ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Tuesday, August 9, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Tuesday, August 9, 2011

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'Endurance gene' for Olympic-level athletes: Genetic basis for muscle endurance discovered in animal study (August 9, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a gene for endurance, or more precisely, its negative regulator. Not having the gene relates to greater endurance in the knockout mice that were studied. The investigators also showed that the gene is linked to Olympic-level athletes in endurance sports such as swimming compared to athletes in sprint sports such as the 100-meter dash. The work has implications for improving muscle performance in disease states including metabolic disorders, obesity, and aging. ... > full story

Deep brain stimulation effects may last for 10 years in patients with Parkinson's disease (August 9, 2011) -- One decade after receiving implants that stimulate areas of their brains, patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) appear to sustain improvement in motor function, although part of the initial benefit wore off mainly because of progressive loss of benefit in other functions, according to a new study. ... > full story

Blood loss from lab testing associated with hospital-acquired anemia for patients with heart attacks, study finds (August 9, 2011) -- In patients with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), blood loss from greater use of phlebotomy (blood drawn for diagnostic testing) appears to be independently associated with the development of hospital-acquired anemia (HAA), according to a new study. ... > full story

Education affects Americans' religiosity -- but not how you might think (August 9, 2011) -- A new study finds that education has a positive effect on Americans' churchgoing habits, devotional practices, emphasis on religion in daily life and support for religious leaders to weigh in on the issues of the day. ... > full story

Scientist develops virus that targets HIV: Using a virus to kill a virus (August 9, 2011) -- In what represents an important step toward curing HIV, a scientist has created a virus that hunts down HIV-infected cells. ... > full story

Protein unmasks pathogenic fungi to activate immune response (August 9, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered a novel association between two fungal recognition receptors on the surface of certain immune cells, called macrophages. The interaction of these receptors (dectin-1 and galectin-3) sheds new light on how the innate immune system discriminates between non-pathogenic and pathogenic fungi. Invasive fungal infections are a rising source of morbidity and mortality in healthy individuals, as well as in patients suffering from chronic diseases, such as cancer or AIDS. ... > full story

More frequent visual field testing may lead to earlier detection of glaucoma progression (August 9, 2011) -- In patients with glaucoma, frequent visual field testing may be associated with earlier detection of the condition's progression, according to a new study. ... > full story

Siblings of those with blood clots in leg have higher risk of same disorder (August 8, 2011) -- People with multiple siblings who had potentially life-threatening leg blood clots are 50 times more likely to get the same condition compared to people with healthy siblings. Hereditary factors -- as determined by sibling history -- are significant in determining the risk of venous thromboembolism in men and women between the ages of 10 and 69. VTE is the third most common cardiovascular illness after stroke and heart. ... > full story

Soy tablets not associated with reduction in bone loss or menopausal symptoms in women, study finds (August 8, 2011) -- Soy isoflavone tablets do not appear to be associated with a reduction in bone loss or menopausal symptoms in women within the first five years of menopause, according to a new study. ... > full story

World survey links religion and happiness -- for some (August 8, 2011) -- There may be a few atheists in foxholes, but a new study suggests that in societies under stress, those who are religious outnumber -- and are happier than -- their nonreligious counterparts. Where peace and plenty are the norm, however, religious participation is lower and people are happier whether or not they are religious, the researchers found. ... > full story

Early morning smokers have increased risk of lung and head and neck cancers, study finds (August 8, 2011) -- Two new studies have found that smokers who tend to take their first cigarette soon after they wake up in the morning may have a higher risk of developing lung and head and neck cancers than smokers who refrain from lighting up right away. The results may help identify smokers who have an especially high risk of developing cancer and would benefit from targeted smoking interventions to reduce their risk. ... > full story

New insights into how tumor cells are fed; Shows promise for development of anti-tumor drugs (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers have gained a new understanding of the way in which growing tumors are fed and how this growth can be slowed via angiogenesis inhibitors that eliminate the blood supply to tumors. This represents a step forward towards developing new anti-cancer drug therapies. ... > full story

Researchers use neutrons to spy on the elusive hydronium ion: Unprecedented proof of ion's role in enzymatic process (August 8, 2011) -- A research team has harnessed neutrons to view for the first time the critical role that an elusive molecule plays in certain biological reactions. The effort could aid in treatment of peptic ulcers or acid reflux disease, or allow for more efficient conversion of woody waste into transportation fuels. ... > full story

Many top U.S. scientists wish they had more children, study finds; 25 percent of scientists consider leaving the profession for family life (August 8, 2011) -- Nearly half of all women scientists and one-quarter of male scientists at the United States' top research universities said their career has kept them from having as many children as they had wanted, according to a new study. ... > full story

You can count on this: Math ability is inborn, new research suggests (August 8, 2011) -- We accept that some people are born with a talent for music or art or athletics. But what about mathematics? Do some of us just arrive in the world with better math skills than others? It seems we do, at least according to the results of a new study. The research indicates that math ability in preschool children is strongly linked to their inborn and primitive "number sense," called an "Approximate Number System" or ANS. ... > full story

Cancer biomarker -- detectable by blood test -- could improve prostate cancer detection (August 8, 2011) -- A new study supports the use of a DNA-based "biomarker" blood test as a complement to the prostate-specific antigen test currently offered to screen men for prostate cancer. ... > full story

New brain tumor gene identified for meningiomas (August 8, 2011) -- The causes of brain tumors have been hard to discern in most cases. But researchers have previously identified an inherited predisposition for brain tumors. Now, in an international collaboration, they have also discovered a genetic variation that increases the risk of a certain type of brain tumor, called meningiomas. ... > full story

Walking around is the simplest way to shorten hospital stay, study finds (August 8, 2011) -- Walking around the ward during hospitalization reduces the length of geriatric patients' stay in internal wards, according to a new study in Israel. ... > full story

Engineered human T cells can eradicate deadly human ovarian cancer in immune-deficient mice (August 8, 2011) -- Medical researchers have shown for the first time that engineered human T cells can eradicate deadly human ovarian cancer in immune-deficient mice. ... > full story

Key molecule that keeps immune cell development on track described (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers have clarified the role of two proteins key to T-cell development. They found that one well-known protein called Notch passes off much of its role during T-cell maturation to another protein called TCF-1. ... > full story

Increase in public health spending results in healthier people, study suggests (August 8, 2011) -- A recent study suggests that increases in public health spending results in healthier people, especially in communities with fewer resources. ... > full story

Mutations not inherited from parents cause more than half the cases of schizophrenia (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers have shown that new, or "de novo," protein-altering mutations -- genetic errors that are present in patients but not in their parents -- play a role in more than 50 percent of "sporadic" -- i.e., not hereditary -- cases of schizophrenia. ... > full story

Hiding vegetables in kids' foods can increase vegetable intake (August 8, 2011) -- Preschool children consumed nearly twice as many vegetables and 11 percent fewer calories over the course of a day when researchers added pureed vegetables to the children's favorite foods. ... > full story

Mutation linked with the absence of fingerprints (August 8, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a mutation that might underlie an extremely rare condition, called "adermatoglyphia," which causes people to be born without any fingerprints. The research not only provides valuable insight into the genetic basis of adermatoglyphia and of typical fingerprint formation but also underscores the usefulness of rare genetic mutations as a tool for investigating unknown aspects of our biology. ... > full story

Bullying may contribute to lower test scores (August 8, 2011) -- High schools in Virginia where students reported a high rate of bullying had significantly lower scores on standardized tests that students must pass to graduate, according to new research. ... > full story

Cell-based alternative to animal testing? Genomic biomarker signature can predict skin sensitizers, study finds (August 8, 2011) -- European legislation restricts animal testing within the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and companies are increasingly looking at alternative systems to ensure that their products are safe to use. New research demonstrates that the response of laboratory grown human cells can now be used to classify chemicals as sensitizing, or non-sensitizing, and can even predict the strength of allergic response, so providing an alternative to animal testing. ... > full story

Bypassing stem cells, scientists make neurons directly from human skin (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers have come up with a recipe for making functional neurons directly from human skin cells, including those taken from patients with Alzheimer's disease. The new method may offer a critical short cut for generating neurons for replacement therapies of the future. Already, the converted neurons are beginning to yield insights into what goes wrong in the Alzheimer's brain and how diseased neurons might respond to treatment. ... > full story

Finding about cell division and metabolism may provide insight into neurodegenerative disorders (August 8, 2011) -- A new finding points to new avenues for investigation of cell metabolism that may provide insights into diseases ranging from neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease to certain types of cancers. ... > full story

B-cell discovery suggests why women suffer more autoimmune disease (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers report the discovery of a new type of cell that makes autoantibodies, which attack the body's own tissues. It is more common in elderly female mice and humans with autoimmune disease. An application for a patent has been made for a method to treat autoimmune disease by depleting these cells. ... > full story

Dealing with the cyberworld's dark side (August 8, 2011) -- People who are cyberstalked or harassed online experience higher levels of stress and trauma than people who are stalked or harassed in person, according to a new presentation. ... > full story

Demand for medical care at 'safety-net facilities' appears to have increased since Massachusetts enacted its health care reform law (August 8, 2011) -- Patient demand for care from safety-net providers (such as community health centers and public hospitals) in Massachusetts has increased, even though the number of patients with health insurance also increased following the state's passage of health care reform, according to a new study. ... > full story

Newly discovered antibody recognizes many strains of flu virus (August 8, 2011) -- Scientists have now discovered a human antibody that recognizes many different flu strains. Understanding more about this antibody may help scientists design a longer-lasting vaccine against the influenza virus. ... > full story

Distance caregivers for advanced cancer patients have special needs, study finds (August 8, 2011) -- Distance presents a challenge as family members work to gain information about their loved ones and participate in their cancer care. But it's also challenging to the local caregivers -- nurses, doctors and local family members -- who must adapt short-term to these remote caregivers' special needs. In hospitals across the country, such challenges have prompted distance caregivers to be labeled "seagulls" and "pigeons" -- references to family members who fly in, make a mess and fly out. ... > full story

What parasites eat provides key to better drug design (August 7, 2011) -- A new study has revealed in unprecedented detail how parasites use different nutrients needed for growth, providing researchers with unique drug targets against Leishmania, a tropical parasite that infects 12 million people worldwide and causes 500,000 deaths annually. ... > full story

Prescriptions for antidepressants increasing among individuals with no psychiatric diagnosis, U.S. study finds (August 7, 2011) -- A new study examines U.S. national trends in antidepressant prescribing and finds much of this growth was driven by a substantial increase in antidepressant prescriptions by non-psychiatrist providers without any accompanying psychiatric diagnosis. ... > full story

Social networking's good and bad impacts on kids (August 7, 2011) -- Social media present risks and benefits to children but parents who try to secretly monitor their kids' activities online are wasting their time, according to a new presentation. ... > full story

What shapes a bone? Diet and genetics dictate adult jaw shape (August 6, 2011) -- Researchers found that use over time and not just genetics informs the structure of jaw bones in human populations. The researchers say these findings may be used to predict the diet of an ancient population, even if little evidence exists in the fossil record. It can also make it easier for scientists to pinpoint the genetic relationship between fossils. ... > full story

Potential new eye tumor treatment discovered (August 6, 2011) -- New research demonstrates that a specific small segment of RNA could play a key role in the growth of a type of malignant childhood eye tumor called retinoblastoma. The tumor is associated with mutations of a protein called Rb, which is also involved with other types of cancers, including lung, brain, breast and bone. Their work could result in a new therapeutic target. ... > full story

Sentinel node biopsy safe, effective in head and neck melanomas, study finds (August 6, 2011) -- A common technique for determining whether melanoma has spread can be used safely and effectively even in tumors from the head and neck area, according to a new study. ... > full story

Mindless eating: Losing weight without thinking (August 6, 2011) -- Dieters may not need as much willpower as they think, if they make simple changes in their surroundings that can result in eating healthier without a second thought, said a consumer psychologist. ... > full story

Human-made fat may limit damage to heart attack victims (August 5, 2011) -- A human-made fat called Intralipid, which is currently used as a component of intravenous nutrition and to treat rare overdoses of local anesthetics, may also offer protection for patients suffering from heart attacks. ... > full story

Small molecules hit it big: New therapeutic approaches against viruses, bacteria, and cancer (August 5, 2011) -- Scientists have developed small molecules that inhibit the internalization of important signaling molecules but also of pathogenic organisms such as the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and bacteria into cells. These compounds inhibit the function of the cellular scaffold protein clathrin und could thereby serve as a starting point for novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer, viral or bacterial infections, or neurological disorders. ... > full story

Neuroscientists identify how the brain remembers what happens and when (August 5, 2011) -- Neuroscientists have identified the parts of the brain we use to remember the timing of events within an episode. The study enhances our understanding of how memories are processed and provides a potential roadmap for addressing memory-related afflictions. ... > full story

Innate cells shown to form immunological 'memory' and protect against viral infection (August 5, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated that cells of the innate immune system are capable of "memory", and of mounting rapid protection to an otherwise lethal dose of live vaccinia virus. The study challenges previous thought that only B cells and T cells can store memory to ward off future infection. The finding has potentially significant consequences for the design of future vaccines, particularly for HIV. ... > full story

Molecular mechanisms offer hope for new pain treatments (August 5, 2011) -- By working with individuals suffering from a severe disorder that causes sensory neurons to degenerate, researchers have discovered how a specific genetic mutation causes their patients' condition, which in turn has revealed more information about the mechanisms in our bodies which enable us to sense pain. ... > full story

Gazpacho ingredients lose vitamin C during preparation (August 5, 2011) -- In summer, more dishes like gazpacho –- a cold soup containing raw vegetables, bread, olive oil and vinegar –- are consumed. A new study has revealed that ingredients’ vitamin C content as well as other organic acids is lower in the resulting mixture, meaning that it should be eaten immediately after preparation. ... > full story

A patient's own skin cells may one day treat multiple diseases (August 5, 2011) -- The possibility of developing stem cells from a patient's own skin and using them to treat conditions as diverse as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and cancer has generated tremendous excitement in the stem cell research community in recent years. ... > full story

Researchers discover natural food preservative that kills food-borne bacteria (August 5, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered and received a patent for a naturally occurring lantibiotic -- a peptide produced by a harmless bacteria -- that could be added to food to kill harmful bacteria like salmonella, E. coli and listeria. ... > full story