ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Friday, October 22, 2010
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Younger brains are easier to rewire -- brain regions can switch functions (October 22, 2010) -- Neuroscientists offer evidence that it is easier to rewire the brain early in life. The researchers found that a small part of the brain's visual cortex that processes motion became reorganized only in the brains of subjects who had been born blind, not those who became blind later in life. ... > full story
Key difference in how TB bacteria degrade doomed proteins (October 22, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a key difference in the way human cells and Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which cause TB, deliver unwanted proteins to their respective cellular recycling factories. This critical difference may help scientists design new anti TB drugs. ... > full story
Taking a closer look at plaque (October 22, 2010) -- Scientists are using the technique of Raman spectroscopy to study two common dental plaque bacteria, Streptococcus sanguis and mutans. The relative balance of the two may be an indicator of a patient's oral health and risk for tooth decay -- Streptococcus sanguis is associated with "healthy" plaque, while mutans is associated with tooth decay. ... > full story
Teaching kids to work through trauma (October 22, 2010) -- A child who grows up in the midst of political conflict, such as war or terrorism, can exhibit severe emotional scars. But certain qualities, which psychologists call "resilience factors," can help overcome this adversity. Psychologists have developed a program to help children develop these resilience factors and avoid the psychological disabilities that may arise from stress. ... > full story
Cataract surgery saves lives, dollars by reducing auto crashes, research finds (October 22, 2010) -- Cataract surgery not only improves vision and quality of life for older people, but is also apparently a way to reduce the number of car crashes, according to new research. ... > full story
Real-time imaging of stroke models (October 22, 2010) -- One of the major impediments to understanding how brain cells die during a stroke and identifying new ways to protect them has been the long-standing inability to image strokes, or "ischemic events" in living tissue. Now researchers have developed methods to induce strokes in animal models and image the events as they unfold. ... > full story
Cholesterol-lowering drug shrinks enlarged prostates in hamster model (October 21, 2010) -- A cholesterol-lowering drug reduced the enlarged prostates of hamsters to the same extent as a drug commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), report researchers. Together, the drugs worked even better. ... > full story
Molecular structure of major cell signaling pathway detailed (October 21, 2010) -- Scientists have reported the exact molecular structure and mechanisms of a major cell signaling pathway that serves a broad range of functions in humans. ... > full story
Malarial mosquitoes are evolving into new species, say researchers (October 21, 2010) -- Two strains of the type of mosquito responsible for the majority of malaria transmission in Africa have evolved such substantial genetic differences that they are becoming different species, according to researchers behind two new studies published today in the journal Science. This means that efforts to control mosquito populations may be effective against one strain of mosquito but not the other. ... > full story
Promising new 'antigene' therapy uses light energy to silence gene activity (October 21, 2010) -- Antigene therapy is a promising new treatment strategy that uses a DNA-based drug to pinpoint light energy to a target gene shutting down its activity. ... > full story
Proton mechanism used by flu virus to infect cells discovered (October 21, 2010) -- Chemists have discovered the shuttle mechanism that relays protons from a healthy cell into a flu virus. The proton movement is an important part of the flu virus life cycle. ... > full story
Twelve new epilepsy drugs usher in 'era of abundance' (October 21, 2010) -- A dozen new epilepsy drugs are giving doctors and patients more options, but making treatment decisions more complex, a epilepsy specialist reports. ... > full story
Future offenses cause more intense feelings than past actions, study finds (October 21, 2010) -- People feel worse about a transgression that will take place in the future than an identical one that occurred in the past, according to new research. ... > full story
Low testosterone linked to heightened risk of early death (October 21, 2010) -- Low testosterone levels seem to be linked to a heightened risk of premature death from heart disease and all causes, new research suggests. ... > full story
Neurogenetics research sheds light on the causes of neurological disease (October 21, 2010) -- The last two decades have seen tremendous progress in understanding the genetic basis of human brain disorders. Research developments in this area have revealed fundamental insights into the genes and molecular pathways that underlie neurological and psychiatric diseases. In a new series of review articles published in the journal Neuron, experts in the field discuss exciting recent advances in neurogenetics research and the potential implications for the treatment of these devastating disorders. ... > full story
Dopamine model could play role in treating schizophrenia and drug addiction (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers in Denmark have succeeded in creating a model of the way the brain releases dopamine, an important chemical involved in transmitting signals between nerve cells. The model will be an important tool in helping scientists understand how we learn and how the brain perceives reward and punishment. It is hoped that the model can be used to understand drug addiction and in the treatment of schizophrenia. ... > full story
Gene therapy may be powerful new treatment for major depression (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers say animal and human data suggest gene therapy to the brain may be able to treat patients with major depression who do not respond to traditional drug treatment. ... > full story
The world is not flat: Exploring cells and tissues in three dimensions (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers have developed an innovative approach for studying cells in 3-D. They are examining the potential of such research to greatly expand science's understanding of disease onset and progression, particularly the responses of host cells to infectious pathogens. Such work provides fresh insight into the mechanisms of infectious disease and holds the potential for the design of novel or improved therapeutics, more accurate drug screening and improved evaluation of potential vaccine candidates. ... > full story
Burn injuries rapidly deplete vitamin E, study finds (October 21, 2010) -- Severe burn injuries in children have been shown to rapidly deplete the levels of vitamin E in their body's adipose, or fat tissues, a new clinical study has found. Stored levels of this important antioxidant were reduced more in a few weeks than might normally be possible in years. ... > full story
Magic tricks reveal surprising results about autism (October 21, 2010) -- Magicians rely on misdirection -- drawing attention to one place while they're carrying out their tricky business somewhere else. It seems like people with autism should be less susceptible to such social manipulation. But a new study finds that people with autism spectrum disorder are actually more likely to be taken in by the vanishing ball trick, where a magician pretends to throw a ball in the air but actually hides it in his hand. ... > full story
New tumor proteins may identify a range of cancers early (October 21, 2010) -- A new study describes a novel cancer-specific protein that is present in a broad range of cancer types and at all stages of tumor development, from premalignant cells to metastatic tumor cells. If verified, the antigen could serve as a marker for the early detection and treatment of primary and metastatic tumors and provide a target for the development of anticancer therapies, including a cancer vaccine. ... > full story
How parasites react to the mouse immune system may help to shape their control (October 21, 2010) -- How parasites use different life-history strategies to beat our immune systems may also provide insight into the control of diseases, such as elephantiasis and river blindness, which afflict some of the world's poorest communities in tropical Southeast Asia, Africa and Central America. ... > full story
Black rice bran may help fight disease-related inflammation (October 21, 2010) -- Scientists are reporting evidence that black rice -- a little-known variety of the grain that is the staple food for one-third of the world population -- may help soothe the inflammation involved in allergies, asthma, and other diseases. ... > full story
Professional athletes should drink more water, Spanish research finds (October 21, 2010) -- Top athletes must always perform to their maximum capacity, making them the most vulnerable to the effects of dehydration. Now, a new study conducted by researchers in Spain reveals that 91 percent of professional basketball, volleyball, handball and football players are dehydrated when they begin their training sessions. ... > full story
Potential therapeutic target across a range of cancer types discovered (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers have found a common link among several malignant tumor types in all grades of cancer. This breakthrough may ultimately provide a new diagnostic or therapeutic target to detect cancer early or stop tumor growth. ... > full story
Elusive protein may lead the fight against inflammatory disease (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a protein that may be a key therapy for many inflammatory diseases, including those affecting premature babies. In a new study, they describe how a protein, interleukin 37, reacts when an inflammatory response is detected in the body. ... > full story
Attention processing and perception may be involved in fetal alcohol-related learning difficulties (October 21, 2010) -- Exposure to alcohol as a fetus has been shown to cause difficulties in memory and information processing in children. New findings indicate that visual perception, control of attention and demand processing may be involved in fetal alcohol-related learning problems. This information could potentially be used to help children affected with such difficulties. ... > full story
Mechanism that controls expression of protein involved in numerous cancers discovered (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a new mechanism controlling the transmission of an abnormal signal at the origin of several cancers. In a new study, the team explains the recent discovery of a protein complex that controls the RAS/MAPK signalling pathway, responsible for some of the deadliest cancers, including pancreatic, colon and lung cancers, and melanomas. ... > full story
Newborn hearing screening linked with improved developmental outcomes for hearing impaired children (October 21, 2010) -- Children with permanent hearing impairment who received hearing screening as newborns had better general and language developmental outcomes and quality of life at ages 3 to 5 years compared to newborns who received hearing screening through behavioral testing, according to a new study. ... > full story
Researchers analyze student grief online after campus shootings (October 21, 2010) -- After the campus shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University, hundreds of affected students turned to social media websites to share their grief and search for solace. A new study of these students found that their online activities neither helped nor harmed their long-term psychological health. The study gives a first-of-its-kind portrait of student reactions to shootings on their campuses. It also documents the (online and off-line) activities they engaged in to memorialize and recover from these events. ... > full story
Insulin sensitivity may explain link between obesity, memory problems (October 20, 2010) -- Because of impairments in their insulin sensitivity, obese individuals demonstrate different brain responses than their normal-weight peers while completing a challenging cognitive task, according to new research by psychologists. ... > full story
Eating mostly whole grains, few refined grains linked to lower body fat (October 20, 2010) -- People who consume several servings of whole grains per day while limiting daily intake of refined grains appear to have less of a type of fat tissue thought to play a key role in triggering cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests. ... > full story
Disease in rural China linked to polluted coal (October 20, 2010) -- In remote, rural areas of southwestern China, villagers cook and dry their clothes by burning pieces of coal they pick up off the ground. This fuel releases a toxin that may be poisoning millions of people, according to an ongoing investigation by researchers in New York and China. ... > full story
Docs not immune to drug marketing, study finds (October 20, 2010) -- New findings show that pharmaceutical promotion may cause some doctors to prescribe more expensively, less appropriately and more often. ... > full story
New mothers grow bigger brains within months of giving birth: Warmer feelings toward babies linked to bigger mid-brains (October 20, 2010) -- Motherhood may actually cause the brain to grow, not turn it into mush, as some have claimed. Exploratory research has found that the brains of new mothers bulked up in areas linked to motivation and behavior, and that mothers who gushed the most about their babies showed the greatest growth in key parts of the mid-brain. ... > full story
New regulator of circadian clock identified: Dopamine study may have impact on activity and sleep rhythms in Parkinson's disease (October 20, 2010) -- Daily sleeping and eating patterns are critical to human well-being and health. Now, a new study has demonstrated how the brain chemical dopamine regulates these cycles by altering the activity of the "clock-protein" PER2. The findings may have implications for individuals with Parkinson's Disease with disrupted 24-hour rhythms of activity and sleep. ... > full story
New sensor derived from frogs may help fight bacteria and save wildlife; Sensor uses frog peptides to test for drug and medical device contamination (October 20, 2010) -- Engineers have developed a sensor that may revolutionize how drugs and medical devices are tested for contamination, and in the process also help ensure the survival of two species of threatened animals. ... > full story
Proton therapy safe, effective for early-stage lung cancer patients, study finds (October 20, 2010) -- Proton beam therapy is safe and effective and may be superior to other conventional treatments for Stage I inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, according to a new study by researchers in Japan. ... > full story
Progress toward treating infections by silencing microbes' 'smart phones' (October 20, 2010) -- So disease-causing bacteria in the body finally have multiplied to the point where their numbers are large enough to cause illness. What's next? They get out their "smart phones" and whisper "Let's roll!" That's how a new review describes the substances -- "smart phones of the microbial world" -- that bacteria use to transmit chemical signals that launch infections and monitor their environment. The authors describe progress toward understanding and blocking this biochemical chitchat. ... > full story
Would you sleep on a chunk of ice? Building your 'experience resume' (October 20, 2010) -- If sleeping on a bed of ice or eating bacon-flavored ice cream doesn't sound too appealing, consider the tale you'll have to tell about it later. According to a new study, some people can't resist a chance to collect experiences. ... > full story
Harm reduction cigarettes can be more harmful than conventional brands, researchers report (October 20, 2010) -- Harm reduction cigarettes are often marketed as safer than conventional brands. But scientists have found that sidestream smoke from harm reduction cigarettes impairs growth of human embryonic stem cells more than sidestream smoke from a conventional brand. Their analyses show there is significant toxicity in harm reduction products, and that the reduction of carcinogens in harm reduction mainstream smoke does not necessarily reduce the toxicity of unfiltered sidestream smoke. ... > full story
Anorexia nervosa may cause potentially serious eye damage, study suggests (October 20, 2010) -- The eating disorder anorexia nervosa may cause potentially serious eye damage, a new study suggests. ... > full story
Children's best friend: Dogs help autistic children adapt, study shows (October 20, 2010) -- Dogs may not only be man's best friend, they may also have a special role in the lives of children with special needs. According to a new study, specifically trained service dogs can help reduce the anxiety and enhance the socialization skills of children with autism syndrome disorders. The findings may be a relatively simple solution to help affected children and their families cope with these challenging disorders. ... > full story
New theory links depression to chronic brain inflammation (October 20, 2010) -- Chronic depression is an adaptive, reparative neurobiological process gone wrong, say researchers, positing in a new theory that the debilitating mental state originates from more ancient mechanisms used by the body to deal with physical injury, such as pain, tissue repair and convalescent behavior. ... > full story
Mounting research shows increased health risks from volcanic air pollution (October 20, 2010) -- Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano has been erupting since 1983. But, in March 2008, an additional eruption vent opened at the volcano's summit, resulting in triple the amount of sulfur dioxide gas emissions drifting to the local community of Ka'u, raising health concerns over the risks associated with exposure to "vog," volcanic air pollution. ... > full story
Devastating impact of spinal osteoporotic fractures revealed on World Osteoporosis Day (October 20, 2010) -- A new report issued by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) for World Osteoporosis Day puts the spotlight on the severe impact of spinal fractures and calls on health professionals to recognize the signs of these fractures in their patients. ... > full story
Alcohol increases reaction time and errors during decision making (October 20, 2010) -- There has been an abundance of research on the effects of alcohol on the brain, but many questions regarding how alcohol impairs the built-in control systems are still unknown. A new study explores that subject in detail and found that certain brain regions involved in error processing are affected more by alcohol than others. ... > full story
First direct evidence that response to alcohol depends on genes: Dopamine receptor deficiency leads to significant brain changes in response to drinking (October 20, 2010) -- A study in mice provides the first experimental evidence to directly support the idea that genetic differences make some individuals more susceptible to the addictive effects of alcohol and other drugs. ... > full story
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