Top Stories 5-11-2016
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Everyone has been there. No sooner did you or your child touch that old wooden bench when a small sliver of wood slides into the skin – causing a surprising amount of pain. Fortunately, say dermatologists, splinters are easy to remove with the proper tools and technique.
Offering virtual dermatology care significantly improved access to specialized skin care for a group of patients that traditionally has limited options, according to an independent study led by researchers at the RAND Corporation and Harvard Medical School’s Department of Health. The findings appear in a JAMA Dermatology article published online May 4.
Just as most people know there is no such thing as safe smoking, there is also no such thing as safe sunbathing or tanning. Exposure to UVA and UVB rays can cause more than just a sunburn or tan – it can lead to everything from wrinkles to skin cancer.
A virtual tour through the pore. Animation: James Chou Researchers have determined the structure of part of the tiny passageways that allow calcium ions to enter mitochondria and kick off cellular energy production. The findings, reported May 2 in Nature, promise to help researchers better understand how the channel, known as the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, works so speedily and precisely and what happens when it breaks—a question of growing interest since mutations in the uniporter have recently been linked to intermittent fatigue and lethargy.
When It Comes to Spring Allergies, Oak Pollen More Potent Than Pine; Food Allergies of Low-Income Kids Are Poorly Managed; Flowers Not to Blame for Allergies, and More in the Allergies Channel
Compound found to be highly active against cancer driven by EZH2 mutation in laboratory models
A pair of molecular signals controls skin and hair color in mice and humans — and could be targeted by new drugs to treat skin pigment disorders like vitiligo, according to a report by scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center.
Skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age, race or gender. When it comes to skin cancer prevention and detection, however, it seems that men need to brush up on their knowledge.
In a review of 19 studies, researchers at Johns Hopkins say they can confirm a “strong association” between certain scalp-pulling hairstyles — many common among African-Americans — and the development of traction alopecia, gradual hair loss caused by damage to the hair follicle from prolonged or repeated tension on the hair root.
Pinellas County a Model for Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance, Scientists Unravel the Genetic Evolution of Zika Virus, Worm Infection Counters Inflammatory Bowel Disease and more in the Infectious Diseases News Source
When skin cells responsible for pigmentation are exposed to estrogen or progesterone, the cells respond by adjusting their melanin production, resulting in either skin darkening or lightening. Although pregnant women often experience alterations in skin pigmentation, the reason for the changes has long puzzled physicians. New research, from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has uncovered cellular pathways in skin pigment cells that are activated by estrogen and progesterone – two of the main female sex hormones - and also identified synthetic hormone derivatives that specifically influence the pigment producing pathway. Together, the findings provide critical information that could lead to the development of new products that change skin tone without exposure to UV radiation or toxic bleaching agents.
About half of Medicare patients who start taking biologic therapies for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis stop within a year, according to a study led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Previous studies have found similar results among the privately insured in the United States. The new study is the first to explore this issue among the elderly and disabled who are covered under Medicare. Lack of data in this population has been a major research gap, given that such patients are often underrepresented in clinical trials.
Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin condition and the most common form of eczema, is estimated to afflict as much as 10 percent of the U.S. population, and is much more common now than it was 50 years ago. Veterinary clinical estimates also show that approximately 10 percent of dogs have atopic dermatitis. How AD arises isn’t yet fully understood, but a new study from researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine, have uncovered important insights about the association of AD in dogs compared to humans. The study appears online in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
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In a clinical trial of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, half of 25 patients with a rare type of virus-linked skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma experienced substantial tumor shrinkage lasting nearly three times as long, on average, than with conventional chemotherapy.
A team of researchers led by Ludwig Cancer Research scientist Stephen Hodi reported today the results of the longest follow-up survival study conducted to date on patients with advanced melanoma who were treated with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab. Hodi and his colleagues announced at a press event during the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in New Orleans that 34 percent of the patients treated with this immunotherapy alone in a previous Phase 1 trial were still alive five years later.
More than 18,500 people from 107 countries attended the American Academy of Dermatology’s 74th Annual Meeting, which ran from March 4-8 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington.
Board-certified dermatologist Suzanne Olbricht, MD, FAAD, is named president-elect of the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), the world’s largest dermatologic society, which represents more than 18,000 physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair and nail conditions.
The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) has announced the results of its annual election.
Ever wonder what causes corns and calluses? According to dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology, these hard, thickened areas of skin form as a result of friction or pressure on the skin. In fact, they say, corns and calluses develop naturally to help protect the skin underneath them.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have identified a type of immune cell that appears to block the progress of melanoma and other cancers in animal models. These subcapsular sinus (SCS) macrophages form a protective coating around lymph nodes, preventing the entry of tiny structures that transport bits of tumor tissue and help the cancer to grow and spread. However, the SCS macrophage barrier appears to be temporary, as it breaks down as the tumor progresses and in response to some cancer treatment drugs.
An international team of scientists led by The Wistar Institute have shown that aged tumor cells in melanoma behave differently than younger tumor cells, according to study results published in the journal Nature. Changes in the microenvironment make these older tumor cells more metastatic and more resistant to treatment with targeted therapies.
New research looks into the paradox that women who sunbathe are likely to live longer than those who avoid the sun, even though sunbathers are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
In December 2015, the FDA proposed new restrictions related to tanning bed use, including banning their use among individuals younger than 18. As the comment period on the proposal winds down, a Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey investigator who conducts research on tanning behaviors weighs in.
It may be tempting to squeeze or pop a painful lump on your skin, but experts advise against it. The bump could be a boil – a pus-filled skin infection that occurs around a hair follicle or oil gland – or a stye if the lump is on your eyelid. According to dermatologists, squeezing a boil or stye could make the infection worse.
Clinicians and researchers from the George Washington University Department of Dermatology will present on a variety of topics including Nanotechnology, Atopic and Contact Dermatitis, Wound Healing, and Psoriasis at the 74th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, March 4 – 8 in Washington, D.C.
Not all dermatology websites and apps offer the same standard of care. Fortunately, there are steps patients can take to evaluate teledermatology services, allowing them to receive the best possible care while enjoying the benefits of a remote consultation.
In certain cases, genetic and molecular testing can yield valuable information that helps dermatologists provide individualized care for their melanoma patients.
According to new research presented at the American Academy of Dermatology’s 74th Annual Meeting in Washington, acne patients are often perceived negatively by others, which may affect patients’ quality of life.
While pregnant women with chronic skin conditions may fear that treating these conditions could compromise their baby’s health, a board-certified dermatologist can develop safe and effective treatment plans for these patients.
From removing birthmarks to reducing wrinkles, dermatologists can use laser treatments to help patients in more ways than ever. Thanks to recent advances in laser technology, experienced practitioners can offer more effective treatments with less downtime for patients.
African-American women are prone to hair loss, and new data illustrates the scope of this problem, which often goes undiagnosed. Women who are concerned about losing their hair should consider changing their styling practices and see a dermatologist if they notice any signs of hair loss.
Published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology on Feb. 17, the American Academy of Dermatology’s new “Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris" cover acne treatment recommendations for both adolescents and adults.
Winter's arctic blast can wreak havoc on delicate skin. Nicole Burkemper, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at Saint Louis University, shares her tips for updating your skin regimen for the season.
For the first time researchers have developed a process for altering the ingredients in a sunscreen that does not impact its sun protection factor (SPF), but does allow the body to produce vitamin D. The findings, published in the peer reviewed journal PLOS ONE, has led to the production of a new sunscreen called Solar D.
A web-based intervention targeted toward young, female users of indoor tanning beds has tested favorably among these users and may encourage cessation of this behavior. That is according to research by Rutgers Cancer Institute which tested an intervention that targeted users’ perceptions of the benefits and value of tanning
At least 60 genetic diseases called neurocutaneous disorders involve the skin, central nervous system, and/or peripheral nervous system, Loyola University Medical Center neurologists report.
According to board-certified dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology, nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis: a skin rash or irritation caused by touching an allergen. In fact, it is estimated that more than 18 percent of people in North America are allergic to nickel, including 11 million children in the U.S.
When the temperature dips below freezing, it’s critical to protect your skin from cold-weather health risks. Stay warm and prevent frostbite by following these tips from dermatologists.
A new study shows that a blood test which monitors blood levels of DNA fragments from dead cancer cells does a better job than the current standard test at tracking the severity and potential spread of metastatic melanoma. The study, by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center and its Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, is set for publication tomorrow in the January edition of Molecular Oncology.
By utilizing a revolutionary method that allows mice to serve as “avatars” for patients, scientists at The Wistar Institute have shown that a previously ineffective targeted drug for melanoma may actually be quite potent in halting the progression of disease in certain patients.
A first-of-its-kind (anti-PD-1) immunotherapy was approved today by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration as first-line treatment for metastatic melanoma—allowing greater access to this therapy for patients without having to previously receive other prior treatments.
The American Academy of Dermatology applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for taking a monumental step to protect the public’s health by proposing new regulations governing indoor tanning.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) announced its support for the Medicare Advantage Bill of Rights Act, introduced today by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Oh.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). If passed, the legislation would ensure that patients will have adequate physician networks in their Medicare Advantage plans.
Using olive or sunflower oil on new born babies’ skin damages the barrier which prevents water loss and blocks allergens and infections, new research led by The University of Manchester has found.
Dietary fucose supplementation found to suppress the growth of melanoma
In the first known study to examine the prevalence and treatment of psoriasis in older Americans, experts from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found that black patients receiving Medicare are less likely to receive biologic therapies –medications derived from human or animal cells or tissues – for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis than white patients.