Alzheimer’s Disease :: Scientists develop a new way to target Alzheimer’s disease
A group of scientists at NYU School of Medicine have devised a way to reduce amyloid beta deposition by interfering with the deadly embrace of these proteins.
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Gendered division of labor gave modern humans advantage over Neanderthals
Diversified social roles for men, women and children may have given Homo sapiens an advantage over Neanderthals, says a new study in the December 2006 issue of Current Anthropology. The study argues that division of economic labor by sex and age emerged relatively recently in human evolutionary history and facilitated the spread of modern humans throughout Eurasia.
Autoimmune Disease :: Molecule linked to autoimmune disease relapses identified at Stanford
The ebb and flow of such autoimmune diseases as multiple sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis has long been a perplexing mystery to scientists. But new findings from the Stanford University School of Medicine bring scientists closer to solving the puzzle, identifying a molecule that appears to play a central role in these relapses.
Eating Disorders :: New info on eating disorders in two Stanford, Packard children’s studies
One study, to be published in the December issue of Pediatrics, is the first to confirm that pro-eating disorder Web sites may promote dangerous behaviors in adolescents with eating disorders.
Fertility :: Synthetic cannabinoid may aid fertility in smokers
A reproductive medicine specialist at the University at Buffalo has shown that a new compound may improve the fertility of tobacco smokers who have low sperm count and low percentage sperm motility.
Parkinson’s Disease :: Parkinson’s approach with stem cells a promising first step
Brain cells derived from human embryonic stem cells improved the condition of rats with Parkinson’s-like symptoms dramatically, but the treatment caused a significant problem — the appearance of brain tumors — that scientists are now working to solve. The study is featured on the cover of the November issue of Nature Medicine.
Genetically engineered blood protein can be used to split water into oxygen and hydrogen
Scientists have combined two molecules that occur naturally in blood to engineer a molecular complex that uses solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, says research published today in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Weight Training :: Varying weight training intensity increases growth hormone in women
Women who undertake a long-term weight training program produce more biologically active growth hormone, a finding that allows physiologists to understand why weight training improves muscle tone and optimizes metabolic function. The study found that growth hormone was responsive to moderate and heavy exercise regimens having 3-12 repetitions with varying weight loading, suggesting women need to have heavy loading cycle or workout in their resistance training routines, as it helps to build muscle and bone.
Psoriasis :: Glucocorticoid plays key role in skin abnormalities induced by psychological stress
A new study shows how psychological stress induces abnormalities in skin structure and function that could initiate or worsen skin disorders such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The study provides a link for understanding the roles psychological stress and glucocorticoid, a type of steroid, play in skin disorders and shows that blocking glucocorticoid can prevent skin abnormalities induced by psychological stress.
Neurology :: Protein protects against nerve degeneration
A protein called NMNAT protects against nerve cell degeneration in fruit flies and mice. The finding begs the question if a drug might be developed that could stimulate extra protein production and thus neuronal protection — both in injured cells and in those degenerating because of disease.