Tuesday, December 20, 2005

genetics Twins Comparison Suggests Genetic Risk for Dementia. On average, twins of people who have been diagnosed with dementia score lower on cognitive tests than do the twins of people without dementia, new research has found. The study, which included more than 100 Swedish twins age 65 and older, also found that, on average, identical twins of people with dementia have poorer cognitive skills than do fraternal (non-identical) twins of people with dementia. [Science Blog -] 10:40:47 PM    comment

depression Antidepressants boost brain growth, scientists report. The beneficial effects of a widely used class of antidepressants might be the result of increased nerve-fiber growth in key parts of the brain, according to a Johns Hopkins study being published in the January 2006 issue of the Journal of Neurochemistry. [Science Blog -] 2:27:57 PM    comment

health Artificial light at night stimulates breast cancer in mice. Results from a new study in laboratory mice show that nighttime exposure to artificial light stimulated the growth of human breast tumors by suppressing the levels of a key hormone called melatonin. The study also showed that extended periods of nighttime darkness greatly slowed the growth of these tumors. [Science Blog -] 2:26:27 PM    comment

health Ancient Chinese remedy shows potential in preventing breast cancer. A derivative of the sweet wormwood plant used since ancient times to fight malaria and shown to precisely target and kill cancer cells may someday aid in stopping breast cancer before it gets a toehold. In a new study, two University of Washington bioengineers found that the substance, artemisinin, appeared to prevent the onset of breast cancer in rats that had been given a cancer-causing agent. [Science Blog -] 9:27:48 AM    comment

speed Double X-rays give 'speedy scan'. A hi-tech scanner has been developed which takes images in less time than it takes the human heart to beat. [BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition] 8:28:59 AM    comment