ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Tuesday, July 12, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Tuesday, July 12, 2011

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Scientists solve mystery of nerve disease genes; Findings may lead to new therapies for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and other conditions (July 12, 2011) -- For several years, scientists have been pondering a question about a genetic disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease type 2D: how can different types of mutations, spread out across a gene, produce the same condition? Now, a team of scientists may have found the answer. ... > full story

E. coli can survive in streambed sediments for months (July 12, 2011) -- Scientists have confirmed that the presence of Escherichia coli pathogens in surface waters could result from the pathogen's ability to survive for months in underwater sediments. ... > full story

Arthroscopic treatment of common hip problem improves range of motion, study finds (July 12, 2011) -- Arthroscopic treatment of a common hip problem that leads to arthritis is successful in terms of restoring range of motion, according to results from a recent study. ... > full story

Smoking does not keep you slim, Swedish research shows (July 12, 2011) -- You might think that you will gain weight if you quit smoking. But it’s not that simple. Research from Sweden shows that smoking doesn’t help you get thinner. ... > full story

Deformed limbs one of several birth defects linked to smoking in pregnancy (July 12, 2011) -- Missing or deformed limbs, clubfoot, facial disorders and gastrointestinal problems are some of the most common birth defects found to be associated with smoking during pregnancy, according to a major new report. ... > full story

Mutations can spur dangerous identity crisis in cells (July 12, 2011) -- A new study brings scientists one step closer to developing treatments for issues associated with aging or chronic diseases in which cells lose their ability to maintain a stable pattern of gene expression. ... > full story

Telomeres: Two genes linked to why they stretch in cancer cells (July 12, 2011) -- Scientists have provided more clues to one of the least understood phenomena in some cancers: why the "ends caps" of cellular DNA, called telomeres, lengthen instead of shorten. ... > full story

Vitamin D insufficiency prevalent among psoriatic arthritis suffers (July 12, 2011) -- New research reports a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among patients with psoriatic arthritis. Seasonal variation in vitamin D levels was not observed in patients in southern or northern locations. The findings also show no association between disease activity and vitamin D level. ... > full story

Satisfaction with the components of everyday life appears protective against heart disease (July 12, 2011) -- While depression and anxiety have long been recognized as risk factors for heart disease, there is less certainty over the beneficial effects of a "positive" psychological state, Now, following a study of almost 8,000 British civil servants, researchers say that a satisfying life is indeed good for the heart. ... > full story

Owl study expands understanding of human stereovision (July 11, 2011) -- Using owls as a model, a new research study reveals the advantage of stereopsis, commonly referred to as stereovision, is its ability to discriminate between objects and background, not in perceiving absolute depth. The findings show that owls see in stereo much like humans do. ... > full story

Key role of microRNAs in melanoma metastasis identified (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have identified for the first time the key role specific microRNAs (miRNAs) play in melanoma metastasis to simultaneously cause cancer cells to invade and immunosuppress the human body's ability to fight abnormal cells. ... > full story

More oxygen in eyes of African-Americans may help explain glaucoma risk (July 11, 2011) -- Measuring oxygen during eye surgery, investigators have discovered a potential reason that African-Americans are at higher risk of getting glaucoma than Caucasians. They found that oxygen levels are significantly higher in the eyes of African-Americans with glaucoma than in Caucasians. ... > full story

Mortality rises, efficiency declines at teaching hospitals, due to 'July Effect' (July 11, 2011) -- Year-end changeovers in medical trainees are associated with increased mortality and decreased efficiency at teaching hospitals during the month of July, according to a new article. ... > full story

Do-it-yourself brain repair following stroke (July 11, 2011) -- Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and death in the United States. New research has now identified a way to exploit one of the brain's self-repair mechanisms to protect nerve cells and enhance brain repair in rodent models of stroke. The authors of the research suggest that this approach could provide a nontoxic treatment for stroke. ... > full story

Genetic basis of rare human diseases described (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered how genetic mutations cause a number of rare human diseases, which include Meckel syndrome, Joubert syndrome and several other disorders. ... > full story

PXR: A stepping stone from environmental chemical to cancer? (July 11, 2011) -- Several chemicals that can accumulate to high levels in our body (for example, BPA and some pesticides) have been recently linked to an increased risk of cancer and/or impaired responsiveness to anticancer drugs. Researchers have now identified a potential mechanistic link between environmental exposure to these foreign chemicals (xenogens) and cancer drug therapy response and survival. ... > full story

Resilience amongst the long term ill (July 11, 2011) -- People who have a long term debilitating physical illness demonstrate mental resilience, according to the world’s largest longitudinal household study. The first findings reveal that people diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, respiratory or cardiovascular disease report similar mental health scores to those without physical illness. The survey’s findings suggest that those people who may not be able to function well physically because of an illness do not necessarily suffer problems with their mental health -- for example, with their concentration, confidence and feelings of strain. ... > full story

Epigenetic pathway and new drug show promise in reversing a hard-to-treat childhood cancer (July 11, 2011) -- A difficult-to-treat form of childhood leukemia relies on changes in the structure of DNA -- so-called epigenetic changes -- to wreak genomic havoc within white blood cells, according to one of two new studies. Researchers also showed that a new drug that blocks these changes could deactivate cancer-promoting genes and halt the growth of this cancer. ... > full story

Just add water and treat brain cancer: Freeze-dried gene therapy system avoids virus, potential complications (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a technique that delivers gene therapy into human brain cancer cells using nanoparticles that can be freeze-dried and stored for up to three months prior to use. The shelf-stable particles may obviate the need for virus-mediated gene therapy, which has been associated with safety concerns. ... > full story

'BPA-free' bottles live up to manufacturers' claims, new study suggests (July 11, 2011) -- Scientists have found that stainless steel- and/or co-polyester lined-aluminum bottles did not release BPA; however, aluminum bottles lined with epoxy-based resins still resulted in BPA contamination of liquids. ... > full story

Just like teens, parents get personal on Facebook (July 11, 2011) -- They may not dress like Justin Bieber or Selena Gomez, but parents are a whole lot like their teenagers when it comes to their behavior on Facebook. ... > full story

Large human study links phthalates, BPA and thyroid hormone levels (July 11, 2011) -- A link between chemicals called phthalates and thyroid hormone levels was recently confirmed in the first large-scale and nationally representative study of phthalates and BPA in relation to thyroid function in humans. ... > full story

'Unnatural' chemical allows researchers to watch protein action in brain cells (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have been able to genetically incorporate "unnatural" amino acids, such as those emitting green fluorescence, into neural stem cells, which then differentiate into brain neurons with the incandescent "tag" intact. ... > full story

Fight against sepsis: Fibrin, a product of the blood clotting process, is key to protection during gram-negative sepsis (July 11, 2011) -- New research may help to explain why anticoagulant therapies have largely failed to extend the lives of patients with sepsis. The study shows that fibrin, a key product of the blood clotting process, is critical for host defense against Yersinia enterocolitica, a gram-negative bacterium that causes sepsis in humans and experimental mice. ... > full story

Natural pain relief from poisonous shrub? (July 11, 2011) -- An extract of the poisonous shrub Jatropha curcas acts as a strong painkiller and may have a mode of action different from conventional analgesics, such as morphine and other pharmaceuticals. ... > full story

The truth about cats and dogs: Pets are good for mental health of 'everyday people' (July 11, 2011) -- Pets can serve as important sources of social and emotional support for "everyday people," not just individuals facing significant health challenges, according to new research. ... > full story

Scientists discover first gonorrhea strain resistant to all available antibiotics (July 11, 2011) -- An international research team has discovered a strain of gonorrhea resistant to all currently available antibiotics. This new strain is likely to transform a common and once easily treatable infection into a global threat to public health. ... > full story

High-resolution imaging technology reveals cellular details of coronary arteries (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a one-micrometer-resolution version of the intravascular imaging technology optical coherence tomography that can reveal cellular and subcellular features of coronary artery disease. ... > full story

Male smokers less likely to need joint replacement surgery of hip or knee (July 11, 2011) -- Surprising results from a new study revealed that men who smoke had less risk of undergoing total joint replacement surgery than those who never smoked. Researchers also reported that men who were overweight, or who engaged in vigorous physical activity were more likely to need arthroplasty. ... > full story

Out-of-body experiences linked to neural instability and biases in body representation (July 11, 2011) -- Although out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are typically associated with migraine, epilepsy and psychopathology, they are quite common in healthy and psychologically normal individuals as well. However, they are poorly understood. A new study has linked these experiences to neural instabilities in the brain’s temporal lobes and to errors in the body’s sense of itself – even in non clinical populations. ... > full story

New genetic clues for schizophrenia; De novo mutations more frequent, study finds (July 11, 2011) -- De novo mutations -- genetic errors that are present in patients but not in their parents -- are more frequent in schizophrenic patients than in normal individuals, according to an international group of scientists. ... > full story

Vitamin D lower in NFL football players who suffered muscled injuries, study suggests (July 11, 2011) -- Vitamin D deficiency has been known to cause an assortment of health problems. Now, a new study suggests that lack of the vitamin might also increase the chance of muscle injuries in athletes, specifically NFL football players. ... > full story

A flash of insight: Chemist uses lasers to see proteins at work (July 11, 2011) -- Scientists think they have an important brain transport protein -- glutamate transporter -- figured out. And they are using a novel approach to spy on them by taking aim with lasers. ... > full story

Ethnic, gender stereotypes bias treatment of Parkinson's disease (July 11, 2011) -- Cultural, ethnic and gender stereotypes can significantly distort clinical judgments about "facially masked" patients with Parkinson's disease, according to a newly published study. ... > full story

Unlocking the genetics and biology of joint disorder ankylosing spondylitis (July 11, 2011) -- A study involving over 5,000 people living with the joint disorder ankylosing spondylitis has identified a series of genetic variants associated with increased susceptibility to the condition as well as providing new clues to how the condition may be treated in the future. ... > full story

Researchers characterize biomechanics of ovarian cells according to phenotype at stages of cancer (July 11, 2011) -- Using ovarian surface epithelial cells from mice, researchers have released findings from a study that they believe will help in cancer risk assessment, cancer diagnosis, and treatment efficiency. ... > full story

Best U.S. hospitals are run by physicians, study finds (July 11, 2011) -- Top-performing hospitals are typically ones headed by an M.D. instead of a manager. That is the finding from a new study based on a detailed database on 300 of the most prominent hospitals in the United States. The conclusions run counter to a modern trend across the western world to put generally trained managers -- not those with a medical degree -- at the helm of hospitals. ... > full story

Common painkillers linked to irregular heart rhythm (July 11, 2011) -- Commonly used painkillers to treat inflammation are linked to an increased risk of irregular heart rhythm (known as atrial fibrillation or flutter), concludes a new study. ... > full story

Drug designer: New tool reveals mutations that cause HIV drug resistance (July 11, 2011) -- Protease inhibitor drugs are one of the major weapons in the fight against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, but their effectiveness is limited as the virus mutates and develops resistance to the drugs over time. Now a new tool has been developed to help predict the location of the mutations that lead to drug resistance. ... > full story

Georgia hospitals lag in palliative care for the seriously ill, study finds (July 11, 2011) -- Hospitals across the United States are increasingly implementing palliative care programs to help patients manage the physical and emotional burdens of serious illnesses, but a new study finds that 82 percent of Georgia's hospitals do not offer palliative care services. ... > full story

Is a little negativity the best marketing policy? (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers say that a "blemishing effect" takes place when a small flaw is introduced into the marketing of a product. Surprisingly, when positioned in the right way, such a flaw may improve a consumer's overall evaluation of the item. ... > full story

Writing DNR orders takes longer, death more likely when surrogate decision-maker involved (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers report that it takes significantly longer for orders to forgo resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest to be written for patients who had that decision made for them by a surrogate decision-maker compared to patients who made their own decisions, even though patients with a surrogate were sicker and the resuscitation issue might arise sooner. ... > full story

Could targeting the skin help prevent the spread of HIV? (July 11, 2011) -- Could applying a vaccine patch to the skin with thousands of tiny micro-needles help boost the body's immune response and prevent the spread of life-threatening infections like HIV and TB? ... > full story

Lack of sick leave creates tough choices for rural workers (July 11, 2011) -- Rural workers have less access to sick leave, forcing them to choose between caring for themselves or family members, and losing pay or perhaps even their jobs when faced with an illness, according to new research. ... > full story

New system for therapy of metastatic spinal tumors (July 11, 2011) -- A new system for the treatment of spinal tumors is a combination of radiofrequency ablation, which uses the heat energy of radio frequency waves to ablate and destroy tumors, and subsequent kyphoplasty, by which the spine is stabilized through the injection of bone cement as filler material. A recently started single-center study involving 10 evaluable patients suffering from painful metastatic spinal tumors is now expected to provide information about the efficacy of this method. ... > full story

'Pure' human blood stem-cell discovery opens door to expanding cells for more clinical use (July 10, 2011) -- For the first time since stem cells were discovered 50 years ago, scientists have isolated a human blood stem cell in its purest form -- as a single stem cell capable of regenerating the entire blood system. This breakthrough opens the door to harnessing the power of these life-producing cells to treat cancer and other debilitating diseases more effectively. ... > full story

Stroke risk in pregnant women 2.4 times higher, review finds (July 10, 2011) -- Pregnant women face a risk of stroke that is 2.4 times higher than the risk in non-pregnant women, according to a new review. ... > full story

Teaching the neurons to meditate (July 10, 2011) -- In the late 1990s, Jane Anderson was working as a landscape architect. That meant she didn't work much in the winter, and she struggled with seasonal affective disorder in the dreary Minnesota winter months. She decided to try meditation and noticed a change within a month. Her experience inspired a new study, which found changes in brain activity after only five weeks of meditation training. ... > full story