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Saturday, January 14, 2012

ScienceDaily: Top Health News

ScienceDaily: Top Health News


Surprising results from smoke inhalation study

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:10 PM PST

A new study includes some unexpected findings about the immune systems of smoke-inhalation patients.

Walk this way: Scientists and physiology students describe how a motor protein 'steps out'

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:06 PM PST

Scientists have discovered the unique "drunken sailor" gait of dynein, a protein that is critical for the function of every cell in the body and whose malfunction has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Lou Gehrig's disease and Parkinson's disease.

NIH study shows 32 million Americans have autoantibodies that target their own tissues

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:38 AM PST

More than 32 million people in the United States have autoantibodies, which are proteins made by the immune system that target the body's tissues and define a condition known as autoimmunity, a study shows. The first nationally representative sample looking at the prevalence of the most common type of autoantibody, known as antinuclear antibodies (ANA), found that the frequency of ANA is highest among women, older individuals, and African-Americans.

New clue in battle against Australian Hendra virus: African bats have antibodies that neutralize deadly virus

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 04:34 PM PST

A new study on African bats provides a vital clue for unraveling the mysteries in Australia's battle with the deadly Hendra virus.

Newly identified type of immune cell may be important protector against sepsis

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 11:22 AM PST

Investigators have discovered a previously unknown type of immune cell, a B cell that can produce the important growth factor GM-CSF, which stimulates many other immune cells. They also found that these novel cells may help protect against the overwhelming, life-threatening immune reaction known as sepsis.

Genes and disease mechanisms behind a common form of muscular dystrophy discovered

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 10:43 AM PST

Continuing a series of groundbreaking discoveries begun in 2010 about the genetic causes of the third most common form of inherited muscular dystrophy, scientists have identified the genes and proteins that damage muscle cells, as well as the mechanisms that can cause the disease.

How stem cell implants help heal traumatic brain injury

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 08:26 AM PST

Researchers have identified key molecular mechanisms by which implanted human neural stem cells aid recovery from traumatic axonal injury.

Discovery could help stem smoking-related diseases

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 07:06 AM PST

Sufferers of smoking-related lung diseases could have their debilitating symptoms reduced following the discovery of a potential new treatment.

Diet counts: Iron intake in teen years can impact brain in later life

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 06:58 AM PST

Researchers have found that a lack of iron in the diet during the teenage years can have a negative impact on the brain years later, making the brain more susceptible to such disorders as Alzheimer's. Further, the researchers have identified a common set of genes that influence both iron and brain structure.

Pivotal immune cell in Type 1 diabetes in humans identified

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 06:58 AM PST

Researchers have demonstrataed -- for the first time in human tissues -- the specific immune system T cells which trigger the destruction of Type 1 diabetes in the pancreas. The finding is an important advance that verifies in humans several important disease characteristics shown in mouse studies and provides a key focal point for interrupting the disease process.

First major genetic mutation associated with hereditary prostate cancer risk

Posted: 11 Jan 2012 07:37 PM PST

After a 20-year quest to find a genetic driver for prostate cancer that strikes men at younger ages and runs in families, researchers have identified a rare, inherited mutation linked to a significantly higher risk of the disease.

First step toward treatment for painful flat feet

Posted: 11 Jan 2012 07:37 PM PST

Scientists have made an advance in understanding the causes of adult-acquired flat feet -- a painful condition particularly affecting middle-aged women.

Atrial arrhythmias detected by pacemakers increase risk of stroke

Posted: 11 Jan 2012 07:33 PM PST

Silent atrial fibrillation is very common and may be the cause of many strokes that previously could not be explained. In all, atrial fibrillation may be responsible for nearly one in five strokes.

Cause of rare immune disease identified: Genetic mutation leads to cold allergy, immune deficiency and autoimmunity

Posted: 11 Jan 2012 07:33 PM PST

Investigators have identified a genetic mutation in three unrelated families that causes a rare immune disorder characterized by excessive and impaired immune function. Symptoms of this condition include immune deficiency, autoimmunity, inflammatory skin disorders and cold-induced hives, a condition known as cold urticaria.

Gym benefits help Medicare plans recruit healthy seniors

Posted: 11 Jan 2012 07:33 PM PST

Medicare Advantage plans are not allowed to exclude unhealthy (and costly) seniors, but new research shows that they have effectively used gym memberships to bring healthier (and more profitable) members into their subscriber base.

New findings lead to test and therapy for kidney failure caused by E. coli

Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:04 AM PST

Scientists have made new discoveries about the basic workings of endothelial cells that could lead to a diagnostic test for the serious kidney disease known as hemolytic uremic syndrome and a possible treatment.

70 percent of Europeans suffer from low vitamin D levels, experts say

Posted: 10 Jan 2012 07:20 AM PST

A group of experts has prepared a report on vitamin D supplementation for menopausal women after it was revealed that Europeans have suffered an alarming decrease in their levels of this vitamin. In their opinion, the ideal would be to maintain blood levels above 30 ng/ml. Vitamin D is essential to the immune system and processes such as calcium absorption.

Treatment for diabetes and depression improves both, researchers say

Posted: 10 Jan 2012 06:35 AM PST

Patients simultaneously treated for both Type 2 diabetes and depression improve medication compliance and significantly improve blood sugar and depression levels compared to patients receiving usual care, according to a new study.

Would you stop eating out to lose weight?

Posted: 10 Jan 2012 06:35 AM PST

Going out to eat has become a major part of our culture. Frequently eating out and consuming high-calorie foods in large portions at restaurants can contribute to excess calorie intake and weight gain. A new study demonstrates that people can eat out and still lose weight.

Dietary DHA linked to male fertility

Posted: 09 Jan 2012 06:22 PM PST

A certain omega-3 fatty acid is necessary to construct the arch that turns a round, immature sperm cell into a pointy-headed super swimmer with an extra long tail, according to new research. The study shows that docosahexaenoic acid is essential in fusing the building blocks of the acrosome together. The acrosome is critical in fertilization because it houses, organizes, and concentrates a variety of enzymes that sperm use to penetrate an egg.

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News


Perfectly spherical gold nanodroplets produced with the smallest-ever nanojets

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 05:54 PM PST

Scientists have developed a new method for optical manipulation of matter at the nanoscale. Using 'plasmonic hotspots' – regions with electric current that heat up very locally – gold nanostructures can be melted and made to produce the smallest nanojets ever observed. The tiny gold nanodroplets formed in the nanojets, are perfectly spherical, which makes them interesting for applications in medicine.

Particle-free silver ink prints small, high-performance electronics

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:36 AM PST

Materials scientists have developed a new reactive silver ink for printing high-performance electronics on ubiquitous, low-cost materials such as flexible plastic, paper or fabric substrates. The reactive ink has several advantages over particle-based inks: low processing temperature, high conductivity, and the ability to print very small features.

Horse fly named in honor of Beyonce

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:36 AM PST

A previously unnamed species of horse fly whose appearance is dominated by its glamorous golden lower abdomen has been named in honor of American pop diva, Beyonce -- a member of the former group Destiny's Child, that recorded the 2001 hit single, "Bootylicious."

New nanotech technique for lower-cost materials repair

Posted: 11 Jan 2012 07:38 PM PST

Polymer scientists and engineers have discovered how to make nano-scale repairs to a damaged surface equivalent to spot-filling a scratched car fender rather than re-surfacing the entire part.

Algae for your fuel tank

Posted: 10 Jan 2012 12:17 PM PST

The available amount of fossil fuels is limited and their combustion in vehicle motors increases atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The generation of fuels from biomass as an alternative is on the rise. Scientists have now introduced a new catalytic process that allows the effective conversion of biopetroleum from microalgae into diesel fuels.

ScienceDaily: Living Well News

ScienceDaily: Living Well News


I recognise you! But how did I do it?

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 05:54 PM PST

Are you someone who easily recognizes everyone you've ever met? Or maybe you struggle, even with familiar faces? It is already known that we are better at recognizing faces from our own race but researchers have only recently questioned how we assimilate the information we use to recognize people.

Dark chocolate and red wine are heart-healthy foods of love, dietitians say

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 06:38 AM PST

Dietitian says resveratrol which lowers blood sugar is found in red wine and also dark chocolate, making them ideal for heart holidays like Valentine's Day and year round consumption for heart health.

What can be done to slow climate change?

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 04:34 PM PST

Scientists have detailed 14 key air pollution control measures that, if implemented, could slow the pace of global warming, improve health and boost agricultural production.

Cold winters caused by warmer summers, research suggests

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 04:34 PM PST

Scientists have offered up a convincing explanation for the harsh winters recently experienced in the Northern hemisphere: increasing temperatures and melting ice in the Arctic regions creating more snowfall in the autumn months at lower latitudes.

Don't know much about charter schools

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 11:22 AM PST

Researchers say the best studies reflect only the best charter schools and must be boosted with "value-added" approaches for all the rest.

Diet counts: Iron intake in teen years can impact brain in later life

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 06:58 AM PST

Researchers have found that a lack of iron in the diet during the teenage years can have a negative impact on the brain years later, making the brain more susceptible to such disorders as Alzheimer's. Further, the researchers have identified a common set of genes that influence both iron and brain structure.

When co-workers are treated poorly: 'I feel your pain ...'

Posted: 11 Jan 2012 10:40 AM PST

According to a new study, workers who witness incivility towards colleagues feel negative emotions -- especially when the incivility is aimed at workers of the same sex. The work is the first to look at the relationship between employees' observations of incivility towards same gender coworkers and negative emotions.

Would you stop eating out to lose weight?

Posted: 10 Jan 2012 06:35 AM PST

Going out to eat has become a major part of our culture. Frequently eating out and consuming high-calorie foods in large portions at restaurants can contribute to excess calorie intake and weight gain. A new study demonstrates that people can eat out and still lose weight.

The Cynical Girl: F@%k It Friday: Offering Comfort

The Cynical Girl: F@%k It Friday: Offering Comfort

Link to The Cynical Girl

F@%k It Friday: Offering Comfort

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 03:45 AM PST

What do you think? How do you offer comfort to a friend in need?