ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Tuesday, November 1, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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Childhood diet lower in fat and higher in fiber may lower risk for chronic disease in adulthood (November 1, 2011) -- A recent study has found that a childhood behavioral intervention to lower dietary intake of total fat and saturated fat and increase consumption of foods that are good sources of dietary fiber resulted in significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels and lower systolic blood pressure when study participants were re-evaluated in young adulthood. ... > full story

Gene variation predicts rate of age-related decline in mental performance, study finds (November 1, 2011) -- A tiny difference in the coding pattern of a single gene significantly affects the rate at which men's intellectual function drops with advancing age, researchers have learned. ... > full story

Scientists identify protein form linked to Huntington's disease (November 1, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered how a form of the protein linked to Huntington's disease influences the timing and severity of its symptoms, offering new avenues for treating not only this disease, but also a variety of similar conditions. ... > full story

Technical aptitude: Do women score lower because they just aren't interested? (November 1, 2011) -- Boys do better on tests of technical aptitude (for example, mechanical aptitude tests) than girls. The same is true for adults. A new study describes a theory explaining how the difference comes about: the root cause is that boys are just more interested in technical things, like taking apart a bike, than girls are. ... > full story

Fat cells in abdomen fuel spread of ovarian cancer (November 1, 2011) -- A large pad of abdominal fat cells provides nutrients that promote the spread and growth of ovarian cancer, the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women. This fatty tissue, extraordinarily rich in energy-dense lipids, serves as a rich fuel source, enabling cancer cells to multiply rapidly. ... > full story

To diagnose heart disease, visualization experts recommend a simpler approach (November 1, 2011) -- A team of computer scientists, physicists, and physicians has developed a simple yet powerful method of visualizing human arteries that may result in more accurate diagnoses of atherosclerosis and heart disease. The prototype tool, called "HemoVis," creates a 2D diagram of arteries that performs better than the traditional 3D, rainbow-colored model. In a clinical setting, the tool has been shown to increase diagnostic accuracy from 39% to 91%. ... > full story

Key to avoiding ankle re-injury may be in the hips and knees (November 1, 2011) -- Nearly all active people suffer ankle sprains at some point in their lives, and a new study suggests that the different ways people move their hip and knee joints may influence the risk of re-injury. ... > full story

Don't worry, be happy: Understanding mindfulness meditation (November 1, 2011) -- In times of stress, we're often encouraged to pause for a moment and simply be in the 'now.' This kind of mindfulness, an essential part of Buddhist and Indian Yoga traditions, has entered the mainstream as people try to find ways to combat stress and improve their quality of life. ... > full story

How major signaling pathways are wired to our genome gives new insight into disease processes (October 31, 2011) -- Scientists have determined that master transcription factors determine the genes regulated by key signaling pathways. In this way, signaling pathways are targeted to genes that are most relevant to each cell type and tailor gene expression to control cell state, growth, differentiation, and death. By manipulating signaling pathways, scientists may find new therapies for cancer and other diseases or ways to push cells into more specialized states, such as neurons to treat nerve damage or insulin-producing beta cells for diabetes. ... > full story

Key driver of metastasis identified (October 31, 2011) -- Protein S100A10 is essential for metastatic growth. Macrophages rely upon S100A10 to power movement of tumor cells to new sites. ... > full story

Do deficits in brain cannabinoids contribute to eating disorders? (October 31, 2011) -- A new report suggests that deficits in endocannabinoid function may contribute to anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Endocannabinoids are substances made by the brain that affect brain function and chemistry in ways that resemble the effects of cannabis derivatives, including marijuana and hashish. These commonly abused drugs are well known to increase appetite, i.e., to cause the "munchies." Thus, it makes sense that deficits in this brain system would be associated with reduced appetite. ... > full story

Lung stem cells offer therapeutic clues (October 31, 2011) -- Researchers have cloned stem cells from the airways of the human lung and have shown that these cells can form into the lung's alveoli air sac tissue. Mouse models suggest that these same stem cells are deployed to regenerate lung tissue during acute infection, such as during influenza. ... > full story

Healthy mouth bacteria provide ideal conditions for gum disease (October 31, 2011) -- Gum disease can only develop with the help of normal bacteria living in the mouth, new research has revealed. ... > full story

Gender differences: Viewing TV coverage of terrorism has more negative effect on women, study finds (October 31, 2011) -- Exposure to television coverage of terrorism causes women to lose psychological resources much more than men, which leads to negative feelings and moodiness. This has been shown in a new study that examined the differences between men and women in a controlled experiment environment. ... > full story

Patterns of new DNA letter in brain suggest distinct function (October 31, 2011) -- In 2009, the DNA alphabet expanded. Scientists discovered that an extra letter or "sixth nucleotide" was surprisingly abundant in DNA from stem cells and brain cells. Now, researchers have mapped the patterns formed by that letter in the brains of mice, observing how its pattern of distribution in the genome changes during development and aging. ... > full story

New findings may help explain high blood pressure in pregnancy (October 31, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered that the infiltration of white blood cells into an expectant mother's blood vessels may explain high blood pressure in pregnancy. ... > full story

Researchers build largest protein interaction map to date (October 31, 2011) -- Researchers have built a map that shows how thousands of proteins in a fruit fly cell communicate with each other. This is the largest and most detailed protein interaction map of a multicellular organism, demonstrating how approximately one third of the proteins cooperate to keep life going. ... > full story

Cigarette smoking's impact lingers after quitting: Current, former smokers may face impaired pancreatic duct cell function, elevated colorectal cancer risk (October 31, 2011) -- Cigarette smoking appears to impair pancreatic duct cell function -- even for those who quit -- putting all smokers at risk of compromised digestive function regardless of age, gender and alcohol intake, according to the results of a new study. ... > full story

Weight gain in college? The freshman 15 is just a myth, U.S. study reveals (October 31, 2011) -- Contrary to popular belief, most college students don't gain anywhere near 15 pounds during their freshman year, according to a new nationwide study. Rather than adding "the freshman 15," as it is commonly called, the average student gains between about 2.5 and 3.5 pounds during the first year of college. ... > full story

Natural killer cells could be key to anthrax defense (October 31, 2011) -- Researchers have found new allies for the fight against anthrax. Known as natural killer cells, they're a part of the immune system normally associated with eliminating tumor cells and cells infected by viruses. But natural killer cells also attack bacteria -- including anthrax, according to a new study. ... > full story

Link discovered among spectrum of childhood diseases (October 31, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a genetic mutation that causes a rare childhood disease characterized predominantly by inflammation and fat loss. ... > full story

Influencing craving for cigarettes by stimulating the brain (October 31, 2011) -- Targeted brain stimulation increases cigarette cravings, a new study has found, which may lead to new treatments. Cues such as watching someone else smoke, elicit craving and may provoke relapse. There are many methods that smokers use in an attempt to reduce their craving for cigarettes, including efficacious pharmacologic treatments such as nicotine patches, hypnosis and acupuncture. Scientists have long suspected that these diverse approaches might work through the reduction of activity in a brain circuit that is responsible for cigarette craving. ... > full story

Obese people regain weight after dieting due to hormones, Australian study finds (October 31, 2011) -- Worldwide, there are more than 1.5 billion overweight adults, including 400 million who are obese. Although restriction of diet often results in initial weight loss, more than 80 per cent of obese dieters fail to maintain their reduced weight. Obese people may regain weight after dieting due to hormonal changes, a new study has shown. ... > full story

New therapy shows promise for treating cardiovascular disease (October 31, 2011) -- A new therapy being studied in non-human primates is demonstrating promise as a potential tool for combating cardiovascular disease by increasing good cholesterol and lowering triglycerides in the blood. ... > full story

Betcha won't eat just one: People consume more candies when they're individually wrapped, study shows (October 31, 2011) -- If you believe that good things always come in small packages, a new study may change your mind -- especially this close to Halloween. ... > full story

Predicting how cancers will respond to chemo: New test determines whether tumor cells are already 'primed' for death (October 31, 2011) -- Challenging a half-century-old theory about why chemotherapy agents target cancer, scientists have devised a test that can predict how effective the drugs will be by determining whether tumor cells are already "primed" for death. The discovery suggests it may be possible to predict which cancer patients are most likely to benefit from chemotherapy, as well as to make chemotherapy drugs more effective by pushing tumor cells closer to the point of suicide. ... > full story

Different paths to drug resistance in Leishmania: Evolution by changes in gene, region and chromosome number, not by mutation in genes (October 31, 2011) -- Two remarkable discoveries have been revealed by researchers into genome analysis of Leishmania parasites. These results uncovered a surprising level of variation at the genome structure level. ... > full story

Yeast model connects Alzheimer's disease risk and amyloid beta toxicity (October 31, 2011) -- In a development that sheds new light on the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a team of scientists has identified connections between genetic risk factors for the disease and the effects of a peptide toxic to nerve cells in the brains of AD patients. ... > full story

Joking, pretending with toddlers gives them head start in life skills (October 31, 2011) -- Parents who joke and pretend with their toddlers are giving their children a head start in terms of life skills. Most parents are naturals at playing the fool with their kids, says a new research project. However parents who feel they may need a little help in doing this can learn to develop these life skills with their tots. ... > full story

Regular aspirin intake halves cancer risk, study finds (October 30, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered that taking regular aspirin halves the risk of developing hereditary cancers. The study -- which followed nearly 1,000 patients, in some cases for over 10 years -- found that those who had been taking a regular dose of aspirin had 50 per cent fewer incidents of hereditary cancer compared with those who were not taking aspirin. ... > full story

Intestinal stem cells respond to food by supersizing the gut (October 30, 2011) -- Many organs, from muscles and intestines to the liver, change size during adulthood. A new study shows that adult stem cells are key to these changes. Working with fruit flies, biologists discovered that after eating, the gut secretes insulin that activates stem cells into overdrive to grow the gut. In flies, the midgut can quadruple in size within four days. The finding could have implications for diabetes and obesity in humans. ... > full story

New findings contradict dominant theory in Alzheimer's disease (October 30, 2011) -- For decades the amyloid hypothesis has dominated the research field in Alzheimer’s disease. The theory describes how an increase in secreted beta-amyloid peptides leads to the formation of plaques, toxic clusters of damaged proteins between cells, which eventually result in neurodegeneration. Scientists have now presented a study that turns this premise on its head. The research group’s data offers an opposite hypothesis, suggesting that it is in fact the neurons’ inability to secrete beta-amyloid that is at the heart of pathogenesis in Alzheimer’s disease. ... > full story

Speedy 3-D X-rays in the operating room (October 30, 2011) -- Having an operation always places strain on patients, and this is especially true of complicated operations. Surgeons use 3-D X-rays to check the results before the patient has left the operating room. This does help to avoid possible complications, but it also means interrupting the surgery. Researchers are now developing a 3-D X-ray system that can be integrated seamlessly into operating procedure – with no more forced interruptions. ... > full story

Belief in God cuts two ways, study finds (October 30, 2011) -- Being reminded of the concept of God can decrease people's motivation to pursue personal goals but can help them resist temptation, according to new research. ... > full story

Novel strategy stymies SARS and other viruses: Versatile inhibitor prevents viral replication (October 30, 2011) -- Broad-spectrum antiviral drugs are urgently needed but have so far eluded discovery. Researchers have now identified a new point of attack. Moreover, they show that targeting of this molecule inhibits the growth of a wide range of viruses, including the SARS virus – at least in cell culture. ... > full story

Fertility chip measures concentration and motility of sperm (October 30, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a “fertility chip” that can accurately count sperm and measure their motility. The chip can be inserted into a compact device for one-off use. A home test kit will soon make it possible for men to test their sperm in a familiar environment. As a result, there is a greater chance of obtaining a correct diagnosis, also the method is simple and inexpensive. ... > full story

Manual wheelchair use, exercise and calorie burning examined (October 30, 2011) -- A person who uses a manual wheelchair can burn up to 120 calories in half an hour while wheeling at 2 mph on a flat surface, which is three times as much as someone doing the same action in a motorized wheelchair. ... > full story

'New paradigm' in the way drugs can be manufactured: New method to build important heparin drug (October 30, 2011) -- Researchers working to change forever the way some of the most widely used drugs in the world are manufactured have announced an important step toward making this a reality. ... > full story

Poorer countries, those spending less on health care have more strokes, deaths (October 30, 2011) -- Poorer countries and those that spend less on health care have greater incidences of stroke and stroke death than wealthier nations, according to new research. Stroke patients in poorer countries were more likely to be younger and to have hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in or near the brain bursts. The findings emphasize the importance of preventing stroke risk factors, especially in developing countries. ... > full story

Python study may have implications for human heart health (October 29, 2011) -- A surprising new study shows that huge amounts of fatty acids circulating in the bloodstreams of feeding pythons promote healthy heart growth, results that may have implications for treating human heart disease. ... > full story

Activating brown fat: Research finding may lead to new treatments for obesity and Type 2 diabetes (October 29, 2011) -- Activating a specialized type of fat, known as brown adipose tissue, may help combat obesity as well as result in better glucose control for Type 2 diabetes, according to new research. ... > full story

How motherhood behavior is influenced by alterations in brain function (October 29, 2011) -- Instinctive mothering behavior towards care of newborns has long been recognized as a phenomenon in humans and animals, but now research has shown that motherhood is associated with the acquisition of a host of new behaviors that are driven, at least in part, by alterations in brain function. ... > full story

A 3-D reconstructed image of neural dendritic trees using the advanced electron microscope technology (October 29, 2011) -- Scientists have revealed the minute properties of dendritic trees by reconstructing 3-D images using the advanced electron microscope technology. The research team demonstrated the principle that "neurons normalize receiving signals, making it easier to receive farther signals because of the morphological characteristics of dendritic trees." ... > full story

Heavy drinking undergraduates who are impulsive, aggressive may be at high risk for alcohol problems (October 29, 2011) -- Researchers used an anonymous online survey to examine drinking patterns and personality traits. Results identified three groups, two of which drank at fairly high levels. The group with higher levels of impulsivity and aggression appears most at-risk for future alcohol problems. ... > full story

Scientists measure dream content for the first time: Dreams activate the brain in a similar way to real actions (October 28, 2011) -- The ability to dream is a fascinating aspect of the human mind. However, how the images and emotions that we experience so intensively when we dream form in our heads remains a mystery. Up to now it has not been possible to measure dream content. Scientists in Germany have now succeeded, for the first time, in analyzing the activity of the brain during dreaming. ... > full story

Scientists chart gene expression in the brain across lifespan (October 28, 2011) -- The "switching on" of specific genes in the human genome is what makes each human tissue and each human being unique. A new study found that many gene expression changes that occur during fetal development are reversed immediately after birth. Reversals of fetal expression changes are also seen again much later in life during normal aging of the brain. Additionally, the team observed the reversal of fetal expression changes in Alzheimer's disease findings reported in other studies. ... > full story

Specific gene linked to cold sore susceptibility, study finds (October 28, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a human chromosome containing a specific gene associated with susceptibility to herpes simplex labialis, the common cold sore. The study looks at how several genes may affect the severity of symptoms and frequency of this common infection. The findings, if confirmed, could have implications for the development of new drugs to treat outbreaks. ... > full story

Curiosity is critical to academic performance (October 28, 2011) -- Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it's good for the student. Personality traits like curiosity seem to be as important as intelligence in determining how well students do in school, according to new research. ... > full story