ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Biostatisticians identify genes linked to heart disease
• Antibiotic cream has high cure rate, few side effects in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis
• Despite reported dislike, older readers put in less effort when using e-readers
• 'Listening to your heart' could improve body image, says study
• Genetic variation doubles risk of aortic valve calcification
• Lower drinking ages lead to more binge drinking, study of U.S. states finds
• Compound stimulates tumor-fighting protein in cancer therapy
• Can nerve stimulation help prevent migraine?
• Number of people with Alzheimer's disease in U.S. may triple by 2050
• Breast milk reduces risk of sepsis and intensive care costs in very-low-birth-weight infants
• Turning repulsive feelings into desires
• Fish oil may protect dialysis patients from sudden cardiac death
• Tiny capsule effectively kills cancer cells
• Happiness increases with age, across generations: But your overall level of well-being depends on when you were born
• Children with ACL injuries require special treatment
• Frequently prescribed drug used in concerning ways with harmful side effects
• Same factors influence depression in stroke patients, spouse caregivers
• Molecular link between metabolism and breast cancer
• No clear evidence more gluten in new wheat is responsible for increase in celiac disease
• Enzyme behind breast cancer mutations identified
• Calcium-binding protein mutations found in heart rhythm disorders
• Brain research provides clues to what makes people think and behave differently
• Tai Chi exercise may reduce falls in adult stroke survivors
• Smoking marijuana associated with higher stroke risk in young adults
• Traumatic brain injury complications common among U.S. combat soldiers
• Scientists discover how chromosomes keep their loose ends loose
• Possible cause of, and treatment for, non-familial Parkinson's
• Experimental drug combination selectively destroys lymphoma cells
• Magnetic field exposure may affect neurodegenerative disease risk
• Being overweight linked to higher risk of gum disease
• Targets of bully bosses aren't the only victims
• Study identifies skiers who can be successfully treated without surgery after an ACL tear
• Air pollution primes children for asthma-related cockroach allergy
• New light shed on reprogramming mature cells to pluripotency, to divide and differentiate into specialized cell types
• Maternal exposure to outdoor air pollution associated with low birth weights worldwide
• Eat to dream: Study shows dietary nutrients associated with certain sleep patterns
• Study raises questions about dietary fats and heart disease guidance

Biostatisticians identify genes linked to heart disease Posted: 06 Feb 2013 03:58 PM PST Recently, large studies have identified some of the genetic basis for important common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, but most of the genetic contribution to them remains undiscovered. Now researchers have applied sophisticated statistical tools to existing large databases to reveal substantial new information about genes that cause such conditions as high cholesterol linked to heart disease.

Antibiotic cream has high cure rate, few side effects in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis Posted: 06 Feb 2013 03:58 PM PST Researchers have demonstrated a high cure rate and remarkably few side effects in treating patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) with an investigational antibiotic cream. CL is a parasitic disease that causes disfiguring lesions, with 350 million people at risk worldwide and 1.5 million new cases annually.

Despite reported dislike, older readers put in less effort when using e-readers Posted: 06 Feb 2013 03:58 PM PST Reading text on digital devices like tablet computers requires less effort from older adults than reading on paper.

'Listening to your heart' could improve body image, says study Posted: 06 Feb 2013 03:58 PM PST Women who are more aware of their bodies from within are less likely to think of their bodies principally as objects, according to new research.

Genetic variation doubles risk of aortic valve calcification Posted: 06 Feb 2013 03:57 PM PST Researchers have found a genetic variant that doubles the likelihood that people will have calcium deposits on their aortic valve. Such calcification, if it becomes severe, can cause narrowing or a blockage of the aortic valve, a condition called aortic stenosis. The study is the first large-scale, genome-wide association study to uncover a genetic link to aortic valve calcification.

Lower drinking ages lead to more binge drinking, study of U.S. states finds Posted: 06 Feb 2013 01:23 PM PST People who grew up in U.S. states where it was legal to drink alcohol before the age of 21 are more likely to be binge drinkers later in life. Researchers found that people who lived in states with lower minimum drinking ages weren't more likely to consume more alcohol overall, but when they did drink, they were more likely to drink heavily.

Compound stimulates tumor-fighting protein in cancer therapy Posted: 06 Feb 2013 01:23 PM PST A compound that stimulates the production of a tumor-fighting protein may improve the usefulness of the protein in cancer therapy, according to a team of researchers.

Can nerve stimulation help prevent migraine? Posted: 06 Feb 2013 01:22 PM PST Wearing a nerve stimulator for 20 minutes a day may be a new option for migraine sufferers, according to new research.

Number of people with Alzheimer's disease in U.S. may triple by 2050 Posted: 06 Feb 2013 01:22 PM PST The number of people with Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. is expected to triple in the next 40 years, according to a new study.

Breast milk reduces risk of sepsis and intensive care costs in very-low-birth-weight infants Posted: 06 Feb 2013 01:21 PM PST Feeding human breast milk to very-low-birth-weight infants greatly reduces risk for sepsis and significantly lowers associated neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) costs, according to a new study. A daily dose of 25 to 49.99 milliliters of human milk per kilogram cut NICU costs by more than $20,000, while 50 milliliters per kilogram per day lowered NICU costs by nearly $32,000.

Turning repulsive feelings into desires Posted: 06 Feb 2013 01:21 PM PST Hunger, thirst, stress and drugs can create a change in the brain that transforms a repulsive feeling into a strong positive "wanting," a new study indicates.

Fish oil may protect dialysis patients from sudden cardiac death Posted: 06 Feb 2013 12:16 PM PST Medical literature long has touted the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for the heart. But until now, researchers have not studied the potential benefit for people on hemodialysis, who are among the highest-risk patients for sudden cardiac death. A new study, which included 100 patients who died of sudden cardiac death during their first year of hemodialysis and 300 patients who survived, is the first to examine this question.

Tiny capsule effectively kills cancer cells Posted: 06 Feb 2013 11:16 AM PST Devising a method for more precise and less invasive treatment of cancer tumors, scientists have developed a degradable nanoscale shell to carry proteins to cancer cells and stunt the growth of tumors without damaging healthy cells.

Happiness increases with age, across generations: But your overall level of well-being depends on when you were born Posted: 06 Feb 2013 11:16 AM PST Psychological well-being has been linked to many important life outcomes, including career success, relationship satisfaction, and even health. But it's not clear how feelings of well-being change as we age, as different studies have provided evidence for various trends over time. A new report reveals that self-reported feelings of well-being tend to increase with age, but that a person's overall level of well-being depends on when he or she was born.

Children with ACL injuries require special treatment Posted: 06 Feb 2013 11:16 AM PST Until a child's bones have fully matured (in girls, typically by age 14; in boys, age 16), an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament -- the primary, stabilizing ligament of the knee joint -- requires special consideration, treatment and care to ensure appropriate healing and to prevent long-term complications, experts say.

Frequently prescribed drug used in concerning ways with harmful side effects Posted: 06 Feb 2013 11:16 AM PST A popular class of drugs commonly used to treat sleep and mood symptoms continues to be frequently prescribed despite being known to have potentially life-threatening side effects.

Same factors influence depression in stroke patients, spouse caregivers Posted: 06 Feb 2013 11:16 AM PST Self-esteem, optimism and perceived control influence depression in stroke survivors and their spouse caregivers. Healthcare providers should assess the survivor and caregiver as a pair, not separately. Self-esteem influenced each partners' depression. Spousal optimism influenced stroke survivors' depression.

Molecular link between metabolism and breast cancer Posted: 06 Feb 2013 11:15 AM PST A protein associated with conditions of metabolic imbalance, such as diabetes and obesity, may play a role in the development of aggressive forms of breast cancer, according to new findings.

No clear evidence more gluten in new wheat is responsible for increase in celiac disease Posted: 06 Feb 2013 10:11 AM PST No clear evidence exists to support the idea that celiac disease is increasing in prevalence because farmers are growing strains of wheat that contain more gluten.

Enzyme behind breast cancer mutations identified Posted: 06 Feb 2013 10:11 AM PST Researchers have uncovered a human enzyme responsible for causing DNA mutations found in the majority of breast cancers. The discovery of this enzyme -- called APOBEC3B -- may change the way breast cancer is diagnosed and treated.

Calcium-binding protein mutations found in heart rhythm disorders Posted: 06 Feb 2013 10:10 AM PST Two new genes -- both coding for the signaling protein calmodulin -- have now been associated with severe early-onset disorders of heart rhythm. The findings expand the list of culprits that can cause sudden cardiac death and may point to new therapeutic approaches.

Brain research provides clues to what makes people think and behave differently Posted: 06 Feb 2013 10:10 AM PST Differences in the physical connections of the brain are at the root of what make people think and behave differently from one another. Researchers shed new light on the details of this phenomenon, mapping the exact brain regions where individual differences occur. Their findings reveal that individuals' brain connectivity varies more in areas that relate to integrating information than in areas for initial perception of the world.

Tai Chi exercise may reduce falls in adult stroke survivors Posted: 06 Feb 2013 10:10 AM PST Tai Chi exercise reduced falls among stroke survivors. The ancient Chinese martial art helped survivors achieve and maintain balance to aid stroke recovery.

Smoking marijuana associated with higher stroke risk in young adults Posted: 06 Feb 2013 10:10 AM PST Marijuana use may double the risk of stroke in young adults. The New Zealand findings are the first from a case-controlled study to indicate a potential link between marijuana and stroke.

Traumatic brain injury complications common among U.S. combat soldiers Posted: 06 Feb 2013 10:10 AM PST U.S. soldiers in combat often suffer constricted blood vessels and increased pressure in the brain -- significant complications of traumatic brain injuries, according to new research.

Scientists discover how chromosomes keep their loose ends loose Posted: 06 Feb 2013 10:10 AM PST We take it for granted that our chromosomes won't stick together, yet this kind of cellular disaster would happen constantly were it not for a protein called TRF2. Now, scientists have discovered key details of how TRF2 performs this crucial chromosome-protecting function. The finding represents a significant advance in cell biology and also has implications for our understanding of cancer and the aging process.

Possible cause of, and treatment for, non-familial Parkinson's Posted: 06 Feb 2013 10:09 AM PST Researchers have identified a protein trafficking defect within brain cells that may underlie the common form of Parkinson's disease. The defect is at a point of convergence for the action of at least three different genes that had been implicated in prior studies of Parkinson's disease. Whereas most molecular studies focus on mutations associated with rare familial forms of the disease, these findings relate directly to the common non-familial form of Parkinson's.

Experimental drug combination selectively destroys lymphoma cells Posted: 06 Feb 2013 09:13 AM PST Laboratory experiments suggest that a novel combination of the drugs ibrutinib and bortezomib could potentially be an effective new therapy for several forms of blood cancer, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.

Magnetic field exposure may affect neurodegenerative disease risk Posted: 06 Feb 2013 09:12 AM PST Occupational exposure to magnetic fields (MF) may be associated with "moderately increased risk" of certain neurodegenerative diseases —- including Alzheimer's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Being overweight linked to higher risk of gum disease Posted: 06 Feb 2013 07:40 AM PST Affecting approximately one-third of the U.S. population, obesity is a significant health concern for Americans. It's a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer, and now, according to a new article.

Targets of bully bosses aren't the only victims Posted: 06 Feb 2013 07:37 AM PST Abusive bosses who target employees with ridicule, public criticism, and the silent treatment not only have a detrimental effect on the employees they bully, but they negatively impact the work environment for the co-workers of those employees who suffer from "second-hand" or vicarious abusive supervision, according to new research.

Study identifies skiers who can be successfully treated without surgery after an ACL tear Posted: 06 Feb 2013 07:37 AM PST Roughly a quarter of recreational skiers who tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while hitting the slopes can be successfully treated without surgery, according to a new study.

Air pollution primes children for asthma-related cockroach allergy Posted: 06 Feb 2013 06:47 AM PST An allergic reaction to cockroaches is a major contributor to asthma in urban children, but new research suggests that the insects are just one part of a more complex story. Very early exposure to certain components of air pollution can increase the risk of developing a cockroach allergy by age 7 and children with a common mutation in a gene called GSTM may be especially vulnerable.

New light shed on reprogramming mature cells to pluripotency, to divide and differentiate into specialized cell types Posted: 06 Feb 2013 06:38 AM PST Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) represent a milestone in stem cell research, however many of the biochemical processes that underlie reprogramming are still not understood. Scientists now shed new light on this process. They have described important details about the structure of the transcription factor Oct4, known to play a crucial role in the reprogramming of terminally differentiated cells.

Maternal exposure to outdoor air pollution associated with low birth weights worldwide Posted: 06 Feb 2013 06:35 AM PST Mothers who are exposed to particulate air pollution of the type emitted by vehicles, urban heating and coal power plants are significantly more likely to bear children of low birth weight, according to an international study.

Eat to dream: Study shows dietary nutrients associated with certain sleep patterns Posted: 06 Feb 2013 06:35 AM PST A new study shows for the first time that certain nutrients may play an underlying role in short and long sleep duration and that people who report eating a large variety of foods -- an indicator of an overall healthy diet -- had the healthiest sleep patterns.

Study raises questions about dietary fats and heart disease guidance Posted: 05 Feb 2013 05:02 PM PST Dietary advice about fats and the risk of heart disease is called into question in a new article as a clinical trial shows that replacing saturated animal fats with omega-6 polyunsaturated vegetable fats is linked to an increased risk of death among patients with heart disease.

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