Archive for November, 2007
Researchers Discover Personal Trainer For Your Memory
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
Researchers have discovered the brain protein kalirin is critical for helping you learn and remember what you learned.
Healthy Hugs
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007What better way could there be to help us to overcome our depression than by giving and receiving healthy hugs?
They are environmentally friendly, can be found wherever there are people, cost nothing other than a moment of time, have no adverse side effects, and you cannot give one without receiving one in return. However, they can be contagious and addictive.
Years ago, in the early eighties, I was given a sheet of paper with a very short version of the power and value of hugs. I still have it somewhere in my memorabilia. It was titled “Healthy Hugs” and I used to keep a copy with me to show people so that I could solicit some hugs without being considered to be somewhat strange or a pervert.
There is no doubt that hugs give a person a mental lift and a feeling of well being. I can also understand the benefits of hugs in relation to raising children and the maternal instinct of mothers, and other women, to cuddle babies. “Cuddling and caressing make the growing child feel secure and is known to aid in self-esteem,” claims Dr Achal Bhagat, a Deli-based psychiatrist.
It is unfortunate that many men are reluctant to embrace each other with a hug as they are concerned that such actions may be considered not to be macho. It is time that this misconception is changed!
I admire those communities that are not affected by this perception. I, too, used to be concerned about the possibility of being misinterpreted or misunderstood when soliciting a hug. This has now changed, and I am fortunate that my adult children [two sons and a daughter] and my grandchildren offer to hug me.
Recently, I did a little research on this topic and found that there is considerable scientific evidence supporting the immense health benefits of hugging. Amongst this evidence is:-
The America Psychosomatic Association released a report in 2003 that found hugs make people healthier. It was a study conducted by psychological researchers at the University of North Carolina to figure out the correlation between hugs and health. They put 100 couples together and asked 50 couples each to watch fun videos holding hands and hug for 20 seconds afterwards.
The other 50 couples were told to watch movies without any physical contact. Later, all the participants were asked to talk about stress they recently experienced for two to three minutes.
The result showed that couples with no physical contact had twice as high blood pressures and heartbeats than their counterparts.
The level of cortisol, a hormone secreted in response to stress, also went up [in those couples that had no physical contact]. The effect of contact to unwind the body was scientifically proven.
———
We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth
—Virginia Satir, family therapist
So try it for yourself! Hug somebody, or at least hold hands for a while.
One Down, One to Go……………by Susan
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007I survived Thanksgiving so I consider that 'one down and one to go'. I really enjoy the holidays in many ways but they are also very tiring and stressful for me. I suppose it is my depression. It may also have something to do with working hard to cope with all the relationships in my family.
Getting together with family is one of my favorite things to do. I'll never understand why it wears me out so much. How can visiting cause us so much fatigue? I remember when I was a young woman in my 20's, I was exhausted after a weekend of sitting around talking and having fun with family.
I did quite a bit of cooking over the Thanksgiving weekend but had lots of help from my daughter and my grandson. We played games, went to a movie, watched a DVD and had plenty of down time which is just the way I like to spend a holiday. Having fun, enjoying one's family and eating good food sure can wear a person out!
Christmas will be here before we know it. I'm planning on being prepared and getting plenty of rest before it's time to have more family holiday fun.
Getting together with family is one of my favorite things to do. I'll never understand why it wears me out so much. How can visiting cause us so much fatigue? I remember when I was a young woman in my 20's, I was exhausted after a weekend of sitting around talking and having fun with family.
I did quite a bit of cooking over the Thanksgiving weekend but had lots of help from my daughter and my grandson. We played games, went to a movie, watched a DVD and had plenty of down time which is just the way I like to spend a holiday. Having fun, enjoying one's family and eating good food sure can wear a person out!
Christmas will be here before we know it. I'm planning on being prepared and getting plenty of rest before it's time to have more family holiday fun.
Avon Reviews
Living bioterror detector
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007
The trouble with biochemical weapons detectors is that they generate an unacceptable number of false positives, says Benjamin Shapiro, an aerospace engineer at the University of Maryland, US.
This is because existing detectors are unable to distinguish between all the subtle ways in which pathogens interact with the biological systems and so are easily fooled. So, why not use biological systems that use real cells to spot the pathogens instead, he asks.
The system that Shapiro and colleagues have come up with uses cells that die when exposed to a particular pathogen, which provides the early warning.
The cells are also engineered to produce a signal, such as fluorescence, when attacked. They are stored on a chip that keeps them alive and that also monitors the light they produce.
The cells can be exposed to pathogens in the air via a semi-permeable membrane. When the cells die and emit light, the system should know within minutes that pathogens are present – just like the canaries that were once used to warn miners of a build-up of toxic gas.
Read the full cellular canaries patent application.
Justin Mullins
This is because existing detectors are unable to distinguish between all the subtle ways in which pathogens interact with the biological systems and so are easily fooled. So, why not use biological systems that use real cells to spot the pathogens instead, he asks.
The system that Shapiro and colleagues have come up with uses cells that die when exposed to a particular pathogen, which provides the early warning.
The cells are also engineered to produce a signal, such as fluorescence, when attacked. They are stored on a chip that keeps them alive and that also monitors the light they produce.
The cells can be exposed to pathogens in the air via a semi-permeable membrane. When the cells die and emit light, the system should know within minutes that pathogens are present – just like the canaries that were once used to warn miners of a build-up of toxic gas.
Read the full cellular canaries patent application.
Justin Mullins
Doctors to investigate potential limitations of genetic testing in development of Alzheimer’s
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007
Now recruiting participants to help study the impact of knowing whether they have genetic predisposition
Neuroscientists Uncover Brain Region Involved in Voluntary Behavior
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007
Scientists at the California Institute of Technology have deciphered the activity of an area of the brain that could one day prove vital in the development of neural prostheses--within-the-brain implants that would translate thought into movement in paralyzed patients.
Fabric displays
Monday, November 26th, 2007
Wearable displays have long interested electronics company Philips. They could be used to display useful information or as a fashion statement (see image).
But one problem is that the liquid crystals normally used in flexible displays usually exist in a glass-like state, which ultimately limits the extent to which they can be bent.
Now Philips says it may be possible to build much more flexible liquid crystal displays by imprinting a cell-like structure onto an ordinary fabric using a stretchy elastomeric material such as silicone to create each pixel.
The pixels can be filled with a flexible electro-optical material such as a non-glassy liquid crystal, or a plasma. Conducting fibres within the material then make each pixel addressable. The result is a display that has the same material properties as a fabric.
Read the full flexible fabric displays patent application.
New discoveries about nitric oxide can provide drugs for schizophrenia
Monday, November 26th, 2007
Problems with memory and social function in patients with schizophrenia may result from an imbalance in the brain's nitric oxide system. A dissertation from the Sahlgrenska Academy shows that rats with characteristics of schizophrenia regain normal brain function if they receive drugs that reduce the production of nitric oxide in the brain.
Even Very Low Levels Of Lead Cause Brain Damage In Children
Monday, November 26th, 2007
Even very small amounts of lead in children's blood -- amounts well below the current federal standard -- are associated with reduced IQ scores, finds a new, six-year Cornell study.
Top 5 Tips to Beat Depression
Sunday, November 25th, 2007It’s a snappy title and I should get more traffic than normal. More importantly though, is there an easy, formulaic, 5 step method for overcoming depression? The answer is no, definitely not. If there was we wouldn’t be having a depression epidemic.
There are literally dozens of articles with similar headings to the one above. When I see them I immediately wonder if the writer has ever been depressed. Mental illness is anything but simple. Depression describes a broad spectrum of mood disorders, and there are many and varied treatments that provide different levels of success. Any “tip sheet” is by its nature superficial.
At the same time, such articles can be helpful. They aren’t normally written by medical or health professionals, so they provide input from outside traditional medicine. They give many ideas for lifestyle changes; ideas that won’t necessarily overcome depression by themselves, but nonetheless may be helpful to differing degrees for different people.
I’ve put links to a sample of articles below; some good and others pretty poor. I’ve summarized the tips from each so you can easily look further into what interests you.
You might also like to read my previous post What Works for Depression which is based on 2 research studies.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.
Top 5 Tips to Beat Depression
This is the only article in the 20 or so that I’ve read that suggests researching your illness and keeping a mood diary. Both of these are very underrated strategies that can get a person well on the road to recovery. The writer is also only one of two to discuss triggers. If you only read one of these articles then this should be the one.
Research depression, talk with someone, try different things to get well, mood diary, improved diet.
Ten Tips For Managing Your Depression
Of all the articles that I’ve read this is my favorite. It is well written and has a range of good, helpful strategies.
Sleep, exercise, less refined sugar, reach out to someone else, nutritious food, Omega 3, sunlight, yoga, meditation / prayer, professional help.
10 All Natural Ways to Stop Feeling Depressed
“The Blues” would be a better term than “Depressed” but there are still some helpful lifestyle ideas.
Emotional cycle, being with positive people, reflecting on past successes, gratitude, change of scenery, break in routine, animals and nature, get up and at it, find perspective, take action to help yourself.
10 Chemical-Free Strategies to Trick Yourself Out of the Blues
This writer doesn’t seem to understand depression. A couple of good points, but most strategies are ordinary at best and even bizarre.
Wear blue, take time out mentally, verbalise your anger to a friend, force your smiles, remove clutter, music, experiment with food, a concentration exercize, DIY aromatherapy, get in touch with your primal self through cooking.
Feeling Down? 7 Ways to Pick Yourself Back Up!
Another one that is more about “the blues” than depression, but the writer acknowledges the limitations of his advice. Some good ideas.
Make a list, take action, exercise, clean and straighten yourself up, get out of the house, lively music, talk about it with someone close.
Top 8 Tips for Living with Depression
This writer has a good range ideas, all of which can have an impact on depression.
Support group, manage stress, sleep, diet, control negative thoughts, stop procrastinating, learn to forgive
Top 10 Tips to Overcome Depression
Some interesting ideas, but the tips are a bit light for someone with true depression.
Talk, exercise, cry, sunlight, music, activity, write, balanced diet, affection, professional help.
5 Tips for Staving Off a Depression
Sound tips on how the writer deals with her own depression, before relying on medicine.
Work outdoors, eliminate the triggers, play music, exercise, maintain a positive attitude.
Five Tips for Reducing Depression
This one takes a different angle with the first two tips focusing on the media. There are some good ideas, but the article as a whole is weak in relation to depression.
Don’t read newspapers, turn off the television, be positive towards others, exercise, breathing and relaxation techniques.
Five Self-Care Strategies For Depression
Sound advice which includes exercise and adequate sleep – two of the most important.
Keep active, eat well, adequate sleep, minimize stress, maintain positive relationships.
Top 10 Tips for Beating Depression
This would be the worst article. The writer doesn’t seem to understand depression, viewing it more as a character flaw than a disease.
Develop interests, stay positive, fix your personal problems, create a positive social life, stop bad behavior, be realistic, make changes, become active, fix your diet, control your thinking.