ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Wednesday, June 1, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Wednesday, June 1, 2011

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Dangerous bacteria found on cell phones of hospital patients (June 1, 2011) -- Cell phones used by patients and their visitors were twice as likely to contain potentially dangerous bacteria as those of health-care workers, according to a new study. ... > full story

Decades-old molecular mystery linked to blood clotting solved (June 1, 2011) -- Blood clotting is a complicated business, particularly for scientists trying to understand how the body responds to injury. In a new study, researchers report that they are the first to describe in atomic detail a chemical interaction that is vital to blood clotting. This interaction -- between a clotting factor and a cell membrane -- has baffled scientists for decades. ... > full story

Antibodies successful in treatment of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome from enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (June 1, 2011) -- A team of physicians from Germany, Canada, and France reports on the successful treatment of three young children who were suffering from a severe hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) after an infection with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). The infections occurred in 2010. EHEC are the bacteria that cause the current wave of infections that have already claimed ten lives in Germany. The number of suspected and confirmed cases of EHEC has now reached 700. ... > full story

Cholera in Haiti: Universal vaccination campaign is essential to ending crisis, experts say (June 1, 2011) -- Debate about the public health response to Haiti's cholera epidemic continues as the crisis enters its ninth month, with some experts arguing that a vaccination campaign in Haiti would be neither feasible nor cost-effective, and advocating putting forth other measures. A coalition of medical and public health researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, argue that a universal vaccination campaign is essential to ending the crisis. ... > full story

Link between influenza vaccination in pregnancy and reduced risk of premature birth (June 1, 2011) -- A new study suggests that there might be an association between maternal immunization with inactivated influenza vaccine during pregnancy and reduced likelihood of prematurity and the baby being small for gestational age. ... > full story

HbA1C test for glucose monitoring poorly predictive in dialysis patients (June 1, 2011) -- The gold standard long-term glucose monitoring test for patients with diabetes proved to be of limited value in dialysis patients, according to a new study. ... > full story

Why childhood obesity? It's so much more than what kids eat (June 1, 2011) -- Scientists from a variety of disciplines have teamed up to examine the factors that contribute to childhood obesity. Why? Because individual researchers have found that the problem is too complicated for any of them to tackle alone. Strong Kids team members are looking at such diverse factors as genetic predisposition, the effect of breastfeeding, how much TV a child watches, and the neighborhood he lives in, among many others. ... > full story

Zeroing in on Alzheimer's disease (May 31, 2011) -- Recently the number of genes known to be associated with Alzheimer's disease has increased from four to eight, including the MS4A gene cluster on chromosome 11. New research has expanded on this using a genome-wide association study to find a novel location within the MS4A gene cluster which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story

Targeted testing offers treatment hope for ovarian cancer patients (May 31, 2011) -- Women with ovarian cancer could be helped by a new test that identifies the specific type of tumor they have. ... > full story

Happiness: The neglected role of job design (May 31, 2011) -- People who are given greater variety and independence in their jobs feel both less stressed and more satisfied, according to findings which suggest that several management practices designed to make employees more efficient also make them happier. Employees are also more likely to be happy when management readily shares information and consults with them, the study shows. ... > full story

Key mechanism in transition to alcohol dependence discovered (May 31, 2011) -- A team of scientists has found a key biological mechanism underpinning the transition to alcohol dependence. This finding opens the door to the development of drugs to manage excessive alcohol consumption. ... > full story

Gene change identifies brain cancer patients that respond better to treatment (May 31, 2011) -- New research proves that a change in a particular gene can identify which patients with a specific kind of brain cancer will respond better to treatment. Testing for the gene can distinguish patients with a more- or less-aggressive form of glioblastoma, the most common and an often-fatal type of primary brain cancer, and this can help guide therapy. The prospective study looked for a change in the MGMT gene in tumors from 833 glioblastoma patients. ... > full story

Bilingualism no big deal for brain, researcher finds (May 31, 2011) -- There are many complicated theories on how the brain processes more than one language, but one researcher has found that how words sound provides enough information to distinguish which language a word belongs to. ... > full story

Potential new drug candidate found for Alzheimer's disease (May 31, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated that oral administration of a cysteine protease inhibitor, E64d, not only reduces the build-up of beta-amyloid in the brains of animal models for Alzheimer's disease, but also results in a substantial improvement in memory deficit. ... > full story

Mouse virus erroneously linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, study finds (May 31, 2011) -- Two years ago, a widely publicized scientific report plucked an old mouse virus out of obscurity and held it up as a possible cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. According to a new study, that report was wrong. ... > full story

'E-waste pollution' a threat to human health, new research suggests (May 31, 2011) -- In addition to its damaging effect on the environment and its illegal smuggling into developing countries, researchers have now linked e-waste to adverse effects on human health, such as inflammation and oxidative stress -- precursors to cardiovascular disease, DNA damage and possibly cancer. ... > full story

Link between childhood ADHD and substance abuse risk supported by long-term study data (May 31, 2011) -- Analysis of data from two long-term studies of the impact of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder on the development of psychiatric disorders in young adults confirms that ADHD alone significantly increases the risk of cigarette smoking and substance abuse in both boys and girls. ... > full story

Cell phones and cancer: Assessment classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (May 31, 2011) -- A new World Health Organization report classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use. ... > full story

Novel pathway regulating angiogenesis: May fight retinal disease, cancers (May 31, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a new molecular pathway used to suppress blood vessel branching in the developing retina -- a finding with potential therapeutic value for fighting diseases of the retina and a variety of cancers. Researchers also were able to reverse this pathway to accelerate the growth of branching vessels, which could be important to developing new methods for repairing damaged tissues. ... > full story

Improved prognosis for esophageal cancer (May 31, 2011) -- In recent years, the number of cases of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (or gullet) has been on the rise. At the same time, however, new ways of treatment are improving the outlook for patients. In a new study, researchers report on innovations in diagnosis and treatment. ... > full story

How do creative ads shake up the way we think? (May 31, 2011) -- Innovative ads can help creative consumers break away from their existing thought patterns, according to a new study. These creative stimuli can affect the way consumers process information about different products. ... > full story

Newly discovered protein may be a cause of heart failure (May 31, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a protein switch which can trigger a cascade of events leading to heart failure, pointing to a new direction for drug development. ... > full story

Sweet defence against lethal bacteria: Synthesizing a potential vaccine candidate for an antibiotic-resistant pathogen (May 31, 2011) -- There is now a promising vaccine candidate for combating the pathogen which causes one of the most common and dangerous hospital infections. An international team of scientists has developed a vaccine based on a carbohydrate against the Clostridium difficile bacterium, which is known to cause serious gastrointestinal diseases mainly in hospitals. The sugar-based vaccine elicited a specific and effective immune response in mice. Moreover, the scientists have also discovered strong indications that the substance can stimulate the human immune system to form antibodies against the bacterium. ... > full story

FDA could analyze public health consequences of its decisions better, experts say (May 31, 2011) -- A new report lays out a framework for the US Food and Drug Administration to systematically evaluate and compare the public health consequences of its decisions concerning a wide variety of products. Moreover, the risk-assessment framework provides a common internal language to discuss potential options and draws extensively on well-vetted risk literature to define the relevant health dimensions for FDA decision making. ... > full story

Can stress increase the risk of multiple sclerosis? (May 31, 2011) -- Contrary to earlier reports, a new study finds that stress does not appear to increase a person's risk of developing multiple sclerosis. ... > full story

New mouse model may lead to new therapies for degenerative diseases (May 31, 2011) -- Researchers have engineered a new mouse that that can be used for research on degenerative disease. ... > full story

Direct-to-consumer genetic tests neither accurate in their predictions nor beneficial to individuals, study suggests (May 31, 2011) -- Direct to consumer genetic tests are inaccurate in their predictions, mislead patients, and many of them should be banned, say clinical geneticists. ... > full story

Dietary inorganic nitrate may reduce heart dysfunction caused by powerful anti-cancer drug (May 31, 2011) -- Researchers have found that nutrient supplementation, like the kind that is found in leafy greens, spinach and lettuce, may reduce the damage to the heart caused by a powerful anti-cancer drug. ... > full story

Study reveals need for personalized approach in treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (May 31, 2011) -- A new discovery in mice may one day allow doctors to spare some patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from toxic treatments, while also opening the door for new therapeutic research. ... > full story

Acupuncture of benefit to those with unexplained symptoms, study suggests (May 31, 2011) -- Researchers have carried out a randomized control trial and a linked interview study regarding 80 such patients from GP practices across London, to investigate their experiences of having five-element acupuncture added to their usual care. This is the first trial of traditional acupuncture for people with unexplained symptoms. ... > full story

Scientists recreate brain cell networks providing view of activity behind memory formation (May 31, 2011) -- Researchers have reproduced the brain's complex electrical impulses onto models made of living brain cells that provide an unprecedented view of the neuron activity behind memory formation. ... > full story

Detecting lung cancer early: Researchers lay foundation for future blood test (May 31, 2011) -- A person's blood reveals whether he or she has lung cancer, according to researchers in Germany. The scientists are developing a blood test for smokers which could save human lives in the future, since the earlier a lung tumor is detected, the better the chances of survival are. ... > full story

Simple new bedside screening effectively identifies patients with acute aortic dissection (May 31, 2011) -- The most lethal and sudden heart event can be the toughest for doctors to diagnose. But a new study shows a simple, new bedside test is effective for determining who's most likely suffering from aortic dissection, a painful tearing in the lining of the body's largest blood vessel. Aortic dissection lead to the sudden death of award-winning TV actor John Ritter in 2003. ... > full story

More focus needed on mental health triage in disaster preparedness, bioethicists urge (May 31, 2011) -- Bioethicists say disaster-response planning has overlooked the needs of people who suffer from pre-existing, serious mental conditions. Survivors already diagnosed with schizophrenia, dementia, addictions and bipolar disorder are vulnerable long before disaster strikes, they point out. ... > full story

Key goals for building on 30 years of HIV/AIDS research (May 31, 2011) -- In the 30 years since the first reported cases of a mysterious illness now known as AIDS, researchers have made extraordinary advances in understanding, treating and preventing the disease. Now the challenge, according to experts at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, is to build on those successes to control and, ultimately, end the HIV/AIDS pandemic. ... > full story

Mutated muscle protein can cause deafness: Gene mutations on X chromosome lead to progressive hearing impairment (May 30, 2011) -- Excessive noise is not the only thing that causes damage to hearing. In many cases, genetic factors are responsible for the loss of hearing at a young age. Researchers have discovered a previously unknown genetic cause of progressive hearing impairment: the disease is caused by mutations of the SMPX (small muscle protein) gene, which is located on the X chromosome. It was not previously known that this gene, which is active in the skeletal muscle and heart, also plays a role in hearing. The discovery will make it easier to diagnose progressive hearing impairment and may also provide a starting point for the development of new treatment methods. ... > full story

Risk of blood clots in veins: Hereditary factors studied in Swedish study (May 30, 2011) -- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common type of cardiovascular disease after coronary heart disease and stroke. Researchers recently mapped the significance of hereditary factors for venous thromboembolism in the entire Swedish population by studying the risk of VTE in children of parents with VTE compared with the children of parents who have not had VTE. ... > full story

Break up of New Orleans households after Katrina (May 30, 2011) -- How well a family recovers from a natural catastrophe may be tied to the household's pre-disaster make up and socio-economic status. Researchers compared the number of households in New Orleans, LA that broke up following Hurricane Katrina to the national rate of household break-ups over an equivalent period. An estimated 1.3 million people fled the Gulf Coast during that emergency in 2005 -- the largest urban evacuation America has ever seen. Overall, the rate at which extended-family households broke up after the storm exceeded comparable national figures. ... > full story

Obesity greater risk for fatty liver than moderate amounts of alcohol, study suggests (May 30, 2011) -- Being overweight and resistant to insulin constitute a greater risk for fatty liver than was previously thought, according to a new study from Sweden. ... > full story

Aging: Peroxisomes have two independent proliferation mechanisms (May 30, 2011) -- Peroxisomes are cell organelles that can cause disease and aging processes if they do not function properly. Researchers have now demonstrated that peroxisomes can be created by two independent processes, one of which serves as a kind of ‘backup’. ... > full story

Disparities in stroke care prevail among US racial/ethnic groups, experts say (May 30, 2011) -- Disparities based on race and ethnic origin exist in every aspect of stroke care, according to experts. Minority groups represent at least 28 percent of the US population, and the percent is expected to nearly double by the year 2050 -- increasing the need to close health care gaps. Education can significantly improve stroke care for minority groups. Programs to reach young minorities can help raise awareness that stroke is preventable and treatable. ... > full story

Researchers show aging brain's reduced ability to respond to experience (May 30, 2011) -- Researchers have published new data on why the aging brain is less resilient and less capable of learning from life experiences. The findings provide further insight into the cognitive decline associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. ... > full story

Eight hours of resistance: Why do cancer cells easily give in to the temptation to divide? (May 30, 2011) -- New research reveals how the tumor suppressor p53 keeps the brakes on normal cell division. ... > full story

People with body-image disorders process 'big picture' visual information abnormally (May 30, 2011) -- People suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD -- a severe mental illness characterized by debilitating misperceptions that they appear disfigured and ugly -- process visual information abnormally, even when looking at inanimate objects. The findings are an important step in developing treatments to change their self-perceptions. ... > full story

Why does flu trigger asthma? (May 30, 2011) -- When children with asthma get the flu, they often land in the hospital gasping for air. Researchers have found a previously unknown biological pathway explaining why influenza induces asthma attacks. Studies in a mouse model reveal that influenza activates a newly recognized group of immune cells called natural helper cells -- presenting a completely new set of drug targets for asthma. ... > full story

What is a laboratory mouse? (May 30, 2011) -- Scientists have created a genome-wide, high-resolution map of most of the inbred mouse strains used today. Their conclusion: Most of the mice in use today represent only limited genetic diversity, which could be significantly expanded with the addition of more wild mouse populations. ... > full story

Translating stem cell research into therapies (May 30, 2011) -- A new article provides comprehensive insight into the current status of neural stem cell research and the sometimes labyrinthine pathways leading to stem cell-based therapies. ... > full story

Method for detecting toxic substances in leather and footwear developed (May 30, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new analytical method that improves detection of the allergen dimethyl fumarate (DMFu) in leather and footwear. ... > full story