ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Wednesday, September 7, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Wednesday, September 7, 2011

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Poorer movement skills at seven months in children at risk of autism, study finds (September 7, 2011) -- Researchers report that poorer movement skills detected as early as 7 months old are observed in children at a higher risk of developing autistic spectrum disorder than children in the general population. ... > full story

Fetal tissue plays pivotal role in formation of insulin-producing cells; Mysterious mesenchyme is key piece of pancreatic puzzle (September 7, 2011) -- A somewhat mysterious soft tissue found in the fetus during early development in the womb plays a pivotal role in the formation of mature beta cells the sole source of the body's insulin. The discovery may lead to new ways of addressing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. ... > full story

Hospitalized children who carry MRSA at risk for full-blown infections (September 7, 2011) -- A study of more than 3,000 hospitalized children shows that those colonized but not sick with the antibiotic-resistant bacterium MRSA are at considerable risk for developing full-blown infections. ... > full story

Cognitive changes may predict Alzheimer's disease development more accurately than biomarkers (September 7, 2011) -- Compared with changes in biomarkers, changes in cognitive abilities appear to be stronger predictors of whether an individual with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will develop Alzheimer's disease, according to a new report. ... > full story

Chondroitin sulfate improves hand function, relieves morning stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, study finds (September 7, 2011) -- New research shows that chondroitin sulfate significantly decreased pain and improved hand function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand compared with those in the placebo group. Results of the clinical trial also show that chondroitin sulfate improves grip strength and relieves morning stiffness. ... > full story

When it comes to speaking out, cells wait their turn: Revealing how cells communicate, research could lead to new cancer drugs and more (September 7, 2011) -- New research has uncovered the mechanism that allows cells to switch from sender to receiver mode, inhibiting their own signals while receiving information from other cells. With this knowledge, researchers may be able to develop new cancer drugs that specifically target these transactions, potentially stopping cancer's uncontrollable proliferation. ... > full story

Scientists unravel the cause of rare genetic disease: Goldman-Favre Syndrome explained (September 7, 2011) -- New research will help ophthalmologists and scientists understand a genetic disease that causes increased susceptibility to blue light, night blindness, and decreased vision called Enhanced S-Cone Syndrome or Goldman-Favre Syndrome. Scientists found that the expression of genes responsible for healthy renewal of rods and cones in the retina was reduced and that this problem originates in the photoreceptors instead of the retinal pigment epithelial layer as once thought. ... > full story

Grief reactions subside in most children and teens whose parent dies suddenly, but may persist or increase in some cases (September 7, 2011) -- When a parent dies suddenly, most children and teens experience grief that fades over time, but some have increased or prolonged grief reactions that may increase the risk of depression and inability to function normally, according to a new report. ... > full story

Neurosurgeons use adult stem cells to grow neck vertebrae (September 6, 2011) -- Neurosurgery researchers have used a new, leading-edge stem cell therapy to promote the growth of bone tissue following the removal of cervical discs -- the cushions between the bones in the neck -- to relieve chronic, debilitating pain. ... > full story

Loss of key estrogen regulator may lead to metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis (September 6, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated that the loss of a key protein that regulates estrogen and immune activity in the body could lead to aspects of metabolic syndrome, a combination of conditions that can cause Type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. ... > full story

Children who have their adenoids out do not get fewer upper respiratory infections, study finds (September 6, 2011) -- Children who have their adenoids surgically removed do not get fewer upper respiratory tract infections such as sinusitis and colds, new research finds. ... > full story

Unconscious race and social bias among medical students: Study examines prevalence (September 6, 2011) -- A majority of first-year medical students at a single medical school who were surveyed regarding race and social class preferences had scores consistent with an unconscious preference towards white people and upper social class, although when presented with various clinical scenarios, these biases were not associated with the students' clinical assessments or decision making, according to a new study. ... > full story

Major advance in sleeping sickness drug (September 6, 2011) -- A new study presents a key advance in developing a safer cure for sleeping sickness. Researchers have created a version of the drug most commonly used to treat sleeping sickness which can be administered orally in pill form. ... > full story

Immunogene therapy combined with standard treatment is safe for patients with brain tumors, study suggests (September 6, 2011) -- An early phase clinical trial has shown that a form of gene therapy is safe even when combined with radiation therapy for treating brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and dangerous form of brain cancer. The novel treatment uses an adenovirus vector that is taken up by cancer cells where it activates a drug that kills the cells. ... > full story

People communicate in bursts: Rhythms of communication revealed in study of 9 billion phone calls (September 6, 2011) -- A new study, which has analyzed around 9 billion phone calls throughout almost a one-year period, is among the first to identify details of features of the communication process and to quantify their impact in the diffusion of information. The study found that people communicate in bursts. ... > full story

Window fall-related injuries among youth examined (September 6, 2011) -- Approximately 5,200 children and adolescents 17 years of age and younger were treated in US emergency departments each year from 1990 through 2008 for injuries sustained due to falls from windows. This translates to approximately 14 children being injured as the result of a window fall every day in the US. ... > full story

Lifetime 'dose' of excess weight linked to risk of diabetes (September 6, 2011) -- A new study shows the amount of extra weight carried by teens and young adults and how long they carry the extra weight impacts their risk for diabetes later in life. Researchers have revealed the risk is higher for blacks and Hispanics and their study shows another important reason for controlling obesity early in life. ... > full story

No link betweem menopause and increased risk of fatal heart, research suggests (September 6, 2011) -- Contradicting the long-held medical belief that the risk of cardiovascular death for women spikes sharply after menopause, new research suggests instead that heart disease mortality rates in women progress at a constant rate as they age. ... > full story

Mother’s postpartum oxycodone use: No safer for breastfed infants than codeine, study suggests (September 6, 2011) -- Doctors have been prescribing codeine for postpartum pain management for many years, and, until recently, it was considered safe to breastfeed while taking the opioid. But the death of an infant exposed to codeine through breast milk has many health care providers questioning the safety of the drug when used by breastfeeding mothers. Because of the potential risks, some doctors have begun the practice of prescribing oxycodone as an alternative to codeine; however, a new study finds that oxycodone is no safer for breastfed infants than codeine. ... > full story

In more socially engaging environment, white fat turns to brown, mouse study suggests (September 6, 2011) -- When mice are given a more engaging place to live with greater opportunities for social stimulation, some of their energy-storing white fat is transformed to energy-burning brown fat. As a result, the animals expend more energy and lose weight even as they eat more. The findings point to the powerful effect that animals' social and physical environments can have on their metabolisms. ... > full story

Anti-inflammatory drugs taken in early pregnancy more than double risk of miscarriage, study finds (September 6, 2011) -- The risk of miscarriage is 2.4 times greater for women who took any type and dosage of non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in early pregnancy, according to a new study. ... > full story

Orchestrator of waste removal rescues cells that can't manage their trash (September 6, 2011) -- Just as we must take out the trash to keep our homes clean and safe, it is essential that our cells have mechanisms for dealing with wastes and worn-out proteins. When these processes are not working properly, unwanted debris builds up in the cell and creates a toxic environment. Now, a new study describes a master regulator of the intracellular recycling and waste removal process and suggests an alternative strategy for treatment of metabolic disorders associated with the abnormal accumulation of waste in the cell. ... > full story

Aging eyes linked to sleepless nights, new study shows (September 6, 2011) -- A natural yellowing of the eye lens that absorbs blue light has been linked to sleep disorders in a group of test volunteers. The connection could help explain why sleep disorders become more frequent with increasing age. ... > full story

Couch potatoes explained? Missing key genes may be cause for lack of resolve to exercise, researchers find (September 6, 2011) -- You may think your lack of resolve to get off the couch to exercise is because you're lazy, but researchers have discovered it may be you are missing key genes. ... > full story

Even mild cognitive impairment appears to substantially increase risk for death, study suggests (September 6, 2011) -- Cognitive impairment, even when detected at an early, mild stage, is a significant predictor of decreased life expectancy, according to a long-term study by researchers. ... > full story

A step toward a saliva test for cancer (September 6, 2011) -- A new saliva test can measure the amount of potential carcinogens stuck to a person's DNA -- interfering with the action of genes involved in health and disease -- and could lead to a commercial test to help determine risks for cancer and other diseases, scientists report. ... > full story

Crowd-sourcing the E. coli O104:H4 outbreak (September 6, 2011) -- Ten variants of the deadly Escherichia coli strain that hit Germany in May 2011 have been sequenced across the world. The unprecedented level of collaboration across the scientific community should give insight into how the outbreak arose, say scientists. ... > full story

A father's stress may affect his unborn children (September 6, 2011) -- Does Dad's stress affect his unborn children? According to the results of a new study, it seems the answer may be "yes, but it's complicated." ... > full story

Why men's ring fingers are longer than their index fingers: Male-female ring finger proportions tied to sex hormones in embryo (September 6, 2011) -- Providing a genetic explanation for a raft of studies that link finger proportions with traits ranging from sperm counts and musical ability to health problems such as autism, depression and heart attack, researchers have found that male and female digit proportions are determined by the balance of sex hormones during early embryonic development. ... > full story

New HIV vaccine approach targets desirable immune cells (September 6, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated an approach to HIV vaccine design that uses an altered form of HIV's outer coating or envelope protein. ... > full story

The emotional brain in youth: Research suggests how to diagnose and treat mood disorders in children and adolescents (September 6, 2011) -- In recent years, a considerable increase in the number of children and adolescents evaluated, diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder has been noted. Bipolar-like symptoms are quite frequent in prepubertal children, but the age at which bipolar disorder can first be diagnosed remains controversial. Current neurobiological findings have advanced our understanding of emotional function and dysfunction in youth. ... > full story

Stomach bacterium damages human DNA; Risk factor for gastric cancer (September 6, 2011) -- The stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori is one of the biggest risk factors for the development of gastric cancer, the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Molecular biologists in Switzerland have now identified a mechanism of H. pylori that damages the DNA of cells in the gastric mucosa and sets them up for malignant transformation. ... > full story

Two genes that cause familial ALS shown to work together (September 6, 2011) -- Although several genes have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), it is still unknown how they cause this progressive neurodegenerative disease. In a new study, researchers have demonstrated that two ALS-associated genes work in tandem to support the long-term survival of motor neurons. ... > full story

Search for predictors of risk for PTSD: Meaningful associations dependent on reliable measures of pre-existing trauma (September 6, 2011) -- A new study suggests that certain variants of a gene that helps regulate serotonin (a brain chemical related to mood) may serve as a useful predictor of risk for symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a trauma. ... > full story

Scientists discover secret life of chromatin: DNA/histone combination, a destination for cell signals, also talks to other proteins (September 6, 2011) -- Chromatin -- the intertwined histone proteins and DNA that make up chromosomes -- constantly receives messages that pour in from a cell's intricate signaling networks: Turn that gene on. Stifle that one. But chromatin also talks back, scientists report, issuing orders affecting a protein that has nothing to do with chromatin's central role in gene transcription -- the first step in protein formation. ... > full story

Breast cancer risk drops when diet includes walnuts, researchers find (September 6, 2011) -- The risk of breast cancer dropped significantly in mice when their regular diet included a modest amount of walnut, researchers report in a new study. ... > full story

The size and burden of mental disorders in Europe (September 6, 2011) -- A major landmark study sheds new light on the state of Europe's mental and neurological health. The study reveals that mental disorders have become Europe's largest health challenge in the 21st century. The study also highlights that the majority of mental disorders remain untreated. Taken together with the large and increasing number of "disorders of the brain," the true size and burden is even significantly higher. ... > full story

Demographic, educational factors associated with medical specialty board certification identified in new study (September 6, 2011) -- Certain demographic and educational factors, such as race/ethnicity, age at graduation and level of debt, are associated with the likelihood of a medical school graduate becoming board certified, according to a new study. ... > full story

Medical schools spend small amount of time teaching content related to health of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender patients, survey finds (September 6, 2011) -- A survey of deans of medical schools in the U.S. and Canada finds that the median (midpoint) amount of time in the medical school curriculum dedicated to topics related to the health care needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients is about 5 hours, although there is wide variation among the schools in quantity, content and perceived quality of instruction, according to a new study. ... > full story

Adherence to recommended treatment guidelines for acute gastroenteritis appears to differ based on patient volume (September 6, 2011) -- Hospitals that admit more children with acute gastroenteritis appear more likely to follow recommended guidelines for treatment than those that admit fewer children with the condition, according to a new report. ... > full story

Modeling disparities may help with cervical cancer prevention (September 6, 2011) -- Researchers reported that explicit inclusion of disparities in cost-effectiveness analysis, would allow policy makers to identify strategies that would reduce overall cancer risk, reduce disparities between racial ethnic subgroups, and be cost-effective, according to a new study. ... > full story

Screening for HPV persistence and cervical cancer risk (September 6, 2011) -- Women over the age of thirty who test positive for HPV (Human Papillomavirus) should be re-tested two years later as part of cervical cancer screening, according to a new study. ... > full story

Scientists discover switch that turns white fat brown (September 6, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a biological switch that gives energy-storing white fat the characteristics of energy-burning brown fat. The findings could lead to new strategies for treating obesity. The change is induced by activating a nerve and biochemical pathway that begins in the brain and ends in white fat cells. The study suggests that the transformation can potentially be induced by changes in lifestyle or by pharmacologically activating this brain-fat pathway. ... > full story

Big steps forward in human functional brain imaging, but collaborations key to patient benefit (September 6, 2011) -- Twenty years after the publication of the first human study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) -- a technique to measure activity in the brain through the flow of blood a new article provides reflections on the field of human functional brain imaging. ... > full story

Novel approach to acute COPD illness (September 6, 2011) -- A new study that should help improve the condition for millions of individuals who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study reveals that adding a common antibiotic - azithromycin -- to the usual daily treatment for COPD reduced the occurrence of acute exacerbations by 27% and tended to improve the quality of life for COPD patients. ... > full story

New map shows where tastes are coded in the brain (September 5, 2011) -- Each taste, from sweet to salty, is sensed by a unique set of neurons in the brains of mice, new research reveals. The findings demonstrate that neurons that respond to specific tastes are arranged discretely in what the scientists call a 'gustotopic map.' This is the first map that shows how taste is represented in the mammalian brain. ... > full story

An 'unconventional' path to correcting cystic fibrosis (September 5, 2011) -- Researchers have identified an unconventional path that may correct the defect underlying cystic fibrosis, according to a new study. This new treatment dramatically extends the lives of mice carrying the disease-associated mutation. ... > full story

New mutations in leukemia: Researchers found mechanism that can help design future therapies (September 5, 2011) -- Medical researchers have found a group of mutations involved in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), and showed that certain drugs, already in clinical use to treat other diseases, can eliminate the cells carrying these mutations. Results may allow for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for treating leukemia. ... > full story