ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Wednesday, November 3, 2010
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Mouse model confirms mutated protein's role in dementia (November 3, 2010) -- A team of scientists has created a new mouse model that confirms that mutations of a protein called beta-synuclein promote neurodegeneration. The discovery creates a potential new target for developing treatments of diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. ... > full story
Mediterranean diet helps control cholesterol: Adding monounsaturated fats to a low-cholesterol diet can further improve levels (November 3, 2010) -- The addition of monounsaturated fat to a cholesterol-lowering dietary portfolio in patients with mild to moderate elevated cholesterol levels increased HDL by 12.5 percent and lowered LDL levels by 35 percent, found a new study. ... > full story
Hepatitis C study shows superior viral cure rate (November 3, 2010) -- For patients with the most common form of hepatitis C being treated for the first time, the addition of an investigational hepatitis C-specific protease inhibitor called telaprevir to the current standard therapy markedly improved their sustained viral response (SVR or viral cure) rate. ... > full story
Slight change in wind turbine speed significantly reduces bat mortality (November 3, 2010) -- Since turbine towers and non-spinning turbine blades do not kill bats, some scientists have proposed shutting off or reducing the usage of wind turbines during peak periods of migration in the late summer and early fall months when bat activity and fatalities are highest. In a study online today, researchers examined the effects of changes in wind turbine speed on bat mortality during the low-wind months of late summer and early fall. ... > full story
Shift work linked to higher risk of work injury, Canadian study finds (November 3, 2010) -- Canadians who work night and rotating shifts are almost twice as likely to be injured on the job than those working regular day shifts, according to a new study. ... > full story
How some brain cells hook up surprises researchers: The untold secret life of the humble microglia (November 3, 2010) -- Immune cells known as microglia, long thought to be activated in the brain only when fighting infection or injury, are constantly active and likely play a central role in one of the most basic, central phenomena in the brain -- the creation and elimination of synapses. The finding catapults the humble microglia cell from its well-recognized duty of protecting the brain to direct involvement in creating the cellular networks at the core of brain behavior. ... > full story
DHA 'fish oil' supplements do not seem to slow cognitive, functional decline in Alzheimer's disease (November 3, 2010) -- Patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) who received supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, believed to possibly reduce the risk of AD, did not experience a reduction in the rate of cognitive and functional decline, compared to patients who received placebo, according to a new study. ... > full story
Study points to genetic link in apnea of prematurity: Life-threatening breathing disorder affects 50 percent of premature infants (November 3, 2010) -- New research suggests that heredity may play a strong role in determining an infant's susceptibility to apnea of prematurity (AOP) and could lead to the development of more effective treatments and screening methods. ... > full story
Global map of the sickle cell gene supports 'malaria hypothesis' (November 2, 2010) -- At a global scale, the sickle cell gene is most commonly found in areas with historically high levels of malaria, adding geographical support to the hypothesis that the gene, while potentially deadly, avoids disappearing through natural selection by providing protection against malaria. ... > full story
Liver hormone is a cause of insulin resistance (November 2, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a hormone produced and secreted by the liver as a previously unknown cause of insulin resistance. The findings suggest a new target for the treatment of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, the researchers say. ... > full story
Antibody locks up West Nile's infection mechanism (November 2, 2010) -- Researchers have learned the structure that results when an antibody binds to the West Nile virus, neutralizing the virus by locking up its infection mechanism. The information could help scientists develop a vaccine against the mosquito-borne disease. ... > full story
Veterans with bipolar disorder may have increased risk of suicide (November 2, 2010) -- Veterans diagnosed with any psychiatric illness appear to have an elevated risk of suicide, and men with bipolar disorder and women with substance abuse disorders may have a particularly high risk, according to a new study. ... > full story
How brain is wired for attention (November 2, 2010) -- Researchers have uncovered a wiring diagram that shows how the brain pays attention to visual, cognitive, sensory, and motor cues. The research provides a critical foundation for the study of abnormalities in attention that can be seen in many brain disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit disorder. ... > full story
BPA levels in US foods 1,000 times less than limits, study finds (November 2, 2010) -- For the first time in the United States, researchers are reporting in a peer-reviewed scientific journal detection of Bisphenol A (BPA) in fresh and canned food as well as food wrapped in plastic packaging. The amounts, however, were almost 1,000 times lower than the "tolerable daily intake" levels set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). ... > full story
Black raspberries may prevent colon cancer, study finds (November 2, 2010) -- Black raspberries are highly effective in preventing colorectal tumors in two mouse models of the disease, according to a new study. ... > full story
Secondary infections were a major cause of death during 1918 flu pandemic, research finds (November 2, 2010) -- Secondary infections with bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia, were a major cause of death during the 1918 flu pandemic and may be important in modern pandemics as well, according to a new article. ... > full story
Genetic elements influencing risk of type 2 diabetes identified (November 2, 2010) -- Researchers have captured the most comprehensive snapshot to date of DNA regions that regulate genes in human pancreatic islet cells. The study highlights the importance of genome regulatory sequences in human health and disease, particularly type 2 diabetes. ... > full story
Daily dose of beet juice promotes brain health in older adults (November 2, 2010) -- Researchers for the first time have shown that drinking beet juice can increase blood flow to the brain in older adults -- a finding that could hold great potential for combating the progression of dementia. ... > full story
Severely injured should go directly to trauma center, new research shows (November 2, 2010) -- Severely injured patients should be transported directly from the scene of an accident to a trauma center, even if it means bypassing a closer hospital, according to new research that shows this results in a nearly 25 percent lower death rate. ... > full story
Nearly all depressed adolescents recover with treatment, but half relapse, study finds (November 2, 2010) -- A study of adolescents who had a major depressive disorder found that nearly all recovered from their episode after treatment. But within five years, nearly half of them had relapsed, and females were at much higher risk of another major episode, researchers found. ... > full story
Lactate in the brain reveals aging process (November 2, 2010) -- Researchers may be able to monitor the aging process in the brain, by using MRI technique to measure the brain lactic acid levels. Their findings suggest that the lactate levels increase in advance of other aging symptoms, and therefore could be used as an indicator of aging and age-related diseases of the central nervous system. ... > full story
Risk factors for the spread of breast cancer to lymph nodes identified (November 2, 2010) -- Breast cancer often extends to neighboring lymph nodes, in part, through lymphovascular invasion (LVI) -- a process in which cancer cells invade blood vessels or the lymphatic system—and can often translate into a poor prognosis for patients. Some scientists argue that evidence of LVI does not necessarily mean that the disease will recur in the lymph nodes after radiation to the breast alone, but new research now shows that the appearance of LVI in the breast tissue does in fact predict recurrence of breast in the regional lymph nodes. ... > full story
Collecting your thoughts: You can do it in your sleep! (November 2, 2010) -- It is one thing to learn a new piece of information, such as a new phone number or a new word, but quite another to get your brain to file it away so it is available when you need it. A new study suggests that sleep may help to do both. ... > full story
Physical fitness curbs frequency and severity of colds, study finds (November 2, 2010) -- People who are physically fit and active have fewer and milder colds, new research indicates. ... > full story
Of 50,000 small molecules tested to fight cancer, two show promise (November 2, 2010) -- A class of compounds that interferes with cell signaling pathways may provide a novel approach to cancer treatment, according to a new study. The compounds, called PITs, limited tumor growth in mice by inducing cell death. ... > full story
UV light nearly doubles vacuum's effectiveness in reducing carpet microbes (November 2, 2010) -- New research suggests that the addition of ultraviolet light to the brushing and suction of a vacuum cleaner can almost double the removal of potentially infectious microorganisms from a carpet's surface when compared to vacuuming alone. Researchers say the findings suggest that incorporating the germicidal properties of UV light into vacuuming might have promise in reducing allergens and pathogens from carpets, as well. ... > full story
After good or bad events, people forget how they thought they'd feel (November 2, 2010) -- People aren't very accurate at predicting how good or bad they'll feel after an event -- such as watching their team lose the big game or getting a flat-screen TV. But afterward, they "misremember" what they predicted, revising their prognostications after the fact to match how they actually feel, according to new research. ... > full story
Plant's light switch could be used to control cells (November 2, 2010) -- A scientists shines a blue light on yeast and mammalian cells in her lab and the edges of them start to glow. The effect is the result of a light-activated switch from a plant that has been inserted into the cell. Researchers could use this novel "on-off switch" to control cell growth or death, grow new tissue or deliver doses of medication directly to diseased cells. ... > full story
NSAIDs cause stem cells to self-destruct, preventing colon cancer, study finds (November 2, 2010) -- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prevent colon cancer by triggering diseased stem cells to self-destruct, according to researchers. Their findings could lead to new strategies to protect people at high risk for the disease. ... > full story
Peptide being tested to treat atherosclerosis inhibits ovarian cancer growth (November 2, 2010) -- A drug in testing to treat atherosclerosis significantly inhibited growth of ovarian cancer in both human cell lines and mouse models, the first such report of a peptide being used to fight malignancies, according to a new study. ... > full story
High-calorie beverages still widely available in elementary schools (November 2, 2010) -- High-calorie beverages not allowed by national guidelines are still available in a majority of US elementary schools, according to a new study. ... > full story
Arthritis drugs could help prevent memory loss after surgery, study suggests (November 2, 2010) -- Anti-inflammatory drugs currently used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may also help prevent cognitive problems after surgery, according to a new study. ... > full story
Race may influence uterine cancer recurrence, despite treatment (November 2, 2010) -- African Americans are more likely to have their uterine cancer return despite undergoing a total hysterectomy and/or radiation therapy, according to researchers. ... > full story
Toothache more common among minority and special needs children, study finds (November 2, 2010) -- Poor, minority and special needs children are more likely to be affected by toothache, according to new study. ... > full story
Frontal lobe of the brain is key to automatic responses to various stimuli, say scientists (November 2, 2010) -- Some people may excel at riding a bike, tying a tie, or playing the piano, but those same people may find it difficult to explain or teach those skills to someone else. These motor skills are learned in one part of the brain, whereas classroom instruction and information read in a book are acquired in another area of the brain, according to researchers. ... > full story
New drug may provide more cost-effective stroke prevention than warfarin, study shows (November 2, 2010) -- A newly approved drug may be a cost-effective way to prevent stroke in patients with an irregular heart rhythm -- and may also offer patients better health outcomes than the commonly prescribed, but potentially risky, blood thinner warfarin. ... > full story
Mandatory curbs on food salt content 20 times more effective than voluntary curbs, study finds (November 2, 2010) -- Imposing statutory limits on the salt content of processed foods could be 20 times more effective than voluntary curbs by industry, new research finds. ... > full story
Non-medical prescription drug use more common among rural teens than city dwellers (November 2, 2010) -- Rural teens appear more likely than their urban peers to use prescription drugs for non-medical purposes, according to a new study. ... > full story
Comprehensive primary care programs treat older patients with chronic conditions (November 2, 2010) -- In a review of comprehensive primary care programs for older adults with multiple chronic conditions, authors identified three models that appear to have the greatest potential for improving quality of care and life for these patients, while reducing or not increasing the costs of their health care, according to a new article. ... > full story
Mortality rates from liver diseases underestimated, researchers say (November 1, 2010) -- Mortality related to chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are ranked as the 12th most common cause of death in adults in the US. Using a modified definition that includes diseases such as viral hepatitis, liver cancer and obesity-related fatty liver disease (liver diseases), researchers have found that liver-related mortality is as high as fourth for some age groups, and eighth overall. ... > full story
Anger makes people want things more (November 1, 2010) -- Anger is an interesting emotion for psychologists. On the one hand, it's negative, but then it also has some of the features of positive emotions. Researchers have found that associating an object with anger actually makes people want the object -- a kind of motivation that's normally associated with positive emotions. ... > full story
Elderly women at higher risk for unnecessary urinary catheterization, study reports (November 1, 2010) -- Elderly women are at high risk for inappropriate urinary catheter utilization in emergency departments, according to a new study. ... > full story
Lead poisoning maps in Rhode Island reveal huge disparities, guide cleanup (November 1, 2010) -- Rhode Islanders under six years of age who lived in the state's lowest income areas or in neighborhoods with lots of pre-1950 housing faced a threat of lead poisoning several times higher than average, according to a new study of data from 1993 through 2005. Mapping cases of lead poisoning is helping to focus cleanup efforts on areas where the problem is worst. ... > full story
'Training away stereotypes': People trained to think in opposition to stereotypes are more receptive to advertising starring minority actors (November 1, 2010) -- It may seem difficult to change stereotypical thinking. Perceptions can be very important in forming an individual's attitudes. Now, researchers have found that people conditioned to think in opposition to racial stereotypes are more receptive to people from minority groups starring in commercial advertising. ... > full story
Study of babies’ brain scans sheds new light on the brain’s unconscious activity and how it develops (November 1, 2010) -- Full-term babies are born with a key collection of networks already formed in their brains, according to new research that challenges some previous theories about the brain's activity and how the brain develops. Researchers used functional MRI scanning to look at 'resting state' networks in the brains of 70 babies, born at between 29 and 43 weeks of development. They found that these networks were at an adult-equivalent level by the time the babies reached the normal time of birth. ... > full story
Inhaled steroids increase diabetes risk, study suggests (November 1, 2010) -- Patients taking inhaled corticosteroids are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and more so with higher doses, say researchers. The risk is of special concern for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and much less significant for asthmatics. ... > full story
One egg yolk worse than some fast-food meals when it comes to cholesterol, Canadian physicians say (November 1, 2010) -- Three leading physicians in Canada have published a review warning about the danger of dietary cholesterol for those at risk of a heart attack or stroke. And they say one of the worst offenders is the egg yolk which, depending on size, can contain 215 to 275 mg of cholesterol. Some fast-food meals can contain as much as 150 mg of cholesterol. ... > full story
Microfluidics-imaging platform detects cancer growth signaling in minute biopsy samples (November 1, 2010) -- Researchers have developed an in vitro method to assess kinase activity in minute patient samples. The method involves an integrated microfluidics and imaging platform that can reproducibly measure kinase enzymatic activity from as few as 3,000 cells. The new method will enable faster and more efficient screening and analysis for improved diagnostics of rare cell populations. ... > full story
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