Health News

Scientist identifies pivotal cellular protein underlying eczema

Date: Jan-14-2014
Researchers from the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology have revealed a critical player in the cellular interactions leading to eczema - a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting more than 14 million U.S. children and adults.In a published study, Toshiaki Kawakami, M.D., Ph.D., and his research team provide information which supports - for the first time in humans - the long-held theory that mast cells are a key culprit in causing eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis.

Infant probiotic use 'reduces risk of gastrointestinal disorders'

Date: Jan-14-2014
Past studies have suggested that consuming probiotics on a daily basis can benefit our digestive health. And these benefits may also apply to infants, as a new study suggests that giving probiotics to children in their first 3 months of life may reduce their risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders.The research team from the Aldo Moro University of Baro in Italy, led by Dr. Flavia Indrio, says that probiotic use in infants may also lead to lower health costs associated with gastrointestinal disorders.Their findings were published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Exposure to food commercialism in schools 'still high for students'

Date: Jan-14-2014
Food commercialism in schools is characterized by exclusive beverage or food contracts with certain companies, along with incentives, profits and advertising. Although beverage vending in schools has decreased over the past 5 years, a new study reveals that students are still highly exposed to the marketing of certain food products - most of which are nutritionally poor.According to the American Heart Association, around 1 in 3 children in the US is overweight or obese, putting them at risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and increased blood cholesterol levels.

Anti-cancer properties of diabetes drug 'should be re-evaluated'

Date: Jan-14-2014
Many clinical trials have looked to the use of metformin - a drug already used to treat diabetes - as a way of suppressing tumor growth in cancer by activating a molecule called AMP-activated protein kinase. But new research suggests that activation of this molecule may actually encourage tumor growth.The study findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.However, the research team, led by Dr.

Seven recommendations to enhance preparedness for public health emergencies in the U.S.

Date: Jan-14-2014
The Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in New York City prompted large increases in government funding to help communities respond and recover after man-made and natural disasters. But, this funding has fallen considerably since the economic crisis in 2008. Furthermore, disaster funding distribution is deeply inefficient: huge cash infusions are disbursed right after a disaster, only to fall abruptly after interest wanes. These issues have exposed significant problems with our nation's preparedness for public health emergencies.

Pediatric ear infections cost health care system nearly $3 billion a year

Date: Jan-14-2014
Acute otitis media, or ear infection, is the most common ailment among kids of preschool age and younger in the U.S., primarily because these children have immature middle-ear drainage systems, higher exposure to respiratory illnesses and undeveloped immune systems.

Nomogram aims to enable informed decision-making and personalized treatment for prostate cancer

Date: Jan-14-2014
Studies have found that prostate cancer is overdiagnosed in up to 42 percent of cases, prompting men to receive unnecessary treatment that can cause devastating side effects, including impotence and incontinence.Now, researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington have developed a personalized tool that can predict the likelihood of prostate cancer overdiagnosis. They announced their findings in the online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

HIV-infected cells that persist despite treatment defeated by NIH-created toxin

Date: Jan-14-2014
A team including University of North Carolina and NIH scientists has demonstrated in a mouse model that an HIV-specific poison can kill cells in which the virus is actively reproducing despite antiretroviral therapy. According to the researchers, such a targeted poison could complement antiretroviral therapy, which dramatically reduces the replication of HIV in infected cells but does not eliminate them.The 40 mice in the experiment were bioengineered to have a human immune system.

Improving understanding of RNA using powerful new technique

Date: Jan-14-2014
Qi Zhang sees himself as a warrior. In his lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he wages war on genetic diseases such as cancer and heart disease on a battlefield measured with single atoms.In a paper published by the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Zhang, an assistant professor of biochemistry and biophysics and member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and his team have revealed his newest weapon - a powerful technique to visualize the shape and motion of RNA at the atomic level using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR).

Scientists find new clues to how bacteria evade antibiotics

Date: Jan-14-2014
Scientists have made an important advance in understanding how a subset of bacterial cells escape being killed by many antibiotics.Cells become "persisters" by entering a state in which they stop replicating and are able to tolerate antibiotics. Unlike antibiotic resistance, which arises because of genetic mutations and is passed on to later generations, this tolerant phase is only temporary, but it may contribute to the later development of resistance.