ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Primates and patience: Evolutionary roots of self control
• Role of calcium in familial Alzheimer's disease clarified, pointing to new therapeutics
• Pretreatment snack improves uptake of schistosomiasis treatment in schoolchildren
• Human learning altered by electrical stimulation of dopamine neurons
• Novel protein fragments may protect against Alzheimer's
• Strategies that reduce early hospital readmissions
• Get it over with: People choose more difficult tasks to get jobs done more quickly
• Stem cell technology points to early indicators of schizophrenia
• Preschool teacher depression linked to behavioral problems in children: Unhealthy classroom climate is contributing factor
• Cause of many preterm births discovered: Premature aging of placenta from oxidative stress
• New implanted devices may reshape medicine: Researchers create transistors that wrap around tissues
• Letting it go: Take responsibility, make amends, forgive yourself
• Achieving patient-centered care across the spectrum
• Complex interplay between alcohol, social behavior illuminated by fish study
• Distance influences accuracy of eyewitness IDs
• Molecule blocks cancer growth in mice: New drug candidate disrupts key interaction of two proteins by mimicking one to trick the other
• Forgiving a wrong may actually make it easier to forget
• MEMS nanoinjector for genetic modification of cells
• Dangerous nitrogen pollution could be halved
• Humans and companion animals harbor the same types of MRSA infections
• New agent may enhance effectiveness of radiotherapy
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder questionnaire may give clues to other mental health problems
• Breakthrough in controlling T cell activation
• Multilayer nanofiber face mask helps to combat pollution
• Try this allergy test: Three little-known facts about indoor allergies
• Birth by c-section, early antibiotic use put kids at risk for allergic esophagitis
• Hospitals recover from recession, some financial issues remain
• How the brain builds on prior knowledge
• Inactive yeast to preserve aroma of young wines
• Young people in developing countries need specially customized suicide prevention programs

Primates and patience: Evolutionary roots of self control Posted: 13 May 2014 05:46 PM PDT Some primate species will wait more than two minutes if they know they will get a larger serving of food -- while others are unable to wait more than a few seconds. A new study probes the evolutionary reasons for the difference.

Role of calcium in familial Alzheimer's disease clarified, pointing to new therapeutics Posted: 13 May 2014 02:52 PM PDT Mutations in two presenilin proteins associated with familial Alzheimer's disease disrupt the flow of calcium ions within neurons. Researchers have found that suppressing the hyperactivity of the calcium channels alleviated FAD-like symptoms in mice models of the disease. These new observations suggest that approaches based on modulating calcium signaling could be explored for new AD therapies.

Pretreatment snack improves uptake of schistosomiasis treatment in schoolchildren Posted: 13 May 2014 02:52 PM PDT Provision of a snack before mass treatment of schistosomiasis with praziquantel leads to increased uptake of treatment in school-aged children in Uganda, according to a new study. Scientists found that 93.9 percent of children reported taking praziquantel in schools that offered a snack before treatment compared with 78.7 percent of children in schools that did not offer a snack.

Human learning altered by electrical stimulation of dopamine neurons Posted: 13 May 2014 02:50 PM PDT Stimulation of a certain population of neurons within the brain can alter the learning process, according to a team of neuroscientists and neurosurgeons. A new report describes for the first time that human learning can be modified by stimulation of dopamine-containing neurons in a deep brain structure known as the substantia nigra.

Novel protein fragments may protect against Alzheimer's Posted: 13 May 2014 12:29 PM PDT Alzheimer's research has centered on trying to understand the protective or regenerative properties of brain cells as an avenue for treating the widespread disease. Now a researcher has discovered novel protein fragments that have proven protective properties for cognitive functioning. Her findings have the potential to serve as a pipeline for new drug candidates to treat the disease.

Strategies that reduce early hospital readmissions Posted: 13 May 2014 12:29 PM PDT 30-day readmissions can be reduced by almost 20 percent when specific efforts are taken to prevent them, a review has found. Key among these are interventions to help patients deal with the work passed on to them at discharge. "Effective approaches often are multifaceted and proactively seek to understand the complete patient context, often including in-person visits to the patient's home after discharge," says the lead author.

Get it over with: People choose more difficult tasks to get jobs done more quickly Posted: 13 May 2014 11:21 AM PDT Putting off tasks until later, or procrastination, is a common phenomenon -- but new research suggests that pre-crastination -- hurrying to complete a task as soon as possible -- may also be common. The new findings suggest that people often opt to begin a task as soon as possible just to get it off their plate, even if they have to expend more physical effort to do so.

Stem cell technology points to early indicators of schizophrenia Posted: 13 May 2014 11:20 AM PDT Using new stem cell technology, scientists have shown that neurons generated from the skin cells of people with schizophrenia behave strangely in early developmental stages, providing a hint as to ways to detect and potentially treat the disease early. "This study aims to investigate the earliest detectable changes in the brain that lead to schizophrenia," says one researcher. "We were surprised at how early in the developmental process that defects in neural function could be detected."

Preschool teacher depression linked to behavioral problems in children: Unhealthy classroom climate is contributing factor Posted: 13 May 2014 11:20 AM PDT Depression in preschool teachers is associated with behavioral problems ranging from aggression to sadness in children under the teachers' care, new research suggests.

Cause of many preterm births discovered: Premature aging of placenta from oxidative stress Posted: 13 May 2014 10:27 AM PDT A new study is the first to show that premature aging of the placenta due to oxidative stress is the cause of many preterm births.

New implanted devices may reshape medicine: Researchers create transistors that wrap around tissues Posted: 13 May 2014 10:27 AM PDT Scientists have create flexible transistors that can grip large tissues, nerves and blood vessels without losing their electronic properties. These biologically adaptive, flexible transistors might one day help doctors learn more about what is happening inside the body, and stimulate the body for treatments.

Letting it go: Take responsibility, make amends, forgive yourself Posted: 13 May 2014 10:26 AM PDT Forgiving ourselves for hurting another is easier if we first make amends, giving our inner selves a 'moral OK,' according to research. The study is significant because previous studies show that inability to self-forgive can be a factor in depression, anxiety and weakened immunity.

Achieving patient-centered care across the spectrum Posted: 13 May 2014 10:26 AM PDT Providing patient-centered care consistently in clinical practice requires practitioners who are able to recognize that different clinical situations require different approaches and are skilled enough to adapt. Researchers note that practitioners could use or integrate two methods: shared decision making and motivational interviewing when discussing options for treatment with patients.

Complex interplay between alcohol, social behavior illuminated by fish study Posted: 13 May 2014 10:26 AM PDT Research is helping unravel the complex interplay between alcohol and social behavior. In what may be the first experiment to allow ethanol-exposed and untreated zebrafish to swim freely together, those exposed to certain alcohol concentrations nearly doubled their swimming speeds when in a group --suggesting that the presence of peers substantially impacts social behavior. Most remarkably, unexposed fish modulated their behavior in the presence of a shoalmate exposed to alcohol.

Distance influences accuracy of eyewitness IDs Posted: 13 May 2014 09:16 AM PDT A new study has used a controlled outside setting and actual people to test eyewitness accuracy across a variety of distances. Eyewitness accuracy declines steadily and quite measuredly as the distance increases. Additionally, a good deal of guess work or so-called "false alarms" also comes into play as the distance increases. These findings have implications for the trustworthiness of eyewitness accounts that are used to solve criminal cases.

Molecule blocks cancer growth in mice: New drug candidate disrupts key interaction of two proteins by mimicking one to trick the other Posted: 13 May 2014 08:36 AM PDT Scientists have developed a small molecule that interferes with cancer progression with minimal side effects. The new cancer-fighting drug prevents two critical proteins from interacting by mimicking the surface topography of one protein -- like wearing a mask -- which tricks the other protein into binding with it.

Forgiving a wrong may actually make it easier to forget Posted: 13 May 2014 08:36 AM PDT We're often told to 'forgive and forget' the wrongs that we suffer -- it turns out that there may be some scientific truth behind the common saying. A new study shows that the details of a transgression are more susceptible to forgetting when that transgression has been forgiven.

MEMS nanoinjector for genetic modification of cells Posted: 13 May 2014 08:32 AM PDT The ability to transfer a gene or DNA sequence from one animal into the genome of another plays a critical role in a wide range of medical research—including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes. But the traditional method of transferring genetic material into a new cell, called "microinjection," has a serious downside. It involves using a small glass pipette to pump a solution containing DNA into the nucleus of an egg cell, but the extra fluid can cause the cell to swell and destroy it -- resulting in a 25 to 40 percent cell death rate.

Dangerous nitrogen pollution could be halved Posted: 13 May 2014 06:25 AM PDT The most important fertilizer for producing food is, at the same time, one of the most important risks for human health: nitrogen. Chemical compounds containing reactive nitrogen are major drivers of air and water pollution worldwide, and hence of diseases like asthma or cancer. If no action is taken, nitrogen pollution could rise by 20 percent by 2050 in a middle-of-the-road scenario, according to a new study.

Humans and companion animals harbor the same types of MRSA infections Posted: 13 May 2014 06:25 AM PDT A shared population of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria circulates both in humans and companion animals, according to a new study. Researchers also observed that samples from the same veterinary hospitals clustered together genetically, suggesting that as in human hospitals, MRSA can be readily transmitted in veterinary hospital settings.

New agent may enhance effectiveness of radiotherapy Posted: 13 May 2014 06:23 AM PDT The potential of a drug to improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy in stopping tumor growth has been demonstrated by scientists. There is increasing interest in using the body's own immune system to attack tumor cells – a strategy that can be very effective without the side effects associated with conventional chemotherapy. Skin cancers, for instance, have been successfully treated using a topical cream, imiquimod, which recruits immune cells through a molecule known as toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), a protein that recognizes foreign and potentially harmful material.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder questionnaire may give clues to other mental health problems Posted: 13 May 2014 06:14 AM PDT A shortened version of a questionnaire used by psychologists to assess risk factors for obsessive-compulsive disorder also may help determine the risk of depression and anxiety, according to a study. Given the brevity of the revised Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire -- and its potential for patients -- it could become a useful tool for research as well as treatment of patients and intervention for those who are predisposed toward a number of mental health disorders, a researcher notes.

Breakthrough in controlling T cell activation Posted: 13 May 2014 06:11 AM PDT The discovery of a crucial mechanism that controls the activation of T cells, a blood cell whose primary job is to fight infection in the body, may enable the development of new drugs to treat autoimmune disease, transplant rejection, and similar disorders in which T cells play a major role.

Multilayer nanofiber face mask helps to combat pollution Posted: 12 May 2014 11:22 AM PDT Researchers have developed a ground-breaking filter technology that guards against the finest pollutants in the air. Haze is usually composed of pollutants in the form of tiny suspended particles or fine mists/droplets emitted from vehicles, coal-burning power plants and factories. Continued exposure increases the risk of developing respiratory problems, heart diseases and lung cancer. Can we avoid the unhealthy air?

Try this allergy test: Three little-known facts about indoor allergies Posted: 12 May 2014 10:48 AM PDT Outdoor pollen might have you running for cover behind closed windows and doors, but allergists say indoor allergens are just as much trouble. One expert discusses 3 allergy misconceptions that could be making things worse.

Birth by c-section, early antibiotic use put kids at risk for allergic esophagitis Posted: 12 May 2014 09:41 AM PDT Children delivered by cesarean section and those given antibiotics during early infancy appear more prone to developing allergic inflammation of the esophagus — the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach — according to results of a study. Eosinophilic esophagitis, or EoE, is an emerging allergic disease, the causes of which remain unclear. While still relatively rare, EoE appears to be on the rise in both children and adults, research shows.

Hospitals recover from recession, some financial issues remain Posted: 12 May 2014 08:25 AM PDT The recent economic recession affected hospitals across the nation, regardless of financial status, but following the rebound, financially weak and safety-net hospitals continue to struggle, according to health researchers. "Poor financial outcomes [for hospitals] could lead to poor care," said one expert. "This is an issue that needs attention as health care reform moves forward."

How the brain builds on prior knowledge Posted: 12 May 2014 07:15 AM PDT It is easier to learn something new if you can link it to something you already know. A specific part of the brain appears to be involved in this process: the medial prefrontal cortex. These findings further enhance our understanding of the brain mechanisms that underlie effective learning. A researcher added a tip for secondary school students taking their final exams: 'If you don't immediately know the answer to a question, you could first try recalling what you already know about that topic. This might help you to come up with the right answer after all.'

Inactive yeast to preserve aroma of young wines Posted: 12 May 2014 07:15 AM PDT The usage of inactive yeast preparations rich in glutathione can preserve the aroma of young wines during their storage, research has shown. The fresh, fruity and floral aroma of young wines (white and rosé) can quickly disappear during their storage because of the oxidation process. Additionally, young wines can change their color due to the formation of polymers producing orange and brown color tones. Apart from the loss of pleasant aromas, this process can produce unpleasant aromas similar to some aged wines.

Young people in developing countries need specially customized suicide prevention programs Posted: 12 May 2014 07:15 AM PDT It is vital that both cultural and gender differences are taken into account when drawing up programs aimed at preventing suicide among young people in low- to middle-income countries. "Suicide among young people is a global health problem. There is a lack of knowledge and understanding about the factors that affect the risk of suicide and about the importance of different suicidal expressions in many low and middle-income countries. In order to implement effective preventative measures it is necessary to study the differences in suicidal expressions between different countries," says the author.

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