Rabu, 08 September 2010

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Wednesday, September 8, 2010

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Is hand washing enough to stop the spread of disease? (September 8, 2010) -- Not drying your hands thoroughly after washing them, could increase the spread of bacteria and rubbing your hands whilst using a conventional electric hand dryer could be a contributing factor. Frequently people give up drying their hands and wipe them on their clothes instead, but hand-hygiene is a key part of infection control and drying hands after washing is a very important part of the process. A new study looks at different methods of hand drying, and their effect on transfer of bacteria from the hands to other surfaces. ... > full story

Chemical for keeping human pluripotent stem cells alive identified (September 8, 2010) -- Researchers have found that a chemically synthesized compound, blebbistatin, can help prevent cell death in human pluripotent stem cells. These cells are of interest to stem cell scientists working on finding therapies for spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, burns, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and other ailments. Another advantage of using blebbistatin, say the researchers, is that no human- or animal-derived materials is needed for coating the culture surfaces. ... > full story

Wrist splints in children as effective as casts, study finds (September 8, 2010) -- In children with wrist fractures, a splint is as effective as a cast and provides greater comfort and easier hygiene, a new study finds. ... > full story

Parents at highest risk for depression in the first year after child's birth (September 8, 2010) -- More than one-third of mothers and about one-fifth of fathers in the United Kingdom appear to experience an episode of depression between their child's birth and 12th year of age, with the highest rates in the first year after birth, according to a new article. ... > full story

Smoking damages men's sperm and also the numbers of germ and somatic cells in developing embryos (September 8, 2010) -- Two new studies have shed more light on how smoking may damage fertility, and give further weight to advice that mothers and fathers-to-be should stop smoking before attempting to conceive. The first shows that a mother's smoking reduces the numbers of germ and somatic cells in the testes of developing embryos; the second study shows that men's smoking affects the levels of two proteins, protamines, that are crucial for the correct formation of their sperm. ... > full story

New light on the mechanism of Parkinson’s disease (September 8, 2010) -- A significant number of Parkinson’s disease patients have a mutation of the enzyme Leucine-Rich Repeat Protein Kinase 2 (LRRK2, also known as dardarin). However, little is understood about how it is regulated or functions. In a new paper, researchers demonstrate that a family of proteins, the 14-3-3 proteins, interact with LRRK2. ... > full story

Bipolar disorder does not increase risk of violent crime, Swedish study suggests (September 8, 2010) -- A new study from Sweden suggests that bipolar disorder -- or manic-depressive disorder -- does not increase the risk of committing violent crime. Instead, the over-representation of individuals with bipolar disorder in violent crime statistics is almost entirely attributable to concurrent substance abuse. ... > full story

Short sleepers at higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, study finds (September 7, 2010) -- People who sleep less than six hours a night may be three times more likely to develop a condition which leads to diabetes and heart disease, according to researchers. ... > full story

What can a New Zealand reptile tell us about false teeth? (September 7, 2010) -- Using a moving 3-D computer model based on the skull and teeth of a New Zealand reptile called tuatara, researchers have revealed how damage to dental implants and jaw joints may be prevented by sophisticated interplay between our jaws, muscles and brain. ... > full story

Multivitamin use doesn't impact colon cancer outcomes, study finds (September 7, 2010) -- Patients with colon cancer who used multivitamins during and after being treated with post-surgical chemotherapy did not reduce the risk of the cancer returning or their dying from it, according to researchers. In a study of 1,038 patients with stage III colon cancer, the researchers found that while multivitamin use had no beneficial effect on patients' outcomes, it also did not have a detrimental effect. ... > full story

Gambling on breast scans: Monte Carlo analysis could help reduce number of cancers missed by mammography (September 7, 2010) -- A mathematical tool known as a Monte Carlo analysis could help improve the way X-rays are used for mammography and reduce the number of breast cancers missed by the technique as well as avoiding false positives, according to new research. ... > full story

Having a male co-twin improves mental rotation performance in females (September 7, 2010) -- Having a sibling, especially a twin, impacts your life. Your twin may be your best friend or your biggest rival, but throughout life you influence each other. However, a recent study shows that having an opposite-sex twin may impact you even before you are born: females with a male co-twin score higher on mental rotation task than females with a female co-twin. ... > full story

The brain speaks: Scientists decode words from brain signals (September 7, 2010) -- In an early step toward letting severely paralyzed people speak with their thoughts, researchers translated brain signals into words using two grids of 16 microelectrodes implanted beneath the skull but atop the brain. ... > full story

Short nighttime sleep duration among infants, young children associated with obesity in later life (September 7, 2010) -- Insufficient amounts of nighttime sleep among infants and preschool-aged children may be a significant risk factor for developing childhood obesity, according to a new article. Additionally, napping does not appear to be an adequate substitute for nighttime sleep in terms of preventing obesity. ... > full story

First Irish genome sequenced (September 7, 2010) -- The first entire genome of an Irish individual has been sequenced. The sequence provides insight into the evolutionary history of this distinct lineage. ... > full story

Radiologists identify and treat teenage self-injury (September 7, 2010) -- Using ultrasound and a minimally invasive procedure, radiologists can identify and treat patients who engage in a disturbing self-injury behavior known as self-embedding, according to a new study. ... > full story

Compounds in non-stick cookware may be associated with elevated cholesterol in children and teens (September 7, 2010) -- Children and teens with higher blood levels of chemicals used in the production of non-stick cookware and waterproof fabrics appear more likely to have elevated total and LDL cholesterol levels, according to a new article. ... > full story

Insect brains are rich stores of new antibiotics (September 7, 2010) -- Cockroaches could be more of a health benefit than a health hazard, according to scientists who have discovered powerful antibiotic properties in the brains of cockroaches and locusts. ... > full story

Less is more: Teens who sleep less eat more fatty foods and snacks, study shows (September 7, 2010) -- Teens who slept less than eight hours on weeknights consumed 2.2 percent more calories from fats and 3 percent fewer calories from carbs than teens who slept eight hours or more, according to new research. In secondary analyses stratified by sex, the results were significant among girls but not boys. Also, for each one-hour increase in sleep duration, the odds of consuming a high amount of calories from snacks decreased by an average of 21 percent. ... > full story

Hallucinogen can safely ease anxiety in advanced-stage cancer patients, study suggests (September 7, 2010) -- In the first human study of its kind to be published in more than 35 years, researchers found psilocybin, an hallucinogen which occurs naturally in "magic mushrooms," can safely improve the moods of patients with advanced-stage cancer and anxiety. ... > full story

Visual pattern preference may be indicator of autism in toddlers (September 7, 2010) -- Using eye-tracking methods, researchers have shown that toddlers with autism spend significantly more time visually examining dynamic geometric patterns than they do looking at social images -- a viewing pattern not found in either typical or developmentally delayed toddlers. ... > full story

More infants should receive iron supplements, researchers urge (September 7, 2010) -- Giving iron supplements to children with marginally low birth weights (2000-2500 grams) dramatically reduces the risk of developing iron deficiency and anemia. ... > full story

Memory problems more common in men? (September 7, 2010) -- A new study shows that mild cognitive impairment may affect more men than women. ... > full story

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

More Americans bypassing their personal physician when immediate treatment required, study finds (September 7, 2010) -- Only 45 percent of the 354 million annual visits for acute care in the United States are made to patients' personal physicians, as Americans increasingly make busy emergency departments, specialists or outpatient care departments their first point of contact for treatment of new health problems or a flare up of a chronic condition like asthma or diabetes. ... > 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

How German palliative care physicians act at the end of life (September 6, 2010) -- Discussions about end-of-life practices in Germany have been almost taboo for over half a century, but now intense debate is underway as professional bodies review their guidelines to physicians caring for the dying. A new study reveals that German physicians do hasten death in some cases, against current ethical guidelines -- sometimes without sufficient patient involvement. ... > 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


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