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Released: 17-Oct-2016 2:05 PM EDT
Minimal Exercise Can Prevent Disease, Weight Gain in Menopausal Women
University of Missouri Health

According to new research from the University of Missouri, minimal exercise may be all it takes for postmenopausal women to better regulate insulin, maintain metabolic function and help prevent significant weight gain. These findings suggest that women can take a proactive approach and may not need to increase their physical activity dramatically to see significant benefits from exercise.

Released: 13-Oct-2016 12:05 PM EDT
Study Finds Link Between Marriage Attitudes and Risky Sexual Behaviors Across Ethnic Groups
University of Missouri Health

New research from the University of Missouri, has found that attitudes and desires about marriage can place young people on trajectories toward or away from healthy sexual behaviors. This is the first study to investigate links between marriage attitudes and sexual behavior across racial and ethnic minority groups as well as the role skin tone plays in shaping marriage attitudes.

Released: 12-Oct-2016 3:05 PM EDT
EXPERT AVAILABLE: MU Physician Says Guidelines Should Inform – Not Determine – EpiPen Coverage
University of Missouri Health

In September, the skyrocketing cost of the allergy treatment EpiPen made national headlines. Mylan, the maker of the EpiPen, is currently lobbying the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to name the EpiPen a preventive drug.

Released: 10-Oct-2016 11:05 AM EDT
Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Disrupted by Botanical Supplement, Can Lead to Development of Disease
University of Missouri Health

A new study from the University of Missouri in partnership with scientists in Africa has uncovered evidence that these supplements and their antioxidants may reduce the effectiveness of prescription medications. The researchers examined the effects of a widely used African botanical supplement, called Sutherlandia, and found that it may disrupt the effectiveness of a common anti-tuberculosis drug. This could lead to the development of active tuberculosis and perhaps drug resistant forms of the pathogen in some patients.

Released: 7-Oct-2016 10:05 AM EDT
Breast Milk Protein Safely Reduces Hospital Infections in Preemies
University of Missouri Health

Responding to a call from the American Academy of Pediatrics to reduce hospital-acquired infections in neonatal intensive care units across the country, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and Sinclair School of Nursing have found a protein in breast milk to be a safe and efficient solution.

Released: 5-Oct-2016 10:05 AM EDT
Watching Stem Cells Change Provides Clues to Fighting Osteoporosis in Older Women
University of Missouri Health

For years, scientists have studied how stem cells might be used to treat many diseases, including osteoporosis. One consistent challenge has been observing and monitoring the process through which stem cells transform. Now, using an established scientific method, University of Missouri researchers are able to watch how human fat cells transform into bone tissue cells; in the process the research team has uncovered information about osteoporosis in older women.

Released: 28-Sep-2016 1:05 PM EDT
Deportation Risk Increases Food Insecurity
University of Missouri Health

Researchers from the University of Missouri have found that local immigration enforcement policies that seek to apprehend and deport adults, can increase food insecurity risks for Mexican non-citizen households with children. Stephanie Potochnick, assistant professor in the Truman School of Public Affairs, says that any immigration policy that seeks to deport adults must have support systems, such as access to food stamps, in place to help improve outcomes for the children left behind.

Released: 26-Sep-2016 4:05 PM EDT
Measurement Helps Craniofacial Surgeons Better Evaluate Children with Skull Deformity
University of Missouri Health

A baby’s skull is made of several plates of bone that fuse together over time to form a single structure. Previous research has shown that approximately one in 2,000 babies have plates that fuse too early — a condition called craniosynostosis — causing cranial deformities that can lead to learning impairments and other neurodevelopmental problems. Craniofacial surgeons across the country differ on when surgical intervention is needed for some abnormalities. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine are recommending a new method to help determine when surgery is needed.

Released: 26-Sep-2016 1:05 PM EDT
Rural Employers Failing to Meet Needs of Working Breastfeeding Mothers
University of Missouri Health

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers of more than 50 employees to provide sufficient space and time for mothers to breastfeed during the first year of their babies’ lives. Researchers from the University of Missouri conducted an analysis of ACA’s requirement to determine if any barriers exist for women living in rural areas; they found a lack of compliance with the law, inadequate breastfeeding information for mothers and lack of support from co-workers and supervisors.

Released: 26-Sep-2016 11:05 AM EDT
Recycling Cancer-Fighting Tools; MU Researchers Working to Produce Vital Radioisotopes at a Cheaper Cost
University of Missouri Health

According to the World Nuclear Association, more than 10,000 hospitals worldwide use radioisotopes in medicine. Molybdenum-99, the parent isotope of technetium-99m, is the most widely used radioisotope for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. However, production costs and the limited viability of the isotope can be a challenge for clinicians and healthcare providers. Now, nuclear researchers at the University of Missouri are exploring alternate materials that could be used to help recycle the metals used to produce radioisotopes more efficiently and with less waste.

Released: 26-Sep-2016 11:05 AM EDT
NIH Grants MU $3 Million to Develop New Hepatitis B Treatments
University of Missouri Health

Hepatitis B (HBV) is a viral infection that increases the likelihood of developing liver cancer or liver failure. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 2 billion people currently are infected with HBV, which is more than 10 times the number of people who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Currently, treatment for hepatitis B infections is limited to one class of drugs that targets the virus. Stefan Sarafianos, an investigator with the University of Missouri Bond Life Sciences Center (BLSC) recently was awarded $3 million from the National Institutes of Health to study the disease. Building on existing research, he and his team will work on the development of new drugs to treat HBV.

Released: 20-Sep-2016 1:05 PM EDT
Age Limit for Federal Food Assistance Program Is Increasing Food Insecurity
University of Missouri Health

New research from the University of Missouri has identified a problem associated with the requirement that when children turn five, they are no longer eligible to receive food assistance from WIC, thus leading to increased food insecurity for the family. The researchers say policy makers should consider extending WIC eligibility until children enter school, rather than setting an age limit.

   
Released: 1-Sep-2016 2:05 PM EDT
Patient Care Can Improve with Technology in Nursing Homes
University of Missouri Health

A significant part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act was the $25 billion invested in health information technology (IT) to improve quality, safety, efficiency in health care while also reducing health disparities. However, nursing homes did not receive the same level of investment in technology as hospitals, leading to little understanding of how IT sophistication is impacting patient care in nursing homes. Now, research from the University of Missouri shows increases in IT sophistication can lead to potential improvements in health care quality measures.

Released: 30-Aug-2016 4:05 PM EDT
Cognitive Behavior Therapy Could Be Key for Children with Autism Getting Enough Sleep
University of Missouri Health

Experts from the University of Missouri believe that a family-based cognitive behavioral therapy may be the key for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have problems sleeping.

Released: 26-Aug-2016 1:05 PM EDT
Sensor Systems Identify Senior Citizens at Risk of Falling Within Three Weeks
University of Missouri Health

Each year, millions of people—especially those 65 and older—fall. Such falls can be serious, leading to broken bones, head injuries, hospitalizations or even death. Now, researchers from the Sinclair School of Nursing and the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri found that sensors that measure in-home gait speed and stride length can predict likely falls. This technology can assist health providers to detect changes and intervene before a fall occurs within a three-week period.

Released: 18-Aug-2016 4:05 PM EDT
Fruit Flies Could be Key to Fighting Cervical Cancer Caused by Human Papillomavirus
University of Missouri Health

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the US and has been identified as a cause of cancer in women. In a study appearing in PLOS Pathogens, a team of researchers led by the University of Missouri reports on their completed studies on fruit flies with a condition that mimics a form of HPV-induced cancer. The fly models they developed may help scientists understand the underlying mechanisms by which HPV can cause cancer.

Released: 10-Aug-2016 1:05 PM EDT
Toe-Tapping to Better Health: Fidgeting Helps Prevent Arterial Dysfunction Caused by Hours of Sitting
University of Missouri Health

Previous research has shown that sitting for an extended period of time at a computer or during a long airline flight reduces blood flow to the legs, which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri have found that fidgeting while sitting can protect the arteries in legs and potentially help prevent arterial disease.

Released: 9-Aug-2016 12:05 PM EDT
Program Will Train Mental Health Providers, Improve Health Care in Rural Missouri
University of Missouri Health

A new graduate education program at the University of Missouri has received nearly $700,000 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to train psychology doctoral candidates in integrated, primary health care settings, in an effort to improve health care for underserved populations with mental health and physical disorders.

Released: 8-Aug-2016 10:05 AM EDT
Playground Zoning Increases Physical Activity During Recess
University of Missouri Health

Most grade school students are likely to claim recess as their favorite period of the day; however, in many cases recess still can be sedentary with students not engaging in enough physical activity. Now researchers from the University of Missouri have found that zones with specific games can improve physical activity, improving a child’s chance of engaging in the recommended 60 minutes of “play per day,” an effort endorsed by many health organizations as well as the National Football League.

Released: 28-Jul-2016 3:05 PM EDT
Protein in Breast Milk Reduces Infection Risk in Premature Infants
University of Missouri Health

Full-term babies receive natural protection from their mothers that helps them fight off dangerous infections. However, babies born prematurely lack protective intestinal bacteria and often are unable to be nursed, causing their infection-fighting capabilities to be underdeveloped. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and the MU Sinclair School of Nursing have found that a manufactured form of lactoferrin, a naturally occurring protein in breast milk, can help protect premature infants from a type of staph infection.



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