ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Sunday, November 13, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Sunday, November 13, 2011

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New evidence for spinal membrane as a source of stem cells may advance treatment of spinal cord injuries (November 12, 2011) -- Italian and Spanish scientists studying the use of stem cells for treating spinal cord injuries have provided the first evidence to show that meninges, the membrane which envelops the central nervous system, is a potential source of self-renewing stem cells. The research develops the understanding of cell activation in central nervous system injuries; advancing research into new treatments for spinal injuries and degenerative brain disorders. ... > full story

Tales from the crypt: Study on gut cell regeneration reconciles long-standing research controversy (November 12, 2011) -- The cells that help to absorb food and liquid that humans consume are constantly being produced. The various cell types that do this come from stem cells that reside deep in the inner recesses of the accordion-like folds of the intestines, called villi and crypts. But exactly where the most important stem cell type is located -- and how to identify it -- has been something of a mystery, until now. ... > full story

Study suggests new benefits of eating nuts for patients with metabolic syndrome (November 12, 2011) -- A recent scientific study has revealed the relationship between nut consumption and a high level of serotonin metabolites (an important neurotransmitter) in patients with metabolic syndrome, who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. ... > full story

Understanding emotions without language (November 12, 2011) -- Does understanding emotions depend on the language we speak, or is our perception the same regardless of language and culture? ... > full story

Birth weight predicts physical functioning at age 60 (November 11, 2011) -- Low birth weight and slow growth progressing to greater body mass in pre-adolescence significantly increased the risk of poor physical functioning at the age of 60 years, a new Finnish study found. ... > full story

Researchers closer to the super bug puzzle (November 11, 2011) -- The treatment of serious infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (Golden Staph) is complicated by the development of antibiotic resistance. Seriously ill patients, vulnerable to infections can be at additional risk if antimicrobial agents become less effective in fighting infections. ... > full story

Acupuncture can prevent radiation-induced chronic dry mouth, study finds (November 11, 2011) -- When given alongside radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, acupuncture has shown for the first time to reduce the debilitating side effect of xerostomia, according to new research. ... > full story

Kawasaki disease linked to wind currents: First evidence that long-range wind transport of an infectious agent might result in human disease (November 11, 2011) -- Kawasaki Disease (KD) is a severe childhood disease that many parents, even some doctors, mistake for an inconsequential viral infection. In fact, if not diagnosed or treated in time, it can lead to irreversible heart damage. After 50 years of research, including genetic studies, scientists have been unable to pinpoint the cause of the disease. Now, surprising findings suggest that KD cases are linked to large-scale wind currents that track from Asia to Japan and also traverse the North Pacific. ... > full story

Parkinsonian worms may hold the key to identifying drugs for Parkinson's disease (November 11, 2011) -- Researchers have devised a simple test, using dopamine-deficient worms, for identifying drugs that may help people with Parkinson's disease. ... > full story

Dead of winter is tough on arthritis sufferers (November 11, 2011) -- As cold winter weather sets in and daylight hours dwindle, many older Chicagoans with arthritis tend to sit idle, missing out on the daily dose of physical activity they need to improve their health, according to a new study. ... > full story

Risk-taking behavior rises until age 50 (November 11, 2011) -- Willing to risk your knowledge, skills and monetary reward in competition? If you are under age 50, you've probably not reached your competitive peak. If you are older, that peak is behind you. That people are willing to engage in risk at 50 surprised economists and psychologists who explored such behavior in their research. ... > full story

Obese monkeys lose weight on drug that attacks blood supply of fat cells (November 11, 2011) -- Obese rhesus monkeys given an experimental anti-obesity drug lost on average 11 percent of their body weight over four weeks. The targeted combination drug selectively attacks blood vessels that support white fat. ... > full story