Health Research: .How to eliminate pain tied to tooth decay ♦ 3-D mapping a new drug-delivery too ♦ Gene mutation linked to reckless drunken behavior

Gene mutation linked to reckless drunken behavior Researchers of the University of Helsinki, Finland, have identified a genetic mutation which renders carriers susceptible to particularly impulsive and reckless behavior when drunk

.How to eliminate pain tied to tooth decay An abundance of sweets during the holidays increases the threat of cavities and tooth sensitivity. Researchers have found a way to regrow enamel to protect teeth. Perhaps one day their gel could be used as teeth strips or in a mouth guard.

3-D mapping a new drug-delivery tool Scientists have developed a new method that can 'see' inside dispersed cubosomes (dispersed cubic liquid crystalline phases) with unprecedented detail. The breakthrough can help to improve their design significantly for better drug or nutrient delivery.

Tougher disability benefit assessment may have taken 'serious' toll on mental health The introduction of a more stringent test to assess eligibility for disability benefit in England may have taken a 'serious' toll on the nation's mental health.

Health Research: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms curbed by bariatric surgery♦ Leading cause of blindness could be prevented or delayed ♦ Molecular clocks control mutation rate in human cells

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms curbed by bariatric surgery Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms were significantly lessened in patients who underwent bariatric -- or weight loss -- surgery, according to researchers. According to the study's authors, the findings suggest that losing excess weight may improve symptoms in people who have these lifelong condition

Deaths from heart disease declining among rheumatoid arthritis patients Rheumatoid arthritis patients are twice as likely as the average person to develop heart disease, but a new study shows that efforts to prevent heart problems and diagnose and treat heart disease early may be paying off

Leading cause of blindness could be prevented or delayed In a major scientific breakthrough, a drug used to treat Parkinson's and related diseases may be able to delay or prevent macular degeneration, the most common form of blindness among older Americans.

Molecular clocks control mutation rate in human cells A theory that our cells have molecular clock processes ticking inside them, that damage DNA by generating mutations continuously throughout life, has just been proven.These clock-like mutational processes could ultimately be responsible for a large proportion of human cancer and contribute to human aging. Two clock-like mutational processes have been found in human cells and the rates at which the two clocks tick in different human cell types have been determined.

Cardiovascular Research: Common mutation linked to heart disease ♦ Faster heart rate linked to diabetes risk ♦ Depression associated with risk of heart failure

Common mutation linked to heart disease A common mutation in a gene that regulates cholesterol levels may raise the risk of heart disease in carriers up to 49 percent, particularly among men and African Americans.

Faster heart rate linked to diabetes risk An association between resting heart rate and diabetes suggests that heart rate measures could identify individuals with a higher future risk of diabetes.

Obesity, mood disorders increase peripartum cardiomyopathy risk Anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder doubles the risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy during childbirth, while obesity leads to a 1.7-fold increase, researchers report. Women with common pregnancy-related symptoms such as shortness of breath and leg swelling plus five PPCM risk factors could benefit from screening.

Depression associated with 5-fold increased mortality risk in heart failure patients Moderate to severe depression is associated with a 5-fold increased risk of all cause mortality in patients with heart failure, according to research. The results show that risk was independent of comorbidities and severity of heart failure. Patients who were not depressed had an 80% lower mortality risk.

Cancer Research: DNA blood test detects lung cancer mutations ♦ After prostate cancer, start walking ♦ Melanoma drugs benefit some lung cancer patients

Socioeconomic factors affect odds of death after a lung cancer operation People with limited education and low income have higher odds of death within 30 days after undergoing an operation for lung cancer than those who are more educated and financially better off.

After prostate cancer, start walking Walking at an easy pace for about three hours every week may be just enough physical activity to help prostate cancer survivors reduce damaging side effects of their treatment, according to a new study. "Non-vigorous walking for three hours per week seems to improve the fatigue, depression and body weight issues that affect many men post-treatment, If you walk even more briskly, for only 90 minutes a week, you could also see similar benefits in these areas."

DNA blood test detects lung cancer mutations  Cancer DNA circulating in the bloodstream of lung cancer patients can provide doctors with vital mutation information that can help optimize treatment when tumor tissue is not available

Evidence grows that melanoma drugs benefit some lung cancer patients A subset of lung cancer patients can derive important clinical benefits from drugs that are more commonly used to treat melanoma,