Health News

Researchers produce first comprehensive atlas of human genes

Date: Mar-27-2014
To better understand why and how disease works in the human body, scientists are increasingly turning to genetics for answers. Now, a large international team has made the first detailed map of how genes work within the cells and tissues of the human body.They have published their research in a series of papers, two of which appear in the journal Nature.The findings, which describe the intricate networks that oversee gene activity, could help identify the main genes involved in disease.Calling their atlas a "major advance," Prof.

A deterrent for binge drinking in college students is risk of alcohol-related cancer

Date: Mar-27-2014
Binge drinking for college students has proven to be a huge problem at many universities. The risk of DUI or even death makes it a public health concern that students and administrators need to face. A recent study by researchers at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, found that college students exposed to the risk messages of alcohol-related cancer had lower intent to engage in binge drinking.Cindy Yixin Chen and Z.

Promising results from first stem cell study of bipolar disorder

Date: Mar-27-2014
What makes a person bipolar, prone to manic highs and deep, depressed lows? Why does bipolar disorder run so strongly in families, even though no single gene is to blame? And why is it so hard to find new treatments for a condition that affects 200 million people worldwide?New stem cell research published by scientists from the University of Michigan Medical School, and fueled by the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund, may help scientists find answers to these questions.

Moms' still overweight at 1 year postpartum at increased risk for diabetes, heart problems

Date: Mar-27-2014
'Watch out for weight gain within a year of giving birth to prevent new risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.' That advice for women comes from a study published in the journal Diabetes Care.While it has long been believed that not losing 'baby weight' for several years after pregnancy carries long-term risks of diabetes and heart disease the research team at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, aimed to test this theory by tracking risk factors and weight in the first 12 months after giving birth.The team led by clinician-researcher Dr.

Economic growth does not guarantee reduction in undernutrition, study finds

Date: Mar-27-2014
Widely held beliefs concerning the relationship of economic growth and the reduction of undernutrition in children have been challenged in a large study of child growth patterns in developing countries, published in The Lancet Global Health.Malnutrition causes the death of 2.6 million children worldwide each year. This amounts to 1 in 3 of all child deaths. A 2011 estimate considered 165 million children in developing countries to be affected by stunting, with 101 million children being underweight.

Newborn screening: should whole genome sequencing be introduced?

Date: Mar-27-2014
Whole genome sequencing is becoming more popular in medical research. With its falling cost and increasing reliability, some scientists hail the process as being the future of genetic research. But should whole genome sequencing be used as a part of newborn screening programs? This is a question that researchers from McGill University in Canada say should be addressed.The human genome is made up of over 3 billion genetic letters - A, C, G, and T. These are known as DNA nucleotides and represent pieces of DNA called adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine.

Regenerative medicine a step closer as new method yields potent, renewable human stem cells

Date: Mar-27-2014
The curative and therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offers much promise, as these multipotent cells are currently being tested in more than 300 clinical trials in a range of diseases. A new, easier, and more reliable way to make large quantities of highly potent MSCs could accelerate progress toward their use in regenerative medicine, as described in an article in Stem Cells and Development, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Stem Cells and Development website.

Complex brain functional network connection after stroke

Date: Mar-27-2014
Studies have shown that functional network connection models can be used to study brain network changes in patients with schizophrenia. A research team from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China inferred that these models could also be used to explore functional network connectivity changes in stroke patients. The researchers used independent component analysis to find the motor areas of stroke patients, which is a novel way to determine these areas.

Mentally stimulating and demanding occupations may keep your mind sharp long after retirement

Date: Mar-27-2014
A mentally demanding job may stress you out today but can provide important benefits after you retire, according to a new study."Based on data spanning 18 years, our study suggests that certain kinds of challenging jobs have the potential to enhance and protect workers' mental functioning in later life," said Gwenith Fisher, a faculty associate at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research and assistant professor of psychology at Colorado State University.

Economic growth has little impact on reducing undernutrition in children

Date: Mar-27-2014
A large study of child growth patterns in 36 developing countries published in The Lancet Global Health journal has found that, contrary to widely held beliefs, economic growth is at best associated with very small, and in some cases no declines in levels of stunting, underweight, and wasting. This suggests that investment in interventions that directly impact health and nutrition are needed to tackle child undernutrition.Worldwide, malnutrition contributes to 2.6 million child deaths each year, or more than one in three of all child deaths.