Health Research: Shaking the nanomaterials out: New method to purify contaminated water ♦ Do you really need that MRI? ♦ Researchers report possibility of using unused human pancreata to build new organs

Shaking the nanomaterials out: New method to purify contaminated water Nano implies small -- and that's great for use in medical devices, beauty products and smartphones -- but it's also a problem. All these tiny particles get into our water and are difficult to remove. Now, researchers have a novel and very simple way to take the nanomaterials out.

Researchers report possibility of using unused human pancreata to build new organs Researchers have been working for years to develop an artificial pancreas in the lab to help the millions of people with type 1 diabetes. But what if the answer is to 'recycle' the more than 300 human pancreata from organ donors that aren't currently being used?

Scientists identify effective and novel mechanisms to block chikungunya virus Scientists looking at the antiviral mechanisms of two previously identified human monoclonal antibodies have found they potently inhibit chikungunya virus (CHIKV) at multiple stages of infection. These antibodies prevent CHIKV from both entering and exiting cells, an important finding that could lead to new approaches in therapeutics and vaccines to fight infectious diseases.

Do you really need that MRI? Too many tests at the doctor's office could cost you more than just dollars. In addition to the huge hit to your wallet, there's also the potential harm of false positives, and just because a test has traditionally been done for a condition doesn't mean it's the best way to treat it. One expert is helping lead a national push to determine what neurologic tests or services are performed more than they should be.

Health Research: Type 2 diabetes reversed by losing fat from pancreas ♦ Enhanced treatment for hepatitis C could cut prevalence by 80 percent

Type 2 diabetes reversed by losing fat from pancreas Type 2 diabetes is caused by fat accumulating in the pancreas, researchers show. They add that losing less than one gram of that fat through weight loss reverses the diabetes.

Enhanced treatment for hepatitis C could cut prevalence by 80 percent Novel antiviral therapies for hepatitis C could reduce the prevalence of the blood-borne infection by more than 80 percent, according to a new analysis. The finding raises the possibility of greatly reducing, and even eliminating, hepatitis C in the United States if enhanced screening and treatment efforts target high-risk populations.

Metformin does not improve glycemic control for overweight teens with type 1 diabetes In a randomized trial that included overweight and obese adolescents with type 1 diabetes, the addition of metformin to insulin did not improve glycemic control after six months;

Researchers hope to harness human Researchers are learning more about how an ancient “error correction” system in the human genome helps protect the body against HIV, in hopes that their latest discovery may help in the fight against the infection.

Children's Health: ype 1 diabetes prevention: Insulin vaccine undergoes second trial ♦ Understanding others' thoughts enables young kids to lie ♦ New test predicts teens' future risk of heart diseas

Type 1 diabetes prevention: Insulin vaccine undergoes second trial A vaccination against type 1 diabetes may soon be available to young children: the Pre-POINT early vaccination study will involve children between the ages of six months and two years from across Germany who have a first-degree relative with type 1 diabetes. In the preceding Pre-POINT study a positive immune response was triggered in children aged between two and seven years with the aid of powdered insulin. The follow-up Pre-POINT early study will now test whether this effect can be confirmed by giving very young children oral insulin, and whether type 1 diabetes can be prevented in the long term.

Understanding others' thoughts enables young kids to lie Kids who are taught to reason about the mental states of others are more likely to use deception to win a reward, according to new research.

New test predicts teens' future risk of heart disease A new test can predict teenagers' future risk of heart disease, the number one killer of both men and women. By identifying those at risk early, the test enables doctors to encourage the healthy behaviors that could one day save the teens' lives

Birth weight, poor childhood growth linked to hearing, vision problems in middle age A study of up to 433,390 UK adults has linked being under and overweight at birth with poorer hearing, vision and cognition in middle age. 

Parents Influence Children's Play of Violent Video Games Parents who are anxious and emotional can impact their children's violent video game play, according to new research. Warm and restrictive parents successfully limited children’s play. However, anxious parents had the opposite effect.

Health News: brewerton wedding reception blamed for food poisoning ♦ Food group calls on FDA to stop wasting eggs ♦ Removing genes without a trace

State blames illness outbreak at brewerton wedding reception on food poisoning An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness among guests at a wedding reception in Brewerton July 31 was caused by food poisoning, according to the state Health Department. About 35 people got sick at the party at Arrowhead Lodge, an Onondaga County-owned facility at Oneida Shores Park, and at least nine of them were taken to area emergency rooms.

Food group calls on FDA to stop wasting eggs in wake of avian flu shortages Industry being forced to discard wholesome protein, enough to feed 94,000 Americans a year WASHINGTON, D.C. - This year's outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States and resulting egg price increases have caused the food industry to closely examine a current policy that forces broiler chicken producers to destroy perfectly acceptable and safe

Removing genes without a trace Genes may now be deleted without creating a scar in certain strains of Escherichia coli and other microorganisms, thanks to new research. The technique makes it easier to string together several genetic engineering steps without interference caused by a deletion scar

Preclinical drug developed to prevent gastrointestinal side effects of type 1 diabetes Up to 80 percent of individuals living with long-term type 1 diabetes experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal distension, irritable bowel syndrome, and fecal incontinence. A study reveals why these symptoms arise and tests an investigational drug in mice that could prevent them from developing.

Exposure to toxic chemicals threatening human reproduction and health Dramatic increases in exposure to toxic chemicals in the last four decades are threatening human reproduction and health, according to experts. Exposure to toxic environmental chemicals is linked to millions of deaths and costs billions of dollars every year, according to the authors.

Health Research: Bacteria that prevents type 1 diabetes, Diabetes drug modulates cholesterol levels, 'Caveman instincts' may favor deep-voiced politicians

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Bacteria that prevents type 1 diabetes To combat pathogens, the immune system has developed various mechanisms to detect, defend against and even destroy micro-organisms that are harmful to the body. This includes antimicrobial peptides and natural proteins that destroy pathogenic bacteria by disrupting their cellular membrane. Not only are they produced by immune cells, they are also produced by cells whose functions are not immune-related. Researchers have recently shown how microbiota protects against the development of type 1 diabetes.

When dinner table defiance could lead to health problems When most people think of eating disorders, they think of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. But there’s another condition that has nothing to do with concerns over weight, shape or body image, and it has been recognized in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Diabetes drug modulates cholesterol levels Besides affecting the blood sugar levels, the substance Metformin, also has an impact on blood fat levels, a research team reports, adding that it is especially the harmful LDL cholesterol can be reduced.

'Caveman instincts' may favor deep-voiced politicians When politicians debate an opponent, it's not just what they say that matters -- it's also how they say it. A new study shows that voters naturally prefer candidates with deeper voices, which they associate with strength and competence more than age. The researchers say our love lower-pitched voices may harken back to 'caveman instincts' associating leadership with physical prowess more than wisdom and experience.

Silently suffering from hearing loss negatively affects quality of life Hearing loss in adults is under treated despite evidence that hearing aid technology can significantly lessen depression and anxiety and improve cognitive functioning, according to research.

Health Research:New treatment of type 1 diabetes ♦ Starvation effects handed down for generations ♦ Perfectionism linked to burnout at work, school and sports,

Promising progress for new treatment of type 1 diabetes New research shows promising progress in the use of anti-inflammatory cytokine for treatment of type 1 diabetes. The study reveals that administration of interleukin-35 (a protein made by immune cells) to mice with type 1 diabetes, reverses or cures the disease by maintaining a normal blood glucose level and the immune tolerance

Affordable genetic diagnostic technique for target DNA analysis developed A technique to analyze various target DNAs has been developed using an aptamer, a DNA fragment that can recognize and bind to a specific protein or enzyme.

Perfectionism linked to burnout at work, school and sports, Perfectionistic concerns have a positive relationship with overall burnout and symptoms of burnout, research has found. Perfectionistic concerns can create stress, interfere with relationships and more.

Starvation effects handed down for generations Starvation early in life can alter an organism for generations to come, according to a new study in nematodes. The epigenetic effects are a 'bet-hedging strategy.' Famine survivors are smaller and less fertile, and they acquire a toughness that lasts at least two generations. The mechanism of the epigenetic inheritance has not been identified, however.

Self-assembling, biomimetic membranes may aid water filtration A synthetic membrane that self assembles and is easily produced may lead to better gas separation, water purification, drug delivery and DNA recognition, according to an international team of researchers

Children's Health: Hearing test pinpoints middle-ear problems in newborn ♦ Severe allergic reaction can occur hours after first ♦ How children react to winning and losing

Severe allergic reaction can occur hours after first New research offers clues as to why some kids can have a second, related severe allergic reaction hours after a first – and what to do about it.

Glimmer of hope for patients with leukodystrophies Leukodystrophies are deadly neurodegenerative diseases that affect one in 7,000 children and remain incurable. These genetic diseases attack myelin or the 'insulating rubber sheath' surrounding neurons, which leads to deteriorating health for affected children. Montreal researchers discovered a new crucial gene associated with these orphan diseases.

Healthy diets for youth with type 1 diabetes can be hard for parents to obtain Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) often need to modify their eating habits, but many youths with T1DM do not consume a healthful diet. To learn more about the challenges their parents may face in providing them with a more healthful diet, researchers set out to discover the availability of healthier food options and the price difference of the food items at stores frequented by families.

Kid swagger: How children react to winning and losing Children start to recognize 'achievement pride' at age 4 and 5. This is a great age for parents to help them set and achieve goals.It's also an important developmental stage for learning to identify and process emotions.

Hearing test pinpoints middle-ear problems in newborns Screening method can reduce false-positive hearing results, reducing need for extensive follow up tests, family stress, researchers say. In their study, audiologists used high-frequency tympanometry to test middle-ear function in 31 infants between the ages of one week and six months

Health Research:New genetic form of obesity ♦ Hope for patients with chronic wounds Most wounds ♦ Brown fat transplant reversed type 1 diabetes

New genetic form of obesity, diabetes discovered Scientists have discovered a new inherited form of obesity and type 2 diabetes in humans. Researchers discovered the new defect by sequencing the DNA of an extremely obese young woman and members of her family. In addition to an increased appetite leading to severe weight problems from childhood, she had type 2 diabetes, learning difficulties, and reproductive problems.

License plate decals don't seem to curb learner driver crash rates The use of license plate decals for drivers with learner permits doesn't seem to have reduced their crash rate in New Jersey, the first US state to introduce the regulation.

Hepatitis C: Life-threatening barriers in access to breakthrough drugs in US Most states violate federal Medicaid law because they deny coverage for sofosbuvir, a new and highly effective treatment to cure hepatitis C. According to a team of researchers who examined Medicaid policies for hepatitis C virus treatment using sofosbuvir, more commonly known as Solvadi, most should change policy to improve access to the treatment.

Hope for patients with chronic wounds Most wounds clear up by themselves, but some fail to heal and become chronic. An international team of researchers has now unveiled the important role of so-called microRNAs in regulating skin wound healing, pointing to new therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds

Brown fat transplant reversed type 1 diabetes without insulin in non-obese diabetic mice Researchers have found embryonic brown fat transplants reversed type 1 diabetes and restored glucose tolerance to normal in non-obese diabetic mice.

Children's Health: Solutions to fight pediatric asthma ♦ Children with asthma likely born in area with high air pollution ♦ Daily bathing of pediatric patients with antiseptic cuts bloodstream infection

New strategies, solutions to fight pediatric asthma Low flu vaccination rates, medication compliance and limited access to primary care providers have contributed to the high pediatric asthma rates in California. This new study details several issues affecting asthma care and offers a number of public policy strategies that could help remedy these shortcomings.

Children with asthma likely born in area with high air pollution Children who develop asthma in Toronto are more likely to have been born in a neighborhood that has a high level of traffic-related air pollution.

Daily bathing of pediatric patients with antiseptic cuts bloodstream infections by 59 percent Daily bathing of pediatric patients with disposable cloths containing 2 percent chlorhexidine gluconate reduced central line-associated bloodstream infections by 59 percent and saved approximately $300,000 in one hospital over a six-month period, according to a new study

Pet care can help improve adolescents' Type 1 diabetes management, Pediatric diabetes researchers found that incorporating routine pet care into a child's diabetes self-care plan can significantly improve monitoring of the disease, resulting in lower blood glucose levels

Health Research: Accelerated brain aging in type 1 diabetes ♦ The dark side of cannabis: Panic attacks, nausea ♦ New leads into nerve regeneration

Accelerated brain aging in type 1 diabetes related to cognitive complications The brains of people with type 1 diabetes show signs of accelerated aging that correlate with slower information processing, according to research. The findings indicate that clinicians should consider screening middle-aged patients with type 1 diabetes for cognitive difficulties. If progressive, these changes could influence their ability to manage their diabetes.

The dark side of cannabis: Panic attacks, nausea

Although the use of cannabis as a medical drug is currently booming, we should not forget that leisure time consumption -- for example, smoking weed -- can cause acute and chronic harms. These include panic attacks, impaired coordination of movement, and nausea.

Proteomics provides new leads into nerve regeneration Using proteomics techniques to study injured optic nerves, researchers have identified previously unrecognized proteins and pathways involved in nerve regeneration. Adding back one of these proteins -- the oncogene c-myc -- they achieved unprecedented optic nerve regeneration in mice when combined with two other known strategies.

Profiling approach to enable right lung cancer treatment match A new way to genetically profile lung cancer samples has been developed by researchers, potentially allowing doctors to more easily identify the most appropriate treatment for patients.
Breast cancer vaccines may work better with silicon microparticles The effectiveness of cancer vaccines could be dramatically boosted by first loading the cancer antigens into silicon microparticles, report scientists. Model studies showed that microparticles loaded with an antigen, HER2, not only protected the antigen from premature destruction, but also stimulated the immune system to recognize and relentlessly attack cancer cells overexpressing the HER2 antigen.

Children's Health: Babies' lives were saved by 3-D printing ♦ Childhood bullying causes long-term mental health problems ♦ Breast milk sharing risky

Childhood bullying causes worse long-term mental health problems than maltreatment Bullying adversely affects children in later life more than being maltreated, according to new research. A new study shows that children who have been bullied by peers suffer worse in the longer term than those who have been maltreated by adults

Maternal obesity increases risk of type 1 diabetes in children   A study of more than 1.2 million children in Sweden has concluded that children of parents with any type of diabetes are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes (T1D), and that maternal overweight and obesity increases the risk of the child developing T1D when neither parent has diabetes.

Toxic combination of air pollution and poverty lowers child IQ Children born to mothers experiencing economic hardship, who were also exposed during pregnancy to high levels of PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), scored significantly lower on IQ tests at age 5 compared with children born to mothers with greater economic security and less exposure to the pollutants.

How babies' lives were saved by 3-D printing A new study reports outcomes for three boys who became among the first in the world to benefit from 3D printed devices that saved their lives

Breast milk sharing among friends, relatives increasing, but still risky A new study offers insight into the attitudes around the growing -- and unregulated -- practice of breast milk sharing. Results indicate that friends and relatives are sharing breast milk with each other, but that many may not be aware of the risks, even when the milk is from someone they know. The study also found that healthcare practitioners are being left out of the milk-sharing dialogue-- and that there are untapped opportunities to encourage women to donate desperately needed, extra breast milk for premature babies.

Children's Health: Serious diabetes complication increasing among youth ♦ Preventing type 1 diabetes in high-risk children ♦ Reduce behavioral problems in young children with autism

Is there such a thing as 'pure' autism? Genetic analysis says no  The search for genes that contribute to the risk for autism has made tremendous strides over the past 3 years. As this field has advanced, investigators have wondered whether the diversity of clinical features across patients with autism reflects heterogeneous sources of genetic risk.

Parent training can reduce serious behavioral problems in young children with autism A study finds young children with autism spectrum disorder and serious behavioral problems respond positively to a 24-week structured parent training. The benefits of parent training endured for up to six months post intervention.

Incidence of serious diabetes complication may be increasing among youth in U. S The incidence of a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, in youth in Colorado at the time of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes increased by 55 percent between 1998 and 2012, suggesting a growing number of youth may experience delays in diagnosis and treatment, according to a new study.

Oral insulin shows potential for preventing type 1 diabetes in high-risk children In a pilot study that included children at high risk for type 1 diabetes, daily high-dose oral insulin, compared with placebo, resulted in an immune response to insulin without hypoglycemia, findings that support the need for a phase 3 trial to determine whether oral insulin can prevent islet autoimmunity and diabetes in high-risk children,

Health News: Electrically charged water fights foodborne Pathogens ♦ Guide to produce pesticide residues ♦ New compound prevents type 1 diabetes + more

Electrically charged water can fight foodborne Pathogens  “Nanosized” droplets of electrically charged water have been shown to inactivate pathogens on the surface of food and could one day become an environmentally friendly way to make food safer. Continue Reading

Consumer reports guides shoppers through produce pesticide residues  Each year, the Environmental Working Group releases guides to help us pick fruits and vegetables with the fewest pesticide residues. Consumer Reports’ has now released guidelines. According to the organization’s survey pesticide exposure in food is a concern for 85 percent of Americans. Continue Reading

New compound prevents type 1 diabetes in animal models Scientists have successfully tested a potent synthetic compound that prevents type 1 diabetes in animal models of the disease. In a new study, researchers tested an experimental compound known as SR1001 Continue Reading

Medications used to treat diabetes may trigger heart failure  A comprehensive study examining clinical trials of more than 95,000 patients has found that glucose or sugar-lowering medications prescribed to patients with diabetes may pose an increased risk for the development of heart failure in these patients.Continue Reading

Is too much artificial light at night making us sick?  Modern life, with its preponderance of inadequate exposure to natural light during the day and overexposure to artificial light at night, is not conducive to the body's natural sleep/wake cycle. A cancer epidemiologist and team members suggest such overexposure has possible ties to cancer, obesity, diabetes, and other health issues Continue Reading

2/12/15 Health News: Mad Cow Case in Canada -- STORE STOPS SELLING FROZEN RACCOONS -- Combat Illnesses During Flu Season-- Placenta accreta -- Women with type 1 diabetes at significantly higher risk of dying early

Mad cow case detected in Canada Food authorities on Friday confirmed a case of mad cow disease in Canada's Alberta province, this nation's first outbreak of the illness since 2011. Veterinary officials at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said that the infected cow was diagnosed before being slaughtered Continue Reading

CA STORE STOPS SELLING FROZEN RACCOONS AFTER HEALTH DEPARTMENT VISIT Inspectors from the Los Angeles County Health Department reportedly visited the Metro Supermarket in Temple City, CA, on Tuesday after being informed that the store was selling raccoons as food. Store employees indicated they had entire frozen and bagged raccoons selling for $9.99 per pound.Continue Reading

Cleaning, Sanitizing And Disinfecting To Combat Illnesses During Flu Season Eliminating illness causing germs from reaching our families is a focus during cold and flu season. To accomplish this, the use of chlorine bleach to sanitize surfaces is a common practice. “Chlorine bleach is a very effective sanitizer and disinfectant on disease causing germs Continue Reading

Pregnant woman with placenta accreta saved When Patricia Perich, 41, was 24 weeks pregnant with her fourth child, she was diagnosed with a potentially fatal condition called placenta accreta. This condition occurs when blood vessels from the placenta grow too deeply into the uterus Continue Reading

Women with type 1 diabetes at significantly higher risk of dying early compared with men Women with type 1 diabetes face a 40% increased excess risk of early death from all causes, and have more than twice the risk of dying from heart disease, compared to men with type 1 diabetes. Continue Reading

2/11/15 Health News: Microbes linked to type 1 diabetes ♦ Another reason to drink wine ♦ E-cigarette flavorings trigger lung cell stress ♦ A one-two punch against ovarian cancer

Microbiome linked to type 1 diabetes: Shift in microbiome species diversity prior to disease onset

In the largest longitudinal study of the microbiome to date, researchers have identified a connection between changes in gut microbiota and the onset of type 1 diabetes. The study, which followed infants who were genetically predisposed to the condition, found that onset for those who developed the disease was preceded by a drop in Continue Reading

Another reason to drink wine: It could help you burn fat, study suggests

Drinking red grape juice or wine -- in moderation -- could improve the health of overweight people by helping them burn fat better. The findings suggest that consuming dark-colored grapes, whether eating, drinking juice or wine, might help people better manage obesity and  metabolic disorders such as fatty liver. Continue Reading

E-cigarette vapors, flavorings, trigger lung cell stress

A new study shows that emissions from e-cigarette aerosols and flavorings damage lung cells by creating harmful free radicals and inflammation in lung tissue, suggesting that e-cigarettes are likely a toxic replacement for tobacco products. Continue Reading

A one-two punch against ovarian cancer

Only 1.3 percent of cancers diagnosed between 2004 and 2010 were cancers of the ovary, but fewer than half of these women survived for five years or more. Researchers have now studied a combination therapy developed to help women with ovarian cance .Continue Reading  

!2/3/14 Health News: Fewer hospital errors ♦ India's Pharmaceutical Scandal ♦ Artificial pancreas shows improve treatment of type 1 diabetes

50,000 lives saved because of fewer hospital errors

About 50,000 people are alive today because U.S. hospitals committed 17 percent fewer medical errors in 2013 than in 2010, government health officials said Tuesday.Continue Reading

India's Pharmaceutical Scandal

In a lab in an Indian village during the height of monsoon season in 2011, a technician hit a delete button -- a keystroke that would have consequences three years later. Continue Reading

FDA influence on design of pivotal drug studies examined

An examination of the potential interaction between pharmaceutical companies and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss future studies finds that one-quarter of recent new drug approvals occurred without any meeting, and when such meetings occurred, pharmaceutical companies did not comply with one-quarter of the recommendations made by the FDA regarding study design or primary outcome, according to a study. Continue Reading

Artificial pancreas shown to improve treatment of type 1 diabetes

The world’s first clinical trial comparing three alternative treatments for type 1 diabetes demonstrates that the external artificial pancreas improves glucose control and reduces the risk of hypoglycemia compared to conventional diabetes treatment Continue Reading