Body Weekly - September 2011 Archives

Researchers identify pathways leading to activation of good fat (9/30/2011)

Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center have identified for the first time two molecular pathways that are critical to activating a type of "good" fat found in the body, called brown fat, which actually burns energy rather than storing it, which the more common white fat does. The discovery could play an important role in the fight against obesity and diabetes. ...> Full Article

How key genes cooperate to make healthy skin (9/29/2011)

An essential relationship among leading genes and proteins that control the health of the skin has been revealed by a multinational research team. The protein p63 is the "master regulator" for skin's uppermost layers, the epidermis. It does much of its work by directly controlling the chromatin-remodeling protein Satb1, discovered at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory over a decade ago and already known for critical roles in the immune system and aggressive breast cancer. ...> Full Article

Do women's voices really allow men to detect ovulation? (9/28/2011)

A new study challenges the view that women broadcast reproductive information in their voice. ...> Full Article

Living in damp river valleys leads to lung problems (9/27/2011)

A new study has shown that living in a river valley at low altitude can increase the risk of developing lung problems. ...> Full Article

One size doesn't fit all for vitamin D and men (9/26/2011)

African-American men living in areas with low sunlight are up to 3 ½ times more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than Caucasian men and should take high levels of Vitamin D supplements, reports a new study. The current general recommendation of 600 international units is way too low for all men in northern regions. Low Vitamin D has been linked to prostate cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. ...> Full Article

Back pain? Move, don't rest! (9/25/2011)

Move if you have back pain, this is the advice of a researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. Patients with acute low back pain who were advised to stay active despite the pain fared better than those who were told to adjust their activity in line with their pain. ...> Full Article

An apple or pear a day may keep strokes away (9/24/2011)

Eating apples and pears may help prevent stroke. While high consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with lower stroke risk, a Dutch study found that eating fruit and vegetables with white edible portions was associated with a 52 percent lower stroke risk. Apples and pears were the majority of the white fruits and vegetables consumed in the study. ...> Full Article

Yellow patches around eyelids predict risk of heart problems (9/23/2011)

Raised yellow patches of skin (xanthelasmata) around the upper or lower eyelids are markers of an individual's increased risk of having a heart attack or suffering from heart disease, finds research published on bmj.com today. ...> Full Article

Mobile phone electromagnetic field affects local glucose metabolism in the human brain (9/22/2011)

Recent PET-measurements in Turku, Finland, show that the GSM mobile phone electromagnetic field suppresses glucose metabolism in temporoparietal and anterior temporal areas of the hemisphere next to the antenna. ...> Full Article

Put down that Xbox remote: Researcher suggests video games may not boost cognition (9/21/2011)

Wouldn't it be nice if all those hours kids spent glued to their PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or Nintendo DS video games actually resulted in something tangible? Better grades, perhaps? Improved concentration? Superior driving skills? ...> Full Article

Damaged gait and balance can recover with long-term abstinence from alcohol (9/20/2011)

Chronic alcoholism is often associated with a disturbed gait and balance, likely caused by alcohol damage to neural systems. While some studies have suggested that abstinence can lead to partial recovery of gait and balance functions, questions remain about duration of abstinence and sample size. This study of both short- and long-term abstinence has found that alcoholics' gait and balance can continue to recover with long-term abstinence from alcohol but that deficits can persist, especially eyes-closed standing balance. ...> Full Article

Researchers uncover a potential new benefit of pure maple syrup on liver health (9/19/2011)

New research conducted at the University of Tokyo suggests that pure maple syrup may promote a healthy liver. The pilot study, conducted by Dr. Keiko Abe of the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, showed that healthy laboratory rats fed a diet in which some of the carbohydrate was replaced with pure maple syrup from Canada yielded significantly better results in liver function tests than the control groups. ...> Full Article

Tinnitus discovery could lead to new ways to stop the ringing (9/18/2011)

People with tinnitus -- a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears -- can take heart from a new study by UC Berkeley neuroscientists that points to several new strategies for alleviating the problem. In experiments on rats, Shaowen Bao has shown that tinnitus results from decreased inhibition in the auditory cortex. Thus, training that boosts inhibition or drugs that increase the levels of inhibitory neurotransmitter may alleviate the symptoms. ...> Full Article

Sugar-free polyol gum, lozenges, hard candy; Nonfluoride varnishes help prevent cavities (9/17/2011)

A multi-disciplinary expert panel, convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs, issued a report this month containing clinical recommendations that sugar-free chewing gum, lozenges and hard candy including xylitol or polyol combinations, and a prescription varnish with chlorhexidine and thymol could be beneficial in preventing cavities when used as adjuncts to a comprehensive cavity prevention program which includes the use of fluoride-containing products. ...> Full Article

Could an apple a day keep sepsis away? (9/16/2011)

Sepsis kills more people than breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers combined. Outside of coronary care units, it is the leading cause of mortality in intensive care units. Every year 18 million people worldwide develop this potentially fatal disease. Thanks to a generous grant of $138,238.65 from the Jesse and Julie Rasch Foundation, Lawson Health Research Institute's Dr. Michael Sharpe is exploring a new sepsis therapy using Vitamin C. ...> Full Article

Primary component in turmeric kicks off cancer-killing mechanisms in human saliva (9/15/2011)

Curcumin, the main component in the spice turmeric, suppresses a cell signaling pathway that drives the growth of head and neck cancer, according to a pilot study using human saliva by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. ...> Full Article

More evidence that spicing up broccoli boosts its cancer-fighting power (9/14/2011)

Teaming fresh broccoli with a spicy food that contains the enzyme myrosinase significantly enhances each food's individual cancer-fighting power and ensures that absorption takes place in the upper part of the digestive system where you'll get the maximum health benefit, suggests a new University of Illinois study. ...> Full Article

Sick body, vigilant mind (9/13/2011)

We know that in keeping the body physically healthy, the mind both conscious and unconscious is a principle actor. Indeed, research has shown that the biological, or physiological, immune system that fights pathogens once they've entered the body can be kick-started by the "behavioral immune system," with which we notice, feel repulsed by, and act to avoid people who might make us sick. ...> Full Article

When that shoulder aches too much to move (9/12/2011)

Adhesive capsulitis, sometimes described as "frozen shoulder," is a condition where the connective tissue around the shoulder joint becomes chronically inflamed, causing thickening and tightening in the affected joint. Diagnosing adhesive capsulitis can be difficult because its symptoms—restricted movement and considerable pain—are similar to a variety of shoulder-related musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis. Proper diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis may require extensive investigation into the patient's medical history to eliminate other causes. ...> Full Article

In more socially engaging environment, white fat turns to brown (9/11/2011)

When mice are given a more engaging place to live with greater opportunities for social stimulation, some of their energy-storing white fat is transformed to energy-burning brown fat. As a result, the animals expend more energy and lose weight even as they eat more. The findings reported in the September Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication, point to the powerful effect that animals' social and physical environments can have on their metabolisms. ...> Full Article

Time to reboot thinking on trans fats ?- natural trans fats from dairy and beef are good (9/10/2011)

Not all trans fats are created equal and it's time for a change in nutrition labels in North America to reflect this, particularly when it comes to dairy and beef products. ...> Full Article

Role of soy in menopausal health reported (9/9/2011)

Soy has recently been reviewed and supported for introduction into general medical practice as a treatment for distressing vasomotor symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, but its use in other medical areas, such as heart health, requires further research, according to a new report reviewing the risks and benefits of soy protein, isoflavones and metabolites in menopausal health from The North American Menopause Society (NAMS)/Wulf H. Utian Translational Science Symposium, published in the July Menopause, the peer-reviewed NAMS journal. ...> Full Article

Aging eyes linked to sleepless nights, new study shows (9/8/2011)

A natural yellowing of the eye lens that absorbs blue light has been linked to sleep disorders in a group of test volunteers. The connection could help explain why sleep disorders become more frequent with increasing age. ...> Full Article

Cycling fast: vigorous daily exercise recommended for a longer life (9/7/2011)

A study conducted among cyclists in Copenhagen, Denmark showed that it is the relative intensity and not the duration of cycling which is of most importance in relation to all-cause mortality and even more pronounced for coronary heart disease mortality. ...> Full Article

It's official -- chocolate linked to heart health (9/6/2011)

High levels of chocolate consumption might be associated with a one third reduction in the risk of developing heart disease, finds a study published on bmj.com today. The findings confirm results of existing studies that generally agree on a potential beneficial link between chocolate consumption and heart health. However, the authors stress that further studies are now needed to test whether chocolate actually causes this reduction or if it can be explained by some other unmeasured (confounding) factor. ...> Full Article

Foods rich in protein, dairy products help dieters preserve muscle and lose belly fat: study (9/5/2011)

New research suggests a higher-protein, lower-carbohydrate energy-restricted diet has a major positive impact on body composition, trimming belly fat and increasing lean muscle, particularly when the proteins come from dairy products. ...> Full Article

Research from Everest: Can leucine help burn fat and spare muscle tissue during exercise? (9/4/2011)

Research on Mt. Everest climbers is adding to the evidence that an amino acid called leucine -- found in foods, dietary supplements, energy bars and other products -- may help people burn fat during periods of food restriction, such as climbing at high altitude, while keeping their muscle tissue. It was one of two studies reported here today at the 242nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ...> Full Article

Trust in your neighbors could benefit your health, MU study shows (9/4/2011)

A new study from the University of Missouri shows that increasing trust in neighbors is associated with better self-reported health. ...> Full Article

Putting the squeeze on fruit with 'pascalization' boosts healthful antioxidant levels (9/3/2011)

Scientists are reporting new evidence that a century-old food preservation technology, finding a new life amid 21st century concerns about food safety and nutrition, more than doubles the levels of certain healthful natural antioxidants in fruit. The effect, reported here at the 242nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), occurs as a bonus in addition to its effects in killing harmful bacteria, viruses and mold in food. ...> Full Article

Research shows heat in chili peppers can ease sinus problems (9/2/2011)

Hot chili peppers are known to make people "tear up," but a new study led by University of Cincinnati allergy researcher Jonathan Bernstein, M.D., found that a nasal spray containing an ingredient derived from hot chili peppers may help people "clear up" certain types of sinus inflammation. ...> Full Article

Aerobic exercise bests resistance training at burning belly fat (9/1/2011)

Aerobic exercise is your best bet when it comes to losing that dreaded belly fat, a new study finds. When Duke University Medical Center researchers conducted a head-to-head comparison of aerobic exercise, resistance training, and a combination of the two, they found aerobic exercise to be the most efficient and most effective way to lose the belly fat that's most damaging to your health. ...> Full Article