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Being bilingual helps keep the brain sharper with age

Most will agree that two heads are better than one in solving problems. The same logic may be true for language and retaining cognitive processes as we age. Being fluent in two languages seems to prevent some of the cognitive decline seen in same-age monolingual speaking persons, according to the findings of a study appearing in this month’s journal of Psychology and Aging.

14 Jun 2004

Researchers have recreated the ability of mammalian cells to self-organize

For the first time, UCLA researchers have recreated the ability of mammalian cells to self-organize, forming evenly spaced patterns in a test tube. Published in the June 22, 2004 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the findings may help improve methods for regenerating tissue, controlling birth defects and developing new treatments for specific diseases.

14 Jun 2004

Research looks at why people gamble

The team is investigating what causes people to become gamblers and what causes the shift from social or recreational gambling to problem gambling.

14 Jun 2004

Possible therapeutic approach to lowering LDL cholesterol and homocysteine levels

Canadian scientists report that mice genetically altered so as to lack either of the two different pathways through which humans, mice, and other animals provide lipids for high density and low density lipoproteins (HDL and LDL) did not appear to suffer any ill effects. But animals from both groups had markedly lower levels of cholesterol in their blood stream.

14 Jun 2004

New insights into the way the brain blends and balances information from different senses

New research has found that the brain continues to accept ambiguous visual information about an object in motion even when it conflicts with more reliable information that we can touch.

12 Jun 2004

As Britain’s population gets older, research into ageing is becoming increasingly important

As Britain’s population gets older, research into ageing is becoming increasingly important. Many researchers at The University of Reading are committed to this crucial issue and will be highlighting their approaches to improving the quality of life of older people at a special workshop on Thursday 24 June.

11 Jun 2004

Stigma attached to lung cancer can have serious consequences on people's lives

The stigma attached to patients with lung cancer can have serious consequences on people's lives, finds new research on www.bmj.com. Anti-smoking campaigns can often add to this stigma by reinforcing the view that patients are to blame for their disease.

11 Jun 2004

Blood test that can detect amplification of a certain gene found in cells associated with breast cancer

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have developed a blood test that can detect amplification of a certain gene found in circulating cells associated with breast cancer.

10 Jun 2004

Conflicting views on embryonic and adult stem cells complicate research in stem cell therapeutics

Though there has been considerable biological and political debate over the use of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) vs. adult stem cells (ASCs) as therapies for tissue engineering and organ transplants, inherent benefits and drawbacks in both techniques compel them to coexist and complement each other.

10 Jun 2004

Exercise and fish oil supplement dramatically decreases risk of atherosclerosis

Nearly one quarter of all Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and each year about 950,000 Americans die of heart disease.

10 Jun 2004

Howard Hughes researchers find Alzheimer's may leave some forms of memory intact

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers have made the surprising discovery that people with Alzheimer's disease retain the capability for a specific form of memory used for rote learning of skills, even as their memories of people and events are extinguished.

10 Jun 2004

Genetic signature associated with the aging human brain

Unraveling the mysteries of the aging brain is a major goal for brain science, especially given the exploding population of senior citizens and the obvious desire to preserve brain function as long as possible.

9 Jun 2004

£20 million funding for stem cell research in the UK

Scientists at Oxford will benefit from a share of a £20 million cross-research council investment in stem cell research which was announced last month.

9 Jun 2004

Foundation for poor heart health laid early in life

Heart disease - long viewed as a scourge of adulthood - is a growing threat to children because of soaring rates of obesity and related problems, such as diabetes.

9 Jun 2004

Breakthrough could help protect against the use of smallpox by terrorists

Researchers at the ANU John Curtin School of Medical Research have identified proteins that determine which mice succumb to mousepox and which do not. The new insights into the immune response of mice to the mousepox virus could enable scientists to improve treatment for poxvirus infections, including smallpox.

9 Jun 2004

Researchers win Kaye prize for gastro-retentive sustained release drug delivery system

Despite advances made in "sustained delivery" drug delivery technologies in recent years, a problem still persists in trying to obtain controlled release of a wide variety of medications that have only a "narrow absorption window" in the upper part of the intestines. That is, these drugs are absorbed rather quickly after being swallowed, negating the beneficial effects of "once-a-day" medication.

9 Jun 2004

Discovery may help those susceptible to deep-vein thrombosis, strokes and recurrent miscarriages

Australian researchers at University of New South Wales have identified a mechanism than can cause blood clots - a discovery with implications for those susceptible to deep-vein thrombosis, strokes and recurrent miscarriages.

7 Jun 2004

A £5m investment in mental health research will help to improve services for patients

The money will help to create the country's first ever Mental Health Research Network, which will act as a central resource and help to co-ordinate research.

7 Jun 2004

Traumatic bone breaks can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder

Research that appears in the June 5 issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery is available online and explains why some people take longer to recover after an injury even though their bone has physically healed.

7 Jun 2004

Research may help treat muscular dystrophies and other muscle diseases caused by glycosylation defects

Expressing high levels of a sugar-adding protein known as LARGE in mice that lack the protein can prevent muscular dystrophy in these animals, according to studies by researchers at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.

7 Jun 2004

Medical Research News

Being bilingual helps keep the brain sharper with age

Researchers have recreated the ability of mammalian cells to self-organize

Research looks at why people gamble

Possible therapeutic approach to lowering LDL cholesterol and homocysteine levels

New insights into the way the brain blends and balances information from different senses

As Britain’s population gets older, research into ageing is becoming increasingly important

Stigma attached to lung cancer can have serious consequences on people's lives

Blood test that can detect amplification of a certain gene found in cells associated with breast cancer

Conflicting views on embryonic and adult stem cells complicate research in stem cell therapeutics

Exercise and fish oil supplement dramatically decreases risk of atherosclerosis

Howard Hughes researchers find Alzheimer's may leave some forms of memory intact

Genetic signature associated with the aging human brain

£20 million funding for stem cell research in the UK

Foundation for poor heart health laid early in life

Breakthrough could help protect against the use of smallpox by terrorists

Researchers win Kaye prize for gastro-retentive sustained release drug delivery system

Discovery may help those susceptible to deep-vein thrombosis, strokes and recurrent miscarriages

A £5m investment in mental health research will help to improve services for patients

Traumatic bone breaks can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder

Research may help treat muscular dystrophies and other muscle diseases caused by glycosylation defects

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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