Futurity.org » University of Missouri

Breast cancer treated with celery extract

Timothy Wall-Missouri — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:19:38 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — A natural substance found in celery and parsley shows promise as a non-toxic treatment for an aggressive breast cancer.

University of Missouri researchers found the substance, called apigenin, shrank a type of breast cancer tumor that is stimulated by progestin, a synthetic hormone given to women to ease symptoms related to menopause. Findings are reported in the journal Hormones and Cancer.

Test detects arthritis before joints hurt

Nathan Hurst-Missouri — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:36:31 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — A new test can accurately detect and predict arthritis before patients begin suffering from symptoms.

More than 27 million adults suffer from osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis. In the past, doctors have been unable to diagnose patients with arthritis until they begin to show symptoms, which include joint pain and stiffness. But by the time the symptoms are present, it is often too late for preventive and minimally invasive treatment options to be effective.

A better way to keep hungry diners waiting

Nathan Hurst-Missouri — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:12:21 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — There are ways to make waiting for a table more pleasant for patrons and more profitable for restaurant owners, according to experiments in a virtual environment.

“Our study shows that waiting area design has an effect on diners,” says So-Yeon Yoon, associate professor of architectural studies at the University of Missouri. “By redesigning waiting areas, restaurant owners can make more money, and customers can have a more enjoyable experience.”

Skip the ups and downs. Stay happy

Timothy Wall-Missouri — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:21:07 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — There are two keys to becoming happy and staying that way, according to a new study.

“Although the Declaration of Independence upholds the right to pursue happiness, that search can be a never-ending quest,” says Kennon Sheldon, professor of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri.

To allocate funds, rank health risks

Christian Basi-Missouri — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:12:35 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — A new system may help public health care organizations allocate resources by prioritizing health risks and conditions—in some cases before they become major health problems.

“Every state, county and community has different trends and needs in public health,” says Eduardo Simoes, chair of the Department of Health Management and Informatics at the University of Missouri.

Reminders of death may be good for life

Timothy Wall-Missouri — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:29:45 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — Thoughts of mortality can lead to decreased militaristic attitudes, better health decisions, increased altruism and helpfulness, and reduced divorce rates.

Contrary to previous findings, the review of dozens of studies finds that contemplating death doesn’t necessarily lead to morose despondency, fear, aggression, or other negative behaviors.

“According to terror management theory, people deal with their awareness of mortality by upholding cultural beliefs and seeking to become part of something larger and more enduring than themselves, such as nations or religions,” says Jamie Arndt, study co-author and professor of psychological sciences at University of Missouri.

For babies, safest sleep is in the crib

Jessalyn Tenhouse-Missouri — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:27:23 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — Safe, separate sleep environments for infants are critical to preventing sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs), says an injury prevention researcher.

Since 1992, the government’s Back-to-Sleep Campaign has encouraged parents to place infants on their backs to sleep. Still, more than 4,500 infants die unexpectedly during sleep each year in the United States.

“Many of these SUIDs are due to unsafe sleep environments, and these deaths are totally preventable,” says Patricia Schnitzer, an associate professor in the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing.

No single ‘God spot’ in human brain

Jessalyn Tenhouse-Missouri — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:33:32 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — New research challenges the idea that the human brain has a “God spot,” a distinct area responsible for spirituality.

Work by University of Missouri researchers indicates spirituality is a complex phenomenon, and multiple areas of the brain are responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences.

To feel more mature, cut back on booze

Timothy Wall-Missouri — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:40:02 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — Young adults who continue drinking heavily into their 30s may feel psychologically immature, according to a new study.

Helping young adults acknowledge their mental impulse to “sober up” as they mature can improve substance abuse intervention programs, say University of Missouri researchers.

“When a heavy drinking 30-year-old comes in for therapy and says he doesn’t feel like an adult, we can present this study and suggest that cutting back on alcohol could help him feel more mature,” says lead researcher Rachel Winograd, a doctoral student in psychology.

Blame stress, not chemo brain, for declines

Christian Basi-Missouri — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:14:41 +0000

U. MISSOURI (US) — Stress, not chemo brain, may be the reason many women with breast cancer experience cognitive decline, according to new research.

Women undergoing chemotherapy treatment often have decreased verbal fluency or loss of memory and attention.