ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Friday, August 15, 2008
Snooze Button For Body's Circadian Clock (August 15, 2008) -- We may use the snooze button to fine-tune our sleep cycles, but our cells have a far more meticulous and refined system. Humans, and most other organisms, have 24-hour rhythms that are regulated by a precise molecular clock that ticks inside every cell. After decades of study, researchers are still identifying all the gears involved in running this "circadian" clock and are working to put each of the molecular cogs in its place. A new study now shows how two of the key molecules interact to regulate the clock's cycle and uncovers how that switch can go haywire, identifying one potential cause of heritable sleep disorders. ... > full story
'Flu Vaccination' Protects Bacteria Against Virus (August 15, 2008) -- Bacteria – like people animals and plants – can become infected by a virus. Researchers have now unravelled a mechanism with which bacteria can defend themselves for a longer period against threatening viruses. Over the long term, this research offers possibilities to protect bacteria used in industrial processes against viral infections by giving them a 'flu vaccination'. ... > full story
Distinguishing Between Two Birds Of A Feather (August 15, 2008) -- The bird enthusiast who chronicled the adventures of a flock of red-headed conures in his book "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" knows most of the parrots by name, yet most of us would be hard pressed to tell one bird from another. While it has been known for a long time that we can become acutely attuned to our day-to-day environment, the underlying neural mechanism has been less clear. ... > full story
Risk Assessment Plays Key Role In Long-term Treatment Of Breast Cancer (August 15, 2008) -- Breast cancer patients and their physicians may make more informed, long-term treatment decisions using risk assessment strategies to help determine probability of recurrence, researchers reported. ... > full story
Wide Variety Of Errors Found In Testing Process At Family Medicine Clinics (August 15, 2008) -- The largest study to date of testing errors reported by family physician offices in the United States found that problems occur throughout the testing process and disproportionately affect minority patients. ... > full story
Structural Biology Spin-out Tackles Major Diseases (August 15, 2008) -- A spin off company from basic structural biology has led to new technology that provides a way of creating therapeutic proteins to tackle major diseases such as cancer, diabetes and infertility. ... > full story
Sequential Doxorubicin And Zoledronic Acid Have Powerful Anti-Tumor Effect In Vivo (August 15, 2008) -- The use of doxorubicin followed by zoledronic acid reduced tumor size substantially in a mouse model of breast cancer that does not have bone metastases. ... > full story
Towards Zero Training For Brain-computer Interfacing (August 15, 2008) -- While invasive electrode recordings in humans show long-term promise, noninvasive techniques can also provide effective brain-computer interfacing and localization of motor activity in the brain for paralyzed patients with significantly reduced risks and costs as well as novel applications for healthy users. However, two issues hamper the ease of use of BCI systems based on noninvasive recording techniques, such as electroencephalography. ... > full story
Public Health Clinic Study Links 'Americanization' And Depression (August 15, 2008) -- A study of 439 US and Mexican-born Latinas seeking pregnancy and postpartum services at public health clinics in San Antonio uncovered elevated levels of depression among the more "Americanized" women, report researchers in the Maternal and Child Health Journal. ... > full story
To The Moon And Mars: Psychologists Show New Ways To Deal With Health Challenges In Space (August 14, 2008) -- As NASA prepares to send humans back to the moon and then on to Mars, psychologists are exploring the challenges astronauts will face on missions that will be much longer and more demanding than previous space flights. Psychologists outlined these mental health challenges at the American Psychological Association's 116th Annual Convention, and introduced a new interactive computer program that will help address psychosocial challenges in space. ... > full story
Cocaine-induced Synaptic Plasticity Linked To Persistent Addictive Behaviors (August 14, 2008) -- The persistent nature of addiction is its most devastating feature. Understanding the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is the key for designing efficient therapy. Two separate studies published by Cell Press in the journal Neuron identify specific cocaine-induced changes in dopamine neurons that play a pivotal role in behaviors associated with drug addiction. ... > full story
Drinking Water In Gaza Strip Contaminated With High Levels Of Nitrate (August 14, 2008) -- Scientists have recommended to the authorities in the Gaza Strip that they take immediate measures to combat excessive nitrate levels in the drinking water. 90 per cent of their water samples were found to contain nitrate concentrations that were between two and eight times higher than the limit recommended by the World Health Organization. ... > full story
Protein Complementarity May Offer New Insights Into Autoimmune Diseases (August 14, 2008) -- The discovery of "complementary" antibodies against plasminogen in patients with blood vessel inflammation caused by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies may lead to new approaches to research, testing and treatment of ANCA vasculitis and other autoimmune diseases, suggests a new article. ... > full story
Hard Day's Night? Enhancing The Work-life Balance Of Shift Workers (August 14, 2008) -- Introducing a Compressed Working Week may enhance the work-life balance of shift workers without damaging productivity or competitiveness suggests a new systematic review published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. ... > full story
How Flesh-eating Bacteria Attack The Body's Immune System (August 14, 2008) -- "Flesh-eating" or "Strep" bacteria are able to survive and spread in the body by degrading a key immune defense molecule. The finding could aid in development of new treatments for serious infections in human patients. ... > full story
Molecular Switch Boosts Brain Activity Associated With Schizophrenia (August 14, 2008) -- People with schizophrenia have an alteration in a pattern of brain electrical activity associated with learning and memory. Now, researchers have identified in mouse brain tissue a molecular switch that, when thrown, increases the strength of this electrical pattern. The researchers found that adding the brain chemical Neuregulin-1 to the brain tissue boosted the electrical signals that the tissue generated. ... > full story
Adenocarcinoma Of The Esophagus Increasing In White Men And Women (August 14, 2008) -- The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in the United States increased among both white men and women between 1975 and 2004. ... > full story
Sleep Selectively Preserves Emotional Memories (August 14, 2008) -- Research offers new insights into the specific components of emotional memories, suggesting that sleep plays a key role in what we remember -- and what we forget. ... > full story
White Blood Cell Uses DNA 'Catapult' To Fight Infection (August 14, 2008) -- Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how a type of white blood cell called the eosinophil may help the body to fight bacterial infections in the digestive tract, according to new research in Nature Medicine. ... > full story
Not All Hearing Aids Are Created Equal (August 14, 2008) -- Consumers with hearing loss might think they are saving significantly more by purchasing over-the-counter hearing aids, but they most likely will be disappointed -- or could be taking risks -- when purchasing such aids, according to new research. ... > full story
Causes For Sexual Dysfunction Change As People Age (August 14, 2008) -- Sexual dysfunction is not an inevitable part of aging, but it is strongly related a number of factors, such as mental and physical health, demographics and lifetime experiences, many of which are interrelated. People who had an STD are also more likely to have had sexual experiences over their lifetimes that included more risks and multiple sex partners. ... > full story
Robot With A Biological Brain: New Research Provides Insights Into How The Brain Works (August 14, 2008) -- Researchers in the UK have developed a robot which is controlled by a biological brain formed from cultured neurons -- the first step to examine how memories manifest themselves in the brain, and how a brain stores specific pieces of data. The key aim is that eventually this will lead to a better understanding of development and of diseases and disorders which affect the brain such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, stoke and brain injury. ... > full story
Air Pollution Damages More Than Lungs: Heart And Blood Vessels Suffer Too (August 14, 2008) -- Air pollution has both short- and long-term toxic effects that injure the heart and blood vessels, increase rates of hospitalization for cardiac illness and can even cause death. ... > full story
Protein Key To Control, Growth Of Blood Cells (August 14, 2008) -- New research sheds light on the biological events by which stem cells in the bone marrow develop into the broad variety of cells that circulate in the blood. The findings may help improve the success of bone marrow transplants and may lead to better treatments for life-threatening blood diseases. ... > full story
Infant Sensitivity To Negative Emotional Expressions Develops At Around 6 Months (August 14, 2008) -- Scientists have discovered important changes in the way that infants react to another person's face at age 5-7 months. Infants aged 5 months react very differently to a fearful face than those aged 7 months. ... > full story
MSG Use Linked To Obesity (August 14, 2008) -- People who use monosodium glutamate, or MSG, as a flavor enhancer in their food are more likely than people who don't use it to be overweight or obese even though they have the same amount of physical activity and total calorie intake, according to a study in the journal Obesity. ... > full story
Aspirin, Acid Blocker A Day Keeps GI Bleeding At Bay (August 14, 2008) -- Over-the-counter acid-blockers are worth the price for coronary heart disease patients taking low-dose aspirin as a preventative measure, according to new research. ... > full story
Extensively Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Found In California (August 14, 2008) -- In the first statewide study of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB) in the United States, California officials have identified 18 cases of the dangerous and difficult-to-treat disease between 1993 and 2006, and 77 cases that were one step away from XDR TB. ... > full story
'Erasing' Drug-associated Memories May Stop Drug Addiction Relapses (August 14, 2008) -- "Erasing" drug-associated memories may prevent recovering drug abusers from relapsing, researchers have discovered. The team was able to reduce drug-seeking behaviors in rats by blocking a brain chemical receptor important to learning and memory during the recall of drug-associated memories. ... > full story
Novel Mechanism That Controls The Development Of Autoimmunity Discovered (August 14, 2008) -- Scientists have found a mechanism in the immune systems of mice that can lead to the development of autoimmune disease when turned off. The findings shed light on the processes that lead to the development of autoimmunity and could also have implications for the development of drugs to increase the immune response in diseases such as cancer and HIV. ... > full story
Alternative Energy Technologies: Solar-powered Home Appliances Being Developed By Students (August 14, 2008) -- UC's solar house is now a summer class room where students experiment with alternative-energy technologies. ... > full story
Pandemic Potential Of H9N2 Avian Influenza Viruses (August 14, 2008) -- Since their introduction into land-based birds in 1988, H9N2 avian influenza A viruses have caused multiple human infections and become endemic in domestic poultry in Eurasia. This particular influenza subtype has been evolving and acquiring characteristics that raise concerns that it may become more transmissible among humans. Mechanisms that allow infection and subsequent human-to-human transmission of avian influenza viruses are not well understood. ... > full story
Cardiac Resynchromization: Race, Age, Geography Matter, Study Shows (August 14, 2008) -- Race, age, and geography appear to play important roles in who receives cardiac resynchronization therapy, a proven treatment for some patients with heart failure. ... > full story
Trapping White Blood Cells Proves Novel Strategy Against Chronic Viral Infections (August 14, 2008) -- A drug that sequesters white blood cells in lymph nodes can allow mice to fight off a chronic infection by a virus that causes meningitis. The novel strategy of restricting white blood cells' circulation has implications for treating chronic viral infections in humans. ... > full story
Sensitivity To Antidepressants Linked With TrkB-mediated Neural Proliferation (August 14, 2008) -- Scientists have unveiled a functional link between production of new neurons and the effectiveness of antidepressants in an animal model. The study, published by Cell Press in the journal Neuron, provides exciting insight into a mechanism that might underlie a poor response to antidepressive medications for anxiety or depression. ... > full story
Built Environment Connected With Obesity In Baby Boomers (August 14, 2008) -- Results showed significant associations among built-environment factors and the prevalence of overweight/obesity and various forms of physical activity in middle-aged and older adults. These findings suggest the need for public health and city planning officials to consider how modifiable neighborhood-level, built-environment characteristics can create more livable residential communities and promote active, healthy lifestyles. ... > full story
Childhood Dairy Intake May Improve Adolescent Bone Health (August 13, 2008) -- Dairy is recognized as a key component of a healthy, balanced diet. However, until recently it was unclear how long-term dairy intake contributes to the many aspects of bone health in children, including bone density, bone mineral content and bone area. A new study soon to be published in the Journal of Pediatrics investigates the effect of childhood dairy intake on adolescent bone health. ... > full story
Virtual Reality Goggles Create An Equal Opportunity Eye Test (August 13, 2008) -- Visual field tests are widely used by eye doctors and neurologists. By determining the health of the retina, optic nerve and the visual pathway throughout the brain, the test can uncover glaucoma and conditions such as optic neuritis or brain damage. Essential to undergo before one can drive a car or fly a plane, the visual field test is also used to pinpoint neurological damage after an accident or surgery. ... > full story
Overweight Hispanic Children At Significant Risk For Pre-diabetes, According To New Study (August 13, 2008) -- Overweight Hispanic children are at significant risk for pre-diabetes, a condition marked by higher than normal blood glucose levels that are not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. The persistence of pre-diabetes during growth is associated with progression in risk towards future diabetes, according to the study. ... > full story
Reserve, National Guard At Higher Risk Of Alcohol-related Problems After Returning From Combat (August 13, 2008) -- Younger service members and Reserve and National Guard combat personnel returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are at increased risk of new-onset heavy drinking, binge drinking and other alcohol-related problems, according to a new study. ... > full story
Scientists Use Old Enemy To K.O. Cancer (August 13, 2008) -- Chemists are pulling cancer onto a sucker punch by getting infected cells to drop their guard -- according to research published today. They are using the metal ruthenium as a catalyst to a cancer-busting reaction which calls up an old cellular enemy -- oxidants -- as an ally. ... > full story
Prostatectomy Improves Outcome Of Some Men With Prostate Cancer Over Watchful Waiting (August 13, 2008) -- Men with early prostate cancer who undergo radical prostatectomy have a lower rate of death due to prostate cancer than men who are followed without treatment, known as watchful waiting, according to a randomized controlled trial. ... > full story
Simply Listening To Music Affects One's Musicality (August 13, 2008) -- Researchers have demonstrated how much the brain can learn simply through active exposure to many different kinds of music. "More and more labs are showing that people have the sensitivity for skills that we thought were only expert skills," Henkjan Honing (UvA) explains. "It turns out that mere exposure makes an enormous contribution to how musical competence develops." ... > full story
Adverse Reactions To Antibiotics Send Thousands Of Patients To The ER (August 13, 2008) -- Adverse events from antibiotics cause an estimated 142,000 emergency department visits per year in the United States, according to a new study. ... > full story
Breast Cancer Patients Still Have Risk Of Relapse After 5 Years Of Systemic Therapy (August 13, 2008) -- Breast cancer survivors continue to have a substantial risk of disease recurrence after five years of systemic therapy, according to a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Among breast cancer patients who were cancer-free five years after initiating systemic therapy, 89 percent remained recurrence-free at five years (approximately 10 years after a woman's initial diagnosis) and 80 percent remained recurrence free at 10 years (approximately 15 years after diagnosis). ... > full story
Nature Or Nurture: Are You Who Your Brain Chemistry Says You Are? (August 13, 2008) -- Researchers using positron emission tomography (PET) have validated a long-held theory that individual personality traits -- particularly reward dependency -- are connected to brain chemistry, a finding that has implications for better understanding and treating substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. ... > full story
Nano Vaccine For Hepatitis B Shows Promise For Third World (August 13, 2008) -- A new needle-less vaccine is highly effective and can be stored without refrigeration, studies in animals show. The vaccine should also be safer to administer than existing hepatitis B vaccines and effective with only two immunizations. The technique, a nanoemulsion given in the nose, is a step closer to human trials, possibly within a year. Hepatitis B kills an estimated 1 million people annually. ... > full story
Gene's Newly Explained Effect On Height May Change Tumor Disorder Treatment (August 13, 2008) -- A mutation that causes a childhood tumor syndrome also impairs growth hormone secretion. The new discovery provides new insights into an old mystery, revealing why patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 are frequently shorter than their peers. ... > full story
Copyright 1995-2008 © ScienceDaily LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
