CCBAR
Newsletter
– September,
2012
Editors:
Natalia
Gavrilova
and
Stacy
Tessler
Lindau
CCBAR News:
Natalia
Gavrilova took part in the EAPS Health, Morbidity and Mortality
workshop held in Tallinn (Estonia) and presented her work on mortality
measurement and mortality trajectories at advanced ages. The workshop
was hosted by the Estonian Institute for Population Studies.
Video
presentations from the last CCBAR Conference on Biomeasures Collection
in Population-Based Health Research (October 2011) are now available
online. Please visit CCBAR website and watch presentations by Rose Anne
Kenny (Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland), Lorna Thorpe (Columbia
University), Jennifer Makelarski (The University of Chicago),
Bill Funk (Northwestern University), Joachim Pleil (U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency), Heidi Allen (Providence
Portland Medical Center) and Jens Ludwig (The University of
Chicago) using the following link:
News
from
the NEJM, Nature Journals, Science, BMJ, PNAS, Lancet and JAMA
Arc
illuminates Alzheimer's pathophysiology
Pathological alterations in Alzheimer's disease
disrupt neuronal
network function. An in vivo imaging study using a fluorescent reporter
of neuronal activity finds dysfunction specifically in those neurons
near amyloid plaques.
Changing
behavior with epigenetics
The
drive to eat: comparisons and distinctions between mechanisms of food
rew...
Many comparisons between obesity and drug addiction
have been made in
recent years. In this review, the authors critically compare the
behavioral responses to food and drugs of abuse, as well as the neural
circuitry involved in each, pointing out key differences between the
two.
Biomarkers:
Genetic predictors of oral cancer risk
Predicting whether premalignant lesions will
progress to cancer is
crucial for making appropriate treatment decisions. Miriam Rosin and
colleagues analysed the loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) status of
chromosomes 3p and 9p in 296 patients with low to moderate grade oral
dysplasia who had known clinica...
Down's
syndrome and Alzheimer's disease: towards secondary prevention
A public-private partnership to establish biomarkers
of dementia in
Down's syndrome could aid the development of preventive therapies for
the dementia associated with both Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's
disease, based on the apparent common pathogenic role of amyloid
precursor protein in the two co...
Sting
of Alzheimer's failures offset by upcoming prevention trials
Three prevention trials in asymptomatic Alzheimer's
disease patients
will attempt to validate the amyloid hypothesis, evaluate biomarkers
and set the stage for drug approvals.
Revising
the human mutation rate: implications for understanding human evolution
It is now possible to make direct measurements of
the mutation rate in
modern humans using next-generation sequencing. These measurements
reveal a value that is approximately half of that previously derived
from fossil calibration, and this has implications for our
understanding of demographic event...
Lipids:
HDL cholesterol is not HDL- don't judge the book by its cover
The concept that raising HDL-cholesterol level will
uniformly translate
into cardiovascular risk reduction has been challenged by genetic
epidemiology studies and large-scale, randomized clinical trials.
Studies suggest that we should go beyond HDL cholesterol, and consider
emerging biomarkers of HD...
Metabolic
hypothesis for human altriciality [Anthropology]
The classic anthropological hypothesis known as the
'obstetrical
dilemma' is a well-known explanation for human altriciality, a
condition that has significant implications for human social and
behavioral evolution. The hypothesis holds that antagonistic selection
for a large neonatal brain and a nar...
Alzheimer's
disease risk genes and amyloid levels [Cell Biology]
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the
presence of toxic
protein aggregates or plaques composed of the amyloid peptide.
Various lengths of A peptide are generated by proteolytic cleavages of
the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Mutations in many familial
AD-associated genes affect ...
Neural
consequences of combat stress [Neuroscience]
Prolonged stress can have long-lasting effects on
cognition. Animal
models suggest that deficits in executive functioning could result from
alterations within the mesofrontal circuit. We investigated this
hypothesis in soldiers before and after deployment to Afghanistan and a
control group using fun...
Defaults,
meaning, and behavior [Social Sciences]
Rates of participation in organ donation programs
are known to be
powerfully influenced by the relevant default policy in effect
('opt-in' vs. 'opt-out'). Three studies provide evidence that this
difference in participation may occur in part because the requirement
to opt-in or opt-out results in la...
The
key to longevity
Almost six years ago, in my first
Observations column for the BMJ, I wrote that the secret to a longer
life is something that doctors can do very little to affect:...
A
Trial of Sugar-free or Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Body Weight in
Children
Cardiovascular
Risk Assessment in the Development of New Drugs for Obesity Ca...
The US
Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, convened a meeting of
the Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products on March 28-29,
2012, to consider cardiovascular safety requirements for approval of
new drugs to treat obesity. The broader context at that...
The
Role of Government in Preventing Excess Calorie Consumption The Example
o...
Americans
consume many more calories
than needed, and the excess is leading to diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, and premature mortality. Since the 1970s, caloric intake has
increased by some 200 to 600 calories per person per day. Although it
is unclear how important changes in physical activity ar...
Progress
in Obesity Research Reasons for Optimism
It is
tempting, when considering
obesity, to be pessimistic. The prevalence of obesity in adults and
children increased to record levels in the 1980s and 1990s. Although
the rate of increase has slowed, in 2010 more than 35% of adults and
16% of children aged 2 to 19 years were obese. Obesity is acc...
Benefits
and Risks of Aspirin Use
To the
Editor: Ms De Berardis and
colleagues reported that the use of low-dose aspirin was associated
with a 55% increase in risk of major bleeding, consistent with existing
evidence, but the incidence rates in both aspirin users and those not
using aspirin were substantially higher than previously ...
Benefits
and Risks of Aspirin Use - Reply
In
Reply: Dr DiNicolantonio and
colleagues suggest that reverse causation may be responsible for an
overestimation of the risk of bleeding in individuals treated with
aspirin. The increased risk of bleeding associated with the use of
aspirin has been documented in many RCTs and observational studies...
Studies
Probe Mechanisms That Have a Role in Obesity-Associated Morbidities
In the
last half century, what was once
an evolutionary advantage - being able to quickly store excess
calories - and a sedentary lifestyle have contributed to an
epidemic of
obesity. Along with this increase in the number of obese individuals
has come an increase in metabolic syndrome, characterized by...
QuickStats:
FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS Prevalence of Obes...
Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report Volume Number: 308, Issue Number: 11, First
Page: 1084, Last Page: 1084
Biomarkers
and
Aging
in
the
News
Media
•
Launching
a new war on cancer
Houston's MD Anderson Cancer Center is announcing a $3 billion program
aimed at significantly improving survival in a handful of cancers by
the end of this decade.
• Vital
Signs: Risks: BPA Levels Tied to Obesity in Youths
A study has found that the risk of obesity is higher among children
with high urinary levels of the chemical, which is widely used in food
packaging.
• Vital
Signs: Aging: Early Menopause Is Linked to Heart Risk
A study of a large multiethnic population found an increased risk of
cardiovascular disease and stroke among women who reached menopause
before age 47.
• Radiation
may up breast cancer risk in some women
Mammograms might raise the chances of developing cancer in young women
whose genes put them at higher risk, a study suggests.
• Study:
Ginkgo doesn't prevent Alzheimer's disease
Taking ginkgo biloba didn't prevent Alzheimer's disease in older
adults, according to the biggest prevention study in Europe.
• University
pulls Kinsey Institute app over privacy concerns
The Kinsey Institute released a new mobile app that allows users to
report on sexual behavior and experiences.
• War
might be making young bodies old
A VA study finds that veterans in their 20s and 30s show signs of
premature aging.
• Painkillers
linked to repeat heart attack or death
Common painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen are considered risky for
people who've had a heart attack. And now a large study suggests those
risks do not go away with time.
• 3
Quick Questions Help ID Ovarian Cancer Risk
Screening all women for ovarian cancer does more harm than good. But a
three-item questionnaire identifies women most likely to benefit from
further tests.
• Leaders
Less Stressed Out
It's easy to presume that people in leadership positions are more
stressed because of their heavy workloads and increased
responsibilities, but a new study suggests that may not be the case.
• Sugary
Drinks and Weight Gain Linked
If you're at risk of obesity because of your genes, you may be extra
susceptible to weight gain from sugary drinks.
• Secrets
in small blood vessels could reveal the risks of heart disease and di...
Researchers have embarked on a unique study that will shed new light on
the risk of heart disease and diabetes in later life.
• Obesity
promotes prostate cancer by altering gene regulation
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and early
treatment is usually very successful. However, like other cancers,
obesity increases the risk of aggressive prostate disease. New research
finds that the fat surrounding the prostate of overweight or obese men
with prostate cancer provides a favorable environment to promote cancer
growth.
• You
have to eat, except when you're not hungry
A study of siblings indicates a behavioral inclination toward obesity
in children.
• Pregnancy
complications up to twice higher in women born preterm
Women who were born premature are more likely to have pregnancy
complications than women who weren't, according to new research. This
study clearly shows the impact of preterm birth (i.e. before 37 weeks
of gestation) itself on pregnancy risks. Low-weight at birth is an
additional but independent risk factor.
• Cancer
researchers show why genetic risks promote breast cancer
Cancer researchers studying 44 known genetic variants associated with
breast cancer have found the way to identify why they increase cancer
risk, opening the door to future therapeutic applications based on
personalized medicine.
• Food
for thought: Do family meals really make a difference for child
academic...
Despite popular wisdom and findings from much previous research that
suggests the beneficial impact of family mealtime, a rigorous analysis
of 21,400 children, ages five to 15, brings a new argument to the
table: When researchers controlled for a host of confounding factors,
they didn't find any relationship between family meals and child
academic outcomes or behavior.
• Eunuchs
provide clues to longer life
Eunuchs in the Korean Choson dynasty lived around 17 years longer than
their non-castrated peers, hinting at testosterone's influence on
lifespan
• Red
Wine Compound Found to Extend Life
A compound found in red wine has been found to decrease appetite and
increase the lifespan of bees.
• More
Middle-Aged Men Committing Suicide Due to Loss of Pride, Masculinity
A report commissioned by the Samaritans revealed though suicide rates
in younger men has decrease, for men in their middle-ages it's on the
rise.
• Low-Fat
Yogurt Cuts High Blood Pressure Risk
People who eat low-fat yogurt regularly are less likely to develop high
blood pressure, a new study says.
• A
Glass of Wine a Day Ups Breast Cancer Risk
Drinking just one glass of wine may up the risk of many types of
cancers, including breast cancer, according to new research. However,
The International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research says that
studies such as these fail to talk about the various health benefits of
light alcohol consumption.
• Boys
Don't Cry: Men and Women Feel Empathy Over Different Things
Men, who were aged 13 to 83, needed to personally feel sad or
distressed in order to feel empathy for characters.
• Heat
Waves and Cold Spells Could Trigger Fatal Heart Attacks
Extreme temperatures during heat waves and cold spells may
significantly increase the risk of premature death from heart disease,
according to a new study.
NIH
Press
Releases
Study
reveals genomic similarities between breast cancer and ovarian cancers
One subtype of breast cancer shares many genetic features with
high-grade serous ovarian cancer, a cancer that is very difficult to
treat, according to researchers supported by the National Institutes of
Health. The findings suggest that the two cancers are of similar
molecular origin, which may facilitate the comparison of therapeutic
data for subtypes of breast and ovarian cancers.
Vaginal
delivery safe for head first births before 32 weeks
Infants born to mothers attempting to deliver vaginally before the 32nd
week of pregnancy are as likely to survive as those delivered by a
planned cesarean, provided the fetus is in the head-first position,
according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health.
Dark
matter DNA active in brain during day -- night cycle
Long stretches of DNA once considered inert dark matter appear to be
uniquely active in a part of the brain known to control the body's
24-hour cycle, according to researchers at the National Institutes of
Health.
NIH
announces new program in metabolomics
The National Institutes of Health will invest $14.3 million this year,
potentially investing more than $51.4 million over five years, to
accelerate an emerging field of biomedical research known as
metabolomics. Metabolomics is the study of small molecules called
metabolites, found within cells and biological systems. Metabolites are
produced or consumed in the chemical reactions that take place in the
body to sustain life. The awards are supported by the NIH Common Fund.
Rare
cancers yield potential source of tumor growth
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered a
genetic mutation that appears to increase production of red blood cells
in tumors. The discovery, based on analysis of tissue from rare
endocrine tumors, may help clarify how some tumors generate a new blood
supply to sustain their growth, the researchers explained.
NIH
Announcements
Secondary
Analyses and Archiving of Social and Behavioral Datasets in Aging
(R03)
Funding Number: RFA-AG-13-009
Expiration Date: February 15, 2013
Basic
social and behavioral research on culture, health, and wellbeing
(R24)
Funding Number: RFA-LM-12-002
Expiration Date: December 18, 2012
Secondary
Analyses of CALERIE Data Set and Stored Biospecimens to Address
Research Questions Related to Effects of Caloric Restriction in Humans
and Adherence to Caloric Restriction Interventions (R01).
RFA-AG-13-008
Expiration Date: October 31, 2012
Time-Sensitive
Obesity Policy and Program Evaluation (R01)
Expiration Date: September 11, 2015
Estimating
the Economic Costs of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
(R03)
Expiration Date: September 8, 2015
Estimating
the Economic Costs of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
(R21)
Expiration Date: September 8, 2015
Estimating
the Economic Costs of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
(R01)
Expiration Date: September 8, 2015
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:
NEA and NIH co-host live webinar on new funding opportunity on culture
and health
Webinar will focus on new funding opportunity on the arts and social
sciences from the National Institutes of Health
You are invited to a live, public webinar Thursday, October 4, 2012, 3:00 -
4:00 pm, EST
The webinar is free and open to the public. No registration
is required.
To join the webinar, go to http://artsgov.adobeconnect.com/artsdev5/
and check the "Enter as Guest" radio button. Type in your name and
click hit "Enter Room" to join.
You may listen using your computer's speakers or dial-in to
1-877-685-5350 and use participant code: 739587. Attendees will be
muted but able to type in questions and comments through a text
Q&A box.
Follow the conversation on Twitter @NEAarts with the hashtag
#NEAtaskforce.
An archive of the webinar will be available on Monday, October 8, 2012
at http://www.arts.gov/research/convenings/
Conferences:
2012
Annual
Meeting
of
the American Sociological Association, August 17-20, Denver,
CO
Abstracts
Deadline:
January
11,
2012
Gerontological
Society
of
America's
65th
Annual
Scientific
Meeting, November 14-18, 2012, San Diego, CA.
Abstracts
Deadline:
March
15,
2012
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
The 20th
IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, June
23-27, 2013, Seoul, Korea
Abstract deadline: October 31, 2012
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This
Newsletter is supported by a grant from the National
Institute on
Aging, National Institutes of Health (Grant No. 5 P30 AG012857)
If you would like to unsubscribe please notify us at ngavrilova@babies.bsd.uchicago.edu
