Short stress may enhance learning and memory

Short stressful events may improve working memory – Acute stress – a short stressful incident – may enhance learning and memory through the effect of the stress hormone cortisol on the brain’s prefrontal cortex, revealed by researchers at the University at Buffalo.

FASD children have more behavioral problems than ADHD children

Children with FASD have more severe behavioral problems than children with ADHD – Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have a high risk of psychiatric problems, particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, or both.

HIV progresses faster in women than in men

Study may explain why HIV progresses faster in women than in men with same viral load — Pathways related to elevated immune activation could lead to new treatment strategies. – One of the continuing mysteries of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is why women usually develop lower viral levels than men following acute HIV-1 infection but progress faster to AIDS than men with similar viral loads.

Schizophrenia linked to common genetic variations

Schizophrenia linked for first time to chromosome region in study led by Stanford scientists — Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share genetic roots. – Researchers has discovered that nearly a third of the genetic basis of schizophrenia may be attributed to the cumulative actions of thousands of common genetic variants.

Parkinson’s disease alters ability to learn from rewards

New findings on Parkinson’s disease and effect on patient behavior — Parkinson’s disease alters patient’s ability to learn from rewards while treatment affects ability to learn from negative outcome — research reveals possible link to depression, impulse control disorders. – Parkinson’s disease alters patient’s ability to learn from rewards while treatment affects ability to learn from negative outcome — research reveals possible link to depression, impulse control disorders.

US seniors smarter than English seniors

Study shows US seniors ‘smarter’ than English seniors – The first international comparison of cognitive function shows US seniors perform better than English counterparts. – US seniors performed significantly better that their English counterparts, revealed by researchers. The finding is surprising because older people in the US are known to suffer more from cardiovascular risk factors and diseases generally associated with more cognitive decline and poorer mental function.

Swine flu transmission to humans occurred months before outbreak

H1N1: Origins and Evolution of the Current Epidemic — Swine flu transmission to humans occurred several months before outbreak. – A new analysis of the current swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus suggests that transmission to humans occurred several months before recognition of the existing outbreak.

Bisphenol A BPA may cause heart disease in women

BPA may cause heart disease in women, research shows – New research by a team of scientists at the University of Cincinnati (UC) shows that bisphenol A (BPA) may be harmful for the heart, particularly in women. Results of several studies are being presented in Washington, D.C., at ENDO 09, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, June 10-13.

New accurate diagnostic test for swine H1N1 influenza

New accurate diagnostic test for swine H1N1 influenza using RT-PCR technology – A new, easy-to-perform method for detecting both seasonal influenza A virus and the emerging H1N1 swine-derived influenza A virus in human clinical samples offers a fast, sensitive, and cost-effective diagnostic test that runs on standard laboratory equipment.

UK’s MS Society supports Carers Week

MS Society supports national Carers Week – New research launched to mark the start of national Carers Week (8-13 June) shows that almost three-quarters (74%) of carers have reached breaking point due to the pressures of their caring role.

Health Newstrack