ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, December 13, 2010
Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.
Type 1 diabetes: Grow your own transplant? Human testes cells turned into insulin-producing islet cells (December 13, 2010) -- Men with type 1 diabetes may be able to grow their own insulin-producing cells from their testicular tissue, say researchers. Their laboratory and animal study is a proof of principle that human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) extracted from testicular tissue can morph into insulin-secreting beta islet cells normally found in the pancreas. And the researchers say they accomplished this feat without use of any of the extra genes now employed in most labs to turn adult stem cells into a tissue of choice. ... > full story
New mechanism links cellular stress and brain damage (December 13, 2010) -- A new study uncovers a mechanism linking a specific type of cellular stress with brain damage similar to that associated with neurodegenerative disease. The research is the first to highlight the significance of the reduction of a specific calcium signal that is directly tied to cell fate. ... > full story
Genetic variants linked to increased risk of common gynecological disease (December 13, 2010) -- Two genetic variants increase the risk of developing endometriosis, a common gynecological disease. The study provides clues to the origin of this often very painful condition, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of sufferers. ... > full story
Improving children's diets using behavior change video games shows promise (December 13, 2010) -- Obesity in youngsters has risen dramatically in recent decades. Fruit and vegetable consumption and increased water intake can lower the risk of obesity, as can increased physical activity, but it is not always easy to convince children to eat better and exercise more. In a new study, researchers found that video games designed to encourage these behaviors were effective. ... > full story
Study on skin formation suggests strategies to fight skin cancer (December 13, 2010) -- Researchers discovered that a pair of enzymes called HDACs are critical to the proper formation of mammalian skin. The findings not only provide information about the molecular processes underlying skin development, they also suggest a potential anticancer strategy. Inhibition of these HDAC enzymes might be able to shut down the growth of tumors that contain cells resembling those in embryonic skin. ... > full story
Cellular protein hobbles HIV-1 (December 13, 2010) -- A cellular protein called BST-2 had already been known to interfere with the spread of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), by inhibiting the release of its progeny particles from infected cells. Now scientists show that in addition, each progeny virion's ability to cause infection is severely impaired. ... > full story
Women smokers shocked into giving up habit by seeing effect on their faces, study finds (December 13, 2010) -- Seeing the effect smoking will have on their faces shocks women into giving up the habit, research from the UK has revealed. ... > full story
How natural drug, abscisic acid, fights inflammation (December 12, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered how abscisic acid, a natural plant hormone with known beneficial properties for the treatment of disease, helps fight inflammation. ... > full story
Synchrotron study shows how nitric oxide kills (December 12, 2010) -- Nitric oxide is a toxic pollutant, but the human body also creates it and uses it to attack invading microbes and parasites. A new study by researchers in the U.S. and the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute shows how nitric oxide, attacks an important group of proteins critical to cell survival. ... > full story
Lowering the drinking age is unlikely to curb college binge drinking, new study finds (December 12, 2010) -- Although presidents at some US colleges have argued that lowering the minimum legal drinking age could help curb binge drinking on campuses, a new study suggests such a measure would be ineffective. ... > full story
Drug-resistant HIV genes identified (December 12, 2010) -- New, groundbreaking research by a biomedical engineer significantly advances our understanding of HIV and how to treat it. They studied approximately 15,000 different versions of the virus -- something that has never been done before. This information has allowed them to locate the specific genes of the virus that were resistant to the drugs -- knowledge that could ultimately help researchers develop more effective treatments for HIV. ... > full story
New characteristics of premature aging protein discovered (December 12, 2010) -- Researchers have uncovered a disease-related protein outside of its known range. This new look into the workings of the body creates hope for future treatments and other advances in biology and medicine. ... > full story
Higher mobility while hospitalized linked to reduced stays: A few steps could lead to big gains for hospitalized seniors (December 12, 2010) -- A new study has shown that hospitalized elderly patients who take even short walks around a hospital unit tend to leave the hospital sooner than their more sedentary peers. ... > full story
'Green' water treatments may not kill bacteria in large building cooling systems (December 12, 2010) -- Non-chemical water treatment systems -- touted as environmentally conscious stand-ins for such chemicals as chlorine -- may allow dangerous bacteria to flourish in the cooling systems of hospitals, commercial offices and other water-cooled buildings. The study is the first to thoroughly investigate the ability of nonchemical treatment devices to control the growth of bacteria in water-based air-conditioning systems found in many large buildings. ... > full story
'White-noise' therapy alone not enough to curb tinnitus (December 12, 2010) -- Tinnitus -- what many think of as "ringing in the ears" -- is the perception of sound without any real acoustic stimulation. Sound masking therapy, a common component of tinnitus treatment, is of uncertain benefit when used on its own, a new evidence review finds. ... > full story
Thought for food: Imagining food consumption reduces actual consumption (December 11, 2010) -- A new study shows that when you imagine eating a certain food, it reduces your actual consumption of that food. This landmark discovery changes the decades-old assumption that thinking about something desirable increases cravings for it and its consumption. ... > full story
Drug combination shows promise for newly diagnosed blood cancer patients, study finds (December 11, 2010) -- A new three-drug combination used to treat the blood cancer multiple myeloma may be effective as a front-line therapy for newly diagnosed patients, according to a new study. ... > full story
Personalized molecular therapy shows promising results for people with advanced lung cancer (December 11, 2010) -- A new study shows that a combination of epigenetic therapy and molecular targeted therapy has promising results at combating advanced lung cancer according to new research. ... > full story
Computer-based program may help relieve some ADHD symptoms in children (December 11, 2010) -- An intensive, five-week working memory training program shows promise in relieving some of the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, a new study suggests. Researchers found significant changes for students who completed the program in areas such as attention, ADHD symptoms, planning and organization, initiating tasks and working memory. ... > full story
When to end a run to avoid injury: Runners change form when running exhausted (December 11, 2010) -- Runners and scientists for years have pondered when runners should end a run in order to avoid injuries. A new study by a physical therapy professor sheds light on this with findings that runners unknowingly change their running form when they run while exhausted. The change in mechanics could be related to an increased risk for injuries. ... > full story
Double block of blood vessels to starve cancerous tumors (December 11, 2010) -- A novel strategy of blocking the growth of blood vessels with antibodies should result in improved treatment of cancerous tumors, researchers in Finland report. ... > full story
New risk factors for brain metastases in breast cancer patients uncovered (December 11, 2010) -- Nearly one-fifth of all metastatic breast cancer patients develop brain metastases and have significantly shorter overall survival than patients who do not have brain involvement. One way to improve the affected patients' survival might be to prevent the brain metastases from arising in the first place. ... > full story
Buprenorphine treatment produces improved outcome for babies born addicted (December 11, 2010) -- Babies born into the world addicted to drugs because of their mother's dependence on pain medication, or opioids, may be weaned off the substance more comfortably, with a shorter hospital stay and at a reduced cost, if the mother receives a new treatment option during pregnancy. ... > full story
Trio of drugs may combat 'triple negative' breast cancer (December 10, 2010) -- Working with cell cultures and mouse models, researchers have tested a cocktail of three drugs that holds promise for treating so-called triple negative breast cancers. ... > full story
Immune system changes linked to inflammatory bowel disease revealed (December 10, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered some of the key molecular events in the immune system that contribute to inflammatory bowel disease. ... > full story
Boxing is risky business for the brain (December 10, 2010) -- Up to 20% of professional boxers develop neuropsychiatric sequelae. But which acute complications and which late sequelae can boxers expect throughout the course of their career? ... > full story
Unraveling Alzheimer's: Simple small molecules could untangle complex disease (December 10, 2010) -- New molecular tools show promise for "cleansing" the brain of amyloid plaques, implicated in Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story
There's a new 'officer' in the infection control army (December 10, 2010) -- Scientists have identified a previously unrecognized step in the activation of infection-fighting white blood cells, the main immunity troops in the body's war on bacteria, viruses and foreign proteins. ... > full story
Doctors don't need to fear red heads (December 10, 2010) -- A new study confirms that there is no need for doctors to fear red heads. The research concludes that, contrary to popular belief, people with red hair do not bleed any more than other patients. ... > full story
Twin study helps scientists link relationship among ADHD, reading, math (December 10, 2010) -- Children with ADHD can sometimes have more difficulties on math and reading tests compared to their peers. A new study used identical and fraternal twins to look at the genetic and environmental influences underlying ADHD behaviors, reading and math skills in children in an attempt to better understand the relationship among them. ... > full story
Cholera strain evolves new mechanism for causing disease (December 10, 2010) -- New clinical strains of cholera appear to have evolved a distinctly different mechanism to cause the same disease, according to new research. ... > full story
New hybrid, precision heart procedures to help stop deadly arrhythmias (December 10, 2010) -- New techniques are allowing doctors to more precisely target certain areas of the heart to stop ventricular arrhythmias -- serious abnormal rhythms in the heart's lower chambers -- in high-risk patients. ... > full story
Accurate method for detecting dangerous levels of fluoride (December 10, 2010) -- Used in the proper amounts, it can make teeth stronger and aid in the treatment of osteoporosis. When excessive amounts are consumed, however, it can be a killer -- a carcinogen that causes bone, lung and bladder cancers. The "it" is fluoride, a common additive in most American communities' drinking water and an ingredient in the vast majority of commercially produced adult toothpastes. ... > full story
Living in certain neighborhoods increases the chances older men and women will develop cancer, study finds (December 10, 2010) -- Older people who live in racially segregated neighborhoods with high crime rates have a much higher chance of developing cancer than do older people with similar health histories and income levels who live in safer, less segregated neighborhoods, according to new research. ... > full story
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is ultimately a stem cell disease, researchers find (December 10, 2010) -- For years, scientists have tried to understand why children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy experience severe muscle wasting and eventual death. After all, laboratory mice with the same mutation that causes the disease in humans display only a slight weakness. Now new research and a new animal model of the disease, points a finger squarely at the inability of human muscle stem cells to keep up with the ongoing damage caused by the disorder. ... > full story
Cholera strain in Haiti matches bacteria from south Asia (December 10, 2010) -- Researchers have determined that the strain of cholera erupting in Haiti matches bacterial samples from South Asia and not those from Latin America. The scientists conclude that the bacteria introduced into Haiti most likely came from an infected human, contaminated food or other item from outside of Latin America. ... > full story
Hospital shootings rare, but rate of other assults high, researchers find (December 10, 2010) -- Shootings like the one in which a gunman shot a doctor and killed a patient at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in September are "exceedingly rare," but the rate of other assaults on workers in US health care settings is four times higher than other workplaces, conclude two emergency physicians after reviewing workplace violence in health settings. ... > full story
Gene that causes some cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis discovered (December 10, 2010) -- Using a new gene sequencing method, researchers have discovered a gene that appears to cause some instances of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The finding could lead to novel ways to treat the more common form of this fatal neurodegenerative disease, which kills the vast majority of the nearly 6,000 Americans diagnosed with ALS every year. ... > full story
Aortic aneurysm treatable with asthma drugs, Swedish study finds (December 10, 2010) -- A new study from Sweden shows that asthma drugs are a potential treatment for aortic aneurysm. These drugs, which block cysteinyl-leukotrienes, could reduce the break down of vessel wall tissue and the dilation of the aortic wall, and thus the risk of its rupturing. This could both save lives and reduce the need for complicated and risky surgery. ... > full story
Seeing the invisible: New 'CSI tool' visualizes bloodstains and other substances (December 10, 2010) -- Snap an image of friends in front of a window curtain and the camera captures the people -- and invisible blood stains splattered on the curtain during a murder. Sound unlikely? Chemists are reporting development of a camera with that ability to see the invisible, and more. Called multimode imaging in the thermal infrared, the new technology could find uses in crime scene investigations and elsewhere, they say. ... > full story
Nighttime sleep found beneficial to infants' skills (December 10, 2010) -- Young children who get most of their sleep at night perform better in executive functioning than children who don't sleep as much at night, a new study finds. The study of 60 Canadian children aged 1, 1-1/2 and 2, examined the children's sleep habits and executive functioning skills, including impulse control and mental flexibility. The researchers found that children who sleep mostly at night did better on executive function tasks, especially those involving impulse control. ... > full story
Gene knockout shows potential for diabetes-related heart failure (December 10, 2010) -- Silencing the TLR4 gene can stop the process which may lead to cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. Researchers carried out a series of in vitro tests which demonstrated that TLR4 plays a critical role in hyperglycaemic cardiac apoptosis, and that silencing the gene using specific small interfering RNA can prevent it. ... > full story
Cutting dietary phosphate doesn't save dialysis patients' lives, study suggests (December 10, 2010) -- Doctors often ask kidney disease patients on dialysis to limit the amount of phosphate they consume in their diets, but this does not help prolong their lives, according to a new study. The results even suggest that prescribing low phosphate diets may increase dialysis patients' risk of premature death. ... > full story
Teleworkers more satisfied than office-based employees (December 10, 2010) -- Employees who telecommute the majority of the work week are more satisfied with their jobs compared to those working mostly in the office because working remotely alleviates more stress than it creates, according to a new study. ... > full story
Our brains are wired so we can better hear ourselves speak (December 9, 2010) -- Like the mute button on the TV remote control, our brains filter out unwanted noise so we can focus on what we're listening to. But when it comes to following our own speech, a new brain study shows that instead of one homogeneous mute button, we have a network of volume settings that can selectively silence and amplify the sounds we make and hear. ... > full story
Impaired clearance, not overproduction of toxic proteins, may underlie Alzheimer’s disease (December 9, 2010) -- In Alzheimer's disease, a protein fragment called beta-amyloid accumulates at abnormally high levels in the brain. Now researchers have found that in the most common, late-onset form of Alzheimer's disease, beta-amyloid is produced in the brain at a normal rate but is not cleared, or removed from the brain, efficiently. ... > full story
Stem cells: A 'stitch in time' could help damaged hearts (December 9, 2010) -- Scientists have demonstrated the feasibility of a novel technology that a surgeon could use to deliver stem cells to targeted areas of the body to repair diseased or damaged tissue. The technique involves bundling biopolymer microthreads into biological sutures and seeding the sutures with stem cells. The team has shown that the adult bone-marrow-derived stem cells will multiply while attached to the threads and retain their ability to differentiate and grow into other cell types. ... > full story
For some, laparoscopic technique not always better (December 9, 2010) -- If skin is the body's fortress against germ invaders, shouldn't minimally invasive surgeries -- operations guided by camera probes, conducted entirely within the abdomen -- carry less risk for serious infection than procedures that slice the same cavity wide open? New research is challenging that assumption -- at least for a subset of patients. ... > full story
Copyright 1995-2010 © ScienceDaily LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
|
 To update/change your profile click here  |
