الخميس، 8 ديسمبر 2016

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

Scientists uncover potential driver of age- and Alzheimer's-related memory loss

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 01:00 PM PST

Scientists have made an important discovery toward the development of drugs to treat age-related memory loss in diseases like Alzheimer's. They found that reduced levels of a protein called Rheb result in spontaneous symptoms of memory loss in animal models and are linked to increased levels of another protein known to be elevated in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients.

High-resolution brain scans could improve concussion detection

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 12:13 PM PST

High-resolution brain scans, coupled with computational analysis, could play a critical role in helping to detect concussions that conventional scans might miss, report investigators.

Disruption of the body's internal clock causes disruption of metabolic processes

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 12:12 PM PST

Chronobiologists have shown that the body's carbon monoxide metabolism is closely linked to the body's circadian (internal) clock. An article discussing the close reciprocal relationship between these two regulatory mechanisms has just been published.

Diabetes drug slows experimental Parkinson's disease progression, human trials to begin next year

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 11:32 AM PST

A new investigational drug originally developed for type 2 diabetes is being readied for human clinical trials in search of the world's first treatment to impede the progression of Parkinson's disease following publication of new research.

Chemical mosquito controls ineffective in Zika fight

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 11:27 AM PST

Some existing methods for controlling Zika-carrying mosquitoes are not effective and may even be counter-productive, according to research.

3-D structure of cell's inflammation sensor, its inhibitors revealed

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 11:07 AM PST

Researchers have now determined the 3-D structure of CCR2 simultaneously bound to two inhibitors. Understanding how these molecules fit together may better enable pharmaceutical companies to develop anti-inflammatory drugs that bind and inhibit CCR2 in a similar manner.

Novel label-free microscopy enables dynamic, high-resolution imaging of cell interactions

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 10:36 AM PST

Researchers have invented a novel live-cell imaging method that could someday help biologists better understand how stem cells transform into specialized cells and how diseases like cancer spread. The Photonic Crystal Enhanced Microscope (PCEM) is capable of monitoring and quantitatively measuring cell adhesion, a critical process involved cell migration, cell differentiation, cell division, and cell death.

Unique visual stimulation may be new treatment for Alzheimer's

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 10:35 AM PST

Using LED lights flickering at a specific frequency, researchers have shown that they can significantly reduce the beta amyloid plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease in the visual cortex of mice. This treatment appears to work by stimulating brain waves known as gamma oscillations, which the researchers discovered help the brain suppress beta amyloid production and invigorate cells responsible for destroying the plaques.

Stem cell-based test predicts leukemia patients' response to therapy to help tailor treatment

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 10:23 AM PST

Leukemia researchers have developed a 17-gene signature derived from leukemia stem cells that can predict at diagnosis if patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will respond to standard treatment.

Cancer spread is increased by a high fat diet, ground-breaking evidence shows

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 10:21 AM PST

New research shows that the metastatic process (cancer spread) is enhanced by fat intake. Mice given a high fat diet, including palmitic acid (a major component of palm oil which is found in lots of household products) developed the most aggressive cancer spread. The study identifies for the first time a protein called CD36 which has an essential role in cancer spreading.

Beware: Children can passively 'smoke' marijuana, too

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 09:41 AM PST

Relaxing with a joint around children is not very wise. Not only do youngsters inhale harmful secondary smoke in the process, but the psychoactive chemicals in the drug are taken up by their bodies as well.

Substance present in ayahuasca brew stimulates generation of human neural cells

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 09:41 AM PST

Human neural progenitors exposed to harmine, an alkaloid presented at the psychotropic plant decoction ayahuasca, led to a 70 percent increase in proliferation of these cells. The effect of generating new human neural cells involves the inhibition of DYRK1A, a gene that is over activated in patients with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. Thus harmine could have a potential neurogenesis role and possibly a therapeutic one over cognitive deficits.

Enzyme that digests vitamin A also may regulate testosterone levels

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 09:40 AM PST

Bco1, an enzyme that metabolizes beta carotene, may play a vital role in testosterone metabolism as well, according to a new study.

When neurons are 'born' impacts olfactory behavior in mice

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 09:15 AM PST

Neurons generated at different life stages in mice can impact aspects of their olfactory sense and behavior, report scientists.

Raising the curtain on cerebral malaria's deadly agents

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:30 AM PST

Using state-of-the-art brain imaging technology, scientists filmed what happens in the brains of mice that developed cerebral malaria (CM). The results reveal the processes that lead to fatal outcomes of the disease and suggest an antibody therapy that may treat it.

Rhythm of breathing affects memory, fear

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:30 AM PST

The rhythm of breathing creates electrical activity in the human brain that enhances emotional judgments and memory recall, scientists have discovered for the first time. These effects on behavior depend critically on whether you inhale or exhale and whether you breathe through the nose or mouth.

How our immune system targets TB

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:30 AM PST

Researchers have seen, for the very first time, how the human immune system recognizes tuberculosis (TB). These findings are the crucial step in developing better diagnostics and perhaps even vaccines for this deadly infection.

MRI scans detect 'brain rust' in schizophrenia

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:29 AM PST

A damaging chemical imbalance in the brain may contribute to schizophrenia, according to research.

The secret slimming effect of sweet potato waste

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:29 AM PST

The sweet potato pie you eat during the holidays might not be good for your waistline, but according to a new study, the starchy water left over from cooking the sweet potato could have slimming effects -- at least in mice.

Baby teethers soothe, but many contain low levels of BPA

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:29 AM PST

Bisphenol-A (BPA), parabens and antimicrobials are widely used in personal care products and plastics. The US and other governments have banned or restricted some of these compounds' use in certain products for babies and kids. But the compounds' presence in and leaching from teethers hasn't been thoroughly investigated. Now a study reports that all tested plastic teethers contained BPA and other endocrine-disruptors that leached at low levels.

MAO is a possible Alzheimer's disease biomarker

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:29 AM PST

Alzheimer's disease affects more than 35 million people, a number that is expected to increase in the coming years. Currently, Alzheimer's diagnoses rely on clinical neuropathologic assessment of amyloid-beta peptide aggregates (plaques) and neurofibrillary tangles. But now researchers reveal that an enzyme already implicated in a host of neural disorders could someday serve as a biomarker.

New moms moving toward pumped milk in a bottle

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:28 AM PST

New moms are increasingly using expressed breast milk (either pumped or expressed by hand) instead of directly breastfeeding their babies, according to a Canadian study.

Blood-brain barrier on a chip sheds new light on 'silent killer'

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:18 AM PST

The blood-brain barrier is a network of specialized cells that surrounds the arteries and veins within the brain. It forms a unique gateway that both provides brain cells with the nutrients they require and protects them from potentially harmful compounds.

Blood products unaffected by drone trips, study shows

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:17 AM PST

In what is believed to be the first proof-of-concept study of its kind, researchers have determined that large bags of blood products, such as those transfused into patients every day, can maintain temperature and cellular integrity while transported by drones.

Whiplash symptoms are caused by actual changes in the brain

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:13 AM PST

Study reveals changes in the regions of the brain connected to pain and posture processing. Whiplash symptoms that last years after a car accident but cannot be seen in tests could be down to previously unseen functional changes in the pain and posture processing parts of the brain, according to new research. The results of the study suggest close interaction between the neck and brain, resulting in changes in blood flow.

Working out the genetic risk for ADHD

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:13 AM PST

Genetics play a strong part in the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but the path from a gene to risk for the disorder has remained a black box to researchers.. A new study suggests how the risk gene ADGRL3 (LPHN3) might work. ADGRL3 encodes the protein latrophilin 3, which regulates communication between brain cells. According to the study, a common variation of the gene associated with ADHD disrupts its ability to regulate gene transcription - the formation of mRNA from DNA that leads to expression of the gene.

Safety in darkness: Team lays bare melanin's DNA guarding mechanism

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:13 AM PST

With a little help from chickens and video cameras, scientists have captured live the moment when skin gets darker. In a new study, a team has filmed and demystified the process by which melanin -- molecules that give skin its color -- are carried to the epidermis.

Major Urinary Proteins do not allow kin recognition in male mice

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:11 AM PST

The urine of house mice, unlike humans, contains large amounts of proteins, which are mainly major urinary proteins or MUPs. These proteins function to stabilize the release of volatile pheromones from urinary scent marks. MUP genes occur in a large cluster in mice, and there are 21 different MUP genes, whereas humans have only one MUP gene, which is no longer functional.

Molecular switches researched in detail

Posted: 07 Dec 2016 06:11 AM PST

Seeing, smelling, tasting, regulation of blood pressure – molecular switches are involved in all of these processes. The mechanism with which these proteins are switched off has been analysed by a research team. With the aid of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and computer simulations, they described the process at the subatomic level.

What makes a neuron a neuron?

Posted: 06 Dec 2016 09:58 AM PST

Two sibling RNA-binding proteins (PTBP1 and PTBP2) serve both redundant and unique functions in the developing brain when neural stem cells are changed into neurons, providing insight into how neurons are formed, report scientists.

New discovery at heart of healthy cereals

Posted: 06 Dec 2016 08:17 AM PST

Study reveals new information on how beta glucans in oats reduce blood cholesterol.

Genetic memory of starvation may curtail lifespan of men and male descendants

Posted: 06 Dec 2016 08:17 AM PST

New research suggests that periods of fasting or starvation may significantly shorten the lifespans of both children and their male descendants.

Cancer drug may cause women to grow new eggs, study suggests

Posted: 06 Dec 2016 08:16 AM PST

Women treated with a common chemotherapy drug combination have more young eggs in their ovaries afterwards, research has found.

3-D printed kidney phantoms aid nuclear medicine dosing calibration

Posted: 06 Dec 2016 08:14 AM PST

In nuclear medicine, the goal is to keep radiation exposure at a minimum, while obtaining quality images. Optimal dosing for individual patients can be difficult to determine. That's where 3-D printed organ models of varying size and shape could be of great use. Researchers demonstrate the value of 3D-printed kidney phantoms for quantitative SPECT/CT imaging.

Alternative option to intensive chemotherapy for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Posted: 06 Dec 2016 07:34 AM PST

A research team has evaluated the use of hypomethylating agents in patients suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) who were resistant to treatment with intensive chemotherapy.

New link discovered between class of rogue autoantibodies and poor health outcomes

Posted: 06 Dec 2016 07:33 AM PST

New evidence has been covered for a strong link between angiotensin receptor autoantibodies and increased risk of frailty. The research team reports that a large class of common blood pressure drugs that target the angiotensin receptor, called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), may help patients depending on the levels of the autoantibodies.

Scientists build new ultrasound device using 3D printing technology

Posted: 06 Dec 2016 06:42 AM PST

A new ultrasound device that produces sharper images through 3D printed lenses has been developed by a team of researchers. With clearer images, doctors and surgeons can have greater control and precision when performing non-invasive diagnostic procedures and medical surgeries.
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