ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, February 8, 2010
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Gene that improves quality of reprogrammed stem cells identified (February 8, 2010) -- Scientists report that Tbx3 significantly improves quality of induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem cells reprogrammed from differentiated cells are known as induced pluripotent stem cells or iPS cells. ... > full story
New way to study how enzymes repair DNA damage (February 8, 2010) -- Researchers have found a new way to study how enzymes move as they repair DNA sun damage -- and that discovery could one day lead to new therapies for healing sunburned skin. Ultraviolet (UV) light damages skin by causing chemical bonds to form in the wrong places along the DNA molecules in our cells. ... > full story
Screening for spinal muscular atrophy not cost effective, study finds (February 8, 2010) -- New findings suggest that it is not cost effective to screen for spinal muscular atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality and the second most common inherited autosomal recessive disorder. There is controversy about whether prenatal carrier detection should be routinely offered to couples. ... > full story
Fingers account for majority of pediatric amputations, new study finds (February 8, 2010) -- According to a new study, there were more than 950 cases of traumatic amputations among children aged 17 years and younger in the United States in 2003. Of these cases, finger and thumb amputations accounted for the majority of the injuries. ... > full story
Estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy may increase risk of asthma after menopause (February 8, 2010) -- Estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of developing asthma after the menopause, suggests a large scale study. ... > full story
Uncorrelated activity in the brain (February 8, 2010) -- Interconnected networks of neurons process information and give rise to perception by communicating with one another via small electrical impulses known as action potentials. In the past, scientists believed that adjacent neurons synchronized their action potentials. However, researchers now show that this synchronization does not happen. ... > full story
Preventing pancreatic islet loss after transplantation (February 8, 2010) -- Although transplantation of pancreatic islets is an attractive way to treat type 1 diabetes, early islet loss soon after transplantation has limited its clinical use. By studying islet transplantation in a mouse model of diabetes, researchers have now identified a potential new set of targets to improve the efficiency of pancreatic islet transplantation. ... > full story
Many surgeons suffer injuries from minimally invasive techniques (February 8, 2010) -- Surgeons who engage in minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery are providing great benefits to their patients, but possibly to their own detriment. That's the finding of the largest survey ever conducted of surgeons in North America who perform laparoscopic procedures. The survey found that 87 percent of laparoscopic surgeons have experienced physical symptoms or discomfort. This was especially true among those with high case volumes. ... > full story
Scientists discover new treatment for chronic pain condition (February 7, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered that treating the immune system of patients with complex regional pain syndrome leads to a significant reduction in pain. ... > full story
First measurement of energy released from a virus during infection (February 7, 2010) -- For the first time, scientists have directly measured the energy associated with the expulsion of viral DNA, a pivotal discovery toward fully understanding the physical mechanisms that control viral infection and designing drugs to interfere with the process. ... > full story
Cholesterol's link to heart disease gets clearer and more complicated (February 7, 2010) -- By considering molecular-level events on a broader scale, researchers now have a clearer, if more complicated, picture of how one class of immune cells goes wrong when loaded with cholesterol. The findings show that, when it comes to the development of atherosclerosis and heart disease, it's not about any one bad actor -- it's about a network gone awry. ... > full story
Helmets reduce the risk of head injuries among skiers and snowboarders by 35 percent (February 7, 2010) -- Helmets reduce the risk of head injury among skiers and snowboarders by 35 percent with no evidence of an increased risk of neck injury, a new study finds. ... > full story
Brain dopamine receptor density correlates with social status (February 7, 2010) -- People have typically viewed the benefits that accrue with social status primarily from the perspective of external rewards. A new study suggests that there are internal rewards as well. Researchers found that increased social status and increased social support correlated with the density of dopamine D2/D3 receptors in the striatum, a region of the brain that plays a central role in reward and motivation, where dopamine plays a critical role in both of these behavioral processes. ... > full story
Link between birth defect gastroschisis and the agricultural chemical atrazine found (February 7, 2010) -- New findings demonstrate a link between the birth defect gastroschisis and the agricultural chemical atrazine. Gastroschisis is a type of inherited congenital abdominal wall defect in which the intestines, and sometimes other organs, develop outside the fetal abdomen through an opening in the abdominal wall. The incidence of gastroschisis is on the rise, increasing two to four times in the last 30 years. ... > full story
New research on Type 2 diabetes could benefit young adults with condition (February 7, 2010) -- Researchers have demonstrated new mechanisms in muscle cells that may explain severe insulin resistance and a reduced response to aerobic exercise in young obese patients with type 2 diabetes. These findings may contribute to the development of more specific treatments for young people with type 2 diabetes. ... > full story
High sensitivity to stress isn't always bad for children (February 7, 2010) -- Researchers looked at 338 kindergarteners, as well as their teachers and families, to determine how family adversity and biological reactivity contribute to healthy development. They found that children who had significantly stronger biological reactions to a series of mildly stressful tasks designed to look like challenges in their daily lives were more affected by their family contexts, both bad and good. ... > full story
New compound could become important new antidepressant (February 7, 2010) -- Chemists have discovered and synthesized a new compound that in laboratory and animal tests appears to be similar to, but may have advantages over one of the most important antidepressant medications in the world. ... > full story
Biologists determine microRNA activity is suppressed in mouse ovum (February 7, 2010) -- Scientists studying RNA activity, the so-called dark matter of the biological world, may have found the first event in reprogramming a differentiated oocyte into pluripotent blastomeres of the embryo. ... > full story
Early abuse tied to more depression in children (February 7, 2010) -- A study of 500 low-income children ages 7 to 13, about half of whom had been abused and/or neglected, aimed to find out whether abuse early in life and feelings of depression affected cortisol ("stress hormone") levels. Study results suggest that there are different subtypes of depression, with atypical cortisol regulation occurring among children who were abused before age 5. ... > full story
New malaria vaccine is safe and protective in children, scientists find (February 6, 2010) -- A new vaccine to prevent the deadly malaria infection has shown promise to protect the most vulnerable patients -- young children -- against the disease, according to an international team of researchers. The vaccine seems to replicate in children the natural protective immunity that adults develop after years of intense exposure to malaria. A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds, according to the WHO. ... > full story
Toward safer plastics that lock in potentially harmful plasticizers (February 6, 2010) -- Scientists have published the first report on a new way of preventing potentially harmful plasticizers -- the source of long-standing human health concerns -- from migrating from one of the most widely used groups of plastics. ... > full story
How progesterone prevents preterm birth (February 6, 2010) -- Researchers believe they may have discovered how the hormone progesterone acts to prevent preterm birth. ... > full story
Moms' depression in pregnancy tied to antisocial behavior in teens (February 6, 2010) -- Researchers studying 120 British youth from inner-city areas found that mothers who became depressed when pregnant were four times as likely to have children who were violent at 16. This was true for both boys and girls. The mothers' depression, in turn, was predicted by their own aggressive and disruptive behavior as teens. ... > full story
World's first in-depth study of the malaria parasite genome (February 6, 2010) -- Groundbreaking research could lead to the development of more potent drugs or a vaccine for malaria. Scientists have scored a world first in successfully using transcriptional profiling to uncover hitherto unknown gene expression (activity) patterns in malaria. ... > full story
Blacks with MS have more severe symptoms, decline faster than whites, new study shows (February 6, 2010) -- Fewer African Americans than Caucasians develop multiple sclerosis, statistics show, but their disease progresses more rapidly, and they don't respond as well to therapies, a new study by neurology researchers has found. ... > full story
Sweet! Sugar plays key role in cell division (February 6, 2010) -- Using an elaborate sleuthing system they developed to probe how cells manage their own division, scientists have discovered that common but hard-to-see sugar switches are partly in control. ... > full story
Length of time in institutional care may influence children's learning (February 6, 2010) -- A new study shows that children adopted early from foster care didn't differ from children who were raised in their birth families but that children adopted from institutional care performed worse than those raised in families on tests measuring visual memory and attention, learning visual information, and impulse control. Findings suggest that children make tremendous advances in cognitive functioning once they reach their adoptive families but the impact of early deprivation is difficult to reverse completely. ... > full story
HPV vaccines may reduce a wide range of genital diseases (February 6, 2010) -- High-coverage human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations among adolescents and young women may result in a rapid reduction of genital warts, cervical cell abnormalities, and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, researchers report in a new study. Some of these genital abnormalities are precursors of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers. ... > full story
Screening for short cervix could improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce preterm birth (February 6, 2010) -- Using ultrasound to screen all pregnant women for signs of a shortening cervix improves pregnancy outcomes and is a cost-effective way to reduce preterm birth, researchers report in a new study. ... > full story
Youth who self-identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual at higher suicide risk, say researchers (February 6, 2010) -- Mental health professionals have long-known that gay, lesbian and bisexual teens face significantly elevated risks of mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts. However, a group of researchers has now come to the conclusion that self-identity is the crucial risk-factor, rather than actual sexual behaviors. ... > full story
Prion leaves lasting mark on memory (February 5, 2010) -- Prions are a special class of proteins best known as the source for mad cow and other neurodegenerative diseases. Despite this negative reputation, a prion may also have important and very positive roles in brain function. The researchers suggest that a prion-like protein may participate in memory in higher eukaryotes, from sea slugs on up. ... > full story
Scientists map out regulatory regions of genome, hot spots for diabetes genes (February 5, 2010) -- Researchers have generated a complete map of the areas of the genome that control which genes are "turned on" or "off." The discovery, made in pancreatic islet cells, opens new avenues for understanding the genetic basis of type 2 diabetes and other common illnesses. ... > full story
Couples who say 'we' do better at resolving conflicts (February 5, 2010) -- People often complain about those seemingly smug married couples who constantly refer to themselves as "we." But a new study suggests that spouses who use "we-ness" language are better able to resolve conflicts than those who don't. ... > full story
'Artificial pancreas' a step nearer for children with type 1 diabetes (February 5, 2010) -- Scientists have made a significant step towards developing a so-called "artificial pancreas" system for managing type 1 diabetes in children. The team has developed and successfully tested a new algorithm, providing a stepping stone to home testing for the artificial pancreas. ... > full story
How sperm get a move on; discovery suggests new target for male contraception (February 5, 2010) -- Most of us probably think of sperm as rather active little cells, swimming with quick movements of their "tail" or flagella. But actually sperm's motility is in fact short lived. When in the male reproductive tract they have to rest easy, lest they wear themselves out prematurely and give up any chance of ever finding an egg. ... > full story
Melatonin precursor stimulates growth factor circuits in brain (February 5, 2010) -- N-acetylserotonin, the immediate precursor to melatonin, activates the same growth circuits in the brain as BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). The results have implications for how some antidepressants function and suggest that the molecules and pathways involved in mood regulation and circadian rhythms are intertwined. ... > full story
Haiti: International relief efforts remain fragmented, warn doctors (February 5, 2010) -- Despite the frightening regularity of humanitarian disasters like the earthquake in Haiti, international responses remain fragmented and must be improved, argue a group of trauma surgeons. ... > full story
Bacteria toxic to wound-treating maggots (February 5, 2010) -- Bacteria that infect chronic wounds can be deadly to maggot "bio-surgeons" used to treat the lesions, show researchers. The findings could lead to more effective treatment of wounds and the development of novel antibiotics. ... > full story
Study maps effects of acupuncture on the brain (February 5, 2010) -- New research about the effects of acupuncture on the brain may provide an understanding of the complex mechanisms of acupuncture and could lead to a wider acceptability of the treatment. ... > full story
Growth factor gene shown to be key to cleft palate (February 5, 2010) -- Cleft palate has been linked to dozens of genes. During their investigation of one of these genes, researchers were surprised to find that cleft palate occurs both when the gene is more active and when it is less active than normal. ... > full story
Novelty lures rats from cocaine-paired settings, hinting at new treatments for recovering addicts (February 5, 2010) -- The brain's innate interest in the new and different may help trump the power of addictive drugs, according to new research. In controlled experiments, novelty drew cocaine-treated rats away from the place they got cocaine. ... > full story
Vaccine to protect pregnant women from contracting malaria? (February 5, 2010) -- Researchers have synthesized the entire protein that is responsible for life-threatening malaria in pregnant women and their unborn children. The protein known as VAR2CSA enables malaria parasites to accumulate in the placenta and can therefore potentially be used as the main component in a vaccine to trigger antibodies that protect pregnant women against malaria. The research team is now planning to test the efficacy of the protein-based vaccine on humans. ... > full story
It looks, feels and tastes like chicken, but it's made of soy (February 5, 2010) -- Sure, some delicacies might taste just like chicken, but they usually feel and look much different. Soy meat alternatives, such as the soy burger, have become more popular recently, with increased sales of eight percent from 2007 to 2008. Now, scientists have created a soy substitute for chicken that is much like the real thing. The new soy chicken also has health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and maintaining healthy bones. ... > full story
Molecular 'firing squad' in mice triggered by overeating destroys metabolism (February 5, 2010) -- Overeating in mice triggers a molecule once considered to be only involved in detecting and fighting viruses to also destroy normal metabolism, leading to insulin resistance and setting the stage for diabetes. ... > full story
More smokers kick the habit with extended nicotine patch therapy (February 5, 2010) -- New research may help more smokers keep their New Year's resolution by helping them quit smoking. Extended use of a nicotine patch -- 24 weeks versus the standard eight weeks recommended by manufacturers -- boosts the number of smokers who maintain their cigarette abstinence and helps more of those who backslide into the habit while wearing the patch, according to a new study. ... > full story
Physicists kill cancer with 'nanobubbles' (February 5, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a way to use lasers and nanoparticles to identify and treat individual diseased cells with tiny vapor "nanobubbles." In a new study, the scientists described how to use the method to explode nanobubbles and kill cancer cells. In laboratory tests, they showed they could tune these nanobubbles for "theranostics," a combined approach that melds diagnosis and treatment into a single procedure. ... > full story
Molecular regulator that controls ability of sperm to reach and fertilize the egg identified (February 5, 2010) -- Researchers have identified an elusive molecular regulator that controls the ability of human sperm to reach and fertilize the egg, a finding that has implications on both treating male infertility and preventing pregnancy. ... > full story
Video of virus in action shows viruses can spread faster than thought possible (February 5, 2010) -- New video footage of a virus infecting cells is challenging what researchers have long believed about how viruses spread, suggesting that scientists may be able to create new drugs to tackle some viruses. ... > full story
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