ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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Revolutionary Technique Could Reduce Lifelong Drugs For Transplant Patients (August 6, 2008) -- Researchers have developed a ground-breaking procedure that could avoid the need for transplant patients to spend the rest of their lives taking a cocktail of drugs to stop their system from rejecting their new organ. ... > full story
Growth Hormone Reduces Abdominal Fat, Cardiovascular Risk In HIV Patients On Antiviral Therapy (August 6, 2008) -- Low-dose growth hormone treatment reduced abdominal fat deposits and improved blood pressure and triglyceride levels in a group of patients with HIV lipodystrophy -- a condition involving the redistribution of fat and other metabolic changes in patients receiving combination drug therapy for HIV infection -- but growth hormone treatment also appeared to increase blood glucose levels, particularly in those already exhibiting glucose intolerance. ... > full story
Breast Cancer Confessions: Emotional Work Of Disclosing A Diagnosis (August 6, 2008) -- Women diagnosed with breast cancer shoulder the emotional burden of disclosing their diagnosis to loved ones, managing the feelings of others at precisely the time when they need support themselves, according to new research. ... > full story
Testosterone And Body Fat Are Controlled By The Same Genes (August 6, 2008) -- Genes that control percentage of body fat are also responsible for circulating levels of testosterone in men, new research shows. The research shows a 23% overlap between the genes that control testosterone and those that regulate body fat composition, suggesting that these two variables are partly controlled by the same set of genes. ... > full story
A Mechanism For The Development Of Obesity-associated Conditions (August 6, 2008) -- Substances known as endocannabinoids have been implicated in the development of many effects of a high-fat diet, including risk factors for type 2 diabetes. New data have now indicated that these effects of endocannabinoids occur via activation of the protein CB1 in the liver and not the brain. Therefore, targeting liver CB1 might provide an effective way to treat obesity-related medical conditions without the side effects of targeting CB1 in the brain, anxiety and depression. ... > full story
Bulging Prison System Called Massive Intervention In American Family Life (August 6, 2008) -- The mammoth increase in the United States' prison population since the 1970s is having profound demographic consequences that disproportionately affect black males. ... > full story
Eating Fish May Prevent Memory Loss And Stroke In Old Age (August 5, 2008) -- Eating tuna and other types of fish may help lower the risk of cognitive decline and stroke in healthy older adults, according to a study in the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. ... > full story
Overcoming Inhibitors Of Cell Death Improves Cancer Therapy Efficacy (August 5, 2008) -- Individuals with one of the most aggressive types of brain tumor have an extremely poor prognosis. Although some patients with GBM respond to treatment with drugs known as RTK inhibitors, most subsequently relapse after only a short time. New data, have now provided insight into the mechanism by which GBM cells become resistant to RTK inhibitors and suggest a way to improve the efficacy of RTK inhibitors as a treatment for GBM. ... > full story
The School Bully: Does It Run In The Family? (August 5, 2008) -- New research links family relationships to childhood bullying. A shove, a taunt or name-calling on the playground or in the hall, away from the eyesight, earshot and authority of the teacher -- childhood bullying can involve physical contact, spreading rumors and other negative behaviors committed over and over again to intimidate, humiliate and isolate the receiver of the behavior. ... > full story
Lowering Cholesterol Early In Life Could Save Lives (August 5, 2008) -- With heart disease maintaining top billing as the leading cause of death in the United States, physician-researchers are proposing that aggressive intervention to lower cholesterol levels as early as childhood is the best approach available today to reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease. ... > full story
Long-term HIV Treatment May Reduce Risk For Atherosclerosis (August 5, 2008) -- Antiretroviral drugs for HIV do not increase risk of coronary atherosclerosis says a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health study. The results, based on nearly 950 HIV-positive and HIV-negative men, suggest that antiretroviral therapy may, in fact, offer men with HIV some protection against atherosclerosis. Coronary artery calcification scores were almost 60 percent lower in HIV-positive men who received highly active antiretroviral therapy for more than eight years compared to HIV-negative men. ... > full story
Estrogen Relieves Psychotic Symptoms In Women With Schizophrenia (August 5, 2008) -- When combined with antipsychotic medications, the estrogen estradiol appears to be a useful treatment in women with schizophrenia, according to a new report. ... > full story
Vitamin C Injections Slow Tumor Growth In Mice (August 5, 2008) -- High-dose injections of vitamin C, also known as ascorbate or ascorbic acid, reduced tumor weight and growth rate by about 50 percent in mouse models of brain, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, researchers report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers traced ascorbate's anti-cancer effect to the formation of hydrogen peroxide in the extracellular fluid surrounding the tumors. Normal cells were unaffected. ... > full story
Research Exposes New Target For Malaria Drugs (August 5, 2008) -- The malaria parasite has waged a successful guerrilla war against the human immune system for eons, but a study in this week's Journal of Biological Chemistry has exposed one of the tricks malaria uses to hide from the immune proteins, which may aid in future drug development. ... > full story
High Use Of Complementary Methods Found Among Cancer Survivors (August 5, 2008) -- Many cancer patients use complementary and alternative methods, most often prayer, relaxation, supplements, meditation, and massage. Meanwhile, the use of other methods, such as biofeedback, homeopathy and acupressure, are relatively uncommon. ... > full story
Study: Verbal Aggression May Affect Children's Behavior (August 5, 2008) -- The methods mothers use to control their children during playtime and other daily activities could have a negative impact on their child's self-esteem and behavior, according to a new Purdue University study. ... > full story
Schizophrenia: Costly By-product Of Human Brain Evolution? (August 5, 2008) -- Metabolic changes responsible for the evolution of our unique cognitive abilities indicate that the brain may have been pushed to the limit of its capabilities. Research published today in BioMed Central's open access journal Genome Biology adds weight to the theory that schizophrenia is a costly by-product of human brain evolution. ... > full story
Exposure To Agent Orange Linked To Prostate Cancer In Vietnam Veterans (August 5, 2008) -- Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange have greatly increased risks of prostate cancer and even greater risks of getting the most aggressive form of the disease as compared to those who were not exposed. ... > full story
Epilepsy Drug May Help Alcoholics Recover From Dependence, Small Study Suggests (August 5, 2008) -- A new study hints that people who have both alcohol problems and sleep problems -- which often occur together -- might be helped by an epilepsy drug. The study, which is small but was placebo-controlled, opens the door for further research on how to help alcohol-dependent people escape the Catch-22 of insomnia and drinking that often stands in the way of their recovery. ... > full story
Happiness Lengthens Life (August 5, 2008) -- Happiness does not heal, but happiness protects against falling ill. As a result, happy people live longer. The size of the effect on longevity is comparable to that of smoking or not. This is concluded from an analysis of 30 follow-up studies published in the latest issue of the Journal of Happiness Studies. ... > full story
Two Years Old: A Childhood Obesity Tipping Point? Research Suggests That Childhood Obesity Begins In Infancy (August 5, 2008) -- Over the last decade, childhood obesity has grown into an epidemic, reflected in soaring rates of type 2 diabetes and recommendations that pediatricians check toddlers for elevated cholesterol. What hasn't been as clear is how early to intervene. A study presented at a pediatric research program on Friday suggested obesity prevention efforts should begin as early as age two, when children reach a "tipping point" in a progression that leads to obesity later in life. ... > full story
New Role Found For A 'Foxy Old Gene' (August 5, 2008) -- Researchers have discovered that a protein called FOXA2 controls genes that maintain the proper level of bile in the liver. FOXA2 may become the focus for new therapies to treat diseases that involve the regulation of bile salts. ... > full story
Recurrence Of Group B Strep High In Subsequent Pregnancies, Say Obstetricians (August 5, 2008) -- A new study could help experts better decide whether to continue the current practice of retesting women during their second pregnancies for a common bacterial infection if they had tested positive for the infection previously. ... > full story
Paradox Of Higher Education, Crime: Male College Students More Likely Than Less-educated Peers To Commit Property Crimes, Study Finds (August 5, 2008) -- Men who attend college are more likely to commit property crimes during their college years than their non-college-attending peers, according to research to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. ... > full story
Outdoor Activity And Nearsightedness In Children (August 5, 2008) -- A growing number of the world's children are mildly to severely nearsighted (myopic), with rates especially high among urbanized East Asians. In addition to coping with poor distance vision, children with severe myopia are more prone to visual impairment and blindness later in life. ... > full story
Maternal Deaths Following Cesarean Delivery Can Be Reduced (August 5, 2008) -- Maternal death rates have remained constant in the United States for many decades. Are there any improvements in health care that could reduce these rates further? A new study examined all maternal deaths in nearly 1.5 million birth records from the last six years to look for possible keys to saving more mothers. The study demonstrated that the risk of death attributable to cesarean delivery, approximately 2/100,000 procedures, can realistically be reduced only with universal thromboembolism prophylaxis for patients delivered by cesarean. ... > full story
Toxic Drugs, Toxic System: Sociologist Predicts Drug Disasters (August 5, 2008) -- Americans are likely to be exposed to unacceptable side effects of FDA-approved drugs such as Vioxx in the future because of fatal flaws in the way new drugs are tested and marketed, according to research to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. ... > full story
Memory, Depression, Insomnia -- And Worms? (August 5, 2008) -- Researchers have spent decades probing the causes of depression, schizophrenia and insomnia in humans. But a new study may have uncovered key insights into the origins of these and other conditions by examining a most unlikely research subject: worms. ... > full story
Data Mining Detects Signs Of Lou Gehrig's Disease In Gene Carriers Long Before Symptoms Appear (August 5, 2008) -- Inspired by the use of microarray chips that look for gene combinations, psychologists are using "pattern array" software to spot movements in rats that might help them predict diseases such as Lou Gehrig's syndrome. ... > full story
Chronic Exposure To Estrogen Impairs Some Cognitive Functions (August 5, 2008) -- Chronic exposure to estradiol, the main estrogen in the body, diminishes some cognitive functions. Rats exposed to a steady dose of estradiol were impaired on tasks involving working memory and response inhibition, the researchers found. ... > full story
Strategies To Control TB Outdated, Inadequate, Analysis Shows (August 5, 2008) -- The standard regimens to treat tuberculosis are inadequate in countries with high rates of multi-drug resistant TB. In countries with high rates of MDR-TB, patients are nearly twice as likely to fail their initial treatment than those in countries with low rates, according to a new analysis of World Health Organization data. This finding suggests strongly that current TB treatment regimens need to updated and revised to address the shifting landscape of public health in the face of MDR-TB. ... > full story
Homeownership In Disadvantaged Neighborhoods Linked To Increased Political Participation (August 5, 2008) -- Homeowners in disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to vote than renters and those who own homes in more privileged communities, according to research to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. ... > full story
International Panel Updates Treatment Guidelines For HIV Infection (August 5, 2008) -- An evaluation of recent data has led to an update in the guidelines and recommendations for antiretroviral treatment of adult human immunodeficiency virus infection, according to an article in the Aug. 6 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on HIV/AIDS. ... > full story
Immune System Protein Accurate Predictor Of Survival In Pediatric Septic Shock (August 5, 2008) -- A simple measure of an immune system protein within 24 hours of being admitted to the hospital for septic shock can predict survival in children, yielding a powerful tool for diagnostics and clinical trials of new septic shock therapies, according to a research team led by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in the Aug. 1 American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. ... > full story
New Panel Of Mice Helps Predict How Drugs Are Broken Down In Humans (August 5, 2008) -- Humans express several proteins that breakdown the synthetic chemicals and drugs (collectively known as xenobiotics) that we ingest or are administered. Expression of these proteins is itself regulated by the xenobiotic-sensing proteins PXR and CAR. Developing animal models to determine the relative importance of PXR and CAR for humans to breakdown a specific drug has been difficult because the human and animal proteins sense different xenobiotics. ... > full story
Teacher-student Relationships Key To Learning Health And Sex Education (August 5, 2008) -- When it comes to learning life-changing behaviors in high school health classes, the identity of the person teaching may be even more important than the curriculum, a new study suggests. For years, many high schools around the country have been relying on outside experts to teach sensitive subjects such as the human immunodeficiency virus infection and pregnancy prevention. But a recent study found that students learn more about such issues when taught by their regular classroom teacher. ... > full story
Guilt On Their Hands: Tiny 'Tags' Could Help To Solve And Deter Gun Crime (August 4, 2008) -- Criminals who use firearms may find it much harder to evade justice in future, thanks to an ingenious new bullet tagging technology. ... > full story
Immunotherapy In High-risk Pediatric Sarcomas Shows Promising Response (August 4, 2008) -- Based on a pilot study in children with sarcoma, researchers believe that immunotherapy could prove beneficial in treating high-risk forms of this cancer. ... > full story
Sleep Apnea Is An Independent Risk Factor For Mortality, Australian Study Shows (August 4, 2008) -- Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality, represented by a fully adjusted hazard ratio of 6.24. Previous studies linking OSA to mortality have involved patients referred to sleep clinics rather than community-based samples; the association between OSA and mortality in the community was unknown. ... > full story
Telemedicine Leads To Better Stroke Treatment Decisions, Study Finds (August 4, 2008) -- Researchers at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center say that their first-of-its-kind study of a telemedicine program which transports stroke specialists via computer desktop or even laptop to the patient's bedside, using highly sophisticated video, audio and Internet technology, could have an immediate and profound impact on the treatment of stroke patients throughout the world. ... > full story
Family Type Has Less-than-expected Impact On Parental Involvement, Study Finds (August 4, 2008) -- Children in step-families and in other non-traditional families get just as much quality time with their parents as those in traditional families, with only a few exceptions, according to research to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. ... > full story
When Our Protective Armor Shows Weakness: Genetic Defect In Skin Cells Leads To Neurodermatitis, Hay Fever And Asthma (August 4, 2008) -- New knowledge points to the fact that a genetically induced lack of filaggrin, a key protein of the skin barrier, plays a decisive role in the origin of allergies. In a large study on more than 3000 school-children scientists found that about 8% of the German population carry variations of the filaggrin gene, which raise the risk to develop atopic dermatitis more than threefold. In addition, these genetic variations predispose to hay fever and asthma in those with atopic dermatitis. ... > full story
Combating Secondary Infections In Clinics (August 4, 2008) -- Infections following treatment are a grave problem for patients, and resistant germs can be particularly devastating. Scientists have now developed a process for coating surfaces with an antimicrobial layer to effectively hinder infections. ... > full story
Endoscopic Circumferential Ablation Promising For Barrett's Esophagus With High-grade Dysplasia (August 4, 2008) -- A multi-center US registry study examining the treatment of Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia showed that in 92 patients treated with endoscopic circumferential ablation who had at least one follow-up biopsy session, 90.2 percent were free of HGD at an average of one-year follow-up. This registry is the first to report on the use of circumferential ablation for BE HGD. The study appears in the July issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. ... > full story
One Fifth Of British Adult Survivors Of Childhood Cancer Smoke Despite Hazards (August 4, 2008) -- One-fifth of British adult survivors of childhood cancers are current smokers, and nearly a third have been regular smokers at some point in their lives, according to a study in the July 29 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. ... > full story
Novel Kind Of Learning Gene Discovered (August 4, 2008) -- Scientists have come one step closer to unraveling the molecular basis of learning. Neurobiologists have now discovered the first gene for operant conditioning in the fruit fly Drosophila. Their discovery suggests a novel kind of molecular learning mechanism. The study may help understanding the molecular processes underlying addiction. ... > full story
Antiviral Therapy Helps Children At Risk For Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease (August 4, 2008) -- The antiviral drug, valganciclovir, can lower the levels of Epstein-Barr virus in children with liver transplants, according to a new study. ... > full story
Cost Of Stabbings To Britain's Health Service Revealed (August 4, 2008) -- Injuries caused by gun and knife crime are costing the British National Health Service in excess of 3 million pounds a year, new research reveals. ... > full story
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