Kamis, 16 September 2010

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Thursday, September 16, 2010

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Even very low dose of regular aspirin wards off bowel cancer, study finds (September 16, 2010) -- Even the lowest possible dose of aspirin (75 mg) can ward off bowel cancer, if taken regularly, new research finds. ... > full story

Enlarged hearts in women shrink faster than those in men after aortic valve replacement (September 16, 2010) -- After aortic valve replacement, the size of enlarged hearts shrink faster in women than in men with narrowed aortic valves (aortic stenosis), according to a new study. Because of different genetic activity, men develop more fibrous tissue in their hearts, which may explain why women's heart size decreases faster. ... > full story

Cognitive skills in children with autism vary and improve, study finds (September 16, 2010) -- A new study found that the cognitive skills of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) vary among individuals, and that, contrary to expectations, these skills can improve over time. The study examined 37 children with ASD and 31 children without ASD when the children were five or six years old, and again three years later. ... > full story

New insights provide promise for development of tools to protect damaged tissues (September 16, 2010) -- Investigators have identified a novel structure in cells that serves as a control switch in the body's system for eliminating damaged cells and also offers new therapeutic potential. ... > full story

Diet and exercise intervention for patients at risk for heart disease improves quality of life (September 16, 2010) -- A lifestyle intervention incorporating exercise training and diet counseling in primary health care settings appears to improve quality of life among adults at moderate to high risk for heart disease and appears cost-effective compared to standard care, according to a new report. ... > full story

Mental illness stigma entrenched in American culture; new strategies needed, study finds (September 16, 2010) -- A new study finds no change in prejudice and discrimination toward people with serious mental illness or substance abuse problems despite a greater embrace by the public of neurobiological explanations for these illnesses. The study raises vexing questions about the effectiveness of campaigns designed to improve health literacy. ... > full story

Mild memory loss is not a part of normal aging, new research finds (September 15, 2010) -- The very early mild cognitive changes once thought to be normal aging are really the first signs of progressive dementia, in particular Alzheimer's disease. The pathology in the brain related to Alzheimer's and other dementias has a much greater impact on memory function in old age than previously recognized. ... > full story

Tranquil scenes have positive impact on brain (September 15, 2010) -- Tranquil living environments can positively affect the human brain function, according to researchers. ... > full story

Scientists glimpse 'dance of skeletons' inside neurons: Insight into developmental disorders, including Williams syndrome (September 15, 2010) -- Scientists have uncovered how a structural component inside neurons performs two coordinated dance moves when the connections between neurons are strengthened. The discovery hints at why people with Williams syndrome, a developmental disorder caused by a deletion of several genes, including one that alters dendritic spine remodeling, have such an unusual blend of cognitive strengths and weaknesses. ... > full story

Higher altitudes hide deadly problem: Increased suicide risk (September 15, 2010) -- The Intermountain West is renowned for the beauty of its towering mountains and high deserts, but according to new research the region's lofty altitudes significantly influence a deadly problem: the high prevalence of suicides in this part of the country. ... > full story

Do children understand irony? New study reveals they do (September 15, 2010) -- New research findings reveals that children as young as four are able to understand and use irony. The study may impact the way parents communicate with their family. ... > full story

Radiation exposure poses similar risk of first and second cancers in atomic bomb survivors (September 15, 2010) -- The first large-scale study of the relationship between radiation dose and risk of multiple cancers among atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, reveals a similar risk in the development of first and second subsequent cancers. ... > full story

Link between arthritis pain reliever and cardiovascular events discovered (September 15, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism as to why the long-term, high-dosage use of the well-known arthritis pain medication, Vioxx, led to heart attacks and strokes. Their groundbreaking research may pave the way for a safer drug for millions of arthritis patients who suffer acute and chronic pain. ... > full story

Aerobic exercise relieves insomnia (September 15, 2010) -- Millions of middle-aged and older adults who suffer from insomnia have a new drug-free prescription for a more restful night's sleep. Regular aerobic exercise dramatically improves the quality of sleep, mood and vitality, according to a new study. ... > full story

Fountain of youth in bile? Longevity molecule identified (September 15, 2010) -- The human quest for longer life may be one step closer. A new study is the first to identify the role of a bile acid, called lithocholic acid, in extending the lifespan of normally aging yeast. The findings may have significant implications for human longevity and health, as yeast share some common elements with people. ... > full story

Gene for high cholesterol in blood found (September 15, 2010) -- Scientists have found a gene that causes high levels of bad cholesterol to accumulate in the blood as a result of a high-cholesterol diet. ... > full story

Only 5% of Americans engage in vigorous physical activity on any given day (September 15, 2010) -- On any given day, most U.S. adults report performing predominantly sedentary and light activities, according to a new study. Overall only 5.07% report any vigorous intensity activity. The most frequently reported moderate activity was food and drink preparation. ... > full story

Perception of emotion is culture-specific (September 15, 2010) -- Want to know how a Japanese person is feeling? Pay attention to the tone of his voice, not his face. That's what other Japanese people would do, anyway. A new study examines how Dutch and Japanese people assess others' emotions and finds that Dutch people pay attention to the facial expression more than Japanese people do. ... > full story

Key mechanism behind sleep discovered: Finding holds promise for treatment of fatigue and sleep disorders (September 15, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered the mechanism by which the brain switches from a wakeful to a sleeping state. The finding clears the way for a suite of discoveries, from sleeping aids to treatments for stroke and other brain injuries. ... > full story

Outsmarting killer bacteria (September 15, 2010) -- Scientists are developing a generation of antibiotics that takes the mechanism of bacterial resistance and integrates it into drugs, short-circuiting the superbugs' resistance and rendering them susceptible to treatment. ... > full story

Type D personality associated with higher future heart risk (September 15, 2010) -- Heart patients considered "chronically distressed" (Type D personality) may have a higher risk of recurrent cardiac events. Type D personality was also associated with higher risk of future psychological problems such as depression or anxiety in heart patients. ... > full story

How doctors rationalize acceptance of industry gifts (September 15, 2010) -- Despite heightened awareness about the undue influence that gifts from pharmaceutical companies can have on doctors' prescribing practices, companies continue to reward doctors for prescribing their drugs with gifts. A new study found that physicians rationalize acceptance of these gifts as a form of reward for the sacrifices they made obtaining their education. ... > full story

Consumption of 'good salt' can reduce population blood pressure levels, research finds (September 15, 2010) -- An increased intake of 'good' potassium salts could contribute significantly to improving blood pressure at the population level, according to new research. The favorable effect brought about by potassium is even estimated to be comparable with the blood pressure reduction achievable by halving the intake of 'bad' sodium salts (mostly from table salt). ... > full story

Implant blood test: Shape memory alloys are biocompatible, new research shows (September 15, 2010) -- A European team has demonstrated that modern technological materials used in a wide range of medical devices and implants are entirely biocompatible and should not health problems as has previously been suggested. ... > full story

Women more likely than men to accept scientific consensus on global warming, study finds (September 15, 2010) -- Women tend to believe the scientific consensus on global warming more than men, according to a new study. The findings challenge common perceptions that men are more scientifically literate, the study's author says. ... > full story

New treatment for rabies advances after successful Phase 1 trial in India (September 15, 2010) -- Researchers have announced that a newly completed Phase 1 study of a monoclonal antibody to rabies (RAB-1) showed positive results for the new therapy, which has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives each year in areas of the world hardest hit by rabies, where current standard treatments are often not available. ... > full story

New focus on 'sudden death' heart disorder (September 15, 2010) -- An abrupt, fatal heart attack in a young athlete on the playing field is a tragedy destined to repeat itself over and over until more is understood about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic disorder that is the most common cause of sudden death in young people but which affects people of all ages. So says a task force of cardiologists and cardiac biologists. ... > full story

Present imperfect: Doctors in training work even when ill, study finds (September 15, 2010) -- Three out of five residents surveyed came to work while sick, possibly exposing their patients and colleagues to suboptimal performance and communicable disease, according to a new study. One out of three did so more than once. At one hospital, 100 percent of residents worked when sick. More than half of resident physicians surveyed said they didn't have time to see a doctor. ... > full story

First US trial of bone-marrow stem cells for heart attack patients appears safe (September 15, 2010) -- The first randomized, placebo-controlled US clinical trial to assess the use of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in patients after a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; severe heart attack) demonstrated a strong safety profile for this cell therapy, based on phase 1 results. ... > full story

Bone-anchored leg prostheses improve quality of life, Swedish study finds (September 15, 2010) -- A new study from Sweden shows the results of treatment using prostheses attached to titanium implants in the bones of patients with above-the-knee amputations. It reveals that the treatment improves function and quality of life in nine out of ten patients. ... > full story

Improving crisis prediction, disaster control and damage reduction (September 15, 2010) -- Earthquakes, homicide surges, magnetic storms, and the US economic recession are all kindred of a sort, according to a new theoretical framework. Researchers in the United States and Russia contend that these four types of events share a precursory development pattern that can be detected and tracked, possibly improving crisis prediction. ... > full story

Burnout associated with self-reported unprofessional conduct among medical students (September 15, 2010) -- Medical students with higher levels of distress (burnout) were more likely to self-report unprofessional conduct related to patient care and less altruistic professional values, according to a new study. ... > full story

Benefits of healthy lifestyle factors stronger in combination (September 15, 2010) -- Individuals with a combination of healthy lifestyle factors are at significantly lower risk of total and disease-specific mortality, according to a new study. ... > full story

Underlying dysfunction of seemingly non-critical heart condition identified (September 15, 2010) -- Repairing small, seemingly benign holes in a child's heart may be more clinically important than previously thought, as dysfunction could be lurking out of sight. These are the findings from a new study examining a subset of the most common form of congenital heart disease, ventricular septal defect. ... > full story

Discrimination hurts, but how much? A lot, if you're a teen, study finds (September 15, 2010) -- Researchers have found that adolescents from Latin American and Asian backgrounds experienced more discrimination than their peers from European backgrounds. The discrimination came not just from adolescents, but from adults as well. The level of discrimination also impacted grade point averages, and their health, including depression and distress, along with lower levels of self esteem. ... > full story

Women: Hope to marry young? Head to Alaska, steer clear of Alabama, study finds (September 15, 2010) -- When men outnumber women, females marry younger and the age gap between spouses grows, a new study shows. ... > full story

High-quality child care for low-income children: Long-term benefits (September 15, 2010) -- Children in high-quality preschool settings had fewer behavior problems in middle childhood, a new longitudinal study of low-income children found. The researchers studied approximately 350 low-income children while in preschool and again in middle childhood (ages 7-11), and found that children who attended more responsive, stimulating and well-structured settings during preschool had fewer externalizing behavior problems later on. The study also found that high-quality child care was particularly important for boys and for African-American children. ... > full story

Lung cancer culprit could offer target for therapy, researchers report (September 14, 2010) -- A tiny molecule that spurs the progression of non-small-cell lung cancer could become a player in fighting the disease, say researchers who published a study on how the molecule behaves in mice. ... > full story

Making cookies that are good for your heart (September 14, 2010) -- Years of research has proven that saturated and trans fats clog arteries, make it tough for the heart to pump and are not valuable components of any diet. Unfortunately, they are contained in many foods. Now, a research team has developed a soybean which produces oil that is naturally low in saturated and trans fats. ... > full story

Androgen receptor may explain male dominance in liver cancer (September 14, 2010) -- A new study helps to explain why men get liver cancer more often than women and opens the door for a new treatment pathway, by showing a direct link between the androgen receptor, which is more active in men, and the hepatitis B virus as it relates to the deadly cancer. ... > full story

Measuring preference for multitasking (September 14, 2010) -- A new study may help employers identify employees who enjoy multitasking and are less inclined to quit jobs involving multitasking. The study presents a new tool developed to measure preference for multitasking. ... > full story

'Artificial ovary' develops oocytes into mature human eggs (September 14, 2010) -- Researchers have built an artificial human ovary that can grow oocytes into mature human eggs in the laboratory. That development could help preserve fertility for women facing chemotherapy or other treatments. ... > full story

Possible risk gene for schizophrenia uncovered (September 14, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a risk gene for schizophrenia, including a potentially causative mutation, using genome-wide association data-mining techniques and independent replications. ... > full story

How a normally defensive immune response can help HIV (September 14, 2010) -- The findings offer important opportunities for further research both for treatment of long-term persistence of HIV in those who are infected and for prevention of infection in those who are not, according to the researchers. ... > full story

Why 'scientific consensus' fails to persuade (September 14, 2010) -- A recent study sought to understand why members of the public are sharply and persistently divided on matters on which expert scientists largely agree. How would you determine whether or not a scientist seems like an "expert" on a particular matter? It is likely to depend on whether the position the scientist takes is consistent with the one believed by most people who share your cultural values. ... > full story

Watercress may 'turn off' breast cancer signal (September 14, 2010) -- New research has revealed that a plant compound in watercress may have the ability to suppress breast cancer cell development by "turning off" a signal in the body and thereby starving the growing tumor of essential blood and oxygen. ... > full story

Research will help ID bodies left behind by Chilean earthquake, Pinochet regime (September 14, 2010) -- New research will help medical examiners and others identify human remains of those killed during the recent earthquake in Chile, as well as the bodies of the "disappeared" who were killed during the Pinochet administration. ... > full story

Gene therapy plus chemotherapy ups odds for success in treating 'bubble boy' disease (September 14, 2010) -- Gene therapy combined with chemotherapy may lead to immune system improvement in patients with 'bubble boy' disease, according to a new study. ... > full story


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