ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, February 15, 2010
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Switch that turns on the spread of cancer discovered (February 15, 2010) -- Researchers describe the discovery of a specific protein called disabled-2 (Dab2) that switches on the process that releases cancer cells from the original tumor and allows the cells to spread and develop into new tumors in other parts of the body. ... > full story
Cone snails and spiders help neurobiologists investigate ion channels (February 15, 2010) -- Neurotoxins from cone snails and spiders help neurobiologists to investigate the function of ion channels in neurons. They have developed a system which for the first time allows the targeted, long-lasting investigation of ion channel function in mammals and also their blockade with neurotoxins. In transgenic mice they succeeded in blocking chronic pain by introducing a toxin gene into the organism. ... > full story
Less is more in cancer imaging (February 15, 2010) -- Scientists have developed an amplitude gating technique that gives physicians a clearer picture of how tumors are responding to treatment. ... > full story
Mexican-Americans come closest to meeting national physical activity goals (February 15, 2010) -- When it comes to meeting national health goals for physical activity, Mexican-Americans are the most active group in America and may benefit from exercise that researchers typically have not measured, according to a new study. The research, which used electronic devices to measure people's movement, challenges other studies based on self-reports that claimed non-Hispanic whites are most likely to be physically active. ... > full story
Built-in amps: How subtle head motions, quiet sounds are reported to the brain (February 15, 2010) -- Subtle head motions are amplified by inner-ear hair cells before the signal is reported to the brain, report scientists. In both the auditory and the vestibular systems, hair cell response is nonlinear: the lower the strength of the stimulus, the more the hair cell amplifies the signal. ... > full story
Vaccine possible: Hypothesis on the mystery of dengue virus infection confirmed (February 15, 2010) -- Scientists have now validated the long-held and controversial hypothesis that antibodies -- usually the "good guys" in the body's fight against viruses -- instead contribute to severe dengue virus-induced disease. The finding has major implications for the development of a first-ever vaccine against dengue virus, a growing public health threat which annually infects 50 to 100 million people worldwide, causing a half million cases of the severest form. ... > full story
Hospital uses device to revolutionize treatment of traumatic aortic injury (February 15, 2010) -- Vascular surgeons performed one of the nation's first implants of a Next Generation Conformable GORE TAG Thoracic Endoprosthesis device for the treatment of a traumatic aortic transection as part of a national clinical trial. The goal of the trial is to gain insight into using thoracic endografts for patients with traumatic aortic transection (tear) as a less invasive alternative to major surgery. ... > full story
Quitting smoking especially difficult for select groups (February 15, 2010) -- With the national trend toward quitting smoking flat, psychologists are finding some success with treatments aimed at helping smokers from under-served groups, including racial and ethnic minorities and those with psychiatric disorders. ... > full story
Drug created to keep tumor growth switched off (February 14, 2010) -- A novel -- and rapid -- anti-cancer drug development strategy has resulted in a new drug that stops kidney and pancreatic tumors from growing in mice. Researchers have found a drug that binds to a molecular "switch" found in cancer cells and cancer-associated blood vessels to keep it in the "off" position. ... > full story
Catching calcium waves could provide Alzheimer's insights (February 14, 2010) -- New insights on what causes Alzheimer's disease could arise from a recent discovery made by bioengineers. The finding concerns the infamous amyloid beta peptides (A²) -- fragments of which form plaques thought to play a role in Alzheimer's disease. The bioengineers found that amyloid beta peptides spontaneously trigger calcium waves in purified cultures of astrocyte cells extracted from the cortex region of rat brains and grown in the lab. ... > full story
Metabolite common among cancers (February 14, 2010) -- Several distinct mutations found in a subset of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia result in excess production of the same metabolite, according to new research. ... > full story
Computer simulations can be as effective as direct observation at teaching students (February 14, 2010) -- Students can learn some science concepts just as well from computers simulations as they do from direct observation, new research suggests. A study found that people who used computer simulations to learn about moon phases understood the concepts just as well -- and in some cases better -- than did those who learned from collecting data from viewing the moon. ... > full story
fMRIs reveal brain's handling of low-priority ideas (February 14, 2010) -- Brain networks that allow individuals to put social decisions on the back burner are impacted by genetics, a new study indicates. This capability has been shown to be abnormal in a number of psychiatric disorders. ... > full story
Compound shows promise against intractable heart failure (February 14, 2010) -- A chemical compound found normally in the blood shows promise in treating and preventing an intractable form of heart failure in a mouse model of the disease. ... > full story
First blinded study of venous insufficiency prevalence in multiple sclerosis shows promising results (February 14, 2010) -- More than 55 percent of multiple sclerosis patients participating in the initial phase of the first randomized clinical study to determine if persons with MS exhibit narrowing of the extracranial veins, causing restriction of normal outflow of blood from the brain, were found to have the abnormality. ... > full story
Six month old babies can understand our intentions (February 14, 2010) -- Researchers have uncovered evidence that six-month-old babies can comprehend our intentions. This contradicts previous findings that infants develop this ability at nine months of age. ... > full story
A potent suppressor of endometrial cancer is revealed (February 14, 2010) -- Treatment of endometrial cancer has not advanced significantly in 30 years and there are no screening tests to promote early detection. Researchers have developed a new approach to specifically target genetic changes to the endometrial cells in mice. Using this new technique, they show that loss of an emerging tumor suppressor causes abnormal growth and widespread malignancy of cells lining the uterus. ... > full story
Diabetes drug ups risk for bone fractures in older women, study suggests (February 14, 2010) -- A new study finds women with type 2 diabetes who take a commonly prescribed class of medications to treat insulin resistance may be at a higher risk for developing bone fractures. After taking a thiazolidinedione (TZD) for one year, women are 50 percent more likely to have a bone fracture than patients not taking TZDs, according to study results. And those at the greatest risk for fractures from TZD use are women older than 65. ... > full story
Assistive technology helps dementia sufferers get through the day (February 14, 2010) -- Tens of millions of elderly people in the EU suffering from mild dementia may be able to look after themselves, and free up their carers, thanks to a new system. ... > full story
Genetic secrets to jumping the species barrier (February 13, 2010) -- Scientists have pinpointed specific mutations that allow a common plant virus to infect new species. Understanding the genetics of the key interactions between viruses and hosts could provide insight to how some viruses manage to jump the species barrier and even give us a better idea of how animal diseases are generated. ... > full story
Restrictions on female plasma may not be warranted (February 13, 2010) -- Three years after the US blood banking industry issued recommendations that discourage transfusing plasma from female donors because of a potential antibody reaction, researchers discovered that female plasma actually may have advantages. ... > full story
The biggest loser: Maternal obesity puts a load on her offspring that lasts a lifetime (February 13, 2010) -- As if there are not enough reasons for obese people to lose weight, a new research report adds several more. In a study involving rats, researchers found that obesity in mothers causes cellular programming in utero that predisposes offspring to inflammation-related disorders (such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more) from birth, regardless of whether or not the offspring are obese themselves. ... > full story
Muscle loss finding may one day save physiques (February 13, 2010) -- Mice that lack a particular antioxidant enzyme show impairment of cell energy centers called mitochondria. This leads to smaller and weaker muscles, and may help scientists better understand age-related muscle atrophy and other neuromuscular diseases. ... > full story
Epigenetic signals differ across alleles (February 13, 2010) -- Researchers have identified numerous novel regions of the genome where the chemical modifications involved in controlling gene expression are influenced by either genetic variation or the parental origin of that particular stretch of DNA. This contradicts previous assumptions that epigenetic signals are generally equal across both copies of a given region of the genome, except at a small number of known imprinted genes. ... > full story
Male college students also victims of violence at girlfriends' hands (February 13, 2010) -- Researchers are looking at the impact that being a victim of violence has on male versus female college students in heterosexual relationships. They that found the biggest predictor of whether male and female college students would use violence against a partner was whether the partner was violent toward them. ... > full story
Scientists synthesize unique family of anti-cancer compounds (February 13, 2010) -- Scientists have streamlined the process for synthesizing a family of compounds with the potential to kill cancer and other diseased cells, and have found that they represent a unique category of anti-cancer agents. ... > full story
Low levels of natural antibodies behind stroke (February 13, 2010) -- The chances of suffering a stroke are linked to the presence of a certain type of antibody in the immune system, a new study from Sweden shows. The researchers hope to be able to develop a vaccine that can mobilize the body's own defense against arteriosclerosis and stroke. ... > full story
Role of protein pair in obesity regulation (February 13, 2010) -- New research implicates a new protein in obesity development and highlights a protein pair's "team effort" in regulating obesity and insulin resistance. ... > full story
Hypnosis can relieve symptoms in children with respiratory diseases (February 13, 2010) -- Hypnosis has potential therapeutic value in children with respiratory disorders for alleviating symptoms such as habit cough or unexplained sensations of difficulty breathing and for lessening a child's discomfort during medical procedures. ... > full story
Human gait adapted for efficient walking at the cost of efficient running (February 12, 2010) -- Humans, other great apes and bears are among the few animals that step first on the heel when walking, and then roll onto the ball of the foot and toes. Now, a new study shows the advantage: Compared with heel-first walking, it takes 53 percent more energy to walk on the balls of your feet, and 83 percent more energy to walk on your toes. ... > full story
Herbal medicines can be lethal, pathologist warns (February 12, 2010) -- A forensic pathologist has sounded a worldwide warning of the potential lethal dangers of herbal medicines if taken in large quantities, injected, or combined with prescription drugs. ... > full story
Cholera and related diseases: Grasping bacterial 'friending' paves the way to disrupt biofilm creation (February 12, 2010) -- Finding a biological mechanism much like an online social network, scientists have identified the bacterial protein VpsT as the master regulator in Vibrio, the cause of cholera and other enteric diseases. This discovery provides a major tool to combat enteric disease. ... > full story
How cholera bacteria becomes infectious (February 12, 2010) -- Researchers have described the structure of a protein called ToxT that controls the virulent nature of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera. Buried within ToxT, the researchers were surprised to find a fatty acid that appears to inhibit ToxT, which prevents the bacteria from causing cholera. ... > full story
Self-cannibalizing cancer cells targeted (February 12, 2010) -- Scientists have embarked on a major new project to unravel the secret lives of cancer cells that go dormant and self-cannibalize to survive periods of stress. The work may help produce new cancer therapies to stem changes that render cancer cells dangerous and resistant to treatment. ... > full story
Parents often wait too long to treat children's asthma symptoms (February 12, 2010) -- Parents of young children with asthma often recognize signs that their child is about to have an asthma attack but delay home treatment until the attack occurs, researchers report. ... > full story
Exploring the limits: Understanding the challenges facing Winter Olympic champions (February 12, 2010) -- As the world turns its sporting gaze towards Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Physiological Society journal Experimental Physiology marks the occasion with a special issue exploring the biological and environmental challenges elite winter athletes must overcome to win gold. ... > full story
Universal DNA reader will advance faster, cheaper sequencing efforts (February 12, 2010) -- Scientists have come up with a new twist in their efforts to develop a faster and cheaper way to read the DNA genetic code. They have developed the first, versatile DNA reader that can discriminate between DNA's four core chemical components -- the key to unlocking the vital code behind human heredity and health. ... > full story
Drinking milk during pregnancy may lower baby's risk of multiple sclerosis (February 12, 2010) -- Drinking milk during pregnancy may help reduce your baby's chances of developing multiple sclerosis as an adult, according to a preliminary study. ... > full story
Antibiotics as active mutagens in the emergence of multidrug resistance (February 12, 2010) -- Multidrug resistant bacteria such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a major problem for patients, doctors, and the pharmaceutical industry. To combat such bacteria, it is critical to understand how resistance is developed in the first place. New research shows that low doses of antibiotics can produce mutant strains that are sensitive to the applied antibiotic but have cross-resistance to other antibiotics. ... > full story
Posttraumatic stress disorder: Virtual reality and other technologies offer hope (February 12, 2010) -- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) threatens to overload healthcare and social support systems worldwide as the number of cases rises and existing treatments are not sufficiently effective. New approaches to treatment are relying on technology, such as virtual reality, to alleviate the psychologically damaging effects of PTSD. ... > full story
Dietary formula that maintains youthful function into old age (February 12, 2010) -- Researchers develop dietary formula that maintains youthful function into old age. ... > full story
Two years old -- a childhood obesity tipping point? (February 12, 2010) -- While many adults consider a chubby baby healthy, too many plump infants grow up to be obese teens, saddling them with type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure, according to a new article. ... > full story
Baked rhubarb could help fight cancer (February 12, 2010) -- Eating rhubarb baked in a crumble is not only tasty it may also be the best way to take advantage of its health benefits, and could lead to the development of new cancer treatments. ... > full story
Going for Gold: a physiologist’s view of champion cross-country skiers (February 12, 2010) -- Cross-country skiing is one of the most demanding of all Olympic sports, with skiers propelling themselves at speeds that exceed 20-25 km per hour over distances as long as 50 km. Yet the difference between winners and losers in these grueling races can be decided by just the tip of a ski, as a glance at any recent world-class competition will show. So just what gives top racers the advantage? ... > full story
Migraine may double risk of heart attack (February 12, 2010) -- Migraine sufferers are twice as likely to have heart attacks as people without migraine, according to a new study by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. ... > full story
New screening system for hepatitis C (February 12, 2010) -- A newly designed system of identifying molecules for treating hepatitis C should enable scientists to discover novel and effective therapies for the dangerous and difficult-to-cure disease of the liver, say chemical engineers who helped develop the screening system. The system enables researchers to study the effects of molecules that obstruct all aspects of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle. ... > full story
Face recognition: A face is more than the sum of its parts (February 12, 2010) -- Researchers have found that inability to recognize faces is linked to an inability to process faces as a whole, or holistically. ... > full story
Low levels of antibiotics cause multidrug resistance in 'superbugs' (February 12, 2010) -- A new study by biomedical engineers indicates that treating bacteria with levels of antibiotics insufficient to kill them produces germs that are cross-resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. ... > full story
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