ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Monday, February 13, 2012

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Monday, February 13, 2012

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Complex wiring of the nervous system may rely on a just a handful of genes and proteins (February 11, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered a startling feature of early brain development that helps to explain how complex neuron wiring patterns are programmed using just a handful of critical genes. The findings may help scientists develop new therapies for neurological disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and provide insight into certain cancers. ... > full story

Pitchers: Elbow position not a predictor of injury (February 11, 2012) -- Elbow position alone appeared to not affect injury rates and performance in college-level, male pitchers say researchers. ... > full story

Both maternal and paternal age linked to autism (February 10, 2012) -- Older maternal and paternal age are jointly associated with having a child with autism, according to a recent study. ... > full story

EEG pattern reflects brain's shift into low-energy, protective mode (February 10, 2012) -- A distinctive pattern of brain activity associated with conditions including deep anesthesia, coma and congenital brain disorders appears to represent the brain's shift into a protective, low-activity state in response to reduced metabolic energy. ... > full story

New method for creating tissue engineering scaffolds (February 10, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a new method for creating scaffolds for tissue engineering applications, providing an alternative that is more flexible and less time-intensive than current technology. ... > full story

Cannabis use doubles chances of vehicle crash, review finds (February 10, 2012) -- Drivers who consume cannabis within three hours of driving are nearly twice as likely to cause a vehicle collision as those who are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to a new review. ... > full story

Sleep breathing machine shows clear benefits in children with sleep apnea, study suggests (February 10, 2012) -- Children and adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea had substantial improvements in attention, anxiety and quality of life after treatment with positive airway pressure (PAP) —- a nighttime therapy in which a machine delivers a stream of air through a mask into the nose. ... > full story

Substance P causes seizures in patients infected by pork tapeworm (February 9, 2012) -- A neuropeptide called Substance P is the cause of seizures in patients with brains infected by the pork tapeworm. ... > full story

Most lethal known species of prion protein identified (February 9, 2012) -- Scientists have identified a single prion protein that causes neuronal death similar to that seen in "mad cow" disease, but is at least 10 times more lethal than larger prion species. ... > full story

To perform with less effort, practice beyond perfection (February 9, 2012) -- Whether you are an athlete, a musician or a stroke patient learning to walk again, practice can make perfect, but more practice may make you more efficient, according to a surprising new study. ... > full story

Drug quickly reverses Alzheimer's symptoms in mice (February 9, 2012) -- Neuroscientists have made a dramatic breakthrough in their efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. The use of a drug appears to quickly reverse the pathological, cognitive and memory deficits caused by the onset of Alzheimer's in mice. ... > full story

Chemists harvest light to create 'green' tool for pharmaceuticals (February 9, 2012) -- Researchers have created a new, “green” method for developing medicines. The researchers used energy from a light bulb to create an organic molecule that may be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases. ... > full story

Gene therapy boosts brain repair for demyelinating diseases (February 9, 2012) -- Our bodies are full of tiny superheroes -- antibodies that fight foreign invaders, cells that regenerate, and structures that ensure our systems run smoothly. One such structure is myelin, a material that forms a protective cape around the axons of our nerve cells so that they can send signals quickly and efficiently. But myelin becomes damaged in demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis, leaving neurons without their sheaths. Researchers now believe they have found a way to help the brain replace damaged myelin. ... > full story

Baby knows best: Baby-led weaning promotes healthy food preferences (February 9, 2012) -- A new study has shown that babies who are weaned using solid finger food are more likely to develop healthier food preferences and are less likely to become overweight as children than those who are spoon-fed pureed food. ... > full story

Physically abused children report higher levels of psychosomatic symptoms (February 9, 2012) -- Children who display multiple psychosomatic symptoms, such as regular aches and pains and sleep and appetite problems, are more than twice as likely to be experiencing physical abuse at home than children who do not display symptoms. Researchers who studied 2,510 children found a strong association between reported physical abuse and three or more psychosomatic symptoms. The association was highest in children who were physically abused and also witnessed intimate partner violence. ... > full story

Secrets of immune response illuminated in new study (February 9, 2012) -- When disease-causing invaders like bacteria infect a human host, cells of various types swing into action, coordinating their activities to address the threat. Scientists have now investigated the coordination of a particular type of immune response, involving the release of of IFN-λ -- a cell-signaling protein molecule known as a cytokine. ... > full story

Obesity is associated with altered brain function (February 9, 2012) -- Researchers have found new evidence for the role of the brain in obesity. ... > full story

Nanotube therapy takes aim at breast cancer stem cells (February 9, 2012) -- Researchers have again shown that injecting multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into tumors and heating them with a quick, 30-second laser treatment can kill them. ... > full story

Barriers to the use of fingerprint evidence in court is unlocked by statistical model (February 9, 2012) -- Fingerprints that are potential key pieces of evidence in court currently are not being considered due to shortcomings in the way this evidence is reported. Now, a statistical model has been developed that enables the weight of fingerprint evidence to be expressed in quantitative terms, paving the way for its full inclusion in the process of identifying criminals, according to a new report. ... > full story

Right hand or left? How the brain solves a perceptual puzzle (February 9, 2012) -- When you see a picture of a hand, how do you know whether it's a right or left hand? This "hand laterality" problem may seem obscure, but it reveals a lot about how the brain sorts out confusing perceptions. Now, a new study challenges the long-held consensus about how we solve this problem. ... > full story

What kind of chocolate is best? The last you taste, says a new study (February 9, 2012) -- Like to save the best for last? Here's good news: If it's the last, you'll like it the best. ... > full story

Scientists sound alarm over threat of untreatable gonorrhea in United States (February 9, 2012) -- The threat of multi-drug resistant gonorrhea is rising. Cephalosporins, the last line of defense, are rapidly losing effectiveness. The likelihood of treatment failures in the United States calls for urgent action to control the spread of gonorrhea, medical research leaders say. Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported communicable disease in the United States. ... > full story

New target for Alzheimer's drugs (February 9, 2012) -- UC Riverside biomedical scientists have identified a new link between a protein (beta-arrestin) and short-term memory that could open new doors for the therapeutic treatment of neurological disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease. They show that if beta-arrestin is removed from neurons, short-term memory loss is prevented. But beta-arrestin is also required for normal learning/memory. The researchers argue that a fine balance needs to be established, one that could be achieved by pharmaceutical drugs in the future. ... > full story

Continental mosquito with 'vector' potential found breeding in UK after 60 year absence (February 8, 2012) -- A species of mosquito has been discovered breeding in the UK that has not been seen in the country since 1945. Populations of the mosquito, found across mainland Europe and known only by its Latin name Culex modestus, were recorded at a number of sites in the marshes of north Kent and south Essex in 2010 and 2011. ... > full story

Presdisposition to common heart disease 'passed on from father to son' (February 8, 2012) -- A common heart disease which kills thousands each year may be passed genetically from father to son, according to a new study. ... > full story

Financial burden of prescription drugs is dropping, U.S. study finds (February 8, 2012) -- The financial challenge Americans face paying out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs has declined, but the costs remain a burden to many families, according to a new study. Despite the improvement, more than 8 million non-elderly Americans live in families with a high drug-cost burden. ... > full story

Memory strengthened by stimulating key site in brain (February 8, 2012) -- Ever gone to the movies and forgotten where you parked the car? New research may one day help you improve your memory. Neuroscientists have demonstrated that they can strengthen memory in human patients by stimulating a critical junction in the brain. ... > full story

DNA sequencing helps identify cancer cells for immune system attack (February 8, 2012) -- DNA sequences from tumor cells can be used to direct the immune system to attack cancer, according to scientists. The immune system relies on an intricate network of alarm bells, targets and safety brakes to determine when and what to attack. The new results suggest that scientists may now be able to combine DNA sequencing data with their knowledge of the triggers and targets that set off immune alarms to more precisely develop vaccines and other immunotherapies for cancer. ... > full story

Transformational fruit fly genome catalog completed (February 8, 2012) -- Scientists searching for the genomics version of the holy grail – more insight into predicting how an animal’s genes affect physical or behavioral traits – now have a reference manual that should speed gene discoveries in everything from pest control to personalized medicine. ... > full story

Fasting weakens cancer in mice (February 8, 2012) -- New study finds that short fasting cycles can work as well as chemotherapy, and the two combined greatly improve survival. ... > full story

Gene therapy for inherited blindness succeeds in patients' other eye (February 8, 2012) -- Gene therapy for congenital blindness took another step forward, as researchers further improved vision in three adult patients previously treated in one eye. The patients were better able to see in dim light, with no adverse effects. ... > full story

Some formerly cohabiting couples with children keep romantic relationship (February 8, 2012) -- When low-income cohabiting couples with children decide to no longer live together, that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of their romantic relationship, a new study suggests. ... > full story

Sound rather than sight can activate 'seeing' for the blind, say researchers (February 8, 2012) -- Scientists have tapped onto the visual cortex of the congenitally blind by using sensory substitution devices (SSDs), enabling the blind in effect to "see" and even describe objects. SSDs are non-invasive sensory aids that provide visual information to the blind via their existing senses. For example, using a visual-to-auditory SSD in a clinical or everyday setting, users wear a miniature video camera connected to a small computer (or smart phone) and stereo headphones. The images are converted into "soundscapes," using a predictable algorithm, allowing the user to listen to and then interpret the visual information coming from the camera. ... > full story

Study to determine whether fish oil can help prevent psychiatric disorders (February 8, 2012) -- A new study was designed to test whether Omega-3 fatty acids improve clinical symptoms, and help adolescents and young adults (ages 12 to 25) who are at elevated risk for severe psychiatric disorders function better in school, work and other social environments. ... > full story

After-school program can reduce alcohol use among middle school students, study finds (February 8, 2012) -- A voluntary substance prevention program held after school and presented by trained facilitators can help reduce alcohol use among young adolescents, according to a new study. ... > full story

Flipping a light switch in the cell: Quantum dots used for targeted neural activation (February 8, 2012) -- By harnessing quantum dots, researchers have developed a new and vastly more targeted way to stimulate neurons in the brain. Being able to switch neurons on and off and monitor how they communicate with one another is crucial for understanding -- and, ultimately, treating -- a host of brain disorders. ... > full story

Heart disease may be a risk factor for prostate cancer (February 8, 2012) -- In a large analysis of men participating in a prostate drug trial, researchers found a significant correlation between coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, suggesting the two conditions may have shared causes. ... > full story

Arsenic criticality poses concern for modern technology (February 8, 2012) -- Risks related to the critical nature of arsenic -- used to make high-speed computer chips that contain gallium arsenide -- outstrip those of other substances in a group of critical materials needed to sustain modern technology, a new study has found. Scientists evaluated the relative criticality of arsenic and five related metals. ... > full story

Physical activity yields feelings of excitement, enthusiasm (February 8, 2012) -- People who are more physically active report greater levels of excitement and enthusiasm than people who are less physically active, according to researchers. People also are more likely to report feelings of excitement and enthusiasm on days when they are more physically active than usual. ... > full story

Bubble-powered microrockets zoom have potential to zoom through the human stomach, other acidic environments (February 8, 2012) -- Scientists have developed a new kind of tiny motor -- which they term a "microrocket" -- that can propel itself through acidic environments, such as the human stomach, without any external energy source, opening the way to a variety of medical and industrial applications. Their report describes the microrockets traveling at virtual warp speed for such devices. A human moving at the same speed would have to run at a clip of 400 miles per hour. ... > full story

Growing up on a farm directly affects regulation of the immune system, study finds (February 8, 2012) -- A new study has shown, for the first time, that growing up on a farm directly affects the regulation of the immune system and causes a reduction in the immunological responses to food proteins. ... > full story

Low dopamine levels during withdrawal promote relapse to smoking (February 8, 2012) -- Mark Twain said, "Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times." Many smokers would agree that it's difficult to stay away from cigarettes. A new study now suggests that low dopamine levels that occur as a result of withdrawal from smoking actually promote the relapse to smoking. ... > full story

How DNA finds its match (February 8, 2012) -- It's been more than 50 years since James Watson and Francis Crick showed that DNA is a double helix of two strands that complement each other. But how does a short piece of DNA find its match, out of the millions of 'letters' in even a small genome? New work shows how it's done. ... > full story

Feast or famine? How appetite cells in the brain respond to fasting (February 8, 2012) -- Previous work has shown that the AgRP neurons promote feeding and weight gain, while the POMC cells have been linked with appetite suppression and weight loss. Now a new study uncovers a neural pathway that links fasting with activation of AgRP neurons. The research provides valuable insight into the complex mechanisms that control food seeking behavior. ... > full story

Roots of hunger and eating: Plasticity in the brain's wiring controls feeding behavior in mice (February 8, 2012) -- Synaptic plasticity -- the ability of the synaptic connections between the brain's neurons to change and modify over time -- has been shown to be a key to memory formation and the acquisition of new learning behaviors. Now researchers reveal that the neural circuits controlling hunger and eating behaviors are also controlled by plasticity. ... > full story

High levels of cadmium or lead in blood linked to pregnancy delay (February 8, 2012) -- Higher blood levels of cadmium in females, and higher blood levels of lead in males, delayed pregnancy in couples trying to become pregnant, according to a new study. ... > full story

Unusual alliances enable movement (February 8, 2012) -- Some unusual alliances are necessary for you to wiggle your fingers, researchers report. Understanding those relationships should enable better treatment of neuromuscular diseases, such as myasthenia gravis, which prevent muscles from taking orders from your brain. Scientists have now solved one of the riddles. ... > full story

Molecular path from internal clock to cells controlling rest and activity revealed (February 7, 2012) -- The molecular pathway that carries time-of-day signals from the body's internal clock to ultimately guide daily behavior is like a black box, says a researcher. Now, new research is taking a peek inside, describing a molecular pathway and its inner parts that connect the well-known clock neurons to cells governing rhythms of rest and activity in fruit flies. ... > full story