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Friday, December 30, 2011

ScienceDaily: Top Health News

ScienceDaily: Top Health News


Brain's connective cells are much more than glue: Glia cells also regulate learning and memory

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 10:13 AM PST

New research indicates that glia cells are "the brain's supervisors." By regulating the synapses, they control the transfer of information between neurons, affecting how the brain processes information. This new finding could be critical for technologies based on brain networks, as well as provide a new avenue for research into disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy.

New clues as to why some older people may be losing their memory

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 06:20 AM PST

New research links 'silent strokes,' or small spots of dead brain cells, found in about one out of four older adults to memory loss in the elderly.

Alzheimer's: Diet patterns may keep brain from shrinking

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 06:20 AM PST

People with diets high in several vitamins or in omega 3 fatty acids are less likely to have the brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer's disease than people whose diets are not high in those nutrients, according to a new study.

Targeted therapy extends progression-free survival of patients with advanced ovarian cancer

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 06:18 AM PST

Targeted drugs, which block or disrupt particular molecules involved in the growth of tumors, have been shown to be effective treatments against many types of cancer. A new Phase 3 clinical trial has shown that a targeted therapy called bevacizumab (Avastin) effectively delayed the progression of advanced ovarian cancer. Patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer now typically undergo surgery and chemotherapy, but the new research suggests an additional avenue of treatment.

New synthetic molecules treat autoimmune disease in mice

Posted: 25 Dec 2011 11:43 AM PST

Weizmann Institute scientists "trick" the body into blocking an enzyme that is active in autoimmune disease and cancer.

Genetic cause of thyroid cancer discovered

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 07:19 AM PST

Researchers have discovered three genes that increase the risk of thyroid cancer, which is has the largest incidence increase in cancers among both men and women.

Cell membrane proteins could provide targets for broader vaccines

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 12:20 PM PST

Vaccines with broader reach might be made by stimulating specialized immune cells to recognize foreign cell membrane proteins that are shared across bacterial species, say researchers. The approach could be particularly beneficial in preventing infection by multi-drug resistant organisms.

DNA mismatch repair happens only during a brief window of opportunity

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 11:24 AM PST

In eukaryotes-the group of organisms that include humans –- a key to survival is the ability of certain proteins to quickly and accurately repair genetic errors that occur when DNA is replicated to make new cells. Researchers have solved part of the mystery of how these proteins do their job, a process called DNA mismatch repair.

Hips that function better and last longer

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 11:24 AM PST

Engineers and physicians have made a surprising discovery that offers a target for designing new materials for hip implants that are less susceptible to the joint's normal wear and tear. The team found that graphitic carbon is a key element in a lubricating layer that forms on metal-on-metal hip implants. The lubricant is more similar to the lubrication of a combustion engine than that of a natural joint.

Vitamin therapy can still reduce stroke, researchers contend

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 11:07 AM PST

Medical researchers argue that vitamin therapy still has a role to play in reducing stroke.

Habit formation is enabled by gateway to brain cells

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 11:04 AM PST

A brain cell type found where habits are formed and movement is controlled has receptors that work like computer processors to translate regular activities into habits, researchers report. "Habits, for better or worse, basically define who we are," said one of the researchers. Habits also provide mental freedom and flexibility by enabling many activities to be on autopilot while the brain focuses on more urgent matters, he said.

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