ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Sunday, October 2, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Sunday, October 2, 2011

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Less is more for common cancer drug, study suggests (October 1, 2011) -- Scientists have found that smaller, less toxic amounts of chemotherapy medicine given frequently to mice with human prostate cancer noticeably slowed tumor growth. ... > full story

Cell-specific mechanism-based gene therapy approach to treat retinitis pigmentosa (October 1, 2011) -- Scientists have achieved temporary functional preservation of photoreceptors in a mouse model for retinitis pigmentosa using novel bipartite gene therapy. ... > full story

How your brain reacts to mistakes depends on your mindset (October 1, 2011) -- "Whether you think you can or think you can't -- you're right," said Henry Ford. A new study finds that people who think they can learn from their mistakes have a different brain reaction to mistakes than people who think intelligence is fixed. ... > full story

Scientists discover 'fickle' DNA changes in brain (October 1, 2011) -- Scientists investigating chemical modifications across the genomes of adult mice have discovered that DNA modifications in non-dividing brain cells, thought to be inherently stable, instead underwent large-scale dynamic changes as a result of stimulated brain activity. Their report has major implications for treating psychiatric diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and for better understanding learning, memory and mood regulation. ... > full story

'Master key' to unlock new treatments for autoimmune disorders discovered (October 1, 2011) -- Imagine a drug that treats most autoimmune disorders, such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and Lupus. New research shows how scientists have discovered a molecule used by the body to prevent unnecessary immune reactions. This molecule, "alpha v beta 6," normally keeps our immune systems from overreacting when food passes through our bodies, and it may unlock an entirely new set of treatments for autoimmune disorders. ... > full story

Antisocial personality traits predict utilitarian responses to moral dilemmas (October 1, 2011) -- Scientists found that people who endorse actions consistent with an ethic of utilitarianism -- the view that what is the morally right thing to do is whatever produces the best overall consequences -- tend to possess psychopathic and Machiavellian personality traits. ... > full story

Intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity linked to longevity (September 30, 2011) -- Aerobic exercise capacity has proven to be a good indicator of health. A recent article uses a rat model to show that innate exercise capacity can be linked to longevity. ... > full story

Humans and sharks share immune system feature (September 30, 2011) -- A central element of the immune system has remained constant through more than 400 million years of evolution, according to new research. T-cell receptors from mice continue to function even when pieces of shark, frog and trout receptors are substituted in. The function of the chimeric receptors depends on a few crucial amino acids, found also in humans, that help the T-cell receptor bind to MHC molecules presenting antigens. ... > full story

Experts propose new unified genetic model for human disease (September 30, 2011) -- Based on a wide variety of genetic studies and analysis -- from genome wide association studies looking for common variations in the DNA of many people with complex diseases to the sequencing of specific gene mutations thought to cause disease to whole genome sequencing -- four leaders in the field propose a unified genetic model for human disease. ... > full story

Autistic mice act a lot like human patients: Geneticists develop promising mouse model for testing new autism therapies (September 30, 2011) -- Scientists have created a mouse model for autism that opens a window into the biological mechanisms that underlie the disease and offers a promising way to test new treatment approaches. The research found that autistic mice display remarkably similar symptoms and behavior as children and adults on the autism spectrum. ... > full story

Glucosamine-like supplement suppresses multiple sclerosis attacks, study suggests (September 30, 2011) -- A glucosamine-like dietary supplement suppresses the damaging autoimmune response seen in multiple sclerosis, according to a new study. ... > full story

New approach to keeping coronary arteries open after angioplasties (September 30, 2011) -- Researchers report a possible new approach to preventing coronary arteries from reclogging after balloon angioplasties. ... > full story