ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Tuesday, December 20, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Tuesday, December 20, 2011

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Cornea gene discovery reveals why humans see clearly (December 19, 2011) -- A new study has identified a gene that plays a major role in maintaining clarity of the cornea in humans and mice -- and could possibly be used as gene therapy to treat diseases that cause blindness. ... > full story

Molecular markers can predict spread of cancer, guide treatment (December 19, 2011) -- Molecular markers found in cancer cells that have spread from a primary tumor to a limited number of distant sites can help physicians predict which patients with metastatic cancer will benefit from targeted radiation therapy. If cells from metastatic tumors have high levels of one type of microRNA then aggressive local treatment will not help. But if the cells have lower levels of that marker, then focused treatment could be effective, even curative. ... > full story

One trait has huge impact on whether alcohol makes you aggressive (December 19, 2011) -- Drinking enough alcohol to become intoxicated increases aggression significantly in people who have one particular personality trait, according to new research. But people without that trait don't get any more aggressive when drunk than they would when they're sober. That trait is the ability to consider the future consequences of current actions. ... > full story

Tissue structure delays cancer development (December 19, 2011) -- Cancer growth normally follows a lengthy period of development. Over the course of time, genetic mutations often accumulate in cells, leading first to pre-cancerous conditions and ultimately to tumor growth. Using a mathematical model, scientists have now shown that spatial tissue structure, such as that found in the colon, slows down the accumulation of genetic mutations, thereby delaying the onset of cancer. ... > full story

New target found for aggressive cancer gene (December 19, 2011) -- Researchers have found a way to kill human cells hijacked by a potent cancer oncogene known as Myc. ... > full story

Walking skills program improves physical function following hip replacement surgery (December 19, 2011) -- Researchers in Norway report that patients who receive walking skills training following total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis show improved physical function. The physical therapy program displayed a positive effect on walking distance and stair climbing which continued 12 months following hip replacement surgery. ... > full story

Babies remember even as they seem to forget (December 19, 2011) -- Fifteen years ago, textbooks on human development stated that babies of six months of age or younger had no sense of "object permanence" -- the psychological term that describes an infant's belief that an object still exists even when it is out of sight. That meant that if mom or dad wasn't in the same room with junior, junior didn't have the sense that his parents were still in the world. These days, psychologists know that isn't true: for young babies, out of sight doesn't automatically mean out of mind. But how much do babies remember about the world around them, and what details do their brains need to absorb in order to help them keep track of those things? Babies may not remember what they saw, but they remember that they saw something. ... > full story

First aid after tick bites (December 19, 2011) -- They come out in the spring, and each year they spread further – the ticks. Thirty percent of them transmit borrelia pathogens, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis that can damage joints and organs. The disease often goes undetected. In the future, a new type of gel is intended to prevent an infection – if applied after a tick bite. ... > full story

Scientists uncover evidence on how drug-resistant tuberculosis cells form (December 19, 2011) -- A new study provides a novel explanation as to why some tuberculosis cells are inherently more difficult to treat with antibiotics. ... > full story

First comprehensive DNA study of mast cell leukemia uncovers clues that could improve therapy (December 19, 2011) -- Cancer researchers have carried out the first comprehensive study of the changes seen in the DNA of a patient with mast cell leukemia, an extremely aggressive subtype of acute myeloid leukemia with a very poor prognosis. Their genomic survey has helped identify two previously unknown mutations that could directly influence patient response to currently available therapeutic drugs. ... > full story

Researchers demonstrate new DNA detection technique (December 19, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated a novel DNA detection method that could prove suitable for many real-world applications. ... > full story

More female managers do not reduce wage gap, Swedish study finds (December 19, 2011) -- Are wage differences between men and women decreasing as more women attain managerial positions? A new Swedish report concludes that they are not. Manager gender is tied to neither wages nor, accordingly, wage differences on the labor market. ... > full story

Immunological defense mechanism leaves malaria patients vulnerable to deadly infection (December 19, 2011) -- The link between malaria and Salmonella infections has been explained for the first time, opening the way to more effective treatments. ... > full story

Changes to the brain in patients with spinal cord compression identified (December 19, 2011) -- Spinal degeneration is an unavoidable part of aging. For some, it leads to compression of the spinal cord which can cause problems with dexterity, numbness in the hands, and the ability to walk. New research looks beyond the spinal cord injury in these patients, and found they also experience changes in the motor cortex of the brain. ... > full story

Young adults drop exercise with move to college or university (December 19, 2011) -- Regular exercise tends to steeply decline among youth as they move to university or college, and does not appear to revert itself, but continues on a downward trajectory into adulthood. ... > full story

Secrets of the 'sleep hormone': Discovery leads to novel melatonin drug with potential to treat insomnia (December 19, 2011) -- Scientist have made a major breakthrough by unraveling the inner workings of melatonin, also known as the "sleep hormone." The research reveals the key role played by the melatonin receptor in the brain that promotes deep, restorative sleep. This discovery led the researchers to develop a novel drug called UCM765, which selectively activates this receptor. The results may pave the way for the development of new and promising treatments for insomnia. ... > full story

Cause of rare disease discovered (December 19, 2011) -- Scientists have identified the gene that causes a rare childhood neurological disorder called PKD/IC, or "paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia with infantile convulsions," a cause of epilepsy in babies and movement disorders in older children. ... > full story

Can science predict a hit song? (December 19, 2011) -- New research by academics has looked at whether a song can be predicted to be a "hit." ... > full story

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