ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Dreading pain can be worse than pain itself
• Does obesity reshape our sense of taste?
• How flu evolves to escape immunity
• Improve learning by taming instructional complexity
• Two Y genes can replace the entire Y chromosome for assisted reproduction in mice
• First Class 1 evidence for cognitive rehabilitation in MS
• Researchers map brain areas vital to understanding language
• Research sheds light on nerve regeneration following spinal cord injury
• How are fear-related behaviors, anxiety disorders controlled?
• Genomic variant associated with sun sensitivity, freckles identified
• Newborn babies have built-in body awareness ability
• Who learns from the carrot, and who from the stick?
• Newly identified brown fat stem cells hold possibilities for treating diabetes, obesity
• Two human proteins found to affect how 'jumping gene' gets around
• Insight on cell migration, movement of cancer cells
• Stress, isolation take toll on those under 50 with HIV; older people fare better
• Ultrasound, nanoparticles may help diabetics avoid the needle
• Playing computer games together makes brains feel and think alike
• New brain cells for Parkinson's and Huntington's patients? Attractants prevent nerve cell migration
• Nut consumption linked to reduced death rate, study suggests
• Tiny antisense molecules increase 'good cholesterol' levels in obese primates
• 'Undruggable' mutation meets its match
• Mental stress, heart disease: Stronger presence in women under 50
• Smokers who quit cut heart disease risk faster than previous estimates
• Introducing solid foods while continuing to breast feed could prevent child allergies
• Cows chomping on fresh grass, red clover produce omega milk
• Two-thirds of women who attempt natural delivery after a c-section are successful
• Size, connectivity of brain region linked to anxiety level in young children
• Amount of iron in blood can be measured using mobile phone
• Researchers suggest China consider national flu vaccination plan with staggered timing
• Individuals who flush after drinking at higher risk of hypertension
• Frontal-lobe damage from alcohol may occur before general mental status challenges
• Recessionary woes lead to adverse alcohol outcomes for men and middle-aged Americans
• Treating alcohol dependence: Medication plus therapy leads to longer abstinence
• Teens from military families suffer from deployments
• Unhealthiest stroke patients less likely to get optimal care
• Staphylococcus aureus bacteria turns immune system against itself
• Quantifying Earth's worth to public health
• Oral drug may improve survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer

Dreading pain can be worse than pain itself Posted: 21 Nov 2013 03:42 PM PST Faced with inevitable pain, most people would choose to get it out of the way as soon as possible, according to a new study.

Does obesity reshape our sense of taste? Posted: 21 Nov 2013 12:49 PM PST Obesity may alter the way we taste at the most fundamental level: by changing how our tongues react to different foods. Biologists report that being severely overweight impaired the ability of mice to detect sweets.

How flu evolves to escape immunity Posted: 21 Nov 2013 11:23 AM PST Scientists have identified a potential way to improve future flu vaccines after discovering that seasonal flu typically escapes immunity from vaccines with as little as a single amino acid substitution.

Improve learning by taming instructional complexity Posted: 21 Nov 2013 11:23 AM PST From using concrete or abstract materials to giving immediate or delayed feedback, there are rampant debates over the best teaching strategies to use. But, in reality, improving education is not as simple as choosing one technique over another. Carnegie Mellon University and Temple University researchers scoured the educational research landscape and found that because improved learning depends on many different factors, there are actually more than 205 trillion instructional options available.

Two Y genes can replace the entire Y chromosome for assisted reproduction in mice Posted: 21 Nov 2013 11:22 AM PST Live mouse offspring can be generated with assisted reproduction using germ cells from males with the Y chromosome contribution limited to only two genes: the testis determinant factor Sry and the spermatogonial proliferation factor Eif2s3y.

First Class 1 evidence for cognitive rehabilitation in MS Posted: 21 Nov 2013 10:56 AM PST Researchers published the results of the MEMREHAB Trial, providing the first Class I evidence for the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.

Researchers map brain areas vital to understanding language Posted: 21 Nov 2013 10:56 AM PST In a new study, researchers uncovered the brain mechanisms that underlie discourse comprehension, or the ability to understand written or spoken language through the construction of rich mental models.

Research sheds light on nerve regeneration following spinal cord injury Posted: 21 Nov 2013 10:02 AM PST Researchers have discovered how the sea lamprey, an eel-like fish, regrows the neurons that comprise the long nerve "highways" that link the brain to the spinal cord. Findings may guide future efforts to promote recovery in humans who have suffered spinal cord injuries.

How are fear-related behaviors, anxiety disorders controlled? Posted: 21 Nov 2013 10:00 AM PST A team of researchers has just shown that interneurons located in the forebrain at the level of the prefrontal cortex are heavily involved in the control of fear responses.

Genomic variant associated with sun sensitivity, freckles identified Posted: 21 Nov 2013 10:00 AM PST Researchers have identified a genomic variant strongly associated with sensitivity to the sun, brown hair, blue eyes -- and freckles.

Newborn babies have built-in body awareness ability Posted: 21 Nov 2013 09:58 AM PST The ability to differentiate your own body from others is a fundamental skill, critical for humans' ability to interact with their environments and the people in them. Now, researchers provide some of the first evidence that newborn babies enter the world with the essential mechanisms for this kind of body awareness already in place.

Who learns from the carrot, and who from the stick? Posted: 21 Nov 2013 09:58 AM PST To flexibly deal with our ever-changing world, it is thought that we need to learn from both the negative and positive consequences of our behavior. In other words, from punishment and reward. Scientists have now demonstrated that serotonin and dopamine related genes influence how we base our choices on past punishments or rewards. This influence depends on which gene variant you inherited from your parents.

Newly identified brown fat stem cells hold possibilities for treating diabetes, obesity Posted: 21 Nov 2013 09:56 AM PST The recent identification of brown fat stem cells in adult humans may lead to new treatments for heart and endocrine disorders, according to a new study.

Two human proteins found to affect how 'jumping gene' gets around Posted: 21 Nov 2013 09:56 AM PST Using a new method to catch elusive "jumping genes" in the act, researchers have found two human proteins that are used by one type of DNA to replicate itself and move from place to place. The discovery breaks new ground in understanding the arms race between a jumping gene driven to colonize new areas of the human genome and cells working to limit the risk posed by such volatile bits of DNA.

Insight on cell migration, movement of cancer cells Posted: 21 Nov 2013 08:18 AM PST The migration of groups of cells in order to form tissues is common during the development of an organism. Discovering how these multiple movements are achieved is not only crucial to understand the basic principles of development, but provides new information and insights for further research into processes associated with the spread of cancer.

Stress, isolation take toll on those under 50 with HIV; older people fare better Posted: 21 Nov 2013 07:51 AM PST Researchers were surprised to learn that people younger than 50 years old with HIV feel more isolated and stressed than older people with the disease. They expected their study to reveal just the opposite.

Ultrasound, nanoparticles may help diabetics avoid the needle Posted: 21 Nov 2013 07:51 AM PST A new nanotechnology-based technique for regulating blood sugar in diabetics may give patients the ability to release insulin painlessly using a small ultrasound device, allowing them to go days between injections -- rather than using needles to give themselves multiple insulin injections each day.

Playing computer games together makes brains feel and think alike Posted: 21 Nov 2013 06:14 AM PST Scientists have discovered that playing computer games can bring players' emotional responses and brain activity into unison. By measuring the activity of facial muscles and imaging the brain while gaming, the group found out that people go through similar emotions and display matching brainwaves.

New brain cells for Parkinson's and Huntington's patients? Attractants prevent nerve cell migration Posted: 21 Nov 2013 06:13 AM PST Medical researchers have been working toward implanting nerve precursor cells in the brains of patients with Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. It was hoped that these cells would assume the function of the cells that have died off. However, the implanted nerve cells frequently did not migrate as hoped, rather they hardly move from the site. Scientists have now discovered an important cause of this: Attractants secreted by the precursor cells prevent the maturing nerve cells from migrating into the brain.

Nut consumption linked to reduced death rate, study suggests Posted: 20 Nov 2013 04:21 PM PST In the largest study of its kind, people who ate a daily handful of nuts were 20 percent less likely to die from any cause over a 30-year period than were those who didn't consume nuts, say scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Harvard School of Public Health

Tiny antisense molecules increase 'good cholesterol' levels in obese primates Posted: 20 Nov 2013 11:37 AM PST A strategy to increase levels of beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has been shown for the first time to be effective in non-human primates. The approach uses tiny antisense sequences to block the action of microRNAs that would otherwise inhibit a protein required for generation of HDL, the "good cholesterol" that helps remove harmful lipids from the body.

'Undruggable' mutation meets its match Posted: 20 Nov 2013 10:34 AM PST Researchers have identified and exploited a newfound "Achilles heel" in K-Ras, the most commonly mutated oncogene in human cancers. K-Ras has earned a reputation as being "undruggable" because scientific researchers have failed to design a drug that successfully targets the mutant gene. The weak point is a newly discovered "pocket," or binding site, identified a team that has designed a chemical compound that fits inside this pocket and inhibits the normal activity of mutant K-Ras, but leaves the normal protein untouched.

Mental stress, heart disease: Stronger presence in women under 50 Posted: 20 Nov 2013 08:19 AM PST Researchers have found that women younger than 50 with a recent heart attack are more likely to experience restricted blood flow to the heart (myocardial ischemia) in response to psychological stress.

Smokers who quit cut heart disease risk faster than previous estimates Posted: 20 Nov 2013 08:19 AM PST Certain smokers who quit can reduce their risk of heart disease to the level of never-smokers sooner than previously thought. Some former smokers may reduce their risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death in less than 15 years.

Introducing solid foods while continuing to breast feed could prevent child allergies Posted: 20 Nov 2013 07:35 AM PST Introducing solid food with breast milk after the 17th week of birth could reduce food allergies in babies, according to research. The research suggests that giving the baby solid food beside breast feeding helps it develop a better, stronger immune system to fight food allergies.

Cows chomping on fresh grass, red clover produce omega milk Posted: 20 Nov 2013 07:04 AM PST Fat is an important ingredient that has a material impact on the nutritional value, texture, taste, shelf-life and producer price of milk. However, milk products are a significant source of saturated fatty acids in the Western diet. How should dairy cattle be fed for their milk to contain more unsaturated fatty acids?

Two-thirds of women who attempt natural delivery after a c-section are successful Posted: 20 Nov 2013 05:14 AM PST Almost two-thirds of women who attempt a natural delivery after having a caesarean section for their first birth are successful, according to a new study.

Size, connectivity of brain region linked to anxiety level in young children Posted: 20 Nov 2013 05:14 AM PST Researchers have shown that by measuring the size and connectivity of a part of the brain associated with processing emotion -- the amygdala -- they can predict the degree of anxiety a young child is experiencing in daily life.

Amount of iron in blood can be measured using mobile phone Posted: 20 Nov 2013 05:12 AM PST Researchers have developed a smart material which changes color based on the amount of iron in a fluid, whether it be water, wine or blood serum. Afterwards, if the result is photographed with a digital camera such as those on mobile phones, the concentration of this metal can be quantified without the need for chemical analysis. Soon, it could be possible to find out whether a person has a blood iron deficiency or overload with a mere pinch of the finger and a mobile phone.

Researchers suggest China consider national flu vaccination plan with staggered timing Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:39 PM PST China should tailor its influenza vaccination strategies to account for its three distinct flu regions, according to the first comprehensive study of the country's flu patterns conducted by a research team of Chinese and American scientists.

Individuals who flush after drinking at higher risk of hypertension Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:36 PM PST Excessive drinking is a known risk factor for hypertension. Drinking that results in facial flushing indicates high sensitivity or even intolerance to alcohol. A new study has found that drinking-related hypertension has a higher risk in flushers than in non-flushers, and the risk of hypertension was significantly increased when flushers consumed more than four drinks per week.

Frontal-lobe damage from alcohol may occur before general mental status challenges Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:36 PM PST Executive performance, such as attention and memory, is associated with the frontal lobes. Researchers found specific structural changes in the prefrontal area and left cerebellum can predict executive performance in alcoholics. These volumes may identify executive dysfunctions even when clinical signs of alcohol dependence are absent or mild and a more general mental status appears normal.

Recessionary woes lead to adverse alcohol outcomes for men and middle-aged Americans Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:36 PM PST Economic downturns can have adverse health-related consequences, including poorer mental health and higher rates of suicide. New research looks at different types of economic loss and associated alcohol consumption/problems. The most adverse effects of severe economic loss on drunkenness and alcohol problems were concentrated among men and the middle-aged.

Treating alcohol dependence: Medication plus therapy leads to longer abstinence Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:36 PM PST Alcohol treatment incorporating a stepped-care rationale -- when services are escalated -- appears to increase efficacy of the treatment. However, in some countries, medication and individual psychotherapy are rarely used to treat alcohol dependence (AD). A recent study of AD patients who were given a stepped-care approach -- first medication, then additional psychotherapy -- found that patients willing to attend psychotherapy in addition to pharmacotherapy benefit from a reduced or delayed relapse to heavy drinking.

Teens from military families suffer from deployments Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:34 PM PST Teens that have had a parent or sibling on military deployment were more likely to have suicidal thoughts or be depressed than teens without military connections, finds a new study.

Unhealthiest stroke patients less likely to get optimal care Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:33 PM PST Among thousands of hospital patients treated for a "mini stroke," those who were at highest risk for suffering a full-blown ischemic attack were less likely to received optimal care, according to a study.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria turns immune system against itself Posted: 19 Nov 2013 04:33 PM PST Around 20 percent of all humans are persistently colonized with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, a leading cause of skin infections and one of the major sources of hospital-acquired infections, including the antibiotic-resistant strain MRSA. Scientists have recently discovered one of the keys to the immense success of S. aureus — the ability to hijack a primary human immune defense mechanism and use it to destroy white blood cells.

Quantifying Earth's worth to public health Posted: 19 Nov 2013 11:19 AM PST A new paper delineates a new branch of environmental health that focuses on the public health risks of human-caused changes to Earth's natural systems.

Oral drug may improve survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer Posted: 19 Nov 2013 11:19 AM PST An investigational prostate cancer treatment slows the disease's progression and may increase survival, especially among men whose cancer has spread to the bones, according an analysis.

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