Health News

Severity of autism may be diagnosed through analysis of micromovements

Date: Dec-05-2013
Movements so minute they cannot be detected by the human eye are being analyzed by researchers to diagnose autism spectrum disorder and determine its severity in children and young adults, according to research presented at the 2013 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in November.The research is the work of Jorge V. José, Ph.D., vice president of research at Indiana University, and Elizabeth Torres, Ph.D., the principal investigator for the study and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University.

As women age, changes in breast density relate to breast cancer risk

Date: Dec-05-2013
Automated breast density measurement is predictive of breast cancer risk in younger women, and that risk may be related to the rate at which breast density changes in some women as they age, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).Breast density, as determined by mammography, is already known to be a strong and independent risk factor for breast cancer.

Alzheimer's-related changes in the brains of those with risk gene may begin showing effects in childhood

Date: Dec-05-2013
People who carry a high-risk gene for Alzheimer's disease show changes in their brains beginning in childhood, decades before the illness appears, new research from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) suggests.The gene, called SORL1, is one of a number of genes linked to an increased risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of the illness. SORL1 carries the gene code for the sortilin-like receptor, which is involved in recycling some molecules in the brain before they develop into beta-amyloid a toxic Alzheimer protein.

No gender differences revealed by international study of heart disease

Date: Dec-05-2013
An analysis of data from an international multicenter study of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) reveals that men and women with mild coronary artery disease and similar cardiovascular risk profiles share similar prognoses. Results of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)."We conducted this study because we wanted to understand whether men and women with the same extent of coronary artery disease and similar risk profiles have similar or dissimilar prognoses," said Jonathon Leipsic, M.D.

Scientists challenge the two dominant theories of how people localize sounds

Date: Dec-05-2013
The ability to localize the source of sound is important for navigating the world and for listening in noisy environments like restaurants, an action that is particularly difficult for elderly or hearing impaired people. Having two ears allows animals to localize the source of a sound. For example, barn owls can snatch their prey in complete darkness by relying on sound alone.

Youth suicide attempts associated with mental health problems later in life

Date: Dec-04-2013
People who attempt suicide under age 24 appear to have an increased risk of developing mental health and social problems into midlife, according to a study by Sidra Goldman-Mellor, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C., and colleagues. Since the onset of the global recession, suicidal behavior has increased.

Clinical trial tests insecticide-treated underwear to ward off body lice in shelters

Date: Dec-04-2013
Providing insecticide-treated underwear to people in homeless shelters was effective in eliminating body lice infestations, but the effect did not last and resistance to insecticide resistance increased, according to the results of a clinical trial by Samir Benkouiten, M.P.H., of Aix Marseille Université, France, and colleagues. Body lice are contagious and can be spread through body contact, shared clothing, shared bedding and overcrowded conditions.

Male contraceptive pill 'possible in next 10 years'

Date: Dec-04-2013
Scientists say a new male contraceptive could be available within the next 10 years, after they have discovered a way to block sperm transportation following ejaculation. This is according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.The researchers, led by Dr. Sab Ventura and Dr.

Brain 'wired differently' in men and women

Date: Dec-04-2013
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found striking differences in how men's and women's brains are wired. In one brain region, women have more connections between left and right hemispheres, and men within hemispheres, while in another brain region, it is the other way around.Researchers say the differences may explain, for example, why on average men are better at learning and performing single tasks, such as cycling or navigating, while women tend to be better at multitasking and problem-solving in group situations.

New candy eats 'bad' bacteria in the mouth, benefitting teeth

Date: Dec-04-2013
Our mouths are a delicate balance of good and bad bacteria. When we clean our teeth, the aim is to knock out cavity-causing bacteria, while allowing beneficial oral bacteria to thrive. Now, researchers have developed a sugar-free candy, which contains dead bacteria that bind to bad bacteria, potentially reducing cavities.The importance of good oral health has been emphasized by doctors for years. Poor oral health has been linked to many conditions, from Alzheimer's disease to pancreatic cancer, not to mention cardiovascular disease.