ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Friday, February 24, 2012

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Friday, February 24, 2012

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Girls' verbal skills make them better at arithmetic, study finds (February 23, 2012) -- While boys generally do better than girls in science and math, some studies have found that girls do better in arithmetic. A new study finds that the advantage comes from girls' superior verbal skills. ... > full story

Impulsive kids play more video games, and kids who play more video games may become more impulsive (February 23, 2012) -- Impulsive children with attention problems tend to play more video games, while kids in general who spend lots of time video gaming may also develop impulsiveness and attention difficulties, according to new research. ... > full story

Bisphenol A exposure linked to increased risk of future onset of heart disease (February 23, 2012) -- Bisphenol A (BPA) is a controversial chemical widely used in the plastics industry. A new study followed people over a 10-year time period and shows that healthy people with higher urine concentrations of BPA were more likely to later develop heart disease. ... > full story

How vitamin D inhibits inflammation (February 23, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered specific molecular and signaling events by which vitamin D inhibits inflammation. Low levels of vitamin D failed to inhibit the inflammatory cascade, while levels considered adequate did inhibit inflammatory signaling. ... > full story

Opinion: H5N1 flu is just as dangerous as feared, now requires action (February 23, 2012) -- The debate about the potential severity of an outbreak of airborne H5N1 influenza in humans needs to move on from speculation and focus instead on how we can safely continue H5N1 research and share the results among researchers, according to experts. ... > full story

A unique on-off switch for hormone production (February 23, 2012) -- Scientists have revealed a new kind of on-off switch in the brain for regulating the production of a main biochemical signal from the brain that stimulates cortisol release in the body. ... > full story

How cells brace themselves for starvation (February 23, 2012) -- Cells that repress their "bad time" pumps when a nutrient is abundant were much more efficient at preparing for starvation and at recovering afterward than the cells that had been genetically engineered to avoid this repression. ... > full story

Scientists create potent molecules aimed at treating muscular dystrophy (February 22, 2012) -- While RNA is an appealing drug target, small molecules that can actually affect its function have rarely been found. But now scientists have for the first time designed a series of small molecules that act against an RNA defect directly responsible for the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy. ... > full story

If you're afraid of spiders, they seem bigger: Phobia's effect on perception of feared object allows fear to persist (February 22, 2012) -- The more afraid a person is of a spider, the bigger that individual perceives the spider to be, new research suggests. In the context of a fear of spiders, this warped perception doesn't necessarily interfere with daily living. But for individuals who are afraid of needles, for example, the conviction that needles are larger than they really are could lead people who fear injections to avoid getting the health care they need. A better understanding of how a phobia affects the perception of feared objects can help clinicians design more effective treatments for people who seek to overcome their fears, according to the researchers. ... > full story

Memo to pediatricians: Screen all kids for vitamin D deficiency, test those at high risk (February 22, 2012) -- As study after study shows the fundamental role vitamin D plays in disease and health, vitamin D deficiency — which often develops insidiously in childhood — should be on every parent’s and pediatrician’s radar, say physicians. ... > full story

Newly approved drug for metastatic melanoma nearly doubles median survival (February 22, 2012) -- A newly approved drug for patients with metastatic melanoma nearly doubles median survival times, a finding that will change the way this deadly form of skin cancer is treated. ... > full story

Scientists discover likely new trigger for epidemic of metabolic syndrome (February 22, 2012) -- Scientists have uncovered a key suspect in the destructive inflammation that underlies heart disease and diabetes. ... > full story

Controlling protein function with nanotechnology (February 22, 2012) -- A new study is providing important details on how proteins in our bodies interact with nanomaterials. Researchers have developed a new tool to determine the orientation of proteins on different nanostructures. The discovery is a key step in the effort to control the orientation, structure, and function of proteins in the body using nanomaterials. ... > full story

Is there a general motivation center in the depths of the brain? (February 22, 2012) -- Researchers have identified the part of the brain driving motivation during actions that combine physical and mental effort: the ventral striatum. ... > full story

Faster way to catch cells: New microfluidic device could be used to diagnose and monitor cancer and other diseases (February 22, 2012) -- Separating complex mixtures of cells, such as those found in a blood sample, can offer valuable information for diagnosing and treating disease. However, it may be necessary to search through billions of other cells to collect rare cells such as tumor cells, stem cells or fetal cells. Researchers have now demonstrated a new microfluidic device that can isolate target cells much faster than existing devices. Such technology could be used in applications such as point-of-care diagnostics and personalized medicine. ... > full story

New way to tap largest remaining treasure trove of potential new antibiotics (February 22, 2012) -- Scientists are reporting use of a new technology for sifting through the world's largest remaining pool of potential antibiotics to discover two new antibiotics that work against deadly resistant microbes, including the "superbugs" known as MRSA. ... > full story

Researchers take a step forward in transplanting pig cells to regenerate human cartilage (February 22, 2012) -- Researchers have recently studied the response of human NK cells against porcine chondrocytes. The results of the research indicate that these cells, characteristic of the innate immune system, play an important role in the rejection of xenotransplantation of porcine chondrocytes. ... > full story

Exposure to micronutrients pre-pregnancy associated with gene modifications in offspring (February 22, 2012) -- The offspring of women who were given micronutrient supplements (minerals needed in small quantities, such as iron, iodine and vitamin A) before they became pregnant had gene modifications at birth as well as when they were tested at nine months. ... > full story

Heart beats to the rhythm of a circadian clock (February 22, 2012) -- Sudden cardiac death -- catastrophic and unexpected fatal heart stoppage -- is more likely to occur shortly after waking in the morning and in the late night. In a new study, an international consortium of researchers explains the molecular linkage between the circadian clock and the deadly heart rhythms that lead to sudden death. ... > full story

World of Warcraft boosts cognitive functioning in older adults (February 22, 2012) -- For some older adults, the online video game World of Warcraft (WoW) may provide more than an opportunity for escapist adventure. Researchers have found that playing WoW boosted cognitive functioning for older adults – particularly those who had scored poorly on cognitive ability tests before playing the game. ... > full story

How cancer cells change once they spread to distant organs (February 22, 2012) -- Oncologists have known that in order for cancer cells to spread, they must transform themselves so they can detach from a tumor and spread to a distant organ. Now, scientists have revealed critical steps in what happens next -- how these cells reverse the process, morphing back into classical cancer that can now grow into a new tumor. ... > full story

What can animals' survival instincts tell us about understanding human emotion? (February 22, 2012) -- Can animals’ survival instincts shed additional light on what we know about human emotion? Neuroscientists pose this question in outlining a pioneering theory, drawn from two decades of research, that could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of emotions in both humans and animals. ... > full story

Tiny, implantable medical device can propel itself through bloodstream (February 22, 2012) -- For 50 years, scientists had searched for the secret to making tiny implantable devices that could travel through the bloodstream. Engineers have now demonstrated a wirelessly powered device that just may make the dream a reality. ... > full story

Newly identified oral bacterium linked to heart disease and meningitis (February 22, 2012) -- A novel bacterium, thought to be a common inhabitant of the oral cavity, has the potential to cause serious disease if it enters the bloodstream, according to a new study. ... > full story

Fried food risks: Toxic aldehydes detected in reheated oil (February 22, 2012) -- Researchers have been the first to discover the presence of certain aldehydes in food, which are believed to be related to some neurodegenerative diseases and some types of cancer. These toxic compounds can be found in some oils, such as sunflower oil, when heated at a suitable temperature for frying. ... > full story

Off switch for pain? Chemists build light-controlled neural inhibitor (February 22, 2012) -- Pain? Just turn it off! It may sound like science fiction, but researchers have now succeeded in inhibiting pain-sensitive neurons on demand, in the laboratory. The crucial element in their strategy is a chemical sensor that acts as a light-sensitive switch. ... > full story

Fake drug sales are increasing on the Internet and turning up in legitimate supply chains, review finds (February 22, 2012) -- Criminal gangs are increasingly using the internet to market life-threatening counterfeit medicines and some have even turned up in legitimate outlets such as pharmacies, according to a newly published review. ... > full story

Neuroscientists identify how the brain works to select what we (want to) see (February 21, 2012) -- If you are looking for a particular object -- say a yellow pencil -- on a cluttered desk, how does your brain work to visually locate it? For the first time, neuroscientists have identified how different neural regions communicate to determine what to visually pay attention to and what to ignore. This finding is a major discovery for visual cognition and will guide future research into visual and attention deficit disorders. ... > full story

Cocaine and the teen brain: New insights into addiction (February 21, 2012) -- When first exposed to cocaine, the adolescent brain launches a strong defensive reaction designed to minimize the drug's effects, scientists have found. Now two new studies identify key genes that regulate this response and show that interfering with this reaction dramatically increases a mouse's sensitivity to cocaine. ... > full story

Stronger intestinal barrier may prevent cancer in the rest of the body, new study suggests (February 21, 2012) -- A leaky gut may be the root of some cancers forming in the rest of the body, a new study suggests. It appears that the hormone receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C) -- a previously identified tumor suppressor that exists in the intestinal tract -- plays a key role in strengthening the body's intestinal barrier, which helps separate the gut world from the rest of the body, and possibly keeps cancer at bay. Without the receptor, that barrier weakens. ... > full story

How good cholesterol turns bad (February 21, 2012) -- Researchers have found new evidence to explain how cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of cholesterol from "good" high density lipoproteins (HDLs) to "bad" low density lipoproteins (LDLs). These findings point the way to the design of safer, more effective next generation CETP inhibitors that could help prevent the development of heart disease. ... > full story

Anticipation of stressful situations accelerates cellular aging (February 21, 2012) -- The ability to anticipate future events allows us to plan and exert control over our lives, but it may also contribute to stress-related increased risk for the diseases of aging, according to a new study. ... > full story

Injectable gel could repair tissue damaged by heart attack (February 21, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a new injectable hydrogel that could be an effective and safe treatment for tissue damage caused by heart attacks. ... > full story

Cell energy sensor mechanism discovered (February 21, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered more details about how an energy sensing “thermostat” protein determines whether cells will store or use their energy reserves. The researchers have shown that a chemical modification on the thermostat protein changes how it’s controlled. Without the modification, cells use stored energy, and with it, they default to stockpiling resources. When cells don’t properly allocate their energy supply, they can die off or become cancerous. ... > full story

Can consuming caffeine while breastfeeding harm your baby? (February 21, 2012) -- Babies are not able to metabolize or excrete caffeine very well, so a breastfeeding mother's consumption of caffeine may lead to caffeine accumulation and symptoms such as wakefulness and irritability, according to an expert. ... > full story

Many young people don't know what constitutes sensible alcohol consumption (February 21, 2012) -- A new study reveals that young people do not possess the knowledge or skills required to adhere to U.S. government guidelines for responsible alcohol consumption. ... > full story

Noninvasive method accurately and efficiently detects risk of Down syndrome, researchers say (February 21, 2012) -- Using a noninvasive test on maternal blood that deploys a novel biochemical assay and a new algorithm for analysis, scientists can detect, with a high degree of accuracy, the risk that a fetus has the chromosomal abnormalities that cause Down syndrome and a genetic disorder known as Edwards syndrome. The new approach is more scalable than other recently developed genetic screening tests and has the potential to reduce unnecessary amniocentesis or CVS. ... > full story

Is fructose being blamed unfairly for obesity epidemic? (February 21, 2012) -- Is fructose being unfairly blamed for the obesity epidemic? Or do we just eat and drink too many calories? Researchers reviewed more than 40 published studies on whether the fructose molecule itself causes weight gain. In 31 "isocaloric" trials they reviewed, participants ate a similar number of calories, but one group ate pure fructose and the other ate non-fructose carbohydrates. The fructose group did not gain weight. ... > full story

Step forward in effort to regenerate damaged nerves (February 21, 2012) -- Scientists have taken a step forward toward the goal of repairing nerves in such patients more effectively. In a new study, researchers report that a surprising set of cells may hold potential for nerve transplants. ... > full story

Does depression contribute to the aging process? (February 21, 2012) -- Stress has numerous detrimental effects on the human body. Many of these effects are acutely felt by the sufferer, but many more go "unseen," one of which is shortening of telomere length. ... > full story

Molecular basis of touch sensation: Researchers identify new function of a well-known gene (February 21, 2012) -- A gene known to control lens development in mice and humans is also crucial for the development of neurons responsible for mechanosensory function, as neurobiologists have now discovered. They found that in mice in which they had removed the c-Maf gene in the nerve cells, touch sensation is impaired. This similarly applies to human carriers of a mutant c-Maf gene. ... > full story

Scientists unlock evolutionary secret of blood vessels (February 21, 2012) -- Scientists have shed light on how vertebrates evolved closed circulation systems designed to more effectively carry blood to organs and tissues. ... > full story

Brain makes call on which ear is used for cell phone (February 21, 2012) -- A new study finds a strong correlation between brain dominance and the ear used to listen to a cell phone, with more than 70 percent of participants holding their cell phone up to the ear on the same side as their dominant hand. ... > full story

Evolution of staph 'superbug' traced between humans and livestock (February 21, 2012) -- A strain of the potentially deadly antibiotic-resistant bacterium known as MRSA has jumped from livestock to humans, according to a new study. ... > full story

Implantable, wireless sensors share secrets of healing tissues (February 21, 2012) -- A new implantable sensor can wirelessly transmit data from the site of a recent orthopedic surgery. Inexpensive to make and highly reliable, this new sensor holds the promise of more accurate, more cost-effective, and less invasive post-surgery monitoring and diagnosis. ... > full story

Over-reactive parenting linked to negative emotions and problem behavior in toddlers (February 21, 2012) -- Researchers have found that parents of young children who anger easily and overreact are more likely to have toddlers who act out and become upset easily. ... > full story

Environmental pollutant level during pregnancy linked with grown daughters who are overweight (February 21, 2012) -- The levels of the environmental pollutant perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that mothers had in their blood during pregnancy increased the risk of obesity in their daughters at 20 years of age. ... > full story

Gene affecting the ability to sleep discovered in fruit flies (February 20, 2012) -- On the surface, it's simple: when night falls, our bodies get sleepy. But behind the scenes, a series of complex molecular events, controlled by our genes, is hard at work to make us groggy. Now, research suggests that a newly identified gene known as insomniac may play a role in keeping us asleep. By cloning and testing this gene in fruit flies researchers say they have discovered an entirely new mechanism by which sleep is regulated. ... > full story