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Thursday, February 9, 2012

ScienceDaily: Top Health News

ScienceDaily: Top Health News


Presdisposition to common heart disease 'passed on from father to son'

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 07:02 PM PST

A common heart disease which kills thousands each year may be passed genetically from father to son, according to a new study.

Memory strengthened by stimulating key site in brain

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 03:00 PM PST

Ever gone to the movies and forgotten where you parked the car? New research may one day help you improve your memory. Neuroscientists have demonstrated that they can strengthen memory in human patients by stimulating a critical junction in the brain.

DNA sequencing helps identify cancer cells for immune system attack

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 12:23 PM PST

DNA sequences from tumor cells can be used to direct the immune system to attack cancer, according to scientists. The immune system relies on an intricate network of alarm bells, targets and safety brakes to determine when and what to attack. The new results suggest that scientists may now be able to combine DNA sequencing data with their knowledge of the triggers and targets that set off immune alarms to more precisely develop vaccines and other immunotherapies for cancer.

Transformational fruit fly genome catalog completed

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 12:23 PM PST

Scientists searching for the genomics version of the holy grail – more insight into predicting how an animal's genes affect physical or behavioral traits – now have a reference manual that should speed gene discoveries in everything from pest control to personalized medicine.

Fasting weakens cancer in mice

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 12:22 PM PST

New study finds that short fasting cycles can work as well as chemotherapy, and the two combined greatly improve survival.

Gene therapy for inherited blindness succeeds in patients' other eye

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 12:22 PM PST

Gene therapy for congenital blindness took another step forward, as researchers further improved vision in three adult patients previously treated in one eye. The patients were better able to see in dim light, with no adverse effects.

Sound rather than sight can activate 'seeing' for the blind, say researchers

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 11:59 AM PST

Scientists have tapped onto the visual cortex of the congenitally blind by using sensory substitution devices (SSDs), enabling the blind in effect to "see" and even describe objects. SSDs are non-invasive sensory aids that provide visual information to the blind via their existing senses. For example, using a visual-to-auditory SSD in a clinical or everyday setting, users wear a miniature video camera connected to a small computer (or smart phone) and stereo headphones. The images are converted into "soundscapes," using a predictable algorithm, allowing the user to listen to and then interpret the visual information coming from the camera.

Flipping a light switch in the cell: Quantum dots used for targeted neural activation

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 10:27 AM PST

By harnessing quantum dots, researchers have developed a new and vastly more targeted way to stimulate neurons in the brain. Being able to switch neurons on and off and monitor how they communicate with one another is crucial for understanding -- and, ultimately, treating -- a host of brain disorders.

Heart disease may be a risk factor for prostate cancer

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 10:27 AM PST

In a large analysis of men participating in a prostate drug trial, researchers found a significant correlation between coronary artery disease and prostate cancer, suggesting the two conditions may have shared causes.

Growing up on a farm directly affects regulation of the immune system, study finds

Posted: 08 Feb 2012 10:25 AM PST

A new study has shown, for the first time, that growing up on a farm directly affects the regulation of the immune system and causes a reduction in the immunological responses to food proteins.

Preventing bacteria from falling in with the wrong crowd could help stop gum disease

Posted: 07 Feb 2012 05:26 PM PST

Stripping some mouth bacteria of their access key to gangs of other pathogenic oral bacteria could help prevent gum disease and tooth loss. The study suggests that this bacterial access key could be a drug target for people who are at high risk of developing gum disease.

Odds of living a very long life lower than formerly predicted

Posted: 06 Feb 2012 11:38 AM PST

The chances to reach extreme old age are much lower than previously thought, new research shows. THis new research contradicts a long-held belief that the mortality rate of Americans flattens out above age 80.

Grading the online dating industry

Posted: 06 Feb 2012 09:26 AM PST

The report card is in, and the online dating industry won't be putting this one on the fridge. A new scientific report concludes that although online dating offers users some very real benefits, it falls far short of its potential.

Erectile dysfunction: A possible warning sign of serious disease

Posted: 06 Feb 2012 09:23 AM PST

Erectile dysfunction is a precursor to more serious health problems such as heart disease. Getting problems like diabetes under control are more important than your performance in the bedroom.

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