Memory Restoration Now Possible? Neurologists Find New Secrets to Synapses Storage

Medicine & Technology Dec 22, 2014

Neurologists have discovered that memory restoration may be a near possibility. In a recent study, researchers from UCLA's department of Integrative Biology and Neurobiology found that memories are not stored in the synapses, as was once believed.

Reading From an E-Reader Before Bedtime Disrupts Sleep- Study

Dec 22, 2014

In an age of computer graphics, social media, and the ever-present technology that plays such a vital role in our daily lives, it comes as no surprise that even in the moments before we close our eyes every night that we are consumed with checking that last status or watching a video or two. Sometimes, we just want to have some good, old traditional reading using an electronic reading material and wait until we get drowsy and sleepy. However, a new study published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that reading through electronic devices such as iPad, smart phones and other similar devices before bedtime could disrupt sleep patterns, affecting sleep quality, and affecting long-term health.

Fast Food May Affect "School Performance"

Dec 22, 2014

The performance of a student in the classroom may be affected by how much fast food one eats. A recent study published in the journal Clinical Pediatrics found that fifth-graders who ate fast food had weaker abilities in the subject areas of math, science and reading by the time they reached the eighth grade.

Sweets May Swell Your Brain—Caramel Apples & Listeria

Dec 21, 2014

Want to give something sweet this Christmas as an added treat? Well, you may want to reconsider. While cookies and cakes may be safe, one Autumn treat may carry along with it a bad tiding, and a serious infection as well. Though caramel apples are often an Autumn/Winter treat, health officials with the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are saying that they may be the link between a multi-state Listeria outbreak that has to date led to more than four deaths, and dozens of hospitalizations. Spanning the states of Texas, Arizona and Minnesota, the CDC confirms that the bacterial infections came after ingestion of pre-packaged caramel apples, and now the patients are facing life-threatening complications.

Real-World Medicine Man Or Phony? MDs Weigh In on the Dr. Oz Debate

Dec 20, 2014

Before the age of medical doctors and precise pharmaceuticals, people turned to the aid of medicine men, tribal councils and even shaman to heal all sorts of ailments. Herbal remedies were prescribed, and more often than not, the symptoms would disappear, or the person whose ailments would escalate would disappear too with the problem. But do you know who they never asked for help? Television personalities—not even those with medical degrees.

Caramel Apples May Not Be So Sweet—Listeria Outbreak Across US

Dec 19, 2014

This holiday season you may want to steer clear of the sweets—or at least caramel apples. Though the caramel sweets are often an Autumn/Winter treat, health officials with the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are saying that they may be the link between a multi-state Listeria outbreak that has to date led to more than four deaths, and dozens of hospitalizations. Reporting this morning, Dec. 19, on the condition of the outbreak, the CDC says that at least 28 individuals spanning the states of Arizona, Texas and Minnesota have been infected and are facing the life-threatening illness.

Sugar May Be Worse for Blood Pressure Than Salt

Dec 12, 2014

Both sugar and salt have gotten bad publicity over the years as far as healthy diet is concerned. Sugary food consumption has been linked to diabetes and obesity, while excessive intake of salt and salty foods has been associated with cardiovascular illnesses, particularly high blood pressure. However, a recent study puts sugar in a worse light as it claims that sugar may increase blood pressure more than salt does.

Hookah Leads To Increased Probability Of Smoking Cigarettes Amongst Teens

Dec 10, 2014

Waterpipe, narghile, arghila, qalyān, shisha-- all these refer to Hookah, a single or multi-stemmed instrument for vaporizing and smoking flavored tobacco called shisha. In recent years Hookah smoking has been a popular activity among college students due to its flavor, smell and sweet taste; as well as it has also been used as a tool for socialization. A new study, however, reveals that Hookah smoking may eventually increase the risk of cigarette smoking in adolescents.

Pfizer Explores Gene Therapy In Developing Treatment For Rare Diseases

Dec 09, 2014

Despite the number of mixed results in gene therapy which has had its share of setbacks, drug company giant Pfizer Inc. is pushing through with its gene therapy project. This is backed by advancement in technology and better research facilities, and for its first project, a partnership with privately-owned biotech firm Spark Therapeutics.

Smoking Linked To Loss Of Y Chromosome Amongst Men, Leading To Shorter Life Span

Dec 09, 2014

Ever wondered why men who smoke have a shorter life spans compared to female smokers? A recent study may have provided the answer for this query as it revealed an association between smoking and loss of the Y chromosome in male smokers. According to the Uppsala University (in Sweden) research which was published in the journal Science, male smokers were three times more likely to lose their Y chromosomes, compared with non-smoking men.

Recurring Negative Thoughts May Be The Effect Of Little Sleep Or Very Late-Night Sleep

Dec 08, 2014

Having negative thoughts could be the result of lack of sleep or getting to bed very late at night, a recent Binghamton University study revealed. Repetitive pessimistic thinking was linked to people who get only a few hours of sleep compared to those who get "enough" hours of slumber. And relating sleeping habits to the patterns of behavior participants exhibited, researchers found that there was a large contrast in thought patterns for those who sleep late versus early bed goers.

84 Per cent Of Vegetarians Reconvert To Being Meat Eaters In Just A Couple Of Months

Dec 08, 2014

One of the largest health trends in the 21st century that many people have subscribed to, or at least tried for a bit, is the vegetarian and/or vegan diet. The growing consciousness of a "healthier" lifestyle led to the popularity of going completely green. The shift from omnivore-carnivore to strictly herbivore has been easy for some, and a struggle for others. But a recent study found that going green isn't as easy as it's often made out to be. In fact, the gradual relapse and going back to a meaty diet was observed in more than 80 per cent of vegetarians.

Researchers Find Aspirin May Cause Stomach Bleeding In Women

Dec 06, 2014

However, a recent study found that regular dosage of aspirin could actually do more harm than good, especially amongst middle-aged women. The study investigated 30,000 women over the age of 45 years old, and participants were randomly assigned to take either 100 mg of aspirin or placebos every other day, to determine whether it lowered their risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. The result showed that those taking aspirin were at a significantly higher risk of suffering from stomach bleeding, while the protective effect of aspirin was found to be marginal.

Study Indicates Bipolar, Schizophrenics Are More Likely To Get Tested for HIV

Dec 06, 2014

While the number of HIV-infected people have gone down over the years, and massive information campaigns have been carried out all over the world to curb the spread of the cure-less disease, figures have shown that HIV-AIDs are more prevalent in mentally-ill people.

Obesity Takes Away 8 Years of One's Life, But Causes Health Problems For Decades

Dec 06, 2014

Researchers from McGill University found that obesity can shorten one's life expectancy by up to eight years for those who are very obese. The number of years that could be slashed in one's life depends on the severity of the person's obesity, according to the study. Aside from this, obesity is also linked to poor health, with constant illnesses within almost 20 years; this is attributed to diseases caused by obesity such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.