ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Wednesday, August 17, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Wednesday, August 17, 2011

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Scientists show how gene variant linked to ADHD could operate; Study offers potential new target for treatment of ADHD (August 17, 2011) -- A study using mice provides insight into how a specific receptor subtype in the brain could play a role in increasing a person's risk for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The research could also help explain how stimulants work to treat symptoms of ADHD. ... > full story

Persistent, microscopic blood in urine associated with increased risk of kidney disease (August 17, 2011) -- Adolescents and young adults who had persistent, microscopic blood in their urine (hematuria) were more likely to develop end-stage renal disease over a follow-up period of about 20 years, although the absolute risk was low, according to a new study. ... > full story

Brand-conscious consumers take bad news to heart (August 17, 2011) -- Consumers with close ties to a brand respond to negative information about the beloved brand as they do to personal failure -- they experience it as a threat to their self-image, according to a new study. ... > full story

Recurrence risk of autism in younger siblings higher than thought, study finds (August 17, 2011) -- The risk that an infant with an older sibling with autism will develop the disorder, previously estimated at between 3 and 10 percent, is substantially higher at approximately 19 percent, a large, international, multi-site study has found. It found an even more elevated risk of recurrence of over 26 percent for males, and over 32 percent for infants with more than one older sibling with autism. ... > full story

New approach to thyroid surgery eliminates neck scar (August 17, 2011) -- Thyroid nodules affect nearly 13 million Americans and are a result of abnormal cell growth on the gland. Until recently, the only way to remove nodules and rule out cancer was through surgery that required a five centimeter incision across the front of the neck. Today however, a new option exists that allows surgeons to access the neck through the armpit, allowing for a biopsy of tissue with no visible scar. ... > full story

Dark beer has more iron than pale beer or non-alcoholic beer (August 17, 2011) -- Researchers have analyzed 40 brands of beer, discovering that dark beer has more free iron than pale and non-alcoholic beers. Iron is essential to the human diet, but also helps oxidize the organic compounds that give these beverages stability and flavor. ... > full story

In job market, social contacts help men, not women (August 17, 2011) -- When it comes to finding a job, who you know is as important as what you know. Work experience generally helps people foster the kinds of personal contacts that can lead someone to new career opportunities, but a new study shows that this is really only true for men. The study finds that work experience doesn't improve women's chances of finding a job through social contacts. ... > full story

Malignant stem cells may explain why some breast cancers develop and recur (August 16, 2011) -- Mutations that are found in stem cells could be causing some breast cancers to develop and may be the reason the disease recurs. These abnormal cells are likely controlling cell functions in the tumor and, given they are not targeted by chemotherapy and radiation, they enable the disease to recur, according to a new study. ... > full story

Defect in A20 gene expression can contribute to onset of rheumatoid arthritis (August 16, 2011) -- Researchers in Belgium have shown that a defective gene can contribute to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, an often-crippling inflammation of the joints that afflicts about one percent of the world's population. ... > full story

Speaking and understanding speech share the same parts of the brain (August 16, 2011) -- The brain has two big tasks related to speech: making it and understanding it. Psychologists and others who study the brain have debated whether these are really two separate tasks or whether they both use the same regions of the brain. Now, a new study finds that speaking and understanding speech share the same parts of the brain, with one difference: we don't need the brain regions that control the movements of lips, teeth, and so on to understand speech. ... > full story

Cigarette smoking implicated in half of bladder cancers in women; Bladder cancer risk from smoking is higher than previously estimated, study confirms (August 16, 2011) -- Current cigarette smokers have a higher risk of bladder cancer than previously reported, and the risk in women is now comparable to that in men, according to a new study. While previous studies showed that only 20 to 30 percent of bladder cancer cases in women were caused by smoking, these new data indicate that smoking is responsible for about half of female bladder cancer cases. ... > full story

Antibody discovered that may help detect ovarian cancer in earliest stages (August 16, 2011) -- Using a new approach to developing biomarkers for the very early detection of ovarian cancer, researchers have identified a molecule in the bloodstream of infertile women that could one day be used to screen for those at high risk for the disease -- or even those with early-stage ovarian cancer. ... > full story

Research on famous Siamese twins demonstrates how the paradox of American identity played out in the bodies of Chang and Eng (August 16, 2011) -- A cultural scholar has spent years studying Chang and Eng Bunker, a pair of Asian-born, co-joined, entrepreneurial, self-promoting "human marvels." "The Bunker twins," she says, "have served for more than 100 years as metaphors for the paradox that while 'individualism' is what makes Americans stand apart from Europeans, unity is equally valued." ... > full story

Possibility of temporarily reversing aging in the immune system (August 16, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a new mechanism controlling aging in white blood cells. The research opens up the possibility of temporarily reversing the effects of aging on immunity and could, in the future, allow for the short-term boosting of the immune systems of older people. ... > full story

Scientists expand knowledge of cell process involved in many diseases (August 16, 2011) -- Scientists have for the first time defined the structure of one of the cell's most basic engines, which is required for cell growth, as it assembles from its components. ... > full story

Causes of high incidence of breast cancer in African-American women identified (August 16, 2011) -- Investigators have reported findings that may shed light on why African American women have a disproportionately higher risk of developing more aggressive and difficult-to-treat breast cancers, specifically estrogen and progesterone receptor negative (ER-/PR-) cancers. Childbearing may increase the risk of hormone receptor-negative breast cancer in African-American women. ... > full story

Consequences of co-worker rudeness are far-reaching (August 16, 2011) -- A co-worker's rudeness can have a great impact on relationships far beyond the workplace, according to a new study. Findings suggest that stress created by incivility can be so intense that, at the end of the day, it is taken home by the worker and impacts the well-being of the worker's family and partner, who in turn takes the stress to his/her workplace. ... > full story

Daily TV quota of six hours could shorten life expectancy by five years (August 16, 2011) -- Watching TV for an average of six hours a day could shorten the viewer's life expectancy by almost five years, indicates new research. ... > full story

Influence of breast milk vs. formula and genetics on gut microbiota composition could help prevent celiac disease (August 16, 2011) -- The autoimmune condition, Celiac disease, afflicts roughly one in 133 Americans. It is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Now a team of investigators from Spain shows that the level of genetic risk of celiac disease influences the composition of infants' gut microbiota, and confirms earlier studies showing that the type of milk feeding -- breast vs. formula -- also influences the species distribution. Their hypothesis is that these changes in the intestinal microbiota may directly influence the risk of celiac disease, and that if this is so, changes in diet -- particularly breast feeding -- could reduce that risk. ... > full story

Garlic doesn't just repel vampires (August 16, 2011) -- The folk wisdom that eating garlic fights illness is ancient. In these more modern times, fruit and vegetable extracts that can inhibit the growth of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms are actually being evaluated as food preservatives, in part because consumers are demanding fewer synthetic chemical food preservatives. Now, researchers have found, contrary to expectations, that a group of garlic-derived organosulfur compounds has greater antimicrobial activity than garlic-derived phenolic compounds. ... > full story

Slowing the allergic march (August 16, 2011) -- A pandemic of ailments called the "allergic march" -- the gradual acquisition of overlapping allergic diseases that commonly begins in early childhood -- has frustrated both parents and physicians. Now scientists have identified that expression of the protein TSLP may influence susceptibility to multiple allergic diseases by regulating the maturation of basophils, an uncommon type of white blood cell. ... > full story

Breast cancer tumor suppressor gene silenced by low oxygen (August 16, 2011) -- Low oxygen can silence the BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene and contribute to the progression of cancer, according to a new study. Silencing this particular gene is one of the steps on the malignant pathway to breast cancer. The research may ultimately lead to ways of reactivating this and other tumor suppressor genes, in order to thwart cancer. ... > full story

Alcohol interferes with the restorative functions of sleep (August 16, 2011) -- Alcohol is known to increase slow-wave sleep during the first half of sleep, but then become disruptive. A new study of the relationship between sleep and heart rate variability (HRV) during sleep has found that alcohol interferes with the restorative functions of sleep. ... > full story

New role for protein in hearing (August 16, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a new role for a protein that is mutated in Usher syndrome, one of the most common forms of deaf-blindness in humans. The findings may help explain why this mutation causes the most severe form of the condition. ... > full story

Vitamin D levels appear to be associated with risk of skin cancer, although relationship is complex (August 16, 2011) -- As an individual's level of vitamin D increases, the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer seems to increase as well, although factors such as ultraviolet radiation exposure may complicate the relationship, according to a new report. ... > full story

Heavy drinkers have poor dietary habits (August 16, 2011) -- Excessive drinking and an unbalanced diet are two preventable contributors to health problems. A new study of adults in Spain has found that heavy drinking, binge drinking, a preference for spirits, and drinking alcohol at mealtimes were associated with a poor adherence to major food consumption guidelines. ... > full story

Pre-pregnancy overweight may program teen asthma symptoms (August 16, 2011) -- Moms who are overweight or obese when they become pregnant may be programming their children to have asthma -- like respiratory symptoms during adolescence, suggests new research. ... > full story

New anti-inflammatory agents silence overactive immune response (August 16, 2011) -- A new way to fight inflammation uses molecules called polymers to mop up the debris of damaged cells before the immune system becomes abnormally active, researchers report. ... > full story

The nag factor: How do children convince their parents to buy unhealthy foods? (August 16, 2011) -- To better understand the media's impact on children's health, a team of researchers examined the "nag factor." The "nag factor" is the tendency of children, who are bombarded with marketers' messages, to unrelentingly request advertised items. ... > full story

Salmonella stays deadly with a 'beta' version of cell behavior (August 16, 2011) -- Salmonella cells have hijacked the protein-building process to maintain their ability to cause illness, new research suggests. Scientists say that these bacteria have modified what has long been considered typical cell behavior by using a beta form of an amino acid -- as opposed to an alpha form -- during the act of making proteins. ... > full story

Enzyme found disrupting nerve cell communication in Alzheimer's disease (August 16, 2011) -- Researchers have found that beta-amyloid-induced destruction of synapses -- connections that mediate communication between nerve cells -- is driven by a chemical modification to the enzyme Cdk5. This altered form of Cdk5 (SNO-Cdk5) was prevalent in human Alzheimer's disease brains, but not in normal brains, suggesting that SNO-Cdk5 could be targeted for the development of new Alzheimer's disease therapies. ... > full story

Stem cells central to pathogenesis of mature lymphoid tumors (August 16, 2011) -- New research suggests that blood stem cells can be involved in the generation of leukemia, even when the leukemia is caused by the abnormal proliferation of mature cells. The study may guide future strategies aimed at identifying therapeutic targets for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. ... > full story

Pathogen research inspires robotics design for medicine and military (August 16, 2011) -- Researchers have made significant findings about the swimming and attachment of the microorganism Giardia. The findings can aid in designs for drug discovery and underwater vehicles. ... > full story

Jailhouse phone calls reveal why domestic violence victims recant (August 16, 2011) -- A new study uses -- for the first time -- recorded jailhouse telephone conversations between men charged with felony domestic violence and their victims to help reveal why some victims decide not to follow through on the charges. Researchers listened to telephone conversations between 17 accused male abusers in a Washington state detention facility and their female victims, all of whom decided to withdraw their accusations of abuse. ... > full story

Medication for severe, chronic gout associated with improvement in symptoms (August 16, 2011) -- As an alternative to a conventional treatment for gout that some patients may not respond to, patients with severe, chronic gout who received the medication pegloticase for six months had greater improvement in measures of uric acid levels as well as physical function and quality of life, according to a new study. ... > full story

Risk of bladder cancer from smoking greater than previously reported, new analysis indicates (August 16, 2011) -- An analysis of data that includes nearly 500,000 individuals indicates that the risk of bladder cancer among smokers is higher than reported from previous population data, and that the risk for women smokers is comparable with that of men, according to a new study. ... > full story

Thyroid cancer treatment varies by hospital, study finds (August 16, 2011) -- Where thyroid cancer patients go for care plays a large role in whether they receive radioactive iodine treatment, a new study finds. ... > full story

Flexible-fiber CO2 laser safe in endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery, study suggests (August 16, 2011) -- A new study has shown the Flexible-Fiber CO2 laser to safely cut and coagulate during endoscopic assisted transsphenoidal craniotomies without the line of sight problems encountered with conventional CO2 lasers. ... > full story

E. coli, Salmonella may lurk in unwashable places in produce (August 15, 2011) -- Sanitizing the outside of produce may not be enough to remove harmful food pathogens, according to a new study that demonstrated that Salmonella and E. coli can live inside plant tissues. ... > full story

Molecular delivery truck serves gene therapy cocktail (August 15, 2011) -- In a kind of molecular gymnastics, scientists have devised a gene therapy cocktail that has the potential to treat some inherited diseases associated with "misfolded" proteins. ... > full story

How excess alcohol depresses immune function (August 15, 2011) -- Alcoholism suppresses the immune system, resulting in a high risk of serious, and even life-threatening infections. A new study shows that this effect stems largely from alcohol's toxicity to immune system cells called dendritic cells. These cells play a critical role in immune function, responding to danger signals by searching for unfamiliar antigens within the body that would be coming from invading microbes, and presenting such antigens to T cells, thus activating them to seek and destroy cells containing these antigens. ... > full story

Inflexibility may give pupils with autism problems in multitasking (August 15, 2011) -- Young people with autism may find it difficult to multitask because they stick rigidly to tasks in the order they are given to them, according to new research. ... > full story

Inhibiting key enzymes kills difficult tumor cells in mice (August 15, 2011) -- Tumors that do not respond to chemotherapy are the target of a cancer therapy that prevents the function of two enzymes in mouse tumor cells, according to medical researchers. ... > full story

Scientists find easier, cheaper way to make a sought-after chemical modification to pharmaceuticals (August 15, 2011) -- Scientists have devised a much easier technique for performing a chemical modification used widely in the synthesis of drugs and other products. ... > full story

Psychologists interrupt the miserable cycle of social insecurity (August 15, 2011) -- Tom likes Susan but he fears she does not like him. Expecting to be rejected, he's cold toward Susan. And guess what? She snubs him back. His prophesy is self-fulfilled, his social insecurity reinforced. The miserable cycle continues. ... > full story

Profound reorganization in brains of adults who stutter: Auditory-motor integration located in different part of brain (August 15, 2011) -- Hearing Beethoven while reciting Shakespeare can suppress even a King's stutter, as recently illustrated in the movie "The King's Speech". This dramatic but short-lived effect of hiding the sound of one's own speech indicates that the integration of hearing and motor functions plays some role in the fluency (or dysfluency) of speech. New research has shown that in adults who have stuttered since childhood the processes of auditory-motor integration are indeed located in a different part of the brain to those in adults who do not stutter. ... > full story

Pathway of infection for a common, potentially life-threatening respiratory virus described (August 15, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a new treatment target for a virus that causes severe lung infections and an estimated 10 percent of common colds. ... > full story

New insight into the regulation of stem cells and cancer cells (August 15, 2011) -- Scientists have gained new insight into the delicate relationship between two proteins that, when out of balance, can prevent the normal development of stem cells in the heart and may also be important in some types of cancer. ... > full story

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