ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, August 9, 2010
Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.
Gain and loss in optimistic versus pessimistic brains (August 9, 2010) -- Our belief as to whether we will likely succeed or fail at a given task -- and the consequences of winning or losing -- directly affects the levels of neural effort put forth in movement-planning circuits in the human cortex, according to a new brain-imaging study by neuroscientists. ... > full story
Discovery may aid remission of ulcerative colitis (August 9, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a specific chemical that may trigger remission in patients with ulcerative colitis. ... > full story
Popular diabetes drugs associated with fractures in type 2 diabetic patients, study finds (August 9, 2010) -- Postmenopausal women with diabetes taking thiazolidinediones (TZDS), including rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, may be at increased risk for fractures, according to a new study. Men with diabetes taking both loop diuretics and TZDs may also be at increased risk of fractures. ... > full story
Mental health outcomes in children in foster care improved with mentoring, skills development (August 9, 2010) -- Incorporating mentoring and group skill-building intervention programs for children in foster care may help improve mental health outcomes in this population, according to a new report. ... > full story
New approach to Alzheimer’s therapy (August 9, 2010) -- Researchers have shown that the ADAM10 protein can inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid, which is responsible for Alzheimer's disease. ADAM10 acts like a pair of molecular scissors to cut the protein from which beta-amyloid is formed, effectively preventing the formation of beta-amyloid. This makes ADAM10 a key molecule in Alzheimer's therapy. ... > full story
Scientists post lower speed limit for cell-signaling protein assembly (August 9, 2010) -- The apparently random self-assembly of molecular threads into the proteins that make the body work is far less frantic than previously thought, scientists say. That discovery could be a key to help unlock the nature of some diseases. How proteins spontaneously "fold" from wiggling chains of amino acids into a wide variety of functional -- or malfunctioning -- 3-D molecules is one of the biggest mysteries in biochemistry. ... > full story
Whole breast irradiation guidelines released (August 9, 2010) -- The American Society for Radiation Oncology has released evidence-based guidelines to define appropriate fractionation of whole breast irradiation (WBI), finding that hypofractionated WBI is effective for many patients with early-stage breast cancer. ... > full story
'Path of mental illness' follows path of war, 20 years after conflict ends (August 9, 2010) -- Researchers assessed the geographical distribution of the long-term burden of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a region of Liberia and report that the prevalence of PTSD remains high nearly two decades after the principal conflict there and five years after war in Liberia ended entirely. Particularly interesting was the geographic distribution of PTSD. Investigators found that certain villages in the region had a much higher prevalence of PTSD than did others. ... > full story
Protein that shuttles RNA into cell mitochondria discovered (August 8, 2010) -- Researchers have uncovered a role for an essential cell protein in shuttling RNA into the mitochondria, the energy-producing "power plant" of the cell. ... > full story
Alzheimer's disease: Some cells more prone to death (August 8, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered that hyperploid neurons, which have greater than the normal number of chromosomes, are more prone to cell death in Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story
Death dance reveals secrets of apoptosis in dissociated human embryonic stem cells (August 8, 2010) -- Researchers in Japan have unraveled the mystery of why human embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis) when cultured in isolation. By unlocking the potential of cell therapy techniques, the discovery promises new hope to sufferers of debilitating degenerative diseases. ... > full story
Rushing too fast to online learning? Outcomes of Internet versus face-to-face instruction (August 8, 2010) -- A new study suggests simply putting traditional classes online may have negative consequences, especially for lower-performing and minority students. ... > full story
Light shed on triglyceride metabolism (August 8, 2010) -- New findings are offering new leads as to why some people might suffer from high levels of triglycerides. High triglycerides are a risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. They can also lead to inflammation of the pancreas, the researchers said. ... > full story
Surgery better than radiation, hormone treatments for some prostate cancer, study shows (August 8, 2010) -- Surgery for localized prostate cancer offers a significantly higher survival rate than either external-beam radiation or hormonal therapies, according to a new study. ... > full story
Tests help predict falls in Parkinson's disease (August 8, 2010) -- A group of tests may help predict which people with Parkinson's disease are more likely to fall, according to a new study. ... > full story
Key mechanism in brain's computation of sound location identified (August 7, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a mechanism the brain uses to help process sound localization. Their findings focus on how the brain computes the different arrival times of sound into each ear to estimate the location of its source. ... > full story
Newly discovered mechanism controls levels and efficacy of a marijuana-like substance in the brain (August 7, 2010) -- A newly discovered molecular mechanism helps control the amount and effectiveness of a substance that mimics an active ingredient in marijuana, but that is produced by the body's own nerve cells. Cannabinoid signaling systems are common throughout the body and affect a variety of functions. Developing new therapies that modulate these molecular communications might help patients with autoimmune or neurological disorders, including brain inflammation following a viral infections. Specifically targeted treatments would have medicinal benefits without mind-altering side effects. ... > full story
Beautiful women face discrimination in certain jobs, study finds (August 7, 2010) -- New research shows that beautiful women are discriminated against when applying for "masculine" jobs or when looks don't matter. ... > full story
Human embryonic stem cells purified in new, rapid technique (August 7, 2010) -- Researchers are reporting the first success in very rapidly purifying one type of embryonic stem cell from a mix of many different types of embryonic stem cells in the culture dish. The technique, which avoids the need to genetically alter the cells to distinguish them, is a key advance, the researchers say, for obtaining the appropriate cells for repairing specific damaged tissues. ... > full story
Tattooing linked to higher risk of hepatitis C, study finds (August 7, 2010) -- Youth, prison inmates and individuals with multiple tattoos that cover large parts of their bodies are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases, according to a new study. ... > full story
Economic status, genetics together influence psychopathic traits (August 7, 2010) -- Researchers studying the genetic roots of antisocial behavior report that children with one variant of a serotonin transporter gene are more likely to exhibit psychopathic traits if they also grow up poor. Children were more likely to score high on tests for psychopathic traits if they had both low socioeconomic status and the variant gene. ... > full story
Encouraging data on preventing Crohn's disease recurrence (August 6, 2010) -- Biological agents may play an important role in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease, according to two new studies. ... > full story
How cells make specific interactions during development (August 6, 2010) -- Researchers have shed new light on how cells make specific interactions during development -- in the hope of one day learning more about human developmental disorders. ... > full story
Image of new antibiotic in action opens up new opportunities to combat antibacterial resistance (August 6, 2010) -- Detailed pictures reveal how a new type of experimental antibiotic can kill bacteria that are already resistant to existing treatments. The findings could ultimately help scientists to develop new antibiotics to tackle the bacteria responsible for many hospital and community-acquired infections. ... > full story
Newts' ability to regenerate tissue replicated in mouse cells (August 6, 2010) -- Scientists have taken a big step toward being able to confer a regenerative capacity on mammalian muscle cells; they accomplished this feat in experiments with laboratory mice in which they blocked the expression of just two tumor-suppressing proteins. The finding may move us closer to future regenerative therapies in humans -- surprisingly, by sending us shimmying back down the evolutionary tree. ... > full story
Novel bee venom derivative forms a nanoparticle 'smart bomb' to target cancer cells (August 6, 2010) -- The next time you are stung by a bee, here's some consolation: a toxic protein in bee venom, when altered, significantly improves the effectiveness liposome-encapsulated drugs or dyes, such as those already used to treat or diagnose cancer. This research shows how modified melittin may revolutionize treatments for cancer and perhaps other conditions, such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and serious infections. ... > full story
Non-human primate study generates information relevant to HIV-1 vaccine strategies (August 6, 2010) -- Monkeys repeatedly immunized with a particular form the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein generated antibodies capable of neutralizing diverse strains of HIV-1, according to a paper published online in the Journal of Experimental Medicine on August 2. ... > full story
Children's vegetable intake linked to Popeye cartoons (August 6, 2010) -- Popeye cartoons, tasting parties and junior cooking classes can help increase vegetable intake in kindergarten children, according to new research. Researchers in Thailand found the type and amount of vegetables children ate improved after they took part in a program using multimedia and role models to promote healthy food. ... > full story
Deep Brain Stimulation shows promise for patients with Alzheimer's (August 6, 2010) -- Using deep brain stimulation on patients with early signs of Alzheimer's disease is safe and may help improve memory, medical researchers say. ... > full story
Diabetes or not, dietary habits of Aftrican-Americans are similar (August 6, 2010) -- Researchers looking for differences in eating habits of African Americans based on whether or not they had Type 2 diabetes uncovered an unexpected result: no matter what the blood sugar level was, the dietary intakes were pretty much the same. African-Americans are 1.8 times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes and 1.4 times more likely to be obese than are non-Hispanic whites, according to federal health agencies. ... > full story
'Asynchronous telepsychiatry' found effective for assessing patients' mental health (August 6, 2010) -- A new study has found that psychiatrists can accurately assess a patient's mental health by viewing videotaped interviews that are sent to them for consultation and treatment recommendations. ... > full story
New method for regenerating heart muscle by direct reprogramming (August 6, 2010) -- In heart disease, cardiac muscle gradually dies off and, with little or no way to regenerate those cells, that can ultimately lead the heart to fail. But scientists might have found a way to fix those losses. They've devised a three-ingredient molecular cocktail that transforms fibroblasts -- structural cells that the heart is chock full of -- directly into beating heart cells. ... > full story
Potential cure discovered for degenerative vision diseases leading to terminal blindness (August 6, 2010) -- Neurobiologists have discovered a potential cure for degenerative vision diseases leading to terminal blindness. Scientists may have discovered a cure to degenerative vision diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. By manipulating proteins that cause blindness in mice the scientists have successfully restored vision in the light-sensing cells of the retina. ... > full story
Women don't need to delay getting pregnant after miscarriage, study suggests (August 6, 2010) -- Women who conceive within six months of an initial miscarriage have the best chance of having a healthy pregnancy with the lowest complication rates, according to new research. ... > full story
A little adversity bodes well for those with chronic back pain, study suggests (August 6, 2010) -- For people with chronic back pain, having a little adversity in your life can be protective and beneficial, according to a new study. ... > full story
Large risk schizophrenia marker revealed (August 6, 2010) -- Scientists have identified a genetic variant that substantially increases the risk for developing schizophrenia in Ashkenazi Jewish and other populations. The study associates a deletion on chromosome 3 with increased incidence of schizophrenia. ... > full story
High levels of carbon dioxide threaten oyster survival (August 6, 2010) -- It has been widely reported that the build up of carbon dioxide in the air, which is caused by human behavior, will likely lead to climate change and have major implications for life on earth. But less focus has been given to global warming's evil twin, ocean acidification, which occurs when CO2 lowers the pH of water bodies, making them more acidic. This lesser known phenomenon may have catastrophic effects on all sea life. ... > full story
Solving the mystery of bone loss from drug for epilepsy and bipolar disorder (August 6, 2010) -- Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the bone loss that may occur following long-term use of a medicine widely used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and other conditions. The drug, valproate, appears to reduce the formation of two key proteins important for bone strength. ... > full story
Eliminating diabetes and depression, and boosting education, most likely to ward off dementia (August 6, 2010) -- Eliminating diabetes and depression, as well as increasing education and fruit and vegetable consumption, are likely to have the biggest impact on reducing levels of dementia in the coming years, should no effective treatment be found, concludes a new study. ... > full story
H1N1 flu virus used new biochemical trick to cause pandemic (August 6, 2010) -- In a report in the August 5 PLoS Pathogens, an international team of scientists shows that the recent pandemic-causing H1N1 flu virus used a new biochemical trick to spread efficiently in humans. ... > full story
Potential prostate cancer marker discovered (August 6, 2010) -- Studies have revealed a potential marker for prostate cancer. A new analysis technique to create a profile of the lipids, or fats, found in prostate tissue and revealed a molecular compound that appears to be useful in identifying cancerous and precancerous tissue. The profile revealed that cholesterol sulfate is a compound that is absent in healthy prostate tissue, but is a major fat found in prostate cancer tumors. ... > full story
Obesity prevention begins before birth: Excess maternal weight gain increases birth weight after controlling for genetic factors (August 6, 2010) -- A large population-based study looks at two or more pregnancies in the same mother and provides evidence that excess maternal weight gain is a strong, independent predictor of high birth weight. ... > full story
How viruses jump from hosts: Secrets of rabies transmission in bats discovered (August 6, 2010) -- HIV-AIDS. SARS. Ebola. Bird flu. Swine flu. Rabies. These are emerging infectious diseases where the viruses have jumped from one animal species into another and now infect humans. This is a phenomenon known as cross-species transmission and scientists are working to determine what drives it. ... > full story
Novel cause for genetic tooth decay (August 6, 2010) -- New research implicates a novel peptide in impaired dentin mineralization in rickets. Rickets, the softening of bones in children, is often caused by vitamin D deficiency due to severe malnutrition. Rickets is one of the most frequent childhood diseases in developing countries and is associated with severe bone deformities, including dental ailments due to impaired dentin mineralization. ... > full story
Gene brings teeth in shape (August 6, 2010) -- No healthy teeth will form without this gene: if during tooth formation (odontogenesis) the so-called Jagged2 gene is inactivated, and hence the Notch signaling pathway interrupted, tooth crowns will be malformed and enamel will be lacking. This signaling pathway is involved in the formation of all tissues and organs. ... > full story
New drug shown safe, effective in treating hereditary angioedema (August 6, 2010) -- Clinical trials from two international research teams have shown that icatibant, a new drug that blocks the action of an inflammatory protein known as bradykinin, is safe and effective in treating acute attacks of hereditary angioedema, a potentially life-threatening condition. ... > full story
Supply and demand: Scientists identify proteins that ensure iron balance (August 6, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered that a group of proteins called IRPs ensure that iron balance is kept and as such are essential for cell survival. More specifically, they found that IRPs are required for the functioning of mitochondria, the cell's energy factories. ... > full story
Social ecology: Lost and found in psychological science (August 6, 2010) -- Various aspects of our environment -- including political systems, economic systems and even climate and geography -- can affect our thinking and behavior, a field of study known as socioecological psychology. ... > full story
Copyright 1995-2010 © ScienceDaily LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
|
 To update/change your profile click here  |
