RefBan

Referral Banners

Friday, April 20, 2012

ScienceDaily: Top Health News

ScienceDaily: Top Health News


Mini-sensor measures magnetic activity in human brain

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 01:35 PM PDT

A miniature atom-based magnetic sensor has passed an important research milestone by successfully measuring human brain activity. The lightweight sensor potentially could be used for biomedical applications such as studying mental processes and advancing the understanding of neurological diseases.

Cancer-fighting goodness found in cholesterol, study suggests

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 01:35 PM PDT

A team of four scientists is arguing that cholesterol may slow or stop cancer cell growth. They describe how cholesterol-binding proteins called ORPs may control cell growth.

Aspirin: New evidence is helping explain additional health benefits and open potential for new uses

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 11:29 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered that salicylate, the active ingredient in aspirin, directly increases the activity of the protein AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), a key player in regulating cell growth and metabolism. Salicylate, which is derived from willow bark, and is the active ingredient in aspirin, is believed to be one of the oldest drugs in the world with first reports of its use dating back to an Egyptian papyrus in 1543 BC.

19th century therapy for Parkinson's disease may help patients today

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 10:26 AM PDT

In the 19th century, Jean-Martin Charcot, the celebrated neurologist, developed a "vibration chair," to relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Charcot reported improvements in his patients, but he died shortly thereafter and a more complete evaluation of the therapy was never conducted. Now, a group of neurological researchers have replicated his work in a study to see if Charcot's observation holds true against modern scientific testing.

How social interaction and teamwork led to human intelligence

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 10:25 AM PDT

Scientists have discovered proof that the evolution of intelligence and larger brain sizes can be driven by cooperation and teamwork, shedding new light on the origins of what it means to be human.

Anti-tobacco TV ads help adults stop smoking, study finds

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 10:25 AM PDT

Anti-tobacco television advertising helps reduce adult smoking, according to a new study -- but some ads may be more effective than others.

First gene linked to common form of psoriasis identified

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 09:14 AM PDT

Scientists have identified the first gene directly linked to the most common form of psoriasis, a chronic skin condition.

Black women leaders approved for assertiveness in the workplace, study suggests

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 08:30 AM PDT

While white men are expected to be assertive and aggressive leaders, black men and white women are often penalized for that kind of behavior in the workplace. A new study looks at another group: black women. They find that, rather than being viewed as a combination of black men and white women, black women also seem to be expected to act assertively.

New coating for hip implants could prevent premature failure

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:25 AM PDT

Nanoscale films promote bone growth, creating a stronger seal between implants and patients' own bone.

How thinking about death can lead to a good life

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:25 AM PDT

Thinking about death can actually be a good thing. An awareness of mortality can improve physical health and help us re-prioritize our goals and values, according to a new analysis of recent scientific studies. Even non-conscious thinking about death -- say walking by a cemetery -- could prompt positive changes and promote helping others.

Being beside the seaside is good for you

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:24 AM PDT

Exercise in the open air is good for you, but if you want to reap the full benefits you should head for the coast or the countryside rather than an urban park.

Meditation makes you more creative

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:23 AM PDT

Certain meditation techniques can promote creative thinking. This is the outcome of a study by cognitive psychologists.

Surgeons complete rare successful forehead and scalp reattachment

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:20 AM PDT

Forehead and scalp of victim of workplace injury successfully reattached through rare microsurgery procedure.

Distinct 'God spot' in the brain does not exist, study shows

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:12 AM PDT

Scientists have speculated that the human brain features a "God spot," one distinct area of the brain responsible for spirituality. Now, researchers have completed research that indicates spirituality is a complex phenomenon, and multiple areas of the brain are responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences.

Cells in normal tissue seem to have 'personal space' issues; Factor in maintaining healthy tissue

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:12 AM PDT

Cells in normal tissue seem to have "personal space" issues. They know how much space they like, and if things get too tight, some cells are forced to leave. Researchers have found that normal epithelium tissue ejects living cells to maintain a steady population and ease overcrowding, a discovery has the potential to reveal what goes awry in cancer when cells do not turnover, but instead pile up.

Life expectancy and healthy life years in the European Union, 2008-2010

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:10 AM PDT

Swedish men had the highest healthy life years of European men in 2010, while Maltese women had the highest values for European women. "Healthy Life Years" indicates how long people can expect to live without disability. It has been computed annually for each Member State of the European Union since 2005.

Gut microbiota transplantation may prevent development of diabetes and fatty liver disease

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:10 AM PDT

New data shows the gut microbiota's causal role in the development of diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, independent of obesity.

Obesity and extreme slimness cause risks in pregnancy

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:07 AM PDT

Obese women run the risk of problems during pregnancy, labor and complications for the baby's health. A new study of more than 3000 expectant mothers confirms this, and also reveals that being underweight also has specific complications. Researchers have identified the risks in pregnancy related specifically to obesity and have compared them to underweight women to confirm that extreme slimness also carries a risk.

Possible new cancer treatment identified

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:07 AM PDT

New research findings show how it may be possible to render cancer tumors harmless without affecting the other cells and tissues in the body. The findings apply to cancers including breast, lung and bowel cancer. Many of the most common chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer have serious side effects because they not only affect the cells in the cancer tumor, but also the cells in the rest of the body.

96% of women in IVF preconception study faced multiple lifestyle issues and health risks

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:07 AM PDT

Ninety-six per cent of women who attended a preconception clinic before undergoing IVF had three or more lifestyle problems and risk factors, according to a new study.

Insomnia takes toll on tinnitus patients

Posted: 19 Apr 2012 06:05 AM PDT

Insomnia can have a negative effect on tinnitus, worsening the functional and emotional toll of chronic ringing, buzzing, hissing or clicking in the head and ears, according to a new study.

Kids get more active when given more toy choices, studies show

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:36 PM PDT

In an age when even preschoolers have electronic toys and devices, many parents wonder how to get their children to be more physically active. Now, two studies provide some answers.

New medication offers hope to patients with frequent, uncontrollable seizures

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:35 PM PDT

A new type of anti-epilepsy medication that selectively targets proteins in the brain that control excitability may significantly reduce seizure frequency in people whose recurrent seizures have been resistant to even the latest medications, new research suggests.

Daily physical activity may reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk at any age

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:35 PM PDT

Daily physical activity may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline, even in people over the age of 80, according to a new study.

Breaking Point: When Does Head Trauma in Sports Lead to Memory Loss?

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:35 PM PDT

A new study suggests there may be a starting point at which blows to the head or other head trauma suffered in combat sports start to affect memory and thinking abilities and can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in the brain.

Speed and ecstasy associated with depression in teenagers

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 05:35 PM PDT

A five year study conducted with thousands of teenagers reveals that those who used speed (meth/ampthetamine) or ecstasy (MDMA) at fifteen or sixteen years of age were significantly more likely to suffer elevated depressive symptoms the following year.

Reminders of secular authority reduce believers' distrust of atheists

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 01:23 PM PDT

What's the group that least agrees with Americans' vision of their country? According to many sociological surveys, it's atheists. Previous research suggests that the dislike of atheists mostly comes from distrust, driven by the belief that people act better when they feel like they're being watched by God. But new research shows that reminding people of various sources of secular authority -- like government -- may have the same effect.

No proof found that gum disease causes heart disease or stroke

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 01:22 PM PDT

There is no convincing evidence that proves gum disease causes heart disease or stroke, or treating gum disease reduces the risk of those diseases, according to new research. Gum and heart disease share common risk factors, including smoking, age and diabetes, which is possibly why the diseases often occur in the same person.

Groundbreaking device improves laser accuracy in surgeries

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 11:38 AM PDT

Physicists have developed a groundbreaking device that controls the depth of a laser cut, laying groundwork to provide pinpoint accuracy during surgeries.

Scientists show lab-made heart cells ideal for disease research, drug testing

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 11:37 AM PDT

Heart-like cells made in the laboratory from the skin of patients with a common cardiac condition contract less strongly than similarly created cells from unaffected family members, according to researchers. The cells also exhibit abnormal structure and respond only dully to the wave of calcium signals that initiate each heartbeat.

Brain-activated muscle stimulation restores monkeys' hand movement after paralysis

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 10:50 AM PDT

An artificial connection between the brain and muscles can restore complex hand movements in monkeys following paralysis, according to a new study. The neuroprosthesis uses a brain-computer interface to control electrical stimulation of muscles and restore hand movement after temporary paralysis.

Photoreceptor transplant restores vision in mice

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 10:50 AM PDT

Scientists have shown for the first time that transplanting light-sensitive photoreceptors into the eyes of visually impaired mice can restore their vision.

Antidote for cocaine overdose looks promising in lab studies

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 10:48 AM PDT

Scientists have shown that an injectable solution can protect mice from an otherwise lethal overdose of cocaine. The findings could lead to human clinical trials of a treatment designed to reverse the effects of cocaine in case of emergency. Cocaine is involved in more than 400,000 emergency-room visits and about 5,000 overdose deaths each year in the United States.

MRSA in pregnancy may be less dangerous than previously thought

Posted: 18 Apr 2012 10:14 AM PDT

The perceived need to swab the noses of pregnant women and newborns for the presence of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) may be unfounded, according to a new study. It is often feared that mothers carrying MRSA may risk transmitting an infection to their newborn babies, but researchers found that babies rarely became ill from MRSA infections, despite frequently carrying the germ.

No comments: