ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• 'Fountain of youth' technique rejuvenates aging stem cells
• Study points to potential new therapies for cancer and other diseases
• Studies examine whether therapies for heart failure are associated with improved survival
• How infidelity helps nieces and nephews: Men may share more genes with sisters' kids than cheating wife's kids
• Four common antipsychotic drugs found to lack safety and effectiveness in older adults
• Common drug increases deaths in atrial fibrillation patients
• Possible trigger for multiple sclerosis nerve damage
• Reducing sibling rivalry in youth improves later health and well-being
• Compound found in rosemary protects against macular degeneration in laboratory model
• Vitamin D linked to lower rates of tooth decay
• Gene linked to respiratory distress in babies
• Safer spinach? Scientist's technique dramatically reduces E. coli numbers
• Measles vaccine given with a microneedle patch could boost immunization programs
• Sonar vision system for congenitally blind
• What keeps a cell's energy source going?
• Researchers study cry acoustics to determine risk for autism
• Man's best friend: Common canine virus may lead to new vaccines for deadly human diseases
• New understanding of X chromosome inactivation
• New test to help heavy drinkers reduce alcohol intake
• New behavioral strategies may help patients learn to better control chronic diseases
• Brief exercise immediately enhances memory: Results apply to older adults both with and without cognitive deficits
• New mechanism for cancer progression discovered
• Protein injection points to muscular dystrophy treatment
• Enzyme explains angina in diabetics
• Being bullied can cause trauma symptoms
• Chemical 'switches' for neurodegenerative diseases discovered
• Gene that causes tumor disorder linked to increased breast cancer risk
• 'Repurposed' anti-parasite drug shows promise as new tuberculosis treatment, research finds
• Smells like Christmas spirit: Researchers tie simple scent to increased retail sales
• Neuroimaging study: Negative messages less effective on those who are substance dependent
• Unique treatment proposed for children's 'hidden' neurological disorder
• Exercise rate related to improvements in Parkinson’s disease
• Too much or too little activity bad for knees

'Fountain of youth' technique rejuvenates aging stem cells Posted: 27 Nov 2012 04:12 PM PST A new method of growing cardiac tissue is teaching old stem cells new tricks. The discovery, which transforms aged stem cells into cells that function like much younger ones, may one day enable scientists to grow cardiac patches for damaged or diseased hearts from a patient's own stem cells -- no matter what age the patient -- while avoiding the threat of rejection.

Study points to potential new therapies for cancer and other diseases Posted: 27 Nov 2012 04:12 PM PST Researchers are fueling the future of cancer treatment by improving a powerful tool in disease defense: the body's immune system. By revealing a novel but widespread cell signaling process, the scientists may have found a way to manipulate an important component of the immune system into more effectively fighting disease.

Studies examine whether therapies for heart failure are associated with improved survival Posted: 27 Nov 2012 04:00 PM PST An analysis of two heart failure therapies finds differing outcomes regarding improvement in survival.

How infidelity helps nieces and nephews: Men may share more genes with sisters' kids than cheating wife's kids Posted: 27 Nov 2012 04:00 PM PST A new study produced new mathematical support for a theory that explains why men in some cultures often feed and care for their sisters' children: where extramarital sex is common and accepted, a man's genes are more likely to be passed on by their sister's kids than by their wife's kids.

Four common antipsychotic drugs found to lack safety and effectiveness in older adults Posted: 27 Nov 2012 04:00 PM PST In older adults, antipsychotic drugs are commonly prescribed off-label for a number of disorders outside of their Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indications -- schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The largest number of antipsychotic prescriptions in older adults is for behavioral disturbances associated with dementia, some of which carry FDA warnings on prescription information for these drugs.

Common drug increases deaths in atrial fibrillation patients Posted: 27 Nov 2012 12:42 PM PST Digoxin, a drug widely used to treat heart disease, increases the possibility of death when used by patients with a common heart rhythm problem -- atrial fibrillation (AF), according to new study findings. The results raises serious concerns about the expansive use of this long-standing heart medication in patients with AF.

Possible trigger for multiple sclerosis nerve damage Posted: 27 Nov 2012 12:42 PM PST High-resolution real-time images show in mice how nerves may be damaged during the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis. The results suggest that the critical step happens when fibrinogen, a blood-clotting protein, leaks into the central nervous system and activates immune cells called microglia.

Reducing sibling rivalry in youth improves later health and well-being Posted: 27 Nov 2012 12:42 PM PST Sibling conflict represents parents' number one concern and complaint about family life, but a new prevention program demonstrates that siblings of elementary-school age can learn to get along. In doing so, they can improve their future health and well-being.

Compound found in rosemary protects against macular degeneration in laboratory model Posted: 27 Nov 2012 12:42 PM PST Researchers report that carnosic acid, a component of the herb rosemary, promotes eye health. The team found that carnosic acid protects retinas from degeneration and toxicity in cell culture and in rodent models of light-induced retinal damage. Their findings suggest that carnosic acid may have clinical applications for the outer retina, including age-related macular degeneration.

Vitamin D linked to lower rates of tooth decay Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:03 AM PST Health scientists have long disputed the role of vitamin D in preventing tooth decay. A new review of existing studies suggests that vitamin D may indeed have a role in tooth health. The review encompassed 24 controlled clinical trials from the 1920s to the 1980s. About 3,000 children in several countries participated. Vitamin D levels in many populations are declining while dental caries in children are increasing.

Gene linked to respiratory distress in babies Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:02 AM PST Some infants are more susceptible to potentially life-threatening breathing problems after birth, and rare, inherited DNA differences may explain why, according to new research.

Safer spinach? Scientist's technique dramatically reduces E. coli numbers Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:02 AM PST Scientists have found a way to boost current industry capabilities when it comes to reducing the number of E. coli 0157:H7 cells that may live undetected on spinach leaves. By combining continuous ultrasound treatment with chlorine washing, they can reduce the total number of foodborne pathogenic bacteria by over 99.99 percent.

Measles vaccine given with a microneedle patch could boost immunization programs Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:02 AM PST Measles vaccine given with painless and easy-to-administer microneedle patches can immunize against measles at least as well as vaccine given with conventional hypodermic needles, according to new research.

Sonar vision system for congenitally blind Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:01 AM PST A "sonar vision" system that enables people who are blind from birth to perceive the shape of a face, a house or even words and letters, is now being developed. Using this device, the researchers have shown that, in people that are blind from birth, the areas of the cerebral cortex normally devoted to reading become activated in response to stimulation.

What keeps a cell's energy source going? Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:00 AM PST Most healthy cells rely on a complicated process to produce the fuel ATP. Knowing how ATP is produced by the cell's energy storehouse – the mitochondria -- is important for understanding a cell's normal state, as well as what happens when things go wrong, for example in cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and many rare disorders of the mitochondria.

Researchers study cry acoustics to determine risk for autism Posted: 27 Nov 2012 08:13 AM PST Researchers have been studying the cry acoustics of six-month-old infants. At-risk infants produced pain related cries with higher and more variable fundamental frequency (commonly referred to as "pitch") as compared to low-risk infants. A small number of the at-risk infants were later diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder at 36 months of age.

Man's best friend: Common canine virus may lead to new vaccines for deadly human diseases Posted: 27 Nov 2012 08:13 AM PST Researchers have discovered that a virus commonly found in dogs may serve as the foundation for the next great breakthrough in human vaccine development.

New understanding of X chromosome inactivation Posted: 27 Nov 2012 07:15 AM PST Scientists have broadened our understanding of how cells regulate silencing of the X chromosome in a process known as X-inactivation.

New test to help heavy drinkers reduce alcohol intake Posted: 27 Nov 2012 07:15 AM PST Researchers have developed a computer-based test that could help heavy drinkers reduce their alcohol consumption.

New behavioral strategies may help patients learn to better control chronic diseases Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:43 AM PST Physicians should take a serious look at tools and strategies used in behavioral economics and social psychology to help motivate their patients to assert better control over chronic diseases. Breaking large goals into smaller, more manageable parts, for example, may help patients better manage diseases such as diabetes.

Brief exercise immediately enhances memory: Results apply to older adults both with and without cognitive deficits Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:43 AM PST A short burst of moderate exercise enhances the consolidation of memories in both healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment, scientists have discovered.

New mechanism for cancer progression discovered Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:43 AM PST Researchers have discovered an alternative mechanism for activating rhe oncogene Ras that does not require mutation or hormonal stimulus.

Protein injection points to muscular dystrophy treatment Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:42 AM PST Scientists have discovered that injecting a novel human protein into muscle affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy significantly increases its size and strength, findings that could lead to a therapy akin to the use of insulin by diabetics.

Enzyme explains angina in diabetics Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:41 AM PST Scientists have shown that an enzyme called arginase might have a key part to play in the development of cardiovascular disease in patients who already have type II diabetes. According to the team, arginase prevents the formation of protective nitrogen oxide in the blood vessels, and treatments that inhibit this enzyme reduce the risk of angina in diabetics.

Being bullied can cause trauma symptoms Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:40 AM PST Problems caused by bullying do not necessarily cease when the abuse stops. Recent research shows that victims may need long-term support.

Chemical 'switches' for neurodegenerative diseases discovered Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:39 AM PST Researchers have identified and "switched off" a chemical chain that causes neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and dementia. The findings could one day be of particular therapeutic benefit to Huntington's disease patients.

Gene that causes tumor disorder linked to increased breast cancer risk Posted: 27 Nov 2012 06:38 AM PST New research showing a more than four-fold increase in the incidence of breast cancer in women with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) adds to growing evidence that women with this rare genetic disorder may benefit from early breast cancer screening with mammograms beginning at age 40, and manual breast exams as early as adolescence.

'Repurposed' anti-parasite drug shows promise as new tuberculosis treatment, research finds Posted: 26 Nov 2012 08:12 AM PST A well-established family of drugs used to treat parasitic diseases is showing surprising potential as a therapy for tuberculosis, according to new research.

Smells like Christmas spirit: Researchers tie simple scent to increased retail sales Posted: 26 Nov 2012 08:09 AM PST Scientists and business people have known for decades that certain scents -- pine boughs at Christmas, baked cookies in a house for sale -- can get customers in the buying spirit. Researchers have been homing in on just what makes the most commercially inspiring odor. They recently found that a simple scent works best.

Neuroimaging study: Negative messages less effective on those who are substance dependent Posted: 26 Nov 2012 08:09 AM PST What types of public messages will most likely deter drug and alcohol abuse? Negatively framed messages may not be an effective way to reach those most in need of persuasion, a new study suggests. "The findings are somewhat ironic because a whole lot of public service announcements say, 'Drugs are bad for you,' 'Just say no,' or 'This is your brain on drugs' with an image of an egg frying," said researcher Joshua Brown.

Unique treatment proposed for children's 'hidden' neurological disorder Posted: 26 Nov 2012 08:09 AM PST A new study proposes an innovative treatment for developmental coordination disorder, a potentially debilitating neurological disorder in which the development of a child's fine or gross motor skills, or both, is impaired. Affecting one in 20 children, predominantly boys, the condition has broad academic, social and emotional impact. It can severely affect reading, spelling and handwriting abilities and lead to problems with self-esteem, obesity and injury.

Exercise rate related to improvements in Parkinson’s disease Posted: 26 Nov 2012 08:09 AM PST People with Parkinson's disease benefit from exercise programs on stationary bicycles, with the greatest effect for those who pedal faster, according to a new study.

Too much or too little activity bad for knees Posted: 26 Nov 2012 08:09 AM PST Both very high and very low levels of physical activity can accelerate the degeneration of knee cartilage in middle-aged adults, according to a new study.

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