ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• BPA raises risk for childhood asthma, study finds
• Problems with identifying meat? The answer is to check the barcode
• Pixels guide the way for the visually impaired
• Pour, shake and stir: How gold particles, DNA and water have the potential to shape the future of medicine
• New model could lead to improved treatment for early stage Alzheimer's
• Clogged heart arteries can foreshadow stroke
• Researchers link left-sided brain injury with greater risk for hospital-acquired infections
• Zeroing in on heart disease: Innovative strategy pinpoints genes underlying cardiovascular disease risk
• 'Rain Man'-like brains mapped at using MRIs and network analysis
• Adult sleepwalking is serious condition that impacts health-related quality of life
• Thyroid hormones reduce damage and improve heart function after myocardial infarction in rats
• Sexually transmitted infections: Researchers find a protein link to STI susceptibility
• Key enzyme missing from aggressive form of breast cancer, groundbreaking study shows
• Wolf in sheep's clothing: Uncovering how deadly bacteria trick the immune system
• Brain pathway triggering impulsive eating identified
• Grape seed and skin extract: A weapon in the fight against kidney disease caused by high-fat diets
• Brain can't cope with making a left-hand turn and talking on hands-free cell phone
• Study identifies growth factor essential to the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor
• Action video games boost reading skills, study of children with dyslexia suggests
• Mutation location is the key to prognosis
• Cell movement explained by molecular recycling
• Nearly 1 in 4 women with breast cancer report PTSD symptoms, study finds
• Trackable drug-filled nanoparticles: Potential weapon against cancer
• Mutation altering stability of surface molecule in acid enables H5N1 infection of mammals
• Eating junk food while pregnant may make your child a junk food addict
• Steroids may shorten hospital stay for pneumonia patients
• Kala-azar treatment failing in Nepal
• Breakthrough in sight for cataract treatment
• After the human genome project: The human microbiome project
• Novel wireless brain sensor unveiled: Wireless, broadband, rechargeable, fully implantable
• Progesterone may be why pregnant women are more vulnerable to certain infections
• Brain-to-brain interface allows transmission of tactile and motor information between rats
• After a stroke, every minute counts: New national guide for care
• Strains of antibiotic-resistant 'Staph' bacteria show seasonal preference; Children at higher risk in summer
• Double-jointed adolescents at risk for joint pain, study finds
• Why some people get zits and others don't
• Research supports promise of cell therapy for bowel disease
• First signs of heart disease seen in newborns of overweight/obese mums
• Spinal cancer: Guidelines for diagnosis unsupported in patients with lower back pain
• Can your breath identify stress?

BPA raises risk for childhood asthma, study finds Posted: 01 Mar 2013 12:48 AM PST Researchers are the first to report an association between early childhood exposure to the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and an elevated risk for asthma in young children. BPA is a component of some plastics and is found in food can liners and store receipts.

Problems with identifying meat? The answer is to check the barcode Posted: 28 Feb 2013 04:46 PM PST Want to know what you are eating? DNA barcodes can be used to identify even very closely related species, finds a new article. Results from the study show that the labelling of game meat in South Africa is very poor with different species being substituted almost 80 percent of the time.

Pixels guide the way for the visually impaired Posted: 28 Feb 2013 04:46 PM PST Images have been transformed into pixels and projected onto a headset to help the visually impaired in everyday tasks such as navigation, route-planning and object finding. Developed using a video camera and mathematical algorithm, the researchers hope the pixels can provide more information and enhance the vision of patients already fitted with retinal implants.

Pour, shake and stir: How gold particles, DNA and water have the potential to shape the future of medicine Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:15 PM PST A diagnostic "cocktail" containing a single drop of blood, a dribble of water, and a dose of DNA powder with gold particles could mean rapid diagnosis and treatment of the world's leading diseases in the near future.

New model could lead to improved treatment for early stage Alzheimer's Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:15 PM PST Researchers have developed a line of genetically altered mice that model the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease. This model may help scientists identify new therapies to provide relief to patients who are beginning to experience symptoms.

Clogged heart arteries can foreshadow stroke Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:15 PM PST Blockages in your heart arteries could mean you're more likely to have a stroke, even if you're considered low risk, according to new research.

Researchers link left-sided brain injury with greater risk for hospital-acquired infections Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:14 PM PST New findings have implications for translational research into brain-mediated immune defenses, infection control practices and cognitive rehabilitation strategies after stroke and brain injury.

Zeroing in on heart disease: Innovative strategy pinpoints genes underlying cardiovascular disease risk Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:14 PM PST Studies screening the genome of hundreds of thousands of individuals (known as Genome-wide association studies or GWAS) have linked more than 100 regions in the genome to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Researchers are taking these results one step further by pinpointing the exact genes that could have a role in the onset of the disease.

'Rain Man'-like brains mapped at using MRIs and network analysis Posted: 28 Feb 2013 02:13 PM PST Combining hospital MRIs with the mathematical tool known as network analysis, a group of researchers has mapped the three-dimensional global connections within the brains of seven adults who have genetic malformations that leave them without the corpus callosum, which connects the left and right sides of the brain.

Adult sleepwalking is serious condition that impacts health-related quality of life Posted: 28 Feb 2013 12:58 PM PST A new study found that adult sleepwalking is a potentially serious condition that may induce violent behaviors and affect health-related quality of life.

Thyroid hormones reduce damage and improve heart function after myocardial infarction in rats Posted: 28 Feb 2013 12:58 PM PST A new study shows that thyroid hormones administered to rats at the time of a heart attack improved their heart function and significantly reduced their loss of heart muscle cells. Researchers believe the study prepares them to pursue studies on human patients, which could lead to breakthroughs in cardiac failure treatment.

Sexually transmitted infections: Researchers find a protein link to STI susceptibility Posted: 28 Feb 2013 12:56 PM PST Scientists have found a protein in the female reproductive tract that protects against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and herpes simplex virus.

Key enzyme missing from aggressive form of breast cancer, groundbreaking study shows Posted: 28 Feb 2013 12:55 PM PST A groundbreaking new study has found that triple-negative breast cancer cells are missing a key enzyme that other cancer cells contain — providing insight into potential therapeutic targets to treat the aggressive cancer. The study is unique in that his lab is the only one in the country to specifically study the metabolic process of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Wolf in sheep's clothing: Uncovering how deadly bacteria trick the immune system Posted: 28 Feb 2013 12:54 PM PST A new study demonstrates how bacteria can pretend to be a virus and trick the immune system into sending out the wrong type of defense. Such manipulation sheds light on how the flu may make us more susceptible to pneumonia or as in the recent outbreak of TB in Los Angeles, possibly how the flu and other environmental factors could be used to the TB bacteria's advantage.

Brain pathway triggering impulsive eating identified Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:46 AM PST New research has identified the neural pathways in an insect brain tied to eating for pleasure, a discovery that sheds light on mirror impulsive eating pathways in the human brain.

Grape seed and skin extract: A weapon in the fight against kidney disease caused by high-fat diets Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:46 AM PST New insight into grape seed extract as a therapeutic and preventative measure to fight obesity-induced kidney damage is presented in a new study. Grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) is known to contain powerful antioxidants. This study is the first to make a link between GSSEs and high-fat-diet-induced renal disease.

Brain can't cope with making a left-hand turn and talking on hands-free cell phone Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:41 AM PST Most serious traffic accidents occur when drivers are making a left-hand turn at a busy intersection. When those drivers are also talking on a hands-free cell phone, "that could be the most dangerous thing they ever do on the road," said an expert.

Study identifies growth factor essential to the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:41 AM PST A multi-institutional team has identified a molecular pathway that appears to be essential for the growth and spread of medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. In their report they show that blocking this pathway leads to regression of all four molecular subtypes of medulloblastoma in several mouse models.

Action video games boost reading skills, study of children with dyslexia suggests Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:41 AM PST Much to the chagrin of parents who think their kids should spend less time playing video games and more time studying, time spent playing action video games can actually make dyslexic children read better, new research suggests. In fact, 12 hours of video game play did more for reading skills than is normally achieved with a year of spontaneous reading development or demanding traditional reading treatments.

Mutation location is the key to prognosis Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:41 AM PST The three most important factors in real estate are location, location, location, and the same might be said for mutations in the gene MECP2, researchers report in a new study.

Cell movement explained by molecular recycling Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:40 AM PST Scientists have identified the method by which cells control the recycling of molecules, a process that is essential for them to move. The discovery provides researchers with a better understanding of how our bodies heal wounds.

Nearly 1 in 4 women with breast cancer report PTSD symptoms, study finds Posted: 28 Feb 2013 09:40 AM PST Nearly one in four women (23 percent) newly diagnosed with breast cancer reported symptoms consistent with PTSD shortly after diagnosis, with increased risk among black and Asian women, according to a new study.

Trackable drug-filled nanoparticles: Potential weapon against cancer Posted: 28 Feb 2013 08:34 AM PST Tiny particles filled with a drug could be a new tool for treating cancer in the future. Scientists show how such nanoparticles can be combined to secure the effective delivery of cancer drugs to tumor cells -- and how they can be given properties to make them visible in MR scanners and thus be rendered trackable.

Mutation altering stability of surface molecule in acid enables H5N1 infection of mammals Posted: 28 Feb 2013 08:34 AM PST A single mutation in the H5N1 avian influenza virus that affects the pH at which the hemagglutinin surface protein is activated simultaneously reduces its capacity to infect ducks and enhances its capacity to grow in mice, according to researchers.

Eating junk food while pregnant may make your child a junk food addict Posted: 28 Feb 2013 07:34 AM PST A healthy diet during pregnancy is critical to the future health of your children. New research suggests that pregnant mothers who consume junk food cause developmental changes of the opioid signaling pathway in the brains of their unborn children. Consequently, these children are less sensitive to opioids released upon consumption of foods high in fat and sugar, and need to eat more to achieve a "feel good" response.

Steroids may shorten hospital stay for pneumonia patients Posted: 28 Feb 2013 07:33 AM PST Patients with pneumonia may spend fewer days in the hospital if they are given steroids along with antibiotics and supportive care.

Kala-azar treatment failing in Nepal Posted: 28 Feb 2013 07:33 AM PST In a recent study, scientists have concluded that the cure rates of Miltefosine, the only oral drug for visceral leishmaniasis available, have significantly decreased. Miltefosine was introduced in the Indian subcontinent a decade ago. Despite adhering to the treatment, only 3 out of 4 patients treated with Miltefosine in Nepal today are being cured.

Breakthrough in sight for cataract treatment Posted: 28 Feb 2013 07:33 AM PST Scientists have made a discovery about the shape of the eye that could boost the effectiveness of human-made lenses used in cataract operations.

After the human genome project: The human microbiome project Posted: 28 Feb 2013 06:38 AM PST A complex ecosystem exists within our bodies -- communities of microbes affecting the behavior of human host cells. This crucial "microbiome," is considered to be a complex "second genome." The interactions of these microbes and their hosts may yield insights into numerous diseases and disorders. A new article discusses designing a protocol for microbiome research ensuring controls for variations among people.

Novel wireless brain sensor unveiled: Wireless, broadband, rechargeable, fully implantable Posted: 28 Feb 2013 06:38 AM PST In a significant advance for brain-computer interfaces, engineers have developed a novel wireless, broadband, rechargeable, fully implantable brain sensor that has performed well in animal models for more than a year.

Progesterone may be why pregnant women are more vulnerable to certain infections Posted: 28 Feb 2013 06:38 AM PST Women who are pregnant or using synthetic progesterone birth control injections have a vulnerability to infections including malaria, Listeria, HIV, and herpes simplex virus. New research shows that the progesterone receptor, a pregnancy hormone sensor, targets a part of the immune system responsible for protection against these invaders.

Brain-to-brain interface allows transmission of tactile and motor information between rats Posted: 28 Feb 2013 06:38 AM PST Researchers have electronically linked the brains of pairs of rats for the first time, enabling them to communicate directly to solve simple behavioral puzzles. A further test of this work successfully linked the brains of two animals thousands of miles apart -- one in Durham, N.C., and one in Natal, Brazil.

After a stroke, every minute counts: New national guide for care Posted: 28 Feb 2013 06:34 AM PST From the moment a person starts to experience stroke symptoms, the clock starts ticking. Every minute that passes can make a difference in how well their brain, arms, legs, speech or thinking ability recover. Now, new national guidelines for stroke treatment make it clear just how much minutes count.

Strains of antibiotic-resistant 'Staph' bacteria show seasonal preference; Children at higher risk in summer Posted: 28 Feb 2013 05:05 AM PST Strains of potentially deadly, antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria show seasonal infection preferences, putting children at greater risk in summer and seniors at greater risk in winter, according to new results.

Double-jointed adolescents at risk for joint pain, study finds Posted: 28 Feb 2013 05:03 AM PST A prospective study by U.K. researchers found that adolescents who are double-jointed-- medically termed joint hypermobility -- are at greater risk for developing musculoskeletal pain as they get older, particularly in the shoulders, knees, ankles and feet.

Why some people get zits and others don't Posted: 28 Feb 2013 05:01 AM PST Researchers have discovered that acne bacteria contain "bad" strains associated with pimples and "good" strains that may protect the skin. The findings could lead to a myriad of new therapies to prevent and treat the disfiguring skin disorder.

Research supports promise of cell therapy for bowel disease Posted: 28 Feb 2013 05:01 AM PST Researchers have identified a special population of adult stem cells in bone marrow that have the natural ability to migrate to the intestine and produce intestinal cells, suggesting their potential to restore healthy tissue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

First signs of heart disease seen in newborns of overweight/obese mums Posted: 27 Feb 2013 07:56 PM PST The walls of the body's major artery -- the aorta -- are already thickened in babies born to mums who are overweight or obese, finds a small study.

Spinal cancer: Guidelines for diagnosis unsupported in patients with lower back pain Posted: 27 Feb 2013 07:56 PM PST A new systematic review has raised doubts as to the effectiveness of "red flag" indicators at both identifying and excluding cancer in patients with lower back pain. The authors of the review concluded that most individual red flags were poor at diagnosing spinal malignancies and call for further studies focused on combinations of red flags.

Can your breath identify stress? Posted: 27 Feb 2013 07:56 PM PST The perennial stress-buster – a deep breath – could become stress-detector, claims a team of researchers.

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