ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Saturday, June 11, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Saturday, June 11, 2011

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Simple test could hold key to early diagnosis of cancers (June 10, 2011) -- Cancers of the gut, stomach and pancreas could be detected much sooner with a simple urine test, research suggests. Researchers have identified key proteins in the urine of patients with advanced cancers. ... > full story

Biologists uncover regulatory mechanism for gene expression in the visual system (June 10, 2011) -- Biologists have uncovered a key regulatory mechanism used for gene expression in the visual system. Their findings offer new insights into the complexity behind the genetic make-up of biological systems. ... > full story

Two isolates from E. coli outbreak sequenced (June 10, 2011) -- An outbreak of Escherichia coli causing a severe illness called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) began in Germany on May 2, 2011 and has killed more than 20 people and sickened more than 2,000. The organism causing the outbreak has been identified as a strain of E. coli O104:H4 that produces a Shiga toxin and causes an illness similar to infection with E. coli O157:H7. Two isolates from this outbreak have been sequenced. Both strains, TY-2482 and LB226692, have been annotated. ... > full story

Potential new way to fight sepsis (June 10, 2011) -- By digging a little deeper, researchers may have found a potential target for reversing the deadly blood infection sepsis. ... > full story

New approaches open up in spinal muscular atrophy: Failure in nerve-fiber navigation corrected in zebrafish model (June 10, 2011) -- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of death in children under 2, with no treatment other than supportive care. In a new study, researchers show how loss or mutation of the SMA gene causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness, and suggest a promising approach to treating the condition, sometimes referred to as a "Lou Gehrig's disease of babies." ... > full story

B vitamins in mother's diet reduce colorectal cancer risk in offspring, animal study suggests (June 10, 2011) -- Mice born to mothers who are fed a diet supplemented with B vitamins are less likely to develop intestinal tumors. Scientists associated the tumor suppression seen in the offspring of supplemented mothers with a protection against disruptions to the "Wnt" signaling pathway, a network of genes commonly altered in colorectal cancer. ... > full story

Mortality from all causes higher among hepatitis C-infected, analysis finds (June 10, 2011) -- Although liver-related mortality among those infected with hepatitis C is well documented, little is known about deaths in these patients that are not related to liver problems. A new study sought to determine mortality from all causes, including liver- and non-liver-related deaths among hepatitis C patients in the general U.S. population. The analysis found mortality from all causes to be higher in these patients. ... > full story

Brain imaging study of preschoolers with ADHD detects brain differences linked to symptoms (June 10, 2011) -- Researchers found differences in the brains of preschool children with symptoms of ADHD. Results showed the region of the brain important for cognitive and motor control was smaller in these children than in typically developing children. Novel for its use of neuroimaging in very young, preschool age children with ADHD symptoms, this examination of brain differences may offer insights into early interventions. ... > full story

Mutations in essential genes often cause rare diseases (June 10, 2011) -- Mutations in genes essential to survival are behind so-called orphan diseases, explaining in part why these diseases are rare and often deadly, according to a new study. ... > full story

New imaging technology promising for diagnosing cardiovascular disease, diabetes (June 10, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new type of imaging technology to diagnose cardiovascular disease and other disorders by measuring ultrasound signals from molecules exposed to a fast-pulsing laser. ... > full story

Alternative approach to treating diabetes tested (June 10, 2011) -- In a mouse study, scientists have demonstrated the feasibility of a promising new strategy for treating human type 2 diabetes, which affects more than 200 million people worldwide. ... > full story

No gender difference in risk-taking behavior, study suggests (June 10, 2011) -- New research shows that young Swedish women are more prone than men to perceive situations as risky. However, there are no gender differences in actual risk-taking behavior. ... > full story