Cardiovascular Research:Using nanoparticles to combat arteriosclerosis ♦ Using skin to save the hear ♦ Detecting when, why deadly blood clots form

Using nanoparticles to combat arteriosclerosis In industrialized countries, a high number of people suffer from arteriosclerosis -- with fatal consequences: Deposits in the arteries lead to strokes and heart attacks. Researchers have now developed a method for guiding replacement cells to diseased vascular segments using nanoparticles. They demonstrated in mice that the fresh cells actually exert their curative effect in these segments. However, much research remains to be done prior to use in humans.

Detecting when, why deadly blood clots form A better assay for testing blood's clotting tendency, also known as hemostasis, has been devised. Researchers say it could one day prove lifesaving in a variety of clinical situations in which a patient's health is jeopardized by abnormal blood coagulation and platelet function.

Using skin to save the heart Cell therapies for heart ailments involve transplanting over a billion heart cells to the patient's heart. Many of these cells fail to engraft, however, compromising the benefits. One reason for the poor engraftment is that normally the heart cell population is a mixture of cells with different maturation. Researchers have now identified an ideal maturation stage that enhances engraftment and may reduce the number of cells required for therapy.

Potential heart disorder cause, treatment identified A novel therapy tested scientists for treating a fatal heart disorder in dogs might ultimately help in diagnosing and treating heart disease in humans. The team also identified potential causes of inherited dilated cardiomyopathy or "weak heart."

health News: Use of nanoparticles administered via hair follicles will combat surgical site infections ♦ Gains in health insurance across Texas fall behind rest of US

Use of nanoparticles administered via hair follicles will combat surgical site infections and wounds Many surgery patients develop infections and are a major source of prolonged illness and significant cause of death. Now, a research project is investigating the use of nanoparticles as a way to disinfect wounds. It could prove to be much more effective than existing techniques because the particles would be tiny enough to enter the skin via hair follicles, ensuring much better penetration of the area affected by surgery.

Multiple myeloma drug could revolutionize treatment for sickle cell disease An established drug for recurrent multiple myeloma might effectively be repurposed to improve the survival and day-to-day lives of patients with devastating sickle cell disease.

Gains in health insurance across Texas fall behind rest of US The rate of adults without health insurance across the US dropped nearly twice as much as in Texas from 2013 to 2015, according to a new report. The report found that since enrollment began in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in September 2013, the adult uninsured rate in the U.S. fell by 41 percent. Researchers found Texas' uninsured rate dropped just 21 percent during the same time.

New material developed for accelerated skin regeneration in major wounds Researchers have developed a synthetic biomaterial that fills wounds and aids in regeneration of skin cells, which ultimately improves wound healing.

Health News: Salmonella found in raw milk from New York ♦ Electric fields remove nanoparticles from blood with ease ♦ The complex sneeze, caught on tape

Salmonella found in raw milk from New York Consumers are being warned not to consume unpasteurized raw milk from the Jerry Dell Farm at Freeville in Tompkins County, NY, because it could possibly be contaminated with Salmonella. A routine sample of the milk..

Platelets promote the liver's regeneration process following surgery Certain platelet-derived growth factors are of major significance for the liver's regeneration processes. It has been shown that platelets can encourage the regrowth of liver tissue in patients who have had parts of their liver removed surgically. This may also act as a starting point for the prediction of potential postoperative problems.

Electric fields remove nanoparticles from blood with ease A new technology that uses an oscillating electric field to easily and quickly isolate drug-delivery nanoparticles from blood has been developed by a team of engineers. The technology could serve as a general tool to separate and recover nanoparticles from other complex fluids for medical, environmental, and industrial applications

The complex sneeze, caught on tape From the daintiest sleeve-stifled 'shoo to the mightiest head-whipping howl, a sneeze is as unique to an individual as a laugh -- we all do it, but everyone seems to do it differently. We know that sneezes can spread infectious diseases like measles, influenza or SARS, suspending viruses in droplets that may be inhaled or deposited onto surfaces and later picked up on the hands of some unsuspecting passerby. But we don't understand exactly how far a sneeze can spread or if and why some people spread sickness through sneezing more effectively than others.

Brain Research: Luminescent nanoparticles to image brain function ♦ Using light to treat Alzheimer's disease ♦ Brain structure may be root of apathy

Parkinson's disease: A new tool for healthcare professionals aims to improve diagnosis and advance treatment A group of experts has developed a new tool for healthcare professionals that they hope will mark a significant advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease, especially in its early stages. The results of their study could also have a major impact on the quality of research on Parkinson's disease.

Brain structure may be root of apathy Scientists have found evidence of a biological basis for apathy in healthy people. Research could shed light on the way some people become pathologically apathetic, for example after a stroke or with Alzheimer's disease.

Using light to treat Alzheimer's disease Medical application of photoactive chemicals offers a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. Navy researchers recruit luminescent nanoparticles to image brain function Scientists are on pace to develop the next generation of functional materials that could enable the mapping of the complex neural connections in the brain. The ultimate goal is to better understand how the billions of neurons in the brain communicate with one another during normal brain function, or dysfunction, as result of injury or disease.

Health News: Nanoparticles in our food --Added without public knowledge ♦ Number Of Illnesses in Chipotle E. coli outbreak rises to 41 ♦ Robotic worm for head surgery can cut around corners

Nanoparticles in our food --Added without public knowledge  Our food supply is not nearly as safe as we are led to believe, although it is much better than it was before we had the Food and Drug Administration. However, there are some disturbing gaps in food safety that the majority of us know little about. Nanoparticles have become incredibly important in the medical field, from the use of nanoparticles to deliver drugs to specific areas

Number Of Illnesses in Chipotle E. coli outbreak rises to 41 As the number of illnesses continues to grow, Oregon and Washington state health officials, along with the CDC and FDA continue their investigation into the source of the E. coli outbreak that has now sickened 41 people. On October 31, Digital Journal reported Chipotle Mexican Grill had closed 43 restaurants in Oregon and Washington state after 22 people became sick after eating

Robotic worm for head surgery can cut around corners Removing tumors from within the inner ear is a very delicate matter that typically requires surgeons to remove the entire mastoid bone. However, in the future, all doctors will need to do is cut a tunnel of 5 mm in diameter through the bone using a miniature robot named NiLiBoRo. The system is capable of adjusting its path while drilling through bone to steer around sensitive tissue such as blood vessels and nerves

Taking public transportation instead of driving linked with better health Commuting by public transportation is linked to a lower risk of having high blood pressure, diabetes, and overweight than commuting by car or bike.

Health Research: Proving nanoparticles in sunscreen products ♦ Scientists want to help you avoid addiction ♦ Medications for dementia could cause harmful weight loss

Are animal models still essential to biological research? A new article covers the use of animal models in scientific research. The use of animals in scientific research prompts regular debate and it can be difficult to garner a clear picture of the actual need for animals

Potential new therapy approaches to reverse kidney damage identified Cell plasticity program resulting from kidney damage can be targeted to reverse kidney disease and fibrosis, new research suggests. The study demonstrated the importance of an embryonic cellular process called EMT (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition) as a potential therapeutic target for reversing kidney disease. Embryos cannot develop without EMT.

Proving nanoparticles in sunscreen products Loads of cosmetics like sunscreen lotions contain titanium dioxide. These nanoparticles are contentious. Experts suspect they may have harmful effects on people and the environment. But it is difficult to prove that the particles are in the lotions. Using a new method, these particles can now be calculated.

If you're using drugs, scientists want to help you avoid addiction Abstinence is the best way to avoid drug addiction. But in many societies, drug use is the norm, not the exception, especially by youth. What keeps the majority of users from becoming addicted? How drugs are taken has something to do with it.

Common medications for dementia could cause harmful weight loss Medications commonly used to treat dementia could result in harmful weight loss, according to researchers, and clinicians need to account for this risk when prescribing these drugs to older adults.

Health Research: Nanoparticles used to prevent inflammatory acne ♦ Fecal contamination affects sand more than water

Southeastern U.S. rural landscapes pose potential risk for salmonella infection Researchers from the University of Georgia have determined that various freshwater sources in Georgia, such as rivers and lakes, could feature levels of salmonella that pose a risk to humans. Salmonella infections are one of the top causes of gastrointestinal disease in the US, and while regulatory agencies have made progress in reducing foodborne transmission of the pathogen, other infection sources, including exposure to water, have not been as thoroughly examined.

Defective telomeres are now being linked to dozens of diseases, including many types of cancer Studying telomeres, the structures that protect the ends of chromosomes, has become a key issue in biology. In recent years, not only has their relation to ageing been confirmed; defective telomeres seem to be linked to more and more illnesses, including many types of cancer.

Nanoparticles used to prevent inflammatory acne through slow-released nitric oxide Dermatologists have found that the release of nitric oxide over time may be a new way to treat and prevent acne through nanotechnology

A portable 'paper machine' can diagnose disease for less than $2 In the US and other industrialized nations, testing for infectious diseases and cancer often requires expensive equipment and highly trained specialists. In countries where resources are limited, performing the same diagnostics is far more challenging. To address this disparity, scientists are developing a portable, low-cost 'paper machine' for point-of-care detection of infectious diseases, genetic conditions and cancer.

Attention beachgoers: Fecal contamination affects sand more than water 'No swimming' signs have already popped up this summer along coastlines where fecal bacteria have invaded otherwise inviting waters. Some vacationers ignore the signs while others resign themselves to tanning and playing on the beach. But should those avoiding the water be wary of the sand, too? New research investigates reasons why the answer could be 'yes.

Brain Research: Magnetic nanoparticles could be key to effective immunotherapy ♦ New antibody treats traumatic brain injury ♦ New approach to spinal cord, brain injury research

New antibody treats traumatic brain injury (TBI) and prevents long-term neurodegeneration New research provides the first direct evidence linking traumatic brain injury to Alzheimer's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) -- and offers the potential for early intervention TBI can result from repetitive contact sport injuries or from exposure to military blasts, and is one of the most significant risk factors for both Alzheimer's disease and CTE

New evidence linking brain mutation to autism, epilepsy and other neuro disorders The extent a mutation associated with autism and epilepsy plays in impairing a biochemical process in the brain has been revealed by researchers. The study  could provide a new target for treating neurological disorders

Gene associated with thinking skills Researchers have identified a gene that underlies healthy information processing -- a first step on a complicated road to understand cognitive aging and age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

New approach to spinal cord, brain injury research Many an injury will heal, but the damaged spinal cord is notoriously recalcitrant. There's new hope on the horizon, though. Researchers has reported an innate repair mechanism in central nervous system axons that might be harnessed to regenerate nerves after brain or spinal cord injuries.

Magnetic nanoparticles could be key to effective immunotherapy In recent years, researchers have hotly pursued immunotherapy, a promising form of treatment that relies on harnessing and training the body's own immune system to better fight cancer and infection. Now, results of a new study suggests that a device composed of a magnetic column paired with custom-made magnetic nanoparticles may hold a key to bringing immunotherapy into widespread and successful clinical use.

Cancer Research: Chemotherapy packed nanoparticles may target cancer stem cells ♦ Arthritis drug could be used to treat blood cancer ♦ Similarities between embryos, breast tumors identified

Similarities between embryos, breast tumors identified It may seem incredulous, but breast tumors may have something in common with embryos, at least in mice. Tumors that resemble six-day-old mouse embryos are more prone to metastasize than those that look like tissues from adult mice, researchers discovered. Specifically, they noticed that the same genes that are turned on in developing mice are also present in metastatic tumors

Chitosan coated, chemotherapy packed nanoparticles may target cancer stem cells Nanoparticles packed with a clinically used chemotherapy drug and coated with an oligosaccharide derived from the carapace of crustaceans might effectively target and kill cancer stem-like cells..

Colon cancer: Taking a step back to move forward Recent studies are revealing a complex picture of cancer progression in which certain genes that drive tumor growth in the earlier stages get suppressed in later stages -- taking a step back to move forward.

Arthritis drug could be used to treat blood cancer sufferers Scientists have discovered that a common drug given to arthritis sufferers could also help to treat patients with blood cancers, and is one thousandth of the cost of another drug that works in the same way. The discovery may open up cost effective treatment options for cancer patients across the world.

New understanding of retinoblastoma proteins' role in cell death and cancer progression A new review article focuses on RB role in apoptosis provides a comprehensive overview on the role of RB proteins in the coordinated control of cell decisions.

Health News:Florida study of rare toxin carried by sport fish ♦ 44 Salmonella cases linked to frozen raw breaded chicken ♦ Targeted nanoparticles can overcome drug resistance

Florida study of rare toxin carried by sport fish underscores consumer warnings A rare toxin carried by barracuda, grouper and other locally caught sport fish sickens Floridians in greater numbers than previously believed, a new analysis suggests. Consuming the food borne toxin, called ciguatera, can result in severe nausea and vomiting and sometimes long-term tingling in the limbs or joint pain.

44  Salmonella cases in Canada linked to frozen raw breaded chicken products The Canadian government is warning consumers about the safety of breaded chicken nuggets, chicken burgers and strips after 44 people have been sickened with Salmonella.

Delivering drugs to the right place For the 12 million people worldwide who suffer from polycystic kidney disease (PKD), an inherited disorder with no known cure, a new treatment option may be on the horizon. A targeted drug delivery method has been developed that could potentially slow the progression of polycystic kidney disease

Computer simulation predicts development, progress of pressure sores A computational model that could enhance understanding, diagnosis and treatment of pressure ulcers related to spinal cord injury has been devised by investigators. The team also described results of virtual clinical trials that showed that for effective treatment of the lesions, anti-inflammatory measures had to be applied well before the earliest clinical signs of ulcer formation.

Targeted nanoparticles can overcome drug resistance in trypanosomes Sleeping sickness threatens millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is considered fatal if untreated, but treatment options are limited. Existing drugs have serious side effects, and the parasites are developing resistance. A study now reports a new way to circumvent drug resistance and lower the curative dose by delivering existing drugs directly into the parasite.

Cancer Research: Organic nanoparticles, more lethal to tumors ♦ Study discovers how pancreatic cancer spreads to the liver ♦ Non-invasive colon cancer screening for African-Americans

Smoking induces early signs of cancer in cheek swabs DNA damage caused by smoking can be detected in cheek swabs. The study provides evidence that smoking induces a general cancer program that is also present in cancers which aren't usually associated with it -- including breast and gynecological cancers.

Study discovers how pancreatic cancer spreads to the liver Investigators has illuminated the precise molecular steps that enable pancreatic cancer to spread to the liver -- the event that makes the most common form of the disease lethal. By understanding this process, their discovery can lead to targeted treatments that delay metastasis, and offer clinicians a new biomarker to test for the earliest signs of pancreatic cancer.

Non-invasive colon cancer screening may be promising for African-Americans, Stool DNA (sDNA) testing, a new non-invasive technology for colon cancer screening, is a promising alternative to colonoscopy for African Americans.  sDNA sensitivity and specificity of advanced lesions and all adenomas (polyps) in African Americans was similar to or exceeded that of other racial group.

Chemo before surgery benefits patients with advanced ovarian cancer Women with advanced ovarian cancer have fewer side effects and tend to have a better quality of life if given chemotherapy before surgery. Delaying surgery also reduced the amount of time spent in the hospital after surgery.

Organic nanoparticles, more lethal to tumors Carbon-based nanoparticles could be used to sensitize cancerous tumours to proton radiotherapy and induce more focused destruction of cancer cells, a new study shows. Radiotherapy used in cancer treatment is a promising treatment method, albeit rather indiscriminate. Indeed, it affects neighboring healthy tissues and tumors alike. Researchers have thus been exploring the possibilities of using various radio-sensitizers; these nanoscale entities focus the destructive effects of radiotherapy more specifically on tumor cells.

Cancer Research:Nanoparticles inhibit breast cancer metastasis ♦ Assessing cancer risk of pollutants ♦ Potential new targets for cancer treatments identified

siRNA-toting nanoparticles inhibit breast cancer metastasis Researchers combined finely crafted nanoparticles with one of nature's potent disrupters to prevent the spread of triple-negative breast cancer in mouse models. The researchers are working toward clinical trials.

New method developed to assess cancer risk of pollutants A faster, more accurate method to assess cancer risk from certain common environmental pollutants has been developed by scientists. The study focused on pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that commonly occur in the environment as diesel exhaust and cigarette smoke.

Potential new targets for cancer treatments identified Key steps in cell division have now been revealed by new research, possibly leading to treatments aimed at inhibiting cancer cell division.

First-in-class antibody mixture shows clinical activity against Tx-resistant, advanced CRC Sym004, a mixture of two anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibodies, was found in patients with advanced colorectal cancer that had become resistant to prior therapies.

New treatment option for subtype of aggressive lymphoma A specific combination of mutations and new gene fusions have been discovered, that appear to be heavily implicated in tumor growth in patients with a particularly aggressive subtype of lymphoma. The findings could lead to new targeted treatments for this disease and even to successful treatment of other types of cancer

Cancer Research: Gold intensifies cancer-killing radiation ♦ Recruiting the entire immune system to attack cancer ♦ New biomarker for uterine cancer discovered

New biomarker for uterine cancer discovered A new biomarker has been discovered that makes it possible to identify women with uterine cancer who have a high risk of recurrence. Endometrial cancer of the uterus is the most common form of gynecologic cancer in Europe and North America. The treatment primarily consists of removing the uterus and in some cases offering chemotherapy if the risk of recurrence is deemed high.

Gold by special delivery intensifies cancer-killing radiation

Researchers have demonstrated what could become a more precise method for targeting cancer cells for radiation. The method would use cancer-seeking peptides to ferry nanoparticles of gold to the site. The gold then helps focus radiation on the cancer cells.

New method to characterize structure of a protein that promotes tumor growth

A new method has been developed to identify a previously unknown structure in a protein called MDMX. MDMX is a crucial regulatory protein that controls p53 -- one of the most commonly mutated genes in cancer.

Recruiting the entire immune system to attack cancer Stimulating both major branches of the immune system halts tumor growth more effectively, new research shows. Orchestrating a successful immune attack against tumors has proven difficult so far, but the new study suggests that such therapies could be improved by simultaneously activating both arms of the immune system. Until now, most researchers have focused on one of two strategies: attacking tumors with antibodies, which activate the innate immune system, or stimulating T cells, which form the backbone of the adaptive immune system.

Cancer Research:Nanoparticles stimulate antitumor response ♦ Risk of developing pancreatic cancer ♦ Delivering drug to an entire tumor

Nanoparticles at specific temperature stimulate antitumor response Researchers have identified the precise temperature that results in a distinct body-wide antitumor immune response that resists metastatic disease.

Anti-cancer therapy delivering drug to an entire tumor developed To treat inoperable tumors, anti-cancer medicine is commonly used. However, efficient drug delivery to tumor cells is often difficult, treating an entire tumor with drugs even more so. A new anti-cancer nanotechnology has been developed by researchers that delivers anti-cancer drugs uniformly to an entire tumor

Melanoma's 'safe haven' targeted for shut-down Melanoma cells become drug resistant by using surrounding healthy cells to provide a ‘safe haven’ from treatment, according to new research. So even if some cancer cells are destroyed, the protected cancer cells may survive -- and the disease can recur in a form that is untreatable. Now scientists are focusing on these 'safe havens'.

Researchers identify drug target for the first precision cancer therapy Cancerous tumors have the ability to evade targeted therapies by activating alternative pathways. Tumors also contain cancer stem cells, believed responsible for metastasis and drug resistance. Now scientists have identified a drug target that addresses both of these challenges

Identifying patients most at risk of developing pancreatic cancer When people learn they have a lesion in their pancreas that could become pancreatic cancer, they often request frequent CT scans and biopsies, or surgery. Often the lesion is nothing to worry about. A team of international physicians has developed a profile of the patient most at risk of developing lesions that are most likely to develop into cancer

Cancer Research: Nanoparticles outperforms PSA screen for prostate cancer ♦ Cancer genes turned off in deadly brain cancer ♦ Chemoresistance after consuming fatty acid in fish ♦

Cancer genes turned off in deadly brain cancer Scientists have identified a small RNA molecule that can suppress cancer-causing genes in mice with glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly and incurable type of brain tumor. While standard chemotherapy drugs damage DNA to stop cancer cells from reproducing, the new method stops the source that creates those cancer cells. The approach could also potentially be used for gene silencing in other cancers and diseases of genetic origin.

Researchers combine common genetic variants, other factors to improve breast cancer risk prediction Recent large-scale genomic analyses have uncovered dozens of common genetic variants that are associated with breast cancer. Each variant, however, contributes only a tiny amount to a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. Now an international team of researchers has combined 77 of these common genetic variants into a single risk factor that can be used to improve the identification of women with an elevated risk of breast cancer. This factor, known as a polygenic risk score, was built from the genetic data of more than 67,000 women.

Potential chemoresistance after consuming fatty acid in fish Researchers found that consuming the fish herring and mackerel, as well as three kinds of fish oils, raised blood levels of the fatty acid 16:4(n-3), which experiments in mice suggest may induce resistance to chemotherapy used to treat cancer

One dollar blood test using gold nanoparticles outperforms PSA screen for prostate cancer A test that uses gold nanoparticles to detect early-stage prostate cancer costs less than $1, returns results in minutes and is more accurate than standard PSA screening, pilot studies show. The new technique leverages the ability of gold nanoparticles to attract cancer biomarkers

Pediatric Research: Nanoparticles may exploit tumor weaknesses ♦ Key mechanism identified in pediatric bone cancers ♦ Bleach linked to higher childhood infection rate

What can parents do to prevent the further spread of the measles?

A pediatric infectious diseases specialist helps explain the facts about measles, and how parents can prevent further outbreak. A recent outbreak of confirmed cases of measles involved children who were not vaccinated against the extremely contagious virus. While thought to be eradicated in the U.S., the illness has been traced to travelers who were infected in other countries.

Key mechanism identified in pediatric bone cancers that allows proliferation of tumor-forming stem cells

A particular molecular pathway permits stem cells in pediatric bone cancers to grow rapidly and aggressively, according to researchers. In the study, the investigators used human and mouse osteosarcomas to pinpoint the molecular mechanisms that inhibit the tumor-suppressive Hippo pathway. The researchers concluded that Sox2 represses the functioning of the Hippo pathway, which, in turn, leads to an increase of the potent growth stimulator Yes Associated Protein, known as YAP, permitting cancer cell proliferation

Nanoparticles may exploit tumor weaknesses to selectively attack cancers

Delving into the world of the extremely small, researchers are exploring how biodegradable nanoparticles can precisely deliver anticancer drugs to attack neuroblastoma, an often-deadly children's cancer.

Passive exposure to bleach at home linked to higher childhood infection rate

Passive exposure to bleach in the home is linked to higher rates of childhood respiratory and other infections, suggests new research

Heart Health News: Magnetic nanoparticles stop blood clot strokes ♦ atherosclerosis in-check with nanomedicines ♦ Sauna use a reduced risk of cardiac ♦ Lower Risk of Death

Magnetic nanoparticles could stop blood clot-caused strokes  By loading magnetic nanoparticles with drugs and dressing them in biochemical camouflage, researchers say they can destroy blood clots 100 to 1,000 times faster than a commonly used clot-busting technique Continue Reading

Keeping atherosclerosis in-check with targeted inflammation-resolving nanomedicines Nanometer-sized 'drones' that deliver a special type of healing molecule to fat deposits in arteries could become a new way to prevent heart attacks caused by atherosclerosis, Continue Reading

Anticoagulant Linked With Lower Risk of Death Following Heart Attack  Patients who experienced a certain type of heart attack who received the anticoagulant fondaparinux had a lower risk of major bleeding events and death both in the hospital and after six months compared to patients who received low-molecular-weight heparin, although both groups had similar rates of subsequent heart attack or stroke. Continue Reading

Sauna use associated with reduced risk of cardiac, all-cause mortality

A sauna may do more than just make you sweat. A new study suggests men who engaged in frequent sauna use had reduced risks of fatal cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality,. Continue Reading

1/19/15 Health News: Potassium salts limit osteoporosis ♦ Ecstasyin rivers near music festival ♦ Check glucose levels without finger prick ♦ Early detection of heart attacks

Potassium salts aid bone health, limit osteoporosis risk, new research finds

The potassium salts (bicarbonate and citrate) plentiful in fruit and vegetables, play an important part in improving bone health, researchers have found. For the first time, the results also showed that these potassium salts reduce bone resorption, the process by which bone is broken down, therefore increasing their strength Continue Reading

Levels of 'Molly,' aka ecstasy, spike in rivers near music festival

The illicit drug called 'Molly' or ecstasy is a serious concern for parents, law enforcement and now for environmentalists. Scientists report that a major music festival in Taiwan coincides with a spike in the drug's levels in nearby rivers. Not only does this highlight drug abuse at the concert, but the scientists say it also focuses attention on potential effects the substance could have on aquatic life. Continue Reading

Tattoo-like sensor can detect glucose levels without painful finger prick

The first ultra-thin, flexible device that sticks to skin like a rub-on tattoo can detect a person's glucose levels. The sensor has the potential to eliminate finger-pricking for many people with diabetes. Continue Reading

Gold nanoparticles show promise for early detection of heart attacks

A novel colloidal gold test strip is demonstrating great potential for early detection of certain heart attacks. Researchers are developing the strip to test for cardiac troponin I (cTn-I); its level is several thousand times higher in patients experiencing myocardial infarctions. The new strip uses mycoplasma-generated gold nanoparticles. Compared to AuNPs produced by traditional chemical methods, the surfaces of these nanoparticles attract more antibodies, which results in significantly higher detection sensitivity. Continue Reading

12/23/14 Health News:New floor lead to breathing problems in babies ♦ Skipping meals increases children's obesity ♦ Are nanoparticles getting in our food? ♦ Rsks of unnecessary antibiotics,

New floor covering can lead to breathing problems in babies

New flooring in the living environment of pregnant women significantly increases the risk of infants to suffer from respiratory diseases in their first year of life. This is the result of a study that demonstrates that exposure to volatile organic compounds in the months before and after birth induces breathing problems in early childhood. The scientists therefore recommend that redecoration should be avoided during pregnancy or in the first year of children’s life. Continue Reading

Skipping meals increases children's obesity, cardio metabolic risk

Children who skip main meals are more likely to have excess body fat and an increased cardiometabolic risk already at the age of 6 to 8 years, according to a study. A higher consumption of sugary drinks, red meat and low-fat margarine and a lower consumption of vegetable oil are also related to a higher cardiometabolic risk. “The more of these factors are present, the higher the risk,” says a researcher.  Continue Reading

Are nanoparticles getting in our food?

In one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind, scientists tracked uptake and accumulation of quantum dot nanoparticles from water to plant roots, plant leaves and leaf-eating caterpillars.  Continue Reading

Patients don't understand risks of unnecessary antibiotics, study shows

Communication material is not effective in educating patients on proper antibiotic use, a new study has found. Over prescription of antibiotics is a major factor driving one of the biggest public health concerns today: antibiotic resistance. In a first-of-its-kind study, the research suggests that public health educational materials may not address the misconceptions that shape why patients expect antibiotics, driving doctors to prescribe them more. Continue Reading

11/27/14 Health News:Metals found in food ♦ Bean Sprouts Tainted With Banned Additive ♦ nanoparticles infiltrate and kill cancer cells ♦ Football players have brain damage

Metals in food a concern for WA children, study

Metals in food a concern for Western Australian children. Children in Western Australia are being exposed to potentially elevated levels of metals from their food, according to research from Edith Cowan University Continue Reading

Bean Sprouts Tainted With Banned Additive Are Again Found in China

Bean sprouts are back in the news for all the wrong reasons. Not for the first time, Chinese inspectors have found bean sprouts tainted with a banned food additive, in this instance in a production center on the southern outskirts of Beijing. The sprouts being produced at the site in Daxing district were treated with high levels of 6-benzyladenine, a plant hormone, to speed up the …Continue Reading

An inside job: Designer nanoparticles infiltrate, kill cancer cells from within

Nanoparticle designs target and treat early stage cancer cells by killing those cells with heat, delivered from inside the cell itself. Normal cells are thus left unaffected by the treatment regimen Continue Reading

Football players found to have brain damage from mild 'unreported' concussions

There wasn't a diagnostic capability to identify mild brain injury early after the trauma until recently. In the NFL, other professional sports and especially school sports, concern has grown about the long-term neuropsychiatric consequences of repeated mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and specifically sports-related concussive and sub-concussive head impacts. Continue Reading