ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, March 15, 2010
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Caution urged in reducing blood pressure in patients with diabetes, coronary disease (March 15, 2010) -- Systolic blood pressure levels between 130 and 140 appear to be the most healthful for patients with both diabetes and coronary artery disease, according to new findings. ... > full story
New risk score tool more accurately predicts patients' risk for cardiac disease and death, study finds (March 15, 2010) -- By combining patients' Framingham Risk Score with new Intermountain Risk Score, researchers found that they were 30 percent more likely to correctly determine a woman's risk, and 57 percent more likely to determine a man's risk for a cardiovascular problem or death within 30 days of an angiography. ... > full story
Hutterite study: Vaccinating children for flu may help prevent transmission, protect those who are not vaccinated (March 15, 2010) -- Immunizing children and adolescents with inactivated influenza vaccine resulted in reduced rates of influenza in their community compared to a similar community in which children did not receive the vaccine, suggesting that vaccinating children may help prevent transmission of the virus and offer protection for unimmunized community residents, according to a new study of Hutterite communities. ... > full story
Intensive blood pressure, combined lipid therapies do not help adults with diabetes, study finds (March 15, 2010) -- Lowering blood pressure to normal levels -- below currently recommended levels -- did not significantly reduce the combined risk of fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular disease events in adults with type 2 diabetes who were at especially high risk for cardiovascular disease events, according to new results. ... > full story
Donating kidney does not appear to significantly increase long-term risk of death (March 15, 2010) -- An analysis of outcomes for live kidney donors in the US over a 15 year period finds they have similar long-term survival rates compared to healthy individuals who were not kidney donors, according to a new study. ... > full story
One-page questionnaire is effective screening tool for common psychiatric disorders (March 15, 2010) -- A one-page, 27-item questionnaire that is available free online is a valid and effective tool to help primary care doctors screen patients for four common psychiatric illnesses, a new study concludes. ... > full story
Why surprises temporarily blind us (March 14, 2010) -- New research reveals for the first time how our brains coordinate two different types of attention and why we may be temporarily blinded by surprises. ... > full story
Stem cell research shows promise for tissue-engineered vascular grafts (March 14, 2010) -- Researchers are the first to fully characterize a special type of stem cell, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) that exist in circulating blood, to see if they can behave as endothelial cells in the body when cultured on a bioengineered surface. The results show promise for a new generation of tissue-engineered vascular grafts which could improve the success rate of surgery for peripheral arterial disease. ... > full story
A sporting chance for active total knee replacement patients (March 14, 2010) -- Total knee arthroplasty patients may be able to participate in high-impact sports without increasing risk of early implant failure, according to a new study. ... > full story
Different fat types can help or hinder obese girls' bone health (March 14, 2010) -- Obese teenage girls with a greater ratio of visceral fat (fat around internal organs) to subcutaneous fat (fat found just beneath the skin) are likely to have lower bone density than peers with a lower ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat, according to a new study. ... > full story
Discovery of cellular 'switch' may provide new means of triggering cell death, treating disease (March 14, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a previously unknown cellular "switch" that may provide researchers with a new means of triggering programmed cell death, findings with implications for treating cancer. ... > full story
Designer nano luggage to carry drugs to diseased cells (March 14, 2010) -- Scientists have succeeded in growing empty particles derived from a plant virus and have made them carry useful chemicals. The external surface of these nano containers could be decorated with molecules that guide them to where they are needed in the body, before the chemical load is discharged to exert its effect on diseased cells. The containers are particles of the Cowpea mosaic virus, which is ideally suited for designing biomaterial at the nanoscale. ... > full story
Quantum dots spotlight DNA-repair proteins in motion (March 14, 2010) -- Repair proteins appear to efficiently scan the genome for errors by jumping like fleas between DNA molecules, sliding along the strands, and perhaps pausing at suspicious spots, say researchers who tagged the proteins with quantum dots to watch the action unfold. ... > full story
New tool for operations on people with severe or profound auditory loss (March 14, 2010) -- Engineers and doctors have designed a new tool for operating on the inner ear with maximum precision, reducing the possibility of damage to the auditory function during the surgery. This is the first micromanipulator specifically for operations involving cochlear and middle ear implants, of which about a hundred are carried out in this hospital annually. ... > full story
Scientists identify key protein from mitochondria in energy regulation (March 14, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that governs this pathway and in the process identified a novel potential therapeutic target for controlling fat metabolism. ... > full story
African-Americans have highest stroke rate, southerners more likely to die, study finds (March 14, 2010) -- African-Americans age 65 and younger are more than twice as likely to have a stroke compared with Caucasians in any region, and people who have a stroke are more likely to die in the South than elsewhere, according to researchers. ... > full story
Scientists identify driving forces in human cell division (March 14, 2010) -- Using a novel imaging system for quantifying aspects of cell division in three dimensions, scientists have discovered new interactions between sister kinetochores -- the protein bundles at the contact point between the two identical strands of a chromosome -- and the microtubule motors that help pull the strands apart. ... > full story
Effort aims to spike breast cancer with new approach (March 14, 2010) -- Many women live with breast cancer that does not respond to standard medical treatment, a condition that researchers want to change by aggressively targeting specific genes. ... > full story
New clues about the basis of muscle wasting disease (March 14, 2010) -- New findings shed light on how genetic damage to muscle cell proteins can lead to the development of the rare muscle-wasting disease, nemaline myopathy. ... > full story
Barrier in mosquito midgut protects invading pathogens (March 14, 2010) -- Scientists studying the Anopheles gambiae mosquito have found that the act of feeding triggers two enzymes to form a protective barrier that prevents the mosquito's immune defense system from clearing disease-causing agents that can be passed on to humans. Disrupting the protein barrier can trigger mosquito immune defenses to intervene and protect the insect from infection. This finding could inform new strategies for blocking malaria transmission. ... > full story
12 year olds more likely to use potentially deadly inhalants than cigarettes or marijuana (March 14, 2010) -- More 12 year olds have used potentially lethal inhalants than have used marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens combined, according to new data. ... > full story
Human cells exhibit foraging behavior like amoebae and bacteria (March 13, 2010) -- When cells move about in the body, they follow a complex pattern similar to that which amoebae and bacteria use when searching for food, researchers have found. ... > full story
New insight into brain's decision-making process (March 13, 2010) -- The hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for memory, has long been known to "replay" recently experienced events. Previously, replay was believed to be a simple process of reviewing recent experiences in order to help consolidate them into long-term memory. However, new research shows the phenomenon of memory replay is much more complex, cognitive process that may help an animal maintain its internal representation of the world, or its cognitive map. ... > full story
Effects of lifestyle and exposures are mirrored in blood gene expression (March 13, 2010) -- A study by Norwegian and French researchers hopes to provide new understanding of how blood cells adjust gene expression in response to various clinical, biochemical and pathological conditions. The Norwegian Woman and Cancer postgenome study highlights numerous blood gene sets affected by one's physical condition, lifestyle factors and exposure variables. ... > full story
Brain tumor's 'grow-or-go' switch discovered (March 13, 2010) -- High energy levels cause glioblastoma cells to proliferate; low levels cause them to grow less and to migrate. This study discovered that a molecule called miR-451 coordinates this grow-or-go behavior, which is closely linked to the cells' ability to invade and spread. Thus, the molecule might be a biomarker for predicting survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme and may serve as a target to develop drugs to fight these tumors. ... > full story
Exploiting the architecture of cancers may lead to their destruction (March 13, 2010) -- To grow larger, solid tumors require a network of blood vessels to nourish them. Chemotherapy exploits these vessels to deliver toxic drugs, but is inefficient if the drugs cannot pass quickly enough from the bloodstream into the tumor. A new study describes a way of transiently making the tumor blood vessels leakier, allowing more efficient drug uptake. This work may ultimately enhance delivery of chemotherapies into tumor tissue. ... > full story
Best treatment for childhood epilepsy suggested by new research (March 13, 2010) -- One of the oldest available anti-seizure medications, ethosuximide, is the most effective treatment for childhood absence epilepsy, according to initial outcomes. ... > full story
Different signal paths for spontaneous and deliberate activation of memories (March 13, 2010) -- Entirely different signal paths and parts of the brain are involved when you try to remember something and when you just happen to remember something, prompted by a smell, a picture, or a word, for instance. ... > full story
Breakthroughs in treatment of spine and back conditions (March 13, 2010) -- Approximately 21 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to back problems in 2006. While countless adults experience back pain and stiffness, many suffer from serious spine and back conditions -- including injury, herniated discs and the deterioration of the vertebrae. Three new studies detail advances in back care and treatment options for specific back and spine conditions. ... > full story
Knee replacement in elderly patients shown to improve balance (March 13, 2010) -- Total knee replacement (TKR) successfully relieves pain and improves function in patients with advanced knee arthritis, according to a new study. ... > full story
PEGylated dendrimers: A novel mechanism of drug delivery (March 13, 2010) -- A research team has shown how PEGylated polylysine dendrimers, a new type of nano-sized drug delivery system, can be altered to target either the lymphatic system or the bloodstream, which may improve the treatment of particular types of diseases. ... > full story
Communication often fumbled during patient hand-offs in hospital (March 13, 2010) -- As shifts change in a hospital, outgoing physicians must "hand off" important information to their replacements in a brief meeting. But a new study of this hand-off process finds that the most important information is not fully conveyed in a majority of cases, even as physicians rate their communication as successful. ... > full story
Tumors may respond to extreme and moderate heat (March 12, 2010) -- Aided by ultrasound guidance, treating tumors with extreme heat or moderate heat may provide a possible therapeutic option, according to early research. ... > full story
New research aims to prevent 'sudden cardiac arrest' (March 12, 2010) -- Scientists are investigating the cause and effects of Sudden Cardiac Arrest syndrome. This team is hot on the trail of understanding how a multi-gene syndrome, one of the causes for SCA, operates inside the body. Once they figure out how the disorder operates and describe its molecular system in detail, they hope to develop a drug or therapy to stop this condition before it strikes. ... > full story
High-intensity interval training is time-efficient and effective, study suggests (March 12, 2010) -- The usual excuse of "lack of time" for not doing enough exercise is blown away by new research. The study adds to the growing evidence for the benefits of short term high-intensity interval training (HIT) as a time-efficient but safe alternative to traditional types of moderate long term exercise. Astonishingly, it is possible to get more by doing less! ... > full story
Children with chronic respiratory illness are vulnerable to critical H1N1 (March 12, 2010) -- As critical care professionals develop a better understanding of the progression of H1N1, they are becoming better prepared to treat children with severe cases. Additionally, with careful management, the pediatric critical care system is expected to be able to meet the increased demands of a flu pandemic. ... > full story
New way to get physical in fight against cancer (March 12, 2010) -- Researchers have shown that the biochemical activity of a key player in cancer metastasis can be altered by the application of a direct physical force. This new way in which cells can sense and respond to physical forces presents a new road for future cancer therapies. ... > full story
Powerful molecule regulator in blood pressure control system (March 12, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered that nitric oxide is a powerful regulator of a molecule that plays a critical role in the development and function of the nervous system. The finding could someday play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure, which affects about one in three adults in the United States. ... > full story
First direct evidence of neuroplastic changes following brainwave training (March 12, 2010) -- Significant changes in brain plasticity have been observed following alpha brainwave training. Researchers have discovered the first evidence of neuroplastic changes occurring directly after natural brainwave training. They have demonstrated that half an hour of voluntary control of brain rhythms is sufficient to induce a lasting shift in cortical excitability and intracortical function. ... > full story
Scientists identify microRNA as possible cause of chemotherapy resistance (March 12, 2010) -- Scientists may have uncovered a mechanism for resistance to paclitaxel in ovarian cancer, microRNA-31, suggesting a possible therapeutic target for overcoming chemotherapy resistance. ... > full story
Contraceptive pill not associated with increased long-term risk of death, study finds (March 12, 2010) -- Women in the UK who have ever used the oral contraceptive pill are less likely to die from any cause, including all cancers and heart disease, compared with never users, according to new research. ... > full story
High-tech armrest: Computer-controlled hand and arm support devise developed for doctors, artists (March 12, 2010) -- Engineers developed a computer-controlled, motorized hand and arm support that will let doctors, artists and others precisely control scalpels, brushes and tools over a wider area than otherwise possible, and with less fatigue. ... > full story
R-rated movies increase likelihood of underage children trying alcohol (March 12, 2010) -- R-rated movies portray violence and other behaviors deemed inappropriate for children under 17 year of age. A new study finds one more reason why parents should not let their kids watch those movies: adolescents who watch R-rated movies are more likely to try alcohol at a young age. ... > full story
Seaweed extract may hold promise for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment (March 12, 2010) -- Seaweed extract may eventually emerge as a lymphoma treatment, according to laboratory research. Seaweeds containing fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide similar to heparin in chemical structure, have been reported to have anti-tumor activity in mice and some cell lines. ... > full story
Research points to way to improve heart treatment (March 12, 2010) -- Current drugs used to treat heart failure and irregular heartbeat have limited effectiveness and have side effects. New basic science findings suggest a way that treatments could potentially be refined so that they work better and target only key heart-related mechanisms. ... > full story
After a fight with a partner, brain activity predicts emotional resiliency (March 12, 2010) -- Neural activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex can predict whether an individual will still be upset on the day after a conflict with his or her partner, according to new research. The findings point to the brain region's role in emotion regulation, and suggest that greater activity in this area might lead to improvement in day-to-day mood. ... > full story
Scientists discover 600 million-year-old origins of vision (March 12, 2010) -- By studying the hydra, a member of an ancient group of sea creatures that is still flourishing, scientists have made a discovery in understanding the origins of human vision. ... > full story
Immune cells that fight parasites may promote allergies and asthma (March 12, 2010) -- Millions of people in both the developing and developed world may benefit from new immune-system research findings that identify a cell population that fights off parasitic infections but also causes allergies and asthma. ... > full story
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