1 July, 2016

Age: not just a number anymore

It's never too late for certain things in life, like learning a new language, going on a world tour or getting a fancy new haircut. However, some things in life are meant to happen within a certain age.

The human body is an amazing work of art, and is capable of many wonders. An ageing body, though, may not be able to keep pace. Today, many womentend to put pregnancy on hold in favour of their career. Recent research has shown that in addition to difficulty in conception, having a child when one is over 40 years of age can do a number on the heart.

The study in question was presented recently at the American Stroke Association'sInternational Stroke Conference in Los Angeles, California, and included data from 72,221 women aged between 50- 79 years of age. Of these, 3,306 women reported getting pregnant at the age of 40 years or more.The researchers evaluated their rates of stroke, heart attack and death from heart disease, and compared them with those of women who had children when they were younger than 40 years of age. They found that women who had children when they were over 40 were at higher risk of ischemic stroke by 1.4% and at higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke by 0.5%. In addition, they were at 0.5% higher risk of heart attack and at 1.6% higher risk of dying from heart disease.

The researchers recommended that women be informed of these risks, and that doctors remain watchful of their patients who had children late in life, in order to prevent stroke or heart disease. Being informed would enable the women to take necessary steps to improve their heart health. The biological clock ticks on, and counting the seconds matters, now more than ever!

Source: www.timesofindia.com

01.07.2016

The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease

William Osler

30 June, 2016

8 ultimate reasons to drink buttermilk every day!

New Delhi: Buttermilk, also known as Chaas in Hindi, is a great drink to cool off your body on a hot summer day. Perhaps, this nutritious drink is also loaded with vitamins and minerals, providing you with myriad health benefits. Here are some five amazing reasons why buttermilk is a blessing for your health.

·         Unlike average dairy products, buttermilk contains less fat, which is good for your heart.

·         The unique protein in buttermilk that lowers high blood pressure also keeps the cholesterol level in check.

·         Low in calories, buttermilk flushes out fat that usually coats the inner walls of the stomach and intestines after an oily meal.

·         Buttermilk also aids in weight loss as it helps to calm hunger pangs by keeping your stomach full for a longer period of time.

·         Buttermilk helps you get rid of indigestion, acidity while it boosts your immunity.

·         Buttermilk is good for your skin as it is enriched with Alpha Hydroxy Acid which acts as a natural skin lightening agent.

·         Consuming buttermilk regularly can help you stay hydrated as well as lower your body temperature.

·         Buttermilk promotes your bone health since it contains a high level of calcium but with less fat compared to milk. 

Source: www.zeenews.india.com

30.06.2016

As long as we don't forgive people who have hurt us, they occupy a rent-free space in our mind

29 June, 2016

Study says green spaces can cut teen violence

Teenagers living in neighbourhoods with more greenery may have less aggressive behaviours, suggests a new study. Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) recently conducted the first longitudinal study to see whether greenery surrounding the home could reduce aggressive behaviors in a group of Southern California adolescents living in urban communities. The team followed 1,287 adolescents, age 9 to 18 years. They assessed the adolescents’ aggressive behaviors every two to three years, asking parents if their child physically attacked or threatened others, destroyed things, or exhibited other similar behaviors. The researchers then linked the adolescents’ residential locations to satellite data to measure the levels of greenery in their neighborhoods.

The study found that 9-18-year-olds who lived in places with more greenery had significantly less aggressive behaviors than those living in neighborhoods with less greenery. Both short-term (one to six months) and long-term (one to three years) exposure to greenspace within 1,000 meters surrounding residences were associated with reduced aggressive behaviors. The behavioral benefit of greenspace equated to approximately two to two-and-a-half years of adolescent maturation. The study also found that factors such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, parents’ educational background, occupation, income level, or marital status, and whether their mother smoked while pregnant or was depressed, did not affect the findings.

Additionally, these benefits existed for both boys and girls of all ages and races/ethnicities, and across populations with different socioeconomic backgrounds and living in communities with different neighborhood quality. Researcher Diana Younan said that the study provides new evidence that increasing neighborhood greenery may be an effective alternative intervention strategy for an environmental public health approach that has not been considered yet. Based on the study’s findings, USC investigators estimate that increasing greenery levels commonly seen in urban environments could result in a 12 percent decrease in clinical cases of aggressive behavior in California adolescents living in urban areas. This new knowledge may provide a strong reason for further studies to examine if improving greenery in residential neighborhoods will indeed reduce aggressive behaviors in adolescents. The study will appear in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP).  

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

29.06.2016

Be the motivation,

 not the distraction

Rob Hill

28 June, 2016

Shift workers at higher risk of diabetes

People working irregular hours with night and rotating shifts are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This was revealed in a recentstudy where researchers observed the sleeping pattern and blood sugar levels of professionals working in shifts at IT and BPO companies in Pune for about two years.

"We found that any amount of shift work is linked to around 10% greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes.Those working in rotating shifts on regular basis were at 40% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes," said researcher Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, who heads the public health survey and studies section of the city-based NGO United World Against Diabetes.

"The findings are not unexpected," he said, adding that it has been said time and again that good night's sleep is important for one's well-being.

A total of 1,266 employees, mainly working in shifts at IT firms and call centers in and around the city , were observed as a part of the study. The employees were in the age bracket of 20 years to 42 years.

Between 2014 and 2016, the researchers kept a tab on the blood pressure, weight and random blood sugar levels of the employees. "Employees whose blood investigations showed elevated sugar levels were followed up consistently to arrive at their risk for developing diabetes. Other than diabetes, the employees working mainly in night shifts were also suffering from obesity, some even had high blood pressure and were suffering from insomnia," Upadhyay said.

When contacted, senior diabetologist C S Yajnik, head of diabetology department at KEM hospital, said, "Sleep deprivation is associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. People with irregular working hours and those who work in different shifts need to take extra precautions as far as factors like diet, stress management and proper exercise are concerned."

Source: www.timesofindia.com

28.06.2016

The people who accept criticism are the ones who are genuinely interested in self improvement

25 June, 2016

Doctors in Mumbai replace woman’s heart valve with that of a cow’s

A 52-year-old woman suffering from a severely damaged heart valve was successfully treated with a replacement surgery and implanted with a cow’s pericardial valve at a Mumbai hospital. Amita Patki was diagnosed with aortic aneurysm — enlargement of the aorta. An aneurysm is a bulge or ‘ballooning’ in the wall of an artery, which carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An overstretched and weak aorta can burst, causing serious bleeding and leading to death. A 2D Echocardiogram — also known as echo test — revealed to the doctors at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital that the valve damage was in an advanced stage. 

‘We performed a surgery on her and replaced the defunct valve with a biological bovine pericardial valve,’ said Hemant Pathare, Surgeon (Cardiovascular and Thoracic) at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital. ‘The patient was also diagnosed with ascension in her aorta up to the base. The ascending aorta was also replaced along with a part of the arch of aorta,’ Pathare added. The patient is responding well to post-surgery treatment and will be discharged soon, the doctor said. 

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

25.06.2016

Don’t make excuses,

make improvements

Tyra Banks

18 June, 2016

Doctors rule out threat of polio, say Karnataka can breathe easy

Recent reports of a polio virus strain being found in Hyderabad may have raised concerns but doctors working with the World Health Organization's polioradication programme in India have said there's no need to panic.

India continues to be poliofree. Though Telangana will organize a special vaccination drive as a precautionary measure, no such activity will be undertaken inKarnataka. "We continue to be polio-free.There is no cause for alarm," said Dr BP Subramanya, surveillance medical officer with Polio Surveillance Project-India, WHO. Just a month ago, WHO had declared that the Polio 2 or P2 virus strain is no more a threat.

Polio can be caused by three viral strains: P1, P2 and P3. Not a single polio case has been caused by the P2 strain since 1999, prompting the decision to switch from the trivalent to bivalent vaccine, which will immunize a child against any infection of the P1 and P3 strains.

"The detected strain is vaccine derived poliovirus (VDPV), which was discovered in a sewage sample collected near the Secunderabad railway station. However, no children have been found to be affected by it in the area. The last case of Wild Polio Virus Type 2 was reported 17 years ago in 1999.The detection of (VPDV) doesn't change our polio-free status. It only indicates the robustness of the surveillance system and willingness of the country to detect any kind of polio virus even from the environment (sewage)," the Government of India said in a press release on Thursday .

"The occurrence of VDPV is not rare. It can affect populations with low immunity. It's good that we have stopped using P2 vaccination," said Dr Subramanaya.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

18.06.2016

It’s better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt

Abraham Lincoln      

17 June, 2016

Karnataka becomes third state to ban e-cigarettes in the country

New Delhi: In a development that would reduce serious potential health problems, including cancer, caused by use of e-cigarettes, the Karnataka government has banned electronic cigarettes in the state with immediate effect from Wednesday. Health Minister UT Khader said that the decision has been taken on the recommendation of the committee on cancer prevention.

He said e-cigarettes mimic the size and shape of cigarettes and contain a cartridge containing liquid, which includes nicotine (up to 36 mg/ML) among other chemicals (usually propylene glycol or glycerol).

The government, in a circular, said the state has knowledge that Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems or e-cigarette and other similar products have been sold illegally (including online sale), without a obtaining valid license from appropriate authority specified by law.

It also pointed out that the use of nicotine in food products and consumption by public is banned under Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 and Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulation 2011. "Nicotine is allowed as an aid for de-addiction in nicotine replacement therapy under Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, it is not allowed for any other purpose under law.

"Therefore, the state government hereby prohibits the sale (including online sale), manufacture, distribution, trade, import and advertisement of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, its parts and components in any shape or size of cartridges containing nicotine in the interest of public," the circular said.

The Indian Medical Association 9IMA) had in January discouraged the use of electronic cigarettes to cut down on smoking as these disguised forms of tobacco can have "serious" long-term effects on health. Karnataka is the third state to ban e-cigarettes after Maharashtra and Punjab.

Alternative tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and waterpipes have been gaining popularity as they are often perceived as being relatively safe. However, these products contain chemicals and toxins which may cause serious potential health problems, including cancer.

Source: www.zeenews.india.com

17.06.2016

When ‘I’ is replaced by ‘We’ even ‘illness’ becomes ‘wellness’

16 June, 2016

44% Indian smokers who quit get hooked to smokeless tobacco: Survey

About 44 per cent of Indians who quit smoking are found to get hooked to other forms of tobacco which are as harmful as cigarettes and bidis, a country-wide survey said.

The survey was conducted in all the 29 states and two union territories and had a sample size of 69,296 individuals aged 15 years and above.

It found that 44.4 per cent of all successful quitters of smoking switched to using smokeless tobacco, namely products like plain chewable tobacco leaves, khaini, pan masala, zarda and gutka. Of all those surveyed, 50.8 per cent men and 8.7 women reported switching to smokeless tobacco use.

The survey was conducted by Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology here.

K.R. Thankappan, head of Achutha Menon Centre and principal researcher of the survey, said smokeless tobacco is as harmful as smoking.

"There has to be a concerted awareness generation on harms of smokeless tobacco products and strict enforcement of the ban on pan masala and gutkha containing tobacco or nicotine," said Thankappan. He said migrant workers are among the prime users of smokeless tobacco products and it's they who should be targeted by the awareness campaign.

The survey said the number of adult current users of smokeless tobacco in India is 206 million, much higher than 111.2 million tobacco smokers.

Senior Project Fellow and co-author of the study G.K. Mini said smokeless tobacco use surpasses smoking across India.

"If switching over is also added, the disease burden from smokeless tobacco use will be compounded. Studies have shown that smokeless tobacco users have a high risk for cancer," said Mini.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

16.06.2016

Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today

Benjamin Franklin    

15 June, 2016

Middle-aged people more likely to be diagnosed with late stage lung cancer: Study

A new study has revealed that middle-aged people between ages 50 to 64 are at the greater risk of developing late stage of lung cancer than older patients.

David Kennedy, data and research analyst at Cancer Research UK, a cancer charity says, 'Our results show that younger patients in their 50s and early 60s are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced lung cancer compared to patients in older age groups'.

He added that further analysis will focus on understanding this relationship to see if a similar pattern is present for other types of cancer.

The researchers have examined the records of around 34,000 lung cancer patients in England in 2013, to explore the association of early and late stage lung cancer and age.

"It's not clear exactly why younger patients are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, but what's important is that the disease is caught early,” Julie Sharp, head of health and patient information at Cancer Research UK, noted.

"Signs of lung cancer can include a cough that won't go away or being short of breath. It's vital that when people spot something unusual for them, they go to their doctor as soon as possible. Detecting cancer early is crucial as it offers the best chance of successfully treating the disease," Sharp said.

The findings are scheduled to be presented at the Cancer Outcomes and Data Conferenc 2016 in Manchester on Tuesday.

Source: www.zeenews.india.com

15.06.2016

You can’t have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about yesterday all the time

Charles F. Kettering    

14 June, 2016

WHO says voluntary unpaid blood donations must increase rapidly

Voluntary, unpaid blood donations must be increased rapidly in more than half the world’s countries in order to ensure a reliable supply of safe blood for patients whose lives depend on it, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO has urged all the countries to establish blood services based on full voluntary non-remunerated blood donations. According to the WHO, today only 62 countries get close to 100 per cent of their national blood supplies from voluntary unpaid blood donations, with 34 countries still dependent on family donors and even paid donors for more than 75 per cent of their blood supply. ‘Although we have many external differences, the same vital blood pumps through all our veins. Voluntary, unpaid blood donation is the act of giving life – the greatest gift any person can give or receive,’ said Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General.  

The theme of the World Blood Donation Day, which is June 14, is ‘Blood connects us all’. The theme has been chosen to highlight the common bond that all people share in their blood. About 108 million blood donations are collected globally every year. Nearly 50 per cent of these blood donations are collected in high-income countries, home to less than 20 per cent of the world’s population. An adequate supply can only be assured through regular donations by voluntary, unpaid blood donors.  

Statement from WHO also said that regular voluntary unpaid blood donors are the foundation of a safe blood supply because they are associated with low levels of infection that can be transmitted by transfusions, including HIV and hepatitis viruses. ‘Around the world, 25 countries are unable to screen all donated blood for one or more of these infections due to irregular supply of test kits, staff shortages, poor quality test kits, or lack of basic quality in laboratories,’ said the statement. ‘Voluntary blood donors come from all walks of life but they have one thing incommon: they put others before themselves – people they don’t even know,’ said Ed Kelley, Director of the Department of Service Delivery and Safety at WHO. 

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

14.06.2016

A clever person solves a problem,

a wise person avoids it

Albert Einstein          

13 June, 2016

Your sleep relates to what you eat

A new study has revealed that your weight and diet may help predict your sleep quality.

An individual's body composition and caloric intake can influence time spent in specific sleep stages, according to the University of Pennsylvania research.

In the study, 36 healthy adults experienced two consecutive nights of 10 hours in bed per night at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Polysomnography, which records physiological changes that occur during sleep, was recorded on the second night. Body composition and resting energy expenditure were assessed on the morning following the first night of sleep. Food/drink intake was measured each day.

The Penn team found that body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and resting energy expenditure were not significant predictors of sleep stage duration, but that overweight adults exhibited a higher percentage of time spent in the rapid-eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, when dreams typically occur and characterized by faster heart rate and breathing and less restorative sleep than in non-REM stages, than normal- weight adults.

The group also found that increased protein intake predicted less stage 2 sleep, the period when a person's heart rate and breathing are relatively normal and his/her body temperature lowers slightly, and predicted more REM sleep.

"In a culture of increasing pressure to sacrifice sleep to maintain productivity, this research adds to the body of knowledge on how lifestyle behaviors may influence the quality of our sleep" said lead author Andrea M. Spaeth. Future research is needed to study whether changing protein intake alters REM sleep duration and to find the biological mechanisms behind this relationship.

The study will be presented at SLEEP 2016, the 30th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

13.06.2016

You become successful by helping others become successful

11 June, 2016

More than 72,000 cases of cleft lip, palate exist in India

New Delhi: A new survey suggests that India has over 72,000 cases of unrepaired cleft lip or cleft palate.

Infants in low and middle-income countries face significant barriers to treatment, leading to prolonged disfigurement, social stigma, speech impairment as well as trouble of feeding food that can result in malnutrition and death.

The findings showed that there are 72,637 cases of unrepaired CL/P in India. The percentage of individuals with unrepaired CL/P who were older than the respective target age group of 1-2 ranged from 37.0 per cent in Goa to 65.8 per cent in Bihar.

Safe, timely and effective surgery can result in successful outcomes, the researchers noted, in the paper published online by JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. However, poor states like Bihar, with less health care infrastructure were found to have with exceptionally high rates for the surgery.

The rate of unrepaired CL/Ps ranged from less than 3.5 per 100,000 population in Kerala and Goa to 10.9 per 100,000 population in Bihar. Substandard nutrition and a lack of prenatal care are known to be the likely reasons for these congenital disorders.

Source: www.zeenews.india.com

11.06.2016

If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything

Mark Twain          

10 June, 2016

Do stay up till 2 am? That could be the reason you are fat

If your favourite novels are stealing that precious sleep time from you, don’t be surprised if you have to start squeezing into your skinny jeans. A new study from the Northwestern University suggests that among healthy adults with habitual sleep duration of at least 6.5 hours, late sleep timing was associated with higher fast food consumption and lower vegetable intake, particularly among men, as well as lower physical activity. Results show that late sleep timing is associated with lower body mass index and is not associated with total caloric intake; however, it remains associated with poorer diet quality, particularly fast food, vegetable and dairy intake.

‘Our results help us further understand how sleep timing in addition to duration may affect obesity risk,’ said principal investigator Kelly Glazer Baron, adding ‘It is possible that poor dietary behaviors may predispose individuals with late sleep to increased risk of weight gain.’ The study group consisted of 96 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 50 years with sleep duration of 6.5 hours or more. The study involved 7 days of wrist actigraphy to measure sleep, food diaries to measure caloric intake and dietary patterns, and SenseWear arm band monitoring to measure physical activity. Dim light melatonin onset was evaluated in the clinical research unit. Body fat was evaluated using dual axis absorptiometry (DXA). Data were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses controlling for age, sex, sleep duration and sleep efficiency.

The research appears in the journalSleep.

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

10.06.2016

Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

Albert Einstein

9 June, 2016

Spending extra week in womb can make kids smarter in school

Spending a week longer in the womb may give babies a tiny leg up on mental ability but put them at slightly increased risk of having a physical disability, says a study.

Babies born at late term -- 41 weeks' gestation -- are slightly more likely to be classified as gifted and have higher standardised test scores than babies born at full term, or at 40 weeks' gestation, the findings showed. However, babies born at 41 weeks also showed a slightly higher chance of having a physical disability than babies born at 40 weeks, the study said.

"What our findings suggest is that while 40 weeks remains the safest time for most babies to be delivered, in uncomplicated pregnancies, going another week seems to have beneficial effects on later performance in school," said Jeffrey Roth from the University of Florida College of Medicine in the US.

The findings were published online in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The researchers drew their results from 1.5 million Florida birth records between 1994 and 2002. They linked birth certificate information to public school records from 1998 to 2013. Children born at the 41st week were found to score somewhat better on tests given at third to eighth grade. Late-term infants were 2.8 percent more likely to be classified as gifted and 3.1 percent less likely to have poor cognitive outcomes compared with full-term infants.

Babies born late were also 2.1 percent more likely to be classified as having a physical disability that requires special classroom accommodation. These physical disabilities most commonly include speech pathologies as well as sensory disorders and orthopaedic conditions, and can include children being homebound or hospitalised.

"These results are modest, but still meaningful," lead author of the study David Figlio, director of the Northwestern University Institute for Policy Research in Illinois, said. "While late-term gestation is associated with somewhat higher rates for physical problems, it's also associated with better cognitive outcomes," Figlio noted.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

09.06.2016

It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not

André Gide   

8 June, 2016

President concerned over country's poor healthcare

Shimla: Expressing concern over poor healthcare, mainly in the country's rural areas of the country, President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday favoured its expansion to ensure equitable and quality services. He said there was a huge shortfall of nurses and para-medical staff.

"In our country, the healthcare system faces a number of challenges. There is an urgent need to expand physical infrastructure in the health sector in order to ensure equitable and quality healthcare services to all," the president told graduate and postgraduate students of Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH) here.

Nearly 75 percent of India's population resides in rural areas, he said. "Therefore, the doctors serving in rural areas are an important aspect, which needs to be looked into collectively by both the centre and state governments." Underlying the need to prepare more nurses and para-medical staff, he said: "We require more nurses and para-medical staff to serve the huge population of our country."

Mukherjee advised the students to remember what the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi had said about being the change they wanted to see in the world. He also reiterated what Gandhiji had said about thinking about the welfare of the weakest and poorest person in order to arrive at correct decisions.

Delivering the convocation address, Mukherjee told the students that while entering the new phase of life they should remember that the skill and knowledge they have acquired over the years will help them overcome future hurdles. Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur were among the dignitaries present at the golden jubilee convocation.

Amongst those who received the gold medals were Ritu Rani, Meenakshi, who received five gold medals in her graduation, Neha Singh, Shipri Sharma and Tanvi Katoch. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh appealed to all the students to serve the suffering humanity with compassion, dedication and love without any monetary greed. He said it was matter of pride for any institution to complete a long successful journey and celebrate its 50 years of its existence.

He said the IGMCH had produced 2,899 graduates and 1,337 postgraduates. 

Source: www.zeenews.india.com

08.06.2016

Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible

George Claude Lorimer          

7 June, 2016

Staying away from nature could be one of the reasons for rising mental illness in cities

Mental illnesses and mood disorders are more common in urban areas partly due to reduced access to nature, say researchers. ‘There’s an enormous amount of disease largely tied to our removal from the natural environment,’ said Peter Kahn, Professor at University of Washington. In a perspective piece published in the journal Science, the authors discussed the growing tension between an arguably necessary role urban areas play in society and the numbing, even debilitating, aspects of cities that disconnect humans from the natural world and make them dependent on anti-depressants.

‘Kids in large cities are growing up having never seen the stars. Can you imagine that — having never in your life walked under the vastness of the star-lit sky, and there’s that feeling of awe, restoration and imaginative spark?’ Kahn said. ‘As we build bigger cities, we’re not aware how much and how fast we’re undermining our connection to nature, and more wild nature — the wellspring of our existence,’ he pointed out.

In the article, Kahn, and co-author Terry Hartig at Uppsala University in Sweden, pointed to research that shows the emotional and mental strain cities can have on people. ‘I’m willing to say there’s a naturalness we can achieve in cities, but not at the scale we’re building or at the scale we’re headed with many cities,’ Kahn said.

‘There’s nothing natural about a megacity,’ he noted. There are steps cities can take to introduce nature into the urban core, including requiring buildings to have windows that open to allow in fresh air and natural light; incorporating more rooftop gardens and urban agriculture; and creating spaces within and around buildings to touch, see and smell native plants. But these remedies first require an appreciation for nature in urban centres, as well as the space, resources and collective will to make these changes.

Kahn argues that it is more than just introducing nature into urban areas. People must be able to interact with these elements using more of their senses in order to experience physical and psychological benefits of nature, as well as to shift the collective baseline toward better understanding and appreciation of the natural world. For example, looking at an office plant on the windowsill might be soothing, but having a place to sit in the grass on a lunch break and perhaps even sink one’s feet into the soil are sensory experiences that can deepen a person’s engagement with nature.

Thoughtfully designed cities with nature can offer both the stimulation and energy of an urban area and meaningful interaction with a psychologically restorative natural environment. ‘Thus, cities designed well, with nature in mind and at hand, can be understood as natural, supportive of both ecosystem integrity and public health,’ the authors noted.

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

07.06.2016

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom

Aristotle   

6 June, 2016

Fountain of youth pill may be just 2 years away

Hang on to your hat as a pill that turns back the clock could be available in just two years.
According to a McMaster University study, the 'youth' pill, which is aimed at reversing the damage done by dementia and other age-related diseases, is based on a blend of thirty vitamins and minerals widely available in health food stores and will be taken as a dietary supplement.

The scientists said that early tests of the formula, which contains common ingredients such as vitamins B, C and D, folic acid, green tea extract, cod liver oil, have been "dramatic."

They believe it could someday slow the progress of catastrophic neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

In the latest study, mice, which had widespread loss of more than half their brain cells, severely impacting multiple regions of the brain by one year of age - the human equivalent of severe Alzheimer's disease, were fed with the supplement on small pieces of bagel each day over the course of several months. Their improvement was remarkable. Over time, it completely eliminated the severe brain cell loss and abolished cognitive decline.

Lead author Jennifer Lemon said that they hope that this supplement could offset some very serious illnesses and ultimately improve quality of life .

The next step is to test the supplement on humans to check for any side effects. This is likely to happen within the next two years, and will first be given to those already suffering from neuro-degenerative diseases.

The study is published online in the journal Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

06.06.2016

With self-discipline most anything is possible

Theodore Roosevelt   

4 June, 2016

Patients on dialysis can now walk with wearable artificial kidney

A wearable artificial kidney could be developed as a viable, new dialysis technology that allows patients to be mobile and untethered during treatment, results of a US Food and Drug Administration-authorised clinical trial suggest. The technology may become an alternative to conventional hemodialysis for people with end-stagekidney disease. Present-day treatment generally requires three sessions a week on a stationary machine that restricts patients’ ability to walk around while it is attached and running. In contrast, a wearable device would allow patients to be mobile and untethered. It could also provide additional treatment benefits from longer sessions or more frequent days of dialysis. The trial of a prototype for such a device was performed with seven patients at University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Those leading the trial included the inventor of the device, Wearable Artificial Kidney prototype, Victor Gura of Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The findings were reported in the journal JCI Insights. The trial was conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of the device – its ability to take over some functions of failed kidneys. The researchers also wanted to ask the participants about their impressions of the experimental treatment, and to compare those with standard dialysis treatment. The patients were treated with the device for up to 24 hours. In the patients studied, the device was shown to effectively clear the blood of waste products, like urea, creatinine and and phosphorus, while also removing excess water and salt. These are normally filtered out and removed by working kidneys.

While the usual diet for patients on standard dialysis is highly limited, their blood fluid volume of those on the wearable device remained balanced during the test, even without any diet restrictions. Regulating the volume and composition of body fluids is another job of normal kidneys. During the trial, the participants tolerated the treatment well and did not have any serious, adverse effects. However, this trial of the device was stopped after the seventh patient because of technical problems with the device. These included the excessive formation of carbon dioxide gas bubbles in the dialysis solution, and intermittent variations in solution and blood flow. Nevertheless, the findings provide proof of concept that a wearable devise along these lines could be developed as a viable, novel dialysis technology, the researchers said.  

Source: www.thehealthsite.com

04.06.2016

Wonder rather than doubt is

 the root of all knowledge

Abraham Joshua Heschel