31 July, 2013

Blame the full moon for bad night's sleep

The research group around Prof. Christian Cajochen of the Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel in Switzerland analyzed the sleep of over 30 volunteers in two age groups in the lab.

While they were sleeping, the scientists monitored their brain patterns, eye movements and measured their hormone secretions. The findings suggest that even today, despite the comforts of modern life, humans still responds to the geophysical rhythms of the moon.

The data show that both the subjective and the objective perception of the quality of sleep changed with the lunar cycles.

Around full moon, brain activity in the areas related to deep sleep dropped by 30 percent. People also took five minutes longer to fall asleep and they overall slept for 20 minutes less.

The volunteers felt as though their sleep had been poorer during fullmoon and they showed lower levels of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep and wake cycles.

According to the researchers, this circalunar rhythm might be a relic from past times, when the moon was responsible for synchronizing human behavior.

This is well known for other animals, especially marine animals, where moon light coordinates reproduction behavior. Today, other influences of modern life, such as electric light, masked the moon's influence on us.

However, the study shows that in the controlled environment of the laboratory with a strict study protocol, the moon's hold over us can be made visible and measurable again.

The results have been published in the journal Current Biology.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

31.07.2013

Brushing teeth regularly helps prevent dementia

Brushing your teeth not only helps you keep adazzling smile, but it could also stave off dementia, a new study has revealed. 

In a recent research, brain tissue from people suffering from Alzheimer was found to be infected with a type of bug that causes gum disease, the Mirror reported. 

Dentistry Professor Stjohn Crean told the publication that people should pay particular attention to brushing teeth and visiting the dentist to reduce bugs in their mouths. 

The presence of 'Porphyromonas gingivalis' was found in the tissue of 10 dementia sufferers. 

The study conducted by the University of Central Lancashire found that the bug triggers a response in the brain that destroys neurons and brings on symptoms such as memory loss and confusion. 

Dr Alison Cook, of the Alzheimer's Society, told the publication that the best way to reduce your risk of dementia is to lead a healthy lifestyle and enjoying a balanced diet.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

31.07.2013

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated

Confucius