ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Tuesday, May 31, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

Dietary inorganic nitrate may reduce heart dysfunction caused by powerful anti-cancer drug (May 31, 2011) -- Researchers have found that nutrient supplementation, like the kind that is found in leafy greens, spinach and lettuce, may reduce the damage to the heart caused by a powerful anti-cancer drug. ... > full story

Study reveals need for personalized approach in treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (May 31, 2011) -- A new discovery in mice may one day allow doctors to spare some patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from toxic treatments, while also opening the door for new therapeutic research. ... > full story

Acupuncture of benefit to those with unexplained symptoms, study suggests (May 31, 2011) -- Researchers have carried out a randomized control trial and a linked interview study regarding 80 such patients from GP practices across London, to investigate their experiences of having five-element acupuncture added to their usual care. This is the first trial of traditional acupuncture for people with unexplained symptoms. ... > full story

Scientists recreate brain cell networks providing view of activity behind memory formation (May 31, 2011) -- Researchers have reproduced the brain's complex electrical impulses onto models made of living brain cells that provide an unprecedented view of the neuron activity behind memory formation. ... > full story

Detecting lung cancer early: Researchers lay foundation for future blood test (May 31, 2011) -- A person's blood reveals whether he or she has lung cancer, according to researchers in Germany. The scientists are developing a blood test for smokers which could save human lives in the future, since the earlier a lung tumor is detected, the better the chances of survival are. ... > full story

Simple new bedside screening effectively identifies patients with acute aortic dissection (May 31, 2011) -- The most lethal and sudden heart event can be the toughest for doctors to diagnose. But a new study shows a simple, new bedside test is effective for determining who's most likely suffering from aortic dissection, a painful tearing in the lining of the body's largest blood vessel. Aortic dissection lead to the sudden death of award-winning TV actor John Ritter in 2003. ... > full story

More focus needed on mental health triage in disaster preparedness, bioethicists urge (May 31, 2011) -- Bioethicists say disaster-response planning has overlooked the needs of people who suffer from pre-existing, serious mental conditions. Survivors already diagnosed with schizophrenia, dementia, addictions and bipolar disorder are vulnerable long before disaster strikes, they point out. ... > full story

Mutated muscle protein can cause deafness: Gene mutations on X chromosome lead to progressive hearing impairment (May 30, 2011) -- Excessive noise is not the only thing that causes damage to hearing. In many cases, genetic factors are responsible for the loss of hearing at a young age. Researchers have discovered a previously unknown genetic cause of progressive hearing impairment: the disease is caused by mutations of the SMPX (small muscle protein) gene, which is located on the X chromosome. It was not previously known that this gene, which is active in the skeletal muscle and heart, also plays a role in hearing. The discovery will make it easier to diagnose progressive hearing impairment and may also provide a starting point for the development of new treatment methods. ... > full story

Risk of blood clots in veins: Hereditary factors studied in Swedish study (May 30, 2011) -- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common type of cardiovascular disease after coronary heart disease and stroke. Researchers recently mapped the significance of hereditary factors for venous thromboembolism in the entire Swedish population by studying the risk of VTE in children of parents with VTE compared with the children of parents who have not had VTE. ... > full story

Break up of New Orleans households after Katrina (May 30, 2011) -- How well a family recovers from a natural catastrophe may be tied to the household's pre-disaster make up and socio-economic status. Researchers compared the number of households in New Orleans, LA that broke up following Hurricane Katrina to the national rate of household break-ups over an equivalent period. An estimated 1.3 million people fled the Gulf Coast during that emergency in 2005 -- the largest urban evacuation America has ever seen. Overall, the rate at which extended-family households broke up after the storm exceeded comparable national figures. ... > full story

Obesity greater risk for fatty liver than moderate amounts of alcohol, study suggests (May 30, 2011) -- Being overweight and resistant to insulin constitute a greater risk for fatty liver than was previously thought, according to a new study from Sweden. ... > full story

Aging: Peroxisomes have two independent proliferation mechanisms (May 30, 2011) -- Peroxisomes are cell organelles that can cause disease and aging processes if they do not function properly. Researchers have now demonstrated that peroxisomes can be created by two independent processes, one of which serves as a kind of ‘backup’. ... > full story

Disparities in stroke care prevail among US racial/ethnic groups, experts say (May 30, 2011) -- Disparities based on race and ethnic origin exist in every aspect of stroke care, according to experts. Minority groups represent at least 28 percent of the US population, and the percent is expected to nearly double by the year 2050 -- increasing the need to close health care gaps. Education can significantly improve stroke care for minority groups. Programs to reach young minorities can help raise awareness that stroke is preventable and treatable. ... > full story

Researchers show aging brain's reduced ability to respond to experience (May 30, 2011) -- Researchers have published new data on why the aging brain is less resilient and less capable of learning from life experiences. The findings provide further insight into the cognitive decline associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. ... > full story

Eight hours of resistance: Why do cancer cells easily give in to the temptation to divide? (May 30, 2011) -- New research reveals how the tumor suppressor p53 keeps the brakes on normal cell division. ... > full story

People with body-image disorders process 'big picture' visual information abnormally (May 30, 2011) -- People suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD -- a severe mental illness characterized by debilitating misperceptions that they appear disfigured and ugly -- process visual information abnormally, even when looking at inanimate objects. The findings are an important step in developing treatments to change their self-perceptions. ... > full story

Why does flu trigger asthma? (May 30, 2011) -- When children with asthma get the flu, they often land in the hospital gasping for air. Researchers have found a previously unknown biological pathway explaining why influenza induces asthma attacks. Studies in a mouse model reveal that influenza activates a newly recognized group of immune cells called natural helper cells -- presenting a completely new set of drug targets for asthma. ... > full story

What is a laboratory mouse? (May 30, 2011) -- Scientists have created a genome-wide, high-resolution map of most of the inbred mouse strains used today. Their conclusion: Most of the mice in use today represent only limited genetic diversity, which could be significantly expanded with the addition of more wild mouse populations. ... > full story

Translating stem cell research into therapies (May 30, 2011) -- A new article provides comprehensive insight into the current status of neural stem cell research and the sometimes labyrinthine pathways leading to stem cell-based therapies. ... > full story

Method for detecting toxic substances in leather and footwear developed (May 30, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new analytical method that improves detection of the allergen dimethyl fumarate (DMFu) in leather and footwear. ... > full story

Social life and mobility are keys to quality of life in old age (May 30, 2011) -- Resourcefulness, staying active and a busy social life play vital roles in helping people cope with the challenges of old age, researchers have found. Maintaining social relationships and mobility in old age are so important for general well-being that some elderly people will go to extreme lengths to keep active, according to the study. The research has led to a new method of measuring quality of life in older age being unvelied, replacing previous questionnaires which relied on expert or top down opinions and measures such as income rather than the views of older people themselves. ... > full story

Iron-ferrying protein may be 'universal Achilles heel' for parasitic worms (May 29, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a tiny protein without which the soil and lab-dwelling worm C. elegans can't deliver iron-rich heme taken in from their diets to the rest of their bodies or to their developing embryos. The finding offers important insight into the transport of the essential ingredient in worms and other animals, including humans. ... > full story

Combo method reveals cells' signal systems (May 29, 2011) -- Our understanding of what differentiates cancer cells from normal cells is limited by a lack of methods for studying the complex signal systems of individual cells. By combing two different methods, researchers have now provided the research world with a tool for studying signal paths on several levels at the same time. ... > full story

Does liposuction get rid of that forever? More like a year, study suggests (May 29, 2011) -- Liposuction has become one of the most popular plastic surgeries in the United States. It has been around since 1974 and there are now more than 450,000 operations a year. But does the fat come back? A recent study has found that the fat eventually returns within one year, and is redistributed to other areas of the body, especially the upper abdomen. ... > full story

Common test could help predict early death in diabetes, study shows (May 29, 2011) -- A common test may be useful in predicting early death in individuals with diabetes. ... > full story

Dangerous side effect of common drug combination -- Paxil and Pravachol -- discovered by data mining (May 29, 2011) -- A widely used combination of two common medications may cause unexpected increases in blood glucose levels, according to a new study. Researchers were surprised at the finding because neither of the two drugs -- one, an antidepressant marketed as Paxil, and the other, a cholesterol-lowering medication called Pravachol -- has a similar effect alone. ... > full story

All in your head? Substantial recovery rate with placebo effect in headache treatment, analysis finds (May 29, 2011) -- Headache is a very common complaint, with over 90% of all persons experiencing a headache at some time in their lives. In an analysis by Dutch researchers of 119 clinical trials, the "no treatment" and placebo groups had a high overall recovery rate of 36%. Control groups in pharmacological trials showed a higher response rate than the behavioral (non-pharmacological) trials (38.5% vs. 15.0%). ... > full story

What doesn't kill the brain makes it stronger (May 29, 2011) -- Scientists say that a newly discovered "survival protein" protects the brain against the effects of stroke in rodent brain tissue by interfering with a particular kind of cell death that's also implicated in complications from diabetes and heart attack. ... > full story

Long warm-ups for track and field can sabotage race performance (May 29, 2011) -- Low intensity warm-ups enhance athletic performance. ... > full story

Hormone level predicts end of fertility (May 29, 2011) -- The age-specific blood levels of the Anti-Müllerian hormone can predict when women will reach menopause. This makes family planning easier, say fertility researchers. ... > full story

Changes in brain circuitry play role in moral sensitivity as people grow up (May 29, 2011) -- Moral responses to similar situations change as people age, says a study that combined brain scanning, eye-tracking and behavioral measures to understand how the brain responds to morally laden scenarios. Preschool children and adults distinguish between damage done either intentionally or accidentally when assessing whether a perpetrator had done something wrong. Adults are much less likely than children to think someone should be punished for damaging an object, especially if the action was accidental. ... > full story

Cystic fibrosis-associated bacteria could help fight back against antibiotic resistance (May 28, 2011) -- A bacteria which infects people with cystic fibrosis could help combat other antibiotic-resistant microbes, according to new research. Scientists have discovered antibiotics from Burkholderia are effective against MRSA and even other cystic fibrosis infecting bacteria. ... > full story

New drug treatment extends lives of men with prostate cancer (May 28, 2011) -- A drug recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of prostate cancer is proving to give some patients the gift of time. A new study shows abiraterone acetate extends the lives of men with the most advanced form of the disease by about four months. ... > full story

More money, better health? (May 28, 2011) -- In the past, studies have shown little to no relation between how much money you spend and how healthy you are. But a new study has discovered a positive correlation between how much money elderly Medicare beneficiaries spend and their health outcomes. ... > full story

New treatment dissolves blood clots in brain tissue (May 28, 2011) -- A new treatment that treats a subset of stroke patients by combining minimally invasive surgery, an imaging technique likened to "GPS for the brain," and the clot-busting drug t-PA appears to be safe and effective, according to new research. ... > full story

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis receive less protection from pandemic influenza with H1N1 vaccine, study shows (May 28, 2011) -- Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis taking disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, showed significantly less protection from pandemic influenza after receiving the H1N1 vaccine compared to healthy individuals, according to new data. ... > full story

Human impacts of rising oceans will extend well beyond coasts (May 28, 2011) -- Estimates that are based on current, static population data can greatly misrepresent the true extent -- and the pronounced variability -- of the human toll of climate change, researchers say. ... > full story

Students struggling with math may have a neurocognitive disorder called dyscalculia: Disorder affects roughly as many people as dyslexia (May 28, 2011) -- Students who struggle to learn mathematics may have a neurocognitive disorder that inhibits the acquisition of basic numerical and arithmetic concepts, according to a new article. Specialized teaching for individuals with dyscalculia, the mathematical equivalent of dyslexia, should be made widely available in mainstream education, according to a new review. ... > full story

Simple sugar, lactate, is like 'candy for cancer cells': Cancer cells accelerate aging and inflammation in the body to drive tumor growth (May 28, 2011) -- Researchers have shed new light on the longstanding conundrum about what makes a tumor grow -- and how to make it stop. Interestingly, cancer cells accelerate the aging of nearby connective tissue cells to cause inflammation, which ultimately provides "fuel" for the tumor to grow and even metastasize. ... > full story

Siginificant benefits of yoga in people with rheumatoid arthritis, study shows (May 28, 2011) -- Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis who practice yoga showed statistically significant improvements in disease activity, according to a small study. ... > full story

Elderly drivers support competency tests, study shows (May 28, 2011) -- Researchers studying driving habits and accident rates among the elderly found that a majority support age-based competency tests. ... > full story

Super-sticky 'ultra-bad' cholesterol revealed in people at high risk of heart disease (May 27, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered why a newly found form of cholesterol seems to be 'ultra-bad', leading to increased risk of heart disease. The discovery could lead to new treatments to prevent heart disease particularly in people with type 2 diabetes and the elderly. ... > full story

Key molecule for stem cell pluripotency discovered (May 27, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered what enables embryonic stem cells to differentiate into diverse cell types and thus to be pluripotent. This pluripotency depends on a molecule -- E-cadherin -- hitherto primarily known for its role in mediating cell-cell adhesion. If E-cadherin is absent, the stem cells lose their pluripotency. The molecule also plays a crucial role in the reprogramming of body cells into pluripotent stem cells. ... > full story

New procedure to make brain surgery safer (May 27, 2011) -- To increase patient safety in clinical practice and minimize risks and damage that may arise during surgery, computer support and digital medical imaging are key technologies. Before brain operations, neurosurgeons can now evaluate patient-specific surgical risks, achieve increased safety, and avoid unacceptable risks. ... > full story

Does our personality affect our level of attractiveness? (May 27, 2011) -- Part of what determines how much success you will have in the dating world is whether you have a good sense of whether people find you attractive. ... > full story

Scientists turn human skin cells directly into neurons, skipping IPS stage (May 27, 2011) -- Human skin cells can be converted directly into functional neurons in a period of four to five weeks with the addition of just four proteins, according to a new study. The finding is significant because it bypasses the need to first create induced pluripotent stem cells, and may make it much easier to generate patient- or disease-specific neurons for study in a laboratory dish. ... > full story

Study confirms link between rheumatoid arthritis and COPD (May 27, 2011) -- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are two times more likely to have concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than healthy controls -- an association which was sustained even when variables such as age, gender, smoking and obesity were controlled for, according to a new study. ... > full story

Fish oil may have positive effects on mood, alcohol craving, new study shows (May 27, 2011) -- Omega 3 fatty acids may be beneficial for more than just the heart. Researchers have found at a molecular level a potential therapeutic benefit from these dietary supplements for treating alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorders. ... > full story

This message was sent to ranggomas.techdeck@blogger.com from:

ScienceDaily | 1 Research Court, Suite 450 | Rockville, MD 20850

Email Marketing by