ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Wednesday, September 29, 2010
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Mechanism behind cleft palate development identified (September 29, 2010) -- Researchers have found a new mechanism that explains why a certain gene mutation causes craniofrontonasal syndrome, a disorder that causes cleft palate and other malformations in the face, brain and skeleton. Cleft palate affects one of every 1,000 newborns. ... > full story
How to control massive bleeding from the hepatic artery (September 29, 2010) -- A research team from China investigated the minimal invasive techniques to stop the life-threatening hemorrhage from ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after pancreaticoduodenectomy. They found that placement of stent-grafts is an effective and safe procedure for acute life-threatening hemorrhage from ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm. ... > full story
Family, culture affect whether intelligence leads to education, study finds (September 29, 2010) -- Intelligence isn't the only thing that predicts how much education people get; family, culture, and other factors are important, too. A new study compares identical and fraternal twins in Minnesota and Sweden to explore how genetic and environmental factors involved in educational differ in countries with different educational systems. Family background can get an education even for people of low intelligence, the authors conclude -- but helps much more in Minnesota than in Sweden. ... > full story
Scarless brain surgery is new option for patients (September 29, 2010) -- Surgeons now suggest that transorbital neuroendoscopic surgery (TONES) is a safe and effective option for treating a variety of advanced brain diseases and traumatic injuries. This groundbreaking minimally invasive surgery is performed through the eye socket, thus eliminating the removal of the top of the skull to access the brain. ... > full story
JAK inhibitor provides rapid, durable relief for patients of myelofibrosis -- life-threatening bone marrow malignancy (September 29, 2010) -- An oral medication produces significant and lasting relief for patients with myelofibrosis, a debilitating and lethal bone marrow disorder, researchers report. ... > full story
Buyer backlash: Why do slogans about saving money increase spending? (September 29, 2010) -- A new study reveals a strange facet of consumer behavior: people behave differently when they encounter companies' brands than they do when they encounter their slogans. ... > full story
Sneaking spies into a cell's nucleus (September 28, 2010) -- Bioengineers have not only figured out a way to sneak molecular spies through the walls of individual cells, they can now slip them into the command center -- or nucleus -- of those cells, where they can report back important information or drop off payloads. ... > full story
Biomarker panel identifies prostate cancer with 90 percent accuracy (September 28, 2010) -- Researchers in England say they have discovered a set of biomarkers that can distinguish prostate cancer from benign prostate disease and healthy tissue with 90 percent accuracy. This preliminary data, if validated in larger ongoing studies, could be developed into a serum protein test that reduces the number of unnecessary biopsies and identifies men who need treatment before symptoms begin. ... > full story
Scientists consider fate of pandemic H1N1 flu virus (September 28, 2010) -- In a new commentary, scientists review the fates of previous pandemic influenza viruses in the years following a pandemic and speculate on possible future courses for the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus during the upcoming flu season and beyond. ... > full story
Structural Genomics Consortium releases 1,000th protein structure (September 28, 2010) -- The Structural Genomics Consortium, an international public-private partnership that aims to determine 3-D structures of medically important proteins, has announced the release into the public domain of its 1,000th high-resolution protein structure. ... > full story
Why we fight: Men check out in stressful situations, while women show increased brain coordination when looking at angry faces (September 28, 2010) -- Turns out the silent and stoic response to stress might be a guy thing after all. A new study reveals that stressed men looking at angry faces had diminished activity in the brain regions responsible for understanding others' feelings. ... > full story
Triple-negative breast cancers may have unique therapeutic target (September 28, 2010) -- Patients with triple-negative breast cancer, one of the hardest subtypes to treat, may have a unique biomarker that would enable them to receive more targeted therapy, according to new data. ... > full story
Genetic differences in sense of smell identified through asparagus urine odor (September 28, 2010) -- Scientists have identified one of only a few known genetic contributions to the sense of smell. Most, but not all, people detect a distinct sulfurous odor in their urine shortly after eating asparagus. Sensory testing demonstrated that some do not produce the odor while others do not smell it. DNA analyses revealed that the inability to smell the odor was linked to genetic variation within a family of olfactory receptors. ... > full story
Researchers use CT to predict heart disease (September 28, 2010) -- Using incidental findings from routine diagnostic CT, radiologists may be better able to identify people at high risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. ... > full story
How reasonable it is to deceive yourself? (September 28, 2010) -- Anyone who simply denies the facts is most certainly behaving unreasonably -- aren't they? Philosophers explain that in some cases it may be useful to deceive yourself. The self-deception can be an important motivating factor and not entirely lacking reason. The reason may be locally restricted, however basic strategies of rational evaluation processes remain intact. ... > full story
'Firefly' stem cells may help repair damaged hearts (September 28, 2010) -- Stem cells that glow like fireflies could someday help doctors heal damaged hearts without cutting into patients' chests. Researchers engineered stem cells with the same enzyme that makes fireflies glow. The "firefly" stem cells glow brighter and brighter as they develop into healthy heart muscle, allowing doctors to track whether and where the stem cells are working. ... > full story
Scientists find more health benefits from starting HIV treatment early (September 28, 2010) -- HIV-infected individuals who begin antiretroviral therapy (ART) soon after acquiring the virus may have stronger immune responses to other pathogens than HIV-infected individuals who begin ART later, a new study has found. This finding suggests that early initiation of ART may prevent irreversible immune system damage and adds to the body of evidence showing significant health benefits from early ART. ... > full story
Pet allergies worsen hay fever symptoms, study finds (September 28, 2010) -- Being allergic to dogs or cats may worsen your ragweed allergies, according to a new study. Researchers found that people with pet allergies often develop ragweed allergy symptoms more quickly than others. But the study also suggests that once allergy season is in full swing, those symptom differences subside. ... > full story
New biomarkers discovered for pancreatic cancer and mesothelioma (September 28, 2010) -- Using a novel aptamer-based proteomics array technology, researchers and collaborators have identified biomarkers and protein signatures that are hallmarks of cancer at an early stage for two of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer -- pancreatic and mesothelioma. ... > full story
The price of popularity: Drug and alcohol consumption (September 28, 2010) -- The consumption of drugs and alcohol by teenagers is not just about rebellion or emotional troubles. It's about being one of the cool kids, according to a new study. ... > full story
'Hobbit' was an iodine-deficient human, not another species, new study suggests (September 28, 2010) -- A new paper is set to re-ignite debate over the origins of so-called Homo floresiensis -- the 'hobbit' that some scientists have claimed as a new species of human. Researchers have reconfirmed their original finding on the skull that Homo floresiensis in fact bears the hallmarks of humans -- Homo sapiens -- affected by hypothyroid cretinism. ... > full story
Daycare puts children with lung disease at risk for serious illness, study finds (September 28, 2010) -- Exposure to common viruses in daycare puts children with a chronic lung condition caused by premature birth at risk for serious respiratory infections, according to a new study. ... > full story
For neurons to work as a team, it helps to have a beat (September 28, 2010) -- When it comes to conducting complex tasks, it turns out that the brain needs rhythm, according to researchers. Neuroscientists have found that cortical rhythms, or oscillations, can effectively rally groups of neurons in widely dispersed regions of the brain to engage in coordinated activity, much like a conductor will summon up various sections of an orchestra in a symphony. ... > full story
Medical imaging may detect unrelated diseases in research participants (September 28, 2010) -- In about 40 percent of research participants undergoing medical imaging, radiologists may detect a tumor or infection unrelated to the study but that may be meaningful to the individual's health, according to a new study. ... > full story
Software downloaded during office visits could cut risk of ICD shocks (September 28, 2010) -- In a study of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), downloadable software updates cut the risk of unnecessary shocks in half. In the future, software upgrades may offer patients other ICD improvements without implanting new devices. ... > full story
Baby boomers raise midlife suicide rate, study suggests (September 28, 2010) -- Baby boomers appear to be driving a dramatic rise in suicide rates among middle-aged people. The suicide rate for middle-aged people -- a group considered relatively protected from suicide and with historically stable suicide rates -- increased between 1999 and 2005, according to a new study. Researchers found significant increases of more than 2 percent per year for men, and more than 3 percent for women, from 1999 to 2005. ... > full story
Right or left? Brain stimulation can change which hand you favor (September 28, 2010) -- Each time we perform a simple task, like pushing an elevator button or reaching for a cup of coffee, the brain races to decide whether the left or right hand will do the job. But the left hand is more likely to win if a certain region of the brain receives magnetic stimulation, according to new research. ... > full story
People also have antiviral 'plant defences', research suggests (September 28, 2010) -- In addition to known antiviral agents such as antibodies and interferons, people also seem to have a similar immune system to that previously identified in plants, according to researchers in the Netherlands. They discovered that a protein used by plant viruses to bypass plant resistance can also impair the defence against HIV viruses in people. The findings may open up new opportunities for improving health. ... > full story
'Gold' fish thrive, cancers die (September 28, 2010) -- Physicists have demonstrated that plasmonic nanobubbles, generated around gold nanoparticles with a laser pulse, can detect and destroy cancer cells in vivo by creating tiny, shiny vapor bubbles that reveal the cells and selectively explode them. ... > full story
Scientists freeze virus fragment in shape recognized by immune system; Development has implications for vaccine design (September 28, 2010) -- One strategy for designing an HIV vaccine involves identifying the key viral surface structures, snipping them off and developing a method to present these fragments to the immune system. When some parts of the surface of HIV are removed, they change shape such that antibodies no longer recognize and bind to them. A research team has developed a strategy to overcome this. ... > full story
Friends, family detect early Alzheimer's signs better than traditional tests, researchers find (September 28, 2010) -- Family members and close friends are more sensitive to early signs of Alzheimer's dementia than traditional screening tests, according to researchers. ... > full story
Wider statin use could be cost-effective preventive measure, study finds (September 28, 2010) -- A new analysis suggests that broader statin use among adult patients may be a cost-effective way to prevent heart attack and stroke. Using a popular test -- a screening for high sensitivity C-reactive protein, or CRP -- to identify patients who may benefit from statin therapy would be cost-effective, but only under certain scenarios. ... > full story
No link between genetic ancestry, asthma response in African-Americans, study finds (September 28, 2010) -- Genetic ancestry has no discernible influence on how African American patients with asthma respond to medication, according to a new study. Researchers found that improved lung function in patients after taking inhaled steroids was related to a series of baseline breathing function measures, not genetic ancestry. ... > full story
Sugary sports drinks mistakenly associated with being healthy, say researchers (September 28, 2010) -- Children who practice healthy lifestyle habits such as eating fruits and vegetables and engaging in physical activity may be negatively impacting their health because they tend to consume large amounts of flavored and sports beverages containing sugar, according to new research. ... > full story
A shot to the heart: Nanoneedle delivers quantum dots to cell nucleus (September 28, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a tiny needle to deliver a shot of quantum dots right to a cell's nucleus. This is the first technique that allows delivery to a pinpointed location within the nucleus. The researchers can then learn a lot about the physical conditions inside the nucleus by monitoring the quantum dots with a standard fluorescent microscope. ... > full story
Surgery found effective for patients with aggressive prostate cancer, study suggests (September 28, 2010) -- In one of the first studies to focus exclusively on the outcomes after treatment for patients with high-risk prostate cancer, researchers have found that surgery provides high survival rates. ... > full story
Protein may advance Parkinson's by preventing neurons from clearing debris (September 28, 2010) -- A protein linked to Parkinson's disease may cause neurodegeneration by inhibiting autophagy -- the process in which cells digest some of their contents -- according to a new study. ... > full story
Mindfulness meditation may ease fatigue, depression in multiple sclerosis (September 28, 2010) -- Learning mindfulness meditation may help people who have multiple sclerosis with the fatigue, depression and other life challenges that commonly accompany the disease, according to a new study. ... > full story
New level of control for the heart beat (September 28, 2010) -- The heart beat, nerve cell communication, and skeletal muscle function are all controlled by channels in the cell membrane that regulate the movement of sodium ions (Na+). Mutations in these so called voltage-gated Na+ channels result in forms of epilepsy and heart conditions such as long QT syndrome that are characterized by an irregular heart beat. ... > full story
Interneurons are not all created equally: Some classes of interneurons may underlie distinct brain disorders (September 28, 2010) -- A type of neuron that, when malfunctioning, has been tied to epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia is much more complex than previously thought, researchers report. ... > full story
Report predicts huge increase in osteoporotic fractures due to aging populations (September 28, 2010) -- Preliminary findings from an upcoming new report by the International Osteoporosis Foundation show alarming projections and reveal the poor state of post-fracture care in the Russian Federation and many other countries in the region. ... > full story
Diving deeper into the gene pool: Innovative software analyzes diseased cells (September 28, 2010) -- New software, called miRNAkey, has been developed to search for microRNA patterns in both healthy and diseased tissues, improving scientists' understanding of the data collected from deep sequencing technology. ... > full story
Homeless youths most often victims of crime (September 28, 2010) -- Homeless youths in Toronto are victims of crime at rates that would be considered unacceptable for any other group, according to a new report. More than 76 percent of homeless youth surveyed said they had been victims of violent crime in the past year, and almost three-quarters reported multiple incidents. Females and those who became homeless at the age of 16 or 17 were most vulnerable. ... > full story
Pharma must be held more accountable to its human rights responsibilities, editors argue (September 28, 2010) -- In this week's PLoS Medicine, the editors argue that drug companies should be held much more accountable for their human rights responsibilities to make medicines available and accessible to those in need. ... > full story
Cost-effectiveness of routine use of pooled nucleic acid amplification testing (September 28, 2010) -- Detection of acute HIV infection (the stage of disease immediately after HIV acquisition but before HIV antibodies are detectable) with pooled nucleic acid amplification testing (that detects the presence of HIV genetic material in the blood before antibodies are detectable) is feasible but not cost-effective in all settings, according to new research. ... > full story
Immunization coverage key to good health locally, globally (September 28, 2010) -- The outbreak of whooping cough in Texas, California, and other states this year underscores the critical importance of widespread vaccination coverage, both locally as well as around the world, said a leading global health official. ... > full story
Leading practitioners recommend global PTSD treatment guidelines (September 28, 2010) -- In recent years, several guidelines in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder have been put into practice globally. Practice guidelines across the health sphere are very important in guiding the care people receive. Although there is a high level of consensus on these guidelines among practitioners, there are also differences that can lead to confusion among providers, patients, and purchasers of mental health services for people affected by trauma. A new article written by the international leaders in PTSD treatment compares and contrasts the various guidelines, and explain the reasons for the differences. ... > full story
Abatacept found ineffective in treatment of non-life threatening lupus, trial results show (September 28, 2010) -- Results from a 12-month multi-center clinical trial did not show therapeutic benefit of abatacept over placebo in patients with non-life threatening systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Abatacept failed to prevent new disease flares in SLE patients tapered from corticosteroids in an analysis where mild, moderate and severe disease flares were evaluated together. ... > full story
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