Health Research: World's first ibuprofen patch created ♦ African sleeping sickness:♦ One in four new doctors may be depressed

African sleeping sickness: Study suggests new way to help the immune system fight off parasite African sleeping sickness, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, is transmitted by the tsetse fly and is fatal if left untreated. New research reveals a method to manipulate trypanosomes in the mammalian bloodstream to acquire fly stage characteristics. The findings suggest that inhibiting specific proteins can 'trick' the parasite into differentiating to a different stage of its lifecycle

What contributes to healthy living behaviors among children? It depends Experts have participated in several peer-reviewed articles on the issue of healthy behaviors among children.

One in four new doctors may be depressed, and their patients may suffer because of it More than one in four doctors in the early stages of their careers has signs of depression, a comprehensive new study finds. And the grueling years of training for a medical career may deserve some of the blame. That's bad news not just for the young doctors themselves, but also for the patients they care for now and in the future.

World's first ibuprofen patch created The world’s first ever ibuprofen patch has been produced and patented, delivering the drug directly through skin to exactly where it is needed at a consistent dose rate

Health News: 3-D printed objects that kill microbes ♦ Chemists turn bacterial molecules into potential drug molecules ♦ Grabbing a parasite by the tail: Team solves 'jumping gene' mystery

Researchers identify liver pathway linked to negative impacts of high-fat, high-cholesterol diet It's no secret that a high-fat, high-cholesterol "junk food" diet has been linked to major health problems, including high blood cholesterol and the buildup of plaques in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. Now new research has identified a pathway in the liver, controlled by a protein known as BAF60a, that contributes to these negative effects by stimulating the production of bile—which helps the body to absorb more cholesterol and other fats from the foods we eat.

Grabbing a parasite by the tail: Team solves 'jumping gene' mystery Deep within your DNA, a tiny parasite lurks, waiting to pounce from its perch and land in the middle of an unsuspecting healthy gene. If it succeeds, it can make you sick. Like a jungle cat, this parasite sports a long tail. But until now, little was known about what role that tail plays in this dangerous jumping.

Chemists turn bacterial molecules into potential drug molecules Chemists explain how they have created molecules that mimic and dominate toxic ones secreted by bacteria. The implications for the study of biology and pharmacology are said to be enormous.

3-D printed objects that kill microbes Material scientists and orthodontists have made a 3D printing substrate which kills bacteria on contact. The first applications will be in dentistry, but other implants may follow.

CDC researchers link cancer cells from parasite to human tumors

Unique case raises questions about misdiagnosis and treatment

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have discovered cancer cells originating in a common tapeworm may take root in people with weakened immune systems, causing cancer-like tumors. It is the first known case of a person becoming ill from cancer cells that arose in a parasite – in this case, Hymenolepis nana, the dwarf tapeworm.

The report, in the Nov. 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, raises concern that other similar cases, if they occur, may be misdiagnosed as human cancer – especially in less developed countries where this tapeworm and immune-system-suppressing illnesses like HIV are widespread.

“We were amazed when we found this new type of disease – tapeworms growing inside a person essentially getting cancer that spreads to the person, causing tumors,” said Atis Muehlenbachs, M.D., Ph.D., staff pathologist in CDC’s Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch (IDPB) and lead author of the study. “We think this type of event is rare. However, this tapeworm is found worldwide and millions of people globally suffer from conditions like HIV that weaken their immune system. So there may be more cases that are unrecognized. It’s definitely an area that deserves more study.”

Health News: Wisconsin firm recalls raw pet treats for listeria contamination ♦ General mills pledges to use 100% cage free eggs ♦ Gym steroid use has impact on memory

Wisconsin firm recalls raw pet treats for listeria contamination Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, WI, has recalled two limited batches of Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Tripe Patties and Frozen Beef Tripe Nibblets after the product tested positive for Listeria.  

General mills pledges to use 100% cage free eggs As part of a new animal welfare policy, major food manufacturer General Mills has pledged to shift its egg-buying practices in the U.S. to source exclusively from cage-free suppliers. Its Häagen-Dazs ice cream brand already sourced entirely from cage-free suppliers in Europe.

Experts call for more understanding of hospital weekend death risk Two academics say more research is needed to understand why patients are more likely to die in hospital on the weekend. The research found that the heightened risk of death after admission to hospital on the weekend -- the so-called 'weekend effect' -- is a feature of several developed countries' healthcare systems. The international nature of the findings suggests that this is a phenomenon that not only crosses time, but also geography

Gym steroid use has impact on memory People using anabolic steroids to improve muscle growth and sporting performance are far more likely to experience issues with their memory.

Study identifies new way to kill the malaria parasite Scientists have discovered new ways in which the malaria parasite survives in the bloodstream of its victims, a discovery that could pave the way to new treatments for the disease.

Health News: Ban Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Dihydrogen Monoxide? ♦ Viagra to prevent transmission of the malaria parasite? ♦ Strong statin-diabetes link seen in large study

Ban Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Dihydrogen Monoxide? The former USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety, Dr. Richard Raymond,is always good for pointing out something we’ve missed, or setting us straight, or both. He recently called out the latest Food Demand Survey conducted by Food and Agriculture Economist Jayson Lusk at Oklahoma State University.

Viagra to prevent transmission of the malaria parasite? By increasing the stiffness of erythrocytes infected by the causal agent of malaria, Viagra favors their elimination from the blood circulation and may therefore reduce transmission of the parasite from humans to mosquitoes. This astonishing discovery could lead to a treatment to reduce the spread of malaria within a population Strong statin-diabetes link seen in large study In a study of nearly 26,000 beneficiaries of Tricare, the military health system, those taking statin drugs to control their cholesterol were 87 percent more likely to develop diabetes. The research confirms past findings on the link between the widely prescribed drugs and diabetes risk. But it is among the first to show the connection in a relatively healthy group of people. Light in sight: A step towards a potential therapy for acquired blindness A promising new therapeutic approach for hereditary blindness based on a technology termed 'optogenetics' is to introduce light-sensing proteins into these surviving retinal cells, turning them into 'replacement photoreceptors' and thereby restoring vision. However, several factors limit the feasibility of a clinical optogenetic therapy using traditional light-sensitive proteins, as they require unnaturally high and potentially harmful light intensities and employ a foreign signaling mechanism within the target retinal cells.