ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Monday, December 19, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Monday, December 19, 2011

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Simple clip could increase quality of life for thousands of patients with a common heart problem (December 18, 2011) -- The interventional cardiology team recently conducted the first clinical procedure in Canada using the MitraClip system, which is designed to treat patients suffering from mitral valve failure, a very common heart defect that affects an estimated one out five people to various extents starting at the age of 55. ... > full story

Penicillin doses for children should be reviewed, say experts (December 18, 2011) -- A team of scientists and clinicians are calling for a review of penicillin dosing guidelines for children, as the current guidelines have remained unchanged for nearly 50 years. The research indicates some children may not be receiving effective doses, which could potentially lead to failed treatment and contribute to antibiotic resistance. ... > full story

Traumatic experiences may make you tough (December 18, 2011) -- Your parents were right: Hard experiences may indeed make you tough. Psychological scientists have found that, while going through many experiences like assault, hurricanes, and bereavement can be psychologically damaging, small amounts of trauma may help people develop resilience. ... > full story

Scientists may be able to double efficacy of radiation therapy (December 17, 2011) -- Scientists may have a way to double the efficacy and reduce the side effects of radiation therapy. ... > full story

Let's do the twist: Spiral proteins are efficient gene delivery agents (December 17, 2011) -- Clinical gene therapy may be one step closer, thanks to a new twist on an old class of molecules. Researchers have demonstrated that short spiral-shaped proteins can efficiently deliver DNA segments to cells, with well-controlled toxicity. Their helical polypeptides far exceeded random-coil polypeptide and even outstripped commercial agents in efficiency, even on some of the hardest cells to transfect: stem cells and fibroblast cells. ... > full story

Childhood cancer drugs cure now, may cause problems later, research shows (December 17, 2011) -- Will a drug used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other pediatric cancers cause heart problems later in life? A professor of pharmaceutical sciences, who sees his work as a bridge between research and clinical practice, has focused recent efforts on trying to answer this question. ... > full story

Researchers urge caution when buying noisy toys (December 17, 2011) -- While Road Rippers Lightning Rods, Let's Rock Elmo and the I Am T-Pain musical microphone might be sought-after gifts this holiday season, parents should ensure that their children don't risk permanent hearing damage by misusing them. ... > full story

Cholesterol-lowering drugs may reduce mortality for influenza patients (December 16, 2011) -- Statins, traditionally known as cholesterol-lowering drugs, may reduce mortality among patients hospitalized with influenza, according to a new study. ... > full story

Gene discovered for Weaver syndrome (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have found a gene that causes Weaver syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that typically causes large size at birth, tall stature, developmental delay during childhood, and intellectual disability. The discovery means that testing the EZH2 gene for mutations could help families who are seeking a diagnosis for their child. ... > full story

New strain of lab mice mimics human alcohol consumption patterns (December 16, 2011) -- A line of laboratory mice drinks more alcohol than other animal models and consumes it in a fashion similar to humans: choosing alcohol over other options and binge drinking. ... > full story

Peptide 'cocktail' elicits immune response to multiple myeloma (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have created a "cocktail" of immune-stimulating peptides they believe could provoke the body's defenses to attack multiple myeloma in its early "smoldering" phase and slow or prevent the blood cancer. ... > full story

Therapy improves stem cell engraftment in umbilical cord blood transplant recipients, study suggests (December 16, 2011) -- A therapy involving a natural compound may improve the ability of stem cells from umbilical cord blood to engraft in patients receiving a stem cell transplant for cancer or other diseases, a phase I clinical trial indicates. ... > full story

Potential explanation for mechanisms of associative memory (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered that a chemical compound in the brain can weaken the synaptic connections between neurons in a region of the brain important for the formation of long-term memories. The findings may also provide a potential explanation for the loss of memory associated with Alzheimer's. ... > full story

Immunity against the cold (December 16, 2011) -- Throughout the interior spaces of humans and other warm-blooded creatures is a special type of tissue known as brown fat, which may hold the secret to diets and weight-loss programs of the future. ... > full story

'Fantastic voyage' through the body, with precision control (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have devised a method to guide endoscopic "capsules" on a more precise course through the small intestine to detect difficult-to-diagnose tumors or wounds, or allow for biopsies or drug delivery. The ability to manipulate the capsule, he says, will not only lead to better diagnosis capabilities, but a less invasive and quicker procedure as well. ... > full story

Low iron levels in blood raises blood clot risk, new research suggests (December 16, 2011) -- People with low levels of iron in the blood have a higher risk of dangerous blood clots, according to new research. ... > full story

Less knowledge, more power: Uninformed can be vital to democracy, study finds (December 16, 2011) -- Uninformed individuals -- as in those with no prior knowledge or strong feelings on a situation's outcome -- can actually be vital to achieving a democratic consensus, according to new research. These individuals tend to side with and embolden the numerical majority and dilute the influence of powerful minority factions who would otherwise dominate everyone else. ... > full story

Blood test might predict how well a depressed patient responds to antidepressants (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers are reporting what could become the first reliable method to predict whether an antidepressant will work on a depressed patient. ... > full story

Malaria during pregnancy: New study assesses risks during first trimester (December 16, 2011) -- The largest ever study to assess the effects of malaria and its treatment in the first trimester of pregnancy has shown that the disease significantly increases the risk of miscarriage, but that treating with antimalarial drugs is relatively safe and reduces this risk. ... > full story

Lead levels in drinking water spike when copper and lead pipes joined: Levels linked to galvanic corrosion, disinfectants, pH (December 16, 2011) -- Lead pipes once used routinely in municipal water distribution systems are a well-recognized source of dangerous lead contamination, but new research suggests that the partial replacement of these pipes can make the problem worse. The research shows that joining old lead pipes with new copper lines using brass fittings spurs galvanic corrosion that can dramatically increase the amount of lead released into drinking water supplies. ... > full story

Second-guessing one's decisions leads to unhappiness, psychology researcher finds (December 16, 2011) -- You're in search of a new coffee maker, and the simple quest becomes, well, an ordeal. After doing copious amounts of research and reading dozens of consumer reviews, you finally make a purchase, only to wonder: "Was this the right choice? Could I do better? What is the return policy?" ... > full story

Key genetic error found in family of blood cancers (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have uncovered a critical genetic mutation in some patients with myelodysplastic syndromes -- a group of blood cancers that can progress to a fatal form of leukemia. ... > full story

How cells limit inflammation in lung injury (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers have found in an animal model of acute lung injury a molecular mechanism that allows cells of the immune system to reduce tissue damage from inflammation. ... > full story

New research could lead to enhanced MRI scans (December 16, 2011) -- New research could lead to enhanced MRI scans, producing brighter and more precise images, and potentially allowing the detection of cancerous cells before they cause health problems. ... > full story

Patient isolation associated with hospital delirium (December 16, 2011) -- A new study finds that patients who are moved into isolation during a hospital stay are nearly twice as likely to develop delirium, a potentially dangerous change in mental status that often affects hospital patients. Patients who began their stay in isolation were not at increased risk. ... > full story

Less blood clot damage with extra treatment, research suggests (December 16, 2011) -- Pain, swelling, itching, eczema and venous ulcers are characteristic signs of post-thrombotic syndrome, a condition developed by roughly half the patients who have experienced serious deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots in the leg. It has been demonstrated for the first time that a treatment to dissolve blood clots prevented such complications in a substantial number of patients. The treatment is called catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy. ... > full story

New genetic program converts static cells into mobile invasive cells (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers have identified the gene GATA 6 as responsible for epithelial cells -which group together and are static- losing adhesion and moving towards a new site. This process, which is common to developing organisms, is very similar to one that occurs in metastasis, when tumor cells escape from the original tumor and invade new tissue. ... > full story

Researchers identify genetic mutation responsible for most cases of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a gene mutation that underlies the vast majority of cases of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a rare form of lymphoma that has eluded all previous efforts to find a genetic cause. ... > full story

Report on human subjects protection (December 16, 2011) -- The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues has issued its report concerning U.S. federally sponsored research involving human volunteers, concluding that current rules and regulations provide adequate safeguards to mitigate risk. ... > full story

Alzheimer's/Parkinson's: Unexpected signaling role for foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide in cell response to protein misfolding (December 15, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered hydrogen sulfide -- the flammable, toxic gas associated with the smell of rotten eggs in landfills -- helps regulate a signaling pathway implicated in biological malfunctions linked to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, among others. ... > full story

New study shows promise for preventing preterm births (December 15, 2011) -- A new study has found that applying vaginal progesterone to women who are at a high risk of preterm birth significantly decreased the odds of a premature delivery. ... > full story

Oral bacteria enables breaking bond on blood vessels to allow invaders in (December 15, 2011) -- A common oral bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, acts like a key to open a door in human blood vessels and leads the way for it and other bacteria like Escherichia coli to invade the body through the blood and make people sick, according to dental researchers. ... > full story

Hide and seek signals for white blood cells (December 15, 2011) -- Scientists reveal how certain white blood cells find hidden chemical signals that allow them to exit the bloodstream. ... > full story

Cancer from fetal exposure to carcinogens depends on dose, timing (December 15, 2011) -- The cancer-causing potential of fetal exposure to carcinogens can vary substantially, causing different types of problems much later in life depending on the stage of pregnancy when the fetus is exposed. The research sheds further light on the way in which toxic damage early in life can later manifest itself as cancer, due to "epigenetic" changes in cells. ... > full story

Teaching children with autism to imitate others may improve social skills (December 15, 2011) -- Teaching young children with autism to imitate others may improve a broader range of social skills, according to a new study. ... > full story

Scientists discover second-oldest gene mutation (December 15, 2011) -- A new study has identified a gene mutation that researchers estimate dates back to 11,600 B.C., making it the second oldest human disease mutation known. The mutation was described in people of Arabic, Turkish and Jewish ancestry. It causes a rare, inherited vitamin B12 deficiency. The mutation originated in a single, prehistoric individual and was passed down to that individual's descendants. The discovery should permit reliable genetic diagnosis of suspected cases of Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome. ... > full story

How B cells may generate antibodies after vaccination (December 15, 2011) -- Scientists have shown how immune cells, called B lymphocytes, are able to produce daughter cells that are not equal, a finding that might explain how lifelong antibodies are made after vaccination. ... > full story

Report recommends stringent limits on use of chimpanzees in biomedical and behavioral research (December 15, 2011) -- Given that chimpanzees are so closely related to humans and share similar behavioral traits, the U.S. National Institutes of Health should allow their use as subjects in biomedical research only under stringent conditions, including the absence of any other suitable model and inability to ethically perform the research on people, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. ... > full story

What makes solo terrorists tick? (December 15, 2011) -- The double terrorist attack in Norway last July, which claimed 77 lives, has moved violent acts committed by single individuals up the political, media and now research agendas. Known as "lone wolf terrorism," these acts are carried out independently of established terrorist organizations. ... > full story

Ultraviolet rays believed to prevent chickenpox spreading (December 15, 2011) -- Ultraviolet rays help prevent the spread of chickenpox, meaning people in milder climates are more at risk of catching the disease, according to new research. The discovery could lead to new ways of preventing chickenpox and its more severe relative, shingles. ... > full story

Caffeine study shows sport performance increase (December 15, 2011) -- Caffeine combined with carbohydrate could be used to help athletes perform better on the field, according to new research. ... > full story

Magnetic stimulation of brain may help some stroke patients recover (December 15, 2011) -- Imagine waking up and being unable to see or recognize anything on the left side of your body. This condition, called hemispatial neglect, is common after a stroke that occurs on the right side of the brain. The current treatment of attention and concentration training using computer and pencil-and-paper tasks is inadequate. ... > full story

Scientists discover anti-inflammatory polyphenols in apple peels (December 15, 2011) -- Here's another reason why "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." New research shows oral ingestion of apple polyphenols suppresses T cell activation to prevent colitis in mice. This study is the first demonstrating a role for T cells in polyphenol-mediated protection against autoimmune disease possibly leading to treatments for people with disorders from bowel inflammation, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and colitis-associated colorectal cancer. ... > full story

Changing the locks: HIV discovery could allow scientists to block virus's entry into cell nucleus (December 15, 2011) -- Scientists have found the 'key' that HIV uses to enter our cells' nuclei, allowing it to disable the immune system and cause AIDS. The finding provides a potential new target for anti-AIDS drugs that could be more effective against drug-resistant strains of the virus. ... > full story

Brain's failure to appreciate others may permit human atrocities (December 15, 2011) -- It may be that a person can become callous enough to commit human atrocities because of a failure in the part of the brain that's critical for social interaction. A new study suggests this function may disengage when people encounter others they consider disgusting. ... > full story

Alzheimer's drug candidate may be first to prevent disease progression, mouse study suggests (December 15, 2011) -- A new drug candidate may be the first capable of halting the devastating mental decline of Alzheimer's disease, based on the findings of a new study. ... > full story

Healing serious bone injuries faster than ever before (December 15, 2011) -- A human-made package filled with nature's bone-building ingredients delivers the goods over time and space to heal serious bone injuries faster than products currently available, researchers have found. ... > full story

Microbial contamination found in orange juice squeezed in bars and restaurants, Spanish study suggests (December 15, 2011) -- Scientists have analyzed fresh orange juice squeezed by machines in catering establishments. They have confirmed that 43% of samples exceeded the acceptable enterobacteriaceae levels laid down by legislation. The researchers recommend that oranges are handled correctly, that juicers are washed properly and that the orange juice is served immediately rather than being stored in metal jugs. ... > full story