ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Monday, August 15, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Monday, August 15, 2011

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Scientists have new help finding their way around brain's nooks and crannies (August 15, 2011) -- Like explorers mapping a new planet, scientists probing the brain need every type of landmark they can get. Each mountain, river or forest helps scientists find their way through the intricacies of the human brain. Researchers have now developed a new technique that provides rapid access to brain landmarks formerly only available at autopsy. Better brain maps will result, speeding efforts to understand how the brain works. ... > full story

In quest for new therapies, clinician-scientist team unlocks hidden information in human genome (August 15, 2011) -- Researchers created a model resource that not only identifies but also outlines the function of some of the most common mutations in the human genome. At a time when research linking genetic mutations to disease risk is booming, scientists are pursuing what they think is an even more significant path: They are zeroing in on how certain mutations work, information they believe will guide the development of new treatment options. ... > full story

Seeing a neurologist helps people with Parkinson's live longer, study suggests (August 15, 2011) -- People with Parkinson's disease who go to a neurologist for their care are more likely to live longer, less likely to be placed in a nursing home and less likely to break a hip than people who go to a primary care physician, according to a new study. ... > full story

How do consumers revise their unreachable goals? (August 15, 2011) -- Most consumers spend their lives setting -- and revising -- goals. Authors of a new study have unveiled a new model that captures the dynamics of goal revision. ... > full story

Arthritis sufferers' increased risk of heart disease due to disease-related inflammation and other factors, study finds (August 15, 2011) -- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sufferers are at an increased risk of dying due to cardiovascular disease. A new five-year study showed that the risk of cardiovascular disease for people with RA is due to disease-related inflammation as well as the risk factors which affect the general population. Treatment of arthritis with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs also reduced the patient's risk of heart disease. ... > full story

How fatty diets cause diabetes (August 15, 2011) -- Scientists show that dietary fats interfere with an enzyme called GnT-4a glycosyltransferase, which is required for proper retention of glucose transporters in pancreatic beta cell membranes. Without functioning GnT-4a, clinical signs of diabetes emerged in mice fed a high-fat diet. The team is now considering methods to augment the enzyme's activity in humans, as a means to prevent or treat type 2 diabetes. ... > full story

Trastuzumab raises risk of heart problems in the elderly with history of heart disease or diabetes, study suggests (August 15, 2011) -- The first study to investigate the effect of the breast cancer drug trastuzumab (Herceptin) on heart and vascular function in elderly patients has found that it increases the risk of heart problems, particularly in women with a history of heart disease, diabetes or both. ... > full story

When you can recite a poem but not remember who asked you to learn it a few days earlier (August 15, 2011) -- Memory is not a single process but is made up of several sub-processes relying on different areas of the brain. Episodic memory, the ability to remember specific events such as what you did yesterday, is known to be vulnerable to brain damage involving the hippocampus. The question is, what happens when damage to the hippocampus occurs very early in life? Clinical neuropsychologists have now reported that a child can develop normally despite severe damage to the hippocampus resulting from lack of oxygen in the first days of life. This supports the theory that the different aspects of memory rely on distinct areas of the brain. ... > full story

Like humans, chimps are born with immature forebrains (August 14, 2011) -- In both chimpanzees and humans, portions of the brain that are critical for complex cognitive functions, including decision-making, self-awareness and creativity, are immature at birth. But there are important differences, too. Baby chimpanzees don't show the same dramatic increase in the volume of prefrontal white matter in the brain that human infants do. ... > full story

New treatment option for advanced prostate cancer (August 14, 2011) -- Prostate cancer that has become resistant to hormone treatment and that does not respond to radiation or chemotherapy requires new methods of treatment. By attacking stem cell-like cells in prostate cancer, researchers are working on a project to develop a new treatment option. ... > full story

New experimental vaccine against chikungunya virus created (August 14, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new candidate vaccine to protect against chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne pathogen that produces an intensely painful and often chronic arthritic disease that has stricken millions of people in India, Southeast Asia and Africa. ... > full story

Schoolchildren can also learn complex subject matters on their own, researchers find (August 14, 2011) -- Self-directed learning has long been heralded as the key to successful education. Yet until now, there has been little research into this theory. Educational researchers in Germany have now shown that schoolchildren can independently develop strategies for solving complex mathematical tasks, with weaker students proving just as capable as their stronger classmates. ... > full story

New non-invasive technology shows promise in shrinking liver tumors (August 14, 2011) -- A potential new option is beginning to emerge for patients with the fastest growing form of cancer in the United States, according to new research. ... > full story

Higher estrogen production in the breast could confer greater cancer risk than thought (August 14, 2011) -- Could some women who naturally produce excess aromatase in their breasts have an increased risk of developing breast cancer? Investigators say their mice study shows that overproduction of aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen, in breast tissue is even more important in pushing breast cancer development than excess production of the estrogen receptor that the hormone uses to activate mammary cells. ... > full story

How the visual system constructs moving objects: One by one (August 14, 2011) -- Although our eyes record the word as millions of pixels, "the visual system is fantastic at giving us a world that looks like objects, not pixels," says psychologist Steven L. Franconeri. It does this by grouping areas of the world with similar characteristics, such as color, shape, or motion. ... > full story

Scientists highlight link between stress and appetite (August 13, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered a mechanism by which stress increases food drive in rats. This new discovery could provide important insight into why stress is thought to be one of the underlying contributors to obesity. ... > full story

If fat dogs are cool, could fat people be, too? (August 13, 2011) -- Fat dogs are cool. And obese people may be, too. That's what new research suggests. ... > full story

Study sheds light on late phase of asthma attacks (August 13, 2011) -- New research explains why around half of people with asthma experience a "late phase" of symptoms several hours after exposure to allergens. ... > full story

Social acceptance and rejection: The sweet and the bitter (August 13, 2011) -- For proof that rejection, exclusion, and acceptance are central to our lives, look no farther than the living room, says a psychologist. "If you turn on the television set, and watch any reality TV program, most of them are about rejection and acceptance," he says. ... > full story

Lasers stimulate stem cells and reduce heart scarring after heart attack, study suggests (August 12, 2011) -- New research shows that "shining" bone marrow stem cells with a laser encourages these cells to migrate to the heart to facilitate the healing process. If applied to these cells a few hours after a heart attack, the scarring that weakens the heart muscle can be reduced by up to 80 percent. ... > full story

Drug development in the blink of an eye (August 12, 2011) -- The development of drugs for brain-related conditions is not an efficient process. A key reason for this is a lack of preclinical tests that accurately predict drug efficacy and detect unwanted side effects. But now, researchers have developed a new preclinical approach that they hope can be used alongside current strategies to guide more efficient drug development for brain-related conditions. ... > full story

Possible therapeutic target for depression and addiction identified (August 12, 2011) -- Researchers have identified an important part of the pathway through which stress affects mood and motivation for drugs. The finding may prove useful in humans by providing new potential targets for drugs to treat problems related to stress. ... > full story

Low vitamin D linked to earlier first menstruation (August 12, 2011) -- A study links low vitamin D in young girls with early menstruation, which is a risk factor for a host of health problems for teen girls as well as women later in life. ... > full story

Human-cell-derived model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis provides a new way to study the majority of cases (August 12, 2011) -- For decades, scientists have studied a laboratory mouse model that develops signs of the paralyzing disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as they age. Researchers have now developed a new model of ALS, one that mimics sporadic ALS, which represents about 90 percent of all cases. ... > full story

Resistance training can help smokers kick the habit, according to study (August 12, 2011) -- Resistance training, or weight lifting, can do more than just build muscle: it may also help smokers kick the habit, say researchers. ... > full story

Research reveals genetic link to human intelligence (August 12, 2011) -- New research provides the first direct biological evidence for a genetic contribution to people's intelligence. Previous studies on twins and adopted people suggested that there is a substantial genetic contribution to thinking skills, but this new study is the first to find a genetic contribution by testing people's DNA for genetic variations. ... > full story

'Good fat' most prevalent in thin children (August 12, 2011) -- Researchers have shown that a type of "good" fat known as brown fat occurs in varying amounts in children -- increasing until puberty and then declining -- and is most active in leaner children. ... > full story

Combination of existing safety checks could greatly reduce radiotherapy errors, study suggests (August 12, 2011) -- A combination of several well-known safety procedures could greatly reduce patient-harming errors in the use of radiation to treat cancer, according to a new study. ... > full story

Increased light may moderate fearful reactions (August 12, 2011) -- Biologists and psychologists know that light affects mood, but a new study indicates that light may also play a role in modulating fear and anxiety. ... > full story

Engineers redefine how the brain plans movement (August 12, 2011) -- New neurological measurement technologies and algorithms are allowing researchers a more complete look into how the brain functions. Engineers are using these tools to better understand how the brain prepares to initiate a body motion and why sometimes we react more quickly than others. ... > full story

Scientists copy the ways viruses deliver genes (August 12, 2011) -- Scientists have mimicked the ways viruses infect human cells and deliver their genetic material. The research hopes to apply the approach to gene therapy -- a therapeutic strategy to correct defective genes such as those that cause cancer. ... > full story

Tracking illegal online pharmacies: Evidence of web manipulation (August 12, 2011) -- A research team found rogue websites were rediercting consumers to illicit pharmacies. ... > full story

Depression linked to increased risk of stroke in women (August 12, 2011) -- Depression is associated with a moderately increased risk of stroke. Depressed women taking anti-depressant drugs -- particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -- had an increased stroke risk, which researchers said may not be a cause but rather an indicator of depression severity. Researchers said patients should continue taking their anti-depressant medication. ... > full story

Smart skin: Electronics that stick and stretch like a temporary tattoo (August 12, 2011) -- Engineers have developed a device platform that combines electronic components for sensing, medical diagnostics, communications and human-machine interfaces, all on an ultrathin skin-like patch that mounts directly onto the skin with the ease, flexibility and comfort of a temporary tattoo. ... > full story

Dual-action protein better restricts blood vessel formation (August 12, 2011) -- Bioengineers have created a single protein able to target two different chemical receptors at the same time, yielding a promising new direction in the development of cancer treatments and other biomedical applications. ... > full story

Flatworms provide new insight into organ regeneration and the evolution of mammalian kidneys (August 12, 2011) -- Our bodies are perfectly capable of renewing billions of cells every day but fail miserably when it comes to replacing damaged organs such as kidneys. Using the flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea -- famous for its capacity to regrow complete animals from minuscule flecks of tissue -- as an eloquent example, researchers have demonstrated how our distant evolutionary cousins regenerate their excretory systems from scratch. ... > full story

Radiofrequency ablation safely and effectively treats Barrett's esophagus, study suggests (August 12, 2011) -- Radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective option for the treatment of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus that attains lasting response, new research suggests. ... > full story

Contrary to earlier findings, excess body fat in elderly decreases life expectancy (August 12, 2011) -- New research has shown that men over 75 with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 22.3 had a 3.7-year shorter life expectancy, and women over 75 with a BMI greater than 27.4 had a 2.1-year shorter life expectancy. ... > full story

Route for eliciting HIV-neutralizing antibodies mapped (August 12, 2011) -- Researchers have traced in detail how certain powerful HIV neutralizing antibodies evolve, a finding that generates vital clues to guide the design of a preventive HIV vaccine, according to a new study. ... > full story

Most common bladder cancer tumor sequenced (August 12, 2011) -- Scientists have conducted the first ever genetic sequencing of most common bladder cancer. Recognizing the genetic mutations that make bladder cancer cells different than their healthy neighbors may allow early genetic screenings for cancer and new therapies targeting cells with these mutations. In addition, the mutations the team found are similar to those recently discovered in a host of other cancers, implying a possible common denominator in the cause of cancer in general. ... > full story

Radiation rates for breast cancer may be underestimated, study finds (August 12, 2011) -- More breast cancer patients than previously believed may be receiving radiation treatments after breast-conserving surgery, a new study shows. ... > full story

Researchers fight cholera with computer forecasting (August 12, 2011) -- Just as the rainy season is driving a new surge of cholera cases in Haiti, a new computational model could forecast where outbreaks are likely to occur. Researchers hope to target anti-cholera efforts where they are most needed in the earthquake-ravaged country. ... > full story

Study links personal, corporate risk-taking; Examination of CEOs with private pilots' licenses indicates potential benefits in bold behavior (August 12, 2011) -- A CEO who enjoys the adrenaline rush of flying a private airplane is more likely than other chief executives to exhibit similarly bold management characteristics, according to a new study. ... > full story

Poor growth, delayed puberty and heart problems plague kids with mild kidney disease (August 12, 2011) -- Heart disease causes 35 percent of deaths in young adults with chronic kidney disease. Children with only mildly impaired kidney function experience poor growth, delayed puberty, metabolic problems, and high blood pressure. Treating these conditions during childhood might slow kidney disease and prevent heart-related deaths in young adults. ... > full story

World Trade Center attacks increased subsequent firefighter retirements, study finds (August 12, 2011) -- A new study reveals that the World Trade Center attacks affected the health of the New York City Fire Department resulting in more post-9/11 retirements than expected. ... > full story

Positive impact of growing public awareness of obesity epidemic found (August 12, 2011) -- Increasing public awareness of the childhood obesity epidemic may be contributing to evidence of overall reductions in body mass index (BMI), a measure of obesity in children, according to the new results. ... > full story

Program helps high school students overcome depression and thoughts of suicide (August 12, 2011) -- A new suicide prevention program has significantly helped teens overcome depression and thoughts of suicide, according to a new study. ... > full story

Religious beliefs shape health care attitudes among US Muslims, report suggests (August 12, 2011) -- The perceived role of God in illness and recovery is a primary influence upon the health care beliefs and behaviors of American Muslims, a first-of-its-kind study has discovered. ... > full story

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