ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Friday, June 10, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Friday, June 10, 2011

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Discovery may pave way to quitting smoking without gaining weight (June 10, 2011) -- Smokers tend to die young, but they tend to die thinner than non-smokers. A team of scientists has discovered exactly how nicotine suppresses appetite -- findings that suggest that it might be possible to develop a drug that would help smokers, and non-smokers, stay thin. ... > full story

Fragile X protein acts as toggle switch in brain cells (June 10, 2011) -- New research shows how the protein missing in fragile X syndrome -- the most common inherited form of intellectual disability -- acts as a molecular toggle switch in brain cells. ... > full story

Deaths and major morbidity from asbestos-related diseases in Asia likely to surge in next 20 years, experts warn (June 10, 2011) -- An alarming new article issues a serious warning of massive rises in deaths from asbestos-related lung diseases in Asia. Asian countries accounted for 64% of the global consumption of asbestos in the period of 2001-2007, a striking increase from 14% between 1920 and 1970. This is a result of unregulated asbestos import and use in many Asian countries. ... > full story

Banning U.S. federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research would derail related work, experts argue (June 10, 2011) -- Banning U.S. federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research would have "disastrous consequences" on the study of a promising and increasingly popular new stem cell type that is not derived from human embryos, experts argue in a new article. ... > full story

Large-scale early education linked to higher living standards and crime prevention 25 years later (June 10, 2011) -- High-quality early education has a strong, positive impact well into adulthood, according to new research. The study is the longest follow-up ever of an established large-scale early childhood program. ... > full story

B-cell lymphoma: New research provides breakthrough in understanding common cancer (June 10, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered valuable insight into how people develop B-cell lymphoma, one of the most common cancers. The team found that a mechanism different to that previously thought to be the cause of lymphoma may be responsible for the development of the disease. ... > full story

The cellular root of colorectal cancers? (June 10, 2011) -- Researchers have found a marker called ABCB5 that both tags a small proportion of cells within colorectal cancers and fuels resistance in those cells to standard treatments. The results indicate that eliminating ABCB5-expressing cells is crucial for successful colorectal cancer treatment, while adding to the growing body of evidence for a theory of cancer growth called the cancer stem cell hypothesis. ... > full story

Why animals don't have infrared vision: Source of the visual system's 'false alarms' discovered (June 9, 2011) -- On rare occasion, the light-sensing photoreceptor cells in the eye misfire and signal to the brain as if they have captured photons, when in reality they haven't. For years this phenomenon remained a mystery. Neuroscientists have now discovered that a light-capturing pigment molecule in photoreceptors can be triggered by heat, as well, giving rise to these false alarms. ... > full story

Eating a high-fat diet may rapidly injure brain cells that control body weight (June 9, 2011) -- Obesity among people who eat a high-fat diet may involve injury to neurons, or nerve cells, in a key part of the brain that controls body weight, according to the authors of a new animal study. ... > full story

Huntington's disease breakthrough: New research offers promise of medical intervention (June 9, 2011) -- Medical researchers may have uncovered a novel approach to treat an incurable and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people. Two international studies hold out promise for slowing down the development of Huntington's disease -- and potentially, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The research, which is in its early stages, represents an important milestone in understanding these debilitating conditions. ... > full story

Swine flu spread was much wider than first thought, scientists say (June 9, 2011) -- The swine flu outbreak of winter 2009-2010 was much more widespread than was previously realized, research suggests. ... > full story

Sucking up to the boss may move you up and keep you healthy (June 9, 2011) -- Savvy career minded individuals have known for some time that ingratiating oneself to the boss and others – perhaps more commonly known as ‘sucking up’– can help move them up the corporate ladder more quickly. However, a recent study suggests that politically savvy professionals who use ingratiation as a career aid may also avoid the psychological distress that comes to others who are less cunning about their workplace behavior. ... > full story

Nicotine triggered appetite suppression site identified in brain (June 9, 2011) -- A new study uncovers a brain mechanism that could be targeted for new medications designed to help people quit smoking without gaining weight. ... > full story

Study confirms safety, cancer-targeting ability of nutrient in broccoli, other vegetables, researchers say (June 9, 2011) -- Sulforaphane, one of the primary phytochemicals in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables that helps them prevent cancer, has been shown for the first time to selectively target and kill cancer cells while leaving normal prostate cells healthy and unaffected. The findings are another important step forward for the potential use of sulforaphone in cancer prevention and treatment. ... > full story

Genetic link between emphysema, lung cancer uncovered (June 9, 2011) -- A gene linked to emphysema also can be a factor for developing lung cancer unrelated to cigarette smoking, new research indicates. Smoking was the only known risk factor previously associated with both diseases. ... > full story

Fathers' use of restaurants affect children more than mothers' use (June 9, 2011) -- This Father's Day, dad's choice of where to eat could literally tip the scales on his children's health. A father's use of restaurants and his perceptions of family meals carry more weight, so to speak, than mothers', according to a new study. ... > full story

Cancer protein discovery may aid radiation therapy: Blocking cyclin D1 might help sensitize tumors to radiation (June 9, 2011) -- Scientists have uncovered a new role for a key cancer protein, cyclin D1, a finding that could pave the way for more-effective radiation treatment of a variety of tumors. They discovered that cyclin D1 can help cancer cells to quickly repair DNA damage caused by radiation treatments, making the tumors resistant to the therapy. ... > full story

Genes provide landmarks on the roadmap of autism (June 9, 2011) -- A new interactome -- or protein interaction network -- for autism spectrum disorders developed by researchers demonstrates how protein pathways converge, diverge and interact to arrive at the same devastating condition. ... > full story

How killer immune cells avoid killing themselves (June 9, 2011) -- After eight years of work, researchers have unearthed what has been a well-kept secret of our immune system's success. The findings offer an explanation for how specialized immune cells are able to kill infected or cancerous cells without killing themselves in the process. ... > full story

'Biological circuit' components developed; New microscope technique for measuring them (June 9, 2011) -- Electrical engineers have long been toying with the idea of designing biological molecules that can be directly integrated into electronic circuits. Researchers have developed a way to form these structures so they can operate in open-air environments, and, more important, have developed a new microscope technique that can measure the electrical properties of these and similar devices. ... > full story

Canine connection: Study explores how dogs think and learn about human behavior (June 9, 2011) -- Dog owners often attest to their canine companion's seeming ability to read their minds. How do dogs learn to beg for food or behave badly primarily when we're not looking? According to one research team, the way that dogs come to respond to the level of people’s attentiveness tells us something about the ways dogs think and learn about human behavior. Their research suggests it is down to a combination of specific cues, context and previous experience. ... > full story

Historic first images of rod photoreceptors in the living human eye (June 9, 2011) -- Scientists have reported that the tiny light-sensing cells known as rods have been clearly and directly imaged in the living eye for the first time. Using adaptive optics, scientists can see through the murky distortion of the outer eye, revealing the eye's cellular structure with unprecedented detail. This innovation will help doctors diagnose degenerative eye disorders sooner. ... > full story

Shingles may be related to elevated risk of multiple sclerosis (June 9, 2011) -- Taiwanese investigators have found that there can be a significantly higher risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) occurring in the year following a shingles, or herpes zoster, attack. The findings support a long-held view on how MS may develop. ... > full story

Barefoot running: To ditch the shoes or not? (June 9, 2011) -- A hot issue among runners is whether running in bare feet reduces or increases the risk of injury. Experts say for some runners it could do both. The reason it could do both has to do with whether you grew up running in standard athletic shoes. The feet of runners land differently, depending on whether one is running in bare feet or in athletic shoes with a big cushion under the heel. ... > full story

Size, strength of heart's right side differs by age, gender, race/ethnicity (June 9, 2011) -- The size and pumping ability of the right side of the heart differs by age, gender and race/ethnicity, according to the first large imaging study of the right ventricle. Defining the right ventricular norms for different populations could aid in identifying abnormal right ventricle size and function. Abnormal right ventricle function may be a sign of conditions that involve both the heart and lungs. ... > full story

Progress in tissue engineering to repair joint damage in osteoarthritis (June 9, 2011) -- Medical scientists now have "clear" evidence that the damaged cartilage tissue in osteoarthritis and other painful joint disorders can be encouraged to regrow and regenerate, and are developing tissue engineering technology that could help millions of patients with those disorders. That's the conclusion of a new analysis of almost 100 scientific studies on the topic. ... > full story

Smoking, even for a short time, significantly increases a woman's risk for peripheral artery disease, study finds (June 9, 2011) -- A prospective study of initially healthy women aged 45 and over found that smoking is a potent risk factor for symptomatic peripheral artery disease, or PAD. PAD is a serious, often debilitating disorder, caused by narrowing of the arteries in the lower extremities. Symptoms of PAD include pain in the legs with normal activity and a feeling of tiredness in the leg muscles. ... > full story

Breast cancer drug pushes colon cancer cells to their death (June 9, 2011) -- A new treatment for colon cancer that combines a chemotherapy agent approved to treat breast cancer and a cancer-fighting antibody is ready for clinical trials, according to researchers. ... > full story

An alternative to antibiotics (June 9, 2011) -- Antibiotics are among the greatest achievements of medical science. But lately the former multipurpose weapon fails in the battle against infectious diseases. Bacteria are increasingly developing resistance to antibiotics. Researchers have now found a therapeutic equivalent which could replace penicillin and related pharmaceuticals. ... > full story

Bone cancer, from the lab to the clinic (June 9, 2011) -- A new study into osteosarcoma -- cancer of the bone -- will use advances in genomic research to identify new genes that give rise to the cancer and to create personalized blood tests for children and young adults. The hope is that the project will improve monitoring in patients with cancer and guide the best drug treatment for the cancer in each patient. ... > full story

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment may also have some functional impairment, study finds (June 9, 2011) -- Difficulty remembering important dates and medications, and gathering paperwork, is more common in older individuals with mild cognitive impairment than in those with no cognition problems, according to a new report. ... > full story

Moderate to intense exercise may protect the brain (June 9, 2011) -- Older people who regularly exercise at a moderate to intense level may be less likely to develop the small brain lesions, sometimes referred to as "silent strokes," that are the first sign of cerebrovascular disease, according to a new study. ... > full story

Finnish twin study yields new information on how fat cells cope with obesity (June 9, 2011) -- The mechanisms by which obesity leads towards metabolic comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, are poorly understood and of great public health interest. A study led by researchers in Finland suggests that adaptation of fat cell membranes to obesity may play a key role in the early stages of inflammatory disorders. ... > full story

Lifelong gap in health between rich and poor set by age 20, Canadian study finds (June 9, 2011) -- Canadians who are less educated and have a lower income start out less healthy than their wealthier and better-educated compatriots, and remain so over the course of their lives, according to a new study. ... > full story

Curtailing embryonic stem cell research would also hurt iPS cell research, analysis suggests (June 9, 2011) -- Any legislation that slows human embryonic stem cell research is likely to also seriously harm the study of induced pluripotent stem cells, according to a new analysis. ... > full story

Is free global trade too great a threat to food supplies, natural heritage and health? (June 9, 2011) -- Researchers from the UK say that we face a future of uncertainty, and possible new threats to food supplies, natural heritage, and even human health, from animal and plant pathogens. Human behavior, travel and trade exacerbates the problem and we may need to reconsider our approach to free trade. ... > full story

Many genetic keys needed to unlock autism, researchers discover (June 8, 2011) -- Hundreds of small genetic variations are associated with autism spectrum disorders, including an area of DNA that may be a key to understanding why humans are social animals, according to a multi-site collaborative study. ... > full story

Adjuvant combo shows potential for universal influenza vaccine (June 8, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered how to prime a second arm of the immune system to boost influenza vaccine effectiveness. A combination of two adjuvants induced killer T cells to join antibodies in response to influenza infection. Since the killer T cells targeted a highly conserved protein that does not change from year to year, the adjuvant strategy suggests potential for a universal flu vaccine. ... > full story

Connection discovered between the nervous system and the vascular system (June 8, 2011) -- Scientists have shown for the first time that a key molecule of the vascular system directs axons during the formation of neural circuits. This connection between the nervous system and the vascular system could be a good starting point for the development of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. ... > full story

Active social, spiritual and physical life helps prevent health decline in seniors, study finds (June 8, 2011) -- Small, healthy lifestyle changes and involvement in meaningful activities -- going beyond just diet and exercise -- are critical to healthy aging, according to a new study. ... > full story

Unraveling the complex genetics of autism (June 8, 2011) -- Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are devastating developmental disorders characterized by altered social interactions and behavior. Although genetic risks are known to contribute to the development of ASDs, the genetic causes of the disease are not well understood. Now, three new papers provide new insight into the diversity of the genetic abnormalities that contribute to autism and represent a step towards the future design of treatments specifically targeted to different kinds of autism. ... > full story

Treating children's eye infections without surgery (June 8, 2011) -- Researchers report that medical management may be preferred over surgery for children with orbital cellulitis, an acute infection of the tissues surrounding the eye. They have determined the criteria for surgical intervention should be dependent upon the size of a subperiosteal abscess. ... > full story

Scientists create humanized mouse model for hepatitis C (June 8, 2011) -- A team of researchers has, for the first time, recreated a portion of the hepatitis C virus life cycle in a mouse with a functional immune system. The new mouse model will enable scientists to test molecules that block entry of the hepatitis C virus into cells as well as potential vaccine candidates. ... > full story

Crucial molecule involved in spread of breast cancer identified; Findings suggest strategy for halting metastasis (June 8, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a key player in the spread of breast cancer. The findings identify a critical molecule that helps cancer spread beyond the primary tumor. The research highlights a potential new strategy against metastatic disease. ... > full story

Ordered fear plays a strong role in market chaos (June 8, 2011) -- When the current financial crisis hit, the failure of traditional economic doctrines to provide any sort of early warning shocked not only financial experts worldwide, but also governments and the general public, and we all began to question the effectiveness and validity of those doctrines. A research team based in Israel decided to investigate what went awry, searching for order in an apparently random system. ... > full story

Universal flu vaccine clinical trials show promise (June 8, 2011) -- A universal influenza vaccine targeting a protein common to all strains of influenza A has safely produced an immune response in humans. If proven effective, the vaccine could eliminate the practice of creating a new flu vaccine annually to match predicted strains, with major implications for global health. ... > full story

Squeeze an arm, protect the heart: New technique for heart protection analyzed (June 8, 2011) -- Scientists in the UK are investigating a novel technique that promises to protect heart muscle from life-threatening damage following a heart attack -- simply by squeezing an arm. Heart attacks are the major cause of premature death in England, with massive implications for survival and costs of long-term health care. ... > full story

Research creates nanoparticles perfectly formed to tackle cancer (June 8, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a way to load up nanoparticles with large numbers of light-sensitive molecules to create a more effective form of photodynamic therapy for treating cancer. ... > full story