ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Thursday, September 8, 2011
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New 'bouncer' molecule halts rheumatoid arthritis; Protective protein prevents immune system from ravaging joints and bones (September 8, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered why immune cells of people with rheumatoid arthritis become hyperactive and attack the joints and bones. The cells have lost their bouncer, the burly protein that keeps them in line the way a bouncer in a nightclub controls rowdy patrons. The protein, called P21, prevents immune cells from their destructive rampage. When the scientists injected a mimic of P21 into an animal model of arthritis, the disease process was halted. ... > full story
Flaxseed no help for hot flashes during breast cancer or menopause, study finds (September 8, 2011) -- A new study has found that flaxseed provided no benefit in easing hot flashes among breast cancer patients and postmenopausal women. ... > full story
New video gaming technology used to detect illness, prevent falls in older adults (September 8, 2011) -- Many older adults lose their independence as their health declines and they are compelled to move into assisted care facilities. Researchers at an independent living community have been using motion-sensing technology to monitor changes in residents' health for several years. Now, researchers have found that two devices commonly used for video gaming and security systems are effective in detecting the early onset of illness and fall risk in seniors. ... > full story
Volunteering to help others could lead to better health; Reduced mortality risk not seen in people motivated by self-centered reasons (September 8, 2011) -- People who volunteer may live longer than those who don't, as long as their reasons for volunteering are to help others rather than themselves, suggests new research. ... > full story
Promising target in treating and preventing the progression of heart failure identified (September 8, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a new drug target that may treat and/or prevent heart failure. The team evaluated failing human and pig hearts and discovered that SUMO1, a so-called "chaperone" protein that regulates the activity of key transporter genes, was decreased in failing hearts. When the researchers injected SUMO1 into these hearts via gene therapy, cardiac function was significantly improved. ... > full story
Researchers discuss challenges to developing broadly protective HIV vaccines (September 8, 2011) -- The human body can produce powerful antibodies that shield cells in the laboratory against infection by an array of HIV strains. In people, however, recent research shows that these broadly neutralizing antibodies are not produced in an efficient or timely enough fashion in HIV-infected individuals to effectively block progression of infection, appearing only after a person has been infected with HIV for at least one year -- by which time the virus has fully established itself within the body. ... > full story
Exercise at work boosts productivity, Swedish researchers find (September 8, 2011) -- Devoting work time to physical activity can lead to higher productivity, according to a new study performed by researchers in Sweden. ... > full story
Scientists identify key protein linked to acute liver failure: Inhibition of protein protects liver from acetaminophen toxicity in mice (September 7, 2011) -- New research shows that inhibition of the Sab protein prevents liver damage associated with acetaminophen overdose. The results suggest that inhibition of the protein can protect against various types of cellular death in any organ. ... > full story
Relationship between two mutated genes can dictate outcome of prostate cancer (September 7, 2011) -- Being able to distinguish between the 1% of prostate cancer patients who will develop lethal disease and the majority of patients who will develop non-lethal cancer is a key goal in prostate cancer research. Scientists have gotten closer to this goal by identifying a new prostate tumor suppressor gene called PHLPP1 and showing that it acts in concert with PTEN, a tumor suppressor that is mutated in roughly half of prostate cancer patients. ... > full story
One drink a day may be related to good overall health in women when older, study suggests (September 7, 2011) -- Women who drink 15 grams or less of alcohol a day (the equivalent of one drink of any alcoholic beverage) at midlife may be healthier when older than women who do not drink at all, who consume more than two drinks a day, or who consume four drinks or more at the one time, according to a new study. ... > full story
Stroke prevention trial has immediate implications for clinical practice (September 7, 2011) -- Patients at a high risk for a second stroke who received intensive medical treatment had fewer strokes and deaths than patients who received a brain stent in addition to the medical treatment, a large U.S. nationwide clinical trial has shown. ... > full story
Sight fails when defective eye cells cripple renewal (September 7, 2011) -- In the rare eye disease, Enhanced S-Cone Syndrome, the retina degenerates because light-receiving cells fail to regenerate, new research shows. The discovery provides a target to treat the disease, which affects about one in 1 million people. But, the findings and the scientists' use of two technologies to uncover the mechanisms leading to sight loss may help gain understanding of other retinal degenerative diseases, including macular degeneration, affecting millions worldwide. ... > full story
Malaria prevention strategies could substantially cut killer bacterial infections, study suggests (September 7, 2011) -- Interventions targeting malaria, such as insecticide-treated bed nets, antimalarial drugs and mosquito control, could substantially reduce cases of bacteraemia, which kill hundreds of thousands of children each year in Africa and worldwide. ... > full story
Baker’s yeast substance can aid healing, Norwegian researchers show (September 7, 2011) -- Can wounds be helped to heal faster? Yes, says a Norwegian company whose product’s active ingredient, beta-glucans, comes from common baker’s yeast. Beta-glucans have been called nature's super-medicine. Norwegian researchers have been pioneers in producing these substances from the cell walls of everyday baker's yeast. Beta-glucans are now widely used in the aquaculture industry and veterinary medicine, as well as in dietary supplements and cosmetics. ... > full story
Seeing isn't believing: Intense focus on objects can distort perception of where things are (September 7, 2011) -- Pay attention! It's a universal warning, which implies that keeping close watch helps us perceive the world more accurately. But a new study by cognitive psychologists finds that intense focus on objects can have the opposite effect: It distorts perception of where things are in relation to one another. ... > full story
Drinking pattern linked to alcohol's effect on heart health (September 7, 2011) -- New research shows that patterns of alcohol consumption -- a drink or two every night, or several cocktails on Friday and Saturday nights only -- may be more important in determining alcohol's influence on heart health than the total amount consumed. Scientists found that daily moderate drinking -- the equivalent of two drinks per day, seven days a week -- decreased atherosclerosis in mice, while binge drinking -- seven drinks a day, two days a week -- increased atherosclerosis. ... > full story
Expert calls for change in trans fat labelling (September 7, 2011) -- Not all trans fats are created equal and it's time for nutritional labels to reflect that reality, says a Canadian nutrition expert. According to a recent scientific review, natural trans fats produced by ruminant animals such as dairy and beef cattle are not detrimental to health. In fact, they show significant positive health effects and some evidence even links these natural trans fats to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. ... > full story
Parents' behavior linked to kids' videogame playing (September 7, 2011) -- Children who think their parents are poor monitors or nag a lot tend to play video games more than other kids, according to a new study. ... > full story
Prenatal exposure to phthalates linked to decreased mental and motor development (September 7, 2011) -- A new study heightens concerns over the potential health effects on children of a group of ubiquitous chemicals known as phthalates, a class of chemicals that are known to disrupt the endocrine system, and are widely used in consumer products. This is the first study to examine prenatal phthalate exposure and the prevalence of mental, motor and behavioral problems in children who are in the preschool years. ... > full story
Dangerous arrhythmia analyzed in a heartbeat (September 7, 2011) -- One second, one heartbeat. That's what is needed for a new, noninvasive functional imaging technology, to record data for locating the source in the heart of a dangerous cardiac arrhythmia called ventricular tachycardia (VT). Researchers in biomedical engineering and medicine report that the technique would far more quickly find the source and type of VT, saving hours of mapping. ... > full story
Virtual reality may help adults recover from stroke (September 7, 2011) -- Early results suggest that using virtual reality (VR) human-computer interfaces might help adult stroke patients regain arm function and improve their ability to perform standard tasks, when compared to patients who don't use VR, according to a new review. ... > full story
Diabetes: New drug target that stimulates beta cell growth identified (September 7, 2011) -- One of the holy grails in diabetes research is to discover molecules that stimulate beta cell growth and to find drugs that target these molecules. Now researchers have done both, discovering not only a protein that regulates beta cell growth, but also a chemical compound that stimulates it. ... > full story
Ultrasound improves stem cell transplants, Swedish researchers discover (September 7, 2011) -- Transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells is an effective treatment for patients with malignant blood diseases. The composition and quality of the transplanted cells are crucial to the outcome. Researchers from Sweden have now developed a method to improve the quality of the transplanted cells using ultrasound for cell separation. ... > full story
Family meals help children to be less fussy about food (September 7, 2011) -- A study has found that eating together as a family may encourage children to be more open to trying new types of food. ... > full story
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
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
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
Sorting out major brain stent study: Experts say procedure effective for some patients (September 7, 2011) -- An article reporting on research on brain stents says aggressive medical treatment without stenting is better for high-risk stroke patients. But experts who were involved in the study believe this procedure is appropriate for some patients. They say this study is a helpful start but not likely to be the final word on understanding when stenting may be appropriate, and raise concerns about several study limitations and exclusions. ... > full story
Aggressive medical therapy could help prevent stroke (September 7, 2011) -- In a clinical study, the short-term risk of stroke and related death was twice as high in some cases for patients whose diseased arteries were widened via balloon angioplasty and stent insertion, compared with patients who received medical therapy alone. Although the 30-day risk of stroke for the stenting patients is concerning, long-term results could be more favorable. ... > full story
Medical management alone may be best treatment course for stroke prevention, study suggests (September 7, 2011) -- Patients with narrowed arteries in the brain who received intensive medical treatment had fewer strokes and deaths than patients who received a brain stent in addition to medical treatment, according to the initial results from the first, nationwide stroke prevention trial to compare the two treatment options. ... > full story
Spring flings may explain teen pregnancies peak (September 7, 2011) -- Researchers have found that the relative likelihood of conceiving in the month of March is higher if you're a school-aged adolescent than if you're an adult. ... > full story
'TF beacons' may light path to new cancer tests and drugs (September 7, 2011) -- Scientists are reporting development of a long-sought new way to detect the activity of proteins that bind to the DNA in genes, often controlling the activity of genes in ways that make cells do everything from growing normally to becoming cancerous. ... > full story
Cheap drugs could prevent huge number of deaths from heart attacks and strokes, study suggests (September 7, 2011) -- A major new international study has revealed that aspirin, statins, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors are prescribed far too infrequently. They are cheap, preventive medicines that could prevent a huge number of deaths from heart attacks and strokes. ... > full story
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