ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Thursday, January 6, 2011
Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.
Malfunctioning gene associated with Lou Gehrig's disease leads to nerve-cell death in mice (January 6, 2011) -- Researchers describe the first direct evidence of how mutated TDP-43 prtein can cause neurons to die. ... > full story
Helicopter transport increases survival for seriously injured patients, study finds (January 6, 2011) -- Severely injured patients transported by helicopter from the scene of an accident are more likely to survive than patients brought to trauma centers by ground ambulance, according to a new study. The study is the first to examine the role of helicopter transport on a national level and includes the largest number of helicopter-transport patients in a single analysis. ... > full story
Where MRSA colonizes on the human body: Study identifies quantity and locations of MRSA colonization (January 6, 2011) -- When methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is carried in the nares, it is a risk factor for an invasive infection, including a surgical site infection. Some studies have found that the heavier the carriage of MRSA in the nose, the greater the risk of transmission to others and the greater risk of infection to the patient. A new study now sheds light on both the quantity of MRSA at different body sites and the relationship between the quantities. ... > full story
Call for truth in trans fats labeling by US FDA: Study shows how deceptive food labels lead to increased risk of deadly diseases (January 6, 2011) -- A new article reveals that misleading labeling practices can result in medically significant intake of harmful trans fat, despite what you read on U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved labels. ... > full story
Male pattern balding may be due to stem cell inactivation (January 6, 2011) -- Using cell samples from men undergoing hair transplants, researchers compared follicles from bald scalp and non-bald scalp, and found that bald areas had the same number of stem cells as normal scalp in the same person. However, they did find that another, more mature cell type called a progenitor cell was markedly depleted in the follicles of bald scalp. ... > full story
Advancements in fertility preservation provide oncology patients new options (January 6, 2011) -- Many young people who've just learned that they have cancer also are told that the therapies that may save their lives could rob them of their ability ever to have children. Infertility caused by chemotherapy and radiation affects a sizable population: Of the 1.5 million people diagnosed with cancer in 2009, nearly 10 percent were still in their reproductive years. The good news, according to a new article, is that techniques to harvest and store reproductive cells have vastly improved in the last several years. ... > full story
Optimizing patient outcomes after therapeutic hypothermia for traumatic brain injury (January 6, 2011) -- Lowering the body temperature of patients soon after they have suffered a severe brain injury may reduce neurologic complications and improve outcomes. The safety of therapeutic hypothermia for traumatic brain injury has been demonstrated in national studies. According to a roundtable discussion of renowned experts in the field, when and how it is administered should depend on the clinical condition of individual patients. ... > full story
Mothers key to college-age women receiving HPV vaccine, study suggests (January 6, 2011) -- Even after young women reach adulthood, their mothers can play a key role in convincing them to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, new research suggests. A study found that college-aged women were more likely to say they had received the HPV vaccine if they had talked to their mother about it. ... > full story
Vaccine blocks cocaine high in mice: Approach could also stop addiction to other drugs, including heroin and nicotine (January 5, 2011) -- Researchers have produced a lasting anti-cocaine immunity in mice by giving them a safe vaccine that combines bits of the common cold virus with a particle that mimics cocaine. ... > full story
Birch bark ingredient comes with many metabolic benefits (January 5, 2011) -- An ingredient found in abundance in birch bark appears to have an array of metabolic benefits. In mice, the compound known as betulin lowered cholesterol, helped prevent diet-induced obesity, and improved insulin sensitivity. Betulin-treated mice were also more resistant to developing atherosclerotic plaques in their arteries. ... > full story
Metabolic cost of human sleep deprivation quantified by researchers (January 5, 2011) -- In the first-ever quantification of energy expended by humans during sleep, a research team has found that the metabolic cost of an adult missing one night of sleep is the equivalent of walking slightly less than two miles. ... > full story
Resiliency on the battlefield: Soldiers with a positive outlook less likely to suffer anxiety, depression (January 5, 2011) -- In the first combat-zone study of its kind, a research team has found that soldiers with a positive outlook in the most traumatic situations were less likely to suffer health problems such as anxiety and depression. ... > full story
Walking speed associated with survival in older adults (January 5, 2011) -- In an analysis that included data from 9 studies, having higher measures of walking speed among older adults was associated with increased length of survival, according to a new study. ... > full story
New glaucoma test allows earlier, more accurate detection (January 5, 2011) -- A prototype glaucoma test instrument that's noninvasive and simpler to use than current procedures -- and can also be used in situations that are difficult or impossible with current tests -- has been designed by engineering researchers. ... > full story
Vitamin D deficiencies may impact onset of autoimmune lung disease (January 5, 2011) -- A new study shows that vitamin D deficiency could be linked to the development and severity of certain autoimmune lung diseases. ... > full story
Infant hydrocephalus, seasonal and linked to farm animals in Uganda (January 5, 2011) -- Hydrocephalus in Ugandan children and other developing countries is seasonal, linked to farm animals and in part, caused by previous bacterial infection, according to an international team of researchers from Uganda and the United States, who believe that the best approach to this problem is prevention. ... > full story
Anti-bullying program reduces malicious gossip on school playgrounds (January 5, 2011) -- Elementary school students who participated in a three-month anti-bullying program in Seattle schools showed a 72 percent decrease in malicious gossip. The study is the first to show that the widely-used Steps to Respect bullying prevention program can curb children's gossip, an element of playground culture often seen as harmless but capable of causing real harm. ... > full story
Fueling the body on fat: Critical tuning dial for controlling energy found (January 5, 2011) -- Researchers have found what appears to be a critical tuning dial for controlling whole body energy. When energy levels within cells drop, it sets off a series of events designed to increase the amount of calorie-rich dietary fat that the body will absorb. ... > full story
On the trail of a stealthy parasite Biologist shows why some strains of Toxoplasma are more dangerous than others (January 5, 2011) -- About one-third of the human population is infected with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, but most of them don't know it. Though Toxoplasma causes no symptoms in most people, it can be harmful to individuals with suppressed immune systems, and to fetuses whose mothers become infected during pregnancy. Toxoplasma spores are found in dirt and easily infect farm animals such as cows, sheep, pigs and chickens. Humans can be infected by eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables. ... > full story
Model predicts a drug's likelihood of causing birth defects (January 5, 2011) -- When pregnant women need medications, there is often concern about possible effects on the fetus. Although some drugs are clearly recognized to cause birth defects, and others are generally recognized as safe, surprisingly little is known about most drugs' level of risk. Researchers have created a preclinical model for predicting a drug's teratogenicity (tendency to cause fetal malformations) based on characterizing the genes that it targets. ... > full story
Trust your gut ... but only sometimes (January 5, 2011) -- When faced with decisions, we often follow our intuition -- our self-described "gut feelings" -- without understanding why. Our ability to make hunch decisions varies considerably: Intuition can either be a useful ally or it can lead to costly and dangerous mistakes. A new study finds that the trustworthiness of our intuition is really influenced by what is happening physically in our bodies. ... > full story
Experimental drug more potent, longer lasting than morphine (January 5, 2011) -- A little-known morphine-like drug is potentially more potent, longer lasting and less likely to cause constipation than standard morphine, a study has found. The drug also is less likely to cause constipation. ... > full story
Pregnant, constipated and bloated? Fly poo may tell you why (January 5, 2011) -- Clues about how the human gut helps regulate our appetite have come from a most unusual source -- fruit fly feces. Scientists are using the fruit fly to help understand aspects of human metabolism, including why pregnant women suffer from bloating and constipation, and even the link between a low calorie diet and longevity. ... > full story
Body temperature sensor, TRPM2, promotes insulin secretion (January 5, 2011) -- Researchers in Japan have found that the TRPM2 ion channel in pancreatic beta-cells is important for insulin secretion stimulated by glucose and gastrointestinal hormone (incretin) secreted after food intake. ... > full story
Adopting healthy habits in youth associated with more favorable cholesterol levels in adulthood (January 5, 2011) -- Lifestyle changes between childhood and adulthood appear associated with whether an individual will maintain, improve or develop high-risk cholesterol levels, according to a new study. ... > full story
Obesity research targets brain's use of fatty acids (January 5, 2011) -- Researchers have created a promising new mouse model to study how lipid sensing and metabolism in the brain relate to the regulation of energy balance and body weight. ... > full story
Detecting esophageal cancer with light (January 5, 2011) -- A tiny light source and sensors at the end of an endoscope may provide a more accurate way to identify pre-cancerous cells in the lining of the esophagus. ... > full story
Dampening inflammation with aspirin (January 5, 2011) -- Upon microbe clearance from the body or completion of wound healing, protective inflammatory responses must be dampened down. One set of molecules known to play a role in resolving the inflammatory response is the E-series resolvins. While analyzing the blood of several individuals to investigate the pathway by which E-series resolvins are generated, researchers have identified a new 18S E-series resolvin, which could be generated from aspirin. ... > full story
Europe reins in the smoking habit (January 5, 2011) -- A study by researchers in Spain has confirmed that the anti-tobacco laws in Europe have a direct effect on the reduction in consumption and passive exposure to smoke. ... > full story
Even healthy cats act sick when their routine is disrupted (January 4, 2011) -- A cat regularly vomiting hairballs or refusing to eat probably isn't being finicky or otherwise "cat-like," despite what conventional wisdom might say. There is a good chance that the cat is acting sick because of the stress caused by changes in its environment, new research suggests. Healthy cats were just as likely as chronically ill cats to refuse food, vomit frequently and leave waste outside their litter box in response to changes in their routine. ... > full story
Protein wields phosphate group to inhibit cancer metastasis; Tagging an enzyme with chemical also is crucial to bone cell formation (January 4, 2011) -- By sticking a chemical group to it at a specific site, a protein arrests an enzyme that may worsen and spread cancer, an international research team reports. ... > full story
Kids frequently exposed to medical imaging procedures that use radiation, study finds (January 4, 2011) -- A new study shows that kids frequently receive imaging procedures during their routine clinical care, and highlights the importance of initiatives to ensure that those tests being performed are necessary and use the lowest possible doses of radiation. ... > full story
US soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder more likely to feel long-term psychological effect (January 4, 2011) -- Combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms appear to be associated with longer-term physical (headache, tinnitus), emotional (irritability) and cognitive (diminished concentration or memory) symptoms, according to a new report. Conversely, concussion/mild traumatic brain injuries do not appear to have long-term negative effects on troops. ... > full story
Peptide delivers one-two punch to breast cancer in pre-clinical study (January 4, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered what may become a new weapon in the fight against breast cancer. For the first time, a peptide found in blood and tissue has been shown to inhibit the growth of human breast tumors in mice. ... > full story
Clostridium bacteria infecting increasing numbers of hospitalized children (January 4, 2011) -- Hospitalized children in the United States are more frequently becoming infected with the bacteria Clostridium difficile, according to a new study. ... > full story
Researchers helping electric-wheelchair users move more easily (January 4, 2011) -- Thick gravel, mud, snow, steep ramps or hills ... They might get a pedestrian a little dirty or out of breath, but to someone in an electric wheelchair, they could mean terrain that's simply too difficult to cross alone. To address this problem, researchers are working on technology that will enable electric-powered wheelchairs to detect hazardous terrain and automatically adjust their control settings to maneuver more safely. ... > full story
Brain imaging studies examine how anti-smoking medications may curb cravings (January 4, 2011) -- The smoking cessation medications bupropion and varenicline may both be associated with changes in the way the brain reacts to smoking cues, making it easier for patients to resist cravings, according to two new reports. ... > full story
Resurrecting the so-called 'depression gene': new evidence that our genes play a role in our response to adversity (January 4, 2011) -- Researchers have found new evidence that our genes help determine our susceptibility to depression. Their findings challenge a 2009 study that called the genetic link into question and add new support to earlier research hailed as a medical breakthrough. ... > full story
PET scans provide insight into fever-induced epilepsy in children (January 4, 2011) -- Sudden, catastrophic childhood epilepsy is a parent's worst nightmare, especially in the case of fever-induced refractory epileptic encephalopathy in school-age children (FIRES). While not much is known about the condition, new research shows that positron emission tomography scans can offer an evaluation of cognitive dysfunction of FIRES, its evolution and further prognosis. ... > full story
Eating low-fat, thanks to lupin proteins (January 4, 2011) -- Food should be delicious, healthy and sustainably produced. Researchers are working on new methods to use as many parts of plants as possible for nutrition. In the future, vegetable ingredients could replace animal raw materials. Lupin seeds, for instance, can be used to produce low-fat, exquisite sausage products. ... > full story
Women with both diabetes and depression at higher risk of dying from heart disease, other causes (January 4, 2011) -- Depression and diabetes appear to be associated with a significantly increased risk of death from heart disease and risk of death from all causes over a six-year period for women, according to a new report. ... > full story
Authorities often aware of previous incidents of victimization among children and adolescents, report finds (January 4, 2011) -- Almost half of US youth who experience violence, abuse or crime have had at least one of their victimizations known to school, police or medical authorities, according to a new report. ... > full story
Food bioterrorism: Safety precautions used by country club restaurants to protect food and beverages studied (January 4, 2011) -- A graduate student examined current safety precautions used by country club restaurants to protect food and beverages, as well as how often those practices were put into effect. ... > full story
Medicare payments for medical imaging are higher to nonradiologist physicians than to radiologists (January 4, 2011) -- Researchers have found that Medicare payments for non-invasive medical imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans, are now higher to non-radiologists than to radiologists, according to a new study. ... > full story
Clinical decision support systems help control inappropriate medical imaging, study suggests (January 4, 2011) -- Researchers have found that clinical decision support systems can help reduce inappropriate medical imaging, including unnecessary computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans. ... > full story
CPAP therapy reduces fatigue, increases energy in patients with sleep apnea, study suggests (January 3, 2011) -- Three weeks of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy significantly reduced fatigue and increased energy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. ... > full story
Firefly protein lights pathway to improved detection of blood clots (January 3, 2011) -- The enzyme that makes fireflies glow is lighting up the scientific path toward a long-sought new medical imaging agent to better monitor treatment with heparin, the blood thinner that millions of people take to prevent or treat blood clots, scientists are reporting. ... > full story
Protein that drives survival of gastrointestinal tumors identified (January 3, 2011) -- For patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors, or GISTs, the blockbuster cancer drug Gleevec has been a reason to hope. Since the drug's introduction, survival rates have climbed dramatically and recurrence has fallen by two-thirds. But there's a downside: over time, many patients develop resistance to the drug. Now, scientists have identified a molecule that acts as a survival factor for gastrointestinal tumors, a finding that may lead to next-generation therapies that can pick up where Gleevec leaves off. ... > full story
Copyright 1995-2010 © ScienceDaily LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
|
 To update/change your profile click here  |
