A University of North Carolina study finds that couples with high family support show better heart and blood pressure responses to stress, while spousal support is particularly valuable in reducing cardiovascular risks. The research highlights the importance of psychological factors in family life for heart health.
The convention will explore the role of psychologists in preventing teenage aggression and violence, as well as the consequences of internet usage. Experts will also discuss cancer treatment and prevention, including promoting well-being in cancer patients.
PhD researcher Jason Todd earned a patent for his research on a new, low-cost material for purifying proteins using chitosan beads. The technology has been licensed to LigoChem Inc., allowing them to purify antibodies at a lower cost.
Researchers found depressed smokers had lower natural killer cell activity than non-smokers, while moderate smoking contributed to increased white blood cell counts and reduced NK activity. The study suggests that even moderate cigarette smoking can impact the immune system adversely.
The University of California, Davis, has been named one of seven new Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency. Professors Matt Bishop, Karl Levitt, and Philip Rogaway are being recognized for their research and teaching efforts in computer security.
The symposium, hosted by the American Herbal Products Association, brings together experts to discuss the latest research and benefits of echinacea. Echinacea has been found to have antibacterial, antiviral, and wound-healing properties, with German research confirming its ability to strengthen the immune system.
Researchers at UNC Health Care found that men with high stress levels and weak social support developed AIDS faster. The study of 82 HIV-infected gay men showed that cumulative stressful events doubled the risk of progressing to AIDS.
A study by Dr. Ulrich Schweiger and colleagues found that severely depressed men have lower testosterone concentrations during the day and night, as well as higher cortisol levels. This disturbance of gonadal function may impair sexual function and increase the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
Researchers used new techniques to study HDL particles, verifying the lipid bilayer structure and confirming a key finding about protein orientation. The study resolves a long-standing controversy over the structure of HDL, shedding light on its role in cardiovascular health.
A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that 39% of women with naturally low cholesterol levels scored high on a depression scale, while 35% scored similarly high on an anxiety scale. The study also linked low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations to depression and anxiety.
A 5.5-year study found that stressful events and low social support accelerate HIV progression to AIDS, with men who developed AIDS twice as likely to have experienced major depressions before onset.