ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Friday, March 12, 2010
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End to lice? Effectiveness of new oral treatment demonstrated (March 12, 2010) -- French medical researchers have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of a new molecule in the fight against lice. Faced with the emergence of increasing resistance to conventional treatments by these parasites, this new medication represents a real therapeutic alternative which is effective in 95 percent of cases. ... > full story
Computer system helps reduce adverse drug side effects and interactions in ICU patients (March 12, 2010) -- To get life-threatening diseases under control, patients in the intensive care unit usually are administered many medications at the same time. Even for experts, it is difficult to keep track of the variety of possible side effects and interactions. Researchers in Germany has now shown that physicians can reduce serious events resulting from drug interactions by about half with the help of the "AiDKlinik" drug information system. ... > full story
Neutropenia: Research findings expected to ease treatment of low neutrophil counts in cancer patients (March 12, 2010) -- New research may change neutropenia treatment for all childhood cancer patients. Neutropenia is the dangerous drop in white blood cells that leaves cancer patients at increased risk for infections and can delay chemotherapy. ... > full story
Men, not ladies, first: We're still sexist in writing (March 12, 2010) -- Putting male names before female names in writing is a remnant of sexist thinking, new research suggests. ... > full story
Advance in understanding body’s natural defenses (March 12, 2010) -- Researchers in the UK have made a new advance in understanding how the body fights certain types of cancer and other disease such as Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. ... > full story
Malaria in pregnant women: Step towards a new vaccine (March 12, 2010) -- By managing to express the protein that enables red blood cells infected with the malaria agent Plasmodium falciparum to bind to the placenta and by deciphering its molecular mechanisms, a team of researchers has taken an important first step in the development of a vaccine against pregnancy-associated malaria. ... > full story
Breast cancer drug fulvestrant appears more effective in the presence of CK8 and CK18 (March 12, 2010) -- Women's responsiveness to the second-line breast cancer drug fulvestrant may depend on whether the cancer cells are expressing two key proteins, scientists report. ... > full story
How a romantic breakup affects self-concept (March 12, 2010) -- When a romantic relationship ends, an individual's self-concept is vulnerable to change, according to new research. ... > full story
Novel stroke treatment passes safety stage of clinical trial (March 11, 2010) -- A clinical research trial of a new treatment to restore brain cells damaged by stroke has passed an important safety stage, according to the neurologist who led the effort. ... > full story
If bonobo Kanzi can point as humans do, what other similarities can rearing reveal? (March 11, 2010) -- You may have more in common with Kanzi, Panbanisha and Nyota, three language-competent bonobos living at Great Ape Trust, than you thought. And those similarities, right at your fingertip, might one day tell scientists more about the effect of culture on neurological disorders that limit human expression. A recently published pointing study supports the assertion that the success of language studies with bonobos is tied to rearing. ... > full story
Fewer platelets could be used for some cancer and bone-marrow transplantation patients (March 11, 2010) -- Physicians may be able to safely lower the platelet dosage in transfusions for cancer and bone-marrow transplant patients without risking increased bleeding, according to new research. ... > full story
Youth baseball throwing arm injuries are rising dramatically (March 11, 2010) -- Throwing arm injuries are on the rise in Little League and other youth baseball programs. After these injuries occur, many players are out for the season; others require surgery and must refrain from play for an even longer duration; still others sustain injuries so severe that they cause permanent damage and are unable to continue playing baseball. Three new studies address this critical issue, each offering new solutions to help prevent these injuries. ... > full story
Years of smoking associated with lower Parkinson's risk, not number of cigarettes per day (March 11, 2010) -- Researchers have new insight into the relationship between Parkinson's disease and smoking. Several studies have shown that smokers have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. A new study shows that smoking for a greater number of years may reduce the risk of the disease, but smoking a larger number of cigarettes per day may not reduce the risk. ... > full story
Movement disorder symptoms are lessened by an antibiotic: Treating worms with ampicillin helps restore normal movement (March 11, 2010) -- Discovery of an antibiotic's capacity to improve cell function in laboratory tests is providing movement disorder researchers with leads to more desirable molecules with potentially similar traits, according to scientists. ... > full story
Massage eases anxiety, but no better than simple relaxation does (March 11, 2010) -- A randomized trial shows three months after 10 massages, patients' anxiety symptoms were halved -- an improvement like that previously reported with psychotherapy, medications, or both. But the trial also found massage no more effective than simple relaxation. ... > full story
Traces of the past: Computer algorithm able to 'read' memories (March 11, 2010) -- Computer programs have been able to predict which of three short films a person is thinking about, just by looking at their brain activity. The research provides further insight into how our memories are recorded. ... > full story
Mother's flu during pregnancy may increase baby's risk of schizophrenia (March 11, 2010) -- Rhesus monkey babies born to mothers who had the flu while pregnant had smaller brains and showed other brain changes similar to those observed in human patients with schizophrenia, a study has found. ... > full story
Atmospheric nanoparticles impact health, weather professor says (March 11, 2010) -- Nanoparticles are atmospheric materials so small that they can't be seen with the naked eye, but they can very visibly affect both weather patterns and human health all over the world -- and not in a good way, according to a new study. ... > full story
Scientists make important discovery in gene regulation (March 11, 2010) -- Scientists have a greater understanding of how our genes are controlled following a major research project. The findings of the study, which looked at how proteins work as teams to control genes in the cells, could also help to unravel the mechanisms of disease such as cancer. ... > full story
Male batterers consistently overestimate rates of violence toward partners, study finds (March 11, 2010) -- Men who engaged in domestic violence consistently overestimated how common such behavior is by two or three times, and the more they overestimated it the more they engaged in abusing their partner in the previous 90 days. ... > full story
Brain mechanism may explain alcohol cravings that drive relapse (March 11, 2010) -- New research provides exciting insight into the molecular mechanisms associated with addiction and relapse. The study uncovers a crucial mechanism that facilitates motivation for alcohol after extended abstinence and opens new avenues for potential therapeutic intervention. ... > full story
Temporary hearing deprivation can lead to 'lazy ear' (March 11, 2010) -- Scientists have gained new insight into why a relatively short-term hearing deprivation during childhood may lead to persistent hearing deficits, long after hearing is restored to normal. The research reveals that, much like the visual cortex, development of the auditory cortex is quite vulnerable if it does not receive appropriate stimulation at just the right time. ... > full story
Obesity linked to poor colon cancer prognosis (March 11, 2010) -- Obese patients with colon cancer are at greater risk for death or recurrent disease compared to those who are within a normal weight range, according to a new study. ... > full story
Students' perceptions of Earth's age influence acceptance of human evolution (March 11, 2010) -- High school and college students who understand the geological age of the Earth (4.5 billion years) are much more likely to understand and accept human evolution, according to a new study. A 2009 Gallup poll reported that 16 percent of biology teachers believe God created humans in their present form at some time during the last 10,000 years. ... > full story
Experimental drug that mimics thryoid hormone safely lowers 'bad' cholesterol (March 11, 2010) -- People whose "bad" cholesterol and risk of future heart disease stay too high despite cholesterol-lowering statin therapy can safely lower it by adding a drug that mimics the action of thyroid hormone. ... > full story
Study finds elevated levels of cobalt and chromium in offspring of patients with metal-on-metal hip implants (March 11, 2010) -- Hip replacement patients with metal-on-metal implants (both the socket and hip ball are metal) pass metal ions to their infants during pregnancy, according to a new study. ... > full story
Game on? Video-game ownership may interfere with young boys' academic functioning (March 11, 2010) -- According to new findings, owning a video-game system may hamper academic development in some children. Boys who received a video-game system immediately had significantly lower reading and writing scores after four months than boys receiving a video-game system at the end of the experiment. Further analysis revealed that the time spent playing video games may link the relationship between owning a video-game system and reading and writing scores. ... > full story
Sequencing genome of entire family reveals parents give kids fewer gene mutations than was thought (March 11, 2010) -- Researchers have sequenced for the first time the entire genome of a family, enabling them to accurately estimate the average rate at which parents pass genetic mutations to their offspring and also identify precise locations where parental chromosomes exchange information that creates new combinations of genetic traits in their children. ... > full story
Gastric bypass surgery increases risk of kidney stones, study suggests (March 11, 2010) -- Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery experience changes in their urine composition that increase their risk of developing kidney stones, research suggests. ... > full story
Warfarin users appear more likely to develop brain bleeding following stroke treatment (March 11, 2010) -- Patients already taking warfarin who develop an acute stroke appear more likely to experience a brain hemorrhage following treatment with an intravenous clot-dissolving medication, even if their blood clotting function appears normal, according to a new study. ... > full story
Behavioral problems in childhood doubles the risk of chronic widespread pain in adult life (March 11, 2010) -- Bad behavior in childhood is associated with long-term, chronic widespread pain in adult life, according to the findings of a study following nearly 20,000 people from birth in 1958 to the present day. The research found that children with severe behavior disturbances had approximately double the risk of chronic widespread pain by the time they reached the age of 45 than children who did not have behavior problems. ... > full story
Potential for using algae to produce human therapeutic proteins shown (March 11, 2010) -- Pharmaceutical companies could substantially reduce the expense of costly treatments for cancer and other diseases produced from mammalian or bacterial cells by growing these human therapeutic proteins in algae -- rapidly growing aquatic plant cells that have recently gained attention for their ability to produce biofuels. ... > full story
Mouse model reveals a cause of ADHD (March 11, 2010) -- Although it's typically considered an adolescent curse, ADHD actually affects about five percent of adults as well. New research in a mouse model of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder suggests that the root of the psychiatric disorder might be the over-activity of a protein that regulates dopaminergic pathways. The work suggests a path toward new treatments for symptoms including inattentiveness, over-activity and impulsivity. ... > full story
Emerging tick-borne disease (March 11, 2010) -- A new assay allows scientists to discover whether ticks are carrying disease-causing bacteria and which animals provided their last blood meal. Assay results suggest three emerging diseases in the St. Louis area are carried by lone star ticks feeding on record-high populations of white tailed deer. ... > full story
Link between brain chemical, cognitive decline in schizophrenia demonstrated (March 11, 2010) -- In one of the first such studies involving human patients with schizophrenia, researchers have provided evidence that deficits in a brain chemical may be responsible for some of the debilitating cognitive deficits -- poor attention, memory and problem-solving abilities -- that accompany the delusions and hallucinations that are the hallmarks of the disorder. ... > full story
Frequent napping linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes in older adults (March 11, 2010) -- A study shows that frequent napping is associated with an elevated prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in an older Chinese population. ... > full story
Poorer breast cancer survival associated with micrometastases in axillary lymph nodes (March 11, 2010) -- Metastases that were 2 millimeters or less in diameter ("micrometastases") in axillary lymph nodes detected on examination of a single section of the lymph nodes were associated with poorer disease-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients, according to a new study. ... > full story
Patient safety reporting and drug label accuracy missing vital information, expert says (March 11, 2010) -- An expert calls for change in the way researchers and pharmaceutical companies collect and report adverse symptom information in clinical trials submitted to the Food and Drug Administration, and how the FDA represents this information on drug labels. ... > full story
Molecule tells key brain cells to grow up, get to work (March 10, 2010) -- About four out of every 10 cells in the brain are so-called oligodendrocytes. These cells produce the all-important myelin that coats nerve tracts, ensuring fast, energy-efficient transmission of nerve impulses. Scientists have now identified a molecular master switch that catalyzes these cells' transition to mature, myelin-making mavens. ... > full story
Sonic hedgehog gene found in an unexpected place during limb development (March 10, 2010) -- Sonic hedgehog is at work in mice limb buds in what is known as the ectoderm, the cell layer that gives rise to skin, researchers discovered. Finding Sonic hedgehog here is akin to discovering that yeast has crept from the batter to the frosting, where it has the surprising effect of limiting how much the cake rises. In this case, instead of causing appendages to grow in mice, Sonic hedgehog prevents digits from developing. ... > full story
ATV and motocross sports: High velocity toys merit caution, experts say (March 10, 2010) -- Over the years, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motocross motorcycles have gained popularity and marketed as toys to consumers. These high-velocity machines can weigh between 300 and 600 pounds, and run on average between 25 and 60 miles per hour, while some even reach maximum speeds of 75 miles per hour. In 2008, nearly 28 percent of all ATV-related injuries were to children younger than 16. There were an estimated 135,000 injuries for riders of all ages for ATV use. A majority of ATV injuries happen from tipping, overturning or multiple riders. ... > full story
Discovery of 'fat' taste could hold the key to reducing obesity (March 10, 2010) -- A newly discovered ability for people to taste fat could hold the key to reducing obesity, researchers believe. They also found that people with a high sensitivity to the taste of fat tended to eat less fatty foods and were less likely to be overweight ... > full story
First inherited prostate cancer genetic mutation in African-American men identified (March 10, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered, for the first time, a genetic mutation in African-American men with a family history of prostate cancer who are at increased risk for the disease. The team identified an inheritable genetic defect in the receptor for the male hormone, androgen (testosterone), that may contribute to the development of prostate cancer and its progression. ... > full story
Osteoporosis drug improves healing after rotator cuff surgery (March 10, 2010) -- Tears in the shoulder's rotator cuff, a common sports injury, are painful and restricting. New research shows an approved therapy for osteoporosis, Forteo, may speed healing and improve patient outcomes, according to a preliminary study. ... > full story
Physicians click their way to better prescriptions (March 10, 2010) -- Is it time for all community-based doctors to turn to e-prescribing to cut down on the number of medication errors? Electronic prescriptions can dramatically reduce prescribing errors -- up to seven-fold, according to a new study of the benefits of e-prescribing in primary care practices. ... > full story
Hormone thought to slow aging associated with increased risk of cancer death (March 10, 2010) -- Older men with high levels of the hormone IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor 1) are at increased risk of cancer death, independent of age, lifestyle and cancer history, according to a new study. ... > full story
Papaya extract thwarts growth of cancer cells in lab tests (March 10, 2010) -- Papaya extract seems to have a toxic effect on cancer cells in culture, suggesting a potential treatment. Scientists documented for the first time that papaya leaf extract boosts the production of key signaling molecules called Th1-type cytokines. This regulation of the immune system, in addition to papaya's direct anti-tumor effect on various cancers, suggests possible therapeutic strategies that use the immune system to fight cancers. ... > full story
Obese 3-year-olds show early warning signs for future heart disease (March 10, 2010) -- A new study finds that obese children as young as 3 years old have elevated levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation that in adults is considered an early warning sign for possible future heart disease. ... > full story
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