Fw: ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Monday, December 6, 2010

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ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Monday, December 6, 2010

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Monday, December 6, 2010

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Earliest brain changes linked to Alzheimer's genetic risk point to possible prevention therapies (December 6, 2010) -- What are the earliest brain changes associated with the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease? A new study finds reduced activity of an energy-generating enzyme in deceased young adult brain donors who carry a common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease -- before the protein changes or microscopic abnormalities commonly associated with the disease and almost five decades before the age at which they might have developed memory and thinking problems. ... > full story

Fitting a biological nanopore into an artificial one, new ways to analyze DNA (December 6, 2010) -- Researchers a have announced a new type of nanopore device that could help in developing fast and cheap genetic analysis. They report on a novel method that combines artificial and biological materials to result in a tiny hole on a chip, which is able to measure and analyze single DNA molecules. ... > full story

Age-related hearing loss and folate in the elderly (December 6, 2010) -- Age-related hearing loss, one of the four most prevalent chronic conditions in the elderly, is associated with low serum levels of folic acid, according to new research. ... > full story

Preventing physician medication mix-ups by reporting them (December 6, 2010) -- The most frequent contributors to medication errors and adverse drug events in busy primary care practice offices are communication problems and lack of knowledge, according to a study of a prototype web-based medication error and adverse drug event reporting system. The study has created the largest database of medication errors in primary care. ... > full story

'Clueless' housekeeping genes are activated randomly, study finds (December 6, 2010) -- Scientists have made an unexpected finding about the method by which certain genes are activated. Contrary to what researchers have traditionally assumed, genes that work with other genes to build protein structures do not act in a coordinated way but instead are turned on randomly. The surprising discovery may fundamentally change the way scientists think about the way cellular processes are synchronized. ... > full story

Link between folic acid supplementation in pregnancy, DNA methylation and birth weight in newborn babies (December 6, 2010) -- Groundbreaking work by a team of UK scientists has identified, for the first time, a link between changes in the DNA of newborn babies, folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, and birth weight. ... > full story

Surprising AIDS-treatment benefits, prevention strategy in epidemic regions of Africa; Anti-retroviral therapy yields 'Lazarus effect' (December 6, 2010) -- Researchers have documented significant spillover benefits of a drug therapy to combat AIDS symptoms and a novel prevention strategy that focuses on girls in sub-Saharan Africa, an area with two-thirds of the world's HIV infections. ... > full story

Information technology could improve prevention, treatment of depression (December 6, 2010) -- Could information technology and data mining techniques be used to improve the diagnosis and treatment of depression? That's the question scientists hope to have answered. ... > full story

Widely used arthritis pill protects against skin cancer, study suggests (December 5, 2010) -- A widely used arthritis drug reduces the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers -- the most common cancers in humans -- according to a new study. The COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (Celebrex), which is approved for the treatment of arthritis and acute pain, led to a 62 percent reduction in non-melanoma skin cancers. In the future, a combination of medications that include sunscreens and COX inhibitors or other protective therapies may be used to decrease the incidence of skin cancer. ... > full story

How infants compare quantities (December 5, 2010) -- Parents are often amazed at how fast their child grows and develops. New research has determined that the ability to quantify -- even things that are hard to quantify, such as liquid -- may develop much sooner than most parents realize. ... > full story

Cancer drugs offer new hope for Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis (December 5, 2010) -- A new study offers insight into a new treatment avenue for Crohn's Disease and sarcoidosis. While the loss of NOD2 increases the risk of developing Crohn's disease, increased activity of this gene is also thought to exacerbate symptoms. Scientists have identified two existing FDA-approved drugs that are able to inhibit the activity of NOD2's binding partner, the kinase RIP2, and therefore, also inhibit the activity of NOD2. ... > full story

Low-status leaders are ignored, researchers find; How a leader is picked impacts whether others will follow (December 5, 2010) -- People who are deemed social misfits or "losers" aren't effective leaders, even if they are crusading for a cause that would benefit a larger group, according to new research. ... > full story

Biologist tracks spiders' eyes to learn how tiny brains process information (December 5, 2010) -- Over the next year, spiders watching videos of their prey are going to help biologists understand how animals choose which visual elements to attend to in their environments. She believes we are on the verge of gaining important new knowledge about how brains and specialized sensory systems work together to process visual information. ... > full story

Early detection is possible for prion diseases, study suggests (December 5, 2010) -- A fast test to diagnose fatal brain conditions such as mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans could be on the horizon, according to a new study. Researchers have developed a highly sensitive and rapid new method to detect and measure infectious agents called prions that cause these diseases. ... > full story

Protein protects cancer cells from oxidative stress (December 5, 2010) -- High levels of a protein called thioredoxin-like 2 helps protect cancer cells from the oxidative stress that they generate as they grow and invade tissues throughout the body, researchers report. ... > full story

People with a university degree fear death less than those at a lower literacy level, Spanish study finds (December 5, 2010) -- Research conducted in Spain reveals that fear of death is more common among women than men. Additionally, the study concludes that parents' fear of death affects their children's perception of death. ... > full story

'Brain maps' created for how humans reach (December 5, 2010) -- Scientists studied the brains of 18 individuals who made 400 distinct arm reaches as they lay in an MRI scanner. The researchers found clear differences in brain planning activity with regard to the two types of reaching behavior. ... > full story

New approach to blocking malaria transmission developed (December 5, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a new approach to blocking malaria transmission. The research focuses on potential targets to inhibit transmission of the parasite Plasmodium that causes malaria. ... > full story

Electronic cigarettes are unsafe and pose health risks, study finds (December 5, 2010) -- How safe are electronic cigarettes or "e-cigarettes"? To address this question, researchers evaluated five e-cigarette brands and found design flaws, lack of adequate labeling, and several concerns about quality control and health issues. They conclude that e-cigarettes are potentially harmful and urge regulators to consider removing e-cigarettes from the market until their safety is adequately evaluated. ... > full story

Lower occurrence of atopic dermatitis in children whose mothers were exposed to farm animals and cats during pregnancy (December 5, 2010) -- Children whose mothers are exposed to farm animals and cats are better protected against atopic dermatitis and are less likely to develop this painful inflammation of the skin in their first two years of life. ... > full story

Beyond nature vs. nurture: Parental guidance boosts child's strengths, shapes development (December 5, 2010) -- Why does a young adult choose one career, hobby or path over another -- whether it's lawyer, politician, professional athlete, environmentalist or churchgoer? Some child psychologists say genes determine the outcome; others say the driving force is upbringing. But a new child-development theory bridges the nature vs. nurture models, saying parental guidance based on a child's strengths shapes how the child turns out, say psychologists. ... > full story

Blame the environment: Why vaccines may be ineffective for some people (December 4, 2010) -- A new discovery may explain why a tuberculosis vaccine is not as effective for some people as anticipated, and potentially explains why other vaccines do not work as well for some as they do for others. ... > full story

Color-changing 'blast badge' detects exposure to explosive shock waves (December 4, 2010) -- Mimicking the reflective iridescence of a butterfly's wing, investigators have developed a color-changing patch that could be worn on soldiers' helmets and uniforms to indicate the strength of exposure to blasts from explosives in the field. Future studies aim to calibrate the color change to the intensity of exposure to provide an immediate read on the potential harm to the brain and the subsequent need for medical intervention. ... > full story

Molecular 'switch' contributes to cellular aging process: Discovery suggests new treatments for metabolic diseases (December 4, 2010) -- Scientists report finding a molecular "switch" that can "turn off" some cellular processes that are protective against aging and metabolic diseases. ... > full story

Molecular mechanism that causes teens to be less sensitive to alcohol than adults identified (December 4, 2010) -- Researchers have known for years that teens are less sensitive than adults to the motor-impairing effects of alcohol, but they do not know exactly what is happening in the brain that causes teens to be less sensitive than adults. But now, neuropsychologists have found the particular cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the age-dependent effect of alcohol in teens that may cause the reduced motor impairment. ... > full story

New prion discovery reveals drug target for mad cow disease and related illnesses (December 4, 2010) -- In a new study, scientists have found that a protein our body uses to break up blood clots speeds up the progress of prion diseases. This substance, called plasminogen, is a new drug target for prion diseases in both humans and animals. ... > full story

Eye movement problems common cause of reading difficulties in stroke patients (December 4, 2010) -- Eye movement problems that result in difficulty reading are as common as vision loss in stroke patients, researchers at the University of Liverpool have found. ... > full story

A molecular switch for memory and addiction (December 4, 2010) -- Scientists from Germany, the UK and Italy identify a molecular switch that leads to a sustained increase of calcium in nerve cells and plays a crucial role in the formation of memory and addictive behaviors. ... > full story

Tooth decay to be a thing of the past? Enzyme responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth deciphered (December 4, 2010) -- Scientists have deciphered the structure and functional mechanism of the glucansucrase enzyme that is responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth. This knowledge will stimulate the identification of substances that inhibit the enzyme. Just add that substance to toothpaste, or even sweets, and caries could be a thing of the past. ... > full story

Researchers uncover culprits in life-threatening clotting disorder (December 4, 2010) -- Individuals with a potentially life-threatening condition predisposing them to blood clots, or thrombosis, might someday receive therapy to prevent the condition, thanks to new findings. ... > full story

Preterm infants may need a boost to protect against invasitve pneumococcal disease (December 4, 2010) -- A new study suggests that preterm infants may not be fully protected against invasive pneumococcal disease under the current United Kingdom immunization schedule. ... > full story

Under suspicion: Painkiller ziconotide could increase suicidal ideation (December 4, 2010) -- The active agent ziconotide, the synthetic toxin of the cone snail, was acclaimed a safe alternative to morphine when it was introduced six years ago. Now it is increasingly suspected of causing patients to commit suicide. ... > full story

Do our bodies' bacteria play matchmaker? (December 3, 2010) -- Could the bacteria that we carry in our bodies decide who we marry? According to a new study, the answer lies in the gut of a small fruit fly. Scientists recently demonstrated that the symbiotic bacteria inside a fruit fly greatly influence its choice of mates. ... > full story

New clue in leukemia mystery: Researchers identify 'poison' employed by deadly enzyme mutations (December 3, 2010) -- There is new hope for people with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. New research reveals a surprising and unexpected cancer-causing mechanism. The investigators discovered that newly identified mutant enzymes in AML create a chemical poison to cause leukemia. ... > full story

Doctors failing to prescribe low-dose menopausal hormone therapy, study finds (December 3, 2010) -- Doctors across the country are still prescribing higher-dose menopausal hormone therapy pills, despite clinical evidence that low doses and skin patches work just as well and carry fewer health risks, according to a new study. ... > full story

Fear of being envied makes people behave well toward others (December 3, 2010) -- It's nice to have success -- but it can also make you worry that the jealous people will try to bring you down. New research has found that the fear of being the target of malicious envy makes people act more helpfully toward people who they think might be jealous of them. ... > full story

Discovery could lead to breakthrough for non-small cell lung cancer (December 3, 2010) -- A professor of biochemistry and molecular biology has discovered a previously unknown mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer cells that contributes to their ability to maintain and grow tumors. ... > full story

The gene-environment enigma (December 3, 2010) -- Personalized medicine centers on being able to predict the risk of disease or response to a drug based on a person's genetic makeup. But a new study suggests that, for most common diseases, genes alone only tell part of the story. Their research shows the environment interacts with DNA in ways that are difficult to predict, even in simple organisms like single-celled yeast. ... > full story

Breast CT imaging system marches forward as pain-free tool to aid mammograms (December 3, 2010) -- While questions persist about the best ways to detect breast cancer early, a CT imaging system first unveiled five years ago is in a better position today to enter the fray -- at least in a supporting role to conventional mammography. ... > full story

Nicotine exposure in pregnant rats puts offspring at risk for learning disabilities (December 3, 2010) -- Exposure to nicotine during pregnancy leads to a decrease in adult stem cells and a change in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of the offspring, according to new research. Researchers say this could be a possible cause for behavioral problems such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder seen in children whose mothers smoked. ... > full story

Dementia may result from incomplete memories (December 3, 2010) -- Memory difficulties such as those seen in dementia may arise because the brain forms incomplete memories that are more easily confused, new research has found. Currently, memory problems are typically perceived to be the result of forgetting previously encountered items or events. The new research however, found that the ability of the brain to maintain complete, detailed memories is disrupted. ... > full story

Anesthetic gases heat climate as much as one million cars do, new research shows (December 3, 2010) -- One kilo of anesthetic gas affects the climate as much as 1,620 kilos of carbon dioxide, according to a recent study carried out by a team of chemists and anesthesiologists. The amount of gas needed for a single surgical procedure is not high, but each year surgery related anesthetics affects the climate as much as would one million cars, states a new report. ... > full story

Brittle bones and heart disease go hand in hand (December 3, 2010) -- Norwegian studies indicate that people with osteoporosis have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and vice versa. Now researchers believe they have found a biological system that may influence both disease processes. ... > full story

Heavy smoking during pregnancy linked to kids becoming repeat offenders as adults (December 3, 2010) -- Mums who smoke heavily while pregnant run the risk of having kids who grow up to become repeat criminal offenders, suggests new research. ... > full story

Polluted air increases obesity risk in young animals (December 3, 2010) -- Exposure to polluted air early in life led to an accumulation of abdominal fat and insulin resistance in mice even if they ate a normal diet, according to new research. Animals exposed to the fine-particulate air pollution had larger and more fat cells in their abdominal area and higher blood sugar levels than did animals eating the same diet but breathing clean air. ... > full story

Blood vessel dysfunction linked to heart disease also impacts Alzheimer's (December 3, 2010) -- A blood vessel dysfunction linked to cardiovascular disease seems to also play a role in Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. The dysfunction may help account for the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. ... > full story

'USB' interface for medical diagnosis? (December 3, 2010) -- Biomedical engineers have developed a plug-in interface for the microfluidic chips that will form the basis of the next generation of compact medical devices. They hope that the "fit to flow" interface will become as ubiquitous as the USB interface for computer peripherals. ... > full story

Kicking the habit: Study suggests that quitting smoking improves mood (December 3, 2010) -- Researchers tracked symptoms of depression in people who were trying to quit smoking. They found that people were never happier than when they were kicking the habit and remaining free from smoking. ... > full story

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