ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Human heart tissue development slower than other mammals
• Multiple tests needed to detect infection in low birth-weight newborns, study suggests
• Organic tomatoes accumulate more vitamin C, sugars than conventionally grown fruit
• Using 3-D printing and injectable molds, bioengineered ears look and act like the real thing
• Bracelet-like device controls chronic acid reflux
• Omega-3 lipid emulsions markedly protect brain after stroke in mouse study
• Signaling pathway linked to fetal alcohol risk: Molecular switch promises new targets for diagnosis and therapy
• Background checks, permanent records needed for all firearm transfers, not just gun sales by retailers, experts urge
• Bullied children can suffer lasting psychological harm as adults
• New emphysema procedure tested
• Employees shed pounds in worksite-based weight loss intervention with behavioral counseling
• Antioxidants in your diet may not reduce risk of stroke or dementia, study suggests
• New injectable hydrogel encourages regeneration and improves functionality after a heart attack
• Genome-wide imaging study identifies new gene associated with Alzheimer's plaques
• Informatics tools underutilized in prevention of hospital-acquired infection
• Variations in four genes associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer
• Mushroom-supplemented soybean extract shows therapeutic promise for advanced prostate cancer
• Resveratrol shows promise to protect hearing, cognition
• Secrets of human speech uncovered
• Gains made towards treatment of rare bone disease
• Smoking cessation in old age: Less heart attacks and strokes within five years
• Children with brain lesions able to use gestures important to language learning
• Fragile X makes brain cells talk too much
• Human cognition depends upon slow-firing neurons
• Cure for common hangover? 'Pill' mimics action of human liver in fighting alcohol intoxication
• Being stoic for the spouse's sake comes at a high cost
• Healthy rivalry could boost sport and business performance
• Modifying infant's diet may reduce celiac disease risk, Swedish study suggests
• New therapeutics could accelerate wound healing
• Cost of medication and stigma leading asthma sufferers to risk health
• Balsam for the Bones: Chemists develop a nanopaste for the repair of bone defects
• High glycemic index foods and dairy products linked to acne
• Molecular basis identified for tissue specific immune regulation in the eye and kidney
• Lack of sleep? Keep away from the buffet
• Bilingual children have a better 'working memory' than monolingual children
• Biological marker of dyslexia discovered: Ability to consistently encode sound undergirds the reading process

Human heart tissue development slower than other mammals Posted: 20 Feb 2013 05:37 PM PST The walls of the human heart are a disorganized jumble of tissue until relatively late in pregnancy, despite having the shape of a fully functioning heart, according to a pioneering study.

Multiple tests needed to detect infection in low birth-weight newborns, study suggests Posted: 20 Feb 2013 03:49 PM PST New research finds that cultures commonly used to detect bacterial infections in low birth-weight newborns with early onset sepsis may actually overlook some germs.

Organic tomatoes accumulate more vitamin C, sugars than conventionally grown fruit Posted: 20 Feb 2013 03:49 PM PST Tomatoes grown on organic farms accumulate higher concentrations of sugars, vitamin C and compounds associated with oxidative stress compared to those grown on conventional farms, according to new research.

Using 3-D printing and injectable molds, bioengineered ears look and act like the real thing Posted: 20 Feb 2013 03:47 PM PST Bioengineers and physicians have created an artificial ear -- using 3-D printing and injectable molds -- that looks and acts like a natural ear, giving new hope to thousands of children born with a congenital deformity called microtia. Scientists have described how 3-D printing and injectable gels made of living cells can fashion ears that are practically identical to a human ear. Over a three-month period, these flexible ears grew cartilage to replace the collagen that was used to mold them.

Bracelet-like device controls chronic acid reflux Posted: 20 Feb 2013 03:47 PM PST A bracelet-like device with magnetic beads can control the chronic digestive disorder gastroesophageal reflux disease, according to a new study.

Omega-3 lipid emulsions markedly protect brain after stroke in mouse study Posted: 20 Feb 2013 03:47 PM PST Triglyceride lipid emulsions rich in an omega-3 fatty acid injected within a few hours of an ischemic stroke can decrease the amount of damaged brain tissue by 50 percent or more in mice, reports a new study. The results suggest that the emulsions may be able to reduce some of the long-term neurological and behavioral problems seen in human survivors of neonatal stroke and possibly of adult stroke, as well.

Signaling pathway linked to fetal alcohol risk: Molecular switch promises new targets for diagnosis and therapy Posted: 20 Feb 2013 02:07 PM PST Scientists have identified a molecular signaling pathway that plays an important role in the development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Background checks, permanent records needed for all firearm transfers, not just gun sales by retailers, experts urge Posted: 20 Feb 2013 01:36 PM PST Gun violence in the United States can be substantially reduced if Congress expands requirements for background checks on retail gun sales to cover firearm transfers between private parties, a new report concludes.

Bullied children can suffer lasting psychological harm as adults Posted: 20 Feb 2013 01:36 PM PST Bullied children grow into adults who are at increased risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression and suicidal thoughts, according to a new study.

New emphysema procedure tested Posted: 20 Feb 2013 01:36 PM PST Medical researchers have just treated the first patient in the United States in an experimental lung reduction procedure for emphysema.

Employees shed pounds in worksite-based weight loss intervention with behavioral counseling Posted: 20 Feb 2013 01:35 PM PST Workplace-based programs that include dietary advice coupled with behavioral counseling appear to be a promising approach for men and women with significant weight loss goals, based on the results of a pilot study. Employees enrolled in the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial lost on average, 18 pounds over a six-month period compared to a two pound weight gain in a control group.

Antioxidants in your diet may not reduce risk of stroke or dementia, study suggests Posted: 20 Feb 2013 01:35 PM PST Contrary to other research, a new study found that the total level of antioxidants in people's diets is not related to their risk of developing stroke or dementia. Antioxidants such as lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamins C and E are found in many foods.

New injectable hydrogel encourages regeneration and improves functionality after a heart attack Posted: 20 Feb 2013 12:37 PM PST Bioengineers have demonstrated in a study in pigs that a new injectable hydrogel can repair damage from heart attacks, help the heart grow new tissue and blood vessels, and get the heart moving closer to how a healthy heart should.

Genome-wide imaging study identifies new gene associated with Alzheimer's plaques Posted: 20 Feb 2013 12:37 PM PST A study combining genetic data with brain imaging, designed to identify genes associated with the amyloid plaque deposits found in Alzheimer's disease patients, has not only identified the APOE gene -- long associated with development of Alzheimer's -- but has uncovered an association with a second gene, called BCHE.

Informatics tools underutilized in prevention of hospital-acquired infection Posted: 20 Feb 2013 12:36 PM PST A new study has measured the awareness, adoption and use of electronic medical record systems and health information exchange by hospital-based infection preventionists to report and share information critical to public health. The researchers found these technologies' capabilities are underutilized by those on the front lines of preventing and reporting infections.

Variations in four genes associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer Posted: 20 Feb 2013 10:47 AM PST Medical researchers have identified variations in four genes that are linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Mushroom-supplemented soybean extract shows therapeutic promise for advanced prostate cancer Posted: 20 Feb 2013 10:20 AM PST A natural, nontoxic product called genistein-combined polysaccharide, or GCP, which is commercially available in health stores, could help lengthen the life expectancy of certain prostate cancer patients, researchers have found.

Resveratrol shows promise to protect hearing, cognition Posted: 20 Feb 2013 10:17 AM PST Resveratrol, a substance found in red grapes and red wine, may have the potential to protect against hearing and cognitive decline, according to a new study.

Secrets of human speech uncovered Posted: 20 Feb 2013 10:17 AM PST Scientists have uncovered the neurological basis of speech motor control, the complex coordinated activity of tiny brain regions that controls our lips, jaw, tongue and larynx as we speak.

Gains made towards treatment of rare bone disease Posted: 20 Feb 2013 09:34 AM PST Diagnosed in toddlers, X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is the most common form of heritable rickets, in which soft bones bend and deform, and tooth abscesses develop because infections penetrate soft teeth that are not properly calcified. Researchers have identified that osteopontin, a major bone and tooth substrate protein, plays a role in XLH. Their discovery may pave the way to effectively treating this rare disease.

Smoking cessation in old age: Less heart attacks and strokes within five years Posted: 20 Feb 2013 09:34 AM PST Smokers increase their risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke with every cigarette they smoke. Conversely, those who quit smoking even at an advanced age will have a considerable decrease in their risk after a very short time.

Children with brain lesions able to use gestures important to language learning Posted: 20 Feb 2013 09:34 AM PST Children with brain lesions suffered before or around the time of birth are able to use gestures -- an important aspect of the language learning process -- to convey simple sentences.

Fragile X makes brain cells talk too much Posted: 20 Feb 2013 09:34 AM PST The most common inherited form of mental retardation and autism, fragile X syndrome, turns some brain cells into chatterboxes, scientists report. The extra talk may make it harder for brain cells to identify and attend to important signals.

Human cognition depends upon slow-firing neurons Posted: 20 Feb 2013 09:34 AM PST Good mental health and clear thinking depend upon our ability to store and manipulate thoughts on a sort of "mental sketch pad." In a new study, researchers describe the molecular basis of this ability -- the hallmark of human cognition -- and describe how a breakdown of the system contributes to diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.

Cure for common hangover? 'Pill' mimics action of human liver in fighting alcohol intoxication Posted: 20 Feb 2013 08:43 AM PST In a discovery that could promise a quick fix to the common hangover, a team of engineers has identified a method for speeding up the body's reaction to the consumption of alcohol.

Being stoic for the spouse's sake comes at a high cost Posted: 20 Feb 2013 08:40 AM PST In the wealth of studies about parental grief, little attention has been paid to precisely how couples relate to each other as they struggle to come to terms with the death of a child. A new study addresses this gap in bereavement research by focusing on the way that couples together process the grief of losing a child.

Healthy rivalry could boost sport and business performance Posted: 20 Feb 2013 08:38 AM PST New research shows that people can recover from poor performance when rivals comment on their failures. The research shows that while criticism from team members sends individuals into downward performance spirals, external criticism can be a trigger that boosts performance as people try to prove the outsiders wrong.

Modifying infant's diet may reduce celiac disease risk, Swedish study suggests Posted: 20 Feb 2013 08:32 AM PST Celiac disease is much more common in Sweden than in the rest of Europe and the U.S., but may be prevented with gradually introducing gluten-containing foods to breast-feeding infants, according to a comprehensive study.

New therapeutics could accelerate wound healing Posted: 20 Feb 2013 07:07 AM PST Chemistry and biochemistry professors report a discovery to exploit our body's ability to heal itself, that could lead to new bio-mimicking therapeutics to treat skin wounds.

Cost of medication and stigma leading asthma sufferers to risk health Posted: 20 Feb 2013 07:07 AM PST The high cost of medication, stigmatization and poor acceptance of their condition are causing young adults to take a dangerous approach to managing their asthma, according to new research.

Balsam for the Bones: Chemists develop a nanopaste for the repair of bone defects Posted: 20 Feb 2013 07:05 AM PST Following accidents or cancer surgery surgeons often have to transplant healthy bone tissue or synthetic material to repair the resulting bone defects. Unfortunately, these procedures do not always have the desired effect.

High glycemic index foods and dairy products linked to acne Posted: 20 Feb 2013 05:48 AM PST A new study has determined that there is increasing evidence of a connection between diet and acne, particularly from high glycemic load diets and dairy products, and that medical nutrition therapy can play an important role in acne treatment.

Molecular basis identified for tissue specific immune regulation in the eye and kidney Posted: 20 Feb 2013 05:47 AM PST Scientists have made important advances in understanding why our immune system can attack our own tissues resulting in eye and kidney diseases. It is hoped the research will pave the way for the development of new treatments for the eye condition age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the kidney condition atypical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS).

Lack of sleep? Keep away from the buffet Posted: 20 Feb 2013 05:47 AM PST New research shows that sleep-deprived people select greater portion sizes of energy-dense snacks and meals than they do after one night of normal sleep. Poor sleep habits can therefore affect people's risk of becoming overweight in the long run.

Bilingual children have a better 'working memory' than monolingual children Posted: 20 Feb 2013 05:44 AM PST Bilingual children develop a better working memory –- which holds, processes and updates information over short periods of time -– than monolingual children, according to new research. The working memory plays a major role in the execution of a wide range of activities, such as mental calculation (since we have to remember numbers and operate with them) or reading comprehension (given that it requires associating the successive concepts in a text).

Biological marker of dyslexia discovered: Ability to consistently encode sound undergirds the reading process Posted: 19 Feb 2013 02:21 PM PST Researchers believe they have discovered a biological marker of dyslexia, a disorder affecting up to one out of 10 children that makes learning to read difficult. The researchers found a systematic relationship between reading ability and the consistency with which the brain encodes sounds. The good news: Response consistency can be improved with auditory training.

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