Medical Xpress: University of Texas at Austin in the news http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress provides the latest news from University of Texas at Austin Thanks to rare alpine bacteria, researchers identify one of alcohol's key gateways to the brain Thanks to a rare bacteria that grows only on rocks in the Swiss Alps, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and the Pasteur Institute in France have been the first to identify how alcohol might affect key brain proteins. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-rare-alpine-bacteria-alcohol-key.html Medical research Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:11:40 EST news286114290 Trustworthy mating advice deepens bond between straight women and gay men Why do straight women and gay men form close relationships with one another? A new psychology study from The University of Texas at Austin suggests the glue that cements these unique relationships is honest, unbiased relationship advice. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-trustworthy-advice-deepens-bond-straight.html Psychology & Psychiatry Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:02:04 EST news280584117 Socially isolated rats are more vulnerable to addiction, report researchers Rats that are socially isolated during a critical period of adolescence are more vulnerable to addiction to amphetamine and alcohol, found researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. Amphetamine addiction is also harder to extinguish in the socially isolated rats. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-socially-isolated-rats-vulnerable-addiction.html Neuroscience Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:52:31 EST news278175137 Lack of key enzyme in the metabolism of folic acid leads to birth defects Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered that the lack of a critical enzyme in the folic acid metabolic pathway leads to neural tube birth defects in developing embryos. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-lack-key-enzyme-metabolism-folic.html Medical research Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:23:45 EST news277651417 During one of the earliest flu seasons, researchers share subtle strategy for promoting vaccination (Medical Xpress)— With the nation experiencing one of the earliest flu seasons since the winter of 2003, Matthew McGlone – an associate professor of advertising in The University of Texas at Austin's College of Communication – has discovered a subtle linguistic strategy for promoting vaccination. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-earliest-flu-seasons-subtle-strategy.html Health Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:07:34 EST news275324849 SIT, popular autism treatment, lacks scientific evidence (Medical Xpress)—One of the most popular intervention therapies for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) lacks scientific support according to a literature review published by University of Texas at Austin professor Mark O'Reilly and an international team of scientists. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-popular-autism-treatment-lacks-scientific.html Autism spectrum disorders Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:17:15 EST news272621823 Changing hormones and nerve activity during menstrual cycle predispose women to knee injuries, researchers find (Medical Xpress)—Hormone changes during a woman's menstrual cycle and the resulting fluctuations in nerve activity may be a major reason female athletes have more knee injuries than their male counterparts, according to a new study from The University of Texas at Austin's College of Education. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-hormones-nerve-menstrual-predispose-women.html Health Thu, 15 Nov 2012 06:52:08 EST news272184721 Researchers use supercomputer simulations to understand how some carcinogens evade removal A person doesn't have to go far to find a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). These carcinogen precursors are inhaled through automobiles exhaust during the morning commute, are present in a drag of cigarette smoke, and are part of any barbequed meal. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-supercomputer-simulations-carcinogens-evade.html Cancer Fri, 02 Nov 2012 12:13:29 EST news271077199 New psychology study reveals unexamined costs of rape Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are commonly associated with sexual assault, but a new study from The University of Texas at Austin shows that female victims suffer from a wide spectrum of debilitating effects that may often go unnoticed or undiagnosed. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-psychology-reveals-unexamined-rape.html Psychology & Psychiatry Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:18:28 EST news268996698 Identifying the key genes to infection resistance Manning the gates of our immune system are toll-like receptors (TLR)—tiny hairs that stick out of the cell membrane, recognize foreign bodies, and rally an organism's defense mechanisms. The molecular building blocks of TLRs are present in bacteria and plants, and are believed to be one of the most ancient, conserved components of the immune system. These tiny receptors and other molecular messengers play a big role in human health as well. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-key-genes-infection-resistance.html Immunology Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:36:44 EST news267089773 People merge supernatural and scientific beliefs when reasoning with the unknown, study shows (Medical Xpress)—Reliance on supernatural explanations for major life events, such as death and illness, often increases rather than declines with age, according to a new psychology study from The University of Texas at Austin. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-people-merge-supernatural-scientific-beliefs.html Psychology & Psychiatry Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:31:45 EST news265552293 Common antifungal drug decreases tumor growth and shows promise as cancer therapy An inexpensive antifungal drug, thiabendazole, slows tumor growth and shows promise as a chemotherapy for cancer. Scientists in the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin made this discovery by exploiting the evolutionary relatedness of yeast, frogs, mice and humans. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-common-antifungal-drug-decreases-tumor.html Cancer Tue, 21 Aug 2012 03:03:57 EST news264737025 Repetitious, time-intensive magical rituals considered more effective, study shows Even in this modern age of science, people are likely to find logic in supernatural rituals that require a high degree of time and effort, according to new research from The University of Texas at Austin. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-repetitious-time-intensive-magical-rituals-effective.html Psychology & Psychiatry Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:50:01 EST news262527971 Memories serve as tools for learning and decision-making, new study shows (Medical Xpress) -- When humans learn, their brains relate new information with past experiences to derive new knowledge, according to psychology research from The University of Texas at Austin. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-memories-tools-decision-making.html Neuroscience Thu, 12 Jul 2012 07:22:25 EST news261296529 Small molecule may play big role in Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease is one of the most dreaded and debilitating illnesses one can develop. Currently, the disease afflicts 6.5 million Americans and the Alzheimer's Association projects it to increase to between 11 and 16 million, or 1 in 85 people, by 2050. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-small-molecule-big-role-alzheimer.html Alzheimer's disease & dementia Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:39:50 EST news261074372