Health Research: One step closer to a new drug for alcohol dependence ♦ 'Paleo' sleep? ♦ Yoga in jails helps make better fathers

One step closer to a new drug for alcohol dependence Researchers might be one step closer to finding an effective drug for alcohol dependence. In two separate studies, they show that the so-called dopamine stabilizer OSU6162 can reduce the craving for alcohol in alcohol dependent people and normalizes the level of dopamine in the brain reward system of rats that have consumed alcohol over a long period of time. However, thorough clinical studies are needed to determine if the OSU6162 also can help alcohol dependent people drink less alcohol. 'Paleo' sleep? Sorry, pre-modern people don't get more Zzzzs than we do It's tempting to believe that people these days aren't getting enough sleep, living as we do in our well-lit houses with TVs blaring, cell phones buzzing, and a well-used coffee maker in every kitchen. But new evidence shows that three ancient groups of hunter-gatherers -- living in different parts of the world without any of those trappings of modern life -- don't get any more sleep than we do. What's behind your thirst? Discovery advances our understanding of how our brain controls body hydration, temperature Scientists have made a breakthrough that advances our understanding of how the brain detects and prevents dehydration. The findings could have important clinical implications, as the key protein they discovered could be a target for the development of treatments and diagnostic tests for many health problems associated with the imbalance of bodily fluids Yoga in jails helps make better fathers Yoga can help fathers in jail be better dads, new research shows. Researchers identify a new culprit behind fibrosis A new molecule has been identified by researchers that involves skin fibrosis, a life-threatening disease characterized by the inflammation and hardening of skin tissue. The new study is the first to investigate the role of this molecule in skin fibrosis and paves the way toward new and improved therapies for the disease. Scientists identify proteins crucial to loss of hearing Posted: 15 Oct 2015 05:34 AM PDT Right now, there is no way to reverse hearing loss, largely because auditory hair cells, which sense sound and relay that information to the brain, do not regenerate. A new study, however, has found a key clue to how these hair cells develop. The study identified a new role for a particular group of proteins in the development and survival of the hair cells.

Health Research: Over hydration potentially deadly for athletes ♦ Liver disease linked to drug metabolism ♦ DNA protection, inch by inch

DNA protection, inch by inch DNA within reproductive cells is protected through a clever system of find and destroy; new research lifts the veil on how this is done. A team of scientists has discovered how the cells produce tiny pieces of RNA -- called piRNA -- that identify and silence 'jumping genes' or transposons: genes that are able to change their position within the genome and therefore alter or disrupt the genetic code.

Liver disease linked to drug metabolism, research indicates Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an increasingly common but often undiagnosed liver disease, could have significant medical implications for people with type 2 diabetes, researchers have discovered.

Recruits show lower immunity levels to measles, mumps, rubella The percentage of U.S. Air Force recruits with detectable immunity to measles, mumps and rubella was lower than found in previous nationwide samples and may be low enough for outbreaks to occur.

It's Not What You Do, but How You Get Yourself to Exercise That Matters Developing any habit starts with a routine. The trick is making exercise a habit that is hard to break. A new study shows that may be easier to accomplish by focusing on cues that make going to the gym automatic.

Over hydration potentially deadly for athletes While the risks of dehydration are well known, new international guidelines seek to protect athletes from the serious health risks associated with drinking too many fluids while exercising -- potentially including death.

Children's Health: Childhood adversities linked to later migraine ♦ Color of urine to be valid gauge for hydration in children ♦ Girls at higher risk for overuse injuries in high school sports

Color of urine to be valid gauge for hydration in children, More than half of American children are dehydrated, and a researcher has found an easy way for children to gauge hydration using established protocols already in place for athletes. The research also shows that children can accurately self-assess hydration levels using established methods. Mild dehydration in children has been linked to reduced cognitive functioning and is associated with poorer school performance in children.

Minority students are underrepresented in special education A new federally funded study finds that racial, ethnic, and language minority elementary- and middle-school students are less likely than otherwise similar white, English-speaking children to be identified as having disabilities and, as a result, are disproportionately underrepresented in special education. These findings differ from most prior education research and contrast with current federal legislation and policies.

Girls at higher risk for overuse injuries in high school sports When it comes to overuse injuries in high school sports, girls are at a much higher risk than boys, a new study shows. Overuse injuries include stress fractures, tendonitis and joint pain, and occur when athletes are required to perform the same motion repeatedly.

Childhood adversities, including witnessing parental domestic violence, linked to later migraines Adults who were exposed to childhood adversity, including witnessing parental domestic violence, childhood physical and sexual abuse have higher odds of experiencing migraine headaches in adulthood.

Children's Health: Study finds inadequate hydration among US children ♦ Most heart muscle cells formed during childhood ♦ Active video gaming compared to unstructured outdoor play

Study finds inadequate hydration among US children More than half of all children and adolescents in the US are not getting enough hydration -- probably because they're not drinking enough water -- a situation that could have significant repercussions for their physical health and their cognitive and emotional functioning.

Most heart muscle cells formed during childhood New human heart muscle cells can be formed, but this mainly happens during the first 10 years of life. Other cell types, however, are replaced more quickly. The study demonstrates that the heart muscle is regenerated throughout a person's life, supporting the idea that it is possible to stimulate the rebuilding of lost heart tissue.

Movement in ADHD may help children think, perform better in school The constant movement of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be distracting -- but the fidgeting also may improve their cognitive performance

Weekend screen time linked to poorer bone health in teen boys Weekend screen time is linked to poorer teen bone health -- but only in boys. The apparent lack of impact of leisure screen time on teen girls' bone health may be explained by their different body fat distribution.

Active video gaming compared to unstructured outdoor play The increasing use of video games is often blamed for children's lack of interest in physical activity Active video games may actually be a source of moderate or intense physical activity in children five to eight years old.

children's Health:Newborns delivered by C-section face higher risk of chronic health problems ♦ Impact of insecticides on the cognitive development ♦ Inadequate hydration among US children

Impact of insecticides on the cognitive development of 6-year-old children Researchers have provided new evidence of neurotically in humans from pyrethroid insecticides, which are found in a wide variety of products and uses.

Why boys are performing less well at school, how to fix it 15-year-old boys are more likely than girls of the same age to be low achievers, experts report. This is yet more evidence of a long term, worldwide trend of some boys falling behind at school. Now, researchers have identified two possible major causes and a potential solution. This work was conducted by gleaning evidence directly from children rather than the traditional source of seeking the opinions of teachers or parents.

Do newborns delivered by C-section face higher risk of chronic health problems later in life? The evidence as to whether newborns delivered by C-section are more likely to develop chronic diseases later in life has been examined by investigators. The authors of a new study find that their evidence warrants concerns that C-section may lead to worse long-term child health.

Study finds inadequate hydration among US children More than half of all children and adolescents in the US are not getting enough hydration -- probably because they're not drinking enough water -- a situation that could have significant repercussions for their physical health and their cognitive and emotional functioning.