ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Tuesday, September 7, 2010
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What are babies made of? Research shows for some it is sugar, salt and not all things nice (September 7, 2010) -- Children as young as four weeks old are being fed a poor diet of biscuits, ice-cream and soft drinks, according to new research. A new study found some month-old babies had been introduced to high fat, salt and sugar foods, despite health authorities recommending exclusive breastfeeding to six months of age. ... > full story
Cells can eat parts of themselves, with help from one protein (September 7, 2010) -- Like some people, cells eat when they are under pressure -- but they consume parts of themselves. A multi-function protein helps control this form of cannibalism, according to a new article. ... > full story
What's causing life-threatening blood clots in brain surgery patients? (September 7, 2010) -- One of the most severe complications of brain surgery is a pulmonary embolism. But a new study suggests that screening methods used to access the risk of pulmonary embolisms may fall short. ... > full story
Synthetic eye prosthesis: Plastic artificial cornea implants may offer hope for blind patients (September 7, 2010) -- Donor corneas are a rarity, but a newly developed implant made of plastic may soon offer patients the chance to see again. ... > full story
Study examines association between urban living and psychotic disorders (September 7, 2010) -- The association between psychotic disorders and living in urban areas appears to be a reflection of increased social fragmentation present within cities, according to a new article. ... > full story
Scientists begin to unravel causes of mysterious skin disease (September 7, 2010) -- Vitiligo -- a complex disease that typically causes patches of white skin on the face, neck and extremities, which pop star Michael Jackson may have experienced -- is associated with slight variations in genes that play a role in the body's natural defenses. Multiple cellular pathways may contribute to the onset and progression of vitiligo, which makes fully understanding the disease complicated, but it also gives scientists a variety of starting points to begin developing therapies. ... > full story
Chronic Lyme disease: How often is it diagnosed and treated? (September 7, 2010) -- The existence of chronic Lyme disease is an issue of sharp debate within the medical community. Many doctors are concerned with the potential dangers associated with the prolonged and intensive use of oral and intravenous antibiotics (the recommended treatment for chronic Lyme disease), such as blood clots and life threatening infections. A new study attempts to determine how often chronic Lyme disease is actually being diagnosed and treated. ... > full story
Role of key genetic catalyst for human diversity discovered (September 6, 2010) -- One of the key drivers of human evolution and diversity, accounting for changes that occur between different generations of people, is explained by new research. ... > full story
Talented bacteria make food poisoning unpredictable (September 6, 2010) -- While we are often exposed to bacteria in our food which could cause food poisoning, we don't always become ill -- why should this be so? New research sheds light on how bacteria use different tricks to aid their survival inside the body, helping to explain why food poisoning can be so unpredictable. ... > full story
Satellite data reveals why migrating birds have a small window to spread bird flu (September 6, 2010) -- In 2005 an outbreak of the H5N1 'bird flu' virus in South East Asia led to widespread fear with predictions that the intercontinental migration of wild birds could lead to global pandemic. Such fears were never realised, and now new research reveals why the global spread of bird flu by direct migration of wildfowl is unlikely, while also providing a new framework for quantifying the risk of avian-borne diseases. ... > full story
Non-invasive therapy significantly improves depression, researchers say (September 6, 2010) -- A unique new therapy that applies electrical stimulation to a major nerve emanating from the brain is showing promise for major depression. In a recently completed clinical trial, trigeminal nerve stimulation achieved an average of a 70 percent reduction in symptom severity over an 8-week study. ... > full story
Backstabbing bacteria: A new treatment for infection? (September 6, 2010) -- Selfish bacterial cells that act in their own interests and do not cooperate with their infection-causing colleagues can actually reduce the severity of infection. The selfish behaviour of these uncooperative bacteria could be exploited to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, according to new research. ... > full story
Induced pluripotent stem cell retain an inactivated X chromosome, study finds (September 6, 2010) -- Female induced pluripotent stem cells, reprogrammed from human skin cells into cells that have the embryonic-like potential to become any cell in the body, retain an inactive X chromosome, stem cell researchers have found. ... > full story
Cognitive effects of Parkinson's disease: Automated tasks easier, but task switching difficult (September 6, 2010) -- Researchers have found that people with Parkinson's disease can perform automated tasks better than people without the disease, but have significant difficulty switching from easy to hard tasks. ... > full story
'Jailbreak' bacteria can trigger heart disease (September 6, 2010) -- Plaque-causing bacteria can jailbreak from the mouth into the bloodstream and increase your risk of heart attack, according to new research. ... > full story
'Basal-like' breast cancer does not originate from basal stem cells (September 6, 2010) -- New research uncovers a case of mistaken identity that may have a significant impact on future breast cancer prevention and treatment strategies. The study suggests that despite their "stem cell-like" characteristics, most aggressive breast tumors are not derived from normal mammary gland stem cells. ... > full story
Acting selfish? Blame your mother! (September 6, 2010) -- The fact that our female ancestors dispersed more than our male ancestors can lead to conflicts within the brain that influence our social behavior, new research reveals. ... > full story
New pump created for microneedle drug-delivery patch (September 5, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a new type of pump for drug-delivery patches that might use arrays of "microneedles" to deliver a wider range of medications than now possible with conventional patches. ... > full story
Vitamin D is a prognostic marker in heart failure, study finds (September 5, 2010) -- Survival rates in heart failure patients with reduced levels of vitamin D are lower than in patients with normal levels. This is the finding of a major study carried out in the Netherlands. ... > full story
Race, insurance status cited in uneven death rates among pedestrians hit by cars (September 5, 2010) -- Uninsured minority pedestrians hit by cars are at a significantly higher risk of death than their insured white counterparts, even if the injuries sustained are similar, new research suggests. ... > full story
Starvation keeps sleep-deprived fly brain sharp (September 5, 2010) -- As anyone who has ever struggled to keep his or her eyes open after a big meal knows, eating can induce sleepiness. New research in fruit flies suggests that, conversely, being hungry may provide a way to stay awake without feeling groggy or mentally challenged. ... > full story
Iron deficiency in heart failure (September 5, 2010) -- Iron deficiency is a relatively common nutritional disorder that affects more than one third of the general population, and is often associated with chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid diseases and renal failure. New research has demonstrated that iron deficiency also affects at least one-third of non-anaemic chronic heart failure patients. ... > full story
Americans struggle with long-term weight loss (September 5, 2010) -- Only about one in every six Americans who have ever been overweight or obese loses weight and maintains that loss, according to researchers. ... > full story
Hair provides proof of the link between chronic stress and heart attack (September 4, 2010) -- Researchers have provided the first direct evidence using a biological marker, to show chronic stress plays an important role in heart attacks. The scientists developed a method to measure cortisol levels in hair providing an accurate assessment of stress levels in the months prior to an acute event such as a heart attack. ... > full story
Novel nanotechnology collaboration leads to breakthrough in cancer research (September 4, 2010) -- A multidisciplinary group of researchers has produced a 3.6-angstrom resolution structure of the human adenovirus. Scientists are working with adenovirus as a vector for gene therapy, but have needed better structural information. ... > full story
Functional motor neuron subtypes generated from embryonic stem cells (September 4, 2010) -- Scientists have devised a method for coaxing mouse embryonic stem cells into forming a highly specific motor neuron subtype. The research provides new insight into motor neuron differentiation and may prove useful for devising and testing future therapies for motor neuron diseases. ... > full story
When it comes to the immune system, we're all more alike than previously thought, study finds (September 4, 2010) -- When it comes to the mechanics of the human immune system, we are all more alike than previously thought, according to a new study. ... > full story
Why fish oils work swimmingly against inflammation and diabetes (September 4, 2010) -- Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism that makes omega-3 fatty acids so effective in reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. ... > full story
New animal model for hemophilia A developed (September 4, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a new animal model for studying hemophilia A, with the goal of eventually treating people with the disorder. Hemophilia A, a hereditary defect that prevents blood from clotting normally, is caused by a variety of mutations in the factor VIII gene. ... > full story
Verbal snippets offer insights on well-being amid separation, divorce (September 4, 2010) -- A new study of romantically separated people shows they offer clues to their emotional status in just a few seconds of conversation. ... > full story
Mechanisms and function of a type of mysterious immune cell discovered (September 3, 2010) -- In two closely related studies, two teams of scientists have discovered the underlying mechanisms that activate a type of immune cell in the skin and other organs. The findings may lead to the development of new therapies to treat inflammation, wounds, asthma and malignant tumors. ... > full story
How bone-marrow stem cells hold their 'breath' in low-oxygen environments (September 3, 2010) -- Researchers have identified unique metabolic properties that allow a specific type of stem cell in the body to survive and replicate in low-oxygen environments. ... > full story
Low grades in adolescence linked to dopamine genes, says biosocial criminologist (September 3, 2010) -- The academic performance of adolescents will suffer in at least one of four key subjects -- English, math, science, history -- if their DNA contains one or more of three specific dopamine gene variations, according to a biosocial criminologist. ... > full story
Brainy worms: Scientists uncover counterpart of cerebral cortex in marine worms (September 3, 2010) -- Unexpectedly, scientists have now discovered a true counterpart of the cerebral cortex in an invertebrate, a marine worm. Their findings give an idea of what the most ancient higher brain centers looked like, and what our distant ancestors used them for. ... > full story
Capsaicin can act as co-carcinogen, study finds; Chili pepper component linked to skin cancer (September 3, 2010) -- New research links capsaicin, a component of chili peppers, to skin cancer. While the molecular mechanisms of the cancer-promoting effects of capsaicin are not clear and remain controversial, the new research has shown a definite connection to formation of skin cancer through various laboratory studies. ... > full story
Cranberry juice shows promise blocking Staph infections (September 3, 2010) -- Expanding their scope of study on the mechanisms of bacterial infection, researchers have reported the surprise finding from a small clinical study that cranberry juice cocktail blocked a strain of Staphylococcus aureus from beginning the process of infection. ... > full story
Cancer-causing gene crucial in stem cell development, study finds (September 3, 2010) -- A research team has shown for the first time that a gene called Myc, which is traditionally thought of as a cancer-causing gene, may be far more important in the development and persistence of stem cells than was known before. ... > full story
Computer technique could help partially sighted 'see' better (September 3, 2010) -- Thousands of people who are partially sighted following stroke or brain injury could gain greater independence from a simple, cheap and accessible training course which could eventually be delivered from their mobile phones or hand-held games consoles, according to a new study. ... > full story
Children who eat vended snack foods face chronic health problems, poor diet, study finds (September 3, 2010) -- School children who consume foods purchased in vending machines are more likely to develop poor diet quality -- and that may be associated with being overweight, obese or at risk for chronic health problems such as diabetes and coronary artery disease, according to new research. ... > full story
Increased risk for lupus in men with certain form of immune receptor (September 3, 2010) -- Humans -- males in particular -- with a variant form of the immune receptor gene "Toll Like Receptor 7" are at increased risk of developing the autoimmune disease lupus. This finding offers renewed hope for developing more targeted treatments. ... > full story
Social networks influence health behaviors (September 3, 2010) -- Individuals are more likely to acquire new health practices while living in networks with dense clusters of connections -- that is, when in close contact with people they already know well. ... > full story
Cigarette smoke may contribute to lung inflammation through a new chemical pathway (September 3, 2010) -- Cigarette smoke shuts off a key enzyme in airways that regulates the body's response to inflammation, according to new findings. Researchers say smoke inhibits the enzyme, called Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase (LTA4H), causing it to fail in its job of shutting down white blood cells following a successful response to inflammation. ... > full story
Serendipity contributes to MRSA susceptibility findings (September 3, 2010) -- Researchers have found two genes in mice which might help identify why some people are more susceptible than others to potentially deadly staph infections. ... > full story
Problem of fake medicines in developing countries could be solved, experts say (September 3, 2010) -- Counterfeiting of drugs is a huge industry. In Africa the situation is extremely serious. Half of the malaria medication sold there could be ineffective or even harmful. There is currently no good way to identify counterfeit drugs. However, researchers in Sweden and the UK have now developed a technique that could resolve the situation. ... > full story
Molecules involved in 'touch' identified: Could lead to new treatments for pain, deafness and cardiac function (September 3, 2010) -- Scientists have identified two proteins with potential to be important targets for research into a wide range of health problems, including pain, deafness, and cardiac and kidney dysfunction. ... > full story
Value of oxygen therapy in end-of-life care challenged in new study (September 3, 2010) -- Millions of patients with advanced disease in palliative care settings receive oxygen therapy to help them breathe more easily. But a new study says roughly half of them don't benefit from the intervention, and among those who do benefit, it doesn't make a bit of difference whether they get pure oxygen or just plain old room air -- both offer equal benefit. ... > full story
How do organisms make dietary choices? (September 3, 2010) -- When given a choice, organisms will choose a diet that maintains a nutritional balance in tune with their needs. That choice, studied in fruit flies for the first time, is regulated by activity in a molecular pathway involved in aging, cancer and diabetes. Humans share the same molecular pathway. The study, the first to be done in a genetically tractable lab animal, could lead to treatments that would "reboot" metabolic pathways in individuals who are obese or suffer from diabetes. ... > full story
New warning signs may predict kidney transplant failure (September 3, 2010) -- Kidney transplants that show a combination of fibrosis (scarring) and inflammation after one year are at higher risk of long-term transplant failure, according to a new study. ... > full story
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