UCSF scientists have discovered that a tiny filament extending from cells, until recently regarded as a remnant of evolution, may play a role in the most common malignant brain tumor in children.
The study, conducted in mice and in human brain tissue of medulloblastomas, coincides with a study by another team of UCSF scientists showing that the structure, known as primary cilium, also may play a role in basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.
The findings, both reported online on August 23, 2009 in Nature Medicine, are the first direct evidence of a role of primary cilia in cancer, which the researchers say could lead to a new strategy for diagnosing subtypes of cancers and to potential targets for therapy.
Health & Wellness
Awareness of the link between diet and health has led to an increase in foods that promote well-being. Prebiotics are components present in food which give health by supporting the gastrointestinal tract (GI), and by giving the body what it needs to defend itself and promote health and well-being.
Prebiotics are a type of fiber which can help protect the body against food poisoning and intestinal and colon problems. Most importantly, pre-biotics are food for our "good" gut bacteria. As a result they promote the growth of these healthy bacteria and help inhibit overgrowth of pathogenic ones.
Typically, prebiotics are carbohydrates, but the definition does not preclude non-carbohydrates. The most prevalent forms of prebiotics are nutritionally classed as soluble fiber. To some extent, many forms of dietary fiber exhibit some level of prebiotic effect.
Prebiotics are a type of fiber which can help protect the body against food poisoning and intestinal and colon problems. Most importantly, pre-biotics are food for our "good" gut bacteria. As a result they promote the growth of these healthy bacteria and help inhibit overgrowth of pathogenic ones.
Typically, prebiotics are carbohydrates, but the definition does not preclude non-carbohydrates. The most prevalent forms of prebiotics are nutritionally classed as soluble fiber. To some extent, many forms of dietary fiber exhibit some level of prebiotic effect.
Diabetics who consume caffeine may experience a significant increase in blood sugar, according to a new study conducted by researchers from Duke University Medical School and published in the journal Diabetes Care.
A swine flu outbreak occurred in Mexico and the United States in April 2009 and spread rapidly around the world by human-to human transmission. The new type A H1N1 influenza virus is unlike any that had been previously isolated [1, 2], judging from the first data released in May. It is a messy combination of sequences from bird, human and swine flu virus lineages from North America and Eurasia. A senior virologist based in Canberra, Australia, told the press he thought that the virus could have been created in the laboratory and released by accident [3]. Some even suggest it was made intentionally as a bioweapon [4], while others blame the intensive livestock industry and extensive trafficking of love animals over long distances, which provide plenty of opportunity for generating exotic recombinants [5]. But what worries the public most is the mass vaccination programmes governments are putting in place to combat the emerging pandemic, which could well be worse than the pandemic itself.
Australia's top doctors body says junk food ads should be barred from peak children's TV viewing times, as research shows the super-sized health benefits the move would deliver.
A study conducted at Melbourne's Deakin University found banning the ads would lead to a 1.4 per cent - or more than half a kilogram - reduction in weight of the average Australian child. It would also result in a saving of $300 million which the government would otherwise face in obesity-related health costs.
"While the Food and Grocery Council may be in denial, every parent knows that junk food advertising to children at any time of the day undermines efforts to encourage healthy eating habits," Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Dr Andrew Pesce said.
A study conducted at Melbourne's Deakin University found banning the ads would lead to a 1.4 per cent - or more than half a kilogram - reduction in weight of the average Australian child. It would also result in a saving of $300 million which the government would otherwise face in obesity-related health costs.
"While the Food and Grocery Council may be in denial, every parent knows that junk food advertising to children at any time of the day undermines efforts to encourage healthy eating habits," Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Dr Andrew Pesce said.
Tofu is touted for its health benefits, but also may pose health risks, says a Hawaii scientist.
A Hawaii study shows a significant statistical relationship between two or more servings of tofu a week and "accelerated brain aging" and even an association with Alzheimer's disease, says Dr. Lon White.
The Pacific Health Research Institute researcher urged caution at a recent conference in Washington as scientists from around the world discussed the role of soy products in the prevention and treatment of disease.
The symposium was sponsored by giant soybean growing and processing firms such as Archer Daniels Midland and DuPont.
A Hawaii study shows a significant statistical relationship between two or more servings of tofu a week and "accelerated brain aging" and even an association with Alzheimer's disease, says Dr. Lon White.
The Pacific Health Research Institute researcher urged caution at a recent conference in Washington as scientists from around the world discussed the role of soy products in the prevention and treatment of disease.
The symposium was sponsored by giant soybean growing and processing firms such as Archer Daniels Midland and DuPont.
Commercials for beer, wine and spirits tend to pop up more frequently on TV when teens are watching, a new study finds.
The study tracked 600,000 national cable ads in the U.S. between 2001 and 2006. It found that when more youth aged 12 to 20 were watching, alcohol ads increased.
For every one percentage point increase in teen viewership, there was a seven per cent increase in beer commercials, a 16 per cent jump in ads for spirits and a 22 per cent rise in ads for alcohol refreshers - drinks that contain alcohol but are heavily flavoured to taste like juice or pop.
The study tracked 600,000 national cable ads in the U.S. between 2001 and 2006. It found that when more youth aged 12 to 20 were watching, alcohol ads increased.
For every one percentage point increase in teen viewership, there was a seven per cent increase in beer commercials, a 16 per cent jump in ads for spirits and a 22 per cent rise in ads for alcohol refreshers - drinks that contain alcohol but are heavily flavoured to taste like juice or pop.
In boardrooms, classrooms, bedrooms and the playing field, we all recognize the classic signs of a "Type A" personality. And most of us know that these hard-chargers seem to be at higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
But who has ever heard of the Type D personality? Depending on whom you ask, D stands for distressed. Or it follows sequentially from Type A; Type B (A's opposite - laid-back, cooperative, slow to anger); Type C (a martyr - compliant, eager to please, and prone to hopelessness and depression; studies have shown Type Cs to be vulnerable to cancer and other malfunctions of the immune system).
In any event, Type Ds are notable for negative thinking, worrying, suppressed anger and a tendency to respond to stress by withdrawal and denial. They stew. They simmer. They blame themselves - and others.
But who has ever heard of the Type D personality? Depending on whom you ask, D stands for distressed. Or it follows sequentially from Type A; Type B (A's opposite - laid-back, cooperative, slow to anger); Type C (a martyr - compliant, eager to please, and prone to hopelessness and depression; studies have shown Type Cs to be vulnerable to cancer and other malfunctions of the immune system).
In any event, Type Ds are notable for negative thinking, worrying, suppressed anger and a tendency to respond to stress by withdrawal and denial. They stew. They simmer. They blame themselves - and others.
Tamiflu and Relenza are key to fighting the flu virus. But medical authorities warn: Use only when needed, and use them correctly.
Indiscriminate use of antiviral medications to prevent and treat influenza could ease the way for drug-resistant strains of the novel H1N1 virus, or swine flu, to emerge, public health officials warn -- making the fight against a pandemic that much harder.
Already, a handful of cases of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 have been reported this summer, and there is no shortage of examples of misuse of the antiviral medications, experts say.
People often fail to complete a full course of the drug, according to a recent British report -- a scenario also likely to be occurring in the U.S. and one that encourages resistance. Stockpiling is rife, and some U.S. summer camps have given Tamiflu prophylactically to healthy kids and staff, and have even told campers to bring the drug to camp. Experts anticipate more problems in the fall as children return to school and normal flu season draws nearer.
Indiscriminate use of antiviral medications to prevent and treat influenza could ease the way for drug-resistant strains of the novel H1N1 virus, or swine flu, to emerge, public health officials warn -- making the fight against a pandemic that much harder.
Already, a handful of cases of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 have been reported this summer, and there is no shortage of examples of misuse of the antiviral medications, experts say.
People often fail to complete a full course of the drug, according to a recent British report -- a scenario also likely to be occurring in the U.S. and one that encourages resistance. Stockpiling is rife, and some U.S. summer camps have given Tamiflu prophylactically to healthy kids and staff, and have even told campers to bring the drug to camp. Experts anticipate more problems in the fall as children return to school and normal flu season draws nearer.
Eating fish caught in the Great Lakes has been linked to diabetes through a chemical byproduct of the pesticide DDT, a new U.S. study finds.
Researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked boat captains in the Great Lakes for 15 year, the Chicago Tribune reports. The study found captains who ate more fish were more likely to have in their bodies DDE, a byproduct of DDT, and the researchers found a link between DDE and diabetes.
Researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked boat captains in the Great Lakes for 15 year, the Chicago Tribune reports. The study found captains who ate more fish were more likely to have in their bodies DDE, a byproduct of DDT, and the researchers found a link between DDE and diabetes.
