ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Wednesday, June 29, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Wednesday, June 29, 2011

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

Surgeon shows simple cotton swab slashes post-surgical wound infections (June 29, 2011) -- A simple item found in almost every medicine cabinet -- a cotton swab -- may be a key tool in the fight against post-surgical wound infections. ... > full story

Quality of hospital care in US territories appears lower than in US states, report finds (June 29, 2011) -- Hospitals in US territories appear to have poorer outcomes and higher mortality rates for patients with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure or pneumonia, compared to hospitals in US states, according to a new report. ... > full story

Black members of Adventist church defy health disparities, study shows (June 29, 2011) -- Health disparities between black Americans and the rest of the nation have been well-documented in medical journals. But one study shows that blacks who identify as members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church actually report a better quality of life than the average American. Researchers point to certain lifestyle behaviors as a possible explanation for the difference. ... > full story

BPA-exposed male deer mice are demasculinized and undesirable to females, new study finds (June 29, 2011) -- The latest research shows that BPA causes male deer mice to become demasculinized and behave more like females in their spatial navigational abilities, leading scientists to conclude that exposure to BPA during human development could be damaging to behavioral and cognitive traits that are unique to each sex and important in reproduction. ... > full story

Finding could lead to reduced side effects in anti-cancer antibiotics (June 29, 2011) -- Most of us have had a doctor prescribe an antibiotic for a stubborn bacterial infection, or for a cut that gets infected. However, prescribing an antibiotic to fight cancer? In fact, anti-cancer antibiotics have been used since the 1950s to successfully treat several forms of cancer, but often the side effects limit the duration they can be given to a patient. Newly published results show how the anti-cancer antibiotic Geldanamycin and its derivative 17AAG work in more detail and have uncovered a possible explanation for side effects observed in clinical trials of the drug. ... > full story

Obesity is a killer in nonsmoking women (June 29, 2011) -- Obesity is an important contributor to premature death in women who have never smoked, especially among women in low income groups, new research finds. ... > full story

Peat wildfire smoke linked to heart failure risk (June 29, 2011) -- The 2008 peat bog wildfires in North Carolina led to an increase in emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular effects, records show. ... > full story

Alcohol blamed for high suicide rates in Northern Ireland (June 29, 2011) -- Alcohol and drugs are fueling homicide and suicide rates in Northern Ireland, a new independent report has found, with alcohol appearing to be a key factor for the country's higher suicide rates, including among mental health patients, compared to England and Wales. ... > full story

Mystery ingredient in coffee boosts protection against Alzheimer's disease, study finds (June 28, 2011) -- An unidentified coffee component combined with caffeine increases a growth factor that counters Alzheimer's pathology in mice, according to new research. ... > full story

Single gene defect causes brain tumor (June 28, 2011) -- Scientists have shown in mice that a defect in a single gene, which is involved in cellular signaling, is sufficient to cause a dangerous brain tumor. ... > full story

Certain populations may benefit most from alcohol-dependence treatment naltrexone (June 28, 2011) -- Naltrexone is one of the most effective pharmacological treatments for alcohol dependence. However, naltrexone does not work for everyone. A new study has found that naltrexone is effective for women, and individuals with the A118G polymorphism of the mu opioid receptor gene. ... > full story

Social class makes no difference to water contamination risk from chemicals formed in chlorinated water, Spanish study suggests (June 28, 2011) -- Wealthy, well-educated people who choose to drink bottled water rather than water from public supplies may be no less exposed to potentially cancer-causing water contaminants, according to new research. ... > full story

Scientists identify new breast cancer tumor suppressor and explain how it works (June 28, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a protein long known to regulate gene expression as a potent suppressor of breast cancer growth. Their study demonstrates how this protein, known as Runx3, accomplishes this feat. ... > full story

Does grilling kill E. coli O157:H7? (June 28, 2011) -- Top sirloin steaks have been getting a grilling in food safety studies. Microbiologists are conducting experiments to help make sure that neither the food-borne pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 nor any of its pathogenic relatives will ruin the pleasure of eating this popular entree. ... > full story

Improved stepladder design may decrease injuries (June 28, 2011) -- Stepladders, a household product used by thousands of people every day, are a surprisingly common cause of injury. In 2009, more than 187,000 Americans visited the hospital after sustaining stepladder injuries, many of which resulted from a fall. A recent human factors/ergonomics study explores how improved design and user behavior can decrease the likelihood of future accidents. ... > full story

New gene therapy for heart failure developed (June 28, 2011) -- Researchers have found in a Phase II trial that a new gene therapy stabilized or improved cardiac function in people with severe heart failure. Patients receiving a high dose of the therapy, called SERCA2a, experienced substantial clinical benefit and significantly reduced cardiovascular hospitalizations, addressing a critical unmet need in this population. ... > full story

Long-term benefits of breast screening (June 28, 2011) -- Results from the longest running breast screening trial show that screening with mammography reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer. ... > full story

Sweating the small stuff: Early adversity, prior depression linked to high sensitivity to stress (June 28, 2011) -- Researchers have found that people get depressed more easily following minor life stressors in part because they have experienced early life adversity or prior depressive episodes, both of which may make people more sensitive to later life stress. ... > full story

New clues to how cancer spreads (June 28, 2011) -- Cancer cells circulating in the blood carry newly identified proteins that could be screened to improve prognostic tests and suggest targets for therapies, scientists report. Building on current technologies that detect tumor cells circulating in blood, the team was able to characterize these cells in a new way, illuminating how they may escape from the originating tumors and move to other locations in the body. ... > full story

How cavity-causing microbes invade heart (June 28, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered the tool that bacteria normally found in our mouths use to invade heart tissue, causing a dangerous and sometimes lethal infection of the heart known as endocarditis. The work raises the possibility of creating a screening tool -- perhaps a swab of the cheek, or a spit test -- to gauge a dental patient's vulnerability to the condition. ... > full story

False negative tests in breast cancer may lead to wrong drug choice, study finds (June 28, 2011) -- A team of researchers has confirmed that between 10 and 20 percent of breast cancers classified as estrogen receptor negative are really positive. Understanding when and why breast cancers may be misclassified has important implications for treatment and outcomes for women diagnosed with breast cancer. ... > full story

Effects of Asperger syndrome noticeable in babies (June 28, 2011) -- People with Asperger syndrome have problems with social interaction and attentiveness, and are also sensitive to noise and light. Several of these characteristics were evident to parents during their child's first two years. ... > full story

Potent antiplatelet drug effective with low-dose aspirin, study suggests (June 28, 2011) -- When taken with higher doses of aspirin (more than 300 milligrams), the experimental antiplatelet drug ticagrelor was associated with worse outcomes than the standard drug, clopidogrel, but the opposite was true with lower doses of aspirin, a new study suggests. ... > full story

Will new drugs block hepatitis C virus in its tracks? (June 28, 2011) -- Targeted multi-drug treatments for hepatitis C patients that could stop the virus in its tracks have come a step closer, thanks to new research. ... > full story

Attachment to cellphones more about entertainment, less about communication (June 28, 2011) -- That panicked feeling we get when the family pet goes missing is the same when we misplace our mobile phone, says a marketing professor. Moreover, those feelings of loss and hopelessness without our digital companion are natural. ... > full story

Calcium plus vitamin D may reduce melanoma risks in some women, study finds (June 28, 2011) -- A combination of calcium and vitamin D may cut the chance of melanoma in half for some women at high risk of developing this life-threatening skin cancer, according to a new study. ... > full story

Stem cell scientists discover new airway stem cell (June 28, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a new stem cell that participates in the repair of the large airways of the lungs, which play a vital role in protecting the body from infectious agents and toxins in the environment. ... > full story

A little practice can change the brain in a lasting way, study finds (June 28, 2011) -- A little practice goes a long way, according to researchers who have found the effects of practice on the brain have remarkable staying power. The study found that when participants were shown visual patterns--faces, which are highly familiar objects, and abstract patterns, which are much less frequently encountered -- they were able to retain very specific information about those patterns one to two years later. ... > full story

It's not an apple a day after all -- it's strawberries: Flavonoids could represent two-fisted assault on diabetes and nervous system disorders (June 28, 2011) -- A recent study suggests that a strawberry a day (or more accurately, 37 of them) could keep not just one doctor away, but an entire fleet of them, including the neurologist, the endocrinologist, and maybe even the oncologist. The report explains that fisetin, a naturally-occurring flavonoid found most abundantly in strawberries and to a lesser extent in other fruits and vegetables, lessens complications of diabetes. ... > full story

Waistlines in people, glucose levels in mice hint at sweeteners' effects: Related studies point to the illusion of the artificial (June 28, 2011) -- In the constant battle to lose inches or at least stay the same, we reach for the diet soda. Two studies suggest this might be self-defeating behavior. Epidemiologists report data showing that diet soft drink consumption is associated with increased waist circumference in humans, and a second study that found aspartame raised fasting glucose (blood sugar) in diabetes-prone mice. ... > full story

Diastolic dysfunction of the heart associated with increased risk of death, study finds (June 28, 2011) -- Individuals with diastolic dysfunction (an abnormality involving impaired relaxation of the heart's ventricle [pumping chamber] after a contraction) appear to have an increased risk of death, regardless of whether their systolic function (contraction of the heart) is normal or they have other cardiovascular impairments, according to a new report. ... > full story

Surprising drop in physicians' willingness to accept patients with insurance, U.S. study finds (June 28, 2011) -- As required under the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, millions of people will soon be added to the ranks of the insured. However, this rapid expansion of coverage is colliding with a different, potentially problematic trend that could end up hampering access to health care. ... > full story

Childhood cancer survivors are at high risk for multiple tumors as they age (June 28, 2011) -- The largest study yet of adult childhood cancer survivors found that the first cancer is just the beginning of a lifelong battle against different forms of the disease for about 10 percent of these survivors. ... > full story

In chronic kidney disease, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring seems more accurate in predicting subsequent health events (June 28, 2011) -- Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring with collection of BP readings over 24 hours may better predict, in cases of nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD), whether patients will experience end-stage renal disease, mortality or cardiovascular events that require hospitalization, according to a new report. ... > full story

Studies examine impact of media use among youth, recommend preventative measures (June 28, 2011) -- Two new studies focus on different uses of media and assess how media usage can lead to depression in college students and disrupt sleep patterns in preschool-aged children. ... > full story

New report offers roadmap for success in K-12 STEM education (June 28, 2011) -- From educators to leaders in industry, there is broad agreement that US schools have a crucial challenge in improving teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) among students from kindergarten through high school. A background in STEM is not only essential to many current and future careers; it is also a means for citizens to understand and participate in an increasingly complex world -- from understanding the challenges of environmental sustainability to addressing the need for alternative sources of energy. ... > full story

Gene variant increases fatty liver risk and fibrosis progression (June 28, 2011) -- New research confirms that a variant on the patatin-like phospholipase-3 (PNPLA3) gene increases risk of steatosis and fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). The PNPLA3 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs 738409 may represent an important genetic predictor and potential therapeutic target in chronic HCV liver damage. ... > full story

Soluble fiber strikes a blow to belly fat (June 27, 2011) -- All fat is not created equal. Unsightly as it is, subcutaneous fat, the fat right under the skin, is not as dangerous to overall health as visceral fat, the fat deep in the belly surrounding vital organs. ... > full story

Cooling system may build eggs' natural defenses against salmonella (June 27, 2011) -- Once eggs are laid, their natural resistance to pathogens begins to wear down, but a scientist believes he knows how to rearm those defenses. ... > full story

Severe psoriasis linked to major adverse cardiovascular events (June 27, 2011) -- New research has revealed an increased incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with severe psoriasis. ... > full story

Two talks with teens leads to less marijuana use for at least a year, study finds (June 27, 2011) -- Researchers found that a brief, voluntary conversation with an adult led to up to a 20 percent decrease in marijuana use for teenagers who frequently used the drug. ... > full story

Brain rhythm associated with learning also linked to running speed, study shows (June 27, 2011) -- Rhythms in the brain that are associated with learning become stronger as the body moves faster, neurophysicists report in a new study. The research team used specialized microelectrodes to monitor an electrical signal known as the gamma rhythm in the brains of mice. This signal is typically produced in a brain region called the hippocampus, which is critical for learning and memory, during periods of concentration and learning. ... > full story

Tiny cell patterns reveal the progression of development and disease (June 27, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new technique to evaluate human stem cells using cell micropatterning -- a simple but powerful in vitro tool that will enable scientists to study the initiation of left-right asymmetry during tissue formation, to diagnose disease, and to study factors that could lead to certain birth defects. ... > full story

BRCA2 mutations associated with improved survival for ovarian cancer (June 27, 2011) -- Women with ovarian cancer who have the BRCA2 gene mutation are more likely to survive the malignancy than women with the BRCA1 mutation, or women without either mutation, according to new research. ... > full story

Most parents unaware of teen workplace risks, study finds (June 27, 2011) -- Most parents are unaware of the risks their teenagers face in the workplace and could do more to help them understand and prepare for those hazards, according to a new study. ... > full story

First patients receive lab-grown blood vessels from donor cells (June 27, 2011) -- For the first time, blood vessels created in the lab from donor skin cells were successfully implanted in patients. Functioning blood vessels that aren't rejected by the immune system could be used to make durable shunts for kidney dialysis, and potentially to improve treatment for children with heart defects and adults needing coronary or other bypass graft surgery. ... > full story

Master switch for adult epilepsy discovered (June 27, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a central switch responsible for the transformation of healthy brain cells into epileptic ones, opening the way to both treat and prevent temporal lobe epilepsy. ... > full story

Researchers learn how lung fibrosis begins and could be treated (June 27, 2011) -- An invasive cell that leads to fibrosis of the lungs may be stopped by cutting off its supply of sugar, according to researchers. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which affects about 100,000 people in the US each year and leads to death within three years of diagnosis, has only one therapy in the US: lung transplantation. ... > full story

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

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

Email Marketing by