ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Friday, June 17, 2011 ~ laniertech

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Friday, June 17, 2011

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First diagnostic test for hereditary children's disease (June 17, 2011) -- A breakthrough in genetic research has uncovered the defect behind a rare hereditary children's disease that inhibits the body's ability to break down vitamin D. This discovery has led researchers to develop the first genetic and biochemical tests that positively identify the disease. ... > full story

Structural biologists reveal novel drug binding site in NMDA receptor subunit (June 17, 2011) -- Structural biologists have obtained a precise molecular map of the binding site for an allosteric inhibitor in a subtype of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor, which is commonly expressed in brain cells, dysfunctions of which have been implicated in depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. ... > full story

Children as young as ten vomit to lose weight, with highest rates in boys (June 17, 2011) -- Children as young as ten are making themselves vomit in order to lose weight and the problem is more common in boys than girls. 13% of the 8,673 girls and 7,043 boys who took part in the research admitted they made themselves sick to lose weight. But the figures were much higher in younger children, with 16% of 10-12 year-olds and 15% of 13-15 year-olds vomiting. The figures fell to 8% in 16-18 year-olds. The study of 120 schools also found that 16% of the boys made themselves sick, compared with 10% of the girls. ... > full story

Scientists develop a fatty 'kryptonite' to defeat multidrug-resistant 'super bugs' (June 17, 2011) -- "Super bugs," which can cause wide-spread disease and may be resistant to most, if not all, conventional antibiotics, still have their weaknesses. A team of Canadian scientists discovered that specific mixtures of antimicrobial agents presented in lipid (fatty) mixtures can significantly boost the effectiveness of those agents to kill the resistant bacteria. ... > full story

Protein found that improves DNA repair under stress (June 17, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered an important new mechanism that allows cells to recognize when they are under stress and prime the DNA repair machinery to respond to the threat of damage. ... > full story

Plants teach humans a thing or two about fighting diseases (June 17, 2011) -- Avoiding germs to prevent sickness is commonplace for people. Wash hands often. Sneeze into your elbow. Those are among the tips humans learn. But plants, which are also vulnerable to pathogens, have to fend it alone. They grow where planted, in an environment teeming with microbes and other substances ready to attack. Texas scientists have learned from plants' immune response new information that could help understand humans' ability to ward off sickness. ... > full story

Roadmap published for dynamic mapping of estrogen signaling in breast cancer (June 17, 2011) -- The first roadmap to mathematical modeling of a powerful basic "decision circuit" in breast cancer has been developed. The preliminary mathematical model is the first result of work to develop a systems approach to understanding and treating one of the most common forms of breast cancer. ... > full story

Focusing heavily on a task results in experience of deafness to perfectly audible sounds (June 17, 2011) -- How can someone with perfectly normal hearing become deaf to the world around them when their mind is on something else? New research suggests that focusing heavily on a task results in the experience of deafness to perfectly audible sounds. ... > full story

New sealant gel is effective in closing spinal wounds following surgery, study finds (June 16, 2011) -- A gel that creates a watertight seal to close surgical wounds provides a significant advance in the treatment of patients following spinal procedures, effectively sealing spinal wounds 100 percent of the time, a national multicenter randomized study has found. ... > full story

Why ketamine produces a fast antidepressant response (June 16, 2011) -- Scientists are shedding new light on why the anesthetic drug ketamine produces a fast-acting antidepressant response in patients with treatment-resistant depression. ... > full story

Does driving a Porsche make a man more desirable to women? (June 16, 2011) -- New research finds that men's conspicuous spending is driven by the desire to have uncommitted romantic flings. And, gentlemen, women can see right through it. ... > full story

A stem cell target for expanding waistlines? (June 16, 2011) -- Researchers may have found the key to developing a method to rid the body of stem cells responsible for driving fat expansion. They've landed the first protein marker on the surface of those so-called adipose stromal cells (ASCs), which serve as progenitors of the cells that make up fat tissue. ... > full story

A knockout resource for mouse genetics: Mouse gene knockout resource will empower mammalian gene studies for a generation (June 16, 2011) -- Researchers report that they have knocked out almost 40 percent of the genes in the mouse genome. The results are founded on a novel, efficient production line that targets each specific gene in turn. This developing resource will be essential in our understanding of the role of genes in all mammals -- including humans. The completed resource will power studies in models of human disease. ... > full story

Molecular imaging pinpoints source of chronic back pain (June 16, 2011) -- A new study shows potential relief for patients who suffer chronic pain after back surgery. A molecular imaging procedure that combines functional and anatomical information about the body is able to zero in on the site of abnormal bone reaction and provide more accurate diagnoses and appropriate pain management for patients who have received hardware implants or bone grafts. ... > full story

Bad sleep habits are associated with lower grades from high school through college (June 16, 2011) -- Poor sleep hygiene in college tend to persist through the senior year, a new study suggests. Students whose sleep hygiene worsened during college also showed a greater decline in their GPA. "Night owls" showed greater declines in GPA from high school to college and had a lower freshman GPA (2.84) than morning and intermediate types combined (3.18). Night owls shifted more toward a morning chronotype by their senior year, when there were no longer GPA differences between chronotypes. ... > full story

Healing times for dental implants could be cut (June 16, 2011) -- The technology used to replace lost teeth with titanium dental implants could be improved. By studying the surface structure of dental implants not only at micro level but also at nano level, researchers have come up with a method that could shorten the healing time for patients. ... > full story

Weekend sleep fails to improve performance, but women handle workweek sleep loss better (June 16, 2011) -- Performance decreases significantly after six nights of sleep restriction and did not improve after two nights of recovery sleep, a new study has found. Sleep restriction also caused subjective and objective sleepiness to increase significantly; however, sleepiness did improve after recovery. Compared with men, women were found to have less subjective sleepiness and less performance deterioration during sleep restriction, and greater improvements after recovery. These differences were associated with increased amounts of slow-wave sleep in women at baseline. ... > full story

Using living cells as an 'invisibility cloak' to hide drugs (June 16, 2011) -- The quest for better ways of encapsulating medicine so that it can reach diseased parts of the body has led scientists to harness -- for the first time -- living human cells to produce natural capsules with channels for releasing drugs and diagnostic agents. ... > full story

Understanding alcohol's damaging effects on the brain (June 16, 2011) -- While alcohol has a wide range of pharmacological effects on the body, the brain is a primary target. However, the molecular mechanisms by which alcohol alters neuronal activity in the brain are poorly understood. New findings concern the interactions of alcohol with prototype brain proteins thought to underlie alcohol actions in the brain. ... > full story

Animal instincts: Why do unhappy consumers prefer tactile sensations? (June 16, 2011) -- A new study explains why sad people are more likely to want to hug a teddy bear than seek out a visual experience such as looking at art. Hint: it has to do with our mammalian instincts. ... > full story

Effects of premature birth can reach into adulthood (June 16, 2011) -- In the longest running US study of premature infants who are now 23 years old, a professor has found that premature infants are less healthy, have more social and school struggles and face a greater risk of heart-health problems in adulthood. ... > full story

Life expectancy in most US counties falls behind world's healthiest nations (June 16, 2011) -- While people in Japan, Canada, and other nations have enjoyed significant gains in life expectancy, most counties within the United States are falling behind, according to a new study. Researchers found that between 2000 and 2007 more than 80 percent of counties fell in standing against the average of the 10 nations with the best life expectancies in the world. ... > full story

Potential predictor of deadly cancer common in Asia (June 16, 2011) -- Researchers found a protein that could help predict the spread of the head and neck cancer nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); this protein could also serve as part of a treatment strategy to stop the spread of the disease. ... > full story

U.S. specialty physicians turn away two-thirds of children with public insurance, study shows (June 16, 2011) -- Sixty-six percent of publicly insured children were unable to get a doctor's appointment for serious medical conditions including diabetes and seizures, while children with identical symptoms and private insurance were turned away only 11 percent of the time, according to an audit study of specialty physician practices in Cook County, Ill. ... > full story

E. coli bacteria more likely to develop resistance after exposure to low levels of antibiotics (June 16, 2011) -- E. coli bacteria exposed to three common antibiotics were more likely to develop antibiotic resistance following low-level antibiotic exposure than after exposure to high concentrations that would kill the bacteria or inhibit their growth, according to a timely article. ... > full story

Parkinson's disease: Why dopamine replacement therapy has a paradoxical effect on cognition (June 16, 2011) -- Dopamine replacement therapy, which is used to manage motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, can, at times, adversely affect cognition. Now researchers have identified the reasons why. ... > full story

Testing improves memory: Study examines why memory is enhanced by repeated retrieval (June 16, 2011) -- Many psychologists have believed that testing is good for memory, but only for the exact thing you are trying to remember: so-called "target memory." In a new study, researchers set out to test whether practice testing might boost other types of memory, too. Their conclusion: it does. ... > full story

Scientists override errant form of genetic signaling for first time: Changing genetic 'red light' to green holds promise for treating disease (June 16, 2011) -- Researchers found a new way to surpass a common mutation that is estimated to cause a third of genetic disorders. The mutation causes the body to create shortened, disabled proteins, which lead to disease like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and cancer. The newly discovered approach directs the body to create normal, full-length proteins and could aid the development of treatment strategies to change the course of these, and other debilitating genetic conditions. ... > full story

'Glowing hands' in the waiting room improves kids' handwashing (June 16, 2011) -- Hand-hygiene in children was improved with the use of a glowing gel that, when black lit, illustrates bacteria on hands, even after washing. ... > full story

Oral appliance therapy improves craniofacial growth direction and snoring, research finds (June 16, 2011) -- Children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids who wore an oral appliance for six months experienced more favorable craniofacial growth, enlargement of pharyngeal dimensions, and improved breathing and snoring during sleep, according to new research. ... > full story

Red-light cameras critical to public safety, traffic researcher finds (June 16, 2011) -- As automated traffic monitoring systems such as red light cameras keep a law enforcement "eye" on the streets across the country, many drivers accuse city governments of installing the monitors as a way to generate revenue. New research says the safety benefits of automated traffic monitoring systems far outweigh the potential for abuse. ... > full story

Using olive oil in your diet may prevent a stroke (June 16, 2011) -- A new study suggests that consuming olive oil may help prevent a stroke in older people. ... > full story

Several methods for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease developed (June 16, 2011) -- Scientists have taken several significant steps to enable earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. They have developed new approaches for measuring biomarkers for diagnostics and a novel system for integrating the information systematically. ... > full story

Sugar-binding protein may play a role in HIV infection (June 16, 2011) -- Researchers report that a sugar-binding protein called galectin-9 traps PDI on T-cells' surface, making them more susceptible to HIV infection. ... > full story

Sexy doesn't always sell: When do beautiful models help? (June 16, 2011) -- Having an attractive model shill for a product only helps influence sales in certain situations, according to a new study. It seems it all depends on the set-up for the advertising. ... > full story

Fortifying corn masa flour with folic acid could prevent birth defects, March of Dimes says (June 16, 2011) -- Fortifying corn masa flour with the B vitamin folic acid could prevent more serious birth defects of the brain and spine in the Hispanic community, according to a March of Dimes commentary. ... > full story

Risk factor identified for acute aortic dissections (June 16, 2011) -- People who have duplications in a region of chromosome 16 (16p13.1) that is present in approximately 1 in 1000 individuals have a 12-fold increased risk of thoracic aortic aneurysms leading to a tear in the aorta, or acute aortic dissections. An estimated 10000 people die annually from thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) in the United States, where TAAD have ranked as high as the 15th leading cause of death. ... > full story

New stem cell research could aid in battle against bulging waistlines (June 16, 2011) -- Innovative adult stem cell research could aid efforts to apply the brakes to stem cells that produce the type of fat ringing the waists of millions. ... > full story

Research priorities for minimally invasive treatments for multiple sclerosis patients (June 16, 2011) -- Evaluating patients with multiple sclerosis who have narrowed jugular and azygos veins -- and the value of widening those veins with angioplasty -- warrants careful, well-designed research, according to experts. Experts also recommend exploring a condition called chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency. ... > full story

When warming up for the cycling race, less is more (June 16, 2011) -- New findings challenge conventional wisdom and find shorter warm-ups of lower intensity are better for boosting cycling performance. ... > full story

Depressed, pregnant women receive inconsistent treatment, have longer hospital stays (June 16, 2011) -- Pregnant women who screen positive for depression are unlikely to receive consistent treatment, researchers say. That may translate to women spending more time in the hospital before babies are even born. ... > full story

Treatment gap leaves many older adults at unnecessary risk of fracture (June 16, 2011) -- Only a minority of European high-risk patients are receiving treatment to prevent fractures -- contrary to the recommendations of most national osteoporosis guidelines and despite continued advances in risk assessment and the widespread availability of effective medication, new research suggests. ... > full story

Don't stop anonymizing data: Report dispels myths of de-identification (June 16, 2011) -- Canadian privacy experts have issued a new report that strongly backs the practice of de-identification as a key element in the protection of personal information. The report validates that that anonymizing data is a reliable, safe and practical way to protect personal information. ... > full story

Fetal electrocardiogram helps in early detection of neonatal acidosis, Spanish researcher find (June 16, 2011) -- Researchers in Spain have demonstrated that fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) is the best method for detecting early acidosis and the risk of loss of fetal well being. The method shows the effects of lack of oxygen in the heart and brain of the fetus. The study finds that this system is better than pulse oximetry, which measures oxygen saturation in fetuses. ... > full story

Potential cause of severe sleep disorder discovered, implications for Parkinson's disease (June 15, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a potential cause for a severe sleep disorder that has been closely linked to Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. ... > full story

Immune response to tumour cells could aid cancer battle (June 15, 2011) -- New research in the UK has yielded a novel immunotherapeutic approach with potential for cancer treatment. ... > full story

White adolescent girls may be losing sleep from the pressure to be thin (June 15, 2011) -- Pressures to be thin from girlfriends and the media significantly predict sleep duration, accounting for 4.5 percent of the variance in hours of sleep for adolescent girls, according to a new study. These pressures to be skinny were significantly predictive of sleep duration for white girls, but not for blacks or Hispanics. Together, the two predictors shared 6 percent of the variance in hours of sleep among white girls, with the strongest predictor being pressure to be skinny from girlfriends. ... > full story

Non-invasive brain stimulation helps curb impulsivity (June 15, 2011) -- Inhibitory control can be boosted with a mild form of brain stimulation, according to a new study. The study's findings indicate that non-invasive intervention can greatly improve patients' inhibitory control. ... > full story

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