ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Friday, July 22, 2011 ~ Technology

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Friday, July 22, 2011

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Memories may skew visual perception (July 22, 2011) -- Psychologists have found that our visual perception can be contaminated by memories of what we have recently seen, impairing our ability to properly understand and act on what we are currently seeing. ... > full story

Liver, belly fat may identify high risks of heart disease in obese people (July 22, 2011) -- Increased liver fat and abdominal fat may increase risk of heart disease and other serious health problems, according to researchers. Measuring liver and belly fat may identify obese people at risk of developing abnormal cholesterol. For some obese people, fat is not metabolically detrimental. ... > full story

Juvenile diarrhea virus analyzed down to the atomic level (July 22, 2011) -- Scientists have used X-ray crystallography to define the structure -- down to the atomic level -- of a common virus that causes juvenile diarrhea. The new research could help direct efforts to develop medications that block the virus before it becomes infectious. ... > full story

Targeting toxin trafficking in plants and bacteria (July 22, 2011) -- Toxins produced by plants and bacteria pose a significant threat to humans, as emphasized by the recent effects of cucumber-borne Shiga toxin in Germany. Now, new research provides a clearer view of the combination of similar and divergent strategies that different toxins use to invade a human host cell. ... > full story

Do we buy cosmetics because they are useful or because they make us feel good? (July 22, 2011) -- People who use cosmetics buy these products primarily for emotional reasons, according to new research. The study was carried out on facial creams (hydrating and nutritive ones, colored or non-colored, and anti-wrinkle creams) and body creams (firming and anti-cellulite creams). ... > full story

Vascular changes linked to dementia, experts say (July 22, 2011) -- High blood pressure is related to the development of age-related vascular cognitive impairment, according to a new American Heart Association/American Stroke Association scientific statement. Maintaining a healthy heart may also maintain a healthy functioning brain. Screening elderly patients for heart and stroke risk factors may also identify those at risk of dementia. ... > full story

New mechanism in the regulation of human genes (July 22, 2011) -- In order to create proteins, a protein-coding gene must be transcribed into RNA and in the splicing process shortened to the correct template. Scientists in Germany have now discovered how the U2AF protein enables this process. ... > full story

Detrimental weight loss: Scientists discover link between fat-cleaving enzymes and cancer-associated cachexia (July 22, 2011) -- Scientists in Austria have now directly linked lipid metabolism and cancer-associated cachexia. The researchers report that mice deficient in the lipid degrading enzyme adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) are fully protected against cancer-associated cachexia. ... > full story

No difference in women's and men's self-esteem in youth and early adulthood, study finds (July 22, 2011) -- New research concludes that no significant difference between men's and women's self-esteem occurs during adolescence and young adulthood. ... > full story

Key to help women fight infections during pregnancy (July 21, 2011) -- A normal but concerning consequence of pregnancy is the fact that pregnant women are more susceptible to infection. Researchers have now identified the underlying mechanisms for this physiologic immune suppression that may lead to new therapies to help ward off infections during pregnancy. ... > full story

Scientists complete first mapping of molecule found in human embryonic stem cells (July 21, 2011) -- Stem cell researchers have generated the first genome-wide mapping of a DNA modification called 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in embryonic stem cells, and discovered that it is predominantly found in genes that are turned on, or active. ... > full story

Kidney dopamine regulates blood pressure, life span (July 21, 2011) -- The neurotransmitter dopamine is best known for its roles in the brain -- in signaling pathways that control movement, motivation, reward, learning and memory. Now, researchers report that dopamine produced outside the brain -- in the kidneys -- is important for renal function, blood pressure regulation and life span. Their studies suggest that the kidney-specific dopamine system may be a therapeutic target for treating hypertension and kidney diseases. ... > full story

Skin sentry cells promote distinct immune responses (July 21, 2011) -- A new study reveals that just as different soldiers in the field have different jobs, subsets of a type of immune cell that polices the barriers of the body can promote unique and opposite immune responses against the same type of infection. The research enhances our understanding of the early stages of the immune response and may have important implications for vaccinations and treatment of autoimmune diseases. ... > full story

Chronic pain in homeless people not managed well, study finds; Almost half reported using street drugs to treat their pain (July 21, 2011) -- Chronic pain is not managed well in the general population and it's an even greater challenge for homeless people, according to new research. ... > full story

Researchers identify seventh and eighth bases of DNA (July 21, 2011) -- For decades, scientists have known that DNA consists of four basic units -- adenine, guanine, thymine and cytosine. Those four bases have been taught in science textbooks and have formed the basis of the growing knowledge regarding how genes code for life. Yet in recent history, scientists have expanded that list from four to six. Now, researchers have discovered the seventh and eighth bases of DNA. ... > full story

Workings of brain protein suggest therapies for inherited intellectual disability, autism (July 21, 2011) -- Researchers now have a much clearer understanding of how mutations in a single gene can produce the complex cognitive deficits characteristic of Fragile X Syndrome, the most common inherited form of intellectual disability. As the majority of patients with Fragile X Syndrome also display autism-like symptoms, the findings offer hope for treating both conditions. ... > full story

Hospital bacteria outbreak linked to nasal spray (July 21, 2011) -- Infection control researchers investigating a rare bacterial outbreak of Burholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) identified contaminated nasal spray as the root cause of the infections, leading to a national recall of the product. A new article describes how researchers were able to trace the outbreak back to the nasal decongestant spray. ... > full story

Stronger social safety net leads to decrease in stress, childhood obesity (July 21, 2011) -- Social safety net programs that reduce psychosocial stressors for low-income families also ultimately lead to a reduction in childhood obesity, according to new research. ... > full story

Sperm coat protein may be key to male infertility (July 21, 2011) -- The loss of a protein that coats sperm may explain a significant proportion of infertility in men worldwide, according to a study by an international team of researchers. The research could open up new ways to screen and treat couples for infertility. ... > full story

Drug improves brain function in condition that leads to Alzheimer's (July 21, 2011) -- An existing anti-seizure drug improves memory and brain function in adults with a form of cognitive impairment that often leads to full-blown Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story

Study highlights success of brain surgery for severe epilepsy (July 21, 2011) -- Two-thirds of people with severe and otherwise untreatable epilepsy were completely cured of their frequent seizures after undergoing neurosurgery at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, according to a new study that examined 143 of these patients two years after their operations. ... > full story

Controlling movements with light (July 21, 2011) -- Researchers have succeeded in controlling the activity of certain nerve cells using light, thus influencing the movements of mice. By changing special receptors in nerve cells of the cerebellum such that they can be activated and deactivated by light, the researchers have shown that the signaling pathways, which are activated by the receptors play a crucial role in controlling movement. ... > full story

Washing away good and bad luck: People believe it works (July 21, 2011) -- Do people believe good and bad luck can be washed away? Yes, according to a new study. ... > full story

Scientists create vaccine against heroin high (July 21, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a highly successful vaccine against a heroin high and have indicated its therapeutic potential. ... > full story

Spanish Fabry disease patients appear to react differently to the rest of Europe (July 21, 2011) -- Spanish patients with Fabry disease, a rare hereditary condition where abnormal fatty deposits collect in blood vessels and organs throughout the body, appear to react differently to those in other European countries. Spanish patients showed a different pattern of organ involvement in ill health and death to other European patients on the Fabry Outcome Survey. ... > full story

Seaweed as a rich new source of heart-healthy food ingredients (July 21, 2011) -- In an article that may bring smiles to the faces of vegetarians who consume no dairy products and vegans, who consume no animal-based foods, scientists have identified seaweed as a rich new potential source of heart-healthy food ingredients. Seaweed and other "macroalgae" could rival milk products as sources of these so-called "bioactive peptides." ... > full story

Caffeine consumption linked to female infertility, study suggests (July 21, 2011) -- Caffeine reduces muscle activity in the Fallopian tubes that carry eggs from a woman's ovaries to her womb. "Our experiments were conducted in mice, but this finding goes a long way towards explaining why drinking caffeinated drinks can reduce a woman's chance of becoming pregnant," says one of the researchers. ... > full story

When injured muscles mistakenly grow bones: Researchers discover brain chemical that causes strange, serious complication (July 21, 2011) -- For hundreds of thousands of people, injuring a muscle through an accident like falling off a bike or having surgery can result in a strange and serious complication. Their muscles start growing bones. New research shows a neuropeptide called Substance P appears to trigger the formation of the extraskeletal bone. Eliminating Substance P prevents the bone growth, offering a new drug target to prevent and treat the bone growth. ... > full story

Gene therapy to reverse heart failure ready for clinical trials; Therapeutic effectiveness and safety of 'next great thing in heart failure' demonstrated (July 21, 2011) -- A promising gene therapy developed to prevent and reverse congestive heart failure is on the verge of clinical trials, after years of proving itself highly effective in the lab and a large animal study. ... > full story

Evolution provides clue to blood clotting (July 21, 2011) -- A simple cut to the skin unleashes a complex cascade of chemistry to stem the flow of blood. Now, scientists at have used evolutionary clues to reveal how a key clotting protein self-assembles. The finding sheds new light on common bleeding disorders. ... > full story

Animal model sheds light on rare genetic disorder, signaling pathway (July 21, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a mouse model of focal dermal hypoplasia, a rare human birth defect that causes serious skin abnormalities and other medical problems. This animal model not only provides insight into studying the cause of focal dermal hypoplasia (FDH), but also offers a novel way to study a signaling pathway that is crucial for embryonic development. ... > full story

Fast prediction of axon behavior: Computer modeling method may lead to more accurate and capable electrodes to stimulate nerves (July 21, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a computer modeling method to accurately predict how a peripheral nerve axon responds to electrical stimuli, slashing the complex work from an inhibitory weeks-long process to just a few seconds. ... > full story

Health gains from multiple sclerosis drugs come at a high price, study finds (July 21, 2011) -- A new study shows that the health gains associated with a category of medications commonly used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) -- know as disease modifying drugs -- come at a very high cost when compared to therapies that address the symptoms of MS and treatments for other chronic diseases. ... > full story

Genetic map of African-Americans to aid study of diseases, human evolution (July 21, 2011) -- A group of researchers has constructed the world's most detailed genetic map, a tool scientists can use to better understand the roots of disease and how DNA is passed generationally to create diversity in the human species. Almost every prior genetic map was developed in people of European ancestry. The new map is the first built in African-Americans. ... > full story

Exploring keys to melanoma progression (July 21, 2011) -- Researchers made an important discovery about proteins that underlie and stimulate melanoma, opening the door for a more targeted treatment in the future. ... > full story

New breast cancer drug: Promising results of PI3K inhibitor study (July 21, 2011) -- A new drug targeting the PI3K gene in patients with advanced breast cancer shows promising results in an early phase I investigational study, according to a recent presentation. ... > full story

E-cigarette or drug delivery device? Questions about safety, usage and future implications of new nicotine delivery products (July 21, 2011) -- Devices marketed as "electronic cigarettes" are in reality crude drug delivery systems for refined nicotine, posing unknown risks with little new benefits to smokers, according to tobacco control experts. In a new article, researchers explore the current regulatory climate around "e-cigarettes" and their safety. They also question future implications for physicians, policy makers and e-cigarette users. ... > full story

Health-care reform must involve psychologists, medical providers, educate patients, expert says (July 21, 2011) -- For health-care reform in the United States to be successful, one public health expert has determined that professional associations for psychologists and other medical providers need to be at the forefront of the planning stages, and that everyone, including providers and patients, will need to be educated on rights and responsibilities. ... > full story

Is anesthesia dangerous? (July 21, 2011) -- In pure numerical terms, anesthesia-associated mortality has risen again. The reasons for this are the disproportionate increase in the numbers of older and multimorbid patients and surgical procedures that would have been unthinkable in the past, according to new research. ... > full story

As new data wave begins, a gene study in one disease reveals mutations in an unrelated disease (July 20, 2011) -- Researchers seeking rare gene variants in just a few individuals with ADHD discovered that one patient had a novel combination of two mutations. Those mutations caused an unrelated disease, the blood disorder idiopathic hemolytic anemia. That unexpected result may herald an oncoming wave of new findings from improved gene-searching tools, with implications for researchers about how to best return such information to their research subjects. ... > full story

EHEC 2011 outbreak: Scientists publish prospective genomic characterization (July 20, 2011) -- Scientists have released a draft genome sequence of a German enterohemorrhagic E. coli 2011 outbreak strain, and now report on an in-depth genomic characterization of this outbreak. ... > full story

Work engagement, job satisfaction, and productivity: They're a virtuous cycle (July 20, 2011) -- Engaged workers -- those who approach their work with energy, dedication, and focus -- are more open to new information, more productive, and more willing to go the extra mile. Moreover, engaged workers take the initiative to change their work environments in order to stay engaged. ... > full story

Cancer drugs may help treatment of schizophrenia (July 20, 2011) -- Researchers have revealed the molecular pathway that is affected during the onset of schizophrenia and successfully alleviated symptoms of the illness in mice, using a commonly used cancer drug. ... > full story

Gene required to maintain male sex throughout life discovered: Loss of gene Dmrt1 leads to male cells becoming female (July 20, 2011) -- Researchers have made a key discovery showing that male sex must be maintained throughout life. Removing an important male development gene, called Dmrt1, causes male cells in mouse testis to become female cells. ... > full story

Team sports: For kids, it's more than just a game (July 20, 2011) -- A cohesive team environment, assessing one's own performance rather than comparing with others, and involvement in enjoyably challenging practices are the main conditions needed for children to have a positive developmental experience playing team sports. ... > full story

First artificial neural network created out of DNA: Molecular soup exhibits brainlike behavior (July 20, 2011) -- Researchers have now taken a major step toward creating artificial intelligence -- not in a robot or a silicon chip, but in a test tube. The researchers are the first to have made an artificial neural network out of DNA, creating a circuit of interacting molecules that can recall memories based on incomplete patterns, just as a brain can. ... > full story

Newly designed molecule blocks chlamydia bacteria (July 20, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a way to block the damaging actions of Chlamydia, the bacteria responsible for the largest number of sexually transmitted infections in the United States. ... > full story

Improved method to create induced pluripotent stem cells (July 20, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new strategy to improve the development of induced pluripotent stem cells. Researchers found that by fusing two proteins – a master stem cell regulator (Oct4) and a fragment of a muscle cell inducer (MyoD) – they succeeded in "powering up" the stem cell regulator, which can dramatically improve the efficiency and purity of reprogrammed iPS cells. ... > full story

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