ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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Tuberculosis Presents Major Challenges To HIV Treatment In Developing Countries (July 23, 2008) -- Human immunodeficiency virus care and treatment programs in resource-limited settings must aggressively address tuberculosis and the emerging multidrug-resistant TB epidemic to save patient lives and to curb the global TB burden, a major cause of death for persons with HIV, according to a new article. ... > full story
Predicting Acute GVHD By Gene Expression Could Improve Liver Stem Cell Transplant Outcomes (July 23, 2008) -- Acute graft-versus-host disease occurs when an immune response is elicited by the grafted cells against a recipient, resulting in tissue damage for the treated individual. There are no definitive markers for predicting the development or progression of GVHD following the transplant of allogenic stem cells as therapy for liver cancer. This study offers a preliminary "molecular signature" for the development of acute GVHD based on altered gene expression. ... > full story
Transit Systems Are Not Well-integrated Into Local Emergency Plans (July 23, 2008) -- Millions of people each day rely on transit, yet few urban area emergency plans have focused on its role in an emergency evacuation. Transit systems could play a significant role in transporting car-less and special needs populations in times of emergency, but these groups are inadequately addressed in most local emergency plans and evacuating them could easily exceed limited transit resources. ... > full story
Combating Age-related Immune-response Decline: Protein Found To Stimulate Production Of T-cells (July 23, 2008) -- Scientists have identified a protein that stimulates the production of T-cells, the white blood cells involved in the recognition and the elimination of infectious agents. The discovery could help to combat age-related declines in immune response. ... > full story
Prenatal Drinking, Environmental Enrichment: Effects On Neurotrophins Are Independent Of Each Other (July 23, 2008) -- Prenatal alcohol exposure may be particularly destructive for neurotrophins, a family of peptides that influence the growth, development and functional plasticity of the fetal brain. A new rodent study of alcohol's effects on three key neurotrophins has found that, even though environmental enrichment may be able to improve some fetal-alcohol effects, those benefits do not appear to be mediated by neurotrophins. ... > full story
Reflecting On Values Promotes Love, Acceptance (July 23, 2008) -- No one enjoys being told that their behavior is harmful to themselves or others. In fact, most people respond defensively when confronted with evidence that their behavior is irrational, irresponsible, or unhealthy. Fortunately, research has shown that just a few minutes of writing about an important value can reduce defensiveness. ... > full story
How The Immune System And Brain Communicate To Control Disease (July 22, 2008) -- In a major step in understanding how the nervous system and the immune system interact, scientists have identified a new anatomical path through which the brain and the spleen communicate. The spleen, once thought to be an unnecessary bit of tissue, is now regarded as an organ where important information from the nervous reaches the immune system. Understanding this process could ultimately lead to treatments that target the spleen to send the right message when fighting human disease. ... > full story
People Only Eat One, When The Chips Are Brown (July 22, 2008) -- Dr. Don Henne isn't wasting his degree when he's standing by the deep fryer waiting for potato slices to turn brown. He's conducting research that will help the potato industry and consumers. Henne, an assistant research scientist in the Texas AgriLife Research plant pathology program in Amarillo, is one of many who are trying to find answers about zebra chip. Zebra chip is the latest disease to plague the potato industry, especially those in the chipping business. ... > full story
Still Puzzling: Best Care For The Frail And Elderly With Coronary Artery Disease (July 22, 2008) -- Patients treated solely with medications after suffering from chest pain, heart attack or coronary artery disease are more likely to die during the first year following their initial hospitalization. Researchers found that with all else being equal, the risk of death was highest for the medically managed group and lowest for patients who underwent stenting. ... > full story
Minimally Invasive Treatment Improves Male Fertility (July 22, 2008) -- A minimally invasive treatment for a common cause of male infertility can significantly improve a couple's chances for pregnancy, according to a new study. The study also found that the level of sperm motility prior to treatment is a key predictor of success. ... > full story
Stenting To Prop Open Blocked Arteries: Will That Be Through An Arm Or A Leg? (July 22, 2008) -- When it comes to stenting -- using metal tubes to prop open blocked arteries -- physicians are continuing to choose to gain entry to the circulatory system through an opening in the leg instead of the arm, even though the latter option appears to be safer, with fewer side effects. ... > full story
Nano-modified Food: How Much Are Consumers Willing To Accept The Associated Risks? (July 22, 2008) -- Consumers have largely grown to accept nanotechnology in nutrition for packaging and, to a lesser extent, even the food itself, according to a new study. In recent years, nanotechnology has joined gene and information technology in becoming a pinnacle of hope for research and industry. The latest uses for nanotechnology include food products and their packaging. ... > full story
Spinal Cord Stem Cells Could Be Basis Of Nonsurgical Treatment For Spinal-cord Injuries (July 22, 2008) -- A researcher at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory has pinpointed stem cells within the spinal cord that, if persuaded to differentiate into more healing cells and fewer scarring cells following an injury, may lead to a new, nonsurgical treatment for debilitating spinal-cord injuries. ... > full story
Blood-related Genetic Mechanisms Found Important In Parkinson's Disease (July 22, 2008) -- What does the genetics of blood cells have to do with brain cells related to Parkinson's disease? From an unusual collaboration of neurologists and a pharmacologist comes the surprising answer: genetic mechanisms at play in blood cells also control a gene and protein that cause Parkinson's disease. ... > full story
Water-diffusion Technology Identifies Brain Regions Damaged By Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (July 22, 2008) -- Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder often have structural brain damage. Recent findings show that several specific white matter regions, as well as deep gray matter areas, of the brain are particularly sensitive to prenatal alcohol exposure. These abnormalities likely underlie the cognitive, motor, behavioral and emotional difficulties that are associated with FASD. ... > full story
Beijing Pollution May Trigger Heart Attacks, Strokes (July 22, 2008) -- The heavily polluted air in Beijing may trigger serious cardiovascular problems for some spectators. Researchers warn that for people in certain risk groups, breathing high levels of pollution can cause heart attacks and strokes within 24 hours of exposure and increase the possibility of having blood clots in their legs on the plane home. Research shows that high pollution levels can cause hyperclotting of the blood, spurring stokes and heart attacks. ... > full story
Increased Risk For Disabilities After Preterm Birth (July 22, 2008) -- Premature birth is associated with various life-long problems. Still, many premature children seem to function very well as adults according to a new large and comprehensive study from Norway. ... > full story
For Your Eyes Only: Custom Interfaces Make Computer Clicking Faster, Easier (July 22, 2008) -- Personalized computer interfaces that adapt to each user's vision and motor abilities significantly speeds up computer tasks, especially in disabled users. A mathematical approach to design offers the first instantly customizable computer interface. ... > full story
Plants Make Vaccine For Treating Type Of Cancer In Phase-1 Study (July 22, 2008) -- Plants could act as safe, speedy factories for growing antibodies for personalized treatments against a common form of cancer, according to new findings from the Stanford University School of Medicine. The findings came in the first human tests of an injectable vaccine grown in genetically engineered plants. The treatments, which would vaccinate cancer patients against their malignant cells, could lead to earlier personalized therapy to tackle follicular B-cell lymphoma, an immune-system malignancy diagnosed in about 16,000 people each year. ... > full story
Class Of Antibiotics Can Enhance Gene-silencing Tool (July 22, 2008) -- The selective gene-silencing technique called RNA interference holds promise for medicine if it can be adapted to work in humans. Certain antibiotic compounds called fluoroquinolones enhance the effectiveness of RNA interference in cells and could reduce potential side effects. ... > full story
Regular Walking Nearly Halves Elderly Disability Risk (July 22, 2008) -- Older adults can decrease their risk of disability and increase their likelihood of maintaining independence by 41 percent by participating in a walking exercise program, according to a new study. ... > full story
Suckling Infants Trigger Surges Of Trust Hormone In Mothers' Brains (July 22, 2008) -- Researchers have for the first time been able to show exactly how, when a baby suckles at a mother's breast, it starts a chain of events that leads to surges of the "trust" hormone oxytocin being released in their mothers brains. ... > full story
Primary Sensor That Detects Stomach Viruses Discovered (July 22, 2008) -- Scientists have identified the primary immune sensor that detects the presence of stomach viruses in the body. They show that the sensor -- a protein called MDA-5 -- triggers an immune response that revs up the body's defenses to fight off the infection. This knowledge may help develop a treatment that prevents or reduces infection. ... > full story
Common Wisdom About Troubled Youth Falls Apart When Race Considered (July 22, 2008) -- One of the most widely accepted beliefs about the differences between troubled boys and girls may need to be revised, according to new research. Experts have long believed that girls tend to internalize their problems, becoming depressed or anxious, while boys externalize, turning to violence against people or property. ... > full story
Insulin-producing Cells Can Give Rise To Stem-like Cells In-vitro (July 22, 2008) -- The question of whether insulin-producing cells of the pancreas can regenerate is key to our understanding of diabetes. Now scientists have concluded that they can. Researchers have shown in vitro that insulin-producing β-cells (beta cells) can return to a more primitive developmental state called stem-like cells. ... > full story
Cancer Drug Resistance: Enzyme Expression Levels Correlated With Chemotherapy Drug Response (July 22, 2008) -- Why do cancer patients develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs, sometimes abruptly, after a period in which the drugs seem to be working well to reduce tumors or hold them in check? Although largely a mystery to scientists, the result when this occurs is all too familiar: patients relapse and in many cases die when their cancers become resistant. ... > full story
Intelligent Computational Model Of The Descriptive Grammar Of The Spanish Language (July 22, 2008) -- Researchers have developed an intelligent computational model of the descriptive grammar of the Spanish language. This opens up new possibilities for the computational representation of languages and natural language processing applications. ... > full story
Using Magenetic Nanoparticles To Combat Cancer (July 22, 2008) -- Scientists have developed a potential new treatment against cancer that attaches magnetic nanoparticles to cancer cells, allowing them to be captured and carried out of the body. The treatment has been tested in the laboratory and will now be looked at in survival studies. ... > full story
Averting Postsurgical Infections In Kids: Give Antibiotics Within Hour Before First Incision, Study Suggests (July 22, 2008) -- Giving children preventive antibiotics within one hour before they undergo spinal surgery greatly reduces the risk for serious infections after the surgery, suggests a study to be published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. ... > full story
Why Cannabis Stems Inflammation (July 22, 2008) -- Cannabis has long been accredited with anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers, however, have now discovered that it is not only the familiar psychoactive substances that are responsible for this; a compound we take in every day in vegetable nutriment also plays a significant role. ... > full story
D-cycloserine May Improve Behavioral Therapy Treatment For Anxiety (July 22, 2008) -- Anxiety is a normal human response to stress, but in some, it can develop into a disabling disorder of excessive and irrational fears, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Effective treatments are available and can involve either behavioral therapy or medications. ... > full story
Coffee And Cigarette Consumption Are High Among AA Attendees (July 22, 2008) -- More than one million Americans currently participate in the Alcoholics Anonymous program. Recent findings confirm that coffee and cigarette use among AA members is greater than among the general US population. Most AA members drink coffee for its stimulatory effects; more than half smoke to reduce feelings of depression, anxiety and irritability. ... > full story
Scientists Create Touch-based Illusion: Mind Trick Yields New Insights On Perception (July 21, 2008) -- Anyone who has seen an optical illusion can recall the quirky moment when you realize that the image being perceived is different from objective reality. Now, scientists have designed a new illusion involving the sense of touch, which is helping to glean new insights into perception and how different senses -- such as touch and sight -- work together. ... > full story
Understanding How Neurons Communicate May Help Treat Brain Disorders (July 21, 2008) -- Scientists have learned important details illustrating how neuronal cells in the brain communicate at a microcellular level. Such knowledge may help in the development of drug compounds used to treat disorders caused by malfunctions in communication between brain cells, such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story
Guidelines Highlight Key Differences Between Child And Adult Stroke (July 21, 2008) -- This is the first guidance on stroke in children from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke risk, symptoms and treatment in children are different from those in adults. The clot-busting drug t-PA is not generally recommended for treating children, especially newborns. ... > full story
Elderly Falls Cut By 11 Percent With Education And Intervention (July 21, 2008) -- Commonly viewed as an inevitable consequence of aging and often ignored in clinical practice, falls among the elderly were cut by 11 percent when researchers at Yale School of Medicine used a combination of fall prevention educational campaigns and interventions aimed at encouraging clinicians to incorporate fall-risk assessment and management into their practices. ... > full story
Breakthrough In Fight Against Deadly Superbug: Early Detection Method Greatly Increases Chances Of Survival (July 21, 2008) -- Scientists have made a major breakthrough in the fight against a deadly hospital infection which kills tens of thousands of people every year, and it will be available within the next year. Researchers have discovered a technique that can identify the superbug within 24-48 hours of infection, greatly increasing a patient's chances of survival. ... > full story
Calcium May Be The Key To Understanding Alzheimer's Disease (July 21, 2008) -- Researchers have shown that mutations in two proteins associated with familial Alzheimer's disease disrupt the flow of calcium ions within neurons. The two proteins, called PS1 and PS2 (presenilin 1 and 2), interact with a calcium release channel in an intracellular cell compartment. ... > full story
Too Much, Too Little Sleep Increases Ischemic Risk In Postmenopausal Women (July 21, 2008) -- Sleeping nine hours or more a night significantly increases the risk for ischemic stroke among post menopausal women. Sleeping less than 6 hours showed a modest increase risk of stroke, but was reported by twice as many women. The findings cannot be applied to other groups. ... > full story
Heart Attack Not A Death Sentence (July 21, 2008) -- Survivors of cardiac arrest who received intensive care can expect long-term quality of life at reasonable expense to the health care system. The allocation of resources to the treatment of heart attack patients is equally as justified as the treatment of other intensive care patient groups. ... > full story
Killer Kevlar: Clothing That Shields From Germs (July 21, 2008) -- Protective clothing worn by firemen and other emergency workers may soon get a germ-fighting upgrade. Researchers in South Dakota report progress toward the first Kevlar fabrics that can kill a wide range of infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and the spores that cause anthrax. ... > full story
New Approach To Cancer: Find Most Tightly Controlled Genes (July 21, 2008) -- Scientists have found a new way to study cancer that could be very useful for developing targeted therapies against tumors and possibly many other diseases. A data analysis revealed which genes are most tightly controlled in the cancerous tissues studied, yielding a new class of genes, in which only slight changes could affect gene function to elicit a sizable effect on a tumor. ... > full story
Novel Computational Model Describes The Speed At Which HIV Escapes The Immune Response (July 21, 2008) -- A new model illustrates how HIV evades the immune system. The study, in PLoS Computational Biology, incorporates detailed interactions between a mutating virus and the immune system. ... > full story
How A Simple Mathematic Formula Is Starting To Explain The Bizarre Prevalence Of Altruism In Society (July 21, 2008) -- Why do humans cooperate in things as diverse as environment conservation or the creation of fairer societies, even when they don't receive anything in exchange or, worst, they might even be penalized? This is a question that has puzzled academics for centuries, especially since in evolution the basis for the "survival of the fittest" is, after all, selfishness. ... > full story
Protein Linked To Bone Marrow Failure In Humans Found Through Study Of Dark-skinned Mice (July 21, 2008) -- The study of dark-skinned mice has led to a surprising finding about a common protein involved in tumor suppression. The results may lead to new treatments for bone marrow failure in humans. ... > full story
Virulence Factor That Induces Fatal Candida Infection Identified (July 21, 2008) -- Singapore scientists found that certain substances from bacteria living in the human intestine cause the normally harmless Candida albicans fungus to become highly infectious. Once in the infectious form, the fungus is able to invade surrounding tissues and escape destruction by the body's own immune cells. ... > full story
Wii-habilitation: Using Video Games To Heal Burns (July 21, 2008) -- Video games — often regarded as nothing more than mindless entertainment for lethargic kids and teens — are proving to be an effective, new tool to motivate patients to perform rehabilitation exercises. The Burn Center is also employing a special add-on to the Nintendo Wii system, Guitar Hero III. ... > full story
Researchers Grow Human Blood Vessels In Mice From Adult Progenitor Cells (July 21, 2008) -- For the first time, researchers have grown in mice functioning human blood vessels from cells obtained from adult blood and bone marrow. This research could eventually lead to treatments for heart attack, acute injuries, wound healing and may facilitate growing new organs. ... > full story
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