ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, October 18, 2010
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Genetic trigger of depression identified: Potential target for novel class of therapeutic agents (October 18, 2010) -- Researchers have found a gene that seems to be a key contributor to the onset of depression and is a promising target for a new class of antidepressants. ... > full story
Protein behind development of immune system sentinels identified (October 18, 2010) -- A protein called PU.1 is essential for the development of dendritic cells, the sentinels of the immune system, researchers in Australia have shown. ... > full story
MRI zooms in on microscopic flow (October 18, 2010) -- Through a combination of remote instrumentation, JPEG-style image compression and other key enhancements, researchers have been able to apply Magnetic Resonance Imaging to materials flowing through microfluidic "lab-on-a-chip" devices with unprecedented spatial and time resolutions. ... > full story
Erlotinib improves progression-free survival as first-line therapy in advanced lung cancer, study finds (October 18, 2010) -- For patients with advanced lung cancer whose tumors carry EGFR activating mutations, first-line treatment with erlotinib nearly tripled progression-free survival compared to a standard chemotherapy combination, show results from the first prospective Phase III study to report findings in this setting. ... > full story
Astrocytes affect brain's information signaling, research finds (October 18, 2010) -- Astrocytes are the most common type of cell in the brain and play an important role in the function of neurons -- nerve cells. New research from Sweden shows that they are also directly involved in the regulation of signaling between neurons. ... > full story
Potent new hepatitis C drug: First clinical trials successfully completed (October 18, 2010) -- The first clinical trials on a new investigational drug being developed to treat infections caused by hepatitis C virus have been successfully completed. Completion of the initial phase (phase 1a) of trials of INX-189 means the chances of it becoming an approved medicine have significantly improved. ... > full story
Got fish? Nutrition studies explore health benefits (October 18, 2010) -- Some of America's most popular fish -- salmon and albacore tuna, for example -- are rich in healthful natural compounds known as omega-3 fatty acids. Ongoing studies by researchers are helping uncover new details about how these fish-oil components help protect us from chronic diseases. ... > full story
High response rates seen in phase-III trial of chemotherapy, new drug and stem cells in myeloma (October 18, 2010) -- The first study of its kind comparing two different approaches to treating newly diagnosed multiple myeloma has found that both treatments achieved a positive response, researchers say. ... > full story
Creating a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (October 18, 2010) -- A new study has created a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Researchers selected 22 of 547 neuropsychological variables for analysis based on their ability to distinguish children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) from unexposed children. Results suggest that executive functioning and spatial processing are especially sensitive in children with suspected or known PAE. ... > full story
New treatment may protect against pneumonia (October 17, 2010) -- Intranasal administration of the protein flagellin may activate innate immunity and protect against acute pneumonia, say researchers from France. ... > full story
Push and pull get eyes to work together (October 17, 2010) -- Researchers appear to have found a better way to correct sensory eye dominance, a condition in which an imbalance between the eyes compromises fine depth perception. The key is a push-pull training method in which the weak eye is made to work while vision in the strong eye is actively suppressed, according to a new study. ... > full story
New method for detecting Clostridium botulinum spores (October 17, 2010) -- A new method for detecting spores of non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum has been developed. This bacterium is the major health hazard associated with refrigerated convenience foods, and these developments give the food industry and regulators more quantitative information on which to base the procedures that ensure food safety. ... > full story
Preventive medication, behavior management skills help combat frequent migraines (October 17, 2010) -- The combination of preventive medication and behavioral changes offered significant relief for 77 percent of the individuals enrolled in a study aimed at combating frequent, disabling migraine headaches, according to new research. ... > full story
Measurement scientists set a new standard in 3-D ears (October 17, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a means of representing a 3-D model ear, to help redefine the standard for a pinna simulator (the pinna is the outer part of the ear) -- used to measure sound in the way we perceive it. ... > full story
Of worms and women: Common causes for reproductive decline with age (October 17, 2010) -- In worms as in women, fertility declines at a rate that far exceeds the onset of other aging signs. And now a new report suggests that worms' and humans' biological clocks may wind down over time for similar underlying reasons. ... > full story
Mini-sensor traces faint magnetic signature of human heartbeat (October 17, 2010) -- Researchers have used a miniature atom-based magnetic sensor to successfully track a human heartbeat, confirming the device's potential for biomedical applications. ... > full story
Diabetes hospitalizations rise dramatically for young women (October 17, 2010) -- The burden of diabetes hospitalizations is shifting toward young adults, particularly women. Researchers reveal in a new study that the rate of hospitalizations due to diabetes has doubled in the past decade among adults ages 30-39. Women were hospitalized more often than men in that age group. The shift echoes rising obesity rates, researchers say. ... > full story
Discovery has potential to boost anti-breast cancer drug tamoxifen's effectiveness (October 17, 2010) -- Scientists in the UK have found a potential new way of boosting the effectiveness of the anti-breast cancer drug, tamoxifen. The work could open the door to new treatments for those who have developed a resistance to tamoxifen, and has been described as an important new discovery. ... > full story
Right food effectively protects against risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline, study finds (October 17, 2010) -- For the first time, researchers in Sweden have found out what effect multiple, rather than just single, foods with anti-inflammatory effects have on healthy individuals. The results of a diet study show that bad cholesterol was reduced by 33 per cent, blood lipids by 14 per cent, blood pressure by 8 per cent and a risk marker for blood clots by 26 per cent. A marker of inflammation in the body was also greatly reduced, while memory and cognitive function were improved. ... > full story
Diagnosing autism with MRI is one step closer (October 16, 2010) -- Medical researchers have made an important step in diagnosing autism through using MRI, an advance that eventually could help health care providers identify the problem much earlier in children and lead to improved treatment and outcomes for those with the disorder. ... > full story
New data on effects of alcohol during pregnancy (October 16, 2010) -- Scientific data continue to indicate that higher intake of alcohol during pregnancy adversely affects the fetus, and could lead to very severe developmental or other problems in the child. However, most recent publications show little or no effects of occasional or light drinking by the mother during pregnancy. ... > full story
Low-cost weight loss program beats obesity, researchers find (October 16, 2010) -- In the battle against obesity, new research has found that it may not be necessary to spend a lot on a weight loss program when cheaper, nonprofit alternatives may work just as well. ... > full story
Happier to give than receive? (October 16, 2010) -- Is there a correlation between a nation's contributions to international aid programs and the happiness of its citizens? According to a study of nine European donor countries, there is a direct relationship between the level of foreign aid and level of happiness in the UK and France but for other European countries there seems to be no link. " ... > full story
Flexing their muscles helps kidney disease patients live longer, study finds (October 16, 2010) -- Kidney disease patients are healthier and live longer if they've beefed up their muscles, according to a new study. The results suggest that patients may benefit from pumping iron or taking medications to boost their lean body mass. ... > full story
Cells able to switch genetic profile: Implications for cancer drug testing (October 16, 2010) -- Scientists have made a breakthrough in the way anti-cancer drugs are tested. A tumor cannot grow to a large size or spread until it has developed its own blood supply and leading research has looked for a way of halting capillary formation to stop tumors taking hold. But new findings have shown that scientists testing such treatments may not have been studying exactly what they thought they were. The research shows that cells are able to switch their genetic profile -- turning off genes expressed by blood vessel cells and turning on genes specific to lymphatic cells. ... > full story
Insight gained into age-related hearing loss (October 16, 2010) -- Researchers have gained insight into how different types of age-related hearing loss may occur in humans. The discovery could eventually help physicians develop drugs to combat progressive hearing loss. ... > full story
Unsung hero: Researchers produce high-res model of Ndc80 in action (October 16, 2010) -- Scientists have used cryo-electron microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction to create a subnanometer resolution image of Ndc80, a protein complex that helps prevent chromosomal distribution mistakes during mitosis that can lead to birth defects, cancer and other disorders. ... > full story
Improving sonography: Spatial ability is key to becoming a successful sonographer, study finds (October 16, 2010) -- Diagnostic ultrasounds are the most widely used medical tests in the world. Though the technology is more than 50 years old, scientists continue to discover new uses for it, ranging from more targeted cancer treatments to liposuction. As the technology becomes more complex, a sonographer's skill level is even more important. Now, researchers may have found one of the keys to becoming a successful sonographer: spatial ability. ... > full story
Small BMI change in overweight children could have big blood pressure impact (October 15, 2010) -- Small changes in weight can make bigger differences in the blood pressure for overweight children, compared to those at normal weight, according to a new study. ... > full story
New look at multitalented protein sheds light on mysteries of HIV (October 15, 2010) -- New insights into the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection process, which leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), may now be possible through a research method that allows scientists to glimpse an important protein molecule's behavior with unprecedented clarity. ... > full story
Gynecologist disputes findings from global study of ovarian cancer (October 15, 2010) -- A gynecologic oncologist is warning that the results from a long-awaited global study of ovarian cancer should be viewed cautiously. ... > full story
Cancer screening made simple, thanks to micro-fluidic technology (October 15, 2010) -- Current cervical cancer screening is time consuming and expensive, but now new breakthrough technology developed by European researchers should allow large-range screening by non-medical personnel with almost immediate results and at a much lower cost. ... > full story
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder the world over (October 15, 2010) -- Western culture is increasingly obsessed with physical appearance and beauty, but vanity is nothing new, nor is it limited to just one culture. Moreover, differences in our perception of physical beauty have an enormous impact on the fashion, cosmetics, and weight control industries, and more recently on aesthetic surgery trends. Understanding how culture and region alter the perception of beauty is therefore not only of anthropological and social interest but underpins multibillion dollar industries across the globe. ... > full story
Eat safer: Novel approach detects unknown food pathogens (October 15, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a novel approach to automated detection and classification of harmful bacteria in food. The investigators have designed and implemented a sophisticated statistical approach that allows computers to improve their ability to detect the presence of bacterial contamination in tested samples. ... > full story
Not all doctors follow cancer screening guidelines, study finds (October 15, 2010) -- Only one-fifth of primary care physicians in the US follow practice guidelines for colorectal cancer screening for all the tests they recommend, according a new study. About 40 percent followed guidelines for some of the tests they recommended and the remaining 40 percent did not follow guidelines for any of the screening tests they recommended. ... > full story
Study confirms: Whatever doesn't kill us can make us stronger (October 15, 2010) -- We've all heard the adage that whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger, but until now the preponderance of scientific evidence has offered little support for it. However, a new national multi-year longitudinal study of the effects of adverse life events on mental health has found that adverse experiences do, in fact, appear to foster subsequent adaptability and resilience, with resulting advantages for mental health and well being. ... > full story
Low beta blocker dose can put patients at risk for subsequent heart attacks, study finds (October 15, 2010) -- In a breakthrough study, a cardiologist finds the majority of patients are putting their recovery from heart attacks into peril by taking an incorrect dose of beta blockers. ... > full story
High rate of restless legs syndrome found in adults with fibromyalgia (October 15, 2010) -- A new study finds that adults with fibromyalgia had a much higher prevalence and risk of restless legs syndrome than healthy controls. The study suggests that treating RLS may improve sleep and quality of life in people with fibromyalgia. ... > full story
Is anxiety contagious? Scientists study owls and voles to find out (October 15, 2010) -- Scientists are investigating the anxieties experienced by an entire social group using the natural predator-and-prey relationship between the barn owl and the vole. Research suggests that the voles' behavior explains human response to trauma or terror, such as that of New York City citizens in the days after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. ... > full story
Key to blood-brain barrier opens way for treating Alzheimer’s and stroke (October 15, 2010) -- While the blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain from harmful chemicals occurring naturally in the blood, it also obstructs the transport of drugs to the brain. Scientists now present a potential solution to the problem. The key to the BBB is a cell-type in the blood vessel walls called pericytes, and the researchers hope that their findings will one day contribute to new therapies for diseases like Alzheimer's and stroke. ... > full story
How practice tests improve memory (October 15, 2010) -- Although most people assume that tests are a way to evaluate learning, a wealth of research has shown that testing can actually improve learning. ... > full story
Molecular switch controls melanin production, may allow true sunless tanning (October 15, 2010) -- The discovery of a molecular switch that turns off the natural process of skin pigmentation may lead to a novel way of protecting the skin -- activating the tanning process without exposure to cancer-causing UV radiation. ... > full story
Young children are especially trusting of things they're told (October 15, 2010) -- Little kids believe the darnedest things. For example, that a fat man in a red suit flies through the air on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. A new study on three-year-olds finds that they aren't just generally trusting. They're particularly trusting of things people say to them. ... > full story
In childhood obesity, gene variants raise risk, study finds (October 15, 2010) -- A new study by pediatric researchers has added to the evidence that genes have a strong influence on childhood obesity. The study team searched across the whole genomes of thousands of obese children for copy number variations (CNVs) -- deletions or duplications of DNA sequences. Although the CNVs they found are rare within the population, their data suggest that those individuals harboring such variants are at a very high risk of becoming obese. ... > full story
Gene identified that prevents stem cells from turning cancerous (October 15, 2010) -- Researchers identify gene that regulates apoptosis in stem cells. The work is the first to connect the death of stem cells to a later susceptibility to tumors in mice. It provides evidence of the potentially carcinogenic downside to stem cell treatments, and suggests that nature has sought to balance stem cells' regenerative power against their potentially lethal potency. ... > full story
Researchers reach consensus on use of deep brain stimulation to treat Parkinson's (October 15, 2010) -- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is used for Parkinson's patients whose symptoms cannot be adequately controlled with medications. A meeting of experts has reached a consensus on what patient candidates benefit the most from DBS. ... > full story
New research helps clinicians predict treatment outcomes for children with obsessive compulsive disorder (October 15, 2010) -- New research may help clinicians better predict how a child with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) will respond to some of the most commonly used treatment approaches. ... > full story
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
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