ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Friday, January 13, 2012

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Friday, January 13, 2012

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The microbiome and disease: Gut bacteria influence the severity of heart attacks in rats (January 13, 2012) -- New research suggests the types and levels of intestinal bacteria may be used to predict a person's likelihood of having a heart attack, and manipulating these organisms may help reduce risk. This discovery may lead to new tests and therapies that physicians use to prevent and treat heart attacks. In addition, this research suggests probiotics may be able to protect the heart in patients undergoing heart surgery and angioplasty. ... > full story

Cancer treatment with minor side effects (January 13, 2012) -- Side effects are currently the biggest problem with any cancer treatment. A new company is drawing closer to the goal of creating a treatment which kills only cancer cells, leaving other cells unaffected. ... > full story

Regulatory enzyme overexpression may protect against neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease (January 13, 2012) -- Treatment that increases brain levels of an important regulatory enzyme may slow the loss of brain cells that characterizes Huntington's disease (HD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. A team found that increased expression of Sirt1, one of a family of enzymes called sirtuins, in the brain of a mouse model of HD protected against neurodegeneration. The investigators also identified a potential mechanism for this protective effect. ... > full story

Habit formation is enabled by gateway to brain cells (January 13, 2012) -- A brain cell type found where habits are formed and movement is controlled has receptors that work like computer processors to translate regular activities into habits, researchers report. "Habits, for better or worse, basically define who we are," said one of the researchers. Habits also provide mental freedom and flexibility by enabling many activities to be on autopilot while the brain focuses on more urgent matters, he said. ... > full story

New method keeps normal cells and tumor cells taken from an individual cancer patient alive (January 13, 2012) -- In a major step that could revolutionize biomedical research, scientists have discovered a way to keep normal cells as well as tumor cells taken from an individual cancer patient alive in the laboratory -- which previously had not been possible. Normal cells usually die in the lab after dividing only a few times, and many common cancers will not grow, unaltered, outside of the body. ... > full story

Obesity and cancer screening: Does race and gender also play a role? (January 13, 2012) -- Researchers recently found that obesity was linked to higher rates of prostate cancer screening across all races/ethnic differences and lower rates of cervical cancer screening, most notably in white women. ... > full story

Penny-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages keeps the doctor away and saves money, study finds (January 13, 2012) -- Over the past 10 years, Americans drank more sugar-sweetened beverages than ever making these drinks the single largest dietary factor in the current obesity epidemic. In a new study, researchers estimated that if a higher, penny-per-ounce tax were imposed on sugar-sweetened beverages, it would result in an approximately 15 percent reduction in consumption and reduce the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. ... > full story

Hereditary predisposition of melanoma of the eye discovered (January 12, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered a hereditary cancer syndrome that predisposes certain people to a melanoma of the eye, along with lung cancer, brain cancer and possibly other types of cancer. ... > full story

Vitamin therapy can still reduce stroke, researchers contend (January 12, 2012) -- Medical researchers argue that vitamin therapy still has a role to play in reducing stroke. ... > full story

Some 'low-gluten' beer contains high levels of gluten (January 12, 2012) -- Beer tested in a new study, including some brands labeled "low-gluten," contains levels of hordein, the form of gluten present in barley, that could cause symptoms in patients with celiac disease, the autoimmune condition treated with a life-long gluten-free diet, scientists are reporting. ... > full story

Early dietary experience shapes salt preference of infants and preschoolers (January 12, 2012) -- Researchers report that 6-month-old infants who have been introduced to starchy table foods, which often contain added salt, have a heightened preference for salty taste. They also were more likely to consume plain salt at preschool age. The findings highlight the potentially significant role of early dietary experience in shaping salty taste preferences of infants and young children. ... > full story

Diet rich in slowly digested carbs reduces markers of inflammation in overweight and obese adults (January 12, 2012) -- Among overweight and obese adults, a diet rich in slowly digested carbohydrates, such as whole grains, legumes and other high-fiber foods, significantly reduces markers of inflammation associated with chronic disease, according to a new study. Such a "low-glycemic-load" diet, which does not cause blood-glucose levels to spike, also increases a hormone that helps regulate the metabolism of fat and sugar. ... > full story

Study could lead to a treatment for Angelman syndrome (January 12, 2012) -- Scientists say they have found a way to "awaken" the paternal allele of Ube3a, which could lead to a potential treatment strategy for Angelman syndrome -- a neurogenetic disorder often misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy or autism. ... > full story

New evidence that bacteria in large intestine have a role in obesity (January 12, 2012) -- Bacteria living in people's large intestine may slow down the activity of the "good" kind of fat tissue, a special fat that quickly burns calories and may help prevent obesity, scientists are reporting in a new study. The discovery could shed light on ways to prevent obesity and promote weight loss, including possible microbial and pharmaceutical approaches, the authors said. ... > full story

New culprit discovered in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (January 12, 2012) -- A new study shows how the cancer causing gene Notch, in combination with a mutated Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) protein complex, work together to cause T- cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). ... > full story

We may be less happy, but our language isn't (January 12, 2012) -- Research shows that English is strongly biased toward being positive. This new study complements another study showing that average global happiness, based on Twitter data, has been dropping for the past two years. Combined, the two studies show that short-term average happiness has dropped -- against the backdrop of the long-term fundamental positivity of the English language. ... > full story

Hopes for reversing age-associated effects in MS patients (January 12, 2012) -- New research highlights the possibility of reversing aging in the central nervous system for multiple sclerosis patients. ... > full story

IPS cells match embryonic stem cells in modeling human disease (January 12, 2012) -- Investigators have shown that iPS cells, viewed as a possible alternative to human embryonic stem cells, can mirror the defining defects of a genetic condition -- in this instance, Marfan syndrome -- as well as embryonic stem cells can. ... > full story

Clue as to why alcohol is addicting: Scientists show that drinking releases brain endorphins (January 12, 2012) -- Drinking alcohol leads to the release of endorphins in areas of the brain that produce feelings of pleasure and reward, according to a new study. ... > full story

Plasma treatment zaps viruses before they can attack cells (January 12, 2012) -- Researchers have tested a pre-emptive anti-viral treatment on a common virus known to cause respiratory infections. ... > full story

Pathogenic landscape of HIV: Hundreds of connections between viral and human proteins identified in work that may reveal new drug targets (January 12, 2012) -- In perhaps the most comprehensive survey of the inner workings of HIV, an international team of scientists led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco has mapped every apparent physical interaction the virus makes with components of the human cells it infects -- work that may reveal new ways to design future HIV/AIDS drugs. ... > full story

Scientists paint new picture of dance between protein and binding partners (January 12, 2012) -- Using a blend of technologies, scientists have painted a new picture of how biochemical information can be transmitted through the modification of a protein. Previously, scientists believed that during the pairing of proteins and their binding partners ("ligands"), proteins modified their shape while ligands remained stable. The new study shows this one-size-fits-all solution is not entirely accurate. ... > full story

Why are older people happier? (January 12, 2012) -- Older people tend to be happier. But why? Some psychologists believe that cognitive processes are responsible -- in particular, focusing on and remembering positive events and leaving behind negative ones; those processes, they think, help older people regulate their emotions, letting them view life in a sunnier light. ... > full story

New strategy in fight against infectious diseases (January 12, 2012) -- New research shows that infectious disease-fighting drugs could be designed to block a pathogen's entry into cells rather than to kill the bug itself. Historically, medications for infectious diseases have been designed to kill the offending pathogen. This new strategy is important, researchers say, because many parasites and bacteria can eventually mutate their way around drugs that target them, resulting in drug resistance. ... > full story

Unique protein organization in arteries associated with cardiovascular disease (January 12, 2012) -- Researchers have now used advanced 3-D microscopic imaging technology to identify and monitor the proteins involved in the artery stiffening process. These findings could eventually help researchers and physicians understand and treat complications associated with cardiovascular disease. ... > full story

Paddlefish sensors tuned to detect signals from zooplankton prey (January 12, 2012) -- Neurons fire in a synchronized bursting pattern in response to robust signals indicating nearby food. ... > full story

Colorful plates boost a picky eater's appetite (January 12, 2012) -- Parents of picky eaters can encourage their children to eat more nutritionally diverse diets by introducing more color to their meals, according to new research. ... > full story

Disruption of biological clocks can lead to neurodegeneration, early death, study suggests (January 12, 2012) -- New research provides evidence for the first time that disruption of circadian rhythms -- the biological "clocks" found in many animals -- can clearly cause accelerated neurodegeneration, loss of motor function and premature death. ... > full story

Less blood needed post-surgery, new study suggests (January 12, 2012) -- Patients need less blood after surgery than is widely thought. A new study comparing two plans for giving blood transfusions following surgery showed no ill effects from postponing transfusion until patients develop signs of anemia or their hemoglobin concentration falls below 8 g/dL. ... > full story

Biochemical signature predicts progression to Alzheimer's disease (January 12, 2012) -- New research from Finland suggests that Alzheimer's disease is preceded by a molecular signature indicative of hypoxia and up-regulated pentose phosphate pathway. This indicator can be analyzed as a simple biochemical assay from a serum sample months or even years before the first symptoms of the disease occur. In a healthcare setting, the application of such an assay could therefore complement the neurocognitive assessment by the medical doctor and could be applied to identify the at-risk patients in need of further comprehensive follow-up. ... > full story

Asthma rates double for World Trade Center first responders (January 12, 2012) -- A recent study has revealed that World Trade Center responders suffer from asthma at more than twice the rate of the general U.S. population, presumably as a result of their exposure to the toxic dust from the collapse of the WTC towers in 2001. ... > full story

Link between autoimmune diseases and wounds that don't heal examined (January 12, 2012) -- Millions of Americans suffer from wounds that don't heal, and while most are typically associated with diabetes, new research has identified another possible underlying cause – autoimmune diseases. The finding represents an unappreciated link that could lead to important new insights in wound healing, say researchers. ... > full story

Insulin signaling is distorted in pancreases of Type 2 diabetics (January 12, 2012) -- Altered insulin signaling, observed for the first time in the pancreases of human Type 2 diabetics, impairs the cells that produce insulin. ... > full story

Lower risk of death linked with access to key attributes of primary care (January 12, 2012) -- Greater access to features of high-quality primary care -- comprehensiveness, patient-centeredness and extended office hours -- is associated with lower mortality, according to a new national U.S. study. ... > full story

New hope for better treatment of psoriasis (January 11, 2012) -- Researchers are developing a promising new treatment for psoriasis. The study focuses on the psoriasin protein. ... > full story

Increased risk of developing asthma by age of three after Cesarean (January 11, 2012) -- A new study supports previous findings that children delivered by Cesarean section have an increased risk of developing asthma. ... > full story

Touching a nerve: How every hair in skin feels touch and how it all gets to the brain (January 11, 2012) -- Neuroscientists have discovered how the sense of touch is wired in the skin and nervous system. The new findings open new doors for understanding how the brain collects and processes information from hairy skin. ... > full story

Bacteria in the gut of autistic children different from non-autistic children (January 11, 2012) -- The underlying reason autism is often associated with gastrointestinal problems is an unknown, but new results reveal that the guts of autistic children differ from other children in at least one important way: many children with autism harbor a type of bacteria in their guts that non-autistic children do not. ... > full story

Protein complex plays role in suppressing pancreatic tumors (January 11, 2012) -- A well-known protein complex responsible for controlling how DNA is expressed plays a previously unsuspected role in preventing pancreatic cancer, according to researchers. ... > full story

Is there a dark side to moving in sync? (January 11, 2012) -- Moving in harmony can make people feel more connected to one another and, as a result, lead to positive collective action. Think of those feel-good vibes created in a yoga class as students move in unison through their downward-facing dogs. Yet given that synchronized physical activities are also a cornerstone of military training and are the highlights of military propaganda reels, could the interconnectedness created by coordinated action be mined to make people behave destructively instead? Two new studies find aligned action does not always lead to the common good. ... > full story

Omega-3 fatty acids could prevent and treat nerve damage, research suggests (January 11, 2012) -- Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, have the potential to protect nerves from injury and help them to regenerate, new research suggests. ... > full story

Gut microbe networks differ from norm in obese people, systems biology approach reveals (January 11, 2012) -- People harbor more than 100 trillion microbes. These microbes live in various habitats on and within the human anatomy; the gut houses the densest population of all, containing hundreds of bacterial species. Scientists detected organizational shifts away from the normal lean state in the gut flora of people who were obese. The differences relate to how the microbial community interacts with the human gut environment, rather than variations in its core energy-use processes. ... > full story

Lab-made tissue picks up the slack of Petri dishes in cancer research (January 11, 2012) -- New research, using oral cancer cells in a three-dimensional model of lab-made tissue, demonstrates that previous models used to examine cancer may not be complex enough to accurately mimic the true cancer environment. ... > full story

'Tiger mothers' should tame parenting approach, expert says (January 11, 2012) -- A new study is refuting the "tiger mother" approach to parenting that pushes children to excel at all costs. ... > full story

Parkinson's treatment shows positive results in clinical testing (January 11, 2012) -- Deep brain stimulation -- also known as DBS -- is effective at improving motor symptoms and quality of life in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, according to new research. ... > full story

Mosquito immune system engineered to block malaria (January 11, 2012) -- Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that the Anopheles mosquito’s innate immune system could be genetically engineered to block the transmission of the malaria-causing parasite to humans. In addition, they showed that the genetic modification had little impact on the mosquito’s fitness under laboratory conditions. ... > full story

New model for epidemic contagion (January 11, 2012) -- Humans are considered the hosts for spreading epidemics. The speed at which an epidemic spreads is now better understood thanks to a new model accounting for the provincial nature of human mobility, according to a new study. ... > full story

Global study sheds light on role of exercise, cars and televisions on the risk of heart attacks (January 11, 2012) -- A worldwide study has shown that physical activity during work and leisure time significantly lowers the risk of heart attacks in both developed and developing countries. Ownership of a car and a television was linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. ... > full story