ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Thursday, April 7, 2011
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Breast cancer patients' persistent fatigue is real, may actually speed up aging (April 7, 2011) -- The persistent fatigue that plagues one out of every three breast cancer survivors may be caused by one part of the autonomic nervous system running in overdrive, while the other part fails to slow it down. That imbalance of a natural system in the body appears linked to the tiredness and exhaustion that can burden cancer patients as much as a decade after their successful treatment. ... > full story
New discovery explains weight problems in Huntingon’s disease (April 7, 2011) -- Huntington’s disease has long been linked to jerky movements. Now, researchers have shown that the metabolism can also be seriously affected by the hereditary disease. The new laboratory findings provide hope of entirely new treatment methods. ... > full story
Body mass index in adolescence associated with early occurrence of diabetes and heart disease (April 7, 2011) -- A study of 37,000 teenagers found that diabetes risk is mainly associated with increased body mass index close to the time of diagnosis at early adulthood, while coronary heart disease risk is associated with elevated BMI both at adolescence and adulthood. ... > full story
Memory problems may be sign of stroke risk (April 7, 2011) -- People who have memory problems or other declines in their mental abilities may be at higher risk for stroke, according to a new study. ... > full story
Common dietary fat and intestinal microbes linked to heart disease (April 6, 2011) -- A new pathway has been discovered that links a common dietary lipid and intestinal microflora with an increased risk of heart disease. The study shows that people who eat a diet containing a common nutrient found in animal products (such as eggs, liver and other meats, cheese and other dairy products, fish, shellfish) are not predisposed to cardiovascular disease solely on their genetic make-up, but rather, how the micro-organisms that live in our digestive tracts metabolize a specific lipid -- phosphatidyl choline (also called lecithin). Lecithin and its metabolite, choline, are also found in many commercial baked goods, dietary supplements, and even children's vitamins. ... > full story
New prostate cancer test gives more accurate diagnosis (April 6, 2011) -- A new PSA test to screen for prostate cancer more accurately identified men with prostate cancer -- particularly the aggressive form of the disease -- and substantially reduced false positives compared to the two currently available commercial PSA tests, according to new research. The currently available screening tests result in a high number of false positives and lead to unnecessary biopsies and possible over-detection and over-treatment of indolent cancer that never would have caused suffering or death. ... > full story
Strawberries may slow precancerous growth in the esophagus, study suggests (April 6, 2011) -- Eating strawberries may be a way to help people at risk of esophageal cancer protect themselves from the disease, according to a new study. ... > full story
Instructors can reduce cheating by being clear, researcher says (April 6, 2011) -- A new study says that the reasons students give for cheating are rational, and that stricter punishments won't solve the problem. Instead, teachers should communicate clear standards and provide consistent enforcement to reduce instances of cheating. ... > full story
Human taste cells regenerate in a dish (April 6, 2011) -- Following years of futile attempts, new research demonstrates that living human taste cells can be maintained in culture for at least seven months. The findings provide scientists with a valuable tool to learn about the human sense of taste and how it functions in health and disease. This advance ultimately will assist efforts to prevent and treat taste loss or impairment due to infection, radiation, chemotherapy and chemical exposures. ... > full story
Hotspots of genetic rearrangement: Findings in mice could aid understanding of how mammals genetically adapt (April 6, 2011) -- Researchers have zoomed in on mouse chromosomes to map hotspots of genetic recombination -- sites where DNA breaks and reforms to shuffle genes. The findings have the potential to improve the detection of genes linked to disease and to help understand the root causes of genetic abnormalities. ... > full story
Healthy welders may be at increased risk for early brain damage (April 6, 2011) -- New research suggests that workers exposed to welding fumes may be at risk for developing brain damage in an area of the brain also affected in Parkinson's disease. ... > full story
Are infants creating historical footprints with their eyes? (April 6, 2011) -- Learning how babies communicate can teach us a lot about the development of human social interactions. Psychologists studying infants' interactions have now found that babies are not simply living in the moment. Instead, infants seem to have particular interests that create historical footprints reflected in the infants' visual engagement over time. ... > full story
Coffee drinking in your genes? Genetic variants in two genes linked with caffeine intake (April 6, 2011) -- Two genes in which variation affects intake of caffeine, the most widely consumed stimulant in the world, have been discovered. Researchers examined genetic variation across the entire genome of more than 47,000 individuals. ... > full story
New drug is effective against the most common form of skin cancer, expert says (April 6, 2011) -- A new drug is effective in preventing new basal cell carcinomas in patients with an inherited predisposition to the disease. These patients with basal cell nevus syndrome develop large numbers of basal cells, which can become locally invasive or metastatic, according to an expert. ... > full story
Obesity increases the risk of fetal and infant death, and the risk of complications after hysterectomy (April 6, 2011) -- Women who are obese during early pregnancy have a significantly increased risk of their baby dying before, during or up to one year after birth, according to new research. A second article shows that obesity increases the risk of complications, such as bleeding and infections, during and after a hysterectomy operation. ... > full story
Older age memory loss tied to stress hormone receptor in brain (April 6, 2011) -- Scientists have shed new light on how older people may lose their memory with a development that could aid research into treatments for age-related memory disorders. Many believe that stress is bad for our brains especially as we get older. Now researchers have shown how two receptors in older brains react to a stress hormone called cortisol, which has been linked to increasing forgetfulness as we age. ... > full story
On-off switch for key 'factor' in heart disease and cancer discovered (April 6, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a cellular "on-off" switch that may have implications for treating cardiovascular disease and cancer. ... > full story
Progesterone reduces rate of early preterm birth in at-risk women, study suggests (April 6, 2011) -- A new study has found that progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone, reduced the rate of preterm birth before the 33rd week of pregnancy by 45 percent among one category of at-risk women. The women in the study had a short cervix, which is known to increase the risk for preterm birth. The cervix is the part of the uterus that opens and shortens during labor. ... > full story
Better a sprint than a marathon: Brief intense exercise better than endurance training for preventing cardiovascular disease (April 6, 2011) -- Exercise is important for preventing cardiovascular disease, especially in children and adolescents, but is all exercise equally beneficial? New research reveals that high intensity exercise is more beneficial than traditional endurance training. ... > full story
Device drops blood pressure in patients with difficult-to-treat hypertension (April 6, 2011) -- A device designed to treat people with resistant hypertension helped lower blood pressure by 33 points, a substantial drop that would otherwise require patients to take an additional three or four drugs, on top of this subgroup's usual regimen of up to five drugs, to control their difficult-to-treat condition. ... > full story
One step closer to a diagnostic test for schizophrenia (April 6, 2011) -- Scientists in Finland have revealed metabolic abnormalities that are associated with schizophrenia. This may be an important step towards development of a clinical test of the disease. ... > full story
Off-label marketing of medicines in the US is rife but difficult to control, study finds (April 6, 2011) -- Despite U.S. Federal Drug Administration regulation of the approval and use of pharmaceutical products, "off-label" marketing of drugs (for purposes other than those for which the drug was approved) has occurred in all aspects of the US health care system. In a new study, researchers report that the most common alleged off-label marketing practices also appear to be the most difficult to control through external regulatory approaches. ... > full story
Link between chronic depression and accelerated immune cell aging (April 6, 2011) -- Certain cases of major depression are associated with premature aging of immune cells, which may make people more susceptible to other serious illness, according to findings from a new study. ... > full story
Nanopolymer shows promise for helping reduce cancer side effects (April 6, 2011) -- A biochemist has demonstrated a process using nanotechnology to better assess whether cancer drugs hit their targets, which may help reduce drug side effects. ... > full story
Diabetes treatment may also provide protection against endometrial cancer (April 6, 2011) -- New research has found that metformin, a drug treatment used to treat diabetes and also in women with polycystic vary syndrome (PCOS), may potentially provide protection against endometrial cancer. ... > full story
Stronger alcohol 'buzz' predicts future binge drinking problems (April 6, 2011) -- For some people, alcohol is a social lubricant. For others, it's an unpleasant downer. New research shows that a person's response to alcohol can predict their future drinking behavior, including their frequency of binge drinking and the risk of developing an alcohol-use disorder. ... > full story
Leptin restores fertility, may improve bone health in lean women; Treatment could help athletes, women with eating disorders (April 6, 2011) -- Women with extremely low body fat, including runners and dancers, as well as women with eating disorders, are prone to develop hypothalamic amenorrhea, a condition in which their menstrual periods cease, triggering such serious problems as infertility and osteoporosis. ... > full story
Scientists develop new technology for stroke rehabilitation (April 6, 2011) -- Devices which could be used to rehabilitate the arms and hands of people who have experienced a stroke have been developed by researchers in the UK. ... > full story
Can diabetes or lipid-lowering medications treat addiction? (April 6, 2011) -- Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are commonly prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes, while fibrates are prescribed to modulate lipid levels in patients to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. These drugs work by binding to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Another effect of TZDs and fibrates is to raise leptin levels, an effect that may reduce appetite. ... > full story
Mexican migrants to the US risk 'clinically significant' mental-health problems, study finds (April 6, 2011) -- Mexicans who migrate to the United States are far more likely to experience significant depression and anxiety than individuals who do not immigrate, a new study has found. ... > full story
Opioids now most prescribed class of medications in America (April 6, 2011) -- Two reports by addiction researchers show a drastic shift in prescribing patterns impacting the magnitude of opioid substance abuse in America. The reports recommend a comprehensive effort to reduce public health risks while improving patient care, including better training for prescribers, pain management treatment assessment, personal responsibility and public education. ... > full story
Genetic clues to major cause of kidney disease worldwide (April 6, 2011) -- For the first time, researchers have found five regions in the human genome that increase susceptibility to immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, a major cause of kidney failure worldwide -- systematically identifying those that point to a tendency for IgA nephropathy, or a protection against it. ... > full story
Hookah use widespread among college students; Study reveals mistaken perception of safety in potential gateway drug (April 6, 2011) -- Despite a growing number of cities instituting smoking bans across the country, hookah bars are cropping up everywhere -- from chic downtown cafes to locations near college campuses, where they've found a loyal customer base in young adults. A new study sheds light on the increasingly popular pastime, and the results are discouraging. ... > full story
Repulsion more important than cohesion in embryonic tissue separation (April 6, 2011) -- Until now, adherence was thought to be the principle force responsible for the separation of the ectoderm from the mesoderm in embryonic cells. But by using high resolution imaging, researchers have now discovered that, although embryonic cells of different types will temporarily adhere when they touch, they then invariably pull apart rather violently, suggesting that direct contact between two "foreign" cells triggers a "repulsive signal." ... > full story
Giving teachers bonuses for student achievement undermines student learning, study finds (April 6, 2011) -- Recent efforts to improve teacher performance by linking pay to student achievement have failed because such programs often rely on metrics that were never intended to help determine teacher pay. These systems make it easy for policymakers to obtain consistent measures of student and teacher performance, but the same testing regimes also make it easy for educators to game incentive systems by coaching students for exams rather than teaching them to master subject matter. ... > full story
Refusal skills help minority youths combat smoking, study finds (April 6, 2011) -- The ability to refuse smoking is related to non-smoking in minority youths, a new study shows. Effective strategies to combat youth smoking include teaching refusal skills and training for responding to family members' and friends' smoking. ... > full story
Chimp, bonobo study sheds light on the social brain (April 5, 2011) -- Why our two closest living primate relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, have widely different social traits, despite belonging to the same genus, has long been a puzzle. Now, a comparative analysis of their brains shows neuroanatomical differences that may be responsible for these behaviors, from the aggression more typical of chimpanzees to the social tolerance of bonobos. ... > full story
Modern targeted drug plus old malaria pill serve a one-two punch in advanced cancer patients (April 5, 2011) -- Researchers may have found a way to turn an adaptive cellular response into a liability for cancer cells, by treating a group of patients with several different types of advanced cancers with temsirolimus, a molecularly targeted cancer drug that blocks nutrient uptake, plus hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug that inhibits autophagy. This regimen halted tumor growth in two-thirds of the patients. ... > full story
Toward a solution to nerve agent exposure: Chemist uses supercomputers to test reagents for new treatments (April 5, 2011) -- A chemist is harnessing the power of supercomputing systems to help develop a new drug that will regenerate a critical enzyme in the human body that "ages" after a person is exposed to deadly organophosphorus nerve agents. ... > full story
Protein found to be the link missing between HPV infection and cervical cancer development (April 5, 2011) -- Most women are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer -- yet few develop the cancer. Now researchers believe they have found the missing link explaining why: activation of the beta-catenin oncogene. ... > full story
Vitamin A derivative can inhibit early forms of breast cancer, researchers show (April 5, 2011) -- A nutrient found in carrots and sweet potatoes may prove key to fighting breast cancer at early stages, according to a new study. ... > full story
Getting to the root of fatty liver disease (April 5, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a molecular switch that appears to be a common feature in the development of fatty liver disease. The discovery made in mice is consistent with data from human patients, suggesting that it may provide an underlying explanation for the development of fatty liver in people with obesity and metabolic syndrome. ... > full story
How materialistic advertising messages negatively shape the female body image, study finds (April 5, 2011) -- A new study is the first to examine the impact of materialistic messages and values -- the desire for financial success and an affluent lifestyle on women's feelings about their own body. ... > full story
Genomic signature in post-menopausal women may explain why pregnancy reduces breast cancer risk (April 5, 2011) -- Women who have children, particularly early in life, have a lower lifetime risk of breast cancer compared with women who do not. Now, researchers have identified a gene expression pattern in breast tissue that differs between post-menopausal women who had children and post-menopausal women who did not. The results will help scientists understand why pregnancy reduces breast cancer risk. ... > full story
Cellular feast or famine: How cells decide whether they have enough fat (April 5, 2011) -- Not all cholesterol is bad. Every cell requires it for growth -- they either have to get cholesterol somewhere or they die. In a new study, researchers found that a protein sensor known to balance cholesterol sources can also access a previously under-appreciated cellular fat storage depot. ... > full story
Students around the world report being addicted to media, study finds (April 5, 2011) -- College students around the world report that they are 'addicted' to media, describing in vivid terms their cravings, their anxieties and their depression when they have to abstain from using cell phones, social networking sites, mp3 player. ... > full story
New method delivers Alzheimer’s drug to the brain (April 5, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a new method for delivering complex drugs directly to the brain, a necessary step for treating diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Motor Neuron Disease and Muscular Dystrophy. ... > full story
Pedestrians injured by the windshield frame in car crashes (April 5, 2011) -- Pedestrian disability and fatality as a consequence of car crashes is a large global health problem. New research from Sweden now shows that upper-body collision with the car's lower windscreen is a common cause of severe injuries and deaths in adults, especially in those accidents where the head is struck. Children injured by cars are mostly hit by the hood. ... > full story
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