ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Monday, November 28, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Monday, November 28, 2011

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Finger (mal)formation reveals surprise function of desert DNA (November 28, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a genetic mechanism that defines the shape of our members in which, surprisingly, genes play only a secondary role. The research shows the mechanism is found in a DNA sequence that was thought, incorrectly, to play no role. This long string has seven enhancers which, when combined with one another, modulate the activity of the genes responsible for the formation of the fingers. ... > full story

Dreaming takes the sting out of painful memories, research shows (November 27, 2011) -- They say time heals all wounds, and new research indicates that time spent in dream sleep can help. Researchers have found that during the dream phase of sleep, also known as REM sleep, our stress chemistry shuts down and the brain processes emotional experiences and takes the painful edge off difficult memories. ... > full story

Diabetes drug shows promise in reducing risk of cancer, study suggests (November 27, 2011) -- An inexpensive drug that treats Type 2 diabetes has been shown to prevent a number of natural and human-made chemicals from stimulating the growth of breast cancer cells, according to a new study. ... > full story

Researchers surprised to find fatty liver disease poses no excess risk for death (November 27, 2011) -- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition associated with obesity and heart disease long thought to undermine health and longevity. But a new study suggests the condition does not affect survival. ... > full story

Researchers discover clues to developing more effective antipsychotic drugs (November 27, 2011) -- Researchers have identified the pattern of cell signaling induced by antipsychotic drugs in a complex composed of two brain receptors linked to schizophrenia. The discovery should allow researchers to predict the effectiveness of novel compounds for the treatment of schizophrenia and other serious mental disorders and may accelerate the development of better antipsychotic drugs. ... > full story

Recipient's immune system governs stem cell regeneration (November 27, 2011) -- A new study describes how different types of immune system T-cells alternately discourage and encourage stem cells to regrow bone and tissue, bringing into sharp focus the importance of the transplant recipient's immune system in stem cell regeneration. ... > full story

Study evaluates 'normal range' systolic blood pressure levels after ischemic stroke and risk of recurrent stroke (November 27, 2011) -- Among patients who experienced an ischemic stroke, systolic blood pressure levels of less than 120 mm Hg, or higher than 140 mm Hg, were associated with an increased risk of subsequent stroke, according to a new study. ... > full story

Brain imaging, behavior research reveals physicians learn more by paying attention to failure (November 27, 2011) -- Research on physicians' decision-making processes has revealed that those who pay attention to failures as well as successes become more adept at selecting the correct treatment. The researchers also found that all the physicians in the study included irrelevant criteria in their decisions about treatment. ... > full story

Scientists uncover new role for gene in maintaining steady weight (November 26, 2011) -- Against the backdrop of the growing epidemic of obesity in the United States, scientists have made an important new discovery regarding a specific gene that plays an important role in keeping a steady balance between our food intake and energy expenditure. The study may help scientists better understand the keys to fighting obesity and related disorders such as diabetes. ... > full story

Ulcer-causing bacteria tamed by defect in cell-targeting ability (November 26, 2011) -- Without the ability to swim to their targets in the stomach, ulcer-causing bacteria do not cause the inflammation of the stomach lining that leads to ulcers and stomach cancer, according to a new study. ... > full story

Psychological intervention reduces disability and depression in adolescents with fibromyalgia (November 26, 2011) -- A recent trial shows cognitive-behavioral therapy reduces functional disability and depressive symptoms in adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia. The psychological intervention was found to be safe and effective, and proved to be superior to disease management education. ... > full story

DNA system developed to identify and authenticate plant species (November 26, 2011) -- Biologists have developed a method which can detect the use of illegal or counterfeit plants in medicine and could also be used to boost conservation by identifying and monitoring the exploitation of endangered plant species. ... > full story

Worms reveal secrets of wound-healing response (November 25, 2011) -- The lowly and simple roundworm may be the ideal laboratory model to learn more about the complex processes involved in repairing wounds and could eventually allow scientists to improve the body's response to healing skin wounds, a serious problem in diabetics and the elderly. ... > full story

Discovery of a new muscle repair gene (November 25, 2011) -- Scientists have presented new findings regarding the function of muscle stem cells. Researchers investigated several families with children suffering from a progressive muscle disease. Using a genetic analysis technique known as "next generation sequencing" the scientists identified a defective gene called MEGF10 responsible for the muscle weakness. ... > full story

Body mass index associated with short-term mortality rates following surgery (November 25, 2011) -- Body Mass Index appears to be associated with 30-day mortality risk following surgical procedures, and patients with a BMI of less than 23.1 appear to be at highest risk of death, according to a new study. ... > full story

Human development experts recommend tuning in to family, not devices (November 25, 2011) -- Human development specialists say powering down digital devices is a vital step in maintaining family relationships and health. ... > full story

Scientists turn on fountain of youth in yeast (November 25, 2011) -- Researchers have successfully manipulated the life span of common, single-celled yeast organisms by figuring out how to remove and restore protein functions related to yeast aging. ... > full story

The ABCC9 of sleep: A genetic factor regulates how long we sleep (November 25, 2011) -- Researchers have shown that ABCC9, a known genetic factor in heart disease and diabetes, also influences the duration of sleep in humans. This function is evolutionarily conserved as knock-out of the gene reduces the duration of nocturnal sleep in fruitflies. ... > full story

Researchers decode a puzzling movement disorder (November 25, 2011) -- Neurodegenerative diseases represent one of the greatest challenges of our aging society. However, investigation into these diseases is made particularly difficult due to the limited availability of human brain tissue. Scientists have now taken a roundabout path: They reprogrammed skin cells from patients with a hereditary movement disorder into so-called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and obtained functional nerve cells from them. They subsequently decoded how the disease arises. ... > full story

Abnormal levels of caffeine in water indicate human contamination (November 25, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered that traces of caffeine are a useful indicator of the contamination of our water by sewers. ... > full story

Celiac patients face potential hazard as information on cosmetic ingredients difficult to find (November 25, 2011) -- The lack of readily available information about cosmetic ingredients may cause patients with celiac disease who use lip, facial or body products to unknowingly expose themselves to gluten -- an ingredient they need to avoid, according to the results of a new study. ... > full story

Many Africans have no access to efficient and safe AIDS therapy (November 25, 2011) -- Scientists warn: the control of the HIV virus in sub-Saharan Africa may have taken some large steps, mainly due to the lower price of medicines, but at the same time a lot of problems remain. ... > full story

Key to aging? Key molecular switch for telomere extension by telomerase identified (November 24, 2011) -- Researchers have described for the first time a key target of DNA damage checkpoint enzymes that must be chemically modified to enable stable maintenance of chromosome ends by telomerase, an enzyme thought to play a key role in cancer and aging. ... > full story

Treatment of acne using oral antibiotics associated with reporting symptoms of sore throat (November 24, 2011) -- Taking oral antibiotics for treatment of acne appears to be associated with reporting symptoms of pharyngitis, according to a new study. ... > full story

Happy, feel-good holiday seasons start with healthy choices at Thanksgiving, nutrition experts say (November 24, 2011) -- While most people only gain about a pound of weight during the holiday season, that pound may never come off, increasing the likelihood of becoming overweight or obese and the risk of related health problems, according to a recent study. Dietitians recommend families maintain healthy diet and exercise habits during the holiday season beginning with Thanksgiving. ... > full story

Surprising pathway implicated in stuttering (November 23, 2011) -- Researchers have obtained new evidence that at least some persistent stuttering is caused by mutations in a gene governing not speech, but a metabolic pathway involved in recycling old cell parts. Beyond a simple association, the study provides the first evidence that mutations affecting cellular recycling centers called lysosomes actually play a role in causing some people to stutter. ... > full story

Jaw size linked to diet: Could too soft a diet cause lower jaw to stay too short and cause orthodontic problems? (November 23, 2011) -- New research suggests that many of the common orthodontic problems experienced by people in industrialized nations is due to their soft modern diet causing the jaw to grow too short and small relative to the size of their teeth. ... > full story

Dendritic cells protect against acute pancreatitis (November 23, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered the novel protective role dendritic cells play in the pancreas. The new study shows dendritic cells can safeguard the pancreas against acute pancreatitis, a sudden dangerous swelling and inflammation of the pancreas gland. ... > full story

Physical activity impacts overall quality of sleep (November 23, 2011) -- People sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week, a new study concludes. ... > full story

Targeting bacterial gas defenses allow for increased efficacy of numerous antibiotics (November 23, 2011) -- Although scientists have known for centuries that many bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) it was thought to be simply a toxic by-product of cellular activity. Now, researchers have discovered H2S in fact plays a major role in protecting bacteria from the effects of numerous different antibiotics. ... > full story

New strategy could lead to dose reduction in X-ray imaging (November 23, 2011) -- For more than a century, the use of X-rays has been a prime diagnostic tool when it comes to human health. As it turns out, X-rays also are a crucial component for studying and understanding molecules, and a new approach may dramatically improve what researchers can learn using the technique. ... > full story

Tumor-specific pathway identified (November 23, 2011) -- Scientists have identified an atypical metabolic pathway unique to some tumors, possibly providing a future target for drugs that could reduce or halt the spread of cancer. ... > full story

New design for mechanical heart valves (November 23, 2011) -- The heart's valves are asymmetrical. Mechanical heart valves, are symmetrical. Could an asymmetric design improve blood flow? ... > full story

People with a 'sweet tooth' have sweeter dispositions (November 23, 2011) -- If you're dealing with a crabby co-worker or sour-faced friend, perhaps some new research can help. It sheds light on the question: Can eating sweets make you--well--sweet? A new study suggests people with a "sweet tooth" have sweeter dispositions. ... > full story

Form and function: New MRI technique to diagnose or rule out Alzheimer's disease (November 22, 2011) -- On the quest for safe, reliable and accessible tools to accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease, researchers have found a new way of diagnosing and tracking Alzheimer's disease, using an innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique called arterial spin labeling (ASL) to measure changes in brain function. ... > full story

Hope for muscle wasting disease (November 22, 2011) -- A health supplement used by bodybuilders could be the key to treating a life-threatening muscular dystrophy affecting tens of thousands of children world-wide, new research shows. The amino acid L-tyrosine had a "rapid and dramatic impact" on Nemaline Myopathy in laboratory tests on mice, significantly improving symptoms of the muscle-wasting disease, medical researchers found. ... > full story

P-Rex1 protein key to melanoma metastasis (November 22, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a protein, called P-Rex1, that is key to the movement of cells called melanoblasts. When these cells experience uncontrolled growth, melanoma develops. ... > full story

Adolescents who sleep better score higher in math and physical education (November 22, 2011) -- A new study has shown that teenagers having an average sleep pattern -- six to nine hours of sleep per night -- score higher in school, especially in physical education. ... > full story

Laser removal may be advantageous for treating precancerous skin lesions (November 22, 2011) -- Carbon dioxide laser ablation may have a role as an alternative treatment for a common precancerous skin lesion known as lentigo maligna when surgery or radiation therapy is not feasible, according to a new study. ... > full story

Health check while driving the car (November 22, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a sensor system integrated into the steering wheel that can monitor the driver's state of health while driving. The driver can use his time behind the wheel for a minor health check. The device might also be used to recognize the onset fainting spells or heart attacks. ... > full story

Babies who eat fish before nine months are less likely to suffer pre-school wheeze, study suggests (November 22, 2011) -- Children who started eating fish before nine months of age are less likely to suffer from pre-school wheeze, but face a higher risk if they were treated with broad spectrum antibiotics in the first week of life or their mother took paracetamol during pregnancy. Recurrent wheeze is a very common clinical problem in preschool children and there is a need for better medical treatment and improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms. ... > full story

Girls feel more anger, sadness than boys when friends offend (November 22, 2011) -- Girls may be sugar and spice, but "everything nice" takes a back seat when friends let them down. Researchers found that pre-teen girls may not be any better at friendships than boys, despite previous research suggesting otherwise. The findings suggest that when more serious violations of a friendship occur, girls struggle just as much and, in some ways, even more than boys. ... > full story

New culprit found in Lou Gehrig's disease (November 22, 2011) -- Following a breakthrough identifying a common converging point for all forms of Lou Gehrig's disease, a new finding from the same scientists shines more light on the broken recycling pathway of the brain and spinal cord cells, which leads to the paralysis of ALS. The new study reveals a second faulty gene in the same pathway, offering a clear target for drug therapy. ... > full story

Chew gum, lose weight? Hormone that helps people feel 'full' after eating can be delivered into bloodstream orally (November 22, 2011) -- Scientists have demonstrated, for the first time, that a critical hormone that helps people feel "full" after eating can be delivered into the bloodstream orally. ... > full story

Molecule serves as a key in some protein interactions (November 22, 2011) -- Researchers have identified an unexpected mechanism facilitating some protein interactions that are the workhorses of cells and, in the process, identified a potential new cancer drug development target. ... > full story

Do you really know what you want in a partner? (November 22, 2011) -- Once you meet a potential dating partner, one's ideals are likely to fall by the wayside, according to new research. People liked potential partners that matched their ideals more than those that mismatched their ideals when examining written descriptions of potential partners, but those same ideals didn't matter once they met in person, according to new research. ... > full story

Synthetic RNA lessens severity of fatal disease (November 22, 2011) -- Researchers have found that targeting a synthetic molecule to a specific gene could help the severity of the disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) -- the leading genetic cause of infantile death in the world. ... > full story

New research on body parts' sensitivity to environmental changes (November 22, 2011) -- Scientists have shed new light on why some body parts are more sensitive to environmental change than others, work that could someday lead to better ways of treating a variety of diseases, including type 2 diabetes. ... > full story