ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Lung cancer set to overtake breast cancer as the main cause of cancer deaths among European women
• Risk of cardiovascular death doubled in women with high calcium intake: High risk only in those taking supplements as well
• Lower autism risk with folic acid supplements in pregnancy
• Protein discovered that prevents light-induced retinal degeneration
• More evidence needed for scale up of mobile device technology in health
• Diclofenac used and recommended globally, despite cardiovascular risks
• Stopping cold: Scientists turn off the ability to feel cold
• Connection between narcissism and envy explained
• Newer, shorter-course antibiotic shows similar effectiveness for treating skin infection
• Eradicating bacteria linked to gastric cancer
• Platelet-rich plasma (prp) treatment shows potential for knee osteoarthritis
• In some dystonia cases, deep brain therapy benefits may linger after device turned off
• Some autism behaviors linked to altered gene
• Molecular master switch for pancreatic cancer identified, potential predictor of treatment outcome
• Discovering cell surface proteins' behavior
• Identification of abnormal protein may help diagnose, treat ALS and frontotemporal dementia
• Long-term success rates for eradication of Barrett's esophagus after endoluminal therapies
• Fallout from nuclear testing shows that the Achilles tendon can't heal itself
• Early music lessons boost brain development
• Scopolamine: An old drug with new psychiatric applications
• Helicopter parenting can violate students' basic needs
• Nanotech'ed RNA drug reduces ovarian cancer tumors by 83 percent
• Synthetic circuit allows dialing gene expression up or down in human cells
• Teaching teens that people can change reduces aggression in school
• Differential parenting found to negatively affect whole family, even the favored child
• Negative stereotypes about boys hinder their academic achievement
• Ziziphora effective in the battle against gastric cancer, study suggests
• Help for patients with tuberous sclerosis
• New study examines victims and cyberstalking
• Alcohol abusers' depression often related to drinking
• Cognitive scientists advance the art of magic with a study of Penn & Teller’s 'cups and balls' illusion
• Long memories in brain activity explain streaks in individual behavior
• Birth order linked to increased risk of diabetes, metabolic disorders
• Anti-Müllerian hormone predicts IVF success
• Child development: The right kind of early praise predicts positive attitudes toward effort

Lung cancer set to overtake breast cancer as the main cause of cancer deaths among European women Posted: 12 Feb 2013 06:00 PM PST Lung cancer is likely to overtake breast cancer as the main cause of cancer death among European women by the middle of this decade, according to new research. In the UK and Poland it has already overtaken breast cancer as the main cause of cancer deaths in women.

Risk of cardiovascular death doubled in women with high calcium intake: High risk only in those taking supplements as well Posted: 12 Feb 2013 04:20 PM PST High intakes of calcium (corresponding to diet and supplements) in women are associated with a higher risk of death from all causes, but cardiovascular disease in particular, compared with women with lower calcium intake, a new study suggests.

Lower autism risk with folic acid supplements in pregnancy Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:22 PM PST Women who took folic acid supplements in early pregnancy almost halved the risk of having a child with autism. Beginning to take folic acid supplements later in pregnancy did not reduce the risk.

Protein discovered that prevents light-induced retinal degeneration Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:22 PM PST Scientists have found a protein that protects retinal photoreceptor cells from degeneration caused by light damage. This protein may provide a new therapeutic target for both an inherited retinal degenerative disease and age-related macular degeneration.

More evidence needed for scale up of mobile device technology in health Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:21 PM PST Despite the hundreds of pilot studies using mobile health -- also known as 'mHealth'', which describe medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices -- there is insufficient evidence to inform the widespread implementation and scale-up of this technology, according to researchers.

Diclofenac used and recommended globally, despite cardiovascular risks Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:21 PM PST A new study finds that the painkiller diclofenac (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in the same class as aspirin) is the most commonly used NSAID in the 15 countries studied and is included in the essential medicines lists of 74 low-, middle- and high-income countries, despite its known tendency to cause heart attacks and strokes in vulnerable patients.

Stopping cold: Scientists turn off the ability to feel cold Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:21 PM PST Neuroscientists have isolated chills at a cellular level, identifying the sensory network of neurons in the skin that relays the sensation of cold.

Connection between narcissism and envy explained Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:20 PM PST Narcissism has long been associated with envy in the field of psychology, but a new study provides new evidence about that connection.

Newer, shorter-course antibiotic shows similar effectiveness for treating skin infection Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:20 PM PST Treatment with a newer antibiotic, tedizolid phosphate, once daily for 6 days was statistically noninferior (no worse than) in efficacy to the antibiotic linezolid twice daily for 10 days for both early (at day 2 to 3) and sustained (at day 11) clinical responses in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, according to a new study.

Eradicating bacteria linked to gastric cancer Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:20 PM PST In an analysis of the results of interventions to eradicate the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (a risk factor for gastric cancer) in seven diverse community populations in Latin America, researchers found that geographic site, demographic factors, adherence to initial therapy and infection recurrence may be as important as the choice of antibiotic regimen in H pylori eradication interventions, according to a new study.

Platelet-rich plasma (prp) treatment shows potential for knee osteoarthritis Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:19 PM PST A new study has shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) holds great promise for treating patients with knee osteoarthritis. The treatment improved pain and function, and in up to 73% of patients, appeared to delay the progression of osteoarthritis.

In some dystonia cases, deep brain therapy benefits may linger after device turned off Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:19 PM PST Two patients freed from severe to disabling effects of dystonia through deep brain stimulation therapy continued to have symptom relief for months after their devices accidentally were fully or partly turned off, according to a new report.

Some autism behaviors linked to altered gene Posted: 12 Feb 2013 02:19 PM PST Scientists have identified a genetic mutation that may underlie common behaviors seen in some people with autism, such as difficulty communicating and resistance to change.

Molecular master switch for pancreatic cancer identified, potential predictor of treatment outcome Posted: 12 Feb 2013 11:10 AM PST A recently described master regulator protein may explain the development of aberrant cell growth in the pancreas spurred by inflammation. The team profiled gene expression of mouse pancreatic ductal and duct-like cells from different states -- embryonic development, acute pancreatitis and K-ras mutation-driven carcinogenesis -- to find the molecular regulation of these processes.

Discovering cell surface proteins' behavior Posted: 12 Feb 2013 10:20 AM PST Chemists are advancing scientific understanding of the structure and function of glycoproteins, in particular the number and positioning of sugars on them. Glycoproteins are membrane proteins and are often involved in human diseases. They facilitate communication between cells.

Identification of abnormal protein may help diagnose, treat ALS and frontotemporal dementia Posted: 12 Feb 2013 09:18 AM PST Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are devastating neurodegenerative diseases with no effective treatment. Researchers are beginning to recognize ALS and FTD as part of a spectrum disorder with overlapping symptoms. Now investigators have discovered an abnormal protein that first forms as a result of genetic abnormalities and later builds up in the brains of many patients with either disease.

Long-term success rates for eradication of Barrett's esophagus after endoluminal therapies Posted: 12 Feb 2013 08:20 AM PST A new study reports that endoluminal (endoscopic) therapies, combining resection and ablation techniques, for patients with Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia or early mucosal cancer have a high success rate, with durable results and a low risk of complications. The researchers noted that endoscopic surveillance after successful eradication is required.

Fallout from nuclear testing shows that the Achilles tendon can't heal itself Posted: 12 Feb 2013 08:20 AM PST Notorious among athletes and trainers as career killers, Achilles tendon injuries are among the most devastating. Now, by carbon testing tissues exposed to nuclear fallout in post WWII tests, scientists have learned why: Like our teeth and the lenses in our eyes, the Achilles tendon is a tissue that does not repair itself.

Early music lessons boost brain development Posted: 12 Feb 2013 08:20 AM PST Musical training before the age of seven has a significant effect on the development of the brain, showing that those who began early had stronger connections between motor regions -- the parts of the brain that help you plan and carry out movements.

Scopolamine: An old drug with new psychiatric applications Posted: 12 Feb 2013 08:19 AM PST Scopolamine is an anticholinergic drug with many uses. For example, it prevents nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.

Helicopter parenting can violate students' basic needs Posted: 12 Feb 2013 08:18 AM PST When is it time for parents to back away? A new study shows that college students with overcontroling parents are more likely to be depressed and less satisfied with their lives. This so-called helicopter parenting style negatively affects students' well-being by violating their need to feel both autonomous and competent. Parental overinvolvement may lead to negative outcomes in children, including higher levels of depression and anxiety. Studies also suggest that children of overinvolved or overcontroling parents may feel less competent and less able to manage life and its stressors. In contrast, evidence suggests that some parental involvement in children's lives facilitates healthy development, both emotionally and socially.

Nanotech'ed RNA drug reduces ovarian cancer tumors by 83 percent Posted: 12 Feb 2013 08:17 AM PST By loading fragile RNA into silicon nanoparticles, researchers have found a new drug delivery system can reduce the size of ovarian tumors by as much as 83 percent -- and stop tumor growth in chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer tissue.

Synthetic circuit allows dialing gene expression up or down in human cells Posted: 12 Feb 2013 07:06 AM PST Scientists who built a synthetic gene circuit that allowed for the precise tuning of a gene's expression in yeast have now refined this new research tool to work in human cells, according to new research.

Teaching teens that people can change reduces aggression in school Posted: 12 Feb 2013 07:05 AM PST In eight studies involving more than 1,600 diverse 8th-10th grade students, researchers show that teenagers who believe people can't change react more aggressively to a peer conflict than those who think people can change. Following these studies, researchers developed a brief intervention that taught teens that people have the potential to change. The intervention reduced the teens' tendency to see the offense as having been done on purpose, and reduced their desire for aggressive revenge.

Differential parenting found to negatively affect whole family, even the favored child Posted: 12 Feb 2013 07:05 AM PST Parents act differently with different children -- for example, being more positive with one child and more negative with another. A new longitudinal study looking at almost 400 Canadian families has found that this behavior negatively affects not only the child who receives more negative feedback, but all the children in the family. The study also found that the more risks experienced by parents, the more likely they will treat their children differentially.

Negative stereotypes about boys hinder their academic achievement Posted: 12 Feb 2013 07:05 AM PST Researchers investigated the role of gender stereotypes. They found that from a very young age, children think boys are academically inferior to girls, and they believe that adults think so, too. Each of the three studies (two of which were experimental) included 150+ participants. Findings suggest that negative academic stereotypes about boys are acquired in children's earliest years of primary education and have self-fulfilling consequences.

Ziziphora effective in the battle against gastric cancer, study suggests Posted: 12 Feb 2013 07:05 AM PST A recent publication investigating the effects of aloe vera, ginger, saffron and ziziphora extracts as herbal remedies for gastric cancer suggests that the latter may be effective in the treatment of the fourth most common form of the disease.

Help for patients with tuberous sclerosis Posted: 12 Feb 2013 07:04 AM PST Scientists have developed a new therapy for patients suffering from renal tumors associated with the rare genetic disease tuberous sclerosis (TSC). The researchers have succeeded in markedly reducing the tumor volume in TSC patients by using the drug Everolimus.

New study examines victims and cyberstalking Posted: 12 Feb 2013 04:54 AM PST Victims of cyberstalking take more self-protective measures, pay higher out-of-pocket costs to combat the problem and experience greater fear over time than traditional stalking victims, said a researcher.

Alcohol abusers' depression often related to drinking Posted: 12 Feb 2013 04:54 AM PST For problem drinkers, bouts of depressive symptoms are often the direct result of their heavy alcohol intake, according to a new study.

Cognitive scientists advance the art of magic with a study of Penn & Teller’s 'cups and balls' illusion Posted: 12 Feb 2013 04:54 AM PST Cognitive brain researchers have studied a magic trick filmed in magician duo Penn & Teller's theater in Las Vegas, to illuminate the neuroscience of illusion. Their results advance our understanding of how observers can be misdirected and will aid magicians as they work to improve their art.

Long memories in brain activity explain streaks in individual behavior Posted: 12 Feb 2013 04:52 AM PST Even with a constant task, human performance fluctuates in time-scales from seconds to minutes in a fractal manner. In a recent study a research group found that the individual variability in the brain dynamics as indexed by the neuronal scaling laws predicted the individual behavioral variability and the conscious detection of very weak sensory stimuli. These data indicate that individual neuronal dynamics underlie the individual variability in human cognition and performance. Results may also have a strong impact in understanding the neuronal mechanism of neuropsychiatric diseases in which behavioral dynamics are abnormal.

Birth order linked to increased risk of diabetes, metabolic disorders Posted: 12 Feb 2013 04:51 AM PST Long a source of sibling rivalry, birth order may raise the risk of first-born children developing diabetes or high blood pressure, according to a recent study.

Anti-Müllerian hormone predicts IVF success Posted: 12 Feb 2013 04:51 AM PST Women with a high concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone stand a better chance of giving birth after in vitro fertilization, according to a recent study.

Child development: The right kind of early praise predicts positive attitudes toward effort Posted: 12 Feb 2013 04:51 AM PST Toddlers whose parents praised their efforts more than they praised them as individuals had a more positive approach to challenges five years later. That's the finding of a new longitudinal study that also found gender differences in the kind of praise that parents offer their children.

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