ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, September 20, 2010
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How HIV resists AZT: Virus hijacks a common molecule (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered the details of how HIV resists AZT. The scientists believe their discovery helps researchers understand how important anti-AIDS treatments can fail and could help AIDS researchers develop more effective treatment for the disease. ... > full story
Easily blocked signaling protein may help scientists stop parasites (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a parasite protein that has all the makings of a microbial glass jaw: it's essential, it's vulnerable and humans have nothing like it, meaning scientists can take pharmacological swings at it with minimal fear of collateral damage. ... > full story
New target in polycystic kidney disease: Experimental drug decreases size and number of cysts in animal model (September 20, 2010) -- In work suggesting a new approach to treating polycystic kidney disease, a leading cause of kidney failure, researchers were able to block the formation of fluid-filled cysts, the hallmark of the disease, in a mouse model. ... > full story
For 4-year-olds, interactions with teacher key to gains (September 20, 2010) -- Preschoolers who spend much of their classroom day engaged in so-called "free-choice play" make smaller gains in language and math skills than children who receive input from teachers in a range of other activity settings. Researchers studied more than 2,700 children enrolled in public pre-kindergarten programs, more than half of whom were in poverty. They found that children engaged in free-choice play made smaller academic gains than children who spent less time in free-choice play. ... > full story
At the crossroads of chromosomes: Study reveals structure of cell division’s key molecule (September 20, 2010) -- On average, one hundred billion cells in the human body divide over the course of a day. Most of the time the body gets it right but sometimes, problems in cell replication can lead to abnormalities in chromosomes resulting in many types of disorders, from cancer to Down Syndrome. Now, researchers have defined the structure of a key molecule that plays a central role in how DNA is duplicated and then moved correctly and equally into two daughter cells to produce two exact copies of the mother cell. Without this molecule, entire chromosomes could be lost during cell division. ... > full story
Using chest compressions first just as successful as immediate defibrillation after cardiac arrest, study finds (September 20, 2010) -- In cardiac arrest, is it best to start pumping on the victim's chest or give an immediate shock to the heart? A new study has found that both rescue strategies are effective, yet chest compressions before defibrillation may be best in events where emergency response times are longer than five minutes. ... > full story
Mechanism behind demethylation pinpointed in APC gene mutants (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers demonstrate in a study the mechanism by which mutation of the APC gene affects a cellular process known as DNA methylation. ... > full story
Imbalanced diet and inadequate exercise may underlie asthma in children (September 19, 2010) -- Even children of a healthy weight who have an imbalanced metabolism due to poor diet or exercise may be at increased risk of asthma, according to new research, which challenges the widespread assumption that obesity itself is a risk factor for asthma. ... > full story
Adolescents with fibromyalgia who are physically active report lower levels of pain and disability (September 19, 2010) -- Adolescents with fibromyalgia who are physically active report lower levels of pain and disability, according to a new study ... > full story
Protein clamps tight to telomeres to help prevent aging and support cancer (September 19, 2010) -- Researchers have published the first detailed report on the structure and function of a crucial domain in the protein known as Cdc13, which sustains telomeres by clamping to DNA and recruiting telomere-lengthening enzymes to the area. The study was performed using the yeast gene, however, this essential life process has changed little through evolution, and evidence suggests that the human equivalent of this protein may make a good target for future anticancer drugs. ... > full story
House-sharing with microbes (September 19, 2010) -- Household dust contains up to 1000 different species of microbes, with tens of millions of individual bacterial cells in each gram. And these are just the ones that can be grown in the lab. New research looks at how we share our living and working spaces with millions of microbes, not all of whom are bad news. ... > full story
Gene limits learning and memory in mice (September 19, 2010) -- Deleting a certain gene in mice can make them smarter by unlocking a mysterious region of the brain considered to be relatively inflexible, scientists have found. Mice with a disabled RGS14 gene are able to remember objects they'd explored and learn to navigate mazes better than regular mice, suggesting that RGS14's presence limits some forms of learning and memory. ... > full story
Targeted therapy decreases progression rate in thyroid cancer (September 19, 2010) -- The drug pazopanib may help revolutionize the care of patients with metastatic, rapidly progressive differentiated thyroid cancers, say researchers who are publishing findings of a phase II clinical trial. ... > full story
Fast-track gene-ID method speeds rare disease search (September 19, 2010) -- Scientists have identified a gene responsible in some families for a devastating inherited kidney disorder, thanks to a new, faster method of genetic analysis not available even two years ago. The success offers hope that scientists can speed the painstaking search for the genes responsible for many rare diseases and test drugs to treat them. ... > full story
Native Hawaiians: Vulnerability to early death at all ages, study finds (September 19, 2010) -- Throughout their lives, Native Hawaiians have higher risks of death than white Americans, according to a new study. The research is the first known study to assess mortality patterns among Native Hawaiians at the national level, including those living outside the state of Hawaii. ... > full story
AIDS virus lineage much older than previously thought (September 19, 2010) -- An ancestor of HIV that infects monkeys is thousands of years older than previously thought, suggesting that HIV, which causes AIDS, is not likely to stop killing humans anytime soon. ... > full story
Molecule 968 binds glutaminase and starves cancer cells (September 19, 2010) -- A molecule -- simply called 968 -- can starve cancer cells and the tumors they produce, says new research. The key to this research is the amino acid glutamine. Researchers have long believed that starving cancer cells of glutamine, which cancer cells require in larger quantities than normal cells, would help fight some cancers. Now, they have discovered a molecule that does the job: Dubbed 968 by investigators, this proof of concept molecule binds to the enzyme glutaminase to inhibit cancer growth by blocking the cancer cells' utilization of glutamine. ... > full story
'Nanosprings' offer improved performance in biomedicine, electronics (September 19, 2010) -- Researchers have reported the successful loading of biological molecules onto "nanosprings" -- a type of nanostructure that has gained significant interest in recent years for its ability to maximize surface area in microreactors. ... > full story
Lack of access to healthy food may contribute to health disparities in kidney disease (September 19, 2010) -- Processed and fast foods enriched with phosphorus additives may play a role in health disparities in chronic kidney disease, according to a new study. Previously, genetics was considered the leading reason blacks are four times more likely to progress to end stage renal disease than whites and have much higher rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality in early chronic kidney disease. ... > full story
Alzheimer's drug boosts perceptual learning in healthy adults (September 18, 2010) -- Scientists have found that healthy adults showed greater improvement from practice on a motion direction discrimination task when they took donepezil, a commonly prescribed Alzheimer's drug, compared with when they took a placebo. The research is helping neuroscientists better understand perceptual learning in healthy adults. ... > full story
Tick tock: Rods help set internal clocks, biologist says (September 18, 2010) -- Rod cells -- one of three kinds of exquisitely photosensitive cells found in the retina of the eye -- are surprisingly found to be the only ones responsible for setting our internal "clocks" in low light. ... > full story
Overprotective parents may impact heart anxiety in adults with congenital heart conditions (September 18, 2010) -- Adults with congenital heart disease are more likely to suffer heart-focused anxiety -- a fear of heart-related symptoms and sensations -- if their parents were overprotective during their childhood and adolescence. ... > full story
Promising techniques for extending the life of an organ transplant developed (September 18, 2010) -- Experts have revealed exciting new scientific developments for people with an organ transplant, intended to help prevent rejection of the new organ and extend its life. These advances in protein therapeutics and cell therapy could provide a future solution to some of the challenges surrounding organ transplantation. ... > full story
Drug combination may treat traumatic brain injury (September 18, 2010) -- Currently, there are no drugs available to treat TBI: a variety of single drugs have failed clinical trials, suggesting a possible role for drug combinations. Testing this hypothesis in an animal model, researchers tested five drugs in various combinations. Their observations suggest a potentially valuable role for minocycline plus N-acetylcysteine to treat TBI. ... > full story
Proposal by WHO to eliminate AIDS in South Africa is flawed, model shows (September 18, 2010) -- The World Health Organization has proposed a new strategy for combating the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. It is a strategy that is seriously flawed, say researchers. ... > full story
How does Prozac act? By acting on the microRNA (September 18, 2010) -- The adaptation mechanisms of the neurons to antidepressants has, until now, remained enigmatic. Research now sheds new light on the mechanisms of action of these drugs which have been used for more than 30 years and are heavily consumed. ... > full story
Channeling efforts to fight cystic fibrosis: Crosstalk between ion channels points to new therapeutic strategy (September 18, 2010) -- Researchers have found a possible new target for fighting cystic fibrosis (CF) that could compensate for the lack of a functioning ion channel in affected CF-related cells. ... > full story
Research could improve detection of liver damage (September 18, 2010) -- New research could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of liver damage. Scientists in the UK used paracetamol as the basis for the study: research indicates that paracetamol can place temporary stress on the liver in around a third of people who take a normal dose (4g per day) but the liver returns to normal when the drug has left the system. ... > full story
Standardized violence-prevention programs may not prevent teen fighting, findings suggest (September 18, 2010) -- Researchers have uncovered new insights on adolescent fighting: what triggers it, and how to stem it. ... > full story
Father absence linked to earlier puberty among certain girls (September 17, 2010) -- Girls in homes without a biological father are more likely to hit puberty at an earlier age, according to a new study. The findings held only for girls in higher income households, and even after the girls' weight was taken into account. ... > full story
Women with diabetes having more C-sections and fetal complications, study finds (September 17, 2010) -- Nearly half of women with diabetes prior to pregnancy have a potentially-avoidable C-section and their babies are twice as likely to die as those born to women without diabetes, according to a new study. ... > full story
Teenagers are more sedentary on weekends (September 17, 2010) -- The new school year has started and the school routine is back. A new study has shown how the proportion of young people who watch television and play on the computer for more than two hours per day doubles at the weekend. And while boys opt for video games, teenage girls prefer to surf the net. ... > full story
Popular supplements to combat joint pain do not work, study finds (September 17, 2010) -- Two popular supplements taken by millions of people around the world to combat joint pain, do not work, new research finds. ... > full story
Protein can regulate blood stem cells: New hope for future leukemia treatments (September 17, 2010) -- Researchers have found that a protein can regulate certain characteristics of blood stem cells, which could lead to a better treatment for leukemia patients. ... > full story
Less is more in the fight against terrorism (September 17, 2010) -- Terrorist networks are complex. Now, a mathematical analysis of their properties suggests that the best way to fight them is to isolate the hubs within the network rather than trying to destroy the network as a whole through short-term battles. ... > full story
Brain matter linked to introspective thoughts: Structure of prefrontal cortex helps humans think about one's own thinking (September 17, 2010) -- A specific region of the brain appears to be larger in individuals who are good at turning their thoughts inward and reflecting upon their decisions, according to new research. ... > full story
Researchers identify genetic marker of aggressive Alzheimer's disease (September 17, 2010) -- An international team of Alzheimer's disease experts has uncovered a gene variation that appears to predict the rate at which Alzheimer's disease will progress. Whereas previous studies have focused on factors that influence the risk for Alzheimer's, the new research points to a way to determine how rapidly Alzheimer's patients may develop full-blown dementia. ... > full story
Fat stem cells safe for breast reconstruction when cancer is dormant, study suggests (September 17, 2010) -- Fat-derived stem cells can be safely used to aid reconstruction of breast tissue after mastectomy as long as there is no evidence of active cancer, according to a new study. Plastic surgeons have been considering adding stem cells to fat transferred from another part of the body to the breast to encourage tissue integration, but have been concerned about the potential for tumor regrowth. ... > full story
How Palestinian and Israeli children are psychologically scarred by exposure to war (September 17, 2010) -- As another round of talks continues between Israelis and Palestinians, a new study documents the impact the violence has been inflicting on the region's children. ... > full story
Cancer-cell quirk could be exploited to develop new drugs that starve tumors (September 17, 2010) -- Scientists report a previously unknown element of cancer cells' peculiar metabolism. They found that cells can trigger an alternative biochemical pathway that speeds up their metabolism and diverts the byproducts to construct new cells. ... > full story
Cardiac imaging breakthrough developed (September 17, 2010) -- Cardiologists and surgeons may soon have a new tool to improve outcomes for patients requiring pacemakers, bypass surgery or angioplasties. Imaging research has led to a new process which provides a high resolution, 3-D image of the heart revealing not only its vasculature but also any scar tissue. ... > full story
Researcher discovers new 'anti-pathogenic' drugs to treat MRSA (September 17, 2010) -- A researcher has identified new anti-pathogenic drugs that, without killing the bacteria, render methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus harmless by preventing the production of toxins that cause disease. ... > full story
Government urges universal flu vaccinations (September 17, 2010) -- The flu kills more than 35,000 people in the United States in an average year -- and most of those deaths could be prevented with a simple vaccine. After last year's H1N1 outbreak, the government says everyone over the age of 6 months needs a flu shot this year. ... > full story
Bacteria identified that may lead to inflammatory bowel disease in certain individuals (September 17, 2010) -- Certain bacteria that inhabit the intestine provide the environmental trigger that initiates and perpetuates chronic intestinal inflammation in individuals who are genetically susceptible to inflammatory bowel disease, a study has found. ... > full story
Healthy diet rocks when it comes to fighting kidney stones (September 17, 2010) -- Certain key ingredients of a diet designed to prevent high blood pressure can ward off kidney stones, according to a new study. The results suggest how low-fat dairy products and/or plants may have potent kidney stone-fighting properties. ... > full story
Strictly high heels: Researchers look at impact of high-heeled Latin dancing (September 17, 2010) -- With ballroom dancing once again on our screens, all eyes are on the sequins and steps. Well, not quite all eyes. British and Chinese scientists are more interested in the height of the ladies' high heels rather than the torsos and twists and have a few strict words on health and safety for professional dancers. ... > full story
Scientists develop test providing new pathway for identifying obesity, diabetes drugs (September 17, 2010) -- Scientists have designed a new molecular test that will allow researchers to look for potential drugs targeting a human metabolic enzyme believed to stimulate the appetite and play a role in diabetes. ... > full story
Neuroimaging identifies patients with REM sleep disturbances who will suffer Parkinson's disease (September 17, 2010) -- In 2006, and after 5 years of follow-up, researchers showed that one-half of all patients with REM sleep disturbances develop a neurodegenerative disorder such as Parkinson's disease. A new study by the same group uses SPECT and transcranial ultrasound neuroimaging techniques to identify those patients at greatest risk of developing neurodegenerative disease. ... > full story
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