Health News

α-Synuclein Mutant Mice Display Parkinson's Disease-Like Sleep And Motor Problems

Date: Jun-11-2013
The presence of Lewy bodies in nerve cells, formed by intracellular deposits of the protein α-synuclein, is a characteristic pathologic feature of Parkinson's Disease (PD). In the quest for an animal model of PD that mimics motor and non-motor symptoms of human PD, scientists have developed strains of mice that overexpress α-synuclein. By studying a strain of mice bred to overexpress α-synuclein via the Thy-1 promoter, scientists have found these mice develop many of the age-related progressive motor symptoms of PD and demonstrate changes in sleep and anxiety...

Essential Fatty Acid Found In Vegetable Oils Does Not Promote Inflammation In Humans

Date: Jun-11-2013
A typical American consumes approximately 3 or more tablespoons of vegetable oil each day. Vegetable oils, like those from soy, corn and canola, are a significant source of calories and are rich in linoleic acid (LA), which is an essential nutrient. Since the 1970s, researchers have known that LA helps reduce blood cholesterol levels, and for decades, scientists have known that consuming LA can help lower the risk of heart disease. However, some experts have been claiming recently that Americans might be getting too much of a good thing...

Comprehensive Analysis Of Mitochondrial DNA Will Aid Early Diagnosis Of Rare Mitochondrial Mutations

Date: Jun-11-2013
French scientists have discovered that supposedly rare mutations in the mitochondria, the 'power plants' of human cells responsible for creating energy, account for more than 7% of patients with a mitochondrial disease manifesting itself as a respiratory deficiency. Their data emphasise the need for comprehensive analysis of all the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in patients suspected as having a mitochondrial disease, and this should include children, a researcher told the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics. Dr...

New Cause Of Life-Threatening Disease Exposed

Date: Jun-11-2013
Danish researchers have just published findings that explain a previously unknown mechanism used by cells to communicate with one another. The research significantly contributes to understanding why some children are born with malformations and why children and adults may develop life-threatening diseases. Dr...

Lifestyle Changes May Reduce Migraine Frequency

Date: Jun-10-2013
Some lifestyle changes, including getting adequate sleep, the right diet, exercise, and proper rehydration can help reduce the number of times you get migraines, says Dr. Robert Sheeler, who works at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Dr Sheeler adds that even for people who do not get frequent migraines, they can have a major impact on their lives. He suggests trying out some lifestyle changes which most likely will help reduce the number of migraine bouts you experience as well as the severity of each attack...

Second Concussion Symptoms Last Longer

Date: Jun-10-2013
Children who suffer from a second or third concussion take much longer to recover, according to a new study published in the medical journal Pediatrics. The study, titled "Time Interval Between Concussions and Symptom Duration", included a total of 280 people (between the ages of 11 and 22) who received emergency department treatment for concussion. A concussion is a traumatic injury to the brain caused by a blow or violent shaking. Normally it only takes a couple of weeks for the symptoms of concussion to go, which include: Amnesia. Depression Disturbed sleep...

Close To 40% Of Designated Drivers Still Drink

Date: Jun-10-2013
Taking a taxi might be safer after all: Nearly 40% of designated drivers have guzzled down alcohol and most have blood-alcohol levels high enough to impair their driving, according to new research by the University of Florida. A group of researchers interviewed and breath-tested over 1,000 bar-goers in the downtown bar and restaurant district of a major university town in the Southeast. They found that of the designated drivers who had ingested alcohol, 50% documented a blood-alcohol level over .05% - the recently recommended new level for driving under the influence...

Alcohol Intake Increased Amongst Adolescent Girls, Raising Specific Health Risks From Overconsumption

Date: Jun-10-2013
Alcohol consumption by adolescent girls has increased substantially - now on a par with boys - and this may be influenced by alcohol advertising, argues an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) Research shows that alcohol advertising in general and alcohol consumption by adolescents have both increased over a similar period. "The problem with this equality is that alcohol, all drinkable forms of it, is not an equal-opportunity substance," writes Dr. Ken Flegel, senior associate editor, CMAJ...

Investigation Questions Safety Of New Diabetes Drugs And Speaks To Medical Experts Who Criticise Regulators For Failing To Act On Warning Signs

Date: Jun-10-2013
New forms of diabetes drugs, known as GLP-1 based drugs, and promoted as "the new darlings of diabetes treatment" - make the pharmaceutical industry billions. But are they associated with an increased risk of cancer and do we know everything we should about these new treatments? The BMJ and Channel 4 Dispatches investigated and found that evidence suggesting potential harm from the drugs in industry studies has not been published. Some independent studies challenge the conclusions of the drugs manufacturers' own research...

Arc Protein Helps Translate Learning Into Memory

Date: Jun-10-2013
By delving into the inner workings of synapses, the junctions between brain cells, scientists have mapped how a protein called Arc helps regulate their activity to translate learning into long-term memory. Steve Finkbeiner, a professor of neurology and physiology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and colleagues, believe their discovery also offers a deeper understanding of what goes on at the molecular level when this activity is disrupted, with implications for Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders...