November 23, 2009
Genetic
Changes Tied to Common Form of Parkinson's Disease
Changes in 2 genes known to contain mutations that cause rare
familial forms of Parkinson's disease have now been linked with
the more common, sporadic form of the disorder.
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Preeclampsia
May Lead to Reduced Thyroid Function
Women who experience preeclampsia, a serious complication of
pregnancy, may have an increased risk for reduced thyroid functioning
later in life, according to a new report.
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Genes
that Protect Chromosome Tips May Boost Longevity
By studying the genes of dozens of people who’ve lived to 100,
scientists have found gene variants that appear to protect chromosome
caps, or telomeres, from deteriorating with age. Longer telomeres
were associated with both longer lives and healthier aging.
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November 16, 2009
Words
and Gestures Are Translated by Same Brain Regions
Your ability to make sense of Groucho's words and Harpo's pantomimes
in an old Marx Brothers movie takes place in the same regions
of your brain, a new study suggests.
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Gene
Mutations Linked to Early-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease
An international team has discovered that mutations in either
of 2 related genes cause a severe and rare form of inflammatory
bowel disease in young children. The discovery allowed the researchers
to successfully treat a study participant.
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Wide
Variety of Bacteria Mapped Across the Human Body
By analyzing bacterial communities in and on several people,
scientists have begun to create an atlas of bacterial diversity
that documents the different types of microbes that thrive in
distinct regions of the human body.
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November 9, 2009
Nicotine
Patch-Lozenge Combo Helps More Smokers Quit
In the largest head-to-head comparison of medications that help
smokers kick the habit, a combination of the nicotine lozenge
and patch provided the greatest benefit 6 months after quitting.
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Opportunities
to Improve Student Fitness
Researchers have tied several factors to better physical fitness
among adolescents in low-income communities. The findings point
to potential policy opportunities to help improve students' health.
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Catching
Flu's Drift
Influenza viruses evade the immune system by constantly changing
the shape of their outer proteins. New findings about the evolutionary
forces that drive this shape shifting, or antigenic drift, suggest
that it might be slowed by increasing the number of vaccinated
children.
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November 2, 2009
Antipsychotics
May Boost Weight in Youths
Children and teens taking second-generation antipsychotic medications
had rapid and significant weight gain, as well as troublesome
changes to cholesterol levels and other metabolic measures, a
new study reports.
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Advance
May Shed Light on Infertility
Researchers have discovered how to transform human embryonic
stem cells into germ cells, the embryonic cells that ultimately
give rise to sperm and eggs. The advance will allow scientists
to manipulate and examine human germ cells in the laboratory.
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Histones
Play Role in Sepsis
In a surprising finding, histones, which help pack DNA into chromosomes,
were tied to the life-threatening illness sepsis. The proteins
are now potential molecular targets for treating sepsis and other
inflammatory diseases.
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October 26, 2009
Rare
Disease Gene Linked to Parkinson’s Disease
The gene involved in the rare disorder Gaucher disease may also
play a role in Parkinson’s disease, according to a new
study. The finding may lead to insights into novel therapeutic
strategies for these disorders.
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Childhood
Maltreatment Linked to Adulthood Economic Problems
Childhood maltreatment is known to affect both physical and mental
health in adulthood. A new study found that the long-term impacts
of child maltreatment also include higher rates of unemployment,
poverty and use of social services.
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Scientists
Discover Receptor for Carbonation Taste
Almost 250 years after chemist Joseph Priestley infused water
with carbon dioxide to make the first artificially carbonated
water, researchers have finally discovered how people "taste" that
carbonation bubbling in their beverage.
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October 19, 2009
Cocaine
Vaccine Shows Promise for Treating Addiction
An experimental anti-cocaine vaccine significantly reduced cocaine
use in a clinical trial. It is the first successful demonstration
to date of a vaccine against an illegal drug of abuse.
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RNA
Marks Response to Liver Cancer Treatment
A small RNA molecule may help physicians identify liver cancer
patients who could respond well to treatment with interferon.
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Virus
Linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A new discovery raises the possibility that a retrovirus may
be a contributing factor in chronic fatigue syndrome.
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