Monthly News Archives



		Tired? Try Low-Intensity Exercise Sedentary people who regularly complain of fatigue can increase their energy levels by 20 percent and decrease their fatigue by 65 percent by engaging in regular, low intensity exercise, according to a new University of Georgia study. Is Weight Training Effective For Endurance Athletes As it turns out, the question of whether weight training matters to serious endurance athletes is a matter of debate. Broccoli Sprout Extract Prevents Bladder Cancer A concentrated extract of freeze-dried broccoli sprouts reduced bladder tumor development by more than half in laboratory rats, according to a new study. Only Zero Emissions Can Prevent A Warmer Planet Greenhouse gas emissions will have to be eliminated completely to stabilise the Earth's climate and prevent temperatures from rising. That’s the conclusion of climatologists in the US who say that our current efforts to merely stabilise emissions will not be enough. Ginkgo Biloba Protects Memory Taking the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba may help delay the onset of cognitive impairment in normal elderly adults, according to a recent study published online. Farmed Fish May Be Less Nutritious For Humans When the diets of farmed fish are altered, the food we ingest also changes. What consequences might this have on both fish and human health? Preventable Chronic Disease Far More Dangerous To People Than Terrorism World governments focus too much on fighting terrorism while obesity and other "lifestyle diseases" are killing millions more people, an international conference recently heard. How Drug Companies Deceive You And What To Do About It The excesses of the pharmaceutical industry are perhaps the clearest example of the folly of allowing health care expenditures and policies to be driven by largely unregulated market forces and the profit-making imperatives of investor-owned businesses. Teen Aggression May Really Be a State of Mind For parents of emotionally combative teens, new research offers a powerful biological reason for all the family feuding -- adolescent brain size. Prevent Cancer With IP6 Three recent studies have confirmed the role of inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) in cancer prevention and control of experimental tumor growth. Anti-Depressants Work No Better Than Placebo New generation anti-depressants have little clinical benefit for most patients, research suggests. In Romance, Looks Matters Most to the Beautiful In the world of romance, we seek out partners who are just as "hot" or "not hot" as we are. Stretching Does Not Prevent Soreness Or Injury Stretching — long promoted as a way to prevent injury, to reduce soreness and to speed post-exercise recovery — may not fulfill its promise. Understanding Taste Despite the significance of taste to both human gratification and survival, a basic understanding of this primal sense is still unfolding. TV Could Be Disrupting Your Kid's Sleep A growing body of research is finding that infants and children under the age of 3 who watch TV -- even too much TV during the day -- struggle with interrupted sleep and irregular bed and naptime schedules. Acne May Prevent People From Exercising Acne patients who are highly anxious about their skin condition say they are less likely to participate in sport or exercise, according to new research at the University of Bath. Six-Minute Nap Boosts Memory Even the shortest of catnaps may be enough to improve performance in memory tests, say German scientists. Scientists Find Believing Can Be Seeing Scientists at University College London have found the link between what we expect to see, and what our brain tells us we actually saw. Vitamin D May Be The Nutrient Of The Decade The so-called sunshine vitamin is poised to become the nutrient of the decade, if a host of recent findings are to be believed. Cancer And The Bacterial Connection Some scientists theorize that germs can teach our bodies how to fight back against cancer tumors. The Only Foods You Should Eat Before a Workout Whether you're trying to lose weight or just keep up with your workout plan, eating the right foods throughout the day will give you the energy you need to keep up with your goals. Still, what you eat right before the workout is key to your success; the type of food you eat - protein or carbohydrate - determines how much fat you can burn during your workout, and whether you'll have enough energy to get through it. Working Alone May Be The Key To Better Productivity You may not be aware of it - they might not be aware of it, but the people in your work environment might be slowing you down. Why Good Ideas Aren't Always Helpful Good ideas can have drawbacks. When information is freely shared, good ideas can stunt innovation by distracting others from pursuing even better ideas, according to Indiana University cognitive scientist Robert Goldstone. Understanding Food Labels Prevents Disease The food label, also called the Nutrition Facts Panel, can often be confusing on first glance. The purpose of the food label is to help you make healthy choices so you can lose weight and still eat the foods you enjoy. If you get in the habit of reading and understanding food labels, you are on your way to a healthy diet and good foundation in preventing disease. Female G Spot Can Be Located The mysterious G spot - supposedly a route to female sexual satisfaction - can be located with ultrasound, claim Italian scientists. Using HEPA Filters Improves Cardiovascular Health One day doctors may recommend using high efficiency particle air (HEPA) filters along with weight loss, smoking cessation, and exercise to improve cardiovascular health, according to researchers in Denmark. Rotavirus Vaccine Developed By Glaxo Linked To Convulsions And Pneumonia GlaxoSmithKline Plc's rotavirus vaccine is associated with increased pneumonia-related deaths and other adverse reactions, U.S. regulatory staff said in recently posted documents. Ameriware Cookware Contains Non-Stick Chemicals Similar To Teflon Ameriware Professional Non-Stick Cookware commonly sold at Costco, contains dangerous chemicals, some of which are generic versions of Teflon. Father's Health May Play A Major Role In Health Of Future Generations Sperm defects caused by exposure to environmental toxins can be passed down the generations, research suggests. Massive Increase In Bipolar Disorder Diagnoses in Children Over Last Decade Diagnoses of children with bipolar disorder was very rare until the mid-1990s, when a number of psychiatrists began to promote the view that the symptoms of the disorder manifest differently in children, leading to the prescription of several different drugs. Most Maternal Deaths Worldwide Are Preventable Infectious diseases kill a surprisingly large number of women during pregnancy, according to a study published on that suggests many maternal deaths in the developing world are preventable. How to Avoid Temptation When Dieting The hardest part about dieting is keeping your appetite under control. Temptations surround you wherever you go. So how does one go about resisting all these food temptations while on a diet? Here are some simple tricks to help curb your appetite and keep you from giving in to all the temptations around you. External Cues Often Dictate How Much You Will Eat It's the French paradox redux: Why don't the French get as fat as Americans, considering all the baguettes, wine, cheese, pate and pastries they eat? Large Changes Needed To Address Global Obesity Epidemic According to Rena Wing, professor of psychiatry and human behavior at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and director of the Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center at The Miriam Hospital, people who are most successful in preventing weight gain, and dieters who lose weight and keep the pounds off, have made major changes in their in diet and exercise routines. Do You Judge Your Experiences By Alternatives? Researchers have identified a key reason why people make mistakes when they try to predict what they will like. When predicting how much we will enjoy a future experience, people tend to compare it to its alternatives—that is, to the experiences they had before, might have later, or could have been having now. Probiotics Help Athletes Probiotic supplements reduce the number and length of infections suffered by long-distance runners, Australian research has found. Red Wine Heart Benefits No Different To Other Alcohols The potential health benefits of a single glass of polyphenol rich red wine are no different to any other alcoholic beverage, according to new research. Being Overweight May Raise Cancer Risk Being obese or even overweight may increase a person's risk of developing up to a dozen different types of cancer, European researchers report in a new study. Cell Phone Use Tied To Poor Sperm Quality Spending hours on a cell phone each day may affect the quality of a man’s sperm, preliminary research suggests. Does Having A Baby Boy Lead To More Depression Than Having A Baby Girl? Giving birth to a boy can lead to higher levels of severe post-natal depression (PND) and reduced quality of life than having a girl, according to research published in the February issue of Journal of Clinical Nursing. Recent Media Headlines Continue To Mislead Public On Safety Of Vaccines Three separate autism-related studies published within the past six weeks have given pro-vaccine groups, pharmaceutical companies and government officials a major PR victory in the tug-of-war battle between their side and anti-vaccine lobbyists, which include many parents of children with autism. Adding to the frenzy and confusion has been the false depiction by many media outlets of total vindication for vaccines and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Why Active Living Initiatives Do Not Necessarily Address Obesity Issues A landmark University of Alberta study, analyzing a sample of over 275,000 individuals, has found that when it comes to participation in physical activity, one size does not fit all. Why We Love Sweet A glycoscience workshop organized recently by the European Science Foundation has underscored the vital role of complex sugars in biological systems. Very Young Process Fear Memories In Unique Way Very young brains process memories of fear differently than more mature ones, new research indicates. The work significantly advances scientific understanding of when and how fear is stored and unlearned, and introduces new thinking on the implications of fear experience early in life. An Ignorant Way To Prevent Disease The Mississippi state legislature in the U.S. is considering a bill that would not allow restaurants to serve obese people. How ignorant could the legislature be? Apparently, extremely so! Prior Knowledge Affects How Consumers Accept New Information Over time, consumers develop a set of cues that we then use to make inferences about products, such as “all French restaurants have great service” or “more expensive candles smell better.” However, this set of predictable beliefs can make it difficult for us to learn and recognize other real, positive qualities that are indicated by the same cues, reveals a new study from the April issue of the Journal of Consumer Research. Body Image Is A Stronger Predictor Of Health Than Obesity In a study to examine the impact of desired body weight on the number of unhealthy days subjects report over one month, researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that the desire to weigh less was a more accurate predictor of physically and mentally unhealthy days, than body mass index (BMI). Active Father Figures Play A Key Role In Mental Health Of Children Active father figures have a key role to play in reducing behaviour problems in boys and psychological problems in young women, according to a review published in the February issue of Acta Paediatrica. Why Does It Seem Like All The Good Ones Are Taken Singles’ bars, classified personals and dating websites are a reflection, not only of the common human desire to find a mate, but of the sense of scarcity that seems to surround the hunt. Many people participate in dating activities in the hopes of finding that special someone, yet feel as though it is an impossible task. However, thanks to an international team of psychologists, the solution may be closer than we think -- within ourselves, to be exact. Parkinson’s Patients Benefit From Tango When the band strikes up a tango, people with Parkinson·s disease may want to head for the dance floor. The Internet Is Empowering An Informed Generation of Health Conscious People Conventional Doctors are adjusting their bedside manner as better informed patients make ever-increasing demands and expect to be listened to, and fully involved, in clinical decisions that directly affect their care. Breast Cancer: A Preventable Disease Through Good Nutrition And Exercise The recent Breast Cancer Awareness month was dedicated to the importance of early detection. We read articles about breast cancer statistics, symptoms and treatment. Strangely missing from the mix was information on prevention. An Herbal Extract Eases Symptoms of Heart Failure In a review of 14 studies, researchers have found that the herbal supplement hawthorn extract is effective in treating symptoms of chronic heart failure. The Beauty Bias: Can People Love The One They Are Compatible With? Physical attractiveness is important in choosing whom to date. Good looking people are not only popular targets for romantic pursuits, they themselves also tend to flock together with more attractive others. Does this mean then that more attractive versus less attractive people wear a different pair of lens when evaluating others’ attractiveness? Can Menu Labeling Prevent Disease? Will calorie content on menus prevent disease? Apparently, New York City thinks so. Beginning next month, New York City will require certain restaurants to post calories on their menus so people can see how many calories they are ordering up. Want To Lose Weight? Stay Away From Artificial Sweeteners Want to lose weight" It might help to pour that diet soda down the drain. Researchers have laboratory evidence that the widespread use of no-calorie sweeteners may actually make it harder for people to control their intake and body weight. New Research Explores How Our Bodies Keep Time Our alarm clocks may spring forward on March 9, but our biological clocks may take longer to adjust. That's because our internal clocks are so tightly wound to many physiological and behavioral processes. Seasonal or Irregular Exercise Habits Leads To Obesity The consequences of quitting exercise may be greater than previously thought, according to a new study from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that determined that the weight gained during an exercise hiatus can be tough to shed when exercise is resumed at a later date. Sleep Duration May Play Important Role in Childhood Obesity Less sleep can increase a child’s risk of being overweight or obese, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Doctors Realizing The Power Of Exercise To Control Depression Doctors are increasingly prescribing exercise for people with depression, mental health campaigners have found. How Vaccines Damage Your Brain: Another Reason to Avoid Recommended Vaccines A growing body of evidence indicates that the primary culprit of depression is low-grade, chronic brain inflammation, and that vaccines activate chemicals in the brain responsible for inflammation. Having Close Ties With Parents Is Good For Preschoolers Having close ties with parents is obviously good for preschoolers, but what does that really mean? It means that the preschoolers are better able to control their own behavior by showing patience, deliberation, restraint, and even maturity. Acupuncture May Boost Pregnancy It sounds far-fetched — sticking needles in women to help them become pregnant — but a scientific review suggests that acupuncture might improve the odds of conceiving if done right before or after embryos are placed in the womb. Skip the Gym, Go Home To Get In Shape If you'd rather stay home than go to the gym, you might be on to something. As long as you work out in your living room, that is. Low-Carb Diets Better Than Low- Fat Diets at Preventing Diabetes A lead author of a study in the current issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition said vegetable-based, low-carb diets have a protective effect against diabetes. Fluoridation's Next Target: England Health Secretary Alan Johnson has called for fluoride to be added to England's water supplies. Marriage Only Gets Worse, Coping Mechanisms Get Better If your spouse already bugs you now, the future is bleak. New research suggests couples view one another as even more irritating and demanding the longer they are together. Weight Training As Effective As Endurance Exercise When It Comes To Burning Fat Weight training may be as effective as endurance exercises like running when it comes to burning fat and warding off diabetes, a study suggests. Seeing Our Spouses More Negatively Might Be A Positive While our relationships with children and best friends tend to become less negative as we age, we’re more likely to see our spouses as irritating and demanding. Chronic Insomnia Can Predict Future Functioning Of Adolescents In one of the largest epidemiologic studies, a new study allows for an estimation of the impact of chronic insomnia on future functioning of adolescents. Beetroot May Reduce Blood Pressure Drinking 500ml of beetroot juice a day can significantly reduce blood pressure, UK research suggests. Ridiculous Study Claims Prevention Saves Lives But Costs Governments More Money An absolutely ridiculous Dutch study claims that preventing obesity and smoking can save lives, but it doesn't save money because healthy people live years longer. People Around The World Are Interacting Less And Less With Nature From backyard gardening to mountain climbing, outdoor activities are on the wane as people around the world spend more leisure time online or in front of the tube, according to findings published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Older Women More Likely To Become, Remain Depressed Than Older Men Older women appear more susceptible to depression and more likely to stay depressed but less likely to die while depressed than older men, factors that contribute to the higher burden of depression among older women, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Do You Have A Healthy Sleeping Environment? In the typical sleeping area, electrical exposure from external sources (live electrical wiring in ceilings, walls and floors) is thousands of times stronger than the body’s own electrical system. Long-term exposure to these high level electric fields can impair the body’s ability to communicate within itself, and impact health. A Daytime Nap Can Boost Memory A 45-minute midday nap can help boost your memory and remember facts, but only if you learned them well in the first place, a new study suggests. Dogs Could Be a Diabetic's Best Friend Researchers at Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, are taking the "helpful companion" idea one step further by gathering scientific evidence that could verify dogs can reliably detect dangerous blood sugar level drops in diabetics. Botanical Medicines are Competition for Inflammation Drug Options Almost every plant on the planet contains salicylates of some kind. Salicylates are the category of chemicals from which Aspirin was originally made. Every time you eat a raw plant you are getting some anti-inflammatory action and that is very securely known. Chemicals In Shampoos, Lotions and Powders Harmful To Infants Baby shampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to chemicals that have been linked with possible reproductive problems, a small study suggests. Coffee, Tea And Other Hot Liquids Impact 'Bisphenol A' Release In Plastic Bottles When it comes to Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure from polycarbonate plastic bottles, it's not whether the container is new or old but the liquid's temperature that has the most impact on how much BPA is released, according to University of Cincinnati (UC) scientists. Sugary Soft Drinks Boost Gout Risk in Men Consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks and fructose is strongly associated with increased risk of gout in men, a new study says. Epilepsy Drugs Increase Suicidal Thoughts And Behavior Epilepsy drugs used by millions of people may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, the Food and Drug Administration warned in an alert to doctors.