ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Tuesday, March 6, 2012

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Tuesday, March 6, 2012

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Tonsils make T-cells, too (March 5, 2012) -- A new study provides evidence that immune cells called T lymphocytes, or T cells, can develop in human tonsils. The cells have been thought to develop only in the thymus, an organ of the immune system that sits on the heart. The findings could be important for improving stem-cell transplantation and for understanding the development of T-cell cancers and autoimmune diseases. ... > full story

New Alzheimer's marker strongly predicts mental decline (March 5, 2012) -- A new marker of Alzheimer’s disease can predict how rapidly a patient’s memory and other mental abilities will decline after the disorder is diagnosed, researchers have found. ... > full story

Stem cells can repair a damaged cornea (March 5, 2012) -- A new cornea may be the only way to prevent a patient going blind -- but there is a shortage of donated corneas and the queue for transplantation is long. Scientists have for the first time successfully cultivated stem cells on human corneas, which may in the long term remove the need for donators. ... > full story

Perception and preference may have genetic link to obesity (March 5, 2012) -- New discoveries suggest that fats are perceived on the tongue as a "taste" sensation by binding to specialized receptors on taste buds. More specifically, fats are broken down in the mouth to fatty acids, and it's the fatty acids that bind to these receptors. ... > full story

Discovery of a molecule that initiates maturation of mammalian eggs can lead to more IVF pregnancies (March 5, 2012) -- Women who have eggs that cannot mature will not become pregnant, and they cannot be helped by in vitro fertilization (IVF). Now researchers have identified a molecule called Cdk1 that has an important function for mammalian egg maturation. In the future this could lead to an increased rate of successful IVF. ... > full story

Scientists gain new insight into prefrontal cortex activity (March 5, 2012) -- The brain has a remarkable ability to learn new cognitive tasks while maintaining previously acquired knowledge about various functions necessary for everyday life. But exactly how new information is incorporated into brain systems that control cognitive functions has remained a mystery. ... > full story

Smart, self-healing hydrogels open far-reaching possibilities in medicine, engineering (March 5, 2012) -- Bioengineers have developed a self-healing hydrogel that binds in seconds, as easily as Velcro, and forms a bond strong enough to withstand repeated stretching. The material has numerous potential applications, including medical sutures, targeted drug delivery, industrial sealants and self-healing plastics. ... > full story

Miniature pressure sensors for medical touch (March 5, 2012) -- A new kind of flexible, transparent pressure sensor, developed for use in medical applications, relies on a drop of liquid. ... > full story

Genetic link between visual pathways of hydras and humans discovered (March 5, 2012) -- What good is half an eye? Evolutionary biologists studying the origins of vision get that question a lot, and new research points to a possible answer. New findings indicate that, even in the absence of eyes altogether, some creatures display a light-sensitivity that uses the same visual pathway that allows humans to see. ... > full story

Unraveling biological networks: Biological network motif discovery algorithms (March 5, 2012) -- A new approach to disentangling the complexities of biological networks, such as the way in which proteins interact in our body's cells has been developed. The new algorithm could allow biologists and biomedical researchers to unravel new clues about how cells work and what goes awry with such networks in various diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and cancer. ... > full story

Will a genetic mutation cause trouble? Ask Spliceman (March 5, 2012) -- New, free Web-based software analyzes DNA sequences to determine if mutations are likely to cause errors in splicing of messenger RNA. When gene splicing goes awry, a wide variety of diseases can result. ... > full story

Scientists search for source of creativity (March 5, 2012) -- Researchers are working to pin down the exact source of creativity in the brain -- and have found that the left hemisphere of your brain, thought to be the logic and math portion, actually plays a critical role in creative thinking. ... > full story

Next-generation DNA sequencing to improve diagnosis for muscular dystrophy (March 5, 2012) -- Scientists have used a revolutionary new DNA-reading technology for a research project that could lead to correct genetic diagnosis for muscle-wasting diseases. The technique could be used to offer people with muscular dystrophy, or a related neuromuscular condition, a more accurate prognosis, which would enable them to make more informed choices on life decisions, including family planning. ... > full story

Spanking and genetics may increase childhood aggression (March 5, 2012) -- The risk of problem behavior during childhood — particularly for boys — is greatly increased if children have genetic predispositions for these behaviors and if they are spanked by their parents. ... > full story

Women happier in relationships when men feel their pain (March 5, 2012) -- Men like to know when their wife or girlfriend is happy while women really want the man in their life to know when they are upset, according to a new study. ... > full story

Conscious perception has little to do with primary visual cortex, research suggests (March 5, 2012) -- Imaging data suggest that conscious perception has little to do with the primary visual cortex -- the region where visual information enters the brain. From a purely intuitive point of view, it is easy to believe that our ability to actively pay attention to a target is inextricably connected with our capacity to consciously perceive it. However, this proposition remains the subject of extensive debate in the research community, and surprising new findings promise to fuel the debate. ... > full story

Stress making your blood pressure rise? Blame your immune system (March 5, 2012) -- If stress is giving you high blood pressure, blame the immune system. T cells, helpful for fighting infections, are also necessary for mice to show an increase in blood pressure after a period of psychological stress, scientists have found. The findings suggest the effects of chronic stress on cardiovascular health may be a side effect of having an immune system that can defend us from infection. There also are potential implications for treating both high blood pressure and anxiety disorders. ... > full story

Making memories: How one protein does it (March 5, 2012) -- Studying tiny bits of genetic material that control protein formation in the brain, scientists say they have new clues to how memories are made and how drugs might someday be used to stop disruptions in the process that lead to mental illness and brain wasting diseases. ... > full story

Keep smiling: Collagen matrix promotes gum healing around exposed roots (March 5, 2012) -- Receding gums often result in tooth sensitivity and can lead to decay of the root and persistent inflammation of the gum. New research demonstrates that a novel method using bovine collagen is able to enhance gum healing. This resulted in thicker margins around the tooth and, in over half the cases, complete coverage of exposed roots. ... > full story

Personality change key to improving wellbeing (March 5, 2012) -- People’s personalities can change considerably over time, say scientists, suggesting that leopards really can change their spots. ... > full story

X-rays reveal how soil bacteria carry out surprising chemistry (March 5, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered how soil bacteria carry out surprising chemistry, defying a longstanding set of chemical rules and thus paving the way for new synthesis of polyether drugs. ... > full story

Sleepy pilots, train operators and drivers (March 4, 2012) -- The people we trust to take us or our loved ones from place to place struggle with sleep, according to an new poll. It is the first poll to ask transportation professionals, including pilots, train operators, truck, bus, taxi and limo drivers about their sleep habits and work performance. ... > full story

Study shows brain flexibility, gives hope for natural-feeling neuroprosthetics (March 4, 2012) -- A new study that shows more flexibility in the brain than previously thought could be a major boost to the development of mind-controlled neuroprosthetic devices that feel natural. ... > full story

When our eyes serve our stomach (March 2, 2012) -- Our senses aren't just delivering a strict view of what's going on in the world; they're affected by what's going on in our heads. A new study finds that hungry people see food-related words more clearly than people who've just eaten. ... > full story

Squeezing silicone polymers produces chemical energy, but raises doubts about implant safety (March 2, 2012) -- Scientists turned to squeezed polymers and free radicals in a search for new energy sources. They found both promise and problems. The researchers demonstrated that radicals from compressed polymers generate significant amounts of energy that can power chemical reactions in water. They also discovered that a silicone polymer commonly used in medical implants releases a large quantity of harmful free radicals when the polymer is under only a moderate amount of pressure. ... > full story

Atomic view of a histone chaperone (March 2, 2012) -- Researchers have gained insights into the function of a member of a family of specialized proteins called histone chaperones. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, they have determined the 3-D structure and interactions of the histone chaperone Rtt106 down to the atomic details. ... > full story

New computers respond to students' emotions, boredom (March 2, 2012) -- Emotion-sensing computer software that models and responds to students' cognitive and emotional states -- including frustration and boredom -- has now been developed. ... > full story

Studies reveal structure of EV71, a virus causing childhood illnesses (March 2, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered critical new details about the structure of a virus (enterovirus 71) that causes potentially fatal brain swelling and paralysis in children, pointing toward designs for antiviral drugs to treat the disease. ... > full story

Lifestyle choices made in your 20s can impact your heart health in your 40s (March 2, 2012) -- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle from young adulthood into your 40s is strongly associated with low cardiovascular disease risk in middle age, according to a new study. ... > full story

Reduction of violence between expectant parents makes stronger parents (March 2, 2012) -- Couples who are married or living together will probably have more trouble parenting as a team if they have been violent toward one another during pregnancy, according to a team of psychologists. ... > full story

Holding a mirror to brain changes in autism (March 2, 2012) -- Impaired social function is a cardinal symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).  One of the brain circuits that enable us to relate to other people is the “mirror neuron” system. This brain circuit is activated when we watch other people, and allows our brains to represent the actions of others, influencing our ability to learn new tasks and to understand the intentions and experiences of other people. This mirror neuron system is impaired in individuals with ASD and better understanding the neurobiology of this system could help in the development of new treatments. ... > full story

Cocoa may enhance skeletal muscle function (March 2, 2012) -- A small clinical trial found that patients with advanced heart failure and type 2 diabetes showed improved mitochondrial structure after three months of treatment with epicatechin-enriched cocoa. Epicatechin is a flavonoid found in dark chocolate. ... > full story

Effects of environmental toxicants reach down through generations (March 2, 2012) -- Scientists have now demonstrated that a variety of environmental toxicants can have negative effects on not just an exposed animal but the next three generations of its offspring. The animal's DNA sequence remains unchanged, but the compounds change the way genes turn on and off -- the epigenetic effect, according to molecular biologists. The researchers saw females reaching puberty earlier, increased rates in the decay and death of sperm cells and lower numbers of ovarian follicles that later become eggs. ... > full story

Tortoise and the hare: New drug stops rushing cancer cells, slow and steady healthy cells unharmed (March 2, 2012) -- The American Cancer Society estimates that 44,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed this year and that 37,000 people will die from the disease. These are not strong odds. A new drug, rigosertib, allows pancreatic cancer cells to rush through replication -- and then stops them cold, killing them in in the middle of a step called M phase. Healthy cells that don't rush are unharmed. ... > full story

R-loops break down gene silencing (March 2, 2012) -- Researchers have figured out how the human body keeps essential genes switched "on" and silences the vast stretches of genetic repeats and "junk" DNA. ... > full story

Artificial 'womb' unlocks secrets of early embryo development (March 2, 2012) -- Pioneering work has helped reveal for the first time a vital process in the development of the early mammalian embryo. ... > full story

When one side does not know about the other one: Specialization and cooperation of the brain hemispheres (March 2, 2012) -- Whenever we are doing something, one of our brain hemispheres is more active than the other one. However, some tasks are only solvable with both sides working together. Researchers are investigating, how such specializations and co-operations arise. Based on a pigeon-model, they are showing for the first time in an experimental way, that the ability to combine complex impressions from both hemispheres, depends on environmental factors in the embryonic stage. ... > full story

Drugs: 'New' does not always mean 'better' (March 2, 2012) -- Cases in which a newly approved drug is more effective than the cheaper alternatives already available are the exceptions rather than the rule. ... > full story

Parkinson's disease stopped in animal model: Molecular 'tweezers' break up toxic aggregations of proteins (March 2, 2012) -- Researchers have used specific molecular “tweezers” they developed to break-up aggregates of toxic proteins that are thought to cause Parkinson’s disease. For the first time, they stopped progression of the disease in a living animal model. ... > full story

Babies born just two or three weeks early at higher risk of poor health (March 2, 2012) -- New research demonstrates that babies born even just a few weeks early have worse health outcomes than full-term babies. ... > full story

New high definition fiber tracking reveals damage caused by traumatic brain injury (March 2, 2012) -- A powerful new imaging technique called High Definition Fiber Tracking will allow doctors to clearly see for the first time neural connections broken by traumatic brain injury and other disorders, much like X-rays show a fractured bone, according to researchers. HDFT could provide an objective way of identifying brain injury, predicting outcome and planning rehabilitation. ... > full story

How the body senses a range of hot temperatures (March 2, 2012) -- The winter sun feels welcome, but not so a summer sunburn. Research over the past 20 years has shown that proteins on the surface of nerve cells enable the body to sense several different temperatures. ... > full story

Diabetes risk from sitting around (March 2, 2012) -- A new study has found that women who stay seated for long periods of time every day are more prone to developing type 2 diabetes, but that a similar link wasn't found in men. ... > full story

New antibiotics? Solving mystery of how sulfa drugs kill bacteria yields 21st century drug development target (March 2, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered a key enzyme structure in bacteria, a finding that lays the foundation for a new generation of antibiotics that are safer and less prone to drug resistance. ... > full story

Training can improve memory and increase brain activity in mild cognitive impairment (March 1, 2012) -- If someone has trouble remembering where the car keys or the cheese grater are, new research shows that a memory training strategy can help. Memory training can even re-engage the hippocampus, part of the brain critical for memory formation, the results suggest. The techniques used in the study were shown to work in people with mild cognitive impairment. ... > full story

A supercharged protein reduces damage from heart attack (March 1, 2012) -- Researchers have tapped into the body's own repair system to protect heart cells after an attack. In the study mice were bred to make a supercharged version of the protein focal adhesion kinase, or FAK. ... > full story

Planarian genes that control stem cell biology identified (March 1, 2012) -- Devising a novel method to identify potential genetic regulators in planarian stem cells, scientists have determined which of those genes affect the two main functions of stem cells. ... > full story

Should we play hide-and-go-seek with our children's vegetables? (March 1, 2012) -- Pass the peas please! How often do we hear our children say this? According to a recent survey of adolescents, only 21 percent of our children eat the recommended five or more fruits and vegetables per day. So not very many children are asking their parents to "pass the peas," and parents are resorting to other methods to get their children to eat their vegetables. ... > full story