ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, November 30, 2009
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Polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids boost the birth of new neurons, study finds (November 30, 2009) -- Researchers in Spain have confirmed that a diet rich in polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids, patented as an LMN diet, helps boost the production of the brain's stem cells -- neurogenesis -- and strengthens their differentiation in different types of neuron cells. The research revealed that mice fed an LMN diet, when compared to those fed a control diet, have more cell proliferation in the two areas of the brain where neurogenesis is produced, the olfactory bulb and the hippocampus. ... > full story
Long-term testicular cancer survivors at high risk for neurological side effects (November 30, 2009) -- Long-term survivors of testicular cancer who were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy had more severe side effects, including neurological side effects and Raynaud-like phenomena, than men who were not treated with chemotherapy, according to a new study. ... > full story
Demand for cosmetic and surgical procedures in dermatologic surgery rising rapidly (November 30, 2009) -- Researchers have found that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of procedures performed and patient demand for dermatologic health care since 2000. The findings parallels the growth in the age of individuals between the ages of 40 to 55, who make up the "baby boomer" generation. ... > full story
New disease among HIV-infected gay men (November 30, 2009) -- A rare parasitic disease, which normally only is transmitted by contaminated water, has been shown to be transmitted by gay sex between hiv-positive men. In the industrial world the disease is virtually absent, but that could change. ... > full story
Male factor infertility associated with comorbidities (November 30, 2009) -- New research suggests that that male factor infertility is associated with a number of medical comorbidities, as objectively scored with the hospital-based Charlson Comorbidity Index. ... > full story
Connection between depression and osteoporosis detailed (November 30, 2009) -- Research carried out among thousands of people has shown a clear connection between depression and a loss of bone mass, leading to osteoporosis and fractures. ... > full story
New therapy may be effective against bacterial infections and sepsis (November 29, 2009) -- A new study found that certain immune cells primarily associated with asthma and allergies may enhance innate immunity and improve clearance of bacterial infections and may be an effective new therapy against bacterial infections and sepsis in humans. ... > full story
New findings suggest strategy to help generate HIV-neutralizing antibodies (November 29, 2009) -- New discoveries about anti-HIV antibodies may bring researchers a step closer to creating an effective HIV vaccine, according to a new paper. ... > full story
Client-directed therapy technique drastically reduces rates of divorce or separation (November 29, 2009) -- Using four simple questions to generate client-directed feedback can greatly increase the chances that struggling couples will stay together, according to a recently published study. Couples that had systematic client feedback incorporated into their sessions were 46.2 percent less likely to wind up divorced or separated. ... > full story
Clue to mystery of how biological clock operates on 24-hour cycle (November 29, 2009) -- How does our biological system know that it is supposed to operate on a 24-hour cycle? Scientists have discovered that a tiny molecule holds the clue to the mystery. ... > full story
How HIV is assembled and released from infected cells (November 29, 2009) -- The HIV/AIDS virus continues to ravage populations worldwide. Using a novel combination of optical techniques, researchers visualize how virus particles assemble and are released from infected cells to find new victims -- knowledge which could lead to new technologies for inhibiting this process. ... > full story
Free e-samples of prescription drugs: At what cost? (November 29, 2009) -- An analysis of Web coupons and vouchers for free or discounted prescription medications found the value of such introductory offers is low compared to costs to continue to take the medication. Many such Web sites also de-emphasize risks and provide little quantitative data on indications for use and effectiveness. Many sites also collect personal information as a condition of the free offer. ... > full story
'Glow-in-the-dark' red blood cells made from human stem cells (November 29, 2009) -- Stem cell scientists have modified a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line to glow red when the stem cells become red blood cells. The modified hESC line, ErythRED, represents a major step forward to the eventual aim of generating mature, fully functional red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells. ... > full story
Forming new brain cells: Key regulatory peptide discovered (November 29, 2009) -- The generation of new nerve cells in the brain is regulated by a peptide known as C3a, which directly affects the stem cells' maturation into nerve cells and is also important for the migration of new nerve cells through the brain tissue. ... > full story
Measuring and modeling blood flow in malaria (November 29, 2009) -- When people have malaria, they are infected with Plasmodium parasites, which enter the body from the saliva of a mosquito, infect cells in the liver, and then spread to red blood cells. Inside the blood cells, the parasites replicate and also begin to expose adhesive proteins on the cell surface that change the physical nature of the cells in the bloodstream. ... > full story
Motivational 'women-only' cardiac rehab improves symptoms of depression (November 29, 2009) -- Women who participated in a motivational cardiac rehab program designed for women experienced less symptoms of depression. The positive impact of the women-centered program remained six months after the 12-week study ended. Other research shows that positive emotions in men and women may protect from heart disease. ... > full story
Biological basis of 'bacterial immune system' discovered (November 28, 2009) -- Scientists have discovered how the bacterial immune system works, and the finding could lead to new classes of targeted antibiotics, new tools to study gene function in microorganisms and more stable bacterial cultures used by food and biotechnology industries to make products such as yogurt and cheese. ... > full story
New device implanted by surgeons help paralyzed patients breathe easier (November 28, 2009) -- Physicians will soon begin implanting a new device designed to improve breathing in patients with upper spinal-cord injuries or other diseases that keep them from breathing independently. ... > full story
Bell's palsy: Study calls for rethink of cause and treatment (November 28, 2009) -- Drugs widely prescribed to treat facial paralysis in Bell's palsy are ineffective and are based on false notions of the cause of the condition, according to researchers. They say research must now focus on discovering other potential causes and treatments. ... > full story
Dispensing prescription drugs in 3-month supplies reduces drug costs by a third (November 28, 2009) -- Purchasing prescription drugs in a three-month supply rather than a one-month supply has long been regarded as a way to save money. New research quantifies the savings for the first time. ... > full story
Researchers fine-tune diffuse optical tomography for breast cancer screening (November 28, 2009) -- Researchers are working to make the physical pain and discomfort of mammograms a thing of the past, while allowing for diagnostic imaging eventually to be done in a home setting. ... > full story
Biologics for rheumatoid arthritis work, but which is best? (November 28, 2009) -- More studies that directly compare the effectiveness of different biologic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis are needed, say researchers who reviewed previous studies assessing the effectiveness of biologic disease-modifying drugs for treatment of RA and found that although all were very effective, there was little data on direct comparisons between the drugs that could help doctors decide which to prescribe. ... > full story
Talking to ourselves: How consumers navigate choices and inner conflict (November 28, 2009) -- From simple decisions like "Should I eat this brownie?" to bigger questions such as "Should my next car be a hybrid?" consumers are involved in an inner dialogue that reflects thoughts and perspectives of their different selves, according to the authors of a new study. ... > full story
Small hairy balls hide foul-tasting healthful enzymes (November 28, 2009) -- A Dutch researcher has discovered a new way to package enzymes by causing charged polymers to form a 'ball of hair' around them. Her approach significantly increases the utility of the enzymes. For example, healthy enzymes with a foul taste can be packaged in such a way that they are released in the stomach without being tasted. ... > full story
New treatment more than doubles survival for high risk childhood leukemia (November 28, 2009) -- Phase 2 study results show high-dose imatinib plus chemo more than doubled survival for high risk type of childhood leukemia. ... > full story
Volunteers wanted for simulated 520-day Mars mission (November 28, 2009) -- Starting in 2010, an international crew of six will simulate a 520-day round-trip to Mars, including a 30-day stay on the martian surface. In reality, they will live and work in a sealed facility in Moscow, Russia, to investigate the psychological and medical aspects of a long-duration space mission. ESA is looking for European volunteers to take part. ... > full story
Common herbicides and fibrates block nutrient-sensing receptor found in gut and pancreas (November 28, 2009) -- Certain common herbicides and lipid-lowering fibrate drugs act in humans to block T1R3, a nutrient-sensing taste receptor also present in intestine and pancreas. These compounds were not previously known to act on the receptor, which influences glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism. The effect is specific to humans and not revealed during animal testing. ... > full story
Control of mosquito vectors of malaria may be enhanced by a new method of biocontrol (November 28, 2009) -- Biopesticides containing a fungus that is pathogenic to mosquitoes may be an effective means of reducing malaria transmission, particularly if used in combination with insecticide-treated bednets, according to a modeling study. Results of the study show that incorporating this novel vector control technique into existing vector management programs may substantially reduce malaria transmission rates and help manage insecticide resistance. ... > full story
Obese patients' reaction to diet can be predicted, study finds (November 28, 2009) -- The presence of increased body fat, and therefore higher levels of inflammatory substances in the blood, hinders the loss and maintenance of body weight, as shown by new research from Spain. ... > full story
Nano-scale drug delivery developed for chemotherapy (November 27, 2009) -- Bioengineers have developed a simple and inexpensive method for loading cancer drug payloads into nano-scale delivery vehicles and demonstrated in animal models that this new nanoformulation can eliminate tumors after a single treatment. ... > full story
Drug therapy more cost-effective than angioplasty for diabetic patients with heart disease, study suggests (November 27, 2009) -- Many patients with diabetes should forego angioplasties for heart disease and just take medicine instead, a new study suggests. ... > full story
Plasma-in-a-bag for sterilizing devices (November 27, 2009) -- The practice of sterilizing medical tools and devices helped revolutionize health care in the 19th century because it dramatically reduced infections associated with surgery. Through the years, numerous ways of sterilization techniques have been developed, but the old mainstay remains a 130-year-old device called an autoclave, which is something like a pressure steamer. Now researchers in the Netherlands are developing a new way to sterilize medical devices by sealing them inside plastic bags and then using electromagnetic fields to create plasmas -- partially ionized gasses that contain free electrons and reactive ions. ... > full story
Comforted by carpet: How do floors and distance affect purchases? (November 27, 2009) -- Consumers who stand on carpeted flooring feel comforted, but they judge products close to them to be less comforting, according to a new study. ... > full story
Umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant may help lung, heart disorders (November 27, 2009) -- Two recent studies investigating the use of human umbilical cord blood stem cell (UCB) transplants for lung and heart disorders in animal models found beneficial results. When human UCB-derived mensenchymal cells were transplanted into newborn laboratory rats with induced oxygen-deprived injury, the effects of the injury lessened. A second study found that UCB mononuclear cells transplanted into sheep with a right ventricular malfunction beneficially altered the malfunction and enhanced diastolic function. ... > full story
Diabetes cases to double and costs to triple by 2034 (November 27, 2009) -- In the next 25 years, the number of Americans living with diabetes will double and spending on diabetes will triple, rising from 3 billion to 6 billion. This will add to the existing strains on an overburdened health care system, according to a new study. ... > full story
Knockouts in human cells point to pathogenic targets (November 27, 2009) -- Researchers have developed a new approach for genetics in human cells and used this technique to identify specific genes and proteins required for pathogens. With the ability to generate knockout cells for most human genes, the authors were able to find genes used by pathogens to enter and kill human cells. The identification of such factors could aid the future development of new therapeutics to combat infectious disease. ... > full story
3-D software gives doctors, students a view inside the body (November 27, 2009) -- Researchers have developed technology that turns flat medical scans into vibrant 3-D images that can be shifted, adjusted, zoomed and replayed at will. ... > full story
Research sheds light on workings of anti-cancer drug (November 27, 2009) -- The copper sequestering drug tetrathiomolybdate (TM) has been shown in studies to be effective in the treatment of Wilson disease, a disease caused by an overload of copper, and certain metastatic cancers. That much is known. Very little, however, is known about how the drug works at the molecular level. A new study now has provided an invaluable clue: the three-dimensional structure of TM bound to copper-loaded metallochaperones. ... > full story
School closure could reduce swine flu transmission by 21 percent, European study finds (November 27, 2009) -- A survey carried out in eight European countries has shown that closing schools in the event of an infectious disease pandemic could have a significant role in reducing illness transmission. Researchers compared opportunities for infection on school days and weekends/holidays, finding that they were reduced when schools are shut. ... > full story
First-ever blueprint of 'minimal cell' is more complex than expected (November 27, 2009) -- What are the bare essentials of life, the indispensable ingredients required to produce a cell that can survive on its own? Can we describe the molecular anatomy of a cell, and understand how an entire organism functions as a system? Researchers are providing the first comprehensive picture of a minimal cell, based on an extensive quantitative study of the biology of the bacterium that causes atypical pneumonia. The study uncovers fascinating novelties relevant to bacterial biology and shows that even the simplest of cells is more complex than expected. ... > full story
New cause for Alzheimer's disease? (November 27, 2009) -- Scientists have discovered that a precursor to nerve growth factor (pro-NGF) may play a pathogenic role in Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story
MRSA on the rise in hospital outpatients, new study finds; Seven-fold increase in potentially lethal superbug (November 27, 2009) -- The community-associated strain of the deadly superbug MRSA -- an infection-causing bacteria resistant to most common antibiotics -- poses a far greater health threat than previously known and is making its way into hospitals, according to a new study. ... > full story
Exposure to both traffic, indoor pollutants puts some kids at higher risk for asthma later (November 27, 2009) -- New research presents strong evidence that the "synergistic" effect of early-life exposure to both outdoor traffic-related pollution and indoor endotoxin causes more harm to developing lungs than one or the other exposure alone. ... > full story
Auditory illusion: How our brains can fill in the gaps to create continuous sound (November 27, 2009) -- It is relatively common for listeners to "hear" sounds that are not really there. In fact, it is the brain's ability to reconstruct fragmented sounds that allows us to successfully carry on a conversation in a noisy room. ... > full story
Stem cells heal lungs of newborn animals: May lead to new treatments for lungs of premature babies (November 27, 2009) -- Scientists have demonstrated that stem cells protect and repair the lungs of newborn rats. The study finds that rats treated with stem cells ran twice as far, and had better survival rates. Currently, there is no treatment for the lungs of babies born too early. Scientists predict these results will lead to a new treatment for these babies within three years. ... > full story
New device enables early detection of cancerous skin tumors (November 27, 2009) -- Researchers are developing a new device that detects cancerous skin tumors, including melanomas that aren't visible to the naked eye. The OSPI instrument (Optical Spectro-Polarimetric Imaging) revealed new textures of lesions that have never been seen before. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons typically diagnose skin tumors by their appearance with the naked eye and only rarely using a dermatoscope -- a magnifying tool that allows tumors to be examined in detail. ... > full story
New tool for helping pediatric heart surgery (November 27, 2009) -- A team of researchers has developed a way to simulate blood flow on the computer to optimize surgical designs. It is the basis of a new tool that may help surgeons plan for a life-saving operation called the "Fontan" surgery, which is performed on babies born with severe congenital heart defects. ... > full story
Hospital report cards do not appear to result in significant improvements (November 27, 2009) -- An analysis of quality of cardiac care following the public release of data on measures of care at hospitals in Ontario, Canada, did not result in significant system-wide improvement in hospitals' performance on most quality of care indicators, according to a new study. ... > full story
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