Dear Subscriber,
Welcome to today's Medical News Today News Alert containing today's medical news headlines for your chosen categories. You will only receive these alerts when new news is available for your chosen categories.
To unsubscribe from our news alerts, or to alter any of your subscription details (name,e-mail address etc) please see
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/newsalerts.php?changemydetails=y .
----------------------------------------------
** ALZHEIMER'S / DEMENTIA News **
UF Study Uncovers Key Factor In Alzheimer's Progression
http://mnt.to/a/4cXN
A new study from researchers at the University of Florida may have uncovered a critical factor that drives the relentless progression of Alzheimer's disease - a discovery that could eventually slow its progression.
Study Suggests Glucocerebrosidase Gene Mutations Are Risk Factor For Dementia With Lewy Bodies
http://mnt.to/a/4cXf
A study by Michael A. Nalls, Ph.D., of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, and colleagues suggests mutations in glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) are a risk factor for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).
Study Suggests Home-Based Exercise Beneficial For Patients With Alzheimer Disease
http://mnt.to/a/4cX9
A randomized controlled trial by Kaisu H. Pitkala, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Helsinki, Finland, and colleagues suggests an intensive and long-term exercise program has beneficial effects on the physical functioning of patients with Alzheimer Disease without increasing costs of health and social services or causing any significant adverse effects.
UM Researchers Help Identify New Gene Associated With Alzheimer's Disease in African Americans
http://mnt.to/a/4cX3
Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine collaborated with an international team to identify a new gene associated with Alzheimer's disease in African Americans. Published April 10 in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association, their study, "Variants in the ATP-binding cassette transporter, ABCA7, and the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele substantially and equally influence risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease in African Americans," provides new directions for biological, genetic and therapeutic studies of Alzheimer's disease.
Inflammation Following Traumatic Brain Injury May Increase Risk For Dementia Later In Life
http://mnt.to/a/4cWM
Even a mild injury to the brain can have long lasting consequences, including increased risk of cognitive impairment later in life. While it is not yet known how brain injury increases risk for dementia, there are indications that chronic, long-lasting, inflammation in the brain may be important.
Mental Exercise May Prevent Cognitive Decline In Healthy Seniors
http://mnt.to/a/4cWF
Cognitive training exercises - or mental exercise - may help prevent cognitive decline in healthy older adults, while evidence for the benefits of pharmacologic substances and exercise is weak, outlines a review published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
----------------------------------------------
** AUTISM News **
Study Makes Significant Progress Toward Mouse Model Of Human Autism
http://mnt.to/a/4cWx
For the first time, researchers have linked autism in a mouse model of the disease with abnormalities in specific regions of the animals' chromosomes.The regions contain genes associated with aberrant brain development and activity.
----------------------------------------------
** BONES / ORTHOPEDICS News **
News From Annals Of Internal Medicine: 16 April 2013
http://mnt.to/a/4cWK
1. Task Force Reviews Evidence for New Recommendations on Medications to Reduce Risk for Primary Breast CancerHigh-risk women may derive the most benefit, least harms from preventive drug therapyWomen at high risk for breast cancer may benefit most from preventive drug therapy.
----------------------------------------------
** BREAST CANCER News **
News From Annals Of Internal Medicine: 16 April 2013
http://mnt.to/a/4cWK
1. Task Force Reviews Evidence for New Recommendations on Medications to Reduce Risk for Primary Breast CancerHigh-risk women may derive the most benefit, least harms from preventive drug therapyWomen at high risk for breast cancer may benefit most from preventive drug therapy.
----------------------------------------------
** CANCER / ONCOLOGY News **
Study Assesses Outcomes Of Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening Among Older Men
http://mnt.to/a/4cXV
A new study has examined the outcomes of an abnormal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening result of 4.0 ng/mL or more among men over the age of 65.The study, led by Louise C. Walter, M.D.
Cancer Cell Metabolism Kills
http://mnt.to/a/4cWy
ATP is the main energy currency of cells and one might expect that not only contracting muscle, but also uncontrollably dividing cancer cells would have a high demand for ATP. However, for some reason cancer cells have re-programmed their metabolic engines to produce less ATP.
Irreversible Electroporation Kills Hard-To-Treat Tumors At The Cellular Level
http://mnt.to/a/4cWr
A new, minimally invasive treatment that tears microscopic holes in tumors without harming healthy tissue is a promising treatment for challenging cancers, suggests a preliminary study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
----------------------------------------------
** CARDIOVASCULAR / CARDIOLOGY News **
Electrocardiographic Abnormality Associated With Increased Risk Of Atrial Fibrillation, Congestive Heart Failure
http://mnt.to/a/4cXC
"Left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) is considered a benign electrocardiographic (ECG) finding, but its long-term consequences have not been comprehensively studied," writes Mala C. Mandyam, B.
Treatment For Heart Failure Involving Cell Therapy, High-Dose Ultrasound Results In Modest Improvement In Measure Of Cardiac Function
http://mnt.to/a/4cXB
Treatment that consisted of shock wave (procedure using high-dose ultrasound)-mediated preconditioning of the target heart tissue prior to administration of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells was associated with significant, albeit modest improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (a measure of how well the left ventricle of the heart pumps with each contraction) after 4 months in patients with chronic postinfarction heart failure, according to a study in the April 17 issue of JAMA.
In Countries Of Varying Income Levels, Adoption Of Healthy Lifestyle Low By Individuals With Cardiovascular Disease
http://mnt.to/a/4cXs
Among patients with a coronary heart disease or stroke event from countries with varying income levels, the prevalence of healthy lifestyle behaviors (such as regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking) was low, with even lower levels in poorer countries, according to a study in the April 17 issue of JAMA.
----------------------------------------------
** CONFERENCES News **
The Solution To Your Gross-To-Net Problems, 17-18 June 2013, Boston, MA
http://mnt.to/a/4cYC
IIR's Gross-to-Net Accounting Forum will be here before you know it - seats are already filling up! Since its introduction, the buzz for this event has been building more and more each week, with positive feedback from our growing attendee list.
----------------------------------------------
** COSMETIC MEDICINE / PLASTIC SURGERY News **
Body Sculpting With Lasers: Liposuction Melts Fat, Results In Tighter Skin
http://mnt.to/a/4cWh
A new, minimally invasive treatment that uses lasers to melt fat could replace the "tummy tuck," suggests research on more than 2,000 people presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
----------------------------------------------
** DEPRESSION News **
In Severe Depression ECT Can Restore Quality Of Life
http://mnt.to/a/4cWY
Patients whose severe depression goes into remission for six months following electroconvulsive therapy report a quality of life similar to that of healthy individuals, researchers say."If we can get you into remission, you get this big, big improvement in quality of life at six months such that our patients' quality of life is as good as that of the overall general population," said Dr.
----------------------------------------------
** DERMATOLOGY News **
Speeding Healing Of Injured Tissues With New Plasma-Based Biomaterials
http://mnt.to/a/4cWW
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from blood contains growth factors and other bioactive molecules that promote healing at sites of tissue injury. However, it is difficult to deliver and retain these molecules at a target site, and clinical results have proven to be mixed - until now.
----------------------------------------------
** DIABETES News **
Common Pregnancy Conditions Increase Risk Of Diabetes
http://mnt.to/a/4cXT
Two common conditions in pregnancy, preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, may increase the risk of future diabetes, according to a study of more than one million women.The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Denice Feig, from the University of Toronto, Canada and was published in the journal PLOS Medicine.
Ferroelectricity In Body's Connective Tissues May Be Impaired By High Glucose Levels
http://mnt.to/a/4cWw
High sugar levels in the body come at a cost to health. New research suggests that more sugar in the body could damage the elastic proteins that help us breathe and pump blood. The findings could have health implications for diabetics, who have high blood-glucose levels.
----------------------------------------------
** EYE HEALTH / BLINDNESS News **
Telescope Implant Improves Vision In Macular Degeneration
http://mnt.to/a/4cWL
Physicians at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center have become the first in Virginia to successfully implant a telescope in a patient's eye to treat macular degeneration.The telescope implant is designed to correct end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most advanced form of AMD and the leading cause of blindness in older Americans.
----------------------------------------------
** GASTROINTESTINAL / GASTROENTEROLOGY News **
Life-Saving Stenting Of Blocked Bowel Arteries
http://mnt.to/a/4cWq
Stenting reopens completely blocked bowel arteries, preventing damage and even death from a condition that causes individuals severe pain and leads to excessive weight loss, notes research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans, La.
----------------------------------------------
** GENETICS News **
Study Suggests Glucocerebrosidase Gene Mutations Are Risk Factor For Dementia With Lewy Bodies
http://mnt.to/a/4cXf
A study by Michael A. Nalls, Ph.D., of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, and colleagues suggests mutations in glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) are a risk factor for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).
UM Researchers Help Identify New Gene Associated With Alzheimer's Disease in African Americans
http://mnt.to/a/4cX3
Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine collaborated with an international team to identify a new gene associated with Alzheimer's disease in African Americans. Published April 10 in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association, their study, "Variants in the ATP-binding cassette transporter, ABCA7, and the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele substantially and equally influence risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease in African Americans," provides new directions for biological, genetic and therapeutic studies of Alzheimer's disease.
Study Makes Significant Progress Toward Mouse Model Of Human Autism
http://mnt.to/a/4cWx
For the first time, researchers have linked autism in a mouse model of the disease with abnormalities in specific regions of the animals' chromosomes.The regions contain genes associated with aberrant brain development and activity.
Genes Found That Influence Obesity In People Of African Ancestry
http://mnt.to/a/4cWp
The largest genetic search for "obesity genes" in people of African ancestry has led to the discovery of three new regions of the human genome that influence obesity in these populations and others.
PSA Screening May Be Personalized To Improve Specificity, Reduce Biopsies
http://mnt.to/a/4cWn
Genetic variants have been identified which can increase serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations and prostate cancer risk. A new study published in The Journal of Urology® reports that correcting PSA levels for these genetic variants can have significant consequences, including avoiding unnecessary biopsies for some men and eliminating false complacency for others.
The Molecular Pathology Of Giant Axonal Neuropathy Untangled
http://mnt.to/a/4cWg
Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is a rare genetic disorder that causes central and peripheral nervous system dysfunction. GAN is known to be caused by mutations in the gigaxonin gene and is characterized by tangling and aggregation of neural projections, but the mechanistic link between the genetic mutation and the effects on neurons is unclear.
Gene Identified That Mediates Cisplatin Resistance In Ovarian Cancer
http://mnt.to/a/4cWf
Platinum compounds, such as cisplatin and carboplatin, induce DNA cross-linking, prohibiting DNA synthesis and repair in rapidly dividing cells. They are first line therapeutics in the treatment of many solid tumors, but cancer cells frequently develop resistance to these drugs.
----------------------------------------------
** HEADACHE / MIGRAINE News **
Colic In Babies May Be Linked To Migraines Later In Life
http://mnt.to/a/4cZ4
Colic has historically been described as a gastrointestinal issue. However, a new study suggests an association between migraines and Colic.The finding was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and revealed that the likelihood was seven times higher that kids with migraines were previously colicky babies, compared to kids without migraines.
Migraines In Childhood And Adolescence Associated With Having Colic As An Infant
http://mnt.to/a/4cXy
In a study including children and adolescents 6 to 18 years of age, those who have experienced migraine headaches were more likely to have had colic as an infant, according to a study in the April 17 issue of JAMA.
----------------------------------------------
** HEARING / DEAFNESS News **
Noise Stress Causes Short-Term Hearing Loss As Protection
http://mnt.to/a/4cWz
Contrary to conventional wisdom, short-term hearing loss after sustained exposure to loud noise does not reflect damage to our hearing: instead, it is the body's way to cope.The landmark finding could lead to improved protection against noise-induced hearing loss in future.
----------------------------------------------
** HEART DISEASE News **
Nondiabetic Adults With High C-Peptide Levels May Be At Greater Risk Of Heart Disease, Death
http://mnt.to/a/4cWH
High blood levels of the serum C-peptide are linked to heart disease and death in people without diabetes, according to a large study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Genes Found That Influence Obesity In People Of African Ancestry
http://mnt.to/a/4cWp
The largest genetic search for "obesity genes" in people of African ancestry has led to the discovery of three new regions of the human genome that influence obesity in these populations and others.
----------------------------------------------
** HIV / AIDS News **
Mathematical Model For HIV Prevention
http://mnt.to/a/4cWZ
South Africa is home to the largest HIV epidemic in the world with a total of 5.6 million people living with HIV. Large-scale clinical trials evaluating combination methods of prevention and treatment are often prohibitively expensive and take years to complete.
----------------------------------------------
** IMMUNE SYSTEM / VACCINES News **
Inflammation Following Traumatic Brain Injury May Increase Risk For Dementia Later In Life
http://mnt.to/a/4cWM
Even a mild injury to the brain can have long lasting consequences, including increased risk of cognitive impairment later in life. While it is not yet known how brain injury increases risk for dementia, there are indications that chronic, long-lasting, inflammation in the brain may be important.
New Data On T Cells' Protective Role Suggests Need For New Approach To Dengue Vaccine Design
http://mnt.to/a/4cWv
As efforts to create a strong and effective vaccine for the dreaded dengue virus continue to hit snags, a new study from researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology offers surprising evidence that suggests the need for a revamped approach to dengue vaccine design.
----------------------------------------------
** INFECTIOUS DISEASES / BACTERIA / VIRUSES News **
Nanosponge Mops Up MRSA Toxin In Bloodstream
http://mnt.to/a/4cXX
Scientists in the US have developed tiny sponges made from nanoparticles disguised as red blood cells that can soak up a broad range of dangerous toxins in the blood, such as from bacteria like MRSA and E.
The Lancet: Malaria Elimination Strategies Should Adapt To Changing Patterns Of Infection
http://mnt.to/a/4cX5
Malaria control strategies must keep up with the rapidly changing patterns of malaria infection in low transmission settings, according to the authors of a new Review, published in The Lancet.
----------------------------------------------
** LUNG CANCER News **
Advanced Cancers That Have Spread To The Lungs Can Be Treated Using Cryoablation
http://mnt.to/a/4cWs
Frozen balls of ice can safely kill cancerous tumors that have spread to the lungs, according to the first prospective multicenter trial of cryoablation. The results were presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
----------------------------------------------
** LYMPHOMA / LEUKEMIA / MYELOMA News **
Protein Helps Leukemia Cells Avoid Effects Of Chemotherapy By Appearing Dormant
http://mnt.to/a/4cWR
A new study on how the progression of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is influenced by the bone marrow environment has demonstrated for the first time that targeting a specialized protein known as osteopontin (OPN) may be an effective strategy to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with this type of blood cancer.
----------------------------------------------
** MEDICAL DEVICES / DIAGNOSTICS News **
Nanosponge Mops Up MRSA Toxin In Bloodstream
http://mnt.to/a/4cXX
Scientists in the US have developed tiny sponges made from nanoparticles disguised as red blood cells that can soak up a broad range of dangerous toxins in the blood, such as from bacteria like MRSA and E.
New Study Supports Titan Spine Endoskeleton® Interbody Device For Rapid Fusion And Improved Patient Outcomes
http://mnt.to/a/4cXL
Titan Spine, a medical device surface technology company focused on developing innovative spinal interbody fusion implants, announced today that clinical data support the use of its Endoskeleton® titanium interbody cage for achieving rapid lumbar fusion and improved patient outcomes.
Sensor Technology To Improve Patient Safety In Radiotherapy Treatment Developed At UL
http://mnt.to/a/4cXJ
Researchers at the Optical Fibre Sensors Research Centre, University of Limerick have developed a technology to ensure improved safety and more effective treatment for patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Study Looks At Influence Of Providing Fee Data On Laboratory Test Ordering
http://mnt.to/a/4cXb
A study by Leonard S. Feldman, M.D., and colleagues at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, examined if the number of laboratory tests ordered could be reduced by presenting clinicians with test fees at the time of order entry, without adding extra steps to the ordering process.
Telescope Implant Improves Vision In Macular Degeneration
http://mnt.to/a/4cWL
Physicians at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center have become the first in Virginia to successfully implant a telescope in a patient's eye to treat macular degeneration.The telescope implant is designed to correct end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most advanced form of AMD and the leading cause of blindness in older Americans.
Nondiabetic Adults With High C-Peptide Levels May Be At Greater Risk Of Heart Disease, Death
http://mnt.to/a/4cWH
High blood levels of the serum C-peptide are linked to heart disease and death in people without diabetes, according to a large study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Leg Amputation Prevented By Drug-Coated Stents In Patients With Severely Blocked Leg Arteries
http://mnt.to/a/4cWc
Drug-eluting stents can keep clogged leg arteries open, preventing amputation of the leg, suggests research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
----------------------------------------------
** MEDICAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT News **
Study Looks At Influence Of Providing Fee Data On Laboratory Test Ordering
http://mnt.to/a/4cXb
A study by Leonard S. Feldman, M.D., and colleagues at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, examined if the number of laboratory tests ordered could be reduced by presenting clinicians with test fees at the time of order entry, without adding extra steps to the ordering process.
----------------------------------------------
** MEN'S HEALTH News **
Study Assesses Outcomes Of Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening Among Older Men
http://mnt.to/a/4cXV
A new study has examined the outcomes of an abnormal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening result of 4.0 ng/mL or more among men over the age of 65.The study, led by Louise C. Walter, M.D.
Study Examines Downstream Outcomes Following Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening In Older Men
http://mnt.to/a/4cXc
A study by Louise C. Walter, M.D., of San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, California, and colleagues sought to quantify 5-year downstream outcomes following an abnormal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening result of 4.
----------------------------------------------
** MRSA / DRUG RESISTANCE News **
Nanosponge Mops Up MRSA Toxin In Bloodstream
http://mnt.to/a/4cXX
Scientists in the US have developed tiny sponges made from nanoparticles disguised as red blood cells that can soak up a broad range of dangerous toxins in the blood, such as from bacteria like MRSA and E.
Much Of American Meat Contaminated With Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
http://mnt.to/a/4cXW
A large proportion of American meat is contaminated with superbugs - antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to an Environmental Working Group analysis of recently released government tests.
----------------------------------------------
** NEUROLOGY / NEUROSCIENCE News **
Magnetic Brain Stimulation May Help Smokers Quit
http://mnt.to/a/4cYS
Smokers looking to quit cigarettes face an expanding choice of therapies to help them give up the habit, ranging from nicotine replacement medications and behavioral therapy, to hypnosis and even acupuncture.
Freezing Nerves, An Effective Way To Treat Chronic Pain
http://mnt.to/a/4cXR
A form of treatment called cyroneurolysis is being used for chronic pain caused by nerve damage; it involves using a tiny ball of ice to interrupt pain signals and eliminate pain while the nerves slowly recover.
A Night's Sleep Enhances A Musicians Skill When Practicing A New Melody
http://mnt.to/a/4cWT
A new study that examined how the brain learns and retains motor skills provides insight into musical skill.Performance of a musical task improved among pianists whose practice of a new melody was followed by a night of sleep, says researcher Sarah E.
Skin Cells Turned Directly Into The Cells That Insulate Neurons In Mouse Model
http://mnt.to/a/4cWS
Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have succeeded in transforming skin cells directly into oligodendrocyte precursor cells, the cells that wrap nerve cells in the insulating myelin sheaths that help nerve signals propagate.
Inflammation Following Traumatic Brain Injury May Increase Risk For Dementia Later In Life
http://mnt.to/a/4cWM
Even a mild injury to the brain can have long lasting consequences, including increased risk of cognitive impairment later in life. While it is not yet known how brain injury increases risk for dementia, there are indications that chronic, long-lasting, inflammation in the brain may be important.
Chronic Pain Alleviated By Minimally Invasive Cryoneurolysis
http://mnt.to/a/4cWt
Using a tiny ball of ice, a minimally invasive interventional radiology treatment called cryoneurolysis safely short circuits chronic pain caused by nerve damage, according to data presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
The Molecular Pathology Of Giant Axonal Neuropathy Untangled
http://mnt.to/a/4cWg
Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is a rare genetic disorder that causes central and peripheral nervous system dysfunction. GAN is known to be caused by mutations in the gigaxonin gene and is characterized by tangling and aggregation of neural projections, but the mechanistic link between the genetic mutation and the effects on neurons is unclear.
----------------------------------------------
** NUTRITION / DIET News **
The Correct Diet Can Help Avoid Kidney Disease
http://mnt.to/a/4cXS
Bad diet choices and habits like smoking and obesity are linked to an increased risk for kidney disease, suggests a new study published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease.A group of investigators, led by Alex Chang, MD, of Johns Hopkins University, discovered that people with regular kidneys whose diet quality was bad - high in processed and red meats, sodium, and sugar-sweetened beverages, and low in fruit, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and low-fat dairy - were more likely to develop kidney disease.
Vitamin D May Reduce Risk Of Uterine Fibroids, According To NIH Study
http://mnt.to/a/4cX2
Women who had sufficient amounts of vitamin D were 32 percent less likely to develop fibroids than women with insufficient vitamin D, according to a study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health.
Western Style Diet Consumed In UK May Lead To Greater Risk Of Premature Death
http://mnt.to/a/4cWP
Data from a new study of British adults suggest that adherence to a "Western-style" diet (fried and sweet food, processed and red meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products) reduces a person's likelihood of achieving older ages in good health and with higher functionality.
Majority Of U.S. Citizens Have Inadequate Levels Of Vitamin E In Their Diet; It Is Almost Impossible To Take A Harmful Amount
http://mnt.to/a/4cWN
Despite concerns that have been expressed about possible health risks from high intake of vitamin E, a new review concludes that biological mechanisms exist to routinely eliminate excess levels of the vitamin, and they make it almost impossible to take a harmful amount.
Free Smartphone App Aids Weight Loss
http://mnt.to/a/4cWd
Their study is the first to evaluate a smartphone app as the sole method for monitoring weight loss, with researchers creating My Meal Mate to trial against similar products for monitoring food intake, an online food diary and the traditional paper version.
----------------------------------------------
** OBESITY / WEIGHT LOSS / FITNESS News **
In Countries Of Varying Income Levels, Adoption Of Healthy Lifestyle Low By Individuals With Cardiovascular Disease
http://mnt.to/a/4cXs
Among patients with a coronary heart disease or stroke event from countries with varying income levels, the prevalence of healthy lifestyle behaviors (such as regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking) was low, with even lower levels in poorer countries, according to a study in the April 17 issue of JAMA.
Genes Found That Influence Obesity In People Of African Ancestry
http://mnt.to/a/4cWp
The largest genetic search for "obesity genes" in people of African ancestry has led to the discovery of three new regions of the human genome that influence obesity in these populations and others.
Body Sculpting With Lasers: Liposuction Melts Fat, Results In Tighter Skin
http://mnt.to/a/4cWh
A new, minimally invasive treatment that uses lasers to melt fat could replace the "tummy tuck," suggests research on more than 2,000 people presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
Free Smartphone App Aids Weight Loss
http://mnt.to/a/4cWd
Their study is the first to evaluate a smartphone app as the sole method for monitoring weight loss, with researchers creating My Meal Mate to trial against similar products for monitoring food intake, an online food diary and the traditional paper version.
----------------------------------------------
** OVARIAN CANCER News **
Gene Identified That Mediates Cisplatin Resistance In Ovarian Cancer
http://mnt.to/a/4cWf
Platinum compounds, such as cisplatin and carboplatin, induce DNA cross-linking, prohibiting DNA synthesis and repair in rapidly dividing cells. They are first line therapeutics in the treatment of many solid tumors, but cancer cells frequently develop resistance to these drugs.
----------------------------------------------
** PAIN / ANESTHETICS News **
Reformulated OxyContin To Receive Abuse-Deterrent Labelling
http://mnt.to/a/4cZ6
A new reformulated form of Oxycontin (a highly addictive oxycodone hydrochloride) has received a unique labeling update by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding its abuse potential.
Some Women Feel More Pain
http://mnt.to/a/4cXH
Women who have been abused and who experience strong mood changes in tandem with their menstrual cycle also feel pain more acutely than other women, according to new research.Dr Diana Fleischman, an evolutionary psychologist at the University of Portsmouth, and colleagues in the US, are the first to examine links between menstrually-related mood disorder and a history of physical or sexual abuse.
Chronic Pain Alleviated By Minimally Invasive Cryoneurolysis
http://mnt.to/a/4cWt
Using a tiny ball of ice, a minimally invasive interventional radiology treatment called cryoneurolysis safely short circuits chronic pain caused by nerve damage, according to data presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
----------------------------------------------
** PEDIATRICS / CHILDREN'S HEALTH News **
Infant Mortality Rates Decline, USA
http://mnt.to/a/4cZ5
After a 5-year plateau, the infant mortality rate in the USA dropped 12% from 2005 to the end of 2011, says a new "NCHS Data Brief" issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Colic In Babies May Be Linked To Migraines Later In Life
http://mnt.to/a/4cZ4
Colic has historically been described as a gastrointestinal issue. However, a new study suggests an association between migraines and Colic.The finding was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and revealed that the likelihood was seven times higher that kids with migraines were previously colicky babies, compared to kids without migraines.
Migraines In Childhood And Adolescence Associated With Having Colic As An Infant
http://mnt.to/a/4cXy
In a study including children and adolescents 6 to 18 years of age, those who have experienced migraine headaches were more likely to have had colic as an infant, according to a study in the April 17 issue of JAMA.
Study Examines Relationship Between Pregnant Women's Hostile Attributes And Early Child Maltreatment
http://mnt.to/a/4cXd
A prospective longitudinal study by Lisa J. Berlin, Ph.D., of the University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, and colleagues examined pregnant women's hostile attributions about infants as a risk factor for early child maltreatment and harsh parenting.
12 Principles For Effective Contraceptive Counseling
http://mnt.to/a/4cWQ
New research by Professor James Jaccard, Ph.D., and Nicole Levitz, M.P.H., of the New York University Silver School of Social Work and its Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health (CLAFH) has led them to suggest 12 evidence-based principles that can be used to improve contraceptive counseling of adolescents in U.
----------------------------------------------
** PREGNANCY / OBSTETRICS News **
Infant Mortality Rates Decline, USA
http://mnt.to/a/4cZ5
After a 5-year plateau, the infant mortality rate in the USA dropped 12% from 2005 to the end of 2011, says a new "NCHS Data Brief" issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Common Pregnancy Conditions Increase Risk Of Diabetes
http://mnt.to/a/4cXT
Two common conditions in pregnancy, preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, may increase the risk of future diabetes, according to a study of more than one million women.The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Denice Feig, from the University of Toronto, Canada and was published in the journal PLOS Medicine.
Study Examines Relationship Between Pregnant Women's Hostile Attributes And Early Child Maltreatment
http://mnt.to/a/4cXd
A prospective longitudinal study by Lisa J. Berlin, Ph.D., of the University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, and colleagues examined pregnant women's hostile attributions about infants as a risk factor for early child maltreatment and harsh parenting.
----------------------------------------------
** PREVENTIVE MEDICINE News **
Mathematical Model For HIV Prevention
http://mnt.to/a/4cWZ
South Africa is home to the largest HIV epidemic in the world with a total of 5.6 million people living with HIV. Large-scale clinical trials evaluating combination methods of prevention and treatment are often prohibitively expensive and take years to complete.
----------------------------------------------
** PRIMARY CARE / GENERAL PRACTICE News **
The Lancet: Routine Screening And Counselling For Partner Violence In Health-Care Settings Does Not Improve Women's Quality Of Life
http://mnt.to/a/4cXF
New research published Online First in The Lancet confirms that routine intimate partner violence (IPV) screening and counselling in primary-care settings does not improve women's quality of life, but does help reduce depressive symptoms.
Study Looks At Influence Of Providing Fee Data On Laboratory Test Ordering
http://mnt.to/a/4cXb
A study by Leonard S. Feldman, M.D., and colleagues at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, examined if the number of laboratory tests ordered could be reduced by presenting clinicians with test fees at the time of order entry, without adding extra steps to the ordering process.
Real Patients Collect Data About Their Doctors' Behavior Using Concealed Audio Recorders
http://mnt.to/a/4cWC
Patients' health outcomes improve when physicians individualize care and take their patients' life circumstances into account, according to a new study by the University of Illinois at Chicago and the U.
----------------------------------------------
** PROSTATE / PROSTATE CANCER News **
Study Assesses Outcomes Of Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening Among Older Men
http://mnt.to/a/4cXV
A new study has examined the outcomes of an abnormal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening result of 4.0 ng/mL or more among men over the age of 65.The study, led by Louise C. Walter, M.D.
Study Examines Downstream Outcomes Following Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening In Older Men
http://mnt.to/a/4cXc
A study by Louise C. Walter, M.D., of San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, California, and colleagues sought to quantify 5-year downstream outcomes following an abnormal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening result of 4.
PSA Screening May Be Personalized To Improve Specificity, Reduce Biopsies
http://mnt.to/a/4cWn
Genetic variants have been identified which can increase serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations and prostate cancer risk. A new study published in The Journal of Urology® reports that correcting PSA levels for these genetic variants can have significant consequences, including avoiding unnecessary biopsies for some men and eliminating false complacency for others.
Prostatic Artery Embolization, A Nonsurgical Treatment Turns Back The Clock, Shrinks Enlarged Prostate
http://mnt.to/a/4cWj
Men with a common condition that causes frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom can get relief with a minimally invasive treatment that shrinks the prostate, suggests a study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
----------------------------------------------
** PSYCHOLOGY / PSYCHIATRY News **
Rejecting The Possibility That Bad Things Will Happen Makes Our Futures Look Bright
http://mnt.to/a/4cWX
People believe they'll be happy in the future, even when they imagine the many bad things that could happen, because they discount the possibility that those bad things will actually occur, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
How Sexual Frequency Corresponds With Happiness
http://mnt.to/a/4cWV
Sex apparently is like income: People are generally happy when they keep pace with the Joneses and they're even happier if they get a bit more.That's one finding of Tim Wadsworth, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder, who recently published the results of a study of how sexual frequency corresponds with happiness.
----------------------------------------------
** PUBLIC HEALTH News **
Infant Mortality Rates Decline, USA
http://mnt.to/a/4cZ5
After a 5-year plateau, the infant mortality rate in the USA dropped 12% from 2005 to the end of 2011, says a new "NCHS Data Brief" issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Study Examines Relationship Between Occurrence Of Surgical Complications And Hospital Finances
http://mnt.to/a/4cXv
Findings of an analysis that included nearly 35,000 surgical discharges from a 12-hospital system suggest that the occurrence of postsurgical complications was associated with a higher per-encounter hospital contribution margin for patients covered by Medicare and private insurance but a lower one for patients covered by Medicaid and who self-paid, according to a study in the April 17 issue of JAMA.
Western Style Diet Consumed In UK May Lead To Greater Risk Of Premature Death
http://mnt.to/a/4cWP
Data from a new study of British adults suggest that adherence to a "Western-style" diet (fried and sweet food, processed and red meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products) reduces a person's likelihood of achieving older ages in good health and with higher functionality.
Patient's Photo On X-Ray Images Leads To Dramatic Drop In Wrong Patient Errors
http://mnt.to/a/4cWJ
Adding a photo of a face to x-ray images can reduce "wrong-patient" errors five-fold, a new study finds."X-rays can look alike, and if one patient's images are confused with another before the radiologist sees them, it can be difficult for the radiologist to determine there is a mismatch," said Dr.
----------------------------------------------
** RADIOLOGY / NUCLEAR MEDICINE News **
Sensor Technology To Improve Patient Safety In Radiotherapy Treatment Developed At UL
http://mnt.to/a/4cXJ
Researchers at the Optical Fibre Sensors Research Centre, University of Limerick have developed a technology to ensure improved safety and more effective treatment for patients undergoing radiotherapy.
News From Annals Of Internal Medicine: 16 April 2013
http://mnt.to/a/4cWK
1. Task Force Reviews Evidence for New Recommendations on Medications to Reduce Risk for Primary Breast CancerHigh-risk women may derive the most benefit, least harms from preventive drug therapyWomen at high risk for breast cancer may benefit most from preventive drug therapy.
Patient's Photo On X-Ray Images Leads To Dramatic Drop In Wrong Patient Errors
http://mnt.to/a/4cWJ
Adding a photo of a face to x-ray images can reduce "wrong-patient" errors five-fold, a new study finds."X-rays can look alike, and if one patient's images are confused with another before the radiologist sees them, it can be difficult for the radiologist to determine there is a mismatch," said Dr.
CT Utilization, Imaging Costs And Radiation Dose Can Be Reduced By At Least 50%
http://mnt.to/a/4cWG
It is unnecessary to scan trauma patients based on a non-focused standard trauma CT protocol, if the patient is transferred for care after already undergoing a focused CT examination based on the patient's history and physical examination, a new study shows.
Prostatic Artery Embolization, A Nonsurgical Treatment Turns Back The Clock, Shrinks Enlarged Prostate
http://mnt.to/a/4cWj
Men with a common condition that causes frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom can get relief with a minimally invasive treatment that shrinks the prostate, suggests a study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
----------------------------------------------
** REGULATORY AFFAIRS / DRUG APPROVALS News **
Reformulated OxyContin To Receive Abuse-Deterrent Labelling
http://mnt.to/a/4cZ6
A new reformulated form of Oxycontin (a highly addictive oxycodone hydrochloride) has received a unique labeling update by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding its abuse potential.
----------------------------------------------
** SENIORS / AGING News **
Telescope Implant Improves Vision In Macular Degeneration
http://mnt.to/a/4cWL
Physicians at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center have become the first in Virginia to successfully implant a telescope in a patient's eye to treat macular degeneration.The telescope implant is designed to correct end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most advanced form of AMD and the leading cause of blindness in older Americans.
Mental Exercise May Prevent Cognitive Decline In Healthy Seniors
http://mnt.to/a/4cWF
Cognitive training exercises - or mental exercise - may help prevent cognitive decline in healthy older adults, while evidence for the benefits of pharmacologic substances and exercise is weak, outlines a review published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
----------------------------------------------
** SEXUAL HEALTH / STDS News **
How Sexual Frequency Corresponds With Happiness
http://mnt.to/a/4cWV
Sex apparently is like income: People are generally happy when they keep pace with the Joneses and they're even happier if they get a bit more.That's one finding of Tim Wadsworth, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder, who recently published the results of a study of how sexual frequency corresponds with happiness.
12 Principles For Effective Contraceptive Counseling
http://mnt.to/a/4cWQ
New research by Professor James Jaccard, Ph.D., and Nicole Levitz, M.P.H., of the New York University Silver School of Social Work and its Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health (CLAFH) has led them to suggest 12 evidence-based principles that can be used to improve contraceptive counseling of adolescents in U.
----------------------------------------------
** SLEEP / SLEEP DISORDERS / INSOMNIA News **
A Night's Sleep Enhances A Musicians Skill When Practicing A New Melody
http://mnt.to/a/4cWT
A new study that examined how the brain learns and retains motor skills provides insight into musical skill.Performance of a musical task improved among pianists whose practice of a new melody was followed by a night of sleep, says researcher Sarah E.
----------------------------------------------
** SMOKING / QUIT SMOKING News **
Magnetic Brain Stimulation May Help Smokers Quit
http://mnt.to/a/4cYS
Smokers looking to quit cigarettes face an expanding choice of therapies to help them give up the habit, ranging from nicotine replacement medications and behavioral therapy, to hypnosis and even acupuncture.
Teenage Smoking Behavior Influenced By Friends' And Parents' Smoking Habits
http://mnt.to/a/4cXG
The company you keep in junior high school may have more influence on your smoking behavior than your high school friends, according to newly published research from the University of Southern California (USC).
----------------------------------------------
** SPORTS MEDICINE / FITNESS News **
Study Suggests Home-Based Exercise Beneficial For Patients With Alzheimer Disease
http://mnt.to/a/4cX9
A randomized controlled trial by Kaisu H. Pitkala, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Helsinki, Finland, and colleagues suggests an intensive and long-term exercise program has beneficial effects on the physical functioning of patients with Alzheimer Disease without increasing costs of health and social services or causing any significant adverse effects.
----------------------------------------------
** STEM CELL RESEARCH News **
Skin Cells Turned Directly Into The Cells That Insulate Neurons In Mouse Model
http://mnt.to/a/4cWS
Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have succeeded in transforming skin cells directly into oligodendrocyte precursor cells, the cells that wrap nerve cells in the insulating myelin sheaths that help nerve signals propagate.
----------------------------------------------
** TROPICAL DISEASES News **
The Lancet: Malaria Elimination Strategies Should Adapt To Changing Patterns Of Infection
http://mnt.to/a/4cX5
Malaria control strategies must keep up with the rapidly changing patterns of malaria infection in low transmission settings, according to the authors of a new Review, published in The Lancet.
New Data On T Cells' Protective Role Suggests Need For New Approach To Dengue Vaccine Design
http://mnt.to/a/4cWv
As efforts to create a strong and effective vaccine for the dreaded dengue virus continue to hit snags, a new study from researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology offers surprising evidence that suggests the need for a revamped approach to dengue vaccine design.
----------------------------------------------
** UROLOGY / NEPHROLOGY News **
The Correct Diet Can Help Avoid Kidney Disease
http://mnt.to/a/4cXS
Bad diet choices and habits like smoking and obesity are linked to an increased risk for kidney disease, suggests a new study published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease.A group of investigators, led by Alex Chang, MD, of Johns Hopkins University, discovered that people with regular kidneys whose diet quality was bad - high in processed and red meats, sodium, and sugar-sweetened beverages, and low in fruit, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and low-fat dairy - were more likely to develop kidney disease.
Stent Grafts For Dialysis Patients Keep Access Sites Open Significantly Longer Than Angioplasty Alone
http://mnt.to/a/4cWk
Kidney failure patients on dialysis derive long-term benefit from the minimally invasive placement of a stent that improves the function of dialysis access grafts, according to 12-month trial results presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
Prostatic Artery Embolization, A Nonsurgical Treatment Turns Back The Clock, Shrinks Enlarged Prostate
http://mnt.to/a/4cWj
Men with a common condition that causes frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom can get relief with a minimally invasive treatment that shrinks the prostate, suggests a study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
----------------------------------------------
** VASCULAR News **
Life-Saving Stenting Of Blocked Bowel Arteries
http://mnt.to/a/4cWq
Stenting reopens completely blocked bowel arteries, preventing damage and even death from a condition that causes individuals severe pain and leads to excessive weight loss, notes research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans, La.
Stent Grafts For Dialysis Patients Keep Access Sites Open Significantly Longer Than Angioplasty Alone
http://mnt.to/a/4cWk
Kidney failure patients on dialysis derive long-term benefit from the minimally invasive placement of a stent that improves the function of dialysis access grafts, according to 12-month trial results presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
Leg Amputation Prevented By Drug-Coated Stents In Patients With Severely Blocked Leg Arteries
http://mnt.to/a/4cWc
Drug-eluting stents can keep clogged leg arteries open, preventing amputation of the leg, suggests research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 38th Annual Scientific Meeting in New Orleans.
----------------------------------------------
** VETERINARY News **
Much Of American Meat Contaminated With Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
http://mnt.to/a/4cXW
A large proportion of American meat is contaminated with superbugs - antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to an Environmental Working Group analysis of recently released government tests.
----------------------------------------------
** WATER - AIR QUALITY / AGRICULTURE News **
Much Of American Meat Contaminated With Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
http://mnt.to/a/4cXW
A large proportion of American meat is contaminated with superbugs - antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to an Environmental Working Group analysis of recently released government tests.
----------------------------------------------
** WOMEN'S HEALTH / GYNECOLOGY News **
Some Women Feel More Pain
http://mnt.to/a/4cXH
Women who have been abused and who experience strong mood changes in tandem with their menstrual cycle also feel pain more acutely than other women, according to new research.Dr Diana Fleischman, an evolutionary psychologist at the University of Portsmouth, and colleagues in the US, are the first to examine links between menstrually-related mood disorder and a history of physical or sexual abuse.
The Lancet: Routine Screening And Counselling For Partner Violence In Health-Care Settings Does Not Improve Women's Quality Of Life
http://mnt.to/a/4cXF
New research published Online First in The Lancet confirms that routine intimate partner violence (IPV) screening and counselling in primary-care settings does not improve women's quality of life, but does help reduce depressive symptoms.
Vitamin D May Reduce Risk Of Uterine Fibroids, According To NIH Study
http://mnt.to/a/4cX2
Women who had sufficient amounts of vitamin D were 32 percent less likely to develop fibroids than women with insufficient vitamin D, according to a study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health.
-------------------------------------------------------------
You are receiving this news alert e-mail because you subscribed via an online form on our web site. If you wish to unsubscribe, please visit
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/newsalerts.php?changemydetails=y .
