ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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Western diet exacerbates sepsis, mouse study suggests (October 19, 2010) -- High-fat diets cause a dramatic immune system overreaction to sepsis, a condition of systemic bacterial infection. An experimental study in mice has shown that a diet high in saturated fat, sugars and cholesterol greatly exaggerates the inflammatory response to sepsis. ... > full story
Four new psoriasis 'hotspots' identified: Discovery may aid in developing new therapies (October 19, 2010) -- Four newly discovered DNA "hotspots" may one day help guide new treatments for psoriasis, one of the most common autoimmune diseases in the country, say geneticists. ... > full story
Climbing obesity rates threaten U.S. national security by hampering military recruitment (October 19, 2010) -- At a time when American military forces are stretched thin overseas, a growing number of potential recruits are too fat to enlist, according to a new analysis. ... > full story
Watching violent TV or video games desensitizes teenagers and may promote more aggressive behavior, new study finds (October 19, 2010) -- Watching violent films, TV programs or video games desensitizes teenagers, blunts their emotional responses to aggression and potentially promotes aggressive attitudes and behavior, according to new research. ... > full story
Surgery in infants and young children heightens neurodevelopmental risk, study finds (October 19, 2010) -- When children undergo anesthesia during surgery, the long-term effects that anesthetics have on the developing brain is relatively unknown. A new study assesses the association between exposure to anesthesia in children 3 years old and younger and their risk for developmental and behavioral disorders. ... > full story
With a chaperone, copper breaks through: Research identifies features of copper transfer that may improve chemotherapy treatments (October 19, 2010) -- Researchers have investigated how a type of membrane protein transfers essential copper ions throughout the body. This mechanism could also be responsible for how the body absorbs Cisplatin, a common chemotherapy drug used to fight cancer. In the future, this new knowledge may allow scientists to improve the way the drug is transferred throughout the body, the researcher says. ... > full story
Celebrity journalism may contribute positively to consumer health behaviors (October 19, 2010) -- Some readers of celebrity health stories report that the stories have an impact on their own behavior and how they discuss health issues. ... > full story
Type 2 diabetes and insulin use associated with colorectal cancer in men, study finds (October 18, 2010) -- There is an association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and colorectal cancer (CRC) among men, but not women, according to a new study. ... > full story
NASA technology could aid in interpretation of mammograms, ultrasound, other medical imagery (October 18, 2010) -- NASA software used to enhance Earth Science Imagery could one day aid in the interpretation of mammograms, ultrasounds and other medical imagery. ... > full story
Egg allergy: Not a reason to avoid flu vaccine after all, experts say (October 18, 2010) -- Having an egg allergy is not a reason to avoid getting the 2010-2011 flu vaccination. According to new recommendations by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology website, anyone with a history of suspected egg allergy should first be evaluated by an allergist or immunologist for appropriate testing and diagnosis but can probably receive the vaccination. ... > full story
Perspectives on improving patient care: Genetics, personalized medicine, and behavioral intervention (October 18, 2010) -- Personalized medicine has become a major focus of behavioral research. Genetic studies have suggested that an individual's genetic makeup renders him either more or less sensitive to stressful social environments -- but can an individual's unique genotype also determine the effectiveness of preventative or therapeutic behavioral interventions? The current issue of Perspectives on Psychological Science combines nine stimulating articles in the first systematic effort to survey the possibilities of genetics research, personalized medicine, and behavioral intervention. ... > full story
Intestinal enzyme helps maintain population of beneficial bacteria (October 18, 2010) -- An enzyme that keeps intestinal bacteria out of the bloodstream may also play an important role in maintaining the normal microbial population of the gastrointestinal system. Since the loss of beneficial bacteria that usually results from antibiotic therapy can sometimes lead to serious health problems, a treatment that maintains microbial levels could have significant benefits. ... > full story
Lessons learned from the H1N1 pandemic (October 18, 2010) -- The H1N1 pandemic influenza provided several important lessons that may help in preparing for future influenza outbreaks, according to experts. ... > full story
What comes next for the Chilean miners? (October 18, 2010) -- Now that the 33 Chilean miners have been returned to the Earth's surface safe and sound, what challenges await them? Experts say that a main issue will be re-establishing their relationships and roles in their families. ... > full story
Genes linked to psoriasis identified (October 18, 2010) -- Genetic variants associated with increased susceptibility to psoriasis are reported in five new articles. Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent skin disease, and one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases, with a global prevalence of 2-3 percent. ... > full story
Gut microbes promote cell turnover by a well-known pathway (October 18, 2010) -- Microbes matter -- perhaps more than anyone realizes -- in basic biological development and, maybe, they could be a target for reducing cancer risks, according to researchers. ... > full story
Diagnostic techniques help inflammatory bowel disease patients avoid ionizing radiation exposure (October 18, 2010) -- Several studies of the effectiveness of non-X-ray techniques to evaluate Crohn's disease revealed that diagnostic strategies such as capsule endoscopy and magnetic resonance enteroscopy are useful in managing patients with inflammatory bowel disease and avoiding ionizing radiation. ... > full story
Why cocaine is so addictive: Activation of specific neurons linked to alterations in cocaine reward (October 18, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered how cocaine corrupts the brain and becomes addictive. The findings -- the first to connect activation of specific neurons to alterations in cocaine reward -- may help researchers in developing new ways of treating those addicted to the drug. ... > full story
Mystery solved: How genes are selectively silenced (October 18, 2010) -- Cells read only those genes which are needed at a given moment, while the others are chemically labeled and, thus, selectively turned off. Scientists have now discovered how these labels are placed at exactly the right spot in the genetic material. Important players are regulatory RNA molecules. They form a plait-like triple helix with the DNA serving as a signpost for the labels. ... > full story
Unlike us, honeybees naturally make 'quick switch' in their biological clocks, researcher finds (October 18, 2010) -- Unlike humans, honeybees, when thrown into highly time-altered new societal roles, are able to alter their biological rhythms with alacrity, enabling them to make a successful "quick switch" in their daily routines, according to new research. ... > full story
Removing 2mm around breast cancer tumors prevents residual disease in 98 percent of patients, study finds (October 18, 2010) -- Removing an extra two millimeters around an area of invasive breast cancer is sufficient to minimize any residual disease in 98 percent of patients, according a study of 303 women. ... > full story
Why are men more susceptible to alcoholism? It may be in their dopamine (October 18, 2010) -- Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances, and men are up to twice as likely to develop alcoholism as women. Until now, the underlying biology contributing to this difference in vulnerability has remained unclear. A new study reveals that dopamine may be an important factor. ... > full story
Mice that 'smell' light could help scientist better understand olfaction (October 18, 2010) -- Neurobiologists have created mice that can "smell" light, providing a potent new tool that could help researchers better understand the neural basis of olfaction. The work has implications for the future study of smell and of complex perception systems that do not lend themselves to easy study with traditional methods. ... > full story
Genetic test to predict early menopause (October 18, 2010) -- New research could lead to a test to predict a woman's reproductive lifespan. The findings could have considerable impact on women in western countries, where many start having children at a later age. ... > full story
Newly identified virus may cause pediatric diarrhea (October 18, 2010) -- Klassevirus, a new member of the picornavirus family, has recently been discovered in human stool and more specifically linked with pediatric diarrhea. ... > full story
I win, you lose: Brain imaging reveals how we learn from our competitors (October 18, 2010) -- A new study has used brain imaging to reveal how people and animals learn from failure and success. ... > full story
Chest compression-only CPR improves survival in cardiac arrest patients, study finds (October 18, 2010) -- Heart attack patients whose hearts have stopped beating and who receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation from bystanders fare better if their resuscitators skip the rescue breaths and do only chest compression, according to a new study. ... > full story
Compound in celery, peppers reduces age-related memory deficits (October 18, 2010) -- A diet rich in the plant compound luteolin reduces age-related inflammation in the brain and related memory deficits by directly inhibiting the release of inflammatory molecules in the brain, researchers report. ... > full story
Prolonging first-line chemotherapy improves outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer, meta-analysis shows (October 18, 2010) -- Contrary to what many oncologists believe, patients with metastatic breast cancer live longer on average if their chemotherapy is continued after their cancer is brought under control, a new meta-analysis shows. ... > full story
First babies born from genetic screening study (October 18, 2010) -- Two women taking part in the world's first controlled study of a comprehensive genetic screening test before IVF have given birth to healthy babies. ... > full story
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
Few nurse practitioners, physician assistants pursue careers in pediatric health, studies find (October 18, 2010) -- Pediatric health-care work force planning efforts are increasingly incorporating the roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, especially in plans to alleviate the perceived shortage of pediatric subspecialists. However, results from four new studies of pediatric nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, neonatal nurse practitioners, and pediatric physician assistants do not seem to support that idea. ... > full story
New 2010 European Resuscitation Council Guidelines published (October 18, 2010) -- Elsevier announces the publication of the 2010 European Resuscitation Council Guidelines in the journal Resuscitation. These guidelines are based on an extensive international review of all the science supporting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the 2010 International Consensus on CPR Science, which is also published in the current issue of Resuscitation. This year is the 50th anniversary of CPR. ... > 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
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