ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Friday, August 19, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Friday, August 19, 2011

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

Fat around heart may be early indicator of coronary disease (August 19, 2011) -- Researchers have found more evidence supporting the role of fat around the heart in promoting atherosclerosis, according to a new study. New results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) show that pericardial fat is more strongly related to coronary artery plaque than either body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference. ... > full story

Kidney drugs hampered by high blood phosphate; Lowering phosphate levels could help prevent kidney failure, study suggests (August 19, 2011) -- High blood phosphate levels can set chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on a rapid path to kidney failure, according to a new study. To make matters worse, phosphate appears to interfere with the effectiveness of important kidney medications. ... > full story

Sex differences in mental illness: Men more likely to develop substance abuse, antisocial problems; women more likely to develop anxiety, depression (August 19, 2011) -- When it comes to mental illness, the sexes are different: Women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression, while men tend toward substance abuse or antisocial disorders, according to a new study. ... > full story

Cancer stem cells made, not born: Experiments and modeling reveal how tumors maintain cellular balance (August 19, 2011) -- In cancer, tumors aren't uniform, but instead are like complex societies, each with a unique balance of cell types. A common theory is that these societies are hierarchical, with all cancer cells descending from special, self-renewing cancer stem cells. New findings, however, point to a more decentralized society, in which cancer cells interconvert between different types. These results suggest that attacking cancer stem cells alone may not be enough to fight cancer. ... > full story

A faster, cheaper way to diagnose tuberculosis (August 19, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a faster, cheaper method for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). A major barrier in TB prevention, especially in developing countries, is that diagnosis is slow and costly. Researchers have developed a method which could potentially decrease the time taken to make a diagnosis. Their method is also cheaper than the current fastest methods. ... > full story

Researchers outline ways to advance scientific thinking in children (August 19, 2011) -- Science educators aim to nurture, enrich and sustain children's natural and spontaneous interest in scientific knowledge using many different approaches. In a new paper, researchers use cognitive and developmental psychology research to outline ways to advance the science of science instruction. ... > full story

How sticky egg captures sperm: Discovery could help explain infertility causes and provide new contraceptive targets (August 18, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered exactly how a human egg captures an incoming sperm to begin the fertilization process. The research identifies the sugar molecule that makes the outer coat of the egg 'sticky', which is vital for enabling the sperm and egg to bind together. The scientists behind this study believe their work could help address some of the previously unexplained causes of human infertility and sub-fertility and be very useful for diagnosing this problem in couples who are unable to have children. It could also provide a new target for the development of natural contraceptive agents. ... > full story

Mutant gene identified that causes abnormal chromosome count, leading to cancer (August 18, 2011) -- Cells with too few or too many chromosomes have long been known to be a hallmark of cancer -- but the cause of this abnormal number of chromosomes has been little understood. Now, researchers have identified a gene that is commonly mutated in human cancers and have demonstrated its direct role in causing aneuploidy, an abnormal number of chromosomes. ... > full story

Bacteria from dog feces present in outdoor air in urban areas (August 18, 2011) -- Bacteria from fecal material -- in particular, dog fecal material -- may constitute the dominant source of airborne bacteria in Cleveland's and Detroit's wintertime air. ... > full story

Increased celiac disease prevalence in women with unexplained infertility (August 18, 2011) -- A recent study demonstrated increased rates of celiac disease in women who present with unexplained infertility. The study evaluated 191 female patients presenting with infertility. Each participant underwent serologic screening for celiac disease as well as routine infertility testing. The four patients who had positive serum test results were advised to seek evaluation with a gastroenterologist. All four patients were confirmed to have celiac disease. ... > full story

Study exposes habit formation in smartphone users (August 18, 2011) -- Smartphone users develop the habit of frequently checking their phones for e-mail, social media, and news, shows a new study. The researchers were surprised to find users engaging in checking behaviors throughout the waking hours. Furthermore, a sizable proportion of smartphone use consists solely of checkings. ... > full story

Switch in cell's 'power plant' declines with age, rejuvenated by drug (August 18, 2011) -- Researchers have found a protein normally involved in blood pressure regulation in a surprising place: tucked within the little "power plants" of cells, the mitochondria. The quantity of this protein appears to decrease with age, but treating older mice with the blood pressure medication losartan can increase protein numbers to youthful levels, decreasing both blood pressure and cellular energy usage. ... > full story

Embryo development obeys the laws of hydrodynamics (August 18, 2011) -- The law of hydrodynamics can contribute to our understanding of how a cluster of embryonic cells can transform into an animal within the first 36 hours of development, according to new research. ... > full story

Remembering surgery: Device no better than cheaper alternatives for preventing intraoperative awareness (August 18, 2011) -- Anesthesiology researchers have shown that a device to reduce the risk that patients will recall their surgery does not lower the risk of intraoperative awareness any more than a less expensive method. Unintended intraoperative awareness occurs when a patient becomes aware during surgery and later remembers being in pain or feeling distress during the operation. ... > full story

Majority of pharmaceutical ads do not adhere to FDA guidelines, new study finds (August 18, 2011) -- A new study of 192 pharmaceutical advertisements in biomedical journals found that only 18 percent were compliant with Food and Drug Administration guidelines, and over half failed to quantify serious risks including death. ... > full story

New research reveals brain's protection mechanism during stroke (August 18, 2011) -- Neuroscientists have identified a natural protection mechanism in some of the brain's nerve cells during the onset of stroke. The findings could be used to develop treatments to protect other nerve cell types responsible for speech and movement. ... > full story

Muscle-building effect of protein beverages for athletes investigated (August 18, 2011) -- In two new studies, researchers concluded that muscle metabolism after exercise can be manipulated via dietary means. In terms of the most beneficial timing of protein intake, immediate post-exercise consumption appears to be best. ... > full story

Review highlights flawed logic of segregating boys and girls for education purposes, based on alleged brain differences (August 18, 2011) -- There is no scientific basis for teaching boys and girls separately, according to new research. A newly published review reveals fundamental flaws in the arguments put forward by proponents of single-sex schools to justify the need of teaching teach boys and girls separately. The author shows that neuroscience has identified few reliable differences between boys' and girls' brains relevant to learning or education. ... > full story

Treatment with vitamin C dissolves toxic protein aggregates in Alzheimer's disease (August 18, 2011) -- Researchers in Sweden have discovered a new function for vitamin C. Treatment with vitamin C can dissolve the toxic protein aggregates that build up in the brain in Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story

Headaches are common in year following traumatic brain injury, especially among females (August 18, 2011) -- Recurring headaches are common during the year following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), regardless of the severity of the TBI, and they tend to occur more often among females and those with a pre-TBI history of headache, according to a new article. ... > full story

Impulsive alcoholics likely to die sooner (August 18, 2011) -- Alcohol and impulsivity are a dangerous mix: People with current drinking problems and poor impulse control are more likely to die in the next 15 years, a new study suggests. However, they could get by with a little help from their friends: The study also found that a strong social support network buffers the toxic effects of impulsivity. ... > full story

Blocking cancer cell’s energy ‘generator’ could lead to new targeted treatments (August 18, 2011) -- Scientists in the UK have found that blocking the pathway used by some kidney cancer cells to generate energy can kill the cancer cells, sparing the healthy ones. ... > full story

HIV havens: Researchers find new clues about how HIV reservoirs may form (August 18, 2011) -- Much like cities organize contingency plans for emergencies, chronic infectious diseases like HIV form reservoirs that ensure their survival in adverse conditions. But these reservoirs -- small populations of viruses or bacteria of a specific type that persist despite attack by the immune system or drug treatment--are not always well understood. Now, researchers believe they have begun to decode how a reservoir of infection can persist in HIV-positive populations. ... > full story

Computers will be able to tell social traits from human faces, researchers predict (August 18, 2011) -- Researchers have developed new computational tools that help computers determine whether faces fall into categories like attractive or threatening, according to a recent paper. ... > full story

Everyday 'clairvoyance:' How your brain makes near-future predictions (August 18, 2011) -- Every day we make thousands of tiny predictions -- when the bus will arrive, who is knocking on the door, whether the dropped glass will break. Now, in one of the first studies of its kind, researchers are beginning to unravel the process by which the brain makes these everyday prognostications. ... > full story

Improved method for capturing proteins holds promise for biomedical research (August 18, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a new way of producing antibody-like binding agents and rapidly optimizing their affinity for their target proteins. Such capture reagents are vital for revealing the subtleties of protein function, and may pave the way for improved methods of detecting and treating a broad range of diseases. ... > full story

Computational method predicts new uses for existing medicines; Match-making program uses gene expression patterns (August 18, 2011) -- Scientists used computers and publicly available genomic information to predict new uses for existing medicines. The approach could save time and money compared to traditional drug discovery methods. Among the study's surprise findings: an anti-ulcer medicine that slowed the growth of lung cancer, and an anticonvulsant that might alleviate inflammatory bowel diseases. ... > full story

Cells derived from pluripotent stem cells are developmentally immature (August 18, 2011) -- Stem cell researchers have discovered that three types of cells derived from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells are similar to each other, but are much more developmentally immature than previously thought when compared to those same cell types taken directly from human tissue. ... > full story

Ambitious goals equals satisfaction (August 18, 2011) -- Consumers who set ambitious goals have a greater level of satisfaction compared to those who set conservative goals, according to a new article. ... > full story

Sniffer dogs can be used to detect lung cancer, research suggests (August 18, 2011) -- Sniffer dogs could be used for the early detection of lung cancer, according to new research. The study, carried out by researchers in Germany, is the first to find that sniffer dogs can reliably detect lung cancer. ... > full story

Maternal fat has negative impact on embryo development (August 18, 2011) -- Exposing eggs to high levels of saturated fatty acids -- as commonly found in the ovaries of obese women and those with type 2 diabetes -- compromises the development of the embryo, according to new research. ... > full story

New risk score spots patients at high risk of serious blood clots (August 18, 2011) -- A new risk prediction tool can identify patients at high risk of serious blood clots who might need preventative treatment, according to a new study. ... > full story

Common vein condition increases risk for developing life-threating blood clots (August 18, 2011) -- Patients with clinically diagnosed superficial vein thrombosis (SVT), a blood clot in the veins just beneath the skin that commonly resolves on its own without treatment, are four to six times more likely to develop venous thromboembolism (VTE), a dangerous, often life-threatening condition, according to a new study. ... > full story

Near-infrared imaging system shows promise as future pancreatic cancer diagnostic tool (August 18, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that optical coherence tomography (OCT), a high resolution optical imaging technique that works by bouncing near-infrared laser light off biological tissue, can reliably distinguish between pancreatic cysts that are low-risk and high-risk for becoming malignant. ... > full story

Better mattresses improve care, cut hospital costs (August 18, 2011) -- Hospitals could reduce health-care costs arising from pressure ulcers, commonly known as bedsores, by investing in pressure-reduction mattresses for elderly patients in emergency departments, according to new research. ... > full story

Cellular laser microsurgery illuminates research in vertebrate biology (August 18, 2011) -- Using an ultrafast femtosecond laser, researchers were able to label, draw patterns on, and remove individual melanocytes cells from a species of frog tadpole (Xenopus) without damaging surrounding cells and tissues. Melanocytes are the cells responsible for skin pigment; they also are descendants of a specific type of stem cell that has regenerative potential and other characteristics similar to some cancer cells. ... > full story

Want to improve employee engagement? Make it part of the performance management process (August 18, 2011) -- The performance management process should evaluate and focus on employee engagement in addition to job performance, according to a new paper. ... > full story

Annual cervical cancer screening persists, despite recommended guidelines (August 18, 2011) -- Investigators have determined that the majority of primary care providers continue to recommend annual cervical cancer screening, and less than 15 percent would extend the screening interval when using the Papanicolaou test and human papillomavirus test together, as some guidelines suggest. ... > full story

Hospitalizations due to skin and soft-tissue infections among children have doubled (August 17, 2011) -- The number of children hospitalized for skin and soft-tissue infections, most due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, has more than doubled since 2000, a new study has found. ... > full story

Relationship between glaucoma and diabetes, hypertension (August 17, 2011) -- Many Americans suffer from diabetes and hypertension and, according to a new study, these individuals may have an increased risk of developing open-angle glaucoma. ... > full story

Fish oil's impact on cognition and brain structure identified in new study (August 17, 2011) -- Researchers have found positive associations between fish oil supplements and cognitive functioning as well as differences in brain structure between users and non-users of fish oil supplements. The findings suggest possible benefits of fish oil supplements on brain health and aging. ... > full story

Using powder-free latex gloves reduces latex allergy rate in health care workers (August 17, 2011) -- Researchers investigating latex allergy in health care workers have demonstrated the most effective public health strategy to prevent allergic sensitization is by stopping the use of powdered latex gloves. ... > full story

Working together can help battle effects of fatigue: Teams show more flexible thinking when fatigued than individuals, study finds (August 17, 2011) -- Fatigue can lead to dangerous errors by doctors, pilots and others in high-risk professions, but individuals who work together as a team display better problem-solving skills than those who face their fatigue alone, new research shows. ... > full story

Researchers find new hope for treatment of chronic leukemia (August 17, 2011) -- While testing a new drug designed to treat chronic leukemia, researchers have discovered new markers that could identify which patients would receive maximum benefit from the treatment. ... > full story

Gene combination increases risk of lung cancer, particularly in light smokers, study finds (August 17, 2011) -- Smokers with variations in two specific genes have a greater risk of smoking more cigarettes, becoming more dependent on nicotine and developing lung cancer, a new study shows. ... > full story

Fifteen minutes of moderate daily exercise lengthens life, Taiwanese study finds (August 17, 2011) -- An observational study of 416,175 Taiwanese shows that low-volume, moderate intensity exercise reduces death rates and extends life expectancy by three years. ... > full story

Effects of prenatal stress passed across generations in mice (August 17, 2011) -- Sons of male mice exposed to prenatal stress are more sensitive to stress as adults, according to a new study. These findings suggest experiences in the womb can lead to individual differences in stress response that may be passed across generations. ... > full story

Popular herbal supplements may adversely affect chemotherapy treatment (August 17, 2011) -- Acai berry, cumin, herbal tea, turmeric and long-term use of garlic -- all herbal supplements commonly believed to be beneficial to your health -- may negatively impact chemotherapy treatment according to a new report. ... > full story

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

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

Email Marketing by