ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Thursday, August 25, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Thursday, August 25, 2011

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Bone marrow transplantation may increase cancer resistance in patients, study suggests (August 25, 2011) -- Bone marrow transplantation with genetically modified cells may prolong the period of cancer-free survival, suggests a new study. ... > full story

Caffeine lowers risk of skin cancer: Coffee-based sunscreen might work best (August 25, 2011) -- Researchers strengthen their theory that caffeine guards against skin cancer. Based on research on mice, scientists believe that caffeine applied directly to the skin may ultimately be effective as a topical sunscreeen. ... > full story

Less depression for working moms who expect that they 'can't do it all' (August 25, 2011) -- Working mothers who expressed a supermom attitude that work and home lives can be blended with relative ease showed more depression symptoms than working moms who expected that they would have to forego some aspects of their career or parenting to achieve a work-life balance. ... > full story

Gene study sheds new light on origins of British men (August 25, 2011) -- New genetic evidence reveals that most British men are not descended from immigrant farmers who migrated east 5,000-10,000 years ago -- contrary to previous research. ... > full story

Children of depressed mothers have a different brain: MRI scans show their children have an enlarged amygdala (August 25, 2011) -- Scientists worked with 10-year-old children whose mothers exhibited symptoms of depression throughout their lives and discovered that the children's amygdala, a part of the brain linked to emotional responses, was enlarged. ... > full story

Beta-blocker associated with better outcomes in treatment of infantile vascular tumors (August 25, 2011) -- Compared with oral corticosteroids, use of the beta-blocker propranolol for treatment of infantile hemangiomas was associated with higher rates of lesion clearance, fewer adverse effects, fewer surgical interventions after treatment, and lowers cost, according to a new report. ... > full story

Anti-aging techniques not yet viewed as acceptable, study suggests (August 25, 2011) -- People who use more invasive anti-aging methods such as Botox injections or surgery are viewed more negatively than those who use milder techniques such as sun-avoidance and facial creams and younger adults are more negative about using anti-aging methods than older adults, a new study shows. ... > full story

Why only some obese people develop chronic diseases: Disease-causing fat cells found in those with metabolic syndrome (August 24, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered biological indicators that help explain why some obese people develop chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and others do not. ... > full story

Researchers identify protein essential in transmission of Ebola virus (August 24, 2011) -- Researchers have used a robotic method to screen tens of thousands of compounds and identified a novel small molecule derived from benzylpiperazine adamantyl diamide that inhibits EboV entry into cells by more than 99 percent. They used the inhibitor as a probe to investigate the EboV infection pathway and found that the target of the inhibitor is the cell protein Niemann-Pick C1. ... > full story

Scientists identify point of entry for deadly Ebola virus (August 24, 2011) -- Using an unusual human cell line, researchers have performed a genetic screen and identified a protein used by the Ebola virus to gain entry into cells and begin replicating. The discovery may offer a new approach for the development of antiviral therapeutics. Ebola virus, the cause of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is one of the deadliest known viruses affecting humans. ... > full story

Mechanism links substance abuse with vulnerability to depression (August 24, 2011) -- A new study finds that repeated cocaine use increases the severity of depressive-like responses in a mouse model of depression and identifies a mechanism that underlies this cocaine-induced vulnerability. ... > full story

Source of Haitian cholera outbreak uncovered (August 24, 2011) -- Employing technology that reads the entire DNA code, researchers have pinpointed the source of a cholera outbreak in Haiti that killed more than 6,000 people and sickened 300,000. Using whole genome sequencing, which spells out the billions of chemical bases in DNA, the team of researchers provided the strongest evidence yet that peacekeepers from Nepal, where cholera is widespread, brought the disease to Haiti. ... > full story

Making mistakes while learning has memory benefits for older brains (August 24, 2011) -- Researchers have found the first evidence that older brains get more benefit than younger brains from learning information the hard way -- via trial-and-error learning. ... > full story

'Time cells' bridge the gap in memories of event sequences (August 24, 2011) -- New research finds that there are neurons in the hippocampus that encode every sequential moment in a series of events that compose a discrete experience. ... > full story

Health risks with nanotechnology? Nanoparticles can hinder intracellular transport (August 24, 2011) -- Scientists have now shown that uptake and accumulation of nanoparticles in cells can disrupt important intracellular transport pathways. The researchers discovered that the nanoparticles interrupt the transport of vital substances in and out of a cell, causing undesirable changes in the cell's physiology and disrupting normal cell functioning. ... > full story

House dust mite test on wheezy toddlers predicts asthma in teen years (August 24, 2011) -- Wheezy toddlers who have a sensitivity to house dust mites are more at risk of developing asthma by the age of 12, a new study has shown. ... > full story

Exercise can substitute effectively as second 'medication' for people with depression, study suggests (August 24, 2011) -- Exercise can be as effective as a second medication for as many as half of depressed patients whose condition have not been cured by a single antidepressant medication. ... > full story

Extreme morning sickness could lead to lifelong emotional, behavioral disorders in kids (August 24, 2011) -- A new study suggests that an extreme form of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting known as hyperemesis gravidarum -- which already takes a heavy toll on thousands of women each year and can lead to hospitalization and pregnancy termination -- is also linked to an increased risk of anxiety, bipolar disorder and depression in adulthood among individuals whose mothers had the condition. ... > full story

Scented laundry products emit hazardous chemicals through dryer vents (August 24, 2011) -- The researcher who used chemical sleuthing to uncover what's in scented products now has turned her attention to the air wafting from household laundry vents. Air from laundry machines using the top-selling scented liquid detergent and dryer sheet contains hazardous chemicals, including two that are classified as carcinogens. ... > full story

Gene silencing: Researchers have paved the way for functional analysis of non-protein-coding genes (August 24, 2011) -- Our genome contains numerous genes which do not code for the production of proteins. Many of them are transcribed particularly frequently in cancer cells. Scientists have now found a way to study the function of such genes. ... > full story

A lifetime of physical activity yields measurable benefits as we age (August 24, 2011) -- The benefits of physical activity accumulate across a lifetime, according to a new study. Researchers examined the associations of leisure time physical activity across adulthood with physical performance and strength in midlife in a group of British men and women followed since birth in March 1946. ... > full story

New heart scan may speed up diagnosis with less radiation (August 24, 2011) -- The next generation of computerized tomography (CT) scans appears faster and more accurate than current scans for measuring blood supply to the heart muscle. A small trial found the new scan provided images of the entire heart quicker, making it more convenient and safer for patients. ... > full story

Newfound hijacked proteins linked to salmonella virulence (August 24, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered that bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella have a sneaky way of making minor alterations to their genes to boost their chances for infection. ... > full story

Afghan patients a common source of drug-resistant bacteria, study finds (August 24, 2011) -- Afghan patients treated at a US military hospital in Afghanistan often carry multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, according to a new report. The findings underscore the need for effective infection control measures at deployed hospitals where both soldiers and local patients are treated, the study's authors say. ... > full story

Diet that combines cholesterol-lowering foods results in greater decrease in LDL than low-saturated fat diet, study finds (August 24, 2011) -- Persons with high cholesterol who received counseling regarding a diet that combined cholesterol-lowering foods such as soy protein, nuts and plant sterols over six months experienced a greater reduction in their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels than individuals who received advice on a low-saturated fat diet, according to a new study. ... > full story

Fundamental discovery about neurons may radically alter current view of neurotransmission (August 24, 2011) -- A fundamental new discovery about how nerve cells in the brain store and release tiny sacs filled with chemicals may radically alter the way scientists think about neurotransmission -- the electrical signaling in the brain that enables everything from the way we move, to how we remember and sense the world. ... > full story

Prolonged breastfeeding does not protect against eczema, global study shows (August 24, 2011) -- The largest worldwide study on the association between breastfeeding, time of weaning and eczema in children has concluded that there is no clear evidence that exclusive breastfeeding for four months or longer protects against childhood eczema. The study concludes that children who were exclusively breastfed for four months or longer were as likely to develop eczema as children who were weaned earlier. ... > full story

Ga ga for goo goo: Research explores the scientific basis for baby fever (August 24, 2011) -- Not only does the phenomena called baby fever exist, it is found in both men and women, according to researchers who have spent nearly 10 years researching baby fever: the physical and emotional desire to have a baby. ... > full story

Coriander oil could tackle food poisoning and drug-resistant infections (August 24, 2011) -- Coriander oil has been shown to be toxic to a broad range of harmful bacteria. Its use in foods and in clinical agents could prevent food-borne illnesses and even treat antibiotic-resistant infections, according to a new study. ... > full story

Scientist discovers genetic factor implicated in heartbeat defect (August 24, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered how gene regulation can make hearts beat out of sync, offering new hope for the millions who suffer from a potentially fatal heart condition. In a new paper, the scientists announce the identity of the molecular regulator that uses electrical impulses to synchronize each heartbeat. ... > full story

Diastolic dysfunction appears to worsen over time; associated with increased risk of heart failure (August 24, 2011) -- A follow-up of participants in a heart function study finds that the prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (left ventricular filling [with blood] is abnormal and is accompanied by elevated filling pressures) had increased; that diastolic function had worsened in a nearly a quarter of patients; and that participants who had diastolic dysfunction were more likely to develop heart failure, according to a new study. ... > full story

Physicians' exposure to radiation prompt cellular changes that may protect the body from harm (August 24, 2011) -- Cardiologists who perform heart operations using X-ray guided catheters are exposed to ionizing radiation at levels two to three times higher per year than those experienced by radiologists. Now, new research has found the first evidence that these constant, high levels of exposure cause changes at cell level that might represent the body's way of protecting itself against the harmful effects of radiation. ... > full story

Blood vessels participate in the eradication of tumors (August 24, 2011) -- Breast cancer: For the first time, very specific blood vessels have been discovered in tumors. These vessels facilitate the access of certain white blood cells, known as “killer lymphocytes”, into tumor tissues and thus lead to the efficient destruction of tumors. ... > full story

Patients discharged from a hospital at increased risk of unintentional discontinuation of medications for chronic diseases (August 24, 2011) -- Following discharge from a hospital, patients are at an increased risk of unintentional discontinuation of commonly prescribed chronic disease medications, with this risk even greater for patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit, according to a new study. ... > full story

Deaths from strong prescription painkillers are on the increase, experts say (August 24, 2011) -- Action is needed to tackle the increasing number of deaths in the United States and Canada from prescription painkillers known as opioids, say experts. ... > full story

Single protein, key to Ebola virus infection, could aid in drug design (August 24, 2011) -- New research has identified a cellular protein that plays a critical role in Ebola virus infection. The findings suggest a possible strategy for combating one of the world's most deadly viruses. ... > full story

Protein essential for Ebola virus infection is a promising antiviral target (August 24, 2011) -- Two research teams report identifying a critical protein that Ebola virus exploits to cause deadly infections. The protein target is an essential element through which the virus enters living cells to cause disease. ... > full story

Researchers find 'key' used by Ebola virus to unlock cells and spread deadly infection (August 24, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a cellular protein that is critical for infection by the deadly Ebola virus. The findings suggest a possible strategy for blocking infection due to Ebola virus, one of the world's most lethal viruses and a potential bioterrorism agent. ... > full story

85 percent of homeless people have chronic health conditions (August 24, 2011) -- More than eight out of 10 homeless people have at least one chronic health condition and more than half have a mental health problem, according to a new study. ... > full story

Treatment options for cluster headache (August 24, 2011) -- Cluster headache has a substantial detrimental effect on quality of life. New invasive procedures, such as hypothalamic deep brain stimulation and bilateral occipital nerve stimulation, may help patients with chronic refractory headache, according to new research. ... > full story

Scientists define cellular pathway essential to removing damaged mitochondria (August 23, 2011) -- Researchers have defined a specific protein complex that allows cells to rid themselves of damaged mitochondria, which are the energy producing machines of the cell. ... > full story

Novel cytokine protects mice from colitis (August 23, 2011) -- Inflammatory bowel disease, which affects more than 1 million patients in North America, results from an uncontrolled immune response triggered by environmental factors, such as bacteria, in people genetically predisposed to the disorder. Researchers have discovered that expression of a newly identified human cytokine -- interleukin 37 -- protects mice from colitis. ... > full story

Economic inequality is linked to biased self-perception (August 23, 2011) -- Pretty much everybody thinks they're better than average. But in some cultures, people are more self-aggrandizing than in others. Until now, national differences in "self-enhancement" have been chalked up to an East-West individualism-versus-collectivism divide. ... > full story

Inactivity linked to risk factors for Type 2 diabetes (August 23, 2011) -- As the number of people diagnosed with diabetes continues to grow, researchers are focusing on discovering why the prevalence of the disease is increasing. New research finds that ceasing regular physical activity impairs glycemic control (control of blood sugar levels), suggesting that inactivity may play a key role in the development of Type 2 diabetes. ... > full story

Melanin's 'trick' for maintaining radioprotection studied (August 23, 2011) -- Researchers have made new insights into the electrochemical mechanism that gives the complex polymer known as melanin its long-term ability to protect some species from ionizing radiation, with a goal of using that knowledge to develop materials that mimic those natural properties. ... > full story

Text search tool for electronic medical records shows promise for identifying postoperative complications (August 23, 2011) -- Use of natural language processing, such as in the form of free-text searches of electronic medical records (EMRs) of clinical and progress notes of patients performed better at identifying postoperative surgical complications than the commonly used administrative data codes in EMRs, according to a new study. ... > full story

Older adults are better at decision-making than young adults (August 23, 2011) -- We make decisions all our lives -- so you'd think we'd get better and better at it. Yet research has shown that younger adults are better decision-makers than older ones. Some psychologists, puzzled by these findings, suspected the experiments were biased toward younger brains. ... > full story

Filling without drilling: Pain-free way of tackling dental decay reverses acid damage and re-builds teeth (August 23, 2011) -- Researchers in the UK have discovered a pain-free way of tackling dental decay that reverses the damage of acid attack and rebuilds teeth as new. The pioneering treatment promises to transform the approach to filling teeth forever. ... > full story