ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Couch potatoes may be genetically predisposed to being lazy, rat study suggests
• Posture provides clue for future disability
• How stepdads can avoid missteps
• Research advances therapy to protect against dengue virus
• Hot and cold senses interact: Cold perception is enhanced when nerve circuitry for heat is inactivated
• Smoking may negatively impact kidney function among adolescents
• Plant proteins control chronic disease in Toxoplasma infections
• Moving cells with light holds medical promise
• Anesthetic linked to brain cell death in newborn mice
• Avian virus may be harmful to cancer cells
• Sustained stress heightens risk of miscarriage
• A fly mutation suggests a new route for tackling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• ACMG releases statement on noninvasive prenatal screening
• Gene switch steers blood supply to the retina
• New software identifies and stratifies risk posed by lung nodules
• Women with elite education opting out of full-time careers: Women with MBA's are most likely to work less
• Reframing stress: Stage fright can be your friend
• Some melanoma survivors still use tanning beds, skip sunscreen
• Increased sleep could reduce rate of adolescent obesity
• Researchers design drug to restore cell suicide in HPV-related head and neck cancer
• Shedding light on a gene mutation that causes signs of premature aging
• Link between obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome may be exaggerated
• Older patients have higher expectations and are more satisfied with healthcare
• Healthy doctors make healthy patients, study finds
• Children with autism leave 'silly' out
• Newly discovered blood protein solves 60-year-old riddle
• New 'transient electronics' disappear when no longer needed
• Goodbye drafty backside, hello comfort, style in newly designed patient gown
• 'Jumping genes' may contribute to aging-related brain defects
• Fatheads: How neurons protect themselves against excess fat
• Technique finds software bugs in surgical robots and helps developers fix flaws, ensure safety
• A protein's well-known cousin sheds light on its gout-linked relative
• A hijacking of healthy cellular circuits
• Arrhythmia drug may increase cancer risk
• Developmental delays in children following prolonged seizures
• Distorted thinking in gambling addiction: What are the cognitive and neural mechanisms?
• Bird flu mutation study offers vaccine clue
• New mechanism for cell membrane fission proposed
• Mind over matter? Core body temperature controlled by the brain
• For breast cancer screening, one size doesn't fit all
• Migraine triggers tricky to pinpoint

Couch potatoes may be genetically predisposed to being lazy, rat study suggests Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:47 PM PDT Researchers were able to selectively breed rats that exhibited traits of either extreme activity or extreme laziness. They say these rats indicate that genetics could play a role in exercise motivation, even in humans.

Posture provides clue for future disability Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:47 PM PDT The shape of an individual's spinal column may predict his or her risk for nursing home admission or need of home assistance in old age, according to a new article.

How stepdads can avoid missteps Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:46 PM PDT A new study found three factors that contribute to feelings of closeness in stepfamilies: the couple keeps arguments to a minimum; mothers help children feel comfortable sharing their frustrations; and the stepfather and mother agree on how to parent.

Research advances therapy to protect against dengue virus Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:46 PM PDT Now a therapy to protect people from the dengue virus could finally be a step closer, thanks to new research.

Hot and cold senses interact: Cold perception is enhanced when nerve circuitry for heat is inactivated Posted: 08 Apr 2013 02:22 PM PDT A new study offers new insights into how the nervous system processes hot and cold temperatures. The research found an interaction between the neural circuits that detect hot and cold stimuli: cold perception is enhanced when nerve circuitry for heat is inactivated.

Smoking may negatively impact kidney function among adolescents Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:29 PM PDT New research finds the effects of tobacco smoke on kidney function begin in childhood.

Plant proteins control chronic disease in Toxoplasma infections Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:29 PM PDT A new discovery about the malaria-related parasite Toxoplasma gondii -- which can threaten babies, AIDS patients, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems -- may help solve the mystery of how this single-celled parasite establishes life-long infections in people. The study places the blame squarely on a family of plant proteins, known as AP2 factors.

Moving cells with light holds medical promise Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:29 PM PDT Scientists have shown they can coax cells to move toward a beam of light. The feat is a first step toward manipulating cells to control insulin secretion or heart rate using light.

Anesthetic linked to brain cell death in newborn mice Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:27 PM PDT Exposure to the anesthetic agent isoflurane increases "programmed cell death" of specific types of cells in the newborn mouse brain, a new study reports.

Avian virus may be harmful to cancer cells Posted: 08 Apr 2013 11:26 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that a genetically engineered Newcastle disease virus, which harms chickens but not humans, kills prostate cancer cells of all kinds, including hormone-resistant cancer cells.

Sustained stress heightens risk of miscarriage Posted: 08 Apr 2013 10:39 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that pregnant women living under continuous political and military stress have a 59 percent increased risk of miscarriage. The findings, based upon studies conducted on women in the Israeli town of Sderot, which is constantly under threat of rocket bombings from Gaza, demonstrate the importance of early intervention provided by health care professionals.

A fly mutation suggests a new route for tackling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Posted: 08 Apr 2013 10:39 AM PDT Medical researchers have discovered a gene, dSarm, in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster that, when mutant, blocks the self-destruction of damaged axons, which could hold clues to treating motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

ACMG releases statement on noninvasive prenatal screening Posted: 08 Apr 2013 10:37 AM PDT The new ACMG statement on "Noninvasive Prenatal Screening" addresses: The current limitations of NIPS; the advantages of NIPS compared with current screening approaches; pretest and posttest genetic counseling; the reporting of results by laboratories performing NIPS; and the oversight of analytical and bioinformatic components by testing of the laboratories performing NIPS.

Gene switch steers blood supply to the retina Posted: 08 Apr 2013 10:35 AM PDT Normal functioning of the eye depends on a proper supply of blood to the retina. Light entering the eye passes through the cornea, the lens, and the vitreous body before reaching the retina, where it stimulates the nerves. If the retina contains too few or too many blood vessels – i.e., if it is under- or oversupplied with blood – a number of severe, often blinding eye diseases can develop.

New software identifies and stratifies risk posed by lung nodules Posted: 08 Apr 2013 10:30 AM PDT Scientists have developed a new software tool to noninvasively characterize pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a common type of cancerous nodule in the lungs.

Women with elite education opting out of full-time careers: Women with MBA's are most likely to work less Posted: 08 Apr 2013 10:30 AM PDT Though past studies have found little evidence that women are opting out of the workforce in general, first-of-its-kind research by a professor of law and economics shows that female graduates of elite undergraduate universities are working much fewer hours than their counterparts from less selective institutions.

Reframing stress: Stage fright can be your friend Posted: 08 Apr 2013 10:30 AM PDT Fear of public speaking tops death and spiders as the nation's number one phobia. But new research shows that learning to rethink the way we view our shaky hands, pounding heart, and sweaty palms can help people perform better both mentally and physically.

Some melanoma survivors still use tanning beds, skip sunscreen Posted: 08 Apr 2013 10:30 AM PDT Although most survivors of melanoma take precautions to protect their skin from the sun and further occurrences of cancer, new data has revealed that more than a quarter do not use sunscreen when outside for more than an hour, and more than 2 percent still use tanning beds.

Increased sleep could reduce rate of adolescent obesity Posted: 08 Apr 2013 09:35 AM PDT Increasing the number of hours of sleep adolescents get each night may reduce the prevalence of adolescent obesity, according to a new study. Results of the study show that fewer hours of sleep is associated with greater increases in adolescent body mass index for participants between 14 and 18-years-old.

Researchers design drug to restore cell suicide in HPV-related head and neck cancer Posted: 08 Apr 2013 09:35 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which the human papilloma virus causes head and neck cancer, and they have designed a drug to block that mechanism. The new agent might offer a safer treatment for these tumors when combined with a tapered dose of standard chemotherapy.

Shedding light on a gene mutation that causes signs of premature aging Posted: 08 Apr 2013 09:34 AM PDT Researchers found that mice developed without the ATRX gene had problems in in the forebrain, the part of the brain associated with learning and memory, and in the anterior pituitary which has a direct effect on body growth and metabolism. The mice, unexpectedly, also displayed many of the symptoms associated with aging.

Link between obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome may be exaggerated Posted: 08 Apr 2013 09:34 AM PDT The relationship between obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome may be exaggerated, likely because the women who actively seek care for the condition tend to be heavier than those identified through screening of the general population, researchers report.

Older patients have higher expectations and are more satisfied with healthcare Posted: 08 Apr 2013 09:32 AM PDT New research on patients' experiences of health services and how these relate to their expectations and satisfaction, reveals that older people have higher expectations of their care and that they believe that their expectations are being met.

Healthy doctors make healthy patients, study finds Posted: 08 Apr 2013 09:32 AM PDT Patients are more likely to follow preventive health practices like getting a flu shot or mammography if their doctors do likewise, researchers have discovered.

Children with autism leave 'silly' out Posted: 08 Apr 2013 09:31 AM PDT When a child with autism copies the actions of an adult, he or she is likely to omit anything "silly" about what they've just seen. In contrast, typically developing children will go out of their way to repeat each and every element of the behavior even as they may realize that parts of it don't make any sense.

Newly discovered blood protein solves 60-year-old riddle Posted: 08 Apr 2013 09:28 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a new protein that controls the presence of the Vel blood group antigen on our red blood cells. The discovery makes it possible to use simple DNA testing to find blood donors for patients who lack the Vel antigen and need a blood transfusion.

New 'transient electronics' disappear when no longer needed Posted: 08 Apr 2013 09:23 AM PDT Scientists have described key advances toward practical uses of a new genre of tiny, biocompatible electronic devices that could be implanted into the body to relieve pain or battle infection for a specific period of time, and then dissolve harmlessly.

Goodbye drafty backside, hello comfort, style in newly designed patient gown Posted: 08 Apr 2013 09:23 AM PDT The drafty backside is finally gone, replaced with comfort, warmth and dignity in a newly designed hospital gown that blends style for the patient with clinical function for the health care team.

'Jumping genes' may contribute to aging-related brain defects Posted: 08 Apr 2013 07:33 AM PDT Aging is a destructive process, whose most visible effects occur on the physical characteristics of the body. Now neuroscientists show transposon, or jumping gene, activity in the aging fruit fly brain may be the cause of age-related brain defects. This research adds to previous data from their lab suggesting loss of transposon control could be a cause of neurodegenerative disease.

Fatheads: How neurons protect themselves against excess fat Posted: 08 Apr 2013 07:33 AM PDT In a recent study in mice, researchers have pinpointed an enzyme that keeps neurons' fat levels under control, and may be implicated in human neurological diseases.

Technique finds software bugs in surgical robots and helps developers fix flaws, ensure safety Posted: 08 Apr 2013 07:33 AM PDT Surgical robots could make some types of surgery safer and more effective, but proving that the software controlling these machines works as intended is problematic. Researchers have demonstrated that methods for reliably detecting software bugs and ultimately verifying software safety can be applied successfully to this breed of robot.

A protein's well-known cousin sheds light on its gout-linked relative Posted: 08 Apr 2013 07:32 AM PDT A genetic mutation causes a breakdown in a cellular pump that clears uric acid from the blood. By comparing this protein pump to a related protein involved in cystic fibrosis, the researchers also identified a compound that partially repairs the pump.

A hijacking of healthy cellular circuits Posted: 08 Apr 2013 07:32 AM PDT Scientists have identified a unique mechanism by which glioblastoma cells develop resistance to drugs that target EGFR signaling.

Arrhythmia drug may increase cancer risk Posted: 08 Apr 2013 05:51 AM PDT One of the most widely used medications to treat arrhythmias may increase the risk of developing cancer, especially in men and people exposed to high amounts of the drug. The study's results indicate that a potential link between amiodarone and cancer warrants further investigation.

Developmental delays in children following prolonged seizures Posted: 08 Apr 2013 05:50 AM PDT Researchers have determined that developmental delays are present in children within six weeks following convulsive status epilepticus (CSE)—a seizure lasting longer than thirty minutes. The study suggests that neurodevelopmental impairments continue to be present one year after CSE.

Distorted thinking in gambling addiction: What are the cognitive and neural mechanisms? Posted: 08 Apr 2013 05:50 AM PDT Fascinating new studies into brain activity and behavioral responses have highlighted the overlap between pathological gambling and drug addiction. The research has implications for both the treatment and prevention of problem gambling.

Bird flu mutation study offers vaccine clue Posted: 08 Apr 2013 05:50 AM PDT Scientists have described small genetic changes that enable the H5N1 bird flu virus to replicate more easily in the noses of mammals.

New mechanism for cell membrane fission proposed Posted: 08 Apr 2013 05:50 AM PDT Scientists have characterized the functioning of a protein responsible for cell membrane splitting. The results of the study make it possible to see the basic mechanisms of cell life from a fresh perspective, like the fusion and splitting of cell membranes. What is more, the methodology developed will allow various neuromuscular disorders to be diagnosed.

Mind over matter? Core body temperature controlled by the brain Posted: 08 Apr 2013 05:48 AM PDT Scientists have shown, for the first time, that it is possible for core body temperature to be controlled by the brain. The scientists found that core body temperature increases can be achieved using certain meditation techniques (g-tummo) which could help in boosting immunity to fight infectious diseases or immunodeficiency.

For breast cancer screening, one size doesn't fit all Posted: 08 Apr 2013 05:48 AM PDT Although mammography, the gold standard of breast cancer screening, reduces breast cancer mortality, it has important limitations. Critics point to reduced sensitivity for women with dense breasts, a high rate of false positives leading to excessive biopsies, and concerns about long-term effects of repeated radiation. With greater understanding of risk stratification, the authors of this review envision a re-thinking of the typical breast cancer paradigm to include new technologies that allow a more individualized approach that integrates patient-specific metrics, such as age, breast density, and personal preference.

Migraine triggers tricky to pinpoint Posted: 08 Apr 2013 05:47 AM PDT A new study has found that it is nearly impossible for patients to determine the true cause of their migraine episodes without undergoing formal experiments.

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