ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Friday, March 30, 2012

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Friday, March 30, 2012

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

Oscillating gel acts like artificial skin, giving robots potential ability to 'feel' (March 29, 2012) -- Sooner than later, robots may have the ability to "feel." Scientists have now demonstrated that a non-oscillating gel can be resuscitated in a fashion similar to a medical cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ... > full story

Greater traumatic stress linked with elevated inflammation in heart patients (March 29, 2012) -- Greater lifetime exposure to the stress of traumatic events was linked to higher levels of inflammation in a study of almost 1,000 patients with cardiovascular disease. ... > full story

Once considered mainly 'brain glue,' astrocytes' power revealed (March 29, 2012) -- A type of cell plentiful in the brain, long considered mainly the stuff that holds the brain together and oft-overlooked by scientists more interested in flashier cells known as neurons, wields more power in the brain than has been realized, playing a key role in reducing or stopping the electrical signals that are considered brain activity. ... > full story

Radioactive antibody fragment may help scientists identify artery deposits (March 29, 2012) -- Creating a tiny, radioactive antibody fragment may help scientists identify artery deposits most likely to burst and cause a heart attack. A non-invasive system uses miniature antibodies to detect a molecule that identifies the vulnerable deposits. Researchers plan clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of the new imaging technique. ... > full story

Autism more common than previously thought: CDC report shows one in 54 boys identified (March 29, 2012) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 88 children in the United States has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a new study. Autism spectrum disorders are almost five times more common among boys than girls -- with 1 in 54 boys identified. ... > full story

New breast cancer susceptibility gene (March 29, 2012) -- Mutations in a gene called XRCC2 cause increased breast cancer risk, according to a new study. The study looked at families that have a history of the disease but do not have mutations in the currently known breast cancer susceptibility genes. ... > full story

Compounds dramatically alter biological clock and lead to weight loss, animal study suggests (March 29, 2012) -- Scientists have synthesized a pair of small molecules that dramatically alter the core biological clock in animal models, highlighting the compounds' potential effectiveness in treating a remarkable range of disorders -- including obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and serious sleep disorders. ... > full story

Plant research reveals new role for gene silencing protein (March 29, 2012) -- A DICER protein, known to produce tiny RNAs in cells, also helps complete an important step in gene expression, according to research on Arabidopsis thaliana. The expression of a gene requires activation via a promoter or an external trigger. Plant research to be published in Science helps to show that later stages of transcription are just as important. This is likely to apply to other organisms, including humans. ... > full story

Simple 3-D grid structure underlying complexity of primate brain (March 29, 2012) -- How do you build a brain? Scientists how present a surprising answer, reporting their discovery of a remarkably simple organizational structure in the brains of humans and other primates. Employing sophisticated mathematical analysis of advanced imaging data, they found that the pathways carrying neural signals through the brain are arranged not in a disorganized tangle but in a curved, three-dimensional grid. ... > full story

How genes organize the surface of the brain (March 29, 2012) -- The first atlas of the surface of the human brain based upon genetic information has been produced by a team of scientists. The atlas reveals that the cerebral cortex -- the sheet of neural tissue enveloping the brain -- is roughly divided into genetic divisions that differ from other brain maps based on physiology or function. ... > full story

On the path to age-defying therapies (March 29, 2012) -- The drug rapamycin extends lifespan in lab animals, yet it's linked to two hallmarks of diabetes. By teasing apart its activity, researchers have determined that inhibiting only the protein cluster known as mTORC1 prolongs life in mice without adversely affecting glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity. ... > full story

World's first bedside genetic test (March 29, 2012) -- The world's first bedside genetic test has been developed. Scientists reports on the use of a simple cheek swab test, the Spartan RX CYP2C19, performed by nurses at the patient's bedside. This revolutionary technology allows doctors to rapidly identify patients with a genetic variant known as CYP2C19*2. ... > full story

Artificial thymus tissue enables maturation of immune cells (March 29, 2012) -- The thymus plays a key role in the body's immune response. It is here where the T lymphocytes or T cells, a major type of immune defence cells, mature. Different types of T cells, designated to perform specific tasks, arise from progenitor cells that migrate to the thymus from the bone marrow. Researchers have now generated artificial thymus tissue in a mouse embryo to enable the maturation of immune cells. In this process, they discovered which signalling molecules control the maturation of T cells. Their results represent the first step towards the production of artificial thymus glands that could be used to replace or augment the damaged organ. ... > full story

Mind-pops more likely with schizophrenia (March 29, 2012) -- Almost everyone reports experiencing 'mind-pops' at some time or another, but some experience them more than others according to new research. New findings suggest that mind-pop experiences -- when unrelated thoughts pop into your head -- are related to hallucinations in those people suffering from schizophrenia. ... > full story

Genes for learning, remembering and forgetting (March 29, 2012) -- Certain genes and proteins that promote growth and development of embryos also play a surprising role in sending chemical signals that help adults learn, remember, forget and perhaps become addicted, biologists have discovered. ... > full story

Tiny electrical sensors could signal faster MRSA diagnosis (March 29, 2012) -- A simple test to identify MRSA in wounds could identify the superbug quickly and help prevent infection from spreading. Scientists have developed the test to show whether wounds or lesions are infected with bacteria and if MRSA is present. ... > full story

'Living' micro-robot could detect diseases in humans (March 29, 2012) -- A tiny prototype robot that functions like a living creature is being developed which one day could be safely used to pinpoint diseases within the human body. Called 'Cyberplasm', it will combine advanced microelectronics with latest research in biomimicry. The aim is for Cyberplasm to have an electronic nervous system, 'eye' and 'nose' sensors derived from mammalian cells, as well as artificial muscles that use glucose as an energy source to propel it. ... > full story

Key component in mother's egg critical for survivial of newly formed embryo (March 29, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered that a protein, called TRIM28, normally present in the mother's egg, is essential right after fertilization, to preserve certain chemical modifications or 'epigenetic marks' on a specific set of genes. This newly published study paves the way for more research to explore the role that epigenetics might play in infertility. ... > full story

Genetic regulators hijacked by avian and swine flu viruses identified (March 29, 2012) -- Researchers have identified a number of tiny but powerful "genetic regulators" that are hijacked by avian and swine flu viruses during human infection. ... > full story

Culprit behind unchecked angiogenesis identified (March 29, 2012) -- Researchers have unraveled a critical regulatory mechanism controlling blood vessel growth that might help solve drug resistance problems in the future. ... > full story

MicroRNAs offer new hope against obesity and diabetes (March 29, 2012) -- Hunger has always threatened humankind. This makes it unsurprising that human bodies attempt to store all surplus nourishment in adipose tissue. In developed countries, this life-saving craving is turning into a problem and obesity -- adiposity -- is turning into a danger. Why, though, does excess fat the body ill? How does fat trigger diabetes? And can these superfluous fat reserves be turned into warmth and just as well burnt? Scientists have now discovered that microRNAs could be a new switch of adipose cell development in humans. ... > full story

Mites form friendly societies: Predatory mites who stick with familiar individuals are more efficient at finding food (March 29, 2012) -- For plant-inhabiting predatory mites, living among familiar neighbors reduces stress. This allows individuals to focus on other tasks and be more productive, in particular while they are foraging. The new study supports the theory that so-called 'social familiarity' reduces the cognitive, physiological and behavioral costs of group-living, leading to increased efficiency in other tasks. ... > full story

Researchers close in on vaccine to protect babies (March 29, 2012) -- Researchers are closing in on a needle-free vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a major cause of respiratory illness in children under two years of age. ... > full story

Current chemical testing missing low-dosage effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (March 29, 2012) -- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) —- such as BPA —- can show tangible effects on health endpoints at high dosage levels, yet those effects do not predict how EDCs will affect the endocrine system at low doses, according to a recent study. ... > full story

New more-sensitive blood test catches recurring breast cancer a year earlier (March 28, 2012) -- A new blood test is twice as sensitive and can detect breast cancer recurrence a full year earlier than current blood tests, according to new research. ... > full story

Standard test may miss food ingredients that cause milk allergy (March 28, 2012) -- The standard test used to detect milk-protein residues in processed foods may not work as well as previously believed in all applications, sometimes missing ingredients that can cause milk allergy, the most common childhood food allergy, which affects millions of children under age 3, a scientist has reported. ... > full story

Key mechanism involved in Type 2 diabetes identified (March 28, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered a key protein that regulates insulin resistance -- the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin and which sets the stage for the development of the most common form of diabetes. This breakthrough points to a new way to potentially treat or forestall Type 2 diabetes, a rapidly growing global health problem. ... > full story

Health impact, interplay of diet soft drinks and overall diet unraveled (March 28, 2012) -- Are diet sodas good or bad for you? The jury is still out, but a new study sheds light on the impact that zero-calorie beverages may have on health, especially in the context of a person's overall dietary habits. ... > full story

With you in the room, bacteria counts spike -- by about 37 million bacteria per hour (March 28, 2012) -- A person's mere presence in a room can add 37 million bacteria to the air every hour -- material largely left behind by previous occupants and stirred up from the floor -- according to new research. ... > full story

US cancer death rates continue to decline (March 28, 2012) -- A report from the nation’s leading cancer organizations shows rates of death in the United States from all cancers for men and women continued to decline between 2004 and 2008. ... > full story

Meditation improves emotional behaviors in teachers (March 28, 2012) -- Schoolteachers who underwent a short but intensive program of meditation were less depressed, anxious or stressed -- and more compassionate and aware of others' feelings. The novel project blended ancient meditation practices with the most current scientific methods for regulating emotions. ... > full story

New layer of genetic information helps determine how fast proteins are produced (March 28, 2012) -- A hidden and never before recognized layer of information in the genetic code has been uncovered by a team of scientists, thanks to a new technique called ribosome profiling, which enables the measurement of gene activity inside living cells. ... > full story

Danger of grill brushes identified (March 28, 2012) -- Physicians have identified a number of cases of accidental ingestion of wire grill brush bristles that required endoscopic or surgical removal. ... > full story

Novel compound halts tumor spread, improves brain cancer treatment in animal studies (March 28, 2012) -- By stopping the spread of cancer cells into normal brain tissue in animal models, researchers have developed a new strategy for treating brain cancer that could improve clinical outcomes. The researchers treated animals possessing an invasive tumor with a novel molecule called imipramine blue, followed by conventional doxorubicin chemotherapy. The tumors ceased their invasion of healthy tissue and the animals survived longer than animals treated with chemotherapy alone. ... > full story

Weight Loss Surgery and Diabetes: Expert Interview Opportunity (March 28, 2012) -- Caroline Apovian, MD, a leading obesity medicine specialist specializing in medical treatments for obesity and monitoring type 2 diabetes, can provide insight into recent research suggesting that weight loss surgery may reverse type 2 diabetes. ... > full story

Protein 'jailbreak' helps breast cancer cells live (March 28, 2012) -- Researchers have traced the molecular interactions that allow the protein survivin to escape the nucleus of a breast cancer cell and prolong the cell's life. The study may help in the development of better therapies and prognostics. ... > full story

Does BMI affect post-surgical complications, survival in esophageal adenocarcinoma? (March 28, 2012) -- Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., have found – contrary to previous studies linking inferior outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies to higher body mass index (BMI) – that in their study of BMI and negative outcomes, there was no such link. They concluded that BMI was not associated with either surgical complications or esophageal cancer patient survival. ... > full story

Online dating scammers looking for money, not love (March 28, 2012) -- Online romance scams, a new form of cybercrime, is under-reported and increasing, and has victimized an estimated 230,000 people in England, costing them nearly billion a year, according to a new article. ... > full story

Body mass index not linked to post-surgical complications, survival in esophageal adenocarcinoma, study suggests (March 28, 2012) -- Researchers have found – contrary to previous studies linking inferior outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies to higher body mass index (BMI) – that in their study of BMI and negative outcomes, there was no such link. They concluded that BMI was not associated with either surgical complications or esophageal cancer patient survival. ... > full story

Stopping statin therapy increases risk of death for rheumatoid arthritis patients (March 28, 2012) -- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who discontinue use of statin therapy are at increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and other causes. ... > full story

'Resuscitating' antibiotics to overcome drug resistance (March 27, 2012) -- Combining common antibiotics with additional compounds could make previously resistant bacteria more susceptible to the same antibiotics. 'Resuscitation' of existing antibiotics has the potential to make infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria easier to control, reducing antibiotic usage and levels of antimicrobial resistance, say scientists. ... > full story

Thyme may be better for acne than prescription creams (March 27, 2012) -- Herbal preparations of thyme could be more effective at treating skin acne than prescription creams, according to new research. Further clinical testing could lead to an effective, gentler treatment for the skin condition. ... > full story

Bacteria use chat to play the 'prisoner's dilemma' game in deciding their fate (March 27, 2012) -- When faced with life-or-death situations, bacteria -- and maybe even human cells -- use an extremely sophisticated version of "game theory" to consider their options and decide upon the best course of action. Scientists said microbes "play" a version of the classic "Prisoner's Dilemma" game. ... > full story

New gene therapy approach developed for red blood cell disorders (March 27, 2012) -- Scientists have designed what appears to be a powerful gene therapy strategy that can treat both beta-thalassemia disease and sickle cell anemia. They have also developed a test to predict patient response before treatment. ... > full story

Hot pepper compound could help hearts (March 27, 2012) -- The food that inspires wariness is on course for inspiring even more wonder from a medical standpoint as scientists have reported the latest evidence that chili peppers are a heart-healthy food with potential to protect against the No. 1 cause of death in the developed world. ... > full story

Blocking 'oh-glick-nack' may improve long-term memory (March 27, 2012) -- Just as the familiar sugar in food can be bad for the teeth and waistline, another sugar has been implicated as a health menace and blocking its action may have benefits that include improving long-term memory in older people and treating cancer. Progress has been made toward finding such a blocker for the sugar — with the appropriately malicious-sounding name “oh-glick-nack.” ... > full story

Capsule for removing radioactive contamination from milk, fruit juices, other beverages (March 27, 2012) -- Amid concerns about possible terrorist attacks with nuclear materials, and fresh memories of environmental contamination from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan, scientists have developed a capsule that can be dropped into water, milk, fruit juices and other foods to remove more than a dozen radioactive substances. ... > full story

Competition-linked bursts of testosterone are fundamental aspect of human biology, study of Amazonian tribe suggests (March 27, 2012) -- Though Tsimane men have a third less baseline testosterone compared with U.S. men, Tsimane show the same increase in testosterone following a soccer game, suggesting that competition-linked bursts of testosterone are a fundamental aspect of human biology. ... > full story