CCBAR
Newsletter
– February,
2013
Editors:
Natalia
Gavrilova
and
Stacy
Tessler
Lindau
News
from
the NEJM, Nature Journals, Science, BMJ, PNAS, Lancet and JAMA
Neuroscience:
Old age, bad sleep, poor memory
The gradual loss of cells in the brain's cortex could be decreasing
sleep quality in older adults, leading to poorer long-term memory.Bryce
Mander and Matthew Walker at the University of California, Berkeley,
and their group asked healthy adults to memorize a list of words,
Reproductive
biology: Broken DNA in ageing eggs
The quality of egg cells declines as women age, probably partly because
the cells' ability to repair DNA damage becomes impaired.Kutluk Oktay
at New York Medical College in Rye and his collaborators found that egg
cells from older women have more DNA damage and
Ageing:
Stem cells on a stress-busting diet
by Teresa V. Bowman, Leonard I. Zon
Knowing how an organism's tissues handle stress throughout life is key
to understanding ageing and disease. Stems cells of the blood system
seem to tackle metabolic stress by means of a process called autophagy.
See Article p.323
FOXO3A
directs a protective autophagy program in haematopoietic stem cells
by Matthew R. Warr, Mikhail Binnewies, Johanna Flach, Damien
Reynaud, Trit Garg, Ritu Malhotra, Jayanta Debnath, Emmanuelle Passegué
Blood production is ensured by rare, self-renewing haematopoietic stem
cells (HSCs). How HSCs accommodate the diverse cellular stresses
associated with their life-long activity remains elusive. Here we
identify autophagy as an essential mechanism protecting HSCs from
metabolic stress. We show that m...
Longevity:
Fish oils turn on cellular recycling
The polyunsaturated fats found in fish oils may promote longevity by
triggering autophagy, a process that helps cells to survive starvation
conditions by degrading and recycling excess cell components.A team led
by Gary Ruvkun of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston found that
when they
A
piece in the puzzle of puberty
by Margaret M McCarthy
The onset of puberty in mammals is determined by a poorly understood
mix of genetics and environment. A survey of the epigenetic methylation
landscape provides insight into a potential mechanism for the onset of
puberty in females involving emancipation from a repressive gene
complex in hypothalamic...
Genotype
to phenotype: lessons from model organisms for human genetics
by Ben Lehner
To what extent can variation in phenotypic traits such as disease risk
be accurately predicted in individuals? In this Review, I highlight
recent studies in model organisms that are relevant both to the
challenge of accurately predicting phenotypic variation from individual
genome sequences ('whole-...
Public
health: The benefits and challenges of smoking cessation
by Megan Cully
Smoking is bad for one's health. The habit increases the risk of
cardiovascular disease, including ischaemic heart disease and stroke,
as well as other conditions, such as cancer. The investigators of two
studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine quantified
smoking-associated mortalit...
Risk
factors: Vitamin D level and surgical risk
by Gregory B. Lim
Either a low or a high circulating level of vitamin D increases the
risk of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) after
cardiac surgery. This finding comes from a new study performed by
investigators at Ruhr University Bochum in Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
(latitude 52°N).
Basic
research: From stress to social behaviour - glucocorticoids and
dopaminer...
by Joana Osório
Two new studies published in Science clarify the molecular mechanisms
linking stress and social behaviour. The results of both studies
elucidate the way in which stress-related increases in glucocorticoid
levels act on dopaminergic circuits in the brain of mice and how these
mechanisms influence
Obesity:
Predicting risk of later obesity from the first day of life
by Matthew A. Sabin, Markus Juonala
Obesity is a considerable threat to the future health of our children.
Data from a large prospective cohort study have now led to the
generation of a simple tool that can be used in the neonatal period to
identify babies at the highest risk of developing obesity later in
life. Will this tool prove u...
[Research
Articles] Cross-Hemispheric Functional Connectivity in the Human Fe...
by Thomason, M. E., Dassanayake, M. T., Shen, S., Katkuri, Y.,
Alexis, M., Anderson, A. L., Yeo, L., Mody, S., Hernandez-Andrade, E.,
Hassan, S. S., Studholme, C., Jeong, J.-W., Romero, R.
Compelling evidence indicates that psychiatric and developmental
disorders are generally caused by disruptions in the functional
connectivity (FC) of brain networks. Events occurring during
development, and in particular during fetal life, have been implicated
in the genesis of such disorders. Howev...
[Research
Articles] Binge Drinking Induces Whole-Body Insulin Resistance by I...
by Lindtner, C., Scherer, T., Zielinski, E., Filatova, N.,
Fasshauer, M., Tonks, N. K., Puchowicz, M., Buettner, C.
Individuals with a history of binge drinking have an increased risk
of developing the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Whether binge
drinking impairs glucose homeostasis and insulin action is unknown. To
test this, we treated Sprague-Dawley rats daily with alcohol (3 g/kg)
for three consecuti...
Sedative
prescribing among older people doubles with move into residential ca...
by White, C.
The proportion of older people who receive mood altering drugs
increases sharply when they move into residential care, a rise that is
not fully explained by prescribing rates before admission, a study from
Northern Ireland has found.The findings back up those of other studies
in the United Kingdom a...
Pressure
grows on government to act on obesity as figures show effect on heal...
by Limb, M.
The government is coming under increasing pressure to change its
approach to tackling obesity, as figures show that hospital admissions
for obesity are rising and that the general population is ignoring
advice on healthy diet and exercise levels.The number of inpatient
admissions with a primary diag...
Life
expectancy soars in Africa with introduction of antiretroviral drugs
by Roehr, B.
Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV have had a profound effect in Africa
on patient treatment and society, two new studies show.Adult life
expectancy had fallen to 49.2 years in 2003 in KwaZulu-Natal, South
Africa, based on a rural population cohort of more than 101,000 people
who were hard hit by th...
Primary
Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet
by alerts@nejm.org (Ramón Estruch et al)
New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 0, Issue 0, Ahead of Print.
Association
Between Telomere Length and Experimentally Induced Upper Respirat...
by Cohen S, Janicki-Deverts D, Turner RB, et al.
ImportanceAlthough
leukocyte telomere
length is associated with mortality and many chronic diseases thought
to be manifestations of age-related functional decline, it is not known
whether it relates to acute disease in younger healthy
populations.ObjectiveTo determine whether shorter telomeres in le...
Pharmaceutical
Overdose Deaths, United States, 2010
by Jones CM, Mack KA, Paulozzi LJ.
To the Editor: Data
recently released by
the National Center for Health Statistics show drug overdose deaths
increased for the 11th consecutive year in 2010. Pharmaceuticals,
especially opioid analgesics, have driven this increase. Other
pharmaceuticals are involved in opioid overdose deaths, but th...
Evolution
of fairness [Social Sciences]
by Rand, D. G., Tarnita, C. E., Ohtsuki, H., Nowak, M. A.
Classical economic models assume that people are fully rational and
selfish, while experiments often point to different conclusions. A
canonical example is the Ultimatum Game: one player proposes a division
of a sum of money between herself and a second player, who either
accepts or rejects. Based o...
Increase
in stillbirths in Greece is linked to the economic crisis
by Vlachadis, N., Kornarou, E.
Gardosi and colleagues' article has prompted us to highlight the recent
increase in stillbirths in Greece.1We analysed official data on
stillbirths in Greece from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
Stillbirth rates in Greece continuously decreased over 42 years, from a
high of 16.03/1000 l...
Association
Between Maternal Use of Folic Acid Supplements and Risk of Autism...
by Surén P, Roth C, Bresnahan M, et al.
ImportancePrenatal folic
acid supplements reduce the risk of neural tube defects in children,
but it has not been determined whether they protect against other
neurodevelopmental disorders.ObjectiveTo examine the association
between maternal use of prenatal folic acid supplements and subsequent
risk...
Periconceptional
Folic Acid and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders
by Berry RJ, Crider KS, Yeargin-Allsopp M.
Autism spectrum disorders
(ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by
significant impairments in social interaction and communication and by
repetitive, restrictive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. The most
serious of the conditions comprising ASDs is autistic disorder,...
US
Longevity Falls Short vs That of Peer Countries
by Kuehn BM.
Although the United States
spends more on health care than any other country, US residents live
shorter and less healthy lives than do people in other developed
nations, according to a new report (http://tinyurl.com/a4yzn3o) from
the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine.
Moreover,...
Current
Cigarette Smoking Among Adults - United States, 2011
Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report
Biomarkers
and
Aging
in
the
News
Media
• Mediterranean
diet lowers risk of heart attack, stroke
The Mediterranean diet is a well-known weapon in the fight against
heart disease, but exactly how effective is it?
• Panel
questions value of calcium, vitamin D pills
Popping calcium and vitamin D pills in hopes of
strong bones? Healthy older women shouldn't bother with relatively
low-dose dietary supplements, say new recommendations from a government
advisory group....
• Well:
Dangers of Too Much Calcium
New research suggests that older women who take large calcium
supplements may be at increased risk of heart disease and death.
• Calcium
Supplements May Raise Men's Death Risk From Heart Disease
Study did not find similar threat to women, however
• Flu
shot doing poor job of protecting older people
It turns out this year's flu shot is doing a
startlingly dismal job of protecting older people, the most vulnerable
age group....
• Sequester
cuts would hit elderly meals, childcare
The budget sequester due to take effect on Friday would hit virtually
every health program, from childhood vaccinations to Meals on Wheels,
according to the Obama administration.
• Updated:
NIH Director, Senator Mikulski Warn of Sequester's Impact on Biomedi...
Hundreds of research grants, training awards are at risk on 1 March
• Relationship
Worries Can Make You Sick
Chronic fretting linked to rise in stress hormones, lowered immune
response in study
• Too
Much Sitting Linked to Chronic Health Problems
Risks for diabetes, cancer and heart disease all seem to rise with more
time spent seated, study finds
• Early
Exposure to Gluten May Help Babies Avoid Celiac Risk: Study
Swedish experts say introducing grain-based foods at 4 months, while
still breast-feeding, may cut risk
• More
Americans Successfully Managing Diabetes
But large U.S. government study shows there's a lot of room for
improvement to prevent complications
• High-glycemic
foods tied to diabetes risk
People who eat a lot of low-fiber and processed foods that quickly
spike blood sugars may, not surprisingly, have a significantly higher
risk of the most common form of diabetes, according to a new study.
• Chemicals
in Cookware, Carpets May Raise Arthritis Risk in Women
Study looked at PFCs, found in products from nonstick cookware to
carpeting
• Vegetarian
Diet May Cut Heart Disease Risk
The risk of hospitalization or death from heart disease is almost a
third lower in vegetarians, study says.
• Which
Fats Really Are Good For Your Heart?
Omega-6 fatty acid found in vegetable oils may actually boost heart
disease risk, study says.
• Caffeine
Linked To Low-Birth-Weight Babies
Drinking caffeine raises the risk of a baby being born small by up to
62 percent, study says.
• Drinking
Causes Thousands Of Women A Year To Die From Cancer; What Is A Healt...
Few people realize the cancer risks in drinking alcohol. It causes, on
average, 18 years of lost life in alcohol-related cancers.
• Deep
Fried Foods May Increase Risk of Prostate Cancer by Up to 37 Percent
We all know that fried food is not good for us, but many of us indulge
anyway.
• Can't
Get it Up? Even Minor Problems in the Bedroom Could Signal Hidden
Heart...
Even minor problems in the bedroom could serve as a red flag for
"silent" heart disease, according to a new study of 95,000 men. Besides
signaling a bad heart, a man's erectile dysfunction can also mean that
he is at an increased risk of dying early.
• Targeting
CPR education in high-risk neighborhoods could save more lives
Targeting CPR education in high-risk neighborhoods could increase the
number of bystanders giving CPR and decrease deaths from cardiac
arrest, according to a new statement.
• Mouse
mothers induce parenting behaviors in fathers with ultra-sonic noises
Researchers have demonstrated the existence of communicative signalling
from female mice that induces male parental behavior.
• One
Week of Sleep Deprivation Disrupts DNA Expression; A Third of Americans
a...
A new study shows how lack of sleep wreaks havoc on the gene mechanisms
that control metabolism, stress, and immunity. Over one-third of
Americans are sleep-deprived.
• Working
Out Too Much May Have Little Benefit
By splitting older women into three groups, a new study found that
those that exercised four times a week had the most gains.
• Mammograms
Every Two Years As Effective As Annually Ones For Older Women
For older women, ages 66 to 74, having a mammography every other year
is as effective as those every year.
• Longer
Time Breastfeeding Equals Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk, Study
Researchers have known that women who breastfeed their babies are
significantly less likely to develop ovarian cancer, but a new study
has revealed that the longer a mother breastfeeds, the smaller her risk
for developing the disease.
• Why
the elderly care crisis is here to stay
Why the crisis in old age care is here to stay
• Young
Adults Are America's Most Stressed Generation: Survey
And most feel they get little support from their doctors
• Aging
bikers 3 times more likely to get injured
Jim Lattimore, of Franklin, Tenn., has ridden over 800,000 miles on
motorcycles in 74 countries over a span of nearly five decades. He
still owns 14 bikes. But he's 69, now.
• Birth
order linked to increased risk of diabetes, metabolic disorders
Long a source of sibling rivalry, birth order may raise the risk of
first-born children developing diabetes or high blood pressure,
according to a recent study.
• Bisphenol
A affects sex-specific reproductive behaviors in a monogamous anima...
A series of experiments studied the effects of prenatal exposure to
bisphenol A on later reproductive-associated behaviors using a socially
and genetically monogamous rodent, the California mouse, which may
better mirror most human societies than other rodents.
• Heart
Disease Hits Minority Women Hardest
Heart Disease is the number one killer of women but hits minority women
younger and is more deadly.
• Researchers
Develop Blood Test that Predicts Breast Cancer Relapse Risk
Researchers from Canada have developed a kind of blood test that can
predict whether or a not a woman, who has undergone breast cancer
treatment, have a relapse, reported Mail Online.
• Loneliness
Disrupts Immune System: Study Says
Being lonely can have significant effect on a person's immune response
which in turn can lead to a risk of vulnerabilities to many health
complications, says a new study.
• Hearing
Loss Linked To Mental Decline In Elderly
Older people with hearing deficits are more likely to develop problems
with memory.
• Heart
Problems Tied to Early Signs of Dementia
Older adults with heart problems may be at greater risk for mental
changes that are thought to signal the beginnings of a type of
dementia, a new study shows.
• Can
testosterone make you live longer?
Can testosterone really reverse man's ageing process?
• Sunshine
may 'reduce arthritis risk'
Living in a sunnier climate may reduce the risk of developing
rheumatoid arthritis, according to US researchers.
• Unhappy
childhood heart risk link
Emotional behaviour in childhood may be linked with heart disease in
middle age, especially in women, research suggests.
• 'Coming
Out' Can Bring Health Benefits, Study Says
Openness about sexual orientation may reduce stress for lesbians, gays
and bisexuals
• Marriage
May Cut Heart Attack Risk for Both Spouses
Finding lends support for vow to take 'in sickness and in health'
NIH
Press
Releases
NIH
rare disease event to raise awareness, encourage research collaborations
Rare Disease Day, held each year on February 28, was established to
raise awareness about the estimated 7,000 rare diseases that affect
about 25 million Americans. To mark the occasion in 2013, the NIH will
host a free, two-day public event beginning on this day to focus on
rare diseases research and advocacy activities supported by several
government agencies.
NIH
launches study of long-term effects of blood glucose during pregnancy
Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health plan to
determine whether elevated blood sugar during pregnancy, a less?severe
condition than gestational diabetes, influences later levels of body
fat in children and development of diabetes in mothers after giving
birth.
Scientists
identify molecular events that underlie FASD
Scientists have identified a molecular signaling pathway that plays an
important role in the development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
(FASD). The new research in cells and mice, supported by the
National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National
Institutes of Health, points to candidate genes for FASD susceptibility
and may open new avenues for developing drugs to prevent alcohol damage
to the fetal brain. A report of the study is now online in the
journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Independent
panel to present findings on diagnosing gestational diabetes mell...
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition in which women
without previously diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood glucose levels
during pregnancy (especially during the third trimester of pregnancy).
It is defined as carbohydrate intolerance, which is the inability of
the body to adequately process carbohydrates (sugars and starches) into
energy for the body, that develops or is first recognized during
pregnancy.
NIH
study shows big improvement in diabetes control over past decades
More people are meeting recommended goals in the three key markers of
diabetes control, according to a study conducted and funded by the
National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
Imaging
acute ischemic stroke patients' brains did not lead to improved outcomes
The use of an advanced imaging shortly after the onset of acute stroke
failed to identify a subgroup of patients who could benefit from a
clot-removal procedure, a study has found.
NIH
scientists identify molecular link between metabolism and breast cancer
A protein associated with conditions of metabolic imbalance, such as
diabetes and obesity, may play a role in the development of aggressive
forms of breast cancer, according to new findings by researchers at the
National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of
Health, and their colleagues. Metabolic imbalance is often caused by
elevated carbohydrate intake, which can lead to over-activating a
molecule called C-terminal binding protein (CtBP). This
over-activation, in turn, can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Results of their work appeared in Nature Communications, Feb. 5, 2013.
Imaging
biomarker predicts response to rapid antidepressant
PA telltale boost of activity at the back of the brain while processing
emotional information predicted whether depressed patients would
respond to an experimental rapid-acting antidepressant, a National
Institutes of Health study has found.
NIH
study finds missed opportunities for underage alcohol screening
Physicians often fail to ask high school-aged patients about alcohol
use and to advise young people to reduce or stop drinking, according to
a study led by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
(NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health.
New
NIH resources help growing number of Americans with vision loss
A 20-page large-print booklet and a series of videos to help people
adapt to life with low vision are available from the National Eye
Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health. The
materials were released during Low Vision Awareness Month, February
2013.
NIH
urges women to protect their heart health and to encourage others to do
t...
During American Heart Month in February 2013, The Heart Truth campaign
of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) will celebrate
the stories of women taking action to protect their hearts and who are
inspiring and motivating others to make heart-healthy lifestyle changes.
NIH
Announcements
Regional and International Differences in Health and Longevity at Older Ages (R03) PA-13-123
Expiration Date September 8, 2016
Regional and International Differences in Health and Longevity at Older Ages (R21)
PA-13-124
Expiration Date September 8, 2016
Regional and International Differences in Health and Longevity at Older Ages (R01)
PA-13-125
Expiration Date September 8, 2016
Obesity Policy Evaluation Research (R01) PA-13-110
Expiration Date: May 8, 2016
Dissemination
and Implementation Research in Health (R01)
Funding Number: PAR-13-055
Expiration Date: January 8, 2016
Dissemination
and Implementation Research in Health (R21)
Funding Number: PAR-13-054
Expiration Date: January 8, 2016
Dissemination
and Implementation Research in Health (R03)
Funding Number: PAR-13-056
Expiration Date: January 8, 2016
PAR-12-186 DBSR
Macroeconomic Aspects of Population Aging (R01)
Expiration
date:
10/04/2014
Secondary
Analyses
in Obesity, Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R21)
Funding Number: PA-12-125
Expiration Date: May 8, 2015
Biodemography
of
Aging
(R21),
Funding
Number:
PAR-12-079
Expiration Date: March 4, 2014
Biodemography
of
Aging
(R03),
Funding
Number:
PAR-12-080
Expiration Date: March 4, 2014
Biodemography
of
Aging
(R01),
Funding
Number:
PAR-12-078
Expiration Date: March 4, 2014
Events:
Announcements:
NIH
Videocasts:
Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Mammalian Aging
Air date: Thursday, March 28, 2013, 12:00:00 PM (ET)
Conferences:
Population Association of America Annual
meeting, New Orleans, LA.
The 2013 Annual Meeting will be held April 11-13 at the
Sheraton New
Orleans Hotel
Abstract deadline:
September 21, 2012
2013
Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society
(AGS), May 3 - 5,
2013
Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, TX
Abstract deadline: December 3, 2012
The 25th REVES
meeting on health expectancy
The University of Texas at Austin (TX), May 27-29, 2013
Abstract submission deadline: February 15, 2013
The 20th
IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, June
23-27, 2013, Seoul, Korea
Abstract deadline: October 31, 2012
108th
Annual meeting of the American Sociological Association
August 10-13,
Hilton New York & Sheraton New York
The deadline for paper submission is January 9, 2013 at 3:00pm EST.
XXVII IUSSP
International Population Conference
26 to 31 August 2013.
Busan, Republic of Korea
Abstract deadline: November 7, 2012
66th
Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Wednesday,
11/20 to Sunday, 11/24, 2013
Sheraton New Orleans - New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, Louisiana
Deadline for abstract
submissions is March 15, 2013
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This
Newsletter is supported by a grant from the National
Institute on
Aging, National Institutes of Health (Grant No. 5 P30 AG012857)
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