ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Friday, January 6, 2012

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Friday, January 6, 2012

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Men and women have major personality differences: New report suggests previous measurements have underestimated variation between the sexes (January 5, 2012) -- Men and women have large differences in personality, according to a new study. The existence of such differences, and their extent, has been a subject of much debate, but the authors of the new report describe a new method for measuring and analyzing personality differences that they argue is more accurate than previous methods. ... > full story

Targeted blocking of cell death prevents fatal condition septic shock, study suggests (January 5, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered a new approach to preventing septic shock, an often fatal extreme inflammatory reaction of the body. It is the most frequent cause of death at intensive care departments in hospitals. Researchers have described how blocking a particular form of cell death (necroptosis) fully protects mice against this fatal inflammation. ... > full story

Outside temperatures, sun exposure and gender may trigger glaucoma (January 5, 2012) -- When it comes to whether or not you will develop exfoliation syndrome -- an eye condition that is a leading cause of secondary open-angle glaucoma and increased risk of cataract as well as cataract surgery complications -- age, gender and where you live does matter. ... > full story

Lower classes quicker to show compassion in the face of suffering (January 5, 2012) -- Emotional differences between the rich and poor, as depicted in such Charles Dickens classics as "A Christmas Carol" and "A Tale of Two Cities," may have a scientific basis. Researchers have found that people in the lower socio-economic classes are more physiologically attuned to suffering, and quicker to express compassion than their more affluent counterparts. ... > full story

Bat brains parse sounds for multitasking (January 5, 2012) -- Imagine listening to music while carrying on a conversation with friends. This type of multi-tasking is fairly easy to do, right? That's because our brains efficiently and effectively separate the auditory signals -- music to the right side; Conversation to the left. But what researchers have not been able to do in humans or animals is to see a parsing of duties at the single neuron level -- until now. ... > full story

Changes seen in cerebrospinal fluid levels before onset of Alzheimer's disease (January 5, 2012) -- Cerebrospinal fluid levels of A-beta42 appear to be decreased at least five to 10 years before some patients with mild cognitive impairment develop Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia whereas other spinal fluid levels seem to be later markers of disease, according to a new report. ... > full story

Disease-causing strains of Fusarium prevalent in sink drains (January 5, 2012) -- A study examining the prevalence of the fungus Fusarium in bathroom sink drains suggests that plumbing systems may be a common source of human infections. ... > full story

Dried licorice root fights the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, study finds (January 5, 2012) -- Scientists are reporting identification of two substances in licorice -- used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine -- that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults. In a new study, they say that these substances could have a role in treating and preventing tooth decay and gum disease. ... > full story

Supersized market economy, supersized belly: Wealthier nations have more fast food and more obesity (January 5, 2012) -- New research suggests obesity can be seen as one of the unintended side effects of free market policies. A study of 26 wealthy nations shows that countries with a higher density of fast food restaurants per capita had much higher obesity rates compared to countries with a lower density of fast food restaurants per capita. ... > full story

Anti-sense might make sense for treating liver cancer (January 5, 2012) -- A new study shows that it is possible to selectively target and block a particular microRNA that is important in liver cancer. The findings might offer a new therapy for this malignancy, which kills an estimated 549,000 people worldwide annually. The study focused on miR-221, which is consistently present at abnormally high levels in human liver cancer. The treatment significantly prolonged survival in an animal model and promoted the activity of important tumor-suppressor genes. ... > full story

Extracellular matrix could lead to advances in regenerative medicine (January 5, 2012) -- Scientists have created a functional model of the native extracellular matrix that provides structural support to cells to aid growth and proliferation. The model could lead to advances in regenerative medicine. The extracellular matrix provides the physical and chemical conditions that enable the development of all biological tissues. It is a complex nano-to-microscale structure made up of protein fibers and serves as a dynamic substrate that supports tissue repair and regeneration. ... > full story

inflammatory bowel disease emerges as a global disease (January 5, 2012) -- The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease are increasing with time and in different regions around the world. ... > full story

Researcher's photoacoustic device finds cancer cells before they become tumors, study suggests (January 5, 2012) -- Researchers are one step closer to melanoma cancer detection at the cellular level, long before tumors have a chance to form. Commercial production of a device that measures melanoma using photoacoustics, or laser-induced ultrasound, will soon be available to scientists and academia for cancer studies. The commercial device also will be tested in clinical trials to provide the data required to obtain US Food and Drug Administration approval for early diagnosis of metastatic melanoma and other cancers. ... > full story

Couch potato or elite athlete? A happy medium keeps colds at bay (January 5, 2012) -- Battling colds and doing (or pledging to do) more exercise are familiar activities for most of us in January. But different levels of exercise can actually significantly increase or decrease your chances of catching a respiratory infection, say experts. ... > full story

Potential boost for IVF success (January 5, 2012) -- A new technique has already been successfully used in mice to identify embryos likely to result in a successful pregnancy. A new study suggests the same technique could be used in humans, potentially boosting IVF success rates and helping to reduce the number of multiple births. ... > full story

How can Lyme disease be prevented and controlled? (January 5, 2012) -- A new article assesses the potential reasons for the continued lack of success in prevention and control of Lyme disease and identifies areas where additional knowledge could be used to improve Lyme disease prevention and control strategies. ... > full story

Humble people are more likely to lend a helping hand (January 5, 2012) -- Humble people are more likely to offer time to someone in need than arrogant people are, according to new findings. ... > full story

New bandage spurs, guides blood vessel growth (January 5, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a bandage that stimulates and directs blood vessel growth on the surface of a wound. The bandage, called a "microvascular stamp," contains living cells that deliver growth factors to damaged tissues in a defined pattern. After a week, the pattern of the stamp "is written in blood vessels," the researchers report. ... > full story

Protein that may represent new target for treating type 1 diabetes identified (January 5, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered a new protein that may play a critical role in how the human body regulates blood sugar levels. The research team says the protein may represent a new target for treating type 1 diabetes. ... > full story

Hips that function better and last longer: Lubricant in metal-on-metal hip implants found to be graphite, not proteins (January 5, 2012) -- Engineers and physicians have made a surprising discovery that offers a target for designing new materials for hip implants that are less susceptible to the joint's normal wear and tear. The team found that graphitic carbon is a key element in a lubricating layer that forms on metal-on-metal hip implants. The lubricant is more similar to the lubrication of a combustion engine than that of a natural joint. ... > full story

Fish oil during pregnancy does not protect against excessive adipose tissue development, study suggests (January 5, 2012) -- Is obesity in infants "programmed" in the womb? Previously, researchers assumed that consumption of "bad" fats during pregnancy contribute to excessive infant adipose tissue growth and that "good" omega-3 fatty acids prevent expansive adipose tissue development. A new study showed no evidence to support this "perinatal programming" theory. ... > full story

Quality of mother-toddler relationship linked to teen obesity (January 5, 2012) -- The quality of the emotional relationship between a mother and her young child could affect the potential for that child to be obese during adolescence, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed national data detailing relationship characteristics between mothers and their children during their toddler years. The lower the quality of the relationship in terms of the child's emotional security and the mother's sensitivity, the higher the risk that a child would be obese at age 15 years, according to the analysis. ... > full story

New gene that regulates body weight discovered (January 5, 2012) -- While studying a brain protein related to the involuntary body movements that are side effects of drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia, a pharmacy professor discovered that the protein also plays a role in regulating body weight. ... > full story

Benefits of statin therapy may extend beyond lowering lipids (January 5, 2012) -- A new study has identified a molecular pathway that leads to abnormal cardiovascular blood clotting and turned it off using a popular class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins. ... > full story

Guidelines stress caution when combining anti-epileptic, HIV drugs (January 5, 2012) -- New guidelines will help physicians better choose seizure drugs for people on HIV/AIDS medication, avoiding deadly drug interactions and preventing critical anti-HIV drugs from becoming less effective, possibly leading to a more virulent strain of the disease. ... > full story

Older, cheaper vacuum cleaners release more bacteria and dust (January 5, 2012) -- Some vacuum cleaners -- those basic tools for maintaining a clean indoor environment in homes and offices -- actually contribute to indoor air pollution by releasing into the air bacteria and dust that can spread infections and trigger allergies, researchers report in a new study. ... > full story

Death rate measure used to judge hospital quality may be misleading (January 5, 2012) -- Hospitals, health insurers and patients often rely on patient death rates in hospitals to compare hospital quality. Now a new study questions the accuracy of that widely used approach and supports measuring patient deaths over a period of 30 days from admission even after they have left the hospital. ... > full story

Antiestrogen therapy may decrease risk for melanoma (January 4, 2012) -- Women with breast cancer who take antiestrogen supplements may be decreasing their risk for melanoma, according to a new study. ... > full story

How dengue infection hits harder the second time around (January 4, 2012) -- One of the most vexing challenges in the battle against dengue virus, a potentially fatal mosquito-borne virus, is that getting infected once can put people at greater risk for a more severe infection down the road. A new study details how the interaction between a person's immune response and a subsequent dengue infection could mean the difference between getting a mild fever and going into fatal circulatory failure. ... > full story

Maternal liver grafts more tolerable for children with rare disease (January 4, 2012) -- Children with a rare, life-threatening disease that is the most common cause of neonatal liver failure -- biliary atresia -- better tolerate liver transplants from their mothers than from their fathers, according to a new study. ... > full story

Many NIH-funded clinical trials go unpublished over two years after completion, U.S. study shows (January 4, 2012) -- In a study that investigates the challenges of disseminating clinical research findings in peer-reviewed biomedical journals, researchers have found that fewer than half of a sample of trials primarily or partially funded by the National Institutes of Health were published within 30 months of completing the clinical trial. ... > full story

Cancer-killing compound spares healthy cells (January 4, 2012) -- Lithocholic acid (LCA), naturally produced in the liver during digestion, has been seriously underestimated. A new study shows that LCA can kill several types of cancer cells, such as those found in some brain tumors and breast cancer. ... > full story

Risk factors in rising trend of liver cancer identified (January 4, 2012) -- Doctors have known for years that the incidence of deadly liver cancer is on the rise, but what is causing that trend has remained a mystery. Two recent studies offer a clearer picture of the rise of hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver cancer, which has tripled in the IS in the last three decades and has a 10 to 12 percent five-year survival rate when detected in later stages. ... > full story

Exercise is good for your waistline -- but it's a writing exercise (January 4, 2012) -- Is losing weight as simple as doing a 15-minute writing exercise? In a new study, women who wrote about their most important values, like close relationships, music, or religion, lost more weight over the next few months than women who did not have that experience. ... > full story

Experimental vaccine partially protects monkeys from HIV-like infection (January 4, 2012) -- New vaccine research in monkeys suggests that scientists are homing in on the critical ingredients of a protective HIV vaccine and identifies new HIV vaccine candidates to test in human clinical trials. ... > full story

Hydrogen sulfide reduces glucose-induced injury in kidney cells (January 4, 2012) -- Hydrogen sulfide, a noxious gas that smells like rotten eggs, may have beneficial effects in the kidney. Researchers found that this gas diminishes high glucose-induced production of scarring proteins in kidney cells. Considerable work remains to be done before studies can move to animal models. ... > full story

Blogging may help teens dealing with social distress (January 4, 2012) -- Blogging may have psychological benefits for teens suffering from social anxiety, improving their self-esteem and helping them relate better to their friends, according to new research. ... > full story

Boy or girl? Simple blood test in the first trimester predicts fetal gender (January 4, 2012) -- New findings could lead to a non-invasive test allowing expecting mothers to learn the sex of their baby as early as the first trimester. Specifically, researchers discovered that various ratios of two enzymes (DYS14/GAPDH), which can be extracted from a pregnant mother's blood, indicate if the baby will be a boy or a girl. Such a test would be the first of its kind. ... > full story

New clues to human deafness found in mice (January 4, 2012) -- Researchers have identified a gene that is required for proper development of the mouse inner ear. In humans, this gene, known as FGF20, is located in a portion of the genome that has been associated with inherited deafness in otherwise healthy families. ... > full story

Hepatitis C virus hijacks liver microRNA (January 4, 2012) -- Scientists have now shown for the first time how a small RNA molecule that regulates gene expression in human liver cells has been hijacked by the hepatitis C virus to ensure its own survival -- helping medical scientists understand why a new antiviral drug appears to be effective against the virus. ... > full story

Maternal gestational diabetes and low socioeconomic status associated with increased risk of ADHD in offspring (January 4, 2012) -- Children exposed to maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and low socioeconomic status, particularly in combination, appear to be at an increased risk of developing childhood ADHD, according to a new report. ... > full story

Shot of young stem cells makes rapidly aging mice live much longer and healthier, researchers report (January 4, 2012) -- Mice bred to age too quickly seemed to have sipped from the fountain of youth after scientists injected them with stem cell-like progenitor cells derived from the muscle of young, healthy animals. Instead of becoming infirm and dying early as untreated mice did, animals that got the stem/progenitor cells improved their health and lived two to three times longer than expected. ... > full story

Autism may be linked to abnormal immune system characteristics and novel protein fragment (January 4, 2012) -- Immune system abnormalities that mimic those seen with autism spectrum disorders have been linked to the amyloid precursor protein (APP), according to new research. The study, conducted with mouse models of autism, suggests that elevated levels of an APP fragment circulating in the blood could explain the aberrations in immune cell populations and function -- both observed in some autism patients. ... > full story

Alzheimer's damage occurs early (January 4, 2012) -- The first changes in the brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease can be observed as much as ten years in advance – ten years before the person in question has become so ill that he or she can be diagnosed with the disease. ... > full story

Physical activity, school performance may be linked (January 4, 2012) -- A systematic review of previous studies suggests that there may be a positive relationship between physical activity and the academic performance of children. ... > full story

When overeating, calories -- not protein -- contribute to increase in body fat, study finds (January 4, 2012) -- In a study conducted among 25 healthy individuals living in a controlled setting who were randomized to overconsumption of different levels of protein diets, those consuming the low-protein diet had less weight gain compared to those consuming normal and high protein diets, and calories alone, and not protein appeared to contribute to an increase in body fat, according to a new study. ... > full story

Females may be more susceptible to infection during ovulation (January 4, 2012) -- A woman's ovarian cycle plays a role in susceptibility to infection, according to new research. Specifically, researchers found women are most susceptible to infection, such as Candida albicans or other sexually transmitted diseases, during ovulation than at any other time during the reproductive cycle. This natural "dip" in immunity may be to allow spermatozoa to survive the threat of an immune response so it may fertilize an egg successfully. ... > full story

'BINGO!' game helps researchers study perception deficits (January 4, 2012) -- Bingo, a popular activity in nursing homes, senior centers and assisted-living facilities, has benefits that extend well beyond socializing. Researchers found high-contrast, large bingo cards boost thinking and playing skills for people with cognitive difficulties and visual perception problems produced by Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. ... > full story