ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Thursday, May 26, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Thursday, May 26, 2011

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Scientists trick the brain into experiencing Barbie-doll size (May 26, 2011) -- Imagine shrinking to the size of a doll in your sleep. When you wake up, will you perceive yourself as tiny or the world as being populated by giants? Researchers may have found the answer. Researchers found that the size of our bodies has a profound effect on how we perceive the space around us. ... > full story

Unique nerve-stimulation treatment proves effective against drug-resistant epilepsy, study suggests (May 26, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a noninvasive, nonpharmaceutical treatment called trigeminal nerve stimulation to control epileptic seizures. ... > full story

Substance in tangerines fights obesity and protects against heart disease, research suggests (May 26, 2011) -- A substance in tangerines not only helps to prevent obesity, but also offers protection against type 2 diabetes, and even atherosclerosis, the underlying disease responsible for most heart attacks and strokes, new research suggests. ... > full story

Babies born earlier in areas near busy road junctions (May 26, 2011) -- A study of 970 women and their babies found that living near a large number of road junctions increased the risk of pre-term birth. ... > full story

Thirty percent of women would trade at least one year of their life to achieve their ideal body weight and shape, UK study finds (May 26, 2011) -- New research in the UK has found that 30 percent of women would trade at least one year of their life to achieve their ideal body weight and shape. ... > full story

Violent video games reduce brain response to violence and increase aggressive behavior, study suggests (May 26, 2011) -- Scientists have known for years that playing violent video games causes players to become more aggressive. The findings of a new study provide one explanation for why this occurs: the brains of violent video game players become less responsive to violence, and this diminished brain response predicts an increase in aggression. ... > full story

Pelvic widening continues throughout a person's lifetime (May 26, 2011) -- A new study has found evidence that, even though you're not getting taller anymore, the pelvis ("hipbones") does continue to widen as people advance in age from 20 years to 79 years. ... > full story

Orthodontic researchers ask: Where's your retainer? (May 26, 2011) -- Have you been wearing your retainer? It's a question countless parents ask of their children post-braces. Now researchers are getting serious about the question. ... > full story

Personal music selections change when they can be viewed by the public (May 26, 2011) -- Providing information on your music consumption publicly can change it. A small study finds that people are willing to put a lot of effort into maintaining a desirable public image, yet they also want to be truthful. When information about music preferences is published automatically, youth and young adults are reluctant to digitally "cheat" about their musical choices. Instead, they change the music they listen to. ... > full story

Large rehabilitation study looks at getting stroke patients back on their feet (May 25, 2011) -- In the largest stroke rehabilitation study ever conducted in the United States, stroke patients who had physical therapy at home improved their ability to walk just as well as those who were treated in a training program that requires the use of a body-weight supported treadmill device followed by walking practice. ... > full story

Long-term study of swine flu viruses shows increasing viral diversity (May 25, 2011) -- Although swine influenza viruses usually sicken only pigs, potentially one might also spark a pandemic in people, as occurred with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Because few long-term studies have surveyed flu viruses in swine, however, gaps exist in what is known about the evolution of swine influenza viruses and the conditions that enable a swine virus to infect humans and cause disease. Increased transportation of live pigs appears to have driven an increase in the diversity of swine influenza viruses found in the animals in Hong Kong over the last three decades, according to a new study. ... > full story

2020 vision of vaccines for malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS (May 25, 2011) -- In a new article, experts discuss recent advances in vaccine development. New tools including systems biology and structure-based antigen design could lead to a deeper understanding of mechanisms of protection and illuminate the path to rational vaccine development to lift the burden of the world's most devastating infectious diseases. ... > full story

Female drunk-drivers tend to be older, better-educated, and no longer married (May 25, 2011) -- Female drunk-drivers are more likely to be older, better-educated and divorced, widowed or separated, new research has shown. ... > full story

Vitamin D increases speed of sperm cells, researchers discover (May 25, 2011) -- Vitamin D is important for optimal reproductive function in both animals and humans. It has long been known that serum vitamin D level is important for reproductive function in various animals, but now researchers in Denmark have shown that this relationship can also be demonstrated in humans. ... > full story

Many patients fail to properly take oral chemo, leading to complications (May 25, 2011) -- As the use of oral chemotherapy continues to rise, researchers have discovered many patients fail to properly take the cancer-fighting medication, a significant clinical problem that can result in complications and premature death. That lack of adherence needs to be addressed by the health care community, say the study's authors. ... > full story

Economic recovery is stronger in states where people are more optimistic (May 25, 2011) -- Economic recessions are weaker, expansions are stronger, and economic recovery is faster in US states where people are more optimistic says a new study. Further, the effects are stronger in states where people are older, less educated and less socially connected. ... > full story

Lecithin component may reduce fatty liver, improve insulin sensitivity (May 25, 2011) -- A natural product called DLPC (dilauroyl phosphatidylcholine) increases sensitivity to insulin and reduces fatty liver in mice, leading researchers to believe it may provide a treatment for prediabetic patients. DLPC is an unusual phospholipid and a trace component of the dietary supplement lecithin. ... > full story

Nearly one in five young adults has high blood pressure, study shows (May 25, 2011) -- The number of young adults in the United States with high blood pressure may be much higher than previously reported, according to a new study. ... > full story

Women who start prenatal vitamins early are less likely to have children with autism, study finds (May 25, 2011) -- Women who reported not taking a daily prenatal vitamin immediately before and during the first month of pregnancy were nearly twice as likely to have a child with an autism spectrum disorder as women who did take the supplements -- and the associated risk rose to seven times as great when combined with a high-risk genetic make-up, a new study has found. ... > full story

Enzyme prevents fatal heart condition associated with athletes (May 25, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered an important enzyme molecule that may prevent fatal cardiac disorders associated with cardiac hypertrophy – the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. ... > full story

Improving health assessments with a single cell: Portable microchip for immune monitoring and clinical applications (May 25, 2011) -- There's a wealth of health information hiding in the human immune system. Accessing it, however, can be very challenging, as the many and complex roles that the immune system plays can mask the critical information that is relevant to addressing specific health issues. Now, research has shown that a new generation of microchips can quickly and inexpensively assess immune function. ... > full story

Chlorine and childhood cancer (May 25, 2011) -- A significant positive association between the risk of childhood leukemia and levels of chlorine-containing chemicals in the atmosphere has been found by researchers in Portugal. ... > full story

New protein linked to Alzheimer's disease (May 25, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a molecule called c-Abl that has a known role in leukemia also has a hand in Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story

New-onset atrial fibrillation in initially healthy women may increase risk of premature death (May 25, 2011) -- In a follow-up of participants from the Women's Health Study, seemingly healthy middle-aged women with new-onset atrial fibrillation had an associated increased risk of cardiovascular, non-cardiovascular, and all-cause death, with some of the risk potentially explained by nonfatal cardiovascular events, according to a new study. ... > full story

Why people with schizophrenia may have trouble reading social cues (May 25, 2011) -- Impairments to a brain area responsible for processing social stimuli may help explain why individuals with schizophrenia have trouble reading social cues. ... > full story

Hips take walking in stride, ankles put best foot forward in run (May 25, 2011) -- In a first-of-its-kind study comparing human walking and running motions -- and whether the hips, knees or ankles are the most important power sources for these motions -- researchers show that the hips generate more of the power when people walk, but the ankles generate more of the power when humans run. Knees provide approximately one-fifth or less of walking or running power. ... > full story

Simple method of dealing with harmful radioactive iodine discovered (May 25, 2011) -- A novel way to immobilize radioactive forms of iodine using a microwave has been discovered. Iodine radioisotopes are produced by fission of uranium fuel in a nuclear reactor. Radioactive iodine is of concern because it is highly mobile in the environment and selective uptake by the thyroid gland can pose a significant cancer risk following long term exposure. ... > full story

Increasing daily calcium will not reduce the risk of fractures in later life, study suggests (May 25, 2011) -- While moderate amounts of calcium (around 700 mg a day) are vital for maintaining healthy bones, there is no need to start increasing calcium intake in order to reduce the risk of fractures or osteoporosis in later life, according to new research. ... > full story

Your culture may influence your perception of death (May 25, 2011) -- Contemplating mortality can be terrifying. But not everyone responds to that terror in the same way. Now, a new study finds cultural differences in how people respond to mortality. European-Americans get worried and try to protect their sense of self, while Asian-Americans are more likely to reach out to others. ... > full story

Heart failure risk lower in women who often eat baked/broiled fish (May 25, 2011) -- Risk of developing heart failure may be lower for postmenopausal women who frequently eat baked or broiled fish, but higher for those who eat more fried fish, according to researchers. In a recent study, dark fish such as salmon was healthier for the heart than tuna or white fish such as sole. Eating fried fish one or more times per week was associated with a 48 percent higher risk of heart failure in postmenopausal women compared to those who ate it infrequently. ... > full story

Low-risk patients screened for heart disease tend to receive more preventive care and testing, but outcomes may not be different (May 25, 2011) -- Screening for coronary heart disease (CHD) among individuals at low risk of the condition is associated with increased use of medications (such as aspirin and statins) and increased additional testing, but no difference in cardiac events at 18 months, according to a new report. ... > full story

Migration an overlooked health policy issue, experts say (May 25, 2011) -- If internal and international migrants comprised a nation, it would be the third most populous country in the world, just after China and India. Thus, there can be little doubt that population mobility is among the leading policy issues of the 21st century. However, policies to protect migrants and global health have so far been hampered by inadequate policy attention and poor international coordination. ... > full story

Injection therapy for sudden hearing loss disorder may be suitable alternative to oral steroids (May 25, 2011) -- Treating idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss with injections of steroids directly into the ear appears to result in recovery of hearing that is not less than recovery obtained with the standard therapy of oral corticosteroids and may be a preferable treatment for some patients to avoid the potential adverse effects of oral steroids, according to a new study. ... > full story

Healing power of hydrogen peroxide: How injured cells regenerate during wound healing (May 25, 2011) -- New information has come to light explaining how injured skin cells and touch-sensing nerve fibers regenerate during wound healing. It was found that a chemical signal released by wounded skin cells promotes the regeneration of sensory fibers, thus helping to ensure that touch sensation is restored to healing skin. The reactive oxygen species hydrogen peroxide, which is found at high concentrations at wounds, was found to be a key component of this signal. ... > full story

Medical students have substantial exposure to pharmaceutical industry marketing (May 25, 2011) -- Medical students in the United States are frequently exposed to pharmaceutical marketing, even in their preclinical years, and the extent of their contact with industry is associated with positive attitudes about marketing and skepticism towards any negative implications. ... > full story

Certain biomarkers appear to increase risk of death for elderly patients with heart failure symptoms (May 24, 2011) -- Elderly patients with symptoms of heart failure and increased concentrations in the blood of the biomarker copeptin, or a combination of elevated concentrations of copeptin and the biomarker NT-proBNP, had an associated increased risk of all-cause death, according to a new study. ... > full story

Biomedical engineering students fight hypothermia on the battlefield (May 24, 2011) -- A team of biomedical engineering students is developing a new device to combat hypothermia among wounded soldiers. ... > full story

Study finds widening gap between distracted driving and legislation (May 24, 2011) -- Laws to prevent distracted driving, particularly in relation to cell phone use, have multiplied; a new study finds that there is a widening gap between the data on distracted driving and the laws used to curb it. ... > full story

Population genetics reveals shared ancestries: DNA links modern Europeans, Middle Easterners to Sub-Saharan Africans (May 24, 2011) -- More than just a tool for predicting health, modern genetics is upending long-held assumptions about who we are. A recent study casts new light on the intermingling and migration of European, Middle Eastern and African and populations since ancient times. ... > full story

Brisk walking may help men with prostate cancer, study finds (May 24, 2011) -- A study of 1,455 US men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer has found a link between brisk walking and lowered risk of prostate cancer progression, according to scientists. ... > full story

What makes an image memorable? (May 24, 2011) -- Neuroscientists shows that the most memorable photos are those that contain people, followed by static indoor scenes and human-scale objects. Landscapes? They may be beautiful, but they are, in most cases, utterly forgettable. ... > full story

Kids dependent on long-term ventilation require longer, more expensive hospital care, study finds (May 24, 2011) -- A new study found that children with complex chronic conditions who require long-term mechanical ventilation have significantly higher mortality, longer length of hospitalizations, higher mean charges, and more emergency department admissions. ... > full story

Mexico social distancing reduced flu transmission: H1N1 study shows closing schools, other measures effective (May 24, 2011) -- Social distancing measures proved effective according to a new study that examined the H1N1 pandemic in Mexico. The study shows three distinct pandemic waves. Results will aid health officials plan for future pandemics. ... > full story

Bipolar disorder and postural control: Mind-body connection suggests new directions for treatment, research (May 24, 2011) -- A new study suggests that postural control problems may be a core feature of bipolar disorder, not just a random symptom, and can provide insights both into areas of the brain affected by the psychiatric disorder and new potential targets for treatment. The findings raises the question of whether therapies that improve motor symptoms may also help mood disorders. ... > full story

Cockroach allergens in homes associated with prevalence of childhood asthma in some neighborhoods (May 24, 2011) -- Researchers compared the household presence of cockroach, mouse, cat, dust mite and other allergens in neighborhoods with a high prevalence of asthma to that in low-prevalence neighborhoods. They found that cockroach, mouse and cat allergens were significantly higher in homes located in neighborhoods where asthma is more common and that children in these higher-exposure homes were more likely to be sensitized to cockroach antigens. ... > full story

Theater-goers, volunteers take heart: Cultural activities are good for your health, Norwegian study finds (May 24, 2011) -- Does going to the theater make you feel good? Or perhaps you love to volunteer in creating exhibits and displays for the local library? A new study from researchers in Norway shows that participating in different cultural activities -- whether in schools, at church, or in the community at large -- is more than just good for your friends and neighbors. It is also good for your health. ... > full story

Acetaminophen linked to lower prostate cancer risk in new study (May 24, 2011) -- A new study finds use of 30 tablets a month or more of acetaminophen for five or more years was associated with an estimated 38 percent lower risk of prostate cancer. ... > full story

Antibody-guided drug works against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (May 24, 2011) -- An antibody packaged with a potent chemotherapy drug to selectively destroy acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells eradicated or greatly reduced the disease for 61 percent of 46 patients in a phase II study. ... > full story

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