ScienceDaily Health Headlines
for Monday, April 11, 2011
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Drinking during pregnancy increases risk of premature birth, study finds (April 11, 2011) -- Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. But there are conflicting reports about how much alcohol, if any, it is safe for a pregnant woman to drink. New research looked at the amounts of alcohol women drank during their early pregnancy and showed the effect this had on their babies. ... > full story
An earlier start on diagnosing breast, prostate cancers (April 11, 2011) -- Using biological samples taken from patients and state-of-the-art biochemical techniques, researchers are working to identify a variety of "biomarkers" that might provide earlier warnings of the presence of breast and prostate cancers. ... > full story
Women with false-positive mammograms report high anxiety and reduced quality of life (April 11, 2011) -- Doctors are calling for women to receive more information about the pitfalls of breast cancer screening, as well as the benefits, after some women who received false-positive results faced serious anxiety and reduced quality of life for at least a year. The study of 385 women found that the 233 with false-positive results - where the mammogram is abnormal but no cancer is present - had to undergo more diagnostic procedures than women with breast cancer before they were given the all clear. And women who had a tendency to be anxious fared much worse if they received a false-positive - estimated to happen in 60% of abnormal mammograms - than if they were actually diagnosed with breast cancer. ... > full story
How marijuana affects the way the brain processes emotional information (April 11, 2011) -- Drugs like marijuana act on naturally occurring receptors in the brain called cannabinoid receptors. However, the mechanisms by which these drugs produce their sensory and mood altering effects within the brain are largely unknown. Researchers have now identified a critical brain pathway responsible for the effects of cannabinoid drugs on how the brain processes emotional information. ... > full story
Alarmingly high cardiovascular risk factors found in Mediterranean people (April 11, 2011) -- A study of 2,270 adults has challenged the long-held belief that people in the Mediterranean all enjoy more healthy diets and lifestyles, after discovering alarmingly high cardiovascular risk factors similar to those found in the UK and USA. The research also found strong links between low levels of education and increased risk. Just under 30% of the adults had three or more cardiovascular risk factors that could be modified by changes to their lifestyle or diet. ... > full story
How children cope with the aftermath of a hurricane (April 11, 2011) -- Living through a natural disaster is a traumatic experience for everyone, but especially for children. A new study indicates that some children who directly experience a devastating hurricane still show signs of post-traumatic stress almost two years after the event. The findings suggest that new models for intervention to help children after a natural disaster are needed. ... > full story
'Good cholesterol' nanoparticles seek and destroy cancer cells (April 10, 2011) -- High-density lipoprotein's hauls excess cholesterol to the liver for disposal, but new research suggests "good cholesterol" can also act as a special delivery vehicle of destruction for cancer. ... > full story
Scientists to sequence DNA of cystic fibrosis superbug (April 10, 2011) -- Scientists in the UK are using the latest DNA sequencing technology to understand the diversity of a bacterium that causes severe lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients. ... > full story
Mum’s the word when it comes to children’s happiness (April 10, 2011) -- Young people's satisfaction with their family situation is clearly related to the quality of relationships with parents and especially their mother's happiness, according to a new study. ... > full story
Aspirin may lower the risk of pancreatic cancer (April 10, 2011) -- The use of aspirin at least once per month is associated with a significant decrease in pancreatic cancer risk, new research suggests. ... > full story
Nicotine does not promote lung cancer growth in mouse models, study finds (April 10, 2011) -- Nicotine at doses similar to those found in most nicotine replacements therapies did not increase lung cancer tumor incidence, frequency or size, according to results of a mouse study. ... > full story
Cause and new treatment for common recurrent fever in children identified (April 10, 2011) -- A preliminary study has identified a promising new treatment in children for the most common form of a rare disorder. The syndrome is called periodic fever associated with aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis -- or PFAPA -- and is characterized by monthly flare-ups of fever, accompanied by sore throat, swollen glands and mouth lesions. ... > full story
Outsmarting cancer cells: Scientists learn how they spread (April 10, 2011) -- Researchers have found that a molecule known as CRSBP-1 ligands binds to a receptor on the surface of lymphatic vessels, acting like the token to gain entry into the lymphatic vessel network. ... > full story
Happiness, comparatively speaking: How we think about life's rewards (April 10, 2011) -- You win some, you lose some. You get the perfect job -- the one your heart is set on. Or you get snubbed. Such are life's ups and downs. But what if you win and lose at the same time? You land a good job, not a great one. A new study says you'll find a way to be happy anyway. ... > full story
Blood biomarker associated with prevalence, severity of Alzheimer's, but not risk of development (April 9, 2011) -- Higher levels in blood of the protein clusterin, also known as apolipoprotein J, are significantly associated with the prevalence and severity of Alzheimer's disease, but not with the risk of onset of new disease, according to a new study. ... > full story
Guidance molecules: New therapy shows novel therapeutic approach to fighting inflammation (April 9, 2011) -- Researchers in Germany have succeeded in finding a new therapeutic approach to certain inflammatory reactions of the body. The approach focuses on guidance molecules, which reduce the body's own immune system to the required level and prevent excessive and damaging inflammation. Possible applications include therapies for inflammation, such as blood poisoning, but also in chronic inflammation and immunological inflammations such as rheumatoid arthritis and organ rejection. ... > full story
Frequent shopping prolongs life, study suggests (April 9, 2011) -- A spot of regular 'retail therapy' really does seem to help people live longer, suggests new research. Frequent shopping among the elderly may not always be about buying things, but about seeking companionship or taking exercise, which is easier to do than more formal exercise that usually requires motivation. ... > full story
New drug shrinks cancer in animals, study shows (April 9, 2011) -- A new study showed in animal studies that new cancer drug compounds they developed shrank tumors, with few side effects. ... > full story
New clinical trial approach reduces time and costs of many studies (April 9, 2011) -- Doctors are testing a new kind of clinical trial that's not only less costly but guides doctors to switch to the best treatment even before the trial is completed. The new approach -- called a point-of-care clinical trial -- is an alternative to expensive, lengthy, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials to compare drugs and procedures that are already in regular use. ... > full story
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts: Cookies or careers? (April 9, 2011) -- New research analyzing boy scout and girl scout manuals finds that -- despite positive aspects -- scouts are being fed stereotypical ideas about femininity and masculinity. ... > full story
Dopamine controls formation of new brain cells, salamander study shows (April 8, 2011) -- A study of the salamander brain has led researchers to discover a hitherto unknown function of the neurotransmitter dopamine. In a new study, they show how in acting as a kind of switch for stem cells, dopamine controls the formation of new neurons in the adult brain. Their findings may one day contribute to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's. ... > full story
Pancreatic disease: Cells can consume errant molecules to prevent them from eating up organ (April 8, 2011) -- Timing is everything. That's especially true when it comes to the activation of enzymes created by the pancreas to break down food. When the timing is right, those enzymes are activated only when they reach the gut, where they get to work releasing and distributing nutrients that we need to survive. If the timing is wrong and the enzymes are activated too soon, they break down the pancreas itself, which is painful and sometimes fatal. ... > full story
'Dual switch' regulates fat formation: Discovery points to new obesity and diabetes drugs (April 8, 2011) -- New research has identified a key regulator of fat cell development that may provide a target for obesity and diabetes drugs. ... > full story
Blood protein levels may predict risk of a cardiovascular event (April 8, 2011) -- Increased levels of a protein that helps regulate the body's blood pressure may also predict a major cardiovascular event in high-risk patients, according to a new study. Measuring the amount of the protein, known as plasma renin activity, in the blood stream may give doctors another tool to assess a patient's risk and help prevent a heart attack or stroke. ... > full story
Frailty not a factor in adverse drug reactions among seniors, study finds (April 8, 2011) -- Contrary to popular belief among physicians, frailty in elderly patients is not associated with an increased risk of adverse reactions to medications, according to a new study. ... > full story
Common genetic cause of autism and epilepsy discovered (April 8, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a new gene that predisposes people to both autism and epilepsy. The results show for the first time the role of the SYN1 gene in autism, in addition to epilepsy, and strengthen the hypothesis that a deregulation of the function of synapse because of this mutation is the cause of both diseases. ... > full story
Atherosclerotic plaques form during a late and limited time period in life, atom bomb residues reveal (April 8, 2011) -- In a new study performed in humans, researchers from Sweden have determined the age of atherosclerotic plaques by taking advantage of carbon-14 residues in the atmosphere, prevailing after the extensive atomic bomb tests in the 1950s and 60s. The findings suggest that in most people plaque formation occurs during a relatively short and late time period in life of 3-5 years. ... > full story
Caffeine and diabetes: Helpful or harmful? (April 8, 2011) -- A growing body of research suggests that caffeine disrupts glucose metabolism and may contribute to the development and poor control of type 2 diabetes, a major public health problem. A review article examines the latest evidence, contradicting earlier studies suggesting a protective effect of caffeine. ... > full story
Fish oil boosts responses to breast cancer drug tamoxifen, researchers find (April 8, 2011) -- Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women. Being exposed to estrogen over a long period of time is one factor that can increase a woman's risk of developing the disease. One way a woman can combat this risk factor is by taking the breast cancer drug tamoxifen. Now, researchers have found that omega-3 fatty acids could be a safe and beneficial booster for tamoxifen therapy. ... > full story
Video games effective treatment for stroke patients (April 8, 2011) -- Virtual reality and other video games can significantly improve motor function in stroke patients, according to new research. ... > full story
Monkeys provide malaria reservoir for human disease in Southeast Asia (April 8, 2011) -- Monkeys infected with an emerging malaria strain are providing a reservoir for human disease in Southeast Asia, according to new research. The study confirms that the species has not yet adapted to humans and that monkeys are the main source of infection. ... > full story
Ovarian cancer finding may be a 'win-win' for at-risk women who wish to have a family (April 8, 2011) -- New research suggests that a layer of cells, which serve as the "breeding ground" for ovarian cancer, may be removed yet allow the women to have children. This would be a vast improvement over the current prevention strategy for women at high risk for ovarian cancer: Removal of the ovaries entirely. ... > full story
Sniffing out lymphoma by 'turning dogs into humans' (April 8, 2011) -- Researchers are narrowing the search for genes involved in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma -- by 'turning dogs into humans." ... > full story
Clear link found between height and longevity in historical records (April 8, 2011) -- The way we live directly affects the length of our bodies -- and our lives, according to a new book. By exploring the links between nutrition and economic development in Europe and North America since the early-1700s, the researchers linked the changing size, shape and capability of the human body to economic and demographic change. ... > full story
Novel methods used to identify how cigarette smoke affects smokers (April 8, 2011) -- Smoke from cigarettes can affect nearly every organ in the body by promoting cell damage and causing inflammation, but no one has understood which smoker is or is not susceptible to disease development. Researchers demonstrate how cigarette smoke produces different "metabolites" or active biological compounds, in individual smokers, compared to non-smokers in a new study. ... > full story
Convenience leads to corpulence: Parents and schools unintentionally contribute to childhood obesity (April 8, 2011) -- Two of the biggest influences on children -- parents and schools -- may unintentionally contribute to childhood obesity. That's the observation a researcher who studies the problem. ... > full story
Naproxen reduces tumors in a mouse model of colon cancer, researchers report (April 8, 2011) -- Numerous studies show that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce the risk of colon cancer. However, animal studies testing the NSAID naproxen or its derivative, NO-naproxen, have focused primarily on chemically-induced tumor formation. Now, researchers find that naproxen and NO-naproxen reduce tumor formation in a strain of mutant mice that spontaneously develop colon tumors. The data also suggest that naproxen blocks a gatekeeper step that initiates tumor formation. ... > full story
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