Current Event Articles: ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Monday, July 19, 2010

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Monday, July 19, 2010

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Part of the brain that tracks limbs in space discovered (July 19, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered the part of the brain that tracks the position of our limbs as we move through space. When a mosquito lands on your hand, you can rapidly and effortlessly make a movement of the other hand to brush it away, even in darkness. But performing this seemingly simple action involves a surprisingly complex coordination of different types of sensory information in order for your brain to construct a constantly updated 'map' of the body in space. ... > full story

A high-fat diet alters crucial aspects of brain dopamine signaling (July 19, 2010) -- Prolonged exposure to a high fat diet is correlated with changes in the brain chemical dopamine within the striatum, a critical component of the brain's reward system according to new research. ... > full story

No heart benefit from Omega-3 in women with type 1 diabetes (July 19, 2010) -- Consuming higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids does not appear to lower heart disease risk for women with type 1 diabetes, according to new research. ... > full story

Role of RNA polymerase in gene transcription demonstrated (July 19, 2010) -- Biophysicists have provided new insight into the mechanisms of gene transcription. They developed a computer model to simulate how the transcription of RNA from DNA is initiated and demonstrate the active role that RNA polymerase plays. Understanding the mechanisms of gene transcription is an important step in deciphering the role of genetics in disease. ... > full story

Peer drug use may increase a genetically susceptible individual's tendency to use drugs (July 19, 2010) -- The nature-nurture debate is usually about how much of something is due to our genes and how much is caused by our environment. New research shows that the case is more complicated for young women who smoke, drink, or use drugs, for two related reasons. ... > full story

Bright stars of the brain regulate breathing (July 19, 2010) -- Astrocytes -- brain cells named after their characteristic star-shape and previously thought to act only as the 'glue' between neurons -- have a central role in the regulation of breathing, according to scientists. The finding provides a new dimension for research into fundamental principles of brain organization and function and may be relevant for understanding causes of devastating conditions associated with respiratory failure such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. ... > full story

More than half the world's population gets insufficient vitamin D, says biochemist (July 19, 2010) -- Vitamin D surfaces as a news topic every few months. How much daily vitamin D should a person get? According to an international expert on vitamin D, half the people in North America and Western Europe get insufficient amounts of the vitamin. Elsewhere, the situation is worse. ... > full story

Gene responsible for population disparity in kidney failure, study finds (July 19, 2010) -- Chronic kidney disease affects millions in North America, with persons of African heritage being at a four-fold higher risk and those of Hispanic heritage having a two-fold higher risk compared to the rest of the population. An international study points to the APOL1 gene as involved in the increased risk of kidney disease in this high-risk population. ... > full story

Knowledge gaps for 20 suspected carcinogens outlined (July 19, 2010) -- A new report identifies gaps in research for 20 suspected carcinogens whose potential to cause cancer is as yet unresolved. The report is designed to prioritize agents for additional research, and to lead to well-planned epidemiologic or mechanistic studies leading to more definitive classification of these agents. ... > full story

Media coverage responsible for growth in vaccination rates (July 19, 2010) -- Mass media coverage of flu-related topics such as vaccine shortages and delays appears to boost overall vaccination rates and prompt people to get their shots earlier in the flu season. On average, national news reports involving the flu are estimated to increase annual vaccination rates by as many an 8 percentage points. ... > full story

Researchers find way to make cancer cells more mortal (July 18, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a way to help cancer cells age and die, creating a promising avenue for slowing and even stopping the growth of tumors. ... > full story

Novel microfluidic HIV test is quick and cheap (July 18, 2010) -- Biomedical engineers have developed a "lab on a chip" device for HIV testing. The test integrates an antibody microarray with a lensfree holographic imaging device that takes only seconds to count the number of captured T-cells and amount of secreted cytokine molecules. The test returns results six to 12 times faster than traditional approaches and tests six parameters simultaneously, based on a small blood sample. ... > full story

Anti-cancer effects of broccoli ingredient explained (July 18, 2010) -- Light has been cast on the interaction between broccoli consumption and reduced prostate cancer risk. Researchers have found that sulforaphane, a chemical found in broccoli, interacts with cells lacking a gene called PTEN to reduce the chances of prostate cancer developing. ... > full story

Making virtopsies a reality: New research project to develop reliable and cost-effective virtual autopsies (July 18, 2010) -- A new research project is set to play a vital role in continuing research into viable alternatives to invasive autopsies, which many families find to be unpleasant. ... > full story

How memory is disrupted in those with disease linked to learning disabilities (July 18, 2010) -- Imagine if your brain lost its working memory -- the ability to hold and manipulate information in your mind's eye. That's the plight faced by millions of people with neurofibromatosis type 1, or NF1. Now a UCLA research team has uncovered new clues about how NF1 disrupts working memory. Their findings suggest a potential drug target for correcting NF1-related learning disabilities. ... > full story

Are teen binge drinkers risking future osteoporosis? (July 18, 2010) -- Binge-drinking teenagers may be putting themselves at risk for future osteoporosis and bone fractures, according to new research. ... > full story

Concentration, timing and interactions are key when it comes to dietary compounds (July 18, 2010) -- Chemists who specializes in cancer prevention research have reported evidence that for some dietary compounds, length of exposure over time may be key to whether or not ingestion leads to a beneficial, or detrimental, effect. ... > full story

New recommendations issued for use of cetuximab in colon cancer therapy (July 18, 2010) -- New recommendations on the use of the drug cetuximab have been issued after officials halted enrollment in a phase III clinical trial in patients with spread of colon cancer into regional lymph nodes whose tumors had been surgically removed. ongoing analysis during the clinical trial found that patients receiving the combination therapy had no significant improvement in survival compared to standard therapy. ... > full story

Cell signaling classification system gives researchers new tool (July 18, 2010) -- Using ever-growing genome data, scientists are tracing the evolution of the bacterial regulatory system that controls cellular motility, potentially giving researchers a method for predicting important cellular functions that will impact both medical and biotechnology research. ... > full story

Secret to sniffing out a safe supper (July 18, 2010) -- When mice smell the scent of food on the breath of their fellow mice, they use that experience to decide what's safe to eat in the future. Key in that learning process is the pairing of a particular odor with a chemical ingredient found in mouse breath, scientists knew. What they didn't know was how mice manage to sniff that connection out. According to new study, now they do. ... > full story

Universal flu vaccine moving closer (July 18, 2010) -- A universal influenza vaccine -- so-called because it could potentially provide protection from all flu strains for decades -- may become a reality. ... > full story

Scientists identify molecular predictor of prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients (July 18, 2010) -- Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging tumors to treat. Identifying patients who have more aggressive disease could better inform treatment decisions and predict survival prognosis. A new finding may help. ... > full story

Does the existing standard of care supply energy sources to brain tumor cells? (July 18, 2010) -- Examining a decade's worth of research, biochemists report that the medical standard of care for the most common form of brain cancer may actually feed tumor cells the energy sources they need to survive or recur. ... > full story

Researchers envision better disease surveillance to improve public health (July 18, 2010) -- With current public health threats ranging from swine flu to bioterrorism to environmental contamination, innovations that better predict disease outbreaks have vast potential to protect the public. Researchers describe their vision for the future of disease surveillance, detailing innovations on the horizon that may facilitate earlier detection and improved public health preparedness. ... > full story

Redundant genetic instructions in 'junk DNA' support healthy development (July 17, 2010) -- Seemingly redundant portions of the fruit fly genome may not be so redundant after all. Repeated instructional regions in the flies' DNA may contribute to normal development under less-than-ideal growth conditions by making sure that genes are turned on and off at the appropriate times, according to new research. If similar regions are found in humans, they may hold important clues to understanding developmental disorders. ... > full story

Model predicts individual's vitamin D needs (July 17, 2010) -- Your skin tone and the amount of sunshine you receive -- in addition to what foods you eat -- all can influence the amount of vitamin D that your body has on hand for optimum health. Scientists have now developed a preliminary model that predicts an individual's vitamin D requirements. ... > full story

The image in the mirror and the number on the scale both count (July 17, 2010) -- Adolescent girls who think they are overweight, but are not, are at more risk for depression than girls who are overweight and know it, according to sociologists. ... > full story

New toxin may be key to MRSA severity (July 17, 2010) -- A research project to identify all the surface proteins of USA300 -- the most common community-associated strain of the methicillin-resistant form of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus -- has resulted in the identification and isolation of a plentiful new toxin that laboratory studies indicate is a potent killer of human immune cells. Scientists say the toxin could be a key factor in the severity of MRSA infections in otherwise healthy people. ... > full story

Nature's insect repellents discovered (July 17, 2010) -- Two compounds emitted by mosquito predators that make the mosquitoes less inclined to lay eggs in pools of water may provide new environmentally friendly tactics for repelling and controlling disease-carrying insects. ... > full story

Investigators perfect new version of blood-regulator thrombin (July 17, 2010) -- Molecular biologists have discovered a way to harness the enzyme thrombin's anti-blood clotting properties. ... > full story

Abnormal brain activity in migraineurs is not restricted to attacks (July 17, 2010) -- Typically, migraine is considered to be an episodic disorder with discrete attacks of headache. But new research has found increased network activity -- stronger functional connectivity -- bilaterally in the visual, auditory and sensorimotor network in migraineurs. ... > full story

Improving clinical use of stem cells to repair heart damage (July 16, 2010) -- Researchers have presented a new approach to treating heart attack and cardiomyopathy using stem cells. The team has discovered a way to identify heart stem cells so as to purify them for transplant. ... > full story

Cancer drugs may help stop major parasite (July 16, 2010) -- A parasite estimated to afflict as many as 12 million people worldwide relies on a family of genes that should make it vulnerable to compounds developed to treat cancer and other disorders, researchers have found. ... > full story

New method of tissue banking makes gene analysis more practical for lung cancer (July 16, 2010) -- Analyzing the genes expressed by cancer cells allows for a better understanding of that patient's specific disease and in turn, a more personalized approach to treatment. But obtaining the RNA from a tumor in the lungs in order to conduct the genetic analysis is a challenging prospect. Currently, lung cancer researchers are limited to using RNA extracted from early-stage tumors removed during surgery. ... > full story

Studies explore effects of war on former child soldiers (July 16, 2010) -- Two studies found that how child soldiers adapt upon returning home depends on the communities they return to. The first study, of 150 former child soldiers in Sierra Leone, found that children who lived in communities where they felt accepted were less depressed and more confident. The second study, of 330 former Ugandan child soldiers, found that the most resilient children were those who returned to less violent communities and better family socioeconomic situations. ... > full story

Mice cages can alter rodents’ brains and skew research results, study finds (July 16, 2010) -- Researchers have found that the type of cage lab mice are kept in can physically change their brains and dramatically alter test data. ... > full story

New discovery brings hope to treatment of incurable blood cancer (July 16, 2010) -- Multiple myeloma is one of the most common blood cancers, and at present considered to be incurable. Researchers now present a conceptually new model for the development and progression of multiple myeloma. ... > full story

Less salt for everybody (July 16, 2010) -- Restricting the amount of sodium chloride in food can lower the risk of cardiovascular morbidities, according to a new study. ... > full story

Apathy and depression predict progression from mild cognitive impairment (July 16, 2010) -- A new study found that apathy and depression significantly predict an individual's progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder of the brain that affects nerve cells involved in thinking abilities, to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. ... > full story

Genetic ancestry data improve diagnosis in asthma and lung disease (July 16, 2010) -- Researchers have found that patients' precise genetic background told far more about their potential lung function -- and therefore any damage that has occurred -- than the self-identified racial profile commonly used in such tests. The results point to a more precise method of assessing patients' lung function, as well as the potential impact of using precise genetic benchmarks for assessing health overall. ... > full story

Why walking flat-footed hurts habitual high-heels wearers: The effects of wearing high heels on women's legs (July 16, 2010) -- Why does it hurt walking flat-footed after wearing high heels? Researchers looked at the calf muscles of habitual high heel wearers and found that the women's muscle fibers were shorter and their Achilles' tendons much thicker, so their tendons are stiffer and harder to stretch, which makes walking flat-footed uncomfortable after wearing high heels. ... > full story

Arthroscopic treatment of common hip problem allows athletes to return to play, study finds (July 16, 2010) -- Patients who undergo arthroscopic surgery for a mechanical disorder of the hip have a good chance of being able to return to their sport at a high level of competition, according to a new study. ... > full story

New radiation mechanism may ward off cancer, oil spills and terrorism (July 16, 2010) -- Radiation similar to that used to treat cancer may someday help clean up environmental disasters such as the Gulf oil spill and detect explosive powder hidden underneath clothing. ... > full story

Young children especially vulnerable to effects of 9/11 (July 16, 2010) -- Two longitudinal studies examine the relationship of maternal PTSD and depression to the mental health and behavior of children who were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The first study found that preschoolers of mothers who experienced PTSD and depression symptoms exhibited more clinically significant behavior problems. The second study found that direct exposure to 9/11 played a small but significant role in explaining the prevalence of the mothers' and adolescents' PTSD and depression rates. ... > full story

Human sperm gene is 600 million years old, scientists discover (July 16, 2010) -- There is one sex-specific gene so vital, its function has remained unaltered throughout evolution and is found in almost all animals, according to new research. The gene, called Boule, is responsible for sperm production and appears to be the only gene exclusively required for sperm production from an insect to a mammal. All animal sperm production likely comes from a common prototype. ... > full story

Stroke risk temporarily increases for an hour after drinking alcohol, study finds (July 16, 2010) -- The risk for stroke doubles in the hour after drinking beer, wine or liquor, according to a small study. Researchers note, however, that moderate alcohol consumption (less than two drinks a day) appears to be protective over the long-term which may outweigh this temporary rise in immediate risk. ... > full story

Hungry cells, on a binge, know their own limits (July 16, 2010) -- Cells that consume parts of themselves can stop this process autonomously as well, according to new research. The self-cannibalism is part of the normal digestive process of the cell, but also a survival mechanism in times of famine. This is what makes it difficult for doctors to 'starve out' cancer cells, for instance. ... > full story

Researchers cut years from drug development with nanoscopic bead technology (July 16, 2010) -- New research confirms that a revolutionary technology will slash years off the time it takes to develop drugs -- bringing vital new treatments to patients much more quickly. Lab-on-Bead uses tiny beads studded with "pins" that match a drug to a disease marker in a single step, so researchers can test an infinite number of possibilities for treatments all at once. When Lab-on-Bead makes a match, it has found a viable treatment for a specific disease -- speeding up drug discovery by as much as 10,000 times and cutting out years of testing and re-testing in the laboratory. ... > full story

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