ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Thursday, February 11, 2010
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Incidence of cerebral palsy on rise in US, new data reveals (February 11, 2010) -- Cerebral palsy (CP) has increased in infants born prematurely in the United States, according to new data. ... > full story
Nuclear pore complexes harbor new class of gene regulators (February 11, 2010) -- Nuclear pore complexes are best known as the communication channels that regulate the passage of all molecules to and from a cell's nucleus. Researchers, however, have shown that some of the pores' constituent proteins, called nucleoporins, pull double duty as transcription factors regulating the activity of genes active during early development. ... > full story
Benefits outweigh risks associated with newborn screening for disorder (February 11, 2010) -- Newborn screening for a metabolic disorder could lead to false positives -- adding stress to parents, costing money and possibly subjecting a baby to unnecessary follow-up treatment and dietary restrictions. But the benefits of diagnosing these children early and preventing the risk of mental retardation, disability or death outweigh the costs of a false positive, according to new research. ... > full story
Study reveals need to evaluate and regulate 'electronic cigarettes' (February 11, 2010) -- Electronic cigarettes should be evaluated, regulated, labeled and packaged in a manner consistent with cartridge content and product effect -- even if that effect is a total failure to deliver nicotine as demonstrated in a new study. ... > full story
TV drama can be more persuasive than news program, study finds (February 11, 2010) -- A fictional television drama may be more effective in persuading young women to use birth control than a news-format program on the same issue, according to a new study. Researchers found that college-age women who viewed a televised drama about a teen pregnancy felt more vulnerable two weeks after watching the show, and this led to more support for using birth control. ... > full story
Certain genetic profiles associated with recurrence-free survival for non-small cell lung cancer (February 11, 2010) -- An analysis of genetic and clinical data for nearly 800 patients with non-small cell lung cancer has identified differences in genetic characteristics that are associated with age and sex specific patterns of increased or decreased recurrence-free survival, according to a new study. ... > full story
Adapting to clogged airways makes common pathogen resist powerful drugs (February 11, 2010) -- Mutations of a common environmental pathogen that causes chronic lung disease in patients with cystic fibrosis are able to survive in oxygen-poor, nitrate-rich airway secretions. This same survival mechanism also enables the mutate bacteria to resist the effects of certain antibiotics -- even without any previous exposure to antibiotics. ... > full story
Of swine, birds and humans: Pandemic H1N1 flu (February 11, 2010) -- Current research suggests that pandemic H1N1 influenza of swine origin has distinct means of transmission from the seasonal flu, yet does not result in the pathogenic severity of avian flu viruses. ... > full story
Bioethics memory aid can help assess patient decision-making capacity in medical emergencies (February 11, 2010) -- Physicians in training and bioethicists have created an easy-to-remember checklist to help medical students and clinicians quickly assess a patient's decision-making capacity in an emergency. ... > full story
Bowel disease link to blood clots: New findings (February 10, 2010) -- People living with inflammatory bowel disease are known to be at high risk of blood clots when admitted to hospital during a flare-up of their disease. But now new research has shown that those who are not admitted to hospital during flare-ups are also at risk. ... > full story
Eczema in early childhood may influence mental health later (February 10, 2010) -- Eczema in early childhood may influence behavior and mental health later in life. ... > full story
One-third of antimalarial medicines sampled in three African nations found to be substandard (February 10, 2010) -- The first results from a large-scale study of key antimalarial medicines in ten Sub-Saharan African countries reveal that a high percentage of medicines circulating on national markets are of substandard quality and thus may contribute to the growth of drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent form of malaria. ... > full story
Older investors prone to mental misfires while playing the market, study shows (February 10, 2010) -- Old age traditionally brings with it respect, experience and wisdom. But when it comes to making risky financial investments, an older mind is likely to make more mistakes than a younger one, psychologists say. ... > full story
Developmental delay in brain provides clue to sensory hypersensitivity in autism (February 10, 2010) -- New research provides insight into why fragile X syndrome, the most common known cause of autism and mental retardation, is associated with an extreme hypersensitivity to sounds, touch, smells, and visual stimuli that causes sensory overload and results in social withdrawal, hyperarousal, and anxiety. The study uncovers a previously unknown developmental delay in a critical brain circuit that processes sensory information in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. ... > full story
Popular antidepressant blocks the beneficial effects of tamoxifen in breast cancer (February 10, 2010) -- Women with breast cancer who take the antidepressant paroxetine at the same time as tamoxifen are at an increased risk of death, concludes a new study. ... > full story
Comprehensive study using bioinformatics predicts the molecular causes of many genetic diseases (February 10, 2010) -- It is widely known that genetic mutations cause disease. What are largely unknown are the mechanisms by which these mutations wreak havoc at the molecular level, giving rise to clinically observable symptoms in patients. Now a new study using bioinformatics reports the ability to predict the molecular cause of many inherited genetic diseases. These predictions have led to the creation of a web-based tool available to academic researchers who study disease. ... > full story
Brain scans track hoop fans' happy memories (February 10, 2010) -- In a novel study that used historical tape of a thrilling overtime basketball game between Duke and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, brain researchers at Duke have found that fans remember the good things their team did much better than the bad. ... > full story
Waking the dead: Scientists reconstruct nuclear genome of extinct human being (February 10, 2010) -- For the first time, scientists have reconstructed the nuclear genome of an extinct human being. The innovative technique can help reconstruct human phenotypic traits of extinct cultures. It also allows for finding those contemporary populations most closely related to extinct cultures revealing ancient human expansions and migrations. Finally, the discovery improves our understanding of heredity and the disease risk passed down from our ancestors. The spectacular findings are being published in Nature. ... > full story
People with anxiety disorder less able to regulate response to negative emotions, study shows (February 10, 2010) -- People with generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, have abnormalities in the way their brain unconsciously controls emotions. That's the conclusion of a new study, and the authors say the findings could open up new avenues for treatments and change our understanding of how emotion is regulated in everyday life. ... > full story
Silver nanoparticles may one day be key to devices that keep hearts beating strong and steady (February 10, 2010) -- Diamonds and gold may make some hearts flutter on Valentine's Day, but in one laboratory, silver nanoparticles are being designed to do just the opposite. ... > full story
Cervical cancer: Regiment with new drug triapine provides both significant reduction in cancer disease and cancer control (February 10, 2010) -- Researchers have published new findings that may lead to a new standard of care for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The phase one study found that a new chemotherapy medicine, Triapine, was well tolerated in combination with standard-of-care cisplatin chemotherapy and radiation treatment in women with cervical cancer. This regimen provided both significant reduction in cancer disease and cancer control. ... > full story
Childhood obesity: It's not the amount of TV, it's the number of junk food commercials (February 10, 2010) -- The association between television viewing and childhood obesity is directly related to children's exposure to commercials that advertise unhealthy foods, according to a new study. ... > full story
Anorexics found to have excess fat -- in their bone marrow (February 10, 2010) -- Researchers have found that girls with anorexia, despite being emaciated, have strikingly high levels of fat in their bone marrow. This can be visualized in MRIs of the knee. The researchers believe that malnutrition causes hormonal alterations that push mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow to form fat cells rather than bone-forming cells. This may explain why patients with anorexia have bone loss. ... > full story
Biological risks of eating reptiles (February 10, 2010) -- Reptiles are bred in captivity primarily for their skins, but some restaurants and population groups also want them for their meat. A study shows that eating these animals can have side effects that call into question the wisdom of eating this 'delicacy.' ... > full story
Butter leads to lower blood fats than olive oil, study finds (February 10, 2010) -- High blood fat levels normally raise the cholesterol values in the blood, which in turn elevates the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack. Now a new study shows that butter leads to considerably less elevation of blood fats after a meal compared with olive oil and a new type of canola and flaxseed oil. The difference was stronger in men than in women. ... > full story
Sporting Prowess Through Brain Power (February 10, 2010) -- Expert sportsmen are quicker to observe and react to their opponents’ moves than novice players, exhibiting enhanced activation of the cortical regions of the brain. More experienced sports players are better able to detect early anticipatory clues from opposing players’ body movements, giving them a split second advantage in preparing an appropriate response. ... > full story
Low IQ among strongest predictors of cardiovascular disease -- second only to cigarette smoking in large population study (February 10, 2010) -- While lower intelligence scores have been associated with a raised risk of cardiovascular disease, no study has so far compared the relative strength of this association with other established risk factors. Now, a large study has found that lower intelligence scores were associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease and total mortality at a greater level of magnitude than found with any other risk factor except smoking. ... > full story
Research could lead to way to halt deadly immune response (February 10, 2010) -- Scientists have published new details of their research into the complement reaction, an immune system response that kills thousands annually. Researchers have teased out the molecular process that can shut down a marauding, often deadly immune response that kills thousands each year who suffer battlefield casualties, heart attacks, strokes, automobile accidents and oxygen deprivation, according to a new article. ... > full story
Cells can read damaged DNA without missing a beat (February 10, 2010) -- Under certain growth-limiting conditions, enzymes that read DNA can skim through damaged DNA without skipping any letters in the genetic "text." This suggests a mechanism that can allow bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics. ... > full story
Feeling blue? You'll shun the new (February 10, 2010) -- A negative mood imparts a warm glow to the familiar. Happiness, on the other hand, makes novelty attractive (and can instead give the familiar a "blah" cast). This is the first time the effect has been experimentally demonstrated in humans. ... > full story
Seeing the brain hear reveals surprises about how sound is processed (February 10, 2010) -- Neurobiologists have discovered information about how the brain processes sound that challenges previous understandings of the auditory cortex. Their research shows our brains are a lot more chaotic than previously thought, and that this might be a good thing. ... > full story
New way to kill pediatric brain tumors (February 10, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a previously unrecognized target, a protein called STAT3, at which they can aim new drugs for the treatment of cancer in neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1), a genetic condition that causes increased risk of benign and malignant brain tumors. ... > full story
Early life stress may predict cardiovascular disease (February 10, 2010) -- Early life stress could be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adulthood, researchers report. ... > full story
Little effect of soy isoflavones found on bone loss in postmenopausal women (February 10, 2010) -- Results from a new multicenter clinical trial of 224 postmenopausal women questions the value of consuming soy isoflavone tablets to help lessen bone loss and minimize the effect of osteoporosis. ... > full story
Depression and lack of concentration do not necessarily go together (February 10, 2010) -- A recent review has found that depression does not always lead to memory problems or difficulties concentrating. ... > full story
Communication breakdown: What happens to nerve cells in Parkinson's disease (February 10, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a molecular link between Parkinson's disease and defects in the ability of nerve cells to communicate. The study provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease, and could lead to innovative new therapeutic strategies. ... > full story
High prevalence of atrial fibrillation found among cross-country skiers (February 10, 2010) -- At this year's Birkebeiner ski marathon, 12,000 cross-country skiers will line up for the 54 kilometer race, run almost every year since 1932. In 1976 almost 150 participants were invited to take part in a long-term study designed to discover the extent of latent heart disease in these elite cross-country skiers. Now, the results of the follow-up study have been published and suggest that long-distance competition skiers are at an unusually high risk of atrial fibrillation. ... > full story
Obese teens who receive gastric banding achieve significant weight loss (February 10, 2010) -- A higher percentage of severely obese adolescents who received laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding lost more than 50 percent of excess weight and experienced greater benefits to health and quality of life compared to those in an intensive lifestyle management program, according to a new study. ... > full story
Cell-phone bans while driving have more impact in dense, urban areas (February 10, 2010) -- A new study analyzing the impact of hand-held cell phone legislation on driving safety concludes that usage-ban laws had more of an impact in densely populated urban areas with a higher number of licensed drivers than in rural areas where there are fewer licensed drivers. ... > full story
New proposed changes posted for leading manual of mental disorders: Draft diagnostic criteria for DSM-5 (February 10, 2010) -- The American Psychiatric Association has released the proposed draft diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The draft criteria represent content changes under consideration for DSM, which is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health and other health professionals, and is used for diagnostic and research purposes. ... > full story
Antiretroviral therapy associated with increase in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa (February 10, 2010) -- A new study conducted in a multi-country HIV treatment program in sub-Saharan Africa has found that pregnancy rates increase in HIV-infected women after they start antiretroviral therapy. ... > full story
Anesthetic approach stops pain without affecting motor function (February 9, 2010) -- One of the holy grails of local anesthesia is the ability to achieve a long-lasting nerve block that eliminates pain sensation while not affecting motor function. Now, researchers have discovered an anesthetic approach that seems to do just that. ... > full story
New approach to treating breast and prostate cancers (February 9, 2010) -- In a new approach to developing treatments for breast cancer, prostate cancer and enlarged hearts, researchers are zeroing in on a workhorse protein called RSK. When activated, RSK is involved in cell survival, cell proliferation, cell enlargement and a rare disease called Carney complex. ... > full story
Prion protein in cell culture (February 9, 2010) -- The fatal brain disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob in humans, BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in cattle and scrapie in sheep are so-called prion diseases, whereby one of the body's normal proteins, the prion protein PrPc misfolds into a pathogenic form: PrPSc. In spite of several years of extensive research, little is still known about what actually happens in this process. ... > full story
Patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis can undergo surgery sooner, shortening hospital stays (February 9, 2010) -- Patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis can safely undergo surgery within 48 hours of admission, a new approach that can shorten hospital stays. ... > full story
Locust study promises new insights into limb control (February 9, 2010) -- New research into how the brain controls the movements of limbs could prompt major advances in understanding the human brain and the development of prosthetic limbs. ... > full story
Family meals, adequate sleep and limited TV may lower childhood obesity (February 9, 2010) -- A new national study suggests that preschool-aged children are likely to have a lower risk for obesity if they regularly engage in one or more of three specific household routines: eating dinner as a family, getting adequate sleep and limiting their weekday television viewing time. The study showed that 4-year-olds living in homes with all three routines had an almost 40 percent lower prevalence of obesity than did children living in homes that practiced none of these routines. ... > full story
Brain protein for synapse development identified (February 9, 2010) -- A new study identifies for the first time a brain protein called SynDIG1 that plays a critical role in creating and sustaining synapses, the complex chemical signaling system responsible for communication between neurons. ... > full story
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