ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Wednesday, September 28, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Wednesday, September 28, 2011

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Possible cardiovascular risk found with NSAID use, study suggests (September 28, 2011) -- A new study suggests that controlling cholesterol may be important for heart health in patients who are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen. The findings are based on a study on the safety of NSAID medications in clinically relevant animal models when high cholesterol is a factor. ... > full story

New discoveries in genetics of lung health (September 28, 2011) -- Scientists have for the first time discovered sixteen new sections of the genetic code that relate to lung health -- opening up the possibility for better prevention as well as treatment for lung diseases. ... > full story

Company stock prices jump before public announcements of oncology trial results (September 28, 2011) -- Prior knowledge of phase III clinical trials of new drugs and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory decisions may affect the price of a drug company's stock according to a new study. ... > full story

Atypical antipsychotics appear to be effective for only few off-label uses, study suggests (September 28, 2011) -- A review of previous studies suggests that even though atypical antipsychotic medications are commonly used for off-label conditions such as behavioral symptoms of dementia, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, these medications are effective for only a few off-label conditions, and that the benefits and harms of these medications for these uses vary, according to a new article. ... > full story

Foam injections for varicose veins better for patients and cheaper, study finds (September 28, 2011) -- Foam injections to treat varicose veins cause less pain for patients and could save money compared with a popular alternative treatment, according to researchers. ... > full story

New analysis of the cardiovascular risks of common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (September 27, 2011) -- An updated study gives some new information on the cardiovascular risks of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and suggests that among these commonly used drugs, naproxen and low dose ibuprofen are least likely to increase cardiovascular risk whereas diclofenac, even in doses available without prescription, elevates risk. ... > full story

Study examines whether age for initial screening colonoscopy should be different for men, women (September 27, 2011) -- An analysis of results of more than 40,000 screening colonoscopies finds that men have a higher rate of advanced tumors compared to women in all age groups examined, suggesting that the age that individuals should undergo an initial screening colonoscopy should be sex-specific, according to a new study. ... > full story

Central Asia's hidden burden of neglected tropical diseases: High rates of parasitic infection nearly 20 years after Soviet collapse (September 27, 2011) -- Central Asia continues to suffer from a post-Soviet economic breakdown that may have contributed to a re-emergence of several neglected tropical diseases in the area, especially among its most economically disadvantaged groups, according to a new article. ... > full story

People learn while they sleep, study suggests (September 27, 2011) -- People may be learning while they're sleeping -- an unconscious form of memory that is still not well understood, according to a new study. ... > full story

Increasing dosage of saw palmetto does not appear to reduce urinary symptoms from enlarged prostate (September 27, 2011) -- Men with urinary problems related to an enlarged prostate who received increasing doses of the fruit extract saw palmetto did not experience a reduction in these symptoms compared to men who received placebo, according to a new study. ... > full story

Biochemists identify new genetic code repair tool (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers recently reported finding a new class of DNA repair-makers. To ensure the integrity of the genetic material, cells are equipped with a "molecular toolkit" for repairing DNA damage. The toolkit is composed of a variety of different molecules -- called enzymes -- that have evolved to repair different types of DNA damage. Researchers have now discovered a new class of enzymes in that superfamily that lack the ability to repair uracil. ... > full story

Public ignorant about key messages concerning diet and cancer, research finds (September 27, 2011) -- New research reveals widespread lack of knowledge of the importance of diet and obesity as contributing causes towards the development of cancer. ... > full story

Treatment of common virus can reduce tumour growth, study suggests (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to inhibit the growth of brain tumors by treating the common Cytomegalovirus (CMV). The virus, which is found in a wide range of tumor types, offers a possible route towards controlling tumor growth and reducing the size of the tumor as a complement to conventional cytotoxin-based therapies. ... > full story

Tracing an elusive killer parasite in Peru (September 27, 2011) -- Despite what Hollywood would have you believe, not all epidemics involve people suffering from zombie-like symptoms -- some can only be uncovered through door-to-door epidemiology and advanced mathematics. Researchers are now in the trenches combining tried-and-true epidemiological approaches with new statistical methods to learn more about the course of a dangerous, contagious disease epidemic. ... > full story

Aggressive glycemic control in diabetic CABG patients does not improve survival, study suggests (September 27, 2011) -- A new study finds that aggressive glycemic control in diabetic CABG patients does not improve survival. ... > full story

As minds get quicker, teenagers get smarter (September 27, 2011) -- Adolescents become smarter because they become mentally quicker according to a new study. ... > full story

Low vitamin B12 levels may lead to brain shrinkage, cognitive problems (September 27, 2011) -- Older people with low blood levels of vitamin B12 markers may be more likely to have lower brain volumes and have problems with their thinking skills, according to researchers. ... > full story

New hidden heart attack culprit identified in women (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a hidden culprit in the battle against women's heart disease. Plaque disruption, a rupture or ulceration of cholesterol plaque in a coronary artery, has been discovered as the mechanism behind myocardial infarction (heart attack) in some women without significant coronary artery disease (CAD). ... > full story

Musical weather shows climate influence (September 27, 2011) -- Scientists have cataloged and analyzed depictions of weather in classical music from the 17th Century to the present day to help understand how climate affects how people think. ... > full story

Discovery of insulin switches in pancreas could lead to new diabetes drugs (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered how a hormone turns on a series of molecular switches inside the pancreas that increases production of insulin. ... > full story

Researchers map genome of advanced, lethal prostate cancers and discover 'hypermutation' (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers have conducted the first comprehensive assessment of every gene in the genome of advanced, lethal prostate cancer. Until now, the genetic composition of such tumors had been poorly defined. ... > full story

Climate change set to increase ozone-related deaths over next 60 years, scientists warn (September 27, 2011) -- Scientists are warning that death rates linked to climate change will increase in several European countries over the next 60 years. ... > full story

Learning and remembering linked to holding material in hands, new research shows (September 27, 2011) -- New research shows that people's ability to learn and remember information depends on what they do with their hands while they are learning. ... > full story

Childless men more at risk of death from cardiovascular disease (September 27, 2011) -- The risk of dying from cardiovascular disease is higher for childless men than for fathers, according to a large study. ... > full story

New genetic region responsible for testicle development found (September 27, 2011) -- New research has found a genetic region that may control testicle development in the fetus. ... > full story

Increased caffeinated coffee consumption associated with decreased risk of depression in women, study finds (September 27, 2011) -- The risk of depression appears to decrease for women with increasing consumption of caffeinated coffee, according to a new study. ... > full story

Changing race by changing clothes? Stereotypes and status symbols impact if a face is viewed as black or white (September 27, 2011) -- Perception of race is altered by cues as simple as the clothes worn. Computerized faces accompanied by business attire were more likely to be seen as white; faces with blue-collar attire were more likely to be seen as black. Tracking study participants' hand movements while using a computer mouse to choose a racial category revealed subtle evidence of bias. ... > full story

High blood pressure is linked to increased risk of developing or dying from cancer (September 27, 2011) -- Raised blood pressure is linked to a higher risk of developing cancer or dying from the disease according to the findings of the largest study to date to investigate the association between the two conditions. There had been contradictory results from previous, smaller studies investigating the link between cancer and blood pressure. However, this new study, which included 289,454 men and 288,345 women, showed that higher than normal blood pressure was statistically significantly associated with a 10-20% higher risk of developing cancer in men, and a higher risk of dying from the disease in both men and women. ... > full story

Chemotherapy during pregnancy does not seem to cause developmental problems in children (September 27, 2011) -- Children born after their mothers were treated with chemotherapy during pregnancy appear to be unaffected by the experience in terms of the development of their mental processes and the normal functioning of their hearts. This is the first time that children of 18 months and older have been examined after chemotherapy during pregnancy. Researchers found that prematurity did affect these children's cognitive development significantly. ... > full story

Wanna save? Keep it simple, says new research (September 27, 2011) -- If one savings goal is a good thing, two or more should be great, right? Not really. Those who want to save are more apt to keep socking money away and more of it too, if they have just one goal in mind, shows work done in multiple countries. ... > full story

Researchers uncover gene associated with blood cancers; New genetic insights could facilitate screening for mutation (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a gene frequently mutated in myelodysplasia, one of the most common forms of blood cancer. Patients with a mutation in SF3B1 had a better overall chance of survival compared to those without the mutation, suggesting that the SF3B1 mutations drive a more benign form of myelodysplasia. It is hoped that, in the future, patients could be screened for SF3B1 mutations through a single blood test. ... > full story

Hip fracture is associated with increased short-term death rates for some older women, study finds (September 27, 2011) -- Hip fracture is associated with an increase in short-term mortality (death within one year) for women ages 65 to 79 years and healthy women ages 80 years and older, although the risk returns to previous levels after one year for women ages 70 years and older, according to a new report. ... > full story

Role of gender in workplace negotiations (September 27, 2011) -- A new study finds that while women fare worse economically than men in many distributive negotiations, including salary negotiations, women do not lack the capability or motivation to bargain effectively. Instead, women are simultaneously negotiating social approval in light of gender role expectations. ... > full story

Cancer screening rates lower among those with fatalistic attitudes (September 27, 2011) -- Even if health care is free, colorectal cancer screening rates among those without financial means are still low, and results of a new study suggest that may be due to an idea psychologists call cancer fatalism. ... > full story

Saw palmetto no more effective than placebo for urinary symptoms; Study finds dietary supplement does not alleviate BPH (September 27, 2011) -- Saw palmetto, a widely used herbal dietary supplement, does not reduce urinary problems associated with prostate enlargement any better than a placebo, according to new research. ... > full story

Popular supplement has no effect on prostate health, clinical study shows (September 27, 2011) -- The most widely used over-the-counter supplement for prostate health is no more effective than a placebo in treating men's lower urinary tract symptoms, according to new findings. ... > full story

Saw palmetto no benefit as prostate remedy (September 27, 2011) -- The fruit of the saw palmetto tree does not relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate, even when men take the herbal supplement in very high doses, a new study shows. ... > full story

Atypical antipsychotics may aid symptons for some off-label uses, but not others (September 27, 2011) -- Atypical antipsychotic medications, developed to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are frequently prescribed for many off-label uses. A new study finds that medical evidence suggests the drugs are effective in reducing symptoms for some off-label conditions, but not others. ... > full story

Saw palmetto no better than placebo in relieving prostate symptoms, even at high doses (September 27, 2011) -- Long-term adminstration of the dietary supplement saw palmetto, even at three times the usual dose, did not reduce symptoms of prostate enlargement significantly better than placebo in a large group of middle-aged men. ... > full story

Eating balanced meals, farm-fresh produce benefits families, communities, nutrition researchers say (September 27, 2011) -- Leaders at the recent United Nations meeting emphasized nutrition as critical to producing thriving children, families, and communities. Nutrition experts say getting back to basics by eating balanced meals and farm-fresh produce benefits families and communities in many ways. ... > full story

New online learning module gives children of domestic violence a voice (September 27, 2011) -- Over half of the residents of battered women's shelters in the United States are children, according to statistics. Now, a new, innovative online training program aims to elevate children's voices, so that service providers may better hear, understand, and respond to the children and families they serve. ... > full story

Living donor liver transplantation improves survival over deceased donor transplants (September 27, 2011) -- New research shows liver transplantation candidates without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) derive a greater survival benefit from a living donor liver transplant (LDLT) than waiting for a deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT). ... > full story

Therapy via Internet yields good results (September 27, 2011) -- Treatment via the Internet enables many more patients to get help with their depression, new research suggests. A psychologist has studied the effects of Internet-based CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) both on ongoing depression and for preventing relapses. ... > full story

Liver cancer incidence lower in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients than in those with hepatitis C (September 27, 2011) -- Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis have a lower incidence of liver-related complications and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to a new prospective study. Patients with both NAFLD and HCV had similar mortality rates. ... > full story

Deep brain stimulation studies show how brain buys time for tough choices (September 26, 2011) -- Some people who receive deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease behave impulsively, making quick, often bad, decisions. New research explains why and shows that under normal circumstances key parts of the brain collaborate to buy time for careful consideration of difficult decisions. ... > full story

Mice stem cells guided into myelinating cells by the trillions (September 26, 2011) -- Scientists have found a way to rapidly produce pure populations of cells that grow into the protective myelin coating on nerves in mice. Their process opens a door to research and potential treatments for multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other demyelinating diseases afflicting millions of people worldwide. ... > full story

Zoledronic acid reduces the recurrence of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, study finds (September 26, 2011) -- A trial investigating the use of zoledronic acid to aid chemotherapy for breast cancer has found a significant benefit for post-menopausal women. The overall survival rate in post-menopausal women was 85 percent compared to 79 percent for women who did not receive zoledronic acid. Researchers in the multi-center AZURE trial think it could be the key for a greater understanding of the mechanisms of breast cancer recurrence. ... > full story

Many U.S. physicians believe their own patients are receiving too much care, survey shows (September 26, 2011) -- A survey of U.S. primary care physicians shows that many believe that their own patients are receiving too much medical care and many feel that malpractice reform, realignment of financial incentives and having more time with patients could reduce pressures on physicians to do more than they feel is needed, according to a new report. ... > full story