Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic have found that a simple blood test can detect early-stage lung and prostate cancer as well as predict the probability of a recurrence after a tumor has been removed.

The researchers say that early stage cancer is hard to diagnose, but this blood test screens certain biomarkers in cancer, such as serum-free fatty acids and their metabolites, which has led to diagnosis and prognosis sooner.

For the study, the scientists looked at blood samples from 55 patients with lung cancer and 40 patients with prostate cancer. They compared these blood samples to patients without cancer. In addition, blood samples were studied before 24 patients were scheduled for curative lung cancer surgery and again at six and 24 hours after their surgery.

They found that the cancer patients had one-to-six times greater concentrations of serum-free fatty acids and their metabolites in their blood compared to the blood of people without cancer. In the second phase of the study, they found that the serum-free fatty acid concentrations decreased by three to 10 times within 24 hours after the surgery to remove the tumor.

Researchers are hopeful that they may have found an uncomplicated way to detect early stage so lung and prostate cancer and potentially others.

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Sourced from: Science Daily, Simple Blood Test Can Diagnose Lung, Other Cancers

Researchers have found that air pollution during pregnancy may increase the risk of lower birthweight babies, even at levels that the European Union deems as safe, according to a study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

For the study, researchers analyzed 14 studies from 12 European countries, involving 74,000 women who had a baby between 1994 and 2011. They also recorded traffic density on the nearest road and total traffic on all major roads within 100 meters of the participants’ homes.

They found that air pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, and traffic density reduced the average head circumference of a child at birth and increased the risk of low birthweight.

Researchers say that this risk persists even at levels below the current EU annual air quality limit, and a substantial portion of cases of low birthweight could be prevented in Europe if urban air pollution was reduced.

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Sourced from: Medical News Today, Air pollution linked to low birthweight babies

Keeping kids on a schedule has its benefits. A study published in Pediatrics reveals that arbitrary bedtimes can disturb body rhythms and regulating behaviors, and may play a role in sleep deprivation. One researcher compared the effects of irregular bedtimes to jet lag.

A team from University College London analyzed bedtime data collected from 10,000 U.K. children ages three, five, and seven. They also reviewed behavioral reports from the children’s mothers and teachers. An obvious connection was found between irregular bedtimes and disturbed circadian-rhythms, which affects brain development through sleep deprivation.

As some of these children aged, those with irregular bedtimes had worsening behavioral scores. These scores comprised hyperactivity, as well as emotional, social and conduct problems. When children were switched to a regular bedtime schedule, these behaviors improved.

Possible interventions of family routines and incorporating sleep patterns into pediatrician visits could be used, one researcher noted, in addressing behavioral problems in children.

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Sourced from: sciencedaily.com, Go to Bed: Irregular Bedtimes Linked to Behavioral Problems in Children