Fw: ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Thursday, July 8, 2010

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ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Thursday, July 8, 2010

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Thursday, July 8, 2010

Revolutionary medical dressing uses nanotechnology to fight infection (July 8, 2010) -- Researchers are using nanotechnology to develop a medical dressing which will detect and treat infection in wounds. Scientists in the UK are working together with teams across Europe and Australia to create an advanced wound dressing. The dressing will work by releasing antibiotics from nanocapsules triggered by the presence of disease-causing pathogenic bacteria, which will target treatment before the infection takes hold. ... > full story

Genetic ancestry data improve diagnosis in asthma and lung disease (July 8, 2010) -- Americans with lung disease may face a far greater level of lung damage than either they or their doctor suspect, depending on their individual genetic heritage, according to a new study. The research implications range from diagnosing the severity of asthma, to disability decisions or eligibility for lung transplants, researchers say. ... > full story

Robots preclude neck incision for thyroid surgery (July 8, 2010) -- Robots that revolutionized gynecologic and urologic surgery in the past decade now offer the option of removing at least a portion of their diseased thyroid gland without the hallmark neck incision, researchers said. ... > full story

Women with gestational diabetes: Common glucose test also accurately predicts adult-onset diabetes, study finds (July 8, 2010) -- New research shows that pregnant women who "fail" the common glucose challenge test, a series of four blood tests conducted over a single four-hour period, have a higher chance of developing adult onset diabetes later in life. ... > full story

Muted emotions misleading in Alzheimer's disease, study suggests (July 8, 2010) -- A new study suggests that when Alzheimer's patients are asked to place an emotional value on pictures, they measure the pleasant images as less pleasant and the negative scenes as less negative compared with a control group of normal elderly people. This emotional flatness could be incorrectly interpreted as a symptom of depression. ... > full story

Inactivity 'no contributor' to childhood obesity epidemic, new report suggests (July 8, 2010) -- A new report from the EarlyBird Diabetes Study suggests that physical activity has little if any role to play in the obesity epidemic among children. Obesity is the key factor behind diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. ... > full story

Hospital hyperglycemia may predict future diabetes (July 8, 2010) -- Hyperglycemia during critical illness may be used as a warning of future diabetes. Researchers have found a significant association between acute illness complicated with hyperglycemia and the future development of type II diabetes or glucose intolerance. ... > full story

Map of herpes virus protein suggests a new drug therapy (July 8, 2010) -- New research reveals the unusual structure of a key protein complex that allows a herpes virus to invade cells. This close-up of the herpes virus's "cell-entry machinery" sheds light on how herpes viruses work and provides a promising new target for antiviral drugs. ... > full story

First transoral and transvaginal gallbladder removals performed as part of US multicenter human trial (July 8, 2010) -- The first transoral and transvaginal cholecystectomies (gallbladder removal) using Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) have been completed in a multicenter human trial in the United States. NOTES is performed by using the patient's natural openings for surgery. These human trials are the first in the world comparing oral and transvaginal NOTES to traditional laparoscopy. ... > full story

How active immune tolerance makes pregnancy possible (July 7, 2010) -- How a pregnant body tolerates a fetus that is biologically distinct from its mother has long been a mystery. Now, a pair of scientists have shown that females actively produce a particular type of immune cell in response to specific fetal antigens -- immune-stimulating proteins -- and that this response allows pregnancy to continue without the fetus being rejected by the mother's body. ... > full story

Link between brain activity and Parkinson's disease symptoms: New strategy for treating movement disorders identified (July 7, 2010) -- Scientists have shown how key circuits in the brain control movement. The research not only establishes the function of these circuits, but offers promise for treating movement related disorders, such as Parkinson's disease. ... > full story

New method for identifying the causes of X-linked genetic disorders (July 7, 2010) -- Scientists have identified previously unknown potential disease genes in humans and mice. Genes on the X chromosome, which regulate embryonic development, are the focus of the current study. Men have only one X chromosome, and therefore mutations on this chromosome disproportionately affect males, frequently leading to serious diseases such as hemophilia, muscular dystrophy and mental retardation. ... > full story

Suicide attempt method affects prognosis, study finds (July 7, 2010) -- The method used for a suicide attempt is highly significant for the risk of subsequent successful suicide, reveals a long-term study. The results may be of help in acute risk assessment following a suicide attempt. ... > full story

High blood levels of vitamin E reduces risk of Alzheimer's, Swedish study finds (July 7, 2010) -- High levels of several vitamin E components in the blood are associated with a decreased risk for Alzheimer's disease in advanced age, suggesting that vitamin E may help prevent cognitive deterioration in elderly people, according to a new Swedish study. ... > full story

New target for treatment of advanced prostate cancer (July 7, 2010) -- A recent study provides demonstrates that expression of one of a group of genes found only in humans and non-human primates can promote androgen receptor activity in concert with other proteins called coregulators. ... > full story

Virtual food causes stress in patients affected by eating disorders (July 7, 2010) -- Food presented in a virtual reality environment causes the same emotional responses as real food. Researchers compared the responses of people with anorexia and bulimia, and a control group, to the virtual and real-life snacks, suggesting that virtual food can be used for the evaluation and treatment of eating disorders. ... > full story

Cancer deaths continue to drop (July 7, 2010) -- The continued drop in overall cancer mortality rates over the last 20 years has averted more than 767,000 cancer deaths, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society. ... > full story

Multicolor quantum dots aid in cancer biopsy diagnosis (July 7, 2010) -- The tunable fluorescent nanoparticles known as quantum dots make ideal tools for distinguishing and identifying rare cancer cells in tissue biopsies. Researchers have learned how multicolor quantum dots linked to antibodies can distinguish the -Sternberg cells that are characteristic of Hodgkin's lymphoma. ... > full story

Autism-related study discovers how drug interferes with neuronal cell function (July 7, 2010) -- A new study has shown for the first time how the drug misoprostol, linked to neurodevelopmental defects associated with autism, interferes with neuronal cell function. It is an important finding because misoprostol is similar in structure to naturally occurring prostaglandins, the key signaling molecules produced by fatty acids in the brain. The study examined mouse neuronal cells to see how the drug interferes at a molecular level with prostaglandins. ... > full story

Gender gap persists at highest levels of math and science testing, 30-year study finds (July 7, 2010) -- A study that examined 30 years of standardized test data from the very highest-scoring seventh graders has found that performance differences between boys and girls have narrowed considerably, but boys still outnumber girls by more than about 3-to-1 at extremely high levels of math ability and scientific reasoning. ... > full story

Bilingualism associated with brain reorganization involving better efficiency in executive functions, research finds (July 7, 2010) -- Researchers in Spain report that bilinguals are faster and more efficient in certain tasks in which executive functions are used due to a different form of cerebral control. ... > full story

Scientists design new delivery device for gene therapy (July 7, 2010) -- Scientists have designed a nanoparticle that appears to effectively deliver genetic material into cells with minimal toxic effects. In lab experiments, the researchers have found that this device, a vector, is able to deliver DNA deeply enough into a cell to allow genetic material to be activated -- a critical step in gene therapy. This vector is between two and a half and 10 times more effective than other experimental materials, according to the research. ... > full story

Protein must exist in specific brain cells to prevent diet-induced obesity (July 7, 2010) -- A protein found in cells throughout the body must be present in a specific set of neurons in the brain to prevent weight gain after chronic feeding on high-calorie meals, new findings suggest. ... > full story

Rhythm of life: Music shows potential in stroke rehabilitation (July 7, 2010) -- Music therapy provided by trained music therapists may help to improve movement in stroke patients, according to a new review. A few small trials also suggest a wider role for music in recovery from brain injury. ... > full story

Brain's energy restored during sleep, suggests animal study (July 7, 2010) -- In the initial stages of sleep, energy levels increase dramatically in brain regions found to be active during waking hours, according to new research. These results suggest that a surge of cellular energy may replenish brain processes needed to function normally while awake. ... > full story

Want to slow aging? New research suggests it takes more than antioxidants (July 7, 2010) -- A new study casts doubt on the theory that oxidative stress shortens lifespan. Researchers have identified mutations in 10 different genes of worms (genes believed to have counterparts in humans) that extend their lifespan without reducing the level of oxidative stress the worms suffer. The results contradict the popular theory that production of toxic reactive oxygen species in tissues is responsible for aging. ... > full story

Deaths in the family cause bacteria to flee (July 7, 2010) -- The deaths of nearby relatives has a curious effect on the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus -- surviving cells lose their stickiness. Biologists report that exposure to the extracellular DNA released by dying neighbors stops the sticky holdfasts of living Caulobacter from adhering to surfaces, preventing cells from joining bacterial biofilms. Less sticky cells are more likely to escape established colonies, out to where conditions may be better. ... > full story

Brain chemical boosts body heat, aids in calorie burn, UT Southwestern research suggests (July 7, 2010) -- New findings suggest that an enzyme in the brain known as PI3 kinase might control the increased generation of body heat that helps burn off excess calories after eating a high-fat meal. ... > full story

Rudeness at work causes mistakes (July 7, 2010) -- If someone is rude to you at work or if you witness rudeness you are more likely to make mistakes, according to one expert. ... > full story

TV viewing, video game play contribute to kids' attention problems, study finds (July 7, 2010) -- A study of both elementary school-aged and college-aged subjects found that youths who exceeded the two hours per day of screen time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics were 1.5 to 2 times more likely to be above average in attention problems. ... > full story

Fetal X-ray exposure interferes with memory in adulthood, monkey study finds (July 7, 2010) -- Learning and memory impairments are important contributors to the disability associated with schizophrenia. These functional impairments emerge long before the onset of other symptoms associated with schizophrenia, suggesting that they are a consequence of a disturbance in brain development. In order to investigate the impact of early life disturbances in brain development upon learning and memory, researchers exposed fetal monkeys to x-rays and then examined their behavior when they were adults, approximately 5 years later. ... > full story

Of moose and men: 50-year study into moose arthritis reveals link with early malnutrition (July 7, 2010) -- It's seen as a sign of getting old, but scientists have discovered that arthritis is not just a human problem as a study lasting 50 years reveals how moose suffer from an identical form of the condition. The research also casts new light on how malnutrition early in life can lead to the disorder in both moose and humans. ... > full story

New insights into link between anti-cholesterol statin drugs and depression (July 7, 2010) -- Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the symptoms of anxiety and depression that occur in some patients taking the popular statin family of anti-cholesterol drugs, and reported by some individuals on low-cholesterol diets. These symptoms could result from long-term, low levels of cholesterol in the brain, the report suggests. ... > full story

Suicide barriers may fail to cut suicide rates as people go elsewhere (July 7, 2010) -- Suicide barriers on bridges might not reduce overall suicide rates by jumping from heights, as people may change location for their suicide attempt, according to a new study. ... > full story

Scientists reveal the mystery of sudden cardiac death (July 7, 2010) -- Scientists in the UK have solved a mystery connected with why people die from sudden cardiac arrest during sleep -- potentially saving thousands of lives. ... > full story

Patients with treatment-resistant CLL respond positively to stem cell transplants (July 7, 2010) -- Allogeneic (donor-derived) stem cell transplant may be a promising option for patients with treatment-resistant chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), regardless of the patient's underlying genetic abnormalities, according to the results of a new study. ... > full story

Many mephedrone alternatives just as risky, warn experts (July 7, 2010) -- Since the recent ban on mephedrone, many so-called "legal substitutes" available on the internet are in fact banned cathinones (chemically related to amphetamines) and just as risky, warn experts. ... > full story

Best tests for predicting Alzheimer's disease identified (July 7, 2010) -- New research has identified the memory and brain scan tests that appear to predict best whether a person with cognitive problems might develop Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story

How T cells make a commitment (July 7, 2010) -- When does a cell decide its particular identity? According to biologists, in the case of T cells -- immune system cells that help destroy invading pathogens -- the answer is when the cells begin expressing a particular gene called Bcl11b. ... > full story

Short-term kidney failure in heart patients may not be as detrimental, study shows (July 7, 2010) -- New research shows that while short-term worsening kidney function is frequent among patients with heart failure, these patients also have better outcomes than those who have persistent kidney failure. ... > full story

Why are blacks more likely to die from cancer diagnosis? Patient, doctor, hospital factors all contribute to worse survival, review finds (July 7, 2010) -- While disparities exist for nearly every common cancer type, the largest differences occur among cancers that benefit most from treatment -- suggesting that black patients are not getting needed lifesaving treatments, according to a review. ... > full story

Cocoa flavanols improve vascular and blood pressure measures for coronary artery disease patients (July 6, 2010) -- A new study finds that high concentrations of cocoa flavanols decrease blood pressure, improve the health of blood vessels and increase the number of circulating blood-vessel-forming cells in patients with heart disease. The findings indicate that foods rich in flavanols -- such as cocoa products, tea, wine and various fruits and vegetables -- have a cardio-protective benefit for heart disease patients. ... > full story

Hips don't lie: Researchers find more accurate technique to determine sex of skeletal remains (July 6, 2010) -- Researchers are offering a new means of determining the sex of skeletal human remains -- an advance that may have significant impacts in the wake of disasters, the studying of ancient remains and the criminal justice system. ... > full story

Head and spine trauma from ATV accidents cost .24 billion annually, study finds (July 6, 2010) -- Severe trauma to the head and spine resulting from all-terrain vehicle accidents are increasing dramatically, according to new research. ... > full story

Anxiety may be at root of religious extremism, researchers find (July 6, 2010) -- New findings show that anxiety and uncertainty can cause us to become more idealistic and more radical in our religious beliefs. ... > full story

Bacterial communication encourages chronic, resistant ear infections (July 6, 2010) -- Ear infections caused by more than one species of bacteria could be more persistent and antibiotic-resistant because one pathogen may be communicating with the other, encouraging it to bolster its defenses. Interrupting or removing that communication could be key to curing these infections. ... > full story

Can you make a snail forget? (July 6, 2010) -- Scientists have identified which environmental stress conditions encourage pond snails to remember and which make them forget. Following training, predator scent super-sensitised the snails whilst overcrowding and reduced calcium blocked memory formation. Understanding when stress blocks or enhances memory in a simple animal model may help elucidate mechanisms in more complex animals, like humans. ... > full story

Aerobic exercise safe and effective for rheumatoid arthritis patients, experts say (July 6, 2010) -- Researchers have determined that cardio-respiratory aerobic exercise is safe for patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis. The team found that RA patients who exercised regularly had improved function, less joint pain, and greater quality of life. ... > full story

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