptides to identify prototype small-molecule drugs has produced two that target the EGFR and VEGFR pathways in novel

How nanosized particles may affect skin care products

The rapidly growing field of nanotechnology and its future use in cosmetic products holds both enormous potential and potential concern for consumers. Currently, major cosmetic manufacturers have imposed a voluntary ban on the use of nanoparticles in products while they await a ruling from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the safety of this technology. However, these manufacturers know that when ingredients in products such as sunscreens and anti-aging products are converted into nano-sized particles, the end product displays unique properties that can benefit the skin in ways that otherwise could not be achieved using larger-sized

Eliminating junk foods at schools may help prevent childhood obesity

New policies that eliminate sugary beverages and junk foods from schools may help slow childhood obesity, according to a new

Breakthrough reveals blood vessel cells are key to growing unlimited amounts of adult stem cells

In a leap toward making stem cell therapy widely available, researchers have discovered that endothelial cells, the most basic building blocks of the vascular system, produce growth factors that can grow copious amounts of adult stem cells and their progeny over the course of weeks. Until now, adult stem cell cultures would die within four or five days despite best efforts to grow

Small molecule with high impact: Researchers examine new adjuvant to improve vaccinations

Researchers in Germany have found a new molecule with the capacity of improving responses to vaccines. The synthetic compound, the so-called c-di-IMP, might be more than just a potent vaccine enhancer. The scientists expect to create new vaccination strategies based on

Can blood-pressure cuffs work? Novel ways to limit stroke damage

Can using a simple blood-pressure cuff limit damage from strokes caused by decreased blood supply to the brain? An emerging field of study is working to see whether using this blood-pressure cuff or other methods of "training the brain" could help reduce damage from a stroke as it is occurring while a patient is being transported to the

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