ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Thursday, March 15, 2012

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Thursday, March 15, 2012

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Health groups issue cervical cancer screening guidelines (March 14, 2012) -- A coalition of three health groups has released new guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. The guidelines generally advise a reduction in the number of tests women get over their lifetime to better ensure that they receive the benefits of testing while minimizing the harms. ... > full story

How to best help your child lose weight: Lose weight yourself (March 14, 2012) -- A parent's weight change is a key contributor to the success of a child's weight loss in family-based treatment of childhood obesity. ... > full story

Killer silk: Making silk fibers that kill anthrax and other microbes in minutes (March 14, 2012) -- A simple, inexpensive dip-and-dry treatment can convert ordinary silk into a fabric that kills disease-causing bacteria -- even the armor-coated spores of microbes like anthrax -- in minutes. Researchers describe a range of potential uses for this new killer silk, including make-shift curtains and other protective coatings that protect homes and other buildings in the event of a terrorist attack with anthrax. ... > full story

Evolutionary surprise: Developmental 'scaffold' for vertebrate brain found in brainless marine worm (March 14, 2012) -- Scientists report finding some of the genetic processes that regulate vertebrate brain development in the acorn worm, a brainless, burrowing marine invertebrate. ... > full story

Walking may lessen the influence of genes on obesity by half (March 14, 2012) -- Watching too much TV can worsen your genetic tendency towards obesity, but you can cut the effect in half by walking briskly for an hour a day, researchers report. ... > full story

Researchers identify unexpected player in intestinal immunity (March 14, 2012) -- With every meal, immune cells in the intestine stand like sentries at a citadel, turning away harmful bacteria but allowing vitamins and nutrients to pass. Now, researchers have identified the cells that chaperone food antigens, or proteins, in the intestine so that the immune system doesn’t mount an attack. Their discovery provides scientists with a potential target for therapies against inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease and food allergies. ... > full story

Biologists uncover surprising connection between breast cancer cells and surrounding tissue (March 14, 2012) -- Biologists had found a previously unknown connection between breast cancer tumor cells and the surrounding healthy tissue. The results provide new information on the earliest stages of breast cancer metastasis. ... > full story

How salmonella avoids the body's immune response (March 14, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered how salmonella, a bacterium found in contaminated raw foods that causes major gastrointestinal distress in humans, thrives in the digestive tract despite the immune system's best efforts to destroy it. ... > full story

Epigenetic signatures direct the repair potential of reprogrammed cells (March 14, 2012) -- A research team has reprogrammed skin cells to identify epigenetic signatures that regulate the expression of a protein critical for repair of non-healing wounds. Identification of these signatures holds promise for future research aimed at applying these cells for personalized tissue regeneration. ... > full story

H. pylori bacteria linked to blood sugar control in adult type II diabetes (March 14, 2012) -- A new study reveals that the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria is associated with elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), an important biomarker for blood glucose levels and diabetes. The association was even stronger in obese individuals with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI). The results suggest the bacteria may play a role in the development of diabetes in adults. ... > full story

Motivation to be active may lead to impulsive behavior (March 14, 2012) -- Those motivated to actively change bad habits may be setting themselves up for failure, a new study suggests. ... > full story

Health and ecosystem issues found with popular pavement sealcoat (March 14, 2012) -- A parking lot at the edge of the University of New Hampshire campus has contributed important research to an emerging concern for the environment and human health. The research has found that one type of pavement sealcoat, common on driveways and parking lots throughout the nation, has significant health and ecosystem implications. ... > full story

'Brain fog' of menopause confirmed (March 14, 2012) -- The difficulties that many women describe as memory problems when menopause approaches are real, according to a new study. The findings won't come as a surprise to millions of women, but the results validate their experiences and provide some clues to what is happening in the brain as women hit menopause. ... > full story

REM sleep disorder doubles risk of mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's, study finds (March 14, 2012) -- People with symptoms suggesting rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, or RBD, have twice the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease within four years of diagnosis with the sleep problem, compared with people without the disorder, a new study has found. ... > full story

Few genes control neuronal function (March 14, 2012) -- How are 100 billion cells created, each with specific duties? The human brain is evidence that nature can achieve this. Researchers have now taken a step closer to solving this mystery. ... > full story

Capturing chromosomes during cell division (March 14, 2012) -- Scientists have been successful in elucidating a new mechanism for the error-free segregation of the human genome during cell division. They have been able to show that the enzyme Aurora B and the protein complex Ska play a central role in flawless chromosome segregation. ... > full story

Are silver nanoparticles harmful? (March 14, 2012) -- Silver nanoparticles cause more damage to testicular cells than titanium dioxide nanoparticles, according to a recent study. However, the use of both types may affect testicular cells with possible consequences for fertility. ... > full story

Shyness study examines how human brain adapts to stimuli (March 14, 2012) -- Shyness may be the result of deficits in two areas of the brain, new research finds. ... > full story

Voters favor deep-voiced politicians (March 13, 2012) -- Candidates with lower-pitched voices may get more votes in the 2012 election. A new study by biologists and a political scientist shows that both men and women prefer political candidates with deeper voices. The results also suggest that biology -- not just partisanship or ideology -- can shape voters' choices. ... > full story

Fatty diets may be associated with reduced semen quality (March 13, 2012) -- Men's diets, in particular the amount and type of different fats they eat, could be associated with their semen quality according to the results of a study. The study of 99 men in the USA found an association between a high total fat intake and lower total sperm count and concentration. ... > full story

Losing belly fat, whether from a low-carb or a low-fat diet, helps improve blood vessel function (March 13, 2012) -- Overweight people who shed pounds, especially belly fat, can improve the function of their blood vessels no matter whether they are on a low-carb or a low-fat diet, according to a new study. ... > full story

Cancer epigenetics: Breakthrough in identifying target genes (March 13, 2012) -- Cancer is usually attributed to faulty genes, but growing evidence from the field of cancer epigenetics indicates a key role for the gene "silencing" proteins that stably turn genes off inside the cell nucleus. A new study promises to speed research in the field by rapidly identifying the genes that epigenetic proteins can target for silencing. ... > full story

Cool hands may be the key to increasing exercise capacity (March 13, 2012) -- Cooling the palms of the hands while working out could help you stick with a physical activity program, according to a small study. ... > full story

Dietary patterns exist among US adults based on demographics (March 13, 2012) -- Scientists say they have identified five eating patterns for US adults that are strongly influenced by age, race, region, gender, income and education. ... > full story

Treating intestinal E. coli infection with antibiotic may reduce duration of bacterial carriage (March 13, 2012) -- In the E. coli outbreak in Germany in May 2011, treatment with azithromycin was associated with a lower frequency of long-term carriage of the bacteria and shorter duration of shedding of the bacteria in stool specimens, according to a new study. ... > full story

Potential Alzheimer's disease drug slows damage and symptoms in animal model (March 13, 2012) -- A compound that previously progressed to Phase II clinical trials for cancer treatment slows neurological damage and improves brain function in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. The compound epothilone D is effective in preventing further neurological damage and improving cognitive performance in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results establish how the drug might be used in early-stage AD patients. ... > full story

Scientists produce eye structures from human blood-derived stem cells (March 13, 2012) -- For the first time, scientists have made early retina structures containing proliferating neuroretinal progenitor cells using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from human blood. ... > full story

Reduced baby risk from another Cesarean (March 13, 2012) -- A major study has found that women who have had one prior cesarean can lower the risk of death and serious complications for their next baby -- and themselves -- by electing to have another cesarean. ... > full story

Simple, low-cost yoga program can enhance coping and quality of life for the caregivers (March 13, 2012) -- For dementia caregivers, researchers have found that engaging in a brief, 12-minute yogic practice that included an ancient chanting meditation, can lead to improved cognitive functioning, and lower levels of depression for caregivers. ... > full story

Children at risk for schizophrenia show disordered brain networks (March 13, 2012) -- Neuroscientists have discovered stark developmental differences in brain network function in children of parents with schizophrenia when compared to those with no family history of mental illness. ... > full story

Multiple sclerosis study documents negative effect of warmer weather on cognition (March 13, 2012) -- Scientists have shown that outdoor temperature significantly impacts cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis (MS). In cross-sectional and longitudinal samples, patients performed worse on processing speed and memory tasks during warmer outdoor temperatures. Previous research documented increased disease activity during warmer months; this study is the first to show that cognition also fluctuates. This is the first study to support the subjective impression of patients with MS that warm weather negatively affects their cognition. ... > full story

Gene known to protect against cancer can also promote tumor growth (March 13, 2012) -- Can a gene simultaneously protect against cancer and favor its growth? Researchers have discovered a gene with this double-edged property and suspect there may be many more that share it. ... > full story

Botox injections now used for severe urinary incontinence (March 13, 2012) -- When you think of Botox injections, you probably think of getting rid of unwanted wrinkles around the eyes or forehead, but recently the FDA approved using the injections to help patients with neurological conditions who suffer from incontinence, or an overactive bladder. ... > full story

More trans fat consumption linked to greater aggression, researchers find (March 13, 2012) -- Researchers have shown -- by each of a range of measures, in men and women of all ages, in Caucasians and minorities -- that consumption of dietary trans fatty acids is associated with irritability and aggression. ... > full story

Get me out of this slump: Visual illusions improve sports performance (March 13, 2012) -- With the NCAA men's college basketball tournament set to begin, college basketball fans around the United States are in the throes of March Madness. Anyone who has seen a game knows that the fans are like extra players on the court, and this is especially true during critical free throws. Fans of the opposing team will wave anything they can, from giant inflatable noodles to big heads, to make it difficult for players to focus on the basket. ... > full story

Scientists tap the cognitive genius of tots to make computers smarter (March 13, 2012) -- People often wonder if computers make children smarter. Scientists are now asking the reverse question: Can children make computers smarter? It appears so. ... > full story

Microbubbles and ultrasound help penetrate blood-brain barrier (March 13, 2012) -- One of the trickiest parts of treating brain conditions is the blood-brain barrier, a blockade of cells that prevent both harmful toxins and helpful pharmaceuticals from getting to the body's control center. But, a new technique uses an MRI machine to guide the use of microbubbles and focused ultrasound to help drugs enter the brain, which may open new treatment avenues for devastating conditions like Alzheimer's and brain cancers. ... > full story

Research shows 50 years of motherhood manuals set standards too high for new moms (March 13, 2012) -- New research into 50 years of motherhood manuals has revealed how despite their differences they have always issued advice as orders and set unattainably high standards for new moms and babies. ... > full story

Potential drug for speeding up cellular recycling (March 13, 2012) -- Cell biologists have identified a potential drug that speeds up trash removal from the cell's recycling center, the lysosome. ... > full story

Body clocks may hold key for treatment of bipolar disorder (March 13, 2012) -- Scientists have gained insight into why lithium salts are effective at treating bipolar disorder in what could lead to more targeted therapies with fewer side-effects. ... > full story

Research aims for better diagnosis of language impairments (March 13, 2012) -- Recent studies aim at finding better ways to diagnose young children with language impairments. The work could lead to better treatments for individual children with communication disorders. ... > full story

Just 60 seconds of combat can impair memory, finds study of police officers (March 13, 2012) -- Just 60 seconds of all-out physical exertion in a threatening situation can seriously damage the memories of those involved for many details of the incident, according to a new study of police officers.   ... > full story

Red meat consumption linked to increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality (March 12, 2012) -- A new study has found that red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. ... > full story

Sugar-sweetened drinks linked to increased risk of heart disease in men, study suggests (March 12, 2012) -- Men who drank one sugar-sweetened beverage a day had a 20 percent higher risk of heart disease compared to men who did not drink any sugar-sweetened drinks. Daily sugar-sweetened drink consumption was also linked to higher levels of harmful lipids in the blood and inflammation. Artificially sweetened beverages did not increase heart-disease risk in this study. ... > full story

How the human body controls viruses thought to cause a variety of cancers (March 12, 2012) -- New research addresses how the human body controls gamma-herpesviruses, a class of viruses thought to cause a variety of cancers. ... > full story

Tweens just say 'maybe' to cigarettes and alcohol (March 12, 2012) -- When it comes to prevention of substance use in our tween population, turning our kids on to thought control may just be the answer to getting them to say no. ... > full story

Correcting human mitochondrial mutations (March 12, 2012) -- Researchers have identified, for the first time, a generic way to correct mutations in human mitochondrial DNA by targeting corrective RNAs, a finding with implications for treating a host of mitochondrial diseases. ... > full story

Scientists identify more than 500 genes that may cause pancreatic cancer (March 12, 2012) -- Scientists have identified more than 500 genes that may cause or contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer. This particularly deadly disease has a 1-in-20 survival rate after five years, largely because no effective genetic screening method exists for early detection. ... > full story