ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Friday, July 30, 2010
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Key enzyme in DNA repair pathway identified (July 30, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered an enzyme crucial to a type of DNA repair that also causes resistance to a class of cancer drugs most commonly used against ovarian cancer. ... > full story
Kidney injury prevention may be possible: Watch for the warning signs (July 30, 2010) -- Reduced kidney function and protein in the urine place a person at risk for kidney injury, according to a new study. The results suggest that improved recognition of these warning signs could help reduce preventable forms of acute kidney injury. ... > full story
New pathway to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases (July 30, 2010) -- Researchers have uncovered new clues about the cause of brain cell death in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. ... > full story
Women in their 40s have lower mammographic tumor detectability, study finds (July 30, 2010) -- The reduced effectiveness of mammographic screening in women in their 40s is primarily due to lower detectability instead of faster tumor growth rate, according to a new study. ... > full story
Reform of primary care could reduce diagnostic errors (July 30, 2010) -- Errors in diagnosis place a heavy financial burden on an already costly health-care system, and can be devastating for affected patients. Strengthening certain aspects of a new and evolving model of comprehensive and coordinated primary care could potentially address this highly relevant, but underemphasized safety concern, say health researchers. ... > full story
Adolescent vision screenings may miss farsightedness and astigmatism (July 29, 2010) -- Among adolescents, visual acuity tests appear to reliably detect vision problems caused by nearsightedness but not farsightedness or astigmatism, according to a new study. ... > full story
One molecule, many more insulin-producing cells to treat diabetes (July 29, 2010) -- With a single stimulatory molecule, human insulin-producing beta cell replication can be sustained for at least four weeks in a mouse model of diabetes, according to new research. Scientists also found several cocktails of molecules that drive human beta cells to replicate, as well as important differences between mouse and human beta cells that could influence how these approaches are best used to treat diabetes. ... > full story
To make one happy, make one busy (July 29, 2010) -- A new study found that people who have something to do, even something pointless, are happier than people who sit idly. ... > full story
Molecular mechanism triggering Parkinson's disease identified (July 29, 2010) -- Scientists have identified a molecular pathway responsible for the death of key nerve cells whose loss causes Parkinson's disease. This discovery not only may explain how a genetic mutation linked to Parkinson's causes the cells' death, but could also open the door to new therapeutic approaches for the malady. ... > full story
Intensive chemotherapy may be harmful to most older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (July 29, 2010) -- The prognosis for nearly three-quarters of elderly patients on intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia is poor, with a median survival of less than six months, according to a new study. ... > full story
No safe level: First study to show teenage binge drinkers harm abilities in later life (July 29, 2010) -- Researchers in the UK have demonstrated a link between teenage binge drinking and damage to prospective memory. ... > full story
New class of drugs for epileptic seizures? (July 29, 2010) -- A chemical compound that boosts the action of a molecule normally produced in the brain may provide the starting point for a new line of therapies for the treatment of epileptic seizures, according to a new study. ... > full story
Vitamin D deficiency linked to arterial stiffness in black teens (July 29, 2010) -- Vitamin D deficiency is associated with arterial stiffness, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, in black teens, according to a new study. Black teens taking vitamin D supplementation of 2,000 international units per day had a decrease in central arterial stiffness. ... > full story
Western diet link to ADHD, Australian study finds (July 29, 2010) -- A new study from Australia shows an association between ADHD and a "Western-style" diet in adolescents. The study examined the dietary patterns of 1800 adolescents from the long-term Raine Study and classified diets into 'Healthy' or 'Western' patterns. ... > full story
Mystery of healthy fat people: Why some obese people go on to become diabetic while others do not (July 29, 2010) -- It is common to find obese people – even morbidly obese people – who are healthier than their condition would normally allow. Working with subjects with a body mass index of about 56, a team of researchers investigated the inflammatory and insulin signaling pathways in the patients’ visceral adipose tissue. ... > full story
Glucosamine appears to provide little benefit for chronic low-back pain (July 29, 2010) -- Even though it is widely used as a therapy for low back pain, a randomized controlled trial finds that patients with chronic low-back pain and degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis who took glucosamine for six months showed little difference on measures of pain-related disability, low back and leg pain and health-related quality of life, compared to patients who received placebo, according to a new study. ... > full story
Vaccine scares may do more harm than previously believed to a population's 'herd immunity' (July 29, 2010) -- Public immunization efforts may be much more sensitive than previously realized to small changes in the perceived costs or risks of vaccination, scientists report. In some cases, the spread of vaccine avoidance via social networks can make the difference between a minor, localized outbreak and an epidemic four times as large. ... > full story
Sleep disorder may signal dementia, Parkinson's disease up to 50 years early (July 29, 2010) -- A new study shows that a sleep disorder may be a sign of dementia or Parkinson's disease up to 50 years before the disorders are diagnosed. ... > full story
An HPV vaccine cheap enough for the developing world? Could be (July 29, 2010) -- Vaccine manufacturers in India and other developing countries may be able to produce a lower-cost HPV vaccine in spite of the complicated array of patent protections on the technology, say researchers. ... > full story
Can't place that face? (July 29, 2010) -- Researchers are trying to understand the mechanisms at work in the face area of the brain called the "fusiform gyrus" by combining cognitive psychology with techniques like brain imaging and electrophysiology. This research may help business executives better match names with faces, and can lead to better facial recognition software to identify terrorists or criminals. ... > full story
Dense bones linked to raised risk for prostate cancer (July 29, 2010) -- Men who develop prostate cancer, especially the more aggressive and dangerous forms that spread throughout the body, tend to retain denser bones as they age than men who stay free of the disease, suggests new research. ... > full story
Women with gestational diabetes have increased risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies, study finds (July 29, 2010) -- There is an increased risk of recurring gestational diabetes in pregnant women who developed gestational diabetes during their first and second pregnancies, according to new study. ... > full story
Teachers can close gender gap in classroom leadership during medical school, study finds (July 29, 2010) -- A new study shows that female medical students volunteer for leadership roles in the classroom significantly less than their male peers. Subtle pep talks from teachers can even out the playing field. ... > full story
Diabetes care: Implanted glucose sensor works for more than a year in animal studies (July 29, 2010) -- Bioengineers have developed an implantable glucose sensor and wireless telemetry system that continuously monitors tissue glucose and transmits the information to an external receiver. A new article describes the use of this glucose-sensing device as an implant in animals for over one year. After human clinical trials and FDA approval, the device may be useful to people with diabetes as an alternative to finger sticking and short-term, needle-like glucose sensors that have to be replaced every three to seven days. ... > full story
Weight issues move up need for walkers, canes, other devices (July 29, 2010) -- Obese older adults are more likely to use walkers, canes and other mobility devices at a younger age, and may run the risk of using them incorrectly, according to new research. ... > full story
Talking touchscreens aid patients (July 29, 2010) -- Multimedia talking touchscreens, housed in computer kiosks at clinics and hospitals, are helping researchers and clinicians at local health care centers enhance patient-centered care for patients with diverse language, literacy and computer skills. ... > full story
Penalty points system driver's license reduces accidents on a temporary basis, Spanish study finds (July 29, 2010) -- Researchers have determined that after the implementation in 2006 of the penalty points system driver's license in Spain, there has been a reduction of 12.6 percent in the number of deaths in highway accidents. However, the effect on fatal accidents lasted only two years. ... > full story
Sirtuin1 may boost memory and learning ability; Discovery could lead to new drugs to fight Alzheimer's, other neurological diseases (July 29, 2010) -- The same molecular mechanism that increases life span through calorie restriction may help boost memory and brainpower, researchers report. ... > full story
Millions of Americans in early stages of kidney disease need stroke monitoring, research finds (July 29, 2010) -- Millions of Americans in the early stages of chronic kidney disease are at an increased risk of having atrial fibrillation -- a major risk factor for stroke -- according to new research. ... > full story
Mysterious workings of cholera bacteria uncovered (July 28, 2010) -- Researchers have found that an enzyme in the bacteria that causes cholera uses a previously unknown mechanism in providing the bacteria with energy. Because the enzyme is not found in most other organisms, including humans, the finding offers insights into how drugs might be created to kill the bacteria without harming humans. ... > full story
Novel algorithm cuts the risks of choosing ineffectual team members (July 28, 2010) -- Choosing team members is a risky business whether the field is world-class soccer management or car manufacture. Researchers describe a novel algorithm that can cut the risks associated with choosing ineffectual members and so bolster success in any field involving teamwork. ... > full story
Huntington's disease discovery provides new hope for treatment (July 28, 2010) -- Australian scientists have identified the behavior of the mutant protein "huntingtin" which leads to the fatal Huntington's disease providing potential targets to treat the disease, a new study reveals. ... > full story
Multiple sclerosis: Antihypertensive drug ameliorates inflammation in the brain (July 28, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a new signaling pathway of brain cells that explains how widely used antihypertensive drugs could keep inflammation in multiple sclerosis in check. ... > full story
Why fad diets work well for some, but not others (July 28, 2010) -- Using fruit flies, researchers have found that genes interacting with diet, rather than diet alone, are the main cause of variation in metabolic traits, such as body weight. This helps explain why some diets work better for some people than others, and suggests that future diets should be tailored to an individual's genes rather than to physical appearance. ... > full story
Morphine blocks tumor growth, study suggests (July 28, 2010) -- Current research suggests that taking morphine can block new blood vessel and tumor growth. ... > full story
Early repolarization pattern is associated with cardiac risk among the middle aged (July 28, 2010) -- The prevalence of early repolarization pattern among 35- to 54-year-olds is higher than previously thought, and has a clear link to an increased risk of cardiac death, especially among men, according to a new study. ... > full story
Background music can impair performance, cites new study (July 28, 2010) -- For decades research has shown that listening to music alleviates anxiety and depression, enhances mood, and can increase cognitive functioning, such as spatial awareness. However, until now, research has not addressed how we listen to music. For instance, is the cognitive benefit still the same if we listen to music whilst performing a task, rather than before it? Further, how does our preference for a particular type of music affect performance? A new study shows that listening to music that one likes whilst performing a serial recall task does not help performance any more than listening to music one does not enjoy. ... > full story
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