ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Friday, May 20, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Friday, May 20, 2011

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Routine periodic fasting is good for your health, and your heart, study suggests (May 20, 2011) -- New evidence from cardiac researchers demonstrates that routine periodic fasting is good for your health, and your heart. The study found that fasting not only lowers one's risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes, but also causes significant changes in a person's blood cholesterol levels. ... > full story

Obese patients at much greater risk for costly surgical-site infections (May 20, 2011) -- Obese patients undergoing colon surgery are 60 percent more likely to develop dangerous and costly surgical-site infections than their normal-weight counterparts, new research suggests. These infections cost an average of ,000 more per patient, extend hospital stays and leave patients at a three-times greater risk of hospital readmission. ... > full story

Environment's role in post-natal depression revealed (May 20, 2011) -- New research explores the interplay between genes and environment when determining whether a mother is at high or low risk for post-natal depression. ... > full story

Elevated levels of sodium blunt response to stress, study shows (May 20, 2011) -- All those salty snacks available at the local tavern might be doing more than increasing your thirst: They could also play a role in suppressing social anxiety. New research shows that elevated levels of sodium blunt the body's natural responses to stress by inhibiting stress hormones that would otherwise be activated in stressful situations. ... > full story

Researchers home in on genetic signature of esophageal cancer (May 20, 2011) -- Researchers have pinpointed two genes that are amplified in the worst cases of esophageal cancer, providing data to support a new investigational treatment that targets those same genes. ... > full story

New understanding of chronic otitis media may inform future treatment (May 20, 2011) -- In most children with chronic otitis media, biofilms laden with Haemophilus influenzae cling to the adenoids, while among a similar population suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, that pathogen is usually absent, according to new research. ... > full story

Studies focus on feed ingredient's effects on levels of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle (May 20, 2011) -- After corn is processed to make ethanol, what's left of the corn looks something like slightly dampened cornmeal, though a somewhat darker yellow, and not as finely ground. Known as "wet distiller's grains with solubles," this byproduct is sometimes used as a cattle feed ingredient. Researchers are studying the pros and cons of that practice. ... > full story

New level of genetic diversity discovered in human RNA sequences (May 19, 2011) -- A detailed comparison of DNA and RNA in human cells has uncovered a surprising number of cases where the corresponding sequences are not, as has long been assumed, identical. The RNA-DNA differences generate proteins that do not precisely match the genes that encode them. ... > full story

Animal results may pave way to treating rare mitochondrial diseases in children (May 19, 2011) -- A human drug that both prevents and cures kidney failure in mice sheds light on disabling human mitochondrial disorders, and may represent a potential treatment in people with such illnesses. As there are no effective cures for mitochondrial diseases, even in animals, these findings may suggest a novel therapy directly relevant to humans. ... > full story

Curcumin compound improves effectiveness of head and neck cancer treatment, study finds (May 19, 2011) -- A primary reason that head and neck cancer treatments fail is the tumor cells become resistant to chemotherapy drugs. Now, researchers have found that a compound derived from the Indian spice curcumin can help cells overcome that resistance. ... > full story

Gambling problem exposed as access grows (May 19, 2011) -- A new paper finds that the proliferation of gambling opportunities around the world, particularly online, is increasing the visibility of gambling disorders and giving access to people who previously had no exposure to gambling opportunities. ... > full story

Electrical brain disturbances linked to worse outcomes following neurotrauma (May 19, 2011) -- Electrical disturbances that spread through an injured brain like tsunamis have a direct link to poor recovery and can last far longer than previously realized, researchers have found. ... > full story

Neutrons provide first sub-nanoscale snapshots of Huntington's disease protein (May 19, 2011) -- Scientists have for the first time successfully characterized the earliest structural formation of the disease type of the protein that causes Huntington's disease. The researchers have used a small-angle neutron scattering instrument, called Bio-SANS, to explore the earliest aggregate species of the protein that are believed to be the most toxic. ... > full story

Combating the C. diff 'terrorists' on the loose in hospitals (May 19, 2011) -- Just like intelligence agents watching for the real terrorists threatening to attack, monitoring health-care worker adherence to mandatory hand-washing protocols via hand-washing squads in hospitals can go a long way to stop outbreaks of the opportunistic C. diff bacteria, says an infection prevention and control expert. ... > full story

Microscope: Handy, quick and flat (May 19, 2011) -- In the future, doctors can pull out a new type of microscope to get to the bottom of suspicious changes in the skin that may indicate melanoma. The new device provides a high-resolution image of skin areas of any size -- and so quickly that you can hold it in your hand without blurring the resulting picture. ... > full story

Antibody production gets confused during long-term spaceflight (May 19, 2011) -- The trip to Mars just got more difficult since researchers discovered that antibodies that fight off disease might become compromised during long-term space flights. A new report shows that antibodies produced in space are less effective than those produced on Earth. This reduced effectiveness of antibodies makes astronauts more susceptible to illness, increasing the danger posed by bacteria and viruses likely to coexist with wayfaring astronauts. ... > full story

Editing scrambled genes in human stem cells may help realize the promise of stem cell-gene therapy (May 19, 2011) -- In principle, genetic engineering is simple, but in practice, replacing a faulty gene with a healthy copy is anything but. Using mutated versions of the lamin A gene as an example to demonstrate the versatility of their virus-based approach, researchers successfully edited a diseased gene in patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells as well as adult stem cells. ... > full story

Cell phone use may reduce male fertility, Austrian-Canadian study suggests (May 19, 2011) -- Men who have been diagnosed with poor sperm quality and who are trying to have children should limit their cell phone use, a new study suggests. Researchers in Austria and Canada have found that while cell phone use appears to increase the level of testosterone circulating in the body, it may also lead to low sperm quality and a decrease in fertility. ... > full story

Ensuring the safety of radiation therapy (May 19, 2011) -- Radiation oncologists took a blow in a series of front-page newspaper stories published last year on injuries that occurred nationwide in the delivery of radiation treatment. Radiation oncologists have now responded to the public charge with a series of steps that will ensure that patients are protected at all points in the treatment process. Researchers have designed a new program that seeks to improve the quality of complex processes by identifying and removing the causes of errors, and reducing variables that increase the risk of mistakes. ... > full story

Liquid crystal droplets discovered to be exquisitely sensitive to an important bacterial lipid (May 19, 2011) -- In the computer displays of medical equipment in hospitals and clinics, liquid crystal technologies have already found a major role. New research suggests that micrometer-sized droplets of liquid crystal, which have been found to change their ordering and optical appearance in response to the presence of very low concentrations of a particular bacterial lipid, might find new uses in a range of biological contexts. ... > full story

Of frogs, chickens and people: Highly conserved dual mechanism regulates both brain development and function (May 19, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered new details of an unusual biological mechanism in the brains of diverse species that not only helps regulate how their brains develop, but also how they function later in life. The discovery could lead to new biomarkers for specific neurological diseases in humans and, possibly, the development of drugs to cure them. ... > full story

Implant jab could solve the misery of back pain (May 19, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a biomaterial implant which could finally bring treatment, in the form of a jab, for chronic back pain. ... > full story

Eat a protein-rich breakfast to reduce food cravings, prevent overeating later, researcher finds (May 19, 2011) -- Eating a healthy breakfast, especially one high in protein, increases satiety and reduces hunger throughout the day, according to new research. In addition, using functional magnetic resonance imaging the study found that eating a protein-rich breakfast reduces the brain signals controlling food motivation and reward-driven eating behavior. ... > full story

Identification of 'fingerprint' of rare tumor leads to development of cheap and reliable new test (May 19, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a cheap and reliable diagnostic test for a rare form of cancer. The test involves screening tumor samples for a particular molecular fingerprint unique to this type of cancer. ... > full story

'Critical baby step' taken for spying life on a molecular scale (May 19, 2011) -- The ability to image single biological molecules in a living cell is something that has long eluded researchers. However, a novel technique -- using the structure of diamond -- may well be able to do this and potentially provide a tool for diagnosing, and eventually developing a treatment for, hard-to-cure diseases such as cancer. ... > full story

Virtual workout partners spur better results, study finds (May 19, 2011) -- Can't find anyone to exercise with? Don't despair: New research reveals working out with a virtual partner improves motivation during exercise. The study is the first to investigate the Kohler effect on motivation in health video games; that phenomenon explains why inferior team members perform better in a group than they would by themselves. ... > full story

Half of prostate cancers could potentially benefit from new type of cancer drugs (May 19, 2011) -- About half of prostate cancers have a genetic anomaly that appears to make tumor cells responsive to a new class of cancer-fighting drugs, a new study. ... > full story

Carbon black nanoparticles can cause cell death, inflammation in lungs, researchers find (May 19, 2011) -- Inhaled carbon black nanoparticles create a double source of inflammation in the lungs, according to new research. ... > full story

Brain region necessary for making decisions about economic value identified (May 19, 2011) -- Neuroeconomic research has conclusively identified a part of the brain that is necessary for making everyday decisions about value. Previous functional magnetic imaging studies, during which researchers use a powerful magnet to determine which parts of a subjects brain are most active while doing a task, have suggested that the ventromedial frontal cortex, or VMF, plays an evaluative role during decision making. ... > full story

Maternal smoking causes changes in fetal DNA, study finds (May 19, 2011) -- Children whose mothers or grandmothers smoked during pregnancy are at increased risk of asthma in childhood, but the underlying causes of this are not well understood. Now a new study indicates changes in a process called DNA methylation that occurs before birth may be a root cause. ... > full story

Metastatic breast cancer: Blood test confirmed to be 'powerful predictor' following largest analysis to date (May 19, 2011) -- Researchers say the number of circulating tumor cells in the blood is a "powerful predictor" to help physicians more reliably assess treatment benefit for patients with metastatic breast cancer. ... > full story

Reading Arabic 'different' for the brain, new study suggests (May 19, 2011) -- New research by a UK psychologist sheds light on reading differences. Arabic readers recognize words in a different way from readers of other languages, a new study suggests. ... > full story

Potentially toxic flame retardants detected in baby products (May 19, 2011) -- Scientists are reporting detection of potentially toxic flame retardants in car seats, bassinet mattresses, nursing pillows, high chairs, strollers and other products that contain polyurethane foam and are designed for newborns, infants and toddlers. In a new study, they describe hints that one flame retardant, banned years ago in some areas, actually remains in use. ... > full story

Reading the fine print of perception: Human brain learns by interpreting details, study shows (May 19, 2011) -- Wine connoisseurs recognize the vintage at the first sip, artists see subtle color variations and the blind distinguish the finest surface structures. Why are they considered superior to non-specialists in their field? ... > full story

High pregnancy weight gain can lead to long-term obesity, study finds (May 19, 2011) -- Gaining more than the recommended weight during pregnancy can put women at increased risk of becoming obese and developing related health problems, including high blood pressure, later in life, according to new research. Correspondingly, women whose weight gain during pregnancy was low were at lower risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing associated health problems. ... > full story

Video game playing increases food intake in teens, study confirms (May 19, 2011) -- A new study provides preliminary evidence that male teens playing video games for one hour consume more calories in the short-term than they do after one hour of rest. ... > full story

Nuclear magnetic resonance with no magnets (May 19, 2011) -- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful tool for chemical analysis and, in the form of magnetic resonance imaging, a valuable technique for medical diagnosis. But its applications have been limited by the need for big, expensive, superconducting magnets producing strong magnetic fields. Now scientists have demonstrated NMR in a zero magnetic field without using any magnets at all. ... > full story

New way to duplicate immunity boosting cells to unprecedented levels (May 19, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a method to quickly and exponentially grow regulatory T-cells -- also known as "suppressor cells." The new process enables replication of the cells by tens of millions in several weeks, a dramatic increase over previous duplication methods. Historically, regulatory T-cells have been difficult to replicate. ... > full story

Sun protects against childhood asthma (May 19, 2011) -- Vitamin D, which is primarily absorbed from the sun, plays a role in protection against childhood asthma. Now, a new study led by researchers in Spain has shown that children who live in colder, wetter cities are at greater risk of suffering from this respiratory problem, since there are fewer hours of sunlight in such places. ... > full story

Hospitals misleading patients about benefits of robotic surgery, study suggests (May 19, 2011) -- An estimated four in 10 hospital websites in the United States publicize the use of robotic surgery, with the lion's share touting its clinical superiority despite a lack of scientific evidence that robotic surgery is any better than conventional operations, a new study finds. ... > full story

New classification of causes of abnormal uterine benefits patients (May 19, 2011) -- Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in women of reproductive age may be due to a wide range of disorders or pathologies. Until now, there has been no universally accepted method for classifying such patients, which has impeded basic science and clinical investigation, as well as the practical, rational, and consistent application of medical and surgical therapy. ... > full story

U.S. health reform implementation: How to ensure access to coverage is maintained (May 19, 2011) -- Modifications to current policies could help ensure that health insurance coverage and subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act remain stable even through major life changes, according to a new report. At least 34 million people will gain new coverage under the law, and it will be important to ensure that changes in income and job transitions don't cause abrupt changes in health insurance coverage or financial responsibilities for their premiums or care. ... > full story

Simple fitness test could predict long-term risk for heart attack, stroke in middle-aged people (May 18, 2011) -- In two separate studies, researchers have found that how fast a middle-age person can run a mile can help predict the risk of dying of heart attack or stroke decades later for men and could be an early indicator of cardiovascular disease for women. ... > full story

New test targets Lynch syndrome, a risk factor for colon cancer (May 18, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a screening procedure that could dramatically increase testing for Lynch syndrome, a hereditary genetic disorder that raises cancer risk, particularly for colorectal cancer. ... > full story

Occupational lung diseases in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans (May 18, 2011) -- Researchers have described a new respiratory disease in soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. ... > full story

Key to fighting drug-resistant leukemia discovered (May 18, 2011) -- A team of scientists has uncovered the basis for drug resistance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. Targeting this protein may be the key to fighting drug-resistant leukemia, a discovery that may make cancer drugs more powerful and help doctors formulate powerful drug cocktails to cure more children of leukemia. ... > full story

Lack of 'gatekeeper' protein linked to skin cancer (May 18, 2011) -- New research shows that a "gatekeeper" protein plays an important role in skin-cancer prevention in humans and lab mice. The protein, C/EBP alpha, is normally abundantly expressed to help protect skin cells from DNA damage when humans are exposed to sunlight. The research shows, however, that the protein is not expressed when certain human skin cancers are present. ... > full story

Want lasting love? It’s not more commitment, but equal commitment that matters (May 18, 2011) -- It stands to reason that a well-loved child can become a loving adult. But what prepares us to make a strong commitment and work out differences with an intimate partner? And what happens when one person is more committed than the other? ... > full story