http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. It can be difficult to distinguish between people with normal age-associated memory loss and those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). However people with aMCI are at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), and identification of these people would mean that they could begin treatment as early as possible. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Geriatrics shows that specific questions, included as part of a questionnaire designed to help diagnose AD, are also able to discriminate between normal memory loss and aMCI. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-alzheimer-disease.html Alzheimer's disease & dementia Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:23:33 EST news247465394 Imagine a contraceptive that could, with one or two painless 15-minute non-surgical treatments, provide months of protection from pregnancy. And imagine that the equipment needed were already in physical therapists' offices around the world. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-sonicating-sperm-future-male.html Other Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:55:56 EST news247118146 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease where the body begins to attack the joints and organs of the body. Proteins within inflamed joints are often modified by citrullination, a process that converts the protein building block arginine into citrulline. These two amino acids have very different physical properties and consequently conversion can result in aberrant changes in the three-dimensional structure of an affected protein. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy shows that glucocorticoid therapy can reduce the amount of citrullination and the amount of the enzyme peptidylargininedeiminase 4 (PAD4) responsible for citrullination in the joints of people with RA. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-steroids-protein-joints-people-rheumatoid.html Arthritis & Rheumatism Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:59:23 EST news246859153 Plant flavonoid luteolin blocks cell signaling pathways in colon cancer cells http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-flavonoid-luteolin-blocks-cell-pathways.html Cancer Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:21:36 EST news246514887 PCE in drinking water linked to an increased risk of mental illness http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-pce-linked-mental-illness.html Addiction Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:53:25 EST news246253963 Telomeres, the very ends of chromosomes, become shorter as we age. When a cell divides it first duplicates its DNA and, because the DNA replication machinery fails to get all the way to the end, with each successive cell division a little bit more is missed. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy shows that cells from osteoarthritic knees have abnormally shortened telomeres and that the percentage of cells with ultra short telomeres increases the closer to the damaged region within the joint. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-ultra-short-telomeres-linked-osteoarthritis.html Arthritis & Rheumatism Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:00:01 EST news245904200 Furring of the arteries, atherosclerosis, is a leading cause of death across the world. Atherosclerosis leads to peripheral arterial disease, coronary heart disease, stroke and heart attacks. However, atherosclerosis is a sneaky killer - most people do not realize they have it until they have cardiovascular disease (CV). New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medical Genomics has identified a set of biomarkers which can be used to test for early stage atherosclerosis. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-silent-killer-biomarker-atherosclerosis.html Medical research Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:50:01 EST news245640206 It is commonly known that, much like Pavlov's dogs salivating in response to hearing the bell they associate with dinner time, smokers feel cravings and have physiological reactions to pictures they associate with smoking. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Neuroscience has shown that a smoker's cravings can also be trained to non-smoking related stimuli. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-smokers-salivate-cigarettes-physiological-reactions.html Neuroscience Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:20:02 EST news245480697 Having a brother or sister with newly diagnosed cancer can be a distressing and difficult time for a child. While most children eventually cope, there can be a period of adjustment when their school work and social functioning suffer. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health shows that a teaching program, designed to improve the child's knowledge about their sibling's disease and to give them coping skills, was able to improve their adjustment and psychological well being in this early time period after diagnosis. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-siblings-children-cancer.html Psychology & Psychiatry Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:04:19 EST news245480652 Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body's own immune system attacking its pancreatic islet beta cells and requires daily injections of insulin to regulate the patient's blood glucose levels. A new method described in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medicine uses stem cells from cord blood to re-educate a diabetic's own T cells and consequently restart pancreatic function reducing the need for insulin. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-stem-cell-therapy-reverses-diabetes.html Medical research Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:40:03 EST news245395831 Hay fever (runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes) is caused by an allergy to pollen, and most commonly to grass pollen. These tiny grains bring misery to sufferers through spring and summer and pollen levels are often included as part of weather reports to help sufferers prepare. However new research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Clinical and Translational Allergy shows that, regardless of medication and other allergies, for the same grass pollen levels, hay fever symptoms are worse in the first half of the season than later on. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-ready-hay-fever-worse.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:27:40 EST news243664037 Ever wondered how meteorologists can accurately predict the weather? They use complex spatiotemporal weather models, i.e. mathematical equations that track the motions of the atmosphere through time and space, and combine them with incoming data streams from weather stations and satellites. Now, an innovative new study published in BioMed Central's open access journal Biology Direct has determined that the mathematical methodology used to assimilate data for weather forecasting could be used to predict the spread of brain tumors. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-cloud-silver-lining-weather-brain.html Cancer Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:26:18 EST news243663943 Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severely debilitating illness characterized by sadness and an inability to cope. Not only does it affect a person's ability to concentrate and make decisions, it also alters their ability to experience pleasurable emotion, and instead prolongs negative thoughts and feelings. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show aberrant connectivity in depressed brains. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-depressed-wires-brain.html Psychology & Psychiatry Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:30:01 EST news242539097 Traumatic brain injury is associated with a profound suppression of the patient's ability to fight infection. At the same time the patient also often suffers hyper-inflammation, due to the brain releasing glucocorticoids in response to the injury. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Critical Care shows that including probiotics with nutrients, supplied via the patient's feeding tube, increased interferon levels, reduced the number of infections, and even reduced the amount of time patients spent in intensive care. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-probiotics-infections-patients-intensive.html Medical research Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:16:19 EST news242014559 There are many different causes of dementia and, although its progression can be fast or slow, it is always degenerative. Symptoms of dementia include confusion, loss of memory, and problems with speech and understanding. It can be upsetting for both the affected person and their relatives and carers. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medicine shows that a regime of behavioral and mental exercises was able to halt the progression of dementia. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-maks-drug-free-dementia-decline.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:18:15 EST news241928285 The risk of breast cancer is increased by genetic and lifestyle factors such as the inherited BRCA2 gene, age of having first child, or use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Cancer looked at the relationship between women with breast cancer and diagnosis of cancer in their parents. The results showed that the chances of women with lobular breast cancer having a father with cancer (especially prostate cancer) was almost twice as likely as women with other forms of breast cancer. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-breast-cancer-linked-paternal.html Cancer Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:47:33 EST news241699585 Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by ongoing destruction of specific neurons within the brain. It affects a person's ability to walk, talk, and think - leading to involuntary movement and loss of muscle co-ordination. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Molecular Neurodegeneration shows that the RyanR inhibitor Dantrolene is able to reduce the severity of walking and balance problems in a mouse model of HD. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-dantrolene-neurons-huntington-disease.html Neuroscience Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:07:31 EST news241420034 People with diabetes are known to have an increased risk of heart disease. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medicine shows that regular consumption of a vitamin D-fortified yoghurt drink improves cholesterol levels and biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, a precursor of heart disease, in diabetics. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-vitamin-d-fortified-yoghurt-cholesterol-heart.html Health Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:30:02 EST news241330483 The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the U.S. is reported as being on the decrease, however untreated infected people act as a reservoir for disease. Any pool of the world's population harboring this disease gives cause for concern, especially since the BCG vaccine is only 70-80% effective at best. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Public Health, shows that in 2009 the number of cases of TB reported across America was much lower than that recorded in previous years. This larger than expected decrease was most noticeable among recent immigrants, the homeless and other disadvantaged groups, which suggested that the decrease was most likely due to economic recession and lower immigration rates and may mask the future impact of TB. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-decrease-tb-economic-recession.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:05:29 EST news239861055 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects about 1 in 100 children resulting in a range of problems in language, communication and understanding other people's emotional cues, all of which can lead to difficulties in social situations. Boys are three to four more times as likely to be affected as girls and consequently it has been suggested that the genes involved in this disorder may be linked to the X chromosome. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Molecular Autism used genome wide association study (GWAS) data to find a variation in the gene for transducin ß-like 1X-linked (TBL1X) which is associated with increased risk of ASD in boys. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-tbl1x-gene-involved-autism.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:50:21 EST news239593656 A mobile workforce can help improve a country's economy but the effects of commuting on the health of commuters and on the costs to industry in terms of sick days is largely unknown. From a commuter's point of view, the advantages of daily travel, such as a better paid job or better housing conditions, need to be weighed against adverse health effects. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Public Health shows that commuting by car or public transport, compared to walking or cycling, is associated with negative effects on health. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-commuting-bad-health.html Health Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:05:39 EST news239241928 Mammography saves lives by detecting very small tumors. However, it fails to find 10-25% of tumors and is unable to distinguish between benign and malignant disease. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Breast Cancer Research provides a new and potentially more sensitive method using tumor–targeted magnetic nanoprobes and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) sensors. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-high-tech-breast-cancer-nanoprobes.html Cancer Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:29:34 EST news238994966 It is known that a high proportion of dense breast tissue, as seen with a mammogram, is associated with a high risk of breast cancer. But the role of non-dense fat tissue in the breast is less clear. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Breast Cancer Research separates the breast cancer risks associated with dense, fibroglandular tissue, and fat, and shows that large areas of either are independently associated with an increased risk. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-role-fat-breast-cancer.html Cancer Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:22:22 EST news238814509 Post-menopausal women with high levels of hormones such as estrogen or testosterone are known to have a higher risk of breast cancer. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Breast Cancer Research looked at eight different sex and growth hormones and found that the risk of breast cancer increased with the number of elevated hormones - each additional elevated hormone level increased risk by 16%. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-elevated-hormone-breast-cancer.html Cancer Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:26:12 EST news238385577 The condition tuberous sclerosis, due to mutation in one of two tumor suppressor genes, TSC1 or TSC2, causes the growth of non-malignant tumors throughout the body and skin. These tumors can be unsightly and cause serious damage to organs. Growth of tumors in the brain may cause seizures and in the kidney, liver or heart, tumors can disrupt normal function, to the extent of causing the organ to fail. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Cell and Bioscience shows that the growth of glucose-dependent TSC-related tumors can be restricted by 2-deoxyglucose, which blocks glucose metabolism, but not by restricting dietary carbohydrates. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-cold-starve-tumor.html Cancer Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:12:33 EST news238385506 It is known that the unmarried are in general more likely to die than their married counterparts and there is some indication that the divide is in fact getting worse. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Public Health looks at the changes in cancer survival over the past 40 years and show that the difference in mortality between the married and never married, especially between married and never married men, has also increased. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-men-die-cancer.html Health Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:26:24 EST news237785068 Hearts used in transplants can only be sourced from donors that are brain dead before circulation to their heart has ceased. Data from a study published in BioMed Central's open access journal Critical Care indicate that the time at which organ donation in brain dead donors is first discussed with family members could affect whether or not they consent to donation. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-crucial-family-consent-brain-dead.html Other Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:17:53 EST news237179863 Alcohol is known to worsen the effects of disease, resulting in longer recovery period after trauma, injury or burns. It is also known to impair the anti-viral immune response, especially in the liver, including response against Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Immunology shows that alcohol modulates the anti-viral and inflammatory functions of monocytes and that prolonged alcohol consumption has a double negative effect of reducing the anti-viral effect of Type 1 interferon (IFN) whilst increasing inflammation via the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-09-alcohol-impairs-body-ability-viral.html Health Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:23:24 EST news236578990 There is much interest in the unequal health care caused by postcode lotteries. The area you live in can impact the treatment you receive for cancer treatment, surgery or GP care. Research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Public Health shows that there are also geographic differences in the implementation of public health programs. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-09-postcode-lotteries-health-necessarily.html Health Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:57:03 EST news236401016 Bleeding calf syndrome (bovine neonatal pancytopenia or BNP) affects new born calves resulting in low blood cell counts and depletion of the bone marrow. It first emerged in 2007 and a serious number of cases are reported each year. In affected calves, bone marrow cells which produce platelets are also destroyed. Consequently the calves' blood does not clot and they appear to bleed through undamaged skin. There is evidence that BNP is linked to the use of a particular vaccine against "Bovine viral diarrhea virus" (BVDV). http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-08-vaccine-linked-calf-syndrome.html Medical research Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:33:06 EST news233893965