ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Tuesday, November 29, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Tuesday, November 29, 2011

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How the brain strings words into sentences (November 29, 2011) -- Distinct neural pathways are important for different aspects of language processing, researchers have discovered, studying patients with language impairments caused by neurodegenerative diseases. ... > full story

Most hospitals miss critical window for heart attack transfer patients, study finds (November 29, 2011) -- Most heart attack patients transferred between hospitals for the emergency artery-opening procedure called angioplasty are not transported as quickly as they should be, researchers report in the first national study of "door-in door-out" time for transfer patients. ... > full story

Nearly 10 percent of patients undergoing procedure such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement readmitted to hospital within 30 days (November 29, 2011) -- In an analysis of the outcomes for more than 15,000 patients who underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; procedures such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement used to open narrowed coronary arteries), nearly one in 10 were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, and these patients had a higher risk of death within one year, according to a new study. Various factors were associated with hospital readmission, including female sex, Medicare insurance, unstable angina and others. ... > full story

Spinal bleeding with brain injury may suggest abuse in young children (November 29, 2011) -- A new study found that spinal bleeding is found often in young children who are victims of abusive trauma. The findings support performing complete spine imaging for children undergoing brain magnetic resonance imaging for moderate or severe traumatic brain injury and suggest a pathway for distinguishing between abusive and accidental injury. ... > full story

Key area that could sever communication between brain and heart in disease identified (November 29, 2011) -- A team of neuroscientists and anesthetists, who have been using pioneering techniques to study how the brain regulates the heart, has identified a crucial part of the nervous system whose malfunction may account for an increased risk of death from heart failure. The findings could lead to more targeted therapies to help reduce serious illness and death in cardiovascular disease. ... > full story

Among patients with infective endocarditis and heart failure, valvular surgery associated with reduced mortality (November 29, 2011) -- Among patients with infective endocarditis and heart failure, about two-thirds undergo valvular surgery, which is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of death in the hospital and at one year, according to a new study. ... > full story

40 percent of youths attempting suicide make first attempt before high school, study finds (November 29, 2011) -- Thoughts about killing oneself and engaging in suicidal behavior may begin much younger than previously thought. While about one of nine youths attempt suicide by the time they graduate from high school, new findings reveal that a significant proportion make their first suicide attempt in elementary or middle school. ... > full story

Depression can lead to heart disease, study suggests (November 28, 2011) -- Depression may have more far-reaching consequences than previously believed. Recent data suggests that individuals who suffer from a mood disorder could be twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to individuals who are not depressed. ... > full story

Biopsy of recurrent breast cancer can alter treatment, new study shows (November 28, 2011) -- A recent clinical research study by breast cancer specialists has again proven that comparing a new biopsy of progressing or recurring cancer with that of the original cancer can dictate a change in treatment. ... > full story

Study looks at the nature of change in our aging, changing brains (November 28, 2011) -- As we get older, our cognitive abilities change, improving when we're younger and declining as we age. Scientists posit a hierarchical structure within which these abilities are organized. There's the "lowest" level -- measured by specific tests, such as story memory or word memory; the second level, which groups various skills involved in a category of cognitive ability, such as memory, perceptual speed, or reasoning; and finally, the "general," or G, factor, a sort of statistical aggregate of all the thinking abilities. What happens to this structure as we age? ... > full story

Aging stem cells may explain higher prevalence of leukemia, infections among elderly (November 28, 2011) -- Human stem cells aren't immune to the aging process, according to scientists. Researchers studied hematopoietic stem cells, which create the cells that comprise the blood and immune system. Understanding when and how these stem cells begin to falter as the years pass may explain why some diseases, such as acute myeloid leukemia, increase in prevalence with age, and also why elderly people tend to be more vulnerable to infections such as colds and the flu. ... > full story

Integrated 3-D imaging facilitates human face transplantation (November 28, 2011) -- By combining conventional medical imaging with some of the same 3-D modeling techniques used in Hollywood blockbusters, researchers are offering new hope to victims of serious facial injuries who may be candidates for human facial transplants. ... > full story

An unexpected player in a cancer defense system (November 28, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a new protein involved in a defense mechanism against cancer. The VCP/p97 complex is best known for its role in protein destruction and is involved in a type of familial dementia and ALS. In a novel study the researchers now describe how this complex also plays an important role in regulating the recruitment of the tumor suppressor protein 53BP1 to damaged DNA -- suggesting an important role for VCP/p97 in our body's defense against cancer. ... > full story

Smoking cessation interventions appear to be effective for some current smokers (November 28, 2011) -- Nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation intervention programs are associated with positive outcomes among current smokers, according to new studies. ... > full story

New compound defeats drug-resistant bacteria (November 28, 2011) -- Chemists have synthesized a new compound that makes drug-resistant bacteria susceptible again to antibiotics. The compound -- BU-005 -- blocks pumps that a bacterium employs to expel an antibacterial agent called chloramphenicol. The team used a new and highly efficient method for the synthesis of BU-005 and other C-capped dipetptides. ... > full story

Cleft lip corrected genetically in mouse model (November 28, 2011) -- Scientists have used genetic methods to successfully repair cleft lips in mice embryos specially engineered for the study of cleft lip and cleft palate. The research breakthrough may show the way to prevent or treat the conditions in humans. ... > full story

Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, study finds (November 28, 2011) -- Just one drink per day for women -- two for men -- could lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and subsequently cause gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea, according to the results of a new study. ... > full story

New handle makes lifting infant car seats safer, easier (November 28, 2011) -- Engineers have developed a new handle for infant car seats that makes it easier for parents to lift the seat out of a car -- while retaining a firmer grip on the handle -- making it less likely that the seat will be dropped. ... > full story

Creative excuses: Original thinkers more likely to cheat, study finds (November 28, 2011) -- Creative people are more likely to cheat than less creative people, possibly because this talent increases their ability to rationalize their actions, according to new research. ... > full story

Vaccine prototype stronger than traditional vaccines (November 28, 2011) -- Researchers have created a vaccine that is more potent than traditional vaccines available today. The glycoconjugate vaccine prototype is 100 times more effective than traditional glycoconjugate vaccines. ... > full story

Researchers find regulatory T-cell clue to help prevent GVHD (November 28, 2011) -- Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious risk in many kinds of cell transplants, including for stem cell transplants carried out when stem cells are partially depleted of conventional T cells, which play an important role in the immune system. Now, researchers have tested a process by which T regulatory cells can be "expanded" to help prevent GVHD. ... > full story

Mid-morning snacking may sabotage weight-loss efforts (November 28, 2011) -- Women dieters who grab a snack between breakfast and lunch lose less weight compared to those who abstain from a mid-morning snack, according to a new study. ... > full story

Possible therapy for radiation sickness identified (November 28, 2011) -- Researchers found a combination of two drugs may alleviate radiation sickness in people who have been exposed to high levels of radiation, even when the therapy is given 24 hours after the exposure occurred. ... > full story

Playing music alters the processing of multiple sensory stimuli in the brain (November 28, 2011) -- Piano practicing fine tunes the brain circuitries that temporally bind signals from our senses. Over the years pianists develop a particularly acute sense of the temporal correlation between the movements of the piano keys and the sound of the notes played. However, they are no better than non-musicians at assessing the synchronicity of lip movements and speech. Researchers have now discovered that pianists are significantly more accurate than the non-musicians in assessing whether the finger movements on the piano and the sounds heard coincided temporally or not. ... > full story

Adding nurse practitioner reduces unnecessary emergency department visits, study finds (November 28, 2011) -- Adding a nurse practitioner to a busy hospital staff can decrease unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits, according to a new study. Researchers found that the nurse practitioner reduced ED visits by improving the continuity in care and troubleshooting problems for patients. The addition of an NP also resulted in an improved use of resources and financial benefits for the health system. ... > full story

We are what we experience (November 28, 2011) -- Our life experiences -- the ups and downs, and everything in between -- shape us, stay with us and influence our emotional set point as adults, according to a new study. ... > full story

Development of the brain network in the fetus now measurable for the first time in the womb (November 28, 2011) -- Scientists have demonstrated for the first time ever that there are fetal brain developments that can be measured using functional magnetic resonance tomography in the womb. This means that pathological changes to brain development will be detectable earlier than they are currently - and appropriate measures can be taken in good time. ... > full story

Decrease in observed rate of TB at a time of economic recession (November 28, 2011) -- The incidence of tuberculosis in the US is reported as being on the decrease, however untreated infected people act as a reservoir for disease. ... > full story

Mediterranean diet and exercise can reduce sleep apnea symptoms (November 28, 2011) -- Eating a Mediterranean diet combined with physical activity can help to improve some of the symptoms of sleep apnea, according to new research. ... > full story

Enhanced treatment of brain tumors (November 28, 2011) -- Scientists have tested a combination of radiation treatment and a substance that blocks the transforming growth factor beta for treating glioblastoma. In the mouse model, this combination therapy was found to be more effective in slowing down the growth of such malignant brain tumors and to prolong survival of the animals. ... > full story

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

Head and neck cancer: Study identifies factors associated with increased risk of death among two-year survivors (November 28, 2011) -- Among patients with head and neck cancer, poor overall quality of life, pain, and continued tobacco use appear to be associated with poorer outcomes and higher mortality rate two years after diagnosis, according to a new study. ... > full story

Enzymes act like a switch, turning antibiotic resistance on and off in enterococci (November 28, 2011) -- Antibiotic-resistant enterococci are a serious problem for patients in the hospital, but little is known about how these bacteria are able to escape antibiotics. New discoveries about the ways in which enterococci turn their resistance to cephalosporin antibiotics on and off are described in a new study. ... > full story

Prenatal quality initiative improves patient safety (November 28, 2011) -- A new study reveals that a multifaceted quality initiative can significantly reduce adverse obstetric outcomes, thereby improving patient safety and enhancing staff and patient experiences. ... > full story

Hope for more options in couples where one partner is HIV positive (November 28, 2011) -- In sub-Saharan Africa, couples in long-term relationships where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is HIV-negative could benefit from anti-AIDS drugs given either as treatment or as a prevention measure to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. ... > full story

Washington pediatricians receive regular requests for alternative child immunization schedules (November 28, 2011) -- Seventy-seven percent of Washington state pediatricians report that they are sometimes or frequently asked to provide alternative childhood vaccine schedules for their patients, according to a new study. ... > full story

IVC filters: Largest single patient population study to date on placement success, patient follow-up (November 28, 2011) -- Researchers have published the largest single patient population study to date on a method for following patients with retrievable inferior vena cava filters -- devices used to keep blood clots from traveling to the lungs. This study, which is important for individuals with IVC filters and their doctors, supports existing guidelines developed by the Society of Interventional Radiology. ... > 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