ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, January 16, 2012
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Researchers use sugar to halt esophageal cancer in its tracks (January 15, 2012) -- Scientists have identified changes in the patterns of sugar molecules that line pre-cancerous cells in the esophagus, a condition called Barrett’s dysplasia, making it much easier to detect and remove these cells before they develop into esophageal cancer. These findings have important implications for patients and may help to monitor their condition and prevent the development of cancer. ... > full story
Pivotal immune cell in Type 1 diabetes in humans identified (January 15, 2012) -- Researchers have demonstrataed -- for the first time in human tissues -- the specific immune system T cells which trigger the destruction of Type 1 diabetes in the pancreas. The finding is an important advance that verifies in humans several important disease characteristics shown in mouse studies and provides a key focal point for interrupting the disease process. ... > full story
Improved method for protein sequence comparisons is faster, more accurate, more sensitive (January 15, 2012) -- Sequence comparisons are an essential tool for the prediction and analysis of the structure and functions of proteins. A new method developed by computational biologists permits sequence comparisons to be performed faster and more accurately than ever before. ... > full story
Office workers spend too much time at their desks, experts say (January 15, 2012) -- In a typical working week, people spend on average 5 hours and 41 minutes per day sitting at their desk and 7 hours sleeping at night. Prolonged sitting at your desk is not only bad for your physical health, but potentially your mental well-being, experts in the UK say. ... > full story
Cancer sequencing project identifies potential approaches to combat aggressive leukemia (January 15, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered that a subtype of leukemia characterized by a poor prognosis is fueled by mutations in pathways distinctly different from a seemingly similar leukemia associated with a much better outcome. The findings highlight a possible new strategy for treating patients with this more aggressive cancer. ... > full story
Surprising results from smoke inhalation study (January 15, 2012) -- A new study includes some unexpected findings about the immune systems of smoke-inhalation patients. ... > full story
Brain glia cells increase their DNA content to preserve vital blood-brain barrier (January 14, 2012) -- Scientists report that as the developing larval fruit fly brain grows by cell division, it instructs subperineurial glia (SPG) cells that form the blood-brain barrier to enlarge by creating multiple copies of their genomes in a process known as polyploidization. ... > full story
Faulty proteins may prove significant in identifying new treatments for ovarian cancer (January 14, 2012) -- A constellation of defective proteins suspected in causing a malfunction in the body's ability to repair its own DNA could be the link scientists need to prove a new class of drugs will be effective in treating a broad range of ovarian cancer patients, a new study found. ... > full story
I recognise you! But how did I do it? (January 14, 2012) -- Are you someone who easily recognizes everyone you’ve ever met? Or maybe you struggle, even with familiar faces? It is already known that we are better at recognizing faces from our own race but researchers have only recently questioned how we assimilate the information we use to recognize people. ... > full story
Genes and disease mechanisms behind a common form of muscular dystrophy discovered (January 13, 2012) -- Continuing a series of groundbreaking discoveries begun in 2010 about the genetic causes of the third most common form of inherited muscular dystrophy, scientists have identified the genes and proteins that damage muscle cells, as well as the mechanisms that can cause the disease. ... > full story
NIH study shows 32 million Americans have autoantibodies that target their own tissues (January 13, 2012) -- More than 32 million people in the United States have autoantibodies, which are proteins made by the immune system that target the body’s tissues and define a condition known as autoimmunity, a study shows. The first nationally representative sample looking at the prevalence of the most common type of autoantibody, known as antinuclear antibodies (ANA), found that the frequency of ANA is highest among women, older individuals, and African-Americans. ... > full story
Would you stop eating out to lose weight? (January 13, 2012) -- Going out to eat has become a major part of our culture. Frequently eating out and consuming high-calorie foods in large portions at restaurants can contribute to excess calorie intake and weight gain. A new study demonstrates that people can eat out and still lose weight. ... > full story
New 'smart' nanotherapeutics can deliver drugs directly to the pancreas (January 13, 2012) -- Scientists have developed "smart" nanotherapeutics that can be programmed to selectively deliver drugs to the cells of the pancreas. The approach was found to increase drug efficacy by 200-fold in in vitro studies based on the ability of these nanomaterials to both protect the drug from degradation and concentrate it at key target sites, such as regions of the pancreas that contain the insulin-producing cells. ... > full story
No link found between prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke and autism, Swedish study finds (January 13, 2012) -- A large population-based study in Sweden indicates that there is no link between smoking during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children. ... > full story
How the brain routes traffic for maximum alertness (January 13, 2012) -- A new study shows how the brain reconfigures its connections to minimize distractions and take best advantage of our knowledge of situations. ... > full story
Rare genetic mutations linked to bipolar disorder (January 13, 2012) -- Scientists report that abnormal sequences of DNA known as rare copy number variants, or CNVs, appear to play a significant role in the risk for early onset bipolar disorder. ... > full story
Statins may increase risk of interstitial lung abnormalities in smokers (January 13, 2012) -- Use of statins may influence susceptibility to or the progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in smokers, according to a new study. ... > full story
Scarcity of women leads men to spend more, save less (January 13, 2012) -- The perception that women are scarce leads men to become impulsive, save less, and increase borrowing, according to new research. ... > full story
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
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
Obese nurses more stressed, less active (January 13, 2012) -- Job stress and shift work have a lot more to do with obesity among nurses than previously thought, according to a new study. ... > full story
Wearing contact lenses can affect glaucoma measurements (January 13, 2012) -- Wearing contact lenses can affect measurements to detect glaucoma, a new study has found. ... > 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
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
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
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
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
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