ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Monday, July 4, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Monday, July 4, 2011

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Possible new target for sarcoma treatment and prevention (July 3, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a protein signaling pathway that becomes hyperactivated in human sarcoma cells, suggesting that medications to inhibit this pathway may be effective in the treatment of human sarcomas. ... > full story

Red wine: Exercise in a bottle? (July 3, 2011) -- As strange as it sounds, a new research study suggests that the "healthy" ingredient in red wine, resveratrol, prevents the negative effects that spaceflight and sedentary lifestyles have on people. The report describes experiments in rats that simulated the weightlessness of spaceflight, during which the group fed resveratrol did not develop insulin resistance or a loss of bone mineral density, as did those who were not fed resveratrol. ... > full story

Droplets for detecting tumoral DNA (July 3, 2011) -- New research suggests it may be possible, in the near future, to detect cancer by a simple blood or urine test. Biologists from France have developed a technique capable of detecting minute traces of tumoral DNA present in the biological fluids of patients suffering from cancer. ... > full story

Women get up sooner than men after a fall in soccer, study finds (July 3, 2011) -- When women play football (soccer), the individual interruptions, for instance for substitutions or to cheer a goal, are a lot shorter than when men play. In particular after injuries men remain on the ground significantly longer. This is what sports scientists discovered after analyzing 56 soccer games and evaluating the place, time and duration of every single interruption of the game. In soccer, men stage themselves much more than women, the scientists conclude. ... > full story

New biomarker predicts breast cancer relapse (July 3, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a new biomarker related to the body's immune system that can predict a breast cancer patients' risk of cancer recurrence. ... > full story

Changes in specific dietary factors may have big impact on long-term weight gain (July 3, 2011) -- Researchers have found that modest changes in specific foods and beverages, physical activity, TV-watching, and sleep duration were strongly linked with long-term weight gain. ... > full story

Cell rigidity linked to activity in proteins associated with cancer (July 3, 2011) -- Scientists have demonstrated that exerting mechanical force on cells activates Rho GEF proteins through distinct signaling pathways. The Rho GEFs activate Rho proteins that are part of the RAS superfamily -- a class of proteins associated with cancer activity. ... > full story

Key immune substance linked to asthma, study finds (July 2, 2011) -- Medical researchers have linked a master molecule of the immune system, gamma-interferon, to the pathology of asthma, in a study of mice. ... > full story

In pilot study, screening detects potentially serious heart conditions in healthy children (July 2, 2011) -- A pilot study in healthy children and adolescents shows that it is feasible to screen for undiagnosed heart conditions that increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Adding a 10-minute, relatively low-cost electrocardiogram to a history and physical examination identified unsuspected cases of potentially serious heart conditions. ... > full story

Good communication in early years key to success at school, UK study shows (July 2, 2011) -- Researchers in the UK have shown that although social background has a noticeable effect on a child’s readiness for school, what parents do with their children, even before they begin to talk, is actually much more important. The results of the study showed that children who were taken to the library more often and owned more books at two-years-old achieved higher scores on the school assessment tests when they began primary school. ... > full story

Potential of simple injection on patients with head injury (July 2, 2011) -- New research has suggested that tranexamic acid has the potential to prevent people dying from head injuries. It is a cheap, off-patent drug with the potential to help people suffering from brain trauma. ... > full story

More sensitive test for cardiac biomarker may better identify patients who experienced heart attack (July 2, 2011) -- In patients with a suspected acute coronary syndrome (or ACS, such as heart attack or unstable angina), use of a more sensitive test to detect the protein troponin in blood was associated with increased diagnosis of a heart attack and improved identification of patients at high risk of another heart attack and death in the following year, according to new study. ... > full story

Foods with baked milk may help build tolerance in children with dairy allergies, study suggests (July 1, 2011) -- Introducing increasing amounts of foods that contain baked milk into the diets of children who have milk allergies helped a majority of them outgrow their allergies, according to a new study. ... > full story

Intravenous nutrition for critically ill patients must not be administered too early, Belgian study finds (July 1, 2011) -- Intravenous nutrition does not have a positive effect on the recovery of critically ill patients if it is administered early, according to new research from Belgium. Recovery from critical illness is in fact faster when patients receive supplementary intravenous nutrition one week after their admission to intensive care. ... > full story

Money and mimicry: Examining the psychological effect of money and how it affects our behavior and emotions (July 1, 2011) -- We rely on money in our day-to-day life and it is constantly in our minds. After all, money makes the world go round, doesn't it? Now, a new study tries to better understand the psychological effect of money and how it affects our behavior, feelings and emotions. ... > full story

New class of antiangiogenesis drugs: Natural plant compound blocks blood vessel growth by interfering with cellular adhesion (July 1, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered the first of an entirely new class of anti-angiogenesis drugs -- agents that interfere with the development of blood vessels. The investigators describe how a compound derived from a South American tree was able, through a novel mechanism, to interfere with blood vessel formation in animal models of normal development, wound healing and tumor growth. ... > full story

Foot positioning during walking and running may influence ankle sprains (July 1, 2011) -- The position of the foot just before ground contact during running and walking may put people at risk for ankle sprains, according to a new study. ... > full story

HIV-inhibiting mechanism identified (July 1, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a long-sought cellular factor that works to inhibit HIV infection of myeloid cells, a subset of white blood cells that display antigens and hence are important for the body's immune response against viruses and other pathogens. The factor, a protein called SAMHD1, is part of the nucleic acid sensing machinery within the body's own immune system. ... > full story

Preventing diabetes damage: Zinc's effects on a kinky, two-faced cohort (July 1, 2011) -- In type 2 diabetes, a protein called amylin forms dense clumps that shut down insulin-producing cells, wreaking havoc on the control of blood sugar. But zinc has a knack for preventing amylin from misbehaving. ... > full story

Sound localization at cocktail parties is easier for men (July 1, 2011) -- Differences in male and female behavior are often subject to study. Women are known to be more verbally fluent, have better manual dexterity. Men tend to excel in what are known as visuo-spatial abilities. A new study has demonstrated that men have a similar advantage in their hearing. ... > full story

Scientists use 'optogenetics' to control reward-seeking behavior (July 1, 2011) -- The findings suggest that therapeutics targeting the path between two critical brain regions, the amygdala and the nucleus accumbens, represent potential treatments for addiction and other neuropsychiatric diseases. ... > full story

Electromagnetic fields can disturb learning, study suggests, but only at very high levels (July 1, 2011) -- The effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones on humans have been hotly debated for years. In a new study, neuroscientists from Germany have shed light on this question. For the first time, they provide evidence that extremely high-powered electromagnetic fields can influence learning processes on the synaptic level within the brain, independent from other factors such as stress. However, such high levels are not encountered during typical use of mobile phones, the researchers note. ... > full story

Babies are specially attuned to our voices and emotions (July 1, 2011) -- Young babies' brains are already specially attuned to the sounds of human voices and emotions, according to a new report. ... > full story

Adult stem cells carry their own baggage: Epigenetics guides stem cell fate (July 1, 2011) -- Adult stem and progenitor cells may not contain a clean genetic slate after all. A new report shows that these cells have unique "epigenetic signatures," which change once a cell differentiates. Epigenetic changes do not affect the make up in a cell's DNA, but how that DNA functions. Epigenetic changes have demonstrated a role in a range of diseases, as well as to be heritable from mother to child. ... > full story

New clues to the cause of Alzheimer’s disease (July 1, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a series of novel proteins in human cerebrospinal fluid. The proteins, which carry specific sugar molecules, are found in greater concentrations in patients with dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease than in patients with dementia caused by other diseases. This gives hope for new forms of treatment in the future. ... > full story

Don't show, don't tell? Direct instruction can thwart independent exploration (July 1, 2011) -- It turns out that there is a "double-edged sword" to pedagogy: explicit instruction makes children less likely to engage in spontaneous exploration and discovery. A new compared the behavior of children given a novel toy under four different conditions, finding that children expressly taught one of its functions played with the toy for less time and discovered fewer things to do with it than children in the other three scenarios. ... > full story

New approach to link genome-wide association signals to biological function (July 1, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a new strategy to improve the outcome of genome-wide association (GWA) studies. This will lead to a better understanding of the function of affected genes and the biological pathways involved, potentially translating these findings into clinical benefits. It is estimated that this approach, which finds the open chromatin regions in human cells, could be used in one in four GWA studies. ... > full story

Neuroscientists' discovery could bring relief to epilepsy sufferers; Computational model of epileptic seizures at molecular level (July 1, 2011) -- Researchers have made a discovery that could help drug manufacturers develop new antiepileptic drugs and explore novel strategies for treating seizures associated with epilepsy. The researchers used a computational model of the cortical network to show that during seizure there is a slow and progressive buildup of intracellular sodium in neurons, and that it is this accumulation of intracellular sodium that leads to the termination of the seizure. ... > full story

Learning faces of different races: Clues to why 'they' all look alike (July 1, 2011) -- New research provides biological evidence that the brain works differently when memorizing the face of a person from one's own race than when memorizing an other-race face. By measuring brain activity, the study sheds light on the well-documented "other-race effect" phenomenon. One of the most replicated psychology findings, the other-race effect finds people are less likely to remember a face from a racial group different from their own. ... > full story

Novel genetic variation linked to increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest (July 1, 2011) -- A study by a global consortium of physician-scientists has identified a genetic variation that may predispose people to double the risk of having a sudden cardiac arrest, a disorder that gives little warning and is fatal in about 95 percent of cases. Although previous, smaller studies have identified some genes with a potential association with sudden cardiac arrest, this is the first study large enough to enable scientists to apply results to the general population. ... > full story

Massive genome studies identify genetics behind white blood cell counts (July 1, 2011) -- A trio of large-scale genome-wide association studies, or GWAS, have identified more than 15 gene variants responsible for the diversity of white blood cell counts among whites, African-Americans, and Japanese. Combined, the studies offer the first comprehensive analysis into why some people, and some populations, have more or fewer white blood cells than others. ... > full story

Combining physical activity with classroom lessons results in improved test scores (July 1, 2011) -- When schools cut physical education programs so students can spend more time in the classroom, they may be missing a golden opportunity to promote learning. ... > full story

Cancer Genome Atlas completes detailed ovarian cancer analysis (July 1, 2011) -- An analysis of genomic changes in ovarian cancer has provided the most comprehensive and integrated view of cancer genes for any cancer type to date. Serous adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent form of ovarian cancer, accounting for about 85 percent of all ovarian cancer deaths. Researchers completed whole-exome sequencing, which examines the protein-coding regions of the genome, on an unprecedented 316 tumors. They also completed other genomic characterizations on these tumors and another 173 specimens. ... > full story

Structural biologists reveal molecular architecture of key NMDA receptor subunit (July 1, 2011) -- Structural biologists have determined the molecular structure of a key portion, or subunit, of a receptor type commonly expressed in brain cells. The receptor is one of several NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor variants, and the subunit in question is that which specifically binds with excitatory neurotransmitters, most notably glutamate. ... > full story

Obese people can suffer from social anxiety disorder due to weight alone (July 1, 2011) -- A new study shows that obese individuals with social anxiety related only to their weight may experience anxiety as severe as individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD). The findings directly conflict with the criteria for SAD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. ... > full story

Solving the puzzle of cognitive problems caused by HIV infection (July 1, 2011) -- A longstanding medical mystery -- why so many people with HIV experience memory loss and other cognitive problems despite potent antiretroviral therapy -- may have been solved by researchers. ... > full story

Washington, D.C. study shows racial disparities in emergency stroke treatment (July 1, 2011) -- A recent Washington, D.C. citywide study demonstrates racial disparities in the use of clot-busting drugs to treat acute ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke. ... > full story

Health providers should emphasize breast cancer screening, research finds (July 1, 2011) -- Researchers believe medical practitioners can help reduce the number of breast cancer deaths among low-income African-American women by more effectively educating their patients about the importance of mammography screening. ... > full story

Self-referral: A significant factor in imaging growth (July 1, 2011) -- A recent study suggests that self-referral in medical imaging may be a significant contributing factor in diagnostic imaging growth. ... > full story

Extended sleep improves the athletic performance of collegiate basketball players (July 1, 2011) -- A new study shows that sleep extension is beneficial to athletic performance, reaction time, vigor, fatigue and mood in collegiate basketball players. The study is the first to document sleep extension and the athletic performance of actively competing athletes. ... > full story

Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) improves radiologists' use of clinical decision support systems (July 1, 2011) -- Integration with a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) improves radiologists' use of clinical decision support tools, according to a new study. ... > full story

How social pressure can affect what we remember: Scientists track brain activity as false memories are formed (June 30, 2011) -- How easy is it to falsify memory? New research shows that a bit of social pressure may be all that is needed. The study reveals a unique pattern of brain activity when false memories are formed -- one that hints at a surprising connection between our social selves and memory. ... > full story

New mechanism used by cells to reverse silenced genes (June 30, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a new mechanism used by cells in the body to turn on silenced genes. This process is critical in preventing the development of cancer -- suggesting the possibility of new therapies that might target the specific changes underlying the disease. ... > full story

Novel analysis method organizes genomic cancer data (June 30, 2011) -- The technology that allows scientists to profile the entire genome of individual tumors offers new hope for discovering ways to select the best treatment for each patient's particular type of cancer. However, these profiles produce huge amounts of data, and the volume alone creates unique analytical problems. In a new study, researchers describe a new analytical approach based on a concept called multiplicity, that can organize large amounts of varied genetic data. ... > full story

Tranquillity formula could increase health benefits of visiting urban and country parks (June 30, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a toolkit for measuring tranquillity that could enable neglected or overlooked urban parks to flourish and become a haven for stressed city workers. ... > full story

Heart transplant patients at risk for serious skin cancers, study finds (June 30, 2011) -- A new study reveals that there is a significant risk of serious skin cancers, including cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, in heart transplant patients. ... > full story

Women win out in gastrointestinal surgery (June 30, 2011) -- In the first study to consider the impact of gender on patient outcomes in major gastrointestinal surgeries, researchers have found that women are more likely to survive after the procedure than men. The pattern is even more pronounced when comparing women before menopause with men of the same age. ... > full story

TV food advertising increases children's preference for unhealthy foods, study finds (June 30, 2011) -- Researchers have found that children who watch advertisements for unhealthy food on television are more likely to want to eat high-fat and high-sugar foods. ... > full story