ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Scientists find a key element of lupus, suggesting better drug targets
• Low vitamin D levels may increase risk of Type 1 diabetes
• Study confirms no transmission of Alzheimer's proteins between humans
• Some cancer mutations slow tumor growth
• Gene variants found to affect human lifespan
• Chemical reaction keeps stroke-damaged brain from repairing itself
• Experimental therapy crosses blood-brain barrier to treat neurological disease
• Paired genes in stem cells shed new light on gene organization and regulation
• Finding the way to memory: Receptor plays key role in regulating plasticity of brain's nerve cell connections
• In a fight to the finish, research aims knockout punch at hepatitis b
• Hip Replacement Approach Results in Faster Recovery
• Omega-3-rich ground beef available soon
• Water tubing-related injuries up 250 percent
• Human brain is divided on fear and panic: Different areas of brain responsible for external, internal threats
• In combat vets and others, high rate of vision problems after traumatic brain injury
• Can cancer be turned against itself?
• High-dose Vorinostat effective at treating relapsed lymphomas, study suggests
• Amyloid imaging shows promise for detecting cardiac amyloidosis
• Beef up: Middle-aged men may need more to maintain muscle mass
• Taking insulin for type 2 diabetes could expose patients to greater risk of health complications, study suggests
• Does the functionality of your small finger determine your ability to master the violin?
• Researchers pioneer treatment for viral infection common in children
• Your history may define your future: Tell your doctor
• Scientists notch a win in war against antibiotic-resistant bacteria
• Avoiding a cartography catastrophe: Study recommends new tools to improve global mapping of infectious disease
• Cancer researchers reveal mechanism to halt cancer cell growth, discover potential therapy
• Geographic factors can cause allergies, asthma: People living close to the equator are at higher risk, study finds
• Macromolecular shredder for RNA: Researchers unravel the structure of the machinery for RNA disposal
• Disturbed body image after central nervous system cancer
• Elastography: New cancer detection method right around the corner; Norway and France in front
• Elusive taste stem cells identified
• Health departments hindered in addressing health concerns from animal production sites, study finds
• Dieting on radiation therapy may improve outcomes for breast cancer patients: New clinical trial to begin

Scientists find a key element of lupus, suggesting better drug targets Posted: 04 Feb 2013 03:46 PM PST Scientists have identified specific cellular events that appear key to lupus, a debilitating autoimmune disease that afflicts tens of millions of people worldwide. The findings suggest that blocking this pathway in lupus-triggering cells could be a potent weapon against the disease.

Low vitamin D levels may increase risk of Type 1 diabetes Posted: 04 Feb 2013 03:46 PM PST Having adequate levels of vitamin D during young adulthood may reduce the risk of adult-onset type 1 diabetes by as much as 50 percent, according to researchers. The findings, if confirmed in future studies, could lead to a role for vitamin D supplementation in preventing this serious autoimmune disease in adults.

Study confirms no transmission of Alzheimer's proteins between humans Posted: 04 Feb 2013 03:45 PM PST A new study found no evidence to support concerns that abnormal neurodegenerative disease proteins are "infectious" or transmitted from animals to humans or from one person to another.

Some cancer mutations slow tumor growth Posted: 04 Feb 2013 12:40 PM PST A typical cancer cell has thousands of mutations scattered throughout its genome and hundreds of mutated genes. However, only a handful of those genes, known as drivers, are responsible for cancerous traits such as uncontrolled growth. Cancer biologists have largely ignored the other mutations, believing they had little or no impact on cancer progression. But a new study reveals, for the first time, that these so-called passenger mutations are not just along for the ride. When enough of them accumulate, they can slow or even halt tumor growth.

Gene variants found to affect human lifespan Posted: 04 Feb 2013 12:39 PM PST By broadly comparing the DNA of children to that of elderly people, gene researchers have identified copy number variations that influence lifespan. Some of the variants raise disease risk, while others provide protection from disease.

Chemical reaction keeps stroke-damaged brain from repairing itself Posted: 04 Feb 2013 12:39 PM PST Nitric oxide, a gaseous molecule produced in the brain, can damage neurons. When the brain produces too much nitric oxide, it contributes to the severity and progression of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Researchers recently discovered that nitric oxide not only damages neurons, it also shuts down the brain's repair mechanisms.

Experimental therapy crosses blood-brain barrier to treat neurological disease Posted: 04 Feb 2013 12:37 PM PST Researchers have overcome a major challenge to treating brain diseases by engineering an experimental molecular therapy that crosses the blood-brain barrier to reverse neurological lysosomal storage disease in mice. Scientists say the study provides a non-invasive procedure that targets the blood-brain barrier and can be tested for delivering large-molecule therapeutic agents to treat neurological disorders.

Paired genes in stem cells shed new light on gene organization and regulation Posted: 04 Feb 2013 12:36 PM PST Researchers show that transcription at the active promoters of protein-coding genes commonly runs in opposite directions. This leads to coordinated production of both protein-coding messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs).

Finding the way to memory: Receptor plays key role in regulating plasticity of brain's nerve cell connections Posted: 04 Feb 2013 11:26 AM PST A new study reveals that DCC, the receptor for a crucial protein in the nervous system known as netrin, plays a key role in regulating the plasticity of nerve cell connections in the brain.

In a fight to the finish, research aims knockout punch at hepatitis b Posted: 04 Feb 2013 11:25 AM PST In a new study, researchers report a breakthrough in the pursuit of new hepatitis B drugs that could help cure the virus. The researchers were able to measure and then block a previously unstudied enzyme to stop the virus from replicating, taking advantage of known similarities with another major pathogen, HIV.

Hip Replacement Approach Results in Faster Recovery Posted: 04 Feb 2013 11:25 AM PST A computer-assisted navigation technology with the direct anterior hip replacement technique, potentially results in less pain, faster recovery and fewer dislocations for patients with osteoarthritis and other forms of degenerative joint disease.

Omega-3-rich ground beef available soon Posted: 04 Feb 2013 11:23 AM PST Beef-lovers will soon have a tasty way to stock up on omega-3s thanks to ground beef with 200 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids.

Water tubing-related injuries up 250 percent Posted: 04 Feb 2013 11:21 AM PST Water tubing, a recreational activity in which participants ride an inner tube which is pulled behind a boat by a tow rope, has grown in popularity in recent years. Unfortunately, the number of injuries related to this activity has also increased.

Human brain is divided on fear and panic: Different areas of brain responsible for external, internal threats Posted: 04 Feb 2013 10:01 AM PST Researchers say the human brain has a new, second gatekeeper that registers fear. That region, likely the brainstem, signals fear from internal dangers. The finding could lead to more precise treatment for people suffering from panic attacks and other anxiety disorders.

In combat vets and others, high rate of vision problems after traumatic brain injury Posted: 04 Feb 2013 10:00 AM PST Visual symptoms and abnormalities occur at high rates in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) -- including Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans with blast-related TBI, reports a new study.

Can cancer be turned against itself? Posted: 04 Feb 2013 08:42 AM PST Medical researchers have found that a family of proteins associated with melanoma can alert the human immune system to the presence of cancer cells. This may lead to a new therapy to augment the anti-cancer immune response, he says, essentially turning cancer against itself.

High-dose Vorinostat effective at treating relapsed lymphomas, study suggests Posted: 04 Feb 2013 08:42 AM PST Patients whose aggressive lymphomas have relapsed or failed to respond to the current front-line chemotherapy regimen now have an effective second line of attack against their disease.

Amyloid imaging shows promise for detecting cardiac amyloidosis Posted: 04 Feb 2013 08:42 AM PST While amyloid imaging may now be most associated with detecting plaques in the brain, it has the potential to change the way cardiac amyloidosis is diagnosed. According to first-of-its-kind research, positron emission tomography with 11C-PIB can positively visualize amyloid deposits in the heart. Currently there is no noninvasive test available for specific diagnosis.

Beef up: Middle-aged men may need more to maintain muscle mass Posted: 04 Feb 2013 08:42 AM PST People tend to lose muscle mass as they age; researchers are investigating ways to delay or counteract age-related muscle loss. A new study suggests that current guidelines for meat consumption are based on the protein needed to prevent deficiency without consideration for preservation of muscle mass, particularly for older individuals who are looking to maintain their muscle as they age.

Taking insulin for type 2 diabetes could expose patients to greater risk of health complications, study suggests Posted: 04 Feb 2013 08:42 AM PST Patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin could be exposed to a greater risk of health complications including heart attack, stroke, cancer and eye complications a new study has found.

Does the functionality of your small finger determine your ability to master the violin? Posted: 04 Feb 2013 07:24 AM PST The violin is a challenging instrument. Rapid, independent motion of the digital joints in the left hand is desirable. This study was conceived after an 11-year-old patient volunteered that she had given up playing the violin because of difficulty and discomfort maneuvering the left small and ring fingers independently. On examination, she was found to have absent FDS (flexor digitorum superficialis) function in the small finger.

Researchers pioneer treatment for viral infection common in children Posted: 04 Feb 2013 07:14 AM PST Researchers have discovered a new way in which a very common childhood disease could be treated. In the first year of life, 65 per cent of babies get infected by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This causes bronchiolitis, and is thought to kill nearly 200,000 children every year worldwide. In 1966 and 1967, vaccines were tested for RSV. These had disastrous effects on the immune response, leading to a worsening of the disease and, in many cases, death. Scientists have so far not been able to fully explain this effect, which continues to hold back vaccine development. Studying this effect in mice, a research team developed a new technique which they hope might be used in tackling a wide range of other diseases including viral bronchiolitis.

Your history may define your future: Tell your doctor Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:59 AM PST In a new study, researchers found that patients who use a web-based risk appraisal tool are more likely to have important family history documented.

Scientists notch a win in war against antibiotic-resistant bacteria Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:59 AM PST A team just won a battle in the war against antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" -- and only time will tell if their feat will turn the tide toward victory. They won this particular battle, or at least gained critical intelligence, not by designing a new antibiotic, but by interfering with the metabolism of the bacterial "bugs" -- E. coli in this case -- and rendering them weaker in the face of existing antibiotics.

Avoiding a cartography catastrophe: Study recommends new tools to improve global mapping of infectious disease Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:59 AM PST Since the mid-nineteenth century, maps have helped elucidate the deadly mysteries of diseases like cholera and yellow fever. Yet today's global mapping of infectious diseases is considerably unreliable and may do little to inform the control of potential outbreaks, according to a new systematic mapping review of all clinically important infectious diseases known to humans.

Cancer researchers reveal mechanism to halt cancer cell growth, discover potential therapy Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:59 AM PST Researchers have uncovered a technique to halt the growth of cancer cells, a discovery that led them to a potential new anti-cancer therapy. When deprived of a key protein, some cancer cells are unable to properly divide.

Geographic factors can cause allergies, asthma: People living close to the equator are at higher risk, study finds Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:59 AM PST Those living near the equator may find themselves sneezing and wheezing more than usual. And the reason may not be due to increasing pollen counts. According to a new study, living in locations closest to the equator can put you at increased risk of developing allergy and asthma.

Macromolecular shredder for RNA: Researchers unravel the structure of the machinery for RNA disposal Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:46 AM PST Much in the same way as we use shredders to destroy documents that are no longer useful or that contain potentially damaging information, cells use molecular machines to degrade unwanted or defective macromolecules. Scientists in Germany have now decoded the structure and the operating mechanism of the exosome, a macromolecular machine responsible for degradation of ribonucleic acids (RNAs) in eukaryotes.

Disturbed body image after central nervous system cancer Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:46 AM PST Survivors of cancer of the central nervous system (CNS) in childhood are at heightened risk for disturbance in body image and self-image in relation to sports or other physical activities, according to a new study from Sweden.

Elastography: New cancer detection method right around the corner; Norway and France in front Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:46 AM PST As the first countries in the world, Norway and France will be testing a completely new method for detecting cancer. This is done by measuring the elasticity of tumors. The method is called elastography. You may as well learn this new word right away; in a few years, elastography may be as common as X-rays.

Elusive taste stem cells identified Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:45 AM PST Scientists have identified the location and certain genetic characteristics of taste stem cells on the tongue. The findings will facilitate techniques to grow and manipulate new functional taste cells for both clinical and research purposes.

Health departments hindered in addressing health concerns from animal production sites, study finds Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:45 AM PST State and local health departments face significant barriers and usually do not get involved when confronted with public health concerns resulting from food animal production sites, according to a new study.

Dieting on radiation therapy may improve outcomes for breast cancer patients: New clinical trial to begin Posted: 04 Feb 2013 06:45 AM PST In February, researchers will begin a first-of-its-kind clinical trial that uses calorie restriction to help treat early stage breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Evidence suggests that reducing patients' calorie intake could help shrink tumors and improve survival because it enhances the effectiveness of radiation therapy, according to a recent review article.

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