ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Thursday, November 17, 2011
Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.
Stem cell researchers uncover mechanism that regulates human pluripotent stem cell metabolism (November 17, 2011) -- Human pluripotent stem cells, which can develop into any cell type in the body, rely heavily on glycolysis, or sugar fermentation, to drive their metabolic activities. ... > full story
Increasing dosage of clopidogrel for patients with genetic variation improves response to medication (November 17, 2011) -- Among patients with stable cardiovascular disease who have a genetic variation that diminishes the response to the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel, tripling the standard daily dosage of this medication resulted in improved platelet reactivity, according to a new study. ... > full story
Gene impedes recovery from alcoholism, Swedish research finds (November 17, 2011) -- People who are alcohol-dependent and who also carry a particular variant of a gene run an increased risk of premature death, according to research from Sweden. ... > full story
Researchers uncover steps in synapse building, pruning (November 17, 2011) -- The brain is constantly building networks of synapses, while pruning out redundant or unneeded synapses. Researchers have discovered a factor in synapse-building, also showing that the building and pruning processes occur independent of each other. ... > full story
Mycophenolate is superior to azathioprine as treatment for lupus nephritis, study finds (November 17, 2011) -- A new large, international study finds that the immunosuppressant drug mycophenolate mofetil is superior to azathioprine, an older immunosuppressant, as a maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis. ... > full story
Telephone-based therapy and exercise appear effective for reducing chronic widespread pain (November 17, 2011) -- Telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy and an exercise program, both separately and combined, are associated with short-term positive outcomes for patients with chronic widespread pain, and may offer benefits for patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, according to a new report. ... > full story
Annual childhood flu vaccines may interfere with development of crossresistance (November 16, 2011) -- Vaccinating children annually against influenza virus interferes with their development of cross-reactive killer T cells to flu viruses generally, according to a new study. The research points up potentially conflicting policy outcomes. Annual flu vaccines are effective against seasonal flu, but could leave people more vulnerable to novel pandemics. ... > full story
Niacin does not reduce heart attack, stroke risk in stable CV patients (November 16, 2011) -- In patients whose bad cholesterol is very well-controlled by statins for a long time period, the addition of high-dose, extended release niacin did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, according to new research. ... > full story
Illegal drug use is associated with abnormal weight in teens (November 16, 2011) -- A survey of more than 33,000 Italian high school students reveals that both underweight and overweight teens consume 20 to 40 percent more illegal drugs than their normal-weight peers. ... > full story
Probiotics appear to mitigate pancreatitis: Surprising hypothetical mechanism warrants further investigation (November 16, 2011) -- A probiotic treatment appears to mitigate pancreatitis in an animal model, leading to a new hypothesis of how probiotics may act, according to a new study. The bacterial species most closely associated with improvement in health was discovered for the first time in the course of this research. ... > full story
Preliminary report on radiation levels in Fukushima reveals relative safety of residents (November 16, 2011) -- Researchers have released a preliminary report on the effects of the Fukushima nuclear disaster on the surrounding areas, following radiation levels for approximately three months following the event and surveying more than 5,000 people in the region. ... > full story
Today's teens will die younger of heart disease, study finds (November 16, 2011) -- A new study of adolescent cardiovascular health in the US reveals a bleak picture of teens likely to die of heart disease at a younger age than adults do today. The alarming health profiles of 5,547 children and adolescents, ages 12 to 19, reveal high blood sugar, obesity, lousy diets, little physical activity and smoking. ... > full story
Low vitamin D levels may be associated with recurrent inflammatory spinal cord disease (November 16, 2011) -- Vitamin D levels are significantly lower in patients with recurrent inflammatory spinal cord disease, according to a new study. ... > full story
New medication increases HDL cholesterol and decreases LDL cholesterol levels (November 16, 2011) -- Among patients with sub-optimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, use of the drug evacetrapib alone or in combination with statin medications was associated with significant increases in HDL-C levels and decreases in LDL-C levels, according to a new study. ... > full story
A realistic look at the promises and perils of nanomedicine (November 16, 2011) -- Is the emerging field of nanomedicine a breathtaking technological revolution that promises remarkable new ways of diagnosing and treating diseases? Or does it portend the release of dangerous nanoparticles, nanorobots or nanoelectronic devices that will wreak havoc in the body? A new review of more than 500 studies on the topic concludes that neither scenario is likely. ... > full story
False confessions may lead to more errors in evidence, study shows (November 16, 2011) -- A man with a low IQ confesses to a gruesome crime. Confession in hand, the police send his blood to a lab to confirm that his blood type matches the semen found at the scene. It does not. The forensic examiner testifies later that one blood type can change to another with disintegration. This is untrue. The newspaper reports the story, including the time the man says the murder took place. Two witnesses tell the police they saw the woman alive after that. The police send them home, saying they "must have seen a ghost." After 16 years in prison, the falsely convicted man is exonerated by DNA evidence. How could this happen? A new study examines how false confessions can corrupt evidence. ... > full story
New mouthwash targeting harmful bacteria may render tooth decay a thing of the past (November 16, 2011) -- A new mouthwash developed by a microbiologist is highly successful in targeting the harmful Streptococcus mutans bacteria that is the principal cause tooth decay and cavities, research shows. ... > full story
New molecular mechanism in breast cancer development (November 16, 2011) -- About 10 percent of breast cancers are due to mutations in genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. However, the molecular mechanism by which alteration of these genes greatly increases the risk of cancer is not fully understood. In a new study, an international team has made an important step towards revealing the underlying pathways. ... > full story
Alcoholics' 'injured brains' work harder to complete simple tasks: Finger tapping study shows alcoholics may recruit other brain regions (November 16, 2011) -- Alcoholic brains can perform a simple finger-tapping exercise as well as their sober counterparts but their brain must work a lot harder to do it, according to a new study. ... > full story
Mental illness: Early-life depression and anxiety changes structure of developing brain (November 16, 2011) -- New research identifies the brain chemicals and circuits involved in mental illnesses like schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, giving potential new directions to their treatment. In addition, research with children shows that early-life depression and anxiety changes the structure of the developing brain. ... > full story
Contrasting patterns of malaria drug resistance found between humans and mosquitoes (November 16, 2011) -- A study detected contrasting patterns of drug resistance in malaria-causing parasites taken from both humans and mosquitoes. Parasites found in human blood samples showed a high prevalence for pyrimethamine-resistance, which was consistent with the class of drugs widely used to treat malaria. However, parasites taken from mosquitoes themselves had very low prevalence of pyrimethamine-resistance and a high prevalence of cycloguanil-resistant mutants indicating resistance to a newer class of antimalaria drug not widely used in Zambia. ... > full story
Surgery on toy animals lessens anxiety of veterinary students (November 16, 2011) -- Training basic surgical techniques on toy animals before having to perform operations on living animals makes veterinary students much less anxious. At the same time, the use of laboratory animals is minimized, according to recent research in Denmark. ... > full story
Engineered, drug-secreting blood vessels reverse anemia in mice (November 16, 2011) -- Patients who rely on recombinant, protein-based drugs must often endure frequent injections, often several times a week, or intravenous therapy. Researchers have demonstrated the possibility that blood vessels, made from genetically engineered cells, could secrete the drug on demand directly into the bloodstream. In a new study, they provide proof-of-concept, reversing anemia in mice with engineered vessels secreting erythropoietin (EPO). ... > full story
The leading edge of stress: New genomic, optogenetic and epigenetic findings (November 16, 2011) -- New research uses the latest genetic tools to explore how stress alters brain function, leading to anxiety, depression, and other stress-related mood disorders. ... > full story
Delayed cord clamping protects newborn babies from iron deficiency, research finds (November 16, 2011) -- Waiting for at least three minutes before clamping the umbilical cord in healthy newborns improves their iron levels at four months, according to new research. ... > full story
Research provides clues to neurodevelopemental disorders (November 16, 2011) -- Scientists are finding new tools to help understand neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and fragile X syndrome. Studies show in new detail how the brain's connections, chemicals, and genes interact to affect behavior. ... > full story
Watching less TV, being more active and sleeping more is linked to a healthy body weight in young children (November 16, 2011) -- Getting enough sleep can help children maintain a healthy weight, new research reveals. Similarly, the more time children spend in front of the TV or their computers (screen time), the higher their body weight. ... > full story
New clinical practice guideline for treating common elbow fractures in children (November 16, 2011) -- The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Board of Directors has recently approved and released an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) on the treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures. ... > full story
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors face harder old age, U.S. study finds (November 16, 2011) -- Aging and health issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender baby boomers have been largely ignored by services, policies and research. These seniors face higher rates of disability, physical and mental distress and a lack of access to services, according to the first study on aging and health in these communities. ... > full story
Having fewer coronary heart disease risk factors associated with higher risk of in-hospital death following first heart attack (November 16, 2011) -- Patients without prior cardiovascular disease who were hospitalized following a first heart attack and who had a lower number of coronary heart disease risk factors such as smoking and high blood pressure had an associated greater risk of dying in the hospital, according to a new study. ... > full story
Uncovering a key player in metastasis (November 15, 2011) -- About 90 percent of cancer deaths are caused by secondary tumors, known as metastases, which spread from the original tumor site. Cancer biologists are determining how platelets in the bloodstream help cancer cells form new tumors. ... > full story
Study helps eliminate causes for joint pain linked to commonly used breast cancer drugs (November 15, 2011) -- Researchers exploring why some women who take a common breast cancer drug develop serious joint pain have eliminated two possible causes: Inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune disease. Because of these findings, researchers say women should be encouraged to continue taking the medication to gain its full benefit. ... > full story
The brain acts fast to reappraise angry faces (November 15, 2011) -- If you tell yourself that someone who's being mean is just having a bad day -- it's not about you -- you may actually be able to stave off bad feelings, according to a new study. ... > full story
Milk thistle extract stops lung cancer in mice, study shows (November 15, 2011) -- A new study shows that the milk thistle extract, silibinin, interferes with cell signaling that otherwise leads to the production of tumor-causing enzymes COX2 and iNOS. ... > full story
Teeth crowded in seniors, as jaws shrink (November 15, 2011) -- The size of our jaws decreases with age. This is shown in a unique study from Sweden that followed a cohort of dentists throughout their adult lives. ... > full story
Hepatitis transmission risk needs to be studied in nail salons, barbershops, analysis suggests (November 15, 2011) -- The risk of hepatitis transmission through non-single use instruments -- such as nail files, nail brushes, finger bowls, foot basins, buffers, razors, clippers, and scissors -- during nail salon and barbershop visits cannot be excluded, according to the results of a new report. ... > full story
New heart cells increase by 30 percent after stem cell infusion (November 15, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated have new heart cells can be regenerated in a stem cell therapy potentially applicable to patients suffering from heart dysfunction arising from insufficient blood flow to the heart. ... > full story
Multidrug-resistant acinetobacter baumannii found growing in nearly half of infected patient rooms (November 15, 2011) -- Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) was found in the environment of 48 percent of the rooms of patients colonized or infected with the pathogen, according to a new study. ... > full story
New biosensor benefits from melding of carbon nanotubes, DNA (November 15, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a method for stacking synthetic DNA and carbon nanotubes onto a biosensor electrode, a development that may lead to more accurate measurements for research related to diabetes and other diseases. ... > full story
Is a stranger trustworthy? You'll know in 20 seconds (November 15, 2011) -- There's definitely something to be said for first impressions. New research suggests it can take just 20 seconds to detect whether a stranger is genetically inclined to being trustworthy, kind or compassionate. The findings reinforce that healthy humans are wired to recognize strangers who may help them out in a tough situation. They also pave the way for genetic therapies for people who are not innately sympathetic, researchers said. ... > full story
Intensive diabetes therapy protects Type 1 diabetics' kidneys, study shows (November 15, 2011) -- Scientists looked to see if intensive diabetes therapy aimed at reducing blood sugar as close to the normal range as possible might protect Type 1 diabetics' kidney function. ... > full story
Anti-clotting drugs do not increase bleeding risk in GI procedure, study finds (November 15, 2011) -- Patients with recent use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or anti-clotting drugs such as clopidogreal do not appear to have an increased risk of bleeding during or after removal of precancerous lesions in the digestive tract, according to new results. ... > full story
Copyright 1995-2010 © ScienceDaily LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
| This message was sent to junaldadsense.ambong@blogger.com from: ScienceDaily | 1 Research Court, Suite 450 | Rockville, MD 20850 | Email Marketing by |
| Update Profile | Forward To a Friend |
