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Thursday, March 8, 2012

ScienceDaily: Top Health News

ScienceDaily: Top Health News


Teaching fat cells to burn calories: New target against obesity involves brown fat

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 03:46 PM PST

In the war against obesity, one's own fat cells may seem an unlikely ally, but new research suggests ordinary fat cells can be reengineered to burn calories.

Heart attacks rise following daylight saving time

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 01:25 PM PST

The Monday and Tuesday after moving the clocks ahead one hour in March is associated with a 10 percent increase in the risk of having a heart attack. Learn what you can do to mitigate your risk.

Eating berries benefits the brain

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 11:58 AM PST

Strong scientific evidence exists that eating blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and other berry fruits has beneficial effects on the brain and may help prevent age-related memory loss and other changes, scientists report.

Nasty people in the media prime the brain for aggression

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 11:54 AM PST

Research over the past few decades has shown that viewing physical violence in the media can increase aggression in adults and children. But a new study has also found that onscreen relational aggression -- including social exclusion, gossip and emotional bullying -- may prime the brain for aggression.

Self-centered kids? Blame their immature brains

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 10:22 AM PST

A new study suggests that age-associated improvements in the ability to consider the preferences of others are linked with maturation of a brain region involved in self control. The findings may help to explain why young children often struggle to control selfish impulses, even when they know better, and could impact educational strategies designed to promote successful social behavior.

Deafening affects vocal nerve cells within hours

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 10:22 AM PST

Portions of a songbird's brain that control how it sings have been shown to decay within 24 hours of the animal losing its hearing.

How repeated stress impairs memory

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 10:22 AM PST

Anyone who has ever been subject to chronic stress knows that it can take a toll on emotions and the ability to think clearly. Now, new research uncovers a neural mechanism that directly links repeated stress with impaired memory. The study also provides critical insight into why stress responses can act as a trigger for many mental illnesses.

New immune-system sensor may speed up, slash cost of detecting disease

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 08:26 AM PST

An inexpensive new medical sensor has the potential to simplify the diagnosis of diseases ranging from life-threatening immune deficiencies to the common cold, according to its inventors.

New depression treatment 'safe and effective', experts say

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:46 AM PST

Stimulating the brain with a weak electrical current is a safe and effective treatment for depression and could have other surprise benefits for the body and mind, a major Australian study of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation has found.

A bird's song may teach us about human speech disorders

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:46 AM PST

The song of a small bird is providing valuable insights into human speech and speech disorders. Scientists have now discovered that some 2,000 genes in a brain region of a male bird called the zebra finch are significantly linked to singing. More than 1,500 of these genes in a critical part of the bird's song circuitry are reported for the first time.

Sperm can do 'calculus' to calculate calcium dynamics and react accordingly

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:44 AM PST

Sperm have only one aim: to find the egg. The egg supports the sperm in their quest by emitting attractants. Calcium ions determine the beating pattern of the sperm tail which enables the sperm to move. Scientists have discovered that sperm only react to changes in calcium concentration but not to the calcium concentration itself. Probably sperm make this calculation so that they remain capable of maneuvering even in the presence of high calcium concentrations.

Internet-based therapy relieves persistent tinnitus, study suggests

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:43 AM PST

Those suffering from nagging tinnitus can benefit from internet-based therapy just as much as patients who take part in group therapy sessions. These are the findings of a German-Swedish study in which patients with moderate to severe tinnitus tried out various forms of therapy over a ten-week period. The outcome of both the internet-based therapy and group therapy sessions was significantly better than that of a control group that only participated in an online discussion forum and thus demonstrated both the former to be effective methods of managing the symptoms of irritating ringing in the ears.

Autism: Don't look now -- I'm trying to think

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:41 AM PST

Children with autism look away from faces when thinking, especially about challenging material, according to new research.

Newly approved drug for infant respiratory distress syndrome

Posted: 07 Mar 2012 06:41 AM PST

Scientific advances have led to a new drug Surfaxin® (lucinactant), just approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat infant respiratory distress syndrome.

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