http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. Scientists at Johns Hopkins have turned their view of osteoarthritis (OA) inside out. Literally. Instead of seeing the painful degenerative disease as a problem primarily of the cartilage that cushions joints, they now have evidence that the bone underneath the cartilage is also a key player and exacerbates the damage. In a proof-of-concept experiment, they found that blocking the action of a critical bone regulation protein in mice halts progression of the disease. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-theory-genesis-osteoarthritis-successful-therapy.html Arthritis & Rheumatism Sun, 19 May 2013 13:10:10 EST news288172115 In their quest to learn more about the variability of cells between and within tissues, biomedical scientists have devised tools capable of simultaneously measuring dozens of characteristics of individual cells. These technologies have led to new challenges, however, as scientists now struggle with how to make sense of the resulting trove of data. Now a solution may be at hand. Researchers at Columbia University and Stanford University have developed a computational method that enables scientists to visualize and interpret "high-dimensional" data produced by single-cell measurement technologies such as mass cytometry. The method, published in the online edition of Nature Biotechnology, has particular relevance to cancer research and therapeutics. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-tool-complex-dimensional-images.html Medical research Sun, 19 May 2013 13:10:01 EST news288172425 The devastating effect of Alzheimer's disease on bilingual people has been thrown into focus in Canada, where the sudden loss of a second language can leave sufferers feeling like strangers in their own country. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-alzheimer-bilingual-victims-stranded-canada.html Alzheimer's disease & dementia Sun, 19 May 2013 11:10:01 EST news288173217 The hunt for an HIV vaccine has gobbled up $8 billion in the past decade, and the failure of the most recent efficacy trial has delivered yet another setback to 26 years of efforts. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-gap-hiv-vaccine-efforts-latest.html HIV & AIDS Sun, 19 May 2013 09:20:01 EST news288173183 The use of a smartphone application significantly improves patients' preparation for a colonoscopy, according to new research presented today at Digestive Disease Week (DDW). The preparation process, which begins days in advance of the procedure, includes dietary restrictions and requires specific bowel preparation medication to be taken at strict intervals. The better the preparation, the easier it is for doctors to see cancer and precancerous polyps in the colon. The study, which was conducted by the gastroenterologists of Arizona Digestive Health in Phoenix, featured the first doctor-designed app of its kind. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-smartphone-application-colonoscopy.html Cancer Sun, 19 May 2013 02:10:01 EST news288146396 There are significant cost and risk factors associated with two procedures commonly used to diagnose or treat gastrointestinal problems, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-quality-gi-procedures.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Sun, 19 May 2013 02:00:02 EST news288146356 Research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) explores new methods for managing digestive health through diet and lifestyle. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-methods-digestive-health.html Cancer Sun, 19 May 2013 01:50:01 EST news288146269 Patients with treatment-resistant major depression saw dramatic improvement in their illness after treatment with ketamine, an anesthetic, according to the largest ketamine clinical trial to-date led by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The antidepressant benefits of ketamine were seen within 24 hours, whereas traditional antidepressants can take days or weeks to demonstrate a reduction in depression. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-ketamine-significant-therapeutic-benefit-people.html Psychology & Psychiatry Sun, 19 May 2013 01:38:46 EST news288146314 Regular consumption of coffee is associated with a reduced risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an autoimmune liver disease, Mayo Clinic research shows. The findings were being presented at the Digestive Disease Week 2013 conference in Orlando, Fla. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-consuming-coffee-linked-detrimental-liver.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Sun, 19 May 2013 01:37:30 EST news288146235 The latest makeover to a massive psychiatric tome honored by some, reviled by others and even called the "Bible" of mental disorders is being released Saturday with a host of new changes. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-psychiatry-makeover-manual.html Psychology & Psychiatry Sat, 18 May 2013 13:30:01 EST news288101054 A new case of the deadly coronavirus has been detected in Saudi Arabia where 15 people have already died after contracting it, the health ministry announced on Saturday on its Internet website. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-case-sars-like-virus-saudi-ministry.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Sat, 18 May 2013 13:10:01 EST news288100975 A ground-breaking advance in colonoscopy technology signals the future of colorectal care, according to research presented today at Digestive Disease Week(DDW). Additional research focuses on optimizing the minimal withdrawal time for colonoscopies and exploring safer methods for removing polyps. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-colonoscope-ground-breaking-view-colon.html Cancer Sat, 18 May 2013 11:07:15 EST news288094025 An increasing number of U.S. children are experiencing gastrointestinal issues that require interventions to resolve, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-interventions-children-gi-health.html Health Sat, 18 May 2013 11:05:09 EST news288093882 Big names in medicine are set to give an upbeat assessment of the war on AIDS on Tuesday, 30 years after French researchers identified the virus that causes the disease. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-aids-science-lexicon.html HIV & AIDS Sat, 18 May 2013 02:50:01 EST news288061166 (AP)—A woman who lost both hands, her left leg and right foot after contracting a flesh-eating disease has been fitted with prosthetic hands. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-flesh-eating-disease-victim-prosthetic.html Other Sat, 18 May 2013 01:54:25 EST news288060837 Chronic trauma can inflict lasting damage to brain regions associated with fear and anxiety. Previous imaging studies of people with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, have shown that these brain regions can over-or under-react in response to stressful tasks, such as recalling a traumatic event or reacting to a photo of a threatening face. Now, researchers at NYU School of Medicine have explored for the first time what happens in the brains of combat veterans with PTSD in the absence of external triggers. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-combat-veterans-post-traumatic-stress-disorder.html Neuroscience Sat, 18 May 2013 01:49:34 EST news288060554 Research shows that the earlier the age at which youth take their first alcoholic drink, the greater the risk of developing alcohol problems. Thus, age at first drink (AFD) is generally considered a powerful predictor of progression to alcohol-related harm. A new study shows that individuals who have their first drink during puberty subsequently have higher drinking levels than do individuals with a post-pubertal drinking onset. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-youth-puberty-higher.html Health Fri, 17 May 2013 17:30:01 EST news288028730 In order to avoid exposing vulnerable groups such as children and young adults to alcohol advertising, industry groups have developed their own self-regulation guidelines. However, these guidelines have been criticized for possible conflict of interest, lack of objectivity, and unresponsiveness to complaints about violations. A study of violations of the U.S. Beer Institute code has identified a relatively inexpensive method of assessing whether alcohol-advertising content is in compliance with the industry's voluntary standards. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-beer-industry-advertising-guidelines-panels-industry.html Addiction Fri, 17 May 2013 17:20:01 EST news288028647 Many women in Texas who are found to have an abnormality on routine mammogram or discover a lump in one of their breasts end up having an old-fashioned surgical biopsy to find out whether the breast abnormality is malignant. Since 2001, national expert panels have recommended that the first course of action for women with breast lumps or masses should be minimally invasive biopsy. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-one-third-texas-women-unnecessary-breast.html Surgery Fri, 17 May 2013 17:10:01 EST news288028519 In 2008 researchers from the University of Southern Denmark showed that the drug thioridazine, which has previously been used to treat schizophrenia, is also a powerful weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-scizophrenia-medicine-antibiotics-resistant-bacteria.html Medical research Fri, 17 May 2013 17:06:57 EST news288029204 In order to avoid harms associated with alcohol consumption, in 2009 the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism issued guidelines that define low-risk drinking. These guidelines differ for men and women: no more than four drinks per day, and 14 drinks per week for men, and no more than three drinks per day, and seven drinks per week for women. A study of how well college students adhere to these limits has found that female college student drinkers exceed national drinking guidelines for weekly drinking more frequently than their male counterparts. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-college-women-niaaa-guidelines-frequently.html Addiction Fri, 17 May 2013 16:58:21 EST news288028684 (Medical Xpress)—Working with lab mice models of multiple sclerosis (MS), UC Davis scientists have detected a novel molecular target for the design of drugs that could be safer and more effective than current FDA-approved medications against MS. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-approach-treatment-ms-conditions.html Alzheimer's disease & dementia Fri, 17 May 2013 16:54:30 EST news288028433 Treatment for alcohol use disorders works best if the patient actively understands and incorporates the interventions provided in the clinic. Multiple factors can influence both the type and degree of neurocognitive abnormalities found during early abstinence, including chronic cigarette smoking and increasing age. A new study is the first to look at the interactive effects of smoking status and age on neurocognition in treatment-seeking alcohol dependent (AD) individuals. Findings show that AD individuals who currently smoke show more problems with memory, ability to think quickly and efficiently, and problem-solving skills than those who don't smoke, effects which seem to become exacerbated with age. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-individuals-heavily-early-aging-brain.html Addiction Fri, 17 May 2013 16:51:13 EST news288028099 (HealthDay)—Concurrent use of two immune checkpoint antibodies—ipilimumab and nivolumab—may be effective for the treatment of advanced melanoma, according to a proof-of-principal study presented in advance of the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, held from May 31 to June 4 in Chicago. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-asco-combo-antibody-therapy-effective.html Cancer Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:01 EST news288020743 (HealthDay)—Few randomized clinical trials have been done to assess clinical prediction rules for patients with lower back pain, and the trials that have been done are of low quality and do not provide sufficient evidence to support their use, according to a review published in the April 20 issue of Spine. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-evidence-pain.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Fri, 17 May 2013 15:50:01 EST news288020678 (HealthDay)—The risks of metastasis and death associated with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) are low, but significant, and risk factors for poor outcome include tumor diameter, invasion beyond fat, poor differentiation, and location, according to a study published in the May issue of JAMA Dermatology. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-factors-idd-poor-cutaneous-cell.html Cancer Fri, 17 May 2013 15:30:01 EST news288020638 (HealthDay)—Most Medicare beneficiaries treated in inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPFs) exhibit characteristics associated with hospital readmission, according to a report prepared for the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-readmissions-inpatient-psychiatric-facilities.html Psychology & Psychiatry Fri, 17 May 2013 15:20:01 EST news288020714 (AP)—Medical marijuana use in Illinois is now in Gov. Pat Quinn's hands after the state Senate approved legislation. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-illinois-senate-medical-marijuana-bill.html Other Fri, 17 May 2013 15:10:01 EST news288020435 Skydivers show the same level of physical stress before every jump whether a first-timer or experienced jumper, say Northumbria researchers. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-skydiving-plane.html Psychology & Psychiatry Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:07 EST news288015808 The neural machinery underlying our olfactory sense continues to be an enigma for neuroscience. A recent review in Neuron seeks to expand traditional ideas about how neurons in the olfactory bulb might encode information about odorants. One of the main authors, Terry Sejnowski, had the floor for a brief while at last week's national BRAIN Initiative meeting, where discussion of neural codes was a key issue. The Neuron review was published the day after the meeting, and it supports the previously established idea that the olfactory bulb is in many ways structurally comparable to the retina. The authors note however, that due to the apparent sparsity and lack of topographical organization in the olfactory front end, the particular blend of temporal coding used there should differ significantly from that used in the retina. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-temporal-olfactory.html Neuroscience Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:02 EST news288014780