In animals, the brain (enkephale) (Greek for “in the skull”), is the control center of the central nervous system, responsible for behavior. The brain is located in the head, protected by the skull and close to the primary sensory apparatus of vision, hearing, equilibrioception (balance), sense of taste, and olfaction (smell).
First large scale study demonstrates link between exposure to passive smoking and cognitive problems in dementia and similar neurologic diseases. – Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School, the University of Cambridge and the University of Michigan have published the results of the first large-scale study to indicate that second-hand smoke exposure could lead to dementia and other neurological problems.
Home pregnancy tests can lead to better prenatal care, revealed by researchers. – The simple intervention of providing women who are having unprotected sex with a home pregnancy test could have a substantial impact on the health of potential newborns, according to a Michigan State University study.
The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and 454 Life Sciences Corp. have completed a draft sequence of the Neandertal genome – The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, in Leipzig, Germany, and the 454 Life Sciences Corporation, in Branford, Connecticut, will announce on 12 February during the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and at a simultaneous European press briefing that they have completed a first draft version of the Neandertal genome.
Using special MRI methods, researchers have identified a pattern of regional brain atrophy in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that indicates a greater likelihood of progression to Alzheimer’s disease. – Researchers have identified a pattern of regional brain atrophy in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that indicates a greater likelihood of progression to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers used special MRI methods.
Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk of a range of structural anomalies, although the absolute increase is likely to be small. – For women who are obese during pregnancy there is an associated increased risk of certain birth defects, such as spina bifida and neural tube defects, although the absolute increase in risk is likely to be small.
National stroke awareness campaign launched in UK. Think ‘FAST’ to identify signs of stroke. – Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the UK. Each year, 150,000 people have a stroke and of those, 67,000 people die. Stroke can happen to anyone, young or old, at any time. In fact, 25 per cent of people who have a stroke are under retirement age.
Marijuana use linked to increased risk of testicular cancer. Risk appears to be elevated particularly among frequent and/or long-term users of marijuana. – Frequent and/or long-term marijuana use may significantly increase a man’s risk of developing the most aggressive type of testicular cancer, according to a study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Genetic study shows direct link between vitamin D and MS susceptibility ‘gene’ – Researchers have found evidence that a direct interaction between vitamin D and a common genetic variant alters the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS).
Penn study finds link between Parkinson’s disease genes and manganese poisoning – A connection between genetic and environmental causes of Parkinson’s disease has been discovered by a research team led by Aaron D. Gitler, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Stress may hasten the growth of melanoma tumors but common beta-blocker medications might slow that progress. – For patients with a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer malignant melanoma stress, including that which comes from simply hearing that diagnosis, might amplify the progression of their disease.
Insulin is a possible new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Insulin may slow or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. – Insulin, by shielding memory-forming synapses from harm, may slow or prevent the damage and memory loss caused by toxic proteins in Alzheimer’s disease, reported by researchers at Northwestern University.
Rochester study raises new questions about controversial plastics chemical Bisphenol A. – A University of Rochester Medical Center study challenges common assumptions about the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), by showing that in some people, surprisingly high levels remain in the body even after fasting for as long as 24 hours.
