ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Tuesday, July 20, 2010
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Microbicide gel: Reduced risk of HIV and herpes infections in women, study shows (July 20, 2010) -- Researchers have achieved an important scientific breakthrough in the fight against HIV and genital herpes with a vaginal gel that significantly reduces a woman's risk of being infected with these viruses, according to a ground-breaking safety and effectiveness study of an antiretroviral microbicide gel study. ... > full story
Tuning cocaine addiction (July 20, 2010) -- Reducing the abundance of a set of microRNAs -- small bits of genetic material that influence gene expression -- reduces the urge for a cocaine fix in mice, according to a new study. ... > full story
When climate change becomes a health issue, are people more likely to listen? (July 20, 2010) -- Framing climate change as a public health problem seems to make the issue more relevant, significant and understandable to members of the public -- even some who don't generally believe climate change is happening, according to new research. ... > full story
Stem cells made by reprogramming hold onto their past (July 20, 2010) -- Adult cells that have been reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) do not completely let go of their past, perhaps limiting their ability to function as a less controversial alternative to embryonic stem cells for basic research and cell replacement therapies, according to researchers at Children's Hospital Boston, John Hopkins University and their colleagues. ... > full story
Breast cancer cells regulate multiple genes in response to estrogen-like compounds (July 20, 2010) -- Cancer researchers have discovered a previously unknown type of gene regulation and DNA behavior in breast cancer cells that may lead to better insight about environmental exposure to estrogen-like compounds. The study provides the first evidence that cells can regulate many genes at once by looping their DNA, and that this can contribute to cancer when it goes awry. ... > full story
Discovery suggests possible treatment strategy for aggressive leukemias (July 19, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a mechanism that could explain how patients move into the worst phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Their findings implicate a protein called Mushashi that prevents cells from maturing, creating a large population of immature cells, which is one of the hallmarks of CML. ... > full story
Prostate cancer risk variant found to be in a functional DNA sequence linked with disease (July 19, 2010) -- Recent genetic association studies have uncovered a number of DNA variants associated with prostate cancer. However, some of these risk variants lie outside of genes, posing a challenge to researchers working to understand the biology of cancer. In a new study, researchers have characterized a functional DNA element associated with prostate cancer, lending new insight into the molecular mechanisms of the disease. ... > full story
Point-of-sale advertising major cause of teen smoking, study shows (July 19, 2010) -- Researchers report that teens' exposure to cigarette advertising at retail outlets substantially increases the odds they will start smoking. According to the findings, students who visited these stores on a regular basis were at least twice as likely to try smoking as those who visited infrequently. ... > full story
How technology may improve treatment for children with brain cancer (July 19, 2010) -- A new study shows that children with brain tumors who undergo radiation therapy (the application of X-rays to kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors) may benefit from a technique known as "intensity modulated arc therapy" or IMAT. ... > full story
New findings on troubling side effects of Parkinson’s medication (July 19, 2010) -- One in every 100 elderly people suffers from Parkinson’s disease, a disease of the nervous system with symptoms including stiffness and shaking. The standard medication used to treat Parkinson’s is Levodopa, a drug that initially has major benefits but can later also produce serious side effects in the form of involuntary, jerky movements. A research group has now found a way to study what it is in the brain that causes these side effects. ... > full story
Battlefield psychologists investigate stress in combat and after (July 19, 2010) -- People confronted with acute stress -- daily rocket attacks -- tend to dissociate from threats instead of becoming more vigilant, according to a new study. This research overturns accepted convention and may lead to better understanding of the mechanisms underlying acute stress reactions. ... > full story
Melting DNA into a barcode (July 19, 2010) -- A completely new method for producing an image of individual DNA molecules’ genetic make-up has been developed. According to the researchers, the technique could be used to find out more easily whether someone is carrying a genetic predisposition to certain diseases. ... > full story
What protects farm children from hay fever? Protective substance may slumber in cowshed dust (July 19, 2010) -- Researchers in Germany have isolated the substance in cowshed dust that possibly protects farm children from developing allergies and allergic asthma -- namely the plant sugar molecule arabinogalactan. If high concentrations are inhaled during the first year of life, it inhibits the immune system from excessive defense reactions. There are large quantities of this molecule in forage crops such as the Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). Researchers have now demonstrated experimentally that the molecule affects immune system cells. ... > full story
First concrete evidence that women are better multitaskers than men (July 19, 2010) -- Researchers have now shown that women can multitask more effectively than men. ... > full story
New principle discovered for how muscle pain is signaled (July 19, 2010) -- Chronic muscular pain may be linked to a previously unknown principle for how pain signals are transmitted in the human body, according to new research from Sweden. ... > full story
Obesity is associated with reduced sensitivity to fat (July 19, 2010) -- New research found marked differences between obese and lean men in how they respond to the taste of fat. Fat also is less effective in obese men in stimulating certain gut hormones that are released into the bloodstream and normally suppress appetite. ... > full story
Major league pitchers 34 percent more likely to be injured than fielders, new study finds (July 19, 2010) -- Watch out if you are a Major League Baseball pitcher prior to the All-Star break. Pitchers are 34 percent more likely to be injured than fielders, according to new research. The study looked into the epidemiology of MLB players' injuries from 2002-2008. It also found that 77 percent of all injuries to pitchers happen before the All-Star game. ... > full story
Greater obesity in offspring of nursing mothers consuming a high-fat diet (July 19, 2010) -- The future health of offspring is more negatively impacted when their mothers consume a high fat diet while nursing compared with high-fat diet consumption during pregnancy, according to animal research. ... > full story
HIV/AIDS treatment curbs spread of HIV among drug users, study finds (July 19, 2010) -- Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), currently known for its therapeutic benefits against HIV, also reduced the spread of the virus among people with a history of injection drug use, according to new research. ... > 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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