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Thursday, June 13, 2013

ScienceDaily: Top Health News

ScienceDaily: Top Health News


Sleep mechanism identified that plays role in emotional memory

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 07:41 PM PDT

Sleep researchers have identified the sleep mechanism that enables the brain to consolidate emotional memory and found that a popular prescription sleep aid heightens the recollection of and response to negative memories.

Age-related smelling loss significantly worse in African-Americans

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 03:40 PM PDT

The ability to distinguish between odors declines steadily with age, but a new study shows that African-Americans have a much greater decrease in their sense of smell than Caucasians. This can have serious consequences. Olfactory loss often leads to impaired nutrition. It also may be an early warning sign of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, and can predict death.

Chemotherapy: Greater potential benefit in overall survival for eribulin compared with capecitabine

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 03:40 PM PDT

Subgroup analyses from a phase III clinical trial comparing a newer chemotherapy agent called eribulin mesylate, with capecitabine, a standard chemotherapy medication in women with previously treated metastatic breast cancer, showed increased benefit among women sharing certain traits. Specifically, these analyses demonstrated a greater potential benefit in certain subsets of patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Jammed molecular motors may play a role in the development of ALS

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 02:33 PM PDT

Delays in the transport of nutrients, proteins and neurotransmitters along the nerve axon could be a major factor in the development of the neurodegenerative disease ALS.

Altitude may affect the way language is spoken

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 02:33 PM PDT

Until recently most linguists believed that the relationship between the structure of language and the natural world was mainly the influence of the environment on vocabulary. Now, a new study shows that there is a link between geographical elevation and the way language is spoken. Ejectives are sounds made, and incorporated into language, only at higher altitudes.

BPA linked to obesity risk in puberty-age girls

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 02:33 PM PDT

Girls between nine and 12 years of age with higher-than-average levels of bisphenol-A (BPA) in their urine had double the risk of being obese than girls with lower levels of BPA, according to a new study.

Infants express non-verbal sympathy for others in distress

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 02:33 PM PDT

Infants as young as ten months old express sympathy for others in distress in non-verbal ways, according to new research.

Four-fold rise in children treated for obesity-related conditions

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 02:32 PM PDT

The number of children admitted to hospital for problems related to obesity in England and Wales quadrupled between 2000 and 2009, a study has found.

Scan predicts whether therapy or meds will best lift depression

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 01:23 PM PDT

Pre-treatment scans of brain activity predicted whether depressed patients would best achieve remission with an antidepressant medication or psychotherapy, in a study that may help mental health treatment decision-making move beyond trial-and-error. The study sought to identify a biomarker that could predict which type of treatment a patient would benefit from based on the state of his or her brain.

Laws help limit junk foods in schools

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 01:23 PM PDT

A US nationwide school survey shows availability of sugar- and fat-laden foods and drinks.

Men with restless legs syndrome may be at higher risk of early death

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 01:22 PM PDT

Men who experience restless legs syndrome (RLS) may have a higher risk of dying earlier, according to new research.

Easy and effective therapy to restore sight: Engineered virus will improve gene therapy for blinding eye diseases

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 11:48 AM PDT

Gene therapy using adeno-associated virus has successfully restored sight to people with a rare inherited retinal degeneration, but current therapy requires injecting the virus directly into the retina. Researchers have now caused AAV to evolve so that it is able to penetrate the retina, allowing doctors to inject the virus and its gene load into the vitreous to reach all cells of the retina. This broadens AAV's potential application to more common types of vision loss.

Brain's 'dark side' as key to cocaine addiction

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 11:47 AM PDT

Scientists have found evidence that an emotion-related brain region called the central amygdala —- whose activity promotes feelings of malaise and unhappiness —- plays a major role in sustaining cocaine addiction.

'Spiritual' young people more likely to commit crimes than 'religious' ones

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 11:47 AM PDT

Young adults who deem themselves "spiritual but not religious" are more likely to commit property crimes — and to a lesser extent, violent ones — than those who identify themselves as either "religious and spiritual" or "religious but not spiritual," according to researchers.

Alzheimer's brain change measured in humans

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 11:47 AM PDT

Scientists have measured a significant and potentially pivotal difference between the brains of patients with an inherited form of Alzheimer's disease and healthy family members who do not carry a mutation for the disease.

People anticipate others' genuine smiles, but not polite smiles

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:33 AM PDT

Smile and the world smiles with you -- but new research suggests that not all smiles are created equal. The research shows that people actually anticipate smiles that are genuine but not smiles that are merely polite. The differing responses may reflect the unique social value of genuine smiles.

Public health's role in health care reform -- Lessons from Massachusetts

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:33 AM PDT

How will full implementation of the Affordable Care Act affect the work and goals of state and local public health departments -- and how can public health personnel contribute to the success of health care reform? The experience in Massachusetts has some important lessons, according to a new article.

Lab experiments question effectiveness of green coffee bean weight-loss supplements

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:31 AM PDT

A major ingredient in those green coffee bean dietary supplements -- often touted as "miracle" weight-loss products -- doesn't prevent weight gain in obese laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet when given at higher doses. A new study also linked the ingredient to an unhealthy build-up of fat in the liver.

Saliva proteins may protect older people from influenza

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:31 AM PDT

Spit. Drool. Dribble. Saliva is not normally a topic of polite conversation, but it may be the key to explaining the age and sex bias exhibited by influenza and other diseases, according to a new study. Research, it provides new insights into why older people were better able to fight off the new strains of "bird" flu and "swine" flu than younger people.

Cocoa may help fight obesity-related inflammation

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:31 AM PDT

A few cups of hot cocoa may not only fight off the chill of a winter's day, but they could also help obese people better control inflammation-related diseases, such as diabetes, according to new research.

Low birth weight could be a risk factor for age-related vision loss

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:30 AM PDT

Medical researchers show that rats with restricted growth in the womb, causing low birth weights when born, were most susceptible to developing age-related vision loss, compared to their normal weight counterparts.

Heroin availability increasing across Washington state

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:30 AM PDT

New data indicates increases in heroin availability, abuse and deaths across the state, particularly among young adults ages 18-29. These increases are concerning because of the high risks of overdose and contracting infectious diseases associated with heroin use.

NYC-style cap on soda size would target the overweight, not the poor

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:30 AM PDT

Legislation to restrict consumption of large sugar-sweetened beverages in food service establishments would affect 7.5 percent of Americans on a given day, and a greater percentage among those who are overweight, including 13.6 percent of overweight teenagers, according to new research. Challenging criticism that the restriction is discriminatory against the poor, the study finds low-income individuals would not be disproportionately affected.

Recognising low blood sugars could help prevent brain damage in newborn babies

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:30 AM PDT

Researchers studying a rare and potentially lethal childhood disease – which is the clinical opposite of diabetes - have made an important discovery.

Wristband simplifies blood pressure measurement

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:30 AM PDT

The consequences of high blood pressure are one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Despite this, according to the World Health Organization WHO, fewer than one in two of those affected measures their blood pressure regularly. The main reason for this is that regular measurements are costly or inconvenient. An innovative wrist sensor should now change that.

Dad's life stress exposure leaves mark on sperm, can affect offspring brain development

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:26 AM PDT

Stress felt by dad -- whether as a preadolescent or adult -- leaves a lasting impression on his sperm that gives sons and daughters a blunted reaction to stress, according to a new preclinical study. The findings point to a never-before-seen epigenetic link to stress-related diseases such as anxiety and depression passed from father to child.

New mechanism of TB drug resistance identified

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:25 AM PDT

A recent study has identified a new mechanism for PZA-resistance, which provides new insight into the how this mysterious drug works.

Commonly prescribed drugs may influence the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:25 AM PDT

Multiple drug classes commonly prescribed for common medical conditions are capable of influencing the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers.

Fingernails reveal clues to limb regeneration

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 10:25 AM PDT

Mammals possess the remarkable ability to regenerate a lost fingertip, including the nail, nerves and even bone. In humans, an amputated fingertip can sprout back in as little as two months, a phenomenon that has remained poorly understood until now. Biologists now shed light on this rare regenerative power in mammals, using genetically engineered mice to document for the first time the biochemical chain of events that unfolds in the wake of a fingertip amputation.

Vitamin C may be beneficial against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 07:18 AM PDT

Vitamin C may substantially reduce bronchoconstriction caused by exercise according to a meta-analysis. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction -- formerly called exercise-induced asthma -- means the transient narrowing of the airways that occurs during or after exercise, which can cause symptoms such as cough, wheezing and the shortness of breath.

Hearing loss clue uncovered

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 06:38 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered how hearing loss in humans is caused by a certain genetic mutation.

Hot flashes before menopause? It can happen

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 06:38 AM PDT

More than half of middle-aged women who still have regular cycles have hot flashes.

Moderate-intensity walking timed just right might help protect against Type 2 diabetes

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 06:37 AM PDT

A 15-minute walk after each meal appears to help older people regulate blood sugar levels and could reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

Fraternal singing in zebra finches: Young zebra finches are able to learn their fathers' song via their brothers

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 06:36 AM PDT

Social learning from peers is a widespread phenomenon in infants. Peer group size may influence the degree to which interactions within the group can influence their own behavior. This insight nowadays gains more importance as an increasing number of children get into contact with large group peers at an even earlier age, for example in day care.

New sickle cell anemia therapy advances to phase II clinical trials

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 06:29 AM PDT

Seeking to improve the lives of sickle cell anemia sufferers around the world, researchers are preparing to launch Phase II of a clinical trial to investigate a potential new therapy for reducing the disorder's severest symptoms. More than 100,000 Americans and several million people worldwide suffer from this genetic disorder.

Hands-free talking and texting are unsafe for drivers, study shows

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 06:29 AM PDT

Using hands-free devices to talk, text or send e-mail while driving is distracting and risky, contrary to what many people believe, says a new study.

Traumatic brain injury patients treated with anti-spasm agent partially recover from disorders of consciousness

Posted: 12 Jun 2013 06:29 AM PDT

Two traumatic brain-injury patients steadily emerged from minimally conscious state after receiving intrathecal baclofen therapy.

Younger mothers and older mothers are at higher risk of adverse delivery outcomes

Posted: 11 Jun 2013 05:46 PM PDT

Younger mothers are at a higher risk of preterm birth while older mothers are more likely to have a caesarean section, suggests a new study.

Walking or cycling to work linked to health benefits in India

Posted: 11 Jun 2013 05:45 PM PDT

People in India who walk or cycle to work are less likely to be overweight or obese, have diabetes or high blood pressure, a study has found.

Experimental vaccine shows promise against TB meningitis

Posted: 11 Jun 2013 05:44 PM PDT

Researchers working with animals has developed a vaccine that prevents the virulent TB bacterium from invading the brain and causing the highly lethal condition TB meningitis, a disease that disproportionately occurs in TB-infected children and in adults with compromised immune system.

Obesity increases risk of preterm delivery

Posted: 11 Jun 2013 01:19 PM PDT

The risk of preterm delivery increases with maternal overweight and obesity, according to a new Swedish study. Women with the highest Body Mass Index (BMI) also had the highest statistical risk of giving preterm birth – and especially extremely preterm birth.

Hearing loss in older adults tied to more hospitalizations and poorer physical and mental health

Posted: 11 Jun 2013 01:18 PM PDT

Older adults with hearing loss are more likely than peers with normal hearing to require hospitalization and suffer from periods of inactivity and depression, according to new results.

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