ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Friday, November 28, 2008
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Increased Calcium Sensitivity In The Heart Can Make For An Irregular Heartbeat (November 28, 2008) -- New mouse studies, by Björn C. Knollmann and colleagues, at Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, have uncovered a potential new molecular mechanism to explain why some individuals suffer irregular heartbeats that can cause sudden death. The results suggest a potential new target for drugs that would be beneficial to those at risk. ... > full story
Secret To Workplace Happiness? Remember What You Love About The Job, Study Urges (November 28, 2008) -- Urging employees to rethink their jobs was enough to drop absenteeism by 60 percent and turnover by 75 percent, a new study shows. ... > full story
New Type Of Vaccines Deliver Stronger And Faster Immune Response (November 28, 2008) -- A new vaccine principle is being developed by scientists in Denmark which, if it works to its full expected potential, could help to save millions of lives and revolutionize current vaccine technology. The 'InVacc' platform, as it is known, represents an advance on the original DNA vaccines and generates new vaccines with greatly enhanced properties. ... > full story
Tumor Environment Determines Whether The Cellular Process Autophagy Enables Cancer Cells To Live Or Die (November 28, 2008) -- Confusingly, the cellular process autophagy (essentially self-eating) has been implicated in both cancer cell death and survival. New insight into this paradox has now been provided by work which indicates that the context in which the process occurs determines the outcome. ... > full story
Fear Of Hypoglycemia A Barrier To Exercise For Type 1 Diabetics (November 28, 2008) -- According to a new study, published in Diabetes Care, a majority of diabetics avoid physical activity because they worry about exercise-induced hypoglycemia and severe consequences including loss of consciousness. ... > full story
Stopping Germs From Ganging Up On Humans (November 27, 2008) -- Evolutionary theory points to a new approach to combat drug resistance in disease-causing organisms and in cancer, according to new research. Keeping germs from cooperating can delay the evolution of drug resistance more effectively than killing germs one by one with traditional drugs such as antibiotics. ... > full story
Kidney Injury Puts Elderly Individuals At High Risk For Developing Serious Kidney Disease (November 27, 2008) -- Acute kidney injury, which is often caused by trauma, illness, or surgery, predisposes elderly individuals to the most serious form of chronic kidney disease, known as end stage renal disease, according to a new study. The findings indicate that close medical follow-up is important for maintaining the health of patients who have experienced kidney damage. ... > full story
Scientists Teach Enzyme To Make Synthetic Heparin In More Varieties (November 27, 2008) -- Scientists have learned to customize a key human enzyme responsible for producing heparin, opening the door to a more effective synthetic anticoagulant as well as treatments for other conditions. ... > full story
Older People Should Have The Flu Jab This Winter, Experts Urge (November 27, 2008) -- Despite recent doubts about its effectiveness, the influenza vaccine does give valuable protection against illness, hospital admission and death caused by influenza, and people over 65 should have the flu jab this winter, say experts. ... > full story
Brain Sense Fatty Food: Molecule Shuts Down Food Intake And Turns On 'Siesta Mode' (November 27, 2008) -- Researchers have identified a molecule that tells your brain when it's time to push back from the Thanksgiving table. In studies with mice and rats, researchers found that a chemical messenger called NAPE is made in the small intestine after a greasy meal, then travels to the brain, where it quashes hunger signals. Rats treated with extra NAPE ate less and lost weight. ... > full story
Scientists Identify 13 New Tumor-suppressor Genes In Liver Cancer (November 27, 2008) -- Researchers have developed a means of speeding up the discovery of cancer-related genes and validating their function in living animals. A collaborative effort yielded a large-scale, rapid, cost-effective genetic screen that in a preliminary test succeeded in uncovering 13 new tumor suppressors in human liver cancer, many of which have not been linked to cancer before. ... > full story
Track Your Fitness, Environmental Impact With New Cell Phone Applications (November 27, 2008) -- Planning on gobbling a few extra treats this holiday season? Soon, your cell phone may be able to help you maintain your exercise routine and keep the pounds off over winter months, without your having to lift a finger to keep track. ... > full story
Want To Be Happier? Be More Grateful (November 27, 2008) -- Want to quickly improve your happiness and satisfaction with life? Then the pen may be a mighty weapon. Researchers recruited students from six courses to explore the effects of writing letters of gratitude to people who had positively impacted the students' lives. Over the course of a six-week period, students wrote one letter every two weeks with the simple ground rules that it had to be positively expressive, required some insight and reflection, were nontrivial and contained a high level of appreciation or gratitude. "I saw their happiness increase after each letter, meaning the more they wrote, the better they felt," says the lead researcher. ... > full story
Adult Brain Neurons Can Remodel Connections (November 27, 2008) -- Overturning a century of prevailing thought, scientists are finding that neurons in the adult brain can remodel their connections. ... > full story
Sealing Off Portion Of Intestinal Lining Treats Obesity, Resolves Diabetes In Animal Model (November 27, 2008) -- Lining the upper portion of the small intestine with an impermeable sleeve led to both weight loss and restoration of normal glucose metabolism in an animal model of obesity-induced diabetes. Researchers report that the procedure reproducing several aspects of gastric bypass surgery led to a significant reduction in the animals' food intake and a resolution of diabetes symptoms. ... > full story
New CT Technology Shows Anorexia Impairs Adolescent Bone Development (November 27, 2008) -- Children and teenagers with even mild cases of anorexia exhibit abnormal bone structure, according to a new study. ... > full story
In Sickness And Health: Caring For Ailing Spouse May Prolong Your Life (November 27, 2008) -- Older people who spent at least 14 hours a week taking care of a disabled spouse lived longer than others. This unexpected finding is published in Psychological Science. ... > full story
Potentially Universal Mechanism Of Aging Identified (November 27, 2008) -- Researchers have uncovered what may be a universal cause of aging, one that applies to both single cell organisms such as yeast and multicellular organisms, including mammals. This is the first time that such an evolutionarily conserved aging mechanism has been identified between such diverse organisms. The mechanism probably dates back more than one billion years. The study shows how DNA damage eventually leads to a breakdown in the cell's ability to properly regulate which genes are switched on and off in particular settings. ... > full story
Declines In U.S. Cancer Incidence And Death Rates According to Annual Report (November 27, 2008) -- A new report from the nation's leading cancer organizations shows that, for the first time, both incidence and death rates for all cancers combined are decreasing, driven largely by declines in some of the most common types of cancer. The report notes that, although the decreases in overall cancer incidence and death rates are encouraging, large state and regional differences in lung cancer trends among women underscore the need to strengthen tobacco control programs. ... > full story
Simple New Method Detects Contaminants In Life-saving Drug (November 27, 2008) -- The blood-thinning drug heparin is highly effective when used to prevent and treat blood clots in veins, arteries and lungs, but earlier this year its reputation as a lifesaver was sullied when contaminated heparin products caused serious allergic reactions that led to a large number of deaths. ... > full story
Marijuana-inspired Painkiller? New Chemical Pathway Discovered (November 27, 2008) -- Marijuana can be an effective painkiller, but social issues and unhealthy smoke inhalation complicate its use. As a result, researchers have focused great attention on understanding the biochemical system involved so they might manipulate it by other means. Toward that end, scientists have definitively identified a chemical pathway that, in mice, imitates marijuana's painkilling effect. The work could enable the development of new pain treatments. ... > full story
A Good Ear: Rats Identify Specific Sounds In Noisy Environments (November 27, 2008) -- Alex Martin placed rats in a partially echo-free, sound-proof chamber and simultaneously played two types of sounds: Gaussian sound (containing all frequencies) of 25 decibels and a pure sound (made up of one frequency). He found that auditory neurons respond to a pure sound even if there is background noise. ... > full story
Cause And Possible Treatment Of Motor Neurone Disease Illuminated (November 27, 2008) -- Researchers have identified a molecule that could be the key to understanding the cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as motor neurone disease. This insight opens up the possibilities for developing new treatments to treat these devastating progressive conditions. ... > full story
Biomedical Research Profits From Exploration Of Deep Sea (November 27, 2008) -- Exploration of the ocean depths can benefit humankind. This is the story of a voyage of discovery, starting with marine animals that glow, the identification of the molecules responsible and their application as marker in living cells. ... > full story
200-year-old Scientific Debate Involving Visual Illusions Solved (November 27, 2008) -- Neuroscientists have discovered a direct link between eye motions and the perception of illusory motion that solves a 200-year-old debate. ... > full story
Baffling Chronic Pain Linked To Weird Rewiring Of Brain (November 27, 2008) -- Scientists peered at the brains of people with a baffling chronic pain condition and discovered something surprising. Their brains looked like an inept cable guy had changed the hookups, rewiring the areas related to emotion, pain perception and the temperature of their skin. The new finding begins to explain a mysterious condition that the medical community had doubted was real. ... > full story
SARS Virus Recreated: Opens Door For Potential Defenses Against Future Strains (November 27, 2008) -- Researchers have synthetically reconstructed the bat variant of the SARS coronavirus that caused the SARS epidemic of 2003. ... > full story
26 Percent Of Sleepless Children Become Overweight (November 27, 2008) -- One quarter of children who sleep fewer than 10 hours a night become overweight by age 6, according to new research. The research team analyzed a sample of 1,138 children and found: 26 percent of kids who didn't sleep enough were overweight, 18.5 percent carried extra weight or a body mass index of 25 to 30, while 7.4 percent were obese with a body mass index greater than 30. ... > full story
Breaking BubR1 Mimics Genetic Shuffle Seen In Cancer Cells (November 27, 2008) -- A study of how BubR1 helps make sure chromosomes are equally distributed during mitosis might explain how the process of cell division goes so awry in cancer, according to researchers. Mutations in BubR1 lead to a genetic rearrangement similar to a process that allows cancer cells to evade destruction by medical treatment. Inhibiting BubR1 could be a strategy that enhances the killing power of current therapeutics. ... > full story
Indigo Ointment May Help Treat Patients With Psoriasis (November 27, 2008) -- An ointment made from indigo naturalis, a dark blue plant-based powder used in traditional Chinese medicine, appears effective in treating plaque-type psoriasis, according to a report in the November issue of Archives of Dermatology. ... > full story
Prejudice Affects Perception Of Ethnic Minority Faces (November 27, 2008) -- Prejudice can be a powerful influence, biasing the way we think about and act towards ethnic minorities. Now, a new study revels that the way people view ethnic minority faces is related to their level of prejudice. It turns out that the visualized faces based on the choices of prejudiced people were characterized by another group as being more criminal-looking. ... > full story
Nitric Oxide Can Alter Brain Function (November 27, 2008) -- Nitric oxide can change the computational ability of the brain. This finding has implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and our understanding of brain function more generally. ... > full story
Behavior, Lifestyle Factors Influence Cancer Risk Among The Elderly (November 27, 2008) -- Behavioral risk factors have a significant effect on cancer risk in the US elderly population, according to new research. Understanding these factors may allow clinicians to make specific recommendations for their elderly patients in order to reduce their risks of future cancers. ... > full story
Electronic Health Records May Lower Malpractice Settlements (November 27, 2008) -- Use of electronic health records may help reduce paid malpractice settlements for physicians, according to a new study. The study showed a trend toward lower paid malpractice claims for physicians who are active users of electronic health records technology. ... > full story
Exercise Increases Brain Growth Factor And Receptors, Prevents Stem Cell Drop In Middle Age (November 27, 2008) -- A new study confirms that exercise can reverse the age-related decline in the production of neural stem cells in the hippocampus of the mouse brain, and suggests that this happens because exercise restores a brain chemical which promotes the production and maturation of new stem cells. ... > full story
New European Guidelines On Heart Attack Management Put Emphasis On Speed Of Action (November 27, 2008) -- New European guidelines on the management of heart attack emphasize speed of action and the importance of "reperfusion" therapy to restore blood flow to the heart and improve survival rates. "A well-functioning regional system of care... and fast transport to the most appropriate facility is key to the success of the treatment," state the guidelines, which have been developed by a Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology. ... > full story
New Molecular Insight Into Vertebrate Brain Development (November 27, 2008) -- Scientists reveal a role for the Hippo signaling pathway in the regulation of vertebrate neural development, identifying new factors and potential therapeutic targets that may be involved in congenital brain size disorders and neurological tumor formation. ... > full story
Sperm Size Isn't Everything (November 26, 2008) -- Contrary to common scientific belief, the length of a sperm's tail does not always determine how fast it can swim. Research has shown that in the counterintuitive microscopic world in which sperm operate, streamlining and longer tails don't always provide a speed advantage. ... > full story
New Layer Of Regulation In Cell Division Cycle Discovered: Could Help Cancer Research (November 26, 2008) -- Scientists have discovered an important new layer of regulation in the cell division cycle, which could lead to a greater understanding of the way cancer begins. ... > full story
Publication Bias Found Among Trials Submitted To FDA: New Study (November 26, 2008) -- A quarter of drug trials submitted in support of new drug applications to the US Food and Drug Administration remain unpublished five years after the fact, says new research. ... > full story
Synthetic Sea Worm Glue May Mend Shattered Knee, Face Bones (November 26, 2008) -- Sandcastle worms live in intertidal surf, building sturdy tube-shaped homes from bits of sand and shell and their own natural glue. Bioengineers have made a synthetic version of this seaworthy superglue, and hope it will be used within several years to repair shattered bones in knees, other joints and the face. ... > full story
Pain Is In The Eye Of The Beholder (November 26, 2008) -- By manipulating the appearance of a chronically achy hand, researchers have found they could increase or decrease the pain and swelling in patients moving their symptomatic limbs. The findings reveal a profound top-down effect of body image on body tissues, according to the researchers. ... > full story
Scientists Shed Light On Evolution Of Gene Regulation (November 26, 2008) -- Scientists have shed light on some of the processes that regulate genes and on the evolution of the DNA regions that regulate genes. The team focused on regulatory regions that, when bound to a certain protein, are thought to turn on genes that play an important role in the development of red blood cells. The research results could help in the development of drugs to treat sickle-cell anemia and other blood disorders. ... > full story
High Blood Pressure In The Doctor's Office May Not Predict Heart Risks (November 26, 2008) -- Continuously measuring blood pressure may help predict heart disease and related deaths among individuals with treatment-resistant hypertension, while blood pressure readings taken in a medical office do not appear to predict future heart risks, according to a report in Nov. 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. ... > full story
Mothers' Mental Games Increase Depressive Symptoms In Daughters, Study Finds (November 26, 2008) -- A new study in the journal Family Relations examined the effects of a mother's psychological control on the risk for depression of African-American adolescents. Researchers found that girls whose mothers played mental games with them like making them feel guilty or withdrawing expressions of love reported much higher levels of depressive symptoms and lower levels of personal agency. ... > full story
Tiny Protein Provokes Healthy Bonding Between Cells (November 26, 2008) -- In human relationships, a certain "spark" often governs whether we prefer one person to another. Critical first impressions can occur within seconds. Researchers have found that cell-to-cell "friendships" operate in much the same way and that dysfunctional bonding is linked to the spread of cancer. ... > full story
Gasping Helps Cardiac Arrest Victims Survive, New Research Shows (November 26, 2008) -- People who witness an individual collapse suddenly and unexpectedly should perform uninterrupted chest compressions even if the patient gasps or breathes in a funny way, a new study shows. Researchers hope their findings lead to greater willingness of untrained bystanders to jump in and perform continuous chest compressions. ... > full story
'Barcode Chip' For Cheap, Fast Blood Tests Developed (November 26, 2008) -- A new "barcode chip" promises to revolutionize diagnostic medical testing. In less than 10 minutes, and using just a pinprick's worth of blood, the chip can measure the concentrations of dozens of proteins, including those that herald the presence of diseases like cancer and heart disease. ... > full story
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