ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Monoclonal antibody effective against norovirus
• Genetic glitch at the root of allergies revealed
• HPV's link to esophageal cancer
• Brain research shows psychopathic criminals do not lack empathy, but fail to use it automatically
• Potential cause of Parkinson’s disease points to new therapeutic strategy
• Large study reveals increased cancer risks associated with family history of the disease
• A promising target to treat asthma
• Improving medicine acceptance in kids: A matter of taste
• Nano scientists reach holy grail in label-free cancer marker detection: Single molecules
• Heading for regeneration: Researchers reactivate head regeneration in regeneration-deficient species of planarians
• New light shed on cause of pandemic influenza
• Key molecular pathways leading to Alzheimer's identified
• Marijuana use in adolescence may cause permanent brain abnormalities, mouse study suggests
• Want to stick with your diet? Better have someone hide the chocolate
• Scientists unable to find evidence of 'embryonic-like' cells in marrow of adult mice
• New study refutes existence and clinical potential of very small embryonic-like stem cells
• Novel technology seen as new, more accurate way to diagnose and treat autism
• First human tests of new biosensor that warns when athletes are about to 'hit the wall'
• Pressurized virus blasts its infectious DNA into human cells
• Record incidence of hantavirus disease
• Physical inactivity, poor diet and smoking linked to disability in older population
• A quick test for the Black Death
• Does the dangerous new Middle East coronavirus have an African origin?
• Pupils discover new treatment to stop the spread of worm infection
• New stem cell gene therapy gives hope to prevent inherited neurological disease
• Low radon concentrations accurately measurable for the first time
• Embedded nerve cells hold the key to brain activity
• Smoking cessation two by two
• Copper nanoparticles could protect food from bacteria
• Between B cells and T cells: Transcription factor EBF1 reminds cells who they are
• Keeping centrioles in check to ensure proper cell division
• Cannabis constituent has no effect on multiple sclerosis progression, study shows
• A ginkgo biloba extract promotes proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells
• Putting the brakes on inflammation: Signal prevents immune system from spinning out of control
• 'Dead' gene comes to life, puts chill on inflammation
• Platelet activation inhibits the host cell entry of HIV

Monoclonal antibody effective against norovirus Posted: 24 Jul 2013 05:06 PM PDT Researchers have provided the first proof of concept data showing that a monoclonal antibody can neutralize human norovirus. This research could one day lead to effective therapies against the virus.

Genetic glitch at the root of allergies revealed Posted: 24 Jul 2013 05:06 PM PDT Newly published research reveals that a faulty genetic pathway already known for its role in some connective tissue disorders is also a potent player in many types of allergies. Scientists have long understood that allergies are the result of a complex interplay between environment and genes, but now, in what investigators believe is a scientific first, a single genetic pathway has been implicated in an array of allergic disorders.

HPV's link to esophageal cancer Posted: 24 Jul 2013 05:04 PM PDT The human papillomavirus triples the risk of people developing yet another cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, according to new research.

Brain research shows psychopathic criminals do not lack empathy, but fail to use it automatically Posted: 24 Jul 2013 05:04 PM PDT A brain imaging study in the Netherlands shows individuals with psychopathy have reduced empathy while witnessing the pains of others. When asked to empathize, however, they can activate their empathy.

Potential cause of Parkinson’s disease points to new therapeutic strategy Posted: 24 Jul 2013 05:02 PM PDT Biologists have made a significant discovery that could lead to a new therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease. The findings focus on an enzyme known as parkin, whose absence causes an early-onset form of Parkinson's disease. Precisely how the loss of this enzyme leads to the deaths of neurons has been unclear. But the TSRI researchers showed that parkin's loss sharply reduces the level of another protein that normally helps protect neurons from stress.

Large study reveals increased cancer risks associated with family history of the disease Posted: 24 Jul 2013 05:02 PM PDT A family history of cancer increases the risk of other members of the family developing not only the same cancer but also a different (discordant) cancer, according to a large study of 23,000 people in Italy and Switzerland. The research is one of the few large studies of this kind that takes into account other important factors, such as individual characteristics and lifestyles, that could affect the degree of risk as well.

A promising target to treat asthma Posted: 24 Jul 2013 04:59 PM PDT Scientists have found a promising, new way to treat asthma: Target an enzyme in airway lining cells. The finding could lead to the development of drugs that block the enzyme, CaMKII, from excessive oxidation, which can trigger asthma attacks.

Improving medicine acceptance in kids: A matter of taste Posted: 24 Jul 2013 10:43 AM PDT Many children reject medicines due to an aversion to bitter taste. As such, bitterness presents a key obstacle to the acceptance and effectiveness of beneficial drugs by children worldwide. A new review addresses this critical problem by highlighting recent advances in the scientific understanding of bitter taste, with special attention to the sensory world of children.

Nano scientists reach holy grail in label-free cancer marker detection: Single molecules Posted: 24 Jul 2013 10:43 AM PDT Scientists have announced a nano-enhanced version of a biosensor has detected a single cancer marker protein and even smaller molecules below the mass of all known markers. This achievement sets a new benchmark for the most sensitive limit of detection, and may significantly advance early disease diagnostics.

Heading for regeneration: Researchers reactivate head regeneration in regeneration-deficient species of planarians Posted: 24 Jul 2013 10:40 AM PDT Rabbits can't do it, neither can frogs, but zebrafish and axolotls can and flatworms are true masters of the craft: regeneration. Why some animals can re-grow lost body parts or organs while others cannot remains a big mystery. And even more intriguing to us regeneration-challenged humans is the question whether one might be able to activate regenerative abilities in species that don't usually regenerate.

New light shed on cause of pandemic influenza Posted: 24 Jul 2013 10:31 AM PDT With the use of sophisticated mathematical modelling techniques, mathematicians have completed a study that explains the phenomenon of multiple waves of influenza pandemic in the last century.

Key molecular pathways leading to Alzheimer's identified Posted: 24 Jul 2013 10:30 AM PDT Key molecular pathways that lead to late-onset Alzheimer's disease have been identified by neuroscientists. The findings present a new approach to Alzheimer's research and highlight several new potential drug targets.

Marijuana use in adolescence may cause permanent brain abnormalities, mouse study suggests Posted: 24 Jul 2013 09:50 AM PDT Regular marijuana use in adolescence, but not adulthood, may permanently impair brain function and cognition, and may increase the risk of developing serious psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, according to a recent study.

Want to stick with your diet? Better have someone hide the chocolate Posted: 24 Jul 2013 09:49 AM PDT If you are trying to lose weight or save for the future, new research suggests avoiding temptation may increase your chances of success compared to relying on willpower alone.

Scientists unable to find evidence of 'embryonic-like' cells in marrow of adult mice Posted: 24 Jul 2013 09:49 AM PDT Research on human embryonic stem cells has been a political and religious lightning rod for more than a decade. Scientists say they have been unable to identify any very small, pluripotent cells in the bone marrow of mice, despite exhaustive efforts to duplicate the original experimental procedures.

New study refutes existence and clinical potential of very small embryonic-like stem cells Posted: 24 Jul 2013 09:49 AM PDT Scientists have reported that very small embryonic-like stem cells, which can be isolated from blood or bone marrow, could represent an alternative to embryonic stem cells. But their very existence is debated, and a new study provides strong evidence against the existence of VSELs capable of turning into different cell types. The findings call into question plans to launch a clinical trial aimed at testing whether VSELs can be used for regenerative medicine in humans.

Novel technology seen as new, more accurate way to diagnose and treat autism Posted: 24 Jul 2013 09:48 AM PDT Researchers have developed a new screening and tracking tool for diagnosing autism. The method holds promise as a method to introduce interventions.

First human tests of new biosensor that warns when athletes are about to 'hit the wall' Posted: 24 Jul 2013 08:43 AM PDT A new biosensor, applied to the human skin like a temporary tattoo, can alert marathoners, competitive bikers and other "extreme" athletes that they're about to "bonk," or "hit the wall," scientists are reporting.

Pressurized virus blasts its infectious DNA into human cells Posted: 24 Jul 2013 08:42 AM PDT The virus that causes those painful lip blisters known as cold sores has an internal pressure eight times higher than a car tire, and uses it to literally blast its infectious DNA into human cells, scientists are reporting in a new study. Discovery of the pressure-driven infection mechanism -- the first in a human virus -- opens the door to new treatments for viral infections, they add in a new study.

Record incidence of hantavirus disease Posted: 24 Jul 2013 08:41 AM PDT 2824 new cases of hantavirus disease were reported in Germany in 2012, the highest number ever in a single year.

Physical inactivity, poor diet and smoking linked to disability in older population Posted: 24 Jul 2013 07:32 AM PDT An unhealthy lifestyle is associated with a greater likelihood of developing disability over the age of 65, with the risk increasing progressively with the number of unhealthy behaviors, suggests a new article.

A quick test for the Black Death Posted: 24 Jul 2013 07:27 AM PDT Diagnosing the presence of Yersinia pestis, the cause of plague, may soon be easier than ever before. Scientists have come up with a simple, inexpensive and reliable method of detecting the bacterium. The research team, specialising in glycochemistry and glycobiology, first identified and synthesised an oligosaccharide structure on bacterial surface before combining it with a protein to heighten the immunological effect. The presence of antibodies against this surface glycan in the blood of infected patients can be a biomarker of diagnostic value in Yersinia pestis infections. The Potsdam-based scientists also used the antigen to create antibodies which can directly detect the plague pathogen in infected samples.

Does the dangerous new Middle East coronavirus have an African origin? Posted: 24 Jul 2013 07:27 AM PDT The MERS-coronavirus is regarded as a dangerous novel pathogen: Almost 50 people have died from infection with the virus since it was first discovered in 2012. To date all cases are connected with the Arabian peninsula. Scientists have now detected a virus in the faeces of a South African bat that is genetically more closely related to MERS-CoV than any other known virus. The scientists therefore believe that African bats may play a role in the evolution of MERS-CoV predecessor viruses.

Pupils discover new treatment to stop the spread of worm infection Posted: 24 Jul 2013 07:27 AM PDT Pupils from inner-city Manchester have been working with scientists at The University of Manchester to carry out research into a condition which affects around one billion people worldwide. The 29 youngsters from Trinity Church of England High School in Hulme, conducted an eight-week experiment with scientists from the University's Institute of Inflammation and Repair looking at the development of eggs from worms that infect your gut.

New stem cell gene therapy gives hope to prevent inherited neurological disease Posted: 24 Jul 2013 07:27 AM PDT Scientists have used stem cell gene therapy to treat a fatal genetic brain disease in mice for the first time.

Low radon concentrations accurately measurable for the first time Posted: 24 Jul 2013 07:26 AM PDT You can't see it, you can't smell it, you can't taste it -- but at high doses, it can be lethal: the natural radioactive noble gas radon occurs especially in places where the subsoil consists of granite. It can, however, also occur in construction materials. It has been known for a long time that radon at high doses can cause lung cancer -- numerous workers from the Wismut-Werke uranium mines in the former GDR died of it. Now, scientists, however, deem radon to be dangerous also at low concentrations and therefore have increased the classification of its radiation effects: radon gas is now officially classified as contributing just as strongly to the exposure rate of the general public as medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Embedded nerve cells hold the key to brain activity Posted: 24 Jul 2013 07:26 AM PDT Understanding complex systems such as the brain of mammals: Dr. Arvind Kumar and colleagues from the Bernstein Center and the Cluster of Excellence BrainLinks-BrainTools at the University of Freiburg present a new view on brain function. Much of today's brain research follows an approach that has been in use for decades: An area of the brain is either silenced of augmented in its activity, and the resulting effects in other parts of the brain -- or in the whole organ -- are measured. While this approach is very successful in understanding how the brain processes input from our senses, a team of scientists argues that it is too simple when trying to understand other brain regions.

Smoking cessation two by two Posted: 24 Jul 2013 07:26 AM PDT To quit smoking is not easy. Support from one's partner can help -- but only if the smokers have developed skills of their own that help them to stop, according to a new study.

Copper nanoparticles could protect food from bacteria Posted: 24 Jul 2013 07:15 AM PDT Scientists have found a new way to stop dangerous bacteria like E.coli before they attack. He embeds copper nanoparticles into vermiculite, an inexpensive, inert compound. Copper has been known for centuries for its antibiotic properties.

Between B cells and T cells: Transcription factor EBF1 reminds cells who they are Posted: 23 Jul 2013 08:37 AM PDT Mature cells develop through a number of immature stages. During this process, they must remember the specialization they are committed to. For immune system B cells, researchers have discovered that the transcription factor EBF1 is crucial for B cells to remember who they are.

Keeping centrioles in check to ensure proper cell division Posted: 23 Jul 2013 08:37 AM PDT How cell division occurs and is coordinated with organismal development is subject of intense research interest, as is how this process malfunctions in the development of tumors. Researchers have been investigating how the duplication of centrioles is coordinated with the cell cycle.

Cannabis constituent has no effect on multiple sclerosis progression, study shows Posted: 23 Jul 2013 08:37 AM PDT The first large non-commercial clinical study to investigate whether the main active constituent of cannabis (tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) is effective in slowing the course of progressive multiple sclerosis, shows that there is no evidence to suggest this; although benefits were noted for those at the lower end of the disability scale.

A ginkgo biloba extract promotes proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells Posted: 23 Jul 2013 08:37 AM PDT Neural stem cells proliferate in the subventricular zone and hippocampal dentate gyrus of adult mammals. However, the number of endogenous neural stem cells is insufficient to prevent cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injuries such as vascular dementia, so it is important to stimulate endogenous neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. The ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 effectively and safely treats memory loss and cognitive impairments in patients with senile dementia.

Putting the brakes on inflammation: Signal prevents immune system from spinning out of control Posted: 23 Jul 2013 07:34 AM PDT Researchers discovered a previously unknown mechanism that prevents the immune system from going into overdrive. The findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying autoimmune disorders such as Crohn's disease, allergies, chronic inflammation and cancer, and offer potential applications for therapies.

'Dead' gene comes to life, puts chill on inflammation Posted: 23 Jul 2013 05:13 AM PDT A gene long presumed dead comes to life under the full moon of inflammation, scientists have found.

Platelet activation inhibits the host cell entry of HIV Posted: 23 Jul 2013 04:40 AM PDT Infection biologists have found evidence that platelets (thrombocytes) might constitute an innate defense against infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HI-viruses are the cause of the immune deficiency disease AIDS.

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