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Studies find decline in rates of PSA screening, early-stage prostate cancer

Two studies in the November 17 issue of JAMA examine the change in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and prostate cancer incidence before and after the 2012 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) screening recommendations.

Early use of antibiotic for recurrent, severe lower respiratory illness in children

Among young children with histories of recurrent severe lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI), the use of azithromycin early during an apparent RTI compared with placebo significantly reduced the risk of experiencing progression to severe LRTI, according to a study in the November 17 issue of JAMA.

Prostate cancer screening drops dramatically in middle-aged men

(Nov. 17, 2015, BOSTON) - PSA testing has dropped significantly in middle-aged men after a 2012 recommendation that all men should not be routinely screened for prostate cancer, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study, published as a research letter online, focused on the use of PSA - prostate-specific antigen - to screen for prostate cancer.

For kids prone to wheezing with respiratory infections, early antibiotics help

Respiratory infections are common in preschoolers, but while most children recover fairly easily from the typical coughs and congestion, a significant number develop illnesses severe enough to interfere with breathing and warrant trips to urgent care clinics or emergency rooms.

Nondrug interventions improve quality of life for Chinese cancer patients

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- A meta-analysis of dozens of studies of traditional Chinese medicine and other nonpharmacological interventions meant to improve patients' quality of life affirms that these approaches, on the whole, help alleviate depression, fatigue, pain, anxiety, insomnia and gastrointestinal problems in Chinese cancer patients.

Nanotech-based sensor developed to measure microRNAs in blood, speed cancer detection

INDIANAPOLIS -- A simple, ultrasensitive microRNA sensor developed and tested by researchers from the schools of science and medicine at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center holds promise for the design of new diagnostic strategies and, potentially, for the prognosis and treatment of pancreatic and other cancers.

New technique could prevent dangerous biofilms on catheters

Biofilms frequently coat the surfaces of catheters, and of various medical implants and prostheses, where they can cause life-threatening infections. New research at the Sahlgrenska Academy show that coating implants with a certain "activator" can prevent Staphylococcus aureus, the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, from forming biofilms.

Melting Scandinavian ice provides missing link in Europe's final Ice Age story

Molecular-based moisture indicators, remains of midges and climate simulations have provided climate scientists with the final piece to one of the most enduring puzzles of the last Ice Age.

For years, researchers have struggled to reconcile climate models of the Earth, 13,000 years ago, with the prevailing theory that a catastrophic freshwater flood from the melting North American ice sheets plunged the planet into a sudden and final cold snap, just before entering the present warm interglacial.

Fungus causes emerging snake disease found in Eastern US

Washington, D.C.--November 17, 2015--Researchers working for the U.S. Geological Survey have identified the fungal culprit behind an often deadly skin infection in snakes in the eastern U.S. Published this week in mBio, an online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, the research shows that Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola is the definitive cause of snake fungal disease (SFD), which will help researchers pinpoint why it is emerging as a threat to snake populations and how its impacts can be mitigated.

New drowsy driving position statement calls for greater public awareness, education

DARIEN, IL - A new position statement from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine warns that drowsy driving is a serious public health concern requiring greater public awareness and increased efforts to improve preventive education.

Why are some wild animals more tolerant to human interaction than others?

When most wild animals first encounter humans, they respond as they would to any predator -- by running, swimming or flying away.

Over time, some species become more tolerant of humans' presence, but the extent to which they do is largely driven by the type of environment in which the animals live and by the animal's body size, according to a comprehensive new analysis.

Every species counts

Leipzig. The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning greatly depends on the prevalent environmental conditions. An interdisciplinary team consisting of microbiologists and ecological modellers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the Stockholm Resilience Centre has now tested this hypothesis which is considered crucial for biodiversity research.

IRB Barcelona develops an advanced method and the first platform of DNA simulations

Seeing through simulations what is not possible to observe directly through experimental means. Molecular dynamics is a technique that allows the simulation of DNA movement, its folding into double, triple or quadruple strands, and even its interaction with proteins and drugs. Molecular dynamics is used to address the processes that occur over time scales ranging from picoseconds to minutes and it can be used for molecular systems of various sizes, from few nanometres to a meter.

Alzheimer's research: New findings

Protein in the cell membrane

Researchers find experimental drug can help fight debilitating side effect of ovarian cancer

Women who have ovarian cancer often develop a condition called ascites, which is a buildup of fluids in the abdomen. The most common treatment for ascites is puncturing the abdomen and manually draining the fluid, which is painful and risky and must be repeated every few weeks.