ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Wednesday, June 30, 2010
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Spinal cord stimulation may benefit Parkinson's patients (June 30, 2010) -- Spinal cord stimulation may be able to modulate Parkinson's disease symptoms, recent research suggests. ... > full story
Near-normal blood sugar target did not delay risk of organ damage in people with diabetes, study finds (June 30, 2010) -- In people with longstanding type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for heart attack and stroke, lowering blood sugar to near-normal levels did not delay the combined risk of diabetic damage to kidneys, eyes, or nerves, but did delay several other signs of diabetic damage, a study has found. The intensive glucose treatment was compared with standard glucose control. ... > full story
Smarter lunchrooms lead kids to eat more salad (June 30, 2010) -- In a year-long study in an upstate New York middle school, researchers examined the effect of moving the salad bar to a more prominent location in the cafeteria. Results show that sales of certain salad bar items increased by 250-300 percent. ... > full story
Engineered antibodies directed against a promising therapeutic target on ovarian cancer cells (June 30, 2010) -- Stealthy and stubborn, ovarian cancer is a particularly vexing malignancy, difficult to diagnose in early stages and difficult to treat once it progresses further. However, research is now focusing on one of the most promising new approaches to dealing with the disease -- using engineered antibodies to target tumor cells while leaving healthy cells intact. ... > full story
Eye study finds two therapies slow diabetic eye disease progression (June 30, 2010) -- In high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes, researchers have found that two therapies may slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age Americans. ... > full story
Large medical center reduces cumulative radiation exposure and CT scans through imaging algorithm, study finds (June 30, 2010) -- A large, academic medical center implemented an imaging algorithm that allowed radiologists to successfully reduce the cumulative radiation exposure and number of computed tomography (CT) angiography and CT perfusion studies performed on patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages (a form of stroke), according to a new study. ... > full story
Scholar calls for a new legal, ethical framework for research with human tissue specimens (June 30, 2010) -- A bioethics expert says a new legal and ethical framework needs to be placed around the donation and banking of human biological material, one that would more clearly define the terms of the material's use -- and address donor expectations before research begins. ... > full story
Combination MMRV vaccine linked with two-fold risk of seizures, study finds (June 29, 2010) -- The combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox is associated with double the risk of febrile seizures for 1- to 2-year-old children compared with same-day administration of the separate vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella and the varicella vaccine for chicken pox. Funded by the US Centers for Disease Control, the study analyzed 459,000 children 1 to 2 years old from numerous health systems across the US receiving their first dose of measles-containing vaccine. ... > full story
No link between diabetes drug rosiglitazone and increased rate of heart attack, study finds (June 29, 2010) -- The diabetes drug rosiglitazone has been under intense scrutiny since a 2007 study linked the drug's use with increased risk of heart attack and death from heart disease. Now, in a post-trial analysis of results from an international clinical trial of diabetes patients with cardiovascular disease, researchers at several major centers across the country report no increased rate of heart attack or death in patients taking the drug. ... > full story
Despite countless changes, original HIV infection lurks within (June 29, 2010) -- Scientists have been surprised to learn that, despite thousands of changes that viruses like HIV undergo in rapid fashion to evade the body's immune system, the original version that caused the infection is still present in the body months later. ... > full story
Weight and children with developmental coordination disorder (June 29, 2010) -- Children with developmental coordination disorder are at greater risk of being overweight or obese, according to a new study. ... > full story
Age doesn't necessarily affect decision-making, study shows (June 29, 2010) -- Many people believe that getting older means losing a mental edge, leading to poor decision-making. But a new study shows that when it comes to making intuitive decisions -- using your "gut instincts" -- older adults fare as well as their juniors. The study found that education plays a key role as well. ... > full story
Surprising find may yield new avenue of treatment for painful herniated discs (June 29, 2010) -- An immune cell known to cause chronic inflammation in autoimmune disorders has been identified as a possible culprit in low back pain associated with herniated discs, according to doctors. ... > full story
Can too much HDL be harmful to women with type 1 diabetes? (June 29, 2010) -- Elevated blood levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol, typically thought to protect against heart disease, may do the opposite in women with type 1 diabetes, according to new research. ... > full story
New formula gives first accurate peak heart rate for women (June 29, 2010) -- A new gender-based formula based on a large study provides a more accurate estimate of the peak heart rate a healthy woman should attain during exercise. It also will more accurately predict the risk of heart-related death during a stress test. Researchers found women's normal peak rate is lower than men's. ... > full story
New drugs to relieve cancer pain (June 29, 2010) -- Researchers in the UK and Italy have collaborated to develop new drugs which have the potential to relieve cancer pain without causing many of the side effects of current pain-treatments like morphine. ... > full story
Studies of women's attitudes to 'social egg freezing' find reasons differ with age (June 29, 2010) -- Women of different ages differ in their reasons for wishing to undergo egg freezing, two studies show. ... > full story
Pacemaker for your brain: Brain-to-computer chip revolutionizes neurological therapy (June 29, 2010) -- Researchers in Israel are delving deep into human behavior, neurophysiology and engineering to create a chip that can help doctors wire computer applications and sensors to the brain. The chip will provide deep brain stimulation precisely where and when it's needed. ... > full story
New possibility to determine the severity of appendicitis (June 29, 2010) -- The symptoms of appendicitis are often diffuse and it can be difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis early in the course of the disease. It may be possible to predict the severity from a blood sample, and in this way determine the treatment on an individual basis, according to new research from Sweden. ... > full story
Older adults watch more TV than younger people, enjoy it less (June 29, 2010) -- We usually scold our children and teenagers for watching too much TV. It turns out that their grandmas and grandpas spend even more of their time watching TV, and it is not good for them either, according to researchers. ... > full story
Memories are made of this: Uncovering the key to how we learn and remember (June 29, 2010) -- Researchers in the UK have revealed new information on the mechanism by which memories are formed. Their study found one of the key proteins involved in the process of memory and learning -- a breakthrough that has potential to impact drug design to treat Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story
New meta-analysis demonstrates heart risks associated with rosiglitazone (June 29, 2010) -- Eleven years after the introduction of the diabetes drug rosiglitazone, data from available clinical trials demonstrate an increased risk for heart attack associated with its use and suggest an unfavorable benefit-to-risk ratio, according to a new study. ... > full story
12 new genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes identified in new study (June 29, 2010) -- An international consortium has identified 12 new gene variants which impact the individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study represents a major contribution towards elucidating the complex pathogenesis of this important widespread disease. ... > full story
Type 2 diabetes medication rosiglitazone associated with increased cardiovascular risks and death, study finds (June 29, 2010) -- A new study shows that among patients age 65 years and older, rosiglitazone (a medication for treating Type 2 diabetes) is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mortality (death) when compared with pioglitazone (another medication for diabetes). ... > full story
Public transit systems contribute to weight loss and improved health, study finds (June 29, 2010) -- Increasing the availability of public transit systems is one among a number of modifications to the built environment that offers opportunities for increasing physical activity and reducing the prevalence of obesity and its associated problems. In a new study, researchers found that construction of a light-rail system (LRT) resulted in increased physical activity (walking) and subsequent weight loss by people served by the LRT. These findings suggest that improving neighborhood environments and increasing the public's use of LRT systems could improve health outcomes and potentially impact millions of individuals. ... > full story
Statins associated with lower cancer recurrence following prostatectomy (June 29, 2010) -- Men who use statins to lower their cholesterol are 30 percent less likely to see their prostate cancer come back after surgery compared to men who do not use the drugs, according to a new study. Researchers also found that higher doses of the drugs were associated with lower risk of recurrence. ... > full story
Adults with newly diagnosed diabetes at risk of liver disease, study finds (June 29, 2010) -- Adults with newly diagnosed diabetes are at higher long-term risk of serious liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver failure, according to a new study. ... > full story
National School Lunch Program increases educational achievement, study finds (June 29, 2010) -- A new study is the first to evaluate the long-term health and educational effects of participation in the National School Lunch Program. Researchers found that the program leads to a significant increase in educational opportunity and attainment, but an insignificant increase in health levels from childhood to adulthood. ... > full story
Internists outline comprehensive federal strategy to control tobacco use (June 29, 2010) -- "While tobacco use has decreased drastically over the last few decades, we still have a long way to go," American College of Physicians President, J. Fred Ralston, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.P., said as a new ACP policy monograph was released today. In Tobacco Control and Prevention, ACP called for a comprehensive federal strategy to control tobacco use, rather than the piecemeal actions being taken by states currently. ... > full story
Counseling increased mammography use among low-income women with health insurance (June 29, 2010) -- Even with health insurance, low-income women had lower rates of mammography screening than middle-class women, but a counseling program increased the likelihood of screening. ... > full story
Experts analyze benefits, opportunities and challenges of Medicare Part D (June 29, 2010) -- Medicare Part D added prescription drug coverage to Medicare beginning in January 2006. This has dramatically reshaped the prescription drug insurance market and has had significant effects on insurers, beneficiaries, and providers. For researchers, it has provided a rich source of research questions to examine. A special themed issue of Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy analyzes the benefits, opportunities and challenges afforded by the Medicare Part D drug benefit program from different perspectives. ... > full story
Beating doctor burnout and protecting patients (June 29, 2010) -- A new pan-European research study is examining whether working conditions in hospitals are contributing to doctor ‘burnout’ and putting patients’ lives at risk. ... > full story
A community approach to kicking the habit (June 29, 2010) -- Health researchers from the UK are spearheading a new project to reduce tobacco use in an area which has one of the highest rates of smoking in the country. ... > full story
Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure, research finds (June 28, 2010) -- For people with hypertension, eating dark chocolate can significantly reduce blood pressure. Researchers combined the results of 15 studies into the effects of flavanols, the compounds in chocolate which cause dilation of blood vessels, on blood pressure. ... > full story
Immune system important in fight against stomach cancer (June 28, 2010) -- Researchers have identified cells in the immune system that react to the stomach ulcer bacterium Helicobacter pylori, one of the risk factors for the development of stomach cancer. This discovery could lead to faster diagnosis and treatment as well as a better prognosis for patients with stomach cancer. ... > full story
Bursting bubbles with sound offers new treatments for cancer (June 28, 2010) -- A new way to deliver cancer drugs using gas bubbles and sound waves is being developed. The project will enable highly toxic drugs to be delivered in small doses directly to tumors, where their toxicity can safely be put to good use. If successful, the technique could easily be adapted for other diseases. ... > full story
New measurement of telomere DNA could help identify most viable embryos for IVF (June 28, 2010) -- Scientists have directly measured a specific region of DNA in human embryos -- telomeres -- and discovered that the length of telomeres could be a quality marker for embryonic development. ... > full story
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