ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Better management of traumatic brain injury
• Novel anti-malarial drug target identified
• New report describes seven essential steps toward an AIDS-free generation
• Farmers tough on artificial limbs
• What 10,000 fruit flies have to tell us about differences between the sexes
• In utero exposure to diesel exhaust a possible risk factor for obesity
• Viruses' copying mechanism demystified, opening the door to new vaccine strategies
• Entire genetic sequence of individual human sperm determined
• New technique reveals cross-talk between two essential cellular processes
• Unprecedented snapshot of single sperm cell's genome
• Locating muscle proteins
• One step closer to growing a tooth
• Potent new compound virtually eliminates HIV in cell culture
• Menu labeling requirements lead to healthier options at chain restaurants
• Scientists discover melanoma-driving genetic changes caused by sun damage
• Hundreds of random mutations in leukemia linked to aging, not cancer
• Inflammatory pathway spurs cancer stem cells to resist HER2-targeted breast cancer treatment
• Does presence of oxidants early in life help determine life span?
• Like a transformer? Protein unfolds and refolds for new function
• Cell division: Puzzling findings relating to centromere structure reconciled
• The yin and yang of stem cell quiescence and proliferation
• Anti-tau drug improves cognition, decreases tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease models
• Reorganizing brain could lead to new stroke, tinnitus treatments
• A good night's sleep could keep you out of a nursing home
• What would Batman eat?
• How does fat influence flavor perception?
• Skin has an internal clock
• Mild HIV type slows development of AIDS and makes new preventive treatments possible
• New agents join the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria
• Scientists have developed a way to detect superparasites
• Spatial knowledge vs. spatial choice: The hippocampus as conflict detector?
• Short-term intestinal parasite infection triggers specific cytokines that can prevent the development of type 1 diabetes
• Blood condition is highly predictive of graft failure in pediatric kidney transplant
• What did we learn from the 2010 California whooping cough epidemic?
• Child's behavior linked to father-infant interactions, study shows
• Botanical compound could prove crucial to healing influenza

Better management of traumatic brain injury Posted: 19 Jul 2012 06:27 PM PDT New treatments to lessen the severity of the more than 21,000 traumatic brain injury cases that occur in Australia each year are on the horizon.

Novel anti-malarial drug target identified Posted: 19 Jul 2012 01:18 PM PDT Scientists have identified the first reported inhibitors of a key enzyme involved in survival of the parasite responsible for malaria. Their findings may provide the basis for anti-malarial drug development.

New report describes seven essential steps toward an AIDS-free generation Posted: 19 Jul 2012 12:33 PM PDT The end of AIDS is within our reach. But as the authors point out, new financial investments -- and renewed commitments -- from countries around the world will be critical to fully implement proven treatment and prevention tools already at hand and to continue essential scientific research.

Farmers tough on artificial limbs Posted: 19 Jul 2012 12:33 PM PDT When a farmer or rancher is injured on the job, there's an 11 percent chance that an amputation will occur. That's two and a half times more likely than in any other industry. Most of these amputations involve fingers or toes. But the artificial hands, arms, legs, feet and other prostheses used by agricultural workers with a major limb amputation don't seem to be durable, affordable or adaptable enough for their lifestyles, according to a new study.

What 10,000 fruit flies have to tell us about differences between the sexes Posted: 19 Jul 2012 11:18 AM PDT What do you get when you dissect 10,000 fruit fly larvae? Scientists have discovered a way in which cells can adjust the activity of many different genes at once. Their findings overturn commonly held views and reveal an important mechanism behind sex differences.

In utero exposure to diesel exhaust a possible risk factor for obesity Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:29 AM PDT Pregnant mice exposed to high levels of air pollution gave birth to offspring with a significantly higher rate of obesity and insulin resistance in adulthood than those that were not exposed to air pollution. This effect seemed especially prevalent in male mice, which were heavier regardless of diet. These findings suggests a link between diesel exhaust exposure in utero and bulging waistlines in adulthood.

Viruses' copying mechanism demystified, opening the door to new vaccine strategies Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:28 AM PDT Certain kinds of viruses such as those that cause the common cold and hepatitis, copy themselves using a unique mechanism, according to scientists. The discovery sheds light on a never-before-understood region of an enzyme associated with the process of replicating genetic material. The research is an important step toward designing vaccines against viruses that have eluded vaccination strategies in the past, and improving existing vaccines.

Entire genetic sequence of individual human sperm determined Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:28 AM PDT The entire genomes of 91 human sperm from one man have been sequenced. The results provide a fascinating glimpse into naturally occurring genetic variation in one individual, and are the first to report the whole-genome sequence of a human gamete -- the only cells that become a child and through which parents pass on physical traits.

New technique reveals cross-talk between two essential cellular processes Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:28 AM PDT Scientists have simultaneously mapped two of the most important types of protein-modification in cells, revealing their extensive cooperation during an essential cellular process.

Unprecedented snapshot of single sperm cell's genome Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:28 AM PDT Every sperm cell looks essentially the same, with that characteristic tadpole appearance. But inside, sperm cells carry differences within their genes. Now, researchers provide a detailed picture of how the cell's DNA varies. The techniques used could be helpful for understanding male reproductive disorders or, when applied to other areas of research, for characterizing normal and diseased cells in the body.

Locating muscle proteins Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:27 AM PDT Scientists are bringing the basis of muscle movement into sharper focus. Muscle contraction and many other movement processes are controlled by the interplay between myosin and actin filaments. Two further proteins, tropomyosin and troponin, regulate how myosin binds to actin. While theoretical models have in fact described exactly how these muscle proteins interact, this interaction has never previously been observed in detail.

One step closer to growing a tooth Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:27 AM PDT To build a tooth, a detailed recipe to instruct cells to differentiate towards proper lineages and form dental cells is needed. Researchers have now found a marker for dental stem cells. They showed that the transcription factor Sox2 is specifically expressed in stem cells of the mouse front tooth.

Potent new compound virtually eliminates HIV in cell culture Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:27 AM PDT A new study shows, in cell culture, a natural compound can virtually eliminate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in infected cells. The compound defines a novel class of HIV anti-viral drugs endowed with the capacity to repress viral replication in acutely and chronically infected cells.

Menu labeling requirements lead to healthier options at chain restaurants Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:27 AM PDT The recent Supreme Court decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has cleared the way for national requirements about posting nutritional information at chain restaurants. Listing calories, fat content, and sodium levels of menu items at the point of purchase has been promoted as a way to address the obesity epidemic. Increased awareness may lead to healthier consumer choices, and may encourage restaurants to adapt their menus to meet demand.

Scientists discover melanoma-driving genetic changes caused by sun damage Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:26 AM PDT It's been a burning question in melanoma research: Tumor cells are full of ultraviolet (UV)-induced genetic damage caused by sunlight exposure, but which mutations drive this cancer?

Hundreds of random mutations in leukemia linked to aging, not cancer Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:26 AM PDT Hundreds of mutations exist in leukemia cells at the time of diagnosis, but nearly all occur randomly as a part of normal aging and are not related to cancer, new research shows.

Inflammatory pathway spurs cancer stem cells to resist HER2-targeted breast cancer treatment Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:26 AM PDT Researchers have discovered one reason why the cancer cells become resistant to Herceptin: They turn on a completely different pathway, one that is involved in inflammation, fueling the cancer independently of HER2.

Does presence of oxidants early in life help determine life span? Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:25 AM PDT Why do we age, and what makes some of us live longer than others? For decades, researchers have been trying to answer these questions by elucidating the molecular causes of aging. The ability to deal with and recover from early oxidative stress might be a harbinger of lifespan, an animal study suggests.

Like a transformer? Protein unfolds and refolds for new function Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:25 AM PDT New research has shown that a protein does something that scientists once thought impossible: It unfolds itself and refolds into a completely new shape. When it refolds, it acquires a new function – another finding researchers would not have predicted.

Cell division: Puzzling findings relating to centromere structure reconciled Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:25 AM PDT Scientists have developed an innovative method to count the number of fluorescent molecules in a cluster and then applied the novel approach to settle a debate rampant among cell biologists —- namely, how DNA twists into a unique chromosomal structure called the centromere. Knowing this helps explain how cells navigate the hazards of division and avoid the disastrous consequences of ending up with the wrong number of chromosomes.

The yin and yang of stem cell quiescence and proliferation Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:25 AM PDT Non-canonical Wnt-signaling maintains a quiescent pool of blood-forming stem cells in mouse bone marrow.

Anti-tau drug improves cognition, decreases tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease models Posted: 19 Jul 2012 08:52 AM PDT An anti-tau treatment called epithilone D (EpoD) was effective in preventing and intervening the progress of Alzheimer's disease in animal models, improving neuron function and cognition, as well as decreasing tau pathology.

Reorganizing brain could lead to new stroke, tinnitus treatments Posted: 19 Jul 2012 08:13 AM PDT Researchers recently demonstrated how nerve stimulation paired with specific experiences, such as movements or sounds, can reorganize the brain. This technology could lead to new treatments for stroke, tinnitus, autism and other disorders.

A good night's sleep could keep you out of a nursing home Posted: 19 Jul 2012 08:09 AM PDT Scientists have discovered another possible benefit of a night of restful and uninterrupted sleep. According to researchers, fragmented or interrupted sleep could predict future placement in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

What would Batman eat? Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:52 AM PDT Researches examined whether the priming of a role model's food choices or the priming of healthy foods could influence children to make healthier fast food choices. Forty-five percent of the children selected apple fries after being shown pictures of superheroes and other role models, compared to 9 percent who chose apple fries with no superhero prompts. Parents using this tactic with their kids might be a realistic step to a healthier fast-food world.

How does fat influence flavor perception? Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:50 AM PDT Fat in food can reduce activity in several areas of the brain which are responsible for processing taste, aroma and reward.

Skin has an internal clock Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:36 AM PDT Human skin has an internal clock responsible for the time-based steering of its repair and regeneration, among other things. Our skin is one of the body's essential organs and perhaps the most versatile: Besides representative, communicative and sensory functions, it serves as our body's boundary to the environment, forms an active and passive barrier against germs and helps keeping conditions constant for other important systems of the body, even though environmental conditions can change drastically. Frost, heat, sunlight and moisture — a variety of challenges for our skin — have different effects depending on the time of day.

Mild HIV type slows development of AIDS and makes new preventive treatments possible Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:36 AM PDT A new study has opened the way for new approaches to slowing the development of AIDS in HIV-1-infected patients. It is hoped that this could lead to better treatment methods and preventive measures to combat HIV and AIDS.

New agents join the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT The World Health Organization (WHO) has named antimicrobial resistance one of the most important threats to human health. Scientists have now demonstrated that a new class of chemically produced antimicrobial agents could become a future infection treatment alternative. These findings are another advance for researchers in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Scientists have developed a way to detect superparasites Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT Scientists have made a breakthrough in bridging high tech molecular biology research on microbial pathogens and the needs of the poorest of the poor. After sequencing the complete genome of Leishmania donovani (a parasite causing one of the most important tropical diseases after malaria) in hundreds of clinical isolates, they identified a series of mutations specific of 'superparasites' and developed a simple assay that should allow tracking them anywhere.

Spatial knowledge vs. spatial choice: The hippocampus as conflict detector? Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT Hippocampal NMDA receptors in the brain help to make the right decision when faced with complex orientation problems

Short-term intestinal parasite infection triggers specific cytokines that can prevent the development of type 1 diabetes Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:32 AM PDT Short-term infection with intestinal worms may provide long-term protection against type I diabetes (TID), suggests a new study. The incidence of TID is relatively low in developing countries. One explanation for this phenomenon is the prevalence of chronic intestinal worm infections, which dampen the self-aggressive T cells that cause diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.

Blood condition is highly predictive of graft failure in pediatric kidney transplant Posted: 19 Jul 2012 05:26 AM PDT For children receiving kidney transplants, a potentially correctable blood condition present in about one in four recipients is associated with a moderately increased risk of the graft's later failure, suggesting that clinicians should weigh whether transplant is advisable when the condition is present, according to new research.

What did we learn from the 2010 California whooping cough epidemic? Posted: 19 Jul 2012 05:25 AM PDT Because whooping cough (pertussis) is almost as contagious as measles (affecting ~12-17 individuals with each case), clinicians are required to report cases of this bacterial respiratory tract infection to the state's department of public health. In 2010, California had the highest number of cases of whooping cough in 60 years. A new study describes the 2010 whooping cough epidemic and details strategies to decrease the incidence of this infection.

Child's behavior linked to father-infant interactions, study shows Posted: 18 Jul 2012 04:26 PM PDT Children whose fathers are more positively engaged with them at age three months have fewer behavioral problems at age twelve months, according to new research. The study suggests that interventions aimed at improving parent-child interaction in the early post-natal period may be beneficial to the child's behavior later on in life.

Botanical compound could prove crucial to healing influenza Posted: 18 Jul 2012 01:49 PM PDT Building on previous work with the botanical abscisic acida, researchers have discovered that abscisic acid has anti-inflammatory effects in the lungs as well as in the gut.

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