ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Inventive new way to profile immune cells in blood
• Drug therapy could eventually reverse memory decline in seniors
• Biomarkers of cell death in Alzheimer's reverse course after symptom onset
• New program for students with autism offers hope after high school
• Are bilingual kids more open-minded? Probably not
• Bioinspired, sponge-like shrinking gel steers tooth, tissue formation
• Guidance for optimal quality, safety of HDR brachytherapy
• Key enzyme found in disease-causing bacteria responsible for heart valve disease
• Some metallic toys, low-cost jewelry present health risks for young children
• Experiential avoidance increases PTSD risk following child maltreatment
• Hop leaves -- discarded in beer brewing -- have substances that could fight dental diseases
• A wristband for a different kind of cause ... environmental health
• All work and no play for children: Losing their childhood and their happiness?
• Newly engineered molecules doom proteins with kiss of death
• Your face says it all? Not so fast
• B-cells aggravate autoimmune diseases
• Patients' stories used to improve care on hospital wards
• The birds and the bees of proteins
• Higher status than one's partner makes both men, women vulnerable to intimate partner violence
• Determination might be a very human expression
• Sharper view gained of osteoporosis development: Intracellular protein discovered
• New findings on neurogenesis in spinal cord
• Passive smoking causes irreversible damage to children's arteries
• Mother's diet linked to premature birth: fruits, vegetables linked to reduced risk of preterm delivery
• Intimate partner violence in men who have sex with men is linked to adverse health effects
• How sexual contacts with outsiders contribute to HIV infections within communities
• Study examines gap in federal oversight of clinical trials
• Warfarin for a-fib does not worsen outcomes for patients with kidney disease
• Opening a casino linked with lower rate of overweight children in that community
• Moving out of high poverty appears to affect the mental health of boys, girls differently
• What bat brains might tell us about human brains
• Cholesterol study suggests new diagnostic, treatment approach for prostate cancer
• Imprint of chemotherapy linked to inflammation in breast cancer survivors
• Young children form first impressions from faces
• Drug war violence in Mexico connected with desensitization in social media
• Common cancers evade detection by silencing parts of immune system cells
• First look at how Staphylococcus cells adhere to nanostructures could help fight infections
• Female fertility: What's testosterone got to do with it? Research shows male hormones may enhance IVF therapy
• Silk-based surgical implants could offer a better way to repair broken bones
• 'Gaydar' revisited: New insight into how women perceive emotions, thoughts, personality, and sexual orientation
• Drinking buddies deny copying alcoholic drink orders
• New markers for acute kidney injury reported
• Off with your glasses: Visual crowding linked to retina, brain processing
• Key protein identified that helps prevent lung cancer tumors from being destroyed
• More genetic signals found linking weight, heart health risk factors
• Experiences of racism associated with weight gain in African American women, study shows
• Key structure in heart cells that helps regulate heart contractions illuminated by research
• New evidence confirms link between IQ, brain cortex
• Military dads have to re-learn parenting after deployment
• Motion-sensing cells in eye let brain 'know' about directional changes
• Muscle-controlling neurons know when they mess up, according to research
• Rats, frosting helping find genetic causes of binge-eating
• New genetic syndrome identified that includes allergy, immune deficiency, neurocognitive impairment
• Research benefits surgeons making decisions on how to help their patients breathe easier
• Behavioral measures of product use didn't measure up in VOICE HIV prevention trial
• Combination ARV vaginal ring to prevent HIV safe in trial but 1 ARV carries the weight, study suggests
• Women's jobs are poorer paid, less flexible, more stressful
• Meat and cheese may be as bad for you as smoking
• IVF the next step in live-donor uterus transplant project
• HIV/STI prevention program in Haiti is changing and saving lives

Inventive new way to profile immune cells in blood Posted: 05 Mar 2014 11:47 AM PST The specific proportions of immune cells in a blood sample form a profile that can indicate disease or exposure to a toxicant. A new epigenetic technique provides a reliable way to detect such profiles, even in archived blood where whole cells may no longer be intact. All the current means of counting immune cells in a blood sample require whole cells, but the new system relies on something far less ephemeral: DNA. Its use of hardy strands of genetic material allows it to handle even archived samples where cells have lost their physical integrity.

Drug therapy could eventually reverse memory decline in seniors Posted: 05 Mar 2014 11:47 AM PST It may seem normal: As we age, we misplace car keys, or can't remember a name we just learned or a meal we just ordered. But researchers say memory trouble doesn't have to be inevitable, and they've found a drug therapy that could potentially reverse this type of memory decline. The drug can't yet be used in humans, but the researchers are pursuing compounds that could someday help the population of aging adults who don't have Alzheimer's or other dementias but still have trouble remembering day-to-day items.

Biomarkers of cell death in Alzheimer's reverse course after symptom onset Posted: 05 Mar 2014 11:47 AM PST Three promising biomarkers being studied to detect Alzheimer's disease in its early stages appear to undergo a surprising shift as patients develop symptoms of dementia, researchers report. Scientists found in a recent study that the levels of markers of neuronal injury increase in the spinal fluid for a decade or more before the onset of dementia. But in a new twist, the research shows for the first time that they later reverse course, decreasing as symptoms of memory loss and mental decline appear.

New program for students with autism offers hope after high school Posted: 05 Mar 2014 10:24 AM PST The Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (CSESA) developed its approach from research in several fields. Because of the complex educational needs of many students with autism, it was important to develop a comprehensive program for high schools. CSESA focuses on understanding emotions, developing friendships, and social problem-solving -- and it draws from new research in implementation science so that schools can put the program into place quickly and effectively.

Are bilingual kids more open-minded? Probably not Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST Like monolingual children, bilingual children prefer to interact with those who speak their mother tongue with a native accent rather than with peers with a foreign accent. "We show biases early on, so it might be necessary to educate all kids, regardless of their linguistic background, about what an accent is and how it doesn't reflect anything about people other than the fact that they are not speaking their native language," says a co-author.

Bioinspired, sponge-like shrinking gel steers tooth, tissue formation Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST A new bioinspired sponge-like gel shrinks single-handedly, squeezing unspecialized cells inside it and turning them into cells that begin to form teeth. The new material was inspired by the embryo's power to shape organs, and it could enable engineering of new teeth, bone, or other tissues, scientists report.

Guidance for optimal quality, safety of HDR brachytherapy Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST A new white paper has been issued that recommends specific guidance to follow in the delivery of high-dose-rate brachytherapy to improve quality and patient safety. To ensure correct actions are followed for a specific brachytherapy procedure, the white paper recommends the use of a quality management program, including checklists and forms to maintain quality and prevent errors. Also, due to the multidisciplinary nature of HDR brachytherapy treatment, the modality requires coordination among several clinicians to treat the patient accurately and safely.

Key enzyme found in disease-causing bacteria responsible for heart valve disease Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST A disease-causing bacterium found in the mouth needs manganese, a trace mineral, in order to cause a serious heart infection, according to a preclinical study. Researchers have been studying the bacterium Streptococcus sanguinis to understand its role in infective endocarditis, a heart valve disease. The infection is hard to treat and can be deadly, killing more than 20 percent of the people who contract it. The findings, which may solve a longstanding mystery of why some bacteria need manganese to cause disease, provide possible new targets for antibiotics.

Some metallic toys, low-cost jewelry present health risks for young children Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST We know that babies and young children often put non-food items in their mouths, a behavior that occasionally leads to swallowing of foreign objects. Metallic toys and low-cost jewelry often contain toxic substances such as lead and cadmium. Do these objects present a health risk for young children? "We observed that cadmium and lead contamination, both very toxic metals, are a major problem, especially when it comes to metallic jewelry and toys. Copper, nickel, arsenic and antimony were also present in some samples," explains the author of a new article.

Experiential avoidance increases PTSD risk following child maltreatment Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:52 AM PST Child abuse is a reliable predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder, but not all maltreated children suffer from it, according researchers, who examined why some maltreated children develop PTSD and some do not. The research team found that adolescent girls who experienced maltreatment in the past year and were willing to talk about their painful experiences and their thoughts and emotions, were less likely to have PTSD symptoms one year later. Those who tried to avoid painful thoughts and emotions were significantly more likely to exhibit PTSD symptoms down the road.

Hop leaves -- discarded in beer brewing -- have substances that could fight dental diseases Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:51 AM PST Beer drinkers know that hops are what gives the drink its bitterness and aroma. Recently, scientists reported that the part of hops that isn't used for making beer contains healthful antioxidants and could be used to battle cavities and gum disease. Researchers say that they've identified some of the substances that could be responsible for these healthful effects.

A wristband for a different kind of cause ... environmental health Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:51 AM PST From 'Livestrong' to 'Purple Paws,' trendy wristbands have come to represent causes from cancer to ending cruelty to animals. Add a new wristband of a different sort: one that could close the loop on determining the potential disease risks of exposure to substances like pesticides.

All work and no play for children: Losing their childhood and their happiness? Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:51 AM PST A UK Department for Health-commissioned survey in 2004 concluded that 1 in 10 British children aged 5-16 are diagnosed with mental disorders. Childhood stress, psychological problems and self-abuse are increasing. Gone are the hazy days when kids could run free all day and play. Through play "children develop… an emergent sense of competence … feelings of 'belonging', 'usefulness', and subsequent well-being". When deprived of play, children lack social connectivity and have less 'mental wellness'.

Newly engineered molecules doom proteins with kiss of death Posted: 05 Mar 2014 09:49 AM PST Like mobsters following strict orders, newly engineered molecules called "ubiquibodies" can mark specific proteins inside a cell for destruction -- a molecular kiss of death that is paving the way for new drug therapies and powerful research tools. For instance, in a cancer cell in which a certain protein has been identified as contributing to the disease, the ubiquibody could reduce or eliminate the protein from within by targeting that specific protein only, the authors suggest.

Your face says it all? Not so fast Posted: 05 Mar 2014 08:10 AM PST New research calls into question the very foundations of emotion science. It's a con­cept that had become uni­ver­sally under­stood: humans expe­ri­ence six basic emotions -- happiness, sad­ness, anger, fear, dis­gust, and surprise -- and use the same set of facial move­ments to express them. What's more, we can rec­og­nize emo­tions on another's face, whether that person hails from Boston or Borneo. The only problem with this con­cept, according to new research, is that it isn't true at all. Researchers have found that even basic human emotions are in fact not universally perceived.

B-cells aggravate autoimmune diseases Posted: 05 Mar 2014 08:10 AM PST Scientists may have discovered a fundamental aggravating factor in autoimmune diseases. If B-lymphocytes lack the protein PTP1B, the cells will become hyperactive for stimulatory signals and can thus promote an autoimmune attack. This study offers an additional explanation to how B-cells regulate an immune response.

Patients' stories used to improve care on hospital wards Posted: 05 Mar 2014 08:10 AM PST A research project is showing how patient experiences can be used to improve healthcare -- not through targets and surveys, but by getting doctors, nurses and patients talking together about care on the ward. Videos of patients talking about care they received at various hospitals are used to trigger a discussion between staff, managers, patients and family members about the ward where they are. Ideas for change are prioritized and staff and patients work together as partners to introduce them.

The birds and the bees of proteins Posted: 05 Mar 2014 07:59 AM PST A split-second snapshot of an early stage of protein formation could someday lead to more effective antibiotics. Proteins are the worker bees of cells. They get rid of waste, transmit cellular signals and carry out the chemical reactions that enable the human body to function. Without proteins, cells would be unable to function, replicate, and die. Viruses, bacteria and cancer cells also need proteins to reproduce. Using computer modelling, researchers examined the role of one specific protein, and its ultimate effect on health.

Higher status than one's partner makes both men, women vulnerable to intimate partner violence Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:47 AM PST Having a higher income or education than your partner could be risky, as a higher socio-economic status than one's partner increases the chance of psychological violence and abuse. This applies to both men and women. "Whenever power is unevenly allocated in a relationship the chance of physical and psychological abuse increases. And the abused partner is the one with the highest status," says a sociologist.

Determination might be a very human expression Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:46 AM PST Humans might be using facial expressions of determination as a call for help from others, according to new research. When children and chimpanzees were both given a task that was impossible to solve, children's faces expressed determination or frustration the more they tried to solve the task, but chimpanzees did not. The facial expressions shown by the children -- chin raised and lips pressed together -- could signal effort or frustration, according to a researcher who said it is possible humans have evolved to use these facial expressions to solicit help from others.

Sharper view gained of osteoporosis development: Intracellular protein discovered Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:46 AM PST In the bones supporting our bodies, calcium regulation occurs by balancing the activities of osteoclasts, which are groups of cells that increase the calcium concentration in blood by destroying bone tissue, and osteoblasts, which are another groups of cells that absorb calcium in blood to store in the bones. This process, called bone metabolism, is largely regulated by hormones, but more recently, the involvement of an intracellular protein named CNOT has been discovered. CNOTs are known for their role in mRNA degradation, in which CNOTs eliminate excess messenger RNA (mRNA) and inhibit overproduction of proteins in cells. Various studies have been undertaken to investigate whether a deficiency of each CNOT can cause disease.

New findings on neurogenesis in spinal cord Posted: 05 Mar 2014 05:46 AM PST The expression of the so called MYC gene is important and necessary for neurogenesis in the spinal cord, new research suggests. The MYC gene encodes the protein with the same name, and has an important role in many cellular processes such as proliferation, metabolism, cell death and the potential of differentiation from immature stem cells to different types of specialized cells. Importantly it is also one of the most frequently activated genes in human cancer.

Passive smoking causes irreversible damage to children's arteries Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:54 PM PST Exposure to passive smoking in childhood causes irreversible damage to the structure of children's arteries, according to a study. The study is the first to follow children through to adulthood in order to examine the association between exposure to parental smoking and increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) -- a measurement of the thickness of the innermost two layers of the arterial wall -- in adulthood. It adds further strength to the arguments for banning smoking in areas where children may be present, such as cars.

Mother's diet linked to premature birth: fruits, vegetables linked to reduced risk of preterm delivery Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:01 PM PST Pregnant women who eat a 'prudent' diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and who drink water have a significantly reduced risk of preterm delivery, suggests a study. A "traditional" dietary pattern of boiled potatoes, fish and cooked vegetables was also linked to a significantly lower risk. Although these findings cannot establish causality, they support dietary advice to pregnant women to eat a balanced diet including vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and fish and to drink water.

Intimate partner violence in men who have sex with men is linked to adverse health effects Posted: 04 Mar 2014 02:33 PM PST Intimate partner violence among men who have sex with men (MSM) is linked to greater risk of mental and physical health symptoms, substance misuse, and sexually transmitted infections, according to a new research article.

How sexual contacts with outsiders contribute to HIV infections within communities Posted: 04 Mar 2014 02:33 PM PST While a number of strategies can prevent and control HIV transmission and spread, their effective use depends on understanding the sexual networks within and between communities. A new article reports a detailed analysis with surprising results from the Rakai district in Uganda, one of the most studied areas of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.

Study examines gap in federal oversight of clinical trials Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST An analysis of nearly 24,000 active human research clinical trials found that between 5 percent and 16 percent fall into a regulatory gap and are not covered by two major federal regulations. These trials studied interventions other than drugs or devices (e.g., behavioral, surgical). The authors write that their analysis provides the first quantitative estimate of the size of the gap in regulatory coverage, and also documents a large number of studies that are subject to both sets of regulations.

Warfarin for a-fib does not worsen outcomes for patients with kidney disease Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST Although some research has suggested that the use of the anticoagulant warfarin for atrial fibrillation among patients with chronic kidney disease would increase the risk of death or stroke, a study that included more than 24,000 patients found a lower one-year risk of the combined outcomes of death, heart attack or stroke without a higher risk of bleeding.

Opening a casino linked with lower rate of overweight children in that community Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST The opening or expansion of a casino in a community is associated with increased family income, decreased poverty rates and a decreased risk of childhood overweight or obesity, according to a study. The authors speculate that the association found in this study between casinos and childhood overweight/obesity may be from both increased family/individual and community economic resources, but emphasize that further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying this association.

Moving out of high poverty appears to affect the mental health of boys, girls differently Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST For families who moved out of high-poverty neighborhoods, boys experienced an increase and girls a decrease in rates of depression and conduct disorder, according to a study. The authors speculate that the sex differences found in this study "were due to girls profiting more than boys from moving to better neighborhoods because of sex differences in both neighborhood experiences and in the social skills needed to capitalize on the new opportunities presented by their improved neighborhoods."

What bat brains might tell us about human brains Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST Could a new finding in bats help unlock a mystery about the human brain? Likely so, say researchers who have shown that a small region within the amygdala, an almond-shaped structure in the brains of all mammals, is responsible for producing emotional calls and sounds. They say this discovery might be key to locating a similar center in human brains.

Cholesterol study suggests new diagnostic, treatment approach for prostate cancer Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST A link between prostate cancer aggressiveness and the accumulation of a compound produced when cholesterol is metabolized in cells has been discovered, findings that could bring new diagnostic and treatment methods. Findings also suggest that a class of drugs previously developed to treat atherosclerosis might be repurposed for treatment of advanced prostate cancer. The research involved analysis of clinical samples harvested from prostate cancer patients, specialized cell lines and mice.

Imprint of chemotherapy linked to inflammation in breast cancer survivors Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST Chemotherapy can leave a long-lasting epigenetic imprint in the DNA of breast cancer patients' blood cells. That imprint is associated with biological signs of inflammation up to six months after the completion of treatment, and many breast cancer survivors experience fatigue and other debilitating symptoms that persist months to years after their course of treatment has ended. Now researchers have found clues that may explain how these symptoms can linger.

Young children form first impressions from faces Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST Just like adults, children as young as 3 tend to judge an individual's character traits, such as trustworthiness and competence, simply by looking at the person's face, new research shows. And they show remarkable consensus in the judgments they make, the findings suggest. Overall, children seemed to be most consistent in judging trustworthiness. This suggests that children may tend to pay particular attention to the demeanor of a face -- that is, whether it is broadly positive or negative.

Drug war violence in Mexico connected with desensitization in social media Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:45 PM PST Amid times of crisis, citizens often turn to social media as a method to share information, make observations and vent. But as a professor's research into social media use amid the Mexican drug war shows, posts can reveal growing numbness, or desensitization, during times of protracted violence and stress.

Common cancers evade detection by silencing parts of immune system cells Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:45 PM PST A set of genes has been identified that appear to predict which tumors can evade detection by the body's immune system, a step that may enable them to eventually target only the patients most likely to respond best to a new class of treatment. A team says it has identified genes that have been repressed through so-called epigenetic changes — modifications that alter the way genes function without changing their DNA sequence — which help the cells to evade the immune system. The researchers were able to reverse these epigenetic changes with the use of an FDA-approved drug, forcing the cancer cells out of hiding and potentially making them better targets for the same immune therapy that in the past may have failed.

First look at how Staphylococcus cells adhere to nanostructures could help fight infections Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST A team of researchers has explored, for the first time, how individual Staphylococcus cells glom onto metallic nanostructures of various shapes and sizes that are not much bigger than the cells themselves. Their work could lead to a more nuanced understanding of what makes a surface less inviting to bacteria. A Staph infection can't start unless Staphylococcus cells first cling to a surface, which is why scientists are hard at work exploring bacteria-resistant materials as a line of defense.

Female fertility: What's testosterone got to do with it? Research shows male hormones may enhance IVF therapy Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST The use of testosterone to improve outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization is taking hold across the country, but data on its use is slim and mixed. A new study suggests that the male hormone might actually be doing something good by helping drive the development of follicles -- structures that contain and ultimately release an egg that can be fertilized by a man's sperm. The authors believe the study provides potential biological targets to enhance fertility in women with diminished ovarian reserve, who produce few or no follicles in response to IVF drugs designed to boost follicle development.

Silk-based surgical implants could offer a better way to repair broken bones Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST Using pure silk protein derived from silkworm cocoons, investigators have developed surgical plates and screws that offer improved remodeling following injury and can be absorbed by the body over time. When a person suffers a broken bone, current treatment calls for the surgeon to insert screws and plates to help bond the broken sections and enable the fracture to heal. These "fixation devices" are usually made of metal alloys. But metal devices may have disadvantages: Because they are stiff and unyielding, they can cause stress to underlying bone, among other problems.

'Gaydar' revisited: New insight into how women perceive emotions, thoughts, personality, and sexual orientation Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST A recent study sheds new light on the phenomenon known as "gaydar," or the ability to determine another person's sexual orientation. The study found that women who identified as lesbians were better at detecting sexual orientation in other women, but that straight women were more attune to detecting emotion and thoughts in their peers.

Drinking buddies deny copying alcoholic drink orders Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST People who copy their friend's drinking behavior will deny that their decision has been influenced, researchers have shown. In a new study, conducted in a lab designed to imitate a bar, pairs of friends were brought together. One of the friends was made aware of the experimental aims and was told to drink alcoholic drinks throughout the session or to stick to soft drinks. While most people were strongly influenced by peers -- they mimicked their friend and drank more heavily when their friend did -- the majority of participants were unaware of this influence on their behavior and were adamant that their friend's choice did not have anything to do with their decision to drink.

New markers for acute kidney injury reported Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Two new markers for acute kidney injury have been determined, thanks to new research. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been difficult to diagnose and treat early because current markers for it don't show up until several hours after it has begun. The research group, however, validated two new markers -- tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) -- in urine that, when assessed together, give clinicians the ability to detect and begin treating AKI much earlier than the current standards.

Off with your glasses: Visual crowding linked to retina, brain processing Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Middle-aged adults who suddenly need reading glasses, patients with traumatic brain injuries, and people with visual disorders such as "lazy eye" may have one thing in common -- "visual crowding," an inability to recognize individual items surrounded by multiple objects. Visual crowding makes it impossible to read, as single letters within words are rendered illegible. And basic cognitive functions such as facial recognition can also be significantly hampered. New evidence has been found that correlates visual crowding in a small part of the retina to the brain's processing speed. These findings could greatly alter earlier models of visual crowding, and for many adults lost without reading glasses, this could improve vision significantly.

Key protein identified that helps prevent lung cancer tumors from being destroyed Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST A protein, Mcl-1, has been discovered that helps enable one of the most common and deadly types of cancer to survive radiation and drug treatments. In a new laboratory study, investigators found that the protein helps enable TWEAK-Fn14, which in turn helps protect NSCLC tumors from being destroyed by radiation and drugs.

More genetic signals found linking weight, heart health risk factors Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Two recent genetic studies expand the list of genes involved with body fat and body mass index, and their connection to major Western health problems: heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. One study showed that higher body mass index caused harmful effects on the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and inflammation, while another study found gene signals linked to higher levels of body fat metrics, without showing causality.

Experiences of racism associated with weight gain in African American women, study shows Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Frequent experiences of racism were associated with a higher risk of obesity among African American women, findings from a recent study have demonstrated. These results suggest that the relationship between racism and obesity was strongest among women who reported consistently high experiences of racism over a 12-year period. The lead author suggests that work-place- and community-based programs to combat racism and interventions to reduce racism-induced stress could be an important component of strategies for prevention of obesity, especially in communities at high risk.

Key structure in heart cells that helps regulate heart contractions illuminated by research Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST The structure of potassium ion channels that regulate contractions in the heart has been illuminated by research. For years, scientists have debated how many KCNE1 proteins are required to build a potassium ion channel, theorizing anywhere between one and 14. Now, researchers found that these channels are built with two E1s. Understanding the construction of this channel is key to understanding life-threatening heart conditions, such as arrhythmias, and developing drugs to threat those conditions.

New evidence confirms link between IQ, brain cortex Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST Rate of change in the thickness of the brain's cortex is an important factor associated with a person's change in IQ, according to a collaborative study by scientists in five countries. The cortex is the thin, outermost layer of nerve cell tissue of the brain, typically measuring a few millimeters in thickness. The cortex contains nerve cell bodies and is critical for cognitive functions such as perception, language, memory and consciousness. The cortex begins to thin after the age of five or six as part of the normal aging process. This study is the first to show the association between cortical thickness and development in full scale IQ, and has potentially wide-ranging implications for the pedagogical world and for judicial cases in which the defendant's IQ score could play a role in determining the severity of the sentence.

Military dads have to re-learn parenting after deployment Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:16 AM PST Fathers who returned after military service report having difficulty connecting with young children who sometimes don't remember them, according to a study released this week. While the fathers in the study had eagerly anticipated reuniting with their families, they reported significant stress, especially around issues of reconnecting with children, adapting expectations from military to family life, and co-parenting.

Motion-sensing cells in eye let brain 'know' about directional changes Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST How do we "know" from the movements of speeding car in our field of view if it's coming straight toward us or more likely to move to the right or left? In a detailed study of the neurons linking the eyes and brains of mice, biologists discovered that the ability of our brains and those of other mammals to figure out and process in our brains directional movements is a result of the activation in the cortex of signals that originate from the direction-sensing cells in the retina of our eyes.

Muscle-controlling neurons know when they mess up, according to research Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Whether it is playing a piano sonata or acing a tennis serve, the brain needs to orchestrate precise, coordinated control over the body's many muscles. Moreover, there needs to be some kind of feedback from the senses should any of those movements go wrong. A team of researchers has now begun to unravel the decades-spanning paradox concerning how this feedback system works.

Rats, frosting helping find genetic causes of binge-eating Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Two strains of rats, cans of vanilla frosting and a theory have brought science a step closer to finding the genetic causes of binge eating and eventually a treatment. Females are primarily effected by eating disorders with a ratio of only one male for every ten women. These disorders can last for years. During this timeframe, effective treatment is critical since eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. And if it doesn't kill, the damage it wreaks can be irreversible. By using different types of female rats, the scientists have effectively reduced the high number of genes that could be implicated in a binge eating disorder, and dramatically narrowed the areas for further research.

New genetic syndrome identified that includes allergy, immune deficiency, neurocognitive impairment Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST A new genetic syndrome has been identified, characterized by a constellation of health problems, including severe allergy, immune deficiency, autoimmunity and motor and neurocognitive impairment. The researchers observed that the syndrome's diverse symptoms are the result of mutations in a single gene associated with sugar metabolism.

Research benefits surgeons making decisions on how to help their patients breathe easier Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST Computer simulations have been developed for aircraft design to improve treatment of human airways. Computational Fluid Dynamics, or CFD, uses computer algorithms to solve the flow of air or fluids for various applications. These algorithms are typically applied toward the design of aircraft. While designing an aircraft, CFD is often considered both an accurate and less expensive approach before investing in building models and testing in air tunnels. But over the past decade or so, the application of CFD to biological flows to study medically-related problems, including respiratory disorders has gained a great deal of interest. The computer simulations traditionally used for aircraft design found use in treating health conditions such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, sleep apnea and snoring.

Behavioral measures of product use didn't measure up in VOICE HIV prevention trial Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST A new analysis from the NIH-funded Microbicide Trials Network confirms what they and others had already assumed: The behavioral measures used for assessing adherence in the VOICE study -- an HIV prevention trial involving more than 5,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa -- did not provide accurate information about women's use and nonuse of the products being tested. In fact, these tools were not much better than chance at being able to predict adherence to product use.

Combination ARV vaginal ring to prevent HIV safe in trial but 1 ARV carries the weight, study suggests Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST An early phase clinical trial of a vaginal ring containing the antiretroviral (ARV) drugs dapivirine and maraviroc found the ring was safe in women who wore it for 28 days and evidence of dapivirine in cervical tissue and blood. In addition, laboratory tests of tissue samples showed that dapivirine was able to block HIV infection, though levels of maraviroc were not sufficient to have a similar effect, report researchers.

Women's jobs are poorer paid, less flexible, more stressful Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:58 AM PST Women's jobs are poorer paid, less flexible, more stressful, and offer fewer promotion opportunities than men's, a large international study has found. Researchers say that the results disprove the theory that women have voluntarily traded less high-powered jobs in order to have more flexibility for their responsibilities at home. The research "does not support the claim that women enjoy a more relaxed and convenient work environment to compensate for their lack of achievement," the authors conclude.

Meat and cheese may be as bad for you as smoking Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:56 AM PST A high-protein diet during middle age makes you nearly twice as likely to die and four times more likely to die of cancer, but moderate protein intake is good for you after 65. But how much protein we should eat has long been a controversial topic -- muddled by the popularity of protein-heavy diets such as Paleo and Atkins. Before this study, researchers had never shown a definitive correlation between high protein consumption and mortality risk.

IVF the next step in live-donor uterus transplant project Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:55 AM PST In the spring of 2013, a team of researchers and doctors performed the last of nine planned uterus transplants. The six-month follow up shows that live-donor uterus transplantation has a low risk despite extended surgery duration. In the next phase of the world-unique research project researchers will help seven of the women become pregnant through IVF treatment. The project is the world's first systematic and research-based attempt to find a treatment for women with uterine infertility. Several medical, psychological and quality of life-related parameters are monitored among the women, which will be of great help for further progress in the field.

HIV/STI prevention program in Haiti is changing and saving lives Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:54 AM PST A little training can go a long way in a desperate situation, a professor working in Haiti has recently demonstrated. She visited Leogane, Haiti, six times between 2011-2012 training eight displaced women living in tents to become health workers. These eight health workers helped implement the program with help from 200 other displaced women. The educational sessions took a holistic approach that addressed sexual and mental health, healthy relationships and coping with trauma. Results showed a marked decrease in depression, and an increase in sexual health awareness.

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