ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Wednesday, October 19, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Wednesday, October 19, 2011

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Protein that fuels lethal breast cancer growth emerges as potential new drug target (October 19, 2011) -- A protein in the nucleus of breast cancer cells that plays a role in fueling the growth of aggressive tumors may be a good target for new drugs, reports a research team. ... > full story

Why steroid treatment for COPD is ineffective (October 19, 2011) -- Corticosteroids do not improve survival nor alter the progression of COPD and may reduce lung symptoms as little as 20 percent. A new study found why corticosteroids do not work well for COPD patients and how additional treatment with sulforaphane -- an ingredient of broccoli and other vegetables -- can improve the effectiveness of corticosteroids. ... > full story

Babies and toddlers should learn from play, not screens (October 19, 2011) -- A new policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children under age two as "screen-free" as possible. ... > full story

Scientists reveal surprising picture of how powerful antibody neutralizes HIV (October 19, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered the surprising details of how a powerful anti-HIV antibody grabs hold of the virus. The findings highlight a major vulnerability of HIV and suggest a new target for vaccine development. ... > full story

New discovery in the fight against tuberculosis (October 19, 2011) -- New research may help in the ongoing fight against tuberculosis. Medical researchers have discovered a connection between the development of new lymphoid tissue within the lung and protection against the disease. ... > full story

Efficacy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma vaccine demonstrated in dogs (October 19, 2011) -- An experimental vaccine is the first veterinary cancer vaccine of its kind that shows an increase in survival time for dogs with spontaneous non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The work shows for the first time the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of this alternative cell-based vaccine, which could be employed in the treatment of a number of different cancer types. ... > full story

Technology targets genetic disorders linked to X chromosome (October 19, 2011) -- Geneticists have demonstrated a method that enables the routine amplification of all the genes on the X chromosome. The technology allows the rapid and highly accurate sequencing and identification of novel genetic variants affecting X chromosome genes. ... > full story

Can we share vampires' appetite for synthetic blood? (October 19, 2011) -- Vampires on the "True Blood" television series are already enjoying the advantages of synthetic blood. While this may seem to be only the imagination on the big screen, the true benefits of blood manufactured from embryonic stem cells may be less than a decade away. ... > full story

Tricking resistant cancer cells into committing suicide (October 18, 2011) -- Scientists have found a way to trick resistant cancer cells into committing suicide following oncolytic virus therapy. ... > full story

Premature babies at risk of ill health in later life, research suggests (October 18, 2011) -- Young adults who were born prematurely show multiple biological signs of risks to future health, new research has found. The scientists say that the research indicates that urgent work is now needed to monitor preterm babies into adulthood to improve the detection of early signs of disease. ... > full story

First-ever sequence and structure of biologically important carbohydrate (October 18, 2011) -- Scientists have been unable to determine the structure of a biologically important so-called GAG proteoglycan -- or even to agree whether these remarkably complex molecules have well-defined structures. Medical researchers have now, for the first time, determined the sequence and structure of a glycosaminoglycan, or GAG, proteoglycan. ... > full story

National health care scorecard: United States scores 64 out of 100 (October 18, 2011) -- The US health-care system scored 64 out of 100 on key measures of performance, according to the third national scorecard report. The scorecard finds that -- despite pockets of improvement -- the US overall failed to improve when compared to best performers. There was significant erosion in access to care and affordability of care, as health care costs rose far faster than family incomes. ... > full story

Protein family key to aging, cancer (October 18, 2011) -- A protein linked to aging may act as a tumor suppressor, and loss of this protein leads to gender-specific tumor development in mice, according to new research. The findings suggest the existence of a rare "family" of tumor suppressors and may have implications for a common form of breast cancer. ... > full story

Omega-3 fatty acids shown to prevent or slow progression of osteoarthritis (October 18, 2011) -- New research has shown for the first time that omega-3 in fish oil could "substantially and significantly" reduce the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. ... > full story

Goats could increase the risk of a rare lung cancer, researchers find (October 18, 2011) -- Exposure to goats could increase the risk of a certain type of lung cancer, according to French researchers. ... > full story

Protecting the brain when energy runs low (October 18, 2011) -- Researchers have shed new light on the way that the brain protects itself from harm when 'running on empty.' ... > full story

Testing micro-electronic stimulators for spinal cord injuries (October 18, 2011) -- A new wireless device may help victims of spinal cord injury. Researchers are developing micro-electrical stimulators for individuals with spinal cord injuries. ... > full story

Biomarker-guided heart failure treatment significantly reduces complications (October 18, 2011) -- Adding regular testing for blood levels of a biomarker of cardiac distress to standard care for the most common form of heart failure may significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular complications, a new study finds. ... > full story

Profanity in TV and video games linked to teen aggression (October 18, 2011) -- A total of 223 middle school students completed surveys on their aggression, preferred media, time spent viewing media, perceived aggression in their favorite shows and games, beliefs about profanity and profanity use. The results showed a direct link in the viewing of media with high profanity, profanity use and subsequent aggression. ... > full story

Halo effect: Family members of gastric-bypass patients also lose weight, study finds (October 18, 2011) -- Family members of patients who have undergone surgery for weight loss may also shed several pounds themselves, as well as eat healthier and exercise more, according to a new study. ... > full story

Bioengineering to generate healthy skin (October 18, 2011) -- Scientists are participating in research to study how to make use of the potential for auto regeneration of stem skills from skin, in order to create, in the laboratory, a patient's entire cutaneous surface by means of a combination of biological engineering and tissue engineering techniques. ... > full story

High rate of false-positives with annual mammogram (October 18, 2011) -- During a decade of receiving mammograms, more than half of cancer-free women will be among those summoned back for more testing because of false-positive results, and about one in 12 will be referred for a biopsy. ... > full story

One in four children exposed to some form of family violence, study finds (October 18, 2011) -- More than one in four children have been exposed to physical violence between their parents at some time, one in nine of them during the past year, according to new research. ... > full story

New research links common RNA modification to obesity (October 18, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered that a pervasive human RNA modification provides the physiological underpinning of the genetic regulatory process that contributes to obesity and type II diabetes. ... > full story

Lung cancer patients with diabetes show prolonged survival (October 18, 2011) -- Lung cancer patients with diabetes tend to live longer than patients without diabetes, according to a Norwegian study. ... > full story

Google Earth typhoid maps reveal secrets of disease outbreaks (October 18, 2011) -- In the mid-nineteenth century, John Snow mapped cases of cholera in Soho, London, and traced the source of the outbreak to a contaminated water pump. Now, in a twenty-first century equivalent, scientists working in Kathmandu, Nepal, have combined the latest in gene sequencing technology and global positioning system case localization to map the spread of typhoid and trace its source. ... > full story

Pediatric emergency department visits for psychiatric care on the rise (October 18, 2011) -- Pediatric patients, primarily those who are underinsured (either without insurance or receiving Medicaid), are increasingly receiving psychiatric care in hospital emergency departments, according to new research. ... > full story

Relationships more important than genetic ties when deciding who cares for aging family, study finds (October 18, 2011) -- Researchers have found that relationship quality trumps genetic ties when determining caregiving obligations. Researchers studied how divorce and remarriage affect beliefs about who should care for aging relatives and found that relationship quality, a history of mutual help, and resource availability influence decisions about who cares for parents and stepparents. ... > full story

Cough may warn of danger for patients with lung-scarring disease (October 18, 2011) -- A new analysis has found that coughing may signal trouble for patients with the lung-scarring disease known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study found that patients with the condition who also cough are more likely to develop advanced forms of the disease that may be life threatening. ... > full story

Nearly half of US physician practices do not meet national standards for 'medical homes' (October 18, 2011) -- Nearly half (46 percent) of physician practices do not meet national standards to qualify as a medical home, study finds. ... > full story

Can taking calcium with other minerals help prevent Bowel Cancer? (October 18, 2011) -- A team of scientists in the US is investigating the role of calcium with other trace minerals in preventing bowel cancer. ... > full story

New approach to treating Listeria infections (October 17, 2011) -- Research underway could lead to new treatments for people sickened by Listeria and other sepsis-causing bacteria. Research supports a new approach to treating these infections. ... > full story

Muscling toward a longer life: Genetic aging pathway identified in flies (October 17, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a set of genes that act in muscles to modulate aging and resistance to stress in fruit flies. Scientists have previously found mutations that extend fruit fly lifespan, but this group of genes is distinct because it acts specifically in muscles. The findings could help doctors better understand and treat muscle degeneration in human aging. ... > full story

Protein is potential new treatment target for adult pulmonary hypertension (October 17, 2011) -- A protein critical to development appears to have a grave impact on lungs exposed to smoking and air pollution, researchers report. Blocking that protein, called calpain, in the lungs may prove an effective way to avoid narrow, scarred blood vessels and pulmonary hypertension, researchers said. ... > full story

'Drunkorexia:' A recipe for disaster (October 17, 2011) -- It is well-known that eating disorders are common among teens and college students. Heavy alcohol consumption is another well-known unhealthy habit of this age group. A new study shows that when college students combine these two unhealthy habits, their long-term health may be affected. "Drunkorexia" is a new term coined by the media to describe the combination of disordered eating and heavy alcohol consumption. ... > full story

Children, not chimps, prefer collaboration: Humans like to work together in solving tasks -- chimps don't (October 17, 2011) -- Recent studies have shown that chimpanzees possess many of the cognitive prerequisites necessary for humanlike collaboration. Cognitive abilities, however, might not be all that differs between chimpanzees and humans when it comes to cooperation. Children, but not chimpanzees, prefer to collaborate. ... > full story

Possible link between bacterium and colon cancer discovered (October 17, 2011) -- Scientists have found strikingly high levels of a bacterium in colorectal cancers, a sign that it might contribute to the disease and potentially be a key to diagnosing, preventing, and treating it. ... > full story

New study reinforces need for continued infant sleep campaigns to prevent SIDS (October 17, 2011) -- New research reinforces the need for continued public education programs that encourage parents to place their infants to sleep in the supine (back) position in a safe crib or bassinet, to prevent an estimated 4,600 annual Sudden Unintended Infant Deaths, of which 50 percent are classified as Sudden Death Syndrome. ... > full story

Teachers, children mistake candy for medicine in study (October 17, 2011) -- More than one in four kindergarten children, and one in five teachers, had difficulty distinguishing between medicine and candy in new research conducted by two, now seventh-grade students. ... > full story

Nourishing protein slows brain disease (October 17, 2011) -- A nourishing protein that promotes the growth of neurons and blood vessels appears to stop the progression of a genetic disease that causes degeneration of the cerebellum, according to new preclinical research. The disease, spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, typically strikes people in the 30s and 40s and eventually causes death. ... > full story

Eating green veggies improves immune defenses (October 17, 2011) -- Researchers have found another good reason to eat your green vegetables, although it may or may not win any arguments with kids at the dinner table. ... > full story

New role for RNA interference during chromosomal replication discovered (October 17, 2011) -- Scientists have described a new role for RNAi during chromosomal replication. They have now shown that RNAi allows the DNA replication fork to progress smoothly without resulting in DNA damage. ... > full story

Avoiding bias in medical research (October 17, 2011) -- A new statistical approach to address the problem of bias in self-reporting has been developed. ... > full story

People who really identify with their car drive more aggressively, study finds (October 17, 2011) -- People who view their car as an extension of themselves have stronger aggressive driving tendencies, according to a new study. ... > full story

Gene variant leads to better memory via increased brain activation (October 17, 2011) -- Carriers of the so-called KIBRA T allele have better memories than those who don't have this gene variant. This means we can reject the theory that the brain of a non-bearer compensates for this. ... > full story

Precise gene therapy without a needle (October 17, 2011) -- For the first time, researchers have found a way to inject a precise dose of a gene therapy agent directly into a single living cell without a needle. The technique uses electricity to "shoot" bits of therapeutic biomolecules through a tiny channel and into a cell in a fraction of a second. ... > full story

Developing new drugs made easier with method to track drugs in tissue (October 17, 2011) -- When a new drug is developed, the manufacturer must be able to show that it reaches its intended goal in the body's tissue, and only that goal. Such studies could be made easier with a new method. ... > full story

Musical aptitude relates to reading ability (October 17, 2011) -- Auditory working memory and attention, for example the ability to hear and then remember instructions while completing a task, are a necessary part of musical ability. But musical ability is also related to verbal memory and literacy in childhood. New research shows how auditory working memory and musical aptitude are intrinsically related to reading ability, and provides a biological basis for this link. ... > full story