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Thursday, May 30, 2013

ScienceDaily: Top Health News

ScienceDaily: Top Health News


From trauma to tau: Researchers tie brain injury to toxic form of protein

Posted: 29 May 2013 04:10 PM PDT

In experiments with laboratory rats, scientists have found that traumatic brain injuries generate a toxic form of protein thought to cause damage in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions.

'Is there a doctor on board? Travelers play valuable role assisting crew in common medical emergencies on flights

Posted: 29 May 2013 04:10 PM PDT

Medical emergencies during commercial airline travel can be a frightening experience, but most situations are well-treated by other passengers and flight attendants, in collaboration with consulting physicians on the ground. A new study has found that doctors, nurses and other medical professionals on the aircraft helped to treat sick fellow passengers in three-fourths of the emergencies studied.

Are children who take Ritalin for ADHD at greater risk of future drug abuse?

Posted: 29 May 2013 04:10 PM PDT

Children who take medication such as Ritalin and Adderall for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at no greater risk for later taking alcohol, marijuana, nicotine and cocaine than children with ADHD who do not take the medication, report psychologists who have conducted the most comprehensive assessment ever on this question.

Most comprehensive analyses of NSAIDs and coxibs

Posted: 29 May 2013 04:09 PM PDT

Researchers have published the most comprehensive analyses of the benefits and risks of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors (coxibs). The worldwide meta-analysis used individual participant data from 280 trials of NSAIDs vs. placebo and 474 trials of NSAID vs. another NSAID, which involved a total of 353,809 participants and a total of 233,798 person-years. The results address risks and benefits of drugs used for relief of inflammatory arthritis including cardiovascular disease and other relevant outcomes such as gastrointestinal effects.

Brain activity in sleep may impact emotional disturbances in children with ADHD

Posted: 29 May 2013 04:09 PM PDT

Sleep consolidates emotional memories in healthy children but not in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new research. The study suggests these deficits in sleep-related emotional processing may exacerbate emotional problems experienced in the daytime by children with ADHD.

Anorexic individuals' disturbed body image influences unconscious movements

Posted: 29 May 2013 04:09 PM PDT

Individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa perceive their bodies as being larger than they are and this disturbed body representation affects their movements, according to new research.

Even shorter bouts of high-intensity exercise improve physical fitness in inactive men

Posted: 29 May 2013 04:08 PM PDT

It is a commonly held perception that getting in shape and staying there requires hard work and hours upon hours of training. Now, new research shows the opposite – just four minutes of vigorous activity three times per week is enough to make previously inactive men fitter and more healthy.

Living in poor area as teen could increase risk for chlamydia in young adulthood

Posted: 29 May 2013 04:07 PM PDT

Living in a poor neighborhood as an adolescent is linked to an increased risk of getting the sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia in young adulthood, according to new research.

Artificial sweeteners may do more than sweeten: It can affect how the body reacts to glucose

Posted: 29 May 2013 04:07 PM PDT

Researchers have found that a popular artificial sweetener can modify how the body handles sugar. They analyzed the sweetener sucralose in 17 severely obese people and found it can influence how the body reacts to glucose.

Early brain responses to words predict developmental outcomes in children with autism

Posted: 29 May 2013 04:07 PM PDT

The pattern of brain responses to words in 2-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder predicted the youngsters' linguistic, cognitive and adaptive skills at ages 4 and 6, according to a new study. The findings are among the first to demonstrate that a brain marker can predict future abilities in children with autism.

Task master: Categorizing rewards improves motivation

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:46 PM PDT

When it comes to motivating others and ourselves, it turns out offering rewards in defined categories, even when they are largely meaningless, can heighten motivation. Even if the rewards are the similar -- and the categories arbitrary -- the very act of segmenting rewards motivates people to perform better and longer.

Researchers shed new light on egg freezing success rates

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:46 PM PDT

Researchers have for the first time codified age-specific probabilities of live birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF) with frozen eggs. By conducting a meta-analysis of oocyte cryopreservation cycles using individualized patient data, researchers were able to report the probability of live birth from IVF cycles.

Adult stem cells could hold key to cure type 1 diabetes

Posted: 29 May 2013 12:44 PM PDT

Scientists have discovered that by combining cells from bone marrow with a new drug may help cure type 1 diabetes.

Putting the brakes on distracted driving

Posted: 29 May 2013 11:44 AM PDT

If you're still using your mobile phone behind the wheel, University of Alberta sociology researcher Abu Nurullah likely has your number.

Neuroscientists discover new phase of synaptic development

Posted: 29 May 2013 11:43 AM PDT

Students preparing for final exams might want to wait before pulling an all-night cram session -- at least as far as their neurons are concerned. Neuroscientists have discovered a new intermediate phase in neuronal development during which repeated exposure to a stimulus shrinks synapses.

Safe for stroke patients to continue blood thinners before minor surgical procedures

Posted: 29 May 2013 11:43 AM PDT

It is is likely safe to continue taking blood thinners before minor procedures such as dental procedures, cataract surgery or dermatologic procedures, according to a new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology.

New possibilities for prostate cancer treatment revealed

Posted: 29 May 2013 11:43 AM PDT

Researchers have identified a sub-group of cells that could contribute to prostate cancer recurrence, opening up new ways to treat the disease.

Gene therapy gives mice broad protection to pandemic flu strains, including 1918 flu

Posted: 29 May 2013 11:42 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a new gene therapy to thwart a potential influenza pandemic. They demonstrated that a single dose of an adeno-associated virus expressing a broadly neutralizing flu antibody into the noses of animal models gives them complete protection and substantial reductions in flu replication when exposed to lethal strains of H5N1 and H1N1 flu virus. These were isolated from samples associated from historic human pandemics – the infamous 1918 flu pandemic and another from 2009.

Wit, grit and a supercomputer yield chemical structure of HIV capsid

Posted: 29 May 2013 10:34 AM PDT

Researchers report that they have determined the precise chemical structure of the HIV capsid, a protein shell that protects the virus's genetic material and is a key to its virulence. The capsid has become an attractive target for the development of new antiretroviral drugs.

Cholesterol sets off chaotic blood vessel growth

Posted: 29 May 2013 10:31 AM PDT

A new study has identified a protein that is responsible for regulating blood vessel growth by mediating the efficient removal of cholesterol from the cells. Unregulated development of blood vessels can feed the growth of tumors.

People can 'beat' guilt detection tests by suppressing incriminating memories

Posted: 29 May 2013 09:11 AM PDT

Psychologists have shown that people can suppress incriminating memories and thereby avoid detection in brain activity guilt detection tests.

'Junk DNA' plays active role in cancer progression, researchers find

Posted: 29 May 2013 09:10 AM PDT

Scientists have found that a genetic rogue element produced by sequences until recently considered 'junk DNA' could promote cancer progression.

New flu strains prompt review of current research, call to redouble flu fight

Posted: 29 May 2013 09:10 AM PDT

New flu strains prompt review of current research and a call to redouble the flu fight.

People lie about their health related behaviors: Truth in barcodes

Posted: 29 May 2013 09:10 AM PDT

People lie about their health related behaviors. It's a problem that has long bedeviled health research on issues ranging from diet to exercise to smoking. And it's not just that we have faulty memories. Many of us stretch the truth to make ourselves seem more virtuous in the eyes of the person in the white coat. That makes drawing conclusions about behaviors that affect health from self-reported records tricky.

Human scabs serve as inspiration for new bandage to speed healing

Posted: 29 May 2013 08:13 AM PDT

Human scabs have become the model for development of an advanced wound dressing material that shows promise for speeding the healing process, scientists are reporting.

New treatment for stroke set to increase chances of recovery

Posted: 29 May 2013 08:12 AM PDT

Researchers have completed a landmark study which has revealed a new way to treat strokes caused by bleeding inside the brain.

Blood test to diagnose Alzheimer's in earliest stage?

Posted: 29 May 2013 08:12 AM PDT

Blood offers promise as a way to detect Alzheimer's disease at its earliest onset, researchers say. They envision a test that would detect distinct metabolic signatures in blood plasma that are synonymous with the disease -- years before patients begin showing cognitive decline.

Gene therapies for regenerative surgery are getting closer

Posted: 29 May 2013 08:12 AM PDT

Experimental genetic techniques may one day provide plastic and reconstructive surgeons with an invaluable tool—the ability to promote growth of the patient's own tissues for reconstructive surgery.

Walking or bicycling to work influenced by others

Posted: 29 May 2013 07:16 AM PDT

People who walk or bike to work are likely to influence their co-workers and partners to do the same, according to health researchers.

Childhood abuse linked with food addiction in adult women

Posted: 29 May 2013 07:15 AM PDT

Women who experienced severe physical or sexual abuse during childhood are much more likely to have a food addiction as adults than women who did not experience such abuse, according to a new study. The study's findings provide valuable new information regarding potential causes and treatments for food addiction and obesity.

Nanomedicines' impact on patients under the microscope

Posted: 29 May 2013 07:15 AM PDT

A pioneering imaging technique to track the effects of next-generation nanomedicines on patients has now been harnessed.

Molecular chain reaction in Alzheimer’s disease

Posted: 29 May 2013 07:15 AM PDT

Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism behind the transformation of one of the components in Alzheimer's disease. They identified the crucial step leading to formations that kill brain cells.

Operative death rates higher at weekend, warn researchers

Posted: 29 May 2013 06:29 AM PDT

There is a higher risk of death for patients who have elective surgery later in the week and at the weekend, compared with those earlier in the week, new research suggests.

New chemical approach to treat Alzheimer's

Posted: 29 May 2013 06:28 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a new chemical approach to help harness the natural ability of complex sugars to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Paper could be basis for inexpensive diagnostic devices

Posted: 29 May 2013 06:20 AM PDT

Paper is known for its ability to absorb liquids. But by modifying the underlying network of cellulose fibers, etching off surface "fluff" and applying a thin chemical coating, researchers have created a new type of paper that repels a wide variety of liquids.

Scientists advance understanding of brain receptor; May help fight neurological disorders

Posted: 28 May 2013 03:10 PM PDT

Researchers have discovered important new properties in a common brain receptor that has been implicated in a wide range of neurological disorders. The discovery may help in the development of drugs to combat the disorders.

'Preferred retinal location' may aid rehabilitation in patients with central vision loss

Posted: 28 May 2013 07:01 AM PDT

Perceptual learning techniques may provide a useful new approach to rehabilitation in patients with central vision loss -- taking advantage of visual plasticity that persists even in old age, according to a new article.

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