ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, July 5, 2010
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Reprogrammed human blood cells show promise for disease research (July 5, 2010) -- Cells from frozen human blood samples can be reprogrammed to an embryonic stem-cell-like state, according to new research. These cells can be multiplied and used to study the genetic and molecular mechanisms of blood disorders and other diseases. The breakthrough described here allows for study of cells from frozen blood samples already stored at blood banks -- even from deceased patients. ... > full story
Air pollution doesn't increase risk of preeclampsia, early delivery, study finds (July 5, 2010) -- While pregnant women may worry about the effects of air pollution on their health and that of their developing child, exposure to carbon monoxide and fine particles in the air during pregnancy does not appear to increase the risk of preterm delivery or preeclampsia -- a serious condition that arises only during pregnancy -- according to results of a new study. ... > full story
Terrorist de-radicalization shows promise, comprehensive study finds (July 5, 2010) -- Prison programs to de-radicalize terrorists show promise, if well-run, according to a new report. It concludes that programs in Saudi-Arabia, Singapore, Indonesia and elsewhere "can make a difference." The researchers say their work could have policy implications for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan and Iraq. ... > full story
Muscular problems in children with neonatal diabetes are neurological, study finds (July 4, 2010) -- The muscle weakness and coordination problems sometimes seen in patients with neonatal diabetes -- a rare, inherited form of diabetes -- are caused by problems in the brain rather than the muscles, according to new research. The findings could pave the way for the development of improved treatments for the disease. ... > full story
Memory problems not the only predictor of later mild cognitive impairment (July 4, 2010) -- Researchers have found that lower, though not necessarily impaired, performance on tests measuring story learning or retention and processing speed in motor tasks dependent on visual control, as well as symptoms of depression, predicted subsequent cognitive decline in a normal population. ... > full story
Report examines whether statins prevent death in high-risk individuals without heart disease (July 4, 2010) -- A meta-analysis of previously published studies finds no evidence that statins are associated with a reduced risk of death among individuals at risk for but with no history of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. ... > full story
How loss of key protein promotes aggressive form of leukemia (July 4, 2010) -- New research illuminates in fine detail one of the genetic paths that leads to a particularly aggressive form of leukemia. A team discovered a new tumor-suppressing function of p53, distinct, for instance, from apoptosis, and somewhat related to senescence. They showed that it has the ability to reinforce cell-fate and differentiation programs. In AML, p53 loss leads to cancer by disabling this reinforcement. ... > full story
Bicycling, brisk walking help women control weight; Researchers call for more bike-friendly environments to combat obesity (July 4, 2010) -- Premenopausal women who make even small increases in the amount of time they spend bicycling or walking briskly every day decrease their risk of gaining weight, according to a new study. ... > full story
Childhood malnutrition could weaken brain function in elderly (July 3, 2010) -- Malnutrition early in life appears to diminish brain function in older adulthood, according to a new study that has implications for many poor, developing nations. ... > full story
Scientists uncover novel role for DNA repair protein linked to cancer (July 3, 2010) -- Researchers report that DNA polymerase theta, or PolQ, promotes an inaccurate repair process, which can ultimately cause mutations, cell death or cancer. ... > full story
Subtle mutations in immune gene may increase risk for asthma (July 3, 2010) -- A gene that encodes a protein responsible for determining whether certain immune cells live or die shows subtle differences in some people with asthma, researchers report. ... > full story
Cellular and molecular events that restrict HIV transmission identified (July 3, 2010) -- Researchers have identified two molecules that when activated by drugs, can inhibit a number of specific aspects of HIV transmission. These findings may lead to therapies that target mucosal HIV transmission. ... > full story
Looking back key to moving forward: Counterfactual reflection is critical to institutional prosperity, study finds (July 3, 2010) -- Despite modest economic gains, gloomy unemployment numbers and low workplace morale still loom large within corporate America. ... > full story
New drug restores hearing after noise-induced hearing loss in rats (July 2, 2010) -- Researchers from New Zealand have discovered that a potent new drug restores hearing after noise-induced hearing loss in rats. The landmark discovery found that injection of an agent called 'ADAC' activates adenosine receptors in cochlear tissues, resulting in recovery of hearing function. The finding paves the way for effective non-surgical therapies to restore hearing loss after noise-induced injury. ... > full story
Discovery of a hepatitis C-related virus in bats may reduce outbreaks in humans (July 2, 2010) -- Viral hepatitis affects more than 500 million people worldwide and while vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B, this is not the case for hepatitis C, which affects as much as two percent of the population in the US. Now, scientists are reporting discovery of a virus related to hepatitis C in Asian bats, which may provide insights into the origins of the hepatitis C virus. ... > full story
High fructose diet may contribute to high blood pressure, study finds (July 2, 2010) -- People who eat a diet high in fructose, in the form of added sugar, are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to a new study. The results suggest that cutting back on foods and beverages containing a lot of fructose (sugar) might decrease one's risk of developing hypertension. ... > full story
Stroke complications may subtract additional two years of healthy life (July 2, 2010) -- Stroke complications may deprive patients of about two years of healthy life, in addition to three years of healthy life lost due to the stroke, according to a South Korean study. A combined measure of potential life years and function lost can impact public health decisions, researchers said. However, it's unclear if the findings can be applied to other populations. ... > full story
Planned home births associated with tripling of neonatal mortality rate vs. planned hospital births (July 2, 2010) -- In a new study, researchers report that less medical intervention, characteristic of planned home births, is associated with a tripling of the neonatal mortality rate compared to planned hospital deliveries. Planned home births were characterized by a greater proportion of deaths attributed to respiratory distress and failed resuscitation. ... > full story
UVA radiation damages DNA in human melanocyte skin cells and can lead to melanoma (July 2, 2010) -- A new study has found that UVA radiation damages the DNA in human melanocyte cells, causing mutations that can lead to melanoma. Melanocytes, which contain a substance called melanin that darkens the skin to protect it from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, are more vulnerable to UVA radiation than normal skin cells because they are unable to repair themselves as efficiently. ... > full story
Overweight women undertaking ART twice as likely to miscarry as their slimmer counterparts, study finds (July 2, 2010) -- Being overweight leads to a greater risk of miscarriage for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology, according to a new study. ... > full story
Genetic regulator opens new avenues to AIDS, immune system research (July 2, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a genetic regulator that plays a key role in the formation of "T cells," a type of white blood cell. The discovery suggests that some types of immune function might be influenced by manipulation of this genetic regulator. This could be a target for drug development, and could open the door to new immune system-based therapies for everything from diseases of T cells, such as HIV/AIDS, to autoimmune disorders and allergies. ... > full story
How to rapily assess children's tooth decay risk (July 2, 2010) -- Researchers have determined that ATP-driven (adenosine triphosphate-driven) bioluminescence -- a way of measuring visible light generated from ATP contained in bacteria -- is an innovative tool for rapidly assessing in children at the chair-side the number of oral bacteria and amount of plaque that can ultimately lead to tooth decay. ... > full story
Stem cell scientist leads effort to prevent fraudulent treatment (July 2, 2010) -- Leading stem cell researchers from institutions around the world are issuing warnings about unproven stem cell therapies being marketed on the Internet and have launched a website to educate and protect patients seeking such treatments. Often conducted outside of the United States, most of these therapies have little or no benefit -- and can be dangerous as well as costly. ... > full story
Stem-cell therapy may provide new approach to fight infection (July 1, 2010) -- A new study shows that treatment with mesenchymal stem cells can triple survival rates in mice with sepsis, a deadly condition that can occur when an infection spreads throughout the body. The treatment reduced the damaging effects of inflammation and increased the body's ability to clear the infection. Mesenchymal stem cells are found in adult bone marrow and they have been used extensively in clinical trials in humans for other conditions. ... > full story
Increasing fertility threefold with DHEA? (July 1, 2010) -- Scientists have found a statistical connection between the vitamin supplement DHEA, used to counter the effects of aging, and successful pregnancy rates in women undergoing treatment for infertility. In the first controlled study on the effects of the supplement, researchers found that women being treated for infertility who also received supplements of DHEA were three times more likely to conceive than women being treated without the additional drug. ... > full story
Reading the look of love (July 1, 2010) -- How fast you can judge whether a person of the opposite sex is looking at you depends on how masculine or feminine they look, according to a new study. The researchers speculate that there may be an evolutionary advantage to quickly noticing when a 'hottie' is looking at you. ... > full story
DNA mutation rates raise curtain on cause of cancer (July 1, 2010) -- What if we could understand why cancer develops? One idea that has emerged is that for a cell to transform into a cancer cell it must suffer a large number of mutations affecting different genes needed to control cell growth. Researchers have found that the process of repairing DNA damage also unexpectedly increases the rate of mutations and changes the kinds of mutations that arise. ... > full story
Higher testosterone may raise risk of heart disease in elderly men (July 1, 2010) -- A large new study shows that older men with higher testosterone levels are more likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular disease in the future. ... > full story
Vast majority of physicians practice 'defensive medicine,' according to physician survey (July 1, 2010) -- A survey has found that 91 percent of physicians believe concerns over malpractice lawsuits result in "defensive medicine," ordering more tests and procedures than necessary as a protective measure. ... > full story
Exposure to secondhand smoke in the womb has lifelong impact, study finds (July 1, 2010) -- Newborns of nonsmoking moms exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy have genetic mutations that may affect long-term health, according to a new study. The abnormalities, which were indistinguishable from those found in newborns of mothers who were active smokers, may affect survival, birth weight and lifelong susceptibility to diseases like cancer. ... > full story
Better way to battle mosquitoes: Research could provide more effective treatment against West Nile Virus (July 1, 2010) -- A Canadian study has found that rather than cleaning and treating catch basins in the spring with S-methoprene to control mosquitoes, authorities should clean catch basins in the fall, allow organic debris to accumulate, and then treat catch basins with S-methoprene in the spring. This method dramatically reduces the number of mosquitoes that make it to the adult stage and may have implications for West Nile virus. ... > full story
Beverages leave 'geographic signatures' that can track people's movements (July 1, 2010) -- The bottled water, soda pop or micro brew-beer that you drank in Pittsburgh, Dallas, Denver or 30 other American cities contains a natural chemical imprint related to geographic location. When you consume these beverage you may leave a chemical imprint in your hair that could be used to track your travels over time, a new study suggests. ... > full story
Some males react to competition like bonobos, others like chimpanzees (July 1, 2010) -- The average man experiences hormone changes similar to the passive bonobo prior to competition, but a "status-striving" man undergoes changes that mirror those found in a chimpanzee, say researchers. ... > full story
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