Health: Interesting Stories from Medical News Today

Medical News Today: Genetic data uncovers multiple facets of schizophrenia
Four different genetic mutations appear to account for four distinct forms of schizophrenia. This could mean more targeted therapy options for 1 in 3 patients with the condition.

Medical News Today: Fit in 60 seconds: how 1 minute of intense exercise can boost health
Engaging in intense exercise for just 1 minute three times a week is just as beneficial as 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly, a new study suggests.

Medical News Today: Serotonin gives insight into sudden infant death syndrome
New research strengthens the links between sudden infant death syndrome and the neurotransmitter serotonin. As our understanding deepens, interventions will hopefully improve.

Medical News Today: Sleep problems may last up to 18 months after TBI
People who experience a traumatic brain injury may have sleep problems for up to 18 months after, though many may not be aware of it, according to a new study.

Medical News Today: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Learn about takotsubo cardiomyopathy – also known as stress cardiomyopathy – a temporary heart condition that shares many of the symptoms of a heart attack.

Medical News Today: Food allergy increase not matched by increased sensitivity, study finds
Tests on stored samples of children’s blood drawn 1988-1994 and 2005-2006 show no significant changes in prevalence of sensitization to common foods, such as milk, egg, or peanuts.

Medical News Today: Near-death experiences: fact or fantasy?
Near-death experiences span age groups and cultures. Often tied to the paranormal and visions of an afterlife, what is the science behind these experiences?

Medical News Today: Yoga may improve symptoms, quality of life for people with asthma
A new Cochrane Review finds that asthma patients may experience an improvement in symptoms and life quality with yoga, though researchers call for further evidence of its benefits.

Medical News Today: E-cigarettes: FDA ‘should be open-minded about regulation’
Experts proposing a plan for evaluating the impact of e-cigarettes and other vaporized nicotine products on public health urge the FDA to be open-minded about their regulation.

Medical News Today: Morning flu shot might be more effective than afternoon
New research shows that giving a flu vaccination in the morning might provide better protection than afternoon vaccinations. If proven, the findings could save many lives.

Medical News Today: Music exposure benefits babies’ brains
Infants who participate in music lessons appear to benefit in terms of neurological development more than those involved in other play-related activities.

Medical News Today: Heart disease risk higher among shift workers
Nurses who do shift work for more than 5 years have a small but significantly higher risk of heart disease, which wanes in time after they stop working shifts.

Medical News Today: Laundry detergent pods an increasing health hazard for children
Researchers reveal that the number of calls to poison centers in the United States for child exposure to laundry detergent pods increased by 17% in 2013-2014.

Medical News Today: Childhood obesity is still rising
Obesity in America is arguably one of the country’s greatest health concerns. New research shows that childhood obesity is still on the rise.

Medical News Today: Liver cancer risk lingers after hepatitis B virus cleared
A new study finds that the risk of developing liver cancer from infection with hepatitis B persists even after patients have apparently been cleared of the virus.

Medical News Today: Female Condoms: Use, Advantages, Effectiveness
Learn about female condoms, flexible pouches that can be used as a form of contraception and to protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Medical News Today: Suicide rates rising in US, CDC report
A new CDC report shows suicide rates in the US have increased almost steadily 1999-2014 for all ages 10-74, with the steepest increases occurring after 2006.

Medical News Today: Infants who eat rice products have higher arsenic concentrations
Rice products are typically among the first solid foods offered to infants, but a new study shows rice can produce higher urinary arsenic concentrations, putting infants at risk.

Medical News Today: Pregnancy guidelines for harmful acne drug not adhered to by many women
A new study suggests around 30-50 percent of women who use the acne drug isotretinoin do not adhere to current pregnancy prevention guidelines.

Medical News Today: Cutting-edge research shows how Zika attacks fetal brains
3D-printed miniaturized spinning bioreactors help scientists uncover how the Zika virus attacks fetal brains. The technique could also open the door to further beneficial research.

Medical News Today: Treating sepsis by protecting blood vessels shows promise
An antibody that protects blood vessels against the effects of sepsis – also known as blood poisoning – stopped mice succumbing to the disease, new study shows.

Medical News Today: Cashews: Nutritional Information, Health Benefits
Read all about the nutritional properties of cashew nuts, along with a list of their potential health benefits and ways to incorporate them in your diet.

Medical News Today: Sleep deprivation may lower ‘good’ cholesterol
Researchers find that just short-term lack of sleep may have a big influence on cholesterol, shedding light on why sleep deprivation has been linked to cardiovascular disease.

Medical News Today: Expect an extra week of unhealthy ozone days in the future
If emissions are not checked, the US will face more days of dangerous ozone levels in future, with some regions experiencing up to 9 extra days a year.

Medical News Today: Brits ‘are not a nation of binge drinkers,’ says study
Contrary to stereotype, a new study finds that almost half of British adults drink moderately at home, though heavy drinking is still common.

Medical News Today: Dark chocolate: a boost for athletes’ performance?
A study suggests that dark chocolate may be useful in reducing athletes’ oxygen consumption and enabling them to continue practicing for longer, as well as tasting good.

Medical News Today: Frailty risk lower in widowed than married older women
A new study shows that among older people, widowed women have a lower risk of frailty than married women, while among men, it is the married men who have a lower risk.

Medical News Today: Gender stereotypes may influence perception of babies’ cries
A new study suggests many adults apply gender stereotypes to babies as young as 3 months old, after finding that higher-pitched cries are often assumed as belonging to baby girls.

Medical News Today: HIV infection associated with premature aging
People with HIV infection appear to age more quickly than those without the infection, with an average advance of 5 years in the aging process.

Medical News Today: Why do we sleep badly during the first night in a new place?
The first night in an unfamiliar bed is often disturbed. Scientists have uncovered the neuroscience behind this mysterious effect and why it is important.

Medical News Today: What is the key to healthy aging? New gene study sheds light
By analyzing the genes of elderly adults completely free of chronic disease and illness, researchers have uncovered genetic variants that may boost healthy aging.

Medical News Today: Methamphetamine: Facts, Effects and Health Risks
Learn about methamphetamine, a highly addictive and illegal drug that is known for its euphoric effects. Methamphetamine is the second highest illicit drug used worldwide.

Medical News Today: Resistance-proof antiviral that targets several diseases in development
Researchers have developed a modified polymer that blocks various viruses from entering cultured human cells in a way that the pathogens cannot work around with new mutations.

Medical News Today: Precision medicine: is it becoming a reality for childhood cancer?
For adults with cancer, precision medicine has emerged as a feasible treatment option. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for childhood cancer. But is this changing?

Medical News Today: Everyday chemicals may encourage cells to store fat
Phthalates known as BBPs, which commonly feature in everyday plastics, soaps and other items, may exacerbate fat formation in cells, with potential implications for obesity.

Medical News Today: Dog walking linked to better physical health for seniors
A new study finds a link between improved physical health in senior adults and dog walking and that a strong pet-owner bond may be a positive influence on physical activity.

Medical News Today: Psychological pain predicts concussion recovery time
Concussion affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. Fascinating new research shows that psychological pain might prevent a swift recovery.

Medical News Today: Aspirin may prolong survival for cancer patients by up to a fifth
Taking low-dose aspirin combined with other treatment increased the survival of cancer patients by 15-20%, and it also reduced spread of the disease, a new study reveals.

Medical News Today: Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Learn about body dysmorphic disorder, an under-recognized psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with a minor or imagined physical defect.

Medical News Today: Alcohol and processed meat linked to stomach cancer
Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks a day, eating processed meat each day and being overweight or obese increase the risk of developing stomach cancer, according to new study.

Medical News Today: Watercress extract could protect smokers against cancer
A new clinical trial reveals that watercress extract is able to detoxify certain carcinogens in smokers, which could potentially shield them from cancer.

Medical News Today: BRCA1 gene mutation linked to fewer eggs in ovaries
Women with the BRCA1 mutation may have fewer eggs in their ovaries, since they have a lower level of the hormone AMH, which is a predictor of ovarian reserve.

Medical News Today: How E. coli could help tackle those sweet cravings
Placing a small amount of lipopolysaccharide from E. coli bacteria in the guts of mice reduced their cravings for sweet treats, a new study reveals.

Medical News Today: Pancreatic cancer risk linked to changes in mouth bacteria
For the first time, a new study gives direct evidence that certain changes in the oral microbiome – the mix of bacteria in the mouth – could be a risk factor for pancreatic cancer.

Medical News Today: Stem cell technique predicts patients likely to have severe chemo reaction
Study shows heart cells generated from a patient’s own skin-derived stem cells can predict if they are likely to suffer severe heart muscle damage from a common chemotherapy drug.

Medical News Today: Loneliness increases risk of heart disease and stroke
Results from a large meta-analysis show that loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for heart disease and stroke just as serious as anxiety and a stressful work life.

Medical News Today: Laser pointers ‘do not damage the eyesight of aircraft pilots’
Directing a laser pointer at an aircraft will not harm a pilot’s eyesight, say the authors of a new editorial, but it can still pose danger by causing significant distraction.

Medical News Today: Having a Baby After 35: Information and Associated Risks
Fertility levels in women begins to decrease during the third decade of life. Learn all about pregnancy later in life after the age of 35 in this article.

Medical News Today: Protein responsible for flu blues identified
The flu affects you physically, but it can also significantly reduce mood. Researchers may have finally pinned down the immune molecules responsible for the mental slump.