ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, November 15, 2010
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Extensive natural recovery after spinal cord injury uncovered in primate study (November 15, 2010) -- A new study shows unexpected and extensive natural recovery after spinal cord injury in primates. The findings may one day lead to the development of new treatments for patients with spinal cord injuries. ... > full story
Poor sleep quality increases inflammation, community study finds (November 15, 2010) -- People who sleep poorly or do not get enough sleep have higher levels of inflammation, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, researchers have found. ... > full story
New protocol reduces children's radiation exposure during cardiac procedures (November 15, 2010) -- Radiation exposure during cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat pediatric heart rhythm disturbances is not insignificant. Using a new safety protocol of continuous real-time radiation monitoring, physician awareness, and adjusting radiation dosing reduces children's radiation exposure as they undergo electrophysiology procedures. Unrelated research on radiation found women are more likely to develop cancer from ionizing radiation used in cardiac treatment and that medical imaging staff may need better protection from it. ... > full story
Death of spouse, child may cause higher heart rate, other dangers (November 15, 2010) -- Immediately after the death of a loved one, bereaved spouses and parents can experience an increase in their heart rate and other heart rhythm abnormalities -- possibly increasing the risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death. Although the abnormalities tend to dissipate within six months, greater awareness of the potential for increased risk of heart attack or sudden death among the recently bereaved may lead to better prevention measures, especially for those with underlying heart disease. ... > full story
Researchers develop light technology to combat hospital infections (November 15, 2010) -- A pioneering lighting system that can kill hospital superbugs -- including MRSA and C. difficile -- has been developed by researchers in Scotland. The technology decontaminates the air and exposed surfaces by bathing them in a narrow spectrum of visible-light wavelengths, known as HINS-light. ... > full story
Vitamin D deficit doubles risk of stroke in whites, but not in blacks, study finds (November 15, 2010) -- Low levels of vitamin D, the essential nutrient obtained from milk, fortified cereals and exposure to sunlight, doubles the risk of stroke in whites, but not in blacks, according to a new study. ... > full story
Having first-degree relative with atrial fibrillation linked with increased risk (November 15, 2010) -- An examination of the heritability of atrial fibrillation (AF) among more than 4,000 participants in the Framingham Heart Study finds the occurrence of AF in first-degree relatives was associated with AF risk after adjustment for established AF risk factors and AF-related genetic variants, according to a new study. ... > full story
Proteins in motion: World’s largest video database of proteins for the pharmaceutical industry published (November 15, 2010) -- After four years of conducting intensive supercomputer calculations, scientists in Spain have presented the world’s largest database of protein motions. Called MoDEL, this new database holds more than 1,700 proteins and is partially accessible through the Internet to researchers worldwide. MoDEL has been developed to study the basic biology of proteins and to accelerate and facilitate the design of new pharmaceutical agents. ... > full story
Women with high job strain have 40 percent increased risk of heart disease, study finds (November 15, 2010) -- Women who report high job strain have increased risk of heart disease. Job strain is having high job demands and feeling underused or powerless to make decisions on the job. Previous job strain research found similar results in men. ... > full story
Redeeming role for a common virus: Ability to kill cancer (November 14, 2010) -- A common virus that can cause coughing and mild diarrhea appears to have a major redemptive quality: the ability to kill cancer. Harnessing that power, researchers are conducting a clinical trial to see if the virus can target and kill certain tumor types. ... > full story
Seeing meat makes people significantly less aggressive (November 14, 2010) -- Seeing meat appears to make human beings significantly less aggressive, contrary to what researchers expected. ... > full story
Brain might be key to leptin's actions against type 1 diabetes, researchers find (November 14, 2010) -- New findings suggest a novel role for the brain in mediating beneficial actions of the hormone leptin in type 1 diabetes. ... > full story
Genomes of lyme disease bacteria sequenced (November 14, 2010) -- Scientists have determined the complete genetic blueprints for 13 different strains of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The achievement should lead to a better understanding of how genetic variations among strains may result in different courses of illness in people with Lyme disease, the most common tickborne disease in North America. The wealth of new genetic data will also help scientists develop improved ways to diagnose, treat and prevent Lyme disease. ... > full story
More than half of stroke survivors suffer added burden of little known neurologic condition, survey finds (November 14, 2010) -- A new survey shows that 53 percent of stroke survivor respondents suffer from symptoms of another neurologic condition called pseudobulbar affect (PBA), a condition thought to be caused by structural damage in the brain due to injury or disease. PBA causes involuntary and unpredictable outbursts of laughing or crying, often in socially inappropriate situations. ... > full story
Mathematical equation calculates cost of walking for first time (November 14, 2010) -- Why do tall people burn less energy per kilogram when walking than shorter ones do, and how much energy does walking require? These are basic questions that doctors, trainers, fitness buffs and weight-watchers would all like to have answered, and now researchers from Texas have derived a fundamental equation to calculate how much energy walkers use, based simply on height and weight, which has direct applications across all walks of life. ... > full story
Specialized blood vessels jumpstart and sustain liver regeneration (November 14, 2010) -- The liver's unique ability among organs to regenerate itself has been little understood. Now scientists have shed light on how the liver restores itself by demonstrating that endothelial cells -- the cells that form the lining of blood vessels -- play a key role. ... > full story
Synapses recycle proteins for the release of neurotransmitters (November 14, 2010) -- Neurons communicate via chemical transmitters which they store in the bubble-like synaptic vesicles and release as required. To be able to react reliably to stimulation, neurons must have a certain number of "acutely releasable" vesicles. With the help of a new method, neuroscientists have now discovered that neurons systematically recycle the protein components necessary for transmitter release and in this way guarantee the reliability of signal transmission in the brain. ... > full story
Having severe acne may increase suicide risk, study suggests (November 14, 2010) -- Individuals who suffer from severe acne are at an increased risk of attempting suicide, a new study suggests. ... > full story
Mathematical model of the life cycle of red blood cells may predict risk of anemia (November 14, 2010) -- Mathematicians have developed a mathematical model reflecting how red blood cells change in size and hemoglobin content during their four-month lifespan. The model, which uses data from routinely performed blood tests, may be able to predict the development of anemia up to two months before it can be detected by standard measurements. ... > full story
Forceps and other instruments can assist birth, but with risks to mother, child (November 14, 2010) -- Forceps might be a better instrument than a vacuum cup for assisting a successful birth, but new mothers might experience more trauma and complications after a forceps delivery, according to a new review of studies. ... > full story
Sleep apnea linked to cognitive difficulties and deficits in gray matter (November 14, 2010) -- Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may blame their daytime difficulties on simple sleepiness, but new research suggests that their brains may be to blame. Specifically, their cognitive challenges may be caused by structural deficits in gray matter, brought on by the intermittent oxygen deprivation that comes with OSA. The good news is that these deficits may be partially or fully reversible with early detection and treatment, according to Italian researchers. ... > full story
Researchers unlock a secret of bacteria's immune system (November 13, 2010) -- Researchers have unlocked a secret of bacteria's immune system. The discovery may eventually make it possible to prevent certain bacteria from developing resistance to antibiotics. The scientists showed that this mechanism, called CRISPR/Cas, works by selecting foreign DNA segments and inserting them into very specific locations in a bacterium's genome. ... > full story
Creams used to treat eczema could make it worse, study suggests (November 13, 2010) -- New research from the UK suggests that using emollient creams to relieve the symptoms of eczema could actually make the condition worse. The researchers have published a study showing that aqueous cream BP reduces the thickness of healthy skin over a period of four weeks, calling into question whether the cream should be used for treating eczema, particularly for children and babies who have more sensitive skin. ... > full story
Keeping the daily clock ticking in a fluctuating environment: Hints from a green alga (November 13, 2010) -- Researchers have uncovered a mechanism which explains how biological clocks accurately synchronize to the day/night cycle despite large fluctuations in light intensity during the day and from day to day. ... > full story
Better student performance with peer learning (November 13, 2010) -- Engineering students with average grades from upper secondary school can manage difficult courses just as well as students with high grades. At least, if a group of them meet an older student once a week during the first semester to discuss and solve maths problems and other difficult exercises from their courses, according to new research. ... > full story
New DNA repair pathway (November 13, 2010) -- Researchers have found a new, inducible pathway for repairing DNA damaged by oxygen radicals. ... > full story
Anti-gout drug may decrease risk for colorectal adenoma progression (November 13, 2010) -- Allopurinol, a relatively inexpensive anti-gout medication that has been on the market for more than 20 years, may have some activity against colorectal adenomas, according to new research. ... > full story
Fearless children show less empathy, more aggression, research finds (November 13, 2010) -- Preschool-aged children who demonstrate fearless behavior also reveal less empathy and more aggression towards their peers, new research shows. ... > full story
New risk factor for developing breast cancer: DNA methylation modification to BRCA1 gene (November 13, 2010) -- Medical researchers have identified a new risk factor for developing breast cancer. The risk factor involves a modification (DNA methylation) to the BRCA1 gene. BRCA1 is known for its involvement in breast and ovarian cancer. Women with mutations in this gene, which inactivates its function, are predisposed to these diseases. ... > full story
Common diabetes drug may halt growth of cysts in polycystic kidney disease (November 13, 2010) -- A drug commonly used to treat diabetes may also retard the growth of fluid-filled cysts of the most common genetic disorder, polycystic kidney disease. Researchers report that pioglitazone appears to control the growth of PKD cysts. ... > full story
Study sheds light on aromatase inhibitor joint pain syndrome (November 13, 2010) -- Breast cancer patients are more likely to have joint pain from taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs) if they have advanced stage cancer, according to new research. The study is one of the first to identify factors that increase the likelihood that a patient will suffer joint pain from AI therapy. ... > full story
Are patient surveys a reliable way to assess the performance of doctors and practices? (November 13, 2010) -- To assess the performance of general practices, it is better to ask patients about their actual experiences of care rather than ask for satisfaction ratings, according to new research. ... > full story
Vaccine for urinary tract infections is one step closer (November 12, 2010) -- Scientists are one step closer to a vaccine that could prevent a majority of urinary tract infections, which are caused by E. coli bacteria. The researchers studied how bacteria operate in human hosts and discovered key differences between how E. coli genes behave in women and how they behave in mice used in experiments. ... > full story
Scientists demystify an enzyme responsible for drug and food metabolism (November 12, 2010) -- Scientists have solved a 40-year-old puzzle about the mysterious process by which a critical enzyme metabolizes nutrients in foods and chemicals in drugs such as Tylenol, caffeine and opiates. The discovery may help future researchers develop a wide range of more efficient and less-expensive drugs, household products and other chemicals. ... > full story
Scientists explore 1510 influenza pandemic and lessons learned (November 12, 2010) -- History's first recognized influenza pandemic originated in Asia and rapidly spread to other continents 500 years ago, in the summer of 1510. Researcher now explore the 1510 pandemic and what we have learned since then about preventing, controlling and treating influenza. ... > full story
Campus-community interventions successful in reducing college drinking (November 12, 2010) -- Heavy drinking among college students results in over 1800 deaths each year, as well as 590,000 unintentional injuries, almost 700,000 assaults and more than 97,000 victims of sexual assaults. In a new study, researchers report on the results of the Safer California Universities study, a successful community-wide prevention strategy targeted at off-campus settings. ... > full story
Modeling autism in a lab dish: Researchers create autistic neuron model (November 12, 2010) -- A collaborative effort between researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the University of California, San Diego, successfully used human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from patients with Rett syndrome to replicate autism in the lab and study the molecular pathogenesis of the disease. ... > full story
Stem cell transplants in mice produce lifelong enhancement of muscle mass (November 12, 2010) -- Specific types of stem cells transplanted into the leg muscles of mice prevented the loss of muscle function and mass that normally occurs with aging, a finding with potential uses in treating humans with chronic, degenerative muscle diseases. ... > full story
Colorectal cancer risk increases in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy, study finds (November 12, 2010) -- Men taking androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer may have an increased risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study. ... > full story
In ice hockey players, 'resisted sprints' increase sprint speed (November 12, 2010) -- A brief resisted-sprint exercise significantly increases skating sprint speed in ice hockey players, reports a new study. ... > full story
Scientists find learning in the visual brain (November 12, 2010) -- Researchers have found that an early part of the brain's visual system rewires itself when people are trained to perceive patterns, and have shown for the first time that this neural learning appears to be independent of higher order conscious visual processing. ... > full story
Don't clamp umbilical cords straight after birth, urges expert (November 12, 2010) -- Obstetricians and midwives should wait a few minutes before clamping the umbilical cords of newborn infants so that babies are not harmed by the procedure, an expert urges in an new article. ... > full story
'Toxic toy crisis' requires fresh solutions, experts say (November 12, 2010) -- Manufacturer recalls of toys, promotional drinking glasses, and other children's products constitute an ongoing "toxic toys crisis" that requires banning potentially harmful ingredients in these products and other changes in policy and practices, a new analysis concludes. ... > full story
Arsenic early in treatment improves survival for leukemia patients, study finds (November 12, 2010) -- Arsenic, a toxic compound with a reputation as a good tool for committing homicide, has a significant positive effect on the survival of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia, when administered after standard initial treatment, according to a new, multi-center study. ... > full story
Brass devices in plumbing systems can create serious lead-in-water problems (November 12, 2010) -- A new research study highlights problems with some brass products in plumbing systems that can leach high levels of lead into drinking water, even in brand new buildings -- and suggests that such problems may often go undetected. ... > full story
Exercise may reduce risk of endometrial cancer (November 12, 2010) -- Women who exercise for 150 minutes a week or more may see a reduced risk of endometrial cancer, despite whether or not they are overweight, according to new research. ... > full story
Why chocolate protects against heart disease (November 12, 2010) -- Numerous studies have shown that cocoa has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. The reason for this has now been uncovered by researchers in Sweden. When a group of volunteers devoured a good-sized piece of dark chocolate, it inhibited an enzyme in their bodies that is known to raise blood pressure. ... > full story
Pain gene common to flies, mice and humans, researchers discover (November 12, 2010) -- While it has become clear in recent years that susceptibility to pain has a strong inherited component, very little is known about actual "pain genes" and how they work. In a new study, researchers report on a novel human pain gene. People with minor variations in this gene showed clear differences in susceptibility to acute heat pain and chronic back pain. ... > full story
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