Health News: Paper box chemicals no longer considered safe by FDA ♦ Illegal marijuana farms are poisoning Pacific fish ♦ Mafia behind explosion of food crime in Italy.

Illegal marijuana farms are poisoning Pacific fish  “Don't touch any bottles or cans you find,” Craig Thompson told us as we wound our way through oak and manzanita. “And if anything looks fresh, tell me.” Thompson is a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service and has been studying fisher populations in California for years, but it's in the last six that his job has gotten a lot more complicated — and dangerous

Mafia behind explosion of food crime in Italy.When it comes to knock-offs of Italian classics -- you probably think of fake Guccis and Pradas -- not food. But last month, police in Italy nabbed 7,000 tons of phony olive oil. Much of it was bound for American stores. The oil was from.

Paper box chemicals no longer considered safe by FDA for contact with food The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Monday announced it plans to publish a final rule banning three chemicals used in many pizza boxes and other food packaging. In response to a petition filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Center for Food Safety, the Breast Cancer Fund, the Center for Environmental Health,..

Anti-inflammatory drug and gut bacteria have a dynamic interplay An NSAID changed the composition and diversity of gut microbes, which in turn shaped how the drug is broken down and ultimately, cut its effectiveness, researchers report at the conclusion of an animal study

Immunity Research: Why we do not constantly get ill despite viruses, bacteria ♦ Immune system affects gut bacteria evolution ♦ Stonefish venom may help combat transplant rejection T

Why we do not constantly get ill despite viruses, bacteria New research breaks with existing knowledge about how our immune system works. The new experiments have shown how the body mobilizes a hitherto unknown defense against viruses and bacteria. This also explains why we do not constantly get ill despite the viruses around us.

Immune system affects gut bacteria evolution Researchers have discovered that when the immune system of the host is compromised, the composition of the gut bacteria changes, and the pace and predictability of the process of adaptation of these bacteria are affected. This study suggests that the treatment of intestinal pathologies that result from impaired immune system, such as the inflammatory bowel disease, may require therapies based on personalized medicine.

Studying stonefish venom may help combat transplant rejection The X-ray crystal structure of the lethal factor present in stonefish venom has been solved by researchers. The discovery has provided unexpected insight into a crucial human immune response that is responsible for the failure of up to 30 percent of bone marrow transplant therapies for treating leukemia.

In pursuit of HIV vaccine, scientists shed light on antibody origins Scientists have tracked how a family of HIV-fighting antibodies develops over time. The research shows how a future vaccine might trigger the immune system to produce these antibodies more effectively.

Bacterial Research: Gut microbes signal to the brain when they're full ♦ Parasite makes TB infections worse ♦ Microbial growth and death inside our guts

Study sheds light on why parasite makes TB infections worse Scientists have shown how a parasitic worm infection common in the developing world increases susceptibility to tuberculosis. The study raises the possibility of using inexpensive and widely available anti-parasitic drugs as a preventive measure in places where the parasite and TB are common -- stopping infection with the parasite and reducing susceptibility to TB.

Scientists discover the secret behind the power of bacterial sex Migration between different communities of bacteria is the key to the type of gene transfer that can lead to the spread of traits such as antibiotic resistance, according to researchers.

Gut microbes signal to the brain when they're full Don't have room for dessert? The bacteria in your gut may be telling you something. Twenty minutes after a meal, gut microbes produce proteins that can suppress food intake in animals, The researchers also show how these proteins injected into mice and rats act on the brain reducing appetite, suggesting that gut bacteria may help control when and how much we eat.

Shining light on microbial growth and death inside our guts Population growth rates of the microbes that live inside mammalian gastrointestinal tracts can now be accurately measured, according to a new method reported.

Cancer Research: World first 3-D image of a protein involved in cancer spread ♦ Cancer cells hijack glucose, alter immune cells ♦ Gut bacteria can dramatically amplify cancer immunotherapy

World first 3-D image of a protein involved in cancer spread Scientific history has been made by determining the first three-dimensional image of a protein linked to the spread of cancer. The 3-D image shows the architecture and intimate atomic-level detail of a bacterial heparanase, an enzyme that degrades a sugar molecule known as heparan sulfate, say scientists.

Cancer cells hijack glucose, alter immune cells When cancer cells compete with immune cells for glucose, the cancer wins. As a result, the immune T cells are not healthy and don't have the weapons to kill the cancer. New research findings, report scientists, have potential as a tool to predict ovarian cancer survival, or a marker to predict effectiveness of immunotherapy including checkpoint blockade or immune vaccination.

Cancer-associated mutations are common in patients with unexplained low blood counts Patients with unexplained low blood counts and abnormally mutated cells who do not fit the diagnostic criteria for recognized blood cancers should be described as having clonal cytopenias of undetermined significance  suggest researchers in a recent paper. The researchers found the condition surprisingly common in older patients with low blood counts.

Gut bacteria can dramatically amplify cancer immunotherapy Introducing certain bacteria into the digestive tracts of mice with melanoma can help their immune systems attack tumor cells. The gains were comparable to treatment with anticancer drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors. The combination of bacteria and anti-PD-L1 nearly abolished tumor outgrowth, report scientists.

Health News: Singing's secret power ♦ Why many alcohol drinkers also are smokers ♦ Let your head do the talking

Singing's secret power: The Ice-breaker Effect A study with adult learners showed groups doing singing bonded faster than others. The study looked at how people attending adult education classes grew closer over seven months. The conclusion -- singing groups bonded more quickly than creative writing or craft classes.

New finding helps explain why many alcohol drinkers also are smokers Alcohol and nicotine use have long been known to go hand in hand. Previous research shows that more than 85 percent of US adults who are alcohol-dependent also are nicotine-dependent. Now, researchers have found that nicotine cancels out the sleep-inducing effects of alcohol. It's a finding that sheds light on the reason alcohol and nicotine usage are so closely linked.

Let your head do the talking When people talk or sing, they often nod, tilt or bow their heads to reinforce verbal messages. But how effective are these head gestures at conveying emotions? Very effective.

Intestinal worms 'talk' to gut bacteria to boost immune system Researchers have discovered how intestinal worm infections cross-talk with gut bacteria to help the immune system. Intestinal worms infect over 2 billion people across the world, mostly children, in areas with poor sanitation. But despite causing serious health problems, worms can actually help the immune system of its host as an indirect way of protecting themselves.

Bacteria Research: Bacterium capable of aquifer decontamination characterized ♦ Study reveals a key role your gut bacteria play in body's self-defense ♦ Developing tools to find new generation antibiotics

Developing tools to find new generation antibiotics Scientists have taken an important step in the search to find new antibiotics that are effective against resistant bacteria. The work, scientists say, will provide new tools for creating stable genetically engineered strains which could lead to improvements to existing antibiotics and the development of new ones.

Study quantifies threat of rising antibiotic resistance on surgery, chemotherapy Researchers report the strongest evidence yet that rising antibiotic resistance could have disastrous consequences for patients undergoing surgery or cancer chemotherapy. New estimates suggest that up to half of infections after surgery and over a quarter of infections after chemotherapy are caused by organisms already resistant to standard prophylactic antibiotics in the USA.

Bacterium capable of aquifer decontamination characterized, cultivated for first time in Europe Researchers have identified in the Besòs river estuary (Barcelona, Spain) a bacterium of the genus Dehalogenimonas, which has the capacity to transform toxic organochlorine compounds into others that are harmless. These experts have succeeded in characterizing and cultivating these bacteria for the first time in Europe, which opens the door to their production and application to contaminated aquifers.

Study reveals a key role your gut bacteria play in body's self-defense Human intestinal flora regulates the levels of the body's main antioxidant, glutathione, which fights a host of diseases, new research confirms. The findings could lead to new probiotic-delivering foods, and a better understanding of the metabolic processes behind diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

Weight Loss Research: Surgery achieves better long-term control of type 2 diabetes ♦ Your stomach bacteria determines which diet is best for weight reduction

Watching more TV as a young adult predicts obesity The more hours young adults spend watching television each day, the greater the likelihood that they'll have a higher body mass index and bigger waist circumference’

Genetic factors drive roles of gut bacteria in diabetes, obesity One strain of mice that were genetically prone to become obese became resistant to excess weight gain after their populations of gut microbiota were transformed simply by an sharing an environment with other mice.

Surgery achieves better long-term control of type 2 diabetes than standard therapy Metabolic or bariatric surgery may be more effective than standard medical treatments for the long-term control of type 2 diabetes in obese patients, according to a new study. The study is the first to provide data on five-year outcomes of surgery from a randomized clinical trial specifically designed to compare this new approach against standard medical therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Your stomach bacteria determines which diet is best for weight reduction New research enables "tailored" diet advice -- based on our personal gut microbiome -- for persons who want to lose weight and reduce the risk of disease. Systems biologists have, for the first time, successfully identified in detail how some of our most common intestinal bacteria interact during metabolism.

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Children Health Toddler temperament influenced by gut bacteria ♦ Melanoma rates dramatically increasing in children ♦ Migraine surgery for teens ♦ Helping youth cope with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts

Toddler temperament could be influenced by different types of gut bacteria The microbiome of a toddler's gut may influence their behavior, a new study suggests. Scientists found correlations between temperament and the presence of specific types of intestinal bacteria in both girls and boys. The researchers aren't looking for a way to help parents modify the 'terrible twos,' but for clues about how - and where - chronic illnesses like obesity, asthma, allergies and bowel diseases start

Melanoma rates dramatically increasing in children and young adults The incidence of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, has increased by more than 250% among children, adolescents and young adults since 1973,

Migraine surgery for teens: Good results in initial experience As in adults, migraine surgery is effective for selected adolescent patients with severe migraine headaches that don't respond to standard treatments.

Helping youth cope with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts A program is helping strengthen the mental health of public school students. The EMPATHY program, created and implemented in 2013, shows after just three months of use in schools, the program significantly decreased anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among the student population.

Weight Loss News:Gut bacteria may decrease weight loss from bariatric surgery ♦ Colon cancer risk for weight-loss drugs ♦ nasal spray causes men to eat less

Gut bacteria may decrease weight loss from bariatric surgery   Some patients do not experience the optimal weight loss from bariatric surgery. The presence of a specific methane gas-producing organism in the gastrointestinal tract may account for a decrease in optimal weight loss .Continue Reading

Possible colon cancer risk for new generation of weight-loss drugs  Gastric bypass and similar stomach-shrinking surgeries are a popular option for obese patients looking to lose weight or treat type 2 diabetes. While the surgeries have been linked to a decreased risk in many cancers, the single outlier is colon cancer. Scientists now present work in mice that could explain this association and raise safety concerns for a new generation of weight-loss drugs Continue Reading

Oxytocin nasal spray causes men to eat fewer calories  A synthetic nasal formulation of the hormone oxytocin reduced caloric intake in healthy men, particularly consumption of fatty foods, after a single treatment, a new study finds. The results confirm those of animal studies showing oxytocin reduces food intake.Continue Reading

Drug to control appetite could also fight anxiety Did you know that our body produces its own marijuana-like compound to protect us against anxiety? A study reveals a new biological pathway that regulates this system and suggests that a drug currently in clinical trials to treat obesity might also provide an attractive way to combat anxiety disorders.Continue Reading

Losing 30 minutes of sleep per day may promote weight gain and adversely affect blood sugar control  Losing as little as 30 minutes of sleep per day on weekdays can have long-term consequences for body weight and metabolism,.Continue Reading

Childrens Health:Divorce fuels kids' sugary beverage consumption ♦ Link between adolescent obesity, high blood pressure ♦ Infant gut bacteria and food sensitization

Divorce fuels kids' sugary beverage consumption.  Children of recently separated or divorced families are likelier to drink sugar-sweetened beverages than children in families where the parents are married, putting them at higher risk for obesity later in life. Maintaining family routines such as eating a regular dinner or carving out time to talk each day, however, can protect children against developing unhealthy eating habits Continue Reading

Strong link between adolescent obesity, high blood pressure  Body mass index in healthy adolescents has a statistically significant association with both systolic blood pressures and diastolic blood pressures and it highlights the significance of the global trend of rapidly increasing adolescent obesity.Continue Reading

Infant gut bacteria and food sensitization: Associations in the first year of life  The research reveals that infants with a fewer number of different bacteria in their gut at three months of age are more likely to become sensitized to foods such as milk, egg or peanut by the time they are one year old. Continue Reading

Breastfeeding an ideal feeding pattern for infants  Human milk provides the best nutrition for most babies and breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for infants and very young children, according to an updated position paper. The paper also outlines the health risks of not breastfeeding, which include increased rates of infant and maternal morbidity and mortality, increased healthcare costs and significant economic losses.Continue Reading