ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Tuesday, September 21, 2010
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Why thinking of nothing can be so tiring: Brain wolfs energy to stop thinking (September 21, 2010) -- Mathematicians have found that the brain uses a substantial amount of energy to halt the flow of information between neurons. Maybe that's part of the reason thinking of nothing can be so tiring. ... > full story
Compound boosts marijuana-like chemical in the body to relieve pain at injury site (September 21, 2010) -- American and Italian researchers have found that a novel drug allows anandamide -- a marijuana-like chemical in the body -- to effectively control pain at the site of an injury. ... > full story
Breakthrough in drug trial offers hope for heart attack patients (September 21, 2010) -- New findings from a major drug trial have brought experts a step closer to developing a drug which could prevent thousands of deaths from heart attacks. ... > full story
Could learning self-control be enjoyable? (September 21, 2010) -- When it comes to self-control, consumers in the United States are in trouble. But a new study says there's hope; we just need a little help to see self-regulation as fun. ... > full story
Giving aspirin via IV is safe and effective for severe headache, study finds (September 21, 2010) -- A new study shows that aspirin, given intravenously (IV), may be a safe and effective option for people hospitalized for severe headache or migraine, undergoing medication withdrawal. ... > full story
Early prostate cancer detection, screening: No benefit for men with low baseline PSA value, study finds (September 21, 2010) -- Men aged 55-74 years who have low baseline blood levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) are not likely to benefit from further screening and treatment, according to a new study. ... > full story
Future of football: GPS and miniature accelerometers to better assess player's training load and fitness levels (September 21, 2010) -- A new research project in the UK may have important implications for the world of football (soccer) through the use of new technology such as GPS and miniature accelerometers to better assess a player's training load and fitness levels. ... > full story
Cholesterol drug may have role in treating prostate cancer (September 20, 2010) -- A drug commonly prescribed for people with high cholesterol may also be effective in treating prostate cancer, according to new research. ... > full story
Possible 'persistence' switch for tuberculosis found: Computer model finds probable genetic mechanism for TB dormancy (September 20, 2010) -- A model for the genetic "persistence" switch that toggles tuberculosis bacteria into a dormant state that resists antibiotics and immune system responses is described in a new study. An analysis of stress-response genes in the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis has allowed bioengineers to zero in on a gene network that appears to help the bacteria ward off attacks. ... > full story
Return troops face both physical and mental challenges: Women suffer from more conditions than men, study finds (September 20, 2010) -- Is the US health system comprehensively meeting the needs of returning veterans? With the recent attention to mental illness in returning soldiers, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in particular, little research has focused on the medical care needs of those returning from Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to experts. ... > full story
New drug a potential treatment for Type 2 diabetes (September 20, 2010) -- Australian scientists have shown that a drug candidate, Lisofylline, could be useful in treating Type 2 diabetes. Researchers tested the anti-inflammatory drug which is undergoing clinical trials for other diseases, on mice being fed high-fat diets. ... > full story
Violent video games increase aggression long after the game is turned off, study finds (September 20, 2010) -- Playing a violent video game can increase aggression, and when a player keeps thinking about the game, the potential for aggression can last for as long as 24 hours, according to a new study. ... > full story
How best to prevent blood clots? Thigh-length surgical stockings, study suggests (September 20, 2010) -- Treating hospital patients with thigh-length surgical stockings, rather than knee-high socks, can reduce life threatening blood clots, a new study suggests. ... > full story
Hyperkinetic disorders in children are on the rise, German study suggests (September 20, 2010) -- Hyperkinetic disorders among children and adolescents are becoming increasingly common, new research suggests. In a new study, scientists in Germany address the question how this has affected the frequency of prescriptions for methylphenidate, a stimulant drug that is used to treat such disorders. ... > full story
Childhood viral infection may be a cause of obesity (September 20, 2010) -- The emerging idea that obesity may have an infectious origin gets new support in a cross-sectional study researchers who found that children exposed to a particular strain of adenovirus were significantly more likely to be obese. ... > full story
Higher incidence of seizures seen in children with H1N1 virus compared to seasonal flu (September 20, 2010) -- A recent study determined that the 2009 pandemic influenza A caused a higher rate of neurological complications in children than the seasonal flu. The most common complications observed were seizures and encephalopathy. This is among the most extensive evaluations of neurological complications following H1N1 flu in children. ... > full story
Serious hockey injuries among young children skyrocketing, study finds (September 20, 2010) -- The incidence of hockey-related injuries among children aged 9 to 14 leading to emergency department visits more than doubled between 1990 and 2006, according to a new nationwide U.S. study. There were 2,935 hockey injuries treated in emergency departments in that age group in 1990, increasing to 7,713 in 2006 -- an increase of 163 percent. ... > full story
Plague researchers race to beat bioterrorists (September 20, 2010) -- Given the many pressing concerns of the day, fear of plague probably isn't what causes most Americans to lose sleep. But for those whose responsibility it is to combat bioterrorism, plague is among the highest priorities. ... > full story
End of microplates? Novel electronic biosensing technology could facilitate new era of personalized medicine (September 20, 2010) -- The multi-welled microplate, long a standard tool in biomedical research and diagnostic laboratories, could become a thing of the past thanks to new electronic biosensing technology developed by a team of microelectronics engineers and biomedical scientists. ... > full story
Favorable expectations make people like using a new mobile phone, study finds (September 20, 2010) -- The more a user expects to like using a new mobile phone, the more he or she will like to use it. According to researchers in Finland, users' favorable expectations make them forgive encountered usability problems and perceive new mobile phones usable. ... > full story
Biologists discover biochemical link between biological clock and diabetes (September 20, 2010) -- Biologists have found that a key protein that regulates the biological clocks of mammals also regulates glucose production in the liver and that altering the levels of this protein can improve the health of diabetic mice. ... > full story
Possible alternate therapy for adults with poorly controlled asthma (September 20, 2010) -- A drug commonly used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease successfully treats adults whose asthma is not well-controlled on low doses of inhaled corticosteroids, researchers report. ... > full story
Human unconscious is transferred to virtual characters (September 20, 2010) -- Virtual characters can behave according to actions carried out unconsciously by humans. Researchers have created a system which measures human physiological parameters, such as respiration or heart rate, and introduces them into computer designed characters in real time. ... > full story
Genetic variants modifying breast cancer risk discovered (September 20, 2010) -- Individuals with disrupting mutations in the BRCA1 gene are known to be at substantially increased risk of breast cancer throughout their lives. Now, discoveries from an international research team led by Mayo Clinic researchers show that some of those persons may possess additional genetic variants that modify their risk. ... > full story
Database to help accelerate drug discovery developed (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a new computational method that will help streamline the analysis of gene expression experiments and provide scientists with a better mechanistic understanding of the differences between diseased and normal cells. ... > full story
Many hospital emergency department visits could be treated elsewhere, study finds (September 20, 2010) -- Evidence shows that more people are seeking routine care from hospital emergency departments, a trend that may grow under health care reform. A new study shows that about 17 percent of all visits to hospital emergency departments across the United States could be treated at retail medical clinics or urgent care centers, potentially saving .4 billion annually in health care costs. ... > full story
Two studies find new genetic links to ovarian cancer risk (September 20, 2010) -- Cancer researchers have identified four chromosome locations with genetic changes that are likely to alter a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. Researchers say that while more needs to be learned about the function of the specific chromosomal regions involved in susceptibility, the discoveries move them a major step closer to individualized risk assessments for ovarian cancer. ... > full story
Novel target for existing drug may improve success of radiation therapy (September 20, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a new drug target that could improve the effectiveness of radiation for hard-to-treat cancers. The finding focuses on the role of the enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). This enzyme promotes development and functioning of blood vessel networks that feed malignant tumors, enabling them to overcome the effects of radiation. ... > full story
Gene network reveals link between fats and heart disease signs (September 20, 2010) -- A gene network behind hardening of the arteries and coronary heart disease has been identified. The new findings expose potential targets for the treatment of heart disease. ... > full story
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
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