ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Thursday, September 23, 2010
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Genomic 'haircut' makes world's tiniest genome even smaller (September 23, 2010) -- The world's tiniest nuclear genome appears to have "snipped off the ends" of its chromosomes and evolved into a lean, mean, genome machine that infects human cells, according to new research. ... > full story
Acetylation may contribute to dementia and Alzheimer's disease; May lead to new treatments (September 23, 2010) -- A new study uncovers a protein modification that may contribute to the formation of neuron-damaging neurofibrillary tangles in the human brain. The research may lead to new strategies for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases that result from pathological aggregation of tau protein. ... > full story
Gum disease found to be significant public health concern (September 23, 2010) -- The prevalence of periodontal disease in the United States may be significantly higher than originally estimated. New research suggests that the prevalence of periodontal disease may have been underestimated by as much as 50 percent. The implication is that more American adults may suffer from moderate to severe gum disease than previously thought. ... > full story
Losing your religion may be unhealthy, research suggests (September 23, 2010) -- People who leave strict religious groups are more likely to say their health is worse than members who remain in the group, according to new research. ... > full story
Largest genetic study of asthma points towards better treatments (September 23, 2010) -- An international study looking at DNA from over 26,000 people has identified several genetic variants that substantially increase susceptibility to asthma in the population. The findings will help scientists to focus their efforts to develop better therapies for the illness. ... > full story
Genetic factor in osteoporosis discovered (September 23, 2010) -- Spanish researchers have confirmed there is a genetic risk factor for osteoporosis and bone fractures. Although more studies are still needed, these findings will make it possible to take preventive measures. ... > full story
New drug could help stop the spread of disease from coughs, researchers believe (September 22, 2010) -- What if there was a drug that could completely eliminate airborne disease transmission that occurs when someone coughs? Researchers in Canada believe they have found a way to achieve this. ... > full story
Structure of dangerous bacteria's powerful multidrug resistance pump revealed (September 22, 2010) -- Scientists have detailed the structure of a member of the only remaining class of multidrug resistance transporters left to be described. The work has implications for combating dangerous antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria, as well as for developing hardy strains of agricultural crops. ... > full story
Experiments decipher key piece of the ‘histone code’ in cell division (September 22, 2010) -- Reproduce or perish. That's the bottom line for genes. Because nothing lives forever, reproduction is how life sustains itself, and it happens most fundamentally in the division and replication of the cell, known as mitosis. Now new research has detailed a key role in mitosis for a chemical modification to histone proteins that package lengthy strings of DNA into compact chromosomes. The experiments, recently published in Science, add to an increasingly intricate picture of the precisely timed events that separate new copies of chromosomes to opposite ends of a cell just before the cell divides, one of the most fundamental processes involved in the reproduction of life. ... > full story
Genetic patterns may predict osteoarthritis (September 22, 2010) -- Scientists have announced findings from a large clinical study to evaluate the role played by genetic factors in the worsening of osteoarthritis. ... > full story
Landmark report reveals massive global cost of Alzheimer's: One percent of global GDP -- and growing (September 22, 2010) -- A landmark report on the global economic impact of dementia finds that Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are exacting a massive toll on the global economy, with the problem set to accelerate in coming years. The World Alzheimer Report 2010 provides the most current and comprehensive global picture of the economic and social costs of the illness, revealing that the worldwide costs of dementia will exceed 1 percent of global GDP in 2010, at 4 billion. ... > full story
For sufferers of an early-onset dementia, career choice may determine location of disease in brain (September 22, 2010) -- In an international study of patients with a devastating type of dementia that often strikes in middle age, researchers have found intriguing evidence that career choice may influence where the disease takes root in the brain. ... > full story
Higher dairy calcium intake and increased serum vitamin D are related to greater diet-induced weight loss, Israeli study finds (September 22, 2010) -- A new study conducted by researchers in Israel reveals that higher dairy calcium intake and increased serum vitamin D are related to greater diet-induced weight loss. ... > full story
Inner voice plays role in self control (September 22, 2010) -- Talking to yourself might not be a bad thing, especially when it comes to exercising self control. ... > full story
Complex brain landscape controls speech (September 22, 2010) -- Up to now, Broca's region in the brain has been thought to comprise two areas, since it was discovered in 1861, it has been regarded as one of the two regions in the cerebral cortex responsible for language. The conception of the neuroanatomical basis of our speech must be revised in its entirety, new research suggests. ... > full story
Inflammation causes some postsurgical neuropathies (September 22, 2010) -- A new study found that nerve inflammation may cause the pain, numbness and weakness following surgical procedures that is known as post-surgical neuropathy. ... > full story
Man’s best friend keeps children on the move (September 22, 2010) -- Children whose families own dogs are more active than those without, according to new research. ... > full story
Taste genes predict tooth decay (September 22, 2010) -- Dental caries is a highly prevalent disease that is disproportionately distributed in the population. Caries occurrence and progression is known to be influenced by a complex interplay of both environmental and genetic factors, with numerous contributing factors having been identified including bacterial flora, dietary habits, fluoride exposure, oral hygiene, salivary flow, salivary composition, and tooth structure. Researchers now hypothesized that genetic variation in taste pathway genes (TAS2R38, TAS1R2, GNAT3) may be associated with dental caries risk and/or protection. ... > full story
Titanium foams replace injured bones (September 22, 2010) -- Flexible yet rigid like a human bone, and immediately capable of bearing loads: A new kind of implant, made of titanium foam, resembles the inside of a bone in terms of its structural configuration. Not only does this make it less stiff than conventional massive implants. It also promotes ingrowth into surrounding bones. ... > full story
Children born by IVF perform above average on standardized tests compared to their peers, study suggests (September 22, 2010) -- Children conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) perform at least as well as their peers on academic tests at all ages from grade 3 to 12, according to a new study. Among children born by IVF, the researchers did find a potentially concerning trend toward worse test scores for multiple births -- single babies performed better than twins, who performed better than triplets. However, this trend was not statistically significant and the triplets still did better that the average score of non-IVF children. ... > full story
Cocaine and ecstasy detected in waters of the L'Albufera in Valencia, Spain (September 22, 2010) -- The water in the canals and irrigation channels in the L'Albufera Natural Park in Valencia contain cocaine, ecstasy and a further six drugs. Researchers have issued a warning about the continued presence of these substances on wildlife and human health. ... > full story
Research sheds light on altruism (September 22, 2010) -- Using digital evolution techniques that give scientists the ability to watch evolution in action, researchers have shed new light on what it is that makes species altruistic. ... > full story
Stroke gene discovered (September 22, 2010) -- Medical researchers have discovered that an enzyme is responsible for the death of nerve cells after a stroke. The enzyme NOX4 produces hydrogen peroxide, a caustic molecule also used in bleaching agents. Inhibition of NOX4 by an experimental new drug in mice with stroke dramatically reduces brain damage and preserves brain functions, even when given hours after the stroke. ... > full story
Stress before cancer therapy could help deadly cells survive treatment, lead to disease recurrence (September 22, 2010) -- Patients who experience physical or psychological stress -- including rigorous exercise -- one or two days before a cancer treatment might be unknowingly sabotaging their therapy, new research suggests. Stress in the body -- even physical stress caused by intense exercise -- activates a stress-sensitive protein that can spark a series of events that allow cancer cells to survive such treatments as chemotherapy and radiation, according to the research. ... > full story
Freshman weight gain: Women with heavy roommates gain less, study finds (September 22, 2010) -- College women with roommates who weigh more than average gain less weight during their freshman year than women with slimmer roommates: half a pound versus 2.5 pounds. ... > full story
First explanation of how cells rapidly repair and maintain structure (September 22, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered that a protein, zyxin, is necessary for the maintenance and repair of the cell's cytoskeleton, or internal framework, which serves as the muscle and bone of the cell. ... > full story
Child rearing practices of distant ancestors foster morality, compassion in kids (September 22, 2010) -- Three new studies show a relationship between child rearing practices common in foraging hunter-gathering societies (how we humans have spent about 99 percent of our history) and better mental health, greater empathy and conscience development, and higher intelligence in children. ... > full story
Vitamin D protects against obesity-induced endometrial cancer, study suggests (September 22, 2010) -- Findings from an animal study suggest that obese women can reduce their increased risk of endometrial disease if they take vitamin D supplements. ... > full story
New therapy found for lung and skin cancer, based on suicide gene E (September 22, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a new therapy for the treatment of skin and lung cancer. This therapy involves the use of a suicide coliphage-gene (gene E) that can induce death to cells transfected with it. Their studies have demonstrated that this technique is not only effective in vitro (using tumour cell cultures), but also in vivo through the use of experimental animals in which tumours were induced. ... > full story
Doctor's health habits affect patient counseling (September 22, 2010) -- How well are doctors doing in advising patients to eat better and exercise? It can depend on the physician's own personal habits, according to a new study. Factors that predicted confidence in counseling included the doctor's own exercise time, being overweight, and if the doctor had adequate training in counseling. ... > full story
The Achilles' heel of tendons (September 22, 2010) -- Scientists have found the weak link in tendons -- potential targets for drugs, imaging and therapy. They built a micro-scale civil engineering lab to get the results. ... > full story
Lifelong exercising yields sensational results (September 22, 2010) -- Senior active skiers have twice the oxygen-uptake capacity of seniors who do not exercise. "The findings show that humans have a great potential to maintain a high level of physical work capacity and thereby better quality of life even at advanced ages," says a professor of sports science. ... > full story
First in-human study of robotically assisted percutaneous coronary intervention system demonstrates safety, feasibility (September 22, 2010) -- The first in-human study of a robotically assisted percutaneous coronary intervention system demonstrated that the technique was safe and feasible. ... > full story
Spare the rod, spoil the child? Excessive punishment can have lasting psychological impact on children, researchers say (September 22, 2010) -- Grabbing a child firmly by the arm, yelling and repeatedly punishing him or her may not be without long-terms risks, according to researchers. They are studying how this harsh parenting can impair the emotional development of a child, possibly leading to anxiety disorders such as social phobia, separation anxiety and panic attacks. ... > full story
Positive behavioral interventions programs found to improve student behavior and learning (September 22, 2010) -- Adopting the evidence-based procedures of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports helped 21 elementary schools reduce student suspensions, office discipline referrals and improve student academic achievement, according to a new study. ... > full story
Chromium picolinate may lessen inflammation in diabetic nephropathy; Supplement linked to decreased protein in the urine of diabetic mice (September 22, 2010) -- Taking chromium picolinate may help lessen inflammation associated with diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), say researchers. In a study comparing diabetic mice treated with chromium picolinate with those that received placebo, the researchers found that mice who received the supplement had lower levels of albuminuria (protein in the urine), an indication of kidney disease. ... > full story
NYC public school students have high levels of access to convenience stores with unhealthy food, study finds (September 22, 2010) -- A new study examined the patterns of exposure to a broad range of food outlets for school children in New York City. The data confirm that nearly all New York City public school students have access to inexpensive, energy-dense foods within a five-minute walk of New York City's public schools. ... > full story
Terlipressin treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding reduces serum sodium (September 22, 2010) -- A new study has found that patients with severe portal-hypertensive bleeding who are treated with terlipressin may experience an acute reduction of sodium in their blood. This reduction in serum sodium, known as hyponatremia, can cause adverse reactions such as neurological complications, and is rapidly reversible upon terlipressin withdrawal. Researchers suggest that serum sodium should be closely monitored in these patients and caution that use of solutions with high sodium content to treat this condition may cause a too rapid recovery of sodium leading to adverse events. ... > full story
Taribavirin offers a safe, effective alternative for chronic hepatitis C, study finds (September 22, 2010) -- Researchers have found that weight-based dosing of taribavirin reduces rates of anemia while increasing sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). ... > full story
New method of chemical analysis: Step towards personalized medicine (September 22, 2010) -- In the future, even before the start of the treatment, physicians will be able to establish how patient's blood binds a given medicine and what doze should be applied in order to obtain the concentration in the body that would be optimal for the treatment. ... > full story
More accurate method of determining premature infants' risk of illness (September 21, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a revolutionary, noninvasive way of quickly predicting the future health of premature infants, an innovation that could better target specialized medical intervention and reduce health-care costs. ... > full story
Art of dividing: Researchers decode function and protein content of the centrosome (September 21, 2010) -- A basic requirement for growth and life of a multicellular organism is the ability of its cells to divide. Chromosomes in the cells duplicate and are then distributed among the daughter cells. This distribution is organized by a protein complex made up of several hundred different proteins, called the centrosome. In cancer cells, the centrosome often assumes an unnatural shape or is present in uncontrolled numbers. The reasons for this were previously largely unknown. Scientists in Germany have now investigated the functions of the different centrosomal components and report their findings. ... >&nb sp;full story
New sickle cell screening program for college athletes comes with serious pitfalls, experts say (September 21, 2010) -- A leading pediatrician is urging a "rethink" of a new sickle cell screening program, calling it an enlightened but somewhat rushed step toward improving the health of young people who carry the sickle cell mutation. ... > full story
Mixed-use neighborhoods reduce some violent crimes, study says (September 21, 2010) -- Mixed-use neighborhoods that combine residential and business development may help lead to lower levels of some types of violent crime, a new study suggests. The results were just as true in impoverished neighborhoods as they were in more affluent areas, offering one possible way of improving blighted areas, according to the researchers. ... > full story
Higher than predicted human exposure to the toxic chemical bisphenol A or BPA, new study indicates (September 21, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered that women, female monkeys and female mice have major similarities when it comes to how bisphenol A is metabolized, and they have renewed their call for governmental regulation when it comes to the estrogen-like chemical found in many everyday products. ... > full story
Targeted therapy triggers complex mechanism of resistance (September 21, 2010) -- In order for targeted therapies against cancer to be effective, scientists need to understand upfront what related proteins in a signaling "network" makes a cancer cell resistant to a drug and selectively target them as well, say researchers. ... > full story
Hormone oxytocin improves social cognition but only in less socially proficient individuals (September 21, 2010) -- Researchers have found that the naturally-occurring hormone oxytocin selectively improves social cognitive abilities for less socially proficient individuals, but has little effect on those who are more socially proficient. ... > full story
Muscle gene may provide new treatments for obesity and diabetes (September 21, 2010) -- Skeletal muscle enables us to walk, run or play a musical instrument, but it also plays a crucial role in controlling disease. Scientists have now shown how a specific molecule in skeletal muscle regulates energy expenditure, a finding that may lead to new treatments for certain muscle diseases as well as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. ... > full story
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