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Air pollution exposure in early life linked to autism

Exposure to air pollution in early life or during pregnancy puts children at risk for autism, show study findings.

29 Nov 2012

High–fructose corn syrup use linked to diabetes

Countries that have opted to use high-fructose corn syrup in their food and drink industry have a 20% higher mean prevalence of diabetes than countries that have minimal use of or do not use the sweetener.

29 Nov 2012

Combining statin treatment with better fitness improves survival in people with dyslipidaemia

Taking statins or being even modestly physically fit markedly improves survival in people with dyslipidaemia (abnormal levels of harmful blood fats/cholesterol), according to new research published Online First in The Lancet. But combining statin treatment with better fitness may do more to ward off death than either intervention alone.

29 Nov 2012

Behavior problems associated with diminished academic achievement in depressed adolescents

Behavior problems, not depression, are linked to lower grades for depressed adolescents, according to a study in the December issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

29 Nov 2012

Study identifies toxic flame retardants in many home couches across the U.S.

Scientists are reporting an increasing use of flame retardants in the main gathering spot for adults, children and family pets in the home - the couch. In a study published in ACS' journal Environmental Science & Technology, they describe the first efforts to detect and identify the flame retardants applied to the foam inside couches found in millions of family rooms and living rooms across the U.S.

29 Nov 2012

Polydipsia linked to brain alterations in schizophrenia

Psychogenic polydipsia is associated with significantly reduced left insula volume in patients with schizophrenia, researchers report.

28 Nov 2012

Bleeding risk modifies perioperative beta-blocker benefits

Perioperative use of beta blockers seems to be beneficial unless patients experience heavy bleeding, in which case it may be detrimental, say researchers.

28 Nov 2012

Researchers discover alternative mechanism for Ras protein activation

The protein Ras plays an important role in cellular growth control. Researchers have focused on the protein because mutations in its gene are found in more than 30 percent of all cancers, making it the most prevalent human oncogene.

28 Nov 2012

Study broadens understanding of how cells regulate X chromosome inactivation

In a paper published in the Nov. 21 issue of Cell, a team led by Mauro Calabrese, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina in the lab of Terry Magnuson, chair of the department of genetics and member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, broadens the understanding of how cells regulate silencing of the X chromosome in a process known as X-inactivation.

28 Nov 2012

Researchers aim to improve feeling of 'walking on marbles' for arthritis patients

Researchers at the University of Southampton are to undertake a new stage of a study aimed at improving the health and mobility of those suffering from the common complaint of 'walking on marbles' associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in the feet.

28 Nov 2012

Study finds chemicals linked to cancer, learning problems and hormone disruption

A peer-reviewed study of the largest number of flame retardants ever tested in homes found that most houses had levels of at least one flame retardant that exceeded a federal health guideline. The journal Environmental Science & Technology will publish the study online on November 28, 12:01am Eastern.

28 Nov 2012

Retinal reader helps blind to ‘see’ words

An implanted retinal prosthesis, consisting of an array of electrodes linked up to a video camera and wearable computer, allows blind patients to successfully “read” two-to-four letter braille words.

27 Nov 2012

Buying mail-order medications may encourage patients to stick their treatments

Patients newly prescribed a cholesterol-lowering medication were more likely to pick it up from the pharmacy if they received automated phone and mail reminders, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine today.

27 Nov 2012

New way to protect neurons that express mutant huntingtin proteins

By using a model, researchers at the University of Montreal have identified and "switched off" a chemical chain that causes neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and dementia. The findings could one day be of particular therapeutic benefit to Huntington's disease patients. "We've identified a new way to protect neurons that express mutant huntingtin proteins," explained Dr. Alex Parker of the University of Montreal's Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and its affiliated CRCHUM Research Centre.

27 Nov 2012

CLCA1 molecule plays a special role in the mucus pathway

Respiratory conditions that restrict breathing such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common killers worldwide. But no effective treatments exist to address the major cause of death in these conditions - excess mucus production.

26 Nov 2012