ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Tuesday, May 3, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Tuesday, May 3, 2011

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Insomnia linked to high insulin resistance in diabetics (May 3, 2011) -- In the largest study of it kind to establish a link between sleep and diabetes, researchers found that people with diabetes who sleep poorly have higher insulin resistance, and a harder time controlling the disease. ... > full story

Versatility of stem cells controlled by alliances, competitions of proteins (May 3, 2011) -- Because they can change into any other cell, stem cells are the subject of intense research, but how they "decide" to specialize, or differentiate, hasn't been understood. A new study using a unique technology shows that proteins must jostle and join behind the scenes to make it happen, as well as to restore flexibility to cells that already had made their choice. ... > full story

Research opens door to vaccines that can circumvent maternal antibodies (May 3, 2011) -- New research that reveals how maternal antibodies block an immune response to the measles virus is a first step toward improving current childhood vaccination practices, scientists say. Maternal antibodies are passed to fetuses during pregnancy and to newborns in their mothers' milk. The antibodies protect infants against disease in the first months of life, but that protection comes at a cost. ... > full story

Traveler's alert: Business travel linked to obesity and poor health (May 3, 2011) -- People who travel for business two weeks or more a month have higher body mass index, higher rates of obesity and poorer self-rated health than those who travel less often. Overall, the researchers found that business people who traveled the most (20 or more days a month) have poorer health on a number of measures. ... > full story

Scientists identify genetic risk for major depression (May 3, 2011) -- A new study reveals a novel gene associated with major depression. The research suggests a previously unrecognized mechanism for major depression and may guide future therapeutic strategies for this debilitating mood disorder. ... > full story

Antioxidant may prevent alcohol-induced liver disease, study suggests (May 3, 2011) -- An antioxidant may prevent damage to the liver caused by excessive alcohol, according to new research. The findings may point the way to treatments to reverse steatosis, or fatty deposits in the liver that can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. ... > full story

New method to measure cortisol could lead to better understanding of development of common diseases (May 3, 2011) -- A new method to measure the amount of the stress hormone cortisol found in the body over the long term could lead to new research avenues to study the development of common conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and depression. Researchers have found that hair can be used to create a retrospective timeline of exposure to cortisol. Cortisol is implicated in the development of many common conditions and this new technique could allow us to study its role better. ... > full story

Work-related 'burnout' more likely to affect the best lecturers, study suggests (May 3, 2011) -- Conscientious academics who try hard to keep in regular contact with their students are the most likely to suffer from work-related 'burnout,' a new study has found. ... > full story

Itch receptors work through pain receptors on sensory neurons (May 2, 2011) -- Despite much research on pain receptors, investigators have only recently focused on itch and how the body distinguishes between itch and pain. This research show that the receptors responding to irritants actually work by triggering pain receptors, which in turn send signals to the brain that make us want to scratch. The connection suggests that new pain relievers under development may also help relieve intractable itch. ... > full story

A little belly fat can double the risk of death in coronary artery disease patients (May 2, 2011) -- One of the largest studies of its kind has found that people with coronary artery disease who have even a modest beer belly or muffin top are at higher risk for death than people whose fat collects elsewhere. The effect was observed even in patients with a normal body mass index. ... > full story

Scientists have identifed an abnormal disease pathway in dystonia (May 2, 2011) -- Scientists have figured out why some people with a gene that causes dystonia never get symptoms and others with the same mutation are disabled by the abnormal movements. ... > full story

Lesser-known Escherichia coli types targeted in food safety research (May 2, 2011) -- Almost everyone knows about Escherichia coli O157:H7, the culprit behind many headline-making outbreaks of foodborne illness in the United States. But the lesser-known relatives of this pathogenic microbe are increasingly of concern to food safety scientists. ... > full story

Sniffing out calories: Hormone linked to nose's ability to locate food (May 2, 2011) -- The hormone ghrelin, known to promote hunger and fat storage, has been found to enhance exploratory "sniffing" in both animals and humans. ... > full story

Packing on the pounds in middle age linked to dementia (May 2, 2011) -- According to a new study, being overweight or obese during middle age may increase the risk of certain dementias. ... > full story

Discovery of two new genes provides hope for stemming Staph infections (May 2, 2011) -- The discovery of two genes that encode copper- and sulfur-binding repressors in the hospital terror Staphylococcus aureus means two new potential avenues for controlling the increasingly drug-resistant bacterium, scientists say. ... > full story

Washing with contaminated soap increases bacteria on hands, research finds (May 2, 2011) -- People who wash their hands with contaminated soap from bulk-soap-refillable dispensers can increase the number of disease-causing microbes on their hands and may play a role in transmission of bacteria in public settings, according to new research. ... > full story

Seeking happiness? Remember the good times, forget the regrets (May 2, 2011) -- People who look at the past through rose-tinted glasses are happier than those who focus on negative past experiences and regrets, according to a new study. The study helps explain why personality has such a strong influence on a person's happiness. The findings suggest that persons with certain personality traits are happier than others because of the way they think about their past, present and future. ... > full story

Aspirin reduces the risk of cancer recurrence in prostate cancer patients, study suggests (May 2, 2011) -- Some studies have shown that blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, can reduce biochemical failure the risk of metastasis and even death in localized prostate cancer. These studies, although very telling, have all emphasized the need for more data. Now, with researchers having concluded the largest study on this topic, and there is substantial data suggesting that aspirin improves outcomes in prostate cancer patients who have received radiotherapy. ... > full story

Cells talk more in areas Alzheimer's hits first, boosting plaque component (May 2, 2011) -- Higher levels of cell chatter boost amyloid beta in the brain regions that Alzheimer's hits first, researchers report. Amyloid beta is the main ingredient of the plaque lesions that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's. ... > full story

Animal studies reveal new route to treating heart disease (May 2, 2011) -- Scientists have shown in laboratory experiments in mice that blocking the action of a signaling protein deep inside the heart's muscle cells blunts the most serious ill effects of high blood pressure on the heart. ... > full story

Who needs motivation? The rewards of doing 'something' (May 2, 2011) -- When psychologists think about why people do what they do, they tend to look for specific goals, attitudes, and motivations. But they may be missing something more general -- people like to be doing something. These broader goals, to be active or inactive, may have a big impact on how they spend their time. ... > full story

CPR efforts successful on man with no pulse for 96 minutes (May 2, 2011) -- By all counts, the 54-year-old man who collapsed on a recent winter night in rural Minnesota would likely have died. He'd suffered a heart attack, and even though he was given continuous CPR and a series of shocks with a defibrillator, the man was without a pulse for 96 minutes. By all counts, the 54-year-old man who collapsed on a recent winter night in rural Minnesota would likely have died. He'd suffered a heart attack, and even though he was given continuous CPR and a series of shocks with a defibrillator, the man was without a pulse for 96 minutes. But this particular instance of cardiac arrest turned out to be highly unusual: The patient made a complete recovery. ... > full story

Growth, hormonal profiles differ between breastfed, formula-fed infants: Early nutrition has a long-term metabolic impact (May 2, 2011) -- Nutrition during the first days or weeks of life may have long-term consequences on health, potentially via a phenomenon known as the metabolic programming effect. ... > full story

Newborns exposed to methamphetamine before birth are hard to arouse, hard to calm down, study suggests (May 2, 2011) -- A scale used to assess the behavior of newborns exposed to methamphetamine before birth might be able to identify those children who will develop problems later on. ... > full story

Drinking energy beverages mixed with alcohol may be riskier than drinking alcohol alone (May 2, 2011) -- A new laboratory study compares the effects of alcohol alone versus alcohol mixed with an energy drink on a cognitive task, as well as participants' reports of feelings of intoxication. Results show that energy drinks can enhance the feeling of stimulation that occurs when drinking alcohol. ... > full story

Teen sleep study adds to evidence of a 'neural fingerprint' (May 2, 2011) -- New research finds that consistent, "signature" brainwave patterns first noticed in short-term studies of adults are so robust that they're also detectable over a matter of years in the notoriously turbulent brains of teens. From there, the question is what such a "neural fingerprint" might mean. ... > full story

Genes involved in embryonic heart development identified (May 2, 2011) -- Scientists have identified networks of genes that play an important role in embryonic-heart development, advancing knowledge of how healthy hearts develop -- and offering clues about how to combat a common birth defect known as congenital heart disease. ... > full story

Cardiac arrest: Unique life-saving device give heart a second chance (May 2, 2011) -- A new invention by bioengineering students and collaborators is geared toward giving immediate second chances to arrhythmia victims headed toward cardiac arrest. ... > full story

Media multitasking is really multi-distracting (May 2, 2011) -- In the battle for the attention of the multitasker, the computer beats the television. But a new study reveals the physical nature of distraction people experience as they increasingly use both devices simultaneously. ... > full story

Chemical in plastic, BPA, exposure may be associated with wheezing in children (May 2, 2011) -- Exposure to the chemical bisphenol A during early pregnancy may be associated with wheezing in children, according to new research. ... > full story

Living with a smoker may raise blood pressure in boys (May 2, 2011) -- Exposure to secondhand smoke, even at extremely low levels, is associated with increased blood pressure in boys. ... > full story

Little fingers, big trouble: Study sheds light on child self-unbuckling (May 2, 2011) -- It can be quite jarring for a parent or caregiver to look in the rearview mirror while driving and see their child roaming around the backseat free of their safety restraints. A study on child self-unbuckling reveals that most children who first unbuckle were age three and under and that many children unbuckle while the vehicle is in motion -- putting them at a 3.5-fold increased risk for serious injuries. ... > full story

System in brain -- target of class of diabetes drugs -- linked to weight gain (May 2, 2011) -- Researchers have determined why a certain class of diabetes drugs leads to weight gain and have found that the molecular system involved (PPAR-gamma found in the brain) is also triggered by consumption of high-fat foods. The study could lead to the modification of existing diabetes therapies and even dietary recommendations to limit the action of this nuclear receptor in the brain. ... > full story

Investigational agent shows promise in reducing spread of prostate cancer (May 2, 2011) -- A drug developed to treat Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare childhood cancer, may also help prevent human prostate cancer from spreading, as seen in new lab studies. ... > full story

How to raise a child who doesn't bully (May 2, 2011) -- New research shows that parents can play a key role in decreasing the chances that their son or daughter will harass or intimidate other children. ... > full story

Grandma was right: Infants do wake up taller (May 2, 2011) -- Science is finally confirming what grandma knew all along: infants wake up taller right after they sleep. Findings from the first study of its kind measuring the link between daily growth and sleep show the two are inextricably linked. Specifically, growth spurts are tied to an increase in total daily hours of sleep as well as an increase in the number of daily sleep bouts. ... > full story

Too much or too little sleep may accelerate cognitive aging, study shows (May 2, 2011) -- A new study describes how changes in sleep that occur over a five-year period in late middle age affect cognitive function in later life. The findings suggest that women and men who begin sleeping more or less than 6 to 8 hours per night are subject to an accelerated cognitive decline that is equivalent to four to seven years of aging. ... > full story

Renal cancer drug temsirolimus shows promise against mesothelioma (May 2, 2011) -- A drug commonly used to treat kidney cancer may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy for mesothelioma, according to a new study. ... > full story

Animal-assisted therapy decreases patient anxiety in pre-MRI setting, study suggests (May 2, 2011) -- Patients who undergo MRI often suffer from elevated anxiety. Patient discomfort may cause poor image quality due to motion artifacts or early termination. Anxiolytic medications are currently used to reduce this anticipated anxiety, but animal-assisted therapy may be a non-invasive alternative treatment with fewer adverse effects, according to new research. ... > full story

Physicians and nurses caring for pediatric patients communicate better in small teams, study finds (May 2, 2011) -- Grouping pediatric resident physicians and nurses into unit-based teams is associated with improved frequency and quality of communication, according to a new report. ... > full story

Researchers link alcohol-dependence impulsivity to brain anomalies (May 1, 2011) -- Alcohol dependence (AD) is strongly associated with impaired impulse control. A new study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine impulsive choices among people with a range of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Findings suggest that impulsive choice in AD may be the result of functional anomalies in widely distributed but interconnected brain regions that are involved in cognitive and emotional control. ... > full story

Maternal obesity puts infants at risk of iron deficiency (May 1, 2011) -- Babies born to obese mothers are at risk for iron deficiency, which could affect infant brain development. ... > full story

Inverting a standard experiment sometimes produces different results (May 1, 2011) -- The standard experimental setup for measuring the cellular uptake of nanoparticles is to place cells in a well on a culture plate and cover them with culture medium containing nanoparticles. The assumption underlying these experiments is that the particles remain well-dispersed. But when a scientist turned cell cultures upside down, he discovered that this assumption doesn't always hold. Some experiments preparing for the clinical use of nanoparticles may therefore need to be redone. ... > full story

'I'm a Mac' -- so what? Study finds way to measure brand personality appeal (May 1, 2011) -- Companies spend millions to develop their brand's personality, in hopes that it can help sell products. But they've had no way of measuring whether that personality actually appeals to consumers. Now, researchers lay out a system for measuring the appeal of a brand's personality. ... > full story

Cells send signals via membrane nanotubes (May 1, 2011) -- A new research discovery may help to explain how cells cooperate to develop tissue in the embryo and how wounds heal. Last year researchers discovered that electrical signals were being passed through nanotubes from one cell to another at high speed (roughly 1-2 m/sec). Now the scientists are seeking answers as to why the cells send signals to each other in this way. The process could explain how cells are coordinated during embryo growth, researchers say. ... > full story

Chemical found in crude oil linked to congenital heart disease: Fetal exposure to solvents may damage heart (May 1, 2011) -- While it may be years before the health effects of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico are known, a new study shows that fetal exposure to a chemical found in crude oil is associated with an increased risk of congenital heart disease. ... > full story

Robotic surgery effective for removing hard-to-reach throat cancer, study suggests (May 1, 2011) -- Robotic surgery has become a mainstream tool for removing an ever-increasing variety of head and neck tumors. Now, a team of head and neck surgeons has found robotic surgery can treat cancer in the narrow, hard-to-reach area beyond the tongue at the top of the voice box. Some patients were able to avoid further treatment with chemotherapy or radiation, and most could resume normal eating and speaking. ... > full story

Video games may help clear airway of cystic fibrosis patients (May 1, 2011) -- Video games controlled by the player's breath can encourage youths with cystic fibrosis to use techniques that can help keep their airways clearer, according to a new study. ... > full story