Health News

How the brain recognizes speech sounds is revealed

Date: Feb-03-2014
Researchers at the University of California San Francisco show in a new study - published in the journal Science - that the shaping of sound by our mouths leaves "an acoustic trail" that the brain follows.Scientists have known for some time that it is the superior temporal gyrus (STG; also known as "Wernike's area") where speech sounds are interpreted. But not much has been known about how the brain actually processes speech.

A protein-production tale of the tape

Date: Feb-03-2014
In higher animals, an embryo's protein production immediately after fertilization relies on messenger RNAs (mRNAs) inherited from the mother. But shortly thereafter, the tiny organism undergoes a profound shift as it activates the transcription of its own genome during the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT). Whitehead Institute researchers have now determined that another shift - a change in how mRNA translation is controlled - happens shortly after this same point in development.

Thyroid cancer cells that are aggressive on earth experience a redifferentiation to less aggressive state in space

Date: Feb-02-2014
For those who think that space exploration offers no tangible benefits for those of us on earth, a new research discovery involving thyroid cancer may prove otherwise. In a new report appearing in the February 2014 issue of The FASEB Journal, researchers from Germany and Denmark show that some tumors which are aggressive on earth are considerably less aggressive in microgravity. By understanding the genetic and cellular processes that occur in space, scientists may be able to develop treatments that accomplish the same thing on earth.

Nutrition should be closely monitored following gastric banding surgery

Date: Feb-02-2014
Patients who have had bariatric surgery may need to take dietary supplements and pay closer attention to their nutritional intake, a UT Southwestern Medical Center study suggests.The study, published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine, tracked a group of gastric banding patients and found that despite nutritional counseling over a three-month period, most still did not meet recommended daily requirements for important nutrients such as protein, vitamin D, and calcium."Our study clearly shows that there are issues regarding nutritional intake in gastric banding patients.

Testosterone therapy linked to heart attacks in men under 65

Date: Feb-02-2014
You may have seen one of the many advertisements geared toward men asking if they suffer from "low T" - low testosterone levels that, according to the ads, can result in lost sex drive, diminished energy and moodiness. The answer, they suggest, may be as simple as applying testosterone through a gel or patch.So successful has the marketing for this testosterone therapy been that, according to Drugs.com, an independent medicine website, sales of the testosterone gel Androgel in 2013 exceeded sales of Viagra.

Concussion risk for football players 'dependent on helmet type'

Date: Feb-02-2014
Football helmets are designed to reduce the risk of serious head injuries during play. But new research has found that the risk of suffering concussion after a head injury may be dependent on what type of helmet is worn. This is according to a study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery.The research team, led by Steve Rowson of the Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), analyzed head impact data from eight college football teams that was collected between 2005 and 2010.

Having a baby after fertility problems 'strengthens relationship'

Date: Feb-02-2014
For most couples, going through fertility problems can put a strain on the relationship. But new research suggests that women who have a baby after experiencing fertility issues are more likely to stay in a relationship with their partner. This is according to a study published in the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 11% of American women and their partners are unable to get pregnant after 1 year of unprotected sex.

Infants recognize plants as a food source

Date: Feb-02-2014
Infants as young as six months old tend to expect that plants are food sources, but only after an adult shows them that the food is safe to eat, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.The findings show that, after watching an adult put part of a plant and part of a man-made object in her mouth, infants at 6- and 18-months of age preferentially identify the plant as the food source.

Valproic acid reverses obesity-induced fatty liver disease in mice

Date: Feb-02-2014
Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that valproic acid, a widely prescribed drug for treating epilepsy, has the additional benefits of reducing fat accumulation in the liver and lowering blood sugar levels in the blood of obese mice. A summary of their research appears in this month's issue of the journal Molecular Pharmacology.Fatty liver disease can lead to liver failure and is often caused by obesity and a high-fat diet. Obesity is also associated with the development of type 2 diabetes, which sabotages the body's process for controlling blood sugar levels.

Agent Orange exposure increases skin cancer risk in Vietnam veterans

Date: Feb-02-2014
The Vietnam War ended in 1975, but - even 4 decades later - high rates of non-melanoma invasive skin cancer are reported in Vietnam veterans exposed to the controversial herbicide Agent Orange, according to a new study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.A potent jungle defoliant, millions of gallons of Agent Orange were sprayed across Vietnam in order to remove the forest cover concealing enemy troops and to destroy crops.