ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Wednesday, December 14, 2011
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Some plant-based food supplements contain high levels of cancer causing agents, study suggests (December 14, 2011) -- While many consumers equal ‘natural’ with ‘safe’, botanicals and botanical preparations such as plant-based food supplements may contain compounds, like the so called alkenylbenzenes, that are of concern for human health. A new study reveals there are plant-based food supplements on the market that contain alkenylbenzenes at levels comparable to those causing tumors in laboratory animals. ... > full story
More clues to causes of breast cancer: Hyperactivation of Akt and overexpression of IKBKE observed in 50 percent of human cancers (December 14, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered additional mechanisms of "Akt" activation and suggest a component of that activation mechanism -- inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit epsilon (IKBKE) -- could be targeted as a therapeutic intervention for treating cancer. ... > full story
Nostalgic consumers are more likely to give to charity (December 14, 2011) -- Nostalgia, a sentimental longing for the past, can boost donations and help drum up volunteers, according to a new study. ... > full story
Most common causes, risk factors for stillbirth (December 14, 2011) -- Two studies by the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network have identified the most common causes and risk factors for stillbirth, including causes such as preterm labor and risk factors that include diabetes and excess weight. ... > full story
What role do cytokines play in autoimmune diseases? (December 14, 2011) -- Cytokines, a varied group of signaling chemicals in the body, have been described as the software that runs the immune system, but when that software malfunctions, dysregulation of the immune system can result in debilitating autoimmune diseases such as lupus, arthritis, and diabetes. Leading experts in the field of cytokine research present their most up-to-date findings and unique perspectives on the role of cytokines in autoimmune diseases in a special issue of Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research. ... > full story
Scar findings could lead to new therapies, researchers say (December 13, 2011) -- Researchers report that they have identified the molecular pathway through which physical force contributes to scarring in mice. ... > full story
Tangled web in Alzheimer's protein deposits is more complex than once thought (December 13, 2011) -- Scientists have made a discovery that will change the direction of Alzheimer's research. They found that the protein tangles, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's, involve three different proteins instead of one. The discovery of these additional proteins, called neurofilaments and vimentin, should help scientists better understand the biology and progression of Alzheimer's and provide additional drug discovery targets. ... > full story
'Left-handed iron corkscrews' point the way to new weapon in battle against superbugs like MRSA (December 13, 2011) -- Scientists have taken inspiration from corkscrew structures found in nature to develop a new weapon in the fight against infections like E. coli and MRSA. ... > full story
Precise detection by the nose: Researchers decipher interaction of fragrances and olfactory receptors (December 13, 2011) -- Banana, mango or apricot -- telling these smells apart is no problem for the human nose. How the olfactory organ distinguishes such similar smells has been uncovered by an interdisciplinary team of researchers. The scientists were the first to shed light on the dynamics of the three-dimensional structure of the binding site of an olfactory receptor. In so doing, they also found a characteristic pattern of hydrogen bonds between odorant and receptor, which accounts for the specificity of the olfactory sensors. Using computer simulations, the team was able to predict whether odorant molecules activate a certain receptor or not. ... > full story
New device uses gold nanoparticles to test for lung cancer (December 13, 2011) -- A new device clearly distinguishes between the volatile organic compounds in cancer patients' exhaled breath compared to the breath of a control group. Subjects simply exhale into a bag, and the breath is analyzed by an array of gold nanoparticle sensors. ... > full story
Widespread brain atrophy detected in Parkinson's disease with newly developed structural pattern (December 13, 2011) -- Atrophy in the hippocampus, the region of the brain known for memory formation and storage, is evident in Parkinson's disease patients with cognitive impairment, including early decline known as mild cognitive impairment, according to a new study. ... > full story
Life after cigarettes: Compared with those who continue to smoke, quitters are both happier and more satisfied with their health (December 13, 2011) -- Life without cigarettes is not all doom and gloom. In fact, successful quitters are more satisfied with their lives and feel healthier, both one year and three years afterwards, than those who continue to smoke. That's according to new research by Dr. Megan Piper, from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in the US, and her team. Their work looks at whether quitting smoking can improve psychological well-being. ... > full story
Simple blood test diagnoses Parkinson's disease long before symptoms appear (December 13, 2011) -- A new research report shows how scientists from the United Kingdom have developed a simple blood test to detect Parkinson's disease even at the earliest stages. The test is possible because scientists found a substance in the blood, called "phosphorylated alpha-synuclein," which is common in people with Parkinson's disease, and then developed a way to identify its presence in our blood. ... > full story
Mothers' weight before and during pregnancy affects baby's weight (December 13, 2011) -- Both pre-pregnant weight (body mass index) and weight gain in pregnancy are important predictors of babies' birthweight. This is important since high birthweight may also predict adult overweight. ... > full story
Nighttime images help track disease from the sky (December 13, 2011) -- Satellite images of nighttime lights normally used to spot where people live can help keep tabs on the diseases festering among them, too. ... > full story
The paradox of gift giving: More not better, says new study (December 13, 2011) -- Holiday shoppers, take note. Researchers have found that in gift giving, bundling together an expensive "big" gift and a smaller "stocking stuffer" reduces the perceived value of the overall package for the recipient. ... > full story
Stress in early pregnancy can lead to shorter pregnancies and fewer baby boys (December 13, 2011) -- Stress in the second and third months of pregnancy can shorten pregnancies, increase the risk of pre-term births and may affect the ratio of boys to girls being born, leading to a decline in male babies. These are the conclusions of a study that investigated the effect on pregnant women of the stress caused by the 2005 Tarapaca earthquake in Chile. ... > full story
Scientists discover new drug candidates for cystic fibrosis and other diseases (December 13, 2011) -- A new discovery may lead to pharmaceutical breakthroughs for illnesses involving the hydration of cells lining the inner surfaces of our body's organs and tissues. Researchers report how high-throughput screening identifies small-molecule drug candidates, helping cells bypass defective channels that move salt and water through cell membranes. By activating an alternative chloride channel "TMEM16A" conditions such as cystic fibrosis and slow-transit constipation can be treated. ... > full story
Why do people defend unjust, inept, and corrupt systems? (December 13, 2011) -- Why do we stick up for a system or institution we live in -- a government, company, or marriage -- even when anyone else can see it is failing miserably? Why do we resist change even when the system is corrupt or unjust? A new article illuminates the conditions under which we're motivated to defend the status quo -- a process called "system justification." ... > full story
New vaccine attacks breast cancer in mice (December 13, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a vaccine that dramatically reduces tumors in a mouse model that mimics 90 percent of human breast and pancreatic cancer cases -- including those that are resistant to common treatments. The vaccine reveals a promising new strategy for treating cancers that share the same distinct carbohydrate signature, including ovarian and colorectal cancers. ... > full story
Human cells build protein cages to trap invading Shigella (December 13, 2011) -- In research on the never-ending war between pathogen and host, scientists have discovered a novel defensive weapon, a cytoskeletal protein called septin, that humans cells deploy to cage the invading Shigella bacteria that cause potentially fatal human diarrhea. ... > full story
Manipulating serotonin can promote healthy repair in chronic liver disease, study suggests (December 13, 2011) -- Medical researchers have identified serotonin receptors which can be targeted with drugs to enhance the natural healing properties of the liver. ... > full story
Biker's warning! EPO hits blood vessels to raise blood pressure in the brain (December 13, 2011) -- Erythropoietin might be considered a "performance enhancing" substance for athletes, but new research shows these enhancements cause increased risk of vascular problems in the brain. According to the study, short- or long-term use of EPO raises blood pressure by constricting arteries, which reduces the flow of blood to the brain. This finding also contradicts earlier evidence suggesting that EPO may be a viable early treatment for stroke victims. ... > full story
Female shift workers may be at higher risk of heart disease (December 13, 2011) -- Women hospital staff working night shifts may be compromising their own health as they try to improve the health of patients, according to new research. A recent study investigated the connection between shift work and risk factors for heart disease in female hospital employees who worked both shift and non-shift rotations. ... > full story
Test for Alzheimer's disease predicts cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease (December 13, 2011) -- A method of classifying brain atrophy patterns in Alzheimer's disease patients using MRIs can also detect cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease, according to a new study. Researchers also found that higher baseline Alzheimer's patterns of atrophy predicted long-term cognitive decline in cognitively normal Parkinson's patients. The study is published online in Brain. ... > full story
Daily wheezing treatment no different from intermittent in toddlers, study suggests (December 13, 2011) -- Pediatricians often treat young children who have frequent bouts of wheezing with a daily dose of an inhaled steroid to keep asthma symptoms at bay. But results of a recent study are likely to change that. ... > full story
Sexism and gender inequality (December 13, 2011) -- Individual beliefs don't stay confined to the person who has them; they can affect how a society functions. A new study looks at 57 countries and finds that an individual's sexism leads to gender inequality in the society as a whole -- not surprising, but it is the largest study to find this relationship. ... > full story
Decades-old treatment guidelines for anorexia challenged (December 13, 2011) -- Adolescents hospitalized with anorexia nervosa who receive treatment based on current recommendations for refeeding fail to gain significant weight during their first week in the hospital, according to a new study. ... > full story
NCAA mandatory sickle cell screening program not enough to save athletes' lives, study finds (December 13, 2011) -- In response to a lawsuit after a college football player died from complications due to sickle cell trait (SCT) during a workout, the NCAA implemented mandatory SCT screening of all Division I student-athletes. A new study evaluated the impact of that policy and found that testing alone will help identify more than 2,000 athletes with SCT, but warns that screening alone will not prevent death. ... > full story
Fast, affordable ways for countries to better identify causes of death in populations (December 13, 2011) -- New research shows that innovative and improved methods for analyzing verbal autopsies -- a method of determining individuals' causes of death in countries without a complete vital registration system -- are fast, effective, and inexpensive, and could be invaluable for countries struggling to understand disease trends. ... > full story
American Cancer Society revises cancer screening guideline process (December 13, 2011) -- The American Cancer Society has revised its guideline formation process to achieve greater transparency, consistency, and rigor in creating guidance about cancer screening. ... > full story
Study of two sisters sheds light on lymphoma evolution (December 12, 2011) -- A woman received a transplant from her sister to treat leukemia. Both sisters later developed lymphoma, suggesting transfer of a common ancestor. Finding gives scientists new insight into lymphoma development. ... > full story
Why women quit breast cancer drugs early: Side effects are so bad women end treatment and risk return of cancer, study finds (December 12, 2011) -- Why do so many postmenopausal women who are treated for estrogen-sensitive breast cancer quit using drugs that help prevent the disease from recurring? The first study to ask the women themselves reports 36 percent of women quit early because of the medications' side effects, which are more severe and widespread than previously known. The research also reveals a big gap between what women tell their doctors about side effects and what they actually experience. ... > full story
Women are best at being social on social media (December 12, 2011) -- Results of extensive study reveals gender divide in use of social media -- and how celebrities exploit social media to connect with their fans. Young women are leaders of change in styles of storytelling in the new digital economy, a social media expert has found. ... > full story
Improved medication use could reduce severe asthma attacks (December 12, 2011) -- Researchers have found that one-quarter of severe asthma attacks could be prevented if only patients consistently took their medication as prescribed. Moreover, an asthma attack was only significantly reduced when patients used at least 75 percent of their prescribed dose, according to the study. ... > full story
Breast cancer survivors struggle with cognitive problems several years after treatment (December 12, 2011) -- A new analysis has found that breast cancer survivors may experience problems with certain mental abilities several years after treatment, regardless of whether they were treated with chemotherapy plus radiation or radiation only. ... > full story
Massive DNA search uncovers new mutations driving blood cancer (December 12, 2011) -- The most comprehensive search to date of DNA abnormalities in chronic lymphocytic leukemia has unearthed several new altered genes that drive this common blood cancer, a finding that could potentially help doctors predict whether an individual patient's disease will progress rapidly or remain indolent for years, say scientists. ... > full story
Gene mutation signals a high risk of recurrence in some older acute-leukemia patients (December 12, 2011) -- Older people with acute myeloid leukemia and normal looking chromosomes in their cancer cells have a higher risk of recurrence if they have mutations in the ASXL1gene, according to a new study. The study is the first to investigate the influence of these gene mutations on prognosis in these patients and in conjunction with other prognostic gene mutations. The findings could lead to more effective targeted therapies and improved cure rates for these patients. ... > full story
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