Σάββατο 1 Μαρτίου 2014

ScienceDaily: Top Health News

ScienceDaily: Top Health News

Racial bias in pain perception appears among children as young as 7

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 09:13 AM PST

A new psychology study has found that a sample of mostly white American children -- as young as seven, and particularly by age 10 -- report that black children feel less pain than white children. The author noted that this finding is important because many kinds of explicit biases emerge in early childhood, but those types of biases often decline in later childhood. However, the racial bias in children's perceptions of others' pain appears to strengthen from early to late childhood. The scope of the study does not explain why children are exhibiting this bias; however, the collaborators have research showing that one reason adults perceive black people as feeling less pain is because they assume black people have experienced more hardship in their lives. The researchers currently are investigating whether such perceptions may explain this bias in children.

Education attenuates impact of TBI on cognition

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 09:13 AM PST

Higher educational attainment (a proxy of intellectual enrichment) attenuates the negative impact of traumatic brain injury on cognitive status, new research indicates. Said one researcher of the results: "Although cognitive status was worse in the TBI group, higher education attenuated the negative effect of TBI on cognitive status, such that persons with higher education were protected against TBI-related cognitive impairment."

Asthma drug aids simultaneous desensitization to several food allergies, study finds

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 09:13 AM PST

An asthma drug accelerates the process of desensitizing patients with food allergies to several foods at the same time, a new study shows. The findings come on the heels of a recent study by the same team showing that people with multiple food allergies can be desensitized to several foods at once. The two studies, both phase-1 safety trials, provide the first scientific evidence that a promising new method for treating people for multiple food allergies works.

Shaky Hand, Stable Spoon: Device Helps Essential Tremor Patients

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 09:11 AM PST

For people whose hands shake uncontrollably due to a medical condition, just eating can be a frustrating and embarrassing ordeal – enough to keep them from sharing a meal with others. But a small new study suggests that a new handheld electronic device can help such patients overcome the hand shakes caused by essential tremor.

The space double-whammy: Less gravity, more radiation

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 07:49 AM PST

Astronauts floating weightlessly in the International Space Station may appear carefree, but years of research have shown that microgravity causes changes to the human body. Spaceflight also means exposure to more radiation. Together, microgravity and radiation exposure add up to pose serious health risks. But research is not only making space safer for astronauts, it's helping to improve health care for the Earth-bound as well.

Drinking water linked to infections in many countries

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 07:35 AM PST

Brisbane's water supply has been found to contain disease carrying bugs which can be directly linked to infections in some patients, according to a new study. Four specific species of mycobacteria were found in Brisbane water that have been linked to human disease -- and the author notes that this is not a situation unique to Brisbane. Water supplies in many countries are at risk, the researcher warns, and lower temperature of home hot water systems can contribute to increased household exposure to these mycobacteria. The fix? The easiest way to kill water-borne mycobacteria is by boiling water, although additional water chlorination through the water treatment process may also help. To reduce aerosolised mycobacteria, bathing rather than showering is recommended.

Unusual genetic mutation found linked to adolescent liver cancer

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 07:35 AM PST

In the race for better treatments and possible cures, rare diseases are often left behind. Through a collaboration of researchers, an unusual mutation has been found that is strongly linked to one such disease: a rare liver cancer that affects teens and young adults. The research suggests that the mutation plays a key role in the development of the disease, called fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, and may also underlie more common cancers as well.

Indonesia's competitiveness at risk from neglected diseases of poverty

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 07:34 AM PST

Indonesia has seen impressive economic and development growth. Sustaining these gains, however, may not be possible without aggressively addressing neglected tropical diseases, which affect the majority of Indonesians. Neglected tropical diseases are 'one of the most potent forces' of extreme poverty and inequality in Indonesia, experts explain.

Specific types of macrophages that affect Crohn's disease severity identified

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 07:34 AM PST

For those coping with Crohn's disease, a new research report offers hope for the development of new and more effective drugs. Scientists have shown for the first time, precisely what type of immune cells are involved in driving the inflammation process in the disease. With this knowledge, new compounds can be identified which reduce the activity of these cells or lessen their inflammatory effects.

Dangerous mistaken identity: Protein folding leads to some neurodegenerative diseases

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 06:31 AM PST

Tau proteins, which are responsible for Alzheimer's disease, bind to the folding protein HSP90. The molecular recognition mechanisms that play a role here have been unveiled by an international team of scientists, and may open the door for new approaches for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and further neurodegenerative diseases that are caused by protein aggregation. These scientific insights provide an important basis for better understanding these disease mechanisms.

Retention leads to discipline problems in other kids

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 06:31 AM PST

When a student repeats a grade, it can spell trouble for the student's classmates, according to a new study of nearly 80,000 middle-schoolers. Higher numbers of repeaters were linked with higher suspension rates in the school as a whole, and more discipline problems such as substance abuse, fighting and classroom disruption. The study showed that when there were more older and retained students present, discipline problems increased for all subgroups in the study, including black and white students and boys and girls. Two groups saw a particularly large jump in discipline problems: white students and girls of all races.

Twitter 'big data' can be used to monitor HIV, drug-related behavior

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 06:31 AM PST

Real-time social media like Twitter could be used to track HIV incidence and drug-related behaviors with the aim of detecting and potentially preventing outbreaks. The study suggests it may be possible to predict sexual risk and drug use behaviors by monitoring tweets, mapping where those messages come from and linking them with data on the geographical distribution of HIV cases. The use of various drugs had been associated in previous studies with HIV sexual risk behaviors and transmission of infectious disease.

Can an app help make life easier for children with ADHD?

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 05:06 AM PST

We have tended to associate welfare technology with support for the elderly. Now researchers are looking at whether technology such as digital calendars and smartwatches can also provide support for children with autism and ADHD. Being able to function well in the morning is a challenge for parents of children with cognitive problems. Small details such as putting their leggings on inside out, or an adult saying something 'the wrong way' can trigger a temper tantrum and ruin the entire day. Children can become unruly, and some even become aggressive when something prevents them from following their routines and habits. Technology, research shows, can help this.

Mental health problems mistaken for physical illness in children

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 05:06 AM PST

Many children are admitted to general acute wards with mental health problems mistaken for physical disease. Somatic symptoms, such as abdominal pain, headaches, limb pain and tiredness, often mask underlying problems and result in the NHS spending money on investigations to eliminate wrongly diagnosed disease. A literature review examines how children's nurses can recognize such complaints and help to address them.

Novel therapeutic targets for Huntington's disease discovered

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:12 PM PST

The impact that genes may have on Huntington's disease have been illuminated by a new, novel study. The study identified specific small segments of RNA (called micro RNA or miRNA) encoded in DNA in the human genome that are highly expressed in Huntington's disease. Micro RNAs are important because they regulate the expression of genes. The researchers showed that these miRNAs are present in higher quantities in patients with HD and may act as a mitigating factor in the neurologic decline associated with the disease, making them a possible therapeutic target.

Why and how anti-retroviral therapy works even against HIV cell-to-cell transmission

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:12 PM PST

A new study tested a panel of anti-HIV drugs for their ability to suppress cell-to-cell transmission of the virus. The results reveal differences between different drugs, explain why and how anti-retroviral therapy does work, and have implications for the prevention of drug resistance as well as the development of new effective anti-HIV drugs.

Early atherosclerotic plaques in vessel wall regress completely when cholesterol levels are lowered

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:11 PM PST

Early but not advanced forms of atherosclerotic plaques in the vessel wall disappear when the levels of 'bad' cholesterol are lowered, according to a study in mice. The findings indicate that preventative cholesterol-lowering treatment could prevent more advanced, clinically relevant plaque to develop. Almost half of all deaths worldwide are caused by strokes and heart attacks. The main underlying cause is atherosclerosis, where fat accumulates in the blood vessel walls in the so-called plaques. Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease where advanced and unstable plaques develop over time. When these plaques burst a blood clot is created, which in turn could cause stroke or heart attack, depending on how and where the blood clot is formed.

High-calorie diet could slow progression of motor neuron disease (ALS), study finds

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:11 PM PST

A high-carbohydrate, high-calorie diet could delay the progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease or Lou Gehrig's disease, according to a phase 2 study. ALS is a rapidly progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder affecting the nerve cells that control muscle movement (motor neurons). Patients gradually lose the ability to control the body's muscles, including the muscles which control breathing. This leads to respiratory failure and death on average about 3 years after patients are diagnosed.

Early strokes leave many young adults with long-lasting disability

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 01:45 PM PST

Ten years after having a stroke, nearly a third of young survivors still need assistance or are unable to live independently. About one in 10 strokes occurs in 18- to 50-year-olds. "We don't know if it's cognition, depression, problems in their families or relationships or other factors, but once we do, we can develop more effective interventions," the main author notes.

Implantable magnetic 'bracelet' brings relief to GERD sufferers

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 01:38 PM PST

An innovative laparoscopic procedure that implants a ring of magnetic beads to help prevent acid reflux in patients who suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the latest tool surgeons have to treat the disease. Using a small, flexible band of titanium beads with magnetic cores, surgeons implant the band around the patient's esophagus just above the stomach. The magnetic attraction between the beads strengthens the weakened esophageal sphincter's barrier function.

Deadly immune 'storm' caused by emergent flu infections

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 11:22 AM PST

Scientists have mapped key elements of a severe immune overreaction -— a "cytokine storm" -— that can both sicken and kill patients who are infected with certain strains of flu virus. A cytokine storm is an overproduction of immune cells and their activating compounds (cytokines), which, in a flu infection, is often associated with a surge of activated immune cells into the lungs. The resulting lung inflammation and fluid buildup can lead to respiratory distress and can be contaminated by a secondary bacterial pneumonia -- often enhancing the mortality in patients.

Making treatment of rare blood disorder more affordable, effective

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 11:18 AM PST

A research team has defined a possible new way to fight a disease that is currently treatable only with the most expensive drug available for sale in the United States. The strategy, based on the oldest part of the human immune system –- called complement -- could turn out to be less costly and more effective for the majority of patients with the rare blood disorder called aroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Will your grandmother's diet increase your risk of colon cancer?

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 10:47 AM PST

Will a multi-generational exposure to a western type diet increase offspring's chance of developing colon cancer? Will cancer-fighting agents, like green tea, help combat that increased risk? Those are the two questions driving new research. Researchers have developed a diet that mimics typical U.S. nutrition for studies of human cancer using animal models. In this case, rodents with cancer will be studied, which will allow them to look at the effects of the diet on multiple generations in a short period of time. The researchers predicts that green tea will have a greater benefit to those mice that are exposed to the western diet than those on a healthy diet.

Google Glass could help stop emerging public health threats around the world

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 09:55 AM PST

The much-talked-about Google Glass -- the eyewear with computer capabilities -- could potentially save lives, especially in isolated or far-flung locations, say scientists. They are reporting development of a Google Glass app that takes a picture of a diagnostic test strip and sends the data to computers, which then rapidly beam back a diagnostic report to the user. The information also could help researchers track the spread of diseases around the world.

How pathogens hack our immune systems to go undetected

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 08:54 AM PST

A new report helps shed light on what drives the evolution of pathogens, as well as how our bodies adapt to ward them off. Specifically, the report shows that our bodies naturally employ a mechanism, called "CD33rSiglecs," that not only dampens unwanted immune responses against one's own cells, but also evolves rapidly to recognize foreign invaders. What's more, the report explains how pathogens exploit this immunological "vulnerability" of "self-recognition" to evade our bodies' defenses. This leads to a seemingly endless "arms race" between constantly evolving pathogens and immune systems. Understanding this phenomenon may become crucial for developing novel drugs against various pathogens that try to take advantage of this system.

More dangerous chemicals in everyday life: Now experts warn against nanosilver

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 08:54 AM PST

Endocrine disruptors are not the only worrying chemicals that ordinary consumers are exposed to in everyday life. Also nanoparticles of silver, found in dietary supplements, cosmetics and food packaging, now worry scientists. A new study shows that nano-silver can penetrate our cells and cause damage. Nano-silver can be found in drinking bottles, cosmetics, band aids, toothbrushes, running socks, refrigerators, washing machines and food packaging, as some examples of every-day usage.

Social-media messages grow terser during major events, study finds

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 02:45 PM PST

In the last year or two, you may have had some moments -- during elections, sporting events, or weather incidents -- when you found yourself sending out a flurry of messages on social media sites such as Twitter. You are not alone, of course: Such events generate a huge volume of social-media activity. Now a new study shows that social-media messages grow shorter as the volume of activity rises at these particular times.

Caesarean babies more likely to become overweight as adults, analysis finds

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 02:44 PM PST

Babies born by caesarean section are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults, according to a new analysis that is based on over 38,000 individuals. The odds of being overweight or obese are 26 per cent higher for adults born by caesarean section than those born by vaginal delivery, the study found. The authors say they cannot be certain that caesarean delivery causes higher body weight, as the association may be explained by other factors that weren't recorded in the data they analyzed, however, the results are interesting enough to encourage further study.
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