ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Tuesday, February 14, 2012

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Tuesday, February 14, 2012

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Cut your Valentine some slack: Partner's efforts at improving your relationship should not be ignored (February 13, 2012) -- If the one you love usually forgets Valentine's Day, but this year makes a romantic effort, you should give him credit for trying. A new study shows that the more you believe your partner is capable of change and perceive that he or she is trying to improve, the more secure and happy you will feel in your relationship. ... > full story

First prospective analysis links breast and pancreatic cancer risk with Lynch syndrome (February 13, 2012) -- Summary of the first prospective study to provide strong evidence of increased breast and pancreatic cancer risk in individuals with Lynch syndrome, who carry certain inherited genetic mutations in DNA repair genes. The study is also the first to show that relatives of people with Lynch syndrome who do not carry these mutations have no increased risk of cancer. ... > full story

Neuron memory key to taming chronic pain, new research suggests (February 13, 2012) -- Researchers have found the key to understanding how memories of pain are stored in the brain. More importantly, the researchers are also able to suggest how these memories can be erased, making it possible to ease chronic pain. ... > full story

Compound may help in fight against antibiotic-resistant superbugs (February 13, 2012) -- Chemists have created a compound that makes existing antibiotics 16 times more effective against recently discovered antibiotic-resistant "superbugs." ... > full story

Six to nine-month-olds understand the meaning of many spoken words (February 13, 2012) -- At an age when "ba-ba" and "da-da" may be their only utterances, infants nevertheless comprehend words for many common objects, according to a new study. ... > full story

Love, chocolate good for the heart, says cardiologist (February 13, 2012) -- Being involved in a healthy, loving relationship is good for the heart, says a cardiologist. People who are married or who are in close, healthy relationships tend to be less likely to smoke, are more physically active and are more likely to have a well-developed social structure, she said. They are also more likely to have lower levels of stress and anxiety in their day-to-day lives. ... > full story

New HIV-vaccine tested on people shows limited success (February 13, 2012) -- Scientists have tested a new 'therapeutic vaccine' against HIV on volunteers. The participants were 'so to say' vaccinated with their own cells. The immune system of the testees was better than before in attacking and suppressing the virus, the scientists have reported. ... > full story

Children at risk for ingestion of PAHs from pavement sealant, study finds (February 13, 2012) -- Children living near coal-tar-sealed pavement are likely to receive a far higher dose of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from incidental ingestion of house dust than do children living near unsealed pavement, and that dose is more than two times higher than the PAH dose children are estimated to receive from food. ... > full story

In older adults, fluctuating sense of control linked to cognitive ability (February 13, 2012) -- Everyone has moments when they feel more in control of their lives than at other times. New research shows that this sense of control fluctuates more often, and more quickly, than previously thought – and that this sense of control may actively affect cognitive abilities. ... > full story

Motivation to exercise affects behavior (February 13, 2012) -- For many people, the motivation to exercise fluctuates from week to week, and these fluctuations predict whether they will be physically active, according to researchers. In an effort to understand how the motivation to exercise is linked to behavior, the researchers examined college students' intentions to be physically active as well as their actual activity levels. ... > full story

New cases of rare genetic disorder identified (February 13, 2012) -- Scientists have shown a rare genetic disease, that causes crippling osteoarthritis in the spine and major joints, is far more prevalent worldwide than previously thought. ... > full story

Prognosis for heart failure patients improving (February 13, 2012) -- More than six million American adults suffer from heart failure. But, while the prevalence of this disease has increased over time, there are signs that deaths from it have not and hospitalization rates may be stabilizing as well. Healthcare professionals say this is good news and the future looks even more promising. ... > full story

Blood from periodontal disease can be used to screen for diabetes (February 13, 2012) -- Oral blood samples drawn from deep pockets of periodontal inflammation can be used to measure hemoglobin A1c, an important gauge of a patient's diabetes status, a nursing-dental research team has found. ... > full story

Scientist works to detach protein that HIV uses as protective shield (February 13, 2012) -- One of the frustrations for scientists working on HIV/AIDS treatments has been the human immunodeficiency virus' ability to evade the body's immune system. Now a researcher has discovered a compound that could help put the immune system back in the hunt. ... > full story

Good aerobic capacity promotes learning (February 13, 2012) -- Aerobic fitness has a favorable effect on cognitive functions. For example, physically active elderly people are less prone to aging-related cognitive decline than those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. An increase in physical activity raises both aerobic capacity and learning ability in both humans and animals. However, it is not known whether it is the aerobic capacity or the pleasure and enrichment of physical activity that promotes cognitive functions. ... > full story

Seniors show greater life satisfaction than young people, study suggests (February 13, 2012) -- Healthy older adults reported less negative thinking compared to other age groups, leading to greater life satisfaction in seniors. The study examined the complex relationship between aging and factors leading to depression. Research suggests differences in the way age groups think can influence the onset of depression. Sufferers of negative thinking, or brooding, tend to fixate on their problems and feelings without taking action, which can intensify depressive moods and lead to the onset of depression. ... > full story

Overeating may double risk of memory loss (February 13, 2012) -- New research suggests that consuming between 2,100 and 6,000 calories per day may double the risk of memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), among people age 70 and older. MCI is the stage between normal memory loss that comes with aging and early Alzheimer’s disease. ... > full story

Starve a virus, feed a cure? (February 12, 2012) -- A protein that protects some of our immune cells from the most common and virulent form of HIV works by starving the virus of the molecular building blocks that it needs to replicate. While researchers hope the work will one day lead to a way to make anti-HIV drugs more effective by increasing their potency against the virus, they're also excited about its implications for our knowledge of other pathogens, such as herpes viruses. ... > full story

Molecular secrets of ancient Chinese herbal remedy discovered (February 12, 2012) -- For roughly two thousand years, Chinese herbalists have treated Malaria using a root extract, commonly known as Chang Shan, from a type of hydrangea that grows in Tibet and Nepal. More recent studies suggest that halofuginone, a compound derived from this extract's bioactive ingredient, could be used to treat many autoimmune disorders as well. Now, researchers have discovered the molecular secrets behind this herbal extract's power. ... > full story

How a protein protects cells from HIV infection (February 12, 2012) -- A novel discovery reveals a mechanism by which the immune system tries to halt the spread of HIV. Harnessing this mechanism may open up new paths for therapeutic research aimed at slowing the virus’ progression to AIDS. ... > full story

A mitosis mystery solved: How chromosomes align perfectly in a dividing cell (February 12, 2012) -- Although the process of mitotic cell division has been studied intensely for more than 50 years, researchers have only now solved the mystery of how cells correctly align their chromosomes during symmetric mitosis. ... > full story

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

Human cognitive performance suffers following natural disasters (February 11, 2012) -- Not surprisingly, victims of a natural disaster can experience stress and anxiety, but a new study indicates that it might also cause them to make more errors - some serious - in their daily lives. Researchers have explored how cognitive performance can decline after earthquakes and other natural disasters. ... > 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

Finding love has no expiration date: People over 60 are fastest growing demographic in online dating (February 11, 2012) -- People may think that online dating is only for the young, but individuals over the age of 60 are the fastest growing demographic in online dating. However, they may be looking for different qualities in their relationships than their younger counterparts. ... > full story

C-sections linked to breathing problems in preterm infants, study suggests (February 10, 2012) -- A cesarean delivery, which was thought to be harmless, is associated with breathing problems in preterm babies who are small for gestational age, a new study suggests. ... > 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

Drug halts organ damage in inflammatory genetic disorder, study suggests (February 10, 2012) -- A new study shows that Kineret (anakinra), a medication approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is effective in stopping the progression of organ damage in people with neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease. This rare and debilitating genetic disorder causes persistent inflammation and ongoing tissue damage. ... > 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

Night, weekend delivery OK for babies with birth defects (February 10, 2012) -- Weekday delivery is no better than night/weekend delivery for infants with birth defects, according to a new study. Researchers found that infants with birth defects that were delivered at night or over the weekend fared just as well as those delivered on a weekday -- they stayed at the hospital for the same amount of time, were admitted to the NICU at the same rate, and were given antibiotics or got help breathing just as often. ... > 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

Protein libraries in a snap (February 10, 2012) -- One undergraduate student will depart university with not only a degree but also a possible patent for his invention of an efficient way to create protein libraries, an important component of biomolecular research. ... > full story

Cochlear implants may be safe, effective for organ transplant patients (February 10, 2012) -- Cochlear implants may be a safe, effective option for some organ transplant patients who've lost their hearing as an unfortunate consequence of their transplant-related drug regime, researchers report. ... > full story

Numeracy: The educational gift that keeps on giving? (February 10, 2012) -- Cancer risks. Investment alternatives. Calories. Numbers are everywhere in daily life, and they figure into all sorts of decisions. A new article examines how people who are numerate -- that's like literacy, but for numbers -- understand numbers better and process information differently so that they ultimately make more informed decisions. ... > full story

Over-expression of a protein responsible for neuronal damage in Down's syndrome sufferers (February 10, 2012) -- A new study reproduced the same morphological and functional patterns of neuronal connections in a transgenic mouse as seen in people with Down’s syndrome. Regulating the activity of this protein produced very similar neuronal growth to that in a healthy mouse. ... > full story

Kids show cultural gender bias (February 10, 2012) -- A recent study examining whether speaking French influenced how children assigned gender to objects yielded some interesting observations. Researchers found some differences between the monolingual English children and the bilingual French-English children they surveyed. ... > 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

Metastatic breast cancer hitches a free ride from the immune system (February 10, 2012) -- Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most lethal form of breast cancer . It spreads easily through the lymphatic and blood vessels, forming metastasis which can lead to multi-organ failure. New research demonstrates how IBC cells use IL-8, secreted as part of the anti-inflammatory response by a specific set of white blood cells (monocytes), to increase fibronectin expression. ... > full story

A novel method for simultaneously measuring blood pressure and arterial stiffness (February 10, 2012) -- Arterial stiffness due to is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease but is very difficult to measure. A new method for measuring arterial stiffness has been developed. This simple, non-invasive, calculation is able to interpret standard oscillometric measurements to quantify both arterial stiffness and blood pressure simultaneously. ... > full story

Arthritic knees, but not hips, have robust repair response (February 10, 2012) -- Researchers used new tools they developed to analyze knees and hips and discovered that osteoarthritic knee joints are in a constant state of repair, while hip joints are not. ... > full story

High school students test best with 7 hours of sleep at night (February 10, 2012) -- New research finds that 16- to 18-year-olds perform better academically when they shave about two hours off what current guidelines prescribe. ... > full story

Risks and benefits of birthing facilities (February 10, 2012) -- Researchers have found that the risk of obstetric intervention is lower for women who deliver or intend to deliver outside of hospitals, but there are some higher risks for newborns intended for home births compared to hospital births. ... > full story

Neurologic improvement detected in rats receiving stem cell transplant (February 10, 2012) -- Researchers report that early transplantation of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the lateral ventricles of neonatal rats with birth-related brain damage is possible, and that the donor cells can survive and migrate in the recipient's brain. The study was designed to have the rat's brain damage mimic brain injury in infants with very low birth weight. ... > full story

For women with prior cesarean, optimal gestational age for elective delivery is week 39 (February 10, 2012) -- For women with prior delivery via cesarean section the optimal timing of elective delivery for mother and baby is 39 weeks even after consideration of the risk with continuing pregnancy. ... > full story

Phosphate additives pose a risk to health, study suggests (February 10, 2012) -- Excessive consumption of phosphate is damaging to health. Therefore, food that contains phosphate additives should be labeled, researchers recommend. ... > full story

Four natural extracts with anti-obesity effects tested on rats (February 10, 2012) -- Researchers have identified four plant extracts that might help in preventing and fighting obesity. The researchers identified the most effective plant extracts through in vitro assays; subsequently, extracts were tested on rats. While the results obtained are promising, further studies on animals are required to evaluate and confirm the anti-obesity effects of these extracts. Once their anti-obesity effects are confirmed on animals, the extracts will be tested on humans. ... > 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

Controlling parents more likely to have delinquent children (February 10, 2012) -- Authoritarian parents whose child-rearing style can be summed up as “it’s my way or the highway” are more likely to raise disrespectful, delinquent children who do not see them as legitimate authority figures than authoritative parents who listen to their children and gain their respect and trust, according to new research. ... > full story