ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Friday, October 15, 2010
Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.
Biomarker shows potential for early diagnosis of lung cancer (October 15, 2010) -- Researchers have demonstrated that a biomarker called TCF21 may be used to develop a potential screening test for early-stage lung cancer. ... > full story
Links between XMRV and human disease studied (October 15, 2010) -- New evidence supports a possible link between Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus and prostate cancer but not other links involving chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV infection, or hepatitis C virus infection. ... > full story
Four kinds of compulsive gamblers identified (October 15, 2010) -- Disorganized and emotionally unstable, poorly adapted, suffering from alcohol problems, impulsive, or with a "globally adapted" personality. These are the features of the four diagnosed types of compulsive gamblers identified by researchers in Spain. According to the scientific team, only one of these four shows signs of a significant pathology. ... > full story
Temperature rhythms keep body clocks in sync (October 15, 2010) -- Researchers have found that fluctuations in internal body temperature regulate the body's circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle that controls metabolism, sleep and other bodily functions. ... > full story
Anti-vomiting drug could prevent thousands of hospitalizations, save millions of dollars (October 15, 2010) -- An economic analysis concludes that routinely giving ondansetron to children with gastroenteritis-induced vomiting would prevent thousands of hospitalizations and save millions of dollars each year. ... > full story
Preeclampsia advances: Researchers animal model and potential lab test for diagnosing the disease in people (October 15, 2010) -- Preeclampsia, a sudden-onset and sometimes fatal prenatal disease, may strike up to 8 percent of pregnant women worldwide. Researchers have now developed a dependable pregnancy-specific animal model for laboratory testing and may have a predictive test that would allow early intervention. The studies are reported in the American Journal of Pathology. ... > full story
The kids are all right: Few negative associations with moms' return to work after having children, review finds (October 15, 2010) -- Children whose mothers return to work before their offspring turn 3 are no more likely to have academic or behavioral problems than kids whose mothers stay at home, according to a review of 50 years of research. ... > full story
Immune protein linked to abnormal brain development; May provide clues to schizophrenia and autism (October 14, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered that exposing fetal neurons to higher than normal levels of a common immune protein leads to abnormal brain development in mice. The finding may provide new insights into factors contributing to human neurological disorders like schizophrenia and autism. ... > full story
Genetic data related to sodium-regulating hormone may help explain hypertension risk (October 14, 2010) -- New research points to the existence of a gene on chromosome 5 that influences how much aldosterone is produced -- which may be excessive in African-descended populations. ... > full story
Psychological first aid for survivors of disaster (October 14, 2010) -- Even as we breathe a sigh of relief watching the rescue of 33 miners trapped in a Chilean mine for more than two months, there is recognition that their recovery from this traumatic experience involves more than just their physical health. But research on the psychological effects of disasters indicates that the risk varies among individuals and, further, that the most common psychological interventions currently in use may actually be harmful in some instances. ... > full story
Need a study break to refresh? Maybe not, say researchers (October 14, 2010) -- It could happen to students cramming for exams, people working long hours or just about anyone burning the candle at both ends: Something tells you to take a break. Watch some TV. Have a candy bar. Goof off, tune out for a bit and come back to the task at hand when you're feeling better. After all, you're physically exhausted. But a new study suggests the urge to refresh (or just procrastinate) is -- well -- all in your head. ... > full story
Early success with laser that destroys tumors with heat (October 14, 2010) -- Physicians at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus are among the first in the nation to use a technique known as MRI-guided laser ablation to heat up and destroy kidney and liver tumors. So far, five patients have been successfully treated -- meaning no visible tumors remained after the procedure. ... > full story
Inner workings of potent cancer drug derived from evergreen tree (October 14, 2010) -- A potent drug derived from an evergreen tree may soon save the lives of some patients with the deadliest form of breast cancer. ... > full story
Method curbs growth of crystals that form kidney stones (October 14, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a method for curbing the growth of crystals that form cystine kidney stones. Their findings may offer a pathway to a new method for the prevention of kidney stones. ... > full story
Yoga can counteract fibromyalgia, study suggests (October 14, 2010) -- Yoga exercises may have the power to combat the chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia -- a medical disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain. ... > full story
I want to see what you see: Babies treat 'social robots' as sentient beings (October 14, 2010) -- Babies are curious about nearly everything, and they're especially interested in what their adult companions are doing. Researchers are studying how infants use social interactions to learn. But what makes something social for a baby? In the new issue of Neural Networks, the researchers report that babies who watched a robot interact socially with people were more willing to learn from the robot than babies who did not see the interactions. ... > full story
Waist circumference, not BMI, is best predictor of future cardiovascular risk in children, study finds (October 14, 2010) -- A new long-term study suggests that waist circumference, rather than the commonly used body mass index measure, is the best clinical measure to predict a child's risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes later in life. ... > full story
Researcher find fats galore in human plasma (October 14, 2010) -- Human blood is famously fraught with fats; now scientists have a specific idea of just how numerous and diverse these lipids actually are. A research team has created the first "lipidome" of human plasma, identifying and quantifying almost 600 distinct fat species circulating in human blood. ... > full story
Hemostatic powder stops bleeding ulcers, study suggests (October 14, 2010) -- A new material similar to that used by the US military to treat traumatic injuries is showing promise as the next novel treatment for bleeding ulcers, a condition that commonly affects up to 15 percent of adults, according to new research. ... > full story
Why arsenic can be deadly, yet also function as theapeutic against disease (October 14, 2010) -- Scientists have solved an important mystery about why an arsenic compound, arsenite, can kill us, and yet function as an effective therapeutic agent against disease and infections. Scientists discovered that arsenite, a common water contaminant worldwide, affects a protein folding machine in yeast, called TCP, also present in humans. The findings open doors to developing safer therapeutic alternatives to arsenite-based medicines, and may allow researchers to counter arsenite poisoning. ... > full story
Watermelon lowers blood pressure, study finds (October 14, 2010) -- No matter how you slice it, watermelon has a lot going for it -- sweet, low calorie, high fiber, nutrient rich -- and now, there's more. Evidence from a pilot study led by food scientists suggests that watermelon can be an effective natural weapon against prehypertension, a precursor to cardiovascular disease. ... > full story
Low-dose exposure to chemical warfare agent may result in long-term heart damage (October 14, 2010) -- New research found that the pattern of heart dysfunction with sarin exposure in mice resembles that seen in humans. Sarin is a chemical warfare agent belonging to class of compounds called organophosphates -- the basis for insecticides, herbicides and nerve agents. ... > full story
Young teens who play sports feel healthier and happier about life (October 14, 2010) -- Taking part in sports is good all round for young teens: physically, socially, and mentally, according to a new study. New research shows that middle-school teenagers who are physically active and play on sports teams are more satisfied with their life and feel healthier. ... > full story
Love takes up where pain leaves off, brain study shows (October 14, 2010) -- Intense, passionate feelings of love can provide amazingly effective pain relief, similar to painkillers or such illicit drugs as cocaine, according to a new study. ... > full story
Mechanism uncovered for major genetic risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (October 14, 2010) -- Scientists have made new insights into how apoE4 might be involved. In a new study, researchers report that apoE4-dependent learning and memory deficits are caused by loss of a specific type of neuron in the learning and memory center of the brain. ... > full story
Breaking ball too good to be true: Illusion behind batters' perceptions of 'breaking' curveballs and 'rising' fastballs (October 14, 2010) -- Curveballs curve gradually, but the perception by some hitters of a sharp "break" or other abrupt change in a curveball's trajectory can be explained as a visual illusion, according to a new study. ... > full story
Protein sets stage for exchanges of DNA code in eggs and sperm (October 14, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a regulatory protein that influences where genetic material gets swapped between maternal and paternal chromosomes during the process of creating eggs and sperm. The findings shed light on the roots of chromosomal errors and gene diversity. ... > full story
Walk much? It may protect your memory down the road (October 14, 2010) -- New research suggests that walking at least six miles per week may protect brain size and in turn, preserve memory in old age, according to a new study. ... > full story
Soft drink could enhance effects of an anti-cancer drug (October 14, 2010) -- Experiments with an artificial stomach suggest that a popular lemon-lime soft drink could play an unexpected role in improving the effectiveness of an oral anti-cancer drug. The experiments produced evidence that patients will absorb more of the unnamed drug, tested in Phase 1 in clinical trials, when taken with "flat" or degassed Sprite. ... > full story
Better marker for breast cancer may reduce need for second surgeries (October 14, 2010) -- A new material could help surgeons more accurately locate breast cancers, reduce the need for second surgeries and minimize pre-surgical discomfort for patients. Microscopic gas-filled spheres of silica, a porous glass, can mark the location of early-stage tumors to show their position using ultrasound imaging in the operating room. ... > full story
Antibiotic appears safe for stroke patients and good companion for tPA, study suggests (October 14, 2010) -- An antibiotic appears to be a safe treatment for stroke and a good companion therapy for tPA, the clot buster that is currently the only FDA-approved drug therapy, researchers report. A safety study in 60 stroke patients in Georgia, Kentucky and Oregon found the drug well tolerated even at three-and-one-half times the dose currently used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, according to new research. ... > full story
'Selfless' genes attract mates, psychologists find (October 14, 2010) -- There is genetic evidence that selfless or altruistic behavior may have evolved because it was one of the qualities our ancestors looked for in a mate, psychologists in the UK report. ... > full story
Enzyme in saliva shapes how we sense food texture; Perception and digestion of starchy foods varies from person to person (October 14, 2010) -- Creamy. Gritty. Crunchy. Slimy. Oral texture perception is a major factor contributing to each person's food preferences. Now, a new study finds that individuals' perception of starch texture is shaped by variability in the activity of an oral enzyme known as salivary amylase. ... > full story
Highly pathogenic bird flu virus can survive months on steel or glass at cooler temperatures (October 14, 2010) -- On the eve of the 2010-11 influenza flu season, scientists and engineers have identified the environmental conditions and surfaces that could enable a highly pathogenic bird flu virus to survive for prolonged periods of time -- at least two weeks and up to two months. Among them: the virus appears to thrive at cooler temperatures and low humidity. The study could lead to new strategies for preventing the flu virus from spreading. ... > full story
Hemoglobin test printed on paper (October 14, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a method of using printing technology to produce simple tests related to health, well-being and the environment. They have demonstrated the efficacy of the method by printing a hemoglobin test, i.e. manufactured paper that reveals whether a given sample contains hemoglobin. ... > full story
New sound recording device helps doctors study link between cough and reflux (October 14, 2010) -- Coughing episodes are closely related to gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in patients who experience chronic cough, irrespective of other diagnoses, according to a new study. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the acid contents of the stomach back up, or reflux, into the esophagus. This typically produces heartburn, a burning sensation below the sternum where your ribs come together. ... > full story
Over-the-counter 'natural' weight-reducing products can cause harm and may even kill, Hong Kong study warns (October 14, 2010) -- The desire for a quick-fix for obesity fuels a lucrative market in so-called natural remedies. But a study of medical records in Hong Kong revealed 66 cases where people were suspected to have been poisoned by a "natural" slimming therapy. In eight cases the people became severely ill, and in one case the person died. ... > full story
Brain's impulse control center located (October 14, 2010) -- Impulsive behavior can be improved with training and the improvement is marked by specific brain changes, according to a new study. ... > full story
Crucial link in immune development and regulation unearthed (October 14, 2010) -- Scientists have uncovered a quality-control mechanism that must take place for our immune system to subsequently effectively destroy harmful viruses and bacteria. ... > full story
Breast-feeding safe for women after breast cancer treatment, study finds (October 14, 2010) -- Women who have survived breast cancer should not be denied the opportunity to breast-feed their children, according to the results of a new study. ... > full story
Nutrition rating enhancing front-of-package nutrition rating systems and symbols (October 14, 2010) -- Nutrition rating systems and symbols on the fronts of food packaging would be most useful to shoppers if they highlighted four nutrients of greatest concern -- calories, saturated fat, trans fat and sodium, says a new report. ... > full story
PiggyBac joins armory in fight against cancer: Powerful mutation tool identifies new cancer genes (October 14, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a genetic tool in mice to speed the discovery of novel genes involved in cancer. The system -- called PiggyBac -- involves disrupting or altering the mouse genome using "jumping genes" (known as transposons) and has been used by the team to identify a number of novel candidate cancer-causing genes. The team searched 63 mouse blood cancers; the genes they identified will open the door for studies looking at their human equivalents. ... > full story
Belief in rumors about proposed NYC mosque linked to opposition to all mosques, study finds (October 14, 2010) -- People who believe false rumors about the proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero in New York City not only are more likely to oppose that project -- they are more likely to oppose building of a mosque in their own neighborhood. Researchers surveyed 750 Americans and asked them if they believed any of four rumors associated with the New York City mosque, all of which have been refuted. ... > full story
Overseas nurses feel their skills are underused and they aren’t valued or respected, review finds (October 14, 2010) -- Many overseas nurses have negative experiences of living and working in the UK, particularly when it comes to feeling personally valued and professionally respected. The review, covering the views of nearly 4,000 overseas nurses, also found that discrimination and racism still exist in the National Health Service and that the reality of first-world UK nursing is often very different to what overseas nurses expect. Since 1997 approximately 100,000 international nurses from 50 countries have obtained UK registration, but almost a fifth did not renew their registration. ... > full story
Melanoma drug shrinks brain metastases in phase I/II study (October 13, 2010) -- A new drug being developed to treat potentially deadly melanoma skin cancers has shown a promising ability to shrink secondary tumors, known as metastases, in the brain in patients with advanced forms of the disease, Australian researchers report. ... > full story
Surgical technique relieves painful spine fractures in patients with metastatic cancer (October 13, 2010) -- A surgical technique appears to offer quick and effective relief for debilitating spinal fractures often suffered by patients with metastatic cancer, researchers report. ... > full story
Consumers’ ‘herding instinct’ turns on and off, Facebook study shows (October 13, 2010) -- A new study shows that consumers have a herding instinct to follow the crowd. However, this instinct appears to switch off if the product fails to achieve a certain popularity threshold. The new study is based on an analysis of how millions of Facebook users adopted software, known as apps, to personalize their Facebook pages. ... > full story
Brain responds more to close friends, imaging study shows (October 13, 2010) -- People's brains are more responsive to friends than to strangers, even if the stranger has more in common, according to a new study. Researchers examined a brain region known to be involved in processing social information, and the results suggest that social alliances outweigh shared interests. ... > full story
Copyright 1995-2010 © ScienceDaily LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
|
 To update/change your profile click here  |
